Hi all, Questions on ability to shift shapes. Let's asume the clawdite species (No Disintegrations page 20) for the greater part of this discussion, though some questions might refer to any shifter. It can make a check and suffer X strain to change form into that of a Silhouette 1 character that was observed before.

❓ Must one use this ability again when changing back into the original form ❓

I would be inclined to say no, but the biological processes to change shape in the first place are repeated to change skin colour, protrude or extend a nose, etc.

❓ How long can an asumed form be maintained ❓

Or perhaps asked differently, is maintaining a form other than your own a very (perhaps easy but still) conscious effort? Or is the change ' permanent ', as far as that applies? Would one revert back into the original form after being knocked out? After having slept? What about that little stint with Zam Wessel very momentarily resuming her original face when Anakin landed atop her speeder during the Coruscant chace? Narrative freedom to introduce a plot twist? Would you use such minor shape-hickups in threats rolled in the shifter's dice pools?

❓ How complete is the shape shift ❓

Suppose the clawdite (or other type of shifter for that matter) asumes the form of a twi'lek. Can the character form the lekku tentacles, where she originally has none? Are they functional, can the clawdite, for example, consciously twist them aroundher own neck without manual support? Can she ' talk lekku ' with them if she knows the twi'lek sign language for their tentacles? Other sensitive example, can a clawdite change shape into a besalisk, and use the extra arms? It is a Silhouette 1 character that could have been observed ; conditions met. I'm not going to asume the clawdite then gains the bonus maneuver per turn (not being used from birth to have four arms and all), but could the extra arms at least pick up items? Flip a light switch? Other very clear discrepancy... when a green-blooded shapeshifter asumes the form of a red-blooded human... and gets stabbed... What does it bleed? Can one break an extra arm? Are there bones to break, or is it still a rubbery, flubbery pseudopod just looking like an arm? Or better yet, how does a Critical Injury such as Crippled or Maimed (Hard difficulty) affect a shapeshifter, especially if a random selection then targets any limb or body part that was not part of the original form of the shapeshifter?

As you can see, the clawdite alone has left me with a couple of questions to ponder.

Thanks in advance for the thoughts and replies.

Speaking only of Clawdites, the information I have found elsewhere indicates they cannot grow extra appendages.

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SWgalaxyatwar.fandom.com
Skin-Changer: Clawdites are able to change the color, texture, and shape of their skins, allowing a Clawdite to mimic that of another humanoid species of the same general physical shape. This does not allow Clawdites to generate extra limbs or other appendages, but they are able to imitate the texture and patterns of skin-tight clothing.The transformation is quite painful, and the skin-changer will revert to its normal form if stunned, unconscious, dying, or dead.

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holocron.swcombine.com
Clawdites are able to change the colour, texture, and shape of their skins, allowing a Clawdite to mimic the appearance of other humanoid species of the same general physical shape. This does not allow Clawdites to generate extra limbs or other appendages, but they are able to imitate the texture and patterns of skin-tight clothing. Shape shifting is a special skill that some Clawdites have developed to a greater degree, allowing them to change the length, colour, shape, and texture of their hair, as well as the coloration of their eyes.

So I would say a particularly talented Clawdite may grow something that looks like a leku from a distance but it would not move like a leku and any Twi'lek would recognize this up close. Now a smart clawdite, might wrap it in bandages and explain that he was hurt in a recent battle to try to bluff his way through.

I don't have any specifics on how long the change last but in my game, I allow the player to maintain the transformation indefinitely unless a lucky (for me) Despair comes up and makes sense that he "flickers" like Zam did in the movie. I have him revert back to normal form if he falls unconscious.

Also, they should be wary of sensors and dna scanners as their shapeshifting is not on that level to fool those.