Beastmen: Transformation of Kadon // Shapeshifting Shamans

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Author: SchrodingersCoffee

Last revision: 2 Jun, 2023 at 01:37 UTC

File size: 2.77 MB

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Description:

Public Release: May 6th, 2023

Have you ever wished that the Transformation of Kadon was a TRANSFORMATION instead of just a summon? That your shaman could actually shapeshift into a Hydra or other terrifying monster at will?

Wish granted.

"Kadon was able to shift his shape to that of any monster, even a mighty Hydra. One day he found he could not change back…"

Summary (CAMPAIGN):

• Changes Transformation of Kadon in Lore of Beasts from a summon spell to an actual transformation for Bray-Shaman and Great Bray-Shaman
• Adds Totem Pact ability for Bray-Shaman and Great Bray-Shaman
• Multiple transformation options, both vanilla units and newly created monstrosities
• Makes changes to Lore of Beasts to remove redundancy, provide choice of transformations, and adds new (thematically-appropriate) mutative curse spell

Details: Transformation of Kadon (ToK) and Totem Pacts

• The Bray-Shaman and Great Bray-Shaman will now transform into an actual monster as a result of the ToK spell. The skill tree has a separate progression line focused on transmogrification choices with varying roles and strengths, which is divided into Totem Pacts and Transformation of Kadon Spells.
• Initially, a shaman can enter into a Totem Pact. The spirits are jealous and will prevent use of ToK transformations, but in return, the shaman has access to unlimited Totem transformations (at zero WoMagic cost). Totem forms are aimed at tactical movement rather than combat, perfect for stalking an enemy position or making a fast, strategic retreat. Each totem form comes with the ability to summon beasts of its kind or utilize a primal talent. Current Totem Pacts include:
  – Totem Pact of the Dire Wolf
  – Totem Pact of the Cave Bat
  – Totem Pact of the Salamander
• If desired, a shaman can betray the totem spirits and gain Transformation of Kadon (ToK) spells through dark rituals. True to the lore, use of ToK will give access to more powerful beast forms, but it comes with restricted spell use (while in beast form) and the risk of madness. Current choices on the skill tree include:
  – Feral Griffon
  – Ancient Salamander
  – Coatl
  – Giant Razorgore (think terrifying Beastmen equivalent of the Stonehorn)
  – Hydra
  – Dread Saurian
• "One day he found he could not change back…" Madness of Kadon is a lore-honoring risk while in all ToK forms (not Totem Forms). The shaman is able to maintain control over the transformation for a period of time, but after a point they are touched by the mind of the beast and at risk of Rampage. Details below:
  Phase

  Duration

  Notes

  Phase 1 (Control)

  (105s)

  No risk

  Phase 2 (Warning)

  (15s)

  Visual alert will trigger on unit

  Phase 3 (Madness)

  (∞)

  Rampage risk is applied to unit. Rampage will not trigger unless unit sustains enough damage (similar to Feral Manticore and other units with this trait).

Details: Changes to Lore of Beasts

• Obvious change to ToK (hopefully you caught on to that by now).
• Consolidates two somewhat redundant spells "Wyssan’s Wildform" and "Pann’s Impenetrable Pelt" into new spell, "Pann’s Wildform". Offensive/speed buffs are moved to lower-tier, spammable form, and defensive buffs are added with high-cost (essentially middle-tier spell) overcast form. As it affects multiple units, the spell is a little OP, thus the Rampage risk is added to slightly balance it. Still delightfully effective, despite the gamble, and the possibility of mindless rage fits the Beastmen motif perfectly.
• Adds mutative, high-tier curse to Lore of Beasts "Corruption of Morrslieb"
  "Under the ill-omened light of the sickly green moon, the greatest fear of rational men is realized as they are transformed into the very beasts they sought to destroy."
  Thematically, it curses enemy units in the vortex by mutating some of them into Chaos Spawn. Of course, the Chaos Spawn are somewhat traumatized by their abrupt transformation and tend to stress eat whatever/whomever is close at hand… 😀

*Notes:
– This mod is for CAMPAIGN – NOT Multiplayer Battle/Skirmish vs AI. If used for Skirmish vs AI, note that you can ONLY PICK ONE ToK spell OR Totem Ability per hero. If you pick more than one for a hero, weird and wonky things will happen ;P
– Special thanks to the wonderful modding community, specifically VesPeral’s Vlad dragon transformation (your datapack was extremely helpful in overcoming several issues), and of course, Cryswar’s Guides, the holy texts of Warhammer modding.
– While narrow in scope, the numerous combinations have made play-testing the datapack a bit of a Herculean task. Including the alternative test file, there have already been well over 100 iterations fine-tuning units, abilities, skill trees, etc. Please report any issues discovered, and I hope you have as much fun using the mod as I have had making it.
– This mod is Crowfather Approved.

Art by RUOYUART on Reddit.