Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 bluepointsorcerer Oct 21, 2005 0:41:03	The following is a brief template for applying the Animagus to characters in any D&D setting. I fully acknowledge J. K. Rowling as the original creator of the Animagus concept, and thank her heartily for such an excellent roleplaying addition. This is, of course, an unofficial article created for my own roleplaying use, and as such does not carry the requisite written permission of the original author required for commercial publication. I hope roleplayers out there find it to be as exciting and useful as I have (Just when my players think it’s a werewolf...). 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 tomes or manuals employed 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. Finis.
#2 Xorial Nov 13, 2005 0:15:02	This seems to basically be an acquired template. That is fine, but a little excessive for what you want to achieve. It would be better to design a 3 level PrC for this. You are basically giving them 3 HD, so why not make it as such. A vast majority of characters would want this for a combat boost, so a PrC with a good BAB, good Fort, maybe good Ref, d8 HD, and 2 skill points per level could be developed from this. You can even claim, by some ritual, that the character is taking racial level in whatever animal form the character wants to choose for this. That gives me ideas, but I'll await a reply before I do anything that can be called stealing. :heehee