ricegf/elven-fire — Issue #24: Elaborate Polymorphic Rules
Author: ricegf
Created: 2012-01-29 22:22:15+00:00
State: open

Version 3.0 mentions polymorphism and specifies it as one possible outcome of a Special Feature, but is otherwise silent on how it should be handled (other than the obsolete "see Summoned Creatures" tag, which is a reference to a table not part of 3.0 - woops).

Jace asked how leveling up should work for a polymorph? Where is experience counted? Do they both level up at the same time?

Also, abilities? I assume he can have a different set of abilities from my main person, since he'll be wielding different weapons, etc?

I'd like ton be able to have different abilities for the octopus and my kobold, at least the physical ones. I'd like to change strength and Dx to match the octopus (otherwise, really, what's the point of changing?) The Octopus (in the book) has a different IQ, also, I'm ok taking the lower Octo IQ to balance the higher Octo St and Dx, particularly if I can slot abilities separately.

Rini suggested three different possible "stories" for polymorphs:

(1) The change is illusory, a la shapeshifters. You keep your own everything, but look different.

(2) The change is in body only, but the mind is untouched. In this case, you could gain the strength, dexterity, and physical abilities (e.g. spider silk-making abilities) of the creature, but maintain your own IQ and learned abilities. Depending on the creature, lower-level mental abilities may not be usable during the change (i.e. if an incantation is required but the creature has no voice, or a gesture is required but the creature has no limbs).

(3) There are two minds sharing one body, a la werewolf canon. In this case, you would gain the ST, DX, and IQ of the creature while shifted and be able to maintain completely separate sets of abilities. However... is that other creature friends with our party? How do you know when they will decide to transform back into you? Do they even know you exist?

Clearly we need a section clearly laying out polymorphic rules. And we need to define the this week, since Jace now has a polymorphic character in need of detailing.