Lycan Race

The Lycanthropes, also known to themselves as the Lycan Race, are the collective name for the tribes of Werewolves that populate the world, hidden away from humanity. They have existed since at least the Dark Ages and have representatives everywhere on the planet, with each continent having it's own native tribes and some which are spread all over the world.

The Silver Tribe, also known as the Lunar Kings, formed of the most powerful and influential people in the Slavic regions, mostly along the vast expanses of Russia and the former Soviet Union. They come from the blood of Kings of men and Wolves, and are unilaterally the Tribe of Leadership among the Lycan Race, as it's strongest warriors and leaders.

The Shadow Tribe, also known as the Storm Lords, based around the Eastern European and Carpathian regions, are known as politicians and masterminds, social darwinists before the man was even born. They constantly question and challenge the Silver Tribe's rulership, because a constantly challenged leader can prove his worth to himself and his people.

The Iron Tribe, also known as the Urban Predators, are known to follow the growth of technology, and are the only tribe which has not stayed true to it's original region, which was the cradle of the Ottoman Empire. These Lycanthropes have adapted to life in the city and urban areas, living on the outskirts of human society with a loose structure.

The Earth Tribe, also known as the Pathfinders, are the most widespread of the tribes, tracing their origins back to Mongols expanding all the way into the Middle-East and mingled with Lycanthropes from pre-Saharan Africa and Egypt. They are known for being nomadic and, like the Iron Tribe, are all over the greater Eurasian and African continent.

The Winter Tribe, also known as the Fenrir, is the main branch of the Blood Tribe which has moved away from their association with the Dark Lord. While they are still disgusted with humanity, they are no longer as intent on wiping out humanity at all costs, focusing instead on becoming perfect warriors and avenging those humanity has wronged.

• The Blood Tribe, also known as the Hunters in Darkness, are a tribe of Lycanthropes which strive to abandon the corrupt human societies which the other Tribes mirror. These werewolves, originating in Western Europe and migrating to North and South America (they've mingled blood by now) are the descendants of several persecuted minorities, have joined with Dracula in times past, and are spiritual even by other Tribes' standards.

History

The Lycan Race's origins date back to at least the Dark Ages, though some older Lycanthropes claim they come from quite a bit earlier than that. However, what all tribes and werewolves agree to is that Lycanthropes have existed in the Tribal structure since those days, so the race as a whole accepts that Dark Ages was their birth era. During this time, the various ethnic groups and werewolves formed along country and family lines.

During the Crusades, the various Lycanthrope groups met and formed a society, with the Lunar Kings' incredible power, both physical and influential, being the gathering stone around which the Lycanthropes came together.. and under. The Storm Lords' political acumen and strong social structure was used as the basis of leadership and organization. The wisdom and shared histories of the Pathfinders allowed the Lycanthropes to grow a shared history and a system of beliefs they could all assemble behind. Finally, the Urban Predators' knowledge of cities, human technologies and their motions allowed the Lycanthropes to stay away from human settlements and expansions.

When the colonization of the New World began, the Lycanthropes found a new group there.. which at the time were distinct and individual, like them. However, the colonization and destruction of the Native American civilizations have had all the native Tribes of Lycanthropes eventually forced to mix together, forming an assemblage called the Blood Tribe. They were considerably less than happy about this, but their mutual hatred of the invaders allowed them to come to their own society and calling themselves the Blood Tribe, both for ironic purposes and to spite their 'cousins'.

However, theirs is a war-like race, with conflicts arising between the tribes increasingly since the formation of the Lycan Race. The tribes all vie for leadership in various areas, and the Shadow and Iron Tribes have gotten increasingly ambitious due to a centuries old feud and a growing contempt for the old, outdated ways, respectively. Since World War II, the Tribes have had little actual contact which didn't begin or end in bloodshed, territorial disputes have grown, and there is a growing resentment from the other Tribes towards the Silver Tribe.

The last time several Lycanthropes from the different tribes were together was in World War II, when they banded as the Fang Clan to fight against the vampires who had gathered under the Nazis, known as the Blood Clan. The Werewolves (and others) prevailed against the Nazi menace. This started several werewolf elders to thinking the tribes should be reunited.

Recently, massive attempts are re-assembling the Tribes have resorted, once again, to ages old traditions of arranged marriages and inter mingling of noble and lordly lines across the tribes. However, even that has not stopped the conflicts, as some tribes resent their best and brightest marrying into another tribe and the child born is usually distrusted and disliked by the non-werewolf parent's tribe.

Society

All Lycan Tribes are based on blood lineage and Werewolf appearance. The colors and markings of the werewolf form dictate the origins of the tribes, though most of those are based on the actual geography and living conditions of the Lycanthrope in question. Within the tribes is a very clear pecking order, as with all wolves, with the Lords, Nobles, Commoners and Cursed werewolves making up the social standings.
The Lords are incredibly rare, usually born from the actual lordly line, with strict birth records kept within the Tribe to trace any potential child born to the Lords' lines, both legitimate and bastards, as their actual power is often more important than their legitimacy. Werewolf Lords have a plethora of advantages over other werewolves, not the least of which being the ability to change at will, even in the daytime, guaranteeing them victory over any other werewolf during the day.
The Nobles are werewolves with exceptional powers, usually from the Lord's line who did not inherit the full power of their blood, or Commoners born with exceptional powers and Gifts. While not able to change during the day, Noble Werewolves are able to resist the pull of the moon and are able to use one of their Tribe's special gifts.
The Commoners are the rank and file of Lycanthrope society. These werewolves can only change at night, but have to change during the full moon, and have no special powers save for their transformation. However they are forced to transform on the full moon, and are barely more than animals at that time, so they tend to avoid society during those times.
The Cursed werewolves are poor souls cursed to transform at the full moon. They are only part of werewolf society which is not included in the structure. More importantly, those are created by Lords as shock troops. There are several taboos about creating them, but some survive and move on from their, being cursed and usually hunted and killed.

The Lycanthropes like to pretend they function on a Meritocracy but the importance of your birth sets your rank in their society. Occasionally, a werewolf born to Commoners will be a Noble or even a Lord. If this werewolf's children are of the same type, then the whole family gets to increase in rank, leaving a structure not many among the Commoners are especially comfortable with.

In the recent past, the Tribes have had several arranged marriages between Lordly and Noble families of different nations to solidify some sort of political and social standard. The more politically savvy among the Lycan Tribes have realized that this is a way for the Storm Lords and the Lunar Kings to keep themselves on top of the Lycan hierarchy, but the lords of both those Tribes say this is hogwash. Even the young of those tribes, however, have realized something is up with the recent string of marriages and the allowance for a Lord of the tribe to have a wife from each of the different tribes.

Powers & Abilities

The Werewolves, of course, are a supernatural race of shapeshifters. Each of them comes with a variety of powers, with the actual powers the individual werewolf has access to setting his rank in the society, as well as his family's, if all things work out for them.

• Shapeshifting: At night, a werewolf can turn into a Man-Wolf or a full Wolf. However, on the night of the full moon, they have to change. Nobles can change at will and Lords can even change during the day.
• Healing Factor: While transformed, all Werewolves have a ridiculously potent healing factor, able to regenerate from most types of wounds almost immediately, and are basically unkillable by regular weapons and means. This, obviously, has limits, but most forms of regular combat will not kill a werewolf.

Blessings: Nobles and Lords, however, are considered such because of their special Blessings. Spirits have blessed those bloodlines with special abilities, depending on their station and their Tribe, which is the primary way they associated with each other over the generations. There are several more Blessings.

Silver Tribe Blessings

Silver Tribe Werewolf.

The Silver Tribe Blessings denote their natural might and leadership abilities. They are the fiercest fighters and the most commanding of all the werewolves, and are especially blessed in regards to the race's most feared substance, silver.
King of Kings: The Silver Tribe's natural leadership abilities practically shine through. When they stand with people pledged to follow them, these people's resolve is strengthened, making their wills as of iron, shielding them from both fear and other attacks on their morale or their fears, making sure they will stand and fight to their last breath.
King of the Moon: The Silver tribe's name comes from this incredible blessing. A Lord of the Silver Tribe can turn his fur into silver, allowing them to slay any other werewolf in battle, and most of all, resisting silver attacks. While blessed, they are immune to silver's debilitating affects on them and will not actually take damage from it. However, they can only call upon this once a day.
King of War: The Lord of the Silver Tribe's blessing, the Silver Glaive will allow itself to be wielded by one who is recognized as the one true leader. Otherwise, the Silver Glaive will turn on the unworthy wielder and impale them.

Shadow Tribe Blessings

Shadow Tribe Werewolf.

The Shadow Tribe Blessings enhance their natural cunning and their shadowy natures. Their ties to the storm are reflected in their blessings, and they make the most versatile leaders and the best assassins due to them.
Lord of Beasts: The Storm Lords can cow and summon beasts before they've met before. This is a power that requires concentration and focus. A dog will not run to them and accept them as master for no reason, and they cannot make animals who hate each other work together (nature can be subsumed, but never ignored). However, if they meet a beast and give it an order, it has to obey to the best of it's ability, so long as it's in the Shadow Werewolf's presence.
Lord of Storms: Where the Shadow Tribe gets their nickname, the Storm Lord can summon the storm from an overcast or cloudy day.. or obviously, in the rain, or upgrade a rainstorm into a thunderstorm or a thunderstorm into a small hurricane, once a day. The Storm Lords with this Blessing are able to walk into the worst of weather and see, feel and sense everything as if it were a perfect day, giving them stealth and intimidation factors.
Lord of War: The Lord of the Shadow Tribe's right, they can use the Storm Glaive's power. Any other werewolf attempting to use it will be blasted by lightning from the Glaive, only the one true lord can use it.

Iron Tribe Blessings

Iron Tribe Werewolf.

The Iron Tribe Blessings involve technology and humanity, their area of expertise. It enhances their natural ability to adapt and 'belong' to just about anywhere and anything, as well as allows them to live as werewolves close to where humans may find them.
Predator of the Streets: The Urban Predator can live up to his name, invoking this blessing lets him use any window or glass surface as an extra set of eyes around him, letting him plot out a course in advance to avoid humans. This power lets the Iron Tribe organize themselves and wage battle in urban areas with much less risk of discovery than other Tribes.
Predator's Advantage: The Iron Tribe's true power, this blessing allows the Urban Predator to become essentially invisible within the streets of his city. His body looks like the brick or cement around him, his feet make no sound against the concrete, and he can merge with the buildings to bypass doors. This can be invoked once a day.
Perfect Predator: The Lord of the Iron Tribe's birthright, to wield the Steel Glaive. If an unworthy werewolf touches the Glaive, it will bind itself to his hand and become too heavy to wield, falling to the ground and trapping him there.

Earth Tribe Blessings

Earth Tribe Werewolf.

The Earth Tribe are travelers, philosophers and explorers, and their blessings reflect this nature. They have the edge on discovering new places, they can always find their way, and they are not known to ever be slowed down in their voyage.
Finder of the Way: The Pathfinders owe their nickname to this power. By concentrating, the werewolf can project his vision onto a bird, an insect or any other animal in the area, to find a way out, or to, anywhere in several miles. They merely see from the other being's point of view, they are not, in fact, possessing the animal.
Finder of Victory: The Earth Tribe's primary means of combat, once a day, they can commune with the Earth, by holding the soil in their hands, then their bodies become one with the Earth, acting like armor for them, allowing them to regenerate from any damage, even from silver, so long as they keep in contact with the Earth.
Path of the Warrior: The lord of the Earth Tribe can use the Glaive of Gaia, marking themselves as the one true lord of the Tribe. If a werewolf other than him attempts to use the Glaive, the earth will swallow them whole as if it were quicksand, until they suffocate and die from it.

Winter Tribe Blessings

Winter Tribe Werewolf.

Blood Tribe Werewolf.

The Winter Tribe's Blessings reflect that they have been in isolation since the fall of the Dark Lord in the late 19th century, but have maintained their ancestral spirituality and repurposed themselves as warriors and martial artists. Their focus has shifted towards discipline and spiritual awareness rather than revenge. Note that the Blood Tribe technically has access to these as well.
Fenris's Edge: The Fenrir can sense and analyze the weakness of their opponent. This is normally enough to tell them what the enemy's origin is, but if it's not, they at least know how to best fight their opponent, making the Winter Tribe one of the most dangerous to fight.
Warrior's Might: The Winter Tribesman with this Blessing can focus his inner rage outwardly, granting their claws and bite preternatural speed and surrounding them with spiritual energy, not unlike chi techniques. With these, the Werewolf using them is able to affect spirits, ghosts, or other supernaturals, as well as damage magical barriers, and add a few inches of reach against an opponent.
Champion of Frost: The Lord of the Winter Tribe (or the Blood Tribe) has the right to wield the Glaive of Frost. Any other who attempts to wield it will get the weapon frozen to his hand, and will start to freeze, from the inside out, starting with the water, then the blood in their body. Only the Lord of the Winter Tribe is allowed to use this weapon.

Blood Tribe Blessings

The Blood Tribe Blessings are of a more primal nature than the others. Theirs comes from a shamanistic tradition and a strong, independent nature, as well as a centuries long alliance with evil spirits and undead. Note that the Winter Tribe has access to these as well, but have by and large abandoned these vengeful, cursed Blessings.
Hunter's Revenge: The Blood Tribe's long history culminated in forced assimilation and quiet outrage. This blessing can curse an enemy, making everyone around him distrust and discriminate against them for a whole day, isolating a prey or used repeatedly, to drive an enemy mad and forever alone.
Hunter's Edge: The Blood Tribe's most potent blessing, it allows the Hunter invoking it to become a spirit, immune to damage and able to commune with nature, letting him get to his destination across anything but running water as if walking on even terrain, unable to be smelled or tracked, once a day.
Scion of the Hunt: The Lord of the Blood Tribe's gift, the ability to wield the Glaive of Blood. A werewolf attempting to use it without this blessing will find himself bleeding to death from every pore on his body, as if peppered with silver. The Lord of the Winter Tribe can also use this Glaive.

Notable Members

Lords

• Alexei Serebro: King of the Silver Tribe, and uncle to Ludovic Skaarsgard.
• Ludovic Osglaf Skaarsgaard: Current King of the Shadow Tribe, in exile. Also third in line to rulership of the Lunar Kings.
• Daniel Alexandre Depardieu: Current Iron Master, ruler and self-appointed CEO of the Iron Tribe.
• Azeem: Currently the Earthlord, the ruler of the Earth Tribe.
• Aldrik Lindstrom: Current official ruler of the Winter Tribe, and also contender for the Blood Tribe.
• Rends-The-Veil: Ruler and high shaman of the Blood Tribe, and also contender for the Winter Tribe.

Lycans of Note

• Vladimir Serebro: Former King of the Silver Tribe, father to Alexei, Dmitri and Nadia, grandfather to Ludovic.
• Erik Skaarsgard: Father of the current King of the Shadow Tribe, brother, then uncle of the last two. Husband of Nadia Rustovia Skaarsgard.
• Shinji Kageokami Skaarsgard: Cousin to Eric Skaarsgard, and caretaker of Ludovic Skaarsgard in Japan.
• Dmitri Serebro: Brother to Alexei, currently next in line for rulership of the Silver Tribe.
• Gennadi Bragin: A werewolf, member of the Iron Tribe, intimately tied to the Silver Court. They don't talk about him.
• Adrian: A Member of the Iron Tribe, A thief with a knack for getting himself into trouble.Though he is a skilled fighter, he is overconfident.
• Cornell: Ostensibly a member of the Winter Tribe (though the Shadow Tribe says otherwise, and the Blood Tribe claims he's one of theirs), it is unknown what Cornell actually is, but as a warrior, he was probably unmatched.

Packs

Gregor's Pack

• Gregor Stalks-With-Blood: Shaman of the Blood Tribe, servant of the Dark Lord.
• Janos Scars-The-Night: Hunter in Darkness, and elder of the tribe. Mentor to Gregor, and currently a member of his pack.
• Talbot The Quiet Death: A member of the Iron Tribe, trained as an assassin and spy, who believes in what Gregor, and the Dark Lord wants.
• Cutie: A warrior of the Blood Tribe, servant of the Dark Lord.
• Lilith Twilight: A Were-tiger who has joined with them, curious about serving the Dark Lord.

Weaknesses

As legends will say, the Lycan Race has several weaknesses, most of which are relatively publicly well known.

Silver: The biggest weakness of them all. Silver destroys a werewolf. They cannot heal damage done by silver, and the mere touch of it burns them, which is why the Silver Bullet legend is accurate. If a bullet pierces the werewolf, it's presence in the body will kill him, even if it only hit the hand or foot, from it's sheer presences. A Werewolf struck by silver will need to get medical or magical attention immediately and will need rest to heal, like a normal person with the same type of wound. Any limb or organ damaged or severed by silver is gone forever.
Full Moon: Werewolves have to change during the full moon. More importantly, they also become FAR more bestial in that case, and a lot more dangerous. True werewolves can shapeshift any night of the month, but they have to change on the full moon. Only Lords can avoid transforming, but even they are influenced by it's presence.
Wolfsbane: In the presence of Wolfsbane, werewolves will flee. The smell and presence of it will drive them off. Nobles and Lords can stay in the same area, but only Lords can resist being poisoned by its contact with his blood. A Lord will be made sick if he ingests it, but otherwise, he will be fine. HOWEVER, wolfsbane will prevent any werewolf from transforming, no matter which.