Bonding with an Animal
BONDING WITH AN ANIMAL
By Kai'Ral Windspar
It is important to note that the Fylgia in its' animal form is still very keen, and able to pick up tricks. It is absolutely not required to bond with a creature of the flesh to teach these tricks. Yet this path has its appeals, best left to the discretion of the individual woodsman or druid.
Bonding your Fylgia with an animal or beast to create a new animal companion is a ritualistic process of mutual respect, cunning and mysticism. To begin with, you must free your Fylgia from the animal form it currently takes.
Next is the arduous process to select the animal you desire to meld the Fylgia with. It is highly recommended that you experiment with this ritual and this selection process. It will allow you to grow as a trainer, and best determine how your Fylgia works with various species. If the chosen animal is feral and wild, you may want to reach out and touch its mind to calm it. This is not always possible, though, so just take adequate precautions to ensure your safety and that of the animal.
Once you feel you and the animal are in no immediate danger it is time to begin the ritual. You must begin by showing respect to the animal. Face your friend and get as close as you can. When the friendship has been established, call upon your Fylgia, and the two will try to bond. The decision is up to your new animal friend, though, and if your connection is not strong enough, you may fail.
Now all that is left is giving this new blended being a name. It is a requirement that this new creature is neither your Fylgia nor the creature you befriended have an identity. Skipping all the existential augments of 'What is in a name', let's just say it's good to experiment and pick a name that fits the new creature. That is, ultimately, your decision. Simply face your companion and tell it what its name is. 'Your name is...' or 'I name you...' will work just fine. The context is not as important as the name. It has to be a simple, one word name. Don't forget your companions name or make it something that is not quick on the tongue, or you may resent it later during training.