Transformations
Transformations are a mechanic that gradually alters a character through four (or more) stages, each of them having stronger effects. The first stage is relatively weak, while later stages have increasingly strong benefits, drawbacks, or both. Transformations affect a character’s abilities, resistances, vulnerabilities, actions, or are purely for roleplay. They can be voluntarily obtained but some are also involuntary. Many of these curses and blessings come from ancient ruins or are granted by the gods.
As an example, one transformation gradually turns a character’s body to stone, impacting mobility and durability. At Stage 1, the character’s skin becomes rough, reducing Dexterity slightly but increasing natural armor. By Stage 2, joints stiffen, imposing movement penalties while further improving durability. At Stage 3, the character’s speed is halved, but they gain resistance to slashing, piercing, and bludgeoning damage. Upon reaching Stage 4, the character’s transformation is nearly complete- they can still move but at a greatly reduced speed, and their Dexterity is drastically lowered. However, they gain immunity to non-magical physical damage and a significant Constitution boost, making them incredibly resilient at the cost of agility. Some of the original drawbacks will also lessen in order to compensate the struggle.
I fought it at first. Every stiffened joint, every patch of stone creeping over my skin—I swore I would find a cure. But as the days passed, I realized the truth: there is no stopping this, only learning to live with what I am becoming. I am slower now, heavier, but I no longer fear the blade or the flame. Maybe this is not a curse, but a new way to exist.
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