Shapeshifter

Originally created by a witch's spell, shapeshifters are able to physically transform into any animal that they have Bonded with. To Bond requires the shifter maintain physical contact for sixty uninterrupted seconds, and to consciously enact and maintain the Bond. Because of this, many shapeshifters enter into careers or lifestyles that bring them into close contact with a wide range of animals; typically veterinarians or zookeepers.
Unlike werewolves, shapeshifters do not have any superhuman strength or animal senses in their human form. Their powers activate with the onset of puberty. The longer a shapeshifter is in animal form, the more animalistic they will become. It has been known for some shapeshifters to entirely throw off human society and live life as their chosen animal.
Aside from the original Inca shapeshifter, various other shapeshifters have been created by other witches throughout history who discovered the Inca spell. However, the spell is very difficult to perform and requires an extraordinary amount of magical energy, usually resulting in the death of the witches either from Sorcery Sickness or by being killed by the shapeshifter during their first transformation. The spell has been lost to history now.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

The shapeshifting gene is only transferred by birth; all shapeshifters are born shapeshifters. Shapeshifting powers are passed down through both male and female bloodlines.

Civilization and Culture

History

The first shapeshifter was created in the year 1250 by a group of Inca witches seeking to give their greatest warrior the fierceness and strength of a jaguar. Their spell involved ritually sacrificing a jaguar and transferring its essence to the warrior, and wound up giving the warrior the ability to transform physically into the animal. When the warrior first transformed into the animal at the completion of the ritual, in his crazed and frightened state he killed the witches who had cast the spell. The spell altered his DNA (similar to werewolves) so that his offspring were also shapeshifters.