Shifter

What but a beast lies in us all?

- Unnamed Firbolg Hunter

The curse of lycanthropy fell dormant in the wake of the Sundering, but it did not vanish completely. People afflicted with it slowly reintegrated themselves with society, writing off their more animalistic impulses as the remnants of their unconscious actions, unaware of how the dregs of the disease began to spread itself into their descendants. Generations afterwards, with the repair of the Weave, the distant relatives of those afflicted so long ago found their souls intertwined with a creature suddenly growing in power, feeding off the ambient energies of the natural world. These so called Shifters straddle the line between beast and man, blessed with an uncanny relationship and control over their animalistic impulses and simple civility.

Tamed Temptation

Shifters, early on, rarely fit in with urbanized environments. Even before the resurgence of arcane energy, Shifters found themselves outcasts to organized society, favoring naturalist occupations of hunting and gathering as well as a tremendous urge for self-sufficiency. Once their beastial bloodline began to show its face, much of its initial strength had been diluted and tamed over centuries of unconscious domestication.

Beastial Bonds

Shifters are free spirited and energetic individuals who thrive in heavy forests and other natural lands. Despite their tendency to live on their own, they covet personal relationships, keenly aware how rare they can be to form. To find yourself in the company of a Shifter is to tame the wilds themselves, beware of their animalistic quirks and naivety when it comes to the civilized folk.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Shifters are typically, but not limited to, Humans as a base. They show only slight physical differences to their base race such as longer, sharper nails and teeth and thicker hair. Other subtle animalistic features can be seen but are often too subtle to notice without looking. The primary differences arise when they use their beast forms, shifting into a humanoid representation of their bound blood companion. When shifted in this way, Shifters take on traits from bears, hyenas, tigers, foxes, badgers, boar, wolves, and hounds among many other creatures. They are not capable of shifting from creature to creature and are bound to one form specifically.

Growth Rate & Stages

Shifters typically start showing signs of their dual nature at late adolescence, roughly 10 years old. Their transformations do not come without a toll on their body and may only live up to 70 years old.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Human

Lifespan

70 years

Average Height

5'-7'

Average Weight

135-200 lbs.