Shifters are humans (or one of the other humanoid races) who share an ancestry with a were-animal. Shifters are rare, as those who, whether intentionally or not, become were-creatures rarely manage to start a family before losing themselves entirely to the animal within. However, the rare offspring that a were-creature produces tends to have less of their parents’ animal qualities. After enough generations pass, the ability to change between forms is lost. Even long descendants, however, usually retain some animal-like qualities and minor changing abilities.