Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-5983727-20130112120518/@comment-90.203.236.92-20130210165746

The strand that the Compainions retain appears to be Skinwalker, where they can turn at any time, I presume they gave it that so gameplay is easier. Wearing the cursed ring will make it more unpredictable, making the Companions strand to night (from what I've seen). Lore wise I think the Glemenori Witches created the Companion stand due to the request of a power-seeking Harbinger, as stated before by Kodlak, and they became Skinwalkers. Sinding sought the ring in order to make his transformations like how Skinwalkers transform, whenever he wants, but since he stole it Hircine cursed it so it would do the opposite and force him to transform at the worst possible times. Also since the Companion strand was created by the witches, it is unable to turn people who've been scratched or bitten, only blood rituals can pass the gene on.