Egg-Laying Shapeshifters

A myth borne out of ignorance

This article was written for Summer Camp 2024. Therefore it is unpolished and lacking formatting and information. Feel free to comment with any questions or requests for clarification.

It is a commonly held belief amongst humans that shapeshifters lay eggs to reproduce, especially those that can transform into a type of bird. The Royal Arcanum in Kaien claims to have one in their collection, though many scholars are sceptical of its authenticity.
This myth does not tend to survive in larger settlements, which tend to have a much more diverse population, and most humans who spend some amount of time around shapeshifters would come to the conclusion that the notion is ridiculous. However, avian shapeshifters are particularly isolationist, even amongst their own species, with the majority of them living in the mountainside city of Teht Krekahw. This leads to the rumours of egg-laying persisting on every continent on Etrea.
In general, Shapeshifters find the myth rather amusing, in part because the concept is absurd to them. Avian shapeshifters, though, are more likely to take offense, especially those of the Kawhai, because to them it is the same as being compared to or equated with animals.