Southeast of Adriff are the ancient Wishing caves, where hopeful couples go to wish for a baby by throwing a stone into the lifewater of the cave's pools. The surrounding forest protects the caves with misdirection spells - those with pure intent can reach the caves, but anyone who would use the cave’s magic for wrong are turned back.
Inside is a quiet chasm where shafts of light play across the moss and softly flowing freshwater pools. The guardian of the caves is the Hatchmaker (a spunbii) who helps couples make their wish by instructing them on what to do. The wishing ritual is to tie an offering from each partner (a feather, a hair, a scale) to a stone that is tossed in one of the pools. The couple leaves, and if the wish is successful, the stone will begin to turn into an egg where it is cared for by the hatchmaker and her incubats (incubats sit on/incubate the eggs and keep them warm!) until she calls upon the parents to return and take their egg. |