Morphs

A morph is a were-creature, that is, a human being that can draw power from a totem animal, often by acquiring its physical characteristics.

Types of Morphs

Psycho-Morphs

These morphs do not take on any physical characteristics of their totem animal. Most have become their animal in their own minds either through a conscious separation from reality or through insanity. Psycho-Morphs will “act out” the characteristics of their totem animal, sometimes crawling upon the ground and attacking people. Very few Psycho-Morphs have been welcomed within the Morph Community.

Spirit-Morphs

These “shape-shifters” range from a Shaman who can “spiritually” connect to his totem animal to Priests that can transport their souls into certain animals. Although given the name “shape-shifters”, these morphs cannot physically turn into their totem animals, except in rare cases. See Artefacts—Shaman Jaguar Mask. Spirit-Morphs usually take on the intellectual aspects of their animal. A shaman connecting to his totem hawk will become more insightful and keen in judgment. A shaman connecting to his totem wolf will act more industrious, be more cunning and demand more social interaction. Priests throwing their souls into an animal do so mainly to gain the wisdom of that animal.

Alpha-Morphs

The “classic” were-wolf is very typical of the Alpha-Morph. These are morphs that through magic, heredity, or curse can physically change into their totem animal. There are varying degrees of Alpha-Morphs. Some take on just the slightest hint of animal characteristics, while others turn almost completely into a representation of their totem animal. There is an Alpha-Morph form from practically any animal you care to name, including spiders.

It would be difficult to list all of the types of Alpha-Morphs known since they make up the majority of the Morph Community. There are the typical were-wolves, and were-cats, but all come from different tribes, clans and families. In fact there are as many diverse Alpha-Morphs as there are civilizations on earth. However there are some oddities out there.

Solitary-Morphs or “Monks”

These morphs spend their entire lives in their animal form. They are the “monks” of the morph world, separating themselves not only from humanity, but also from the rest of the Morph Community as well.

Halfers

A magickal mutation. Long ago a cursed morph attempted to rid himself of said curse. He was an Alpha-Morph—Wolf that could not turn himself back into a human. Through a magickal ritual, he tried to bring the human part of himself back out. He almost did it. However, instead of becoming human he became half-human and half-wolf. This sent him over the edge and he went insane. Unfortunately, he impregnated several women (some morphs, some not) before he was finally put down. The lineages of this morph are known as Halfers.

Faux Purebloods

These are Alpha-Morphs that, through magickal means, have transformed themselves into “seemingly” Pureblood-Morphs. They are usually Alpha-Morphs with a great connection to magick. They are also looked on as traitors in the Alpha-Morph community.

Pureblood-Morphs

Technically these morphs are connected to Alpha-Morphs. They basically share all the similarities of Alpha-Morphs, except that Purebloods become the complete embodiment of their totem animal, both physically and mentally. Purebloods are very rare, but can appear within a Alpha-Morph line. Purebloods are always born; there is no way to “become” a pureblood if you not already one. In extremely rare cases a Pureblood is born within a line of cursed morphs, but it is virtually unheard of. A Pureblood-Morph may be an Ancient.

Magickal Purebloods

While all morphs have a connection to magick, that connection is only a catalyst that sparks the transformation. In other words it is magick that makes them a morph. This is true with all Alpha-Morphs and Purebloods, with only one exception. The Magickal Pureblood is a Morph with a direct connection to magick. They can actually perform magick while in morph form...without the use of spells, charms, or talismans. Their connection with magick is so strong that if they will it, it will happen. Many believe that the Magickal Pureblood is only a myth.

Morphs can “shift” at any time, unless they are cursed. Then the shift depends on the conditions of the curse. Some curses have the morph shifting only when he or she is happy, sad, angry, and so forth. Some curses also work by the cycle of the full moon.

How to Kill a Morph

Purebloods and some cursed morphs can only be killed in certain ways. Purebloods can only be killed by another Pureblood. No one really knows why this is so. Some theorise that Purebloods are protected by magick because their connection to magick is so intense. However, a sword was made that can kill a Pureblood. It’s the only known weapon that can kill one. The sword is now in the possession of Corrine Melpomene Chattan.

It is told that some cursed morphs can only be killed with certain items. This may be where the “legend” of the silver bullet came from. Mostly these curses incorporate an item that has been blessed by a priest, witch, or wizard. In one case it is told that the morph can only die by its own hand or by another morph within its own family.

Further Information

• COTC-000282: General morphs discussion