Editing LeviathanTempest:ChapterThree (section)

== Transformation ==

If not the most notable power of the Tribe, the assumption of monstrous shapes is certainly the most dramatic. Most Leviathans consider this ability with a mixture of pride and outright terror. On the one hand, the exploration of self that is involved in the shaping of one's other forms is a key element of the search for self-reliance. On the other, transformation most often occurs without the consent of the Leviathan – as a disastrous Outburst, brought on by the difficulties of life and the stresses of interacting with normal humans. The ability to transform makes everything awkward and wrong about the Leviathan visible, and that concept is hardly comforting to a member of the Tribe trying to get by without a roadmap. 

The form taken by each Leviathan is unique and affected by many parts of a Leviathan's life. Genetics play a part, both Strain and sometimes even family lines will have visible traits. This is especially true for younger Leviathans before other factors have become dominant. As a Leviathan rises in Sheol her self image, usually defined by her choice of School, becomes the most important trait. Channels and Adaptations both change the transformed form, though each Leviathan expresses them differently. A Channel that one Leviathan expresses as vicious claws might create venomous spines for another. Channels and Adaptations are not always visible, sometimes they express themselves as purely internal changes. A Leviathan's Tranquillity has it's effects, in the Tribe stable mind begets stable body. Finally an Evolution can define a Leviathan's appearance, forming a stable framework for all other traits to build upon. 

The Tribe recognizes seven distinct stages of transformation, from the human body to the truly monstrous, and some members have speculated on these convenient points of reference. They reason that, were transformation truly occurring at random, it could not be so easily stratified, and identify stages with other, mythically-supported sevens – seven vices, seven heads of the beast in the Book of Daniel, and so forth. No consensus on the matter exists or is likely to arise, and certainly the markers of Afflictions and the increasing complexity that a developing Leviathan adds to each form suggests that the boundaries are not so easily predetermined. Others theorize that these “contact points” are bastions of order extending in a line towards the deified Progenitors, and take great pains to try and push “Beyond” the seventh step – or, back, attempting to return “past” the human form to actual humanity. So far, no dice.

[PICTURE, horizontal, covering the top half of the page. Stylized progression “Evolution of man” with six forms past human – a hunched, darker-skinned man, then the same man, but balding and more bowed, then a hairless hunchback with black fish eyes webbed hands and a stubbed dorsal fin, then a grey-skinned man with no nose and razored teeth, large dorsal fin and a tail, then a full-on Shark-man ala Peter Benchley's Creature or a Rokea in Crinos, then an enormous shark with razor edges and many rows of teeth.]

=== Stages of Transformation ===

* '''Depth 0''' - In other words, human form. In this Depth, the Leviathan is roughly indistinguishable from other humans, but can only make use of Birthrights. 

* '''Depth 1''' – "The near hybrid." At this degree of transformation, the Leviathan is still mostly human in appearance - only a wary onlooker can piece together the subtle visual cues that betray his nature. He begins to benefit from his Vestiges and gains access to the least of their powers. At this Depth treat a Leviathan's Stamina as though it were one dot higher for the purposes of holding it's breath. 

* '''Depth 2''' – "The distant hybrid." This degree represents the level of many hybrids. While one might mistake them for a human from a distance or if they were suitably garbed, the signs that were previously merely hints begin to declare the unnatural essence of the Leviathan. At this Depth the he can breath comfortably underwater even during combat and suffers no Speed penalty while swimming. 
 
* '''Depth 3''' – "The bestial." The Leviathan can no longer pass as human - this form melds the aquatic and the terrestrial into something monstrous and twisted. This form is something out of a horror movie. At this point, the Leviathan increases in stature, and he gains access to the greater reaches of his Vestiges.  
** The Leviathan's Size increases by 1, or by 2 if you have the Dwarf Flaw. 

* '''Depth 4''' – "The horrific." At this Depth, the Leviathan is entirely monstrous - large and marked by the transformations wrought by his Vestiges. His nature expresses itself so fully that, without supernatural aid, no aspect of his being can be construed as human - even his voice, heard over the phone, immediately proclaims that the speaker is nothing that should exist. 

* '''Depth 5''' – "The terrible." The Leviathan is no longer even remotely human in appearance - his conception of his nature informs the exact markings that he takes on, but he is entirely a construct of his unnatural bloodline. He is near the peak of his power, but immediately repulses those that are not already deeply under his control.

* '''Depth 6''' - "Apotheosis." The Leviathan reaches the greatest reaches of transformation, becoming a thing that is entirely of the Primordial Seas. He is ''at least'' ten feet in size at this point, and his shape is nearly entirely aquatic - his appearance owes more to sea monsters than it does to homo sapiens. The pinnacle of change also unlocks the Leviathan's full potential, making the greatest use of his Vestiges.
** The Leviathan's Size increases by 2, cumulative with the previous increase.
** Exposure to air drains the Leviathan of power. He may go (Stamina) rounds before this begins, at which point he begins to lose 1 Ichor per round until drained of power or returning to water or a more human form. Partial submersion in a body of water of at least five times his size – five cubic feet per cubic foot of the Leviathan, not five times Size – will prevent this loss. 
** If the Leviathan has 0 Ichor in this form and is exposed to the air, he must roll a degeneration check for his current Tranquility each turn. In this fashion, a Leviathan stranded on dry land will go mad. Typhons stranded without Ichor begin to lose Health Levels instead. 
** Mortal onlookers with existing mild Derangements have those conditions aggravated into Severe equivalents for the duration of their exposure and (10 - their Willpower) hours afterwards. This category includes many Hybrids and Lahmasu.
** Mortal onlookers have trouble remembering the precise details of the Leviathan's appearance, though its actions and overall appearance will be remembered correctly. While this has no mechanical effect accounts of the tribe do tend to be somewhat inconsistent.

=== Mechanics of Transformation ===
There are two ways for a Leviathan's form to change to a different stage – willingly, through concentration and the expense of Ichor, and unwillingly, due to an Outburst. The latter always moves the Leviathan into a more monstrous shape, while a Leviathan can otherwise, through patience and caution, shift between each of his forms at will.

When transforming willingly, the Leviathan must first decide which form they wish to achieve - the number of steps that separate his current and desired form determines the cost and difficulty of the transformation. Depending on circumstances, a Leviathan's Tranquility will affect this roll. 

==== Willing Transformation ====
* '''Cost''': One Ichor
* '''Dice Pool''': Stamina + Sheol - degree of change
* '''Action''': Instant
** '''Roll Results'''
*** ''Dramatic Failure'': The Leviathan instead transforms a step in the opposite direction. If this would be impossible, the Leviathan instead suffers a health level of lethal damage as his flesh tears in an attempt to achieve a non-existent state. (that does not stop some Leviathans attempting to use this to achieve either true humanity or apotheosis into a creature closer to the Progenitors than they. 
*** ''Failure'': The Leviathan does not change.
*** ''Success'': The Leviathan achieves the desired form.
*** ''Exceptional Success'': The Leviathan achieves the desired form and recovers a point of Ichor due to the effortless exercise of his power. 
** Suggested Modifiers
*** -3: In a desert. 
*** -2: Shapechanging towards human form with a Tranquility of 1 or 2.
*** -1: Shapechanging towards human form with a Tranquility of 3 or 4.
*** +1: Shapechanging towards human form with high (8+) Tranquility.
*** +1: Submerged up to one's waist in water.
*** +2: Completely submerged.
*** +3: Completely submerged in a body of water of the size of a lake or larger.

==== Outbursts ====

While Leviathans often have occasion to make use of their transformative abilities in their own interests - to defend themselves and seek out their goals - they are far more likely to transform unwillingly. The imperfect control of their divine nature, combined with the stresses of their threefold natures, mean that shock and distress can trigger an instinctual transformation to a more monstrous form - an Outburst. 

The following triggers are suggested for the triggering of an Outburst. Being exposed to a trigger doesn't automatically mean that there must be an Outburst - the problem should generally arise regularly but not be so common that involuntary changes radically alter the way in which players and characters act. Outbursts should be a source of anxiety, not aggravation. Some exercises of the Leviathan's natural abilities will risk an Outburst when used, as well.
* The Leviathan...
** ...fails a Tranquility check while in human form.
** ...suffers resolve or stamina (Lowest) levels of damage from a single attack.
** ...dramatically fails a roll, especially a social roll.
** ...is subject to extreme emotions.
** ...witnesses the death of a fellow Leviathan or an Atoll.

Regardless of the trigger, an Outburst can shake a Leviathan's self-control, reminding him of the ways in which he is subject to the vicissitudes of fate. This constitutes a Tranquility 8 Disruption, as it is primarily jarring to those members of the Tribe that feel as though they have been making progress on their road to self-definition.  

* '''Dice Pool''': Tranquillity 
** '''Action''': Instant or Reflexive (Only the process of transformation takes time; actual resistance is Reflexive and thus success does not consume the Leviathan's action for the round)
** '''Roll Results'''
*** ''Dramatic Failure'': As a Failure, and the Leviathan is incapacitated by the agonizing transformation for (6 - Stamina) rounds. 
*** ''Failure'': The Leviathan transforms immediately into a form one step less human than his current shape. If this is impossible or if the outburst was triggered trying to Transform into a less human form, he suffers one level of lethal damage instead.
*** ''Success'': The Leviathan's form does not change. 
*** ''Exceptional Success'': As a success, with no additional benefits. Strongly resisting an Outburst might constitute a reason to increase one's Tranqulity, however.

=== Detecting Transformation ===

The degree of effort necessary to discern that the Leviathan is anything other than human depends on the Depth that he is currently inhabiting. The practical upshot is that any exercise of power beyond the human form is made at considerable risk of discovery – it only takes one twist of fate to get “outed” by an inquisitive co-worker or relative after an Outburst – and, as such, members of the Tribe try to avoid positions of high stress and high scrutiny as much as possible. When they do have need of their powers, most canny Leviathans attempt to maneuver into positions where they can use their gifts without detection, or only display them to witnesses that can be silenced or co-opted. 

* '''Depth 0''' - Only supernatural senses and the detection of the Wake can divide the Leviathan from a normal human.
* '''Depth 1''' - Close inspection and a successful Wits + Occult roll can detect that the Leviathan is not what he seems.
* '''Depth 2''' - As above, but with a +2 bonus to the roll.
* '''Depth 3''' - As above, but the roll automatically succeeds - only inspection is necessary. Natural animals are terrified of the Leviathan.
* '''Depth 4''' - As above, but only perfunctory exposure or scrutiny is necessary.
* '''Depth 5''' - As above, but only a glance or snippet of exposure is necessary. Natural animals panic at the Leviathan's presence. 
* '''Depth 6''' - As above, and all creatures that can sense the Leviathan or are within the radius of its Wake are aware that an unnatural creature is present. Natural animals flee the region if possible.

=== Social Effects of Transformation ===

As a Leviathan assumes the greater portion of her heritage she creates a wall between her and humanity. At first this is merely physical but as she approaches Apotheosis it begins to include psychic pressure and instinctual fears of the Tribe. These penalties never apply to Beloved. Other Leviathans and Hybrids are treated on a case by case basis.

* '''Depth 0''' - No change
* '''Depth 1''' - Though essentially human the Leviathan becomes less attractive according to most definitions of beauty, even if only because of a predatory glint in the eye. When attempting to seduce, distract or otherwise make a social roll where his appearance is a major factor the Leviathan suffers -1. If the Leviathan has the Striking Looks Merit instead of a penalty decrease the Merit's effectiveness by 1.
* '''Depth 2''' - The penalty increases to -2. 
* '''Depth 3''' - Instead of a penalty the Leviathan is assumed to automatically fail any rolls where physical attractiveness is a major factor, additionally she gains a new penalty applying to all social rolls rated at -2 due to a fearsome, nauseating or just plain alien form. This penalty does not apply to Intimidation and can be removed if the Leviathan convinces others to trust her. Between the Wake and her own appearance it won't be easy. 
* '''Depth 4''' - The penalty increases to -3.
* '''Depth 5''' - As the Leviathan approaches the apex of his transformation the effects of his appearance go beyond aesthetics. At this Depth she combines psychic pressure with deeply rooted instinctual fears, relics of ancient abuses committed by the tribe. The Penalty on social rolls increases to -4 and cannot be reduced below -2. Being fully immune to the Tribe's psychic effects means that Atolls are an exception; as with anyone else they possess instinctual fears, but are exempt from the mental effects and so only suffer a -3 penalty. With persuasion the penalty can be removed entirely.
* '''Depth 6''' - Instinctual dread of the Leviathan becomes insurmountable. All social rolls automatically fail, even Intimidation becomes useless for anything more precise than provoking blind panic or self defense. For Atolls the penalty increases to -5.

A Leviathan useing Channels or that do more than provide additional dice or dice modifiers takes no penalty from their hideous appearance.