According to their own myths, Werewolves (or Weres, as they call themselves) first appeared in the world when a human woman lay with an alpha male wolf. From this union were born five children: Fenris, Lagertha, Rainar, Coyote and Martin. The children had the appearance of normal humans at birth, but as they grew, they took on more wolf-like aspects until they became an amalgamation of both species. As they spread across the primordial world, so did their children and their children’s children. Soon their descendants gained the ability to change between the man and the beast, becoming Werewolves as we know them today. The Five Children, as they came to be known, are now seen as the Gods of the Weres.
In Ancient times, the different races retreated from the rapid advance of the human race, becoming myths and legends in their own right. Werewolves were no different, but had more trouble concealing themselves than the others. Their savage natures often forced them into conflicts with humans, but they were often misidentified as other mythical creatures such as Bigfoot or the Black Beast of Exmoor. However, as man’s secular mind grew, more and more Werewolves found that mankind was more likely to blame themselves for Werewolf attacks than believe in the shape changers. In time, Werewolves evolved into three sub races, or ‘Clans’.
This all changed during World War 2, when the different races were discovered and used as weapons by each side. After that conflict, the Grand Alliance was formed to secure rights for all races, but Werewolves still have a somewhat deserved reputation to be highly unpredictable, and therefore dangerous. Restrictions are placed on when and where they can transform, as well as what they are allowed to hunt. This is in order to protect themselves and their potential prey. Those in the Guild are given freer rein than most and therefore it is extremely popular with Werewolves wanting to ‘break loose’.
Fenrisians are the most numerous of the Were Clans, and the wildest. They take their name from Fenris, the oldest and most powerful of the Five Children. Fenrisians tend to hail from Scandinavia, Russia and Central Europe, and are known for their love of hunting, feasting and drinking. In the Guild, they are used in a mixture of roles but are mostly found where the fighting is thickest.
Werewolves from the Therian clan have a strong connection to nature and the wild places of the world. They are known to prefer solitude and seclusion to human towns and cities, but are also the widest ranging of the species. Therians can be found across Africa, the British Isles, Asia and Oceania. Some Therian exhibit a divergence from the normal wolf aspects of the species, and reports have been had of Werecats, Wererats and even Weresharks. These deviations are treated with some suspicion by normal Werewolves, but they are still accepted as part of their race.
Even amongst such a race as the Weres, Wendigo are considered savages. Over time, they seem to have lost the ability to switch back to human form, instead remaining a beast for their entire lives. In this aspect, they are more akin to primordial Werewolves than their modern brothers and sisters. Wendigo therefore live in almost complete isolation from the modern world, protected in their isolation by the Grand Alliance. In return, a select few are called upon to serve in the Guild and in doing so, guarantee protection for the rest of their tribe.