Primal Magic (Wild Shape)
It was a little weird to see the Core Rulebook for Genesys specifically mention Primal Magic but completely ignore what has become a staple of the "Druid" identity in tabletop games: Wild Shape. This document attempts to bring it back in a similar highly-customizable style as the core system.
Magic Action: Wild Shape
First you declare your intent to transform yourself into a beast. As an Action, you make a Primal skill check. The difficulty is decided by the base creature you're aiming to shapeshift into; check Table I: Creature Templates for some common examples. If successful, each extra a, s, and t can be cashed in for extra benefits. Many example traits are listed in Table II: Addon Traits.
Trading Down
You may choose to trade in a s or even a t for extra lesser traits. Just in case, here's a quick table to convert down.
| Rolled a... | Cashes in for... |
|---|---|
| a | a |
| s | aa |
| t | sa |
| t | aaa |
Keep in mind that qualities bought with s and t are intended to be much more beneficial, so much so that you probably won't want to trade down unless you have something very specific you need. Also remember that extra results don't necessarily need to be spent on the spell itself; just like any other roll, it may confer story benefits.
Table I: Creature Templates
| Beast | Traits |
|---|---|
| Average (dd) Difficulty | |
| Cougar | May Sprint one additional range band. |
| Goat | +bb to Survival checks to find food for yourself. |
| Shark | Move freely in water. Begin drowning if movement is not made for 2 rounds. |
| Vulture | Gain Natural Flight, but +bb to attacks. |
| Wolf | +bb to Perception checks involving smells. |
| Hard (ddd) Difficulty | |
| Horse | Become Silhouette 2. |
| Panther | +b to Stealth and Coordination checks. |
| Rat | Become Miniscule. |
| Raven | Become Silhouette 0. Gain Natural Flight. |
| Daunting (dddd) Difficulty | |
| Bear | Become Silhouette 2. Gain s on Brawn-related checks. |
| Camel | Become Silhouette 2. +bb to Athletics checks. |
| Eagle | Gain Natural Flight. +bb to Perception checks involving sight. |
| Lion | +b to Brawn- and Agility-rated checks. |
| Roc | Become Silhouette 2. Gain Natural Flight. |
| Snake | Become Silhouette 0. Natural attacks gain Burn 2 and Disorient. |
| Formidable (ddddd) Difficulty | |
| Mammoth | Become Silhouette 3. Gain s on Brawn-related checks. |
| Scorpion | Become Miniscule. Natural attacks gain Burn 2 and Disorient. |
| Whale | Become Silhouette 4. Move freely in water. |
Being a beast also comes with some limitations:
- Beasts cannot speak.
- Beasts cannot cast magic.
- Unless the beast has opposable digits or a lengthy, strong tail, it cannot grapple
- Shapeshifted beasts can be forced back to their base form by effects that cancel magic, which also deals 2 Stress.
WILD SHAPE
Table II: Addon Traits
| Trait | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptation | a | +b to a non-combat skill. |
| Sylvan | a | Retain ability to speak. |
| Natural Weapon | a | Natural Attack gains 1 of: Burn, Disorient, Ensnare, Pierce, Stun, Sunder, Vicious. |
| Dire | s | +b to checks of one Characteristic. |
| Giant | s | Increase size category by 1. |
| Miniature | s | Decrease size category by 1. |
| Runic Pattern | s | May still cast Magic while shapeshifted. You are never counted as using an implement while shapeshifted. |
| Thick Hide | s | Gain 1 Defense. |
| Apex | t | Gain s to checks of one Characteristic. |
Wild Shape Talents
Tier 1
Predator
Activation: Passive
Ranked: No
When spending a on Addon Traits, you may take Natural Weapon multiple times. It is up to you whether they are the same or different Quality.
Spirit Animal
Activation: Passive
Ranked: Yes
Choose a Trait which costs a s. Receive +b when shapeshifting into beasts which have this Trait. For beasts that don't, the Trait costs a instead. This Talent may be taken multiple times, choosing a different Trait each time.
Tier 2
Think Big
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Mutual Exclusivity: Think Small
When you declare a Wild Shape Action, you may suffer 2 Strain as an Incidental to automatically gain Giant to the form, if the Action is successful.
Think Small
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No
Mutual Exclusivity: Think Big
When you declare a Wild Shape Action, you may suffer 2 Strain as an Incidental to automatically gain Miniature to the form, if the Action is successful.
Tier 3
Chimaera
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No(?)
After you succeed at a Wild Shape Action, you may declare a second beast and suffer 3 Strain. Make another check for the second beast. If you succeed, your form becomes a chimaera, twisting aspects of both beasts together. You gain the bonuses of both. If you fail, the original Wild Shape fails as well.
Tier 5
Amalgamation
Activation: Active (Incidental)
Ranked: No(?)
Prerequisite: Chimaera
You may activate Chimaera twice in the same Wild Shape, though you only suffer Strain the first time.
WILD SHAPE