Some think that they are evil canines who mad a pact with dark forces to assume human shape as they please, and accuse them of having a penchant for murder and mayhem. Others hold that they are humans bearing some ancient curse which condemns them to the level of beasts.

Somewhat surprisingly, few have actually asked a jackalwere what they think. Those who have are, admittedly, usually blown off, as jackalweres are known to be skittish and slow to trust at the best of times–and not without reason, given their long history of persecution. The most anyone has learned is that jackalweres consider themselves a new verse of an eternal song, sung in harmony.

Jackalweres resemble large canines–jackals, coyotes, wolves, or even domestic dogs–but take a considerably longer time to mature. Most wild canines are adults after roughly one year, but jackalweres take 13-17 years to mature. At any time, a jackalwere can choose to assume the shape of a canine or a human, and older jackalweres are able to assume a hybrid form combining features of each. The transformation is quite rapid and involves magical means, with many jackalweres able to conjure illusory clothing or collars as well.

Another skill that a jackalwere possesses that sets it apart from other creatures such as blink dogs and werewolves is that they possess a limited form of telepathy and psychic suggestion. This allows jackalweres to make themselves easily understood in any language, if they wish, and to implant transient false memories to allow them to blend in.

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