Beast Shifters

Beast Shifters are a diverse group of species that were granted higher intelligence and the ability to shapeshift between their natural forms and an anthropomorphic form. The anthropomorphic form always has an upright habitus and forelimbs with opposable thumbs. Shifters can be distinguished from Simple Beasts (ordinary animals) most often by their stature, as beast shifters tend to be slightly larger than their simple beast counterparts (although there are exceptions to this rule).

Basic Information

Anatomy

The anatomy and morphology of the natural forms of shifters is widely diverse and typically conforms to their simple beast counterparts with the exception of size - the majority of shifter species are slightly larger than their beast counterparts while in their natural forms.
When shapeshifted to their anthro forms, there are some commonalities across groups. For example, avian shifters will gain an additional pair of forelimbs when shapeshifting, while their wings relocate to their back. Their forearms and hands resemble the configuration of their feet (scaled, scuted, and tipped with claws or talons), while the upper arms are covered in feathers. For snake species, they will not gain hind limbs but will gain a torso and pelvic structure, as well as forelimbs with hands. Shifters whose hind limbs in their natural form would not support a bipedal gait will lengthen. Shifters are variably plantigrade or digitigrade depending on the species, and the number of fingers on their hands will vary. For example split-hoofed mammals may only have two fingers and an opposable thumb, while most feline or canine species will have four fingers and a thumb. All types of shifters retain their tails, ears, and basic head shape while shapeshifted.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Beast shifters are users of hedge magic, a diverse collection of folk magics that use natural materials to heal, divine the future, ask favor from the spirits. While specific rituals vary widely by species, there are some commonalities that can be found across all shifter species.
Herb magic: Knowledge of the medicinal and magical properties of herbs is passed down through families and communities. Herbs are ground into powder, boiled into tinctures, strained into poultices, or burned in sacred fires. Some species use herbs or fungi to alter their consciousness as a way of communing with the spirits.
Crystal magic: Certain crystals and stones are thought to amplify particular energies, and can often be found set into doorways or pathways to encourage the flow of a particular energy or ward off negative energy and bad luck. Stones with a hole through the center are known as spirit eyes, and are often hung at town gates or worn around the neck to keep bad luck away.
Runes, stones, and bones: Divination in hedge magic is performed by carving runes into stones or bones and throwing them to see which runes land face up and in which configurations. Shamans may also develop sigils, geometric shapes meant to channel specific energies, and craft a bone charm or mosaic in the shape of the sigil.
Astrology: The constellations of Amara are used to craft horoscopes for young shifters, and the movements of the stars are also said to reveal omens. Learned astrologers are sought to craft star charts not long after a child's birth, and the subtle differences in natal charts between children in the same litter are often used to predict a child's course in life. Shamans may also seek out astrologers to gain insight on correct phases of the moon for specific rituals, predictions on the movements of irregular celestial bodies such as comets or meteor showers, and omens of the future.
Material offerings: Offerings to the spirits are given whenever a shifter is seeking favor, whether from the ancestors or from natural animus. The offerings vary widely according to be spirit whose favor is being sought. The spirits of local residences or towns are thought to be appeased with libations, often offered fruit wine or distilled liquor. Ancestor spirits are offered food or objects that represent their lives - portraits, statuettes, tools of their trade, belongings from life, poems describing their deeds, or other personalized items. Natural spirits are offered items according to their element, such as burning herbs for fire, wildflowers or fruits for earth, fish or fragrant oils for water, and chimes made of bone or shell for wind.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Many animal shifters do not take surnames. Common people will be known by their given name and place of origin, trade, or species. A young commoner may go by Amelia Mink or Tylan Coyote until they find their particular trade or become known for a particular deed.
Merchant clans will often assume a surname as they establish themselves and claim particular trade routes. They often name themselves after their region of origin or a particular feature, names such as Westwind or Lakewise or Stone.
Noble families that own hereditary lands always claim a surname. The current head of the family is addressed by formal title, such as Highlord Stormcall or Castellan Denguard. Children of a noble house are addressed with respectful titles that are one step below their parents; a son of House Longclaw will be called Lord Longclaw instead of Highlord, and a daughter of House Blackfoot will be called Miss Blackfoot as opposed to Lady.

Common Etiquette Rules

Shifters cannot always take their belongings such as jewelry or clothing with them when they take on their natural forms. Sometimes they may be able to stow their jewelry in their money pouch, which is almost always worn around the neck, but they often need to leave scarves, wraps, hats, or other items behind if they must make haste. If someone appears to be shifting in a hurry, it is polite to gather up their belongings and see if anything can be secured to their person. Most inns will have cache bins where shifter belongings can be checked in and retrieved for a small fee. If another shifter has to leave their belongings in the street for whatever reason, it is polite to bring them to the nearest inn and check them into a cache.
The rule of hard country is a commonly understood tradition among shifters. Severe winter weather, intense storms, wildfires, or other natural disasters can often impact the continent. Hospitality toward travelers or those caught in inclement weather is considered a moral imperative. The etiquette is simple - a traveler will cry "shelter" or "hard country," an understood signal that they are in some kind of distress or in urgent need of shelter. The owner of the building, burrow, or den where the traveler has found themselves is expected to open their doors. They must provide fare, even if it is simple, water, and shelter until the danger has passed. The exception to the hard country rule is bandits - it is not morally required for a family to defend a stranger from being robbed on the road, since this is not considered distress of nature's making, and it is understood that it may be riskier for an unarmed family to shelter a victim, lest they too fall prey to the attackers.

Common Taboos

Beast shifters do not predate on each other, as consuming an intelligent person is considered cannibalism even if they are not of the same species. Similarly, it is not permitted to eat a simple beast of one's own species - even species who naturally practice scavenging cannibalism such as vultures have eschewed those practices. It is impolite to eat a simple beast that shares a species with one's guests - one should not serve venison in the presence of deer shifters or goose in the presence of geese shifters, as it is considered discomfiting and threatening.
There is a recognized difference between murder and killing. Murder is premeditated, carried out in secret, and typically understood to be conducted for a calculated gain. Killing can often occur in duels, which are attributed to the heat of passion, take place in front of witnesses, and do not require lengthy investigations to uncover the culprit. However, duels can be investigated by the crown, and a duel can rise to murder if it is found that it was deliberately provoked for one party's gain.

History

Beast shifters are a created species, derived from the native fauna of Amara nearly seven hundred years ago by Llyn Goldfire in the Ritual of the Gift. Using blood magic, Llyn imparted shapeshifting and sapient intelligence on a fraction of the population of native beasts. He was selective in choosing the groups that would receive the Gift, specifically choosing to raise mammals, avians, and reptiles while avoiding fish, amphibians, and arthropods. The spell was powerful enough to travel across the continent and effect roughly 10% of the simple beast population of each species.
Immediately after being raised, the continent of Amara was in chaos. This first year after the Gift is known as the Year of Blood, when the confused, panicked shifters attacked each other, the divine beasts, and sometimes even the dragons who were responsible for their existence. Slowly, King Llyn and his representatives directed their fear and panic-fueled aggression toward their enemies, giving the shifters purpose in defending the kingdom and pacifying the territory. In the subsequent decade, laws were established and cultural practices began to solidify. At this time, the shifters have organized into socioeconomic structures, complex cultures, and permanent settlements.

Geographic Distribution

• Amara