Beginning a Transformation

Individuals rarely choose to transform into beings of the night. Instead, they have it forced upon them. Foul curses, horrific experiments, and the diabolical machinations of fiends, vampires, and other dark agents are all examples of how a character might start a transformation. However, there are times when a character may wish to begin a transformation of their own volition. Perhaps they have succumbed to the lure of power, or they see it as the only way to achieve a greater goal.
Regardless, the first step in any transformation should be a discussion with your GM. Make your intentions clear, as the transformation may not be suitable for the setting or story your GM is running.
The next step in a transformation is to ensure you meet all the prerequisites of the transformation. There are 2 types of prerequisites: mechanical and roleplay prerequisites. Mechanical prerequisites can be ability score, spellcasting, and other feature requirements. Roleplay prerequisites are the in-game actions required by a character to start a transformation. It is recommended that this milestone be reached within the game rather than through a backstory. However, you may wish to discuss alternative avenues to pursue a prerequisite with your GM.

Boons and Flaws

When you have achieved all the required prerequisites of a transformation and reached your first transformation level, you gain all the boons and the flaw of the first level. These constitute the beginning of the changes from the transformation. The boons and flaws of these iconic monsters come from folklore, pop culture, and our own imagination. If they differ from an existing trope or stat block, it is because they represent a variation unique to Etharis.

Leveling Up

Characters that have successfully completed a transformation can continue the process by increasing their transformation level. The character must achieve a milestone before gaining a transformation level. Each type of transformation has an example list of possible milestones that are thematically unique. Talk with your GM to come up with applicable milestones for your campaign and how you can achieve them.
When you increase your transformation level, you choose one boon from that level, or a lower level, provided you meet that boon’s prerequisites. You gain the new level’s flaw as well.

Universal Milestones

The following milestones are examples that can apply to all (or most) transformations:

• Undertaking an exceptionally evil (or good) act
• Completing an ancient ritual
• Obtaining a powerful artifact
• Being cursed by a dark agent
• Being exalted by a patron or god

Suggested Class Level to Transformation Level

While transformations are milestone achievements and each level comes with a flaw, transformations still represent a significant increase in power. For this reason, it’s recommended that players and GMs use the following level table as a guide for when players should be able to level up a transformation. After all, only the strongest survive such an ordeal. This table is a guide however, and cannot be applied to all Transformations equally. Transformations such as the Lich are much more powerful and should only be available at higher levels of play.

Transformation Level	Recommended Class Level Range
1	1-4
2	5-10
3	11-16
4	17-20

Not all transformations can follow these recommendations due to prerequisites. In this case, characters can reach higher transformation levels at higher class levels.

Removing a Transformation

Reversing a transformation is an incredibly difficult process. The changes that have occurred in a character have fundamentally altered their biology, and perhaps their mind. However, anything is possible in a magical world. To cure a transformation, treat it as a curse from the curses section. The curse level of a transformation is equal to the character’s transformation level.
Rather than casting remove curse with the cure components, the regenerate spell must be cast with the cure components instead. A character that has reached the 4th level of a transformation, or that has been transformed for longer than one year, can only be cured by a wish spell. If a character is killed and resurrected, the GM decides if they are resurrected with transformation levels.

A Blessing or a Curse?

Within the dark fantasy world of Etharis, Transformations are representative of the gothic and body horror elements of the world. As a result, they should increase a character in power but ultimately be rooted in tragedy, as the setting demands. However, if you are not playing in a dark fantasy setting or you want your Transformation to feel more like a blessing than a curse, discuss with your GM the possibility of removing some or all the flaws associated with your Transformation. Alternatively, feel free to tinker with the boons and flaws with your GM. Transformations should suit the needs of your campaign, not the other way around.