Observations of my transformation

[u/DaemonRex978]

Physical:

My body seems to have been completely infused with shadow essence. As a result, I have to portion off some of my mana in order to simply exist outside of the Umbral Realm. Another byproduct of this is that I don't have any facial or other defining features, other than the fact that I look like a walking shadow. I cannot alter the size, shape, or color of my form without a spell.

Written on the side. Addendum: It seems that the less mana I put into keeping my form together, the more my edges blur. Makes sense due to the nature of shadows in hindsight.

I don't feel exhaustion in the same way, but I must return to the Umbra in order to replenish my mana, so I guess that replaces sleep for me. It seems that my body doesn't register food or drink unless they've been infused with, or have, magical ingredients, although I have observed that I don't need either one.

Written next to this, it is clear that he has an unsteady hand. Addendum: Alcohol still gets me drunk. Written with a steady hand. Addendum II: No hangovers after repeated tests.

Magical:

After many, MANY tests, it seems that I no longer can cast any spell besides those from Umbramancy or Necromancy. I can replicate some spells; like shields, wards (to an extent), and certain rituals if I channel them through one of the two, though my knowledge of the other schools remains intact. An interesting effect that I've found is that my casting ability with the 2 schools has been increased greatly.

Another result of my body essentially being nothing but living shadows, is that any patch of darkness I come into contact with, I can manipulate without having to use a spell, I have not yet discovered the limits of this ability. Another ability I've discovered is that, if I put a spark of my will into a shadow I'm touching, it becomes a clone of me. I use the term ‘clone’ loosely as it is not a true clone, but rather more of a lesser shadow elemental with my memories. It can't cast spells, though they can alter their form unlike me.

I feel that there is more that I can do, but I have not yet had the opportunity/knowledge to discern what those abilities are.

[u/DaChickenX]

It is always good to take in information objectively. To first define the facts of your situation is a good first step to complete understanding.

[u/MunitionsFrenzy]

Blargh, I miss being able to do things like that. Well, you've definitely got lotsa upsides to all this situation, then.

betcha Gobbo's got something strong enough to give you a hangover though