Skinwalker

by Thomas Moor

From the depths of the dark forest of Hellia the skinwalkers stalk. These monstrosities cannot be controlled by any other than the brood mother and brood father; their location is unknown to even their children. Sin and depravity follow like shadows in the wake of these abominable creatures.
Shapeshifting at will is rightfully unsettling and downright confusing. Creatures who wield this power typically are not kind. Many are cruel and brutal, and this one has a name befitting its ability as it makes one's skin crawl. They speak an evil language called Imma-am

Evil Debasement

A skinwalker is a monstrous perversion of nature spawned by an act of defying it. The ritual to become a skinwalker is only possible through witchcraft; indeed, avaricious witches seek profane rituals to become skinwalkers. The dark delving reveals the hideous secret: the transformation is only possible for those who have committed the most horrid of crimes against humanity. Murder of a close blood relative, incest, necrophilia, bestiality, killing of a baby, and more provide the key to unlock the first step. Only committing acts that destroy one's humanity can qualify one for the dance of the skinwalker.

Witch to Monster

Once the dance is done, the witch begins to transform. Their body begins to contort, their ribs push out of their chest, and they peel the skin off their face like tenderized meat to reveal the bare skull of a truly unnatural creature. The skull is unique to every skinwalker and can have a mixture of traits from any number of animals, especially if the crime was bestiality. Once the transformation is complete, there is no going back. They are no longer human, dwarf, elf, or whatever else, they are the one who walks on all fours: skinwalker.

He Who Walks on All Fours

The greatest ability of the skinwalker is that to transform into any animal it pleases. A whale, a mammoth, a shrew, all are the same to it, though most skinwalkers do favor the form of a coyote or wolf. This ability makes it meat impossible to find when they've killed, as they will usually escape in the form of a bird, a rodent, or even an insect leaving only the barest trace. A skinwalker can also transform into individual humanoids, usually luring them out into the wild and killing them and taking their place to get to their target. However, skinwalkers are easy to find if one knows what to look for. The oblivious clue is what the skinwalker leaves behind after it transforms: a pile of integument and skin.

Lover of Evil

Skinwalkers enjoy being evil, reveling in a fresh kill or enjoying taking the place of someone very loved. Often times the skinwalker will continue the charade out of pure ecstasy at imitating the target. Skinwalkers are also employed as assassins in Rerya around their home of the forested Hellia.

Defier of Good

Skinwalkers detest any goodness or righteousness. To them it is as a pungent odor and so to cover up the scent they must enact tragedies upon those around.

Malicious Mob

Although skinwalkers behave similarly they are individuals. When against large or powerful groups skinwalkers work together. They prefer living, killing, breeding on their own.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Skinwalkers range in variety of their appearance. They can have hair, though it isn't common. Most are completely pallid-skinned. They often have the skull of an animal, though which animal depends on their ceremony.

Genetics and Reproduction

The skinwalkers can reproduce with humanoids though it is uncommon. Even in beast form they cannot reproduce with other beasts.

Growth Rate & Stages

Skinwalkers can grow in "hives" if enough rituals are performed at once. They incubate in the ground and sprout from small holes as their final form.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Skinwalkers require much food, and the taste of sentient beings is the most desirable.

Civilization and Culture

History

Origins unknown, but many believe them to be some experiment gone awry. The invaded Hellia, overrunning the Mage College there. From there they festered and poured into all other parts of Enor Daeg. Interestingly enough, some countries in Sefir Daeg, such as Caphitolia, have encountered skinwalkers in their world.