How Do Werewolves Work In Your Story?

[UberMan5000]

[kitetsu]

[Happygun]

In my series - and - lycanthropy is benign. Beneficial, even. That isn't to say it isn't without its drawbacks.

Werewolves can more or less transform at will, with or without moonlight. It's easier/harder to resist changing from human to lycanthrope at night and vice versa. The full moon is an exception to this rule; its light forces a werewolf to transform - slowly or rapidly, depending upon the intensity and length of exposure. Afterwards the werewolf is "stuck" in his wolf form until morning (though UV light might also do the trick).

Werewolves have one shape - an anthropomorphic wolf. They can walk on two legs or four but run faster on four. They have digitigrade feet and, curiously, retractable claws.

Lycanthropy is associated with an unusual virus that does not fit easily into any exiting taxa. It functions similarly to reverse-transcription VI viruses in that it uses reverse transcriptase to integrate its RNA genome into the host cell genome. However, the virus also contains fragments of DNA that are unique to the genome of the Gray Wolf. These fragments are not integrated into the host and seemingly play no role in the virus's function. The oddest thing about the virus is that the infection itself produces virtually no symptoms and can infect nearly every cell type in the body (nearly all viruses target only specific tissues). Once it enters a cell the virus quietly integrates itself into the host genome and hijacks the cell's machinery into producing more, self-assembling viral particles, which then bud off the cell membrane - all, amazingly, without disturbing the ordinary function of the cell. Furthermore, there appears to be a feedback inhibition mechanism that inhibits the production of additional viruses when there are already enough present outside the cell.

It is unknown how or even if the virus actually causes lycanthropy. The virus’ genome is startlingly simple, encoding only genes necessary for infection and replication. Put another way, given the virus’s physical characteristics it should not be able to affect the host so radically. Once the virus is present in the body the changes occur spontaneously and without explanation

The virus is present in both the blood and saliva. It can be passed on by sharing blood or if saliva enters the blood. This means a bite will spread the virus but claws will not. Its incubation period is around an hour, but it will lie dormant until exposed to the light of the full moon.

The initial transformation is extremely painful. Over time the body “adjusts” to the transformation, making it progressively less so. Staying calm and relaxed while changing also helps mitigate the pain.

The werewolf's body releases a surge of endorphins while transforming – another mechanism believed to help offset the stress. This is at least in part responsible for the feelings of elation and euphoria werewolves experience after changing.

A werewolf requires around twice to three times as much food as a human as their energy demands are higher. Their hybrid forms are obligate carnivores but their human bodies can still handle plants (though they prefer meat). Werewolves grow hungry after transforming into their hybrid form and find it difficult to transform into their hybrid form if already hungry.

The transformation accelerates and improves the metabolism of a victim’s human form. Over the course of a month the victim loses fat and gains muscle while his reflexes and senses become almost preternaturally acute. Interestingly, his eyes may also change color.

Without exception, a werewolf’s hybrid form will be much stronger, faster, tougher, and have keener senses than his human form. They also possess excellent night-vision.

Werewolves heal rapidly (in either form), are immune to or resistant to most pathogens and toxins, and can recover from any wound no matter how grievous – even re-growing severed limbs. The exception to this the central nervous system (i.e. the spine and brain), which will not regenerate is damaged. Furthermore, solid silver is extremely toxic to werewolves. Merely touching it (again, in either form) will burn the werewolf, causing lasting damage. Also, wolfsbane is lethal if ingested.

A werewolf’s hybrid form varies from individual from individual. They generally have the same color fur as hair, but beyond that there’s not much correlation between a newly created werewolf’s human form and hybrid form. Skinny, weak individuals might become incredibly muscular while world-class bodybuilders may only become moderately stronger while shifted. Hereditary seems to play a role in this.

Though they remain fully self-aware when they assume their hybrid forms, werewolves have and may be influenced by certain instincts. Among them, to chase a running target, to sniff at something that smells interesting, etc. These instincts are not overwhelming, but can be subtle. Stress or excitement, of course, may cause a werewolf to be more easily influenced by his instincts.

Werewolves are social animals by nature. If there are no other werewolves to associate with, lone werewolves will feel compelled to spread the virus to others – particularly his family or close friends. This is what gave rise to the myth werewolves are cursed to seek out and “kill” their dearest ones. In reality, the compulsion is just a (somewhat twisted) form of .

Werewolves can develop additional “powers” over time. Some of these – such as the ability to change into a car-sized wolf – are obvious, while others – the ability to transfix someone with a stare – are so subtle that the werewolf himself may not even notice it.