Werewolves
Lycanthropy is a major, irreversible genetic mutation that only fully affects humans, which causes a complete rewriting of DNA, hormones and genetic code. It is only passed through direct blood-to-blood contact, via either the blood or secreted venom of a lycanthrope. Its origins are widely debated, but most believe it to be a result of ancient Native American black magic. It rapidly spread in Europe after the discovering of North America in the 15th century. Most humans are completely unaware of its existence.

- When in wolf form, werewolves possess several glands in their mouth akin to saliva glands, only they produce a thick venom voluntarily or when the werewolf is under extreme rage. If the venom is injected into a human’s bloodstream, the mutation develops immediately and within minutes they will change. If injected into any other creature, it will cause extreme pain and paralysis, but will otherwise have no effect related to a human’s.

- You can only become a werewolf if you are bitten and venom is secreted into your bloodstream, or if a werewolf’s blood mixes into your bloodstream (like a blood donation). You can also be born with it if one or both parents are lycanthropes - the child’s body is made already adjusted to the mutation, so they don’t experience the same things a recently-turned person does during their first couple of weeks.

- Werewolves birth or sire children in twins or triplets much more often than humans. Lycanthropy is a dominant mutation/gene, meaning if one parent is a werewolf, all children will be. It is impossible for a werewolf to birth or sire a human. If the mother of the child(ren) is a human, they usually become infected with lycanthropy through their unborn children during pregnancy. In the rare cases a mother does not catch the mutation, they often die soon before the children can be born because their bodies cannot handle them.

- Transformations are not painful, but the first couple can be mildly uncomfortable. The body’s genetic code re-alters to prepare itself for the massive changes. The transformations are controlled by the user and the human mind and consciousness is fully in tact upon transformation - however, a newly born or inexperienced werewolf may experience uncontrolled transformations or may have their mind overrun by instinct if they are not careful.

- In the first 6 or so months, transformations are largely uncontrollable. The body is not used to it, and therefore changes erratically when overcome with a large wave of emotion or stress. Behavior often reverts to more animal-like behavior during this time, but the specifics depend largely on the person. They almost always experience a boost in adrenaline and the desire to move, but they can become fearful or aggressive during their forced transformations. They need something or someone - preferably a loved one or another werewolf they trust - to keep them grounded during this time. Werewolves who are left to themselves often develop severe anxiety or depression.

- The full moon DOES play part in a werewolf’s life, but not as big of a role as you might think. Contrary to Hollywood lore, a werewolf does not undergo a forced transformation under the light of a full moon, nor do they become savage. A full moon has a lunar effect on werewolves as it does on all living things. They normally experience increased urges during this time and a large boost to adrenaline and the sex drive. While not forced, it is tempting to shift during this time.

- Wolf forms are quadruped and greatly resemble regular wolves. Fur colors, builds and size vary greatly depending on the person. Wolf forms range in size, but are all about the size of a horse. Pelts and builds are determined by the person’s ethnicity/place of birth (look up pictures of Gray (northern) wolf, Mexican wolf (Latin America), Red wolf (southern USA), Indian wolf (Asia), Tibetan wolf (Asia), Japanese wolf (asia), Eurasian wolf (Asia/Eastern Europe), Iberian wolf (Europe), Arabian wolf (Middle east), Ethiopian wolf (Africa), etc.)

- Teeth are remarkably larger and sharper compared to normal wolves. Canines average around three-four inches. The power of the jaw is able to reduce a human arm to mush with one swift bite.

- The hearing, sight, and smell of an average shifted werewolf is more akin to a bear than to a regular wolf. The regular wolf can smell up to two miles away and hear up to 10 miles. A werewolf, when fully shifted, can smell up to twenty miles away and hear close to 40 miles away when in open and unobstructed areas. When not shifted, a werewolf still has remarkably better senses than a regular human, but they are a little worse than those of an average house cat.

- Human instincts mix with the much more powerful canid instincts, which can take a lot of experience to learn to control. While they maintain their human minds and intelligence and have complete full awareness of who they are while transformed, canid instinct can cause them to behave differently. Overprotectiveness and clinginess to loved ones are two huge ones, while they also, depending on the personality, are easier to anger or frighten.

- Werewolves have a strong instinct to protect their identity from other humans. It is because of this that almost every human only knows of werewolves as fictional myths. Most humans who find out end up becoming werewolves themselves.

- Dogs and other canines detect werewolves easily, and treat them as their own kind. Whether this means curiosity, excitement, fear, or aggression depends on the dog.