Difference between revisions of "Therianthrope"

From Heroes Assemble MUSH
Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
m
 
Line 1: Line 1:
A Therianthrope is a taxonomic term for the various ways that mortals shift forms into animal-human hybrids. Therianthropes are common in many cultures and even those outside of Earth itself. They are part of the universal mortal subconscious and are often a manifestation of primal nature spirits interacting with mortal [[The Dreaming|dreamers]], or due to other [[magic]]al effects. The most common therianthrope in Europe and America are werewolves; in India, they are weretigers and most African nations have mythologies featuring wear-lions. They were unknown in China until the 1500s, and the aboriginal people of Australia remember them only via ancient oral tradition. First Nations people called them the 'yee naaldlooshii', and they were most commonly witches or spirit-talkers who could possess, command, or transform themselves into various animals.
+
A Therianthrope is a taxonomic term for the various ways that mortals shift forms into animal-human hybrids. Therianthropes are common in many cultures and even those outside of Earth itself. They are part of the universal mortal subconscious and are often a manifestation of primal nature spirits interacting with mortal [[The Dreaming|dreamers]], or due to other [[magic]]al effects. The most common therianthrope in Europe and America are werewolves; in India, they are weretigers and most African nations have mythologies featuring wear-lions. They were unknown in China until the 1500s, and the aboriginal people of Australia remember them only via ancient oral tradition. The Navajo people called them the 'yee naaldlooshii', and they were most commonly witches or spirit-talkers who could possess, command, or transform themselves into various animals.
  
 
<big>Varieties of Were-wolf:</big>
 
<big>Varieties of Were-wolf:</big>

Latest revision as of 20:46, 23 August 2022

A Therianthrope is a taxonomic term for the various ways that mortals shift forms into animal-human hybrids. Therianthropes are common in many cultures and even those outside of Earth itself. They are part of the universal mortal subconscious and are often a manifestation of primal nature spirits interacting with mortal dreamers, or due to other magical effects. The most common therianthrope in Europe and America are werewolves; in India, they are weretigers and most African nations have mythologies featuring wear-lions. They were unknown in China until the 1500s, and the aboriginal people of Australia remember them only via ancient oral tradition. The Navajo people called them the 'yee naaldlooshii', and they were most commonly witches or spirit-talkers who could possess, command, or transform themselves into various animals.

Varieties of Were-wolf:

Homo Canis Hybridae: These werewolves are normal humans who have been infected with the mystical blood disease carried in werewolf saliva. They have been documented in history since the Hyborean Era and are by far the most common 'breed' of werewolf. They are able to take the from of a hybrid (wolf-man) body or that of a very large timberwolf. Homo Canis in wolf forms have thicker shoulders and stronger front legs to allow more agility and claw use then a typical wolf.

Their hybrid form stands anywhere from seven to ten feet tall. It has distinctly lupin facial features, human eyes, arms with clawed, grasping hands and digitigrade legs. They comfortably run on all fours or bipedally and have vastly superior senses to a mortal's. Even very young hybrids can lift and toss several hundred pounds quite easily and run up to 30mph in wolf or hybrid form. Werewolves gain power with age, becoming stronger, faster, and tougher. Older lupines have better regeneration and keener senses and many learn to control their shifting so they can change forms at will. Decapitation, extreme traumatic injury, or removal of the heart is the only sure way to kill a werewolf permanently. They will largely recover from most wounds that aren't immediately fatal. Silver neutralizes their healing factor, and flowers like garlic and wolfsbane are highly toxic.

Packs are formed around common blood-scent and any werewolf can instantly tell if a werewolf is nearby and if they are pack-kin. Their 'society' follow a very clear structure of dominance and submission and pack loyalty is very strong. Pack leaders are called 'alphas'. Their leadership is proven through physical combat. Alphas stake out pack property and feeding areas, and keep younger members in line. The largest pack in North America stretches up and down much of the Atlantic Seaboard, into Nova Scotia and Appalachia. The leader of this pack, the 'Apex Alpha', is an ancient and powerful lupus named Marrok.

The autonomic shift into the hybrid form occurs in the evenings before and after the night of the full moon. It triggered by viewing the moon directly. The transformation always burns significant calories. It is agonizingly painful, and gory to observe. Between the intense pain and extreme hunger, many werewolves lapse into bestial, primal instincts. It can take many years to develop the discipline to ignore those demands (and some never bother). As werewolves age, they learn how to shift their form at will outside the influence of the moon. Daylight always breaks the transformation and only werewolves in very secluded spots (such as deep mines or caves) can maintain their form during the day. Prolonged existence as a predatory pack animal tends to drive these 'feral' werewolves insane.

Homo Canis Inferior: These are humans with a genetic disorder that causes atavistic caninism, a condition where a person otherwise incapable of shifting forms takes on a feral and animal aspect. The change is biological, not mystical. These are still biologically human, but have a mutated thyroid and adrenal glands. This gives them a primitive appearance, with extra hair, enlarged canines, hardened nails and above-average strength and endurance. Most Homo Canis Inferior are aggressive, territorial, and violent. The bite of a lesser werewolf spreads the retrovirus that rewrites DNA very quickly. A H. Canis Inferior can create a pack dozens strong in just a few weeks of work.

Homo Lupus: These hereditary shapeshifters are found primarily in Europe and have become near extinct. They are commonly known as 'loup garou'. They are noteworthy for not being bound to the moon, but can only shift between their human selves and that of a powerful, ancient wolf. They are fast and strong, resistant to many diseases and poisons and can heal very quickly from even critical injuries. They tend to stick to family sizes of about 4-12 members, and do their best to stay at the fringes of human society to avoid notice. Loup Garou have a good reputation in Europe and the Balkans as allies of of humanity. Some villages have longstanding traditions of leaving out raw beef and milk at night for their four-legged protectors. However the family lines with this genetic trait have been steadily dying out, leaving only a few 'packs' left in Europe.

Lupus Daemonica: These are the creatures who have been cursed or twisted by daemonic magic. The curse takes effect on the next full moon and requires strong magic or a well-prepared priest to undo. These unfortunate souls become a hulking wolf-man hybrid with grotesquely long arms and claws, a malformed jaw and decrepit, rotting hide. Once they consume human flesh they forever lose the ability to return to their mortal form, even in daylight. They become immune to garlic and wolfsbane, but are vulnerable to holy accoutrements and silver. They are almost universally driven insane by their corruption.

Lupus Arcana: A human afflicted with a magical condition similar to other therianthrope diseases. This curse typically persists until it is broken by a skilled enough wizard.