The Path of Metamorphosis

[Incorrigible]

*A large and heavy book, 'The Path of Metamorphosis' is a queer tome to behold. The outside seems not made of leather binding but that of flesh, giving it the appearance of interlocking muscular tissue stretched across the covers like an organic being removed of its skin. The cover reads its title in a rich sanguine red framed in gold gilding to contrast against the fleshy tones.

Within The Path of Metamorphosis is a nearly full documentation of generic Transmutation spells from first to fifth circle that are suitable study to the path. Time altering and physics twisting transmutations are lacking, but each page of the instructional book introduces new spells and techniques for alteration of physical and organic objects, growing progressively harder and more complicated as the chapters continue until the point of delving into experimental theories for the student reader to ponder in their own spell creations.*






The Path of Metamorphosis


Preface- This volume is intended for the education of beginning practitioners of the Transmutation discipline. Within you will find general tutelage to guide you upon the Path of Metamorphosis, a branch of Transmutation that specializes in organic shaping. Do not try to alter this book.


Composed by Sascha Corris of the Thayan Enclave of Calimport on Flamerule 8th, 1382 DR.





Introduction:


What is Transmutation?

Transmutation is the superior discipline of magic gifted by the Mother  of the Weave. It is the binding fiber that holds all things together and  allows them to be shaped. The weave is a chaotic mash of energy without  form. Transmutation is the act of giving form to all things. It is  through this discipline that we shape the raw energy of the weave to  perform effects upon the world and shape it in our image.

The structure of Transmutation is as thin and changing as the power  itself. The formulae of each invocation differ dramatically and may  require spur of the moment alteration. Through Transmutation there is  nothing that is impossible. By studying this discipline you will turn  stagnant swamp water into wine, flesh into stone, and even bend the laws  of reality to reverse gravity or time itself.

The most important attribute for the thaumaturge studying this  discipline is creativity. You must be of cunning intellect to forsee any  changes to be made. Transmutation is heavily dependent on reagents and  runic focuses. Maintaining a sharp mind at all times and intense study  of the elements is mandatory.






I.  The Adepts Path


The Adepts Path is the introductory challenge that defines the  competency of a thaumaturge in transmutative shaping. You must be  capable of at least three cantrip transmutations and one adept  transmutation. At this stage you will be experienced with minor time  alteration, minor physical alteration, and the change or repair of  objects.

The task of the Adept is to study the basic foundation of all things. To  create or change requires intimate understanding of what the world is  made of. To remove one part a new whole may be created. At this stage a  number of adept skills become available that will allow further  specialization in how you practice the discipline of Transmutation.  These symbolize the infinite potential of change that can be  accomplished with the weave.

Reduce Person: While the adept is not expected to be capable of minute  transformations you will learn the spell of Reduce Person to prepare  yourself for organic transmogrification. This introductory spell will  proportionately reduce a living being to half its size along with its  worn equipment.

Magic Weapon: The Magic Weapon spell will prepare you, the Adept, for  transforming mundane objects. This spell will allow you to bestow a  portion of magic into a weapon or object. You will get experience  shaping lifeless materials and imbuing them with magic power.

Featherweight: The spell of Featherweight will teach you alteration. By  studying the construction of matter and the elements of life you will  learn how to reduce the weight of an object to 1/10 of its original  weight for a long duration. This is accomplished by changing the  arrangement of the physical and elemental properties of an item. Shaping  the locations of density and increasing the presence of the element Air  keep the object structurally sound while altered as desired.

Training in The Adepts Path will teach the learning thaumaturge the  principles of Transmutation. The study of 'what is' and how to change it  is a long and limitless path. Everything that exists can be changed. If  you are able to learn these basic skills there is no limitation to what  you may accomplish.






II. Shape the Mortal Form



The second tier of enlightenment upon the Path of Metamorphosis brings  what identifies us in our art of fleshcraft. Other forms of the  Transmutation disciple become secondary to the Path of Metamorphosis. It  is here that the journey truly begins.

To understand the prime transmutations so too must the holistic energy  of a body be understood. Every living being contains positive energy  within them. This energy has many names that vary with cultures. In the  similar way that undead are powered by negative energy, death energy,  living beings are powered by positive energy. Understanding both the  anatomical aspects of a body and the magical energy veins allows the  shaping of forms and imbuement of extra power.

Tapping into the energy of a body we build upon what is naturally within  and expand upon the building of tissue that already exists. Keeping a  learned and opened mind every aspect of a person can be augmented  through the six prime transmutations. Physical attributes may be  sculpted by the hands into a specific image while cognitive ability may  be enriched by adjusting synapse pathways and enhancing the circulatory  system to direct blood flow.






III. Changeling


Having an understanding of the senary transmutations the third tier of  the Path of Metamorphosis is one of changing structural composition.  Employing the experience gained from shaping the thaumaturge gains the  ability to perform more extreme methods of alteration that may include  osseous tissue.

By changing and creating bone tissue the creation of new limbs or  extensions becomes a possibility. Combined minute adjustment to tissue  with cartilaginous growth and respiratory adaptation could be used to  temporarily grow gills via the spell Water Breathing. This tier also  serves as an introductory phase to more advanced and malicious forms of  transmutation.

An expected skill of the discipline is to slow a hostile target. This  can be done through a careful balance of time alteration and physical  change. To afflict another being is not guaranteed success as the body  or mind may be capable of resisting the magic imposed upon them. In  order to accomplish the slowing effect the perception of the opponents  mind must be skewed. Although time travels normally their sense of  reality must be changed to think that they are unable to keep pace with  the world. Physical change to heart rate, breathing, and muscular  reaction complete the effect of a slowed motion.






IV. The Inner Body

Having mastered the foundations begins the experimental phase of  Transmutation. Simple fleshcraft skills may be empowered beyond the  intended function of the skill to also merge elements of bonecraft for  additional effect. Most importantly to learn however are two signature  spells to the Path of Metamorphosis: Polymorph and the Curse of Molten  Flesh.

Five standard forms are commonly taught; those of the troll, the giant  spider, the umber hulk, the zombie, and the pixie. It is encouraged that  practitioners study and assimilate new forms. This tier of progression  mixes flesh and bone work to attain near instantaneous complete  transformation into other species. Complete understanding is required of  the organ, bone and tissue makeup of the form to be assumed and it is  not to be attempted without significant knowledge and lore of the  monster studied.

In taking the physical form of a creature we also adjust the flesh to be  imbued with some of their magical properties. In the manner that weaker  spells allow others to adopt our magical boon we, through emulation,  draw upon signature traits of the host form. Flesh will heal of its own  at an accelerated pace while using the shape of a troll, but it cannot  be done while in the shape of a spider. These magical properties are  tied to the reagents used for the form employed and the similarity to  the original species, thusly fey dust cannot be used as the reagent for a  zombie form to make a magically resistant zombie- unless such a thing  was first discovered and thoroughly studied.

The Curse of Molten Flesh is a horrific affliction that is perfected to  crippling capability. The more artistically inclined may find it to  their liking to shape with a pointed precision although the curse itself  does not require it. To perform the curse takes the complete knowledge  of the three layers of study beneath it. The magic fights against the  natural fortitude of the victim for it must pierce into the very core of  their body and afflict every square inch of their being. It is capable  of causing flesh and muscle to run as molten wax, bones to stiffen and  fuse, organs to weaken and even fail. Blood may thicken and become  unable to contain air causing the target to become lightheaded and  unable to reason properly. This is irrefutably one of the deadliest  curses available to any thaumaturge for it leaves no part of an organic  body unafflicted.






V. Master of Forms

Attaining the fifth stage of the Path of Metamorphosis is the prestige  of mastery. By now nothing short of amazement should be expected from  the works of the practicing thaumaturge. Combining all effects practiced  beforehand leaves little as a difficulty to change, positive or  negative.

Mastery of the discipline is expressed in the ability to not just change  the self but to change others. Instantaneously. Beneficial uses of this  include the shaping of animals through Animal Growth. Such mastery over  the growth of other beings may confer tremendous magical properties  beyond the physical boons of enlarged size. To completely alter the  animal they must be imbued with transmutative magic to become capable of  resisting magical and mundane effects as well as a resistance to  physical damage.

Additionally the detrimental powers of Transmutation must be completely  studied to attain mastery. Expanding on the ability to polymorph the  self one must then become able to polymorph the physical form of another  being completely and at a moment. And permanently. Only upon successful  completion of such iconic spells may one legitimately claim mastery of  the Path of Metamorphosis, though there yet remains much more beyond.