Basso

Basso once sustained a wound so severe that he knew he only had minutes. Being a well-studied mage, he knew he had to try something to preserve himself, even the most risky of magic. His winter sphinx accompanied him as he found a suitable tree - one which was ancient, yet still thriving. And he did his spell. He spoke to the tree and it began to share its life force, but at the expense of how ability to control his body. He stood petrified, his life force and mind retained, as his body became one with the powerful tree.

From this magic he knew there would be no return. Perhaps scholars of magic would one day know how to reverse his casting. But until then, his body stands, petrified as wood, collecting snow in the winter and providing shade to all manner of creatures in the summer.

His winter sphinx, ever loyal, stays with Basso, awaiting the day he may lead a curious mage to return his friend to his proper form.