Intelligent Item with Alternate form

[DarkLightHitomi]

I am making an intelligent item and I can give it an alternate form, is there any limits to what the alternate form can be other than size? I cant find one raw.

[Goth Guru]

It's like an alternate form of figurine of wondrous power.
It should be logical, like a spur that becomes a lance.
A spellbook that becomes a greatsword is very silly.

[Alitan]

Goth Guru wrote:

It's like an alternate form of figurine of wondrous power.

It should be logical, like a spur that becomes a lance.
A spellbook that becomes a greatsword is very silly.

Spur size=\=lance size. Intelligent item specifies = size for both forms...

Mind you, it mentions nothing about whether the alternate form has to be inanimate...

Staff-to-snake?

Club-to-kitten?

A spellbook that turns into a buckler would kinda rock, bein' waterproof and all.

[DarkLightHitomi]

Well I was thinking of an item that becomes a construct animal (like a familiar without the mechanical benefits)

Basically I am making a magical item companion that can can change to an animal shape to move on its own and travel with me. Though it would be very small but hey I can deal with that.

So I was more wondering what people think about that as a possibility and do they think I need something else to do that or do they think I shouldn't be able to do that etc.

Thanks for the responses!

Hmmm, club to kitten...Hmmm That would be hilarious treasure.

"Hey check out this magical club! I wonder what it does?"
"Meow!? Who dares wake me?"
"Ambush! Some mage just turned my club into a kitten, where is he? Attack!"
...

[Alitan]

Given that the rules don't say, I've made intelligent items that can change form into animals. Though I think I WILL start making them Constructs, now that you mention it...

[VRMH]

Some intelligent items can sprout legs. It's not much of an "alternate form", but a magic sap could turn into a caterpillar that way.

[Goth Guru]

The spell buckler should be allowed for wizards. It leaves the hands free for casting.
In Forgotten realmes, some dessert witches had their spellbooks sewn into their cloaks. Really, the spells were spelled out in colored thread.

I had one hilarious idea that cute, fuzzy animals on a weird planet could transform into nasty weapons. How about your kitten club was a magical beast. Constant shillelagh spell. A fox could turn into a +1 rapier of wounding. A wolf that turns into a sword of berserking. I think a blink dog might turn into a holy sword. Perhaps an idea for another time.