SHAPESHIFTER LORE

[jane]

THERIANTHROPY.

Therianthropy, coming from the Greek words theríon, meaning "beast", and anthrōpos, meaning "human being", describes the ability of a human being to take animal form. Shapeshifting in folklore, mythology and anthropology, generally refers to the alteration of physical appearance from that of a human to that of another species. Lycanthropy, the transformation of a human into a wolf (or werewolf), is probably the best known form of therianthropy, followed by cynanthropy (transformation into a dog) and ailuranthropy (transformation into a cat). European folklore feature werecats, who can transform into panthers or domestic cats of an enlarged size. African legends describe people who turn into lions or leopards, while Asian werecats are typically depicted as becoming tigers.

LYCANTHROPY.

Lycanthropy describes the specific ability of a mortal being to physically transform into a wolf. The term 'werewolf' is a compound from Old English, comprising of the words 'were' (man) and 'wulf' (wolf). Werewolves have been featured in the back grounds and histories of numerous cultures, and came to high attention during the late 16th to early 17th centuries. The tales of these man-beast hybrids are infamous - ranging from vicious killers who ate the flesh of children, to savages that exhumed corpses to devour. Fear begets fear, and humanity fears what it does not understand. In truth the werewolves of today, and of the past, were no more beasts than the wolves they shared aspects of. There was never such thing as a half-man, half-wolf creature that was covered in hair and skulked along on two legs, hunched over and fangs barred. In fact the only way to tell if someone is a werewolf or not, is to ask them.

AILURANTHROPY.

Ailuranthropy describes the specific ability of a mortal being to physically transform into a cat, be it a domestic cat or a feral species. Most 'werecats', as they are called, are mentioned in African and Asian history. These shapeshifters are noted to be weretigers, werelions, and leopardswere. In the case of leopards, it was often that the shifter was a leopard deity, masquerading as a human. The children of these deities, demigods, were known to have shapeshifting abilities. This aspect of history and legend sheds some light on how feline shapeshifters came to be. In Asia, weretigers were seen as dangerous sorcerers, menaces to livestock who might turn to man-eating at any time. Chinese legends often describe weretigers as the victims of either a hereditary curse or a vindictive ghost. Like werewolves, feline shapeshifters do not live up to be the demons that history has painted them as.

CYNANTHROPY.

Cynanthropy describes the specific ability of a mortal being to physically transform into a canine, such as the domestic dog, jackals, coyotes, and other canids. The Greeks spoke of cynanthropy ('kyon' - dog), and the term existed by the early 18th century. After lycanthropy, cynanthropy is the best known term for a specific variety of therianthropy. Canine shifters with the ability to transform into the domestic dog will take a form similar to that of the early known examples of the subspecies. Their size will be smaller than the wolf, about the same size as a large coyote. Their fur will vary in colour, but normally be of a reddish-brown variety. There has been no known documented case of a shifter displaying an animal form that resembles a distinct breed of modern dog, due to today's domestic dog having undergone serious selective breeding to produce such breeds.

---

CANINE SHIFTERS.

Canine therians are those with the ability to transform into any species from the family canidae. This includes, but is not limited to, dogs, wolves, coyotes, jackals, and other canids in nature. These shifters are most often found with their packs, though lone wolves are not uncommon. Like wild wolf packs, the shapeshifter packs have a certain hierarchy to them. In history, most packs were known to follow a system similar to wolf packs in the wild - there was an alpha male and female, along with the betas of the packs, juvenile shifters, and lastly, the omega male and female. The modern shapeshifter pack differs from this. Nowadays, there is only one alpha whom is of any gender, and their responsibility is to lead the pack. They are assisted by their general, usually a senior ranking shifter who helps coordinate the pack's business. Some packs, but not all, also have a medic, a shifter with medical knowledge that will heal minor injuries a pack member might sustain while in battle. Following these three roles are the betas, shifters who've been in the pack for years and are now considered senior members, and omegas, new shifters to the pack who have yet to prove their worth. Coyotes are also canine shifters, and like their wolf brethren tend to form social groups. Coyotes are not uncommon in wolf packs, though they are usually almost always omegas. Most of them are lone shifters, however, hanging out with those only of their kind.

VULPINE SHIFTERS.

While still part of the family canidae, shapeshifters of the genus vulpes consider themselves separate. These shifters are more independent, or on their own. They do not form packs naturally, and have a reputation for being shifty, clever, and distrustful. The most common vulpine shapeshifter is one who transforms into a red fox, but other species, such as the arctic fox, are not uncommon. Physically, vulpine shifters normally have cat-like pupils and narrow faces. Their noses tend to point upwards, and they always seem to be smirking. Fox shifters are normally 'lone wolves', and many do not belong to a pack. They do congregate with other vulpine therians, but due to their smaller size and lack of strength in battle, they tend to avoid altercations with any of the larger shifters.

FELINE SHIFTERS.

Feline shifters are those with the ability to transform into any species from the family felidae. This includes domestic cats, big cats, and small cats. Feline shifters are solitary and do not form packs. There is tell of prides of lion shifters in parts of Africa, but that is the only mention of feline shifters coming together and forming a social group. These therians are independent and intelligent. They stay far away from the business of the pack turf wars, sitting back and observing. Feline shifters are not normally trusted by other shifters; even the foxes are adverse to the cats. Physically, a feline shifter will reflect in some ways the feline they can transform into. Shifters with the ability to transform into domestic cats, the most common of shifters of European origin, will have slit-like eyes, round faces, and will appear to move without a sound.

URSINE SHIFTERS.

Ursine shifters are those with the ability to transform into any species from the family ursidae. This includes, but is not limited to, brown and black bears, grizzly bears, polar bears, and other bears in nature. These shifters are the most asocial, as is their nature. They are usually found alone, but are not to be trifled with. Ursine shifters command a lot of respect and are an intimidating presence. Physically, they are typically tall and/or large individuals, with broad shoulders and large hands and feet.