Forbidden Arts Part One (Alpha 0.1)

Magic in Quests of Change comes in a wide variety of forms, with a plethora of uses. Though every magic-wielding class is capable of learning spells that help their caster either in or out of combat, nearly all spells available to a given spell-caster can be obtained through leveling up. However, there is one core exception: Forbidden Arts.

Forbidden Arts are among the most potent spells in all of Quests of Change. While most magic is entirely beneficial, the majority of these spells either take a toll on the caster to cast, or have noteworthy side effects. 

While most spells can be gained via level ups, each Forbidden Art can only be gained when a character is taught how to perform said Art by its creator. Many of the oldest and most formidable Demons, Demigods, and the strongest beings of the realm such as the Bimbofier of Heroes and the Collector of Dolls are practitioners of their own respective Forbidden Arts. If an adventurer is able to gain the trust of such a being from performing arduous tasks or quests for them, they may offer the knowledge of how to cast their Forbidden Art as a reward. 

It should be noted that Forbidden Arts are not restricted to being accessible by certain classes, though if the Art has an HP or MP cost, the caster must have access to said resource, as they would with any normal spell. Additionally, while Forbidden Arts are classified as spells, they are not count towards the number of spells a character knows.

The Following Are Some Examples Of Forbidden Arts:

Transmutation Of The Archangel:

One of the few Forbidden Arts that can be learned from more than a single creature, the Transmutation of the Archangel can be taught to a creature that has impressed and been deemed worthy by any of the Four Archangels of Solys. While this spell allows its user to wield the power of an angel, the potent celestial magics used in this spell can permanently alter the body and mind of the user if used too frequently.

Action: Two-Handed

MP Cost: 22

Range: 0

Accuracy Dice: None

Spell Damage: None

Damage Type: None

Additional Effect: The caster calls upon the power of the goddess Solys to wield angelic power, altering the caster's form an abilities. Once cast, this spell's user instantaneously undergoes a celestial transformation and receives the following effects.

-While you still benefit from all of your racial abilities, you are classified as an angel rather than your race.

-Each of your combat stats increase by +1 while this spell is active.

-You gain a resistance to light and dark damage.

-Massive, angelic wings sprout from your back, providing you with 9-space flight movement on each of your turns.

-You emanate a powerful divine aura. You shed magical light in a five-space radius. Whenever a creature deals damage to you with a melee attack, It takes an amount of unpreventable Light damage equal to half your Mind (rounded up) or half your resolve (rounded up); whichever is greater.

-Whenever a spell you cast or an attack you make would deal damage to another creature, the damage type is replaced by Light.

-You can choose to stay in this form as long as you'd like, but this effect can be ended at any time during your turn or the turn of another creature without using an action.

Side Effect: Frequent or prolonged reliance of this spell can have irreversible results that can fundamentally alter its caster. Once a creature casts this spell for a second time within a seven-day time period or they have stayed in an angelic form for a total of thirty minutes (these thirty minutes can be spread across several separate castings of the spell), the caster gains the following personality trait: Solys Devoted: You are a devout follower of the Goddess Solys and aim to purge and purify all corruption you encounter. Once a creature casts this spell for a fourth time within a seven-day time period or they have stayed in an angelic form for a total of sixty minutes or more, they will find themselves unable to revert to their original form. Additionally, the caster's mind loses much of its sense of self, becoming consumed with the desire to serve Solys, uphold justice, and cleanse corruption.

Classes: All

Living Statue:

Few artists in the realm are as famed as the elusive crime-lord of Luné, Clematis. Though few have actually met Clematis in person, this former Lunar Elf leaves her studio very infrequently, as to hide her monstrous and demonic traits, the result of excessive transformative hedonism. While Clematis's art is highly regarded for the incredibly lifelike forms depicted in her statues, her art is secretly the result of her own Forbidden Art: Living Statue. This spell can be used to indefinitely transform a creature it targets into a living piece of art, as long as the target was in the midst of experiencing extreme pleasure.

Action: Two-Handed

MP Cost: 0

HP Cost: 25 HP

Range: 1

Accuracy Dice: None

Spell Damage: None

Damage Type: None

Additional Effect: The caster touches a creature that has dropped to 0 since the caster's last turn, or has climaxed since the caster's last turn. The target becomes indefinitely petrified. However, unlike normal petrification, the target remains conscious and aware while petrified this way, though the feeling of the inciting will damage or climax that enabled this spell are felt continuously until the petrification ends. This petrification can be undone by the caster as a one-handed action, any effect that removes the petrification status, or by a ritual of purification.

Side Effect: As this spell draws upon profane and demonic magics to cast, upon being cast, the caster gains X points of Demonic Corruption where X is equal to the number of times they've cast this spell.

Classes: All