Wolfsbane

Real Name: Rahne Sinclair

Powers: Wolfsbane is a mutant metamorph who can, through mental concentration, transform herself into a wolf, while retaining most of her human intelligence, or into a transitional form which combines both human and lupine aspects. She cannot adopt any other form but these two, nor can she take the form of different kinds of wolves. Her wolf form always has the same physical characteristics, which are those of a wolf a few months short of adulthood. Presumably when Wolfsbane herself becomes an adult, her lupine form will be that of an adult wolf.

Although Wolfsbane can transform herself into a wolf, she is not a werewolf; in other words, there is nothing supernatural about her power. Her transformations are not dependent on the phases of the moon, and she has the same vulnerabilities to injury, as does a normal wolf when she is in lupine form.

Wolfsbane's transformations are brought about only as a conscious act of will on her part, although it is possible that she might turn into a wolf without willing to do so if she were sufficiently frightened.

In lupine form, Wolfsbane's strength, speed, reflexes and senses are similar to those of a wolf's, but are also heightened beyond those possessed by a real wolf. In lupine form Wolfsbane can see into the ultraviolet and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. As a result, as a wolf she perceives things as patterns of heat. Thus, she can see things even in absolute darkness (in terms of what is "visible light" to ordinary humans). As a wolf she can hear sounds that are beyond the range of human hearing. When she is in lupine form she can also detect scents that ordinary humans cannot, and therefore, she can trail someone by scent just as a wolf or dog can. As a wolf Wolfsbane can judge a person's emotional state and detect any changes in that state as they occur through observing the heat patterns and scents that person gives off.
Wolfsbane retains virtually all of her human intelligence when she is in lupine form. However, as a wolf she might have difficulty at pattern recognition, or in comprehending particularly complicated concepts which she could understand somewhat more easily as a human. She does not possess a wolf's instincts, and therefore must learn how to use her lupine abilities. However, when she is in lupine form, since she then has a wolf's vocal organs, she cannot speak. But as a wolf she can achieve a degree of telepathic communication with her fellow ex-New Mutant Moonstar, Dani Moonstar.

Wolfsbane's "transitional form" combines elements of her human and lupine forms. In it she retains her full intelligence and is capable of speech. In transitional form Wolfsbane is less agile than she is as a wolf, but she is stronger than she is as a human being. She can stand erect and use her front "paws" as hands. She is still covered with fur in her transitional form, but the coat is thinner. At least some of her senses in transitional form are more acute than they are in her human form.

Wolfsbane's lupine and transitional forms are more massive than her human form. The source of this additional mass is unknown.

History: There isn't a lot known about Rahne's childhood before she met Moira MacTaggert, but what little we do know isn't nice. We know that her mother died when she was VERY young, and she came into the care of Rev. Craig. He raised her in the strictest, most Fundamental Christian method possible, indoctrinating her into the ways he saw as right. We also know he hated her, ever before her powers developed. It all came to a head when she manifested her mutancy, Rev. Craig called her 'Devil Child' and tried to have her burnt at the stake. A lynch mob led by him chased her over the highlands, until she ran into Moira MacTaggert. MacTaggert put herself between the mob and Rahne, and said she was under her protection, forcing Rev. Craig to grudgingly abandon his lynching. Moira made herself Rahne's legal Guardian, and took her to Charles Xavier, for help in controling and using her powers. The saddest thing about her childhood is that it is highly likely that Rev. Craig is he father, and all his hate toward her is because she always reminded him of his affair with her mother.