A shapeshifter is the master of their own body. Able to change their form into a large assortment of animals from two of five paths, the shifter is able to adjust themselves for many different situations. These paths include offense, defense, utility, water and air and the shifter can select to have knowledge of two seperate paths or be a master of one.

The prime stat of a Shapeshifter is Intelligence, and some of their abilities are: slow, haste, stone skin, enlarge, reduce and shapeshift.

Some of the forms attainable by the most powerful shapeshifters are: tiger, panther, armadillo, diamondback, hyena, orangutan, owl, golden eagle, dolphin and shark.

All races may become shapeshifters except for the Giant races, Duergar, Dwarves, Wood-elves, and Orcs. Felar may become shapeshifters, but can not focus upon the Water and Air foci, due to their roots.

Strengths of the shapeshifter class include:

• Air forms grant quick travel across the land of Thera unmatched in speed by any other method.

• Water forms are the kings of the sea, pure engines of destruction though limited to only the water.

• Utility forms possess certain abilities such as camouflage, long distance running or foraging, letting even the most basic of these forms be useful to an adventurer at the pinnacle of their strength.

• Offense forms and Defense forms are unrivaled in their domains. Offense forms throwing either large amounts of damage in large amounts of hits and Defense forms being able to either dodge most strikes thrown at them or to take the blows with but a scratch.

• Shapeshifters possess the abilities of breathing in the water, flying and other such spells which make them great for exploration. These versatile characters can make some of the best explorers.

• Adventurers of the Shapeshifting guild whom possess exceptional abilities in roleplay and player killing may be granted a quest form. Quest forms possess abilities that far surpass even the most powerful of the average forms, making them quite sought after. Let it be noted that the best way to NOT receive a quest form is to ask an Immortal for it.

• Shapeshifters are decently gear-independent, making them great for the new adventurer. Even without a single piece of armor or a weapon, a shapeshifter can be a formidable foe.

• Shapeshifters are skilled with the uses of staves, wands and scrolls, allowing them a wider variety of spell use through these magical objects.

Weaknesses of the shapeshifter class include:

• An inability to speak with others while in a form, aside from common gestures.

• The transformation to form requires a large amount of mental energy to substain form. Because of this spells such as haste, stone skin and pass door will not remain intact for a young shifter as they change. Spells such as water breathing are so strenuous that even the most advanced shifter cannot retain this magic. Certain spells such as haste, stone skin and pass door can be recast through enlivening, though they will last for a shorter period of time.

• Forms, aside from those of the water path and some of the utility path, are unable to venture into the waters of Thera, as they cannot hold their breath and the magic of water breathing is too strenuous to continue in form. Water can still be passed over through an enlivened spell of flight.

• Shapeshifters will find themselves hunted by those associated with the Battlerager cabal. Even the most inoffensive shapeshifter will find he has a group of enemies seeking his blood.