Vitaeboren (Werefolk, Shifters)
- Home Plane
- Geminaea
- Category
- Special
- Racial Abilities
- Varies
- Racial Features
- Biological Template, Therianthropy, Infectious Bite, Cursed Blood, Shifting, Shifter Type, Beasthide Shifter, Longtooth Shifter, Swiftstride Shifter, Skyhunt Shifter, Scalefin Shifter
- Years of Existence
- 2390 years
- Average Lifespan
- Ageless Immortality
- Average Weight
- Varies
- Average Height
- Varies
- Skin Tones
- Varies
- Playable?
- Yes
- Extinct?
- No
- Size Category
- Varies
- Speed
- 30
- Movement Types
- Walking
- Hair
- Varies
- Body Features
- Aradaean Humanoid with Vitaean Shift-form
- Divergence Cause
- Disease, Magic
- Average Generation
- None
- Vision Type
- Varies
- Vision Distance
- Varies
- Languages
- Aethyrian Common
- Default Upbringing
- None: Not raised but created, spawned, or catalyzed into existence
Short Description
A scattered number of (usually) individual humanoids of Aradaean descent who have been cursed with therianthropy (often referred to as Werefolk), which is often believed to be spread by humanoids of Vitaean descentFull Description
In a world already replete with magic, wonder, and danger, the Vitaeboren stand out as individuals cursed—or perhaps blessed—with therianthropy. Often thought to have been affected by the bestial humanoids of Vitaea, these folk carry within them the essence of various beasts. Whether by scratch, bite, or inheritance, their duality is both a gift and a curse, granting them the might and instincts of animals but also subjecting them to the moons' sway and the mistrust of others.
Though rumors and superstition vary widely, mature Vitaeboren generally possess a high level control over their transformations but are still continuously influenced by their bestial natures, even in humanoid form. Scattered among various communities, they are bound by a shared experience but often conflicted by their own individual inclinations. They frequently face discrimination or even persecution, and many learn to hide their condition or move in the shadows of society.
Geth’s ancient heritage rose up from deep within him, spreading out from the core of his being. Some shifters manifested terrible claws, others massive fangs, still others astounding speed or heightened senses. Geth’s gift from his lycanthrope ancestors was sheer toughness. Strength seeped into his bones and flooded his flesh. His skin hardened, and his hair became coarse like an animal’s tough hide. A sense of invincibility spread through him. For the moment at least, he felt unstoppable!
— Don Bassingthwaite, The Binding Stone
Shifters are sometimes called the weretouched, as many believe they are the descendants of humans and lycanthropes. Whatever their origins, shifters have evolved into a unique race. They are humanoids with a bestial aspect; while they can’t fully change shape, they can temporarily enhance their animalistic features — a state they call shifting. Each shifter walks on the knife’s edge between the wilds and the world around them. Do they embrace their primal instincts or the path of civilization?
The Beast Within
Early in childhood, a shifter forms a bond with a beast within, a totemic force that shapes their body and mind. Some shifters believe that these spirits are independent entities, and they may speak of Bear or Wolf as ancestors or guides. Most just see the beast within as a formidable expression of their inner nature, something that emerges as the shifter’s personality takes shape. The beast within is a pool of powerful instincts, and its influence is revealed by a shifter’s personality: a feline shifter may be cool and distant, driven by predatory instincts, while a shifter with a lupine spirit might be drawn to find and protect a pack. When a shifter fully embraces this beast within they physically transform for a short time.
A shifter’s beast within is reflected by the shifter’s subrace. Four subraces are especially common:
- Beasthide often signifies the bear or boar: stoic, stubborn, and thick-skinned.
- Longtooth shifters typically have lupine traits and prefer to run with a pack.
- Swiftstride are often predatory and feline, but a swiftstride could also be a cunning rat who darts through the shadows.
- Wildhunt shifters are born from any creature that tracks its prey.
- Scalefin shifters have a bond with aquatic creatures ranging from predatory sharks to wise octopuses or elegant seahorses.
While the beast within certainly has a physical impact on a shifter, it has a spiritual and psychological effect, as well. Two beasthide shifters share the same special ability, but if one has the aspect of the boar and the other is more like a bear, they’ll be quite different in personality. With any shifter, identifying the beast within is a crucial part of understanding the character.
Similar and Diverse
Shifters are similar to humans in height and build but are typically more lithe and flexible. Their facial features have a bestial cast, often with large eyes, flat noses, and pointed ears; most shifters also have prominent canine teeth. They grow fur-like hair on nearly every part of their bodies.
The traits of the beast within affect a shifter’s appearance as well. A swiftstride shifter may have catlike eyes and delicate build, while a beasthide shifter might be a massive brute built like a bear. While a shifter’s appearance might remind an onlooker of an animal, they remain clearly identifiable as shifters even when at their most feral.
The Journey Yet to Come
Shifters have a strong presence in the Eldeen Reaches but can be found in rural areas across Khorvaire, where they often live among humans. While they form powerful bonds to friends and kin, shifters place great value on self-reliance and freedom. It’s a shifter proverb to “always be prepared for the journey yet to come,” and most shifters strive to be ready for change or opportunity.
Shifters have a natural inclination toward classes with a primal connection. A shifter barbarian draws their rage from the beast within. A shifter ranger indulges their urge to wander and hunt. A shifter rogue harnesses their own predatory instincts. But shifters can pursue any path or faith.
Shifter Names
Shifters have no language of their own and often live in blended communities. Their names typically overlap with the names of other cultures in their region. Many shifters prefer to keep their personal names for their friends and use “wandering names” with strangers. These are usually tied to a physical or personality trait.
Shifter Names: Badger, Bear, Cat, Fang, Grace, Grim, Moon, Rain, Red, Scar, Stripe, Swift, Talon, Wolf