Werewolves

Sir Sardanth Straight-Spear[1]
Translated by Lewis Jardine

1546 ST

[1]Sir Sardanth was a Priest of Yelm, he wrote this account shortly before he and his band were ambushed and killed while out hunting for a pack of werewolves which had been killing cattle belonging to local peasants.

1 Introduction

There are a number of species of werewolf. The standard kind (properly known as lesser werewolves), which are by far the most common, and others including the Telmori and also the greater werewolf which is much rarer. All kinds share the ability to shapechange between human and wolf form. They are also linked to the Red Moon and are forced to change shape at certain stages of the Lunar cycle.

All werewolves are outcasts from society and as such lead solitary, wandering lives except for occasional areas where the humans worship or tolerate them. The Telmori (or wolf runners) regard werewolves as divine and will eagerly accept them into their tribes. The lunar empire is less prejudiced against werewolves, than other civilized lands, because of their connections with the Lunar cycle and the Red Goddess.

2 Greater Werewolves

2.1 Origin

This race was created from large northern timber wolves which were endowed with extra physical and psychic ability as well as being given great intelligence to complement their natural animal cunning. The Red Goddess befriended these creatures to serve as her bloodhounds and to track down and kill her enemies. Their runic associations are Man, Beast and Moon.

2.2 General Description

Greater werewolves are proud of their heritage and they consider themselves the greatest hunters of all. They are very powerful, and arrogant because of this. They are strongly tied to the Lunar cycle their strength varies with that of the moon. During the dark of the moon they are at their weakest and are forced to return to their original wolf form. Greater werewolves are immune to all weapons except those that are made out of pure silver. This immunity stays with them regardless of which form they take.

When the moon is at least half full greater werewolves can change into the dreaded wolfman form. This shape is their preferred combat form as it combines the advantages of both wolf and man having the great strength, toughness and fangs of the wolf form as well as the upright stance and the ability to use its massive talons effectively. It is possible for the werewolf to wear armour and use weapons whilst in the wolfman form, although they frequently do no bother unless fighting people using pure silver weapons or heavily armoured foes.

In human form they are tall with sharp aesthetic features and lean athletic bodies. Their slim build belies the strength of their corded muscles. They move with a sure animal grace and are typified with their sharp, sometimes scathing wit. Their natural advantages allow them to quickly assume positions of power in communities which accept them and this allows them to smooth over any disruptions cause by their natureSuch as compensating a farmer for any livestock they kill while in wolf form..

Werewolves dislike overcooked meat in human form and eat vegetables sparingly, they prefer very rare steaks and other meat and fish which is both fresh and cooked as little as possible. Werewolves have a natural dislike of alcohol and drink it only in small quantities. Besides disliking the taste of rotten plant matter it erodes their control over their human forms and can result in them shapechanging back into wolves at embarrassing moments.

Dogs dislike werewolves (even in human form) and will normally bark and snarl at their approach. Thus werewolves in positions of power in human society often keep wolves to serve the same functions as dogs. Naturally these wild animals are not so well adjusted for living in human society and must be frequently returned to the wild when individuals prove unsuitable. The werewolves shapechanging ability allows them to communicate effectively with wild wolves in order to persuade them to act as their servants.

Despite their fearsome reputation greater werewolves normally hunt deer and cattle and rarely kill sentient creatures unless forced to. Likewise they prefer the taste of herbivores and will only eat carnivores and omnivores out of desperation. Their powerful bodies require a lot of fuel so they have to eat about twice as much as a normal human.

2.3 Wolf Leaders

These are not a different type of werewolf but are greater werewolves which have decided to leave human society and live with natural wolves. These individuals quickly become pack leaders amongst their less intelligent brethren and generally their rule is undisputed. Very occasionally their leadership is challenged and rarely they are defeated by normal wolves. This is made possible by the werewolves wholehearted desire to embrace the way of life of the wolf pack making them vulnerable to other wolves.

Wolf leaders often bear a deep hatred of humans and their society. Many of the gruesome legends about werewolves attacking human settlements are derived from actions undertaken by wolf leaders, who have lead their pack to attack small isolated human settlements. Often the wolf leader will go amongst the humans beforehand and facilitate entrance for the rest of the pack.

[4]

2.4 Statistics

Greater Werewolf (Wolf Leader)