Shapeshifters

Like the article about the aignaoithe, I will be writing this with the assistance of Fiachra son of Rórdán and Deirbhile, a shapeshifter.
A shapeshifer is an aignaoi who is born with the ability to pass between dragon and human form. Legend has it that the Creator gave Naomh, the first shapeshifter, the ability to change form in order to connect her people to humanity.
Human form allows shapeshifters to utilize the power carriers in their blood to manipulate the world around them. They are capable of any Paragon ability. Generally they focus on light manipulation (for illusions and invisibility), fire and water manipulation (for fighting the naered), and telekinesis. They also continue to have telepathic abilities--however, unlike in dragon form, they must physically touch the being they would like to read the mind of.
Because of their abilities, shapeshifters have long been the primary warriors of the aignaoithe. Every shapeshifter is required to fight in the war against the naered, and most die before their 150th birthday (age 30 in human terms).

Discovery of Abilities

Shapeshifters change form for the first time in a moment of extreme stress, usually between the ages of 60 and 75 (in human terms: 12 and 15). Generally this is during a naer attack, but it may also be another life-threatening event.
Naered do their best to kill shapeshifters upon their first transformation. However, power surges based in adrenaline usually protect them from death. Like their descendants (Paragons and Amalgams), their surges are instinctual, easily exceeding their cognizant abilities. Fiachra notes that he's never been able to replicate the surges of his first transformation.

Training

Once they change form for the first time, shapeshifters go to live on the Little Island, where the Library of Stone is located. Combat training is prioritized. It is absolutely crucial that they develop the skill to change form and utilize their great power, since neither comes naturally except in surges. When the young students are not physically training, older shapeshifters teach them several human languages, including Crathlian and Shui. They also memorize sections of the Sacred Writings of the Cavern.
As part of Queen Aveline's Treaty, at age 90 (18 in human terms), shapeshifters are sent to Everdon Academy for instruction in human (Crathlian Paragon, in particular) customs and communication. They also forge connections with the Crathlian nobles who will grow up to lead the country that is their closest ally. However, to this day, they are treated with mistrust by most students and teachers.
At age 95, they apprentice with an older shapeshifter in the field, usually as a spy. Five years later, upon reaching their majority (a century of life is considered adulthood for an aignaoi), their performance is evaluated by the Council of Elders, and they are assigned to a particular location or mission.

Role in Aignaoi Society

Demographics

There are generally 3-5 shapeshifters born in each 5-year period. Not accounting for the high death tolls due to war with the naered, this puts the maximum number of shapeshifters at any given time between 240-400. The reality is that there are rarely more than 200 living. There being approximately 4,000 aignaoithe at any given time, shapeshifters make up 5-10% of the population.

Social Roles

Contrary to popular belief, shapeshifters do not hold political power among their people. The Council of Elders is an elected body of nine composed of the wisest and most experienced dragons. Only one member is required by law to be a shapeshifter, and this measure has only existed for 200 years.
Shapeshifters are, however, required to serve their people as warriors, protectors, and ambassadors to humanity at large. In the past few centuries, the aignaoithe have considered their relationship with humans to be yet another thing that places them above the naered they so despise. Thus each shapeshifter must contribute to a better relationship with humanity, while also being capable of defending their kin from the naered.

Religious Roles

Shapeshifters are considered the most connected to the Creator due to their ability to manipulate the work of His hands. However, old age, not power, is considered the ultimate blessing of the Creator. Sacrifice in combat is seen as the noblest death (indeed, even the old fight).
Due to the narrow caves and lava pools that form the access to the Sacred Writings of the Cavern, shapeshifters are also the only beings who can see the original sacred writings. They have painstakingly copied and translated the words, but Fiachra notes that his elders who have made the journey into the Cavern at the Top of the World say that no translation compares to being in the place where the Creator once wrote upon the wall. A shapeshifter must be deemed worthy by his or her elders before going into the holy caverns.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Regardless of gender, the ideal shapeshifter is muscular but agile, in perfect physical form, and rather tall. Most wear their hair relatively long; human hair is an oddity that they find beautiful.

Courtship Ideals

Modern shapeshifters are not expected to have romantic relationships. The overarching ideal is that of a holy, blessed warrior who works with his or her comrades to protect their kind, stoically sacrificing everything, up to and including his or her life. Those who do pursue romance are considered selfish and somewhat presumptuous.
In Colonial Crathlia, the above was true for females, but males were required to be in relationships with human and part-dragon females. Courtship periods were short; the two parties often met for the first time shortly before marriage. Who married whom was often based on the choice of the shapeshifter's superior. The early Colonial Era emphasized a detachment from one's wives, but by the 300s, it was considered right for a male shapeshifter to provide his wives with pleasures both physical and emotional. Not only were wives fed well and pampered, male shapeshifters were encouraged to take responsibility for the emotional well-being of their charges.

Relationship Ideals

The relationship they do value, regardless of era, is the friendship and camaraderie with one another. The ideal shapeshifter is very close to all of his or her fellow warriors, able to work in tandem with any of them at any time. They should be able to understand one another with minimal telepathy.

Written by Cordelia Colbreak Evenbrook

Encompassed species

• Aignaoithe

Related Organizations

• Council of Elders
• Everdon Academy
• Tír na Creatlach

Related Locations

• Inis Baile Mor

Commanded by

Council of Elders

Descendants

Paragons (Crathlian)
Amalgams (Crathlian)
Paragons Worldwide

Origin Myth

Gift of the Serpents and the First Shapeshifter

First Shapeshifter

Naomh, daughter of the Creator

Colonization

Shapeshifters commanded by the Council of Elders colonized Tír na Creatlach, the predecessor of the modern-day Kingdom of Crathlia.

Important Colonial Shapeshifters

Torin son of Báine and Miach
Seanán son of Bébhionn and Naoise
Lonán son of Colm and Brigid
Flaithrí son of Nuallán and Ríona