INTRODUCTION:

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The modern version of the werewolf is a relative new addition to the supernatural world, only showing up within the last 500 years as a hybrid descended from the Lycidas. The Lycidas were large, wolf-like beasts whose sole purpose was to destroy anything that posed a serious threat to humanity. It is unknown how they came to be or exactly how long they had been guarding humananity. As time passed, however, they were unable to stop the very humans they protected from turning on them and hunting them mercilessly; they had been tricked into thinking that the Lycidas were their enemies like every other monster.

 

Driven nearly to the brink of extinction, the Lycidas had only one choice to survive. In their darkest hour, a researcher ahead of his time worked with the Lycidas and found a way to splice Lycidas genes and the vampire virus together allowing Lycanthropy to be transferred through a bite. This resulted in a somewhat unstable mix between the Lycidas DNA and the frail body of a human: the modern Werewolf. More often than not the virus would kill a human; It wasn't perfect, but his work allowed the Lycidas legacy to live on.

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The modern werewolves were left with the task of protecting humanity, yet faced the same ridicule as before. They too were hunted, considered a nuisance by other monsters, their attempts at rebuilding the population thwarted time and again. These werewolves later fled and went into hiding, hanging on by a thread over the centuries.

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DESCRIPTION:

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Modern: These are the werewolves seen today.  In human form, modern werewolves don’t appear much different than other humans. They do have a few distinct features, including enlarged fangs and the ability to gain muscle much easier. Their eyes have a more intense hue than typical humans, and their pupils reflect the light much like a dog, cat, or nocturnal anima;. The lycanthropy virus is dormant in their bodies and they are unable to spread the infection. In werewolf form, they appear as hulking beasts with long, massive limbs and tightly packed muscles throughout their body. The color of the pelt is determined by their natural hair color. White patches of fur can be present in some cases, most commonly on the chest or paws. The length of the human’s hair will determine how long  their manes are in wolf form. Humans nearly double their body mass when they are wolf form, and gain about a foot or more in height after shifting.

Valko: Humans that share genes with the lineage of the Lycidas are called Valko; they can go through life without ever knowing of their heritage. Even if one of these humans gets turned into a werewolf, it still takes an “awakening” of their unique genes to bring out their Valko qualities, typically through extreme stress. Once awakening they are stronger and more resistant to the weaknesses other werewolves face, such as feral blackouts or being moonstruck, and their blood becomes both irresistible and toxic to most monsters. These are the only werewolves that can pass the virus to others. Their shifted forms are much larger and have different features than the modern werewolf.

Feral: The Feral form occurs when the human host is no longer able to keep the balance between themselves and the virus, leaving only a massive, mindless beast that has lost anything human about them. They are much larger than regular werewolves, and nearly double in strength. Unfortunately, this is irreversible. There is no coming back for these werewolves and it is law that they must be destroyed.

Lycidas: These were the original form of the werewolf that are now extinct. It’s not exactly known how they appeared, but some speculate that they may have resembled the feral form. The legends stated that they were quite large and regal looking, and were deadly foes.

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BECOMING A WEREWOLF:

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Werewolves are created by a Valko infecting a human's bloodstream with the Lycanthropy virus, which is passed through their blood or their saliva. The most common method is through a deep bite that punctures the skin.

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After becoming infected, a human immediately goes into a state of shock while their body desperately tries to fight off the virus. The initial symptoms include: extreme muscle spasms and tremors, intense deep pains that go down to the very bone, fevers, chills, vivid hallucinations, and even blacking out.

 

The first transformation is always the most painful and takes a huge toll on the person. Many people end up dying before the process is completed. It can take anywhere from hours to days for the virus to take its course completely. If they pull through, their bodies will begin recovering at a rapid rate. After the initial first few transformations it becomes a lot less painful and easier to shift. Experienced Werewolves can transform at will within seconds.

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SPECIFICATIONS:

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Abilities:

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• Heightened senses

  • Strength: They have an insane amount of strength; it isn’t unheard of for a werewolf to be able to tip over a bus

  • Speed: Werewolves are capable of running both bipedal and quadrupedal. Running speeds range somewhere between 70 to 80 mph

  • Hearing: A werewolf’s hearing is remarkable, most can hear a pin drop from more than thirty feet away, and everything in between

  • Sight: their pupils have reflective properties similar to other nocturnal animals, giving them the ability to see in the dark with ease

  • Scent: There’s a reason why they’re often used as trackers by hunters. Their sense of smell is easily triple that of the best hound.​

 

• Rapid Regeneration: A werewolf’s ability to heal and regenerate is incredible. They can heal from wounds and attacks that are otherwise fatal to anyone else

 

Advantages 

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• Immunities: Most sicknesses and diseases have no effect on werewolves, along with silver​​

• Decelerated aging: Many werewolves live several hundred years

 

 

Disadvantages 

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• Control: Controlling one's instincts once becoming a werewolf can be difficult. There has to be a build up of not only tolerance, but patience. Controlling a predatory instinct can be compared to a cat trying to stop itself from chasing a string. Sometimes wolves can’t help themselves. Triggers are often from emotional responses, especially darker feelings like anger. 

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• Rapid Metabolism: A single transformation takes a tremendous amount of energy and caloric intake. Werewolves that don’t consume enough food to replenish their energy will become weak and slowly wither away. New wolves will experience intense feelings of starvation and it can make them aggressive. Starving werewolves will also be susceptible to sickness and poisons. 

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• Ranthus (vinca alkaloids): Anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule alkaloid agents derived from periwinkle; These weaken werewolves due to cancelling out their ability to heal rapidly and shift. In high doses it can be fatal.

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• Moonstruck: Becoming Moonstruck during a super moon or full moon leaves werewolves on edge and temperamental, and more vulnerable to having a feral blackout. They are highly unstable during this time, symptoms can be quite severe and may include: 

  • Mental and emotional instability

  • Hallucinations 

  • Aggression 

  • Inability to speak 

  • Constant aggravating ringing in the ears

  • Pressure in the head 

• Feral Blackout: Experiencing a feral blackout means losing control to their animal instincts, a temporary lapse of reality for a wolf in which they’re acting solely on instinct and self-preservation. They are highly aggressive and dangerous in this state.

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Ways to Kill 

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• Decapitation: Werewolves can’t survive their head being removed

• Ranthus Overdose: This can stop a werewolf's heart, or leave them dangerously weakened and susceptible to regular weapons

• Severe Trauma: If a werewolf is beaten faster than their body can heal, they may very well die from their injuries

• Going Feral: Becoming feral is basically a death sentence. A feral werewolf will lose all aspects of their human mind and become disastrously aggressive. They are inconsolable and will go on homicidal rampages that can leave countless dead. The only option is to kill them.​​

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RELATIONSHIPS:

Druids: Druids always seems to attract werewolves for one reason or another.  The two races were once mutual protectors of Earth and the connection they bare is inherent.

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Vampires: Because a werewolf's blood is such a high quality and has an incredibly pleasnt taste to vampires, they make prime targets for being hunted.

Wendigos: Being a pinnacle of pure evil and a major threat to human society, wendigos are absolutely detested by werewolves for merely existing. Most are well aware of the dangers these demonic creatures pose, and see them as a threat that must be destroyed at all costs. Wendigos are still quite bitter about their past facing the Lycidas, and now they are sure to harass or kill werewolves any chance they get. 

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Hunters: Hunters have relied on werewolves for almost three hundred years, and have proven themselves to be not only allies but efficient weapons against their enemies. Because of the nature of their relationship, the feeling towards the Hunter Society is mixed. It is not uncommon for the "free" werewolves to have it out for the hunter society for the way werewolves are treated while in their custody. However, others are thankful and see the hunters as guilds who prevent them from going feral. 

WEREWOLF Q&A

Q:  Are A/B/O dynamics in The Ridge?

A:  No. 
 

Q:  Do werewolves have packs?

A:  Traditional packs do not exist in The Ridge. Werewolves may group together with others of their species but it is seen more as a social group (ie. a friend group) than a “pack.”
 

Q:  If a werewolf has tattoos in human form, will they be visible in werewolf form?

A:  The only tattoos visible on a werewolf would be brands given by hunters.
 

Q:  If my character has dyed hair, would the dye be visible in werewolf form?

A:  Yes, it will show at the ends of the werewolf form's main, or hair around the neck and head area. 
 

Q:  If my character has piercings, would they be visible in werewolf form?

A:  Yes, though werewolves to need to be careful. Some piercings can tear skin as they transform. 
 

Q:  Can my werewolf have the Lycidas bloodline?

A:  This will have to be reviewed and discussed by the mods on a case by case basis before being approved or denied. These werewolves are few and far between, and we are not obligated to approve your werewolf’s ties to the Lycidas lineage.

 

Q:  Do werewolves have mating/heat cycles?

A:  No, they still follow basic human biology when it comes to such matters. 

Q:  What happens if a Feral Werewolf is given a Ranthus Shot?
A:  They will forcefully be reverted to the human form but their mind is still completely gone. They will continue to attacking anything they come into contact with, even as humans and quickly return to their feral form. 

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Q:  What is the minimum age a human can be turned into a werewolf?

A:  12 years old but this is uncommon. Children have a drastically lower chance of surviving the transformation, and typically die during the process. 

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Q:  Can werewolves partially shift?

A:  A werewolf that has good control of their wolf form and instincts can probably partially shift but it's not something that most werewolves can master.