The Shifters - Animal Species of the Shifters

In the world of Haven, there are certain species that are allowed to be played, and certain ones that are banned. When choosing an animal species for your shifter, be specific about the subspecies and breed. No matter the species, no shifter can be smaller than a baseball glove, and no shifter can be bigger than an ostrich. If your character's animal form is typically small, err on the side of making your shifter larger than normal. If your character's animal form is typically larger than a human being, err on the side of making your shifter smaller than normal. The following is a list of what is allowed, and a little bit of information about each. If you do not see what you want listed below, contact an admin to discuss possibilities. Note: No extinct species of animal or dinosaur are allowed to be played.
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Aquatic Shifters (Mammal)
There are many types of marine shifter allowed, but all marine shifters, regardless of species, must spend some amount of time in water every few days, or they will dry out. Whichever kind of water they need, whether it's salt or fresh, depends on their species.
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Aquatic Shifters (Non-Mammal)
Species restrictions apply to non-mammal aquatic shifters. Full aquatic shifters are allowed, though they have to be bigger species that prey on other animals. No minnow-shifters. Amphibious shifters are also allowed, though, again, they must be bigger than the natural animal. Nothing smaller than a baseball glove will be allowed, as severe changes in size can disrupt their biology and, if pregnant, could endanger the fetus. Aquatic shifters do not lay eggs. They give live birth, and must do so in human form. They must spend some amount of time in water every few days, or they will dry out. Whichever kind of water they need, whether it's salt or fresh, depends on their species.
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Aves Shifters
Birds of prey are the only kind of bird allowed in Haven (basically anything large, ferocious, and that eats meat). Bird shifters will almost always be bigger than their natural animal counterparts, as severe changes in size disrupt their biology and, if pregnant, could endanger the fetus. Aves shifters do not lay eggs. They give live birth, and must do so in human form. They also tend to have lighter bone structures, which make them lightweight and fast, but can also result in bones breaking easier.
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Canine Shifters
Unlike werewolves, canine shifters are not subject to the lunar cycles. They have one mind, not a split one, and are - mostly - in control of their own abilities. Canine shifters are separated into their own species, such as wolves, domesticated dogs, hyenas, and anything that science classifies as a canine.
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Feline Shifters
Feline shifters are unlike werecats, in that they are not subject to the lunar cycles. They also have one unified mind rather than a split one, and are mostly in control of their own abilities. Feline shifters are separated into their own species and breeds, such as lions, jaguars, domesticated house cats, and anything that science classifies as a feline.
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Hoofed Shifters
Any hoofed shifter is allowed so long as it falls within the general size requirements for Haven.
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Marsupial Shifters
Marsupial shifters are allowed, and are able to carry their young in their pouch, though keep in mind that the sight of a kangaroo mother carrying a human child in its pouch may not be something that the public should see.
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Reptile Shifters
Reptiles are allowed, though they must follow the basic size requirements for shifters. They also do not lay eggs. They give live birth, and must do so in human form. Venomous reptiles are allowed, but keep in mind that the Order of Ashes can and will de-vemon a shifter if they have committed a violent crime in the city.
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Rodent Shifters
Any rodent shifter must be bigger than a baseball glove, regardless of species.
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Mythological Shifters
Yes, we do allow mythological shifters in Haven, however there are more restrictions upon them than regular shifters. Mythological shifters are absolutely not allowed to expose their true form to the public outside of Haven, and if word gets to the Order that something like that has occurred, the shifter can be arrested. The world is very new to supernatural creatures - it is best not to overload people with dragons and griffins.
Mythological shifters also must fall within the size requirements for shifters. If you are playing a dragon, it's going to be Toothless-sized, not Smaug-sized. Mythological shifters also only take on the forms of the creature they are part of - not necessarily the powers. If you are making a dragon, again, it will not automatically breathe fire. If you wish to pair a mythological creature to a power set, check out the SKILLS AND ABILITIES section to see what your options are.
The following is a list of mythological creatures that Haven currently allows. If you wish to play something that is not on this list, contact one of the admins and we will make a decision (we can't list every mythological species in the entire world, after all). Also, keep in mind that mythological creatures are extraordinarily rare - that's kinda why they're mythological. The admins retain the right to deny or remove mythological creatures if Haven becomes overrun with them:
- Basilisks
- Dragons
- Mermaids/Sirens (basically just fish shifters, let's be real)
- Selkies
- Griffins
- Harpies
- Manticore
- Pegasus/Unicorns