The Power of Beasts

In some ways Skinwalkers resemble lesser versions of lycanthropy, they share some enhanced senses, some unique capabilities and some empowered physiology. But, the resemblance ends there. Skinwalkers unlike Lycanthropes and most of their Skinchanger (Shifter) kinfolk, are not necessarily bound to a single form, they gain no awakened spirits, and have no bestial soul to reconcile with human intellect. They are both greater, and lesser, than their lycanthrope cousins. A Skinwalker has talents, powers, and abilities which can and do encompass the powers nature gives to her creatures. The chameleon, the shark, the great cats… All of these creatures contain traits - unique physical characteristics which are passed down from generation to generation subtly changing, evolving, growing. Skinwalkers are the heirs to this power.

Innate Powers & Abilities

• Go to Shape - Skinwalkers are ordinary humans which have either inherited a unique gene from their family, or are laboring under some sort of magic (curse or blessing). Skinwalkers all have an innate ability to become an animal. This animal is sometimes referred to as their "totem shape, or their "spirit animal". When a Skinwalker changes its shape, it does so in a matter of seconds, and gains the benefits of the animal form assumed (wings, flight, water breathing, etc). The conservation of mass does not apply so a one hundred pound woman can become a 900 pound tigress or a 2 ounce wasp. A Skinwalker is not subject to frenzy and the Skinwalker always retains its human mind when it shifts.
• Superhuman Senses - Skinwalkers have senses which are superior to normal human senses, but these senses are not supernatural without taking a separate power to make them so. Any sensory defects (blindness, bad vision, hearing loss, damaged olfactory capabilities) are healed after the First Change.
• Skinwalker Talents - Skinwalkers have access to unique abilities related to the physical form, enhancing their bodies and their animal shapes. These talents give them access to the wide diversity of skills Mother Nature has imbued into her creations. Unless the Skinwalker wishes to draw attention to itself or flaunt its powers, all of the talents that the Skinwalker manifests are almost impossible to notice without careful inspection and enhanced senses. For instance, if a shifter uses the power Rhino's Hide, the changes to its skin are nearly impossible to notice, but there are subtle changes.
• Superhuman Dexterity & Reflexes - Skinwalkers are slightly faster and more dexterous than the average human, but their speed is not supernatural. This gives them an edge physically against human adversaries.
• Superhuman Endurance - Skinwalkers are slightly more resilient and have more stamina than the average human, but not on a level with full supernatural beings. They do not heal at accelerated rates - barring special powers selected - and are as vulnerable to gunshots, fire, knives, and other traumas as any other human.
• Superhuman Strength - Skinwalkers are slightly stronger than the average human, but their strength is not supernatural. This gives them an edge physically against human adversaries.
• Shape Limits - A Skinwalker cannot take a form bigger than a bear, or smaller than a mouse, without taking either the Macroform or Vermin Form power which modifies this limit.

Weaknesses

• Gold Allergy - Skinwalkers are as allergic to gold as vampires and lycans are to silver.
• Retinal Flares - When a Skinwalker is captured on any form of video, their eyes give off a silvery yellow flare, making them easy to identify as a Skinwalker.

Outside of these weaknesses, Skinwalkers remain unusual beings, but still fundamentally human in almost all respects. They need to eat, sleep, drink and everything else that normal people must do in order to sustain their life.

Power Limits