Shifters

"A shifter is, in essence, just the reflection of a gnoll. What was once man has now morphed into a more bestial form, losing some of its prior manners and intelligence in place of heightened senses and physical brawn. Of course, with their subjugation in the Empire, that does make them good candidates for many of their ongoing construction efforts."

-Anthem Eyarn, Who the World Is

Shifters are beings somewhere between man and beast, inheriting both intelligence and instinct. Though they were one of the most thriving races after the Cataclysm for their diplomacy and resourcefulness, today many of them live in subjugation or hiding for fear of their power.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Shifters are basically humanoid in shape, but their bodies are typically more muscular. Their faces are often referred to as brutish, with features like wide, flat noses, large eyes and heavy eyebrows, pointed ears, and long sideburns. Long, dense hair grows quickly along their legs, forearms, and backs.

Ecology and Habitats

Shifters are naturally-gifted hunters, and will thrive in any area that has easy prey. They thrive in plains and forested areas, though there is a concentration in the deserts of the Quim Sands.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Most shifters require a high-protein diet in order to keep up regular bodily functions, even when not hunting. As such, most shifter cuisine is a variation of beef stew or sandwiches, with the other components of the sandwich (often including the bread) being similar meats.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

In places like Numanev and the Tylotian Empire, resident shifters are used primarily in what seems to be a form of voluntary slavery. Whether it is from the shame of being bestial or public campaigns emphasizing community building, they make up well over 90% of Numanev's construction crews.

Facial characteristics

Shifters possess flat faces, low-set eyebrows and deep-set eyes, and a general overabundance of hair when compared to their sapient cousins.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Shifters have been noted to have a stronger sense of smell than most other creatures, able to detect scents like pheromones or blood from long distances.

Civilization and Culture

Beauty Ideals

Though shifters living in the Tylotian Empire have fewer rights than its other citizens, they share the same fascination and self-expression with hair as their freer relatives. While unkempt and shaggy hair have its own appeal, braids and styles set in a certain fashion function both as an attraction and a form of nonverbal communication.
For instance, a single braid on the left side of the face ending just below the left eye signals that they wish to be left alone, as does a long twist of the hair resting along the back of the neck. Multiple thin, long braids framing the face signal that the shifter is single and looking to mingle. Anything resembling a mullet reveals a sign to stay away, as it expresses the individual's illness (though it is vague as to whether this would be physical or mental).

History

Shifters are believed to have originated in what is now the Quim Sands, before it was heavily swarmed with deserts. Most of the populace drifted north toward rivers or south toward the grasslands, leaving a few members in the desert. The populations were naturally skilled to hunt in the fragile new world, and thus had few problems in securing food and establishing communities that gradually grew into cities. Even those unfit to hunt found purpose and praise in having the brawn to construct buildings or forage for safe foods.
Over time, as other races started to reclaim Fao in their new skins, shifters lived most amicably among Gnolls for their similarities, despite a somewhat rocky start to the relationship due to territorial disputes. Gnolls were still seen as monstrous races from the older days to many of the other races, but many shifters acted as a buffer for these arguments and assured them that they were now civilized.
Things changed drastically for shifters living in the modern-day Tylotian Plains in 1285. A large number of young shifters started acting out and having much shorter tempers, being more prone to anger, and unnaturally violent compared to their parents and progenitors. The Aurealis Statute was passed in response to this uptick in shifter-borne violence, drastically cutting shifter freedom in the Walong Confederacy and keeping its members under close watch. Though riots and exoduses followed, the Statute remained in effect to this very day, even after the Confederacy's dissolution and absorption into the Tylotian Empire.

Scientific Name

Homo brutanis

Average Weight

180-200 lbs

Average Physique

Many shifters possess a brawny, muscular physique. Broad shoulders and necks, developed forearms and calves, and hunched backs are commonly found in this species.