Werebeasts

Werebeasts is a catch-all term used to describe individuals with the ability to shape-shift from human to beast. There are three types of werebeasts, that are distinct from each other, differing on the means of achieving the transformation, and how much of the person's self and humanity remains intact.

Note: Being a werebeast entails that you are unable to use powers from the Shapeshifting School. Also be aware that certain types of werebeasts are unable to become magic practitioners while others are limited to certain paths.

Herrid

• A Herrid or Rakshasa are a human offshoot with the ability to shape-shift into a single animal. The form of which animal you transform into is dependent on your bloodline, making the Herrid’s ability to shape-shift hereditary. Possessing no physical difference from humanity, a Rakshasa is able to breed with humans to create more Rakshasa, but not with other Herrid of different animal ‘types’.
• When two Herrid of two different feline bloods mix, the stronger of the pairing will be inherited by their offspring. Magical talent if present is typically honed and kept in the blood which sprouts several generations of sorcerers among the Herrid. Other than that, a Herrid has no other restrictions on becoming a practicing mage.
• Among the bloodlines of their people, Lions are considered royalty.
• The Rakshasa as a whole are in a tough spot. They are not fully considered Mundane or Naturals by the Veil as such have no supernatural protection and not all bloodlines are strong enough to contend with magic-users, vampires or worse so they are **** to be secretive to ensure their continued existence.

Rougarou

• A Rougarou or Loup-garou are individuals who have been cursed to transform into demon-like wolves every full moon. They are ferocious killing machines with no humanity or personal control during these transformations and will hunt, slay and eat anyone and everyone around them. Once cursed, any magical talent the cursed individual once had is sealed until such a time the curse is lifted or they die.
• Fire is the only thing that can really kill a Rougarou. It will heal from anything else given a day's rest.
• By the laws of the Veil, a Mundane with no knowledge of Naturals can not be affected by curses, especially one of such dark power as the Rougarou. However, a curse of such potency as this can easily affect Naturals and awakened humans.

Lycan

A Lycan or Werewolf is a human who has contracted Lycanthropy and possesses some of the traits we associate with when it comes to werewolves thanks to modern media. They are capable of transforming at will between a wolf, a hybrid and their human form. Whatever novels or movies may have you believe, they retain their humanity and all mental faculties during the transformation and are not driven into a rage at every full moon.

A fully turned Lycan possesses the strength, speed and endurance to compete against the Verum Immortui vampires and have a healing factor which allows them to recover from most non-fatal wounds in a few hours. Being bitten by a Lycan isn’t an immediate game changer and won’t mean you will become a member of the Pack. Unless blessed by the Long Man, Lycanthropy has stages at which it changes your body as it progresses and requires a new bite to advance to each new stage.

• Stage 1: you are bitten by a Lycan and the infection begins to set in, inducing fever, confusion and body aches and pains. Unless treated with antibiotics within the first twenty-four hours the invasive bacteria that is lycanthropy will merge with the subject's nervous system making them a permanent carrier of the virus. While a carrier, it is impossible to spread the infection at this stage. The added benefit of being a carrier of Lycanthropy is that poisons are ineffective against you as you have a strengthened immune system. A vampire will be unaware you are carrying the virus.
• Stage 2: receiving a second bite initiates stage 2 of lycanthropy and you are officially recognized as a Lycan. Pain begins to ignite beneath the skin of the subject. As the pain intensifies, the brain seeking to protect itself renders the bitten individual **** and keeps them under throughout the following process. While under, the magical effects of the virus become apparent as the musculoskeletal system gets reinforced, reworked and enhanced to prepare the body for its first transformation at stage 3. Once complete, the bitten awakens a day or two later, emptying entire pantries of their contents in a ravenous hunger to restore the nutrients the body had used at this stage. Some choose to never go beyond this stage and were once called berserkers due to their increased levels of serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline. If stage 3 is sought after, a month's rest is needed between the next bite and to help the new Lycan become more accustomed to their new body and emotions. A Lycan of this stage is capable of contending with young and inexperienced vampires. Vampires can feel something is wrong with you.
• Stage 3: after waiting the needed month to rest and prepare you are bitten and the metamorphosis is completed. It is painful for all first timers and none of the Pack will ever shame you for needing to cry out or whimper during this Rite of Passage. Bones twist, dislocate and break while the muscles memorize every quivering second for future transformations. The more one shifts the less pain one will feel. At this final stage you may spread Lycanthrope while in your wolf or hybrid forms.

At each stage other Naturals will begin to notice you differently, vampires most especially. A vampire who feeds on a stage 1 will receive little nourishment from their blood and will instinctively attempt to drain them dry to quench their thirst for blood.

Stages 2 & 3 are similar with both providing even less nourishment and will smell like wet dogs to a vampire whereas a leech will smell like a desiccated corpse to the wolf.

A child born from a Lycan parent will start at stage 2 of Lycanthropy.

Werewolves are attuned to the beast within which stops them from learning more academic magics. But those who persist in their quest for power find the Shamans, Parsons or Witch welcoming.

Lycanthropy is similar to a disease, a magical disease but a disease nonetheless. A Mundane can be attacked by a Lycan in wolf form and suffer the effects of Stage 1 lycanthropy if left untreated. If they enter Stage 2 it will become quite apparent that something supernatural is affecting them which will in turn have the Veil drop any protection it may have held over that former Mundane turned Natural.