The Uratha (Werewolves)

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Werewolves

Origin

According to the legend of the Forsaken, the world was once a perfect place called Pangaea—although it is not apparent whether the term refers to a certain place or time. In this world, the barrier between the spirit world and the material world was thin and it was easy to travel from one world into the other.
The spirit who watched over the balance between both was Father Wolf, the mightiest warrior of his time. Father Wolf patrolled the barrier between the two worlds and allowed spirits to remain in the spirit world and even form cults around them. But only so long as they did not become as humans are and flesh and spirit remained separated. Many of the powerful spirit lords saw the wisdom in that and followed the rules. However, those who threatened the balance between the worlds were either chased back to their world or were killed outright.
Over time Luna, the spirit of the moon, began to travel the world in a body of flesh. She had many suitors but only chose Father Wolf as a mate, due to his strength and power. With him she sired the First Pack (children part human, part wolf, and part spirit), who were the ancestors of all Uratha and assisted their father in his duties.
Over time Father Wolf grew weak and was no longer able to fulfill his duties. When his children saw his weakness, they began to rebel against their father and succeeded in killing him and taking his place. As Father Wolf died, the barrier between the worlds became so strong that traveling from one to another was only possible in special places for most beings. The pain over the death of her lover caused Mother Luna to curse all children she had ever borne, so that silver (her sacred metal) is able to kill them.
Those Uratha who killed Father Wolf, later swore the Oath of the Moon and promised to fulfill the duties of their father. To those Uratha, Luna gave her Auspices and lifted the curse partly. The Forsaken sought out the Firstborn and later founded the five Tribes of the Forsaken.

 

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Werewolves

Society

Uratha can, theoretically, come from any part of human society, which can have a stronger or lower importance after the werewolf’s first change. Some forsake human society completely and others do not.
Most Uratha form packs of different sizes to hunt more efficiently and better protect their territory. The smallest packs consist of 3 Uratha and every pack needs a totem (a spirit who bonds with the pack).
Also, every Forsaken werewolf who belongs to a Tribe must swear the Oath of the Moon, which (roughly) describes the moral of the Uratha (called Harmony). The phrases of the Oath are:
The Wolf Must Hunt (the Uratha have to fulfill the roles of Father Wolf)
The People do not murder the People (Uratha don’t murder other Uratha)
The Low honor the High, the High respect the Low
Respect your Prey
The Uratha shall cleave to Human (Uratha are forbidden to mate with each other or with wolves and are mandated to reproduce)
Do not eat the flesh of Human or wolf
The herd must not know (the Uratha must be hidden from the humans)

 

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Werewolves

Forms

The Uratha can switch between five forms at will; they do not have to wait for certain phases of the moon, and they retain control of themselves while in these alternate forms. Unlike in Werewolf: The Apocalypse, all werewolves are born human, and have the Hishu as their primary form.
Hishu - human form. A Uratha appears to be a normal, if very fit and healthy, human. An unconscious or dead werewolf returns to this form. This is the form most Uratha are most comfortable with.
Dalu - near-human form. The Uratha is significantly bigger, hairier and stronger. Ears, teeth and nails are slightly pointed and the face is more angular. Facial hair is noticeable even on females. This form reacts in a similar manner as that of the human form.
Gauru - wolf-man or war form. Half-human, half-wolf, the Gauru form of Uratha are generally 8 to 9 feet tall and much heavier and stronger than any human. In this form a werewolf's blood-lust rises to the surface and is much harder to control. Uratha can only channel the power of the Gauru form for a limited time, and generally only take this form to kill. This forms’ reaction towards chemicals is nearly impossible to predict and a Uratha takes this form automatically when he enters Death Rage.
Urshul - near-wolf form. A Uratha in this form is a huge wolf 3 to 5 feet high at the shoulder, resembling the extinct dire wolf. This form reacts in a similar manner as the wolf form.
Urhan - wolf form. The Uratha is indistinguishable from a normal grey wolf. Depending on the area where the Uratha comes from, respectively which area shaped the majority of his ancestors, this form differs. If there are grey wolves in the area, this form looks similar to these wolves respectively similar to other canines like the African wild dog, dhole, or red wolf (but never like domestic dogs) .

Strengths

1. Werewolves are virtually immortal because of the constant regeneration of their physical tissue, making their true age somewhat difficult to determine.

2. Werewolves in a pack have a physic link that bonds them together, if one werewolf in the pack dies the other werewolves can sense his death.

Weaknesses
1. Silver will kill a werewolf.

2. A werewolf can be killed by any wound that completely destroys the heart or the brain, but decapitation is the most effective way.

 

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Abilities

Werewolves have various abilities depending on the phase of the moon phase upon which they turn. These abilities are distinguished as the five auspices of the werewolf.

Rahu (The Full Moon, The Warrior) - warriors of all kinds from brawlers to seasoned commanders.
Cahalith (The Gibbous Moon, The Visionary) - seers, storytellers and lorekeepers.
Elodoth (The Half Moon, The Walker Between) - diplomats to the spirit courts, judges and arbiters.
Ithaeur (The Crescent Moon, The Spirit Master) - occultists and keepers of spirit lore and rituals.
Irraka (The New Moon, The Stalker) - scouts, spies and trackers

Besides the physical abilities, which all Uratha possess, they can also have access to a wide range of individual powers called Gifts. These Gifts aren’t inherited and cannot be learned from other Uratha, but are bestowed by spirits as part of a deal. Some Gifts are easier to learn than others, depending on Auspice. Others are only open to specific Uratha. The effects of these Gifts are variable, some enhance physical abilities, while others change the form, bestow powers of divination, control the elements, etc. The more powerful the Gift, the higher the rank of the Uratha in question among the spirits must be to learn the Gift.
Furthermore, the Uratha can, with the help of certain rituals, bind spirits into objects and even tattoos and bestow these objects with supernatural power. These objects are called fetishes and can be used once or multiple times. The power of the fetish depends on the power of the bound spirit.

Gifts

Rahu: Dominance, Strength
Cahalith: Inspiration, Knowledge
Elodoth: Insight, Warding
Ithaeur: Elemental, Shaping
Irraka: Evasion, Stealth