[Info] Lycanthropes

Lycanthropes are the most known of all were-beasts, but was truly is a lycanthrope? Originally,
the term "lycanthrope" referred all were-animals. After the Purges of the Shadows, supernatural  
beings and creatures becoming known after vampires came out of the coffin, the terms became  
more specified.  
 
Now, the term "lycanthrope" only refers to were-animals of the canine persuasion.  

The most popular of these are were-wolves and were-hyenas. Others include were-foxes,  
coyotes, and jackals.

Were-Wolves

Were-wolves, the most commonly known of all the were-animals. You've seen
them portrayed every which way; as feral dogs, as slaves to vampires, as packs
of blood-thirsty crazed humanoid creatures, but in this universe they are or have
been all but feral dogs. Depending on the city, the leader and the alliances, will
shape the were-wolf populace.

Typically, they are the largest most dominant group in any city for two reasons:
one, the were-wolf strain is the most potent and easy to catch and two, they are
the most typical animal to call for vampires.

While were-wolves share the umbrella term of lycanthropy with other dog-like
were-animals, they do not function like others. The legend of were-wolves comes
from an old Greek tale of a king that was spurned by Zeus so many of their terms
are Greek words. Because they are so many and so well known, their hierarchy is
intricate. They also have very intricate ceremonies and rituals.

Terms & Ranks
Werewolves have a variety of private terms that are primarily borrowed  
from Norse mythology, although a few stem from Greco-Roman myths instead.

Roles within a Pack  

• Ulfric - The king or leader of a werewolf pack.  

• Lupa - The mate of the male leader of the werewolf pack.  

• Geri - Pack's second-in-command after the Ulfric.  

• Freki - Pack's third-in-command.  

• Skoll - The primary enforcer of the pack. The Skoll and Hati of the  
pack both enforce the will of the Ulfric and protect him.  
 
• Hati - The secondary enforcer of the pack.  

• Bolverk - The person who hands out punishments that the Ulfric  
does not feel comfortable giving. The "dirty work".  

• Fenrir - Pack's second-in-command who has announced their intent to  
challenge the current Ulfric for leadership of the pack. Traditionally, the Fenrir  
will call the pack leader out to fight to the death.  
 
• Eros or Eranthe - Members of the pack who is designated or entrusted  
to teach newly infected wolves how to control their strength and beasts during  
sexual intercourse.

• Vargamor - Pack's wise woman or wise man, usually a witch or a human  
with psychic abilities.  
 

Other terminology  
 
• Lupanar - The word werewolves use of their sacred meeting place.  

• Lukoi - The word werewolves use of themselves. Can hold implications of  
their culture and traditions that go deeper than the simple physical reality of their  
species.  

• Munin - Departed spirits of past pack members that were consumed by the  
pack to preserve their memories and abilities for times of need.

Power Structure

Dominance is a key element in werewolf social organization. The pack is structured in a
clear hierarchy, and pack members move up or down by winning or losing challenges
against other pack members. Although most dominance battles end when one participant
backs down, leadership of the pack is only transferred by a battle to the death. A dominant
pack member may issue any order to submissive member, provided that the dominant does
not order the submissive to do anything anyone even higher in the pack hierarchy hasn't
forbidden. In most packs this would exclude anything illegal.
 
A pack member may offer or receive "protection" to or from another member. A pack member
must accept all challenges on behalf of any person to whom he or she has offered protection.

Pack standing is established by being dominant over other wolves. Dominance is established by
challenging and either fighting or backing down other pack members. Dominance fights are rarely
to the death and sometimes are psychological battles. If the werewolf being challenged does not
wish to fight, they simply acknowledge the challenger's dominance and the confrontation is over.
The victor rises in rank and assumes the spot vacated by the defeated.

To ask for protection, a wolf can petition a dominant by brushing up against the dominant. If it is
granted, the dominant will touch the submissive which then signals to any other lycanthropes in
the area that he or she will protect that petitioner from their enemies/pursuers. When a werewolf
asks someone for protection they are admitting the other is dominant to them. If the wolf is given
this protection, they are in effect fully under the command of the person giving the protection. All
other wolves will either simply acknowledge this protection and move on, or challenge the protection.

Packs usually appoint sponsors, the Eros and Eranthe, to new wolves to teach them about the change,
control, and how to walk successfully in the two cultures. Normally the sponsor will teach new wolves
about sex as a Lukoi and act as sexual surrogates.

Sex or in some circumstances lust, can release the beast against the will of the lukoi. Which is why its
been referred to as the "Killing Dance". Sex with humans can result in their death when at the moment
of orgasm the wolf shifts and tears their partner apart. Older wolves can control and resist this, however
not shifting during sex among wolves is considered holding back and is almost like saying it wasn't THAT
good.


Thronos Rokke Pack Hierarchy:

• Ulfric - Declan [NPC]

• Lupa - Available

• Geri - Reggie Gold [NPC - Available]

• Freki - Available

• Skoll & Hati - Available

• Bolverk - Available

• Eranthe[s]/Eros: - Ondine Genovese [Emerge]
Gretchen Holden [NPC - Available]

Playing A Were-Wolf

Among themselves, and other were-animals, werewolves are known as Lukoi. The word
references their particular origin story which is more of a folktale than fact. As the story
goes, the King of Arcadia "wanted to test Zeus' omniscience by serving him the roasted
flesh of Lycaon's own son Nyctimus, in order to see whether Zeus was truly all-knowing."
Insulted and disgusted, Zeus turned Lycaon into wolf and the change would be forced
upon him and all of his sons, of which Lycaon had fifty, during the full moon, thereafter.
It is said that this was Zeus' way of instilling honor and higher family values upon the
king, why the wolf strain is so contagious and why wolves tend to be the most at odds
with their inner beast.

Regardless of what the human wants, the inner beast is still an animal. Wolves want
a functional pack, a strong leader and they have a deep appreciation for rites of
passage. Were-wolves that co-exist happily with their inner beast make very strong
packs of a city and their numbers help them dominate and control.

Wolves are not as affectionate as other were-animals but still their boundaries tend
to be slightly less than that of most humans. Greetings are done by touch but not
much eye contact since eye contact for canines is seen as a threat or a challenge.
They can be affectionate in subtle ways, such as choosing to sleep in piles with little
to no clothes on or cluster shoulder to shoulder when there's no real need or reason
too.

While not overtly affectionate like cats or bordering sex addiction like hyenas, were-
wolves still prefer large groups of were-animals to humans. However, in direct
opposition to that particular comfort, they also have the most human mates of any
were-breed. Some speculate that this is an effort to slow their numbers. Others
believe it's an attempt at creating hybrids. The latter has more truth to it.

Like most were-animals, wolves are patriarchal. Their Ulfric's word is law and he must
be obeyed in order to maintain a functioning pack. Packs with too much in-fighting or
obvious tension can be set upon by other packs or strong rogues. So Ulfric will use any
sort of martial law to keep their subordinates in line.

The inner wolf craves movement and most of all runs. Their human counterparts tend
to supplement this need by running marathons or being habitual runners and the full
moon run is not only the most enjoyable but the most bond strengthening.

Each Lukoi pack has a sacred place of power called the "Lupanar". The lupanar is their
primary gathering place, where meetings are held, traditions observed, formal
challenges are made, and succession fights are fought.

An integral part of a Lukoi pack is the "Munin", spirits of their dead. When a pack member
dies, the other members consume the body (at least in part), which allows the departed to
join the Munin and continue to share their experience and power with the pack.

Basic Powers & Abilities

• Long Howl: When a wolf howls the pack is never far behind. This is the
ability to call the pack in times of great distress.  

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Beta Powers & Abilities

• Last Try: A werewolf never gives up, and such is common knowledge. Their
one track minds have often been the curse as they fight and strive to reach
their goals. Yet, there are some which earn a sudden rush of power and
strength when they stand on their last ounce of physical and mental strength;
nearly doubling what they could have normally done in full health. Such a
thing is a last straw method, as the sudden rush of power and adrenaline can
knock a wolf unconscious and at the mercy of their surroundings.

• Quick Paws: Wolves are known to reach speeds of up to forty miles per hour
when in the middle of their chase. However, this speed can only be maintained
for a short amount of time before the body wears out. But only to most powerful
wolves will be able to extend the distance covered at great speeds allowing them
to escape danger or make the kill so that the pack can be fed.

Alpha & Alpha PSI Powers

• Bleed for the Pack: This power allows the alpha wolf to share their blood with the
pack before a great battle or strenuous activity to grant them a greater portion of
the alpha's strength and to connect them more firmly with their brethren. This is a
temporary benefits include boosts in speed, strength, and healing as well as a
connection that verges on telepathic bonding with their pack mates who also take
the alpha's blood. This is a very rare ability and hasn't been seen since the time of
swords, knights, and Kings.

• Call the Munin: The Munin are spirits of the dead werewolves that have been eaten
in their death by the pack. Upon being eaten, the dead Lukoi is then absorbed into
the pack, each member taking in a small part of the being. These memories can be
accessed by Lukoi who have the ability to speak with them. It a very rare ability. One
that allows the caller to become in touch with the memories of the past.

• True Affection: Much like Last Try, but not to the equal extent, werewolves with this
ability seem to suddenly be capable of one third more that they could do before when
they feel someone not capable of defending themselves comes under threat.