Shapeshifting

An Introduction
Shapeshifting refers to the ability for a mage to change his physical body into that of an animal. This ability was first utilized by tribesman and wilderfolk, scarcely being practiced within Circles and elsewhere due to aversion and suspicion by the Chantry and other parties. In modern day Thedas, it's beginning to be studied and experimented primarily by Libertarian Mages and Circles whilst still being a bit more common among apostates and wilderfolk outside the Circles.

It is a difficult art to learn. A mage aspiring to become a shapeshifter must, in most cases, study a particular animal in detail for a long period of time before they can aspire to shift into that animal's shape. In other cases a mage already skilled in shapeshifting may pass down his knowledge to another, whilst some may simply have a knack for the ability. Not every mage can learn to shapeshift even if he devotes years and years to trying to learn it, and the ability may come easier to others.

The bigger and more complex the animal form is, the more difficult it is to shift into. Larger, more powerful animals also expend more energy to use. Of course, the animals are also usually more difficult to attempt to study due to how dangerous they are and may take much longer to observe effectively. A mage isn't studying an animal so much as to learn to behave in the same fashion (unless this is actually the goal), as much as it is to get into the right state of mind (perhaps something sort of like meditation) and to learn how to operate their body in a completely different shape.

In regards to novices or inexperienced shifters, without proper knowledge attempting to shift could end catastrophically. It can be a very difficult and sometimes even dangerous thing to grasp; requiring clarity, diligence and concentration. Without due care a shifter could wind up being stuck in a form or half shifted, or some other similar disaster. It is due to this that most mages aspiring to learn shapeshifting are mentored by experienced shifters in any situation.

Learning Shapeshifting
Undoubtedly, the first time a mage attempts to shapeshift is the most grueling. Due to the risky and unnatural nature of the magic, shapeshifters almost always have teachers. Not only to teach, but also to supervise. Many times in history have mages, either due to overconfidence, lack of teaching, support, focus, or simply luck, gnarled and twisted their bodies incorrectly in failed attempt at shifting their bodies. Failure can result in the crippling of limbs or even their own deaths due to the malformation of their bodies. Having a skilled shifter there to aid the apprentice should their practices take a turn for the worst has been an asset over the centuries and has lead to the prevalence of the skill over the centuries.

It isn't necessarily impossible to learn how to shapeshift without a tutor (as mentioned, it varies from mage to mage as with all other magicks and could even manifest as a talent.), the presence of one may not be to solely teach and guide, but to act as support as well. Especially with a mage's first experiences, the pain that is experienced whilst shapeshifting ranges anywhere from a mere strain to excruciating and unbearable, to a point where a mage might not be able to go through with the practice. Typically the pain experienced by beginners is relatively intense, growing more tolerable until it is no longer felt as experience grows.

The Experience
When a mage shapeshifts his body is still his own. Anything that was effecting his body beforehand still effects his body in the new shape. Scars remain, as do most disabilities. If a mage was blind or missing a limb, it would affect him in the animal form as well. A shifter changes his own body. He does not get a new one. His form changes right from the inside out and he has to be very aware of his own body because of this. The most basic form a mage can learn is that of a bird or small, common animal, and the most complex would be larger, rarer animals and swarms or flocks, which require a very high amount of skill. The danger with a mage dividing his form into several animals is that the destruction of one or more of the animals can have devastating effects on the mage's body as a whole.

Possibly the most advanced thing a shifter could attempt would be to take the form of a dragon or other creature related to a dragon, so advanced it is nearly impossible. The practice of shapeshifting into dragonkin is something that has been passed down by wilderfolk and is very rare. The only mage known since the days of old magic to be able to shapeshift into anything beyond a dragonling has been Flemeth, the Witches of the Wilds being the only known mages in the history of the Chantry to be able to do this.

History
Shapeshifting in itself is older than the Chantry. There is no recorded proof but it is likely a skill that was honed by the ancient elves, passed down then to the human tribes and perhaps even the magisters of Tevinter. The skill was most likely banned by the Chantry or simply fell out of practice with civilized mages, as it would require being outside of the cities for studying animals. Up until the recent years it was exclusively used by wilders in the south and the tribes up in Northern Rivain, as well as the Dalish. Over the past few decades it has spread to use among the Resolutionist mages and Libertarians, but is more prevalent with the former due to their complete lack of magical restrictions, and also their relationship with the Dalish and Rivain as a whole.

Limitations
Mages are restricted to the forms of animals that are in the areas they are in. If a mage grew up in Rivain they cannot learn the form of an animal in Ferelden, as they are unable to study it. Please keep this in mind when creating shapeshifter characters. For this reason, aquatic animals are a highly unrealistic form for a mage to have. Shapeshifters cannot change their genetic sex in any of their animal forms. If a mage is female they cannot turn into a male animal. If a female mage shapeshifts when pregnant it could destroy the fetus. Since the body changes completely into that of an animal there's really no way it could support a humanoid fetus.

Depending on the mage's skill, if he spends too long in a shifted form it may be difficult for him to shift back. Another reason why teachers are common.

Mages cannot speak while in the animal form and learning to make the sounds of the animal itself is another skill entirely.

A mage cannot turn into the form of any of the humanoid races.

Key

 * Form;
 * this is a list of the forms shapeshifters are allowed to turn into. You must PM a staff with the completed template application for "adding a shifting form" if you want to add a form to this list; however bare in mind we have the right to refuse any proposed form. The CoT Staffers also reserve the right to add to this list as the game progresses.


 * Beginner (and Basic Forms);
 * These usually take no longer than a year to learn, depending on the shifter.


 * Intermediate Forms;
 * These usually take anywhere from a year and a half to three years to learn, depending on the shifter.


 * Advanced Forms;
 * Varies greatly from shifter to shifter. The minimum time for talented and master shifters 5 years. The average time between 10 and 15 years.


 * Epic Forms;
 * These are highly controlled on the board and will not be allowed without express permission from the staff.