Since the beginning of time, humans have always told stories of shapeshifters. They often spoke of them in feared whispers, telling of malevolent wolves who became men by day. As the millennia passed, these tales became deeply ingrained in the human consciousness until the new era of science, logic, and reason was ushered in.
In some parts of the world, there are those who still believe the stories, but for the majority of the world's inhabitants, lycanthropes are little more than fairytales and movie monsters.
Of course, truth can be stranger than fiction. The legends are very real, and in the ancient world, the lycanthropes were the ultimate predators. They lived among humans, their food. It was in the Carpathian Mountains that the humans learned how best to fight back.
During the Inquisition, many lycanthropes found themselves accused of witchcraft and executed in horrific manner. They responded quickly by attempting to cover up their existence. They went to greater lengths to mask their activities, and the individual clans all passed laws among their people within the same year that consuming human flesh was forbidden from then on.
Not all lycanthropes were as unfortunate as those in continental Europe, however. In Japan, the werefoxes enjoyed anonymity while patiently waiting for the stories of their race to become regarded as mythology in human society.
Irish lycanthropes faced less danger as they were generally regarded as free-spirits and protectors instead of vicious killers.
In Africa, the werepanthers, werecrocodiles, and werehyenas were content to continue their prowling on the fringes of civilization.
In North America, the lyancthropes who took the form of wolves, bears, and coyotes were primarily peaceful. But whenever a more vicious member of their kind threatened the tribal community, they assisted their human counterparts in the tribe in hunting the rogues down.
Meanwhile, in the jungles of South America, the werejaguars continued their ancient role as guardians and punishers of the wicked.
Centuries passed. Science took over superstition. People put more faith in the books of scholars than in folklore. Lycanthropes became distant memories of a more primitive time.
Today, the lycanthropes continue to move among human society. Clans have risen and fallen as often as human kingdoms. They now live with humankind peacefully, keeping their nature secret and hidden. Globalization has brought the clans into the cities together.
Werewolves remain the most common of all. They occupy all strata of society from millionaire corporate heads to lowly panhandlers. The most prolific clans are the tech-savvy Moonwalkers, the artistic Earthsong clan originally from Ireland, the mongrel clan known as the Moonscars, and the ever-curious Sun clan from Mexico and Central America.
Werebears are less common, and only a few clans exist today. Very few of the African lycanthropes have left their homeland, though small clusters of some of the larger clans such as the River Lords (werecrocodiles) and Star Warriors (werepanthers) have been seen in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and the Great Plains of North America.
The werejaguars and werefoxes have united in their duties as the protectors of both humans and lycanthropes. Whenever a lycanthrope breaks the laws of his clan, the foxes are called in to use their magic to track down the culprit and prove his/her guilt. Once guilt is proven, the jaguars hunt down the culprit and depending on the severity of the crime, either bring them back to their elders for punishment or simply kill them on sight. Great care is taken to assure that mistakes are not made in this process.
Much like human countercultures, there is a network of places and people that cater to the needs of the local lycanthrope community. In any given major city, it is not uncommon to find bars, nightclubs, and coffee shops that cater specifically to shapeshifters. There are also medical clinics that specialize in caring for their species, small grocery shops that can acquire hard-to-find items, occult stores that supply can mystics with their materials, and so on and so forth.
The lycanthropes have their disputes amongst one another, but they don't dare let this be seen outside of private circles due to another factor: the lycanthropes are not the only creatures of the night in modern society.
Vampires, demons, sorcerers, and various creatures that pop culture has termed "cryptids" are very real, and very active. The lycanthropes want nothing to do with any of them, and are always wary when they discover that such a being has entered their territory. Most often, the lycanthropes can send emissaries to these intruders and form an agreement saying that either party will stay out of the other's business.
Should such an agreement fail, however, the covert power struggles that occur would put the games that humans play to shame.
Lycanthropes are also intensely powerful creatures, and it was perhaps this power that lead to so many myths about them.
First of all, silver does nothing against them. A werewolf shot with a silver bullet is no more hurt and no less pissed off than a werewolf shot with a normal bullet.
The full moon also does not force them to transform. However, the phase of the moon under which they were born increases their strength. A werewolf born under a crescent moon for example is at his strongest and healthiest during the crescent moon.
Lycanthropes also have nothing to do with the devil or any other sort of theology. If they have any sort of spirituality, it is most likely that of their parents which can vary as much as with humans and is largely influenced by region. However, most clans tend to favor Neo-Pagan religions and animism.
Lycanthropes are fully cognizant in their transformed state as well. No matter the shape they take, they are still the same person.
Contrary to popular belief, many of the so-called tell-tale signs of a lycanthrope are only superstition. The only indication of their nature is preternatural strength, unusually keen senses, and in some cases a tendency toward certain general features and mannerisms.
For example, a werewolf may have yellow eyes, a sharp sense of smell, and a tendency to be unusually protective of his home and property. Whereas a werejaguar may have very fine, chiseled features and prefers to work alone. In some cases, this may depend on upbringing and clan.
As for becoming a lycanthrope, it's not always as simple as being bitten by another lycanthrope. Sometimes it requires a spell, a vision quest, or a combination of these ways. Many of the other folk tales are again nothing more than superstition.
It's also worth noting that lycanthropes use their keen senses to their advantage in communication and have developed a secret language that helps them relay information when in the presence of each other and humans. This is made up of body language, specific clothes and accoutrements, and even smells created through perfumes, colognes, and deodorants. All lycanthropes understand these extremely subtle signs and movements as they are taught them from birth. It has greatly aided them in their continued existence amongst humans.
In some parts of the world, there are those who still believe the stories, but for the majority of the world's inhabitants, lycanthropes are little more than fairytales and movie monsters.
Of course, truth can be stranger than fiction. The legends are very real, and in the ancient world, the lycanthropes were the ultimate predators. They lived among humans, their food. It was in the Carpathian Mountains that the humans learned how best to fight back.
During the Inquisition, many lycanthropes found themselves accused of witchcraft and executed in horrific manner. They responded quickly by attempting to cover up their existence. They went to greater lengths to mask their activities, and the individual clans all passed laws among their people within the same year that consuming human flesh was forbidden from then on.
Not all lycanthropes were as unfortunate as those in continental Europe, however. In Japan, the werefoxes enjoyed anonymity while patiently waiting for the stories of their race to become regarded as mythology in human society.
Irish lycanthropes faced less danger as they were generally regarded as free-spirits and protectors instead of vicious killers.
In Africa, the werepanthers, werecrocodiles, and werehyenas were content to continue their prowling on the fringes of civilization.
In North America, the lyancthropes who took the form of wolves, bears, and coyotes were primarily peaceful. But whenever a more vicious member of their kind threatened the tribal community, they assisted their human counterparts in the tribe in hunting the rogues down.
Meanwhile, in the jungles of South America, the werejaguars continued their ancient role as guardians and punishers of the wicked.
Centuries passed. Science took over superstition. People put more faith in the books of scholars than in folklore. Lycanthropes became distant memories of a more primitive time.
Today, the lycanthropes continue to move among human society. Clans have risen and fallen as often as human kingdoms. They now live with humankind peacefully, keeping their nature secret and hidden. Globalization has brought the clans into the cities together.
Werewolves remain the most common of all. They occupy all strata of society from millionaire corporate heads to lowly panhandlers. The most prolific clans are the tech-savvy Moonwalkers, the artistic Earthsong clan originally from Ireland, the mongrel clan known as the Moonscars, and the ever-curious Sun clan from Mexico and Central America.
Werebears are less common, and only a few clans exist today. Very few of the African lycanthropes have left their homeland, though small clusters of some of the larger clans such as the River Lords (werecrocodiles) and Star Warriors (werepanthers) have been seen in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, and the Great Plains of North America.
The werejaguars and werefoxes have united in their duties as the protectors of both humans and lycanthropes. Whenever a lycanthrope breaks the laws of his clan, the foxes are called in to use their magic to track down the culprit and prove his/her guilt. Once guilt is proven, the jaguars hunt down the culprit and depending on the severity of the crime, either bring them back to their elders for punishment or simply kill them on sight. Great care is taken to assure that mistakes are not made in this process.
Much like human countercultures, there is a network of places and people that cater to the needs of the local lycanthrope community. In any given major city, it is not uncommon to find bars, nightclubs, and coffee shops that cater specifically to shapeshifters. There are also medical clinics that specialize in caring for their species, small grocery shops that can acquire hard-to-find items, occult stores that supply can mystics with their materials, and so on and so forth.
The lycanthropes have their disputes amongst one another, but they don't dare let this be seen outside of private circles due to another factor: the lycanthropes are not the only creatures of the night in modern society.
Vampires, demons, sorcerers, and various creatures that pop culture has termed "cryptids" are very real, and very active. The lycanthropes want nothing to do with any of them, and are always wary when they discover that such a being has entered their territory. Most often, the lycanthropes can send emissaries to these intruders and form an agreement saying that either party will stay out of the other's business.
Should such an agreement fail, however, the covert power struggles that occur would put the games that humans play to shame.
Lycanthropes are also intensely powerful creatures, and it was perhaps this power that lead to so many myths about them.
First of all, silver does nothing against them. A werewolf shot with a silver bullet is no more hurt and no less pissed off than a werewolf shot with a normal bullet.
The full moon also does not force them to transform. However, the phase of the moon under which they were born increases their strength. A werewolf born under a crescent moon for example is at his strongest and healthiest during the crescent moon.
Lycanthropes also have nothing to do with the devil or any other sort of theology. If they have any sort of spirituality, it is most likely that of their parents which can vary as much as with humans and is largely influenced by region. However, most clans tend to favor Neo-Pagan religions and animism.
Lycanthropes are fully cognizant in their transformed state as well. No matter the shape they take, they are still the same person.
Contrary to popular belief, many of the so-called tell-tale signs of a lycanthrope are only superstition. The only indication of their nature is preternatural strength, unusually keen senses, and in some cases a tendency toward certain general features and mannerisms.
For example, a werewolf may have yellow eyes, a sharp sense of smell, and a tendency to be unusually protective of his home and property. Whereas a werejaguar may have very fine, chiseled features and prefers to work alone. In some cases, this may depend on upbringing and clan.
As for becoming a lycanthrope, it's not always as simple as being bitten by another lycanthrope. Sometimes it requires a spell, a vision quest, or a combination of these ways. Many of the other folk tales are again nothing more than superstition.
It's also worth noting that lycanthropes use their keen senses to their advantage in communication and have developed a secret language that helps them relay information when in the presence of each other and humans. This is made up of body language, specific clothes and accoutrements, and even smells created through perfumes, colognes, and deodorants. All lycanthropes understand these extremely subtle signs and movements as they are taught them from birth. It has greatly aided them in their continued existence amongst humans.
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