Humans Who Become the Beasts Within
Among the supernatural races of Gravesbury, few are as misunderstood as the Shifters.
Shifters are humans born with, or who later acquire, the supernatural ability to transform themselves into the physical form of a particular animal. Unlike ordinary shapeshifters who may be capable of assuming many different forms, a Shifter is bound to one animal and one animal only. Each Shifter has a unique animal form that is intrinsically connected to who they are as a person.
A Shifter does not choose their animal simply because it is their favorite creature. Their animal form is believed to reflect something fundamental about their personality, instincts, temperament, strengths, fears, or the way they interact with the world around them. In many cases, the connection becomes apparent throughout childhood or adolescence, even before the individual has ever successfully transformed.
A naturally protective, loyal, fiercely social individual might manifest as a wolf. Someone solitary, patient, observant, and fiercely independent might become a great cat such as a panther. A clever, adaptable, mischievous individual might find themselves taking the form of a fox, while someone powerful, territorial, resilient, and protective might become a bear.
The connection is not always obvious, however. Sometimes the animal represents traits the individual keeps hidden beneath their human personality. Other times it may represent qualities they possess but have never recognized within themselves. The animal form is ultimately a reflection of the individual rather than a simple matter of preference.
In 1950, the shifters followed suit the example set by the witches of Gravesbury and announced their existence to the geeneral human public. They worked hard to put to rest misconceptions about shifters or "weres", letting the media know that they posed no real risk to others, only on the full moon they potentially might but they also noted all responsible shifters take extenssive precautions to keep their beast form contained during that time, safe from possibly endangering anyone's lives.
ONE SHIFTER, ONE ANIMAL
Every Shifter has one specific animal form. A wolf Shifter cannot become a fox. A fox Shifter cannot become a panther. Their supernatural nature is intrinsically tied to the particular animal with which they are connected.
- SHIFTER ABILITIES
• Enhanced physical strength
• Increased speed and agility
• Heightened senses of smell, hearing, or sight
• Superior night vision
• Enhanced swimming ability
• Greater endurance and stamina
• Natural claws, teeth, horns, or other physical defenses
• Exceptional tracking abilities
• Increased jumping or climbing ability
• Aquatic adaptations (if an aquatic animal)
• Instinctive awareness of their surrounding environment
Despite these physical differences, the mind of the Shifter remains their own.
SHIFTERS, WEREWOLVES & "WERES"
Wolf Shifters are perhaps the most widely recognized type of Shifter in supernatural folklore. Throughout much of the world, they are commonly referred to as werewolves.
In Gravesbury, however, the preferred terminology is generally much simpler.
They are Shifters.
Someone whose animal form happens to be a wolf would generally be called a wolf Shifter, although individual Shifters are free to identify themselves however they prefer. Some proudly call themselves werewolves, while others dislike the term entirely.
Likewise, some Shifters use the traditional prefix "were" when describing themselves. A panther Shifter might call themselves a werepanther, while a fox Shifter might use the term werefox.
There is no universal rule concerning terminology. In Gravesbury, what someone chooses to call themselves is ultimately their own decision.
THE TRANSFORMATION
Under ordinary circumstances, Shifters have complete control over their transformations. They can change from human into their animal form whenever they wish and can return to human form whenever they wish. They can do so repeatedly, whether it is day or night. The phase of the moon does not normally affect this ability.
A Shifter could transform into their animal form in the middle of the afternoon, spend several hours as an animal, return to human form, and then transform again later that evening. They retain complete awareness of who they are and remain fully capable of making conscious decisions. Their animal form is not a separate personality. It is them.
When transformed outside of a full moon, a Shifter retains control over their thoughts, emotions, decisions, actions, and behavior exactly as they would in human form. They are not suddenly overcome by animal instincts or compelled to behave like a wild creature. The primary difference is physical. Their animal form grants them the natural abilities and advantages of their particular species.
THE FULL MOON
There is, however, one important exception.
The Full Moon.
When the full moon rises, a Shifter loses the ability to control their transformation. They are compelled to assume their animal form, and once transformed, they cannot return to human form for the duration of the full moon.
More importantly, their normally rational human consciousness becomes overwhelmed by the instinctive and bestial aspects of their animal nature.
A Shifter who is normally gentle, compassionate, and perfectly harmless may therefore become extremely dangerous during a full moon.
This is not because they suddenly become evil. It is because they are no longer fully capable of controlling themselves.
Their animal instincts take precedence over their normal judgment, potentially causing them to hunt, attack, flee, defend territory, or behave in ways they would never willingly choose while conscious and in control. For this reason, full moons are a serious responsibility for every Shifter.
RESPONSIBILITY DURING THE FULL MOON
Shifters are responsible for taking precautions to protect themselves and everyone around them before the full moon arrives.
A responsible Shifter knows when the full moon is approaching and makes arrangements to ensure that they cannot accidentally hurt another person while they are unable to control their behavior.
Where they choose to go is ultimately up to the individual.
Some may retreat deep into the wilderness. Others may choose secluded forests, caves, remote properties, or other isolated locations. Aquatic Shifters may retreat into the sea or another body of water where they can safely remain away from populated areas.
Others may prefer a more controlled solution. A Shifter might lock themselves inside a reinforced building, enclosure, or specially constructed cage capable of keeping their animal form contained until the full moon has passed.
This precaution is particularly important for Shifters whose animal forms possess predatory instincts or significant physical capabilities.
A wolf, bear, cougar, panther, shark, or similarly powerful animal could potentially cause serious injury or death if allowed to roam freely while the Shifter is unable to consciously control their behavior.
Even Shifters whose animal forms are normally considered harmless and herbivores must take responsibility for their actions. A frightened or territorial animal can still be unpredictable, and other supernatural beings—including other Shifters trapped in their own animal forms—may become potential targets.
Being unable to control oneself is not an excuse for failing to take reasonable precautions.
Every Shifter is expected to plan accordingly.
THE WITCH'S RING
There is one known supernatural method of preventing the involuntary transformation caused by the full moon. Certain witches possess the ability to create enchanted rings capable of suppressing the lunar compulsion.
A Shifter wearing one of these rings can remain in human form throughout the full moon rather than being forcibly transformed. These objects are highly sought after. Unfortunately, they are also rare, difficult to obtain, and frequently expensive.
Not every witch knows how to create one, and witches capable of producing such powerful enchantments may be unwilling to do so for strangers. Finding someone willing and able to make or sell a lunar suppression ring can therefore be a significant undertaking.
For many Shifters, the ring is something they can only dream of obtaining. Those fortunate enough to possess one may consider it one of their most valuable possessions.
THE BITE
The supernatural nature of Shifters can also be passed from one human being to another.
If a Shifter bites a human being while transformed under the full moon, and the victim survives the attack, the bite can pass the Shifter's supernatural gift to them. The newly transformed individual will develop the ability to shift into the same type of animal as the Shifter who bit them.
A human bitten by a wolf Shifter becomes a wolf Shifter. A human bitten by a panther Shifter becomes a panther Shifter.
The animal form is therefore passed through the bite rather than chosen afterward. Some Shifters consider this a gift. Others consider it a curse. Only humans can be transformed into Shifters in this manner. A Shifter cannot turn another supernatural species into a Shifter through a bite. Furthermore, the transformation cannot be passed through an ordinary bite.
The Shifter must be in their animal form under the full moon, when their bestial instincts have overwhelmed their normal conscious control. Bites inflicted while the Shifter is fully conscious and in control of themselves do not create new Shifters.
LIFE AS A SHIFTER
Outside of the full moon, being a Shifter is generally far less dramatic than popular folklore would suggest.
A Shifter can live an ordinary human life. They can work, attend school, maintain relationships, participate in society, own property, travel, socialize, and live alongside humans and other supernatural beings. They can transform whenever they choose and return to human form whenever they choose. They are still the same person in either form.
A wolf Shifter does not become a different person simply because they have four legs and a coat of fur. A fox Shifter does not lose their memories or intelligence when they transform.
Their animal form is simply another physical expression of who they are. And while their instincts may be stronger while transformed, outside of the full moon those instincts remain under conscious control.
After a shifter returns to human form, the animal does not immediately leave them completely. For approximately three hours after shifting back, they retain a lingering connection to their animal nature, causing certain heightened abilities and instincts to remain active. During this period, a shifter may possess an unusually acute sense of hearing or smell, increased physical strength and speed, sharper reflexes, or even the ability to see clearly in darkness. These residual traits vary depending on the animal form they have taken and can sometimes make the transition back to humanity feel almost surreal.
Perhaps most remarkably, shifters retain the supernatural perception inherent to their animal nature. Animals possess an instinctive sixth sense that allows them to perceive spirits and other supernatural phenomena that ordinary humans cannot see. As a result, for those three hours following a shift, a shifter can see ghosts even when those spirits have not deliberately manifested themselves. To the shifter, an unseen ghost may appear as plainly as any living person, allowing them to perceive spirits that would otherwise remain completely invisible to human eyes. This temporary state serves as a lingering reminder that, even when wearing a human face, a shifter is never entirely separated from the animal within.
SHIFTERS IN GRAVESBURY
Despite centuries of folklore surrounding werewolves and other animal-changing creatures, Shifters are not inherently dangerous.
The overwhelming majority pose no greater threat to humans or other supernatural beings than anyone else. The full moon is the exception—and even then, the danger comes from the loss of conscious control rather than malicious intent.
Most Shifters understand this responsibility and take appropriate measures to protect others. They retreat into isolated areas, secure themselves inside protective structures, or otherwise ensure that they cannot encounter unsuspecting people while under the influence of the full moon.
For many Shifters, this monthly precaution is simply part of life. They do not want to hurt anyone. They do not want to be feared. And they certainly do not want to be treated as monsters.
At their core, Shifters are human beings with a supernatural ability. They want to live their lives, make their own choices, form relationships, pursue careers, build families, and participate in society just like everyone else. They expect to be treated with the same dignity and respect afforded to other humans and supernatural beings.
A Shifter's animal form may be extraordinary. But the person beneath it is still a person.
In Gravesbury, Shifters ask for nothing more—and nothing less—than the same rights, freedoms, and acceptance afforded to everyone else.