If shapeshifters existed, what do you think their origin would be?

Brittany_Joy

I am always wondering about it. I think if shapeshifters did exist it would be powers granted by the Aedra. Since Akatosh gave dragonblood and the ability to turn into dragons to mer, men, and beastfolk. There is evidence that the Ka Po Tun's leader Tosh Raka successfully transformed into a dragon. Perhaps magic and dedication could be another method to transform into beasts. I just think a shapeshifter playstyle is a feature that is severely lacking in MMORPGs. So it would be great if ESO added a shapeshifter class but would it be lore friendly.

If shapeshifters existed, what do you think their origin would be?

Dekkameron

Bosmer obviously.

The Wild Hunt is a magical trait innate to all Bosmer. It is brought on by a collective ritual performed by many Bosmer, causing them to shapeshift into a horde of feral, supernatural beasts. These monsters stampede, changing their form constantly, slaying and devouring all in their path and eventually, when left with no surviving targets, turn upon themselves in a "cannibalistic ***".
This transformation is seen by the Bosmer as a return to the chaos of the Dawn Era, when they were unable to hold onto one shape for more than a moment. After they made the Green Pact with Y'ffre, he taught the Bosmer how to escape that chaos and retain their form, but also how to return to it by instigating the Wild Hunt. These shapeshifters are said to be able to take on a gaseous form which makes them impossible to contain without the aid of magic. There's even some suggestion they can take on the form of water.

The purpose of the Wild Hunt varies with each separate Hunt, from an act of vengeance to a tool of war. In either case, the Bosmer are not proud of their ability and are unwilling to discuss the Hunt at great length. One of the rare accounts on the nature of the Wild Hunt states that "every monster in the world that has ever been comes from a previous Hunt". As such, the Bosmer are reluctant to use the Hunt, except as an act of desperation. The monsters that do get created by a Wild Hunt, all former Bosmer, are said to be ferocious and long-lived. Notable examples included Willy the Bitten and King Dead Wolf-Deer, who were created by the end of the fourth century of the First Era and lived at least until the beginning of the Third Era. They went on to plague Silvenar Grove and the Lympan March respectively. The change is said to be irreversible.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Wild_Hunt

Brittany_Joy

@Dekkameron, but the ability to shapeshift must be available for all races. Interesting lore on the Bosmer though.

Wouldn't Aedra styled beasts be cool? I think they would.

starkerealm

Brittany_Joy wrote: »

@Dekkameron, but the ability to shapeshift must be available for all races. Interesting lore on the Bosmer though.

Wouldn't Aedra styled beasts be cool? I think they would.

But, wasn't that exactly how Sean Bean died that one time...