Kobold-Bard
2011-12-06, 10:03 AM
Metamorph
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs10/i/2006/132/6/e/Evolution_of_Galian_Beast_by_ShadowSaber.jpg
Metamorphs are men, monsters and everything inbetween. They are shapeshifters like Druids & Lycanthropes, however unlike other Shapeshifters (even Dopplegangers who's transforming abilities are built into their very being) they do not simply change their physical form. They become the new form entirely, taking on not just it's shape, but also the racial mindset, and even their abilities. Metamorphs adapt constantly, the most powerful ones take on such a massive repertoire of forms that eventually they forget what their birth-form was.
Hit Dice: d8
{table=head]Level|Base AttackBonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+0|Shapeshift, Racial Memory, Hammerspace
2nd|
+1|
+3|
+0|
+0|Mystic Transformation (1), Morphic Aesthetics
3rd|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+1|Improved Shapeshift (Non-Humanoids)
4th|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+1|Duplicate (Bind)
5th|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+1|Skilled Morpher, Morph (Animal)
6th|
+4|
+5|
+2|
+2|Advanced Morphing (Materials)
7th|
+5|
+5|
+2|
+2|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Large)
8th|
+6/+1|
+6|
+2|
+2|Mystic Transformation (2), Morph (1 Type)
9th|
+6/+1|
+6|
+3|
+3|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Tiny or Huge)
10th|
+7/+2|
+7|
+3|
+3|Morph (1 Type), Adept Morpher
11th|
+8/+3|
+7|
+3|
+3|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Tiny or Huge)
12th|
+9/+4|
+8|
+4|
+4|Advanced Morphing (Object)
13th|
+9/+4|
+8|
+4|
+4|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Diminutive or Gargantuan)
14th|
+10/+5|
+9|
+4|
+4|Mystic Transformation (3), Morph (1 Type)
15th|
+11/+6/+1|
+9|
+5|
+5|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Diminutive or Gargantuan)
16th|
+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+5|
+5|Morph (1 Type)
17th|
+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+5|
+5|Morph (1 Type)
18th|
+13/+8/+3|
+11|
+6|
+6|Morph (1 Type), Expert Morpher
19th|
+14/+9/+4|
+11|
+6|
+6|Morph (1 Type)
20th|
+15/+10/+5|
+12|
+6|
+6|Morph (1 Type), Duplicate (Imprison) [/table]
Class Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Gather Information, Handle Animal, Hide, Intimidate, Knowledge (Local), Listen, Move Silently, Spot, Survival
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) ×4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Proficiencies: Metamorphs are proficient with all simple weapons, light & medium armour, but not shields. In addition, they gain proficiency with any natural weapons they develop & gain any proficiencies that a race they have Shapeshifted into would possess.
Class Features
Shapeshift/Morph Abilities:
Shapeshift (Su): At 1st level the Metamorph may become any Humanoid with an LA equal to or less than their class level-1 and no Racial HD (or 1 RHD, which would normally be traded for a class level such as all the PHB player races), regardless of their own creature Type. This ability functions as the Alternate Form special ability, except where specified here.
The Metamorph may decide their general physical appearance within the norms for the race in question, and gains a +10 bonus to disguise checks to impersonate a specific individual. They may change gender, taking on all physical effects of that, and may appear to be of any age appropriate for the race in question, though this does not change the creature's statistics. If a Metamorph dies or is subjected to an effect which suppresses (Su) abilities they revert to their true form. If they are in the form of a construct or undead creature, they die when reduced to 0HP, rather than -10HP as normal.
Shapeshifting is a full round action action which provokes Attacks of Opportunity and may be done at will. Magic items remain present & function as normal; however the Metamorph is treated as a member of their new race for the purposes of race-affected items.
At 7th level Shapeshifting becomes a standard action. It becomes a move action at level 13, and a swift action at level 18.
Mystic Transformation (Su): As the Metamorph's abilities grow, they learn to mimic the more exotic abilities of the creatures they mimic.
The Metamorph chooses a number of races equal to their Charisma modifier (minimum 1). When Shapeshifted into a member of one of those races they may utilise the race's special attacks & qualities, as well as their Ex, Su, Sp & Psi abilities (though not natural abilities such as the Rakshasa's inherent spellcasting). They may use these abilities with the same frequency as the actual race could, and these uses are not refreshed by Shapeshifting into another representative of the race. Abilities that would have an XP component as a spell/power still require the Metamorph to pay these costs.
All subraces (Whisper Gnome, Drow, etc.) are counted separately when selecting which race's abilities may be mimicked, so choosing "Elf" will only grant you the abilities of the standard High Elf (namely low light vision), but "Aquatic Elf" or "Drow" would need to be chosen to gain their gifts.
The Metamorph may partially/completely change the races chosen 1/day, but must get 8 hours of rest beforehand (as a Wizard would to recover their spells), in order to focus their thoughts.
At 8th level the Metamorph may use the abilities from a number of forms equal to their class level + their Charisma Modifier, and at 14th level it may use the abilities of all forms they can become.
Improved Shapeshift (Su): As they advance in level the Metamorph's Shapeshifting improves. These abilities follows all rules laid out on the Shapeshift ability except where mentioned here.
At 3rd level the Metamorph is able to take on the Forms of non-Humanoid creatures with a listed LA (eg. Aasimar, Warforged, Elan, etc.), limited by creatures with an LA of the Metamorph's class level-2 or less. Creatures without a listed LA and creatures with more than the basic 1 RHD cannot be Shapeshifted into.
Morph (Su): When the Metamorph reaches 5th level they learn to manipulate themselves to such an extent that they can take on more dramatic and powerful forms than they could before. As they grow in power ever more forms become available to them, their repetoire of shapes increasing from just a few to hundreds or even thousands. Morph follows the same rules as Shapeshift, except where noted below.
Morph forms may be any creature of an available type with HD up to the Metamorph's class level. Applicable creatures with less HD may be advanced (as described in the Monster Manual) until their HD matches the Metamorph's class level. Morph forms are valid selections for the Mystic Transformation class feature. All other class features function as normal when Morphed.
At 5th level the Metamorph becomes able to take on the forms of Animals, and from 5th level onwards gains Knowledge (Nature) as a class skill.
At each level from 7th up to 20th except 12th, the Metamorph may choose a new creature Type to become. Choices are made from the following list, and repeated class skills are only gained once:
Aberration - gain Knowledge (Dungeoneering) as a class skill
Construct - gain Knowledge (Arcana) as a class skill
Dragon - gain Knowledge (Arcana) as a class skill
Elemental - gain Knowledge (The Planes) as a class skill
Fey
Giant
Magical Beast - gain Knowledge (Arcana) as a class skill
Monstrous Humanoid
Ooze - gain Knowledge (Dungeoneering) as a class skill
Outsider - gain Knowledge (The Planes) as a class skill
Plant
Undead - gain Knowledge (Religion) as a class skill
Vermin
Advanced Morphing (Su): As their abilities grow, the Metamorph becomes able to transform into unique forms, beyond the ken of other shapeshifters. These abilities follows all rules laid out on the Shapeshift ability except where mentioned her
From 6th level the Metamorph may partially become inanimate matter. As a standard action they may layer their natural weapons in other materials, treating them as being either Silver, Cold Iron or Adamantine weapons.
From 12th level the Metamorph may become an object, made of any non-precious (eg. wood, metal, stone, etc. but not diamond, gold, onyx, etc.) material which up to one size category less than their Shapeshift size limits (eg. a Metamorph who can become Tiny-Huge creatures could become a Small, Medium or Large object). They may be solid or hollow. Regardless they become an Object (NOT an Animated Object) with their normal Hit Points, and Hardness equal to twice their class level. Metamorphs in item form are indistinguishable from a real item and are treated as such an item (so a Metamorph in the form of a crossbow could fire bolts, but could not produce bolts, and a Metamorph in the form of a torch would give off light accordingly).
If they become a weapon, a set of armour or a shield, they possess an enhancement bonus equal to their class level/4 and when in weapon form overcome damage reduction accordingly. They may also make themselves out of any material they could normally add to their natural weapons.
If a Metamorph in the for of an item is Sundered or otherwise massively damaged (but not destroyed, eg. the Disintegrate spell), they revert to their most recent creature form, at -1HP and stable. If they are destroyed (eg. by the Disintegrate spell) then they are affected as normal.
The Metamorph may make a Bluff check vs. the observer's Sense Motive to give off a false magical aura if they so choose (otherwise they give off no aura, except the standard ones for enchanted armour, weapons & shields.
While inadvisable, a Metamorph can become an exhaustible resource (such as lamp oil, alchemist's fire or food), producing enough to eg. fuel the appropriate device for 1 hour/class level, deal 1d6 damage/class level or feed & water 1 medium creature/class level. To do so the Metamorph must first empty their Hammerspace. However use causes 1 negative level (No Save)/hour, d6 or creature, and full consumption kills the Metamorph.
Racial Memory (Ex): The Metamorph doesn't just look like a member of another race, it becomes one of them. As well as the physical effects of their Shapeshift ability, they also gain several mental benefits based on their class level.
In addition to their base languages, they are able to speak one racial language of the chosen form.
+2 on the appropriate Knowledge check relating to the race & may make such checks untrained.
+2 on Knowledge (History) checks relating to the race in question & may make such checks untrained.
At 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter these skill check bonuses increase by 2.
Hammerspace (Ex): The Metamorph is able to shape a pocket of space within it's malleable form, in which it can store possessions out of harms way. There is no air within the Hammerspace, so nothing living can be stored within for more than 1 round without beginning to suffocate.
The Hammerspace may store 1 set of mundane clothes/class level, which may be donned as part of a Shapeshift action. It may also store additional items based on the character's carrying capacity: it may always store items up to the base creature's basic light load (items in the Hammerspace do not count against the Metamorph's actual carrying capacity), even if their Strength score is reduced or they become a smaller race.
They may store more items if they take on a form with a higher Strength score (temporary & item bonuses to Strength do not count), but upon changing to a creature without such a higher carrying capacity , any excess weight of items are immediately expelled and drop to the floor; most recent items being expelled first.
Storing or retrieving an item is a move equivalent action. Items may appear anywhere on the Metamorph (usually in their hand/s or in the appropriate magic item slot) or may be allowed to drop to the floor. If the Metamorph is killed, items in the Hammerspace remain within them unless someone/thing undertakes the fairly gruesome process of retrieving them from it's corpse.
Morphic Aesthetics (Su): The Metamorph begins to exist in a permanent state of very minor shifting. By watching the body language & subtle cues they give, combined with their morphic instincts & knowledge of the creature(s) they may gently alter their appearance to give themselves an advantage in interpersonal dealings.
By altering themselves to seem more appealling, more more like someone the other creature fears/respects/trusts (eg. altering their facial structure to seem more like their partner, or subtly increasing their height to seem more intimidating, etc.), the Metamorph automatically gains a bonus on any Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information & Intimidate checks equal to their Wisdom Modifier. This ability generally only works on one creature at a time, though groups may be affected if they would share similar reactions to the changes (eg. a group of soldiers would all be affected equally by the Metamorph altering their body type & voice to that of their commanding officer).
Duplicate (Su): Many a shapeshifter has been embarrassed (or worse) by taking on a creature's form, only for them to turn up and ruin it. Metamorphs however have developed a way around this limitation.
1/day for each point of their Constitution Modifier, when the Metamorph takes on the form of a creature they have line of sight with (either with Shapeshift or Morph) they may utilise the Duplicate ability. The target makes a Fort Save (DC 8 + 1/2 Metamorph level + Cha Mod) or they are bound by an invisible force, unable to take any actions, including free actions. The creature may make an additional Save to free themselves with a -1 penalty/previous failed Save each hour, or when they are subjected to an attack or spell/power (moving a bound creatue does not count as an attack). The effect lasts for 1 hour/class level or the Metamorph releases them as a free action, and no creature can be affected by Duplicate more than once/day.
In addition, the forces containing the creature siphon it's personaility to enhance the Metamorph's own Shapeshifting. As long as they act in an appropriate manner for the creature, no individual or group will suspect the Metamorph of being an imposter (though magic will still reveal them). In addition they gain the effect of a Phylactery of Faithfulness, except it relates to informing them that they are about to do something that might reveal them as an imposter.
At 20th level the Metamorph is able to more efficiently solve this particular problem. 1/day they may use Duplicate, but instead of being bound the target is locked away as per the Inprisonment spell, except they may make additional Saves to escape 1/day. In addition, non-epic magical effects will now no longer reveal them as an imposter.
Skilled Morpher (Ex): From 5th level the Metamorph begins to hone their transformative abilities. From now on:
They always shape functional vocal chords, allowing them to speak in all forms.
They no longer revert to their true form when dead, however they stillrevert when subjected to an effect that suppresses (Su) abilities.
They may make a special Will Save in order to not revert when subjected to such an effect, or to Shapeshift/Morph into a new form whilst under such an effect. The base DC is 20 minus the Metamorph's class level, but is increased by two each time the Metamorph tries to change/avoid changing shape. These increases stack, and remain until the Metamorph rests for 8 hours.
Alter Mass (Ex): At 7th level the Metamorph may take on Large forms via their Shapeshift ability, as well as Small & Medium ones.
At 9th level the Metamorph chooses either Tiny or Gargantuan forms, gaining the other at 11th level. At 13th level they choose eiher Diminutive or gargantuan forms, gaining the other at 15th level. Once made decisions cannot be changed.
Adept Morpher (Ex): From 10th level the Metamorph's abilities evolve, gaining them several benefits.
They gains the Shapechanger Subtype in all forms, and no longer revert when they die. Their current form is now considered their true form.
Shapeshift, Mystic Transformaion, Improved Shapeshift & Morphic Aesthetics become (Ex) abilities.
Finally they may hold up to a medium load within their Hammerspace.
Expert Morpher (Ex): At 18th level the Metamorph's self modification becomes even more pronounced.
It is immune to Transmutation (and by extension Psychometabolism) effects, unless it wishes to be affected.
Morph & Advanced Shapeshift become (Ex) abilities.
It becomes immune to critical hits and precision damage.
It may also carry up to a Heavy Load within it's Hammerspace.
------------
So there's my Metamorph, the usual Shapeshift abilities with some new stuff added in.
Too much? Should the Morph Forms available be set at each level, or limited to certain levels (I don't think having things like Outsider/Undead are too bad even at mid levels because the abilities are class level limited and Alternate Form doesn't actually change their type, but I could be quite wrong)? Are the abilities just plain stupid? General thoughts, comments, insults, questions?
K-B
http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs10/i/2006/132/6/e/Evolution_of_Galian_Beast_by_ShadowSaber.jpg
Metamorphs are men, monsters and everything inbetween. They are shapeshifters like Druids & Lycanthropes, however unlike other Shapeshifters (even Dopplegangers who's transforming abilities are built into their very being) they do not simply change their physical form. They become the new form entirely, taking on not just it's shape, but also the racial mindset, and even their abilities. Metamorphs adapt constantly, the most powerful ones take on such a massive repertoire of forms that eventually they forget what their birth-form was.
Hit Dice: d8
{table=head]Level|Base AttackBonus|Fort Save|Ref Save|Will Save|Special
1st|
+0|
+2|
+0|
+0|Shapeshift, Racial Memory, Hammerspace
2nd|
+1|
+3|
+0|
+0|Mystic Transformation (1), Morphic Aesthetics
3rd|
+2|
+3|
+1|
+1|Improved Shapeshift (Non-Humanoids)
4th|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+1|Duplicate (Bind)
5th|
+3|
+4|
+1|
+1|Skilled Morpher, Morph (Animal)
6th|
+4|
+5|
+2|
+2|Advanced Morphing (Materials)
7th|
+5|
+5|
+2|
+2|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Large)
8th|
+6/+1|
+6|
+2|
+2|Mystic Transformation (2), Morph (1 Type)
9th|
+6/+1|
+6|
+3|
+3|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Tiny or Huge)
10th|
+7/+2|
+7|
+3|
+3|Morph (1 Type), Adept Morpher
11th|
+8/+3|
+7|
+3|
+3|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Tiny or Huge)
12th|
+9/+4|
+8|
+4|
+4|Advanced Morphing (Object)
13th|
+9/+4|
+8|
+4|
+4|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Diminutive or Gargantuan)
14th|
+10/+5|
+9|
+4|
+4|Mystic Transformation (3), Morph (1 Type)
15th|
+11/+6/+1|
+9|
+5|
+5|Morph (1 Type), Alter Mass (Diminutive or Gargantuan)
16th|
+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+5|
+5|Morph (1 Type)
17th|
+12/+7/+2|
+10|
+5|
+5|Morph (1 Type)
18th|
+13/+8/+3|
+11|
+6|
+6|Morph (1 Type), Expert Morpher
19th|
+14/+9/+4|
+11|
+6|
+6|Morph (1 Type)
20th|
+15/+10/+5|
+12|
+6|
+6|Morph (1 Type), Duplicate (Imprison) [/table]
Class Skills: Bluff, Diplomacy, Disguise, Gather Information, Handle Animal, Hide, Intimidate, Knowledge (Local), Listen, Move Silently, Spot, Survival
Skill Points at 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) ×4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Proficiencies: Metamorphs are proficient with all simple weapons, light & medium armour, but not shields. In addition, they gain proficiency with any natural weapons they develop & gain any proficiencies that a race they have Shapeshifted into would possess.
Class Features
Shapeshift/Morph Abilities:
Shapeshift (Su): At 1st level the Metamorph may become any Humanoid with an LA equal to or less than their class level-1 and no Racial HD (or 1 RHD, which would normally be traded for a class level such as all the PHB player races), regardless of their own creature Type. This ability functions as the Alternate Form special ability, except where specified here.
The Metamorph may decide their general physical appearance within the norms for the race in question, and gains a +10 bonus to disguise checks to impersonate a specific individual. They may change gender, taking on all physical effects of that, and may appear to be of any age appropriate for the race in question, though this does not change the creature's statistics. If a Metamorph dies or is subjected to an effect which suppresses (Su) abilities they revert to their true form. If they are in the form of a construct or undead creature, they die when reduced to 0HP, rather than -10HP as normal.
Shapeshifting is a full round action action which provokes Attacks of Opportunity and may be done at will. Magic items remain present & function as normal; however the Metamorph is treated as a member of their new race for the purposes of race-affected items.
At 7th level Shapeshifting becomes a standard action. It becomes a move action at level 13, and a swift action at level 18.
Mystic Transformation (Su): As the Metamorph's abilities grow, they learn to mimic the more exotic abilities of the creatures they mimic.
The Metamorph chooses a number of races equal to their Charisma modifier (minimum 1). When Shapeshifted into a member of one of those races they may utilise the race's special attacks & qualities, as well as their Ex, Su, Sp & Psi abilities (though not natural abilities such as the Rakshasa's inherent spellcasting). They may use these abilities with the same frequency as the actual race could, and these uses are not refreshed by Shapeshifting into another representative of the race. Abilities that would have an XP component as a spell/power still require the Metamorph to pay these costs.
All subraces (Whisper Gnome, Drow, etc.) are counted separately when selecting which race's abilities may be mimicked, so choosing "Elf" will only grant you the abilities of the standard High Elf (namely low light vision), but "Aquatic Elf" or "Drow" would need to be chosen to gain their gifts.
The Metamorph may partially/completely change the races chosen 1/day, but must get 8 hours of rest beforehand (as a Wizard would to recover their spells), in order to focus their thoughts.
At 8th level the Metamorph may use the abilities from a number of forms equal to their class level + their Charisma Modifier, and at 14th level it may use the abilities of all forms they can become.
Improved Shapeshift (Su): As they advance in level the Metamorph's Shapeshifting improves. These abilities follows all rules laid out on the Shapeshift ability except where mentioned here.
At 3rd level the Metamorph is able to take on the Forms of non-Humanoid creatures with a listed LA (eg. Aasimar, Warforged, Elan, etc.), limited by creatures with an LA of the Metamorph's class level-2 or less. Creatures without a listed LA and creatures with more than the basic 1 RHD cannot be Shapeshifted into.
Morph (Su): When the Metamorph reaches 5th level they learn to manipulate themselves to such an extent that they can take on more dramatic and powerful forms than they could before. As they grow in power ever more forms become available to them, their repetoire of shapes increasing from just a few to hundreds or even thousands. Morph follows the same rules as Shapeshift, except where noted below.
Morph forms may be any creature of an available type with HD up to the Metamorph's class level. Applicable creatures with less HD may be advanced (as described in the Monster Manual) until their HD matches the Metamorph's class level. Morph forms are valid selections for the Mystic Transformation class feature. All other class features function as normal when Morphed.
At 5th level the Metamorph becomes able to take on the forms of Animals, and from 5th level onwards gains Knowledge (Nature) as a class skill.
At each level from 7th up to 20th except 12th, the Metamorph may choose a new creature Type to become. Choices are made from the following list, and repeated class skills are only gained once:
Aberration - gain Knowledge (Dungeoneering) as a class skill
Construct - gain Knowledge (Arcana) as a class skill
Dragon - gain Knowledge (Arcana) as a class skill
Elemental - gain Knowledge (The Planes) as a class skill
Fey
Giant
Magical Beast - gain Knowledge (Arcana) as a class skill
Monstrous Humanoid
Ooze - gain Knowledge (Dungeoneering) as a class skill
Outsider - gain Knowledge (The Planes) as a class skill
Plant
Undead - gain Knowledge (Religion) as a class skill
Vermin
Advanced Morphing (Su): As their abilities grow, the Metamorph becomes able to transform into unique forms, beyond the ken of other shapeshifters. These abilities follows all rules laid out on the Shapeshift ability except where mentioned her
From 6th level the Metamorph may partially become inanimate matter. As a standard action they may layer their natural weapons in other materials, treating them as being either Silver, Cold Iron or Adamantine weapons.
From 12th level the Metamorph may become an object, made of any non-precious (eg. wood, metal, stone, etc. but not diamond, gold, onyx, etc.) material which up to one size category less than their Shapeshift size limits (eg. a Metamorph who can become Tiny-Huge creatures could become a Small, Medium or Large object). They may be solid or hollow. Regardless they become an Object (NOT an Animated Object) with their normal Hit Points, and Hardness equal to twice their class level. Metamorphs in item form are indistinguishable from a real item and are treated as such an item (so a Metamorph in the form of a crossbow could fire bolts, but could not produce bolts, and a Metamorph in the form of a torch would give off light accordingly).
If they become a weapon, a set of armour or a shield, they possess an enhancement bonus equal to their class level/4 and when in weapon form overcome damage reduction accordingly. They may also make themselves out of any material they could normally add to their natural weapons.
If a Metamorph in the for of an item is Sundered or otherwise massively damaged (but not destroyed, eg. the Disintegrate spell), they revert to their most recent creature form, at -1HP and stable. If they are destroyed (eg. by the Disintegrate spell) then they are affected as normal.
The Metamorph may make a Bluff check vs. the observer's Sense Motive to give off a false magical aura if they so choose (otherwise they give off no aura, except the standard ones for enchanted armour, weapons & shields.
While inadvisable, a Metamorph can become an exhaustible resource (such as lamp oil, alchemist's fire or food), producing enough to eg. fuel the appropriate device for 1 hour/class level, deal 1d6 damage/class level or feed & water 1 medium creature/class level. To do so the Metamorph must first empty their Hammerspace. However use causes 1 negative level (No Save)/hour, d6 or creature, and full consumption kills the Metamorph.
Racial Memory (Ex): The Metamorph doesn't just look like a member of another race, it becomes one of them. As well as the physical effects of their Shapeshift ability, they also gain several mental benefits based on their class level.
In addition to their base languages, they are able to speak one racial language of the chosen form.
+2 on the appropriate Knowledge check relating to the race & may make such checks untrained.
+2 on Knowledge (History) checks relating to the race in question & may make such checks untrained.
At 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter these skill check bonuses increase by 2.
Hammerspace (Ex): The Metamorph is able to shape a pocket of space within it's malleable form, in which it can store possessions out of harms way. There is no air within the Hammerspace, so nothing living can be stored within for more than 1 round without beginning to suffocate.
The Hammerspace may store 1 set of mundane clothes/class level, which may be donned as part of a Shapeshift action. It may also store additional items based on the character's carrying capacity: it may always store items up to the base creature's basic light load (items in the Hammerspace do not count against the Metamorph's actual carrying capacity), even if their Strength score is reduced or they become a smaller race.
They may store more items if they take on a form with a higher Strength score (temporary & item bonuses to Strength do not count), but upon changing to a creature without such a higher carrying capacity , any excess weight of items are immediately expelled and drop to the floor; most recent items being expelled first.
Storing or retrieving an item is a move equivalent action. Items may appear anywhere on the Metamorph (usually in their hand/s or in the appropriate magic item slot) or may be allowed to drop to the floor. If the Metamorph is killed, items in the Hammerspace remain within them unless someone/thing undertakes the fairly gruesome process of retrieving them from it's corpse.
Morphic Aesthetics (Su): The Metamorph begins to exist in a permanent state of very minor shifting. By watching the body language & subtle cues they give, combined with their morphic instincts & knowledge of the creature(s) they may gently alter their appearance to give themselves an advantage in interpersonal dealings.
By altering themselves to seem more appealling, more more like someone the other creature fears/respects/trusts (eg. altering their facial structure to seem more like their partner, or subtly increasing their height to seem more intimidating, etc.), the Metamorph automatically gains a bonus on any Bluff, Diplomacy, Gather Information & Intimidate checks equal to their Wisdom Modifier. This ability generally only works on one creature at a time, though groups may be affected if they would share similar reactions to the changes (eg. a group of soldiers would all be affected equally by the Metamorph altering their body type & voice to that of their commanding officer).
Duplicate (Su): Many a shapeshifter has been embarrassed (or worse) by taking on a creature's form, only for them to turn up and ruin it. Metamorphs however have developed a way around this limitation.
1/day for each point of their Constitution Modifier, when the Metamorph takes on the form of a creature they have line of sight with (either with Shapeshift or Morph) they may utilise the Duplicate ability. The target makes a Fort Save (DC 8 + 1/2 Metamorph level + Cha Mod) or they are bound by an invisible force, unable to take any actions, including free actions. The creature may make an additional Save to free themselves with a -1 penalty/previous failed Save each hour, or when they are subjected to an attack or spell/power (moving a bound creatue does not count as an attack). The effect lasts for 1 hour/class level or the Metamorph releases them as a free action, and no creature can be affected by Duplicate more than once/day.
In addition, the forces containing the creature siphon it's personaility to enhance the Metamorph's own Shapeshifting. As long as they act in an appropriate manner for the creature, no individual or group will suspect the Metamorph of being an imposter (though magic will still reveal them). In addition they gain the effect of a Phylactery of Faithfulness, except it relates to informing them that they are about to do something that might reveal them as an imposter.
At 20th level the Metamorph is able to more efficiently solve this particular problem. 1/day they may use Duplicate, but instead of being bound the target is locked away as per the Inprisonment spell, except they may make additional Saves to escape 1/day. In addition, non-epic magical effects will now no longer reveal them as an imposter.
Skilled Morpher (Ex): From 5th level the Metamorph begins to hone their transformative abilities. From now on:
They always shape functional vocal chords, allowing them to speak in all forms.
They no longer revert to their true form when dead, however they stillrevert when subjected to an effect that suppresses (Su) abilities.
They may make a special Will Save in order to not revert when subjected to such an effect, or to Shapeshift/Morph into a new form whilst under such an effect. The base DC is 20 minus the Metamorph's class level, but is increased by two each time the Metamorph tries to change/avoid changing shape. These increases stack, and remain until the Metamorph rests for 8 hours.
Alter Mass (Ex): At 7th level the Metamorph may take on Large forms via their Shapeshift ability, as well as Small & Medium ones.
At 9th level the Metamorph chooses either Tiny or Gargantuan forms, gaining the other at 11th level. At 13th level they choose eiher Diminutive or gargantuan forms, gaining the other at 15th level. Once made decisions cannot be changed.
Adept Morpher (Ex): From 10th level the Metamorph's abilities evolve, gaining them several benefits.
They gains the Shapechanger Subtype in all forms, and no longer revert when they die. Their current form is now considered their true form.
Shapeshift, Mystic Transformaion, Improved Shapeshift & Morphic Aesthetics become (Ex) abilities.
Finally they may hold up to a medium load within their Hammerspace.
Expert Morpher (Ex): At 18th level the Metamorph's self modification becomes even more pronounced.
It is immune to Transmutation (and by extension Psychometabolism) effects, unless it wishes to be affected.
Morph & Advanced Shapeshift become (Ex) abilities.
It becomes immune to critical hits and precision damage.
It may also carry up to a Heavy Load within it's Hammerspace.
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So there's my Metamorph, the usual Shapeshift abilities with some new stuff added in.
Too much? Should the Morph Forms available be set at each level, or limited to certain levels (I don't think having things like Outsider/Undead are too bad even at mid levels because the abilities are class level limited and Alternate Form doesn't actually change their type, but I could be quite wrong)? Are the abilities just plain stupid? General thoughts, comments, insults, questions?
K-B