Hi,
If I have a revelation that duplicates a spell, does it only duplicate the effects, or also the way of generating these effects?
More specifically: revelations in general don't need material components. The Dark Tapestry many forms revelation is a supernatural ability, which normally doesn't need material components either.
Now, many forms ìs defined as follows:
As a standard action, you can assume the form of a Small or Medium humanoid, as the alter self spell.
Now my question is: what is meant by "as the alter self spell"?
Does this only cover the effects of the revelation, or the way of "casting" as well? More specifically, do I need a material component?
You don't need a material component, but as for how the mechanics of the revelation works, and what it will do for you, you use the text of the spell itself.
Why, then, does the wisdom of the ancestors revelation (ancestor mystery) specifically say:
Wisdom of the Ancestors (Su): Once per day, you can enter a trance in which you commune with the spirits of your ancestors. This trance lasts for 10 minutes, which must be uninterrupted and during which you can take no other actions. When you come out of this trance, you have gained mystical insight into the future. At 1st level, this insight acts as an augury spell with 80% effectiveness. At 5th level, the insight takes the form of a divination with 90% effectiveness. At 8th level, the knowledge you gain is equivalent to a commune spell. None of these spell effects require material components.
By specifically mentioning that this supernatural ability that emulates spells does not require material components, one might suspect that in other cases, material components are necessary...