Skin Walker

No one ever knows the darkness that lies under one's skin until their wicked intentions bring it to light. - Old Shaman

Among the wicked creatures that live in the Great Forest, none are more terrible than the Skin Walker, those who willingly give up their humanity for power. They were once shamans who aided and helped their people against sickness and communed with the Spirits of the land to maintain peace. However, some would fall to pride and a lust for power by seeking it from the darkness that sought to banish them from their people's lands. In doing so, they allowed darkness to enter them as a Dark Spirit that Possesses them allowing its dark power to change them into creatures of fear and primal nature.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Skin Walkers have three forms that can take, that of a Human, the animal they take or a hybrid form in between.

Biological Traits

Unnatural Shapeshifter: A Skin Walker greatest power comes from its ability to shape shift in the form of an animal, however this is limited as it must wear an animal skin to done its form looking identical to that animal or taking on a more monstrous form.
Dark Powers: Skin Walkers have been granted unnatural powers that come from the Dark Spirit that possess them the granting them increased speed and strength, including the ability to read others’ minds, controlling their thoughts and behavior, causing disease to spread in there wake.
Animalistic Features : While being able to transform between Human and animal a Skin Walkers appearance is is far from natural as even in Human form their subtly gain feature of the animal skin their wear giving them a disturbing mix of man and animal that few can see to ascertain their true nature.

Ecology and Habitats

They often live in forested areas due them being able to hide easier in, often hunting and conducting Dark Magic and rituals to further their wicked goals.

Dietary Needs and Habits

A skin walker will often follow the diet of the animal they take form of, most often predators as they wear their skins.

Behaviour

Skin Walkers will often act more beast like with the power of the animal they shift into, but far more dark with the wicked power into them. doing more harm to everything around them.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Skin Walkers live in tribal groups which often lead by an old powerful Skin Walker. They often allowed to do as they please, but must answer the call of their leader when they need to. Some chose to remain hidden among their original tribes for as long as possible to bring bring misery and torment to them before being discovered and killed.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Skin Walkers are most known for living in the Great Forest forest as it is one of the last place in the land that are closer to Spirits.

Average Intelligence

Skin Walker maintain the intelligence of a Human, but they often act like more of the animal that they take form of.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sight: Excellent
Sound: Excellent
Smell: Excellent

Civilization and Culture

Common Dress Code

They often are naked or wear tattered clothing as they do not care for clothing at all.

History

Skin Walkers were originally Humans that sought power from Dark Spirits. Those who did were granted this power by killing a loved one to accept the darkness into themselves. Allowing to transform with the skin of the animal they wear at will, along with gain the abilities of that animal even when not taking its form. They are consider feared as no one knows who they are when they take Human form. They often commit cannibalism, incest, grave robberies and murder. Along with practicing dark magic to grow in power as a form of a witch with the knowledge granted to them from the Dark Spirit.
Many do not even speak of them in fear of retaliation from them as they as they could be spying on them in there animal form. They are creature that feed upon pain and misery of others. Often living the lives of animals and living a life of debauchery. They often stay in the form of the animal they wear for long periods of time. All of their kind are hated and hunted to be free of their wickedness, often with a Shaman who has the power to face them and destroy them. Whenever one of them appear only pain and misfortune will fall upon those that cross their path as the darkness within demands them to commit such things in its name.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Skin Walkers consider other races as nothing more then prey as their animalistic behavior removes empathy and other natural emotions, leaving only the most primative of them as the animal takes over.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Humans

Scientific Name

Class: Supernatural

Lifespan

Immortal

Conservation Status

It is unknown how many Skin Walkers exist as they often remain hidden for society or live in seclusion.

Average Physique

A skin walker may look like an average Human, but the power granted to them give them natural strength and speed.

Geographic Distribution

• Great Forest

Related Ethnicities

• Ve'tal

Corrupting Nature

by Jester%

The gift of nature can only be given freely, to force its power only brings misfortune on all involved. - Shaman

The dark path of the Skin Walker is an afront to the natural cycle of nature as it is to force to their will rather than being blessed with the power of nature's wonders. This leads to looking more twisted and corrupted when they change their form by taking the skin of animal they kill. Leading down a path that will eventually see them destroyed by greed and madness, but not before taking who knows how many people into ruin with them.

Pawns of Darkness

by Jester%

While the darkness gives those that desire power easily, they will often find themselves damned in both life and death to it will. - Ve'tal Elder

Skin Walker are given many dark powers that the Dark Spirit grants them by entering their body, but such pacts do no come with a price with them. They are slowly consumed from within to the point that the Dark Spirit drains away their life force till they are nothing but a husk, leading them to steal it from others to stay alive. This desperation for life only leads them to commit many horrible acts and further driving them into becoming the very monsters they willingly became.