Shifter

Shifters are sometimes called the weretouched, as they are the descendants of humans and lycanthropes. Whatever their origins, shifters have evolved into a unique race. They are humanoids with a bestial aspect; while they can’t fully change shape, they can temporarily enhance their animalistic features — a state they call shifting. Each shifter walks on the knife’s edge between the wilds and the world around them. Do they embrace their primal instincts or the path of civilization?

Culture

Early in childhood, they develop their shifting ability and grow animal-like features even when not shifting, ranging from an abnormal hair implementation to animal-looking ears at all times, or tails. This transformation is said to be an expression of their inner nature, a wild community-centered wolf, an agile free cat, a selfish rat, a stubborn boar...

Shifter community are centered around this ability to shift, the closer your shifting get you to an actual lycanthropic transformation, the higher ranked you are in shifter society. Despite the existence of an important tribe of wandering shifter in the green earth, many smaller communities exist in other parts of the world, such as Tana's empire, or the Lightfoot Land, they generally do their best to blend in with the locals, hiding the few animal features and pretending to be humans.

Subraces

A shifter’s beast within is reflected by the shifter’s subrace. Four subraces are especially common.

Beasthide

Beasthide often signifies the bear or boar: stoic, stubborn, and thick-skinned. Stoic and solid, a beasthide shifter draws strength and stability from the beast within. Beasthide shifters are typically tied to the bear or the boar, but this subrace could embody any creature known for its toughness. When shifting, a beasthide skin tends to turn into thick fur, protecting the shifter.

Longtooth

Longtooth shifters typically have lupine traits and prefer to run with a pack. Longtooth shifters are fierce and aggressive, but they form deep bonds with their friends. Many longtooth shifters have canine traits that become more pronounced as they shift, but they might instead draw on tigers, hyenas, or other predators. When shifting, a longtooth fangs tend to grow sharp and pointy, or their hands turn into claws, allowing them to attack their prey.

Swiftstride

Swiftstride are often predatory and feline, but a swiftstride could also be a cunning rat who darts through the shadows. Swiftstride shifters are graceful and quick. Typically feline in nature, swiftstride shifters are often aloof and difficult to pin down physically or socially. When shifting, a swiftride lower limbs tend to shift, their feet becoming paw, and their leg growing fur.

Wildhunt

Wildhunt shifters are born from any creature that tracks its prey. Wildhunt shifters are sharp and insightful. Many are constantly alert, ever wary for possible threats. Others focus on their intuition, searching within. Wildhunt shifters are excellent hunters, and they also tend to become the spiritual leaders of shifter communities. When shifting, a wildhunt eyes change, displaying the eye of a beast, allowing them to perceive with great accuracy, sometimes, sensory hairs grow on their skin when shifting.

Names

Shifters have no language of their own and often live in blended communities. Their names typically overlap with the names of other cultures in their region. Many shifters prefer to keep their personal names for their friends and use “wandering names” with strangers. These are usually tied to a physical or personality trait.

Shifter Names: Badger, Bear, Cat, Fang, Grace, Grim, Moon, Rain, Red, Scar, Stripe, Swift, Talon, Wolf

Additional/Modified traits

Lycanthropy immunity. You are immune to the curse of lycanthropy except if you choose to be afflicted.

General Information

Scientific name
/
Geographic Distribution
Green Earth
Languages
Common

Physiologie

Average Lifespan
Less than a century
Size
Medium
Average Height
1.7‒1.8 m
Average Weight
59‒82 kg

Others