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Denizens of the Beastlands; Shifters
Topic Started: Oct 10 2008, 04:56 PM (298 Views)
Director
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Shapeshifters
In folklore around the world, there are tales of humans who can take the shape of animals-- whether it is voluntary or not varies between regions and species. There are some more common than others, though nearly any animal spirit may be bound to a human in some form or another. Most are weak against silver, for that metal is associated with the moon, which draws upon the blood of a shifter like the rising and ebbing tides. While many can control their changing forms, it is just as common for shifters to be nothing more than “infected” humans, with little to no control over their bestial nature. As they consider themselves “citizens” of the human world, they are arguably the most common of the otherworlders, and tend to blend in best. For despite their wild natures, they are still-- at least on the surface-- ordinary, living, human beings. Some of the more common breeds are listed below, but a rarer type of shifter may be approved if submitted to admin review.

A shifter may be created through an transfer of blood via bite, scratch, or ritual. They may also be natural-born, inheriting the blood-bond to the animal spirit through their parents. It is most commonly the mother that passes along this gift, and rarely the father, though the chances are higher if both parents are shifters. If two different shifters mate, it is the mother's bond that would manifest, if any. There are no “mixed breed” shifters.

All shifters have the ability to take a human form, an animal form, and a blended form that is a mix between the human and animal. How well they can control this transformation varies, of course. Due to the mercurial nature of their physical forms, they have a supernatural ability to heal nearly any injury very quickly. Silver inhibits this ability to heal and leaves scars, as does fire.

A note on dire shifters: Some shifters are bonded to an animal spirit of particular potency, that reflects in their physical forms as a huge, “dire” version of the regular animal that brings to mind more primitive species, like saber-tooth cats. This animal is not only stronger and larger than a normal individual of that species, but also less likely to be a controlled shifter. They are dangerous and often moon-mad, becoming frenzied when the moon is even close to full. The ESPers keep a close eye on the shifters to make sure such powerful beasts are tracked down and either contained or destroyed as soon as possible.

~*~

Wolves (Lupines)
Probably the most well-known, and most reviled in popular culture, but not necessarily the most common. The lupines are intelligent and beautiful creatures, very social, and almost always found in packs. Their predatory nature is sometimes seen as cruel from a human standpoint, but makes perfect sense from a wolf's point of view. They are great hunters, and fierce warriors. Most werewolves nowadays are natural-born, though their passionate and sometimes uncontrollable natures do result in a few bitten victims. The moon is especially strong with these nocturnal hunters, and drives them into a frenzy when it is full. Most werewolves need to be restrained during this time if they don't wish to harm anyone.
Wolves in their blended forms are usually taller and more powerful than humans, though still swift and deadly hunters. In human form, they will sometimes have golden flecks in their eyes, and an unsettling gaze. As wolves, they are always large and healthy, though otherwise no different from any other wolf.

Cats (Felines)
The felines are actually more common in number than the werewolves, but also much more subtle and therefore less represented in popular culture. There are feline shifters of every species, from the common house cat to the Bengal tiger, and naturally their personalities and abilities vary depending on the type of cat. Felines are hunters like the wolves, but they are the quiet type, and are not as prone to frenzy by the full moon. They are watchers of humanity, keepers of stories, and many feline family lines go back for thousands of years with a rich tradition in lore-keeping. Nearly all felines are natural-born, though in some secluded pockets of civilization there are tribal blood rituals that create new cat shifters. Many tales of tiger-demons in India and witch-cats during the dark ages are attributed to feline shifters.
Cats in their blended forms vary as much as their animal forms, with the house cats and smaller wildcats no different from human size, and tigers and lions growing much larger. As humans, they will sometimes have the slitted pupils of a cat and a feline grace. As cats, they are sleek and healthy, but otherwise unremarkable for their species.

Bears (Ursines)
Rare and reclusive, the ursine shifters are most commonly found in North America, where most of their human stock is Native American or Inuit. They include every species of bear, even the panda, though panda shifters are nearly extinct. These slow, thoughtful creatures are guardians of nature, protectors of land, defenders of forests. They are likely to come in contact with feykind, and are usually on good terms with the nature faeries. All bears are natural born, though their dwindling numbers mean that they may need to start introducing new blood to continue the noble tradition. The moon pulls at their blood very little, though they are grumpy and unapproachable during a full moon, and even more so in the winter.
Bears in their blended forms are huge, taller than the largest grizzly by a few feet, with all the power of a giant bear and all the manual dexterity of a human (scary, and a good thing they're rare). In human form, they are usually tall and heavily built, and tending to the hairy side. As bears, they're well-muscled and healthy, but indistinguishable from your average bear.

Foxes (Vulpines)
Small and swift, the vulpines are found in every part of the world where there are foxes. They are tricksters by nature, clever, playful, and opportunistic. As humans, they can also be sly and calculating, and their purpose in this world seems to be causing mischief. However, they play tricks not just for fun, but to teach a lesson-- usually one of humility. In Japan they are known as “kitsune” and feature prominently in their folklore. Foxes are the most likely of the shifters to steal secrets of magic from the feykind, or to learn magic as any other human, to aid in their shenanigans.
Foxes are no larger in their blended forms than they are as humans, though they have distinctly vulpine features and are covered in fur. As humans, they often have pointed facial features, intelligent, laughing eyes, and petite builds. As foxes, they are healthy and have handsome pelts, but are otherwise just foxes.

Crows (Corvids)
Clever corvids are the eyes of the sky, curious about everything, and avid collectors of anything shiny. They include ravens, crows, magpies, and jays. Highly intelligent, very social, and possessing excellent memories, corvid shifters are avid learners, but have notoriously short attention spans. Children with the corvid spirit are usually diagnosed with ADHD, or autism, but they are perfectly normal by corvid standards. Corvids are collectors of knowledge of all kinds, and are also drawn to objects of significant interest, like historical and magical artifacts. All corvid shifters are natural-born, and though their numbers are few, the chance for a parent to pass on the gift to his or her children is very high.
Unlike the mammalian shifters, bird shifters do not have a proper “blended” form. However, they are able to sprout wings in their human forms, giving them a superficially angelic appearance. In human form, they are very talkative, have an almost nervous quality to their quick movements, and are prone to eccentric clothing and accessories. In bird form, they're just birds.

Owls (Strigids)
Slow but thorough thinkers, the strigids are silent nocturnal hunters of the sky. They are as solitary as the corvids are social, and if the two didn't have such different sleeping patterns, they might have issues with each other. However, the owls seem to fulfill the same purpose at night that the corvids do during the day: they watch. Though not the swift and voracious collectors of knowledge that the corvids are, they collect the mysteries that the night offers them, and keep the secrets safe. If you want to know about the dark dealings that happen at midnight, the owls are the ones to ask, but be prepared to solve their riddles to find the answer. All owl shifters are natural-born, and though their numbers are few, the chance for a parent to pass on the gift to his or her children is very high.
Unlike the mammalian shifters, bird shifters do not have a proper “blended” form. However, they are able to sprout wings in their human forms, giving them a superficially angelic appearance. All owls are far-sighted, so in human form they often wear corrective lenses, though their gazes are very penetrating. They also have low, flute-like voices. In bird form, they are like any other owl.

Swans (Cygni)
Beautiful and graceful, swans are considered the least threatening of any shapeshifter, because they are not inherently violent, and because the birds browse for food rather than actively hunt or scavenge. As such, they are natural diplomats, and several have jobs working with the ESPers. There is something regal and dignified about a cygnus, and they do trace their lineages very closely, for many swans have been related to royal bloodlines. They are a little vain, but ultimately good-natured and gentle. All swans are natural born, but for some reason it usually skips male offspring, so swan “princes” are rare. As such, the cygni are also called “Swanmaids”, due to their disproportionate number of females.
Unlike the mammalian shifters, bird shifters do not have a proper “blended” form. However, they are able to sprout wings in their human forms, giving them a superficially angelic appearance. Swan-shifters in human form tend to have very pale blond or white hair, though there are rarer instances of black swans, and those individuals have dark hair. They also tend to have long, graceful necks even as humans. In bird form, they are as any other swan.
Edited by Director, Oct 20 2008, 05:18 PM.
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