Werewolf Feral Wolf Archetype

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  • When a werewolf is bitten, this unleashes a spiritual manifestation of a wolf within that individual's psyche. This often manifests as nightmares and hallucinations that reflect the often-savage desires of this internal wolf, which is called the Feral Wolf.
  • The Feral Wolf is likened to a half-maddened wolf, driven to mostly fight-or-flight responses because it is "trapped" within the psyche of the human being. As a result, its responses are like those of any caged animal: suspicious, liable to snap and always looking for an escape of some kind.
  • Feral Wolves have archetypes which describe their essential nature, describing how they behave when in control, and what kind of behaviors by their werewolves will strengthen their Feral Wolf.
  • Each Feral Wolf has two traits: Affinity Instinct and Feeding the Wolf.
    • The Affinity Instinct describes which of the Feral Triggers the Feral Wolf prefers. Rage gained by one of these Triggers is increased by +1.
    • Feeding the Wolf describes certain behaviors that define that Feral Wolf. Not only does the Feral Wolf act according to this "programming" when the werewolf is Feral, but when a werewolf takes one of these actions, he gains a point of Essence as well as a point of Rage.

Beta & Omega Archetypes

The Aspiring Alpha

The alpha must be in control. He demands obedience from those who are weaker than he, and seeks to challenge anyone and everyone who is in any kind of authority over him, real or perceived, using violence if they will not submit.

  • Affinity Instinct: Territorial. The would-be Alpha has to demonstrate that he can defend his pack and their territory.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you exert your clear authority over someone else, taking control where you're not "supposed to."

The Big Bad Wolf

The big bad is a predator, seeking to feast on the weak (sometimes literally, but sometimes simply sexually or with confidence games). He instills terror because it improves the taste of his prey, and has no interest in challenging the strong.

  • Affinity Instinct: Predator. The Big Bad Wolf loves the thrill of the hunt, and the glory of capturing his prey.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you needlessly terrify someone, or play the role of predator on an innocent.

The Bloody Savage

The savage is the embodiment of devastation. He is a force of nature, destructive as the tidal wave or hurricane. He isn't mindless in his destruction, but he performs all of his tasks with an eye towards destruction and the sowing of fear that creates.

  • Affinity Instinct: Rage. The Bloody Savage exists only to rend and tear and let flow as much blood as it can.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you take an action that leads to unnecessary destruction.

The Lone Wolf

The lone wolf does not like working with others, and tends to go wandering on his own. He prefers to work by himself rather than involve others.

  • Affinity Instinct: Safety. The Lone Wolf does not depend on a pack to protect him, so he learns to keep himself safe above all else.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You gain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you keep things to yourself that ought to be shared, or try to solve problems on your own that others could reasonably help you with.

The Moon Howler

The moon howler is inspired by the mercurial moon, a fey trickster. He is clever, fond of deception, stealth and favors flight over fight.

  • Affinity Instinct: Predator. How the moon howler loves to stalk his prey, outwitting and terrifying him out of its wits.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when your lies lead to trouble for others, or when you make someone look like a fool.

The Sickly Omega

The omega is a cringing creature, fearful of pain and injury. It's no pacifist, though it only enacts violence against those it clearly overwhelms.

  • Affinity Instinct: Safety. Bare the throat and show the belly - whatever it takes to keep safe.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you surrender to a foe, or outright flee situations that haven't yet proven to be actually dangerous.

The Pack Wolf

The pack wolf demands a strict, clear hierarchy in all things. There must be clear leaders, clear subordinates and anything that violates that order or stinks too much of weak democratic/egalitarian decision-making angers him.

  • Affinity Instinct: Territorial. Nothing is more important than the pack and its territory.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you help affirm and support hierarchy and dominion-roles around you, by putting others in their place if they are subordinates, or reminding leaders of their obligations.

The Monkey Watcher

The monkey watcher is fascinated by humans and their works, although he is also somewhat threatened by them.

  • Affinity Instinct: Rage. The Monkey Watcher has learned the most appalling behaviors from the savagery of humanity, and when angered turns first to prideful violence.
  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when your curiosity causes trouble for yourself or others.

Alpha Archetypes

Alphas no longer have Affinity Instincts. They no longer bear the burden of increased susceptibility from one set of triggers; all sources of Rage are equal to them.

Silver Wolf

Formerly the Aspiring Alpha.
The wolf who always knew he was destined for greater things, even before he became an Alpha, stands revealed as Silver Wolf, the noblest and purest of lineage of all Father Wolf's get. The Alphas of Silver Wolf - who is also called Purest - are called the Ivory Claws, and they are mighty kings of werewolf-kind. The fur of an Ivory Claw begins to bleach to a silvery hue, and their eyes gleam like molten silver.

  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when a werewolf not of your pack treats you with obeisance. Gain two Essence and two Rage if that werewolf is another alpha.

Black Wolf

Formerly the Big Bad Wolf.
The wolf who happily preyed on those who crossed his path understands that he is the personification of the danger within his territory and stands forth as Black Wolf, the shadow beneath the trees, the very soul of wilderness that is a threat to all that dares to violate the bounds of his hunting grounds. The Alphas of Black Wolf - who is also called Eternal Hunter - are called Hunters in Darkness, and they are defenders of territory and keepers old laws. The fur of a Hunter in Darkness begins to darken and his eyes take on a deep blue hue.

  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when a werewolf not of your pack displays fear of you. Gain two Essence and two Rage if that werewolf is another alpha.

Destroyer Wolf

Formerly the Bloody Savage.
The wolf who is blood-thirsty and bestial becomes Destroyer Wolf as an Alpha, understanding his original desperate aggression as an expression of the concept of utter destruction given physical form. The Alphas of Destroyer Wolf - who is also called Fenrisulf - are called Blood Talons, and their rage is to be feared. Blood Talons seems to always smell of blood to wolves and other animals, and their eyes take on a terrible blood-red gleam.

  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you inflict lethal wounds in one of the last three Health Level boxes of another werewolf or other shifter. Gain two Essence and two Rage if that werewolf is another alpha.

Dire Wolf

Formerly the Lone Wolf.
The wolf who seems to walk alone, forlorn and away from pack, comes to understand that his urges are not those of a pathetic omega, but a reflection of a time when wolves were too great and mighty to hunt in packs, from the prehistoric times before wolves became too small to hunt on their own, and stand forth as Dire Wolf, the primordial wolf. The Alphas of Dire Wolf - who is also called Firstborn - are called Predator Kings, and they often walk without packs. Predator Kings always grow in height, and seem to always bear fangs in all their forms, and their eyes become the deep green of primordial forests.

  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you inflict lethal wounds in one of the last three Health Level boxes of a powerful enemy by yourself. Gain two Essence and two Rage if that enemy is another alpha or if that enemy is aided by at least two others.

Death Wolf

Formerly the Moon Howler.
The wolf who stares too often at and howls forlornly for the moon eventually finds its way onto the other side of the skin world, and thence becomes Death Wolf, who treats with ghosts and spirits. The Alphas of Death Wolf - who is also called Silent Walker - are known as Bone Shadows, and they hunt the spirit realms as wolves hunt the wilderness. Bone Shadows begin to develop streaks of bone-white in their fur and hair, and their eyes become an unwholesome pale, cloudy white.

  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when a spirit treats you with obeisance or fear. Gain two Essence and two Rage if that spirit is of at least Rank 4.

Rabid Wolf

Formerly the Sickly Omega.
The wolf who cowers in the grip of his own weakness lives to see that weakness blossom into full contagion, becoming Rabid Wolf, who uses that sickness against his enemies. The Alphas of Rabid Wolf - who is also called Sickened One - are called the Fire-Touched, and they are regarded as terrifying mad sage Typhoid Marys among werewolves. The Fire-Touched begin to look somewhat sickly, with dark circles under their eyes and a feverish gleam to their gaze, which turns a jaundiced, sickly yellow.

  • Feeding the Wolf: You regain a point of Essence and gain a point of Rage when you can turn an enemy's strengths against them, or deny them their customary advantage. Gain two Essence and two Rage if this enemy is another alpha or a spirit of Rank 4 or greater.

Winter Wolf

Formerly the Pack Wolf.
The wolf who seeks to strengthen the pack at all costs comes to understand that this is needful when the deeps of winter come, to allow all to survive, and stands forth as Winter Wolf, who can survive anything the world has to offer. The Alphas of Winter Wolf - who is also called Father of Storms - are referred to as Storm Lords, and they are among the toughest of their kind, dedicated to the survival of werewolves as a whole. The Storm Lords develop a steel-grey fur all over, and their eyes become a dark, cloudy gray as well.

  • Feeding the Wolf: x

Red Wolf

Formerly the Monkey Watcher.
The wolf who once watched from the edges of the firelight at the capering of humankind summons his wit and courage and approaches them, becoming Red Wolf, who shares in the benefits of civilization and whose kin is the coyote. The Alphas of Red Wolf - who is also called Man-Friend - are known as Iron Masters, who master technology and the spirits thereof. The Iron Masters begin to look slightly more like dogs than wolves in their lupine forms, and their eyes take on a luminous yellow hue, like sparks from a forge.

  • Feeding the Wolf: x