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A werewolf (Skyrim)

Lycanthropy is a supernatural condition that causes a person to transform into a werebeast: an unnatural crossing between a beast and their original race. It has been called a disease,[1] a curse,[2][3] and a blessing.[4][5] Lycanthropy is contagious, and not selective about who it afflicts. Due to the dangerous and bloodthirsty nature of lycanthropes, those with the condition have been hated and feared through much of Tamriel's history. There are several known strains of this condition, most of which are specific to certain regions of Tamriel. However, the most common strain—which causes the afflicted to turn into a werewolf—is known to occur across the whole continent. Those who are infected with lycanthropy are referred to as "lycanthropes". They are also occasionally referred to as "lupines" or "loups".[6] Strictly speaking, the word "lycanthrope" should only refer to men who change into wolves, but it has long been used to refer to anyone who undergoes a similar beast transformation.[1]

Like vampirism, lycanthropes are able to spread their condition by transmitting a disease, which progresses to full-blown lycanthropy within a few days if left untreated. For instance, Sanies Lupinus can be contracted from werewolves, and over time will convert the afflicted into a werewolf.[7] Transmission seems to be brought about through being wounded via the claws or teeth of werebeasts; however, since most victims are killed, transmission occurs less commonly out in the wild. The surest way to pass on the curse is to drink the blood of the lycanthrope. Doing so immediately converts the one who partakes in the blood into a lycanthrope.[8] The first transformation occurs within moments, and is unusually intense.[9][10] A lycanthrope's form is dictated by the strain of lycanthropy contracted by the victim. Argonians will turn into furry werewolves if they contract Sanies Lupinus, just like the other Tamrielic races.[10][7][11][12]

Cultural Perception of Werewolves [ edit ]

Lycanthropes are almost universally despised. Those with control over their condition may be treated in any number of ways. They may be revered among cults devoted to Hircine,[citation needed] uneasily tolerated or shunned,[12][10] or even killed on sight.[13][14] The people of Skyrim rub canis root on neighboring trees and fences to keep werebears at bay.[1] There are also several signs to look out for when werewolves are suspected to be around: if wolves can be heard howling when there are none to be found, or strange animal tracks that suddenly disappear are present, werewolves may be in the area.[15]

During the Interregnum, Imperial soldiers were advised to turn themselves in to their superiors for immediate execution if they became infected with lycanthropy.[15] In Bosmer society, taking on the form of beasts is strictly forbidden by the Green Pact.[16] Wood Elves who deign to change their shape may be condemned to the formlessness of the Ooze.[17] Because of the dangerous and unpredictable nature of lycanthropes, they are more feared than vampires in some circles.[18]

Individuals that specialize in tracking down and killing lycanthropes are known as werewolf hunters. These may work alone or in small groups,[19] or they may be part of a larger organization dedicated to wiping out lycanthropy. Such groups include the Order of the Silver Dawn,[20] the Silver Hand,[5] and the Vigilants of Stendarr.[21] Some people use perfume distilled from werewolf musk as a cosmetic fragrance, but it can also be used to avoid prowling werewolves.[22]

There are a few rare families in which lycanthropy is a hereditary condition. The disease can remain dormant for generations, only to spontaneously reassert itself in later descendants. Great crusades against lycanthropes are ultimately futile, unless the families who carry this bloodline are exterminated as well.[8]

The Skaal of Solstheim believe mummified wolf paws which are capped at the ankle with silver can ward away werewolves.[23] They also have spells they can use to detect traces of lycanthropic infection in the wake of a werewolf attack. These spells allow shamans with the knowledge to use them the ability to tell who is infected with a lycanthropic disease. However, the spell's sight only extends to those infected with the disease, not those who have already become werewolves.[24] The Skaal believe that lycanthropes are a perversion of natural order. They believe that Man was not meant to live a dual life as both rational being and animal.[25]

Origin [ edit ]

Hircine, the progenitor of lycanthropy

Lycanthropy was originally created by Hircine, who bestows it as a "blessing" upon devotees and great hunters. Followers of Hircine can ritually bestow this blessing upon others, and can even replace vampirism with lycanthropy, as the two conditions are mutually exclusive.[9]

It is unknown when the first lycanthrope came into existence, but they have been present in recorded history since the early Merethic Era.[26] According to a legend,[27] lycanthropes were already being hunted down during the reign of Hoag Merkiller by Thane Icehammer.[28]

Unlike Molag Bal, Hircine maintains an active role in his creations' existence. He has been known to personally enhance favored lycanthropes with increased abilities, and rewards some with powerful artifacts. An example of one of these tangible boons is the Ring of Hircine, which allows a lycanthrope to control his or her transformations.[29]

Symptoms and Effects [ edit ]

Several symptoms can be displayed in those infected with lycanthropy. The afflicted may be plagued by vivid nightmares, and the wounds they received from their lycanthropic attacker may be deep and visible.[15] Those infected with Sanies Lupinus may find themselves running into wild creatures, suffering strange injuries, or feeling drowsy before suddenly experiencing their senses sharpening.[30] While not transformed, werewolves may find that they've grown more hair in unexpected places, such as their ears.[31] Werewolf claws grow rapidly,[32] and their fur has a tendency to become matted.[33]

The most important and obvious effect of lycanthropy is the beast transformation itself. While in beast form, the lycanthrope has increased height and altered proportions, with one strain being recorded as having increased shoulder width, lengthened arms, narrowed hips and increased leg height.[34] The physical alteration grants the werebeast enhanced strength, speed, resilience, and stamina, as well as enchanted claws that can harm creatures that are immune to conventional weaponry.[1] Lone werewolves are almost never far from their pack; engaging them alone is a grave mistake. A werewolf's howl can not only call other werewolves to the beasts' aid, it can call forth regular wolves and bears as well.[19] Werebeasts are affected mentally as well, experiencing intense bloodlust and,[3] in extreme cases, amnesia.[citation needed] Werewolves who starve themselves can turn feral, putting them at risk of being unable to control their base impulses should they encounter a mortal. Starving werewolves may kill impulsively or find their self-control is only restored when their hunger is sated.[13]

Lycanthropes are commonly believed to have an aversion to specific herbs. Canis root is believed to ward off werebears,[1][15] while wolfsbane and belladonna are both known to be poisonous to werewolves,[34] and are used as components of remedies for the disease.[35] The juice of ripened belladonna berries causes a werewolf's veins to shrivel, and wolfsbane petals render their bones brittle.[34] Poisons and silver weapons are also considered especially effective against werewolves.[15][36] Even the weakest of poisons are effective against towering werebeasts.[36]

The circumstances of the transformation seem to vary wildly between individuals or strains of lycanthropy. Some lycanthropes transform every full moon,[10] while others transform every night.[14] Others seem able to choose when they transform, and some have the ability to resist transforming entirely.[37] The strength of a lycanthrope's bloodlust also varies. Some individuals experience an uncontrollable desire to kill, and others are able to maintain nearly complete control during a transformation. In the worst cases, an individual who lacks the willpower to control a transformation may turn feral, becoming little more than a mindless beast.[38] Generally, werebeasts do not revert to their original form upon death,[1] but there are some exceptions to this rule.[39]

A werewolf devouring a deer

A few effects of lycanthropy are present outside of transformation. The aforementioned bloodlust being a notable instance, as even in human form, the afflicted may still feel the desire to hunt and kill. Lycanthropes are immune to all diseases, and experience fitful sleep. They also may retain subtle physical traits outside of beast form, such as scents, or small patches of fur.[11] Lycanthropy also has spiritual effects that persist after death. Lycanthropes go to Hircine's Hunting Grounds after death, rather than the afterlife they would otherwise have received.[37] However, there are exceptions, such as the werewolves who served King Styriche as soldiers in the Gray Host. The entire Gray Host, including its werewolves, were damned to Coldharbour due to a deal Styriche made with Molag Bal.[40] Another notable example was Faolchu the Changeling, whose soul was pledged to Molag Bal when Angof the Gravesinger resurrected the werewolf in his conquest of Glenumbra.[41] After Faolchu's defeat, his soul was sent to Coldharbour, where he was punished by Molag Bal for his failure to keep the Lion Guard from retaking Camlorn.[42]

Hircine can grant great power and control over lycanthropy to favored worshipers. These boons are usually granted by specific artifacts, such as the Ring of Hircine. Additionally, those favored by Hircine may be granted the ability to transform entirely into a beast as opposed to a werebeast. For example, Hircine's Packmaster has the ability to transform into a wolf rather than a werewolf.[43]

Circa 2E 582, the Gray Host developed a mysterious disease to target rogue werewolf packs in Blackreach. The incubation of this disease is known to vary between individuals.[44] The disease forces a lycanthrope into their beast form and drives them feral as their minds degrade. The victims of this disease lose their mind and the ability to control their transformations.[44] One of the most dangerous effects of this disease is that it is contagious; those who are near someone with this infection can become infected themselves. An alchemist named Rasir was able to to create a cure for the ailment, which had been devastating the Dark Moon Grotto werewolf refugee community.[45]

Werewolf Subtypes [ edit ]

Lycanthropy can manifest in several different ways, some of which are distinct from traditional lycanthropes. Some lycanthropes don't need to transform to show their inner Beast.

Man Beasts [ edit ]

Not much is known about Man-Beasts. Those afflicted with this condition appear beast-like, even when they are not in beast form.[46] Their bodies are covered in light brown fur, and they have orange eyes. Man-Beasts are observed to be more intelligent and less primal than those in beast form, and are able to cast spells and use weapons. They lurk in the shadows waiting for their victims, and have vicious claws for tearing at their prey.[46]

Werewolf Lord [ edit ]

The Werewolf Lord is a powerful lycanthrope that maintains a humanoid form with bestial qualities. Unlike traditional lycanthropes, a Werewolf Lord's form blends racial characteristics of the individual with that of the wolf. An Argonian will still look like an Argonian, but with wolf-like features.[47] One of the most notable Werewolf Lords was Vykosa the Ascendant, who was so powerful that she could bend the will of other werewolves.[48] She was rumored to be one of the first werewolves, and was promised glory and power by Hircine.[49]

Werewolf Behemoth [ edit ]

The Werewolf Behemoth is a powerful werewolf which is granted a hulking form and even greater strength than their smaller counterparts. Ordinary werewolves can become behemoths through alchemical alteration. Vykosa's underling Ernarde was able to reproduce this during his experiments in 2E 582. Through countless injections and tireless spellcraft, Ernarde was able to transform the members of the Moon Hunter Pack. His efforts granted existing werewolves amplified strength and size, allowing them to become unstoppable warriors should they survive the transformation.[48] Ernarde's efforts were not the only source of titanic werewolves during this point in time. Powerful werewolves with the Gray Host were also able to transform into behemoths.[50] The mad alchemist Arkasis created potions that allowed non-lycanthropes, including vampires, to transform into werewolf behemoths.[51] These potions did not infect the subject with lycanthropy; rather, the concoctions simply granted the subject the form of a hulking monstrosity for a time. Those experiencing the effects of Arkasis's potions would temporarily be granted instincts similar to real werewolves. [52]

A human Man-Beast

A Khajiit Man-Beast

Vykosa, a werewolf lord

A Werewolf Behemoth

Curing the Condition [ edit ]

It is well known that lycanthropy can be prevented by curing the disease that causes it, which must be done before the subject's first transformation. After this point, it becomes extremely difficult to obtain a cure.[1][24] The witches of the Glenmoril Wyrd are the only beings known to have possessed cures of a conventional nature, potions and scrolls that are relatively free of side effects. Unfortunately, they seem to guard their secrets closely, and do not openly offer these cures.[8][35]

The Silvenar, being a living representation of the Green Pact that fixed the form of the Bosmer, has the ability to instantly cure Green Pact Bosmer who unwillingly contract lycanthropy.[53] In 2E 582, an alchemist from Camlorn successfully developed a cure for the strain of lycanthropy spread by Faolchu the Reborn, using blood from infected werewolves.[54]

Most cures require the lycanthrope to find a way to exorcise their inner beast. One example includes transmitting the condition to someone who already has dormant, hereditary lycanthropic genes. Infecting such a person will cause the one offering their blood to be cured due to the intensity of its blossoming in the victim.[8] Undergoing a ritual performed by the Glenmoril witches is another way to cure lycanthropy.[8] The witches sacrifice an innocent, infect the victim's flesh with the client's curse, and resurrect the sacrifice. The original lycanthrope must then kill the victim a second time, which will permanently destroy their inner beast.[35] A third method for curing lycanthropy involves using the magic from the head of a Glenmoril witch to summon one's inner beast as a spirit, then destroying that spirit.[55]

Finally, lycanthropy can be supplanted by vampirism. Under normal circumstances, this is impossible, because lycanthropes are immune to disease. However, a pure-blooded vampire can convert a lycanthrope into a vampire lord, instantly replacing Hircine's gift with that of Molag Bal.[56][57] In general, lycanthropes do not revert to their original form upon death,[1] but there may be some exceptions to this rule.[58]

Other Treatments [ edit ]

Aside from capturing, killing, or curing lycanthropes, there are few methods of preventing them from harming others if they are unable to control their lust for blood. The simplest solution is isolation.[3][59] Lycanthropes that live far from any settlements, especially when well fed, are less likely to harm other people. Despite their bloodlust, it seems that some lycanthropes can manage to live on a mostly plant-based diet. Those that do not wish to consume mortal flesh can resort to eating mere beasts. Those that cannot morally bring themselves to kill another living creature can subsist on recently deceased animals and carrion left by other predators.[3] Berries, nuts, and roots have been found in the stomachs of dissected werewolves, suggesting that they don't even need to consume manflesh to survive.[1] In fact, lycanthropes have an easier time finding food while transformed than they do in human form. While transformed, a werewolf's senses are so acute that they can detect food of all sorts.[3]

Another way lycanthropes can control themselves is to use the Ring of Hircine to grant control over transformation.[29] However, relatively few lycanthropes have ever been able to obtain the ring. A third, perhaps unique method, was employed by the werewolves of Kerbol's Hollow in the Second Era. There, an entire village of werewolves was bound together in a ritual that suppressed their bloodlust and transformations entirely, leading to the appearance of a cure.[60] However, this state was fragile, since if an initiate were to transform, the spell would be broken.[61] Furthermore, the ritual had troubling side effects, as it subjected the minds of those affected to the will of the caster and changed their personalities.[62] The mayor kept a jug filled with blood for emergencies.[63]

Known Lycanthropic Strains [ edit ]

A werebear (Skyrim)

Werewolf Packs [ edit ]

"We have chosen to embrace Lord Hircine's blessing. You know it well. The speed and strength of the beast. The thrill of the hunt. The triumph of the kill. This is our purpose, our way of life."

— Majni

Werewolves commonly form packs apart from the rest of society. This makes them a more formidable opponent for werewolf hunters,[19] and also gives them the opportunity to satisfy their instinct to hunt together. Werewolf packs have a heirarchy with an alpha or a den mother at the helm.[67][68] Werewolves tend to have a respect for the pack heirarchy, and may be compliant with aggressors if their leader is held hostage.[69] Werewolf packs are notoriously territorial, often engaging in bloody conflicts over land.[68]

Hircine himself designates a Packmaster for the Pack that resides in the Hunting Grounds. The Packmaster is granted poewr beyond other werewolves when they are chosen, and are as much a wolf as they are a man.[43] Werewolves who wish to join this Pack must meet with the Packmaster and undergo a ritual to gain Hircine's blessing. The initiate must hunt a worthy beast and call for the Pack to feast with them before they are welcomed into the fold.[70]

Magnar Child-Eater, Alpha of the Magnar Pack

Several werewolf packs have risen and fallen throughout Tamrielic history. Some live in peace, while others prefer to prey on people. The Magnar Pack was an example of the latter. Magnar Bearstorm, also called Magnar Child-Eater was the pack's Alpha. He had a taste for the tender flesh of children, and rewarded pack hunters for acquiring countless people. The Silver Dawn was quite literally at war with the Magnar Pack in 2E 582, with both sides accruing a large number of casualties.[20] By that time, Magnar Child-Eater had ruled the greater Wrothgar pack for at least fifty years.[71] The Magnar Pack nearly won this war when they tracked a member of the Order to their base of operations at the Argent Mine, a silver mine which helped the Order's founder accrue great wealth in the Order's early days.[20][72] The Pack killed every member of the Silver Dawn they found within, but were unable to eradicate the Order in its entirety.[73]

The Thornfang Pack's den mother made the decision to relocate the pack to Summerset Isle in 2E 582. Despite the fact that werewolves are outcasts in Summerset's strict purist society, the Altmer lacked experience in dealing with lycanthropes, making this move a tactical decision. On top of that, there were no other packs on Summerset at the time, meaning the Thornfangs wouldn't have to compete for prey or territory. The pack decided to strengthen its numbers by abducting travelers off the road and turning them.[68] The werewolves of the Thornfang Pack often collected and embellished the skulls of their most impressive kills.[74]

Werewolves were rare on Solstheim in the Third Era, but saw resurgence in 3E 427 with the approach of the impending Bloodmoon Prophecy.[25] By 4E 201, the Frostmoon Pack persisted on the island. The pack lived near Frostmoon Crag, and competed with the local werebears for territory.[75] Their packmaster, Majni, claimed the Frostmoon Pack was the "last true pack that remained".[76]

Related Artifacts [ edit ]

Rings [ edit ]

Totems of Hircine (Skyrim)

Hircine's Ring can give those afflicted with the disease more control over their powers. In some incarnations, it has the ability to prevent a monthly transformation, and allows the lycanthrope to transform as often as they'd like.[77][78] It has also been used to transform people who aren't infected with lycanthropy into werewolves.[79] Hircine once cursed this artifact to have the opposite effect; the wearer would transform at random and unpredictable times, until the curse was lifted.[29][80]

Other blessed rings are known to exist that can enhance beast forms. Once used in the Bloodmoon Prophecies, they are still possessed by the Frostmoon Pack of Solstheim.[76][81]

Totems [ edit ]

The Totems of Hircine are said to date from prehistoric times, before even speech was developed.[82] Each one grants a special power to any lycanthrope who possesses and reveres the item.

There are three known totems:[82]

Totem of Terror A carved wolf skull, which enhances the lycanthrope's power to inspire terror. Totem of The Hunt The carved thigh bone of an unknown animal, which enhances the lycanthrope's senses. Totem of Brotherhood A simple drum, which gives the lycanthrope the ability to call allies.

Upon death, lycanthropes go to Hircine's Hunting Ground to hunt with him for all eternity.[36] The Hunting Grounds are considered by some lycanthropes to be an ideal afterlife, but others feel that this denies them a true paradise.[37] The realm is made up mostly of dense woodland and vast grasslands and plains, as well as blood-red tributaries. Mortals entering these realms are typically hunted down by the inhabitants. During the day, werebears hunt the inhabitants, and at night, Hircine announces himself with a pack of werewolves.

History [ edit ]

Werewolves have played a role in several historical events. The Order of the Silver Dawn was founded in 2E 428, during one such event: the Curse of the Crimson Moon, a werewolf crisis that plagued High Rock during the Second Era.[20] Around 2E 577, the mad alchemist Arkasis of Whiterun terrorized three of Skyrim's Holds. He conducted unspeakable experiments on unwilling test subjects. Each Hold had its own legend about the alchemist, but in every tale, the experiments involved strange alchemical substances and horrific transformations. With each crime, Arkasis eluded capture, and grew more bold until he was inevitably exposed in Whiterun in 2E 577. During Arkasis's reign of terror, the howling of wolves preceded nightly disappearances. Tensions hit a peak when a member of the Battle-Born family was found naked, covered in blood, and surrounded by dead livestock on the Gray-Mane estate. Accusations of lycanthropy were thrown around and several people called for executions, sparking a feud between the Battle-Borns and the Gray-Manes. A stranger offered to investigate, and found neither clan was at fault. The jarl and the court alchemist both disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leading the newly ascended Jarl Morryn to declare Arkasis a menace of the highest order.[52]

Also of note, many werewolves were part of the Gray Host, the undead army lead by King Styriche of Verkarth. Styriche's pact with Molag Bal doomed the Gray Host, including its werewolves, to Coldharbour in death.[40] In 2E 582, the Host's last surviving leader joined forces with the Icereach witch coven to bring the Gray Host back to Tamriel. Powerful Harrowstorms were whipped up, and the Host's werewolves were among those resurrected by the innumerable soul sacrifices that took place during the storms.[50]

Werewolf populations saw a boom around Skyrim in 2E 582. The Companions received reports of individuals who actively sought to be cursed with lycanthropy.[36] That same year, Faolchu the Changeling was resurrected by the Bloodthorn Cult. Faolchu captured Camlorn with his army of werewolves, ousting or killing the city's Breton inhabitants. He didn't get to enjoy Camlorn Keep for long, as he was defeated by the Lion Guard later that year.[83]

Important Lycanthropes [ edit ]

Arienne Kerbol — A Breton mayor who mentally enslaved the residents of Kerbol's Hollow in order to suppress their lycanthropy.

— A Breton mayor who mentally enslaved the residents of Kerbol's Hollow in order to suppress their lycanthropy. Faolchu — A general in the Alessian Order.

— A general in the Alessian Order. Songamdir — Hircine's Packmaster in 2E 582; he was granted the ability to turn into a wolf.

— Hircine's Packmaster in 2E 582; he was granted the ability to turn into a wolf. Terrfyg — The Harbinger that started the tradition of lycanthropy in the Companions, which persisted after his death.

— The Harbinger that started the tradition of lycanthropy in the Companions, which persisted after his death. Tharsten Heart-Fang — The leader of the Skaal at the end of the Third Era. He was secretly a werewolf.

— The leader of the Skaal at the end of the Third Era. He was secretly a werewolf. Exarch Ulfra — A leader of the Gray Host.

— A leader of the Gray Host. Ulthorn the Hound — A werewolf who desired to take the Green Lady Gwaering for himself and away from the rightful Silvenar.

— A werewolf who desired to take the Green Lady Gwaering for himself and away from the rightful Silvenar. Vykosa — One of the first werewolves.

See Also [ edit ]

For game-specific werewolf and lycanthropy information, see the Daggerfall, Morrowind, Skyrim, and ESO articles.

Books [ edit ]

Notes [ edit ]

According to the 16 Accords of Madness, v. VI, Hircine once imbued a Daedroth with lycanthropy to fight in a duel with a creature of Sheogorath's making. There are no other mentions of such Daedric lycanthropes, however.

Gallery [ edit ]

A wereboar (Daggerfall)

A werewolf (Daggerfall)

A Werewolf (Bloodmoon)

A Werewolf (Skyrim)

A werewolf (ESO)

A white werewolf (ESO)

An undead werewolf (ESO)

A werewolf's spirit (ESO)

A skeletal werewolf (ESO)

A werewolf lord (ESO)

An Argonian werewolf lord (ESO)

A werebat (ESO)

A werewolf (Legends)

A werebat (Legends)

Ring of Hircine (Skyrim)