True Lycanthropy

## True Lycanthropy (Cynocephaly)

True Lycanthropy is considered to be the oldest and possibly best form that Lycanthropy can take. True Lycanthropy can be traced back to antiquity with myths such as King Lycaon of Arcadia though this does not account for the many stories of Lycanthropes before this. True Lycanthropes or Cynocephaly as they are also known have the ability to transform from a human to canine form at will whilst retaining the majority of their intellect and understanding. This makes True Lycans an incredible threat as a hunting pack can use military precision in order to take down its prey.

True Lycanthropy is obtained by earning favour from Lycanthrope deities such as Lykaios or Lupa. In antiquity and times gone by however Lycanthropy was given as a punishment for liars, traitors, and fiends. Though upon the creation of Lycanthrope religions the feelings of these gods changes, instead blessing individuals that have brought great honour to them. Often in order for an ordinary human to gain Lycanthropy they will have to undergo a multitude of rituals that vary by religion and pack. Though as a whole many of these rituals involve the individual completing some test of strength or endurance such as swimming across the marshes of Arcadia or climbing to the peak of a holy mountain. Sometimes Lycanthropy can be granted to individuals that have found themselves in relationships with Lycanthropes upon their wedding day as a sort of gift from their gods though this is rare.

True Lycanthropy can also be gained through birthright as the children of two Cynocephaly will also possess True Lycanthropy. This has allowed Lycan centric cultures and religions to develop over the eons of time. This family linage is what directly lead to the creation of many Lycanthrope packs in the classical world. This has also allowed Cynocephaly to seamlessly integrate into our society with many people living their lives in the company of these Lycans without even an inkling to their neighbours true nature. This willingness to participate in society has lead to Cynocephaly being the most populace of all Lycanthropes as well as the most widely dispersed.

Cynocephaly often only keep the company of other True Lycanthropes as many among the Cynocephaly consider other forms of Lycanthropy to be a twisted version of their blessing. This almost eugenic view on Lycanthropy has benefitted Lycan kind with many Cynocephaly actively hunting and destroying instances of lycanthropy they see as abhorrent. With Cynocephaly effectively policing other Lycanthropes by terminating instances of Cursed Lycans has protected their secrecy for centuries. Keeping the company of their kind has allowed these True Lycanthropes to develop a rich history of wars, kings, wolves, and glory.

There is no cure for True Lycanthropy and those who are unlucky enough to be unwittingly gifted with such abilities will surely lose their mind. Fortunately due to the nature of True Lycanthropy an individual doesn’t necessarily have to transform into their canine form unless they want to. This has lead to some Cynocephaly in the modern world living almost their entire lives as humans, only transforming only religious festivals.

Due to the sentience retained whilst in their canine form Cynocephaly are almost always incredibly well groomed in their canine form. This contrasts many of the other forms of Lycanthrope which appear to be far more animalistic compared to the regally groomed appearance of a Cynocephaly. This sentience is also seen in certain Lycan packs and religions where for some rituals participants may where regalia crafted to fit their Lycan form. This sentience has also been used in years gone by to craft stunning suits of Cynocephaly armor making them near invincible in combat. This sentience has finally accumulated in grand Lycan packs, the city of Lycosura, and the acknowledgment of Lycanthropes as a political entity by the United Nations.

Much of the history of the Cynocephaly is shrouded in myth and mystery with almost no first hand accounts of their existence before the dawn of Abrahamic religion. It is said that before our known history there once existed great kingdoms of Cynocephaly though for some reason or another lost to time their kingdoms fell and their populations disappeared. Such stories could be a true explanation as to the true origin of all Lycanthropy though the locations of these cities have been lost to time with only the vague whereabouts known. Although no evidence has never been found to support these Lycan city states many among their species will cite these tales as fact and depict artwork of their ancient kingdoms struggles. Unsurprisingly their exists an absurd level of conformation bias among Lycan archaeologists studying their species ancient history. Some of the most absurd claims of these Cynocephaly involve them building the pyramids or being the orginal occupiers of the British Isle. The vast majority of these claims have been proven to be nothing more than true Lycan propaganda however.