shapeshifters
Bodies constantly transforming
Shapeshifters are beings capable of changing their physical form, a concept appearing across mythology, folklore, and fantasy fiction.
Werewolves, vampires, and trickster gods like Loki are classic examples.
The term extends to people who seem to transform their personality or presentation to fit different situations: Politicians are shapeshifters, adapting their message to each audience.
Shapeshifting wolf-person
- skinwalkerNavajo witch who transforms
- kitsuneJapanese folklore shapeshifter
- selkieShapeshifting seal of legend
- changelingSubstituted fairy child
lycanthrope · vampire · tanuki · nagas · doppelganger · mermaid · phoenix · familiar
Change form gradually
- transmuteChange in fundamental nature
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
- alterMake a modification
change · convert · mutate · evolve · reshape · reconfigure · adapt · transition
Concealment through visual blending
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
concealment · mimicry · incognito · alias · persona · alter-ego · infiltrator · chameleon
Practice of dark magic
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
- conjuringPerforming magical illusions
witchcraft · arcane · incantation · bewitchment · occultism · wizardry · glamour · spellbound
werewolf
Shapeshifting wolf-person
- skinwalkerNavajo witch who transforms
- kitsuneJapanese folklore shapeshifter
- selkieShapeshifting seal of legend
changeling · lycanthrope · vampire · tanuki · nagas · doppelganger · mermaid · phoenix · familiar · berserker
morph
Change form gradually
- transmuteChange in fundamental nature
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- transfigurationExalted change in appearance
alter · change · convert · mutate · evolve · reshape · reconfigure · adapt · transition · flux
camouflage
Concealment through visual blending
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
deception · concealment · mimicry · incognito · alias · persona · alter-ego · infiltrator · chameleon · stealth
sorcery
Practice of dark magic
- enchantmentMagical influence over someone
- illusionMisleading sensory impression
- alchemyMystical metal transformation
conjuring · witchcraft · arcane · incantation · bewitchment · occultism · wizardry · glamour · spellbound · hex
- Island Folkloreselkie, selkies, kelpie, kelpies, mermaid
- mythologyZeus, Apollo, Athena, Poseidon, Odin
- mythical beingsdragons, dragon, unicorns, unicorn, phoenix
- Nature Fantasyenchanted forest, talking animals, nature spirits, tree of life, world tree
- animal folkloreanimal myths, animal fables, animal spirits, animal totems, animal symbolism
- Native Folklorecreation myth, creation story, thunderbird, windigo, spirit animal
shapeshiftersimmutables
Things that cannot change
statues · constants · golems · monoliths · automatons