The price of beauty

[Knight-of-Roses]

I like the basic idea here but I think there could be great fun had by adding flaws to each of the spells.

For examaple:
The beauty created by the spell does not show up in mirrors. ("Let us not walk that way, the glass makes it too bright.")

Certain kind of animals are uneasy around the subject of the spell ("I assure you, madam, he is a good dog. I do not know what has got into him.")

For the permanent version of the spell, it is ended if the mirror used as it component is shattered. ("I need you to recover a mirror, stolen from my room last night.")

Other suggestions?

I think that a host of role-playing and adventure opportunities can be created with these spells.

 

[Winternight]

Hmmm ... ?
Winternight, why is that? There are plenty of spells with a permanant duration, that don't have an XP requirement. Check out this spell's cousin, Polymorph Other.
Orlic

Because it's a Buff spell, you boost skill checks that way.
1000xp because other 2nd level spells also cost 1000xp .
I think the spell is to strong without xp penalty It has a buildin permanancy.
I also would push up the material cost
Material: Silvered mirrior 500/1000gp

would you allow an Athletics Spell? +1/ +2 dex checks
or for our mage: l +2 con based skills (Conzentratiuon) spell
If not why ? (see eagles splendor and bulls strenght)
I'd be carefull with buff spells.

I think it really strong spell. Without xp penalty the mage would buff all partymembers.
Remember +1 on a skill is like a level. (or two attribute points)

Just my nsHO

Winternight
P.S.
I am playing a mage right now and if this threat says it`s ok without xp penalty I wiil take the spell. It is a real killer spell.
(and it's derivates are evenworse)

 

[Zhnov]

Because it's a Buff spell, you boost skill checks that way.
1000xp because other 2nd level spells also cost 1000xp .
I think the spell is to strong without xp penalty It has a buildin permanancy.

I must disagree. These spells are derivatives of Polymorph Other, which has no XP component. Even within the definition of that spell, 3d to last paragraph it states "You can freely designate the new form's minor physical qualities (such as hair color, hair texture, and skin color) within the normal ranges for a creature of that type."

I contend that appearance has a limited quantity of influence, and that the scope of a permanent 3rd/4th level derivative of Polymorph Other would allow for modification of a person's general appearance. Perhaps this should be tempered with the words "...within the normal ranges for a creature of that type," meaning a character could not exceed the normal maximum Charisma (or Comelineness) for their race.

Keep in mind that what makes these spells 'less' than PolyOther is the fact that 1) the character is still recognizable as themselves, and 2) the bonus it provides is non-stacking. I add: 3) A creature cannot, with this spell, exceed the normal maximum Charisma (or Comelineness) for their race.

I think it really strong spell. Without xp penalty the mage would buff all partymembers.
Remember +1 on a skill is like a level. (or two attribute points)

I agree--the magic could be measured as strong. However, even these spells have limits, +2. Do other folks think this too much?

Polymorph is big magic... in fact, even interloping into the territory of the healer to a degree. Specifically, the 7th level Regenerate spell is terribly lame... a 4th level Polymorph Other could replace a creature's missing limbs. An arcane caster can polymorph a creature into itself, and could replace missing materials. The only drawback is that a polymorph-restored limb could be dispelled, where a regenerated one could not. Great way to do some quick field surgery.

Just my nsHO

To which, you are most nobly entitled, Winternight.

P.S.
I am playing a mage right now and if this threat says it`s ok without xp penalty I wiil take the spell. It is a real killer spell.
(and it's derivates are evenworse)

Yes, it is a good one. What do folks think? Sorry if the spells are broken to someone else, just trying to add something to the field of study.

Pazafar

 

[Zhnov]

new versions

New versions... included increasingly valuable mirrors to reflect skeptics.

rlic

~~~

Beauty
Transmutation

Level: Soc/Wiz 2
Component: V,S,M
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Duration: 4 hours + 1 hour/level
Target: One Creature
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

This spell transforms the target creature into a more beautiful version of itself. Although its appearance improves, it is easily recognized as itself.

An effect of this spell is to grant a competency bonus to Charisma (or optional Comelineness) checks of +1. The bonus is limited to Charisma checks related to situations where beauty would be considered, such as non-hostile interactions with similar or identical races. This effect does not stack with other appearance-based magic bonuses to Charisma (or Comelineness) checks, and a creature cannot, with this spell, exceed the normal maximum Charisma (or Comelineness) for their race.

The focus for this spell is a mirror of at least 50 gp value.


Lasting Beauty
Transmutation

Level: Soc/Wiz 3
Component: V,S,M (see text)
Duration: Permanent

As Beauty, except the duration is permanent and the focus for this spell is a silvered mirror of at least 250 gp value.


Eternal Beauty
Transmutation

Level: Soc/Wiz 4
Component: V,S,M (see text)
Duration: Instantaneous

As Beauty, except the duration is instantaneous, the competency bonus to Charisma checks is +2, and a silver mirror of at least 250 gp value, personalized for the recipient, is consumed during the casting.

 

[Al]

Polymorph Other

True, and in 3.5e they finally fixed it. No longer can the fighter be permanently polymorphed into a troll or hill giant. Buff style polymorphs are now limited by duration- you can turn the fighter into a gerbil forever, though it's not particularly useful.

Instantaneous

And therefore not dispellable.

An Instantaneous, irrevocable bonus to Charisma checks should carry an experience cost, or at the very least a highly expensive material component. Bear in mind that the Circlet of Persuasion costs 2000gp, takes up a slot and can be stolen.

For an Instantaneous spell- which does not take up a slot and cannot be removed/lost/disjoined/suppressed- a material component should be looking at 5000gp, or an experience approximation of that (using 5gp=1xp). Winternight's 1000xp works out nicely

Edit: Spelling.