Werewolves

Werewolves (known as the Wuugral in the Elder Tongue of the werecreatures, or Takkar in that speech), are the most numerous, widespread, and well known form of werebeast in the world. They are separated from their fellow Wyldborn by their more organized and closely knit society, and the packs that they operate in.

## Physiology

### Appearance

#### Human Form

Whilst in their native human shape, or "Biped", as they often call it, a werewolf is physically indistinguishable from an ordinary human, apart from a higher than average body temperature. When angered and on the verge of transformation, they may manifest some monstrous features, such as glowing eyes, increase in hair, or nails becoming claws.

#### Transformed

A transformed werewolf is huge apelike hybrid of wolf and man, which they call the Lycan form. Most tower somewhere between seven and ten feet in height, and weighs somewhere around a thousand pounds. Oftentimes, a werewolf's Lycan fur color corresponds to the hair color of their Biped form, though with those of less pure lineage, they will often appear more multicolored and mangy. Their eyes sometimes correspond to the color of their human form, with blue or green eyes being known in some individuals to glow slightly. Additionally, colors such as orange, yellow, red, and even purple are also known, some of which are known to glow. Elsewise, werewolf eyes have also been known to perfectly match those of their human form on certain occasions. All in all, it must be stated that there is tremendous variety in transformed werewolves.

### Aging

Werewolves are able to live longer than ordinary humans, usually surviving a century, and several decades afterwards never succumbing to age, with living to near two centuries being well within the realms of possibility. Most werewolves, however, simply do not have the opportunity to reach such an age. Not considering this fact, a werewolf begins aging when human, at approximately half the speed that an ordinary person does after they first transform over werewolves never aged so they outlive the age they supposed to be.

### Diet

Werewolves are able to consume ordinary human food. However, due to their lupine tendencies, they have a preference for meat.

### The Soulkin

Werewolves, as with all werecreatures, are possessed of a soulkin, an Etheric spirit bound to their soul. This soulkin fuels their primal instincts, and grants them an inherent connection to the Ether and the spirits that dwell within it. The soulkin, while bound to a werewolf for life, is its own distinct entity, a consciousness that is separate from the werewolf's human side. Often known as "the wolf", it wishes to be in harmony with its other half, which is accomplished by transforming. Werewolves who attempt to repress their transformations anger their soulkin, so that when a transformation does inevitably occur, they tend to exude such rage that the werewolf will violently lash out.

#### Lunar Cycle

The cycle of the moon is an indication of the thinness between the barriers that keeps the Ethereal spirit world and the physical world separate. As a result, a soulkin gains considerable strength during the full moon, and can force transformations much more easily.

### Reproduction

Werewolves reproduce in the normal manner used by naturally evolved creatures. When mating with one another, the resulting offspring inherit lycanthropy in its dormant stage, meaning that they will function as ordinary humans, apart from a hotter than normal temper. In order to activate their werewolf physiology, the prospective werewolf must have its dormant soulkin awakened. This can be accomplished through a variety of methods, such as killing someone in a blind rage, having magic used on them, of being attacked by a supernatural being, including fellow werewolves. This latter method is the reason behind the myth that werewolves are able to pass on their condition through a bite or scratch.

## Powers and Abilities

### Universal Powers

For the most part, the potency of abilities that werewolves possess vary depending on what form they are in. however, some powers are universally the same across all forms.

Animal Communication: Werewolves are able to instinctively understand the tongues of beasts, especially wolves, regardless of forms, and can communicate with beasts, so long as they possess lupine vocal cords.

Magic Detection: The soulkin of a werewolf provides them with an innate connection to the Ether, the world of spirits. As a result, they are able to sense various forms of magic, mostly via their physical senses. For example, they are able to smell certain types of magical beings, and will hear a "ringing" when magic spells are cast in their presence.

Magical Weaponry: The teeth and claws (or in human form, nails) of a werewolf serve as natural weapons, and are imbued with magical energy, making any damage they inflict with them slow to heal, even by magical means.

Partial Transformation: Werewolves, with training, are able to transform singular parts of their bodies into those of a different form. This allows them to alter their vocal cords to speak while in Lycan form, or grow claws from their fingernails.

Spirit Detection: Due to the presence of their soulkin, werewolves are able to sense the presence of Ether spirits that would otherwise remain undetected. This includes spirits which are possessing a mortal host, or those that are currently disembodied.

Supernatural Senses: Across both of their forms, werewolves are possessed of supernaturally potent senses, which would put any natural creature to shame. They are gifted with the ability to see across vast distances and through pitch darkness, and have hearing sufficient to detect the sound of heartbeats within their line of sight. Their taste and touch can pick up the most minute flavors and sensations, and have an absolutely phenomenal sense of smell, allowing them to not only track people by their scent, but learn to discern the release of pheromones and hormones, with training.

Telepathic Resistance: The soulkin of a werewolf serves as a defense against telepathic powers of any kind, making it harder to read a werewolf's mind, dominate their will, or deceive them with illusions.

### Biped Form

Enhanced Physicality: Whilst in their Biped form, werewolves are naturally inclined towards athleticism, and can achieve massive physical gains with minimal effort. As a result, most tend to be very high in the range of human potential in terms of strength, speed, stamina, and resilience, with many being borderline superhuman in their physical prowess. As a result, it is a simple matter for them to overpower and beat down ordinary humans in physical combat.

Regeneration: Even in their Biped form, werewolves possess a healing capacity beyond that of any mundane man. They are able to recover from any wound which does not kill them within a matter of hours, and can even regenerate some organ tissue, though this will take longer. The regenerative powers of the Biped form do not, however, allow for the regrowth of lost limbs or entire organs, though such lost body parts may be reattached.

* Disease Immunity: As a result of their potent healing abilities, werewolves are immune to all non supernatural diseases, although they can still transmit them to others on occasion.

### Lycan Form

Dread Aura: The power of the Dread in Lycan form serves to inflict mindless terror upon mortals who enter the presence of the werewolf in this state. Most mortals are reduced to gibbering wrecks that curl into the fetal position, whilst others might be made to flee for their lives. The state is known as the Dreadmind. The mad panic inspired by Lycan Dread even distorts the memories of those who witness a werewolf in Lycan form, causing them to think they simply witnessed an enormous bear, and in the worst case scenario, result in permanent mental damage.

Regeneration: The Lycan form's regeneration is the most potent of any form, allowing for almost any wound to be healed within seconds of it being inflicted, allowing werewolves to pull back in their own guts as they hang out, survive a bullet to the head, and even regrow lost limbs or organs. The only limits are truly tremendous bodily trauma, such as decapitation, total bodily destruction, the loss of the heart, or absolutely massive amounts of tissue damage across the body to overwhelm their healing factor.

Supernatural Durability: The hide and tissues of a Lycan form are so tough that they are virtually immune to most mundane weaponry, with all but the most high powered rounds being unable to penetrate their flesh, much less damage their bones.

Supernatural Speed: Werewolves in Lycan form are able to run faster than most natural creatures. Their movements in combat are blindingly fast, and can easily overwhelm mundane opponents.

Supernatural Stamina: The Lycan form provides stamina sufficient to fight for hours or even days at a time, though the time tends to be reduced if they are constantly forced to regenerate from injuries, especially of a supernatural variety.

Supernatural Strength: The Lycan form is the most physically powerful of werewolf shapes, gifting them with enough raw power to lift and throw a car a fair distance, as well as destroy most mundane materials given enough time, especially considering their powerful claws.

## Weaknesses

Despite their considerable power, werewolves are possessed of a number of weaknesses capable of causing them harm.

Silver: Silver is the bane of werewolves, as it is for all werebeasts. Silver can cut through any invulnerability a werewolf possesses, slow its healing, and even corrode their flesh in certain forms. Furthermore, a werewolf cannot change its shape if it has silver embedded in its body.

Mortality: Despite their immense toughness and regenerative abilities, werewolves are still mortal. As such, they will succumb to wounds that will cause death before their healing factor can save them. They can be killed by asphyxiation, prolonged immolation, rapid blood loss or drowning. A broken neck, severe brain trauma, decapitation, severe heart damage, and heart removal will instantly kill a werewolf.