Post by Dusk Admin on Mar 28, 2020 17:38:24 GMT -5
Werewolves
Table of Contents
- Origins
- Creation
- Physical Description
- Transformation FAQ
- Abilities
- Weaknesses
- Aging
- Cures
- General Personality and Disposition
Origins
A singular, precise origin of the werewolf curse is unknown. Many cultures world-wide tell tales of wolf-like creatures who terrorize on the full moon. Different legends persist with slight variations of what werewolves look like or act like. All werewolves, however, adhere to the following guidelines.
Creation
A werewolf can be created two different ways:
- Venomous Bite - When a werewolf (in wolf form) administers a venomous bite to a human, only about 75% of those infected will survive the bite. Those who survive will transform under the next full moon.
- Genetics - When at least one parent is the carrier of a recessive werewolf gene, the child's first transformation will occur around puberty.
- Two Bitten parents will always produce a genetic child who will begin to exhibit symptoms of the curse around puberty.
- One Bitten parent with a non-Bitten parent may produce a child who is the carrier of a recessive werewolf gene, but may never transform. The child will be entirely human, but with a mysteriously good sense of smell.
Note: The first transformation marks the completion of the curse.
Physical Description
When not transformed, a werewolf appears to be an ordinary human. To those with supernaturally heightened senses, they smell dog-like. Besides this, there are no overt giveaways to their true nature.
There is a spectrum of transformed appearances based on the pack of origin. Some will appear more wolf-like while others will appear more human. Like different breeds of dogs, each new werewolf will have the characteristics of their original predator.
Be creative! Minimum requirements of the transformed appearance:
- Fur grows in large patches, especially on the chest, back and hands. The color is the same as their natural hair color.
- Teeth and nails sharpen and elongate. Nails may harden or thicken as well.
- Bone structure, especially in the face, shifts. The mouth and nose region extends into a canine-like muzzle. The effect can be subtle to overt.
- Wolfish eyes. The color, size, shape may change in many different ways.
- All injuries and scars are retained in wolf-form.
- If wearing restrictive clothing, the clothes can tear to accommodate the transformation.
Transformation FAQ:
When does a werewolf transform?
Every night of the Full Moon, from dusk until dawn, without exception. Transformations can also be triggered during times of intense emotional distress, such as life-or-death events. In these instances, the werewolf will revert back to their human form when the threat has passed and the body calms fully - usually a couple of hours.
Can the transformation be resisted?
Some clans of werewolves practice control over emotions and are able to resist some of the changes (never the Full Moon change). This requires years of guided training and psychological fortitude.
How does the transformation commonly feel physically?
Transforming is painful as the bone structures shift rapidly. For genetically created werewolves, this transition can be less painful (though it is still uncomfortable).
What do werewolves feel while transformed?
While transformed, werewolves exhibit an increase in aggression and an irresistible need to hunt and feed on flesh.
How much control does a werewolf have during transition?
A transformed werewolf has no innate control (in a human sense) over their actions. Genetic werewolves have an upper-hand over the Bitten when it comes to control but only marginally. Control can be built with diligent training and meditation but this is RARE and complete control is never achieved. Should a transformed werewolf be met with threats of bodily harm etc, control in the moment is increasingly difficult even for the well-trained.
How much awareness does a werewolf have while transformed?
This differs depending on a couple of factors. Similar to control, Genetic werewolves are more likely to have awareness while transformed than Bitten werewolves will. Training will also affect awareness, and new werewolves must be mentored. Awareness ranges from fully aware to completely blacked out while transformed. Typically, the more control a werewolf has during their transition the more awareness they posses.
Abilities
In their human form:
- Physical strength and speed almost matching a newly-fledged vampire. This remains the same throughout the werewolf’s life.
- Increased sense of smell and hearing on-par with an average wolf.
- Able to smell the difference between humans and non-humans. While all species smell different, the specific differences between species must be learned.
- Faster healing. Something that would need a week to heal will take only a few days.
- Able to eat raw meat of all kinds with no adverse reaction
- Higher resistance to illness and disease
- Werewolf blood is toxic in all forms. If enough is ingested a vampire will die. Ability to resist is dependent upon the vampire’s age - younger vampires are more susceptible
While transformed:
- Sense of smell is significantly stronger than in human form.
- Senses are enhanced and vision in the dark is almost as good as a vampire’s
- Accelerated healing: wounds close within minutes.
- Venomous bite: can curse a human (if the human survives).
- Werewolf venom can be distilled into an effective paralytic against vampires.
- Can kill vampires, humans, and fallen angels.
- Jaws become powerful enough to easily break bones.
- Bodies are stronger, faster, and more agile in all cases.
- Some have the ability to scale buildings.
- Resistant to mind-control.
Weaknesses
In human form:
- Easily susceptible to mind control.
While transformed:
- Cannot communicate verbally when transformed.
In both forms:
- Silver: Stabbing results in paralysis, death if it reaches the heart or brain. Skin contact causes topical burns - effects are mild when in their human form and severe when transformed.
- For example, if a non-transformed werewolf wore a silver bracelet, they would break out in a severe rash in that area. While transformed, the bracelet would appear to cause a chemical burn.
[/li][li]Removal of the heart results in death.
[/li][li]Werewolves die from old age.[/li][/ul]
Aging
Werewolves age at the same pace as humans until their first transformation. After their first transformation, aging slows dramatically. Werewolves live for about 1000 years or so.
A werewolf at around 25 would appear about 18.
A werewolf at around 50 would appear about 25.
A werewolf at around 100 would appear about 30.
A werewolf at around 300 would appear about 40.
A werewolf at around 500 would appear about 60.
A werewolf at around 1000 would appear about 80.
- Bitten: Magic can stop the first transformation, effectively curing the curse for the Bitten. Humans cured of the curse will always deal with some kind of side effect of the change for the rest of their lives. Some will have increased irritability around the full moon, others will still constantly crave the taste of raw meat. Though technically cured, they will still pass on a recessive werewolf gene to their offspring. They will still smell like a werewolf to other creatures.
- Note: Not all magic-practitioners know how to stop a transformation. General consensus is that there is no cure.
General Personality and Disposition
- Most are impatient and quick to anger, most notably on days leading up to the Full Moon. Aggression is also a common trait.
- Most have a strong pull toward a family / pack, and feel a sense of emptiness without one. Loyalty is a marked trait amongst pack members, and toward non-pack werewolves as well.
- Packs are defined by werewolves who stay together - typically family/sire lines but not always.
- Werewolves will always feel a pull towards other werewolves, even if they don't know them.
- Packs can be in conflict with one another, but against a common enemy they will always be on the same side. Subconscious species loyalty, even if the other ones suck.
- Always carnivores. There is always a craving and nutritional need to eat meat (even if a human was a vegan before transition). Werewolves can try to be vegan but will suffer from malnutrition and increased irritability.