MONSTERS, CRYPTIDS AND SUPERNATURAL CREATURES
WEREWOLF
werwolf, were-wolf, wehrwolf, warwolf, Lycanthrope
A human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or a hybrid wolflike creature, due to the effects of a curse or affliction. Reginald Scot, author of The Discoverie of Witchcraft published in 1584, labels this as the disease Lycanthropia (aslo known as Lycanthropy). In some rare cases the subject is able to perform this transformation purposely, but in most it is an insuppressible metamorphosis, which is triggered on the night of a full moon. Throughout the duration of their transformation, subjects will experience uncontrollable rage and an insatiable bloodlust, often accompanied by an overwhelming hunger for human flesh. However, those not in control of their condition will seldom have any recollection of their actions after reverting back to their human form. Those afflicted with Lycanthropy will most likely display some (almost beneficial) side effects of the condition during the course of the lunar cycle in the form of certain heightened abilities. Senses such as sight, smell, and hearing will be dramatically increased, as well as reflexes and healing.
Physiology:
Based upon the hybrid of the species, the creature is very muscular, which is evident even through the thick pelt , which covers the entire body. Height is averaged between 7-8 feet, although posture is typically
hunched. Facial structure is lupine, as are the hindquarters, with the thorax and arms being anthropoid. Claws on both hands and hind quarters are overdeveloped, no doubt to maximize efficiency.
Etylmology:
Comes from Old English: werwulf, "man-wolf"
History:
Can be traced back to medieval Europe, spreading to the New World with colonialism. Those afflicted were persecuted alongside witches becoming an integral part of the witch-hunt phenomenonin.
Territory:
England, France' America
Origination:
Previously recorded methods for becoming a werewolf include being bitten or scratched by another werewolf, being cursed, wearing an enchanted belt made of wolf skin, rubbing the body with a magic salve, drinking rainwater out of the footprint of another werewolf, drinking from enchanted streams or by Satanic allegiance.
Nature:
Displays extreme levels of rage and aggression. Is hostile to any living creature and will attack to kill on sight without provocation.
Modus Operandi:
Will use a combination of its brute strength, teeth and claws to sunder its prey.
They are wasteful gluttons that regularly kill more than they can eat, driven by aggression over instinct.
Vulnerability:
Modern methods have proven a high level of vulnerability to silver weapons with a high resistance to other injuries. Other less effective methods throughout history include Exhaustion, medicinally (via the use of wolfsbane), surgically, by exorcism or by conversion to Christianity, strikes to the forehead or scalp with a knife, addressing subject three times by its Christian name, scolding.