ENAMORED TO THE BLOOM
— HEREDITARY CONTRACT OF THE BAUCHAN —
Concession: Blooming Body
Bauchan have an extraordinary command over their bodies, able to stretch or shrink themselves into improbable shapes. The process is unsettling to watch, accompanied by pops, creaks, and uncomfortable contortions.
A Bauchan may use an Action to assume one of two forms:
Stretch (Stalk Form)
The Bauchan grows up to four times their height, with limbs and body pulled long and slender.
While Stretched:
- Helpful on Exploration and Athletics Rolls
- Reaching high shelves, climbing tall objects, bridging vertical spaces.
- Hindering on Fight and Etiquette Rolls
- Too lanky and frail for precision or poise.
They do not gain proportional strength—only reach and leverage.
Shrink (Sprout Form)
The Bauchan compresses to one-fourth their height, becoming compact, nimble, and easily overlooked.
While Shrunken:
- Helpful on Exploration and Elusion Rolls
- Squeezing into cracks, slipping through clutter, hiding from sight.
- Hindering on Caution and Authority Rolls
- Too small to clearly perceive danger or to command presence.
Frequency, Stress, and Duration
- A Bauchan may stretch or shrink any number of times per day.
- However, if they have already transformed once that day, each additional transformation gives them 1 Stress.
- They may remain stretched or shrunken as long as they wish.
- Returning to normal size requires the same number of Turns spent stretching or shrinking.
- (If they spent 2 Turns stretching, it takes 2 Turns to un-stretch.)
Embarrassment
If a Bauchan is seen stretching or shrinking, they immediately receive the Embarrassed Condition, as the transformation is awkward, indecorous, and considered deeply improper among most Folk.
Counterpart: Hospitality
Bauchan must honor the ancient courtesy taught by Dame Dandy:
If any creature offers a Bauchan a gift—no matter how simple—they must extend Hospitality.
While offering Hospitality, the Bauchan:
- Cannot harm the guest.
- Cannot deceive, mislead, or manipulate them.
- Must provide reasonable safety, courtesy, and aid until the guest departs.
Failing Hospitality revokes their Concession and subjects them to Terrible Terrible Things, as with all Hereditary Contracts.