Today’s topic of discussion is: werewolves! Let’s get ready to pet some pooches!
Werewolves are not the only shifters in the Hall of Blood And Mercy universe, but they are the most numerous, and among the strongest.
They live in packs, which operate more like families, although there is an Alpha leader and a Beta, who serves as their second-in-command. Usually they prefer country life or quieter cities, but the more powerful and prominent Packs frequently have a house in the city for pack use as well as the pack land.
Pack members typically live close together, most often in the outskirts of a small town. (Only a handful of cities have more than one pack among its citizens.)
Werewolves are typically turned, similar to the way vampires are turned. However, it is possible for a werewolf to be born, but it is an incredibly rare occurrence. As a result, werewolf pups are heavily doted upon, and though not spoiled an entire pack will operate for the good of the child.
The Dominant is the highest ranked werewolf in the country, and he/she serve as the end-all leader of the werewolves. Regions are run by Pre-Dominants—high ranking alphas who take care of werewolf business on a regional level and serve on the Regional Committees of Magic. Pre-Dominants are usually chosen for their power and their ability to operate in the human world and co-operate with other shifters.
Most werewolves prefer a diet heavy in proteins, but it is usually up to personal taste. They do, however, have to digest a lot of calories to keep up with their high metabolisms and the calories that are consumed during transformations.
Werewolves often have a high drive to exercise, and it is considered normal for the Pack to do some training together—though the type varies from pack to pack. (Some might prefer weight lifting, while others focus on sparing.) The training not only allows a bonding experience, but serves as a way for the werewolves to expel excess energy.
Lone Wolves are wolves that are not official members of a Pack. They are few and far between given the social nature of wolves, and often times the wolf is not made a Loner out of their own desire, but because they were exiled or kicked out.
Werewolves transform into wolf-like creatures that are often times larger than regular wolves, but smaller than bears. The colors and patterns resemble what is found in nature, but there are often unusual fur shades and markings that make it easy to tell them apart.
Werewolves are easy to pick out in their human form. They often tend to be more muscled, but the easiest giveaway is their eyes—which range from piercing gold, which is most common, to some greens, amber-ish browns, and stark blues. Their eyes tend to contain extra strong colors, making them easy to tell apart from wizards or regular humans.
Werewolves are usually disciplined by the Pack, but if a werewolf goes mad, or breaks a law and the pack alpha does nothing, a Hunter may be called.
Hunters are families of humans who are raised to track, fight, and kill unruly werewolves. Most of these ancient families have died out, but there are still a few in every region of America. Although they lack the elemental magic of wizards, Hunters have an unnatural amount of stamina, speed, and strength when compared to a regular human.
It is said that all Hunters have werewolf blood somewhere in their families, although this has never been confirmed for certain.
