Showing posts with label werewolves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label werewolves. Show all posts
Thursday, April 24, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Vargen
According to the legend, Vargen was a descendant of a Viking berserkers of old. Vargen was one of several the townsfolk of the small province of Roanoak. This medieval town was completely destroyed in the 1052 by the local lord as a precaution when a few villagers discovered that he was behind the disappearances of townsfolk and travelers, who he experimented upon. As it is told, he hired a murderous mercenary group to make sure no one lived long enough to spread the word to other towns. The village had no warning of the predawn attack. Vargen and the villagers fought as best they could, but the mercenaries soon overpowered them and every man woman and child was slain. Vargen received a sword across his chest during battle, but continued to fight furiously until one of the burning town buildings collapsed upon him. When he awoke in the light of the full moon, he found that the town had been looted and burned to the ground. He stumbled upon the bodies of his father and brothers beheaded and mutilated for their resistance. As he limped past the bodies of his mother, fiance, little children, and villagers he had known all his life, he felt remorse and pain for their loss. However, this was soon replaced with a burning rage, a drive for vengeance so powerful that his pain and fatigue seemed to be melting away. He vowed he would not die before taking revenge on those that had caused the death of everything he had ever known. His rage grew more and more violent, mixing with some ancient fury. A power passed down by his ancestors that had remained dormant for generations was awakened. The heavy ax that his father had wielded with two hands, felt light as he picked it up with his left hand. In his right hand he carried his brother's sword. His wounds seemed to stop bleeding. Even the sword wound on his chest did not trouble him, as he began to follow the path of the mercenaries.
He began running at breakneck speed through the woods. He could hear them. He could smell them. The darkness seemed as bright as day. He burst into the mercenary camp roaring in anger and hatred. Vargen's first victim did not even have time to raise his sword before Vargen's ax removed the his head. Vargen attacked with ferocious strength and fury. He felt no fear or doubt even though in the back of his mind he knew there were too many to kill. Vargen barely felt the first arrow, or the second, or the third. However, he felt things slowing down. He couldn't raise the ax or sword fast enough. His heart thundered in his ears. A spear pierced the right side of his chest. Vargen began to close his eyes, but his vow came back to him. He rammed his body down the spear killing his assailant. The memories of his family flooded back. The fury inside him flared again. Pain, anger, and that ancient power flooded his body. That night, in the camp of the mercenaries, the first piercing howl of the werewolf Vargen drowned out the shouts of men. Ripping the spear from his chest, Vargen dropped his weapons. The mercenaries screamed in terror as they stared upon the form of ancient beast neither man nor wolf. They tried to form a resistance, but the werewolf was too fast, too powerful. They were ripped apart. Their spears, bows, and swords and bows had little affect. Some fled to the woods only too be hunted down by a beast they could not hear or see until it was too late.
Only two men managed to make it to the castle of the lord that had hired them, Lord Brennik. Brennik refused to believe the men. The next day, four of the castle guards went missing. Three more fled as rumors spread. That night, the two remaining men and Lord Brennik remained in the uppermost chamber of the tower, which was over four stories high. It was to no avail. When the werewolf came through the window, he threw the man closest to him out window. Lord Brennik ran for the door. Too late he tried to lift the bar. The wolf was on top of him. Vargen's claws pierced Brennik's skin as he drug Brennik toward the open window. Guards pounded on the door, but the bar held it shut. The only remaining man saw the now healed scar that ran across the werewolf's chest. He fell to the ground and begged forgiveness. Vargen might have crushed the man had Brennick not stabbed Vargen in the leg with a long dagger. Roaring in anger. Vargen carried Brennick to the top of the tower. The next day, blood could be seen dripping from the highest parapets, but no body could be found. The only mercenary survivor fled the country. Vargen never returned to any of the villages or the castle. But, many of the villagers claim to have heard his mournful howling and travelers often tell of having been greeted by or sharing a meal with a hunter who disappeared in the middle of conversation. Many believe Vargen remains to protect the resting place of his family. Others believe he is some sort of vengeance that will hunt evil tirelessly, and some say he never existed.
He began running at breakneck speed through the woods. He could hear them. He could smell them. The darkness seemed as bright as day. He burst into the mercenary camp roaring in anger and hatred. Vargen's first victim did not even have time to raise his sword before Vargen's ax removed the his head. Vargen attacked with ferocious strength and fury. He felt no fear or doubt even though in the back of his mind he knew there were too many to kill. Vargen barely felt the first arrow, or the second, or the third. However, he felt things slowing down. He couldn't raise the ax or sword fast enough. His heart thundered in his ears. A spear pierced the right side of his chest. Vargen began to close his eyes, but his vow came back to him. He rammed his body down the spear killing his assailant. The memories of his family flooded back. The fury inside him flared again. Pain, anger, and that ancient power flooded his body. That night, in the camp of the mercenaries, the first piercing howl of the werewolf Vargen drowned out the shouts of men. Ripping the spear from his chest, Vargen dropped his weapons. The mercenaries screamed in terror as they stared upon the form of ancient beast neither man nor wolf. They tried to form a resistance, but the werewolf was too fast, too powerful. They were ripped apart. Their spears, bows, and swords and bows had little affect. Some fled to the woods only too be hunted down by a beast they could not hear or see until it was too late.
Only two men managed to make it to the castle of the lord that had hired them, Lord Brennik. Brennik refused to believe the men. The next day, four of the castle guards went missing. Three more fled as rumors spread. That night, the two remaining men and Lord Brennik remained in the uppermost chamber of the tower, which was over four stories high. It was to no avail. When the werewolf came through the window, he threw the man closest to him out window. Lord Brennik ran for the door. Too late he tried to lift the bar. The wolf was on top of him. Vargen's claws pierced Brennik's skin as he drug Brennik toward the open window. Guards pounded on the door, but the bar held it shut. The only remaining man saw the now healed scar that ran across the werewolf's chest. He fell to the ground and begged forgiveness. Vargen might have crushed the man had Brennick not stabbed Vargen in the leg with a long dagger. Roaring in anger. Vargen carried Brennick to the top of the tower. The next day, blood could be seen dripping from the highest parapets, but no body could be found. The only mercenary survivor fled the country. Vargen never returned to any of the villages or the castle. But, many of the villagers claim to have heard his mournful howling and travelers often tell of having been greeted by or sharing a meal with a hunter who disappeared in the middle of conversation. Many believe Vargen remains to protect the resting place of his family. Others believe he is some sort of vengeance that will hunt evil tirelessly, and some say he never existed.
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