Shifters
Like Terrans, Shifters split off from Mankind’s
family tree millions of years ago. As the Shifter
branch grew, different clans developed. The clans
kept their abilities hidden, not wanting to be seen
as freaks or exploited by their enemies. Legends grew
throughout the world about were-wolves and humans
who could take animal form. Mankind scoffed and chose
to ignore the truth.
Shifters are rather solitary, living in clans, but
not having much to do with other shifters or even
the Terrans. A few clans have chosen to help the Terrans.
Clan Najwa is one. “Najwa” means secret
in Arabic and that is the motto that the members of
Najwa live by. Don’t let others know about their
abilities.
Clan Najwa
Clan Najwa made their home in the An-Nafud desert
long ago. It was easy for them to get lost amongst
the sand. They went into the caves found in the desert
and dug deep into the Earth. The first leader of the
clan feared what mankind would do if it was proven
that shifters existed. He watched the witch trials
and the Inquisition. He saw several of his fellow
shifters and Terrans killed for being different. Their
home is now a series of tunnels and chambers made
of steel and rock. It’s high-tech and safe for
anyone who chooses to live there.
This generation of the clan consists of seven members.
It has always been the smallest of the shifting clans,
but one of the most powerful. Najwa clan members aren’t
contained to one particular animal shape. Their power
allows them to shift into any form they wish, making
them logical choices as messengers for KOTE. The natural
shifter ability to use telepathy for communication
makes it easy for them to talk to each other from
anywhere in the world, but they can rarely connect
with Terrans or mortals. When a connection is established,
a binding or mating could work between them. The clan
has one leader, but all members have a vote in what
the clan does. It’s a democracy, not a tyranny.
This clan of shifters has worked for KOTE since the early 1990s when Akilah,
the head of the clan at that time, rescued a downed
pilot in the Iraqi desert. Brendan McMaster was an
U.S. fighter pilot, but he was a Terran Protector.
From that initial binding came the decision of Akilah’s
clan to work with the Terrans to protect the earth's
balance and mankind from the Destroyers.
Iman (Troubled Waters)
Iman is the clan healer and a marine biologist. She’s
the youngest and most open-minded about the changes
happening in the world. She understands why all the
species must work together for survival. She meets
her mate in TROUBLED WATERS. Her favorite form is
a cheetah.
Basma
Basma is the head of the clan for this generation.
She works as a psychologist for several relief organizations.
She goes in after disasters and helps people work
through their trauma. Her favorite animal shape is
a common sparrow. It’s easy to be overlooked
that way.
Zaki
Zaki is the second-in-command. He works as a Trauma doctor. He doesn't believe the clan should work as messengers anymore.
Zaki feels the shifting bloodlines should be kept pure and there has been too much inter-mingling between Terran, shifter and mankind.
Shifting ability has been becoming rare in off-spring. His favorite form is a golden eagle.
Fahd
Fahd is the lore keeper of the clan. He’s a
free-lance journalist. He’s always in search
of the missing shifter clans told of in the Journal.
He believes that they need to be found and restored
to the rest of the clans. His favorite form is a leopard.
Layla
Layla had been the clan lawyer, but several years ago, Destroyers captured her and tortured her. To escape the pain, she shifted
into her animal and has been unable to regain her human shape permanently. She has recovered enough to shift for a few hours at a time, but not even
Iman can heal her heart and soul enough. Layla can be found in the form of a wolf most of the time.
Asad
Asad is the envoy between Clan Najwa and KOTE. He spends most of his time in San Francisco. Though it is difficult for him to join minds with
Terrans and humans, he can speak to his clan mates over thousands of miles. His favorite form is a lion.
Samad
The seventh member of Clan Najwa is Samad, The Eternal. No one really knows how old he is. He spends very little time with the clan.
He travels the world on his own. The others speculate he has a broken heart and is searching for his lost love. He is the deciding vote when decisions are
tied. He rarely talks, but when he does, the others listen to him. Samad seems to be connected to something beyond the knowledge of the other clan members.
He can usually be found in the shape of an Arabian horse.
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