Vastayan Shapeshifting

Vastayan Shapeshifting is the innate magic of the Vastaya, a chimeric race descended from the Vastayashai'rei, enlightened mortals who once drew the spirit realm's power into themselves. When those ancient beings intermingled with early humans, their offspring inherited a diluted yet potent connection to sho'ma, the spirit realm's energy. That bond lets the Vastaya shift between human and animal forms, and the diversity of Vastayan shapes seen from Ionia to Ixtal reflects the distinct relationships separate tribes formed with sho'ma over millennia. The gift manifests differently in each bearer. Neeko is the most versatile, able to flawlessly copy the appearance and mannerisms of any person she observes. Ahri's Vastayan nature grants her an innate connection to the spiritual essence of living beings, and Wukong draws on the same heritage in his own way. Because the power is hereditary and instinctive, it needs no study or external tools and allows perfect disguise and swift adaptation to any environment. The ability cannot be learned by non-Vastaya, and it is bound to the health of the spirit realm. As human expansion thins the world's spiritual energy, Vastayan powers weaken with it, and emotional distress can trigger involuntary transformations.