Werewolf (Species)

*"Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolfbane blooms and the autumn moon is bright."*

A **Werewolf** is a supernatural species that can transform from humans into a fearsome human/wolf hybrid. Some of them can induce a partial transformation and in some cases, extreme emotions can also trigger a transformation. Werewolves are forced to transform once per month, at the apex of the full moon.

## Werewolf (Species)

### Other Names

Wolves, Garou, Pelts, Lycan, Wolfmen, Hounds, Doggos, Murder Puppies, Rabids, Moon-Children, Uratha

### Distinctions

* Shapeshifter who turns into a human/wolf hybrid.
* Vicious, feral behavior, unable to distinguish friend from foe.
* Transformations tied to the full moon.

### Origin

Earth, possibly Scandinavia

With heightened senses and supernatural abilities, werewolves are extremely dangerous even in human form. Once transformed, they are almost unstoppable. Regardless of the type of werewolf, the curse is passed in one of two ways: a "true" werewolf and an "afflicted" werewolf. True werewolves are born with the curse, while Afflicted werewolves are individuals who were bit by a werewolf and contracted the curse that way.

Werewolves are the most famous variety of **Lycanthrope**.

## History

### Origins

Werewolves as a species seem to have originated in Scandinavia, although there are many who would debate this. The specifics of their origins are somewhat esoteric and no single definitive origin is sufficient to explain things such as the great cultural diversity that werewolves are fortunate enough to posses. One leading theory is that men in ancient times made blood sacrifices to "the gods" to gain the strength to lead their people and conquer their enemies. Their wish was horrifically granted, and the strengths and ferocity of beasts were bestowed on them, becoming "Berserker" troops that were a terrifying sight on the battlefield who decimated enemy forces. This was at the cost of transforming into a monster once per month.

Another theory put forth, and one that would explain the ancient enmity between werewolves and vampires, is that many centuries ago, vampires plagued the corners of the world, slaughtering and feeding on as many people as they could find. In their desperation, humans begged "the gods" for the power to defend their people and so lycanthropy was given to them to combat the vampires. In this instance, lycanthropy is not a curse but a responsibility; a drastic response to vampirism.

'**Yet another origin (this much darker than the others) was that lycanthropy was bestowed on those who killed their families in old scandinavian villages, as punishment. They were then exiled from the village and the condition of the lycanthropy signified that the person was a child-killer. In this case, lycanthropy is a curse and a shame, a punishment for a heinous crime.**

While of course these do not explain many of the mysteries of lycanthropy by themselves, there are some who believe that while neither are wholly true, each contains an element of truth. Regardless, lycanthropy is widely accepted to have become popularized in Scandinavia, if not originate from there.

### Around the World

Over the years, lycanthropy was brought to America long before the continent had that name and centuries before the first colonists from Europe. When the vikings first explored the land, they encountered the nature-worshipping natives who viewed the werewolves as the embodiment of their gods. The two cultures "mingled" and the curse passed to the Native Americans, who believed that it was a blessing from the spirits. The Natives who received it were always considered wise men and were often consulted as sages or shaman. They had a ritual that involved hunting and battle, the hunt often involving the animal they would become (such as werewolves hunting wolves, werebears hunting bears, etcetera). They believed that when they killed the animal its spirit fused with theirs and the transformation was even more significant. These werewolves were also the leaders of bands of warriors.

Werewolf mythology can also be found in India and Germany, as well, but it is unclear if they have any connection to Scandinavian explorers or traditions of their own. In Germany, werewolves often became warlords and nobles. Many early Germanic kings were Werewolves and succession only passed to the eldest son who was also a werewolf. This was also a sign of true succession, as true lycanthropy was genetic.

In India, there is evidence of the sick coming to werewolves to be bit to cure their ails; other accounts say that many came to werewolves seeking enlightenment. The fact that the "wise men" could turn into a human/animal hybrid was seen as a sign that they had achieved a connection to the Earth that other men did not. When the student was ready, the master would bite them to transfer the condition on the student, who would then leave and travel to their own secluded place to wait for a student themselves. Indian werewolves were typically even-tempered and as most were wise men and monks, they achieved a mastery of the werewolf form unheard of elsewhere. Many modern techniques for controlling the animal inside come from ancient Indian and Buddhist writings.

Elsewhere is the world, such as eastern Europe and the Middle-East, werewolves were regarded with mixed feelings, depending highly on the culture of the region: in Pagan Norway and Russia they were regarded as heroes, while those in Pakistan and Budapest regarded them as cursed, unclean demons. The Asian cultures had a decidedly different view of werewolves: they were just another part of nature that should be treated with equal measure respect and caution.

There is some thought that Remus and Romulus, the sons raised by a wolf mother who founded Rome, were werewolves. This theory is supported with fact, as some translations dictate that the "wolf mother" was a "wolf woman" or "Wolf-like woman", possibly a Werewolf. Whether this is true or not is unknown at this time.

With the spread of Christianity, lycanthropy became almost universally regarded as a demonic curse from Satan. In regions where Christianity was the leading religion, werewolves were hunted and killed by many. This, compounded with the fact that murder was no longer as much a part of life as it once had been, werewolves were almost extinct by the seventeenth century. While many hid in the forests or locked themselves underground on the full moon to hide their true nature from their persecutors, most fled to America.

These werewolves often traveled outside the safety of the towns and villages to set up their own small colonies with other werewolves in the backwoods and mountains. Many traveled south and some west. A large portion dwelled with the Native Americans. Geronimo, the famous native who saved early American colonies, is widely believed to be a Werewolf since he spoke the English language (which could have been learned from the white werewolves that dwelled in his village), was much lighter in skin than his kin and also was said to be incredibly strong, fast and have a "wolf-life demeanor". Over time, American werewolves developed a strong respect for nature and even today, American werewolf culture pays much homage and honor to the natural world. These practices have been passed down since their days with the Native Americans centuries ago.

During the Revolutionary War, many werewolves fought fiercely against the British and tales of these "Wolf Men" or "Beast Soldiers" spread like wildfire, though many assumed the term was metaphorical.

Through the next several centuries, werewolf populations began to grow again, especially in North America. There are more Afflicted werewolves than True ones; it is believed that the ratio Afflicted to True is (approximately) 3:1.

### Habitat

Werewolves can be found in almost any environment that supports humans, although they seem to prefer areas near forests or marshland, possibly due to their abundance of food and area to roam when transformed.

Werewovles run a little hot, so they are better able to weather the elements than a human.

### Diet

werewolves, being partially human, will eat any human food. However, werewolves have a strange propensity for rare meat and very spicy food. They're also often drawn to heavy alcohols. In their animal forms, they will consume that which their animal form would normally hunt, though their favored prey are humans, specifically the heart.

## Breeding & Transformation

Werewolves pass the curse on in two ways: genetically or through Affliction (see below).

When passing the curse on genetically, they breed true. Therefore, any werewolf--be they true or afflicted--will have a true werewolf as offspring. Werewolves can breed with humans and other werewolves, though they cannot breed with other types of lycanthropes.

A werewolf is not particularly fertile; they have a fraction of the "normal" chance of producing an offspring. This chance is even lower if the werewolf is mating with a human.

## Nature

Werewolves are a breed of shapeshifters that possess a unique method of transformation that is tied to the full moon. They have two forms: that of a human and that of a human/wolf hybrid. The method of changing is different from other shapeshifters as they cannot, for the most part, control when they transform. They are forced to transform during the apex of the full moon and may transform during periods of intense anger, fear or sadness. Additionally, a werewolf can only change between these two forms, unlike, say, a **Skinwalker**.

Werewolves are aggressive and territorial, even in human form. Many have trouble controlling their tempers. Werewolves tend to obey their primal, base urges with increased appetites, aggression and sex drive. Werewolves are very competitive and often spar with one another, although such fights are hardly lethal.

Werewolves tend to have a higher body temperature than humans. When she first activated the curse, for example, Charli Palmer felt like her skin was on fire. Once a werewolf has triggered the curse, their eyes turn yellow when enraged or when they feel threatened. Activating the curse tends to be painful (see below) as they are known to double over in pain before their eyes flash.

### Afflicted Werewolves

An Afflicted Werewolf is the result of a werewolf biting a human on the night of the full moon. In such a a case, the human will suffer the effects of their changing body over the next month. Aches, cramping, intense migraines, nausea and hostile mood-swings are common for the Afflicted Werewolf during this time. The reaction is particularly violent for Afflicted Werewolves and most are bed-ridden during this period of transition. Many also experience dramatic sensations of paranoia and irritability stemming from their growing senses; very sensitive hearing and eyesight can often wear on the nerves of the transitioning werewolf. On the night of the full moon, the Afflicted will experience aches and sensations similar to growing pains in their limbs. A warm feeling is often reported at the base of the skull, where it meets the spine. As the sun sets and the full moon begins to rise, the Afflicted will experience crippling agony and nausea as their spines begin to contort and their bodies prepare for the initial transformation.

As the full moon reaches its apex, their bones will begin to snap and restructure themselves. The fingers will involuntarily snap out of place and shift, becoming much longer and tipped with claws. Their legs, as well, will lengthen and snap to form the hind legs of their animal form. Teeth will fall out and snap into place to make way for a set of fangs and their faces will experience horrific pain as it peels and sheds, turning into a canine maw. This first transformation will take close to six hours, though this time is greatly shortened for subsequent transformations. Some Afflicted can make the change in minutes. They will then act of the beast's own accord until sunrise, when the animal will contort back into human form. The human has no memory of their actions during this state.

### True Werewolves

The experience is slightly different for those born with the curse. Such werewolves are born with the "werewolf gene". To trigger it, they must be responsible for the death of another human. It doesn't have to be on purpose; it can be an accident or in self-defense. As long as a death occurs at the hands of the werewolf, the curse is triggered. In the hours that follow, the werewolf will begin to experience accelerated healing, enhanced physical attributes and growing senses. While this can often be painful and overwhelming, it is not as painful or violent as an Afflicted; many appear as if they are depressed or in a state of constant anxiety, while others appear highly relaxed. The werewolf will experience aches, nightmares and irritability but not as intense as the Afflicted.

On the night of the first full moon since they triggered the curse, they will involuntarily turn into their animal form in much the manner described above for Afflicted werewolves. True werewolves seem to be able to turn much quicker, though, with experience and age. There have been accounts of some true werewolves transforming in as little as a minute. Over time, a true werewolf can learn to trigger the change at will and even retain a measure of control in their animal form.

### Psychology

Werewolves tend to be social as humans, often traveling with groups of werewolves called a pack. They are fiercely loyal to their packs and will often jump in to a fight on a packmate's behalf. They are often boisterous and charismatic, and their increases sex drives tends to lead them to drift in and out of relationships or one night stands. Werewolves are impulsive and quick to anger, especially if a friend is in danger.

Werewolves are known to be aggressive, strong and fast. Many have trouble controlling their tempers, especially in the week leading up to the Full Moon. Those with the werewolf curse still latent can exhibit some supernatural traits which can be triggered by aggression, along with the usual strength for the person's size and age, but they cannot transform and they tend to black out when they become overwhelmed by fits of rage. Werewolves have a strong sense of duty and loyalty to protect their own, and feel a responsibility to help their fellow wolves whenever and however they can.

While some werewolves prefer to keep to themselves and keep their beastly natures hidden, most seem to aggregate themselves into a pack, residing in areas isolated from general human society so they can run free on the night of the full moon without worrying about revealing themselves.

### La Luna Sanguinis

Some packs of werewolves have a ritual by which, on a blood moon, they hunt and purposefully trigger the curse by killing a human, willingly enduring the pain of their transformations in exchange for the strength that they gain as warriors. This ritual is meant to be a rite of passage, where young werewolves embrace their nature rather than shying away from it.

### The Pack & The Clan

Being highly social creatures, werewolves tend to travel in packs. Even if no other werewolves are present, they tend to thrive in tightly-knit social groups and are very protective of their pack, regardless of how many werewolves are a part of it.

A pack will always have a single member of the pack that acts as the Alpha. This alpha can be a male or female; it doesn't matter. This choice is not often a conscious one; there just tends to be one member of the pack that takes charge and the others tend to go with it.

Werewolves possess a sense of unwavering loyalty, especially when it comes to others of their kind. They will often bond with other werewolves they meet, forming packs and working with each other as a sort of extended family. The bond of loyalty between werewolves is so strong that while changed under full moons, the only beings they do not attack are other werewolves (whether or not they have activated the gene).

In some places, when there are high enough werewolf populations, they sometimes form into what is called a Clan. This is a closely-knit group that consists of multiple werewolf packs that have banded together for protection and support. A clan typically has dominance over a large area and members of a clan are generally protected from rival clans on their own territorty. Werewolves belonging to a clan will also often unite to drive away vampires, hunters and other intruders.

Despite the chaotic nature of the werwolf, clans have a strict hierarchy. There is usually one family or pack that is the dominant, led by an Alpha that serves as the de facto leader for the entire Clan. This Alpha has the most weight to their decisions and opinions, and in clan meetings, the say of the Clan Alpha is final. An Alpha is typically in charge of maintaining the territory and ensuring the Clan Laws are followed. They determining punishments for those who break their laws and lead their Clan into battle in times of war.

The right hand of the Alpha is the Beta; they are second in command to the Alpha and are highly respected members of a clan. The Beta has the responsibility of enforcing the word of the Alpha, to help lead their Clan in battle, to promote peace between clans and to educate and groom future alphas. The position of Beta is sometimes jokingly referred to as "Babysitter", as they spend much of their time protecting the children of an Alpha and educating them on ways of the Clan, how to control their wolf and various lessons on leadership and combat. The Beta almost never inherits the title of Alpha; the Beta tends to hold the position for life.

### Omega Wolves

An Omega is a werewolf who has been exiled, voluntarily left or is otherwise unaffiliated with a Clan or Pack. Many werewolves look down on Omegas and view them with distrust.

### Appearance

In their human form, the werewolf appears perfectly human with a few minor differences. They tend to have "predator's eyes", constantly evaluating their surroundings and sizing up those they meet. They also tend to be hairier than your average person, with a thick hair on their heads, bodies, forearms and legs. Werewolves tend to shave more often than an average human. Female werewolves don't have body hair in their human form, though they do have extensive, thick hair on their legs and in their armpits. Male werewolves tend to have thick, luxurious beards in about a week if left unattended.

In their animal form, they are a humanoid human/wolf hybrid. They stand between 7 and 9 feet tall with a humanoid body with lupine features. Some have tails, but not all. Their bodies are covered with thick, shaggy fur and when they run, they often drop to all four legs. Their fingers and toes have long, sharp claws that can rend steel.

Some werewolves have long snouts, others have shorter snouts. Regardless, they are outfitted with fangs that can crush bone like it were nothing.

## Powers & Abilities

A werewolf's strength and speed are enhanced and are at their peak during time under a full moon. When angered or threatened, these powers can be temporarily enhanced:

* **Healing Factor:** Werewolves possess regenerative abilities, allowing them to heal from physical injuries in seconds. They are also highly resistant, if not outright immune, to poisons, disease and other ailments.
* **Superhuman Agility:** These creatures possess superhuman agility. Either in wolf form or human form, they have demonstrated that they can move, jump very high, climb, flip and run incredibly fast without difficulty or exhaustion. They can catch most non-ballistic projectiles out of the air and jump down from incredible heights with almost gravity-defying grace.
* **Superhuman Durability:** All werewolves can take far more trauma than humans without nearly as much discomfort or injury. They can also exert themselves for long periods of time without tiring themselves.
* **Superhuman Senses:** These creatures have extremely keen and heightened senses of smell, sight, taste, hearing and even touch. These senses far outclass a normal wolf's, and even a vampire's, sensory abilities. They can identify others purely by scent, from miles away.
* **Superhuman Speed:** Werewolves are much faster than humans and outclass many other supernaturals. They possess this speed both in and out of animal form. However, they tend to be faster at night than during the day, due to the moon's influence, and during their transformation, their speed is greatly enhanced. In human form, they can run and keep up with a moving car. In their transformed state, they can even outrun and chase down vampires.
* **Superhuman Strength:** Werewolves possess supernatural strength that makes them far stronger than humans and many other supernatural creatures. For example, Elijah once ripped the door off of a car and Charli once kicked a trash can several yards with ease. Even with this, a werewolf in their human form is not as strong as a vampire, but they are strong and fast enough to defend themselves. In their wolf form, their powers amplify to a degree that excels those of even older vampires; in a transformed state, they are among the most powerful creatures in the supernatural world.
* **Transformation:** During the full moon, or during times of great anger, fear or stress, a werewolf will unwillingly transform from their human form into a wolf form. However, it should be noted that a pregnant female will not change during pregnancy.
	+ **Partial Transformation:** Some werewolves are able to induce a partial transformation. Such a state is temporary, granting the wolf claws and fangs while enhancing their strength, speed, reflexes and their venomous bites.
* **Werewolf Bite:** A werewolf's bite is extremely lethal to vampires. Werewolves are capable of inflicting these wounds even in human form with a little practice.

### Weaknesses

Werewolves can be damaged in the same ways humans can, though in most cases they will heal quickly and are, at most, temporarily inconvenienced. But, being supernatural creatures, there are a number of methods used for killing or incapacitating them:

* **Blood Loss:** If a wewewolf is severely wounded and bleeds out before they can heal, they can die.
* **Broken Neck:** A broken neck will result in instant death.
* **Decapitation:** While it is difficult to do, decapitation will instantly kill a werewolf.
* **Fire:** Werewolves do not possess a supernatural weakness to fire, but they do not heal from it as quickly as other injuries.
* **Heart Extraction:** Ripping a werewolf's heart out will result in instant death.
* **Hunter's Blade:** As the Hunter's Blade has the ability to kill almost anything, it is most likely able to kill a werewolf.
* **Magic:** Werewolves are susceptible to the effects of both arcane and divine magic.
* **Mortality:** They are not immortal and will eventually die.
* **Scent Misdirection:** It is possible to fool a werewolf's scent, allowing one to sneak up on them.
* **Silver:** The most famous weakness, silver to the heart will instantly kill a werewolf. Wounds caused by a silver weapon are not subject to the werewolf's natural healing factor.
* **Silver Nitrate:** A lethal injection of silver nitrate will kill a werewolf.
* **Sulphate Gas:** Fatal to any werewolf exposed to it.
* **Wolfsbane:** This herb, when exposed to a werewolf's skin, will burn them. Ingesting it causes intense pain and water treated with wolfsbane is like acid to them.