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8.3.1 GATHERING THE PATTERNS
The matrix or mystical signature pattern is the foundation
of all Changeling magic. The Transformers use
the Study Original spell to obtain and mentally store their
matrices. This can be dangerous – as the caster must be
within ten feet of the target, succeed at casting a mental
attack spell, and then is unable to do anything but
concentrate on assimilating the matrix for an entire
minute. Study Original is a “noisy” spell, alerting even
the most magically insensitive of targets that a spell has
been cast upon them. As with the Simulacra adepts, the
potency of a Transformer is constrained by their matrix
collection, so the perils of pattern acquisition must be
risked.
and maturation. Furthermore abominations must be
trained, educated, and fed for years. Creating abominations
is a long-term strategy, but is the only magical
irreversible means of developing wholly new species.
In terms of game statistics, the GM has full discretion
over the values assigned to each factor as well as the final
say on the form of hybrids created using Lesser Abomination
and Greater Abomination. For composites made via
Abomination True, the PC may choose the final form
(and the player may suggest the statistical values), but the
GM retains right of veto on all proposals. When assigning
stats, the hybrid may receive either the value possessed
by one of its parents or the average of its parents’
scores.
8.3.2 CREATING A CHANGELING
To create a Changeling of a specific type, the Transformer
must first have a matrix with the appropriate
facet.
Example: Gregoras wishes to give his henchman
Stabian the capability of delivering a poisoned bite.
Many types of snakes are venomous, so Gregoras’
next task is to find and cast Study Original on a
suitable serpent.
Secondly the mage must determine what Change spells
will be necessary to achieve the desired effect. In some
cases, this will be obvious. In others, the GM may insist
that the PC succeeds at either a Very Hard (-20) Fauna
Lore maneuver or a Medium (+0) Biology maneuver to
understand the ramifications of the alteration.
Example: Gregoras succeeds at a Biology maneuver
and realizes that he needs to cast Change Mouth to
reshape Stabian’s front incisors into injector fangs
and Change Internal Organ to create a functional
poison sac in the roof of Stabian’s mouth with connections
to the fangs.
Actually implementing Change spells requires the
Transformer to touch the target and then successfully
cast the necessary spells. If the target fails its Resistance
Roll, and the caster can maintain concentration on the
spell for a number of rounds equal to the spell’s level
whilst still touching the target, then the change will take
occur and be permanent. Change spells are thus unsuitable
for combat casting.
8.3.3 CREATING AN ABOMINATION
Whereas most Transformers prefer to mutate adult
individuals, some choose to breed new composite creatures
by facilitating unnatural unions across species
boundaries. In nature, cross-species matings only produce
sterile offspring, even if the individuals are of very
close species. The Lesser Abomination, Greater Abomination,
and Abomination True spells achieve fertile offspring
across wide pairings. However, they cannot compel
a union or speed the normal processes of gestation
8.3.4 BIOLOGICAL CHANGES
Both Changelings and Simulacra can benefit from a
variety of bodily alterations. This section aims to suggest
some benefits and physical manifestations for these
modifications. All natural attacks should be at least one
step smaller than the original creature (i.e. a Medium
animal may only have a Small Claw attack), unless a
second casting is made to equalize attack and creature
size.
Armor Type: Increased natural armor may manifest as
hardened skin, leathery hides, scales, and even hardened
shells.
Body Coverings: Useful modifications in this area include
transparent nictitating membranes (protects eyes in
dusty conditions), fur, feathers and hair for insulation,
pouches for secreting young, and so forth.
Bone Projection: Antlers, beaks, talons and the like can
provide useful natural weapons.
Cartilage Change: Modifying external cartilage may assist
certain types of sensory organs and body functions
– the outer ear cartilage channels vibrations inward;
noses are entry/exit routes for air as well as smell
sensors.
External Appendages: Stingers can provide an excellent
delivery mechanism for poison, web spinners can generate
gossamer strands capable of supporting the creature
or to trap prey, and so on.
Internal Alteration: Adding gills and lungs will permit
underwater and air breathing respectively, increasing
lung capacity will assist at high altitudes, while poison
sacs and venomous spit will provide natural toxins
(level as creature). Increasing the fat layer may help
survival in cold climes, floatation bladders will aid
swimming, and metabolic changes may confer immunity
to specific substances (alcohol, individual toxins)
or diseases. Bone density decreases will lighten the
weight of flying creatures but make them more fragile.
Limb Alteration: This can include changing joints for
increasing or decreasing agility, elongating necks for a
longer reach, adding a tail (same size as legs or joining
two legs into a tail) for greater stability or a Bash attack,
additional legs (for stability or quadruped forms),
extra arms or tentacles (potentially more actions and
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