JesseLowe/AssumeTheBestialForm
Assume the Bestial Form
Terrestrial Circle
15 motes
By use of this spell, a sorcerer may take the shape of an animal. It was developed in the First Age by Solars who wished to experience some of what their Lunar spouses loved. It is little known in the Age of Sorrows, as the Immaculate Faith frowns on it and the Lunars have little use for it. Sidereal sorcerers often find it useful, but undignified.
The spell takes an hour to cast and must be performed in moonlight. During this time, the sorcerer paints certain symbols on his naked body in the heart's blood of the animals whose forms he wishes to take, which may number no more than five. The animals must have been killed that day. The animals can be no smaller than a housecat and no larger than a bear. Likewise, they must be natural animals, not Wyld-twisted mutants or similar beasts.
Once the ritual is finished, the sorcerer may assume the form of any of the animals, or his own, as a Simple action. He assumes their physical forms entirely, as if he were a Lunar shifting form. The effects of the spell fade at the next phase of the moon, about three days from the casting of the spell. Emerald Countermagic will also end the spell prematurely, which can be awkward if the sorcerer is airborne in a flying form at the time.
Comments
Hmmm... the duration is a bit awkward. What about making it a number of days equal to the Exalt's Essence? I think the way I'd use this was to allow reflexive transformation, but only allow transformation into animals while the Exalt is bathed in the light of the moon. -szilard
Just played a character with this... It can be quite, quite useful. Possibly too useful. I think I need to take another look at it. -- JesseLowe
I think Simple should be kept. Poor lunars have enough trouble without any Joe Sorcerer (remember, heroic -mortals- can cast this, if they're good enough) usurping their mastery of shapeshifting as well. Essence in Days... yeah, seems reasonable. Maybe limit the number of animals to sorcerer's Essence as well. Transformation under moonlight only seems to me to be over the top, because it -is- sorcery, and it -should- be powerful... nearly, but not quite equal to a lunar, but with much less flexibility. Those are my opinions anyway, but it's a really nice idea for a spell.
-- Darloth
