[quote=@Kyara]
<Snipped quote by Thinslayer>

That doesn't help me make a character. Are you saying my char could develop that power later only if they are an orc but not have it as part of their backstory?
[/quote]

Sorry, that bit about orcs wasn't meant for you specifically; I just thought it would be a waste of space to make that comment separately. Also, I think I quoted the wrong post, but at the same time, I intended to reply to you. Put simply, I royally screwed up my reply, so you can ignore it.

To directly answer your original question, a shapeshifter is permissible.