Dragon Transformation

Many dragons turn into humans these days, but why would they do that when they could be a bear? Just look at what druids get up to when they have shapechanging powers, which is an odd thing for them to have, historically speaking.

Today's Halloween Fashion

I'm seeing more yard dragons this year. Is the dragon finally returning to the category of frightening monster instead of walking around in human form all the time? Everybody takes dragon transformations as a given nowadays. I attribute this to Dungeons & Dragons.

Addendum

Were dozens of dog breeds developed so that dog-specialized shapeshifters could drive up their counts? Yes.

Competition in the Shapeshifting Community

Is it based on how many forms they have, how big they are, or how detailed their imitations are? Obviously all of those and more based on the argument the individual wishes to make at the time. Number is probably the usual criterion though.

A New Shapeshifting Paradigm

You've heard of losing your clothes. You've heard of keeping your clothes, magically and conveniently. But how about every time you shapeshift, you end up in new clothes, completely out of your control? People like roguelikes and roguelites these days, after all.

Dragon Cunning

Sometimes dragons pretend to be people, but what about pretending to be other dragons? Think of the legal complications.

The Future of Fantasy

We've had enough dark fantasy. It's time for smark fantasy. That's right, secondary world professional wrestling. Think of the gimmicks! The giant guy could be an actual giant. That's all. That's the only extra gimmick. Except for . . . Mummies! I was lying before, because there are many options.

Challenge of the Werethief

Crime! Police ran through the streets of Priscarbs but the news ran faster, the news that the Curtains of Heaven had been stolen from the residence of the Dowager Duchess of Vernaseges. Those pearls were worth more than half the city, and now they were in criminal hands.
Whose hands? Who else but Hisfendivarius the Werethief? Any daring crime was credited to that mysterious maestro of robbery whose true appearance was unknown. The hoi polloi would say Hisfendivarius stole the sun to explain a cloudy day and laugh at the police for letting him get away.
This time, though, it was true. The Dowager Duchess's servants reported seeing a hawk, a monkey, a cat, and a slithering snake. The police knew what that meant, but not what to do about it. Inspectors and custodes ran hither trying this and thither looking for that, each method seeming as good as any other when it came to catching a thief who had never been caught. Inspector Iagius had his own theory.
"Falgunus, if that thief has gone so much as a dozen yards away, I've never learned a thing in all my years on the job. But I think I have, and I think he hasn't."
"Yes, sir. What do you want me to do then, sir?"
"Have your restraints in hand and be ready to act on my word."
The inspector and the custos crept around the robbed residence, looking for a culprit who could look like anything. The wonder was not that Hisfendivarius stole the Curtains of Heaven, but that it took him so long to get around to it when his techniques were unopposable.
"Hold on a moment, Falgunus. I must tighten up my laces. I'll quit tomorrow if I trip tonight. Just stand right there if you would while I . . . Now! Get that zebra!"
Custos Falgunus twisted around and tossed his loop over the neck of the inconspicuous zebra behind him which struggled and spat and turned into a man. Hisfendivarius!
"You finally slipped up, my lad. If only you knew that zebras don't live here. I only know what one is because my little ones love the zoo so."
The crestfallen Hisfendivarius shook his head. "I don't know what a zebra is. I don't pick what I turn into, you know. It's just always worked out until now is all."
Another impossible case solved by Inspector Iagius!