Editing Skinchanger (section)

==Characteristics==
The interaction between the skinchanger's and animal's minds influence both personalities, with detrimental effects to the human if the animal's influence is not fought. It is much easier for a skinchanger to do so if a bond exists between the two parties.{{Ref|ADWD|Prologue}} An untrained skinchanger may unconsciously enter the mind of an animal, especially while sleeping, particularly if a bond exists.{{Ref|ACOK|4}} It is traumatic if an animal is killed while its mind is inhabited by a skinchanger.{{Ref|ASOS|73}} If a skinchanger is killed while inhabiting a creature, a part of his consciousness will remain in the creature.{{Ref|ASOS|15}}{{Ref|ADWD|Prologue}} The greatest skinchangers were [[greenseer]]s, who among many other things were also wargs. The greatest greenseers could wear the skin of any beast.{{Ref|ASOS|9}}

According to [[Haggon]], [[dog]]s are easy to bond with, because they live in close proximity to humans and are trusting; it becomes easier with time to enter a dog. [[wolf|Wolves]] are harder, as one has to forge a lasting bond, much like a marriage. Birds are tempting, but a skinchanger may soon lose contact to the mundane things of earth and want only to fly. [[Cat]]s are cruel and vain beasts and cannot be easily controlled, only forced. Elk and [[deer]] are prey whose skins can cause a man to become cowardly.{{Ref|ADWD|Prologue}}

An unwritten code for [[free folk]] skinchangers, as told by [[Haggon]], forbids them to eat of [[cannibalism|human meat]] and to mate as wolf with wolf. Seizing the body of another man is considered the worst abomination.{{Ref|ADWD|Prologue}}

A skinchanger can experience many deaths while in another body. It is only when the person's human body dies that the "true death" occurs.{{Ref|ADWD|Prologue}} It is possible for the warg to live a type of second life, a much simpler life inside the mind of an animal he controls. In the second life, the skinchanger's memory slowly fades until nothing of the man is left and only the beast remains.{{Ref|ADWD|Prologue}}

Skinchangers and wargs are feared and honored by free folk, while people of the [[Seven Kingdoms]] hunt them.{{Ref|ACOK|43}}{{Ref|ACOK|68}}

Some believe wargs can be killed by [[magic]]al swords made of [[silver]].{{ref|ACOK|30}}