SHIFTERS

Like the other races, the origins of Shifters in the Unnatural Universe are shrouded in mystery. However, they are deeply connected to the primal power or magic that courses through the Earth. This innate connection and their genetic ability to shift into different animals are integral to their nature; Shifters are born with this trait, and it cannot be acquired or taught through any other means. 

Across cultures worldwide, from China to Argentina, various forms of Shifters exist in folklore and mythology. Examples include the Pooka from Ireland, the Nagual in South America, and the Ichchadhari Naag from India, among others. Your character may adopt or believe in the cultural origin myth or legend that resonates with them (or your out-of-character preference), although such beliefs may not necessarily align with the ultimate truth of the Unnatural Universe.

In their human form, Shifters appear completely human without any visible traits of animals. Similarly, when they shift into animal form, they look exactly like natural animals, without additional tails, extra appendages, or unusual colors. There are no visible human traits present in their animal forms.

Despite their longer lifespans compared to average humans, Shifters' human forms age following their actual age. This means they undergo normal aging processes, though slower, despite their supernatural abilities.

While Shifters appear human, they have the magical ability to transform at will into vertebrate animals that inhabit the land or water in their current geographical region. The transformation is limited to animals native to the area, those commonly found there, or those that have been present long enough to leave their essence on the land.

• Shifters appear completely Human in human form.  

• Shifters have a faster metabolism than humans, meaning they burn a lot of calories when they transform, making them quite hungry. Because of this high metabolism, they are less affected by alcohol or other substances than the average person. Additionally, their body temperature may register a few degrees higher than that of a typical human, falling into the "low-grade" fever range. This temperature usually spikes after a shift and remains elevated for a few hours.

• Shifters are less susceptible to illnesses than humans and can heal quickly, depending on the severity of the wound, but heal faster in Human form.  Severe injuries are better treated in human form.

• Shifters can live 150-200 years, and age slowly.  Their Human form will age as a Human until their first shift, after which aging slows down considerably, so that a Shifter that is about 100 years old might appear middle-aged in Human form.

• Shifters are born from other Shifters in Human form, and their first shift usually happens at the first full moon after their 16th birthday, but late bloomers aren’t unheard of, so an adult player coming in as a human can ‘awaken’ after arriving.  

• Before their first shift, a Shifter experiences a 'calling' or an intense urge to embody a specific animal, usually a powerful one, a few days before the full moon. During this time, they may exhibit behavioral traits associated with the animal, such as sniffing everything and obsessively thinking about its habits and habitat. Once the full moon rises, they cannot choose a different animal; this initial choice often becomes their preferred form (referred to as their "go-to" or “kindred” animal). However, this does not restrict a Shifter from shifting into other animals within the confines of their abilities.

Shifters can transform at will into any vertebrate animal that is native to or currently inhabiting their surroundings. They can access local energy to facilitate this transformation. The shifting process must be done in two posts: the first post demonstrates the Shifter's intention to shift, such as closing their eyes and concentrating or crouching to connect with the earth; the second post depicts the actual transformation into the chosen animal form.

NOTE:  Players are encouraged to research local animals in the area (Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania). In Ashmore, there are no zoos, so choices should be limited to native land and water animals. Players may shift into forms such as a local wolf species/varieties, but not into supernatural beings like Werewolves or other humans besides themselves.

• Shifters derive their shifting ability from the magic infused in the Earth and Waters. Through this connection, they can detect other Shifters in animal form in their vicinity, although they are unable to ascertain the identity of the specific shifter.   

• Shifters can sense when magic is being used (20-meter range), though without other clues they may not be able to discern who.

• While shifted, all physical attributes and limitations of the chosen animal apply.  For example, if shifting into a dog, while the Shifter retains human reasoning and thought processes, they cannot speak or hold a phone with their paws.  

• Shifters can communicate telepathically with each other while shifted, however, this ability must be honed through time and practice and by establishing connections with others.   In the beginning, this communication is rudimentary, with just basic emotions or simple ideas or words transmitted, and they might vocalize sounds common to their animal, but with time and practice the ability to communicate complete thoughts or memories becomes stronger.  The ability is also significantly stronger between shifters that share a connection or a relationship, be it a familial one, that of close friendship, or even a close-knit Coterie.

• Depending on how long the Shifter remained in animal form they might retain some characteristics of the animal including its scent, but this should wear off in a few hours.  For example, if they had shifted into a dog, they might scratch behind the ears, emit a bark-like sound during normal conversation, or have a heightened sense of hearing or smell.  The longer they remain shifted, the longer the animal characteristics linger.  This will also allow others with keen senses of scent, Werewolves for example, to pick up on the animal’s scent.

NOTE: Shifters cannot be “familiars''.  A familiar is a magical animal with a special bond with a Phral that can communicate and aid in spells. 

KINDRED 

While Shifters can shift into any vertebrate animal whose energy they can tap into, most Shifters have a “Kindred” animal.  With time and practice, they can shift into this animal with little effort, they retain one ability (see below) of the animal in Human form at all times.  They might also retain some other ordinary quirks, like barking in their sleep or a preference for a certain type of food.

Please note: Your "Kindred" animal should be native to the Northeast United States. For example, you cannot choose a Bengal Tiger or African Lion, but you can select an animal like the American Mountain Lion/Cougar/Puma. Use resources like Google to find suitable options. If your Shifter character is native to a different country and their Kindred animal isn't found in the region, they will lose their connection to that animal and must choose another native option.

KINDRED ABILITY:

You may choose ONE ability from your Kindred to retain in human form. Some animals have extraordinary senses or abilities. Please research to ensure that the ability you choose is relevant to your Kindred animal. If the ability you want is not listed, talk to an admin for confirmation.  Here are some examples:

Tetrachromacy - Can see colors more vividly and distinctly. This could be used to detect subtle color differences at a crime scene, such as blood stains or hidden messages. 

Advanced Hearing - Heightened sense of hearing.  This can be used to eavesdrop on conversations or detect distant sounds

Visual Acuity - Can see farther/better than a normal human can.  Shifters with this ability can spot details at a distance that others might miss, such as license plates or faces in a crowd.

Night Vision - Allows a Shifter to navigate and investigate dark environments without the need for artificial light.

Infrared Sensing - Heat-seeking, can detect heat signatures.  For example, they can track heat signatures to find recently vacated hiding spots or follow someone in the dark.

Advanced Taste - Has a much broader palette and more taste buds.  Shifters with this ability can detect traces of substances, such as poisons or drugs, or in culinary situations, pick out different ingredients or spices, by taste

Hypersensitive Skin - More receptive to touch, changes in the wind, temperatures, etc  This allows them to detect subtle vibrations or changes in the environment, useful for tracking movements.

Advanced Smell - Can pick up individual scents, track, etc., much like a dog would.

Underwater Breathing - The ability to absorb oxygen through their skin, like some amphibians.  

Echolocation - The ability of humans to detect objects in their environment by sensing echoes from those objects, by actively creating sounds: for example, by tapping their canes, lightly stomping a foot, snapping their fingers, or making clicking noises with their mouths.  This enables them to move around more easily in the dark.

Swiftness/Agility - Faster than the average human and better reflexes.  Think parkour, climbing, sprinting

Strength - Stronger than the average human.

Remember that while a Shifter would retain the ability, in some cases they do not retain the physical organs or aspects that grant the ability, and the rest of their body can’t always adapt—for example, Underwater Breathing.  While the Shifter could remain underwater for longer periods and absorb oxygen through their skin, they do not have gills in human form, and their human body is not made to be underwater for too long without being affected.  Hypothermia and  skin deterioration, are still things to consider.  Night Vision could mean that daylight or bright lights are uncomfortable or even painful.  Swiftness might make a Shifter faster, but it would never be as fast as a cheetah, for example, since it lacks the 4 legs and joints to create that kind of speed.

• Shifters force-shift for the Full Moon, usually into their kindred animal, unless they choose something else and shift before the Full Moon Shift takes over. 

• Contaminated Earth or Water interferes with a Shifter’s ability to find animal energy, which hinders shifting.  Severe contamination may prevent shifting completely.

• Shifting takes physical energy, not just magic.  Shifters will be hungry (unless they fed while shifted), lethargic, and have an elevated body temperature after shifting back into human form.  

• Shifting into an animal that is too unlike their Kindred, like a different species or size differences, may take a Shifter more energy and focus, and may prove difficult to an inexperienced Shifter.   For example, if your Kindred is a sparrow, shifting into a hummingbird or hawk would be easier than shifting into a bear, which would require more effort, energy, and focus.

• Shifters are susceptible to Phral Magic, Vampire Glamouring/Compelling, and Incarnate Illusions/Control.

• Shifters can be killed by normal means - severe wounds, silver poisoning, Vampire, Werewolf, or Waterborn bite.   

• Vampire or Werewolf bites made in aggression may cause illness, infection, and necrosis, depending on the severity of the bite. Severe or untreated bites may cause serious illness, such as fevers, delirium, weakness, or suppression of their abilities and animal attributes, including shifting, and will require Phral Drabarni Healer to administer an antidote to heal. 

• Shifters are susceptible to the Waterborn Toxin.  Small doses of Waterborn Toxin acts as a narcotic, making the victim drowsy or sluggish/slower.  Larger doses will inflict intense pain and swelling starting at the afflicted site and gradually spreading throughout the whole body and may cause death as organs and airways swell and lose function.  Shifters must seek the help of a Drabarni Phral for an antidote or risk death. 

• Silver is poisonous to Shifters in both animal and Human Forms.   Contact with the skin will cause irritation and reddening, whereas prolonged contact will cause severe chemical-like burns. Penetrating wounds, like those caused by knives or bullets, will quickly become infected and take longer to heal - often negating all healing abilities and requiring the same healing time as Humans. Depending on the severity of the wounds, such as those damaging vital organs, may result in death.  Shifters must seek the help of a Phral Drabarni Healer for Silver Poison Antidote to heal from silver poisoning.

Shifters in the Unnatural Universe are neither inherently good nor evil; their moral alignment depends on the individual. As Earth children, they hold a deep reverence for nature and its creatures, recognizing that their abilities stem from the Earth itself. This connection influences their lifestyle choices, preferring to live in rural areas where they can maintain a strong connection with the Earth without the hindrance of concrete of the big cities. 

In terms of work and occupations, they often take on roles that keep them close to nature and allow them to interact directly with the Earth. Many find fulfillment as park rangers, lifeguards, forest or hiking guides, environmentalists, or farm workers. Their affinity for nature also extends to creative pursuits like nature photography, or landscapers. 

Shifters enjoy being part of a community and are often found in family-oriented settings, thriving in groups where they can express their playful nature, especially when they shift forms.  Socially, Shifters are known for their inclusive nature, freely mingling with all types of supernaturals. However, they feel a particular kinship with other nature-related races such as Werewolves and Waterborn. 

Shifters are born in Human form, from a Human form mother, and won’t experience their first shift until the first full moon after their 16th birthday.  In matters of romance and reproduction, Shifters prioritize preserving their lineage and abilities. While they do not limit themselves romantically, many choose to mate and reproduce exclusively with other Shifters, regardless of their romantic inclinations. 

In some communities, matchmakers play a significant role in ensuring the continuation of Shifter lineages through strategic pairings.

Shifters frequently organize into groups known as Coteries. While being in a Coterie doesn't amplify their abilities or powers, many Shifters opt to join or create these groups for mutual alliances and protection. Interestingly, some seemingly off-the-grid, self-sufficient communities of conservationists may actually be Shifter Coteries.

Within a Coterie, Shifters establish their own hierarchy, rules, and criteria for membership. The administration of the Unnatural Universe does not intervene in the formation or governance of these groups, allowing Shifters to autonomously manage their alliances and community dynamics.

All Shifters force-shift during the Full Moon, usually into their Kindred animal, unless they choose a different animal, and shift into it before the Full Moon Shift takes over.