Nonhuman Races of Arcadayn: Shapeshifters ("Weres")

The Northlanders use the term "shapestrong" for any character able to assume the form of an animal, regardless of the method used. Scholars in other lands have adopted the term to refer to characters who exhibit an unusually high level of mastery over their shapeshifting abilities. "Shapestrong" characters have great control over their changes to and from animal form, and may safely remain in other forms for long periods of time. This mastery has different effects and costs depending on the origin of the character's shapeshifting powers:

Natural shapeshifters suffer no ill effects from staying in animal form, but do not always have control over when they change. A "shapestrong" natural 'shifter has full control over his changes; per the Shapeshifter advantage (p. CI43), this costs 5 points. This advantage may be learned.

Spellcasters using Shapeshifting spells must make hourly IQ rolls while in animal form to avoid losing IQ (or daily rolls for those with Permanent Shapeshifting). A rare few of these mages are Blessed (p. CI34) with being "shapestrong," which costs 10 points. This blessing allows the spellcaster to remain in animal form for as long as he is able to maintain the spell, with no danger of losing IQ. This advantage works with all Shapeshifting spells in the Blessed character's repertoire.

A swanmay is a human woman who transforms into a swan when she dons a cloak of swan feathers. Most swanmays consider themselves to be a sisterhood devoted to preserving wildlife and the habitats which wild animals require (in particular, swans and wetlands). They tend to avoid and suspect all creatures who are not swanmays or other proven defenders of the wilderness (such as certain druids, foresters and faeries). They are found in wetland areas of Feria, Haldinibar and the Northlands.

Northlander werebears use the 15-point Werebear advantage (pp. CI43-44). They have the usual lunar cycle, and some can control their change [+5 points; may be learned]. No further enhancements or limitations are allowed.

Ferian werebears are a larger and far rarer breed. Some believe them to be even more dangerous threats than most weres, while others view them as necessary guardians of the wilderness. (In fact, many are skilled in animal and plant magics in human form.) Nearly all of these weres have the Berserk [-15], Loner [-5] (perhaps even Reclusive [-10]) and Split Personality (some shared memories) [-10] disadvantages, which are applied to the human character sheet and then carried over to the bear form. Use the following description for the were-form of a Ferian werebear:

Were-form (Grizzly Bear): PPV 347, NPV -252 (-75%), base 86.75 points.

Use the Grizzly Bear template on p. BE110[3E], but raise IQ to 8 [+25 points, calculated from base 10] and remove Early Maturation, Innumerate, Presentient and Short Lifespan [net +50]. Add Combat Reflexes [15], Danger Sense [15], and Slow Regeneration [10] if the human form does not already have them. (Moving these advantages to the human character sheet allows them to affect both forms.) They do not have any special vulnerabilities.

Werebears may change at will, must change at the new moon, and cannot change at the full moon. They have Active Change at the +20% level (may use any ability possessed by both forms); Absorptive Change is never possible (see p. BE93-94[2E]). These modifiers do not affect the PPV/NPV costs of the were-form.

Height: When standing upright, a werebear is approximately 150% of its human form's height. Size is 2 hexes on all fours, or 1 when standing to fight.

Weight: As human form, x5.

Ferian weredeer use the 20-point (stag) or 15-point (doe) Weredeer advantage (pp. CI43-44). They must change two days a month, one for each half-moon, and some can control their change [+5 points; may be learned]. The Active Change enhancement is an allowed option, but must be determined at character creation; additional point costs are figured against the Were Form base of 10 (see p. BE93-94[2E]). Absorptive Change is not allowed.

Werehorses in the Krithian Empire's Westmarch and the Sandmarch's Horse Tribe use the Werehorse advantage (pp. CI 43-44). They have the usual lunar cycle, and some can control their change [+5 points; may be learned]. The Absorptive Change and Active Change enhancements are allowed options, but must be determined at character creation; additional point costs are figured against the Were Form base of 10 (see p. BE93-94[2E]).

Weresharks are most common in the Great Sea, near "Corsairia." Use the general information for the Shapeshifter ("Were") advantage (pp. CI 43-44), including the usual lunar cycle. Some can control their change [+5 points; may be learned]. Active Change is an allowed option, but must be chosen at character creation; figure cost based on a 10-point Were Form (see p. BE93-94[2E]). Absorptive Change is not allowed. The bite of a wereshark is an Infectious Attack (p. CI97).

The shark form has triple ST, DX 13, HT +2, PD 1, DR 2. Speed becomes 9 (swimming), but the wereshark is Aquatic (p. CI 101) once the change is complete. The bite does cutting damage based on ST, and causes serious bleeding (lose 1 HT per minute until first aid is begun).

All weresharks are Berserk (p. B31), which is the main reason why this powerful form is so cheap.

Northlander werewolves use the 15-point Werewolf advantage (pp. CI43-44). They have the usual lunar cycle, and some can control their change [+5 points; may be learned]. No further enhancements or limitations are allowed.

Ferian werewolves are the results of a noxious curse, and are not allowed as starting characters. They are greatly feared (-4 Reputation), which may make life difficult for a Northlander were outside his homeland, and even for mages with the Shapeshifting (Wolf) spell.