Therianthropy
Therianthropy is the supernatural means of human-animal shapeshifting. Mainly used in the form to mean humans or similar species changing into animal forms , and rarely, animals into human form. It is used to cover the the use of magical means by spells and magical items such as Wolf Pelts to diseases such as Lycanthropes, and curses.
Found in many regions throughout the world, many have different stories of humans changing into animals and the odd animal changing into humans. Some point to early human paintings found in Sulawesi )Indonesia, as the earliest examples of rock art found involving it. These seem to date as far back well over 43 to 44,000 years old.
One of the earliest stories in Europe is one of King Lycaon of Arcadia in ancient Greece. He wanted to see how all-knowing Zeus was able to recognise human flesh, so decided to Kill one of his 50 odd sons by the name of Nyctimus, and cooking him up. As expected, Zeus not just recognised it, but was absolutely disgusted. As punishment Nyctimus was restored to life to begin with. In the process he condemned Lycaon to turn into a wolf.
In the Levant, Middle East, and the Horn of Africa, there is stories of blacksmiths being werehyenas, Qori Ismaris (he who rubs himself with a stick), along with bultungin (I change myself into a hyena) in one region around Chad being made of inhabitants in one or two villages.
The Germanic peoples, especially in the very north, have a rich history of having those that change by wearing the belt or skin of the wolf, bear, and boar. The berserkir is the most common, with these fanatical warriors regularly wear the skins and other body parts of bears taking on the aspect of the bear. The ulfheðnar are wolf skin wearers and known as warriors as well, working up to a frensy like the berserkers. The final is rumoured only, and are the juforr those who wear the boar's head or skins in a similar fashion to the rest. These are thought to be members of larger cults who worship these animals.
Sometimes it is believed that it is a disease passed through bites or claw attacks from wild animals that spread it. These infected can pass it on, and when two infected breed they pass it on. This could explain the shifters in general, and sometimes creatures like Wererats, Wolfweres and Jackalweres.
Manifestation
Depending on the form it can be entirely be. The two main methods are in the form of a curse or hereditary. The former is either by a creature laying the curse on the victim of it and what causes the changes are usually tied in with the wording of the curse. The latter is tied in with being born with it. This could have been ancestors who were cursed, or given it as part of a skill that's passed down.
A few are reported to have hair growing inside their bodies, in the palms of their hands, teeth that are larger, and/or meeting eyebrows. They sometimes have features that take on aspects of the animal when in humanoid form. Animal to human is different and are generally in packs that are shunned by others of their species, though a few have the force to draw in animals they are related to.
Localization
In parts there is wells of disease called Lycanthropy or similar and any bite can spread this to some others. This usually has the effect that at the time of the full moon they have to change into a partial or full animal, with stress at times setting it off.
Others who are hereditary has full control of when they change. Small settlements exist in out of the way places due to the danger of larger numbers of potential prey turning on them killing them. They rarely exist in larger settlements unless there is little chance such as numbers in this situation.
The cults of animals are usually found in their respective communities, and certain societal constraints are placed on them. Though a number of them are thrown out of general society living at the edges of their communities.
When it is a cursed individual, they usually get kicked out of their respective societies and sent out into the wilderness to survive by themselves or with others who have some form of Therianthropy.
When it is an animal to human they generally live in the environments that they normally live in.
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