Weres/Were-Creatures

Were-creatures

As the various myths suggests, these are creatures that turn into an animal from a human form. They can walk amongst humans as a human at any time and if they have to transform, they could, possibly, walk amongst humans in animal form with no one being the wiser. Humans believe they are creatures of myth.

The most known Were is the Werewolf - they transform into a wolf either at will or at the full moon, but there are other Were-creatures (Werefox, Werebat, Weretiger, etc). A Were-creature can only shift into one animal.

Though vampires recognize the scent/presence of a were-creature; the Weres tend to keep to themselves in the paranormal community. There is a long standing animosity between Weres and Vampires, the origins of which have been forgotten by most.

Werewolves
Although the occasional "lone wolf" occurs, werewolves are generally creatures of a pack. If they are not born into an existing pack, they usually seek out others of their kind until they find a pack that fits their needs and will accept them. In such a case, the new pack member will likely have to prove himself to his new pack mates and will be amongst the lowest in the hierarchy.

The Pack hierarchy can vary from one pack to the next but a pack is usually led by a Pack Master - he is the alpha male in the group. While he does need support from at least half the pack, his appointment to the position is as much about strength as it is about having support. Typically the Pack Master will be one of the strongest of the group, both physically and mentally. In the event of a challenge to his leadership, he will have to defend himself in a physical altercation. The Pack Master is responsible for the lives and actions of all the wolves in his pack. Maintaining control over those wolves is a sign of his power and strength. When a Pack Master make a decision, it is considered Pack Law and all wolves in the pack must adhere to the decision or be punished.

While there are female werewolves, the males tend to be more dominant and aggressive.

There is no known worldwide organization for the Weres.

Other were-creatures often follow the same rules of nature that their animal counterparts do. Were-Tigers, for example, are primarily solitary and do not seek out others of their kind. While they may encounter other were-creatures in their lifetime, they do not "need" them in the same way Werewolves feel the pull toward Pack life.

If a were creature procreates with a human, the chances of successfully producing offspring is slim. The resulting offspring would be a were/human Branded. Like other Branded, they would develop the mark later in life. Generally Branded weres cannot shift into their animal at will like a full blooded were-creature can but might be able to shift at the full moon. They are longer lived than humans but shorter lived that full blood weres in general. In the case of werewolves, a Branded werewolf would have no place in any pack usually. If they are accepted, they would remain in the lower levels of the pack hierarchy. They are physically stronger than humans but not as strong as a full blooded were-creature.