Post/Author/DateTime	Post
prettyripples 05-11-06, 02:46 PM	The character concept is of a wizard possessed by his familiar. In particular, the familiar was once a powerful wizard, but is now trapped in the body of a raven, bereft of his magic. However, one day the raven came upon a young boy with a clear talent for magic. Excited, and finally seeing hope of escape, the wizard allied himself with the boy, promising him gifts beyond his wildest dreams if he would only follow orders. Naturally, the boy went along with him, if only out of curiosity. Over a course of months, the raven guided the boy through the spell that would link them together as familiars. By day, he flew for miles, searching for ingredients for the ritual; by night, he taught the boy, whilst his parents were asleep. Finally, all was prepared. The boy and the raven stole away from their house to a clearing in the woods, where the moon was shining. For a night and a day they worked, and as the shroud of night covered the land, the raven looked into the boy's eyes, and took him. The raven was stronger, and knew more of magic, but the boy was in his own body. Neither could gain the upper hand. Lanes of fire scored the clearing as magic spilt free from the struggle. Birds took flight for miles around, unsure of what was happening but knowing it was wrong. Both the boy and the raven were tiring, but the raven was more determined. This was his chance, and he held on. Exhausted and frightened, the boy lashed out with all he had. It almost destroyed him. Now, the boy's mind is in ruins. We, if we saw him, might think him autistic. The raven controls him through 'suggestions' across the familiar link, and if they boy balked at any, he would be ruthlessly bullied. Like this, the raven dragged him through the academy (of wizardry) and out into the wide world, where he plots to gain the boy enough power to return to his real form - or even to take the boy's body himself. ------------ So, that's my concept. Obviously, it's a little rough around the edges, but it's basically there. I need help with two things, though. Firstly, I want suggestions on how a powerful wizard could have ended up trapped in a raven's body. If it helps, he's ambitious and impatient, so he could quite possibly have made mistakes. Secondly, I want suggestions on how the raven could be controlling the boy, rather than the nebulous "through the link". Hopefully, these things will be reasonably simple to someone with a better knowledge of the spells than me... it doesn't necessarily have to be a spell that exists, I can probably get the DM to agree anyway, but I'd like them to be consistent with the rest of the spells if possible.
Caretaker 05-12-06, 08:36 AM	As to your first question, a Baleful Polymorph spell is quite capable of turning someone into a raven as long as they fail their saving throw. Even a powerful mage has a chance of turning into aq small animal such as a raven when subjected to that spell. It is a fortitude save to resist the actual shapechanging, and a will save to resist losing mental capabilities and spells. He may have retained his magical abilities, but in his new form, he would have been uncapable of performing the vocal, somatic, and handling material components needed to actually cast spells. If I remember correctly, in the PHB it says that a raven familiar can speak one language of it's master's choice as a supernatural ability. So when the raqven became the boys familiar, he gained a voice, giving him the ability to use I now sort of picture a raven sitting of the shoulder of a young boy, constantly whispering into his ear, controlling his every move. A bit like grima wormtongue/theoden from Lord of the rings.
prettyripples 05-12-06, 10:11 AM	That works excellently. Thank you for your quick response.