dnna: Yeah, that's why I was wondering if they can change at will. It would be fun to sport a different body type each week :D
Definatley fun! Specially for the door-to-door sales reps. =P
cjrgreen: Philippa's the only one said to have mastered the art of shape-shifting. The others seem to be to some degree restricted in what they can do to change their appearance.
The only one specifically mentioned with that skill, which in no way means that others do not share it. ;^)
cjrgreen: One the one hand, Yennefer is said to have once been a hunchback and is still noticeably a "bit lopsided". However, Triss (in the games) seems to have made a remarkable total recovery from the disfiguring wound she suffered at Sodden Hill.
You have made my case for me... =P
Isambard: Indeed. Moreover, much if not most sorceresses were originally extremely ugly girls. They were sent to sorcery schools by their families because they were unable to perform normal "family duties", i.e. be married in arranged union for the benefit of their clans. They often experienced mistreatment and bullying as youths, which is at least partially responsible for their mean, vindictive characters and being prone to intrigues.
Very true indeed. However even the most comely of daughters could share in some of the social ineptitudes in spite of any training they might have received while growing up. It would be a good way to get rid of a problem child who does not quite conform to any social norms of the period. My kinda club! WOO HOO!