You prefer the monoshift ring

You've had your fill of tendrils for a lifetime. You decide to stick with what you know, even if the specifics are unknown. Taking a deep breath you pick upt he gold band of the monoshift ring and slip it over your finger. You feel nothing at first. You look at the ring on your hand and stare at the odd green gem. It begins to pulse with energy, apparently attuning to your body and mind.

There's something nagging in your mind. Some memory. It springs forth and you recall the memory contained within the ring. You are liquid, swimming through water as water itself, traveling along rivers and gathering in pools. You emerge from the waters in the shape of a beautiful, nude woman with pale blue hair. A man, evil and betwitched by your beauty, approaches. You embrace him, your kiss giving him ecstasy, so much that he forgets himself and allows you to continue kiss him unntil he literally drowns in your watery embrace.

A nymph. The ring allows you to transform yourself into a water nymph, with all the powers that entails, to lure men, drown them with your kiss, and transform your body into water. You will it and gawp in amazement at your reflection in a silver mirror as your figure goes shimmery, then translucent and you begin to pour into a puddle on the floor. With a little will you rise up again, still translucent and flowing, but now in the nymph shape of the woman.

One more nudge of your mind and you take flesh, your body lithe and pert, more petite, but even (you have to admit) more beautiful. Your hair is pale blue and fringed with frosty white. Your eyes are blue-gray and your lips match. You stare at your hand and your fingers turn back into water, but in the shape of a hand. A little more concentration and your arm flows into a different shape. Every transformation feels pleasant and the possibilities of becoming a completely different person are exciting.

With a focus on the old you the ring flashes back into existence and you are restored to your original state. You find some clothes that suit you - a simple skirt and slightly revealing peasant blouse - and you ascend the drafty staircase to the surface door.

You travel for a few hours and cross a treacherous mountain bridge over a deep valley. You find you are less afraid of the natural perils of the world knowing you can transform into a being of water. You travel through a sunlit pine forest. When you emerge you stand before a massive mountain capped with snow.

This is the heart of the Dragon's Spine known as Great Peak. High atop it, at the limit of the tree line, the druids make their home. It will take you a day to climb. At the base of the mountain, alongside a clear stream and a narrow mountain road, you see a modest inn with a turning water wheel. Perhaps you could transform into the water and be drawn into someone's bath? Give them a little scare or perhaps something more pleasant. A few horses are hitched outside. The sign marks the inn as the Wayward Lass and depicts a bawdy young lady sitting and holding two mugs of ale.

You could sure go for a warm bed and a cup or two of ale, but it would probably be best to continue your journey. You lost track of time in the gnome tunnels, but it seems early afternoon. If you started climbing now you could perhaps reach the druids by tomorrow morning.