When this spell is cast, the wizard is able to assume the form of any creature, save those that are noncorporeal, from as small as a wren to as large as a hippopotamus. Furthermore, the wizard gains its physical mode of locomotion and breathing as well. No system shock roll is required. The spell does not give the new form's other abilities (attack, magic, special movement, etc.), nor does it run the risk of the wizard changing personality and mentality.
When the polymorph occurs, the caster's equipment, if any, melds into the new form. Some worn (but not carried) magic items may continue to function in the polymorphed form. The mage may choose a single magic item that will continue to function while polymorphed. He may choose an additional worn item that will continue to function at ranks 5, 10, 15, 20 and 22. Chosen items will be somewhat visible in polymorphed form. For example, if the mage chooses a Ring of Protection, any form that he polymorphs into will have a visible ring. For example, in bird form, one of the otherwise brown claws may have a ring of whiteness around it that looks a bit odd and may be noticed at close range. Magical boots, while polymorphed as a dolphin, will manifest as a badly discolored tail.
A mage can choose to take one less magic item to make another less noticeable. Thus, a rank 5 caster can normally choose 2 magic items but instead chooses only a ring so that when he polymorphs, the ring is not noticeable.
Note that the caster could choose to have some of his items not manifest into his new form by divesting them before casting, and then wearing them once he is polymorphed. For example, the caster is rank 5 with the spell and really wants the magic of his Ring of Feather Falling, his Cloak of Protection and his Boots of Speed in the new form but, at rank 5, can only gain the benefit of 2 items. He takes off his Cloak of Protection before casting the spell and changes into a bear. Then he dons his cloak. One of his fingers has a line of whiteness around it representing the ring while his otherwise brown fur is black at the feet representing his boots. But he is now wearing a perfectly noticeable cloak. Of course, if he later changes from bear form to sparrow form, his cloak will fall away as it is way too big for a sparrow to wear.
The caster retains all mental abilities, including spell use, assuming the new form allows completion of the proper verbal and somatic components and the material components are available. A caster not used to a new form might be penalized at the GM's option (for example, -10 penalty to attack rolls) until he practices sufficiently to master it.
Thus, a wizard changed into an owl could fly, but his vision would be human; a change to a black pudding would enable movement under doors or along halls and ceilings, but not the pudding's offensive (acid) or defensive capabilities. Naturally, the strength of the new form is sufficient to enable normal movement. The spellcaster can change his form as often as desired for the duration of the spell, each change requiring a round. The wizard retains his own hit points, attack rolls, and saving throws. The wizard can end the spell at any time. The wizard also will return to his own form when slain or when the effect is dispelled.
Additional Notes
Although the polymorphed mage gains the physical mode of locomotion associated with a form, they won't necessarily be as adept at this movement form as the creature they are emulating. For example, the mage might change to a duck and he could fly at the full TMR of a duck, but would not be as agile as a duck if flying maneuvers are required. Similarly, a mage changed to a sahuagin, can swim, but not as well as a real sahuagin.
For purposes of this spell, the mage gains 1 rank of the associated locomotive spell per 3 ranks with this spell (round normally). Thus, a mage who is rank 8 with this spell and rank 2 with Swimming, could change into a sahuagin and gain 3 ranks of swimming skill while in sahuagin form. Changing into a duck would give him 3 ranks of Acrobatics skill, but only with regard to aerial maneuvering. |