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Werewolves as a symbol. Lycanthropy as a metaphor for regression. Transformation as a coping mechanism. Being bitten as a metaphor for trauma, and passing the disease as the cycle of trauma. Full moons that feel like meltdowns. Not being able to control your own body, a body that doesn't feel like your own.
What Makes Werewolves Scary?
November 27th, 2024
Werewolves, of the monsters I’ve covered, may pose the most obvious physical threat, but just as easily could be considered the most sympathetic.
To answer the question I’m using as the title for this series, it would be easy to say “because they’re big and have lots of sharp things to kill you with”, and this answer would get you a lot of the picture, but wolves already do that without having been a man at some point, so that part of the equation is a good place to start.
Let's get this out of the way now: stories about people being turned into wolves are old, as old as the Epic of Gilgamesh, but also appearing in Greek and Roman mythology.This was often by gods as part of some sort of curse, whether for relatable or morally repugnant actions on the part of the mortal.
In Universal’s “The Wolfman”, Lawrence Talbot, who is often thought of as the first modern werewolf, is far from a coldblooded killer in his human form, wishing to avoid any further bloodshed, and this relationship between human and beast forms has been echoed in other horror and fantasy.
Also, as mentioned in previous posts, the halfway point between human and beast, as well as the painful transformation, can add an amount of Uncanny Valley grotesqueness. The pain of the transformation in particular helps stress when the human identity of the werewolf is meant to be sympathetic, but also connects back surprisingly well to uses as a divine punishment.
If I were to hazard a guess what current events around “The Wolfman”’s 1941 release were inspiring horror about battling against one’s inner capacity for violence and questioning how much we have in common with bloodthirsty beasts, I would start with the deadliest conflict in human history.
During the film’s production, America had not yet joined the second conflict, but its writer, Curt Siodmak, was a Jewish man who had been a German national during World War I, and fled to the United States not long before the outbreak of the second. It is not difficult to imagine how someone like that’s horror at the cruelty of his fellow man could mix with the ancient versions of lycanthropes to create the werewolves we know today.
However, their story does oddly have a happy ending: Of the “classic” monster types (which is of course a loose categorization), werewolves also may have the most fiction where they are able to remain perfectly peaceful, often in tune with nature.
Tolkien’s skinchangers, Tomm Moore’s wolfwalkers, and fine, sure, Stephanie Meyer’s Black family are all examples of lycanthropic beings who do have that same animalistic capacity for violence, but are free from being overtaken by it and able to put it more towards good than evil.
(Octransfur 2023) - Time
During a spellcard battle against Kagerou, Sakuya was caught off guard in the middle of one of her opponents attacks, Kagerou charged in towards her, taking a bite on her arm. It was then a single gaze at the full moon addled her mind, and as it made her wound itch, she realized what was happening. "Ah... I'm turning into a wolfman, it's going to be extra work to clean up my own fur in the mansion. I really hope mistress doesn't mind." "Hah...! Now that you're a wolfwoman like me you'll surely be inclined to join the side of youkai!" Sakuya proceeded to brutalize Kagerou however, and continued solving the incident per usual. A time manipulating werewolf is a terrifying enemy to make... Oh boy it isn't an October without a werewolf TF! Based this off of some TF art I've seen with Sakuya, all really nice. I also ended up playing and 1cc'ing Double Dealing Character with SakuyaB on normal just to get somewhat in the mood. Ended up getting reminded Kagerou existed, and also that one attack she does that I swear gets at least one hit on someone the first time you play, so an easy inspiration! (Also found out Werewolf Sakuya is somewhat acknowledged in canon apparently, she actually occasionally plays pretend as a werewolf? Honestly relatable...)
Lycanthropy is one of those things you just have to plan your life around.
I have a book abt the history of lycanthropy🫡
yoooo þat sounds sick asf. please tell me þere are pictures
One told a friend of mine about a dream I had where a very tall woman in all white with no visible face was talking to me in a clearing in the woods. I asked her if it would hurt when I changed shape, and she told me it only would if I thought it would
My friend told me I am likely a werewolf/lycan in spirit and I've thought about that for a long time and they were definitely right
Beast talon 1d6 slashing damage, light, finesse You can use your full action to unleash the beast within the blade, fusing the blade with your arms. When fused, you have claws that do 1d4 piercing or slashing and forearms blades that do 1d8 slashing damage. When fused you can attack with both claws and blades at the same time, as an attack action you can pounce on an enemy, the must make a dc 15 strength save or be knocked prone and take attack damage
Inspiration shamelessly stolen from daemonstar https://www.deviantart.com/daemonstar/art/Bloodborne-Fanart-Weapon-ideas-580175014