Lycans

Species Name (Common): Lycans Species Name (What they call themselves): Vargr

Image/Sketch: (A depiction of a humanoid wolf with strong, muscular features and thick fur.)

Appearance

Covering: Thick fur
Distribution: Dense around the neck, back, and limbs, slightly thinner on the chest and face
Luminosity: Matte, absorbs light well for stealth
Colour: Primarily dark tones (black, gray, brown), occasional silver or white fur in older Lycans or high-status individuals
Strength: Leathery skin beneath the fur, highly resistant to cold and minor injuries

Shape: Wolf-like, elongated snout
Eyes: Slitted pupils, colors ranging from amber to icy blue, with excellent night vision
Nose: Sensitive, capable of tracking scents miles away
Mouth: Strong jaw with large canines, capable of exerting tremendous bite force
Ear: Pointed and highly mobile, capable of detecting subtle movements
Hair: Blends with their fur, no distinction between head hair and body fur

Enhanced regeneration allows wounds to heal rapidly, except for wounds inflicted by silver
Heightened metabolism, requiring a high-protein diet
Can shift between humanoid and full-wolf form at will, with the transition being smoother with experience
Howl-based communication that carries across long distances

Habitat: Frozen tundras and mountainous regions, though adaptable to forests and plains
Adaptation: Incredible endurance for long-distance hunting, powerful legs for sprinting, thick fur for insulation
Diet: Primarily carnivorous, but can digest some plant matter if necessary
Senses:
- Exceptional night vision
- Acute hearing that can detect heartbeats
- Highly developed sense of smell
- Limited extrasensory perception, allowing them to sense strong emotions
Communication:
- Howling for long-range communication
- Growls, barks, and body posture for short-range interaction
- Telepathic pack-bonding among elite Lycans

Height:
- Males: 7-8 feet (in hybrid form), 5-6 feet (human form)
- Females: 6-7 feet (hybrid form), 5-6 feet (human form)
Weight: 200-350 lbs of dense muscle and bone
Physique: Athletic, with a balance of speed and strength

Growing Up:
- Pups are born blind and helpless, relying on their mothers for the first few months
- By one year, they begin training to hunt and fight
- Full physical maturity is reached at 10-12 years, though mental and magical abilities continue developing into their twenties
Family/Groups:
- Lycans live in tight-knit packs, often consisting of extended family
- A pack is led by an Alpha, with ranks assigned based on strength and wisdom
Our Home/Shelter:
- Natural caves, underground dens, and wooden structures fortified against enemies
- Larger Lycans sometimes roam nomadically
How Long We Live:
- Average lifespan of 200-300 years
When We are Born/Hatched:
- Live birth, usually in litters of 2-3 pups

Our Friends/Neighbors:
- Druids, who respect their connection to nature
- Polymorphs, with whom they have occasional trade and alliances
Our Dangers/Enemies:
- Vampires, with whom they have an ancient rivalry
- Human hunters, especially those wielding silver weapons
- Rogue Lycans who have lost their sanity
Our Environment:
- Cold, harsh climates where only the strong survive
- Mountains, forests, and tundras
Things We Know/Do:
- Master hunters and warriors, skilled in tracking
- Deeply connected to nature and the spiritual world
- Some Lycans have shamanistic abilities, communicating with spirits of the wild

Lycans are bound by a strict code of honor, emphasizing loyalty and strength
Silver is their greatest weakness, burning their flesh and slowing their regeneration
Their transformations are controlled but take energy, requiring them to eat frequently
Blood bonds are sacred; breaking an oath results in exile
The Alpha of a pack is not just the strongest but also the wisest, as leadership is earned through challenges and trials
Lycans have a deep reverence for the moon, believing it enhances their strength
Despite their savage reputation, they are highly intelligent and value family above all else