I had to rewrite this post since not everyone could coprehend I decided it fits better here than the "Other Paths" section.
The following is a brief mythological reference to the nymphs
Myth means legend therefore the following does not contain facts but simply ancient greek beliefs.
Nymphs are not real and they do not have physical forms as I will explain later they are dieties/spirits of the ancient Hellenistic religion. (Ancient Greek Paganism)
The following is in reference to Paleo Pagan beliefs.
Nymphs were considered to be lower deities by ancient Greeks but they were highly respected and worshiped nonetheless.
The nymphs were goddesses of vegetation living, as delivered in the Iliad, " in the beautiful groves and sources of rivers and verdant meadows in the Mountain of Sipylum (between Lydia and Phrygia).
Nymphs are categorised and named depending on where they live Meliades meaning honey (Hesiod) (this area was known for producing Honey). Dryads daughters of Heaven and not Zeus, therefore oldest,were thought to be born from the blood of Uranus that dripped on earth when Cronus cut off his genitals *. The Nereids were thought to be the Nymphs of the calm waters of the sea, the Naiades were believed to live inside waters and are often considered the "rivers daughters" The Oreades (meaning mountains) live in the mountains, the Alseides in forests. Others were associated with particular places, such as Amadryades were thought to be born from the tree that protects and shares their fate, they were even considered to die with this tree. This, for example, is the case of nymph Sagaritidas which plays a role in the variation of the Attis myth mentioned by Ovid . The myth goes like that: Attis violated the promise to Cybele. The promise was to remain pure and united with the Bride Sagaritida. The Goddess killed the nymph by uprooting the tree. Moreover in Greek mythology the Amadryades beg heroes to save the tree, and sometimes punish one who will cut a tree ignoring their requests. This is the case of the nymph Ambrosia or Bacchus the myth states that they attacked Lycurgus with an ax when she refused sexual proposals. Earth transformed her into a vine that strangled him.
Nymphs were believed to live in caves where they sing and dance along with Hermes and Pan playing the syringe. They were considered to live too long after drinking ambrosia, but eventually die, ie have a peculiar relationship with immortality, like Dionysus, they relate to other reasons we will see below. Medea, at the request of Zeus, gave them back their youth.
Mythology states that nymphs often fell in love with mortals, mostly shepherds who grazed on the banks of rivers, which they kidnap and experience love with them in caves.
The most common lovers of Nymphs according to mythology were nature spirits, the Satyrs, the Priapus etc., river gods (Kifissos) and Olympian gods such as Zeus, Dionysus, Apollo, Mercury and often they gave birth to brave sons, but mortals, mainly soothsayers (Tiresias, Tineros -from the Apollo and the nymph Melia), wise (Epimenides), doctors (Asclepius), founders (Aeacus; the generation of Aiakides belong renowned heroes as Peleus, Telamonas, Achilles, Ajax, Neoptolemos) beautiful and young (Narcissus, the nymph mother Leiriopi), goddesses and princesses (Pasiphae, daughter of Sun and nymph Crete).
Apart from falling in love, they were thought to be munipulated and seduced, mainly from the gods. Jupiter, for example, took the form of Artemis, or, according to other versions of Apollo, to join the nymph Callisto, who was following Artemis. Her pregnancy was revealed when the goddess with the companions decided to bathe in a fountain on Mount Mainalon. Artemis turned the baby into a bear and killed her with an arrow for the loss of her virginity.
Nymphs were also called Kourotrophos, because they had undertaken the upbringing of heroes and gods. Zeus, Poseidon, Dionysus were rescued and fed by the Nymphs. It is also believed that nymphs nursed Hera, Persephone, Hermes and Panin a cave. Moreover, the first class nymph , Artemis, took care of newborns. In Figaleia there were nymphs with the name Eurynome which apeared half woman and half fish. (mermaid myth)
The Nymphswere believed to belong to the troupe of Dionysus since they saved him but are also linked with Apollo identified with the adjective nymfigetis (nymph leader).
Also, nymphs may be following a different, higher class nymph like Calypso and Circe (see http://www.spellsofmagic.com/read_post.html?post=772314).
Nymphs are considered minor deities. However In Homeric poetry they are considered daughters of Zeus.