Weretiger

In human form, weretigers are indistinguishable from normal humans, though some possess features that reflect their animal side, such as a glassy stare, hair or beards with resemblance to a ruff or with light and dark striped patterns, a powerful build, or a languid, graceful way of moving. In tiger form, they are only distinguishable from normal tigers by their superior intellect. In either form, there is no scientific way to distinguish them from normal members of the species, as the therianthropic ability is totemic, not scientific.   Some weretigers, just like other werebeasts, can partially shapeshift, adapting elements of one form while in another form. For instance, a weretiger in tiger form might shift a paw to a hand or partial hand in order to manipulate objects, or a weretiger in human form might shapeshift only their eyes, to benefit from a great cat's night vision, or their fingernails to retractable claws for natural weaponry.   Totemically, all werebeasts can sense one another with their normal senses.

Like most werecreatures, weretigers can choose to reproduce as a human or as the animal type they are. To do the latter requires that their partner also be a werebeast. Human babies are conceived and born in the normal human fashion, although it isn't uncommon for weretigers to conceive twins or even triplets, both identical and fraternal.

If babies are birthed as cubs, at about three months old they usually shapeshift into a human toddler. Unless they, too, become totemically-connected literomancers, they maintain that form for the rest of their lives, developing from that point as a normal human child would.   Because becoming a shapeshifter is accomplished through a magical connection and not a genetic one, a literomancer might potentially develop into a weretiger at any time, as long as the totemic connection is strong.

Tigers are obligate carnivores, and weretigers tend to prefer a meat-rich diet as a result.

Weretigers often pick up some personality traits from their feline sides. They tend to be patient and watchful, seeing much and saying little. Some have a strong protective streak, while others are consummate predators, only doing what seems advantageous to them. Most are playful and affectionate when relaxed.  

(singing) I am a tiger and I protect them all, diggy diggy hole, diggy diggy hole...

— James Woodwright, chiming in on the Woodlander Anthem

Tigers are solitary but social predators. Perhaps as a result, weretigers never seem to be present in numbers, but they always become a fixture of the social groups they are in. Although they can take the lead if need be, they are usually content to be a part of the pride, whatever form that pride might take.

Weretigers almost certainly began in areas where tigers are common, and there have been references to them in ancient Chinese and Indian literature, but as knowledge of the world has expanded, the gregarious Tiger totem has expanded their influence, and seems willing to embrace people of all ethnic identities.

Weretigers, like all cats, can see extremely well in low light, due to the unique retro-reflector membrane behind their retinas, and the ability to lens their irises into slits, or dilate them completely. Their whiskers are tactile sensory organs that allow them to navigate even in total darkness. They are excellent visual hunters who can see at only one-sixth the light level required for human vision.   Tigers in cat form are too big to purr, so they chuff instead.

Tigers have been especially significant in Chinese, Indian, and Korean culture.   In Chinese folk tales, tigers kill evil men and protect good men. An able general is called a "tiger general" and an able soldier is called a "tiger warrior." They represent yang energy and are believed to ward off the three disasters: fire, thieves, and evil spirits. White Tiger is associated with the West and is a guardian of that direction. Tigers also guard tombs and the Five Elements, and their souls are said to descend into the earth to become amber when they die.   To the Koreans, the tiger guards tombs and is intrinsic to their national identity.   In India, people have both venerated and feared tigers for thousands of years. The goddess Durga rides a tiger when going forth to destroy evil. Tigers are associated with a number of Hindu deities and Buddhist myths, and often seemed to take a (deadly) disliking to invaders, such as Christian missionaries and Muslim conquerors.