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[Xantalos]

He means physical changes - often the complete change of somebody's form. For instance, you start out as a human, but you become something else in the process of the game, say, a metallic giant or the old favorite, a dragon. Or maybe just have extra arms or eyes added.

They can also be unfortunate. Such as - you gain the strength of a dragon! Your arm are now dragon sized and you are unable to move them due to lacking sufficient shoulder muscles.

[Nicholas1024]

Honestly, I think part of the problem with transformations is that most RTD's let them happen too quickly and don't make them all that special. As-is, they're basically somewhat randomized buffs or nerfs that you know most of what you need to know about as soon as they happen.

Nah, if a mage botched a spell, and it's causing him to transform, don't just tell him that he grows wings. Instead, mention worsening back pain for a few turns, and if he checks for a possible cause, he finds loose flaps of skin that ache horribly. His armor grows increasingly tight, and at one point when he takes it off, there's a ripping noise as partially grown wings tear through the back of his shirt. Of course, they aren't usable right away, and even once they finish growing, he'll need practice to use them at all.

And what's to say that's the end of the transformation? Perhaps he starts growing scales next, and proceeds to turn into a dragon. Also, don't forget that mental transformations can be a thing as well... while he's turning into a dragon, he might be more and more attracted to gold or other valuable stuff... to the point where he has to actively try to resist taking such things for himself.

Of course, the relative rolls should probably be hidden for maximum paranoia.

But yeah, if you can't tell by the above, it'd be cool seeing more generic fantasy RTD's. I'd love something more RP based like the fortress of blood one that Dwarmin ran for a while, but that'd be a lot harder on the GM.

[Xantalos]

Honestly, I think part of the problem with transformations is that most RTD's let them happen too quickly and don't make them all that special. As-is, they're basically somewhat randomized buffs or nerfs that you know most of what you need to know about as soon as they happen.

Nah, if a mage botched a spell, and it's causing him to transform, don't just tell him that he grows wings. Instead, mention worsening back pain for a few turns, and if he checks for a possible cause, he finds loose flaps of skin that ache horribly. His armor grows increasingly tight, and at one point when he takes it off, there's a ripping noise as partially grown wings tear through the back of his shirt. Of course, they aren't usable right away, and even once they finish growing, he'll need practice to use them at all.

And what's to say that's the end of the transformation? Perhaps he starts growing scales next, and proceeds to turn into a dragon. Also, don't forget that mental transformations can be a thing as well... while he's turning into a dragon, he might be more and more attracted to gold or other valuable stuff... to the point where he has to actively try to resist taking such things for himself.

Of course, the relative rolls should probably be hidden for maximum paranoia.

But yeah, if you can't tell by the above, it'd be cool seeing more generic fantasy RTD's. I'd love something more RP based like the fortress of blood one that Dwarmin ran for a while, but that'd be a lot harder on the GM.

This is reminding me too much of District 9.
Too much.
I love it.

[Tarran]

Honestly, I think part of the problem with transformations is that most RTD's let them happen too quickly and don't make them all that special. As-is, they're basically somewhat randomized buffs or nerfs that you know most of what you need to know about as soon as they happen.

Nah, if a mage botched a spell, and it's causing him to transform, don't just tell him that he grows wings. Instead, mention worsening back pain for a few turns, and if he checks for a possible cause, he finds loose flaps of skin that ache horribly. His armor grows increasingly tight, and at one point when he takes it off, there's a ripping noise as partially grown wings tear through the back of his shirt. Of course, they aren't usable right away, and even once they finish growing, he'll need practice to use them at all.

And what's to say that's the end of the transformation? Perhaps he starts growing scales next, and proceeds to turn into a dragon. Also, don't forget that mental transformations can be a thing as well... while he's turning into a dragon, he might be more and more attracted to gold or other valuable stuff... to the point where he has to actively try to resist taking such things for himself.

Of course, the relative rolls should probably be hidden for maximum paranoia.

But yeah, if you can't tell by the above, it'd be cool seeing more generic fantasy RTD's. I'd love something more RP based like the fortress of blood one that Dwarmin ran for a while, but that'd be a lot harder on the GM.

The only problem with progressing transformations is that you have to remember them. And as everyone knows human memory is an elusive thing. In addition, if it's from using polymorphing magic, you'd expect it to affect you instantly.

Still, I get what you're saying. Though it'd be better for screw-ups rather than successes.

This is reminding me too much of District 9.
Too much.
I love it.

Why am I not surprised that the resident eldrich forumite loves slow, body disfiguring, entire-body transformation?

[Nicholas1024]

Heh. It comes of reading a lot of books and knowing the basics of writing. Taking some time to build up suspense (even if it's just a little) can really make the eventual payoff that much better.

And the best part is that you can mix this in with just minor worries. For instance, after being hit by a spell, you start coughing every once in a while, and begin sweating uncontrollably. Are you merely down with the flu? Or is it something more... sinister? By having the relevant rolls hidden, you can really keep your players on their toes.

Also, it's worth noting that this is only really effective if there's both minor problems and major problems. If there's someone transforming every turn, players will start to expect it, and it'll lose the shock value. On the other hand, if you never toss something huge their way, they'll quit being worried about the minor problems you do give them. However, if you manage to keep a good balance, giving them the occasional major thing where it makes sense, that's when you'll get the best results.

@Tarran
Honestly, just open a word document and write it down. If you're planning on a more in-depth RTD, you'll probably be writing stuff down anyway. I mean, do you think Piecewise runs Einstenian Roulette entirely from memory?

Also, you're thinking a bit one-dimensional. You could have it be a magic curse that the players need to rush to break, compared to standard polymorphing's temporary effects. And then instead of fully breaking it, the players could try to find a counterspell to block the less desirable effects while keeping the benefits intact.

It's all in how you write it, really. And it's worth noting that the end result doesn't have to be horrible (I mean, becoming a dragon does has its upsides), and if it's known to be from a benign source, you could easily go with gentler descriptions. That said, since most of these transformations are probably going to be inflicted by an enemy (or spell misfire), you'll usually be aiming for maximum paranoia.

[anailater]

Mental transformations are high on my list of favorites, and thanks for the tips, transformations would more likely be the cause of an ancient trap or, as you said, botched spell. I'm going to begin working on a system now, can anyone suggest a good starter system for new GM's?

[Tarran]

@Tarran
Honestly, just open a word document and write it down. If you're planning on a more in-depth RTD, you'll probably be writing stuff down anyway. I mean, do you think Piecewise runs Einstenian Roulette entirely from memory?

Also, you're thinking a bit one-dimensional. You could have it be a magic curse that the players need to rush to break, compared to standard polymorphing's temporary effects. And then instead of fully breaking it, the players could try to find a counterspell to block the less desirable effects while keeping the benefits intact.

It's all in how you write it, really. And it's worth noting that the end result doesn't have to be horrible (I mean, becoming a dragon does has its upsides), and if it's known to be from a benign source, you could easily go with gentler descriptions. That said, since most of these transformations are probably going to be inflicted by an enemy (or spell misfire), you'll usually be aiming for maximum paranoia.

I've written down stuff in text documents before and I believe I still forgot it. I think it was RTD of the Dragon, dealing with aging. I believe this was even with me reading the text file each turn. But it's not just writing it down, you have to remember that you wrote it down and that you need to read it sometime in the future too.

And I... never really said it couldn't be inflicted by the enemy. I wasn't thinking about that at the time I was writing it. I was just talking about people using it on themselves or friendlies.

Mental transformations are high on my list of favorites, and thanks for the tips, transformations would more likely be the cause of an ancient trap or, as you said, botched spell. I'm going to begin working on a system now, can anyone suggest a good starter system for new GM's?

There are many, many different systems by different people. Any ideas of what you're looking for?



Also, this talk about transformation and me reading the Metamorphican Madness RTD might have given me a third idea for my next RTD. Curses.

[anailater]

Mental transformations are high on my list of favorites, and thanks for the tips, transformations would more likely be the cause of an ancient trap or, as you said, botched spell. I'm going to begin working on a system now, can anyone suggest a good starter system for new GM's?

There are many, many different systems by different people. Any ideas of what you're looking for?

I've been thinking about it and I have a few ideas, magic would be in the perplexicon style, a large left a vaguely latiny words that you use for magic, spell books and practice teach you what some of them mean but they will be Private messaged to people so others don't find out the super mega death ray spell.

[Tarran]

Erm, that wasn't what I was asking. Unless... you're answering my question with an almost unrelated answer? I'm somewhat confused. Are you only asking for a magic system and not an entire RTD system?

[Digital Hellhound]

@Tiruin: Might be a bit late, but I've found that players will tell you if they're not interested in a revival. PMing the old players for an interest check is a must.

@Generic Fantasy: while I couldn't go all generic high fantasy, I've been thinking about a very much 'classic' fantasy story, with Chosen One simple farmboys and the whole deal, out to save the world. There's also the idea I mentioned where the players would be spirits trying to help and influence said farmboys.

Wait, Digital had that series I remember.

I got killed by a bunch of dogs and he never finished the novilization.

Err, is there another Digital I should be aware of? Because I've never savaged you with a pack of dogs and am now confused.

[Dermonster]

Maybe it was someone else.

[Digital Hellhound]

Well yeah. I've never run a fantasy game here. I do be interested, thou, so find this game of yours.

[Dermonster]

Um...

Oh, right. It was the Arcanum Octet games by RandomNumberGenerator. Second one.

He hasn't been on since 2011, thats why I couldn't remember.

[Tarran]

Ah, Arcanum Octet. Shame it ended so quickly after I joined the second, I was undead and everything!

[IronyOwl]

Ah, Arcanum Octet. Shame it ended so quickly after I joined the second, I was undead and everything!

That was pretty cool.