Curse Shifting

Curse shifters are the only shifters that are not considered Polymorphidae, since their shifting abilities are not innate but a result of a magical effect placed upon them. Curse shifters can be magions, but can also be non-magical beings. The shift can be temporary or permanent, and the new form can be animate or inanimate.

There are many nuances to curse shifting, but in general we can speak of two main types, based on whether the magical effect was placed upon oneself (auto-shift) or on another (hetero-shift). In most cases, auto-shifts are voluntary, while hetero-shifts are done in opposition to the shifter's desires. However, since there is a good number of opposing examples, the terminology does not focus on the shifter themselves, but on the cause of the shifting. Another reason for this focus, is that any chance of reversing the shift is dependent on the magical effect that caused it.

The most common example of auto-shift is a spellcaster choosing to morph into a different form, be it animal, plant or object. The reason for shifting varies greatly, from hiding or spying to wishing to better understand the creature/object they shift into. The spellcaster keeps their awareness in the form they take, and generally have built in method to regain their original form, be it a time limit for the shift or a potion to consume. There have been cases of accidental auto-shifts when a spellcaster was experimenting, or of spellcaster that did not think through the process and remained stuck in the shift. Reversing an unplanned auto-shift is complex, but not impossible, and there have been several well known successful cases. Still, it is generally recommended to plan thoroughly before attempting a shift spell.

Hetero-shifts tend to have a more sinister nature. There are cases of mischievous spellcasters playing pranks on others, or "teaching a lesson", while fully capable of reversing the effect, but changing someone's form is an extreme act most agree should never be done without consent. It is important to note that there are cases of consensual hetero-shifts, where the shifter requests or readily agrees to the shift. These are generally done by individual contracts and are temporary. Unfortunately, a large number of hetero-shifts are done out of vengeance or to reed the spellcaster from an obstruction. Witnesses to a spellcaster's crimes turned into animals or objects in order to keep their actions hidden. The exact character of the shift varies, it can be temporary or permanent and the victim may or may not lose their awareness. A particularly cruel option is turning the victim into an object, while retaining their psyche, keeping them fully aware of what they lost and what is happening around them with no ability to communicate. Reversing curse shifting can be very complex, since it is generally not done by the originating spellcaster and with little knowledge on the exact ingredients of the spell. It is possible, but requires an experienced spellcaster, preferably with some background in magical shifting.

A unique case of curse shifter hetero-shift are lycanthropes , sometimes called werewolves. Lycanthropy is unique for being a chronic condition that cannot be reversed, and can be transferred.