Lycanthrope

From HollowWiki

Profile

Life Expectancy: 1800 - 2300 
Homeland: Larket
Average Height: Dependant on Original Race
Average Weight: Dependant on Original Race
Preferred Classes: Druid, Ranger, Warrior
Classes this race can be: Warrior, Monk, Spell Blade, Druid, Ranger
Preferred Alignment: Neutral Evil
Preferred Weapons: Dependant on Class
Aggression Level: Normal but extremely high in those that can not control their
transformations
Intelligence Level: Dependant on original class/race, but when transformed
usually they run on primal instinct
Magic Rating: Dependant on original class/race, but when transformed primal
instinct usually don't think of magics
Strength Rating: Dependant of original class/race, but when transformed their
strength seems to show no bounds.
Weak Against: Silver, Vampiric Blood
Strong Against: Vampirism (Virus)
Related Races: None
Allied Races: Unknown
Enemy Races: Vampires, Undead

Physiology

Lycanthropes are known mostly because of their ability to shape shift from a humanoid form into an animal form. Most commonly referred to as Werewolves (whose howl cannot echo in any form), Lycans (as they have been known to be called) can also be a variety of different animals. Lycans can only morph into one animal form. Ranging from Weretigers to Werespiders and all in between. Any given Lycan's humanoid form is based solely off their race before they were turned into a Lycan. If they were human, their humanoid form is a human, if it were elf, their humanoid form is an elf, and so on in this fashion. Their animal forms are conversely based solely on the source of the Curse of Lycanthropy. More often than not, Lycans transform into their uncontrollable half-animal form where they appear to be a combination of their animal form and humanoid form. There are Lycans that are born with the Curse, and others that attain it via another source (scratch or bite). Those that were bitten, or unnaturally attained the curse, can appear as a pure form of what their original race was where born Lycans tend to exhibit some features of their animal form while in a humanoid state. Ex. A tail and ears.

Psychology

Mostly based on what the Lycan's previous race (if any) was. Their mental state is further influenced by what their animal form is. For instance, if the form is of a wolf, the Lycan may think more along the lines of a wolf; selfish, greedy, and cunning. Where as a Snow Leopard might produce a more eccentric personality. However, this is not always the case, in particular with born Lycans. Those born to the curse often gravitate towards what social norms their environment calls for, such as loyalty within a wolf pack society. Even those bitten or unnaturally afflicted with the Curse may overcome their base animal influences if they are particularly strong willed.

As all Lycans have the ability to turn into a savage half-animal form, the vast majority are unable to control themselves; the equivalent of their conscious minds blacking out during their ferocious rampage. In rare instances, most prominent in born Lycans, some control of their form is exerted to the point of being at least semi-aware of their actions, even after the transformation.

Lycanthrope Society

Lycans are often found in collections, sometimes referred to as packs. Lycans of similar nature (Werewolves, etc.) gather, most likely because that's the only thing they would have in common. The strongest of them all is the leader of the "pack" and commands them with an almost unquestioned authority. The leader may be challenged by a pack member and be replaced if he loses. These fights are typically to the death and are fought in the Lycan's animal form.

All packs are able to form their ranks as they wish, with positions varying in name and power from pack to pack. That is, of course, the decision of the Alpha who is, unfailingly, the one in charge. Below are listed some examples taken from lycan packs in Hollow.

Order of Power for Mahri's Pack (dissolved)

• Alpha Wolf - The pack leader. Must be strong and wise, must protect the whole pack, as well as keep order. Some packs have an Alpha Male and an Alpha Female.
  • Beta - The Alpha's (or Alphas') second in command. This wolf helps maintain order, carries out the Alpha's orders, and assists in the hunting and defense.
  • Omega - Unlike a natural wolf pack, the Omega holds a position of respect and difference. This wolf could be seen as the spiritual advisor to the alpha, with as much authority as the beta, only on a different level. This wolf is the healer of the pack and has, quite often, the ability to bring tempers under control when arguements break out within the pack.
    • Pack Members - The main bulk of the pack. These are the hunters, the den-makers, and the driving force of the pack.

Order of Power for Jerralith's Pack

1. Alpha Wolf - The pack leader. Must be strong and wise, must protect the whole pack, as well as keep order. Some packs have an Alpha Male and an Alpha Female.
2. Omega wolf, wise man/woman, healer treated with the utmost respect and deference by all wolves. Reports only to the Alpha.
3. Beta wolf Second in command in most everyday matters.
4. Gamma wolf
5. Pack members. Very important to the strength of the pack. Wolves work as a team, that is their strength.

Lycanthropes & Religion

Given their ability to transform into whatever animal form their curse is based on, Lycans tend to gravitate towards deities aligned with nature, the most prominent one being Hind, God of Nature. As many Lycans often find themselves giving in to their own desires, it is not uncommon for Lycans to worship Delisha the Dark Mother. This, however, is not to say all Lycans worship these gods. Their individual religious views are mostly based on their previous race, if any.

Lycanthrope History

The history of the Vailkrin Pack.

The Vailkrin pack is the oldest Lycan Pack in Hollow. It was founded by Isen. The first other wolf he asked to join his pack was Sophie. He also asked Leoxander to join, but the pirate refused, prefering to remain a rogue alpha, allied with the pack, but not in the pack.

A few weeks thereafter, Isen asked Deilakrion to join and take up position as Alpha female, that the pack should have both an alpha male and an alpha female. Several other wolves had also joined by this time and the pack was thriving. Deilakrion led the pack, wisely being sole leader for much of the time during Isen's long absences.

Famous Lycanthropes

See Famous Players

Related Pages

• Races of Hollow
• List of Known Lycanthropes
• The Lycanthropy Curse