Jakalope Shapeshifters

Jakalope Shapeshifters are one of the most peculliar type of shapeshifters, as the animal they can transform into doesn't actualy exists. Yet, not only are they able to shift into a Jakalope, a form which combines both reindeer and rabbit characteristic, they also have a much wider range of hybrid forms than other shapeshifter.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Jakalope Shapeshifter can technicaly shift into two different animals, either a reindeer or a rabbit. Both forms aren't perfect and always retain features from the other animal.

Human form

Like other shapeshifter, when in human form, they look and sound like normal humans. However, they are sensitive to silver, which when directly exposed to the skin, may cause gradual burns and rashes.

A spectrum of Hybrid forms

Since jakalopes shapeshifters can transform into 3 different forms, they also have three different Hybrid forms. These are reindeer hybrid, Hare Hybrid and Jakalope Hybrid. This final form is by far the most common as it can prove difficult for Jakalope shapeshifters to separate both animal appearance from each other.
This usualy result in much more variation in Hybridappearance across this specific group of shapeshifters compared to say, the Wolfkin shapeshifters. This is because each individual develops a unique blend of reindeer and Hare features as their hybrid form. However, some common characteristics can be found in nearly all of those individuals, with the most famous being their antlers. These can vary in size depending on the individual and the season.

Full Jakalope Form

Whereas Jakalope hybrid forms are very varied and unique one to another, their full form does not follow in the same steps. It would seem that despite the large variation of paths taken during Hybridisation, once they reach their Full form, their apparances conforms to a very specific appearance. This includes reindeer antlers, hardened and blackened nails, and patches of reindeer fur, mostly across their upper body. It also includes larger feet, resembling Hare paws, long ears on the top of their heads, larger and more powerfull legs that allows much higher and longer jumps and either a reindeer or Hare tail, depending on the individual. The lower body is ususaly mostly covered in Hare fur, while the upper body is covered in reindeer fur.

Reindeer and Hare Form

While jakalope Shapeshifters have an easier time shifting into a full Hare form over a full Reindeer form, some manage to do it. In this appearance, Jakalope shapeshifters have the near complete appearance of a reindeer, except for two exception. First, just like all other Shapeshfiters, they are bigger than their animal counterpart. Secondly, while in reindeer form, they do not have a reindeer tail, but rather a Hare tail. The rest of their appearance is of a typical reindeer. As for the Hare form, it is much of the same. They are typicaly larger than their animal counter-part and possesses vestiges of Antlers, in the form of small numbs that may be hard to spot under their fur.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

The antlers of Jakalope follow the flow of the seasons, meaning that they shed their antlers either in winter or spring. Some Jakalope shapeshifters, especialy in Alvaros, make a pretty good living selling those to apothecaries or even individual Alchemists in Aleida or even further south to Vrahlis.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Jakalope Shapshifter are almost exclusivly found in the north-East corner of Hysal, more specificaly in the Kingdom of Heoria and the Kingdom of Northengor, as well as small communities in the kingdoms of Alvaros and Naurcia

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Just like other Shapeshifters, Jakalope shaifters also have other soulmage abilities that can appear alongside their shapeshifting abilities. They can have visions, dreams or even have soulsight and be able to see other Soulmage's souls.

Civilization and Culture

Culture and Cultural Heritage

The existence of jakalope shapeshifter has puzzled scholars for centuries. This is because they break one of the most fundamental rules of Shapeshifting. That is, Ikshai are entities that used to be spirits or souls of animals that have existed and died in Hysal. However, no evidence was ever found that Jakalopes have ever existed, with the only proof being old myths and legends from the first age. 
Despite their relatively mysterious existance, they are well apreciated by the rest of the Mage community, mainly because of the antlers they provide, which the alchemists use to make a lot of very useful potions for other mages. Despite this, they, like most other shapeshifters live isolated from large human cities, instead choosing to live in their own small communities.

Common Myths and Legends

The myth of the Jakalope traces its origins in the western half of Enask and is much older than the first Jakalope shapeshifters. Old Texts from the kingdom of Thenia that date back to the first age mentions sightings of Lopes that have large reindear horns on their head. Since the arrival of Shapeshfters at the start of the second age, sighting sof Jakalopes in Enaskia have drasticaly fell, while they have exploded in Arros, though these are atributed to shapeshifters. To this day, it is unknown if Jakalopes have existed, if they still do or if they never existed at all.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Jakalope shapeshifters tend to be very against coupling with other humans, and even other shapeshifters.

Lifespan

80 to 100 years on average

Geographic Distribution

• Continent of Arros

Related Ethnicities

• Heorian Ethnicity
• Naurish Ethnicity

Etymology: Jakalope is a porte-manteau word, combining the Thenian words for reindeer, which is Jak and Hare, which is Lope. The second "A" that combines the two words serves the same fonction as "and".