Werewolf

Werewolves (also known as Lycans) are an animalistic shapeshifting group that can transform into both human and canine. They are part of the genus Were, that also branch out to other animal species, most notably, Werecat. A small group called ‘The Pure’ can turn into wolves, while any other ‘werewolf’ will turn into some sort of canine including, but not limited to, coyotes, domesticated dog breeds, foxes, and jackals. Though they can turn whenever they please, during a full moon, they are forced to transform, and during a new moon they can not shift at all.

Basic Information

Biological Traits

Werewolves that receive the curse through their genes will take on the same kind of form as their parents. For example, if two werewolves who shift into jackals give birth, the child will also shift into a jackal. If the parents change into two different forms, there is a fifty percent chance for the offspring to take on either parent's form. This, however, is not true if one parent is a 'Pure' (shifts into a wolf), the offspring will take on the non-pure form since they are not purebred.

The Pure

The Pure, also known as purebreds or wolves, are any werewolves that transform into wolves. These werewolves are purebreds and originate from bloodlines that can be traced back to those who crossed the veil from Purgatory. They are seen as the strongest and the rarest of werewolves. Besides their appearance and enhanced abilities, there is little difference between them and earth-born werewolves.

Other

Any other werewolf might also simply be referred to as a werecanine due to the fact that they don't actually shift into wolves. Werecanines will transform into any canine besides a wolf. No one exactly knows how breeds and species of canine are chosen, some believe it is based on the specifics of the witch that cursed them, others believe it goes back to their genes, and others believe it is just simply random luck.

Hybrid

For those who have the werewolf curse in their veins but also another species, they are known as hybrids, though some specific hybrids do have a name. Hybrids are far more powerful than either species that they came from since they only benefit from things that the species normally would fall prey to. For example, werewolf hybrids are not forced into shifting during a full moon. Wolfsbane doesn't hinder them either. But other issues come with being a hybrid, such as being hunted by both species and having afflictions and feeding issues that the other group might not be bothered by.

Genetics and Reproduction

Like all were creatures, werewolves can reproduce with a number of different species. Their reproduction is a mix of both human and animal factors. Werewolves can only get pregnant when they're in heat, which takes place every two months and lasts for a week. The pregnancy can last from four to five months. Passing on the werewolf gene depends on the opposing species. With other werewolves, the gene will one hundred percent be passed over, while with humans, it's a fifty-fifty percent chance. Any other species will shift depending on the more dominant gene. It is normal for werewolves to give birth to twins, triplets, and though not as typical, quadruplets and higher. Due to these large groups of birthing, it is also not rare for werewolf mothers to die during childbirth.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Werewolves are carnivorous creatures, first and foremost. They can eat any human food but must have meat from time to time, this can include fish. When they are in their canine form, they predominantly eat what true canines would.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Along with the different types of werewolves, there is a specific social structure that all packs will follow. This excludes lone wolves but will be included for information sake.

Alpha

The Alpha is the leader of the pack. Customarily, this is a male, but it has been known for other genders to be able to hold the position. Alphas are considered to not only be the strongest of the pack but the wisest. Alphas fight their way to their positions but will also have to be chosen by the pack. An Alpha can win every fight, but if they're not accepted by the pack, then it won't matter. They can be replaced by being challenged by another, or if the pack comes to a decision to replace them. They are in charge of creating laws, replenishing, adding, or banishing members, and dealing with the politics and alliances. They are the epicenter of the pack, a nervous Alpha makes for a nervous pack.
More often than not, Alphas are pure-bred werewolves, meaning that they were born a werewolf and not turned. Again, there are exceptions but most turned werewolves are over thrown soon after.

Beta

The second in command is the Beta. Typically this is the spouse of the Alpha, though that is not always the case. If not the spouse, then the Beta is chosen personally by the Alpha and is usually the most trusted by the leader and is a well-liked member of the pack. In the past, it was extremely rare, if not totally improbable, for a Beta to take the place of an Alpha, even if chosen by said Alpha. Though, this is no longer true due to the number of Betas that have led a coup to replace the Alpha in modern-day times.

Elder

The Elder is the oldest living werewolf in a pack and is respected by all. They were usually either previous Alpha's or Beta's and are known to have been raised in the pack, loyal until the end. The pack's Elder is an essential member of the pack as they are the ones in charge of continuing tradition and performing any and all rituals that are needed to be done. The Elder is treasured, and their funeral is even larger than an Alpha's.

Pups

The pups constitute as any member too young to be considered useful to the group at the time. Children born and adopted into the pack as well as any recently turned or recruited werewolves. They are given little to no responsibilities and are allowed more social freedom than any other member. They are needed to prove themselves before they're given any kind of attention, and most members will usually refer to them as pups even if they are adults at the time.

Loners

Lone wolves, also known as rogues or omegas, are any wolves that either don't belong to a pack, left their pack, or were kicked out. For those kicked out, it could be for several reasons, some more heinous than others. Depending on the crime, a pack will brand a lone wolf before they let them go, telling others that whatever crime was committed was a grave one. It's rare for branded wolves to be accepted into any other pack, while non-branded wolves have a good chance of doing so. Some lone wolves stay that way and become specialists, hunting their own kind for money and revenge.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

A werewolf's greatest strength is their sense of smell. Along with having enhanced smell, their smell is twice as powerful in wolf form, allowing them to pick up smells and even smell certain emotions if the individual is feeling them strongly. Along with this, they also have enhanced sight, strength, and endurance. There are only a few things that can mess up a werewolf's sense of smell, specifically being skunk urine and spells that utilize vinegar.

Civilization and Culture

Common Myths and Legends

• A werewolf bite is not lethal to a vampire, it only sickens them.

• Popular even amongst werewolves is the thought that a virgin heart is needed or is better to feed those newly turned. While in truth, any mortal heart will do and a virgin one holds no additional properties.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Werewolves typically stick to their own kind, which also consists of other weres. Though, this doesn't mean that their relationships with other species are negative.

Humans

Werewolves and humans typically co-exist without any true problems. Werewolves only need a human to completely turn a werewolf. So any pack that has established themselves and refuse to turn new werewolves are all accepted by the humans that know of them.

Vampires

The relationship between werewolves and vampires is mostly a neutral if not negative one. Like many legends say, werewolves and vampires have been feuding for generations, many unable to trace back how far. The main reason for this hatred is due to a werewolf bite being able to sicken a vampire. Along with this, and perhaps being the main reason, the two are known to habit the same territory. Werewolves usually seek out human areas to establish themselves but are known to not feed on humans regularly, so they can blend in and keep low but respectable profiles. Vampires, on the other hand, feed on the native population regularly, and if done too much, bring in hunters that run both groups out.

Were Creatures

History states that werewolves and others were creatures that didn't always get along. There is evidence where wars have been fought due to close proximity and superiority. Though there is still tension between some groups, most have forgotten the past and are allies. It's not rare to see a group of different weres living in the same area, even sometimes being in the same pack.

Shifters

Similar to the relationship between werewolves and humans, werewolves, and shapeshifters typically have no quarrel with one another.

Witches

There has always been bad blood between witches and were creatures, mainly because the curse that were creatures must carry throughout their life was first bestowed on them by a witch. This bad blood does not mean it affects everyone's viewpoint, but many factions still carry hatred for witches since they are constantly cursed and singled out by witches.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Weres

Scientific Name

Lycanthropy

Lifespan

Average, same as human

Status
Extant
Nickname(s)
Lycan
Werecanine
Related Species
Werecat
Werebird
Werebear
Wereserpent
Pure Werewolf
Were-Vampire Hybrid
Were Hybrid

Series Information

Seasons
1, 2
First Appearance
“No Good Deed”

Known Werewolves

• Petri: Werewolf/canine; transforms into a Doberman

• Amari Foster: Vaewolf; transforms into an Australian Shepherd

Trivia

• Vaewolves are the only type that are not forced into transforming during a full moon. During a new moon, like the others, they are unable to shift.

• It should be noted that though offspring of Pure x NonPure couplings do not take on a wolf form, their canine appearance is close. Size is larger than the specific breed and jaw and teeth more closely to that of a wolf.

• Werewolves can actually catch rabies regardless if they are currently in their animal or human form. If not transformed when caught, the human will simply carry a sickness that is contagious to others. While a transformed were will behave like any other rabid animal.

Origins

The Pure

The Curse

No one for sure knows how the werewolf curse came to be. Most ancient texts speak of a witch with her reasoning for cursing said human, or humans, varies depending on the culture and time. The knowledge of curses existing that, if fueled by a witch's life force, can continue for centuries makes many assume that these texts are indeed correct.
Whatever the curse's origins, it has since been seen as both a curse and a blessing to some. There are two ways to become a werewolf. The first and primary method is to be born as one. This typically means that both parents are werewolves, though possible if one is a human or another supernatural, though the chances of the offspring being a werewolf drop drastically if that's the case. Hereditary werewolves do not need to activate the curse, as this happens when they reach maturity. The second way is to be scratched and infected by a werewolf. Simply being scratched does not guarantee a human will shift, as there are other factors involved. One, a werewolf's blood, has to enter through the open wound. Two, this act can not be done on a new or full moon, any other day is possible though. And third, the curse, if passed on this way, does not activate until a werewolf has fed on a mortal heart. If the human never feeds, then they will never turn, and will either die of the infection or possibly be rid of it.

Weaknesses

Despite being able to heal themselves when receiving a non-lethal blow, werewolves can be injured by the same things a human can. They can endure more of a beating and have enhanced senses, but a bullet wound will deter them just as much as any other.

• Silver: Though silver does not immediately kill them, it is a powerful deterrent that will slow them down. The only way to kill a werewolf with silver is by stabbing or shooting them through the heart or head.

• Decapitation: Decapitating a werewolf will lead to death.

• Removal of the Heart: Removing a werewolf's heart will lead to death.

• Fire: Interesting enough, though fire will not kill them (unless on fire for a substantially long time), it can eliminate their ability to regenerate and thus make them far weaker and easier to land a killing blow.

• Magic: A powerful witch or another supernatural creature can kill a werewolf with their powers. Typically only powerful witches can successfully do this, while other supernaturals have to be above a werewolf on the spectrum to succeed (i.e., angels, demons, reapers, etc.)

• Mortality: Werewolves are not immortal and thus will die of old age.

• Starvation: Like all creatures, if werewolves find themselves unable to feed, they will lose strength and die. For werewolves, they can diet and eat whatever they like, similar to humans, but must also consume an appropriate amount of human hearts. This can also be substituted with an animal heart, but more must be consumed to stay alive.

• Wolfsbane: When digested, wolfsbane can kill a werewolf, but this only counts for a werewolf that has transformed. When in human form the poison works slower, allowing the individual to get to a cure, otherwise it will inevitably kill them. It is believed that wolfsbane can also be used to cure a werewolf while in human form by feeding it to them along with other things over time.