I don’t know about you, but I like Skinwalkers.
What’s not to like? Their non-collective Jhinn, who use a mixture of unknown magic and a straight razor to remove – and then don – the skin of a Chaun for roughly two weeks. Then, once they burst out of it in a gory explosion, they are left in a berzerk/feral state which, in combination with their increased strength, reflexes, and pure rage, allows them to slaughter just about anything. Did I mention that its addicting for them, too? Not to mention the fact that the more they do it, the more feral and powerful they become.
Now, with all these wonderful abilities, you’re porbably wondering how to recognize these amazing beings, aren’t you? For that, it gets a bit complicated. Before a Skinwalker realizes that he or she is one, there’s no way to tell them apart from any of the other Jhinn. But once a Skinwalker exercises his or her power for the first time, and takes their first ‘Walk, their something else altogether. Four-inch spines, slightly barbed and razor sharp, spread symmetrically. Flesh as hard as a normal Jhinn’s changed limb, with all the dexterity. Perception strong enough to sense living things within miles, and all bottled up with a mountain of rage.
Most Skinwalkers are unable to stop, once they start. After their first skin the rage and addiction seeps in too deep, piling up after each time. Some of the strong-willed are able to keep themselves from going feral, for a time; the smart ones force themselves into exile, when they care about spilling blood. Only the most grounded, the ones tinged with the right Dye and empowered with enough Blood, are able to keep themselves completely whole. Some of those are even strong-willed enough to stay ‘undercover’ among the Chaun, waiting. Some people have wondered whether or not a Scribe, skilled with Ink, is helping them stay alive.
