Civilization is hideously fragile [and] there's not much between us and the horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish.

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Skinshifter

Taxonomy

Anamorphic Homid [Stopheim, 1999]

(Lycanthrope)

Geographic Range

While the gene has been spread from animal to animal, it is still difficult to actually pin point where a Lycanthrope may dwell. In fact, the creature can adapt, and survive, in almost any climate known to man.

Biogeographic Regions: It is now generally assumed that the creatures originate in a location similar to the origin point of the host animal. The werewolf has been proven to come from Norse world Finland and Norway, and the weretiger to have originated in Africa.

Habitat

The only limiting factor to a dwelling when concerning a Skinshifter, is the availability of food. This means that many, if not all, live in huge cities where food can be found in trash bins, fast food locations and sleeping men on park benches.

Terrestrial Biomes: warm temperatures, moderate weather.

General Characteristics

Mass

Human - 140 to 200 lbs.

(60 to 90 kgs)

Animal - as per animal norm

Beast - 300 to 600 lbs.

(130 to 280 kgs)

Height

Human - 5’ 6” to 6’6”

Animal- as per animal form

Beast - 9’ to 12’

Human - Lycanthropes have very few distinguishing traits about them in human form, except that their countenance bears a slight resemblance to the host creature they can assume. Often times, the creature in human form has other traits, such as long, incredibly sharp nails, heightened senses or a larger muscle mass. This, however, varies between creatures, and has not been true even within the sub species.

Animal - In their animal forms, the Skinshifter is often far larger, more dominate and posses a fairly higher level of intellect. The host animal often exudes a stronger odor, and many times displays unusual coloration patterns in their fur. However, in all other aspects, they are simply animals, and much like them in many details.

Beast - Standing some nine feet tall and weighing more then a few humans combined, this beast is what started the legends and rumors. These creatures are huge, ugly, and intelligent on only a basic, primal level. Their bodies are constructed to run on either all fours, or to walk up right. Their claws are strong enough to lacerate solid steel, and their muscles are developed enough to crush concrete. The leg muscles are also developed to a point where they move faster then slow cars and trucks. In all, they are the perfect hunter, and are geared to destroy anything that moves. The increase of body mass and bone structure is attributed to an influx of a hormone secreted by a gland located near the kidneys. The chemical thats released fills the body with a fluid that destroys and rebuilds muscle and bone tissues, and then solidifies in key locations to act as a suit of armor. While this process is still in large part a mystery, modern medical science has made leaps in understanding its functions. The beast contains double the number of normal teeth, having both human and animal teeth combined. The skull is structured in a way that when the Lycanthrope reaches this stage, the nose fills with the fluid, which in turn solidifies into a snout. The beast retains its thumb, as well as its dew claw on each foot. Over all, and incredible creature.

Some key physical features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry.

Ontogeny and Reproduction

Gestation Period: 7 months.

Young per Birth: 1 to 3

Weaning: After about 7 months.

Sexual Maturity: 15 years.

Life span: ????

Born naked and pink, the young remains in the maternity burrow for about two weeks before accompanying its mother on her nightly excursions.

Copulation and reproduction is dependent on several factors, the most notable of which is the species of the host animal. however, it is known that all Lycanthropes give live birth in either animal or human form, and reproduction can be performed in either of the three forms. the gene is only passed at random in birth, and no known pattern has been determined.

Key reproductive features: dioecious; sexual.

Behavior

While the majority of their behavior is reflect by the host animal, the Lycanthrope has several key features in its diverse behavior. The Lycanthrope is geared mainly towards survival, and doesn’t spend much time in learning and research. They spend the large part of their time looking for places to sleep and claim, steady supplies of food, and adequate space for other such pursuits. They are still human, however, and can just as easily live in a condo as they would live in the jungles of the island wilds. They are also extremely violent, and will fight and kill anything that attempts to enter its territory. Its family structures and other behavioral norms have yet to be discovered, as they are secretive in nature.

Key behaviors: motile.

Food Habits

The principal food items are meats, proteins, citrus based fruits and water. They gather these things with claws, teeth, and their overly developed senses. It is theorized that the citrus interacts with their bodies in some way, but it is unsure how or why at the date of this printing.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Skinshifters can cause damage to homes, people, local economies and ecosystems and are a hazard to vehicles and horses. Their independent wars with their other supernatural creatures often leave many dead. Their change into different creatures also has been known to incite dementia in viewers.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

While the Skinshifter is more a curse to humanity, they do serve the purpose of cutting down on the homeless and vampire populations, and they do keep a tight watch over anyone they deem as Kinfolk. A less known about, and less exploited benefit, is in their age. The Skinshifter can not die of old age apparently, and it is assumed there may be one who knows countless centuries of human and animal history. Of course, they are a dieing breed, with the latest generation bringing in a record low of pups. It is doubted that they will ever speak with human kind on any sort of level.

Other Comments

Skinshifter vision is abnormal, or at least in beast form. They apparently have a duct that allows them to view heat, a thin lid over their eyes that picks up on invisible gases, and the ability to see further then any known creature.

Ecology & Behavior

Primarily nocturnal, the Skinshifter occasionally prowls at the assumed border of its lands. It is assumed this is much like guard duty. During the day, it sleeps anywhere it can; plush condos, back alley ways in cardboard boxs and mediocre apartment complexes have all been host to this creature. Feeding at night, the Skinshifter follows a regular pathway between known food sources, entering homes to kill and eat, or steal from shops, or even to rifle through garbage bins. Surprisingly, lycanthropes are powerful swimmers, with one animal being reported swimming across channels between islands. The Skinshifter appears to have a very complex language in animal forms, including several howls, yelps, growls and grunts.

Family group: Pack/Solitary

Diet: meats, proteins, citrus based fruits and water.

Main Predators: Vampires, the Undead, Some Human Hunters, other Lycanthropes.

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