>>5901710Nym and Devi may look identical, but you have by now spent long enough with thee pale lunar cousins to know the differences between them. Though they display their emotions only in muted fashion, Nym’s disposition is somewhat more detached, serious. Devi’s, by contrast, is a bit more excitable, cheerful, but they are also prone to worry more and to become more emotionally engrossed in your affairs. So it plays out as the three of you—and Veloz, of course—return to the Moonwood.
“It will be fine,” you tell them.
Nym nods, and Devi ‘s forehead scrunches ever so slightly as they linger just a step behind their counterpart.
“Remember not to take in too much at once,” Devi reminds you.
“Nor to give too much of yourself away,” Nym adds. “It is an exercise of give-and-take—some of the wild will flow into you, but if you are not careful you will give away some f what you are to the wilderness.”
“I know, I know,” you huff.
And you DO know. They have drilled it into you: the same process by which the paramount deities of the Bonum Chaoticum beatified the nature of the material plane can undo a mere mortal—or even a lesser spirit like one of the fey. There isn’t only the risk of becoming ‘unseelie’, but of total ego-death. And yet you step lively into the depths of the woods, and feel no fear—only the thrill of exploration, of discovery.
Eventually, you find what you seek: a place that reminds you, however subtly, of home. There are flowers here—to Veloz’s delight, as he flits about and samples them. There is something else, though: here hanging amongst the trees, appearing at first glance like plump and ripe fruit, are the chrysalises of Luna’s great moths, a rare and spectacular etymological paragon which roosts and makes its metamorphosis only here. A dozen such cocoons hang, each hard-sides and spectacular in their patterns and oblong outlines. Their transformative energy will lend you the malleability of forma nd purpose which <Wildshape> requires.
“Is this… Experience… This ability…” Devi finally speaks up. “Are you… Absolutely certain that it is worth the risk?”
“No,” you say with a wry smile, and watch the subtle shift in the face of your friend—and yes, friend seems right, for who else would worry so?
“We will be watching,” Nym says, and you suspect it is to assure Devi as much as you. “If you begin to suffer any negative effects, we attempt a <Counterspell>.”
“But—” Devi begins, and then subtly glares into the eyes of their companion, communicating something mentally.
“Rude,” you say, and laugh when Devi looks embarrassed. “Come on, don’t worry. It will be fine.”
