Formchangers

Formchangers, also known as shapeshifters, are mythological or fictional beings with the ability to alter their physical form. This transformation can range from subtle changes in appearance to complete metamorphosis into entirely different species. The nature and limitations of formchanging abilities vary widely across different narratives and mythologies.

In folklore, formchangers often appear as animals that can assume human shape or vice versa. Common examples include werewolves, who transform into wolves or wolf-human hybrids, and selkies, seals that shed their skin to walk as humans on land. These transformations are frequently depicted as involuntary, often tied to lunar cycles or specific emotional states, though some tales feature voluntary control. The motivations behind formchanging can be as diverse as the beings themselves, ranging from deception and predation to escape or the pursuit of love.

In contemporary fantasy and science fiction, formchangers are a popular trope. Their abilities might be innate, the result of magical spells, advanced technology, or biological mutations. The narrative functions of formchangers are equally varied, serving as allies, antagonists, sources of mystery, or symbols of identity and adaptability. The specifics of their transformations, such as the energy expenditure, the permanence of the change, and the range of forms they can adopt, are often detailed within the fictional universes they inhabit. The concept of formchanging taps into fundamental human fascinations with transformation, identity, and the boundaries of the physical self.