Fangs & Fury
We are Animals. Some of us are closer to their primal nature than others. Then there are those who have more in common with the monsters in the dark than those who cling to the light.
Werewolves and Therianthropes (Werecreatures of any animal affinity) have existed in myth and legend as far back as humanity had myth and legend. They have existed since before the invention of the written word and possibly co-existed with us since the evolution of homo sapiens.
Humans have a Primal Fear of vicious beasts, somethings left behind by our ancestors when they would huddle near a fire to escape the darkness. And yet, we all share a connection to the natural world and some of use even feel a deeper connection to the supernatural where humanity meets instinct and we can hear the howl of the wolf inside of us.
There are those who walk among use whose inner beast has been unleashed. These protean creatures go by many names and have been rarely understood, as their Origins are nearly as varied as the forms they take.
Bestial Origins
Not all Werefolk change into wolves, though that is a common expression of a shapechanger’s existence. Technically, Werewolves are not shaping their form into wolves (Canis Lupus), but rather expressing long dormant genetic memory as interpreted via one form of magic or another as a true incarnation of uncompromising fear and primal dread. This means, while a shifter can appear to be an imposing hybrid human-wolf, -feline, -alligator, etc. none of the species they appear to emulate actually match the characteristics of a real species, at least not as cataloged by modern science.
There are multiple ways someone may become a Lycanthrope, and some of the more common ways are as follows:
Loup-Garou – Once bitten and put through the fever trial, which if they survive, they join the pack as a full-fledged member. This Origin behaves like a supernatural disease passed on via body fluids which only the strongest survive.
Chimera – Cursed by a being of immense power and otherworldly mien, such as a Fae, Old God, or Eldritch Entity. Chimera must spend their lifetime in restitution for violating some ancient law or arcane slight.
Ravenous – Those who committed atrocities against humanity yet were never punished may awaken the Beast inside without supernatural assistance. They are rewarded with insatiable hunger and unending pain.
Ridden – The Beast rides these unfortunate souls who are possessed by an entity which uses them to wreak havoc on the corporeal world. Many Ridden seek a balance and accord with their rider, lest they be torn apart.
Therians – Magicians who have found a ritual using claws and fang of animals to scar their flesh and unlock the Beast, in a possibly misguided quest for power.
Insatiable Hunger
One characteristic all Werefolk have is a taste for Human Flesh. Cannibalism is the only way they fuel their powers and without it, they lose control, killing indiscriminately or eating parts of their own body if nothing else is available.
This Hunger can be quelled with raw Animal Flesh, but this is not very effective and requires vast quantities. Many packs seek alternative ways to meet their dietary needs, so graverobbing and other similar methods are common.
Eating Human Flesh powers up the Werefolk. Each Origin has affinity for a different suit of powers. Lamia Nightborn scholars have recorded the following Werefolk Powers from their research and dealing with the Changers:
Wyld – Powers over Nature, the Land, and Animals.
Warp – Powers over Size, Proportion, and Teleportation.
Weal – Powers over Shifting, Mimicry, and Additional Forms.
Wyrd – Powers over Elements, Energy, and Weather.
Woe – Powers over the Underworld, Emotion, and Death.
Internal Conflicts
The most common Lycanthrope Origin in Nightborn’s New Orleans is the Loup-Garou, who have several packs in and around the city. They have been in Louisiana since before the land was given that name and consider New Orleans their territory. The Loup-Garou of New Orleans take the form of the Wolf to show solidarity to their Pack.
Chimera Werefolk have also held a majority of New Orleans in the past. There are rumors they may be challenging the Loup-Garou for dominance of the city, once again. Many Chimera have been created by the Primal Spirits of the Land, bolstering their numbers and making them a threat. New Orleans is a hub for the Supernatural in trade and magic, thus it is highly valued, and the crown jewel of the American South. The Chimera of New Orleans may take many forms, though the shape of Alligators, Sharks, and Spiders may be favored.
Therians never had a majority hold of New Orleans and usually try to stay out of the power struggle between the Loup-Garou and the Chimera. They do often try to get permission to operate in the city to confer notes and exchange knowledge with the large Witch and Wizard communities the city also houses. Therians in New Orleans take many shapes, but Wolves, Bears, and Wild Cats are most adopted.
Both the Ravenous and Ridden don’t have a foothold in New Orleans, but that does not mean they don’t end up there or find themselves on one side or another of the conflict, serving as mercenaries. Since there are not many of them in New Orleans, no one form is common.
External Relations
Nightborn and Werefolk have been known to go to War over territory throughout the ages. Both Supernaturals tend to step on each other’s toes when it comes to resources, meaning human blood and flesh.
In New Orleans, Nightborn have had to defend The Arts-Warehouse District and The Central Business District from Loup-Garou and Chimera incursions, depending which group was dominate at the time.
The Lamia Nightborn were able to strike a deal with the Lycanthropes where The French Quarter would be neutral ground for all parties, Marigny, Bywater, and Gentilly will be the Werefolk hunting ground, while the Arts/Warehouse, Downtown, and Garden Districts would be left to the Nightborn. No Nightborn faction has officially recognized this agreement, yet these terms are tacitly accepted by most simply to avoid carnage in the streets.
Werecreatures and Faeries have a love-hate history, sometimes the greatest of foes and other times the best of allies. In modern New Orleans, the Unseelie Fae trade and deal with both the Loup-Garou and the Chimera, while the Seelie don’t want to be involved in their conflict even during quiet periods.
Lycanthropes will occasionally hunt Cryptids, both for sport and to eliminate a competitor for Human meat. Some of the more cunning Cryptids hunt their hunters, presumably for the same reasons.
Therians have been known to maintain relationships with Witches and Wizards. For this reason alone, most other Origins are wary of Sorcerers, as they don’t understand their powers or why Therians would choose their condition over less cannibalistic forms of magic. Magic Wards do keep Werefolk at bay, yet those who have sampled Wizard flesh say it is most exquisite.
There is still a lot the Nightborn do not know about the Werecreatures and Therianthropes. Nightborn scholars still debate what information they think they know if it is fact or fiction. Lycans are such Mercurial creatures their lore is difficult to document.