Species Guide

Werewolves

Maximum Age: 250

General

The most commonly known shapeshifter in American Folklore, and the most commonly found shifter in the United States. Werewolves have the largest groups/communities of all the shifters, with large families and strong pack mentalities.

Occasionally, some pure werewolves have added powers that go beyond normal abilities. Typically healing, future vision,

Werewolves believe they were created by the moon goddess, either Selene or Artemis, and that she is responsible for choosing their mates.

Common Misconceptions
* Only shift on full moons
* Turn people by biting them
* Hunt/kill humans

Accurate Human Beliefs
* Weak to silver
* Weak to wolfsbane
* Significantly larger than normal wolves

Pack Roles

Alpha- Werewolf that leads the Pack, male or female. Title is typically inherited by firstborn. (See Shifter Chapter for more details)

Luna- Female mate of Alpha, regardless of species. No true male equivalent. Has equal status to Alpha.

Beta- Second in command, male or female. Typically inherited by firstborn, their mates hold the same title. They help keep the pack in line, and ensure the pack is run efficiently when the Alpha isn't around.

Gamma- Third in pack status, responsible for training the warriors, handling pack security, and maintaining any prisoners held on the territory. Title can either be inherited or earned- (see shifter chapter for more details)-and term is the same for male or female.

Delta- They are the diplomats, the ones responsible for maintaining treaty regulations with pack allies both close to home and far away. Not every pack has one, title is earned, title is also gender neutral.

Seer- A werewolf blessed with future vision. These individuals can see into future incidents that concern the pack, which helps protect them. Not all packs have them, those that do regard them highly. (See Magic User chapter for more details)

Warriors- The packs protectors, the first line of defense when enemies attack. Their main focus is guarding the territory and their pack from danger.

* Enforcers- work like bounty hunters. They are warriors with additional training that permits them to track down escaped prisoners and missing pack members. They spend a lot of time away from home.

Pack Doctors- Werewolves trained in the medical field that work as on call doctors for the pack. Some in the packs infirmary, others work in local clinics or hospitals.

Pack Healers- are werewolves gifted with healing magic that work exclusively in pack territory infirmaries and clinics. (See Shifter chapter for more details)

Common Wolves- the average werewolves in a pack. They work in jobs and careers that don't directly influence the pack, but do contribute. Some are teachers, child care experts, contractors, realtors, etc.

Omegas- known as the lowest ranked wolves, used to be a title associated with neglect and abuse. Now most packs don't have any.

Mates

A werewolf calls the individual the goddess created for them to love their mate, and that individual becomes the most important person to them after meeting them.

Mates can sometimes be a different species other than human or werewolf, and sometimes are the same gender as the wolf. Relationships vary just as much as human ones do.

Occasionally, their first mates don't work out, and they are rejected for various reasons. When this happens, they have a second chance mate that comes into their life at some point. And if their second chance mates also end badly, they can have a Chosen, or fated mates of their choosing.

Werewolves use a special bite on the shoulder to mark their mate as theirs, it typically leaves a unique tattoo like mark on the shoulder and their scent on them to let every supernatural creature know that they are off limits. Usually, the higher ranked the wolf is, the less likely others are to mess with them. It also creates a mental link to their mate so that they can communicate telepathically, or without speaking, from great distances.

In werewolves, this puts a female she-wolf into a painful heat, which only happens if the pair are not mated by the first full moon after marking, or for any other shifter a full month after marking.

(For additional information on children, see Shifter chapter)

Laws-

• No marking without consent.

• No mating without consent of all individuals involved.

• No imprisoning or killing of humans without proper reason. (Ex: killing a pack member, sexual crimes against a pack member, etc.)

• Never expose your kind to the human public.

Weaknesses

Silver- Causes major damage both internally and externally, mostly due to the fact that it slows their bodies ability to heal...death by major blood loss is biggest issue. Can block shifting in the form of chains and restraints. Injuries caused by silver leave scars after healing.

Wolfsbane- Blocks the individual from feeling their wolf and shifting, isn't fatal, but can weaken them significantly and leave them vulnerable.

Vampire Venom- Toxic to werewolves, even in small doses, fatal if left in the body too long. Vampire mates of werewolves should mark them first before attempting to feed