RACES

[The Ringmaster]

Werewolves - Lycanthropes

THE REAL HORROR OF THE NIGHT

Introducing the mutt, the dog, the wolf, the beast, the monster. A werewolf (Or Lycan if you prefer) is not a force to be tested. And even vampires, back when things were new and fresh, did not doubt that fact concerning these 'primitive' beasts. Alone, a werewolf is dangerous, but together they are the starting of a massacre. Packs range in strength, often being five to twenty seven strong, but, despite the pack number, the territory is always quite large and expansive… And land that the Pack claims is always guarded viciously, mercilessly, and valiantly. A family-oriented sort they stick close together in tightly knit groups, with, despite popular opinion, very few ‘lone-wolves’. Lone wolves, on the contrary, are (usually) only ‘Berserk’ wolves, or wolves in stasis. Berserk is a moment of loss of control, and loss of the ‘mind in control’. They are, essential, beasts when Berserk, and though the average were is a close to hells-fury then anything you’ll be tasting on this good green earth, if you find one of these beasts in their bestial berserk / ‘stasis’ of moods… There is little change you will come out alive. Stasis, often used interchangeable with Berserk, is a touch different however. Stasis is referring more to when the were body takes in a bit too much damage and goes into a… ah… ‘Critical’. During ‘Critical’ only one thing matters. Survival. The primitive instinct of self preservation is donned, and, well, ‘anything it takes’. Berserk is more when the were is enraged, where the creature becomes too emotional and just goes into a rage… And unlike vampires werewolves usually do not kill off ‘Berserks’. Contrarily, werewolves often subdue Berserks and aid in their ‘recovery’.

Werewolves have but three forms they command, usually, at will. The first is the form of the wolf-were, where they remain, obviously, above standard but in the skin of, more or less, a wolf. Bulky, big, strong, fierce they are larger, larger (The average weight for a male wolf-were is 120lbs, the average height 2ft 8in, the average length 5ft. The average weight for females, 110, height, 2ft 5in, length, 5ft 1in.) and undoubtedly stronger. The second form is the human-were, with the darling beast concealing itself in its human skin. They tend to be a bit feral in the eyes, and much more strong, powerful, and all the rest then the average human, but they definitely are the weakest in this form. The third form is their standard were-wolf form. Standing on two muscular legs they tower above the average human or vamp (Males are generally 6-8in taller then as they are as a human and 75lbs heavier. Females are generally 3-5in taller and 50lbs heavier), and, in this forsaken form, easily out do the standard slender, lanky vampire at every turn. In the were-wolf form they are faster, stronger, and more close to a demon then you could ever imagine; and if you find one of these beasts in their bestial berserk / ‘stasis’ of moods… Ha!

Werewolves are seen as, to their vampire counterparts to be a tact-less closer-to-an-animal monster who are utterly stupid. Simply put Vampires believe themselves higher then werewolves, commending their strength and power but, marking it off, as well, that weres have only brawn, not brain. From a human’s perceptive werewolves are the shady beasts of the night, and are a more fearful thing then anything else. A berserk werewolf is a threat to every living thing, vampire, werewolf, mortal alike. They are fierce and relentless, and only then are ‘true monsters’. Werewolves often take over an entire city, and are much more clever then vampires would lead one to believe. They vary depending on location and learning but most have a few traits in common. They do not turn with the moon cycles (though the moon does play on their emotions, making them seem a bit more tense or relaxed, depending, the more willful wolves very rarely are affected at all), that they do not need human flesh or blood (but most have a taste, a longing, a desire for it. A wolf can very rarely feel satisfied without human flesh, or full.), that if they do not change forms regularly they lose their ability to shift (and when they lose their ability to shift they lose their ‘immortality’ and wolfie abilities) and that silver still is as badass as ever. Give or take it’s gone down a notch. And that decapitation is still a perfect way to murder a were once and for all.

Silver is seen as the main bane to a lycan. It hurts like hell, more often then not. It burns. And though a lycan has the ability to sustain an unhuman about of damage and essential ‘regenerate’ anything… silver denies the ability of regeneration. To an extent. If a wolf is pierced with silver, the silver must be removed before the organ or skin or tissue heals. And though it is rumored a wolf can wean him or herself off the pains of silver, the pain may be, but the affect it does, isn’t. It is but a mental process, a ‘mind over matter’ sort of thing then a real… ‘built-up resistance’ to it. Mhmm… there are some rumors of imbedded silver driving a were 'mad' / 'Berserk', and that getting a wolfie drunk is the better way to deal with them… Nonetheless whether those old wives tales are true or not! But what is true, is that a pack very rarely backs up a faction. You see, unlike vampires, werewolves tend to have a distinct 'rank system' among the pack. A werewolf pledges loyalty to the Alpha and none else. A Pack within a Faction is simply a mess, and is simply asking the were to breech this 'Loyalty to the Alpha'. A werewolf could never be in a faction and a pack, and because of it there are very few lycan-centered factions.

[The Ringmaster]

Le Vampires

LOCK ALL THE DOORS, TURN OFF ALL THE LIGHTS

So you want to know the real story behind vampires, do you? Well, listen up, bud. You know all those myths and legends and urban stories you've heard, all the different things? FORGET THEM. Here's the straight shot on the lovely bloodsuckers we so love to be afraid of.

These parasitic creatures have thier own sort of society, as do humans and werewolves. Each individual has a certain social standing, or rank, which is defined by the talents, abilities, and age of the vampire. Also, each will belong to a faction, then is further divided into 'Covens.', which are more personal preference groupings within the greater faction. The way it goes is once a mortal is bitten and the transformation is complete, they have become a part of whatever Coven and Faction their creator belongs to. There are four Factions, each of them with two Coven within their command. Unlike weres, the vampires work together as an organization, teaming up when necessary to defeat a common purpose. Organized crime has NOTHING on organized parasitism, you catch my drift?

For the most part, the leeches are extremely haughty and disdainful. While they respect the formidable force the wolf species form, they still feel superior. Werewolves are savage, stupid beasts incapable of higher brain functions; how else to explain them mating with mortals? And mortals, they are simply prey to be feasted upon when the thirst comes again. It is not unheard of for a vampire to fall in love with a human, but it is reacted to violently within the rest of their race. Mortal-lovers are ostracized and discriminated against, often the victims of torture before murder by the rest of their kind. While vampires work well together within their covens, they are more the 'loner' type, self-dependent and intent upon survival. All are highly intelligent, though others more so than some, and usually these are the leaders of their coven and factions. Charismatic are the members of this species, charming and mesmerizing in their enigmaty. On the whole they speak with formal, cool tones, with impeccable speech and grammar.

Vampires have hyper-senses, the sensitivity of which is outdone only by that of the weres. Their sense of smell is amazing, with limits of up to 5 miles. Hearing is ultra sensitive as well. In appearance, the species is not usually very bulky or stocky, leaning more often towards a tall, lean frame in body. While they are a lean in frame, their strength amazing to behold. Their power is equal to that of 70 fit men. Agility is another special trait of the bloodsuckers, with the ability to leap from drastic heights and walk away without a scratch. Again, these things are only outdone by the wolf species. Physically attractive, everything about them pulls their intended prey in to them. A sweet, inviting scent radiates from their ice-cold skin, one that reminds a human of all things good and decent, and almost as if in a trance they will drift closer. Of course, it doesn't hurt that in 90% of vampires, the face is very, very pleasurable to behold. Here's the first busted myth: the parasites will not burst into flame if faced with sunlight. Sorry to disappoint, dears. While the sun's rays do not cause instant death, vamps do tend to avoid the daylight hours, especially in public places; this is because of their heightened sense and a slight sensitivity to light. When surrounded by humans, it is very hard to control the urge to take a sip, which in such a crowd as daytime and public brings would reveal the existence of the leeches. Also, the cold skin that encases the body of the vampire is a reflector of light, giving a dull gleam when exposed in sunlight. For some vamps, there is a certain human out there, who's blood screams to be taken. It smells sweeter and calls to the parasite within them, and it is extremely hard for the vampire to resist the call to take the blood. While vampires can eat mortal food, it has no taste to them whatsoever. It's rather like eating dirt as a human; it won't kill you, but you don't like to do it that often. Only the blood of mortals has a taste to them, and it varies among each individual vampire.

Another legend to be broken: holy water, crosses, holy ground, garlic - think you're safe? WRONG. Think again, dears. Just like the sun, holy water, ground, and crosses have no effect on these beings, except for a mild feeling of unease when on holy grounds like church yards and such. Garlic, they do happen to dislike, but only because of their heightened sense of smell - doesn't it bother you with your puny ability of smell? Vampires cannot have children, not with mortals or other vampires alike. Vampires are only created through The Bite, which is quite painful. The only time a vamp is able to perform The Bite is during sexual intercourse, which is why it so hard to transform a mortal. It is a near impossible fight against their instincts to not drain the human completely, and even harder to be gentle enough not to snap their neck. And it is dangerous for the vampire, because there is a possibility of tasting vampyric blood, which is a poison to their system. The Change takes two weeks, and in those two weeks the vampire is ‘Berserk‘. They seem to lose consciousness of acts and murder pretty much everything and anything. They go on a killing spree, as their body strives to become accustom to its new abilities. Many vampires die during their Berserk stage by other vamps, if left unattended. Which is why the one who bites the new-come vampire, often sticks around to watch over them.

There are very few ways to kill a vampire, and they never age physically once the Change has occurred. This is why they are essentially immortal; there are only two real known ways to take a vampire's unlife. One is total dismemberment of the body, then complete burning of the corpse to eliminate all chances of pulling itself back together. The last is by the tasting of another vampire's blood. Vampires bleed black, have skin ice-cold to the touch of a human hand, and have black eyes if they choose to feed on human blood. There are those who choose not to, but those individuals lose the benefits of being a vampire and find themselves constantly unsatisfied. Abstinent vamps tend to be testy and pissy, and face a much greater temptation to drink than others. All vampires are related by coven, for once they've been changed, their blood pools with the rest. Fangs are razor sharp and coated in the venom that causes the change, and are retracted to look normal until time for the vampire to drink.

[The Ringmaster]

Mortals / Humans

AND AFTER ALL THIS TIME, STILL DOING IT ALL WRONG

Humans, generally, know nothing about nothing. At all. Usually. The sad fact of the matter is, is that if you are in a faction chances are you notice some of the more peculiar ‘humanoids’ in your group… and you also notice the weirdos hanging out with one another and whispering-whispering off on their own. But, chances are if you are human you mark it off simply as freaky and that these folks are just… well… weird. Nothing more, nothing less, for any human who knows the ‘secret’ are silenced. Permanently. There are no wit hunters or vampire slayers. Or detectives in search for proof of the existences of werewolves. There just isn’t. Honey, hate to break it to you but this is the 21st century. The home of the colored television, the XXX rated porn, where enjoyment also includes watching other beings being tortured and where you’re either fake, or, well, uh, fake. This is not the time of the good ol' things of those old, old, old, black and white movies. This is reality. This is the world. And chances are if you see a 6'5 man tromping around in combat boots and black leather, with the cross in one hand and a silver sword in another you'll be calling an insane asylum ASAP. Which is a good thing. Crosses don't do shit for a vampire problem and a silver sword? What the fu-


Class is dead, darling; it died with the dinosaurs.
It traded it's pearls & white wine for a MySpace & Corona.
Welcome to the 21st century; Would you like fries with that?

Humans are not powerful. They aren’t even that strong. Compared to a vampire or a werewolf a human man will always get the floor wiped with his ass. Humans are weak. Humans are worthless. Humans are pathetic. But can’t help but love’em, eh? Guns. Guns make humans more worthy to fear. Bombs. Guns. Missals. War. It’s amazing, humans are so weak but so might. Stupid but so intelligent. The don’t know it all, but they know enough and apply what they know to make things. Crafty little monkeys they be! And easily out numbering werewolves, and easily outnumbering vampires, they are the greatest race in population, taking a fine 75% out of the pie. Humans are humans, they have not sprouted wings or a third eye, have not all of the sudden become gods, nor have grown all that much. To vampires they are concerned to prey, to werewolves, well… to wolves they aren’t even worth the time but, alas… Humans. Humans, humans, humans. They taste good. And have much… potential. Humans have been the source since the dawn of time for a vampire, and, who can deny the uniqueness of a human turned were? Humans have possibilities that weres of vampires could never have. And because of that, they are envied. They have no great strength, but they have no great weakness that comes with that power. They can do as they wish. Essentially. Fragile and delicate, but beautiful is a mortal, however much the other two races may or may not disagree.