Werewolves

[Nightfall]

Werewolves

The heart of a man
Soul of a wolf

And sometimes at night I feel I'm just a broken vessel
An instrument with a darker purpose
I'm at the throat of the young and the helpless
Because they've got nothing to say

Werewolves, little is known about how the creatures began or where the origins come from of this species. Most originate from either of two origins, those that have inherited the lycanthrope gene passed down by they’re fathers or those bitten, others have changed through being cursed by a Witch or Warlock. Werewolves commonly are known within Native American Culture and in parts of Europe. Werewolves have existed just as long as the vampires have, though the majority of the vampires are far older then the descendents of the various werewolves scattered through out the world.

Lycanthropy causes the change, a virus that is transferred from the bite of werewolf in they’re animal form and through the mingling or through mixture of fluids like blood. Whether this be either Lycan or Lupine form, it doesn’t matter nor make much of a difference. Once a person has been infected with the virus, the wounds usually heal at an abnormal rate within a few hours. In the days following, a person will experience flu like symptoms as the virus adapts it’s way through the body, slowly causing changes and mutations in the genetically involved structures on a cellular level. These symptoms include, Nausea, Stomach Cramps, Aches, Fever and chills. These conditions tend to last a few days and then eventually disperse. Though other changes are relevant, increased irritability , violent and sometimes hostile mood swings and even nightmares. The mental stress placed on the body from the attack and change can be unpredictable and have extremes on the body. The first official shift comes upon the start of the three day lunar cycle. In this time, a pack member or the wolf who attacked and caused the change with the infected most be present to developed the pack bond. A newly changed werewolf will suffer a horrifically slow and agonizing shift, but as more experience is gained the coming years, they become less painful and a werewolf may even learn to control the shifts with willpower. Wolves without a pack are know as renegades and tend to be completely feral during they’re first shifts, some die simply because the body can handle the reconstruction of changing shape. When encountering they’re first shift, a werewolf is incredibly vulnerable and may even be easiest to kill at this point in time.

Werewolves are incredibly strong, with inhuman strength and endurance. Increased and heightened senses give them a predatory advantage over their enemies. Night vision allows for them to see pray in the dark, in they’re human form these abilities carry over. Werewolves are strongest during the full moon, which gives them an extra energy boost and may even increase ferocity. However, they’re vulnerability to silver and fire make for great weaknesses. Silver causes a rash upon the skin in touched in human form. Any wound inflicted with silver will heal at an almost human rate, any internal damage to organs beyond repair or into the blood stream is fatal. Fire holds off the creatures, merely providing a means to stun them temporarily. Decapitation will also bring an end to any werewolf. During the full moon, werewolves may also use the energy drawn from the lunar light to recover any physical wounds or infections, either caused by silver or not. Generally, their body temperature tends to run higher than a standard person's, but not fever-high. As per how well they can deal with the cold, they generally find the external temperatures to be about 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than it actually is. Werewolves tend to outlive humans by twice the lifespan, they aren’t immortal. Oldest know werewolf currently lived to be about 300 years old. Aging stops when a wolf reaches maturity, considering if they were born a wolf.The first shifts for naturally born werewolves occur at about ages 13-16. Most commonly known is that aging begins to slow at about 20-21 years old.

Werewolves are drawn to each other, regardless of whether they are renegades or not. The pack mentality draws them. Werewolf packs are run and controlled by an Alpha male, and Alpha female, then the betas below them that help carry out the order and balance of the pack. Omegas don’t really have a massive spot in the packs and are sometimes the weakest members. Any member of a pack may challage an Alpha for the position of leadership, if the pack member wins the fight then they become the new Alpha. Werewolf packs are close kin, constantly linked together by a bond that only they know. In they’re animal forms, the wolves communicate to each other through various growls and different howls, each all having a significance to what it means. The pack hunt together and practically live side by side. An alpha has the abilities to bring and call the pack, Betas and Omegas can’t resist this call and come when summoned without choice.

Werewolves have two forms. Lycan and Lupine. Lycan form is mostly humanoid, with wolf qualities such as the head. The maw is shortened, lobes are about the same. Claws are formed in the place where humanoid hands would be. Muscular in most of the configuration of shapes, in these morphed states, a werewolf can make rash decisions based on emotion. With time and age, the human mind can be trained to overthrow the animalistic drive. The senses remain the same, undisturbed or changed.

Lupine form comes with time and age, this is considered the true werewolf form in which the shifter actually physically changes into a wolf. Commonly, the wolf forms reflect that of werewolf that infected them with lycanthropy. As a werewolf ages, they most train to achieve this shift, but it’s known to be the most powerful and intimidating. Lupine tend to be two inches larger then a typical average sized Timber wolf.