Character will be a Spirit Shifter/Spirit Walker (leaning towards Spirit Walker for the name). Obviously a shifter of sorts. But with a caveat: he must combine with the spirit of something that's within a certain distance of him and would become that thing in physical form. The only other way to shift for him would be to memorize the form hes taking with xp so he can recall it later. He can do this with anything that has a spirit, but is limited to its physical capabilities (plus skills i may have to add to dmg/avoid/endurance/etc). So if he inhabits a rock, hes a rock. Until he leaves that form.

The question, other than the acceptability of the above at all, is wether or not other people would know about it, even my own character? Or would he be surprised to learn he is one because no one's ever heard of it?

I like Myxa a LOT, let's go with that as their name.

also, if you check the racial cheat sheet, i listed alternate names used for the various races if one of them appeals to your dude more

Male

Born POOR