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The type of lycanthropy with which Soren has been infected can be transmitted only through a bite. It is typically only transmitted when bitten by a werewolf who is fully transformed, therefore most infections occur on the night of the full moon. It is highly infectious, and usually only drastic measures such as amputation or the cauterization of the wound with pure silver. Even this much occur rapidly to successfully prevent the disease's spread.
Transformation is typically ruled by the moon. All werewolves must transform on the night of the full moon, without exception, and no werewolves can transform on the night of the new moon. On any other night, they may shift based on a variety of factors, though they may not fully transform if the moon is not large enough. Emotions tend to have an effect on the process, and most new werewolves will transform any time they are angry or otherwise upset.
Most werewolves have two main forms. These are the normal, human form wherein they are mostly undetectable as a werewolf. Their body temperature does tend to run at 100 - 102 degrees normally, but they have few other indicators of their lycanthropy. They are both stronger and faster than normal humans, have much, much better healing abilities, and keener senses. These abilities are all dictated by the moon, however. On the night of the new moon, they are almost as weak and helpless as any normal human. Therefore, many werewolves will hide out on this night. Closer to the full moon, their abilities are greatly amplified.
The werewolf's other primary form is a massive wolf. They are typically twice the size of true wolves and both stronger and faster. They are also much more intelligent than their feral cousins. They also heal even more quickly in this form.
Aside from that, most werewolves will also periodically transform into various states between the full human and full wolf forms, as stated above. In both main forms, and all states in between, werewolves have a unique scent that others of their kind always instinctively recognize. They bear a scent far too wild and animalistic to be human, though too tempered by humanity to be that of a true wolf.
Though werewolves do have quite a few advantages over basic mortal creatures, they also have a couple distinct disadvantages. Most notable is silver. This can burn a werewolf by contact alone. Wounds from silver take much longer to heal and are prone to infection. They also scar very easily. Werewolves are usually less prone to its effects nearer the full moon, but they are never truly immune. Their next weakness is wolfsbane. This plant is only fatal when ingested, but the very smell is enough to keep most werewolves far away. Their ability to overcome the plant's effects depend on the moon, as their weakness to silver does.
Werewolves have two other key weaknesses. The bite of another werewolf will heal about as slowly as one from silver, though it will not burn them in quite the manner silver will. This is also one of the only other surefire ways to scar them. Then there is the bite of their natural enemy, the vampire. Their weakness to this is similar to that of another werewolf's bite, though it usually also causes excruciating pain. These bites are not often fatal, but some newer werewolves may succumb to the pain alone.
Aside from all that, most werewolves can usually only be killed through beheading or other serious decapitation or mutilation.
Dystopia Lycanthropia · Mon Jan 17, 2011 @ 04:02am · 0 Comments |
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