Shifter

Shifters are a result of Alyssian bio-engineering, the research and testing performing exclusively for and under the orders of Judia Wolff. Although many different tales are told of Judia's shifting ability, many of which portray her as an 'alpha Alyssian', the actual acquisition of this ability was performed using painful experimentation and a large number of testing on the Lower Species, which resulted in their deaths. The first successful activation of the shifting ability was tested on a young mutt, who was successfully able to take the form of a number of Judia's guards, even displaying the ability to change his clothing at will. Upon the successful testing, the mutt was handed to Grand Admiral Ze'zar, who tortured him for his own pleasure until the mutt died. The process was then performed on Judia, who soon gained the ability to change her appearance by thought alone. The research to this ability is one of the Empire's most heavily protected secrets.