Blutbad

A **Blutbad** (*BLOOT-baad*; Ger. *Blut* "blood" + *Bad* "bath"; pl.**Blutbaden**) is a wolf-like Wesen that first appeared in "Pilot".

## Characteristics

Compared to many canid Wesen, their true forms retain much of their human features, and their woge seems to be different per individual, since Monroe's Blutbad form was shown to have sharp but otherwise human-esque features, while the Postman andHap Lasser were more wolf-like (the Postman actually having a canine muzzle). The fact that, according to the Grimm Diaries, they gain an increase of musculature around the lumbar areas, while leaving the lower portions vulnerable, suggests that a change in muscle placement occurs whenever they shift. They also gain burning red eyes, their fingernails extend into long curving claws, and their rows of teeth become pointed. Female Blutbaden tend to have much less facial hair and less pronounced facial features than their male counterparts, but in exchange, have more fierce-looking facial visages.
Blutbaden are incredibly strong, more than any man and most Wesen, and have been shown overpowering their adversaries in both human and Wesen form. They are able to lift a grown man up and throw him across the room with one arm. Of the genders, the male appears to be the strongest, as Monroe was able to restrain Angelina easily. Also, Hank was able to knock Krystal down with one punch to the face, despite her being woged. ("Natural Born Wesen") Nevertheless, female Blutbaden are still very dangerous and are not to be underestimated. For example, a female Blutbad in her teens (Holly Clark) was able to kill a full grown man. ("Let Your Hair Down") They do not appear to be as strong as Grimms, as Kelly Burkhardt and Nick were able to hold down Monroe, even being woged. It's worth noting, however, that due to his lifestyle, Monroe isn't as strong as an average Blutbad. Nick was also able to defeatCole Pritchard with relative ease, although Cole didn't woge until near the end of the fight. ("Natural Born Wesen") Their bite is particularly deadly, as they generally kill their prey by biting the neck or throat, and Holly Clark, at roughly seven years of age, caused James Addison to have a permanent limp after she woged for the very first time and bit his leg, tearing out a chunk of muscle in the process.

They are also incredibly fast and agile, as well as being quite durable and resilient. One was able to survive a bullet in the back at point blank range and was able to run off almost directly afterwards, although bullet wounds to the heart or head will kill them as easily as normal men. ("The Three Bad Wolves") They have a weak spot on the lower back, but the Blutbad physiology seems to have evolved with time to compensate for this weakness, since Angelina Lasser recovered rather quickly after she was struck in that area by Nick.

Their sense of smell is also incredible, enabling them to be excellent trackers and identify different animals and types of perfumes. They can also identify the presence of other Wesen, along with being able to discern what type they are, through scent alone. While Wolfsbane weakens this sense, Monroe was still able to discern the Postman's location after applying the herb on himself, and the Postman himself was able to sense both Monroe and Nick once they were in close proximity as they approached his dwelling. ("Pilot") Monroe was also able to detect Nick's location after he did not apply Wolfsbane sufficiently enough to himself. ("Leave It to Beavers") It seems that the more familiar they are with the immediate vicinity, the better they can discern everything within their surroundings. Blutbaden can also hear high frequencies that dogs can hear. ("Happily Ever Aftermath")

When their eyes are in the woge, they become highly reflective, creating a glowing appearance. By reflecting light better, the Blutbad's diurnal eyes become nocturnal. ("The Icy Touch")

Blutbaden develop their Wesen half many years before puberty; Holly Clark was seven when she "fanged out," and the young boys, John and Michael Davies, woged when playing "Grimm & Wesen" with their older sister Wendy, who was 13. ("Let Your Hair Down")(Issue 6) They also have considerable survival instincts, since Holly Clark was able to survive in the woods for nine years from an age as early as seven. They don't appear to fear Grimms, but they do deeply hate them. Oftentimes, their first response upon meeting one is to attack.

Cats become aggressive around Blutbaden. ("Woman in Black")(Issue 1)

Blutbaden are also vulnerable to the Völlige Verzweiflung, a mushroom mostly found in the Black Forest that is better known as "the Black Despair Mushroom." When eaten raw, the mushroom is harmless, but when it is cooked, it releases a toxin that is fatal to Blutbaden, causing them to suffer gastric dilatation volvulus. The Blutbaden will climb into trees when their symptoms are at their worst, where their stomachs burst. This vulnerability does not seem to be well known amongst the species, as Monroe learned about it only after Rosalee read about the mushroom in one of her books at the spice shop.

## Behavior

Blutbaden are noted to lose any inhibition when they get into close proximity to one of their own, strongly hinting that they are motivated by pack mentality when giving in to their bestial natures. This may be why they tend to adopt solitary existences, as nearly all Blutbad seen so far have lived alone in their own territory, secluded from each other. However, this only seems to occur when there are no familiar ties with the Blutbaden in question, since Monroe, Angelina, and Hap were seen being able to control themselves despite being under the same roof, with only Monroe slipping. An exception was also seen when Monroe first encountered Holly Clark, most likely because he was able to sympathize with her. ("The Three Bad Wolves") ("Let Your Hair Down") The light of a full moon also causes Blutbaden to woge. ("Pilot") ("Bad Moon Rising")Blutbaden are also known to be quite vicious; it is not uncommon for them to kill humans or other Wesen and then eat them. But the race that they have the worst relationship with is the Bauerschwein, whom Blutbaden kill and terrorize simply for fun. Blutbaden also have bad relations with Seelengutter and consider them to be prey. They also seem to look down on Fuchsbau, probably because they are a similar but weaker Wesen race compared to the Blutbaden. However, they are also very loyal to both friends and family, particularly the latter, and they almost never kill their own kind. Only the most corrupt and vengeful ones engage in such conduct. When word got out that Bauerschwein were poisoning Blutbaden, an entire pack of them immediately assembled downtown in an effort to get the perpetrator to confess. A Royal, Mia Gaudot, was visibly impressed after she was tricked into believing that Angelina killed Monroe, heavily hinting that something like this very seldom occurs.  ("The Three Bad Wolves") ("The Good Shepherd") ("Over My Dead Body")

In "The Three Bad Wolves", it was revealed that they maintain strong familial ties even while separated from each other. Blutbaden also have their own ways of burying their own. ("Over My Dead Body")

In terms of their interaction with other races, Blutbaden can only be described as both noble and savage; they show unquestionable loyalty to those who earn their trust (even towards Grimms) and are willing to show their utmost ferocity towards anyone they deem a threat to their own, making them great allies and formidable enemies.

Like actual wolves, they mark their territory so that other Blutbaden don't trespass. This practice seems to be instinctive, since Holly, who did not even know she was a Blutbad, displayed this behavior in the woods where she exiled herself, prior to Nick and Monroe finding her there. ("Pilot") This also comes in handy in "Big Feet", when search dogs looking for Larry Mackenzie were thrown off the scent when they felt a large predator was nearby.

Blutbaden are largely feared (or respected) by others in the Wesen community, probably for their strength, ferocity, or battle prowess. This is perhaps further cemented by their long history of enmity against the Grimms. As Monroe has demonstrated, a Blutbad can often gain access to Wesen-only areas and circles by showing his or her true form to the creatures guarding or managing the entrance. For example, in "Last Grimm Standing",Sauly and the others in charge of the Löwen Games were excited when they found that Monroe was interested in placing a bet (because they were going to make him fight). In "Cat and Mouse", when Edgar Waltzdiscovered that Monroe wasn't a Fuchsbau, he looked surprised and a little scared before Rosalee threw ghost pepper powder in his face. Ziegevolks also seem to be afraid of Blutbaden. ("One Angry Fuchsbau")

Blutbaden in society seem to have various roles, depending on what lifestyle they choose. There are jobs that are usually taken by Wieder Blutbaden, like Monroe, who strive to be accepted by general community. This does not seem to be always the case though, since the Postman took up his job to be able to maneuver himself around the neighborhood, as well as for cover. Others, like Hap and Angelina Lasser, seem to have no occupation at all.

### **Feeding Habits**

In general, Blutbaden seem to be omnivorous but prefer a highly carnivorous diet, especially if they are predatory and living out on the wild. They are capable of devouring humans and other creatures if need be. After eating a human, a Blutbad will not have to feed again for 7 to 10 days. Wieder Blutbaden choose to subside on a completely vegan diet to help control their natural instincts.

## Wieder Blutbaden

Some Blutbaden choose not to live this violent lifestyle, reform, and attend a different church. They are known as Wieder Blutbaden (*pronunciation: VEE-dər BLOOT-baat, Grimm: BLOOT-baad;* Germ. *wieder* "again" + **Blutbad**; maybe a misspelling of *wider* "against" or derived from the Middle High German word "wider", which is the origin of both modern German words "wieder" and "wider" and means originally "far away" or "more apart"). It could also be derived from "Wieder-Täufer" (Anabaptists), which would fit to the hint of the "different church." Monroe stays reformed through a strict regimen of diet, drugs, and exercise (although other Wieder Blutbaden may have other means to control themselves), whereas normal Blutbaden give in to their animalistic impulses and live on the wild side.