When living on an island, an affinity for water isn't the worst thing to have. Though true cephalopods are traditionally found in the depths of the sea, and cannot survive for long periods outside of it (though many are capable of moving terrestrially when necessary, 'walking' from one body of water to another), Cephalopod-types may exist on land indefinitely. They strongly benefit from regular access to water, however—and the saltier the better. Going too long without a salty dip will leave them dried out and distinctly grumpy. Their ability to manipulate water will also deteriorate without regular access to it.

When Shifted, Cephalopod-types will feel the strength in their tentacles increase considerably, and those appendages might also increase drastically in size. While benefiting greatly from merely existing near sources of water, they are now able to summon their own, and make great use of it for both mobility and offense. Their maneuverability, quick reactions, and crushing grip strength make them formidable opponents.

• Development of multiple tentacles, which are long, flexible, and likely to have some array of suckers. Tentacles possess amazing dexterity and strength, and are capable of manipulating objects in ways distinct from human hands. While it will take some practice to control all these new limbs in concert, imagine the increase in productivity!
  • Alongside this, Cephalopod-types have the ability to regrow any tentacles that are cut off or otherwise lost. A non-severed tentacle will also be able to heal from even severe wounds.
  • You can even go to the extreme of the atrophy or removal of any humanoid arms, and their complete replacement with tentacles. Hopefully you can still use your phone!
• A dramatically increased flexibility overall, dependent on how much bone loss (or bone transformation) the character endures. But they're likely to be capable of contorting their limbs, necks, backs—their entire body in ways vertebrates might find disturbing.
• A partial or complete loss of hair. Yes, this may manifest as only body hair and not hair on the scalp. But characters can lose their eyebrows, their hair may grow only from the top of their head, they can go bald... Up to you.
• The growth of an external shell, as with nautiloids.
• Altered eyes, often with different pupil shapes. Squids may have slit-shaped pupils, cuttlefish with W-shaped pupils, octopuses with U- or dumbbell-shaped pupils, or nautiluses with pinhole eyes. Their ability to see color and their eyesight in general may diminish or otherwise change.
• An enlarged cranium. Greater intelligence is not guaranteed, though Cephalopod-types are associated with being clever.
• The development of more muscle than you might expect. Though not as bulky or sturdy as some of the other types, they're up there with Arthropods for being particularly strong for their size.
• The ability to squirt ink. Traditionally used as some manner of defense, often by creating a hazy cloud in water through which the Cephalopod-type might escape. On land its 'smokescreen' effect is naturally more limited, so the ink has developed additional characteristics. It might numb or blind, it might be especially sticky or smell bad—its unique characteristics are up to you.
• Powerful water magic is at Cephalopod-types' disposal. They can not only create jets of water, with which they can use it as a shield for defense or as a method of propulsion, but they can manipulate existing sources of water. They will have mastery over water as Spectral-types do over whichever element they reign over!

• Like some Reptilian-types, Cephalopod-types are capable of camouflage, changing color in order to match their surroundings and avoid detection from both predator and prey. Cephalopod-types are true masters of this, able to change their colors quickly, and to demonstrate complex patterns. Some degree of bioluminescence is also possible, and they may even be able to make their tissue nearly clear!

  A Cephalopod-type might find themself changing colors unintentionally, when startled or upset—or to reflect any other emotion.
• The growth of gills and the ability to breathe in water. Fortunately, this does not come with a corresponding inability to breathe on land, though going quickly from one method to the other might be uncomfortable. It may take a bit of practice getting used to.
  • Cephalopod-types can extend the ability to breathe underwater to others with a kiss. This ability can grant about a half hour of the ability to breathe water to those who normally cannot, but be warned: the moment these land-dwellers get a gulp of fresh air again, they'll be coughing and sputtering for quite some time to adjust.
• Mastery over hexes, curses, and enchantment. Cephalopod-types may not be especially gifted in combat on land, but this is where they shine. They require reagents and sacrifices to perform these enchantments, and the sacrifices are often specific to each Cephalopoda. A Cephalopod-type who wishes to create a curse to silence an opponent may intuitively choose the tongue of an ox as their reagent of choice, but another one can equally decide upon the flower of a white rose. Whatever these reagents, it's often the first thing that comes to the Cephalopod-type's mind.
  • So what kind of curses/enchantments can Cephalopod-types perform? To name a few: mild illness such as a cold; silence; blindness; transmutation (can turn others into a small living creature); compulsory honesty; body swaps; invisibility; enhanced stamina; bolstered strength; enhanced speed; stone skin; sleep or wakefulness, and the list goes on.
  • All of these enchantments should be completely temporary. Characters can not die from these curses, but they can be severely hindered or helped by them.
• While it's still not possible for even a Full-Shifted Cephalopod to swim between the islands of Pathos, they can survive longer along the coasts or in rivers than any other type. They can tolerate a great deal more battering when it's wave-powered, and can use their own manipulation of water to otherwise ease their existence there.

• A decrease in empathy, and increased tendencies towards viewing social interactions as "opportunities". This is not the same as a developed cruelty, but a more clinical ruthlessness, caring nothing about hurting others if it ultimately benefits them.
  • Despite this, Cephalopod-types are extremely curious about any myriad of things. Compassion is something that might even become a marvelous thing to them, and it's not impossible for characters to "regain" their empathy, at least as a conscious act.
• After all, Cephalopod-types are incredibly social. They enjoy talking to others and gathering information. Even if they can't talk to someone who stimulates their intellect, they will enjoy doing things others enjoy doing, and form their own thoughts on the activity.
  • Their memories are sharp as a pin, too!
• There's a trend here: Cephalopod-types enjoy being mentally stimulated and engaged. They enjoy working through problems and puzzles. However, this isn't to say that an unengaged Cephalopod-type becomes too upset or restless: their imagination and ability to occupy themselves are immense, and they often share their inspiration with others.
• Inclinations towards increased stubbornness and spite, a more figurative inability to let go of feelings or thoughts once they're grasped tightly.
  • This can go especially poorly for anyone who's irked one, as Cephalopods are unnaturally persuasive, and masters of rhetoric. They rarely go so far as to magically compel others (even if they might have a curse developed for the purpose... but it feels unsatisfying to them to win an argument through cheating), but people will find their proposals difficult to counter. This is especially true when Full-Shifted, where anything they say seems to brook no argument.

• 🞱NSFW🞱 — as is true for all soul types, you may choose to develop your character's sex characteristics based on the animal of choice. Aggressive sex anyone?