The Continuing War.
In brief, we have been beaten down. We must fight a war against two large foes.
We war with the vampires because they are parasites whereas we are "children" of Nature.
We war with the humans because they fear and hate us, as is human nature.
Vampires
"Vampyre,
Immortal children of the night,
The lonely ones,
Nosferatu,
Leeches by whatever title are arrogant." - DubhScrois (former Alpha, Baolach Fuil)
Werewolves do not like Vampires. Vampires do not like Werewolves. Because of this we have fought as far back as our race memories stretch. Should we should bite one another, both will die. One can not become the other. We can not taste each other's flesh or blood without consequence.
The Bite of a Were.
A Werewolf is a born warrior. Their weapons are born and develop with them. A Werewolf's bite is the deadliest weapon they have. It can rip flesh apart or cause the change.
If a Werewolf bites a human, but lets them live, then that human will be forced to change into a Werewolf every full moon and the two nights surrounding it. This creature will have no control over the change and be nothing more than a feral monster. Most of these creatures don't survive the first change. Many that do survive, kill themselves when they return to their normal forms not wishing to endure such agony again.
However Nature is abundent with change and some beings already have wolf blood in their viens. When a Werewolf bites them it causes numerous variations and problems. They could control their new power becoming a "Half Blood" (more below), become trapped in their Werewolf or wolf form or the bite could be seen to have no effect until the creatures children. Also in some cases their new wolfen mind could become trapped in their human body.
Half Bloods.
Mentioned above, a Half Blood is a creature who has lived through and found that they can control the change. Some creatures find themselves ostracized from their society. Human Half-Bloods usually find the need to remain to close to human habitats and so they an encountered by Humans more often. Some choose to join the Seven Clans. Should they be accepted, they are usually looked upon with contempt within the clans. "Why should they be allowed to wield a power that is not theirs by birth-rite?" - RogueWind (Ghost Claws)
Full Bloods.
For those that do not understand.
Werewolves typically are around 6ft 5' to 8ft 5' tall. Well built. Their fur colour is not set. Some have been known to have red fur, some blue. The eyes are mostly amber but this again is not set. A Werewolf in their wolf shape retains their normal fur & eye colour and is slightly larger than the average Alaskan timber wolf. We can shift between our Were shape and our wolf shape with ease.
Silver does not affect Full Bloods, but it does affect Half Bloods and others "cursed" by a Werewolf's bite.
Full Bloods do not become human.
Leadership Rites.
Typically a Clan's Alpha is selected by the council through the deeds the Werewolf has performed throughout their life. If a Clan is not satisfied by the council's choice they can choose to petition the council for a Rite of Leadership.
Disputes.
Usually settled through combat. At certain times the councils judgement is called for.
The Rite of Leadership:
Envoked when a clan is unhappy with its current Alpha. The council can either choose to accept the clans new choice after hearing why the Clan is not happy with its current Alpha and why the this other Werewolf should be Alpha, or they can commit the two to combat (commenly to the death). Should the original Alpha be the victor they have proved themselves, and their claim as Alpha can no longer be challenged under normal circumstances.
The honour of the the defeated's pack will suffer.
The Rite of the Hunt:
The Werewolf chosen to lead a hunt is usually decided by how many kills they have made. If this choice is disputed the challenged and challenger fight there and then. If the challenger loses they will suffer no loose of honour in anyone's eyes.
The Rite of Courtship:
If there is a dispute over how has the right to court a partner, usually when two Were's seek the same mate, then the two Weres must visit the head male/female of the Pack (male to male, female to female) and recite the deeds of their life.
Religious Rites.
Various ceremonies take place at certain phases of the moon. With the ceremonies at the Full Moon being the most important. Namings and marriages will always take place at the Full Moon. Blood Namings take place at the Half Moon, when the moon is neither dark or light, to show transition.
The seven different clans worship different deities:
Baolach Fuil - The White Lady (Terror)
Blood Moon - Morrigu (Retribution/revenge)
Howling Moon - Herne (Moon)
Ghost Claws - Cernunnos (Mountains)
Risen Sun - Cerridwen (Fertility/woodlands)
Shadows of the Forest - Taranis (Power)
An Síoraí Cruinne - Scathach (Magic)
All Clans worship the Earth itself. It is our Mother.
Namings and Blood Namings.
A Werewolf cub's name is chosen by its parents on the cubs first birthday. This gives the parents time to watch their cub and chose a name that best suits.
Through the years certain Werewolves have become more than their birth names and wished to change it. This lead to the council creating the Blood Naming. This is a ritual, where by a Werewolf preforms certain tests set down by their Clan's Alpha and, if they succeed, they can change their name.
Death
Every Werewolf is born ready to die. Every Werewolf understands that no matter that they will one day die. A Werewolf accepts this and does not let death bother them. The only way a Werewolf wishes to die is with honour and "taking as many of the bastards with you as you can" - PeaceSlayer (Blood Moons)
Honour
Above all.
You must first honour yourself. The honour of the Clan must start with the honour of its members.
Some Terminology
Alpha: the head Werewolf of a Clan
Beta: the Alpha's lieutenant
Omega: the Clan "runt"
Pack: a family unit
Leech: a vampire
Monkey: all humans
