Shale's Manuscripts of Metamorphosis

This folio of parchments is contained in a hawthorn box inlaid with platinum. Runes of Transmutation School of Magic engraved upon the hawthorn box. It is locked by magic, and can be opened only by casting Tiny Servant upon it.

Upon research and discovery of the elements that lock the manuscripts from prying eyes, a simple casting of Tiny Servant from a member of the Conclave would release the binds as the binds of the manuscripts opened to reveal the machinations and workings of the Transmutation Archmage of the Elysian Institute of Arcana.

*Where those will flee, run and hide in the shadows as the people of Elysia are devoured, I shall not sit idly by and watch such atrocities proceed without any mind as to fixing, reversing or hindering the advance of the Illithid threat. I have seen allies and friends twist and contort following a near escape from the Mind Flayers, only to watch their flesh convulse and burst as opalescent flesh find skin to air and find stand in its place. The body gone, the mind with it. An ally now an enemy. But where human flesh has turned to aberration through the form of this natural born metamorphosis, it cannot be unthinkable to believe that the same can be done through the weaving of the Demain.*

*Whilst the deaths of thousands will never be undone, but perhaps can be avenged against those who would abandon them in their hour of need, I hope that at the very least an attempt to be made to reverse the effects of ceremorphosis at the hands of the Illithid.*

*With my deep and elucidated understandings of transmutation, I do not theorize that such a spell would require the training and level of learning required of True Polymorph. Considering the aspects of design that can be taken from polymorph and alter self, all that is required is a permanent suffix to the incantation to create a new body and vessel for a soul. Experimentation shall begin upon the gathering of necessary components.*

*Entry #1*

*The intended effect has not been procured. Nothing more needs to be added to this record. Attempts to extend Alter Self in a permanent state must **not** be attempted. Will continue work on deceased or non-humanoid forms until safe.*

*Entry #2*

*Attempts to mould beast into another beast have succeeded with great success. With no errors in one hundred tests, I will continue with human trials.*

*Entry #3*

*Once more, the intended effect has not been procured. I am uncertain of the issue that exists between humanoid and beast that creates this divide. Reverting to bestial testing will not aid the development of human trials, of which is the aim. This is a sacrifice that those entering these trials understand. And if I can complete and perfect the design of this spell, then the failed attempts can be undone.*

*Entry #4*

*I have lost trust of the trialists, as they too have lost their minds. Stolen away from the institute, they have ransacked the chambers, halls and library, along with initial primitive designs of the spell. I will attempt to find them, but ultimately their lives were a sacrifice to be made in progressing the research in undoing the mass ceremorphosis to the people of the Elysia.*

*Entry #5*

*What excellent yet horrible timing. Within the week, an old friend has arrived with gifts from the god. How he found himself in possession in incarnum, I do not know. And yet, they serve as excellent material components for the spell and unlocked further studies in a form that requires no alteration, no transmutation, only creation.*

**Shale's Metamorphosis**

*6th Level Transmutation (Wizard)*

Casting Time: 1 Hour [R]

Range: Touch

Components: V, S, M (A drop of mercury, a dollop of gum arabic, and a wisp of smoke, damp clay equal to the weight of the target and a Sprite of Dystava, all of which the spell consumes)

Duration: 1 hour

The spell permanently alters the physical body of a humanoid creature into another type of humanoid body. After encasing the target in clay, the caster conducts a rigorous, one-hour-long ritual that manipulates the flesh and function of the target's body into that of another humanoid race. They lose their previous racial traits and instead gain the racial traits of another humanoid race of the target's choice, aside from their languages known (which remain unchanged). The age and lifespan of the previous race carries over as well, regardless of the longevity of the new race acquired. Should the target wish to alter their gender along with or instead of their race, they can choose to do so as part of the spell. When the ritual is completed, both the caster and the target gain one level of exhaustion.

Once a creature's race or gender has been changed via this spell, they cannot be affected by this spell again for 1 year.