Werewolves

Werewolf Origins:
Werewolf legends are some of my favorite stories. There are were-beast legends in almost every culture. For example, in India there are weretiger legends. Though they are world renowned, werewolf legends probably originated in Germanic lands, called Gaul by the Romans and Greeks. There are many origin stories, but in my opinion the best one is the vikings. Vikings were always known as great warriors and sea raiders. However, among them were warriors known as berserkers. These warriors got their name from the bearskins they often wore in battle. Berserkers would also wear wolf skins. Before battle, berserkers would gnash their teeth, bite their shields, and work themselves into a fit of rage. This gave them more strength and allowed them to ignore more pain. However, in blind rage, they would often attack allies. These berserkers would often remain savage and live away from the other vikings after battle. Thus, the legends of werewolves probably originated from these fierce wolf skin wearing men. Also, they would have been difficult to kill because the wolf or bear hides protected them to some extent, and their fits of rage allowed them to ignore pain.
Almost all werewolf origins point to killers and outlaws as being associated with werewolves. Lycanthrops or werewolves can be traced back as far as Greek literature. Werewolves are mentioned or known in some form in almost every country and culture. Their form varies from men changing completely into wolves to wolfmen that walk on two legs and simply have furry faces and long teeth. Most werewolves are somewhere in between.

Werewolf Stats:
Werewolves are known for extreme toughness. They have great strength, agility, and senses. Their strength is much greater than that of vampires. They can bend iron and steal easily. Their claws and teeth are both very sharp, and their teeth contain werewolf venom. They Can run extremely fast, jump very high, and land on their feet after a long fall without taking any damage. Legends of intelligence vary a lot. While they are always cunning hunters, most of the time they are considered violent and somewhat unintelligent. However, there are legends of intelligent werewolves as well. Werewolves can see very well at night and seem to be able to climb and swim quickly. Werewolves can be injured, but they heal very quickly. The scars and even minor injuries will remain when they return to human form, in most cases. However, even in human form they will heal from grievous injuries in only a few days. Some werewolves are said to have very thick tough hide that protects them. There are two variations of werewolf lifespan. One says werewolves will live the normal length of life. The other says that werewolfism (new word made just for this sentence) slows aging and werewolves can live to be 300 years old. However, all legends agree that werewolves are not ever living beings like vampires.

Transformation:
There are an amazing number of werewolf transformation legends that have been passed down through the ages. The most common one is werewolf venom. According to this legend, anyone bitten by a werewolf will become a werewolf at midnight of the next full moon. It is also said that one can become a werewolf by stripping naked and putting on a belt of wolf skin or a wolf skin cloak. Some legends involve drinking from certain streams or saying an incantation. One legend mentions dancing around a bronze knife stuck in a log seven times while singing an incantation. Each culture seems to have its own variation. Some cultures, like Argentina, say that the seventh son is born a werewolf. Normally transformation takes place under the full moon. Some legends say that it takes place at night. Others say that werewolves can transform at will, even during the day.Occasionally, it is said that werewolves form packs. These are often led by a single, alfa wolf, which is often white. Brown and gray are the most common werewolf colors. Black and white werewolves are often considered strong and more intelligent although this is not really true.

Alignment:
Mostly evil with some exceptions. Almost all legends agree that werewolves are violent, vicious, berserker type creatures. There are a very few that claim werewolves can maintain rationality. According to one of Wikipedia's sources, a man named Thiess, werewolves are the hounds of God sent to fight demons and witches. And, some say that werewolves are sent to punish the wicked. Most of the time, however, werewolves are dangerous to everyone as they hunt for blood. The biggest exception is vampires and other mythical beasts. There is great enmity between vampires and werewolves, so werewolves will attack vampires or other creatures, such as zombies or witches, before humans. Vampires and werewolves are eternal enemies. Although a werewolf is not affected by a vampire bite, werewolf venom is highly toxic to vampires. Werewolf venom will kill vampires almost immediately. One cannot be both werewolf and vampire.

Weaknesses and Slaying:
Silver. Silver has always been a werewolf weakness. Silver bullets, arrows, knives, swords, and so on can be used to kill a werewolf. Werewolves also hate fire and can be burned to death, although it would take a while. Like most mythical creatures, cutting off a werewolf's head will also kill it. Sunlight will burn a werewolf and cause it pain, but it will NOT kill it. Due to the fact that werewolves are usually beastly and not unholy creatures, crucifixes and holy water would have little or no effect on werewolves. It is said that werewolves hate wolf's bane. According to some legends, removing the wolf skin or wolf skin belt will also change a werewolf back to a human. Some odd ways mentioned to get rid of being a werewolf include kneeling in the same place for 100 years, and being struck in the head three times with an iron knife. When a werewolf is killed, it will revert to human form. Hunting a werewolf is extremely dangerous and should never be done in the woods. The only good way to hunt a werewolf is to lure it into an area that you have already set your ambush. Always have an escape plan ready though.
If you are being chased by a werewolf, wolf's bane and fire are your best bets. Any kind of silver, even silver table wear, will keep a werewolf at bay. Werewolves can run very fast and climb well, but they only swim as good as an average human, if not slightly worse. So you may be able to out swim a werewolf or escape on a boat. But remember, werewolves are persistent and have an incredible amount of stamina so make sure that if you are going to swim away you get to a vehicle before you tire out.