Wight (Old English: wiht) is a generic term used for all-beings and non-beings, creatures and self-created, living and dead, especially (but not limited to): "Gods, elves, Dwarves, ettins, Ghouls, Humans, Vampire, Wanes, and Zombies; But usually in the mythical contexts the word's meaning narrowed to specific kind of wights called dreag (which the Anglo-Saxon equivalent of the Norse Draugr), and in modern media to advanced version of draugs. Wight is the most generic term when someone describe beings, deities, spirits, creatures, monsters, races, and species but not common for use by this meaning; Because people often only use "wight" word in Germanic contexts and to undead.
Origins[]
The Wight is a creature with origins in European mythology, legend and folklore. In particular, its name, or some version of its name, has been found in a number of Scandinavian, Germanic and English works.
An examination of the Germanic language reveals a connection to the term "wicht", which suggests a Goblin, a creature related to Elves or Fairies, or (as a loose signifier) a Witch. Further, Jacob Grimm (of the famous Brothers Grimm) speculated a connection between the name "Wight" and the Germanic term "vaihts", meaning "empty breath" (from "vaian", Germanic term meaning "to blow"), almost assuredly in reference to its undead nature.
Notably, a number of poets and playwrights (ie Chaucer and Shakespeare) have used the term "Wight" in reference to living people, albeit perhaps poor, unfortunate people, or "wretches". From this, some speculators who bear a prejudice against the homeless and others in extreme poverty have suggested that, in fact, Wights are a specific type of undead that can only arise from such desperately deprived individuals.
Appearance[]
Many believe that the Wight derives its name, at least partly, from its pale appearance ('wight' is a homonym of the word 'white'). Though, it is also known that the word Wight is derived from the Old English 'wiht' (meaning 'thing' or 'creature'), with relation to the Dutch/German term 'wicht' (meaning 'little child'). And interestingly enough, the shriveled and decrepit bodies of Wights are short and slender enough, relative to humans (and humanoids of similar size), that their stature is often compared to that of little children.
Behavior[]
The use of the word "Wight" to refer to an unfortunate (unlucky or poor) "wretched" human is likely due to the roaming tendency of Wights. As their sustenance demands, they are known to congregate in the outskirts of areas where humans (or humanoids of similar size) settle.
Aside from this, as the "unfortunate" or "wretched" connotation of their name suggests, Wights are creatures of unanimously sour disposition. This may range from a pitiful misery, to a ravenous desperation, to a surly hostility. Yet, while they are still driven by the instinct to feed, some believe that (unlike the vast majority of Zombies, for whom they are often mistaken) these undead retain at least some rudimentary memory of who they were in life.
Modern Descriptions[]
Wights are featured in J. R. R. Tolkien's world of Middle-earth, especially in The Lord of the Rings, and in George R. R. Martin's HBO television series Game of Thrones and novel series A Song of Ice and Fire. Since its 1974 inclusion in the RPG Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), it has become a recurring form of undead in other fantasy games and mods, such as Vampire: The Masquerade.