Academy Anthology: Tales of Home

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With the support of his childhood friend Nox Celeste, Reed has started exploring the Aether in his human form, albeit with a hood and an ornate, hand-made, gem-studded wolf mask covering his face. So far everyone has been generally indifferent to him in human form and so he is growing slightly more comfortable wandering around and exploring in it. Generally he wears full body leather armor, studded with various crystals and gemstones, except for his feet.

Below the waist, Reed’s body is larger and better developed from all of his time in animal forms. His legs are long and muscular and his feet are long, wide, and bare. His toes splay naturally, widened from years without footwear, while his thickened soles have hardened to a near-leathery texture, shaped by countless steps on unforgiving terrain. He stands primarily on the balls of his feet, his weight shifting in quiet, unconscious adjustments—always balanced, always poised, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice—like a predator stalking his prey.

Reed has used the money from his adventuring and odd jobs to buy The [[Nugget]]. Technically it's a [[voidships|voidship]], but practically it's a rough-hewn asteroid with a [[Spelljammer Helm]] bolted on. Despite this, Reed is very proud of it and quickly learned to pilot it effectively through lots of practice and scratched paint (that was not his) near the [[Welmet]] where he purchased it.

He has also appeared in public as a Dire Wolf and as a Lion. Both had prominent crystalline growths indicating he has spent a great deal of time on [[Nemedobur#Criostalun]].

===Dire Wolf===
In his dire wolf form, Reed is larger than any natural wolf, his frame built for both power and relentless stamina. His long, muscular legs propel him effortlessly, favoring persistence hunting tactics over short bursts of speed. His dense fur, thick around his neck and shoulders, adds to his imposing presence, giving him an untamed, primal look that makes him stand out even among other beasts.

His body moves with fluid precision, every step calculated yet natural—a creature that exists on the razor’s edge between instinct and intelligence. His posture is low and relaxed, but never submissive, carrying himself with quiet confidence. Even in this shape, there is an unnatural sharpness to his gaze—calculating and watchful—a presence that betrays the intelligence and wisdom of the being beneath the surface of the wolf.

The most striking feature, however, is the jagged vein of iron pyrite that snakes from just below his left eye, creeping down to his muzzle and encrusting his jaw—a manifestation of his "gift" from Criostalun. The mineral has fused to several of his left-side fangs transforming them into gilded weapons that gleam with an unnatural light whenever he bites or snarls.
===Lion===
Reed in his lion form is a balance of strength and agility. He’s larger than the average lion, his build is lean and powerful, built for speed and endurance. His muscles ripple beneath his tawny fur, hinting at an instinctual grace sharpened by countless hours prowling in his lion guise.

Aside from his larger frame, his physique is unremarkable at first glance, but his presence commands attention—not through sheer size, but through fluid movements and effortless confidence. His steps are measured, his posture relaxed yet vigilant, a predator whose awareness transcends mere instinct—something deeper, something learned.

His most distinctive feature is his mane—a thick, untamed cascade of fur, flecked with shards of yellow sapphire, catching the light in an unexpected shimmer. When he moves, the glistening fragments pulse like embers woven into his fur causing the light to shift and dance unpredictably as he moves—a manifestation of his “gift” from his childhood home. Delicate strands of yellow sapphire extend beyond his mane, faintly embedded along his back, chest, and stomach—woven seamlessly into his fur like golden veins that highlight the contours of his body.