WCCP Shapeshifter Information

Shapeshifter The legend has it that the first shapeshifters were created by a witch who felt that she needed protection over two thousand years ago. She had created a single one, made sturdy enough to live as long as she, and yet sturdier so that it could withstand the hardships that being a witch's familiar was. Her spell was taken by her coven, each witch creating her favorite animal. The knowledge spread, creating over a hundred different species. The witches quickly realized that the spell had limits. Insects, no matter how big, were impossible. Fishes, and mammals living in the sea were also on that list. Animals that were too small killed the target of the spell, and a too big animal exhausted the shapeshifter. Although limited by the size range, it still encompassed most of the land and swamp animals, mammals or reptiles. After the craze that this spell knew, it was banished by the Council. Experimenting on humans was not to be done. Besides, they had realized by now that the bite of a familiar on a human, bite that broke the flesh, turned the human into a shapeshifter. Quickly, the witches began to try to stop what seemed to have become an infestation and managed. Still to this day, some shapeshifters agree to become a witch's familiar. Shifters of the same species are guaranteed children of their species. Shifter and human have a 50/50 chance to have a shifter baby, interspecies will have human offsprings. The children will turn for the first time between 15 and 18 years of age. Also, under no circumstances other than madness or an outside source of compulsion will a shifter feel the need to have human flesh for its meal. They are protectors in the core, killers only if needed. Strength After the age of 20, the shifter grows older one year per decade They live to be about 500 years old (about 70 years old in appearance). Old shifters sense other of his own kind within a few miles (<10) Enhanced senses and physiological attributes based on animal. Stronger, faster, sturdier than humans but not as much as vampires. Regenerates very fast, highly resistant to disease and poison Weaknesses Silver is bad, in any form. Touching silver for a few seconds causes a burn. Woulds caused with silver heal a human speed. Beheading, fire, freezing, massive total injury or severe injury from silver-based sources cause death. A turned shifter age faster (2 years per decade, up to about 300). Social Structure Conform to the organizational structure used by their animal form, like wolves will seek an Alpha if they are not one. Pack membership can be mandatory or optional, regardless of species, depending on the Alpha and Beta of the area. Should one break the law of secret, the shapeshifters deal with it in an expedient manner; be it a beating or death. Outcasts, those who do Beware that outcast are shunned by most packs unless they seek to join the ranks. Interaction With Other Species Fae Mostly a friendly relationship, unless the fae proves to be threatening to the shapeshifter's charge Cannot be transformed into a shapeshifter, the bite is nothing more than an animal bite. Human Friendly, humans are often companions to the shifters. A bite will transform a human into a shifter of the same animal Vampire Although there had been tension over some age-old traditions of slavery of the shapeshifters by the vampires, they live mostly in peace whether it is on the old continent where shapeshifters are still enslaved or in North America where they have known freedom. Vampires and shapeshifters cannot transform one another. In London, the shapeshifters are marked by a rune that enslaves them to the coven or to their vampire. Witch Witches have created the shapeshifter for their protection, and while they have forgotten how this spell works, they remember the one that allows them to bind a Shapeshifter to them in a mutually beneficial bond. The witch gains someone to protect them while they are busy, and the shapeshifter gains an increase regeneration rate, becomes stronger and needs even less sleep. The bond allow them a sense of empathy, feeling each other's physical state (Pain, pleasure, well-being, discomfort) but also the sense of the other's whereabouts, like a compass in their mind pointing at the other one. Biting & turning a witch will have them lose their ability to use magic A bond will fill the familiar with a sense of completeness, be fulfilling Shifting The shifting process is quick, but the first few times it is painful. Shifting while keeping clothes is possible but requires practice and control. On a full moon, shifting is mandatory and out of control of the human. The day before and after the full moon, the shifter will be agitated, feeling the urge to shift, have mood swings, etc. Shifting forms Human They look normal, though still have some of their animal abilities as mentioned above. Hybrid Still human for the most part, but bearing features of the animal. Eyes, claws, fangs, speech is still possible in this form. Wrath Humanoid, but strongly laced with the animal's features. It is the fighting form of the shapeshifter with all of its strength at their peak. Claws and fangs become sharp as diamond daggers, skin is as touch as armor. It's the most primal form, very aggressive, though the human mind is still there. Animal Final form, pure animal in shape and not easy to differentiate from the real animal. Differences would be minor and most likely things that are available in the wild, such as a big cat having an extra thumb. Current Packs Vermont Pack of wolves Alpha: Heather Winters