Seeming

The Arcana for changing one's form, utterly, Seeming is the Glamour for Boggarts and Inari to change into something else, or afflict others with this same permeability, acting as they do and conniving monstrosities or foul play. Seeming requires expending a Minor Merit to pursue.

Seeming

History

Few Arcana are feared as the Glamour of Seeming. These Changelings as they are called have been known to abduct and replace loved ones, living off the good will of another and sowing the seeds of distrust among those upon Antarok. Traditions such as tickling and pinching are common, as it is well known Changelings will react severely, often prompting others to question if someone is a Boggart, or an Inari.

Further, Changelings are famous for turning others into animals, or granting them stolen bodies that change their identities to aid fugitives in exchange for being complicit in whatever game the Fae is playing.

Acquisition

Like all Glamour, Seeming is something one is born with.

This inborn power to shift one's body chemistry to match that of another is granted by the Crux, a bundle of nervous tissue that spreads its fibers throughout every corner of the body, subsuming the entire nervous system. To wield Seeming, it must be Incited by transforming for the first time, expending a Minor Merit to do so.

Boggarts and the half-breeds born from one store their organ in the chest, opposite to the heart, while Inari store the Crux in their first tail. When hiding their tail, an Inari is ticklish all over their body. Else, a Maltrician with Master-level skill may implant the Crux and properly thread its nervous system deep enough that it can grow the rest of the way.

Living as a Changeling

Sensitivity

Skin near to and transformed by the Crux is highly erogenous and prone to paralyzing overstimulation, mirrored like a reflection to the opposite sides of the body. Thus, a Boggart's chest area, and an Inari's tails are each highly sensitive. When transforming one's body in any way, this sensitivity displaces throughout the nervous system near to the affected body parts, leaving them sensitive to touch.

Changelings feel more pain than another might near to their Crux or upon any transformed tissues, and can barely function without reverting after so much as scuffing their transformed knee without Apprentice Meditation. A puncture wound would easily need Expert Meditation, while those with a fatal wound or illness will feel enough agony that they need Master-tier Meditation to function through it. Thus, they easily succumb to torture, and even 'tickling' is used to prove someone is something they are not.

Inari with enough tails will use Apparation to thread their Tendrils through them so that they are much harder to damage and therefore rarely feel pain, only the sensitivity.

Identity

Changelings borrow aspects of the identity of someone they transform into, and they might lead their life as an entirely different species, or even a different anatomical gender. It isn't unusual for a Changeling to experience dysphoria, or else feel a sense of detachment to what makes them who they are. Some never return to their original form and feel as if they are naked in that body.

Pariah

A Changeling must never reveal what they are. Most people across Antarok fear their identity being stolen and misconstrued. This Arcana is extremely potent at manipulation, allowing one to don the convincing guise of someone they are familiar with. This can lead to blackmail, children being replaced by Changelings looking for simple lives, or important titles and family heads being replaced by talented tricksters. Those who suspect a Changeling will bring a Talisman warded against Saol that 'changes the body' to unmask them, if they can afford to do so. Another way to discover a Changeling is the long game - they will not age like a regular person or animal.

Reproduction

Any children born to a Changeling will match the form and method of birth of their Seeming, and they will essentially have a Transfigured child who will turn back into their original race when this is dispelled. Some Changelings will live as animals while they raise their children in storied lives. A Changeling who becomes a male will remain with womb and child, and they will lose it should they come to term and fail to deliver on time. They will otherwise have the same fertility and number of offspring as their original race.

Mageburn Symptoms

• Lesser: Partial Unmasking (Always), Anxiety, Muscle Aches and Pain, Mood Swings
• Moderate: Total Unmasking, Agonizing Muscle Spasms, Panic Attacks, Aggression, Short Temper
• Greater: Permanently Paralyzed In Full-Body Agony, Intense Paranoia, Developing Schizophrenia, Forming a Dissociative Identity
• Unmasking: To Unmask is to have one's Seeming begin to unravel. Parts of their body such as limbs or tails will miraculously appear, and this will happen when experiencing Mageburn with any Saol Arcana.

Spells

Like all Glamours, Seeming uses the Metaphor of Saol to cast.

Imprint

To Imprint is to consume raw the recently living flesh, blood, and bone of another being together, adding them to the Changeling's repertoire. If the Changeling has Syphon, then they may Syphon a moderate amount of Saol from them instead to form an Imprint. This will copy the target at its current age and state of health, mimicking a bastardization of any ailments.

• Common feasting targets are fingers, toes, and tails.
• The Changeling can only Imprint Florabound Flora and fully integrated Grafted Undead if they themselves possess the related discipline. They will copy Malediction surgeries, but not inorganic prosthetics.
• Other Changelings may Imprint upon the same creature, but each only gets one available Imprint to then expend with Transfiguration. If any Changeling uses Imprint on a Transfiguration to revert it, then the one who made the Transfiguration gets their Imprint back. If it dies, however, the Imprint is lost.
• The Changeling's original form is considered the 0th Imprint and does not count towards limits, however it must still be expended to be Transfigured.

Seeming

Seeming is the namesake ability of a Changeling to transfigurate themselves into an exact copy of what they have Imprinted upon. As this is being channeled, their body glows a faint white light until it shrinks or expands in the blink of an eye, changing them physically into whichever Imprinted they chose in every sense. They will be fully sapient and may be able to learn speech with enough difficulty, even if given a form with a small brain or the improper vocal chords. Changelings may undo Seeming to return to their original form instantly at any time without needing to channel Saol, but any wounds including post-Imprint scars will transfer between bodies until healed, scaling up or down accordingly.

• The Changeling may wield Beast Magic belonging to the form they are in. This does not confer extra Spell Reserves until Incited, and they cannot Incite it without proper skill in Animism.
• The Changeling may take upon themselves the magical non-merited and non-xp-conferring Racial Ability of any Imprinted Race, such as Pseudo-Glamour, or Æld'Norai Lifesight - they might also steal Æcturnis if they have paid for Lifesight and also have Draoidh. In this way, a Boggart might copy the Sylvan of a Dryad, or the capacity for added tails of an Inari - and the curse to eat liver that comes with it. Spirits such as Rakshasa may only have their Racial Abilities replicated at Master.
• Excepting Blights, Glamour, and Gramarye, biological implants such as Florabound Flora, Grafted Undead, and Non-Saol Malediction Surgeries will be left behind. Inorganic changes such as Prosthetics will not be passed on.

Masking

To Mask is to temporarily embody from an Imprint the mannerisms, speech, and accent of an individual - the Changeling would still have to spend time learning the language and background of the one they are attempting to portray convincingly. This is only as effective as one is able to write it, and how convincing Masking may be is tied directly tied to the Acting or Psychology skill of the character.

Chimera

Chimera is the ability to mix and match various body parts, features, or qualities from differing Imprint forms. Their magic will make these changes feel natural. This warps the Imprint they started from, saving their newly warped body to it. Any changes must make biological sense, scaled up or down. They would need to Imprint upon a centipede if they wanted many undulating legs, or something with two heads if they wanted two heads.

• A Changeling may only wield one Beast Magic from their Imprints at a time until Ascension.
• Chimera may additionally incorporate any Incited Beast Magic they possess from Animism.

Transfiguration

Transfiguration is the ability to weave Seeming into the body of another, forcing them to become that animal or race, even a Chimera. As this is being channeled, the Changeling and their target will glow a soft white light, and the victim will feel oversensitive like their skin is crawling - they will know something is very wrong. Once the channel is finished, any Imprints used including those making up a Chimera will be expended, and then the change will take place in the blink of an eye. The recipient will have the same sensitivity as someone with Seeming. This cannot be undone without a Talisman of an equivalent tier, or else Imprinting upon them to take back the Imprint. If they should die in this body, Transfiguration remains. Bon Appétit?

Commonly, powerful Changelings are Animists who abuse Transfiguration to convert their lower Challenge Rating fauna such as dogs into more powerful forms that still obey them. In this way, they might build a retinue of monsters over time.

When Imprinting upon something transformed such as those with Grist, Nightwalkers, or even other Changelings, a Changeling will receive their original form. However, Transfiguration will overpower and disable whatever made them that way - including the victim's Seeming - unless they cast their own transformation at the same tier of power. The Changeling thus struggles to impersonate these, even if they might be able to trap those weaker than them into a specific form.

Even if you do not possess Seeming, you or an NPC may begin play Transfigured by a capricious Changeling into any Fauna up to CR4, at a difficulty to dispel of up to Ascended tier.

Tiers of Mastery

Novice

A Changeling at Novice is just beginning to experiment with Imprint and learn how to engage in Seeming. They are often unused to the extra nerve endings, and even walking will be incredibly distracting at this point.

• Imprint:

• The Novice Changeling may Imprint upon up to 3 organic fauna or people between the size of a 4" bird, up to to 7' tall and a Challenge Rating of CR3.

• Seeming:

• The Novice Changeling may channel for one minute to then shift into one of their Imprinted.
• Their hide may only be as hard as a tough leather, even if the Imprinted write-up specifies otherwise.
• They may wield the Beast Magic of one CR1 or less Imprinted Fauna at a time.

• Masking:

• Masking is unavailable at Novice.

• Chimera:

• Chimera is unavailable at Novice.

• Transfiguration:

• Transfiguration is unavailable at Novice.

Apprentice

By Apprentice, a Changeling is fairly competent, able to recuse themselves and change into something else, Masking features of what they have imprinted on fairly convincingly with the appropriate Acting or Persuasion skills.

• Imprint:

• The Changeling may Imprint upon up to 6 organic fauna or people between a 4" bird and 9' tall, up to a Challenge Rating of CR3.

• Seeming:

• The Changeling may channel for thirty seconds to then shift into one of their Imprinted.
• Their hide may only be as hard as a tough leather, even if the Imprinted write-up specifies otherwise.
• They may wield the Beast Magic of one CR2 or less Imprinted Fauna at a time.

• Masking:

• Masking is fully available at Apprentice.

• Chimera:

• Chimera is unavailable at Apprentice.

• Transfiguration:

• Transfiguration is unavailable at Apprentice.

Journeyman

A Journeyman Changeling begins to experiment with adapting traits between two forms, seeking out something with a metallic hide, feathers, or fur to better defend themselves.

• Imprint:

• The Changeling may Imprint upon up to 10 organic fauna or people, between the size of a 4" bird, up to 12' tall and a Challenge Rating of CR3.

• Seeming:

• The Changeling may channel for twenty seconds to then shift into one of their Imprinted.
• Their hide may be as hard as the write-up for what was Imprinted upon, up to as hard as stone or copper.
• They may wield the Beast Magic of one CR3 or less Imprinted Fauna at a time.

• Masking:

• Masking is fully available at Journeyman.

• Chimera:

• Chimera is available at Journeyman, but may only combine elements from two different Imprints.
• Chimera at Journeyman may only be used to add qualities and features where they might make sense.

• Transfiguration:

• Transfiguration is unavailable at Journeyman.

Expert

Upon reaching Expert, a Changeling develops the frightening ability to turn others into their Imprinted forms, becoming a true menace capable of yielding horrific experiences upon others while at the same time Imprinting on enormous forms of wildlife.

• Imprint:

• The Changeling at Expert may Imprint upon up to 15 organic fauna or people between the size of a 2" mouse, up to 16' tall and a Challenge Rating of CR4. Once Imprinted, it may not be Imprinted upon again.

• Seeming:

• The Changeling at Expert may channel for ten seconds to then shift into one of their Imprinted.
• Their hide may be as hard as the write-up for what was Imprinted upon, up to as hard as iron.
• They may wield the Beast Magic of one CR4 or less Imprinted Fauna at a time.

• Masking:

• Masking is fully available at Expert.

• Chimera:

• Chimera is available at Expert, but may only combine elements from four different Imprints.
• Chimera at Expert may only be used to add qualities and features where they might make sense.

• Transfiguration:

• An Expert Changeling may channel for thirty seconds to then expend one of their Imprinted and turn someone into it, provided contact is not broken.

Master

The Master Changeling is a creature of myth, able to blend in convincingly with Dragons even though they have no Grist, manufacturing truly nightmarish chimerae which they might even Transfigurate upon others.

• Imprint:

• The Changeling may Imprint upon up to 20 organic fauna or people, between the size of a 2" mouse, up to the maximum size of an Adult Dragon (20') and a Challenge Rating of CR5, but doing so is a Master cast of Saol and a cost of 810 Seasonal Points if the Imprint is not derived from a Player Character. Once Imprinted, it may not be Imprinted upon again.

• Seeming:

• The Changeling may channel for three seconds to then shift into one of their Imprinted.
• Their hide may be as hard as the write-up for what was Imprinted upon, up to as hard as steel.
• They may wield the Beast Magic of one CR5 or less Fauna at a time, or stolen Flora Magic if they are also a Draoidh or Animist.

• Masking:

• Masking is fully available at Master.

• Chimera:

• Chimera is available at Master, but may only combine elements from eight different Imprints.
• Chimera at Master may only be used to add qualities and features where they might make sense.

• Transfiguration:

• A Master Changeling may channel for ten seconds to then expend one of their Imprinted to turn someone into it, provided contact is not broken.

Boggle

Fear the Boggle, also known as the Boggle-Wogger, the Woggler, or the Boggler. To be Boggled is to be condemned with the curse of a new form. Entire villages have been converted to crows, forced to lead new lives as talking animals by the capricious Ascended of Seeming.

• Imprint:

• The Boggle may Imprint upon up to 25 organic fauna or people up to the maximum size of an Elder Dragon (60') and a Challenge Rating of CR6, but doing so is an Ascended cast of Saol and a cost of 2,430 Seasonal Points if the Imprint is not derived from a Player Character.
• Their hide may be as tough as the write-up for what they Imprinted on states, up to twice as hard as steel.

• Seeming:

• The Boggle may channel for one second to then shift into one of their Imprinted.
• They may wield the Beast Magic of one CR6 or less Imprinted Fauna, or one stolen Flora Magic if they are also a Draoidh or Animist.
• The Seeming of a Boggle is no longer dispelled by Saol Mageburn, but they are still sensitive.

• Masking:

• The Boggle may consume the entire body of an Imprinted to absorb their memories which they may then invoke to embody the skills of one other person with an Ascended tier cast of Masking.

• Chimera:

• There is no limit to how creative a Boggle may be with their Chimera form.
• The Boggle may adapt features to places that might not make sense, like additional heads, limbs, and so on.

• Transfiguration:

• The Boggle may channel for five seconds to then expend one of their Imprinted to turn someone into it, provided contact is not broken. Doing so this quickly is still an Ascended cast of Saol.
• The Transfiguration of a Boggle no longer dispels due to a loss of Saol. The only way to break it is to use a Globe Talisman Abrogating changes to the body, or else an equivalent tier temporary transformation.

Contrivances

Ensorcelling

Ensorcellers get good use out of Seeming, functionally enabling Pseudo-Transfiguration into a specific Imprint even with a Novice Conjuration, with Apprentices able to use Masking to improve their charm by embodying the personality of someone charismatic. However, this form of Transfiguration must be willing, as any struggle or denial of the ability will disable the attempt.

Argumentation may be used to apply specific aspects of a form, enabling even the same creative changes as a Boggart to be devised and retained as an Imprint. They may also create Conjurations with Argumentation that takes objects with them into their Seeming, storing it on their prior form, but these items will form within their flesh should they die. This principle can be applied to preserve aesthetic changes across forms, such as Ensorcelled tattoos, piercings, outfits, or prosthetics.

Alchemistry

Seeming may be used to create Alkemicals that eventually confer the senses or traits of Imprinted forms when held to one's person long enough, akin to a pseudo-Wild Glamour. They might also impart the material strength of their hide into such creations.

Malediction

Standard Transplant

The Crux may be excised and then surgically implanted into another, but the surgeon must meet or exceed:

• Malediction of Expert skill or Devorare of Journeyman skill.
• Medical skill of Journeyman.

“I couldn't believe it . . . my beloved, she broke up with me! It was like she was a different person. Cleaned out our finances, she did. Sold our wedding ring, and then she was gone. Thought she took the kid, but he came back. Sometimes I'm not even sure it's him, but I tell myself he must be going through a lot if his mum's walked out on him. I love that kid - hope he turns out as tough as his pops.” - A Drunkard at a Bar.

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