Shapechange (Druid Skill)
Helpfile
Guild Level: 14 SP Cost: 40 spell points Skill: Animism Syntax: shapechange [status|revert] In ages past, the druids of Astaria resolved that to gain true understanding of nature, it would be necessary to become one with the animal world. To do this, the elder druids perfected a ritual of spiritual binding, merging a druid's spirit with that of an animal guide. Please consult the following lore documents for more information: 'lore forms' - A list of each possible spirit animal. 'lore ritual' - How to begin the ritual of spirit binding. 'lore ritual_effects' - How the ritual permanently alters your body.
Commentary
The selection of the druid's shapechange form is, some may ague, even more important than their selection of an animal companion.
The available forms are Treant, Mole, Owl and Bear and each form has a respective lore skill associated with it: Treant is Phytogenesis, Mole is Earthshaping, Owl is Atmosphere and Bear is Regrowth.
Upon selecting a form type the druid may train that form's respective lore 25% higher than otherwise permitted by player level. For example, a level 36 owl may train atmosphere to 90 (72 * 1.25) and a level 36 mole may train earthshaping to 90.
An additional skill bonus in one's respective lore applies when shapechanged. This bonus is equal to one third of the druid's animism skill level at the time of shapechanging, therefore it is to the druid's advantage to have animism skill bonuses (have a bard use their inspire guild skill, equip skill boosting armor, etc) when casting.
Each form also has a unique ability which may only be used when shapechanged.
Treants recover spell points in the sun (daytime, sunny|normal conditions) while in outdoor locations, and drains sp from foes. Each drain grants the treant 10 sp. Each (successful) sunlight absorption message the treant receives yields the treant 14 sp, regardless of level.
Moles are capable of burrowing under the ground into an underground burrow. While in the burrow and in mole form the druid can utilize a special "rumble" attack which damage all beings in the room above. Rumble does moderate damage (perhaps 30-70 damage) and each time it is used there is a chance one or more of the beings in the room above will fall into the burrow. Since those beings were hit by the rumble attack they will be in combat with the druid upon falling into the burrow. A druid may occasionally find an earthworm in the burrow, which can be killed but has little purpose. While combat may occur within the burrow, the thick roots and earth surrounding the burrow prevent any magical teleportation to another location such as the Mage Guild Skygate skill, or the Psion Guild Teleport skill, or the Cleric Guild Recall Skill, and so on. It should be noted that a druid may not burrow in locations with water such as in the ocean.
Owls are capable of flying. They may flap their wings and rise above their current location and even move to other locations while in flight. Flying is taxing and uses an increased amount of endurance merely to keep in flight even if the druid does not move from location to location. If a druid exhausts their endurance from flying they will fall to the ground and suffer damage. Flying may only be performed in an outdoor location.
Bears are able to substitute endurance points to cast regrowth lores at a 4 to 1 ratio (4 endurance points for each spell point normally required for the regrowth lore used). This substitution is only available once the druid has complete exhaust their spell points.
When in animal form the druid gains the physical and mental characteristics of their chosen animal.
Treants have a spell point draining special attack that occurs randomly while in combat. When in treant form the druid's intelligence increases by 5, the druid gains some resistance to holy damage and gains some vulnerability to fire damage.
Moles have a damaging special attack that occurs randomly while in combat. When in mole form the druid's constitution increases by 5 and the druid's endurance increases by 25%.
Owls have a damaging special attack which does electrical damage and occurs randomly in combat. When in owl form the druid's wisdom increases by 5, their spell points increase by 25% and their health point decrease by 25%.
Bears have a special attack which replenishes their health by draining the health of their foes. When in bear form the druid's strength increases by 5, their health increases by 25% and their spell points decrease by 25%.
Some final notes on the animal forms and the selection thereof:
The majority of druids choose the mole form since a high earthshaping skill allows them to grow the best apple trees, have the best quicksand and the best harden. It also gives them a handy burrow to sit in if they so choose.
When a Druid shapechanges, all wards presently active on the Druid are immediately dispelled. Thus, you cannot cast barkskin and shapechange into a mole, and expect to retain your barkskin ward. Furthermore, as most of these forms lack the necessary appendages or appendage configuration, your presently equipped gear is removed upon successful shapechange. Be very careful when shapechanging with Thieves about.
Owl is a good form for increased damage since atmosphere is what our non-swarm damage lores are based off of.
Treant is useful to regenerate spell points and to have the best thornskin and barkskin and bear is useful for healing purposes.
One final note: Boosting your animism skill will increase the skill boost shapechanging to your chosen form will bring. Inspire and the Summoner's Ring will add to your animism skill, for example.