I see quite a few werewolf (and generally supernatural themed) topics here, and one of the things I don't see - or perhaps just outright missed where I looked - is the inclusion of the other zoanthropes; your ailuranthropes, cynanthropes, ursinethropes, etc. That's kind of unfortunate, as there are many, many others - most of which people just attached the "were" prefix to and called it good or just opted for your "all-in-one-shapeshifter". On it's own, that isn't quite the best idea (lest everyone's "unique" zoanthrope be its own brand of special snowflake) nor is the fact that I've equally seen that humans stand no chance... at all. That brings up a lot of questions about zoanthropes as a whole and as to how the curse is to even spread if your run of the mill lycanthrope can break cars in half, but somehow people survive encounters with them.
But I digress to the point at hand.
If I were to write a compilation of historical and modern zoanthrope lore for use on the Guild, but generalized enough that really anyone (beyond me) could use it efficiently, what would you want to see in it? By generalized I mean that yes, in comparison to your average human your average lycanthrope is a living killing machine, but they're not blindingly fast, Hulk-smash strong, nor reinforced concrete durable, or have an unearthly level of magnetism. Moreover, a werewolf isn't on the same playing field as your werebear (when he's alone at least), because your average lone wolves don't live long.
Thus far I have these following categories developed and some partially written:
Here's a taste of some of the content:
Now that you likely have a feeling for what this project is, I'd like a few simple things from you if you're willing to oblige. First, and foremost is that I ask you give me suggestions or topics to muse on for this, and by that I mean say something constructive like, "I think it would be a good idea if you shared with us more actual zoanthrope history for each strain.", not something like "WHY U NO LIEK MAKE WEREWOLFS GOOD. THEY TURN NTO WOLFS SO THAT GOOD< K?" - that's really not helpful... at all.
Other (helpful) posts would be along the lines of "I think this is a good idea." or "I want a section called X, because I want to read about Y."
Feel free to comment regardless - you're really not hurting anything by doing so.
But I digress to the point at hand.
If I were to write a compilation of historical and modern zoanthrope lore for use on the Guild, but generalized enough that really anyone (beyond me) could use it efficiently, what would you want to see in it? By generalized I mean that yes, in comparison to your average human your average lycanthrope is a living killing machine, but they're not blindingly fast, Hulk-smash strong, nor reinforced concrete durable, or have an unearthly level of magnetism. Moreover, a werewolf isn't on the same playing field as your werebear (when he's alone at least), because your average lone wolves don't live long.
Thus far I have these following categories developed and some partially written:
- Preamble: My intent and basic summary expanded beyond what I said above. It's more or less, "Sorry I don't think your X should also be good at A, B, C and Z too - you have enough to work with as is, and here's where I hope to explain that." This is the section you're likely to not care about as I ramble about "balance of power" and or how I prioritize and rationalize things.
- Familiarization: Don't quite know what lore we're using? Well here it is! It's a generalized compilation of most, and nearly all zoanthrope lore. Yes, some less common themes were removed and some classical ones added. Why? Because it puts everything on a more average level of existence, and by that I mean each strain of zoanthropy doesn't keep all the lore it's rumored to have. If you have no idea what a zoanthrope is, and only knew about werewolves (lycanthropes) this is also the part where you learn there are others, and that there always have been.
- Compendium: This is where people are likely to get upset that the werewolf isn't in your top tier players. Sorry, without your packmates you actually kind of suck - bring your friends and you're suddenly pretty terrifying. Humor aside, it's a generalization of each individual type of zoanthrope; your werewolves are obviously superior to your weredogs, who are only on par with your true werecats, but all of these are eclipsed by the weretiger, who in turn has nothing on your average werebear. Each has some distinct advantages; lycanthropes are typically social as mentioned previously, werebears are essentially living tanks, etc. The system here compares their level of lethality versus humans not each other. Why? Because humans are far, far more dangerous to any zoanthrope than another zoanthrope.
- Countermeasures: Essentially a miniature handbook explaining how to contend with zoanthropes, because not every beast is alike - your lycanthropes to ailuranthropes are two radically different sects in just about everything, and that's not just because one's a canid and one's a felid. This also expands on your classical means as how to kill or defeat one. Here's a free hint... they're still people the vast majority of the time. This is also for the people who either want to be the bad guys who hunt zoanthropes just because they're not human (boo) or good guys who only hunt the ones they can't save (yay).
- Guidance: Had the (mis)fortune of getting bit or having blood-borne exposure? This section is intended to cover some common issues, like how not to eat your neighbors the next time you turn, how not to continue to spread the curse, and most of all, how not to be killed because you're now a prisoner to the moon. Though this was covered slightly in the compendium with a few sentences per particular strain, this is more generalized. Another free hint... never be hungry on the night of the full moon - that's how you get people killed.
- Authorial Advice: This is my place to say how I think things would be best handled. It's one of the places I'm excused to ramble because you're reading my advice. What sort of advice do I have? Don't play in the arms race - no, seriously, don't. Just because you saw that the weretiger is a top tier zoanthrope doesn't mean you should whip one up as a character, throw it out in a game, and then get asked to stop murdering stuff like it's no problem and then say some guide in another part of the forums said it's okay because that's what they can do. No, that's not right - this guide is a tool, use it like one. Build interesting characters with it, not game killers; don't power play either, make a character you like beyond "hes supr tough n can run fast and make himself ento a bear guy".
- Afterword: This is my place to sort of voice my rationale after you read it all. That said, don't start here or skip to here - you already know that I'm not comparing the zoanthropes to each other, but versus people. Why's that matter? Unless everyone is some sort of supernatural beast, odds are humans are going to rule the world in whatever game you're playing. Also, I will likely ramble a bit on the whole "arms race" bit again, primarily toward other supernatural creatures and how mind bogglingly silly it has gotten; yes vampires, I'm largely looking at you.
Here's a taste of some of the content:
Progressing on, one need realize that zoanthropes are widespread throughout history and across every continent mankind has crossed; for reference, cynanthropy, or weredogs are well established in ancient Chinese lore, just as the weretiger is. Equally so, even felines are established in European lore, namely large "generalized feline forms" best described as varied mixtures of domestic cat, but pantherine ailuranthropes also do exist despite the large geographical separation of Europe from the range of such an animal. Thus one need understand that effectively any beast is a valid choice, but it should be noted the additional commonalities of zoanthropes as a whole. "True" zoanthropes are universally predatory land mammals; though other, similar creatures exist in lore, but should not be confused with an actual zoanthrope, which are distinct in this regard as only being such animals.
- The Werecougar
- Geographic Location: Limited mostly to Midwestern locales within the United States, werecougars are one of the least geographically spread ailuranthropes, with the maximum extent of their range traveling down to Mexico and as far north as Canada.
- General Description: Retaining their distinct cougar qualities, werecougars are marginally more robust than lycanthropes in general musculature – having less lean legs and bodies, and being far superior climbers. Their tawny-reddish brown fur provides them a natural camouflage in the territories they often inhabit as people. The average werepuma stands at six and a half feet tall, with larger individuals nearing seven feet but rarely above that number.
- General Behavior: Unlike werecats, werecougars pose a serious threat as they readily consider human beings part of their diet if unable to control their condition. Further more, werecougars prefer the ambush approach – stalking prey from behind while concealed until they are in sufficient range to pounce. Most attacks by werepumas are fatal as the victims have little to no time to react. Fortunately werecougars, if spotted, are likely to give up an attempted attack and instead retreat.
- Signs and Evidence: The most common sign of a werecougar is the unusual presence of such a feline in a more inhabited area; mountain lions rarely frequent territories inhabited by humans, and even more rarely attack them in such places, instead preferring to ambush and hunt in mountainous terrain when humans are alone and far from safety. Such attacks are often indication of abnormal behavior for this animal, and thus unlikely, and in turn, leaving a werecougar to be more expected than the actual cat itself. Most werepumas release a terrifying shrill cry upon attack; this snarling, higher pitched roar is often startling and can be heard from a much greater distance than your normal cougar's.
- Afflicted Information: Though less likely to not only fail in an attack but also be driven off an attempted kill than a werecat, this strain of zoanthropy is among the more common ailuranthropes – at least within the Americas. Most sustained injuries of this level will be more akin to an actual animal attack (mauling) and likely treated as such by most authorities, thus one should show genuine concern. If one believes infection, gamey raw meats should be provided and easily accessible to try and sate the hunting behavior; this appeasement is a result of the want for natural game, and can compensate for the more readily available human being. An individual who has proven to be infected with this strain should exert large amounts of physical energy and spend their time greatly distanced from people during full moons or times of emotional distress.
- Naturalized Information: Naturalized werepumas often exhibit an incredible penchant for outdoorsmanship and love for the wilderness, to the extent that many become fascinated with it. Those with this condition should take seriously such seemingly impulsive actions to help reduce the chances that they fall into a want to hunt humans; activities such as free climbing, mountaineering, bow hunting, skiing and the like all provide safer, more natural outlets for the unnatural energy they experience in their human selves. Most require some sense of danger, risk, and skill to feel truly fulfilled and not fall into a regressing state.
- Level of Danger: ***/*****: In comparison to the lycanthrope, the werepuma is on even yet different footing; both, on their own, are roughly even, with the former being more fleet of foot and the latter being more generally athletic. Trained hunters capable of combating werewolves should find minimal difficulty in transitioning their skills toward this particular zoanthrope provided they can adjust to the often mountainous or remote terrain.
Now that you likely have a feeling for what this project is, I'd like a few simple things from you if you're willing to oblige. First, and foremost is that I ask you give me suggestions or topics to muse on for this, and by that I mean say something constructive like, "I think it would be a good idea if you shared with us more actual zoanthrope history for each strain.", not something like "WHY U NO LIEK MAKE WEREWOLFS GOOD. THEY TURN NTO WOLFS SO THAT GOOD< K?" - that's really not helpful... at all.
Other (helpful) posts would be along the lines of "I think this is a good idea." or "I want a section called X, because I want to read about Y."
Feel free to comment regardless - you're really not hurting anything by doing so.
