Lycanthropes

*It is not possible either to **trick** or **escape** the mind of Zeus.*

- **Hesiod**

## History

### The First

Born in 1178 BC, Selene was born to King Pelasgus of Arcadia. He quickly grew resentful of the infant- Pelasgus desired a strong boy who could take his place when he perished. Therefor he threw Selene off a cliff, into the oceans. But instead of dying, the child was caught by a passing Oceanid. Poseidon refused to adopt her, passing her on to Artemis as he was too occupied. Artemis took her in and made her one of her clan. She taught Selene how to hunt, honing her skills in archery and combat. Considered a prodigy by the Goddess herself.

When she grew older, Selene accompanied Artemis to a feast they were invited to. This happened to be Arcadia- her birthplace, where many of its inhabitants worshipped Artemis and her huntresses. The king recognised his own blood- though, kept the revelation to himself. Selene appeared to not know her father, which served him well. He tried to delude Artemis, requesting assistance in the killing of a beast that carried characteristics of man and various animals. Though, he could've asked for Artemis to go herself, he specifically asked of her if a mortal huntress could complete this arduous task. She accepted, and sent Selene as a test.

Thought it came with incredible adversity, she completed it and brought back the head of the monstrous entity, crawling back to the palace with broken limbs. From then on, her success in slaying the creature became a tale that went down in history as a legend of courage. She wouldn't learn of the king being her father, leaving with Artemis shortly after.

Back in Olympus, a shameful act was committed by Zeus himself- deflowering the beautiful Selene against her will, forced to be released from her position alongside Artemis. In Delphi Selene traveled in pursuit of its oracle, requiring their wisdom. What their next step should be. It enlightened her about her origin- told that she must slay her own father in battle, and then take his place. The revelation shocked her, but it didn't disencourage her.

After finding herself back in Arcadia, she lead armies she rallied over the years to initiate an attack. It proved to be successful, ending in the death of her father and her victory.

In celebration, she organised a feast which the Olympians would attend. And in spite of what he had done to her, Zeus dared to show himself. Out of revenge, she dared question his omniscience. The brothers that she never knew were fighting by her father's side, hence her lack of remorse in slaughtering them- cooking their flesh and serving it to the Gods out of spite. Though, she wasn't mad- this would become a moment in history in which she acted most foolishly. Zeus could tell what she tried, punishing her by transforming her into a man-eating wolf.

### Founding Lycana

After being beset by her curse, she converted her court and infected them with her lycanthropy. Her history with the Gods made her aware of planes none could travel. She eventually lead her following to a dimension in which nothing ruled- only inhabited by beings they could prey on, to survive. Soon their following grew as more men and women turned, finding a place in what they called Lycana. Soon a hierarchy was established and they formed an actual community, developing a true society of Lycans over multiple generations. Being the very first, her longevity was much greater than any of the converted. The passage of time didn't affect her.

### Peter Stubbe

A wealthy, fifteenth-century farmer in Bedburg, Germany, may be the most notorious werewolf of them all. During the 1400s, in his area many were frightened by the theory of werewolves. Man being able to shapeshift into a wolf. They sought to hunt them and kill them- for the safety of their families. Many of them had lost someone in this hysteria, uncertain of whether their disappearance was due to the monster they set out to hunt.

In the midst of this craze, Peter was accused of being that creature, some stating they've seen him change forms in the night while in the dark forests. Instead of denying the allegations, he confessed and exclaimed he was responsible for the killing of various animals, men, women and children. Also stating that he'd eat all of their remains. His confessions were considered truthful, resulting in a gruesome execution he did not combat. Perhaps tired of the curse of lycanthropy. They cut off his limbs, saving his head for last. Torturing him as punishment. Eventually they'd kill him.

It was never confirmed whether he truly was one of the Lycanthropes. Years later, his controversial death was considered to be the result of some sort of witch hunt for werewolves. And with the confessions he made, he only further drove the people to the edge of madness- resulting in their decision in executing him. Everyone considered the concept of werewolves to be fictional.

### Beast of Gévaudan

Nearing the end of the 18th century, a man-eating animal terrorised the former province of Gévaudan. Reports came in of a human-sized wolf that consumed hunters that traveled its deep forests. A phenomena that struck the people with fear- afraid to travel far from their community, afraid they'd be taken by the monster. None considered it to be anything else than a great wolf- spreading they'd reward whoever could kill it a high sum of money. It was unknown that this was a man with lycanthropy. His name has always remained unknown. Though, the story told said he drank water from the print of a Lycan's paw. Becoming a powerful werewolf.

It costed the lives of over 500 humans before the attacks came to an end. Its death came from a silver bullet. Its killed took the body and took it to the royal palace, having the carcass of the beast stuffed and put on display. It never was revealed to have been a supernatural occurrence. It decomposed as time passed- leaving much of the story left for people's own interpretation. The further science came, the more mankind decided to lean towards an extinct race of wolves. But they could never truly know.

### Modern Era

As of now, werewolves peacefully live among humans and other supernaturals in their own human forms. Hidden among the mundane humans. A considerable amount of them live in normal neighborhoods and are part of its community- occasionally traveling from and to Lycana. With the unsuspecting metahumans on the fore-front, they're allied with the vampires to maintain the peace- sharing the mutual interest of keeping their existence unknown to mankind on The Otherworld. Much like their allies, having rules concerning the killing of humans. Not allowed to devour any of their governments' officials or perform deeds that may reveal their existence to the general public.

## Powers and Abilities

### Powers

#### **Shapeshifting**

Werewolves transform into a wolf-like creature at will. Adopting numerous physical traits while doing so- with most retaining them in even their regular human form.

#### **Infectious bite**

While in their Lycan form, a werewolf can turn another person into a werewolf through a bite. Purebred werewolves are capable of doing this at will.

#### **Claws and Fangs**

Werewolves have powerful claws and are able to cut through solid walls. Their fangs can tear human flesh and can rip out a human heart right out of their chest cavity. Pureblood werewolves are able to transform just their claws without transforming fully.

#### **Supernatural Agility**

Their agility is greater than humans, often allowing them to perform leaps across incredible heights and distances, and can even scale vertical surfaces. Their agility also allows them to easily and rapidly sprint.

#### **Supernatural Speed**

A werewolf can move very fast; they are able to move from place to place in seconds. Having a peak of 100 KM/H on foot.

#### **Supernatural Stamina**

Werewolves' musculature produces less fatigue toxins during physical activity than the musculature of a human being. They can exert themselves at peak capacity for hours before fatigue begins to impair them.

#### **Supernatural Senses**

All werewolves are able to see better than humans in darkness, similar to actual wolves, their sense of smell and hearing is equally enhanced. Werewolves are well known for being excellent trackers, being capable of using their sense of smell to track targets.

#### **Durability**

Werewolves cannot be killed by conventional means. Certain techniques, as well as silver weapons or projectiles however, can kill them. Werewolves can be killed by decapitation.

#### **Regeneration**

Werewolves can regenerate all non-lethal damage, purebloods are even able to completely heal their original bites. Werewolves can even heal damage that would be fatal to humans. Even if they are turned into a werewolf after suffering such an injury, they can heal.

### Average Strength Level

Humans who are converted notice their strength increase incredibly. They can bend steel, hurl vehicles out of their path and crush great rocks. On average they can press 5 ton at most in their human form, 20 in their transformed state and even 35 under a full moon. Purebloods, in their prime could reach 50 with incredible effort.

### Weaknesses

#### Full Moon

During a full moon, a Lycanthrope can lose control over their own ability to transform and may become extremely primitive. They'l become very violent- with the desire to hunt. During this, it's very difficult for one to maintain their composure and deny its power- only the strongest being able to resist these primal urges.

#### Silver

Silver is highly harmful for Lycanthropes. Silver weapons can kill Lycans if used properly.

## Notes

* As seen in the video clip ''Thriller'', Michael Jackson is the world's most famous celebrity and simultaneously a werewolf.