Flyaway

Flyaway is the defining spell used by a master Tarembura to escape from predicaments of great danger. Its effects are more complex than immediately appears for it isn't a bodily transformation but a jump between planes of existence.

Effect

The spell moves the caster and any clothing or equipmenbt worn from the material plane and replaces them with a bird of the type whose feather was used in the casting. The bird is guided and controlled by the caster and at the spell's expiry the caster is returned to the bird's location. If the bird is airborne at that point, then the outcome is unlikely to be good for the Tarembura.

Side/Secondary Effects

The spell requires that the bird is living when it is cast and the casting of the spell results in the death of the bird. This imposes a significant moral cost on most Tarembura who, in consequence, will only use it in times of extreme need and who will go out of their way to help injured or threatened birds.
Additionally, around one time in ten, the feather will take hold and become a permanent part of the Tarembura - if it is lost or moults it will regrow. These can be seen a a badge of status, but some Tarembura struggle against it for it has been a guide to persecution and, even away from that, some Tarembura prefer not to advertise their status.

Just remember when you're flying at night to be down before dawn - watch the horizon and pick your route. In a mountain valley you can still be going well into the day.

— Brixtovau

Material Components

Requires a feather from the bird to be changed into.

Gestures & Ritual

The feather is stuck into the body deeply enough that removing it would draw blood and the spirit of the bird invoked. Which part of the body is used seems to be irrelevant, but it must be giving enough to allow the quill to be inserted - under the fingernails is the most common.

Effect Duration

The transformation lasts until the following sunrise - not dawn but when the sun would be visible in the absence of clouds..