Ottaen Koira

My werewolf definition (for fantasy purposes)
name(s): Werewolf (most common), Lycanthrope, Viisas Susi (Wise Wolf in Finnish), Ottaen
Koira/Ottaen Susi (Speaking Dog/Speaking Wolf in Finnish). (underlined my name choices for a
fantasy I am working on I usually use werewolf though) skinwalkers, Many others
The werewolf is a person who has the ability to transform into a “half and half” beast form,
a full wolf form, and obviously their human form. Although art depicts much of them with the
full moon, there is no real connection to them and the moon. It can be considered a condition and
can be acquired.
Anatomy and Other Information
Human form
In the human form the werewolf maintain some wolfish traces. The jaws are ever so
slightly longer and larger than the normal persons mouth. They will also have long k9s. Usually,
especially in male, a large amount of
body hair. They appear stronger and more
fine toned then average people. The most
interesting feature is the eyes. If you look
at them at an angle they appear to be their
human shade. If you look into their eyes
straight on, eyes connecting, you will see
their wolf eye color. Beast’s speech is
difficult in this form. On careful
inspection you would find hints to fur
pattern, pads, tail ect. on the body.
Beast/anthro form
The beast form or the natural form,
is probably the most powerful of the three
forms. The torso of the body is human
like with a wolf like head. The head has a
larger wider mussel than the wolf form.
The vertebra in the neck is seven like a
wolf, not five like the human form. The legs are a mix of man
and wolf with very large paws to support the biped position.
There is sometimes Dew Claw on the legs. werewolf in this
form may easily be bipedal or quadrupedal. The tail is
obviously coming out where the tailbone was.
The hand is interesting. Padded and clawed they are much like
a paw. While retaining its human usefulness, it must also act as a
front paw in quadruped position. To cope with this the knuckles are
slightly double jointed. The fingers are also more
paw like and slightly shorter in this form.
Wolf/farol form
A werewolf in wolf form are like slightly larger
wolves. All paws are slightly larger and the front
paws always have dew claws. Whether or not the
back have dew claws depends on if they have them
in beast form or not. Except for a trained eye, there
are few noticeable differences between a werewolf
and a true wolf. Human speech is harder in this form.
Other physical information
Werewolves have higher strength and endurance than the average person.
Their reflexes and speed are unmatched. In full wolf form they have chetah speed.
They have a longer life expectance of at least 10 to 20 more years than a human.
They are not weaker or in any more danger from silver than a regular person.
They are known to be able to see in the dark, and have higher senses than people or
wolves.
Werewolves are omnivores, they eat both plant and animal, but lean more to the meat.
Mental information
Werewolves, by majority, prize knowledge, wisdom, and self-discipline. Most tend to be
quick learners and extremely creative. Many will go to great lengths to master language, arts,
fighting arts, sciences and mathematics. Although wolfish
habits and tendencies exist they are a natural part of them
and can be controlled. A more wolflike mind yes, but a very
intelligent one. They can have higher aggression (again selfdiscipline is valued).
Shifting Forms/Transformation
The ability to use three forms has its uses and its
drawbacks. Transformation can be slightly painful and very
tiring. Most like to remain in beast form as much as
possible, but human and wolf forms are used abundantly.
Although to make the normal people feel comfortable most
use human form in average society.
Transforming between forms happens on one of two
conditions. When the werewolf wants to transform, or they
have a strong or uncontrollable emotion (like depression or
rage) that stimulates the change.
Because transformation shifts sells around it will heal
many injuries, but not decease or mental problems.
Clothing does not transform with the person.
How Made
By bite or fluid contact (like blood for example). Or by being born with it. (A note on
lycanthropy theory: Viral based condition that fuses with body instead of destroying cells) If by
bite or fluid contact, for about four days to instantaneous the body suffers from rejection until the
lycanthropy envelopes the entirety of the person. The virus is week however and the bite must be
strong and last for a while. A small amount of the virus will cause immunity instead of turning.
because the bite is a near death experience, their numbers do not increase rapidly. The first shift
happens after and during the time the virus takes over the bodies cells. Often they may wake up
and find themselves as a werewolf in beast form if they do not stay conscious through the “bitten
sickness.”
Social Life Style
With Pack
Packs or tribes live in and with
nature. They are hunters and enjoy the
thrill of hunting. They maintain the
alpha concept and can easily be
mistaken for a regular wolf pack. They
are wise and have great self control
(usually). If a pack werewolf bites you it
is their duty to teach you how to be a
good werewolf and guard over you until
the deem you ready to be on your own if
you wish. In other words, you have to
prove yourself to them. Many packs however can not afford the luxury of being able to bite
whom they chose and are forced to kill or turn anyone who discovers them.
Many packs continue rituals and tribal tattoos to mark their fellows. It can be said that they
live with the land more than off of it, carefully watching over it. Many can be seen in simple
shorts or loin cloths during ceremonies or for comfort.
In City
Many are prominent figures in cities. They like to be at the great centers of knowledge.
They rarely ever consent to bite anyone because they prefer never to be discovered. The ones in
the city understand the high risk of being revealed and causing chaos for all werewolves and so
don’t stick their noses in where they don’t belong. Although many still have a pack that they run
with regularly some rarely experience true pack life. Many “City” werewolves enjoy some
clothing in beast/anthro form. Many City werewolves do not belong to a specific pack and lack
the tribal tattoo by choice or by not ever needing one for a pack.
Spiritual Nature and Culture
General Information
A werewolf can be anything along these lines. Catholic, Mormon, atheist, etc. But all
werewolves find a strong connection with the wolf. On the nature of the soul most believe one of
two ideas. One is that they house both wolf and man’s sprit in them. Others say this is an
abomination to house two souls in one body and say that the soul of the human adapts and “adds
the wolf into it,” sort of like a plug in to Firefox.
Many legends of early moon worship exist. Many of them include the moon as a deity that
grants humans (or in some cases wolves) the power to be the other. In one some wolves wished
to be free, some to be men, and some to be companions to men. They became wild wolves,
werewolves and dogs. Rituals and legends are continued in traditional packs all over the world
but the freedom of the wild is dwindling.
Many werewolves believe strongly that they must be good hunters in every sense of the
word. Traditional packs often howl a prayer of thanks to the moon and/or God over their kills
wishing the pray a swift trip to heaven, that their may be plenty more of them, and to thank the
pray for the strength and vitality they provide for the pack. There are other rituals for entering
manhood or womanhood, challenging another pack-member over rank, preparation for biting a
human, new werewolves entering the pack, etc. They very from pack to pack, some from simple
howling songs, some with complex indian dances and ceremonies, some with blood rituals (it is
rare to find a pack so caught up in blood to do sacrifices. Unfortunately some “evil beast” myths
are not entirely unfounded.) and etc. However deeply the alpha feels that they need to be wolves
controls their intensity.
Common Rituals
A note: Not all werewolves continue these. Many are for pack werewolves more then city
werewolves.
Celebration of Birth/Naming
When a new werewolf is born a pack usually is anxious to see the pup. Like wolves this is
an exciting time. Before the mother brings out the pup the pack howls a joyous song to life. After
being admired by the entire pack the father is allowed to see the baby. The father is the one who
takes the longest to examine the pup. Then the father gives it a name and sometimes a Tribal
Tattoo identified with their pack. This is not done
with ink but is a brand made with magic.
The Joining of the Hunt
Most young werewolves are not allowed to
hunt big game until they become adolescents and
leave the “puppy stages.” The body ages in a
human cycle so they retain the youthful features of
wolves for a long time. At the sixteenth birthday
there is a small howling song and for many packs
this is the entry into manhood. Many packs
postpone giving a pack tattoo or identifying mart
until this age (or some not at all). As the older teach the younger werewolves how to hunt they
also let them bag their first kill. This is also done with newly bitten werewolves.
Victory of the hunt
Much like the indians, hunted animals were respected. Most werewolves do not ever kill
for pleasure. One ritual involves putting a little of the kills favorite food in it’s mouth and turning
it to the east while howling a song of thanks. They thank the kill for the strength it will provide
for the pack and then they gorge and usually sleep for a while like regular wolves.
---More as suggested---
History-East and West
Native American Werewolf Culture
Native Americans have always had “skinwalkers” around them just as Europeans have had
werewolves for a long time as well. It is a sad contrast between the acceptance of werewolves in
the early Americas and the European medieval world. Obviously the idea of hiding your identity
as a werewolf came from Europe.
In the Americas werewolves were admired as protecters of tribes, and revered as great
hunters. To this day Native American hunting, especially to the north, emulates the wolf in every
way. They were leaders and their gift was respected and given to choice few. Old legends
surround the fortune of tribes depending on the nature of their skinwalkers. Sadly little is known
about the North American werewolves as little is written down besides how they respected the
land and did not over indulge in the hunt to save game for later and to preserve the game
populations. They prospered until the Europeans came.
European Werewolf Culture
In Europe the werewolves story is sadly different. In ancient Greece many heros had the
ability to become a wolf. One werewolf who lost touch with his humanity is particularly famous
for feeding his son to the gods and became trapped as a wolf for the rest of his days. Werewolves
survived well into the Roman culture, but as the people became more advanced the wolves faded
into the background with their need to hunt instead of being forced to live in the city. They
became legend, legend became myth, but they were there.
People fear what they do not understand. As they began to lose touch with nature they
began to hate it and fear it. Naturally the rising Catholic church began to preach against
werewolves and all sorts of imagined monsters with them. The werewolf became outlawed for
existing and infamous “werewolf hunts” began. Though some still were found to be good and
had stories written of them fighting off bandits and assisting heros, even advising kings.
Some werewolves were able to hide themselves and escaped to new lands and experienced
a “reawakening” when they met the native american werewolves who helped them and allowed
them to stay. East mixed with the West and the werewolf packs of today.
Credits
Research
http://werewolf.rcromar.com/mywerewolfdefinition.html by Lazywolf
http://goldenwolfen.com/kierrn/anatomy.htm by Goldenwolf
http://goldenwolfen.com/kierrn/characteristics.htm by Goldenwolf
http://www.werewolfhaven.net/anatomy.php by Sugarpoultry
self made ideas
random science articles
historical texts and study
Artist References
Christy Grandjean/Goldenwolf - Shift happens - Echo (hand) - Greeting
Khaosdog - May (the two wolf werewolves)
Maria Anisimova/Yellow Eyes - Xipoid (kicking werewolf) - hand sketch
John Miller/jmillart - Winter Hunt
to add
+suggestions
+more pictures