2012 and the world has started accepting shape-shifters, finally. But they aren't safe yet. Considering the hatred that surrounds these beings the high council who rules and watches over the shifters decide to put them through a series of trials to test their strength. 

Wait. Okay, I'm jumping ahead here. Basically it goes like this. Back in the 1800s the world pretty much hated us shifters. Not surprising though, considering all the la-di-da 'magic' that surrounded us and those absolutely idiotic rumours that kept circulating. 

Were-beasts? Really? They could have been a bit more imaginative. And witches, warlocks, sorcerers and wizards. A bunch of crap, in my opinion. But back to the trials. The council existed then too, ruled by some grizzled old men. Not the same old men that we have now (duh) but pretty close. Anywho, people kept killing us off. Hiring hitmen, inquisitors (whatever those are) and just mugging us on the streets with weapons and stuff. Since we weren't really trained to defend ourselves the council decided they were going to shove all the teens into a training program. If you were an adult, well, then you'd survived long enough to know how to fight back.   

There was a draw-back however (isn't there always?). The kids were forced into partnerships of a person with a different element. This was the weird part, since we naturally avoid each other. What deer-shifter would want to come close to a tiger-shifter anyways? But I guess it worked 'cause we aren't a dying breed these days and most of the time we're left alone. God, the last time there was a shifter raid? Bodies everywhere. Ma pretty much slung me over her shoulder and ran off, despite me being a big girl at twelve.

So, like, yeah. That's basically what's up. The council just grabs some kids off the streets and shoves them into pairs. No choice or anything. And then we've got tasks to finish, and we're pitted against other pairs. Typically they're dangerous and there's a small (...) fatality rate, but hey, that's life.

---

The council was formed in the early 1600s by Duke Gerard Fontaine, a French man who was a shifter himself. Gathering a few other men around him he set out to protect his kind against the rage of his kinsmen. The French were particularly bloody at that time, staging massive 'witch hunts' to flush out the shifters. Setting himself up in a fortress-cum-town Fontaine began gathering a population made solely of shifters around him. Noticing problems between the different elements he soon set up three more strongholds, each governed by a trusted companion. 

Unable to breach their walls the French left the shifters alone, but eradicated all knowledge of their existence. The shifters lived in relative peace till the late 1700s, when information of them began to leak out. Now spread out in Europe the shifters faced prosecution from France all the way to England and every country in between. Fearing for their safety the council, now much larger, met in secret and decided on a bold move. They would relocate to London and make it their headquarters. Though it would be more difficult for them to protect their kind in other countries the centralization would prove useful in the fact that they no longer had to rely on days of journeying for messages to be conveyed, they could now speak face-to-face and plan much more easily. 

Though the witch-hunts were sporadic, despite the fact that they had peaked during these years, the council could do little but offer safe havens within their jurisdiction to fleeing families. But the advent of the 1800s brought a great change.

Realizing that the fear of them would never cease, especially now that they had come out to the public about what they were, the council decided to host a series of trials that would train the younger generations. Children aged fourteen through nineteen would be paired up with others of different elements and set on tasks that would have them cross paths with other shifters. Though killing was forbidden the children were allowed to go all out, therefore learning the extent of their abilities and how to use it to their advantage.

The trials have not changed during modern days, though they are a bit more sophisticated and some rules have been instated. For one, no weapons but yourself and what you can make are allowed. Automated weapons such as guns, stun guns and tasers are forbidden and any sign of them will cause great punishment. However, ingenuity is encouraged and the council has no problem with swords and daggers and spears.

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Rules;

- Ages 14 through 19

- Male and female ratios do not have to be exact, but at the same time please try to be sensible when making a character later on

- No same-type shifters. Two different falcons are allowed, for example, but only one Peregrine falcon is permitted

- You aren't choosing your partners. Deal.

- Romance is encouraged but action is even more so. Romance and action at the same time is absolutely adored 

- First come first serve, though if you don't post for a few days after claiming your animals I'll dissolve your claim (I will r-mail you first)

- If you aren't sure about the animal you chose (element wise) just r-mail me or ask here. 

- shadowfax is my co-owner. She has all the powers I do. 

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Elements;

Air;

- avians of any kind. this includes non-predatory and predatory birds as well as ground-birds such as ostriches and penguins.

Water;

- any sea creatures. seals and walruses count in this section. 

Earth;

- land-born mammals. this ranges from field mice to hares to deer. carnivores/omnivores are not included.

Fire;

- felines and canines as well as any carnivores/omnivores belonging to earth. includes wild boar, foxes and bats.

 ---

Skeleton;

Name;

Age;

Gender;

Element; 

Species; 

Appearance;

Personality; 

Crush;

Other;

Skeleton;

Name; Brooke Harper

Age; 16

Gender; Female

Element; Water

Species; Giant Otter

Appearance; Brooke is a slim girl standing at about 5'4" or very close to 5'5". She has a small body and a boyish figure, wavy honey-blonde hair and Caucasian skin with no visible freckles or beauty marks. Brooke's skin is lightly tanned due to the summer time, however. She has very soft features and her eyes are dark brown, without any other colours whatsoever. 

Personality; Brooke may be soft-spoken and reserved, but she isn't shy or a pushover. She simply doens't like getting noticed. Whether around strangers or friends from birth Brooke is completely at ease, but the moment the spotlight shines on her she grows nervous and clumsy. 

Crush; Open