Korrigan

Referring to creatures who have the ability to shapeshift. Although they can shapeshift, the more they use one singular form the stronger they are. Many species have been 'born' this way, with clans perferring to teach their children to mimic one animal, human form, or otherwise. The Calcatrix and Basilikos are examples of these, having become clans of humanoid terror birds and snakes respectively.
They are found everywhere in small pockets, usually keeping to themselves. The strongest and most respected of the Korrigan is Ansgard, a chimeric beast often posing as a warrior with firey red hair. Although he is not king of any land, he is respected and feared among the Korrigan.

Basic Information

Anatomy

In their barest form they are produced using the radioactive and polluted refuse, and take the form of an oddly viscous oil spill. In reality this is an intelligent compound which can learn from its surroundings and build upon it.
Typically their shapeshifted forms are taken from the animal kingdom. Sheep, dogs, bats, and birds are the most common. Less common are horses and humans.

Genetics and Reproduction

Korrigan seem to create themselves, out of the compounds formed from pollutants and thermoplastic breaking down. Biologists in Deywos and magi from the Tenebrio tribe have been studying it for decades and have successfully created beings out of the odd material.
There are rumours that if a Korrigan stays in their form for long enough, they will develop the ability to procreate with members of that species. This has not been confirmed, but ever so often someone claims to be the child or spouse of a Korrigan.

Growth Rate & Stages

It takes approximately twenty years for it to develop a solid, moving form, unless artificially generated or induced. 
After that, it is an undetermined amount of time before they perfect a form.

Ecology and Habitats

A lot of Korrigan are born in polluted waters and lowlands, and occur mostly in the Great Salt Path in the south, and the Tree Line in the north. However, due to their diet they often migrate to forested areas for better access to nutrients.

Dietary Needs and Habits

This is the most remarkable aspect of realising a human or other animal is a Korrigan disguised, and that is because they subsist off of the fats in different natural-occurring oils. Often this comes as olive oil, sunflower oil, etc.

They do not actually consume food, and even when they have been living in their form for a long time, have trouble digesting it.

Biological Cycle

The intelligent matter in a Korrigan lasts for approximately 200 years before it begins to break down, in which it will slowly degrade and be eaten away by the elements over the course of the last 25 years of its life.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their senses are typically duller than the species they are imitating, and improves as their become better at shapeshifting into that form. It can generally not improve any further than the species' limits (a human form could not have catlike vision, etc.).

Korrigan warrior Ansgard in his humanoid form.

Geographic Distribution

• Sealtland