Legend has it that the Therians were born from the union of wolves and the very elements of mother earth herself. They are a unique breed of werewolf with the ability to shift between three forms: human, wolf, and their True form, or greater form as many call it. Unlike many other werewolves, the Therians are essentially immortal and have no weakness to silver. However, even with their extreme healing capabilities, they can still be killed by normal means such as beheading or dismemberment.
Despite their monstrous appearance, the Therians possess a distinct moral code, society, and culture that sets them apart from many other races. Their connection to their wolf is unparalleled, giving rise to a number of powerful abilities including almost supernatural senses, among them is the ability to communicate with wolves and even other canines, through a sixth sense. The ability to feel emotions, smell and taste what they taste, and see through the eyes of their cousins and brethren. Even if they do not share a language they have a way of speaking through that emotional bond that can transverse over great distances and is greatly enhanced for packmates.
Therians Unlike other werewolves, they can ONLY breed to repopulate and cannot create more of themselves through the typical "Turning." Their saliva even possesses healing properties rather than poison as many call it, that can turn humans.
Therians are both bipedal and capable of standing tall and straight like any human, with double-jointed knees and elbows allowing them to easily drop down to all fours and run with the speed of a quadruped. Therians' instincts and senses are shaped by their animalistic nature, giving them a feral edge and a more ready stance in battle. Their long tongues and maws don't seem to hinder their communication and can easily speak in human tongues.
Once mighty rulers of vast territories the entire earth if you heard it from them, the Therians were forced to retreat into the shadows as humans emerged as a dominant force. Today, the only (known) Therian clings to what little remains of their ancient traditions on the fringes of society. Yet, he refuses to give up the fight for their culture and way of life.
Urbarra
Tales of men transforming into monstrous beasts have been passed down through oral traditions, until they were finally recorded in Cuneiform. Legends of Gilgamesh and Niciros tell of men cursed by evil deeds or the wrath of women who could not have them. These tales may have some basis in reality, but they remain shrouded in mystery and myth.
One of the oldest and most feared breeds of werewolves is the Ur or Urbarra. These creatures possess the ability to transform into both a large wolf and a monstrous hybrid form, larger and stronger than any man. Known for their fierce warrior-like nature, the Ur werewolves have been called by many names over the centuries, but the first recorded name was written down at the dawn of civilization.
Despite their size, strength, and unnatural senses in all forms, the Ur werewolves suffer from a tragic flaw that led to their quick decline. Their bloodlust draws them toward man and other species far too often, and they require the link to others of their kind to thrive and survive. A single Ur wolf can survive in the world, but bonding with another werewolf, especially another Ur wolf, increases their abilities. Loss of these connections can greatly cripple them, leaving them weakened and vulnerable.
Ur werewolves have been present in almost every war throughout history, drawn to violence and known for their want to stoke the fires of war and their bloodlust in battle. Their thirst for blood has earned them the moniker of "Demon Wolves" or "Xaphanic Wolves". Their bloodlust has made them hated by other breeds of werewolves, who view their unnatural ability to link with other breeds as a vampiric quality that is feared by all.
The Urbarra werewolves are often hunted by humans and other werewolf breeds who fear and hate them. Their constant state of bloodlust and their desire for war make them unpredictable and dangerous, and their ability to steal power from other breeds only adds to their feared reputation. Their immense size and strength make them almost invulnerable to most weapons, and even silver, which is known to be lethal to other werewolf breeds, only slows them down.
Wulver
Deep in the wilds of Scotland, there are legends of a creature known as the Wulver. These beings are said to be half-man, half-wolf, and with a coat of fire. Unlike other lycanthropes, the Wulver is said to be benevolent, kind, and gentle, often helping those in need.
The Wulver are said to live in remote areas of the Scottish wilderness, in caves or hollows among the rocks. They are said to be solitary creatures, rarely seen by humans, but when they do interact with humans, they are known to leave offerings of fish and game for those in need.
Despite their fearsome appearance, the Wulver are known to be protectors of the wilds. They are said to keep the balance of nature in check, ensuring that the creatures of the forest thrive and remain in harmony. They have been known to guide lost travelers through the wilderness and to protect those who are in danger from predators or harsh weather.
Faoladh
Once in the dark forests of Ireland, the Faoladh did lurk. These ancient beings, thought to be extinct, are a rare breed of cycanthrope with the ability to transform into both human and wolf forms, known as Faoladh. Though having gone into hiding as humans centuries ago sightings of the Faoladh are rare, and those who claim to have seen them are often dismissed as fanciful storytellers. However, for those lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these ancient beings, the memory of their majestic presence lingers long after they have disappeared into the shadows.
Their wolf form has long reddish-brown fur and tall, slender legs with a distinctive feature is the tuft of long, dark hair that runs down its back and forms a mane around its neck. Their ears are large and pointy, and it has narrow snout and sharp teeth. They are truly a sight to behold, standing tall on their elongated legs, with a distinctive black mane running down their back. Their wolf form is both imposing and majestic, with piercing yellow eyes that seem to glow in the darkness.
The Faoladh were once guardians of the ancient forests of Ireland, protecting the land and its inhabitants from harm. Their supernatural abilities were revered by the people, who believed that the Faoladh possessed the power to heal and protect. However, as time passed, the people forgot about the Faoladh, and the creatures were forced to retreat into the life of the humans allowing everyone to believe they had gone extinct.
Rugaru
In the rich tapestry of Native American folklore, there exists a captivating legend that speaks of the enigmatic Rugaru. The tales weave a narrative of those who had been ensnared by a curse, a transformation wrought upon them as retribution for their violation of tribal taboos and moral codes. This curse, an insidious force, often passes down through generations or is acquired by encountering a Rugaru and succumbing to its bite.
The Rugaru serve as guardians of the forests, tribes, and their customs, a sentinel tasked with protecting the sacred woods, upholding moral integrity, and exacting retribution upon transgressors. The mere existence of the Rugaru serves as a stark warning, a deterrent that keeps individuals tethered to the path of righteousness. The belief in its existence acts as a cultural lodestar, an ever-present reminder to honor and preserve the values and traditions of the community, for to violate these sacred codes is to invite dire consequences.
The Rugaru possessed an imposing stature, their bodies sculpted with sinew and power, a testament to their primal might. Their eyes blaze with an inner fire, burning crimson embers that pierced the veil of night, mirroring the untamed wilderness that stirred within their souls. Their countenance was crowned with a regal aura, a noble and fearsome visage that bore the weight of ancient legends. Elongated and razor-sharp, their claws glimmered with a subtle luminescence, gleaming like ethereal shards of moonlight in the darkness. Their frames are adorned with a tapestry of fur, a mosaic of shadows and silver, evoking the ethereal sheen of the moon's dance upon a tranquil lake.
The Rugaru embodied a sublime fusion of grace and savagery. Lithe and agile, every movement rippled with power, muscles flexing beneath their fur in a symphony of strength and fluidity. Their lupine form exuded a raw and untamed elegance, Their bodies stand as a remarkable embodiment of the perfect harmony between predatory instinct and otherworldly prowess.
Vargulf
The legends of the Vargulf are deeply woven into Scandinavian folklore and mythology. Legend holds that Vargulf's existence stems from a curse or pact made with Loki. Through this unholy alliance, the cursed individual gains access to the primal powers of Fenrir, the monstrous wolf of prophecy and chaos. It is said that those who willingly embrace this curse seek not only power but a profound connection to the primordial forces that shape the world.
In its lupine form, the Vargulf stands as a formidable force, protector, and guardian of warriors. With eyes that burn with an untamed fire, it exudes an aura of untamed might. Razor-sharp fangs, capable of rending steel and flesh alike, gleam in the moonlight, while sinewy muscles ripple beneath its fur, enabling it to move with astonishing speed and grace.
Yet, Vargulf's power extends beyond its fearsome physicality. Like its progenitor Fenrir, it possesses the ability to shape-shift into a human form, allowing it to seamlessly blend among unsuspecting individuals. In this guise, it becomes a sentinel of sorts, an unseen guardian veiled in mortal guise, watching over and guiding warriors they deem worthy.
Throughout history, the Vargulf has been viewed by many as both a harbinger of doom and a protector of the chosen. Its powers, bestowed by the fearsome Fenrir, are often sought by warriors seeking strength and courage in battle. Legends whisper of valiant warriors who have invoked Vargulf's aid and emerged from the crucible of war with unbreakable spirits and unmatched prowess.
Asena
Loup Garou
The earliest tales of Loup Garou stem back as far as a thousand years ago, stories of creatures able to transform into wolves, in the 12th century a story was written of Knight who disappeared for days at a time, eventually he is revealed to be able to turn into a wolf until the king's men came through the land the wife used this moment to hide her husbands clothes forcing him to stay as the wolf forever, unable to find his clothes he could not return to his human form and was trapped as this thing forever becoming a pet of the king, watching his wife and children grow old and die unable to join them in the afterlife, haunted by their ghosts in his shame.
Though only some of that tale holds truth, the Loup Garou are able to transform into wolves, or large bipedal hybrid wolf-like creatures who look the most wolf-like of all the breeds even in this third form. These wolves have a unique connection to the dead, like in the tale of the man without his clothes they too can see the dead and speak with them, connecting to ancestral lines and places of violent death, becoming a bridge between wolves that have passed and those still alive.
These wise wolves moved from France during the colonial periods, spreading to Hati and Louisiana, creating new packs and communities, teaching their ways giving them names like witch doctors and Vodou. Stories of their powers followed them, but despite them being woven into history they are often the least hated of their kind, linking communities to those they have lost they are seen as powerful spiritualists.
Inugami
Japan has many myths of transforming creatures, women who become fox-like spirits to lure men away, spirits of the earth and sky. But notable among them are the legends of the Inugami, these wolf-like creatures were believed to be creatures of vengeance, summoned to protect or spill blood on behalf of the one that calls them forth. However, it is often written in the tales of these wolfen beings that they would turn on their masters, switching loyalties easily and possessing humans.
These legends hold some truth, Inugami have existed throughout Japan and Asia for centuries, men able to turn into long-legged white wolves who look almost ghost-like in their wolf form, they do not have a true third form as most Lycanthropes do but instead possess the ability to do a partial transformation taking on animalistic characteristics to their human face but still appearing very human.
The Inugami have long been associated with people in positions of power, in the depths of feudal Japan they existed as protectors for Feudal lords, their loyalty however could often be brought leading to easy bloodshed. In modern times they can be found by those who know where to look among crime syndicates, the Yakuza is rife with Inugami who work for their masters, for now at least.
Nagual
When the Spanish were invading Mesoamerica they found that it was not just the land and the people that were a danger, but also the creatures that roamed the lands, men able to transform into great wolf-like beasts and dark-coated wolves who could hide in their surroundings, blending in perfectly. These creatures named nagual by the Spaniards were believed to be transforming witches, or transforming tricksters, who only morphed into these anthropomorphic creatures when the natives were threatened.
Their coats are almost pure black, and though a breed of werewolf other wolves have noted them as having an almost jaguar-like quality to them, they are perfect at blending into their environment and naturally bloodthirsty protectors, unlike most other werewolves it is not silver that harms them but gold, many believe this has to do with the gold the Spaniards spilled their blood over when the conquest was tearing through their lands.
Their bite is said to be almost halogenic, causing long vision-like hallucinations which for a time were prized as a natural drug of choice. They cannot turn people with this bite but have to breed in the traditional way, though some have been known to be born to human parents their bloodline dormant for generations.