Shifter

Shifter is the generic term for the race of Shapeshifters in Alternate Worlds. Amongst Shifter's they can be categorised into different breeds and levels of strength depending on their hierarchical position.

Creation
A Shifter is created when a human contracts the taint from another Shifter either by being scratched or bitten, once they have contracted the taint they will then grow physically weaker until the next full moon. Once the moon reaches its peak, the Shifter will then go through their first change and shed their human skin. Their inner beast will then surface as they take the form of the animal they inherited from the Shifter who turned them.

After their first change when their frenzied state comes to an end, the Shifter will return to their human form and the animal they turned into will be contained in their subconcious. As they grow stronger and become more attuned to nature and their inner beast, then the Shifter will gain access to new transformations and abilities.

Alternatively a Shifter can be created when both of their parents are Shifters, this results in a pure Shifter who is stronger than those who contracted the taint. This is because of the relationship the Shifter has with their inner beast, due to being there all of the Shifter's life they are much more synchronised.

Breeds
Ferocity

These Shifters are deadly at close range, capable of inflicting large amounts of damage in short bursts.

Wolf
Their inner beast taking the form of a wolf, these Shifter's are social amongst their own breed and work well in packs.

Tiger
Their inner beast taking the form of a tiger, these Shifter's are hot-headed and relentless.

Tenacity

These Shifters are guardians and leaders, capable of taking large amounts of damage and inspiring allies.

Bear
Their inner beast taking the form of a bear, these Shifter's are brave and physically strong.

Lion
Their inner beast taking the form of a lion, these Shifter's are bold and wise.

Cunning

These Shifters are more deceptive and subtle, using their abilities to strike from the shadows or from plain sight with traps or poisons.

Spider
Their inner beast taking the form of a spider, these Shifter's are sadistic and secretive.

Serpent
Their inner beast taking the form of a serpent, these Shifter's are cunning and selfish.

Physical Description
A Shifter's physicality differs greatly depending on their species. Wolf Shifters for example are slightly hairier and more toned than a Mortal whilst in their Near-Human form. Shifters have five forms, their first form being the one they are born in and are unable to alter their form until their First Change after which they can choose which form to enter depending on the rules of the society they are in and how strong their control over their inner beast is.

Praetor
Related to the first Shifter, a Praetor is either a direct descendent through blood or they were tained by the first Shifter. They are for all intensive purposes an Alpha, however they have the potential to fully synchronise with their inner beast. Making them a significant figure amongst their own kind. An Alpha cannot turn into a Praetor by conventional means, the only way that this can be achieved is by killing a Praetor and devouring their corpse.

Alpha
Leaders of their Breed, the Alpha's are true forces to be reckoned with. Having earned their title through combat or heritage an Alpha is capable of achieving all five forms with relative ease due to the control over their inner beast. Most notably able to enter a much more powerful version of their hybrid form, this makes them much more devastating on the battlefield and that much more commanding.

Beta
Second to the Alpha, unlike their leaders there can be multiple Beta's within a single pack. Due to the power an Alpha possesses, it is usually normal for Alpha's to stay out of each other's businesses to avoid needless conflict amongst packs. Beta's are capable of transforming fully into their inner beast and then ascending that of a Delta by obtaining a form between both their human form and their animal form. This hybrid form makes them that much more deadly in combat, but also a menacing sight which can easily intimidate.

Delta
The majority of a pack is made up on Delta's, these Shifter's are capable of transforming into their animal form granting them multiple benefits depending on their breed. As a Delta they can choose to live in human society or away from it in their animal form, however most are wise enough to find a pack to live in. Otherwise they may be left to fend for themselves.

Omega
The runts amongst Shifter's, an Omega is generally the entry level for most Shifter's when they join their ranks. An Omega is capable of tapping into their inner beast so that they can physically achieve some traits of their animal. Though they lack the power granted by the other forms, it is an advantage in combat against other beings.

Powers and Abilities
Each breed of shifter has their own unique traits and abilities, able to use them in each of their forms for different effects. For example a Wolf Shifter using their claws will deal less damage in their Human form than in their War form, but is still stronger than using the default attack.

Upon their first change a Shifter's body is broken and rebuilt stronger than before. No longer bound in a mortal shell the Shifter is able to awaken their inner beast during the full moon to transform partially into the animal of their breed. This transformation marks the beginning of their life. As they grow in power they may find that their control over their inner beast grows until it is completely tamed to their will. This of course requires them to find a way to communicate with their inner beast which resides in the Spirit World, however being able to control their inner beast makes a Shifter a dangerous adversary.

Silver
The age old weakness of a Shapeshifter, silver completely halts the accelerated healing process of a Shifter and any wounds inflicted by silver heal at the same rate it would for a regular human while also being susceptible to leaving a scar. In addition to halting their regenerative abilities, silver also reacts against the flesh of a Shifter causing it to burn. This means that if a Shifter is poisoned by silver or unable to remove it from their body then they will slowly be burnt from the inside.

Magic
As children of Gaia, all Shifter's inherit a natural vulnerability against magic. Incapable of learning the art themselves, Shifter's are more susceptible to it's influence due to their synchronisation with nature. Though they have a weakness against magic, most Shifter's have the physical prowess to counter this weakness against a careless or unexpecting Mage.

Scent
Perhaps not noticable to an average human, Shifter's give off an unusual scent depending on their breed. This means that anyone with a keen sense of smell who is aware of Shifter's may be capable of picking them out from a crowd based on their scent.

Wolfsbane
A flower with several properties, Wolfsbane is deadly to Shifter's. Capable of repelling them due to their scent, Wolfsbane is also deadly to a Shifter if ingested.

Myths

 * Shifters are warriors of Nature, they have a dislike for technology and magic.
 * They are also somehow linked to the Spirit World, each Shifter being a fusion of two souls: a Spirit Animal and Mortal.