Lycanthropy
The genetic condition of being a werewolf as defined by the North American packs.
Guest Author: Benni Katz, Alpha of the Katz New York pack
Causes
Lycanthropy is a genetic condition that cannot be passed via a bite. You're either born a werewolf or you aren't.
Symptoms
Weres can shapeshift at any time of the month, but if we go without shifting for too long, our bodies will force a change. Traditionally, we change for three days around the full moon and run as packs on private, pack-owned land. We have two forms: human and wolf. When in wolf form, we maintain the same body mass and coloration as our human forms. Because shapeshifting costs so much in terms of energy, we also have to consume much higher counts of calories in terms of food when shifting or when pregnant.
Sequela
Lycanthropes have enhanced night vision, sense of smell, hearing, and an instinctive sense of things similar to ESP.
Dex Lockard's note: As far as we can tell, unrelated to Psychic bloodlines.
Prevention
Don't have sex with a werewolf, you won't have werewolf kids. Condoms.
History
Shapeshifters exist in most cultural mythologies across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Werewolves are most commonly of European decent, though there are several Native American and First Nations packs who tend to appear closer to American wolves than the European and Russian timber wolves. Additionally, coyote and coywolf shifters are usually Native American and First Nations. In South America and Africa, big cat shifters are more common, including jaguars and lions. Asia's shifters are most frequently foxes and tigers.
Charlie - There are weretigers?!
Cultural Reception
We have fairly strict social codes, especially regarding territory. We mark our territories with family symbols and scent markings, along with more mundane forms of barriers like barbed or electrified wire. I've provided Dex with some of the pack marks for Katz, Cooper, and Blum families.
Carolyn: I still need to scan those marks.
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