Note: This is a playable race that is currently being developed further, refined and expanded upon to provide an even better experience. Check back often and watch for announcements regarding updates. If you have questions ask an admin or mentor for help.
Werewolves of Emory Haven
The first of the Werewolves were men, chosen by the Aesir to be guardians of the supernatural, when magic was first given to the world. They were to be the Watch Dogs of the Veil, and for centuries have since worked to ensure coexistence between those on either side of the Veil, by walking both in the realm of men and magic, ever treading the divide.
This duality, the two faces of the coin, is at the conscious core of every Werewolf. Maintaining a balance between their human and bestial forms is a constant battle for all Werewolves, as slipping too far in either direction for too long, forsaking one half of themselves over the other, comes with dire consequences.
Werewolf nature is intrinsically tied to the Moon, and will feel an ever-present pull or temptation to shift when the Moon is visible and overhead. This propensity to change and shift grows as the Moon both rises and waxes,
For those who fight to remain human, particularly in the presence of a full moon, these effects range from fatigue, to crippling aches, and lastly, complete motor disability. For those who toss aside their humanity, indulging in their pure savage strength, total insanity and a complete surrender to animal instinct is assured, their minds becoming trapped within a ravenous, raging, and uncontrollable beast.
The Werewolves of Emory Haven, and others in our setting, have three potential forms: Human, Lycan, and Wolf. The latter of the three allows them to take on a very literal aspect, allowing them to walk the woods on all-fours with their natural wolf kin.
Werewolves can be both born and made. Born from parents where at least one carries the Werewolf trait, and made through wounds inflicted by someone of a shifted form, where the afflicted’s blood has come into contact with a residue produced from Werewolf teeth and claws, after they’ve shifted.
This duality, the two faces of the coin, is at the conscious core of every Werewolf. Maintaining a balance between their human and bestial forms is a constant battle for all Werewolves, as slipping too far in either direction for too long, forsaking one half of themselves over the other, comes with dire consequences.
Werewolf nature is intrinsically tied to the Moon, and will feel an ever-present pull or temptation to shift when the Moon is visible and overhead. This propensity to change and shift grows as the Moon both rises and waxes,
For those who fight to remain human, particularly in the presence of a full moon, these effects range from fatigue, to crippling aches, and lastly, complete motor disability. For those who toss aside their humanity, indulging in their pure savage strength, total insanity and a complete surrender to animal instinct is assured, their minds becoming trapped within a ravenous, raging, and uncontrollable beast.
The Werewolves of Emory Haven, and others in our setting, have three potential forms: Human, Lycan, and Wolf. The latter of the three allows them to take on a very literal aspect, allowing them to walk the woods on all-fours with their natural wolf kin.
Werewolves can be both born and made. Born from parents where at least one carries the Werewolf trait, and made through wounds inflicted by someone of a shifted form, where the afflicted’s blood has come into contact with a residue produced from Werewolf teeth and claws, after they’ve shifted.
Strengths and skills seen in werewolves
- Lycan Strength: Werewolves possess both enhanced strength and greater dexterity in their Lycan form, their bodies invigorated by their Wolf spirit.
- Natural Instinct: Animalistic instinct provides Werewolves with the ability to pre-eminently sense dangers in the natural environment. E.g. Approaching storms or imminent earthquakes.
- Communal Howl: Werewolves are able to release a howl which echoes throughout the region, the origin of which can be detected by all nearby Werewolves. Additionally, Werewolves have the ability to communicate ‘telepathically’ with mates or other nearby members of their pack, through a spiritual link.
- Superior Senses: Werewolves boast heightened senses of smell, hearing, and sight in their human forms, which are only improved further while in their shifted forms.
- Three Forms: Werewolves are able to, from their human form, shift into a quadruped wolf form and bipedal Lycan, though neither of these are necessarily willing transformations, and can often be involuntary under the sign of the waxing moon.
Weaknesses and restrictions seen in werewolves
- Painful Transformation: The transformation process for most Werewolves, even those most experienced, is painful, as bones and muscles contort, bend, and tear to fit their new form. When Werewolves return to their human forms, they often become afflicted with great fatigue and muscle aches.
- Muted: While in their Lycan and wolf forms, Werewolves lack the ability to verbally communicate with those who are not similarly shifted or spiritually linked by a bond or by their pack.
- Instincts over Logic: Werewolves, while shifted, forsake most of their logic and rational thought in favour of animalistic instincts, reducing their ability to reason and be reasoned with. Fight or flight reactions almost entirely take control.
- Burden of Balance: Werewolves must shift into their Lycan or wolf forms regularly, the necessary frequency depending largely on the experience of the individual, or else they will suffer extreme fatigue, aches, and disability. Once shifted, Werewolves must fight with their internal urges to return to their human form, fighting off the temptation and addictive qualities of their Lycan abilities. Werewolves, who neglect the need to return to their human form, risk succumbing entirely to primal instinct and their bestial half, allowing the wolf to consume their minds entirely, their humanity trapped inside an incorrigible beast.
Some Werewolves embrace a selfless purpose, wishing to protect nature, the supernatural, or select groups of individuals. This would be typical behaviour for those who have found, or work towards, equilibrium between their two halves. Others will give in as much as they can afford, while retaining their human conscious, to their wolf, forsaking much of their humanity in favour of embracing their savage strength. With this, comes near-insatiable hunger and a particular taste for the raw flesh of sapient creatures when the wolf form is not properly maintained and balanced.
NOTE: Children born to werewolves may or may not inherit the lycan gene, and presents it's first change at puberty age when their bodies are otherwise going though changes. A potential werewolf child is often seen through their first change-moon by an Alpha and their bonded pack as a werewolf's change is disastrously difficult on a person physically and spiritually and it is often a concern that young or frail people may not survive it until the change has fully taken hold. It is for this reason that very young made wolves would be very rare.