Singular: WystersyBurnsville, WVLiving near the lake, every Saturday I run along the trails. One morning it was very foggy and cool for the season; I threw on a jacket and went out as usual. The ground was covered in a thin layer of dew, which made parts surprisingly slippery; halfway down a wooded path, I slipped and fell backward, only skinning a knee. This next part, however, was the strangest thing I have ever experienced to this date: a woman laughed in the distance. Feeling embarrassed, I quickly got up and tried to brush of the mud, but I saw no one else around. Uneasy, I started to continue jogging, until I saw something weird farther into the woods. It looked like a large deer, but, instead of a normal deer-head, it had a human-like torso; it was too foggy to make out much, but it looked dirty and covered in vines or debris. And then it just disappeared. I don’t know what I saw, and I’ve never seen it again, but, I do know that the thing laughed at me—as crazy as that sounds. - Nolan 2017Responsible for Leaping Devils and seen most often near Beckley, Wystersis are shapeshifting nymphs whose natural forms are half human and half deer or horse. Active all year, except during the winter, they care for other fae, woodland animals, and native growing plants. The 5 - 6 ft, lithe forms of West Virginia’s Wystersis are comprised of gentle, flowering vines colored with muted tones over a mammalian body, human torso; hair and faux garments are stringy, wild, and woven into intricate braids and patterns, conveying their magical, yet rigid essence.On the pyramid of nature-fae hierarchy, nymphs fall only under elves; Wystersis manage faeries and other benevolent fae’s activities and roles, in addition to populations of malevolent fae, like Blue Grims—ensuring that death and life are in equal balance. A seemingly cold responsibility, nymphs not only encourage reproduction and growth within the environment but diminishment and death. Though they can be whimsical, friendly, and seemingly aloof, these childish, pleasant states are only a cloak that conceals their true selves: beings completely devoted to their task, protecting and enriching their lands with a soft or harsh hand.Wystersis Reproduction and Death Beings of longevity, but not immortality, Wystersis form a couple and reproduce before dying—the two fated since birth to meet once more. When a male and female come together, the flowers upon her body are pollinated; two, hard-cased pods form on the fae’s back over a month: one purple (male), the other green (female). The seed-like womb is partially inside the fae’s body and connected to exchange nutrients and waste; the upper portion of the casing absorbs heat and sunlight, growing from its warming radiation.After playing his part, the male nymph finds infertile ground to nourish with his remains; other males may accompany him on his last journey, saying their final farewells before returning to their designated areas. The nymph then ends his life, tearing into his flesh and spilling rich, green blood on the soil he cared for his entire life. The body quickly liquifies once its innards are exposed to air. Also feeling death’s threat, female Wystersy seek out another of the same sex to die with; together, they find prime locations for their offspring to be born safely and thrive within. To protect their children from ravenous, winter fae, the nymphs will sometimes hasten or delay the growth and birthing process; the amount of food consumed and time spent sunbathing alters the youths’ delivery dates. Most Wystersis attempt to give birth by at least mid-fall, while others prolong the process until spring. Waiting through the winter is very difficult for the nymphs, as they must fight off pucks and other fae in their weakened state; additionally, most spells cannot be used because they exhaust the fae and sap their fetuses of life to provide enough magical energy.When females give birth, the pair rips open each other’s pods, exposing the newborns to the world—one male and female from each. Already enfeebled, the new mothers meet the same fate as their mates. Small and temporarily defenseless, newborns appear as infantile humans with animal bases—forms determined in the womb. Each will meet to mate with the member of the opposite sex from the opposing pod; but, for now, their bodies absorb their mother’s liquefying corpse.Though confined to the area for several weeks, the babes keep each other company and grow accustomed to moving around on shaky limbs; their active, noisy bodies and watchful faeries, duidae, and other nymphs keep most predators at a bay. Once the soil and nymphs have rendered the former beings nonexistent, their movements are steadier, more confident. Able to survive on their own, the four go their separate ways—their purpose, needs, and abilities ingrained at birth. Initially, the young nymphs eat double the amount of vegetation, soil, and sunlight an average adult would, rapidly reaching maturity. By their first year, the Wystersis are fully grown; they may live up to 300 years.Pairs destined at birth will always know where the other resides. They watch over each other from nearby or within the same territory. In the future, when they feel their match’s health decline or desire to reproduce, they rush to their side. If their life partner dies before pollination can occur, the nymph is so stricken with grief and disappointment in their inability to carry on the species that they kill themselves irrationally, not even heeding their inclination to purposefully decide where to allow their bodies to break down.A Direct Influence As serious as other nymphs, Wystersis are also known to be a bit more creative and light-hearted. Sometimes, they watch humans practice superstitious rituals, making them come true for a laugh; good deeds such as this, however, are reserved only for those who treat nature with respect. Unlike other types of fae—who dance, feast, and sing in the woodlands—these nymphs trick others for fun, using the manipulation to further their own goals at the same time. As they can change their physical bodies to resemble any they have laid eyes on before, much mischief can be had. These forms can be used to place ideas into a community, get ill-favored individuals into trouble, or even produce halfling children—all of which aid the nymphs’ greater plans. While taking another form, the Wystersy’s other abilities are unable to be used until their initial, shapeshifting spell wears off; while in this alternative body, internal and external functions mirror the desired creature’s including dietary needs, reproductive processes, and other bodily functions and attributes. However, transformations put the fae at great risk of harm, as the nymph’s natural resistances to most maladies and attacks are gone. Once the changeling spell expires, the Wystersy’s body reverts to its natural state, shirking off any statuses picked up during the transformation, such as illness or pregnancy.Nymphs meet at least once per season to engage in practical and sociable conversation; during these meetings, they sit huddled in a circle in a clearing, running ideas by one another or relaying news. Unlike other regions, elves do not assign nymphs a location to oversee; instead, they divvy up territory and work on their own.Forms Through the Season The color, foliage, and appearance of a Wystersy changes throughout the year; the age they resemble also changes with the seasons. In the spring, nymphs look their youngest and have an almost childish profile—with full faces, bright, wide eyes, and playful, mischievous voices. Flowers displayed are pink or yellow, while fur, vines, and leaves are light green.In the summer, Wystersis appear as young adults: their bodies are muscular, they have a vexing, yet cajoling face, and are more graceful in movement than their clumsy, spring forms. During the warmer months, fewer vines adorn their bodies, though the ones that do display bright blooms (red, purple, orange, and white) over their vibrant green fur, vines, and leaves.In the autumn, Wystersis look older, their human halves appearing middle-aged, less toned and energetic. Their flowers dull to less saturated oranges, yellows, and reds, while their vines, fur, and leaves turn brown or shades of crimson. Their plant-based garments grow, covering more of their body and draping down in cascading forms.In the winter, when nature-fae are at their weakest and most vulnerable, Wystersis use powerful magic—becoming temporarily invisible. Before the spawn of Leaping Devils, however, the nymphs performed their duties: cleaning the forest and preparing for spring. At that time, they appeared as elderly, half-humans; their fur was gray or white, sometimes frosted with ice or coated in snow. Dry, dead vines completely wrapped their forms, revealing little of their mammalian bodies, which moved slowly with fatigue.West Virginian nymphs are harmless to humans, as long as they respect nature and do not mar the creatures who live within their domains. It is, however, very rare that one ever sees a Wystersy, as they can turn invisible; like most of their kind, they reveal their forms only to those they desire to be seen by. However, if one is met by a nymph, it is likely one disguised as something else—a strange, creative plan put into motion.