Shift ability

The Shift ability allows Empaths to change the physical appearance of other adventurers, from hair and eye color to the shape of the nose, face, body, and other features. Highly skilled Empaths can even change a character from male to female or even make someone appear to be younger or older.

Requirements

Quest

Once you have attained 30th circle, the ability to Shift is gained by completing a quest. Details are considered an in-game secret, but to begin, read "The Twist of Mindy" and "Jomay's Story", and speak to the Lutenist in the Crossing main temple.

Skills and Stats

Shifting relies heavily on Empathy skill, but Scholarship, Appraisal, and Mechanical Lore. Charisma doesn't affect which options are available to you when you type SHIFT HELP. Rather, it is a secondary factor that, like race, affects how difficult it is to perform the shift.

The difficulty of year shifts was reduced on June 18, 2010, when the new aging mechanics were released. Year shifts are now about as difficult as month shifts used to be.

I had the following skills when the age shift option open opened for me: Empathy (457), Mechanical Lore (217), Scholarship (461), and Appraisal (372). --Sarkranis

Usage

To initiate a shift, you must first have a diagnostic link with your target. Next, offer the shift to your subject by entering the appropriate command for the type of shift you wish to perform (see below). Your target must then accept the shift by entering ACCEPT TRANSFORM. Finally, you begin the shift by entering SHIFT (PLAYER).

Note that in The Fallen, confirmation steps aren't necessary, and you can change someone's appearance without their consent!

Since the various races are so physically different, many shift options are dependent on the race of your subject.

Both you and your subject will be completely immobilized while a shift is in progress, so pick a safe spot before starting. Shifting is also considered somewhat taboo among many of the Empath guild's leaders, and if you attempt a shift inside a guildhall, you will be expelled.

Although you are immobilized you can still speak.

Bugs and Issues

The current shifting system has several problems and can be unpredictable. The most common errors are "There is a problem with the shifting system. Try again later." and "Character's appearance/features cannot be altered at this time." Should problems arise, try removing anything that alters or hides the characters appearance (both the Empath's and shiftee's) or any items that hide other items, including gweth or fluff hiders. Items in the character's hair and certain types of jewelry often require to be removed, though some "floating" and atmospheric jewelry do not interfere with shifting. If removing the items alone does not help, re-logging will sometimes solve the problem.

The error "Character's appearance is too difficult to alter at this time. Perhaps another time?" can be caused by certain spells, such as Mantle of Flame, which are intended to protect the caster from pickpockets and harm. Wait until the spell wears off and try again.

Shifting is very syntax specific. A player must type a command exactly for it to work with very few exceptions. Due to the nature of different races and shifting options, this often leads to confusion for players in regards to what is available to whom.

Syntax

SHIFT HELP - This help screen.
SHIFT HELP GENERAL - General information on the SHIFT System. (IC)
SHIFT HELP SPECIAL - General information on the SHIFT System. (OOC)
SHIFT HELP ATTRIBUTE - Describes what body parts you are presently able to shift.
SHIFT {player} {body area} {end result} - Sends a shift link invitation to another player.
SHIFT {player} {body area} ORIGINAL - Causes the body part to return to its original form.
SHIFT {player} - If a shift link has been accepted, initiates the shift process.
SHIFT CANCEL - Prematurely ends a shift attempt.
SHIFT EVALUATE - Evaluates a shift in progress.

• When a shift is not in progress, SHIFT EVALUATE will tell you if you are ready to perform a shift, or approximately how long it will be until you are.

• SHIFT EVALUATE (PLAYER) will show you a person's original appearance.

Attribute List

This is a full list of available attribute categories:

SHIFT HELP HAIR - Listing of possible HAIR shiftings.
SHIFT HELP EYES - Listing of possible EYE shiftings.
SHIFT HELP SKIN - Listing of possible SKIN shiftings.
SHIFT HELP FEATURES - Listing of possible FEATURE shiftings.
SHIFT HELP FACE - Listing of possible FACE shiftings.
SHIFT HELP NOSE - Listing of possible NOSE shiftings
SHIFT HELP BODY - Listing of possible BUILD and HEIGHT shiftings.
SHIFT HELP AGE - Listing of possible AGE shiftings.

• It is not possible to shift Race.

Hair

Beard

• SHIFT {PLAYER} BEARD {LONGER, SHORTER OR FREEZE}

Beard shifts affect both the mustache and beard.

To freeze someone's beard, the target must be clean shaven. The result is that the target will not grow facial hair.

Length

• SHIFT {PLAYER} HAIR LENGTH {SHORTER OR LONGER}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar, Prydaen, Rakash -- bald, thinning, cropped, short, shoulder length, long, very long

Color

• SHIFT {PLAYER} HAIR COLOR {COLOR}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar, Prydaen, Rakash -- grey, white, snow-white, silver, platinum, silver-gilt, flaxen, blonde, ash-blonde, honey, golden, amber, bright orange, red, ginger, red-gold, strawberry, auburn, russet, golden brown, mouse brown, light brown, brunette, brown, dark brown, black, blue-black, bright green, deep blue, deep purple, lavender, original

• Italicized hair colors are shift-only features. (All hair streaks are shift-only.)

Streak

• SHIFT {PLAYER} HAIR STREAK {COLOR}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar, Prydaen, Rakash -- grey, white, snow-white, silver, platinum, silver-gilt, flaxen, blonde, ash-blonde, honey, golden, amber, bright orange, red, ginger, red-gold, strawberry, auburn, russet, golden brown, mouse brown, light brown, brunette, brown, dark brown, black, blue-black, bright green, deep blue, deep purple, lavender, standard, original

Texture

• SHIFT {PLAYER} HAIR TEXTURE {TEXTURE}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar, Prydaen, Rakash -- fine, thick, curly, wavy, straight, peppered, original

• Italicized hair textures are shift-only features.

Eyes

Note: For mismatched eyes, the RIGHT EYE is the first eye that appears on your character's description. The LEFT EYE is the second eye in the description.

Color

• SHIFT {PLAYER} LEFT EYE {COLOR}
• SHIFT {PLAYER} RIGHT EYE {COLOR}
• SHIFT {PLAYER} BOTH EYES {COLOR}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Gor'Togs, Elotheans, S'Kra Mur, Gnomes, Kaldar, Prydaen, Rakash -- blue, gold, crystal blue, sapphire, turquoise, blue-green, emerald, green, moss-green, leaf-green, crystal green, jade, hazel, topaz, milky blue, amber, ale-brown, brown, dark, dark brown, black, silver, clear-colored, milky white, steely grey, stormy grey, grey, blue-grey, violet, red, original

• Italicized eye colors are shift-only features.

For Rakash in Moonskin* -- blue, gold, crystal blue, sapphire, turquoise, blue-green, emerald, green, moss-green, leaf-green, crystal green, jade, hazel, topaz, milky blue, amber, ale-brown, brown, dark, dark brown, black, silver, clear-colored, milky white, steely grey, stormy grey, grey, blue-grey, violet, red, original

*Note: If a Rakash undergoes an eye color shift while in human form, the change WILL NOT carry over to moonskin, and vice-versa. The eye color shift must be completed BOTH in human form and in moonskin.

Shape

• SHIFT {PLAYER} EYES SHAPE {SHAPE}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar -- almond-shaped, tilted, thick-lashed, gold-flecked, silver-flecked, wide-set, close-set, deep-set, limpid, sparkling, crossed, twitching, red-veined, beady, bulging, tilted almond-shaped, standard, absent, original

For Gor'Togs, S'Kra Mur -- almond-shaped, tilted, crinkled, gold-flecked, silver-flecked, wide-set, close-set, deep-set, limpid, sparkling, crossed, twitching, red-veined, beady, bulging, standard, absent, original

For Prydaen, Rakash in Moonskin -- slanted, tilted, thick-lashed, gold-flecked, silver-flecked, wide, small, bright, limpid, sparkling, crossed, twitching, red-veined, beady, bulging, standard, original, absent

For Rakash -- almond-shaped, tilted, thick-lashed, gold-flecked, silver-flecked, wide-set, close-set, deep-set, limpid, sparkling, crossed, twitching, red-veined, beady, bulging, standard, absent, original

Skin

Color

• SHIFT {PLAYER} SKIN/FUR/SCALES COLOR {COLOR}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar -- pale, fair, tanned, rosy, copper, dark, dark brown, black, ebon, smooth, pockmarked, leathery, weathered, translucent, blue-veined, wrinkled, freckled, original

For Gor'Togs -- pale green, green, olive, emerald, jade, dusky olive, green-grey, dark green, ebon, smooth, pockmarked, leathery, weathered, bronze-green, coppery-green, wrinkled, original

For S'Kra Mur -- grey, sorrel, brown, green, green-grey, olive, black, green-brown, golden, silver, white, mottled, speckled, camouflage, dark gold-edged, red-gold, original

For Prydaen -- white, silver, grey, blue-grey, sandy, tawny, sepia, rust-colored, brown, black, calico, tortoiseshell, orange, creamy white, golden, dark brown, original

For Rakash (skin color/corresponding fur color) -- pale/white, pale/silver, pale/grey, fair/blonde, tanned/agouti, tanned/tan, rosy/ruddy, copper/piebald, dark brown/sable, black/silvered black, black/black, freckled/tri-color, dark/brown, dark/brindled, fair/fawn, rosy/russet, original

Primary Markings

For Prydaens and Rakash in moonskin:

• SHIFT {PLAYER} PRIMARY MARKINGS {OPTION}

For Prydaen -- white belly, silver belly, grey belly, sepia belly, brown belly, black belly, white points, silver points, grey points, sepia points, brown points, black points, glittered, standard, original, absent

For Rakash -- white, silver, grey, blonde, tan, ruddy, sable, silvered black, standard, original, absent

Secondary Color

• SHIFT {PLAYER} SECONDARY COLOR {COLOR}

For Prydaen, Rakash -- white, silver, grey, blonde, tan, ruddy, sable, silvered black, black, sepia, standard, original, absent

Secondary Markings

Prydaen Only:

• SHIFT {PLAYER} SECONDARY MARKINGS {MARKING}
  • Where {marking} can be absent, BELLY, MASK, POINTS, STRIPES, SPOTS, ROSETTES, or MARBLING.

For Prydaen -- stripes, spots, rosettes, marbling, standard, absent, original

Features

• SHIFT {PLAYER} DIMPLES {PRESENT OR ABSENT}
• SHIFT {PLAYER} CHIN {PRESENT OR ABSENT} (CLEFT CHIN ONLY)
• SHIFT {PLAYER} TUFTED TAIL {PRESENT OR ABSENT} (PRYDAENS ONLY)
• SHIFT {PLAYER} BELLY {PRESENT OR ABSENT} (S'KRA MUR ONLY)
  • (This gives the S'Kra Mur "a pale silver underbelly".)

• SHIFT {PLAYER} EAR SHAPE {SHAPE}:

For All Races -- slightly pointed ears, pointed ears, standard, original

• SHIFT {PLAYER} DISTINGUISHING MARK {SHAPE}:

For All Races -- elegant arched eyebrows, heavy jowls, laugh lines, missing tooth, frown lines around her mouth, generous mouth, pouting lips, standard, absent, original

• SHIFT {PLAYER} TAIL SHAPE {SHAPE}:

For S'Kra Mur -- slender tail, crooked tail, long tail, stubby tail, thick tail, kinked tail, straight tail, curving tail, original

For Prydaen -- slender tail, crooked tail, long tail, stubby tail, thick tail, kinked tail, straight tail, curving tail, original

For Rakash (non-moonskin/in-moonskin) -- standard/slender tail, elegant arched eyebrows/elegant arched eyebrows + slender tail (sic), slightly pointed ears/crooked tail, heavy jowls/long tail, laugh lines/stubby tail, missing tooth/thick tail, frown lines/kinked tail, generous mouth/straight tail, pouting lips/curving tail

Face

• SHIFT {PLAYER} FACE SHAPE {SHAPE}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Gor'Togs, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar, Prydaen -- heart-shaped, oval, round, square, triangular, square-jawed, angular, standard, original

For S'Kra Mur -- elongated, flat-featured, round, shallow-featured, triangular, sharp-featured, angular, standard, original

For Rakash in moonskin -- pointy-eared, wolfish, pudgy, square, triangular, classic lupine, angular, standard, original

• Note: In a May 4th '09 ASSIST, GM Abasha seemed to indicate that Face Shapes and Nose Shapes between Human/Moonskin forms are done separately and do not correspond to each other.

• SHIFT {PLAYER} TUFTED EARS {PRESENT OR ABSENT} (PRYDAEN ONLY)
• SHIFT {PLAYER} HEAD CREST {PRESENT OR ABSENT} (S'KRA MUR ONLY)

Nose

• SHIFT {PLAYER} NOSE SHAPE {SHAPE}

For Humans, Dwarves, Elves, Halflings, Gor'Togs, Elotheans, Gnomes, Kaldar -- upturned, button, small, classical, straight, freckled, beak-like, hooked, aquiline, bulbous, crooked, broken, pointy, wart-tipped, pinched, standard, original

For S'Kra Mur -- slender, narrow, elegant, straight, squared, long, upturned, blunt, rounded, flat, crooked, pointed, striped, speckled, dappled, standard, original

For Prydaen -- upturned, button, small, classical, straight, narrow, beak-like, hooked, aquiline, bulbous, crooked, broken, pointy, pushed-in, pinched, standard, original

For Rakash(non-moonskin/in-moonskin) -- slender, pug, narrow, elegant, straight, squared, long, dewlapped, blunted, stubby, patchy, crooked, pointed, rounded, pushed-in, standard, original

• Note: In a May 4th '09 ASSIST, GM Abasha seemed to indicate that Face Shapes and Nose Shapes between Human/Moonskin forms are done separately and do not correspond to each other.

Body

• SHIFT {PLAYER} HEIGHT {SHORTER OR TALLER}

Height	Shifts Required
very tall	+3
tall	+2
slightly over average height	+1
standard or average height	0
slightly below average height	-1
short	-2
tiny	-3

• SHIFT {PLAYER} GENDER {MALE OR FEMALE}

• SHIFT {PLAYER} BUILD {TYPE}

Male	Female
emaciated	emaciated
scrawny	slender
thin	thin
lean	lithe
wiry	lissome
athletic	athletic
brawny	brawny
burly	svelte
stocky	shapely
hefty	curvaceous
stout	generous
rotund	plump
portly	stout
pot-bellied	matronly
fat	fat

Age

This only changes a character's apparent age. The actual age (as shown in INFO) will remain unchanged.

• SHIFT {PLAYER} AGE {A YEAR} {YOUNGER OR OLDER}

See Also

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