Roleplaying J.K. Rowling's Animagi as characters. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Roleplaying J.K. Rowling's Animagi as characters. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BluePointSorcerer
11-16-05, 11:54 PM As promised, I have finally completed and am posting my article on the Animagus from J.K. Rowling's world of the Harry Potter novels. This is a completely unofficial creation posted for the pleasure and use of fellow roleplayers, free of any charge or profit (and hence able to be posted without the risk of me being sued over it).

I have already playtested this template (my current player character being a black panther animagus of a monstrous humanoid race), and so I can verify that it is game ready. I have also included a copy of the base spell by which characters may transform themselves into animagi (the plural of animagus), which is also of game-ready standard.

So have fun with it, everybody!

The Animagus.

Animagi (the plural form of Animagus) are arcane spellcasters who, as a result of a difficult and costly ritual, have gained the ability to transform themselves at will into a given form of the Animal type. This form is always exactly the same (except for any newly acquired disfigurements, scars or tattoos, which also appear on the animal form); thus, a female cat animagus that employed a seal-point Siamese cat as the focus in the ritual would always transform into a seal-point Siamese cat of the same size, gender and appearance as the one so employed.

While transformed, an Animagus is effectively a member of the appropriate animal species for all physical and magical effects, with the same physical statistics (Strength, Dexterity and Constitution) as a normal member of that species, yet retaining their own mind and intelligence. In their normal forms, Animagi seem to be normal members of their base race, but with a hint of the appropriate animal apparent in their habits and, on occasion, in their appearance. This often leads the uneducated to mistake them for lycanthropes (at least at first), an impression that Animagi in general do their utmost to remove.

Unlike the lycanthropes for which they are frequently mistaken, Animagi cannot change into a bipedal form; they are strictly limited to their base racial forms and those of their chosen animal. They also do not possess DR/silver unless their base race grants this property, and are unable to infect others with their condition (which is a voluntary transformation, not a curse).

The results of the Animagus Transformation cannot be inherited, as becoming an Animagus requires each individual to personally undergo the appropriate ritual. As such, the children of Animagi are considered normal members of their base race, even if both parents were Animagi.

Creating an Animagus.

“Animagus” is an acquired template that can be added to any corporeal dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, monstrous humanoid or outsider that is also an arcane spellcaster (referred to hereafter as the base creature). An Animagus uses all of the base creature’s statistics and abilities, except as noted here.

Size and Type: The base creature retains its usual size and type, but also acquires the shapechanger sub-type. As a result of the Animagus Transformation, it also gains three (3) bonus Hit Dice of the appropriate type. Re-calculate the base creature’s saving throws, base attack bonuses and skill points accordingly.

Speed: An Animagus uses the base speed and movement types of its normal or animal forms, whichever it is currently using.

Armour Class: The Animagus uses the natural armour figures of whichever form it is currently using, providing appropriate modifiers as usual for armour, shields, magical effects, and cover and Dexterity bonuses as usual.

Attacks: An Animagus retains its normal attacks when in the form of the base creature, but exchanges these attacks for those of the appropriate animal when using its animal form. Regardless of the form it is using, it retains its normal base attack bonuses (as these relate to attack skill, and not physical shape).

Special Attacks: In normal form, the Animagus retains all of their usual special attacks. When in animal form, they retain any spell-like abilities and supernatural attacks that they possess, but exchange any racially-acquired extraordinary attacks for those of their animal form. Regardless of form, they retain any physically-applicable extraordinary attacks granted by character classes.

Special Qualities: An Animagus retains all of the special qualities of their base race, and also gains the following additional special qualities:-

Immunity to Lycanthropy (Ex): Due to their shape-changing natures, Animagi are immune to lycanthropy at all times, regardless of the form that they occupy.

Alternate Form (Su): As a standard action, an Animagus gains the ability to assume the form of a single animal with no more racial Hit Dice than they now possess as a result of the Animagus Transformation. This ability functions much like the polymorph spell, but allows the adoption of only one specific animal form. When changing into animagus form, the gear of the Animagus is absorbed and ceases to function (unless it has the wild special quality; in this case it is absorbed but continues to provide its benefits). An Animagus also gains no healing as a result of changing form.

Scent (Ex): An Animagus possesses the scent special quality in either its animal or normal form, regardless of whether or not the base creature or the chosen animal normally possesses this special quality.

Low-Light Vision (Ex): The Animagus can see twice as far as a human in low-light conditions, such as moonlight or starlight, regardless of the form that they currently hold.
Speak With Animals (Ex): In its animal form, an Animagus can speak with animals of a similar type to its chosen form (such as felines for cat or other feline Animagi, canines for dog or other canine Animagi, and so on).

Saving Throws: Recalculate the base creature’s racial saving throw bonuses in line with a creature of the same type with three (3) extra Hit Dice.

Abilities: An Animagus uses the base Strength, Dexterity and Constitution modifiers of whatever form it currently occupies, but retains its own hit points, base saving throw modifiers, mental ability scores and mind regardless of its current form. Regardless of its current form, the effects of any inherent bonuses are considered to remain in effect; thus, a cat Animagus that employed a manual of gainful exercise +5 would possess a Strength score of 8 in cat form.

Skills: Recalculate the base creature’s skills as appropriate for a creature of the same racial type and three (3) extra Hit Dice.

Feats: An Animagus automatically gains any one feat possessed by the chosen animal. For PC Animagi, the exact feat is up to the player (though still subject to the DM’s approval). If the player already possesses all of the feats held by the chosen animal, they may select any other feat, subject to normal feat selection rules.

Environment: Same as the base creature or the base animal, whichever it prefers.

Organisation: Solitary, or as base creature or chosen animal.

Challenge Rating: As appropriate for a creature of the appropriate type and with three (3) extra Hit Dice.

Level Adjustment: The extra three (3) Hit Dice possessed by an Animagus constitute its level adjustment.

Animagus Transformation.
Transmutation
Level: Sor/Wiz 5; Adept 5.
Components: V, S, M, F.
Casting Time: 8 hours.
Range: Personal (but never including caster’s familiar)
Target: You (but never your familiar).
Duration: Instantaneous.
Saving Throw: None.
Spell Resistance: No.

When you cast this spell upon yourself, you imbue your body and soul with powerful transmutation magic, irrevocably transforming you into an Animagus.

In order for this spell to function, you must be an arcane spellcaster of the dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, monstrous humanoid or outsider type, and you must be the spell’s caster (the spell can never affect a familiar, even if it is otherwise of the appropriate type; it can, however be cast from a scroll).

When casting this spell, the caster must have an idea of the kind of animal form that they wish to take, and must also have a living example of that animal present to serve as the spell’s focus component. This animal must be within one size category of the caster’s size, and must possess no more racial Hit Dice than 3 plus the caster’s current racial Hit Dice. The caster must also draw a special ritual circle in a specially-prepared ointment of rare reagents worth not less than 20,000 gp, and must then smear the remainder of this ointment on their own bodies. The ointment must contain one minor body part taken from the focus animal (a hair, whisker, feather, toenail clipping or the like).

Casting the spell requires a very lengthy and involved ritual, and its energy is lost if it is at all interrupted. During this ritual, the caster pictures in their mind the animal into which they wish to change, complete with any interesting physical features (such as red eyes or white sock-like markings on the feet). When the ritual is complete, the caster is imbued with the nature of this animal, gaining three (3) additional racial Hit Dice, the ability to change into the specified animal at will, immunity to lycanthropy, low-light vision, the ability to speak with animals of a similar type while in animal form and the scent special quality.

However, the caster also automatically incurs three negative levels, which may not be removed by any magical means, but which may be resolved through either the sacrifice of three class levels or by gaining sufficient experience to cancel them out (the caster is treated as if they are gaining three levels, but each level gained merely removes one of the negative levels instead). It is up to the player to choose which of these options is taken.
Unlike most spells, preparing this spell as a scroll does not consume the stated material components; these must ultimately be supplied and utilized by the scroll’s user, as it is they that will select what animal they can become.

Material Component: An ointment mixed from rare reagents and containing one minor body part of the chosen animal, worth not less than 20,000 gp.

Arcane Focus: A living specimen of the chosen animal.

Finis.
Rny2
11-17-05, 05:30 PM Perhaps it was a corrupted version of this that made the PiraQuto and the new Toads. Maybe the Giants of Sun and Moon first developed this spell, and Cobe/ Xochu'tek got it from the Toads
the_one_true_shea
01-04-06, 02:53 PM ANIMAGITOADS!

I like it!

Good template Bluepoint. I have only one qwibble.. the HD. They do make the template more powerful.. but are they necessary? The shapechange and the scent are pretty cool (and permanant) benifits from a spell.. and while permanacy is 5th - Id say push the level up to 6th.. particularly if you leave the HD stuff in there.

This is a great addition to the toolbox of WCP stuff.

I think of humans seeking to become "closer to Kobe" by way of this kind of ritual. Animagus toads. Animagus salamanders.. "Bad news" kinda folk..

"What kind of person becomes a frog animagus"
"Someone who wants to become closer to Kobe"

What about a Werewolf that wants to become an Animagus Bird.. talk about shapeshifting for maximum advantage!

Oooh, a M:tG version?

Animagus ritual :g::g::w::w:
Enchantment
:g::g: Put animagus token on target creature.

Creatures with an animagus token Gain +0/+2, and can :t: to morph. The creature's morph state has a -1/+0 and changes it's type to Animal. Otherwise the ceature has all the same abilities, including the ability to :t: to morph back.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BluePointSorcerer 11-16-05, 11:54 PM	As promised, I have finally completed and am posting my article on the Animagus from J.K. Rowling's world of the Harry Potter novels. This is a completely unofficial creation posted for the pleasure and use of fellow roleplayers, free of any charge or profit (and hence able to be posted without the risk of me being sued over it). I have already playtested this template (my current player character being a black panther animagus of a monstrous humanoid race), and so I can verify that it is game ready. I have also included a copy of the base spell by which characters may transform themselves into animagi (the plural of animagus), which is also of game-ready standard. So have fun with it, everybody! The Animagus. Animagi (the plural form of Animagus) are arcane spellcasters who, as a result of a difficult and costly ritual, have gained the ability to transform themselves at will into a given form of the Animal type. This form is always exactly the same (except for any newly acquired disfigurements, scars or tattoos, which also appear on the animal form); thus, a female cat animagus that employed a seal-point Siamese cat as the focus in the ritual would always transform into a seal-point Siamese cat of the same size, gender and appearance as the one so employed. While transformed, an Animagus is effectively a member of the appropriate animal species for all physical and magical effects, with the same physical statistics (Strength, Dexterity and Constitution) as a normal member of that species, yet retaining their own mind and intelligence. In their normal forms, Animagi seem to be normal members of their base race, but with a hint of the appropriate animal apparent in their habits and, on occasion, in their appearance. This often leads the uneducated to mistake them for lycanthropes (at least at first), an impression that Animagi in general do their utmost to remove. Unlike the lycanthropes for which they are frequently mistaken, Animagi cannot change into a bipedal form; they are strictly limited to their base racial forms and those of their chosen animal. They also do not possess DR/silver unless their base race grants this property, and are unable to infect others with their condition (which is a voluntary transformation, not a curse). The results of the Animagus Transformation cannot be inherited, as becoming an Animagus requires each individual to personally undergo the appropriate ritual. As such, the children of Animagi are considered normal members of their base race, even if both parents were Animagi. Creating an Animagus. “Animagus” is an acquired template that can be added to any corporeal dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, monstrous humanoid or outsider that is also an arcane spellcaster (referred to hereafter as the base creature). An Animagus uses all of the base creature’s statistics and abilities, except as noted here. Size and Type: The base creature retains its usual size and type, but also acquires the shapechanger sub-type. As a result of the Animagus Transformation, it also gains three (3) bonus Hit Dice of the appropriate type. Re-calculate the base creature’s saving throws, base attack bonuses and skill points accordingly. Speed: An Animagus uses the base speed and movement types of its normal or animal forms, whichever it is currently using. Armour Class: The Animagus uses the natural armour figures of whichever form it is currently using, providing appropriate modifiers as usual for armour, shields, magical effects, and cover and Dexterity bonuses as usual. Attacks: An Animagus retains its normal attacks when in the form of the base creature, but exchanges these attacks for those of the appropriate animal when using its animal form. Regardless of the form it is using, it retains its normal base attack bonuses (as these relate to attack skill, and not physical shape). Special Attacks: In normal form, the Animagus retains all of their usual special attacks. When in animal form, they retain any spell-like abilities and supernatural attacks that they possess, but exchange any racially-acquired extraordinary attacks for those of their animal form. Regardless of form, they retain any physically-applicable extraordinary attacks granted by character classes. Special Qualities: An Animagus retains all of the special qualities of their base race, and also gains the following additional special qualities:- Immunity to Lycanthropy (Ex): Due to their shape-changing natures, Animagi are immune to lycanthropy at all times, regardless of the form that they occupy. Alternate Form (Su): As a standard action, an Animagus gains the ability to assume the form of a single animal with no more racial Hit Dice than they now possess as a result of the Animagus Transformation. This ability functions much like the polymorph spell, but allows the adoption of only one specific animal form. When changing into animagus form, the gear of the Animagus is absorbed and ceases to function (unless it has the wild special quality; in this case it is absorbed but continues to provide its benefits). An Animagus also gains no healing as a result of changing form. Scent (Ex): An Animagus possesses the scent special quality in either its animal or normal form, regardless of whether or not the base creature or the chosen animal normally possesses this special quality. Low-Light Vision (Ex): The Animagus can see twice as far as a human in low-light conditions, such as moonlight or starlight, regardless of the form that they currently hold. Speak With Animals (Ex): In its animal form, an Animagus can speak with animals of a similar type to its chosen form (such as felines for cat or other feline Animagi, canines for dog or other canine Animagi, and so on). Saving Throws: Recalculate the base creature’s racial saving throw bonuses in line with a creature of the same type with three (3) extra Hit Dice. Abilities: An Animagus uses the base Strength, Dexterity and Constitution modifiers of whatever form it currently occupies, but retains its own hit points, base saving throw modifiers, mental ability scores and mind regardless of its current form. Regardless of its current form, the effects of any inherent bonuses are considered to remain in effect; thus, a cat Animagus that employed a manual of gainful exercise +5 would possess a Strength score of 8 in cat form. Skills: Recalculate the base creature’s skills as appropriate for a creature of the same racial type and three (3) extra Hit Dice. Feats: An Animagus automatically gains any one feat possessed by the chosen animal. For PC Animagi, the exact feat is up to the player (though still subject to the DM’s approval). If the player already possesses all of the feats held by the chosen animal, they may select any other feat, subject to normal feat selection rules. Environment: Same as the base creature or the base animal, whichever it prefers. Organisation: Solitary, or as base creature or chosen animal. Challenge Rating: As appropriate for a creature of the appropriate type and with three (3) extra Hit Dice. Level Adjustment: The extra three (3) Hit Dice possessed by an Animagus constitute its level adjustment. Animagus Transformation. Transmutation Level: Sor/Wiz 5; Adept 5. Components: V, S, M, F. Casting Time: 8 hours. Range: Personal (but never including caster’s familiar) Target: You (but never your familiar). Duration: Instantaneous. Saving Throw: None. Spell Resistance: No. When you cast this spell upon yourself, you imbue your body and soul with powerful transmutation magic, irrevocably transforming you into an Animagus. In order for this spell to function, you must be an arcane spellcaster of the dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, monstrous humanoid or outsider type, and you must be the spell’s caster (the spell can never affect a familiar, even if it is otherwise of the appropriate type; it can, however be cast from a scroll). When casting this spell, the caster must have an idea of the kind of animal form that they wish to take, and must also have a living example of that animal present to serve as the spell’s focus component. This animal must be within one size category of the caster’s size, and must possess no more racial Hit Dice than 3 plus the caster’s current racial Hit Dice. The caster must also draw a special ritual circle in a specially-prepared ointment of rare reagents worth not less than 20,000 gp, and must then smear the remainder of this ointment on their own bodies. The ointment must contain one minor body part taken from the focus animal (a hair, whisker, feather, toenail clipping or the like). Casting the spell requires a very lengthy and involved ritual, and its energy is lost if it is at all interrupted. During this ritual, the caster pictures in their mind the animal into which they wish to change, complete with any interesting physical features (such as red eyes or white sock-like markings on the feet). When the ritual is complete, the caster is imbued with the nature of this animal, gaining three (3) additional racial Hit Dice, the ability to change into the specified animal at will, immunity to lycanthropy, low-light vision, the ability to speak with animals of a similar type while in animal form and the scent special quality. However, the caster also automatically incurs three negative levels, which may not be removed by any magical means, but which may be resolved through either the sacrifice of three class levels or by gaining sufficient experience to cancel them out (the caster is treated as if they are gaining three levels, but each level gained merely removes one of the negative levels instead). It is up to the player to choose which of these options is taken. Unlike most spells, preparing this spell as a scroll does not consume the stated material components; these must ultimately be supplied and utilized by the scroll’s user, as it is they that will select what animal they can become. Material Component: An ointment mixed from rare reagents and containing one minor body part of the chosen animal, worth not less than 20,000 gp. Arcane Focus: A living specimen of the chosen animal. Finis.
Rny2 11-17-05, 05:30 PM	Perhaps it was a corrupted version of this that made the PiraQuto and the new Toads. Maybe the Giants of Sun and Moon first developed this spell, and Cobe/ Xochu'tek got it from the Toads
the_one_true_shea 01-04-06, 02:53 PM	ANIMAGITOADS! I like it! Good template Bluepoint. I have only one qwibble.. the HD. They do make the template more powerful.. but are they necessary? The shapechange and the scent are pretty cool (and permanant) benifits from a spell.. and while permanacy is 5th - Id say push the level up to 6th.. particularly if you leave the HD stuff in there. This is a great addition to the toolbox of WCP stuff. I think of humans seeking to become "closer to Kobe" by way of this kind of ritual. Animagus toads. Animagus salamanders.. "Bad news" kinda folk.. "What kind of person becomes a frog animagus" "Someone who wants to become closer to Kobe" What about a Werewolf that wants to become an Animagus Bird.. talk about shapeshifting for maximum advantage! Oooh, a M:tG version? Animagus ritual :g::g::w::w: Enchantment :g::g: Put animagus token on target creature. Creatures with an animagus token Gain +0/+2, and can :t: to morph. The creature's morph state has a -1/+0 and changes it's type to Animal. Otherwise the ceature has all the same abilities, including the ability to :t: to morph back.