With the Book of Magic: Spell Codex Volume 1 coming out soon, we’re talking about the spells you will find. Last week, we talked about domination link. Today, we’re talking about share skin and its bigger cousin—greater share skin.
Originally appearing in Blood of the Moon, the weaker of the two spells let the spellcaster take over an animal, much like how Harry Dresden lets Bob out of his skull to do a ride-along with Mister, his Cat. Except this spell would let Harry take over his familiar. Greater share skin works the same way except it lets you take over the body of the touched creature.
Both of these spells work similar to magic jar, but I personally feel that these versions are better spells. First off you don’t need that pesky gem or crystal. Sure it had to be worth a measly 100 gp but needing to have the focus item always made it feel like it was a less desirable spell. Plus there’s the fact that your body is left helpless for however long you are in the creature. Sure your party is there to watch over it, but that means they are not there with you while you are using the body. These spells, because your body vanishes, lets you use the creature you took over with your party at your side. Take over a dragon and your party can ride your back and destroy the big bad.
When expanding who uses this spell, obviously the hunter got in on the share skin. That class gets all druid spells of 6th-level or lower (and at a lower level if the ranger gets it at a lower level). So hunter was an obvious addition to the list. However, we also added shaman to both spells. This was an odd choice since it does not get magic jar. However, we felt that a shaman taking over an animal’s body seemed like it would be in the shaman’s wheelhouse. Heck, there’s a shaman archetype in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game: Advanced Class Guide that lets you do something very similar to this as a class feature. So we felt safe adding these to the shaman class.
Download the Book of Magic Spell Codex Volume 1 today at DriveThruRPG and the Open Gaming Store. Order your print copy today from Amazon.
Share Skin
School necromancy; Level druid 6, hunter 6, shaman 6, witch 6
Components V, S
Range touch
Target one animal touched
Duration 1 minute/level or until you return to your body
You can possess an animal’s body in a manner that functions like magic jar, except as noted here. Your body vanishes while the effect lasts, and you don’t require a receptacle.
Share Skin, Greater
Level shaman 8, witch 8
Target one creature touched
This spell functions like share skin, except as noted here.
Jon Brazer Enterprises 
Although the spell itself seems quite mundane and normal, I have to say calling it “Share Skin” just makes it hecka creepy and my head is now racing with wonderful lore ideas – I love it. Thank you.
Right there with you. It’s a great spell.