Once upon a time, there was a wizard named Mervin. Mervin was not all powerful. In fact, about the only magic he could do was transformation magic. He couldn't throw fireballs or create things out of thin air but he could turn people into chickens.
Mervin was a nice wizard for the most part. He could be cranky and aggressive from time to time but he mostly spent his time looking after the people of Arvath where he lived.
One day, he stopped to talk to a strapping young farmhand named Jurgen. This wasn't the first time Jurgen had caught the wizard's eye.
Mervin said, "I have a proposal for you. I need to go on a long and perilous journey where I may encounter orcs, goblins, dragons, sirens or gorgons. I would like you to come along as my familiar."
Jurgen said, "I don't know what a familiar is."
Mervin said, "A familiar is usually an animal but doesn't have to be. A familiar is like an assistant."
Jurgen said, "But I don't know any magic."
Mervin said, "That's okay. Mostly I will be using my magic on you transforming you into orcs, goblins, dragons, sirens or gorgons or other things as I may fancy. Would you like to spend time as a horse or as a majestic bird flying overhead?"
Jurgen said, "That might be fun. Alright, I'll be your familiar."
Mervin said, "Excellent. For the first part of this journey, I want you to be . . .