Weres

Weres are creatures that can change from one form to another.
There are two types of weres; humans that can turn into animals, and animals that can turn into humans. Most can only change from fully one for to fully the other, i.e. human to wolf or vice versa, but the strongest of them can hold a half form, using the strengths of both forms simultaneously. These races are rare but do inhabit all three plains. the most notable are the twin wolf tribes of Tal Kheer, the Bear Clans of Byd y Coed and the selkies of Maluria.
The Twin Wolf Tribes Of the Steppes are the two major groups of weres in the Tal Kheer. they are nomadic and use the Eternal Steppes as their hunting ground. The founders of these tribes were said to be two brothers, one born human and the other born wolf. they met on the Steppes and formed a bond so strong that they were able to share their forms with each other, that they might be able to be together always, and protect each other and their families. Over the year they were able to share this ability with their families and the were-wolves were born. one tribe is wolf/human and the other is human/wolf with the chiefs and their families being able to use a half form as well. The tribe members are able to communicate telepathically with each other when in animal form.
The bear Clans are human/animal weres that inhabit the Byd y Coed. Legend say that they were humans living in the sacred forest, killing the animals and cutting down the sacred trees. Coeden Hynaf (the world tree) felt the pain of her first children and sent her guardians, the bears, to kill the humans. All were killed save for a few children whom the bears felt pity for, being young and not knowing any better. So Coeden Hynaf, after cursing the children into bear form, charged her guardians to care for the children and to teach them the laws of the forest and how to protect it. The Were-bear Clans are now the true protectors of the forests, enforcing the laws and acting as the mouth pieces for Coeden Hynaf.
The Selkies are the first inhabitants of Ebon Isle in Awhi Whetu. Beloved creatures of the world river (Ao Awa) they were blessed with sentience and lived as seals, happy and free. when the Ao Awa first brought the Iwi Awa to the isles it asked its beloved friends to watch over them and teach them. When the seals first approached, the Iwi Awa were terrified they would be eaten and ran from the animals, so the Seals asked the Ao Awa to give them a form that would not scare the Iwi Awa. So the Ao Awa gave its beloved friends the ability to become like the Iwi Awa, shedding their seal skins and taking a human form. After helping the Iwi Awa the Selkies put their skins back on, becoming once again seals and returned to Ebon Isle. They mostly stay in seal form but, occasionally a young curious selkie will shed its skin and walk among the other races for a limited time, eventually having to take seal form again or be forced to stay human for the rest of its life.