A character of mine is researching the Polymorph and Shapechange spells at the moment. There are some pretty big differences between the limitations set on the SRD and the limitations of NWN.

In terms of the Lore of these two spells, should I assume that they work as listed in PnP? Or as they are applied for NWN? Also, can someone comment on how True Seeing acts toward these spells?

E.g. Polymorph changes something into the same type of creature, so an Elf couldn't become an Umberhulk using it in PnP, but can in NWN.
Shapechange users can change their shape into a new thing every now and then in PnP, but are limited to one form per cast on NwN.

Basically this is just so that I'm not making the wrong assumptions in my RP and whilst writing about them from an IC perspective.

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Just lurking about!

True seeing gives you +10 on spot and reveals invisible creatures and gives you ultravision.
It does not penetrate through illusions, shapechange or polymorph spells.

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I've heard it previously ruled by DMs otherwise, that True Seeing pierces Polymorph-subtyped spells. But would need DMs to confirm, since it's a bit of a dodgy piece to the WYSIWYG. It almost definitely pierces through illusions however, I don't know how you would've gotten any idea to the contrary. I mean, there aren't actually any actual standard illusions in the game (aside from invis), so it would be done to DM event stuff, but I'm pretty sure the point of True Seeing is that it can see through illusions.

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@Thanatopsis#6293

Ye olde Amian ruling was that only Druid and Shifter shapechange was undetectable by True Seeing, since it was a "true" shape. It was made in the days of Funi and Jen being the go-to druid DMs. I do not know (or remember, if I ever checked) whether that's the canon truth of the matter. It seems strangely arbitrary. I don't know if a revised decision has been announced since. It's a PnP effect, but then again, using Polymorph to disguise yourself in the first place could be interpreted as a PnP effect since it doesn't mechanically change your name or bio - a dodgy argument for metagaming, sure, but not beyond reason.

As for how Polymorph works, evidently it lets you turn into an Umberhulk so that PnP restriction doesn't apply. For additional forms, the "PnP rules" rule should apply: if you want to incorporate PnP spells or other rules, you need consent from those involved. So yes you can turn into more forms than those available, within the PnP rules, but you need player/DM approval.

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I'm told True Seeing can see past polymorph and shapechange. Any other spell isn't penetrable by True Sight, however. Or, at least, that's the ruling I assumed because of recent 'events'.

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Aoth Nathandem - Wizard of house Tholaunt and chosen of Ma'at.

True Sight sees through all magical illusions and deceptions, it is why it can see through invisibility and why spells such as Phantasmal Killer and Weird do not work.

By PNP, True Seeing does see through all manners of shapechange and polymorph. Pretty sure Iron is right that it was an arbitrary Amian decision to have it otherwise.

I did invent in my own plots a kind of baleful polymorph style curse that actually changed the essential Pattern of an individual, making them thus for all natural intents an actual animal, but True Seeing could still detect some minor oddities (such as detecting that the creature's shadow, for example, didn't seem to fit, or maybe it appeared to be a different color).