I've wanted a lower level alternate spell to use as a "travel form" spell. I think I have finally figured out a way to make it reasonable. Here are my thoughts;
Based on Baleful polymorph, but with the following changes;
Self only
Dispellable
Duration lessened to 24 hours (maybe 8?)
Caster retains mental ability scores and can use appropriate skills, such as perception, however has no ability to speak
Caster may only take the form of a hawk and his flight speed is reduced to 60 (as opposed to 80) with average (instead of good) maneuverability
Items carried meld with the casters new form (as with all polymorph effects) however caster can only meld up to a light load in this way. (prevents this from being a "pack animal" spell)
Some thoughts:
I'd prefer if I can tweak this to a lower level spell, such as 3rd or 4th at most. After that their are much better options available for travel.
Essentially you can fly, but you are extremely fragile as well as incapable of casting spells or otherwise communicating.
I was thinking about making the eagle form have some features that are extremely predominate to keep a caster from being able to pass as a normal eagle, such as unusual coloration or racing stripes (lol). If that will help with balance or flavor.
I also thought about extending the casting time to ten minutes to prevent this as being used as a combat escape.
For your reference
School: transmutation (polymorph)
Level: druid 5, sorcerer/wizard 5, summoner 4, witch 5, magus 5
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Components: V, S
Range: close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Targets: one creature
Duration: permanent
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates, Will partial; see text
Spell Resistance: yes
As beast shape III, except that you change the subject into a Small or smaller animal of no more than 1 HD. If the new form would prove fatal to the creature, such as an aquatic creature not in water, the subject gets a +4 bonus on the save.
If the spell succeeds, the subject must also make a Will save. If this second save fails, the creature loses its extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities, loses its ability to cast spells (if it had the ability), and gains the alignment, special abilities, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores of its new form in place of its own. It still retains its class and level (or HD), as well as all benefits deriving therefrom (such as base attack bonus, base save bonuses, and hit points). It retains any class features (other than spellcasting) that aren't extraordinary, supernatural, or spell-like abilities.
Any polymorph effects on the target are automatically dispelled when a target fails to resist the effects of baleful polymorph, and as long as baleful polymorph remains in effect, the target cannot use other polymorph spells or effects to assume a new form. Incorporeal or gaseous creatures are immune to baleful polymorph, and a creature with the shapechanger subtype can revert to its natural form as a standard action.
Thoughts?
dotting.
I like the general idea of a low-level long-duration beast form variant that turns the caster into Tiny, generally harmless form that focuses on a particular movement mode while cutting almost everything else.
Form Of The Winged Messenger (flight)
Form Of The Aquatic Messenger (swim and water breathing)
To LazarX;
It's definitely not along the power lines of a 7th level spell or even a 5th for that matter.
It's self only, so a wizard can't move the entire party this way. Only the wizard can get around this way, but during his travel he's effectively gimped in every other way. No spellcasting, communicaiton, weak physical form. WIth overland flight they can cast spells, communicate, and otherwise retain all of their abilities.
It's not flexible at all. It gives the wizard one form. That's it and a gimped one at that.
I like the general idea of a low-level long-duration beast form variant that turns the caster into Tiny, generally harmless form that focuses on a particular movement mode while cutting almost everything else.
Form Of The Winged Messenger (flight)
Form Of The Aquatic Messenger (swim and water breathing)
What spell level do you think it is as far as power level goes given all the restrictions? Also, if not 3rd level what do you think it would take to gimp it to a 3rd level spell?
Could be ineteresting if the effect could not be dimissed before predetermined duration finishes. So the wizard becomes a harmless bird but he can't return to being oneself for the following day. It would also help reduce spell level.
Or maybe a polymorph spell that lasts until very specific conditions are meet or outside help is given.
How about this:
WInged Messenger
School: transmutation (polymorph)
Level: druid 3 , sorcerer/wizard 3, summoner 3, witch 3
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Components: V, S, M (an eagles feather)
Range: Self
Targets: Self
Duration: 1 hour per level (D)
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: no
As beast shape III, except that you change the subject into a small sized eagle with the following exceptions:
Flight speed is reduced to 60 feet with average maneuverability
Caster cannot speak coherently (though they can make animal noises, which are insuficient to use as command words) or make somatic gestures.
As with all polymorph effects gear carried melds with the new form, however this spell automatically fails if caster is carrying greater than a light load during the ten minute casting time.
Caster rematains mental abilities, but physical abilities are altered per beast shape III.
Caster can revert to its natural form as a standard action.
Could be ineteresting if the effect could not be dimissed before predetermined duration finishes. So the wizard becomes a harmless bird but he can't return to being oneself for the following day. It would also help reduce spell level.
Or maybe a polymorph spell that lasts until very specific conditions are meet or outside help is given.
What if it just took a minute or two to revert? Though I like the idea of dismissing the spell and jumping into action. Given the spell description above do you think it's necessary?
Hmm, this seems to be about a 4th level spell to me. Compare with Beast Shape II:
Tiny animal: If the form you take is that of a Tiny animal, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Dexterity, a -2 penalty to your Strength, and a +1 natural armor bonus.
Large animal: If the form you take is that of a Large animal, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Strength, a -2 penalty to your Dexterity, and a +4 natural armor bonus.
So, with your proposed spell you're giving up all of the versatility of Beast Shape in order to greatly extend the duration. It's clearly inferior to Overland Flight because you're assuming a form that you can't spellcast in. Even if you reduce the casting time to 1 standard action it's still completely inferior to Dimension Door for tactical movement. As a sorcerer you probably would not ever take this spell and as a wizard you'd probably only memorize it if you had a specific use in mind.
I'd say reduce the cast time to a standard action and make it 4th level and it'd be pretty balanced.
What if it just took a minute or two to revert? Though I like the idea of dismissing the spell and jumping into action. Given the spell description above do you think it's necessary?
I'd avoid this. All self-polymorph spells have the (D) attribute, which is a standard feature for these types of spells. In general it's not a good idea to change standard baseline spell parameters in order to balance a spell.
lol Just had an amusing thought.
Duration: Permanent (not dismissable) until specified conditions are met see description.
...during the ten minute casting time caster must maintain a location in mind (can be based on simple description or as elaborate as neecessary. Example: The town of Hoth or 1 mile outside of hoth on the north road or 5 miles north or the top of that specific mountain.) The destination can be as broad large as one square mile. The spell is automatically dismissed when caster reaches desired location and is standing on a surface that can support his humanoid weight. (in otherwords you can do a flyover and find a good place to land without fear of plummeting to ones death). Smart casters always make their desired location broad enough that
Additionally the spell is automatically dispelled if they leave the point of casting and later return.
The spell can be dispelled by a successful dispel magic check and the original caster cannot choose to fail his save for this purpose.
Essentially you're stuck until you get to your destination or return to the location of the casting. Amusing and effective gimp while still maintiaing the original purpose of the spell. Thoughts?
+
How about this:
School: transmutation (polymorph)
Level: druid 4 , sorcerer/wizard 4, summoner 3, witch 4
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Components: V, S, M (an eagles feather)
Range: Self
Targets: Self
Duration: 1 hour per level (D)
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: no
As beast shape II, except that you change the subject into a small sized eagle with the following exceptions:
Caster cannot speak coherently (though they can make animal noises, which are insuficient to use as command words) or make somatic gestures.
As with all polymorph effects gear carried melds with the new form, however this spell automatically fails if caster is carrying greater than a light load during the ten minute casting time.
Caster rematains mental abilities, but physical abilities are altered per beast shape II.
Caster can revert to its natural form as a standard action.
I'd be happy with the spoiler, but do you think I could gimp it further and make it a 3rd level spell by adding the contingency above? Given the "only dispelles at desired location" caveat all an enemy has to do to keep you as a pet is to catch you and prevent you from returning to your destiantion or casting location. Also the only tools you have to escape are those avaiable to a highly intelligent bird. Fast travel, but with risk.
how about if you stayed the same size, got a + to con, and hand your arms and hands replaced with wings? that gives you flight, casting restrictions, improved endurance for long-distance travel, and makes it all but useless in combat. it's third level at most, though you don't really want to give PCs true flight as a second level spell.
how about if you stayed the same size, got a + to con, and and your arms and hands replaced with wings? that gives you flight, casting restrictions, improved endurance for long-distance travel, and makes it all but useless in combat. it's third level at most, though you don't really want to give PCs true flight as a second level spell.
Here is my argument to make it as follows:
As my proposed spell doesn't improve with level other than duration I am going to assume level 5 as the caster level unless otherwise mentioned. My argument is based on that it should be a 3rd level spell, because I truly think it should.
Winged messenger (working title):
School: transmutation (polymorph)
Level: druid 3 , sorcerer/wizard 3, summoner 3, witch 3
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Components: V, S, M (an eagles feather)
Range: Self
Targets: Self
Duration: 1 hour per level (D)
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: no
As beast shape II, except that you change the subject into a tiny or small avian
Use familiar eagle for tiny stats and eagle for small.
Tiny animal: If the form you take is that of a Tiny animal, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Dexterity, a –2 penalty to your Strength, and a +1 natural armor bonus.
Small animal: If the form you take is that of a Small animal, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Dexterity and a +1 natural armor bonus.
with the following exceptions:
Caster cannot speak coherently (though they can make animal noises, which are insuficient to use as command words) or make somatic gestures.
As with all polymorph effects gear carried melds with the new form, however this spell automatically fails if caster is carrying greater than a light load during the ten minute casting time.
Caster rematains mental abilities, but physical abilities are altered per beast shape II.
Caster can revert to its natural form as a standard action
For reference
Beast Shape 1When you cast this spell, you can assume the form of any Small or Medium creature of the animal type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: climb 30 feet, fly 30 feet (average maneuverability), swim 30 feet, darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, and scent.
Small animal: If the form you take is that of a Small animal, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Dexterity and a +1 natural armor bonus.
bEAST ShApE ii
School transmutation (polymorph); Level sorcerer/wizard 4
This spell functions as beast shape I, except that it also allows you to assume the form of a Tiny or Large creature of the animal type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: climb 60 feet, fly 60 feet (good maneuverability), swim 60 feet, darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, scent, grab, pounce, and trip.
Tiny animal: If the form you take is that of a Tiny animal, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Dexterity, a –2 penalty to your Strength, and a +1 natural armor bonus.
Compared to:
Phantom steed:
phAnTom STEEd
School conjuration (creation); Level bard 3, sorcerer/wizard 3 casting Time 10 minutes
components V, S
range 0 ft.
Effect one quasi-real, horselike creature
duration 1 hour/level (D)
Saving Throw none; Spell resistance no
You conjure a Large, quasi-real, horselike creature (the exact coloration can be customized as you wish). It can be ridden only
by you or by the one person for whom you specifically created the mount. A phantom steed has a black head and body, gray mane and tail, and smoke-colored, insubstantial hooves that make no sound. It has what seems to be a saddle, bit, and bridle. It does not fight, but animals shun it and refuse to attack it.
The mount is AC 18 (–1 size, +4 natural armor, +5 Dex) and 7 hit points + 1 hit point per caster level. If it loses all its hit points, the phantom steed disappears. A phantom steed has a speed of 20 feet per two caster levels, to a maximum of 100 feet at 10th level. It can bear its rider’s weight plus up to 10 pounds per caster level.
These mounts gain certain powers according to caster level. A mount’s abilities include those of mounts of lower caster levels.
8th Level: The mount can ride over sandy, muddy, or even swampy ground without difficulty or decrease in speed.
10th Level: The mount can use water walk at will (as the spell, no action required to activate this ability).
12th Level: The mount can use air walk at will (as the spell, no action required to activate this ability) for up to 1 round at a time, after which it falls to the ground.
14th Level: The mount can fly at its speed with a bonus on Fly skill checks equal to your caster level.
WInged messanger
= (equal) same speed at level 6 caster level for phantom steed 60 feet in this case
+ (plus)flight
- (minus) speaking
- spellcasting
- any fun "do this while riding tricks"
- ability to cast for others
- the mount that never gets tired and can run for the entirety of the spell duration
Compare to Beast Shape II
bEAST ShApE ii[/spoiler:
School transmutation (polymorph); Level sorcerer/wizard 4
This spell functions as beast shape I, except that it also allows you to assume the form of a Tiny or Large creature of the animal type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: climb 60 feet, fly 60 feet (good maneuverability), swim 60 feet, darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, scent, grab, pounce, and trip.
Tiny animal: If the form you take is that of a Tiny animal, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Dexterity, a –2 penalty to your Strength, and a +1 natural armor bonus.
WInged Messanger
+ Duration
+ casting time (a negative that prevents being used to escape combat)
- large creatures
- medium creatures
- climb speed
- swim speed
- scent
- Grab
- pounce
- any other combat usage
- 101 usages other than traveling over land
Essentially my spell has one use. Overland travel and the caster can't really do anything else while this spell is active. Both of the comparable spells have multiple uses. My spell is much closely related to Phantom steed than beast shape in it's purpose. That's the sum of my argument. Let me know if it's good enough.
how about if you stayed the same size, got a + to con, and hand your arms and hands replaced with wings? that gives you flight, casting restrictions, improved endurance for long-distance travel, and makes it all but useless in combat. it's third level at most, though you don't really want to give PCs true flight as a second level spell.
That would be an acceptable compromise.