The art of deception: Mastering the verbal magic Pao change

Verbal Magic Pao Change is a technique used in magic tricks to apparently change a small object, such as a coin, into another object, such as a ball. This change is executed through verbal deception and misdirection, creating an illusion for the audience. The verbal element of this magic trick is crucial in diverting the attention of the audience away from the actual manipulation of the objects. The magician will employ various phrases, jokes, or stories to engage and distract the spectators, making them less likely to notice the sleight of hand involved in the trick. In a typical Verbal Magic Pao Change, the magician will hold a small object, like a coin, in one hand. While the audience is focused on this hand, the magician will start a dialogue or perform some motion to draw attention away from the hand holding the object.

Casting Time 1 standard action

edit He s trying to use polymorph any object on himself to transform himself into a slightly different half-orc that has all the same abilities, levels, bonuses, etc which would be a permanent polymorph under the rules of the spell. This wizard might well be one of them, in which case one of the player s will be able to get his grubby hands on her character sheet and play her for an adventure or two.

While the audience is focused on this hand, the magician will start a dialogue or perform some motion to draw attention away from the hand holding the object. During this diversion, the magician will secretly palm the original object and replace it with another object, like a ball, that was hidden from view. The magician may then open the hand that originally held the coin, revealing the transformed object to the audience.

Shape-changing Wizard

I'm building a mage for my current campaign. She 20th level, probably a wizard although maybe a sorcerer. She's previously been an occasionally seen NPC, but the coming campaign arc suggests she'll be a much closer ally of the PCs and might even accompany them on a couple of adventures, so she's finally getting a full set of stats.

Previous campaign lore has determined she's capable of changing into a panther (via supernatural ability rather than cast spell), and I'm trying to find a way to represent this power mechanically. I've considered making her a lycanthrope, but this seems a little obvious.

I'm interested in suggestions of any arcane-orientated feats, prestige classes or similar that grant a character some kind of beast form. Third party and old 3.5 material are welcomed as warmly as core Pathfinder rules.

Consider either a Transmutation Specialist Wizard of a Beast-Bonded Witch. At 8th level, they both get the spell-like ability to shape change per Beast Shape II. The Wizard gets per rounds and the Witch per minutes.

If you must make it a "supernatural ability", then consider taking/making a feat that allows a "spell-like" ability to become a "supernatural-like" ability. "Wild shape" is a Su, but limited per hours a day. So, it would not be cheesy for an arcane caster to have this ability if they paid the feat tax. Just make it available to the other PCs so they don't feel slighted.

Remember, if your caster will be spending significant time in animal form, I think most DMs would allow the caster to take "natural spell".

Let us know what you end up doing.

Also, spell-like abilities do not have verbal, material, or somatic components.

Many thanks to The Doctor. I'm showing my lack of knowledge regarding Pathfinder, as Transmutation specialist will suit my purposes perfectly, just as written.

An important thing to consider to is that the PC's never have to know how she does it.

In fact, it can be alot more fun for them if they don't. Is she a lycanthrope? Is it from magic? SU? EX? who knows? They don't.

It could be a magical item, a permanent spell effect, a boon from the gods, a Polymorph spell, she could be a dragon with a 9th level version of Non-detection that allows her to skip through true seeing spells or really anything on earth that you want.

The PC's need never know how. Don't tell them- even if you decide its just some class ability. They never, ever get to see her character sheet.
Keep the mystery alive.

That's a very good point Selgard, and up to this point the PCs have been in the dark.

However, we have a small group of two (sometimes three) players. In order to 'beef up' the party (and sometimes to drive the plot), we regularly have 'guest stars' join the party. This wizard might well be one of them, in which case one of the player's will be able to get his grubby hands on her character sheet and play her for an adventure or two.

The NPC caster could have the Preferred Spell feat or the Major Spell Expertise feat. Either could apply to Beast Shape 2, ensuring that a change to an animal's form is more common for that wizard.

However, you could also just go with the idea that she likes cats. BIG cats. She tends to keep a Beast Shape memorized so that she can indulge in her preference at any time. Perhaps she uses Still Spell or other metamagic feats in case she is grappled. That would add some mystery, since people may come to believe her ability is supernatural. Unless you want to limit her transformations to just the panther shape for some reason, I'd make it simply her perrogotive, her favorite shape.

hmm a lesser extend rod with beeast shape I would work. (or maybe some of the better rods with the later spells, too)

Sounds like you are arcane focused, but you might also consider the a Dark Tapestry Oracle, (from Ultimate Magic) they get a shape change ability which starts as alter self then goes to Beast Shape I then later Beast Shape III, including magical beasts. It's limited to size medium/ small only though.

Polymorph any object + Multimorph arcane discovery. As long as you turn into somethign similar to your own race at last one minute before the timer runs out on your current form you'll effectively have infinite possibilities (within spell limit).

I'd be careful here. This sounds dangerously close to DMPC territory.

I have a character inquiring about this combination. My rule would be that if he's changing attributes but keeps his duration at greater than 1 day he can remain polymorphed. However, I would make this require the use of his spell slot on any day when he modifies himself. Otherwise it seems very broken - You could turn into a dragon for 18 minutes, then turn yourself back into you base form with different colored eyes and the spell would persist, letting you change back into a dragon.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here.

I have a character inquiring about this combination. My rule would be that if he's changing attributes but keeps his duration at greater than 1 day he can remain polymorphed. However, I would make this require the use of his spell slot on any day when he modifies himself. Otherwise it seems very broken - You could turn into a dragon for 18 minutes, then turn yourself back into you base form with different colored eyes and the spell would persist, letting you change back into a dragon.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong here.

I'm playing a wizard in my high level game that can do this. As humanoid changes are based on alter self he can't turn back into his own race or the spell duration ends. So he's an elf originally. He can turn into a human or half elf with a "permanent" duration and maintain the spell (remember permanent isn't instant). However if he turns into an elf the spell ends, regardless of if he alters something minor such as his eyes.

I know it sounds like it, but once you get 8th level spells this isn't that powerful of an ablity. It's certainly powerful and cool, but if you follow the rules it still pales in comparison to other 15h level abilities. Oh, also it requires a spell per day and a feat. Not to mention good timing.

Alter self says nothing about changing small features. Only polymorphing into other humanoid races.

School transmutation (polymorph); Level bard 2, sorcerer/wizard 2

Casting Time 1 standard action

Components V, S, M (a piece of the creature whose form you plan to assume)

Duration 1 min./level (D)

When you cast this spell, you can assume the form of any Small or Medium creature of the humanoid type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision , scent , and swim 30 feet.

Small creature : If the form you take is that of a Small humanoid, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Dexterity .

Medium creature : If the form you take is that of a Medium humanoid, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Strength .

I guess the question is about the wording of Polymorph Any Object and how duration is affected.

If you make a change that is permanent (a half-orc to an elf), then change into a dragon or something (with a duration) then back to an elf does the spell stay in effect?

edit: He's trying to use polymorph any object on himself to transform himself into a "slightly different half-orc" that has all the same abilities, levels, bonuses, etc which would be a permanent polymorph under the rules of the spell. From that form he feels he could then change as a standard action using his multi-morph ability to change into anything and then back to his "similar self" when he's done. This seems very broken and I'm having trouble explaining why. He feels that he can do anything under PAO using those duration rules unless he specifically wants to use Draconic Form, Beast Shape, or another polymorph spell.

Polymorph Any Object
School transmutation (polymorph); Level sorcerer/wizard 8
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M/DF (mercury, gum arabic, and smoke)
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature, or one nonmagical object of up to 100 cu. ft./level
Duration see text
Saving Throw Fortitude negates (object); see text; Spell Resistance yes (object)
This spell functions like greater polymorph, except that it changes one object or creature into another. You can use this spell to transform all manner of objects and creatures into new forms—you aren't limited to transforming a living creature into another living form. The duration of the spell depends on how radical a change is made from the original state to its transmuted state. The duration is determined by using the following guidelines.

Changed Subject Is… Increase to Duration Factor*
Same kingdom (animal, vegetable, mineral) +5
Same class (mammals, fungi, metals, etc.) +2
Same size +2
Related (twig is to tree, wolf fur is to wolf, etc.) +2
Same or lower Intelligence +2
*Add all that apply. Look up the total on the next table.

Duration Factor Duration Example
0 20 minutes Pebble to human
2 1 hour Marionette to human
4 3 hours H uman to marionette
5 12 hours Lizard to manticore
6 2 days Sheep to wool coat
7 1 week Shrew to manticore
9+ Permanent Manticore to shrew
If the target of the spell does not have physical ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution), this spell grants a base score of 10 to each missing ability score. If the target of the spell does not have mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma), this spell grants a score of 5 to such scores. Damage taken by the new form can result in the injury or death of the polymorphed creature. In general, damage occurs when the new form is changed through physical force. A nonmagical object cannot be made into a magic item with this spell. Magic items aren't affected by this spell.

This spell cannot create material of great intrinsic value, such as copper, silver, gems, silk, gold, platinum, mithral, or adamantine. It also cannot reproduce the special properties of cold iron in order to overcome the damage reduction of certain creatures.

This spell can also be used to duplicate the effects of baleful polymorph, greater polymorph, flesh to stone, stone to flesh, transmute mud to rock, transmute metal to wood, or transmute rock to mud.

I'm playing a wizard in my high level game that can do this. As humanoid changes are based on alter self he can't turn back into his own race or the spell duration ends. So he's an elf originally. He can turn into a human or half elf with a "permanent" duration and maintain the spell (remember permanent isn't instant). However if he turns into an elf the spell ends, regardless of if he alters something minor such as his eyes.

Through the combination of verbal diversion and skillful sleight of hand, the magician creates the illusion that the original object has transformed into something new. The main idea of the Verbal Magic Pao Change is to use verbal deception and misdirection to divert the attention of the audience away from the actual manipulation of the objects. This allows the magician to create an illusion of transformation, making it seem as though one object has magically changed into another. Verbal Magic Pao Change requires practice and skill to execute effectively. The magician must be able to engage the audience with their words and actions while simultaneously performing the necessary manipulations with their hands. By mastering this technique, magicians can create captivating and mystifying performances that leave the audience amazed and entertained..

Reviews for "The allure of the verbal magic Pao change: Creating moments of wonder"

1. John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Verbal magic pao change". The instructions were unclear and the trick didn't work as expected. I could tell that the magician was using some sort of sleight of hand, which took away the magic for me. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this trick.

2. Sarah - 2 stars - While "Verbal magic pao change" had an interesting concept, I found the execution to be lacking. The trick required a lot of practice and precision to perform correctly, and even then, it didn't have the desired effect on my audience. Additionally, the set-up was time-consuming and not explained well in the instructions. Overall, I found this trick to be too complicated and not worth the effort.

3. Mike - 1 star - I regretted purchasing "Verbal magic pao change" as soon as I tried performing it. The trick relied heavily on verbal misdirection, but it felt forced and unnatural. Furthermore, the trick didn't have the wow factor that I expected. It fell flat and left my audience unimpressed. I would not recommend this trick to fellow magicians.

4. Lisa - 2 stars - "Verbal magic pao change" was an interesting idea, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The trick required too much practice and preparation for the payoff it provided. Additionally, the gimmick used in the trick felt a bit flimsy and didn't always work as intended. I was left feeling frustrated and unimpressed. I wouldn't recommend this trick, especially for beginners.

5. David - 1 star - I found "Verbal magic pao change" to be a waste of money. The trick was not well explained, and I struggled to understand the instructions. Even after practicing for hours, I couldn't get the trick to work smoothly. The gimmick used in the trick also seemed cheap and easily breakable. Overall, I was very disappointed with this purchase and would not recommend it.

Unlocking the secrets of the verbal magic Pao change: A magician's guide