Alter self Alter self , originally known as Quantoul ' s alterer , was a transmutation or alteration spell that allowed the caster to change his or her body to a new form . Effects . This spell only worked on the caster , and transformations were limited to the same general body type , " i . e . " , a biped could not become a quadruped or an arachnid . The earliest version of " alter self " allowed the caster to increase or decrease body size by half their normal size . All aspects of appearance , including clothing and belongings on his or her person , could be changed within that limit — height , weight , hair and skin color , gender — essentially anything that " change self " could do except that it was a real transmutation and not an illusion . If the new form had gills like a sea elf , the caster could breathe under water . If the new form had wings like a harpy , the caster could fly , although slower and more awkwardly than a real harpy . Other than this , " alter self " did not grant any special abilities : taking the form of a drow did not give the caster darkvision ; having the head of a cobra did not allow the caster to spit venom ; changing a hat into an iron helm did not improve the chances of avoiding head trauma . This version of the spell lasted several minutes but the exact duration was impossible to predict . More experienced casters got longer durations on average . The next version of the spell allowed a human - sized being to take the form of a creature as large as an ogre or as small as a gnome , but the type of creature had to be the same as the caster ' s type ( " e . g . " , humanoid or magical beast ) . This version did grant physical - related abilities as the form dictated , such as racial skills , natural armor , natural weapon skill , swimming , flying , or burrowing . It did not grant extraordinary abilities like darkvision or venom , nor did taking the form of a troll grant the ability to regenerate , for example . The creature ' s appearance ( hair / skin / feather / fur color and texture , height , weight ) had to be within the range of variability for a typical specimen of the creature chosen . If the new form could hold or wear particular equipment , weapons , clothing , or jewelry , then after the transformation those items were still being worn or carried . Otherwise , they fused with the new form and became nonfunctional until the spell ended . This version of the spell lasted at least a half hour and more experienced casters could extend this by 10 minutes per level . The spell could be canceled at any time the caster desired . After the Second Sundering , this spell had three variations to choose from : This version of the spell lasted while the caster maintained concentration , for up to one hour . During that time , the caster could choose a new variation at will . A wizard could duck into an alley and " change appearance " to resemble a barbarian , then jump in a river and use " aquatic adaptation " to swim away . While in combat , a change could be effected every six seconds but only movement and no attacks were possible while the change took place . Components . Only verbal and somatic components were required to cast this spell . History . This spell was invented by the Netherese archmage Quantoul in – 2028 DR ( 1831 NR , during Netheril ' s Golden Age ) . It was a second level spell in the school of Variation .