Sylvis [SIL-vis] is a resident of Avsel. He is eighteen years old when he first appears in the story. He is the only one in the village who lacks the ability to shapeshift into a bear. Despite this fact, his peers treat him like any other Avselian. Still, he tries to compensate for his inability to shapeshift by strengthening his human body. Sylvis has an identical twin brother named Dendris, who can shapeshift perfectly, but Sylvis doesn't resent him for this fact.