Shapeshifters

Shapeshifters, or "Ferall" in their own language, are a secretive and tribalistic race found all over Todosia , though most prominently within the country of Bastia . Long percieved as savage brutes, shapeshifters comprise of human-like beings who have been embedded with a deep primordial animal form unique to each member of the species. Often discriminated against for their unsavory culture and ways, shifters tend to be xenocentric themselves and view other races with either contempt or outward suspicion. They are rare and they tend to guard their ways and culture very closely. Shifters are naturally fearful of outsiders and their nomadic nature only exacerbates this. As a result, the shapeshifters are very rare in “civilized” society. However, on occasion Shapeshifters will venture forth to seek their fortunes among the “common” folk for various personal reasons or simply to chase adventure.

## Physiology

Shapeshifters have a large range of body builds similar to humans, but differing from them by having a build reflecting that of their animal form. Shifter senses, strengths, and weaknesses also mirror their animal form, but all have a natural capacity for magic.

I.e. A bear shifter might be naturally taller, heavier built, and more muscular than a snake shifter, who would take on a more slender, agile build.
#### **Features**

* Height: The average height for females is 5'8" and males is 6'0," though this can largely vary depending on their other form.
* Eyes: Blue, grey, hazel, and amber are the most common colors, while violet, dark brown, and green are rare.
* Hair: Medium shades of blonde and all shades of brunette are common, black and platinum uncommon, and red is rare.
* Skin: Typically pale to tanned in complexion, depending on tribe location.

#### **Gestation**

Shifter pregnancy can last between 10 and 12 months, depending on which animal form the child will have and the forms of their parents. Children born two weeks or more before the tenth month tend to be too frail to live past a few years.
#### **Aging**

A shifter has a lifespan that is roughly 3x the human average. They experience rapid growth from infants into youth, and typically reach maturity after only 16 years. A shifter is considered an elder after 240 years, but begin to show clearer signs of aging around their 200th year (wrinkles, age spots, etc).

 Child
 Youth
 Adult
 Elder

#### **Other**

Shifters' sleep and diet largely depend on their animal form, but the majority sleep at least 5 hours and are omnivores. Most shifters die naturally of old age similar to humans or are killed in adulthood, and it's very rare for one to die due to illness or childbirth.
## Culture

Shapeshifters are a nomadic, polytheistic people that tend to keep to themselves and value balance and community, and are wary of outsiders due to many clashes with them in the past. Other ideals and values may differ from tribe to tribe, but shifters are generally known to be peace-loving as they avoid conflict with outsiders by isolating the tribe from other groups.

### **Social Structure**

 **Other** | The rest of the tribe is a mix of hunters, warriors, farmers/gatherers, and crafters. Each one does their part to provide for the rest, the needs of all balanced by the Chieftain and Council.

### **Customs**

* When perusing a partner, a shifter must present a part of their body such as a lock of hair, a tooth, claw, or vial of their blood. This shows that they are willing to give up part of themselves for their mate. Fingertips or canines are especially bold choices to offer.
* It's not considered taboo for shifters of the same sex to become mates, conceive before being mated, and refuse to conceive children. However, it is taboo to rape, mate with a youth or younger shifter, and impregnate/peruse someone other than their mate.  While uncommon for shifters to return with a non-shifter mate, the mate and any half-shifter children will still be welcomed into the tribe.
* Community feasts are common to commemorate births, matings, and deaths within the tribe. In the rare occasion that they have guests welcomed to the tribe, the guest(s) will feast alongside the chieftain and their family.
* Hunting certain species during certain of the year is frowned upon, as it's known to disrupt the balance within the population. Hunting alone is also uncommon and will gather suspicion if known.
* A shifter may not eat the animal they take the form of. They also may not wear or create anything made from that animal.

### **Tribes**

#### **Ferall Nei'khan Tribe****:**

The Nei'khani tribe was located in the Bastian hold of Eisberg. They settled in the forested, mountenous region and would migrate with the seaons. The tribe is known for having a large population of carnivorous shifters, and to be formidable warriors. In the past they have aided and traded with nearby tribes, but don't have any record of trading with non-shifter groups in recent history. The tribe was almost completely destroyed after the events of the Nei'khani Massacre in 921 AT.

## Religion and Beliefs

#### **History/Mythology**

Most shapeshifters are polytheistic. There are several gods, major and minor, that are seen as a divine family. **Fenrai** was the mother goddess of fertility, night, and the moon; her animal is the wolf. **Anshol** was Fenrai's mate, god of the sun, sky, day, and storms; his animal is the falcon. **Sedna** was the daughter of Fenrai and Ashnol, and the goddess of water, light, and apothecary; her animal is the stag. **Tyr** was the mate to Senda, who Fenrai created by granting a dying ox godly form and intelligence; Tyr became the god of soil/earth, darkness, and mercy. **Ursvani** was the child of Tyr and Sedna; she is the goddess of luck, harvest, and good health. Ursvani mated with a mortal man and conceived the first true shapeshifter, who would pass on the bloodline of future tribe Cheifs. Ursvani also impregnated several mortal woman she became fond of. **Oboro** was the younger brother of Sedna and second born of Fenrai and Anshol; his animal was the serpent and he was the god of balance, vengeance, and fire. Oboro granted humanoid form to several animals to restore balance, which created more shapeshifters that would soon find Ursvani's offspring and eventually form the first shifter tribe with the population increasing through generations.

Unlike other religions, the shapeshifters don't worship their deities, but think of them as parents watching over the tribes. They don't routinely pray or have religious ceremonies, but they show their belief and appreciation by heeding omens presented in their everyday lives.

#### **Death and Afterlife**

Shifters believe that death is a natural thing not to be feared, and that while their animal counterpart is reborn within another shifter's soul, their soul rests in the Valley of Light (Golden Vale), where they watch over the living and deliver their messages through nature. Shifters believe that the ancestors whisper their stories/messages within the sounds of the elements (the wind in the trees, crackle of fire, ocean waves on the shore, etc). When a shifter dies, their body is adorned and burned, then their ashes scattered within the tribe's region.

## Language

All shifters speak **Ferallian**, which for translating purposes will be Persian (Farsi). The most commonly spoken dialects of Ferallian are **Bekhai** (Dari Persian) and **Dae'len** (Tajik Persian).

Shapeshifters within their tribes do not have "last" or "middle" names. They have the name they were given at birth and one given to them shortly after by the tribe shaman. After the child is born the shaman will consult the gods to receive divine insight regarding their heritage, and a suitable name will be determined. These names are always in two parts and have different meanings varying on the combination of the two parts. Each name combination is unique, being the only one in existence until it's given up at death.

**some examples of name part meanings:**

I.e. Ave'ri could mean *"warrior heart, bold sea, devoted shield,"* etc and Qu'tai could mean *"wise rain, patient youth,"* etc.
A shifter will also introduce themselves to outsiders with this second name, along with where they are from, which can be their tribe or geographic location.

I.e.Jin'may of the Nei'khan or Tai'va of the Southern Plains