Werewolf

## History and Hierarchy

Derived from the Old English term meaning 'wolf-man', many theories have been tossed around as to how werewolves were first created and brought into the world. Everything from the long exhausted and disproven theory of a transmitted disease, the rituals of pagan shamans, and even to the cursing of individuals by priests and gods who were damned by their misdeeds.

The reality depends on the region, and goes farther back than most can trace, with some European and Slavic werewolves being traced back to the twice-damned King Lycaeus of Arcadia after he was cursed by Zeus for sacrificing a child along with those bearing the blood of the cursed Scythians; However, it has been found that most Western European werewolves can be traced back to the rituals of pagan shamans and the anger of vengeful priests, with the art of werewolf creation long lost to madness of the `16th and 17th century witch hunts. Today, the werewolves of Europe pass it down through genetics, as their pack bloodlines can trace their lineage back to those souls who had been damned.

In North America, the modern origin most likely from those werewolves who had crossed the ocean to escape the persecution of Vatican-sponsored hunts, and usually sticking to the packs they created before they left and passed on the trait of lycanthropy to their families. However--amongst the numerous Native American tribes--it has been proven that the causes are just as diverse as those in Europe, and often depends on tribal mythologies. Many myths and treatises from the respective regions began floating these ideas about, with the earliest case of a string of reported werewolf attacks being the infamous 'Beast of Gévaudan', the incident now being labeled as the first contact and instance of a Primal werewolf.

But werewolves took long to garner media attention of their existence, as popular media shined the proverbial spotlight on vampires, being content to stalk in the shadows...with a short story by Bram Stoker telling of a pack's origins first bringing them to minor notice. However, they really started to come out of the shadows as Hollywood began making films about werewolves, along with a written account coming out about an incident in Finland.

As they slowly began to come out of the shadows, many packs began to prepare for the inevitable clash with the Catholic and Orthodox churches, as many elder werewolves retained vivid memories of faith sponsored hunts. Their greatest enemy, however, would increasingly become the mass of ordinary humanity as they began to realize the dangers and violence werewolves were capable of became clear as attacks and clashes became commonplace, and tales of their penchant for violence against animal and person alike began to become public knowledge.

As humanity renewed and revitalized the hunts of old, packs in each region of the world began to form their own multi-pack organizations and pacts that--in the eyes of many pack leaders--could guarantee their safety. These organizations span across various regions of both Europe and the Americas, and only a few suffered near extermination during World War II at the hands of not just infamous Einsatzgruppe, but also at the hands of equally murderous SS Shatten Gruppe...particularly Hungary and the Balkans. However these groups and pacts would survive, along with those that remained intact throughout the madness of World War II.

In these organizations and pacts, certain rules were established to keep them from the prying eyes of the public, as they were deeply scarred by the events of the two World Wars. One of these agreements was to never purposefully attack a human or other supernatural unless otherwise provoked or if violence was the only recourse to get out of a disagreement. Another was to share methods and tools that helped to control and mitigate the pain of transformation whenever it either occurred naturally or was willed by the individual werewolf. These helped to keep any violence to a minimum, but also to improve relations between certain packs.

Along with staying in packs, werewolves also share many other traits with wolves around the world. Many of these shared traits include enhanced eyesight--often said to be orders of magnitude better than normal humanity--along with a tremendously potent sense of smell and a sense of hearing to rival their lupine cousins. Their most visible lupine traits are much more pronounced canines, which often become much more visible when angered; said canines also tend to elongate over time, with the oldest werewolves having such elongated teeth as to give them a touch of a lisp to their speech. And--like their lupine cousins--they will more often than not eat dishes of red meat or wild game, usually either cooked or raw depending on the tastes of the individual werewolf. Lastly, post-transformation, the fur of the werewolf will often match that of their hair color...leading to some interestingly colored werewolves.

However, they do share a couple of traits with Vampires in a few respects, but one to a much less potent extent...along with a few other notable traits. Those two traits that they share are a much less potent form of healing factor along with immortality, with many elder werewolves being nearly a millennia old; however, this immortality does not need the help of human blood to help sustain it. Other notable traits that define werewolves include superhuman speed, strength to surpass even some of the world's best strongmen, incredibly potent reflexes and endurance to put even mortal special forces troops to shame. However, these strengths are also matched by weaknesses that their long-time enemies have learned to master and craft.

Much of the weaknesses of werewolves are listen in archives of religious or organizations sponsored by religious authorities, and kept in archives to ensure they can still be used. The most prominent weakness of theirs that is listed are weapons that have been sanctified and thrice-blessed by priests or higher religious authorities schooled in such practices and thoroughly screened for Earthly or demonic corruption, along with thrice-blessed ammunition by those same religious authorities. Ultrasonic noise has also proved to be quite effective against them as well, stunning them as their ears are ravaged by the sound. Certain poisons have also found to have been of some use, but the formulas for werewolf killing have been kept a secret for millennia by not only the Papacy, but also the High Patriarch...with use of such methods having to be vetted by the individuals themselves.

As stated before, most werewolf families tend to stick to structure of the pack that is prevalent in their lupine brethren. These pack structures generally follow the same hierarchy, with a dominant Alpha at its head, and a Beta as his second, and so on. Any other ranks can be added or removed by the Alpha upon either their personal preference or as necessity demands. Most of these packs form in either villages or towns, sometimes meeting and living in established subcommunity to those mortals that they live alongside. Again, how they live and are generally structured depends on the region, and can be quite variable. However, matters of pack business are often discussed and settled during the night, where they can sort out any disputes that get violent without receiving scrutiny.

## Types

### Pup:

A pup is a werewolf that ranges from 1-19 years of age. These werewolves look much like ordinary teenagers, and are raised by the Delta(s) of each pack. These Delta(s) teach the Pups of the pack about their in-born natural advantages over baseline humans, and are taught the basics of werewolf transformation. They are also given a good education, and are often seen practicing their transformation skills. At the age of 19, many packs will have the Pups undergo coming-of-age rituals, transitioning them to yet another werewolf within the pack.

### Bipedal ('Greater') Werewolf:

The so called 'Greater' werewolf is called that due to the control the individual has over its transformation into both bestial and its new bipedal form. These werewolves start at about 20 years of age, and it will be several centuries before they are even considered Elders of the pack. But given that these werewolves have much better transformation control, these are the ones usually holding ranking positions in the pack hierarchy.

### Bestial ('Lesser') Werewolf:

The Bestial form werewolves are often called 'lesser' werewolves, as this is seen as the easiest of transformations to master, and also considered the closest to their lupine cousins. This stage lasts from the time a werewolf turns 19, up until they fully master the transformation process in their late 30's. When in this stage, the Beta will often use these werewolves to help patrol pack domains.

### Elder Werewolf:

These werewolves are the most senior of the pack, with the eldest often being near a millennia old. Many packs call Elder werewolves "Grey Hairs", with the term being one of endearment and as a sign of great respect. Those packs that have a high percentage of such werewolves in their pack are often some of the most respected of packs, as such werewolves are held in high regard for their knowledge and experience.

### Lone Wolf:

These are werewolves that have either struck out on their own, or were more than likely exiled from their pack for a grave transgression. Young werewolves are often seen as Lone Wolves, given their often impetuous nature. In some packs, condemning a werewolf to the status of a Lone Wolf can be removed in a 'quest of penance.' However, many Lone Wolves will often lose themselves to their more bestial instincts, devolving into something most werewolves speak about in hushed whispers.

### Primal Werewolf:

A Primal werewolf is one that has lost itself completely to its bestial instincts, its mind lost to the savage hunger and animal intelligence of a common wolf. Many werewolves are spared this fate if they stay with their pack, however, Lone werewolves are more likely to be seen as falling to this bestial state. They are found by following the trail of destruction they tend to leave in their wake, with most not mourning any Primal werewolf that is put down by the Catholic or Orthodox churches.

### Playability:

The allowances and power-scaling go with the age of the werewolf, along with their overall place within a pack. Their roles within a pack also dictate what the may or may not be able to or allowed to do. The type of werewolf dictates abilities as well, with Primal Werewolves being incredibly limited in what they can do--as they are seen as little better than beasts--to Greater Werewolves, Lesser Werewolves, Pups and Elder Werewolves having a larger freedom in ability scaling, depending upon what type of werewolf they are. Lone Wolves owe no allegiance to any pack, and any character that is a lone wolf does not have to pay attention to pack and organizational politics. However, if a character is a werewolf that belongs to a particular pack (either listed here or created on their own) they must pay attention to pack hierarchy, politics and where the pack stands within a multi-pack organization (should their chosen pack participate in one).

### Extra:

Characters can simply be referred to as a werewolf, or chose the name that their character's region refers to werewolves as. They can also choose to be armed with a weapon or not, depending on the level of militancy within an individual pack or the character's personality.

## Packs

Werewolf pack structure tends to follow to a very rigid system and rank structure, though the packs will have different names for the subordinate ranks according to differing pack idiosyncrasies. Each rank's duty within a pack is listed below, with a council of the most elder werewolves in a pack existing outside of normal structure if the Alpha choses to have one...though it is a rarity to have one.

**Pack Hierarchy**:

* **Alpha:** This rank is largely self-explanatory. The Alpha is the head of the pack unless they are challenged by a werewolf from the lower ranks and move down in the ranks if they lose their Alpha rank. The loss is an especially tremendous shame for long-established Alphas.
* **Luna/Lune:** This rank is largely subject to the status of the reigning Alpha, as this rank is solely reserved for an Alpha's wife/husband. The loss of status for those long established ones are also sources of great shame.
* **Beta:** The beta is the Alpha's second in command of the pack, and is largely responsible for the maintenance of pack discipline. Also serves as a pack advisor and mentor for lower ranking werewolves. How pack discipline is maintained is largely up the the individual personality of the Beta.
* **Gamma:** Gammas are largely in charge of maintaining the pack's stockpile of armament, as well as training and commanding the pack's military arm. The import of this rank often comes down to the individual packs, but each Gamma will take to their role with often great relish and zeal.
* **Delta:** This is a rank that is often flexible in its importance, as Deltas are the caretakers and doctors of the pack, helping to raise and nurture the younger werewolves of the pack. Deltas are often picked to have this role and stay there, as they are often the most level-headed of pack, which is quite a suitable personality for such a role in the pack structure.
* **Omega:** This is the lowest rank in the pack, and is reserved for the average werewolf within the pack. Much of the Alpha's potential challengers will come from this rung of the pack structure, as while they are supposed to be subservient to the higher ranked werewolves, they can be quite resentful of being at the bottom of the hierarchy.

### Notable Packs:

#### The Night Hounds:

This is one of North America's--and the world's--most unique packs in that the role of Alpha is not held by a traditionally dominant male of the pack. This is a pack with leadership structure of mostly females, her opposite number being that of her husband. This is a position that she has held for most of her natural life, and has led to a gradual shift from its formally hyper-aggressive nature. This shift in their nature has made many a pack try to challenge their territory, to which she has showed them the grave punishment of such hubris.

#### The Grey Barbarians:

Hailing from Canada, this pack has long been considered the most dangerous pack to cross, which has drawn special attention to them from both the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. Sporting a large number of Greater Werewolves in its pack population, the concern comes from its tendency to defend its territory with overwhelming violence. However, most recently, it has started to aggressively expand its territory; this expansion is bringing it into contact with multiple werewolf packs and organizations and is close to disrupting the balance of power in the North American region.

#### Pack of Bitter Iron:

Noted for being one of the most militant packs in not just the British Isles, but also in Western Europe, it is unsurprising that their armories are one of the most diverse for a pack. It is also one of the most disciplined packs as well, with the current Alpha having clamped down on any notion of dissent right after his ascension to the position. Due to the high level of militarization, very few people in law enforcement have tried to curb their militancy and active aggression against other packs in the British Isles.

#### Les Nobles de la Nuit:

Being the single largest pack in all of France, their name is hardly surprising. Using largely diplomatic means to solve issues, it is one of the most politically influential packs in Western Europe, having actively shaped better relations with the French arm of the Roman Catholic Church; this is despite both still mistrusting one another to a large degree.

#### Koshmarnite Zhivotni:

A Bulgarian pack who can trace its roots to the royal bloodline of Tsar Simeon I, it is one of the oldest and most well established amongst the Slavic werewolf packs. Aggressive whenever they absolutely need to be, their pack is considered the head of the Bulgarian League Pact, a decision which has rarely been called into question by the other packs in the country. This policy of necessary aggression has served them well, given their continued shadow war with the Eastern Orthodox Church ever since its founding days.

#### A Székely őrzői:

This pack is largely made up of Werewolves from the Szekely group of ethnic Hungarians that populate a large portion of central Europe. The pack has largely thrived and used its association with the infamous Count Dracula to help deflect any scrutiny. This is one of central Europe's largest packs, numbering at nearly 400 strong. It was larger, but it was one of the many packs that suffered heavily during the extermination campaigns of World War II. Due to this level of attrition and trauma, the pack--until recently--was known as one of Central Europe's most reclusive werewolf packs.

#### Balkanski Lovci:

One of the many packs to fight back against the extermination campaigns during World War II, the pack has gained a fearsome reputation as the most militant of all packs in the Balkans...most notably Serbia, where they hail from. They defend their pack territory with the ferocity that helped to seal their reputation, even giving the commander of the SS Schatten Gruppe pause during her campaign of extermination. They also bear a tremendous grudge against the Eastern Orthodox Church, one that they say dates back to their establishment nearly eight centuries prior.

### Notable Multi-Pack Organizations and Pacts:

#### Bulgarian League Pact:

A pact made of up 8 different packs within Bulgaria. This pact is headed by the Koshmarnite Zhivotni, an arrangement that has lasted for several decades. This arrangement has been in kept in place largely by vote, with none of the packs wanting to destabilize the decades-long status quo, despite rumors to the contrary.

#### The Yugoslav League:

This organization is a mutually beneficial alliance of the packs that reside within the countries that once comprised Yugoslavia. This is considered one of the largest multi-pack organizations in southern Europe, and has continued its existence despite the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Meeting once every five years, it is remarkable that it has lasted as long as it has, given the often politically and ethnically fractious nature of the Balkans.

#### Franco-German League (Formerly the League of Charlemagne):

Once known as the League of Charlemagne, the Franco-German League is widely considered one of the oldest lasting multi-pack pacts in Western and Central Europe. Meeting once every three years, this organization has held a vote as to who is charge of the league, with the leading pack at the top having changed very little in the entirety of the league's existence. The current pack in charge is Les Nobles de la Nuit, a position that has been held for the better part of half a century, and was met with little violence.