All were-sharks claim descent from the King of the Sharks and his Hawaiian wife; thus all are of Oceanic descent. Those whose ancestry is insufficient to transform without help can have their powers enhanced by an Item of Power [+0]: sharks teeth from a full Shapeshifter can be implanted into the back of a Mundane islander; the teeth will form a shark's mouth (capable of biting) and grant the power to change. This is frequently done with crippled or aging relatives, allowing them to heal, and is partly responsible for the belief that some ancestors have transformed into sharks when they died.
Although were-sharks hunger for flesh, being limited to the oceans makes it easier for them to avoid killing people. Were-sharks will normally simply announce that they have spotted a shark before they transform, ensuring that the waters will be empty while they are a threat – tragedy only strikes if their warnings are ignored. Were-sharks guide lost ships home, and drive fish into fishing nets. In past times they were the scouts that found new islands to colonise.
Were-sharks become Tiger Sharks, and so are limited to temperate waters: mostly the seas of the Shark King – a triangle of waters bounded by California, Peru and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Within these waters they are both protected and bound by the laws of the kingdom, and expected to present themselves at Court on occasion.
During the 19thC large numbers of islanders were 'recruited' as labour by Australia, Canada, Peru and the United States: this trade descended in little more than slavery, to the embarrassment of these nations. Considerable effort was put into reforming the trade – quite successfully; there is nothing like were-sharks eating the worst offenders to reform an industry! The descendants of these workers still live in these nations; although they often do not know their own ancestry. Very occasionally one is born with the ability to change; more commonly those with contacts in the supernatural community acquire teeth from their distant relatives and rejoin them in the seas.
The were-sharks 'Beast Speech' effect only works on species that they haven't eaten, so a restrained were-shark can easily acquire contacts throughout the Pacific, from remoras and pilot fish up to the powerful supernatural creatures who share the waters with the sharks. Most species, even non sentient fish such as Pilot Fish, are aware that of the limitation, and will use it to determine whether the were-shark is a threat. Unlike most shapeshifters, a were-shark can have improved social skills when transformed – particularly Contacts, Intimidation and Rapport – usable only within the ocean depths.
A were-shark must have an aspect related to their ancestry (although this could simply be a Trouble of an inherited tendency to obesity, common in the islands due to the historical lack of sugars).
Were-sharks improve their control as they age; a young were-shark can only use his supernatural Powers while transformed, over time these become available in human form as well. For every point of Refresh above 9, the were-shark may chose a Power to be available when human.
The exception is Feeding Dependency: a were-shark takes a point of Hunger stress every time they turn into a shark. Feeding Dependency is always in effect if the were-shark requires an item to transform (which is why the ability is only given out cautiously), those born with the ability only need worry about the Hunger while in shark form.
Aquatic, Armor and Claws only apply when a shark, with a single exception: if a were-shark using an IoP is being Grappled from behind, they can bite their opponent (tearing through their clothes to do so).
[-1] Beast Change
[-1] Echoes of the Beast
[+1] Human Form
[-1] Aquatic, [+1] Waterbound, the shark starts to 'drown' if they are not in the water.
[-1] Armour
[-1] Blood Drinker
[-1] Claws
[-1] Cloak of Shadows
[+1] Feeding Dependency, attached to:
[-2] Inhuman Strength
[-2] Inhuman Toughness
[+1] Catch: Tonic Immobility - Toughness unavailable while upside down or on your back.
[-0] Wizard's Constitution
Optional:
[+0] Item of Power - does allow a bite attack under very unusual circumstances; typically only when being grappled from behind.
[-2] Hulking Size (may be bought later, representing natural growth).
