Summary:
The foundation principles of the pack are loyalty, duty, courage, honour and tradition. This encompasses loyalty to the pack as well as loyalty to the Alpha. The pack prides itself on being keepers of werewolf traditions that go as far back as to the creation of werewolves by the passing down and teaching of werewolf traditions, lore and stories to its members.
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 in our pack's setting, have three potential forms: Human, Werewolf, and Feral. 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 blood has come into contact with a residue produced from Werewolf teeth and claws, after they’ve shifted.
Strengths and skills seen in werewolves
» Werewolf Strength: Werewolves possess both enhanced strength and greater dexterity in their Werewolf 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 Werewolf, though neither of these are necessarily willing transformations, and can often be involuntary under the sign of the waxing moon or other potential stimuli.
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 Werewolf 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 Werewolf or wolf forms regularly, the necessary frequency depends 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 temptation and addictive qualities of their Werewolf 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 Werewolf gene, and presents it's first change at puberty age when their bodies are otherwise going through 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.
Social Hierarchy:
Alpha - The alpha of the pack is the leader. He is the main one in control and sets the laws of his pack. There may or may not be an Alpha pair. They are not required to hunt with the pack, but most normally do. They demand respect and are in the position to exile, banish, or even kill those who do not show it. Though it is rare, this position can be challenged and if the challenger wins the fight than the challenger, being the new alpha, can do what he/she pleases with the previous leaders. This does not normally happen because it would result in a huge change within the pack.
Beta - The Beta of the pack is the Alpha’s second in command. The Beta will step up should the Alpha leave the pack or become killed or injured to the point where they can no longer lead a pack of their own. The Beta enforces the law when the current alpha is not present. If both of the alpha die than the beta(s) take the alpha position and lead the pack, unless the alpha has said otherwise. This position cannot be challenged without the alpha approval.
Gamma - Those holding this position are usually the oldest and wisest of the pack. Through their stories and their phrases they pass on to others within the pack their wisdom. They delight in telling stories to pups though sometimes what they tell is just legend, but still each story usually has some sort of moral to it. Those who hold this position are much respected and loved by the rest of the pack. (Elders)
Delta - They are the messengers of the pack, the go among the allies and sometimes even the axis. They risk their own lives by doing so, but it is their duty and must make sure that those who need to know are told. Sometimes they work in conjunction with the Epsilon. Those who seek this position must be agile, patient and have an even temperament while speaking with other packs. They are the peacekeepers of the pack, using mediation between those who're angry with one another. The Alpha may take them with them to speak with another pack over starting a treaty. They make sure that no serious fights break out within their own pack. (Ambassadors)
Epsilon - Overseers of a Group within the Pack. They keep order and ensure that their group conforms and operates within the Pack Law.
Zeta - First assumed rank wolves will ever be appointed. They are also in the hunting party.
Iota - The bulk or largest group of the pack, containing the pups that just became adults and disrespectful wolves that are not omegas.
Omega - These are the subordinates of the pack. Usually new members or yearling wolves start here and must prove themselves before they are given a better ranking. The omega wolves are usually the weakest wolves in the pack. They are considered to be at the bottom of the totem pole in werewolf-ranking and are sometimes picked on by the other members of the pack. Bullied by other members, the omega wolf will receive the brunt of the aggression in the wolf world, particularly during inter-pack fighting.. Aside from being the pack's punching bag, the omega wolf also instigates play among the wolves to ease tensions. They are only placed in this position if they've done anything to disrespect the alpha. Sometimes a new member may be placed with this rank if the alpha is a bit mistrustful of them.
Roles
Enforcers: Keep the pack in line, they enforce the law and monitor the pack and often step in when they have need or reason too. These are effectively the Elders of the Pack and should be acknowledged and respected for their Wisdom.
Warriors: They are the protectors and warriors of the pack. Their job is to ward off intruders and are responsible for the safety and well being of the pack. The amount of warriors depends on the size of the pack. The warriors will roam the pack lands ensuring it's safety. They are the ones that will keep watch at night. The warriors must be quick to think and remain calm in any given situation.
Hunters: They make sure that the entire pack is well fed and will not starve. Their duty is to hunt for the pack, keep track of natural resources, find dens and areas of abundant food for the pack.
Healers: They are the healers of the pack, knowledgeable in herbs and modern medicine. They have vast knowledge upon what plants and other natural resources will help cure and heal others.
Teachers: They are the ones who teach the young and newly turned werewolves of the pack all they need to know regarding being a werewolf, as well as helping them through their first transformation and coping with their new abilities.
Pack Law:
If they stand behind you, protect them.
If they stand beside you, respect them.
If they stand against you, defeat them.
Now this is the law of the pack, as old and as true as the sky,
And the wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree trunk, the law runneth forward and back;
For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.
Wash daily from nose tip to tail tip; drink deeply, but never too deep;
And remember the night is for hunting and forget not the day is for sleep.
The young may stray but when they are grown,
Remember the wolf is a hunter, go forth and get food of thy own.
Keep peace with the lords of the forest, the creatures, the spirits, the fae;
And trouble not the wayward fair, and mock not those in their lair.
When pack meets with pack in the forest, and neither will go from the trail,
Lie down till the leaders have spoken; it may be fair words shall prevail.
When ye fight with a wolf of the pack ye must fight him alone and fair,
Lest others take part in the quarrel and the pack is diminished by despair.
How to Join:
If you have an interest in our pack, then we recommend that you interact with us and through the natural development of character evolution and story progression, make contact and express to a Delta that you have the desire to join and things will be taken from there.