If there is a type of lycanthrope, a type of shapeshifter which the average person is familiar with, it's the werewolf. But there is much more to these so-called monsters than is readily known. While it's now common knowledge that werewolves are blood-borne lycanthropes who are "turned" either from attack survivors or recipients of bad anti-lycanthrope serum, these people who call themselves lukoi have a community and traditions which delve much deeper. The reason lukoi are essentially the poster children for lycanthropy is because their "type" is the most contagious; it is entirely possible to survive an attack by a werelion while remaining human, but an accidental scratch from a werewolf in their wolf form could easily result in one more member of the lukoi. Needless to say, those who are infected by any kind of werecreature suffer not just from the need to change once a month, but an intense social stigma as well.

People who do turn tend to do so at the first full moon after they are infected, and the change is always violent and ending in blackouts or some substantial memory loss. Over time, wolves can develop more control over their changes, but ultimately everything is dictated by the moon's cycles. A strong werewolf can trigger a partial change -- elongated canine teeth, for example, or something akin to a half-and-half form instead of shifting into their full wolf selves. The most powerful of the lukoi can accomplish this, but the bulk of werewolves would find it physically taxing. As it is, changing just once a month is an exhausting experience; most folks don't have the stamina for much more.

But while it can be a drain, there are perks to being lukoi. Like with any other were, people who are changed develop enhanced speed and strength as well as senses. Suddenly, the possibility of physical harm isn't quite so daunting. It becomes much easier to heal a wound, usually without scarring. Changing to your wolf form will heal most things completely. And while it's true that the lukoi are allergic to silver, and that wounds inflicted by vampires aren't much different, one's healing abilities are otherwise damned impressive. If harmed by another lycanthrope, it may not be as severe a reaction as to a vampire or a silver weapon, but the effect still takes some time.

Other perks involve the pack itself. When a new wolf joins their pack, it is through sponsorship that typically lasts several months until said wolf gets the hang of their new lifestyle. And there is a lot to learn, from how to handle dominance fights (not always to the death; sometimes, not even physical fights), how to have sex without physically hurting one's partner (when it comes to normal humans, this can be a frightening shock), to learning about lukoi and pack traditions (such as the munin, spirits of deceased lukoi who stay in a kind of racial memory accessible by some rare werewolves).

Ultimately, though, the pack winds up being a surrogate family and a kind of support group. As lycanthropes do not receive the same kind of legal recognition that vampires do, lukoi frequently turn to one another for day-to-day support and survival. All packs are led by their king, called the pack's Ulfric. These are alpha wolves, the most dominant of their pack, the one who has battled their way to the top through physical altercation or displays of power. As Ulfrics are usually men due to a size advantage, they can then choose their lupa, their female counterpart within the pack. However, lupas are actually chosen and do not necessarily have to be the most powerful woman of the pack, though it certainly helps. It is the Ulfric and the lupa's jobs to both lead and protect. But as packs of wolves have been known to number in the hundreds, sometimes more, the Ulfric cannot be everywhere, and so they have wolves who act as their second-in-command or right hand, known respectively as the Freki and Geri. In adddition to these roles are the Ulfric's enforcers -- his law -- called his Skoll and Hati.

Finally is the Ulfric's Bolverk, a member of the pack that has been known to trigger unease or fear amongst his less dominant packmates. The Bolverk performs what amount to evil deeds for his Ulfric, whether it be trickery or murder. Wolves who walk their newest packmates through "the killing dance" -- sex -- are Eros or Eranthe. And finally, if a wolf ever decides to make his bid for Ulfric, he is considered Fenrir. These challengers to the throne must fight their way through all alpha roles in the pack before they defeat their Ulfric in combat. And in case one has forgotten that these are not just wolves, but men as well, all fights involving the Ulfric and Fenrir must end in death. Being a member of the lukoi means that you will never be alone again, but that comfort is always tempered by the call of the hunt and the craving for blood and flesh. Why else would they be so feared?