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Sel, standing in the back and not wanting to intrude on their reunion, hesitates for a moment before answering Uruuna. Y-yes, he starts. Yes, I am ready. How will this work? How will you fix it? Did you learn the same fey magics that Toothsome mastered?
I always suspected, Sel thought. When I bought those iron rings, she was very hesitant. Despite his thoughts, he gets up to hug her. It doesn't matter what you are, it matters who you are. And you are a good person.
Sel the Small, part 3 Sel walked into his usual haunt, a local bar that he and Rena regularly frequented when both were in town at the same time. His - her? - body was covered in bruising. It had been nearly a week since the soul swap between him and Uruuna. It was challenging getting used to the halfling body, so he had set up a training room in the manor full of obstacles and physical challenges. And he had more than once failed. The body was too short. The feet too long. The balance was off - he still had a habit of walking on his toes, which ended up giving him a few more inches in height, but caused cramps in the legs. However, it simply felt more natural. "Mulberry wine, please," the halfling woman said at the bar. The bartender looked at her. "That's now what your kind usually order." But Sel didn't hear. So the bartender shrugged and poured the wine. Sel took a sip and immediately spit it out. "Ahg! What's wrong with this!" "I told you you wouldn't like it. That's a Faun's drink. The palate is too sweet for most people. Hell, I wouldn't even carry it if it wasn't for one particular faun that comes in here often enough, and I even add more sugar to the recipe. Though I haven't seen him in a while. "Neveryoumimd. Here, try this, instead." The bartender took the wine glass and replaced it with a tulip shaped glass and poured an orange liquid inside. Sel took a sip and the flavors exploded on his tongue with a peppery finish that was absolutely delicious. There was even a sting in the tongue that felt good. "Wow! That is good! What is it?" "It's a simple rye, Miss. Most halflings prefer it. For someone waltzing in here with such confidence as you did, I'm surprised you didn't know that. Your walk says that you know what you want, but your choice in drink tells me that your friends put you up to a prank. Tell me true, you ever had a sip of alcohol before?" But before Sel could answer, Rena interjected. "Oh, don't let her fool you. She's had plenty. Probably already drunk, which is why she thinks she's a faun and not a little halfling lady," Rena says with a grin. The pregnant commander hauls herself into a chair beside Selgaer. "Just a glass of red wine for me." "Ha. Very funny," Sel sulked. But it wasn't a genuine sulk. "How you holding up since the attack?" The question was placed deliberately to change the topic away from his body. "Fine. Those monsters banged me up a bit but did no lasting harm to me or the baby." She rests a hand on her rounded belly. "Thanks for the timely intervention, again. That's twice you've showed up in the nick of time." As the bartender returns with the drinks, Rena eyes Selgaer up and down and smirks. "I know that's Imedren's wife, but I gotta say, I like the new look. Ever thought about being a woman full-time? I'll bet we can find some magic to do that for you once you swap back." Sel looked aghast at Rena. Surely, the woman couldn't be serious. He looked over at her expecting to see the smirk and that classic twinkle in her eye when she was putting someone up to something. "Wait. You're serious, aren't you?" Sel asked. Rena shrugs. "You know where my preferences lie. I like you, Sel, but if you were a girl... Maybe there could be more than just friendship between us." "I…" Sel started. Then he sighed. "Always so direct, aren't you? Look, that's not a decision one can make on the spur of the moment. That kind of thing takes time. This body feels wierd. It doesn't feel natural. But.. I mean, yeah, I'd like for there to be more than just friendship, but... I don't know." "Just putting it out there for you to think about." Rena raises her glass in salute and sips her wine. They sat there in silence for a short while, sipping their drinks. He thought about what Rena had proposed. It was certainly possible - the hag proved that well enough. Was his attraction and possible love for the commander worth sacrificing his own body? What would that mean for the children in the manor? What would it mean for his brother? What body would he even want? After a while, he spoke up. "This feels awkward," Sel said. "Want to go for a walk?" "Sure, though at this point it's more like a waddle for me," Rena quips. She finishes her wine and follows Selgaer out into the city. "Waddle? You're barely showing! Don't milk it, woman!" Sel teased. Rena jostles Selgaer. "Hey, you want to carry this baby instead? Cause you can now!" "Uruuna would kill me if I put you in her body," Sel quipped. "Let's see how you feel with a little hoof digging into your ribs every few minutes." The two of them were back to their old selves, joking and jostling one another and often talking over each other as they made their way out of the bar and onto the streets of Crossings. The evening wasn't quiet, despite the dimming light. People were still in celebration mode after the Fog lifted - the horrors of those few days with the beasts and monsters hunting and killing were contrasted by the joy and zest for life which filled the air in the days following. The Mayors plan to hold a celebration the same night that the Hag was defeated helped set the mood for the city, helped reinforce the idea that they were unbeatable. The Mayor framed it not as a victory for a few select heroes, but as a victory for Crossings and all her inhabitants. Rena looks around at the happy faces, but hers soon turns into a scowl. "It never lasts, does it? Give it another month or two and some other danger will come to threaten the city. Harvesters, demon cultists, death plagues, faerie invasions. What's next?" "I don't know." Sel answered. "But we'll be ready. I've even been training. Bel built a gymnasium for me to train. Part of some contract he wrote up with Imedren." "Good. You're all going to need to be at the top of your game. I'll be out of commission in a few more months, and I don't know how you're going to survive without me." "And, can you believe it," Sel continued, "he's even hired beauticians! Hair and skin and nail specialists! And they wrote into the contract that I have to bathe daily! Daily! Can you believe it? I don't know what their issue is, but I'm perfectly clean. I take a bath every Sunday, whether I need it or not!" Rena laughs heartily. "Perish the thought! Well, who knows, Sel? You may start to enjoy getting pampered like that." The two of them laughed and joked and conversed as they walked, arm in arm, into the lantern-lit night of Crossings. ********************* Sel the Small part 4 Sometime during the month of downtime... "Gods, I'm bored, Bel," the halfling woman complained. "I've told you already, Sel, I've got plenty of paperwork to write up. You're more than welcome to join me." "That's part of the problem. Paperwork is so booorring. I need to go running. I need to chase a buck or take down a duck with an arrow or kill a freaking Drake! Something!" "No, Sel. You can't leave the city. And you are not risking that body," the faun said, dryly. "Come on, Bel! Sitting around the house all day long is literally torture!" "Figuratively." "What?" "It's figuratively torture. You using a figure of speech," Bel said. "See? See! That's exactly what I mean! Torture!" "Fine. Go. I can't bear your complaining anymore." Sel was immediately up and running towards the door. Bel called after him, "Wear proper clothing! You can't go hunting in a dress!"
Sel the Small, Part 2. Sel in Uruuna's body was sitting in the wing chair next to the fireplace in the manor library. Across from him (her?) sat Bel, the faun. Bel's was a lithe faun, but his time in the hidden realm had transformed him more than it did Sel. His face was more animalistic, his horns more pronounced, his body much hairier. Despite that, Bel had a mannerism and a way with words that put people in comfort. It's part of what made him such a good politician; people just seemed to naturally trust him. Sel looked much more human, with only hints for horns. If it wasn't for his goat-like legs and hooves, it would be likely that people would mistake him for a human more often than not. But not anymore. Now, thanks to yet more fey magic, his body was forcibly changed once again. This time, he was in a halflings body. A woman's body. The body of his old lover, back before he knew she was married. That happened yesterday. He was still uncomfortable. There was too much weight on his chest. There were parts missing between his legs. The hair kept getting in his face. Exacerbated, he tried to blow the hair out of his eyes once again. You can't cut it. the faun said. What? The hair. I can tell it's bothering you. But you can't cut it. I wasn't - Sel tried to protest, but Bel cut him off. You have to keep her body in good shape. And you have to keep is as close to the original as you can. Imedren is actively looking for a way to reverse this. I've contacted his representative - TaBog, I think his name is? The funny looking one - and have made promises. You are to stay within the confines of the city. Best if you stay in the manor. You are to keep Uruuna's body fit and in shape and healthy. TaBog has promised me that he will ensure the same is done for your body. He what? Sel exclaimed. Look, you can't trust that cat-bastard any further than you can throw him. He'll lie through his teeth and and when you catch him he'll make you think it's your fault. No he won't, Sel, the faun said. Despite your obvious prejudice against the man, he's not actually a bad person. He even has a reputation for keeping his word, especially when it comes to contracts. But- Sel started. Just trust me on this, Sel. I know what I'm doing. I've put contingencies down and have made agreements. If the two bodies are not in good shape, as defined in a contract which includes things like ensuring it's disease free, there's no missing parts, and there's no excessive weight gain or loss, among other things that would bore you if you had to read it, then damages will be awarded. And to ensure the stakes stay high, we wrote in ownership of the two manors. So don't f*&* it up, Sel. Uruuna also had some strict requirements for her body. Daily baths. Daily hair washing. Daily, Sel. You hear me? No extended hunting trips. I've hired some professionals to ensure the body stays in good condition. Uruuna also demanded strength training, so we're building a gymnasium. This time, Sel cut Bel off, I want in on the design of that gymnasium. Bel smiled. He crafted the words intentionally, knowing Sel would accept all the other stuff if he got a place to play. The gymnasium wasn't even part of the requirements - though the strength training was. It was just Bel's way of keeping Sel under control and giving his brother a reason to stay in the city. Sel would deal with the daily washings, the hairdressers, manicurists and pedicurists, and all the rest of the specialists he hire. Hell, he may even put up with the new seamstress Bel had hired; that would be an interesting moment to witness. But he knew that Sel would deal with it all if it meant he got a new gymnasium to play in. Of course, Sel. Come on, I'll show you what our designers have drawn up so far.
Sel the Small, Part 1. As soon as they got the kids in a safe place, Sel traded equipment with Uruuna. At the very least, he needed to feel like he had his own stuff. But - it didn't work. The longbow was too big for this body. His armor didn't fit him. The spear was almost too long, but at least he could carry it. He gave Uruuna her shield and sword back, but had to apologise for damaging her armor. Cutting the straps to get it off in a fit of panick meant it would have to be repaired before it could be worn again. Oh well. They'd be better off having new equipment made for them. They returned the children, but Sel was withdrawn, unable to enjoy the relief in their parents eyes. When it came time for the mayor to speak to them and award them for their heroic deeds, Sel did not want to be there. It would mean that both Bel and Rena would be there, and he'd have to deal with this embarrassment with them as well. And that's when he noticed something strange - it didn't bother him as much as it would. That constant fear, that constant urge to run and hide wasn't there. Instead, he felt naturally courageous. Not like before, where he was constantly fighting his skittish nature, but a sort of courage uncommon to him. And so he stepped forward, ready to face any challenge that may come. After the formal thank you offered by the mayor, Sel watched as Bel approached his old body. He was about to speak, when he got a mischievous idea in his head, and instead decided to watch and see how it would play out.
Level 8: Characteristics. Health +4 Swift Recovery. On your turn, you can use a triggered action to use your Nimble Recovery talent. In addition, you can use Nimble Recovery an extra time between rests. Hunter’s Mastery. When you use an action to attack with a weapon, your attack deals 1d6 extra damage and you make attack rolls against the target of your attack with 1 boon until the end of the next round
And all this excess weight on the chest! And I'm missing parts! It's not right! Sel looks over at everything, trying to take it all in. I thought you said Imedren was going to fix this. What's he doing over there with those spells and not over here fixing this?
Uruuna...? What happened to us? says says in confusion. After a minute or so, his head starts to clear, and he tries standing up. He's wobbly and movement doesn't make sense. Gah! No wonder you can't move fast. Your hooves have been replaced with slabs of flesh! He tries to balance on them like a young girl wearing heels for the first time.
Sel, still dazed, backs away from everyone until his - her? - back hits the wall. As Sel backs away, he drops whatever weapon he's holding and frantically tries to unstrap the shield. The armor feels constricting on his arm and it feels like he's being weigh down. He can't move nearly as fast as he should be able to. Next he tries to strip the armor off, going as far as pulling a knife to cut the leather straps. This is all so wrong. Why can't he move like he is support to? Why is he so slow? When he hits the wall, he shrinks down to keep hidden in the shadows. This entire ordeal is almost beyond the limits of his mind to handle.
Selgaer's mind snaps as it is violently ripped from his own body and placed inside a new one. When he gains his senses, at first it feels everyone grew. Or he shrink. What happened? Sel heard Uruuna ask at the same time he tried to speak. He looked for her, but couldn't see her anywhere. But he did see the hag. He grabbed his spear - where was his spear? Why did he feel so awkward? He looked down and saw he was wearing different armor and storage clothing. God, Thomas would kill me if he saw me wearing something so pedestrian. He couldn't help the thought. But then he realized - this was Uruuna's clothing. And get armor. And her weapons. Why did he have all this? Why was he wearing all her clothes? How did it fit? And what is that stupid this that keeps brushing against his face? He tried to away it away but he just got hair - his hair? WHAT IS GOING ON?! His gut tightened as it slowly dawned on him. Fearing the worst, he looked around one more time. The sight of his own body five yards away, looking just as confused as he felt, confirmed it.
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