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clasification
First off what exactly is a werewolf? though in many cultures(mostly ancient), such as greece, and rome you will find not so dis-similar legends. and though they go by many names, such as werve, werewolf. versipellis ect. At its basics a werewolf is a man that through various means takes on the full form, half form, or charectoristics of a wolf.
going by regional definitions, this animal man mix, is not limited to the form of a wolf. in most of asia for instance the legend will vary to the extent of the assosiated animal being a bear or tiger. all together, on a global view though we refer to them as lycanthropes. It is most prevelent to see that given region a lycanthrope, or versipellis (from latin, meaning "turn skin"), takes the form of the apex preditors of the region-such as in africa with the lepord or the hyena--.
the reason that the wolf is most prevelent today is probably becuase, dispite the regoinal variations, most of these locals still retain the legend of the lycanthrope in not only its local twist but in the form of a wolf as well, making the werewolf Most likely the most pop8ular form of lycanthropy.another reason for this is probably that holly wood has taken hugeinterest in it.
so regardless of the many diferent types of lycanthropy, the main focus of this topic is the form of werves, in the way of the were wolf(although it is hard to discuss the werewolf without discusing its many other forms).
the three exepted forms that the condition manifests itself as
#1. human- this is the form from wich it starts. from this form all wolfs transform in to the other two forms. this can be considerd the resting state of a werewolf...though apearing fully human the subject will often have animalistic qworkes to they're personality, and/or posses unatural(as far as it concerns humans) appitites, strength, reflexivness, and speed.
#2.hybird, or half form- although the first and second are easy to imagine I have simpley provided below a picture to best illistrate, and describe the qualities of this form
#3. full form- this is were the subject, assumes the full form off a wolf(often the werewolf in this form posses the added strength, speed, and body weight of the human form, making it better then the best alpha leader of a regular wolf pack).
---#4. wolf to human- this is a lesser exepted form wich I have put here as number four...it is the form in wich, a wolf by nature, becomes a human as a defencsive mechanism. this is the newest of the exepted forms, as it illistrates the need for the waining species to find a way to co-exist, and loose a part of its self to becoming civilized...as apossed to...
The general idea of why a human becomes a wolf (not how...thats next)
the expepted view of why this legend/myth is so popular, from a physcological stand point is that, such a transformation, gives one the freedome that they cannot obtain within the confineds of daily life...it is a way of letting loose and going carnal, with the abilty to return from the brink and rejoin society. it is a way of...escapism.
How does one become a werewolf?
it is said that one can only become a were wolf, by the actions of an existing werewolf(how ever it is also said that it can be passed on geneticaly). the idea is that you are attacked by by the wolf. in the human form this is harmless(other then getting wooped lol....becuase you are very unlikely to win the fight),
but in its wolf form-- working under the assumption that you live through the experience, as to anger a wolf to the point of transformation, would undoubtably mean that it wants to kill you--, being wounded by the wolf, will most often resualt in becoming one your self. especialy if you mix blood somehow, or are bitten(it is less likely that a scatch will do the trick, and most un-likely that the claw will be the wolfs weapon of choice). so essentialy (other then mating with one--in human form this could transmit the desease, and is probably the only way it can be contracted from a versipellis), getting mulled and living through it gives you a high chance of becoming one your self.
More on transformation
It is highly desputed, as to how, when, and why a wolf transforms. but here are the general two exepted views, and one lesser view.
#1. lunar cycles- it is most popularly thought that wolfs get they're 1-3 nites a month, in wich they get to let loose(or are forced to), based on the moons phases(full, new, waining, waxing ect.)
#2. passion- when aroused (sexualy or by other means, such as becoming enraged)
#3. at will- a concience choice of when and where they change.
aside from that it is safe to say that it is un-known weather they must change at some point weaher it is in they're will or not, or if they can choose they're times. one thing that is for sure...they will change some time, and possibely if not out of mallice but rather the human side getting carried away with the intence instincts and emotions(wich is why they would take things father then anyn regualar wolf), they will most likely be very dangerous...
as for killing a werewolf
the only sure fire way is with damn good weapons, doing so in a large group(never alone! or no mater how skilled you are with your weapons and as a hunter...to the wolf...alone...your dinner!), and knowing what you are doing!
of course as for weaknesses, silver weapons are said to render them quite helpless. the idea behind this is that silver is pure and the wolf is unclean...bhaa, lol! if it worked for any reason it would probably be that when mortaly wounded through transforming back they can heal themselves(this is a strength). but silver is a heavy, soft metal, that can cuase blood poisoning if say the tip of a silver blade broke off in the wolf. being weakend by blood poisoning a wolf in any form would have its body to busy fighting its weakend state to heal its wounds.
also silver being a heavy metal would deliver more weight behind a blow then steel or wood would do.
to kill the where wolf is to both poison(weaken its amune system), and mortaly wound it. In addition,killing a wolf in its wolf form is the only way to go. mainly becuase this kills the wolf only.once the wolf dies the human side may be just fine. as when a werewolf dies, or is near death it reverts back to its resting state(it is important to deliver desisive blows in order to kill the wolf if you wish to save the human side, as if it is mortaly wounded but not dead when it reverts, having the wolf side die while in human form, or its resting state may also kill the human side).
lycanthropy as it is defined as a phsycological desease
Lycanthropy from Greek lykoi, "wolf" anthropos, "man", a psychiatric state in which the patient believes he/she is a wolf or some other nonhuman animal. stimulated by the once widespread superstition that lycanthropy is a supernatural condition in which men actually assume the physical form of other animals, the delusion has been most likely to occur among people who believe in reincarnation and the transmigration of souls.
Rarely does this condition surface. Examples of lycanthropy are only now being linked to schizophrenia - having very few cases to study in our present institutions makes this disease difficult to study in-depth (the definition of lycanthropy as a mental desease that I have provided here is a modified exerpt from a web site).
the vampire werewolf connection
in wallachian legend (transillvania and all that), were the myth is assumed to have originated in its purest form. there is a strange and not very well understood connection between the werewolf and the vampire... the "hell hounds" that guard the keep of a vampire are said to be werves...it is said that the versipellis often serve they're Vampire masters. and that one that serves they're master well, may become a vampire...this is all working of small mentions, and passeges that hint towards this. so really there is a conection between the vampire and the werewolf, and though mysterious, and not understood. One might want to consider whos pet they may be killing off before hunting the wolf....
um...the end
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