Culture

Beliefs

Generally, Shifters maintain secrecy about their true identities due to fears of exposure from both the human population and other supernatural entities. Because of this, most limit their transformations to animals of the region they live in. 

Shifters believe themselves to be more intelligent and humane, unlike their cousins, the Werewolves. But share an affinity to nature with a deep connection with the environment.

Mating

Being a Shifter is hereditary. An individual must be born a Shifter, inheriting his or her status from one or both parents. They are able to reproduce with humans, witches, and Werewolves; the species of the offspring of these disparate couplings occurs randomly. Shifters do not possess the ability to shift from birth; this generally occurs spontaneously at some point in their youth under the force of a full moon after which they learn to develop the ability to change at will.

Grouping 

A group of Shifters is known as a Klatch. The dynamics of a Klatch can vary depending on its size, purpose, and the individuals involved. Some Klatchs may be small and intimate, consisting of a close-knit group of friends or family members. Others may be larger and more organized, attracting Shifters from different backgrounds and walks of life.

Regardless of its size, a Klatch provides a safe and supportive environment for Shifters to connect, share experiences, and navigate the challenges of their unique existence.

Characteristics

Shifters are biologically and socially closest to humans. They have a finite lifespan, but due to their supernatural ability have a life expectancy that can reach up to 200 years old.

One particular characteristic of Shifters is the urge to run and play in open, isolated places with other Shifters or animals while assuming animal form. 

Shifters experience varied levels of effort when shifting into different animals. They usually have a specific animal, called a “go-to shift,” that requires minimal exertion and mental focus. Interestingly, dominant hereditary traits from the go-to animal can often manifest in their human form, subtly influencing their characteristics as well as abilities (please see Abilities for full details).

Appearance

Shifters possess a unique ability to transform between human and animal forms, but these transformations are distinct and do not allow for intermediate shifts. To maintain secrecy, they typically assume the form of animals commonly found in their region.

While in animal form, Shifters retain their human consciousness while also acquiring the natural abilities associated with that particular animal.

Abilities

• Animal Form: Unlike Werewolves who can only shift into wolf forms, Shifters can transform and take on the natural abilities of an a variety of animal species including(Shifting takes a minimum of three turns in RP):
  • Mammals
  • Birds
  • Reptiles
  • Fish

As mentioned above, to maintain secrecy, Shifters typically assume the form of animals commonly found in their region. However, obtaining an Emerald, either from Mystic Junction or by other means, a Shifter may be able to access a more exotic animal form through absorbing the energy from the Emerald. This ability is considered a Tier 3 (see the Lode & Gemstones page for more details). Remember, the Shroud will make it difficult to “just know” that these exist. We recommend role-playing with other species, especially townies, to see what slips.

• Dominating Traits: Hereditary characteristics or abilities of a go-to shift can manifest in human form. For example:
  • If a go-to shift is:
    • a cow –  you could have extreme advantage with peripheral vision (fun fact: cows have almost 360-degree panoramic vision)
    • a cougar – you may have more elongated canines than your human counterpart
    • an eagle – you could have 20/5 vision which would allow you to  see things from 20 feet away that humans can only see from 5 feet away.

Dominating traits are not partial shifts so no animal ears, tails, or anything else that would not be possible to explain even with cosmetic surgery. Dominating traits are limited to 2.

• Heightened Senses – Shifters possess heightened senses, including sight and smell, which surpass ordinary human capabilities but fall short of the enhancements exhibited by Werewolves and Vampires. These heightened senses can become further enhanced when they transform.

For example, if a Shifter transforms into a raccoon, their night vision would become even more amplified, as this ability is already naturally enhanced in raccoons. Similarly, if they transform into a bear, their strength would be further enhanced.

• Heightened Durability – Shifters have the ability to possess a heightened resistance to physical harm and injuries more than a human.

• Heightened Healing – Shifters have the ability to heal from non-lethal wounds twice as fast than a human. For instance a wound that would take 2-4 weeks for a human to heal would take 1-2 weeks for a Shifter.

Vulnerabilities

• Mortality – Shifters share many of the same weaknesses as non-supernatural beings (e.g. age, fire, drowning, extreme loss of blood, suffocation, etc.) Although, it is very difficult to kill a werewolf thanks to their accelerated healing and endurance. 
• Mind Control – Shifter thralls are not uncommon. A compelled bond lasting many months or years becomes easier to maintain over time and rumors persist that those enthralled no longer require maintenance of the compulsion, their minds so broken by the ill-gotten servitude.
• Vampire bites are often dangerous to Shifters, causing infection, necrosis, and suppressing their healing abilities, and making them susceptible to compulsion or manipulation. In extreme cases, it could also lead to paralysis or eventually death if left medically or magically untreated.

• Silver – Silver is poisonous to Shifters in all its forms. Contact with the skin causes irritation and reddening, and prolonged contact causes severe chemical-like burns. Penetrating wounds, like those caused by knives or bullets, quickly become infected and take longer to heal—often negating all healing abilities and requiring the same healing time as humans. Depending on the severity of the wounds, such as those damaging vital organs, death may result.
• Susceptible to the influences of witchcraft

Moon Effects

Shifters possess the ability to transform at will, with the exception of the full moon. The influence of the full moon causes involuntary transformations, often leading to their go-to-form. During a full moon, Shifters may appear more feral in their behaviors. However, when they fall asleep, lose consciousness while in animal form, or during nights other than the full moon, they revert to their human form. (Shifting takes a minimum of three turns in RP)