Shift Otters

Closely related to the typical otters of Visctheria, Shift Otters can reach much bigger sizes when fully grown, and are able to shift between Planes of existence. They mostly inhabit the oceans and rivers of the world, able to get past any blockage in their path with their remarkable ability.

Anatomy

Shift Otters appear to be typical otters, but can reach up to five feet long once fully grown. They start as less than six inches long at birth, and are sharp clawed and toothed, ready to rip and tear at their prey once caught.

Diet

While rumored to feed only on the nightmares of well-behaved children, keeping them safe from harm, they are also witnessed to feed on smaller water mammals like beavers, voles, and mice. Their prey depends on their current size, and larger, fully adult Shift Otters are even known to go for larger prey like deer drinking from the river the Otters occupy.

Environment

The Shift Otters usually inhabit the various oceans and rivers of the world, and separate groups have been identified holding what seems like territory borders in each ocean.

While incredible, the Shift Otter does not meet the qualifications for Godsent rank. They evolved on Visctheria due to gifts from Ilotl, and were not present before the Sapients were created.

— Ayda Northana

Habitat

The Garlin Deep holds Otters that are much more prepared for cold weather and scarce food, while the Southern Sea Shift Otters have thinner coats and are much faster in the water. The Jade Sea is home to a special group of Shift Otter that actually blends in with the specific shade of greenish-blue that the Sea is famous for, and the Sea of Ingerline is almost entirely devoid of any Otters at all. Arcanists are not sure why, but some theorize that the Otters prefer the Northern Hemisphere of Visctheria due to the larger landmasses that allow for easier inland travel and reproduction.

Migration

The Otters typically move inland to reproduce, following rivers and streams - that they can fit in - up towards a mountain range or lake that matches the temperature that they usually live for most of the year.

by sunnybirdboi via MidJourney

Traits

Shift Otters are an incredibly unique species, and while they share many traits with their ordinary cousins, Shift Otters tend to exhibit very different abilites, intelligences, and behaviors.

Abilities

The Shift Otter is an amazing creature that is able to shift what Plane of the Weave it currently inhabits, allowing it to avoid anything in its way as well as any predators in the area. It's hard to catch a creature if it suddenly no longer exists on your Plane! Because of this ability, Shift Otters have almost no natural natural predators besides the Sapients.

Behavior

Shift Otters are naturally playful creatures like their otter cousins, but tend to use their abilities to play. Shift Otter parents are often seen teaching their young to use their shifts by playing an advanced form of Hide and Seek, disappearing entirely from our Plane, only to switch to another for their children to hunt by scent alone.

WE23 Unofficial Species Challenge Badge by Mochi

Godsent

While originally thought to be a lost species of Godsent, the Shift Otter is actually its own group of species, closely related to typical Visctherian creatures. While its amazing ability sets it apart from other members of its family, the Shift Otter does not meet the qualifications to be classified as part of the Godsent.

Shift Snacks

Shift Otter organs are considered a delicacy in Uspatan, where it is rumored that you can gain some of their reality-shifting ability if you eat enough of the meat.

More Species of Visctheria