Wolf-Shifters are Humans capable of changing between a human and a wolf form at will. They are also able to change only a part of their body, such as their eyes or teeth. Even in human form, a Wolf-Shifter possesses superhuman physical prowess that can be used to overpower humans.
A shifter may find a mate they will love unconditionally as they would their other half. Being near their mate helps the shifter heal faster, saving them from a near to death experience.
Wolf shifters only have two voluntary forms: fully human and fully wolf. However, they don't look exactly like an average wolf. For one, they are a great deal larger and more muscular than their cousins. Second, they have retractable claws. Third, many bear unique markings or colour patterns which look natural but are, in fact, a little out of the ordinary (none, for example, have a pink spot over their eye, but one may have a slash of white in their brown fur, or a reverse-coat that darkens near the legs rather than lightening).
Shifters have a wolf they share their mind with, almost like two souls in one body.
Most shifters are seen in packs; those without a pack are known as rogues, who rely on themselves. Most wolves become rogues when they leave their pack, are banished from their pack or when their pack is destroyed by hunters or another pack.
Shifters have a heightened sense of smell and hearing. They also bear inhuman strength. After their first Change their aging speed decelerates dramatically, such that an older werewolf can look anywhere from a few years to a few decades younger than they actually are. Shifters after the first Change are vicious and unpredictable. However, they can learn to control their temper, and some wolves have an easier time at it than others.
Pack is synonymous with 'family' for werewolves. Because Shifters are often forced to keep the secret of their identity from their family and friends, their pack becomes their family and friends. Shifters are naturally loyal creatures. Treachery is one of the most despicable crimes to their kind. Hence it has the most severe punishment: exile, and sometimes even death.
Packs range in numbers. Some have hundreds to thousands of werewolves while others only have five to ten. It depends upon the werewolf population in the area and how many other packs are vying for territory in that area.
Pack territories are huge, taking up entire cities and, in some cases, provinces or states. When one pack encroaches on another's territory it can mean serious trouble. Two dominant Alphas in the same area is the equivalent of a cigarette lighter in a windowless cement compound filled with gasoline. Sometimes they fight to the death and the Alpha who wins takes over. The wolves from the leaderless pack either merge with the newly dominant pack or they roam to find another. In a few rare cases, the Alphas manage to divide the territory and form a treaty.
Inner-pack rivalries for dominance are not unheard of either, and a subordinate werewolf may challenge a leader for their position.
FLAWS
As helpful as the tapetum (the special retinal layer that gives them their night viison) is, it may be frustrating when trying to play safe as a human. When a shifter has their pictures taken, their eyes will reflect the same way a dog's or cat's eyes would.
A shifter must be in control of their emotions. When they experience a strong emotion like lust, anger, sadness or stress, The shifter's wolf will try to take full control of the shifter's body.
When a full moon is close, the shifter's wolf will begin to act up. This will include; Constant need to run in wolf form, aggitation, constant blabbering which will cause great annoyance to the shifter. The wolf will also give their human mind more animalistic urges which can cause the shifter to have a bad temper.
During a full moon, Shifters will lose all control of their human side and their wolf side will take full control of their body, also forcing the shifter to shift into a wolf with no chance of shifting back until the full moon is over.
During a lunar eclipse, a shifter will lose connection with their wolf side, causing them to become vulnerable. This includes loss of strength, speed, heightened senses ect.
WEAKNESSES
Wolfsbane is the most effective method of killing a werewolf. A werewolf in the near vicinity of wolfsbane will feel ill and feverish. This makes it very difficult for werewolves to use wolfsbane against other werewolves. Ingestion results in unquestionable death. The only known remedy for wolfsbane poisoning is Moonseed, a plant that can only be grown in warm temperate to tropical climates. Regions with cold winters cannot grow this plant.
Moonseed is also a hallucinogenic opiate to werewolves – the equivalent of what morphine is to a human.
Silver can be fatal depending upon the dosage. Often, in the case of wounds inflicted by silver, it is not the silver that kills the wolf. Silver causes a multitude of effects in werewolves, from thinning the blood to burning the skin. Silver bullets often thin the blood and so a werewolf with untended wounds can die of blood loss. Silver isn't as deadly as wolfsbane, but werewolves still can't hold silver cutlery without breaking out in a rash. Certain werewolves are more allergic to silver than others.
Decapitation is a surefire way to kill a werewolf. It's just rather difficult to catch them, get them to hold still, and then systematically saw their heads off. If someone were to use this method, they'd better be quick and efficient.
A shifter may find a mate they will love unconditionally as they would their other half. Being near their mate helps the shifter heal faster, saving them from a near to death experience.
Wolf shifters only have two voluntary forms: fully human and fully wolf. However, they don't look exactly like an average wolf. For one, they are a great deal larger and more muscular than their cousins. Second, they have retractable claws. Third, many bear unique markings or colour patterns which look natural but are, in fact, a little out of the ordinary (none, for example, have a pink spot over their eye, but one may have a slash of white in their brown fur, or a reverse-coat that darkens near the legs rather than lightening).
Shifters have a wolf they share their mind with, almost like two souls in one body.
Most shifters are seen in packs; those without a pack are known as rogues, who rely on themselves. Most wolves become rogues when they leave their pack, are banished from their pack or when their pack is destroyed by hunters or another pack.
Shifters have a heightened sense of smell and hearing. They also bear inhuman strength. After their first Change their aging speed decelerates dramatically, such that an older werewolf can look anywhere from a few years to a few decades younger than they actually are. Shifters after the first Change are vicious and unpredictable. However, they can learn to control their temper, and some wolves have an easier time at it than others.
Pack is synonymous with 'family' for werewolves. Because Shifters are often forced to keep the secret of their identity from their family and friends, their pack becomes their family and friends. Shifters are naturally loyal creatures. Treachery is one of the most despicable crimes to their kind. Hence it has the most severe punishment: exile, and sometimes even death.
Packs range in numbers. Some have hundreds to thousands of werewolves while others only have five to ten. It depends upon the werewolf population in the area and how many other packs are vying for territory in that area.
Pack territories are huge, taking up entire cities and, in some cases, provinces or states. When one pack encroaches on another's territory it can mean serious trouble. Two dominant Alphas in the same area is the equivalent of a cigarette lighter in a windowless cement compound filled with gasoline. Sometimes they fight to the death and the Alpha who wins takes over. The wolves from the leaderless pack either merge with the newly dominant pack or they roam to find another. In a few rare cases, the Alphas manage to divide the territory and form a treaty.
Inner-pack rivalries for dominance are not unheard of either, and a subordinate werewolf may challenge a leader for their position.
FLAWS
As helpful as the tapetum (the special retinal layer that gives them their night viison) is, it may be frustrating when trying to play safe as a human. When a shifter has their pictures taken, their eyes will reflect the same way a dog's or cat's eyes would.
A shifter must be in control of their emotions. When they experience a strong emotion like lust, anger, sadness or stress, The shifter's wolf will try to take full control of the shifter's body.
When a full moon is close, the shifter's wolf will begin to act up. This will include; Constant need to run in wolf form, aggitation, constant blabbering which will cause great annoyance to the shifter. The wolf will also give their human mind more animalistic urges which can cause the shifter to have a bad temper.
During a full moon, Shifters will lose all control of their human side and their wolf side will take full control of their body, also forcing the shifter to shift into a wolf with no chance of shifting back until the full moon is over.
During a lunar eclipse, a shifter will lose connection with their wolf side, causing them to become vulnerable. This includes loss of strength, speed, heightened senses ect.
WEAKNESSES
Wolfsbane is the most effective method of killing a werewolf. A werewolf in the near vicinity of wolfsbane will feel ill and feverish. This makes it very difficult for werewolves to use wolfsbane against other werewolves. Ingestion results in unquestionable death. The only known remedy for wolfsbane poisoning is Moonseed, a plant that can only be grown in warm temperate to tropical climates. Regions with cold winters cannot grow this plant.
Moonseed is also a hallucinogenic opiate to werewolves – the equivalent of what morphine is to a human.
Silver can be fatal depending upon the dosage. Often, in the case of wounds inflicted by silver, it is not the silver that kills the wolf. Silver causes a multitude of effects in werewolves, from thinning the blood to burning the skin. Silver bullets often thin the blood and so a werewolf with untended wounds can die of blood loss. Silver isn't as deadly as wolfsbane, but werewolves still can't hold silver cutlery without breaking out in a rash. Certain werewolves are more allergic to silver than others.
Decapitation is a surefire way to kill a werewolf. It's just rather difficult to catch them, get them to hold still, and then systematically saw their heads off. If someone were to use this method, they'd better be quick and efficient.