Selective Shape Change
(Alteration)
Level: 10
Range: 0
Components: V, S, M
Duration: 1 hour/level
Casting Time: 9
Area of Effect: The caster
Saving Throw: None
With this spell, a wizard is able to assume the form of any living thing or creature below demigod status (greater or lesser deity, singular dragon type, or the like), including Legendary Monsters, as found in DM OPTION: HIGH LEVEL CAMPAIGNS. The spellcaster becomes the creature he wishes, and has all of its abilities save those dependent upon Intelligence, innate magical abilities, and magic resistance, for the mind of the creature is that of the spellcaster. Thus, he can change into a griffon and fly away, then to an efreet and fly through a roaring flame, then to a titan to lift up a wagon, etc. These creatures have whatever hit points the wizard had at the time of the shape change. Each alteration in form requires only a second, and no system shock is incurred.
In addition with this more potent version of the shape change spell, the caster can mix and match parts of the various creatures. For example, the caster nearly out of spells and in the thick of a war can grant herself wings of a deva, head of a griffon and the arms and a tail of a marilith for a total of 8 attacks and the ability to fly! Note that gaining the separate abilities of more than one type of creature disallows the caster from further augmenting these select parts to legendary monster status; only when in the full form or using parts from one exculsive creature can the creature type be from a legendary monster type. For example, the caster could transform into a paragon griffon, or bear the head and claws of a scion griffon is she so desired, yet when figuring the special powers grants, typically only enhanced damage, speed, trample and perhaps breath weapon could be gained in the metamorphosis, as resistances are not allow by the spells very nature.
For example, a wizard is in combat and assumes the form of a will o' wisp. When this form is no longer useful, the wizard changes into a stone golem and walks away. When pursued, the golem-shape is changed to that of a flea, which hides on a horse until it can hop off and become a bush. If detected as the latter, the wizard can become a dragon, an ant, or just about anything he is familiar with.
A wizard adopting another form also adopts its vulnerabilities. For example, a wizard who becomes a spectre is powerless in daylight, and is subject to being turned, controlled, or destroyed by opposing clerics. This also functions in the case of selective parts shape changed, as the specific areas of the body may be subject to this effect, yet others may be immune or otherwise unaffected. Unlike similar spells, a wizard who is killed in another form does not revert to his original shape, which may disallow certain types of revivification if she her form is too foreign to still be considered as “her”.
The material component is a jade circlet worth no less than 5,000 gp, which must be shattered by a mithral hammer immediately.
Notes: Uncommon spell during the ARCANE AGE of the FORGOTTEN REALMS.
