Rules of Werewolves

Strengths, Weaknesses And Other Vital Information

Werewolves, or lycanthropes, are fairly straight forward in their abilities and mythology. I've listed their strengths and weaknesses  that will be used in this setting below.

• Shape Change
• Werewolves are affected by the cycle of the moon. On the three nights of the full moon (waxing, full, waning) afflicted humans undergo a physical transformation into their werewolf form. This can vary slightly from a human with wolf features to a humanoid wolf. They will not turn fully into an actual wolf nor can they transform under any other circumstances. The closer to human appearing, the more intelligence the werewolf retains. Conversely, the more beastly appearing werewolves retain very little of their human intelligence and act more on their violent instincts. Scholars remain divided on why lycanthropy affects some more than others.
• Physicality
• Werewolves possess enhanced strength, stamina and agility on par with vampires, although werewolves tend to be the physically stronger of the two. Their remarkable speed allows them to chase down prey and their claws virtually ensure a quick kill. Their bite can tear limbs off even the heartiest of prey, animal or human. Werewolves maintain some of their enhanced physical abilities when they return to human form, although nowhere near the level of their transformed state.
• Enhanced Senses
• Not even the enhanced senses of the vampire can match those of the werewolf. They can see in the dark with crystal clarity for hundreds of yards and their hearing is nearly unmatched by any other creature on Earth. Their most remarkable sense, though, is their sense of smell which allow them to track prey or even identify others of their kind. Like their physical attributes, some of their enhanced senses remain with them in their human form.
• Turning (Becoming a Werewolf)
• Unlike becoming a vampire, becoming a werewolf is rarely an intentional action. In order to catch lycanthropy, the victim must be bitten by a werewolf and manage to survive. Surviving the physical bite is not as difficult as surviving the "curse" of the disease. The lyncanthropy disease manifests first as a very high fever, around 104 to 105 degrees, usually followed by a deep coma. During the coma, some physical changes can occur; reduction of body fat, tightening of muscles and sometimes increased hair growth. The length of the coma depends on the physical or mental strength of the victim lasting anywhere from one to three days. Most victims do not survive, especially if the attack was particularly vicious. Intentional bites can occur in circumstances such as rituals, but the victim must still be able to survive the transformation.
• Longevity and Health
• Barring unnatural death, werewolves can live up to 150 years. They are resistant to all disease and have a very strong healing factor. Regardless of the injury or wound, werewolves will be completely healed the next time they change into their wolfen form. Despite popular folklore, werewolves can be injured or even killed by conventional means, albeit a great deal more than a human. Silver on the other hand, is a bit different.
• Silver
• The transformation carries with it the development of an adverse reaction to silver. Wounds created by silver weapons such as silver bullets, silver edged knives or similar weapons inhibit the werewolf's regenerative abilities so they won't heal until the wound is completely cleansed of any trace of silver. A werewolf who suffers a wound to the heart or head or other vital spot will usually be killed instantly. Even in their human form, werewolves are still susceptible to the adverse affects of the metal.