Alternate form. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternate form. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Thistle Rosewood
09-17-06, 07:00 PM Greetings every one,

I just have a query,
If a creature, has alternate form, like say a dragon, ( my party can stop reading now !!! ) and it gets knock unconscious, for what ever reason, do they revert to their origional form, or do they stay in their alternate form, as it is a supernatural ability. I know they revert back at death, but am unsure at unconscuios.
Any help would be grand.

Miss Thistle Rosewood.
KnaveofClubs
09-22-06, 12:24 PM Depends on the depth of unconciousness. If they are knocked out to the point where they are nearly dead (lose all control of bodily functions, paralyzed, etc.) then they revert back. But, if it is nothing more than being knocked upside the head with a blunt object and being put into a wonderful slumber, they retain their form.
Zherog
09-22-06, 12:43 PM I disagree with Knave. The rules don't say otherwise, which leads me to believe that as long as the creature is still alive they retain their alternate form.
razorboy
09-22-06, 12:51 PM I agree with Zherog. Unless the alternate form duration runs out or is dispelled, or the creature is killed (brought down to -10 for living creatures, 0 for constructs and undead), it will not revert to its original form even if unconscious. On the other hand, if the alternate form is actually an illusion such as Disguise Self (or an ability that says As Disguise Self, interacting with an illusion (such as shaking hands, hitting on the head, etc) might break the illusion.
Ogmug
09-22-06, 12:55 PM have to agree with the above, relevant SRD resource attached:.

Alternate Form

A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume one or more specific alternate forms. A true seeing spell or ability reveals the creature’s natural form. A creature using alternate form reverts to its natural form when killed, but separated body parts retain their shape. A creature cannot use alternate form to take the form of a creature with a template. Assuming an alternate form results in the following changes to the creature:

Notice it is for when killed, not unconscious. Additionally, cutting off an arm (vorpal blades, etc) leaves the arm in the new form.
KnaveofClubs
09-23-06, 01:38 AM Hey I'm just trying to make it mroe interesting when the creature can control their own form. This was one way I played it off when we had changling in the party who didn't want to be discovered.
Zherog
09-23-06, 12:13 PM That's fine - whatever works for your campaign is cool. But the OP asked what the rules were, not what people had as house rules. It's unfair to answer a question with your house rules without identifying them as such.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Thistle Rosewood 09-17-06, 07:00 PM	Greetings every one, I just have a query, If a creature, has alternate form, like say a dragon, ( my party can stop reading now !!! ) and it gets knock unconscious, for what ever reason, do they revert to their origional form, or do they stay in their alternate form, as it is a supernatural ability. I know they revert back at death, but am unsure at unconscuios. Any help would be grand. Miss Thistle Rosewood.
KnaveofClubs 09-22-06, 12:24 PM	Depends on the depth of unconciousness. If they are knocked out to the point where they are nearly dead (lose all control of bodily functions, paralyzed, etc.) then they revert back. But, if it is nothing more than being knocked upside the head with a blunt object and being put into a wonderful slumber, they retain their form.
Zherog 09-22-06, 12:43 PM	I disagree with Knave. The rules don't say otherwise, which leads me to believe that as long as the creature is still alive they retain their alternate form.
razorboy 09-22-06, 12:51 PM	I agree with Zherog. Unless the alternate form duration runs out or is dispelled, or the creature is killed (brought down to -10 for living creatures, 0 for constructs and undead), it will not revert to its original form even if unconscious. On the other hand, if the alternate form is actually an illusion such as Disguise Self (or an ability that says As Disguise Self, interacting with an illusion (such as shaking hands, hitting on the head, etc) might break the illusion.
Ogmug 09-22-06, 12:55 PM	have to agree with the above, relevant SRD resource attached:. Alternate Form A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume one or more specific alternate forms. A true seeing spell or ability reveals the creature’s natural form. A creature using alternate form reverts to its natural form when killed, but separated body parts retain their shape. A creature cannot use alternate form to take the form of a creature with a template. Assuming an alternate form results in the following changes to the creature: Notice it is for when killed, not unconscious. Additionally, cutting off an arm (vorpal blades, etc) leaves the arm in the new form.
KnaveofClubs 09-23-06, 01:38 AM	Hey I'm just trying to make it mroe interesting when the creature can control their own form. This was one way I played it off when we had changling in the party who didn't want to be discovered.
Zherog 09-23-06, 12:13 PM	That's fine - whatever works for your campaign is cool. But the OP asked what the rules were, not what people had as house rules. It's unfair to answer a question with your house rules without identifying them as such.