Talisman

Trunk-only: This article pertains to a feature of Crawl which is being tested. It will likely change before the next release, and may even be removed entirely.

Talismans are items used to change your form with the Shapeshifting skill.

Useful Info

A talisman, when eVoked, turns you into its respective transformation (e.g. a beast talisman turns you into Beast Form). This transformation lasts indefinitely. It can't be cancelled or dispelled, though you can voluntarily exit (either with V or as an Ability) at any time. Entering or exiting a form takes 5 turns. If you are turned into a bad form, when you revert, you'll go back to your talisman form. You don't need to hold the talisman to stay in or exit a form.

Talismans may spawn as randarts; any randart properties apply so long as you remain in the form. For example, a beast talisman "Centaurbane" {rC+} gives permanent cold resistance in addition to all the benefits of Beast Form.

The undead (Ghouls, Mummies, bloodless Vampires) are unable to transform. Zin despises form-shifting, and will instantly excommunicate any follower who uses one.

Sources

Talismans are found around the dungeon and in jewellery shops. There's a 50% chance to find a blade talisman, possibly an artefact one, in the Hall of Blades part of Elf:2.

Some uniques can drop talismans after you kill them:

@ Rupert, maw talisman, 50% chance
S Aizul, serpent talisman, 100% chance
8 Roxanne, granite talisman, 100% chance
Q Sojobo, storm talisman, 50% chance
d Bai Suzhen, dragon talisman, 50% chance
L Josephina, death talisman, 50% chance

Transformations

Each form has its own benefits and downsides. However, talisman forms share a few things in common:

All talisman forms will boost Unarmed Combat in some way.
Most forms will meld certain types of equipment, which cannot be used. For example, a blade talisman turns your hands into blades, melding your weapon, shield, and gloves.
Forms often negate certain mutations, or add new ones. They can also change your size.

Being in any form will make you take +75% damage from silver weaponry.

Skill

Each form has a minimum Shapeshifting skill. Below this skill, you will receive a penalty to max HP. Every level of skill below the minimum gives a penalty of -10% max HP (min. 10% HP), which is then multiplied by the form bonus.

Raising Shapeshifting past this point will give you form-specific benefits. Beast Form will increase your slaying (attack) bonus, Statue Form will increase your defenses, etc. Each form also has a maximum Shapeshifting skill, where further training has no benefit.

Talismans are not related to spells in any way, so intelligence, wizardry, etc. has no effect, and Trog won't hate them. They are also unaffected by Sacrifice Artifice, since they are not evocables.