| “ | Werewolves. Lycanthropes. Children of the Moon. They go by many epithets. What we are aware of is that they are one of the most savagely powerful and brutal creatures that roam this Earth. It varies upon how one becomes a wolf, but it is either when you are bitten by another wolf, placed under a curse, or make a pact with the Devil. When the moon is in full bloom, praying will not do you any good. For when the beast emerges, it will hunt and kill with the instinct to survive. Do not underestimate the savagery of these monsters. | „ |
| ~ Nicholas Romanov to his son Ivan |
The Werewolf, also known as a Lycanthrope, Lycan, and Wolf-Man, is the most widely known of Werebeast species. Werewolves are, for the most part, humans with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic lupine creature, either by their own will or unwillingly after being bitten, or after being placed under a curse.
Overview
The legend of the werewolf is said to have existed during the early ages of Mycenaean Greece and ancient Mesopotamia. The earliest known account of a man shifting into a wolf is found in the Epic of Gilgamesh which is considered the oldest known prose from 2100 BC. Another legend details the story of Nebuchadnezzar, a mighty Babylonian king who was cursed by God into becoming a werewolf for thirty years until he repented. He was regarded as the first biblical werewolf though his curse was not transferred to others into becoming werewolves as later lycanthropes would do.
In Ovid's Metamorphoses, another lycanthropic tale, it recounts a Greek legend involving an Arcadian king known as Lycaon who attempted to test Zeus' proclaimed divinity by serving him human flesh. Enraged by this, Zeus placed a cursed upon Lycaon, transforming him into a wolf, and killed his 50 sons with lighting bolts. However, Lycaon is said to have bitten his sons in order for them to survive the god's wrath and traverse the world to keep the lycanthrope lineage intact. Most of the werewolves were hunted to near extinction by Witchers until their reported sightings sometime during the 1800s.
The werewolf is a widespread concept in European folklore, existing in many variants which are related by a common development of a Christian interpretation of underlying Indo-European mythology which developed during the medieval period. From the early modern period, werewolf beliefs also spread to the New World with colonialism. Belief in werewolf develops parallel to the belief in witches, in the course of the Late Middle Ages and the Early Modern period. The transformation is often associated with and attributed to the appearance of the full moon, as popularly noted by the medieval chronicler Gervase of Tilbury, and perhaps in earlier times among the ancient Greeks through the writings of Petronius.
Rivalry
Werewolves are the eternal natural enemies of vampires, and have been at varying degrees of conflict with one another since the two races came to be, with no known end in sight. According to Caspian, a werewolf elder, werewolves were created by divine hand to counteract the destruction left by vampires whom were created by demonic hand. In a sense, the battle between a werewolf and a vampire can be perceived as its own "Spiritual Warfare" but material in this case. Thus, discussion between the two races is incredibly rare and neither side really understands the other, aside from recognition of the mutual antagonism.
Whatever the case of how their eternal battle is viewed, werewolves are still monstrous in their own right and would still fight for the sake of land or food against the vampires. It is unknown what triggered this conflict, but it is believed that this blood feud has been renewed time and time again across the ages, with each generation following in the warpaths laid out by the previous. It is likely that tensions between Werewolves and Vampires stems from their overlapping territories and their shared predation of humans; whenever one side would usurp control of these resources, the population of the other would fall into decline, leading to conflict between the species. As most vampires prefer civilization over the wild (largely because werewolves are not believed to spend as much time in cities), encounters between the two are infrequent but usually incredibly violent.
Powers and Abilities
Werewolves are reputed as one of the most savagely powerful beasts in the supernatural world. In terms of ranking among the bestiary of werebeasts, they rank second only behind the Werebear. They are far superior to humans in physical attributes with many displaying an array of unique abilities. Such abilities are not just learned but can be harnessed through a generation or bloodline that the werewolf descends from. They possess inhuman strength, speed, durability, and reflexes, outclassing most monsters, with them even being regarded as naturally stronger than vampires. Their claws are extremely sharp and dense, capable of cutting through steel and other highly durable material.
The most notable ability present in werewolf society is the Munin Howl, their greatest and most lethal technique, where they are able to channel the collective might of their ancestors into their physical form. That includes their rage, aggression, hatred, memories, and experience, concentrating it to such a degree as to enhance their speed, strength, reflexes, endurance and spiritual energies to unprecedented levels. Its power is so great that it is said to be only harnessed by the most talented generations. This power is displayed through an aura with an illustrious golden shine that encompasses their being all while radiating a fiery spectral aura. Some could even channel small portions of the Munin Howl through their physical attacks, with one example of Kraven Salvatore placing his spiritual energies through his claws for far greater cutting power and speed.
They can channel this power through the Bloodline Blade, their ancestral sword which contains a powerful wolf spirit. Moreover, not only could they use the Munin Howl through the blades for more concentrated attacks but can also channel the power of the spirit that lay within the blade, with said spirit bestowing them their enormous power. This can only be accomplished by more advanced werewolves as utilizing the Munin Howl is difficult enough but to have it be used in synchronicity with the Bloodline Blade is an entirely different matter. Moreover, whereas a regular Munin Howl gives off a golden colored aura, one that is used in conjunction with the Bloodline Blade displays a color attributed to the spirit that lays within the sword; example was when Miguel utilized Fenrir's power with his Munin Howl, his aura was a fiery dark red, and Mehmet utilizing Anubis's power was coated in a green aura.
Description
Appearance
When transformed, a werewolf generally resembles a monstrous wolf-like creature, with a lupine body covered in fur, as well as razor-sharp teeth and claws. Werewolves possess a muscular build, often standing around 7 feet in height, although their appearances tend to vary even in wolf form; but it is ill-advised to assume that such a beast would be any less lethal, as the werewolf is a force to be reckoned with regardless of its outward appearance. Fur color also may vary, as black, brown, and gray individuals are all documented.
Normally, when werewolves are in their human forms, it is very difficult to discern their lycanthropic nature and as such can quite easily blend in with humans although other supernatural beings can identify them and even other humans whom have experience dealing with the supernatural. However, their most notable features are their bright amber eyes which is similar to that of a vampire's crimson eyes along with their well-defined and fit physique.
Transformation
When a newly formed werewolf is born, they are capable of shifting only when under the full moon. However, as the werewolf grows older he gains more experience with his transformation and powers, and thus are no longer bound by the cycle of the moon. These werewolves shift at will, unaffected by the moon. However, a werewolf's role within their society depends on what auspice or lunar cycle they were born or cursed under. Shifting takes a great deal of effort, and werewolves need to replenish their energy after shifting.
When it comes to newly created werewolves, this process is quite gruesome and painful, as the werewolf's bones realign into a more lupine skeleton as their muscles bulge and spasm, while the human skin is shed, revealing the werewolf fur underneath. It is possible that the spasms are to help with the shedding. Overtime, the more the werewolf gains control over their transformation, the more process of said transformation becomes smooth and quick. Moreover, experienced werewolves can shift certain parts of their body such as their forearms alone without the rest of their body being affected.
Hierarchy
A werewolf is typically seen as a noble and honorable warrior. They also have pride when it comes to the type of clan that they are descendants from. This in turn could make werewolves of a royal class in their species. When it comes to a pack, instead of a tribe, it is mostly molded into a family, biological or adoptive, of werewolves who live and function together as a unit. The emotional ties of the pack are very strong and are the central focus of werewolf existence.
Various packs of werewolves can also come together to form Septs, which is comprised of werewolf packs organized around a specific Caern that is associated with said pack based on their totemic qualities. While werewolves come in packs, they are truly united through tribes. Much of werewolf society is organized into tribal groupings where a tribe will consist of a bunch of packs affiliated by blood or alliance. Tribes do not usually live together, but do gather periodically to reaffirm bonds and discuss and rule on important issues. Each tribe, in one form or another, is nominally ruled over by council of elders made up of the most powerful pack leaders and mothers within the tribe.
When to comes to the ruling class of werewolf society as a whole, the society is run and overseen by approximately four elders. These four elder werewolves are said to be among the first lycanthropes that set foot upon the Earth and are direct descendants of the sons of Lycaon, the first werewolf and their king. As such, they are the ruling body of all werewolves on the planet and are stationed in different parts of the globe usually in very secluded areas.
Notable Werewolves
- Lycaon - First Greek Werewolf and Lord of the Lycanthropes
- Caspian - Northern Werewolf Elder - (Spirit of Conri)
- Voula - First Werewolf Queen and Southern Werewolf Elder - (Spirit of Lupa)
- Mehmet - Middle-Eastern Werewolf Elder - (Spirit of Anubis)
- Miguel - Nordic Werewolf Elder - (Spirit of Fenrir)
Werewolf Subspecies
Prominent Types
- Lycan (Greek Werewolves)
- Dire Wolf (Ancient Werewolves)
- Translupine (Invisible Werewolves)
Cultural Werewolves
- Hakken (Japanese Werewolf)
- Rougarou (French Werewolf)
- Faoladh (Irish Werewolf)
- Wulver (Scottish Werewolf)
- Pricolici (Romanian Werewolf/Vampire Hybrid)
- Adlet (Inuit Werewolf)
