Lunarwilds are a blighted species of "were-beings," including werewolves, that have lasted to present day. In their base state they look human and are not infectious, but they can transform by will or under the moonlight into a different form (not necessarily a wolf, but usually an animal) that is much more animalistic and infectious, with any bitten creature also becoming infected with the Lunarwild blight. Lunarwilds have severe reactions to silver.

Genesis

Lunarwilds are an infectious species, with the bite of any Lunarwild in beast form having a high likelihood of inducing the transmutation into the species. However, they can only infect organic or semi-organic beings; they cannot infect machines, spirits, and magical constructs. Lunarwilds in base form have an extremely low infectivity; a human bitten harshly several times may not transform. In partial shift, their infectivity is moderate.  

Once an individual is bitten, they will experience symptoms of fever, restlessness, and insomnia. They also have more energy, counteracting the typical effects of sleep deprivation. These last for around three days before returning to a mostly stable state, if with gradually increasing strength. When the next full moon comes, around a month after the bite, then a transformation will be triggered. This first transformation does not require being bathed in the light of the full moon, but the individual will become very agitated trying to get somewhere to bathe in the moonlight; they will not have full cognition during their first transformation, but it can be more confusing and distressing if the transformation is done away from the moonlight. 

A more gradual transformation can be induced by swallowing a Lunarwild's saliva (which typically does not have a particular taste, but does carry the Lunarwild's scent, which in turn affects the experience of flavor) over a period of time. The individual would gradually become able to perceive the scents of Lunarwilds more clearly, and their senses gradually become enhanced, along with the development of instincts that draw them to stay with pack. Their pupils slowly develop tapetum lucidum, and they start producing purrs and growls, whether intentionally or not. 

Other Lunarwilds will know that the individual has reached the tipping point when the individual's Lunarwild scent suddenly increases in intensity—not as strong as a proper Lunarwild, but clearly no longer the same. Before this tipping point, they may experience partial transformations and altered cognition during the full moon, but their changes are still reversible if they stop consuming Lunarwild saliva. After this tipping point, on the night of a full moon, their first transformation will be triggered, and their Beast cognition will form.  

Abilities

Base form:

• Cognitive Enhancement: Slight enhancement in cognitive abilities. 

• Physical Enhancement: Significant increase in strength, allowing them to lift cars with some effort. 

• Extended Lifespan: Approximately 1.5 to 2 times their original lifespan. 

• Partial Shapeshifting: Partial shapeshifting of beastly characteristics. 

• Full Shift: Full shift to their Beast form. 

Beast form:

• Physical Enhancement: Significant increase in strength, allowing them to lift cars with ease.

• Sensory Enhancement: Significant enhancement in senses of sight, smell, hearing, and taste, and incredible pain resistance. 

• Regeneration: Incredible regeneration abilities, able to recover in seconds to minutes so long as their head is not cut off or their heart is not stabbed with silver. 

• Partial Shapeshifting: Alteration of their shape to change some beastly characteristics. 

• Instinct: Though they lose a significant degree of higher cognitive abilities, they have strong intuition and instinct in regards to who and what is dangerous or safe. 

Characteristics

When not transformed, Lunarwilds look more or less identical to how they looked before being bitten, save for the presence of tapetum lucidum and the ability to produce certain sounds like purrs, growls, and howls, regardless of the species they resemble. When transformed, Lunarwilds take the form of some kind of beast. Most are reminiscent to real-life animals, with some being more realistic and some having more unusual or unnatural characteristics. The appearance depends on what feels right for the soul, and tends to be stable but can shift over time. Lunarwilds in beast form cannot speak human languages, but can communicate with scents, howling, growling, and other animal noises; they can instinctively understand each other, even when meeting for the first time.

Beast Form Characteristics

• The vast majority of beast forms are mammalian creatures, resembling wolves, cats, bears, etc., with most being vaguely wolf-like even if they mostly resemble another creature. They may resemble other non-mammalian species, and they may have structures such as scales, feathers, and wings, but the majority of their body should be covered in fur.

• They can be larger than the animals they resemble. They are generally no smaller than the size of the animal they most resemble, and no larger than 2-3 times their original height.  

• They must have sharp teeth, and usually have sharp claws, but these can be retractable. 

• Their saliva and other fluids have a shimmering quality like moonlight. 

• They must have moon-like eyes on black/dark sclera. They are highly reflective and may or may not glow. Normal Lunarwilds do not have pupils or additional patterns, but combinations with other blights or magical species may alter presentation. For instance, Lunarveins (Altervein Lunarwilds) have slit pupils. 

Note: Normal clothes will not transform with Lunarwilds, but there are ways to enchant clothing and other items to be included in transformations, whether they only appear on one form or change size, appearance, and/or placement depending on their form. 

Lemma employs ritual magic that they incidentally created without even being aware of it being ritual magic; they thus freely shared it with other Lunarwilds. Since the effect is minor and specific, its effects are maintained well despite widespread knowledge of it. This enchantment, generally referred to as the transference enchantment, is known of by most Lunarwilds, with at least one member in each pack knowing how to use it. Since it does require some skill and memorization, not everyone learns it. 

The Beast

A defining aspect of Lunarwilds is their "Beast." This can almost be thought of as a second personality born of the individual's fundamental emotions and instincts on the night of their first transformation. Note that "Beast," referring to the cognitive entity, is capitalized; the "beast form," the physical shape, is not. 

Some think of their Beast as a separate being, some think of it as another version of themself, and others have other ways of thinking about it. The Beast can overtake or blend with the individual's primary cognition depending on the circumstances: 

• During a full moon, when the Beast form is triggered, the Beast personality takes over entirely. Afterwards, the experience is remembered as dreamlike. The transformation can be prevented if no contact is made with moonlight, though they feel more restless and have a strong desire to run outside on full moons. 

• If the Beast form is voluntarily taken, not during a full moon, the Beast blends with the original cognition, allowing for a fair degree of reasoning and restraint. A Lunarwild experienced with restraint could safely interact with non-blighted individuals, though it is still considered risky. 

• When partially transformed, the mentality blends with the original cognition, which may lead to behaviors such as growling at those disliked. 

The Beast's desires always reflect the individual's deepest desires, if with a significant loss of inhibition and blended with a compulsive desire to infect others. As such, transformed Lunarwilds tend to be violent towards non-infected individuals, though they may be able to refrain from aggression towards those they consider close and trustworthy. That said, they can be playful and affectionate with other Lunarwilds, with many engaging in cuddle piles or grooming sessions. 

They can also experience mating cycles; though any children born would match the original biology of the parents, there is a high likelihood of infection through the process of gestation and birth, making it another way for the blight to propagate. If the Lunarwild is extremely stressed, anxious, and/or unhealthy, they may not experience cycles until they are well again.  If an individual does not wish to experience mating cycles, they can be suppressed with medicinal, magical, or magitechnological means as well. Medicinal means, which were common before the Age of Reunion, might have some effects like nausea, cramps, etc., though magical and magitechnological means can usually suppress them with no issues. More details can be found on the blighted reproduction lore page. 

The Lunar Embrace

Letting the Beast take control every now and then is healthy for Lunarwilds; this is referred to as undergoing the Lunar Embrace. This improves their mental health, physical health, cognition, self-understanding, and more. To experience the Lunar Embrace, a Lunarwild will need to bathe the majority of their body in the light of the full moon for around ten seconds. If a sliver touches them or they see the moon but it's not enough to cover them entirely in moonlight, they will become very agitated and potentially aggressive as they try to stand in the moonlight. 

If a Lunarwild's Beast is suppressed for too long or can't fully express itself, then the Lunarwild might feel stressed, anxious, and in extreme cases, physically ill. Most packs decline to employ methods that can completely suppress their Beast, though some individuals may choose to do so despite consequences; it will never be fully fatal. 

Generally, 4-5 hours of the Lunar Embrace each full moon is what members of a normal pack get, and this provides full benefits. 1-2 hours each full moon is unsatisfying but sufficient for around 6 months. Skipping a full moon leads to an individual being more prone to anxiety and stress; skipping two will lead to headaches and antsiness; skipping three may lead to horrible migraines and body pains. By the fourth full moon with no transformation, Lunarwilds may practically become rabid trying to move into the moonlight, likely to voluntarily or instinctively transform as part of their attempts, though it is only under the full moon that their Beast will take over entirely. 

Voluntarily transforming outside of the Lunar Embrace can confer some mild benefits as well. If the Lunarwild has not been regularly engaging in the Lunar Embrace, their Beast will be closer to the surface and they may not have as much control over their instincts. That said, if an individual never accepted the Lunar Embrace but spent the vast majority of their time transformed, they will not experience any negative effects. Sometimes, these individuals become so entrenched in their beast form that they are much more their Beast than their sapient cognition; sometimes, they may forget how to transform back to their base form. These individuals are referred to as feral Lunarwilds.

During a lunar eclipse (blood moon), Lunarwilds can still experience the Lunar Embrace—though their base cognition will also be present, blended with their Beast's cognition. Despite this, they receive full health benefits. 

Feral Lunarwilds

A feral Lunarwild is one whose cognition is dominated by their Beast and who has forgotten how to shift back to their base form. There are two requirements for this to occur: they spend a very long period of time in their beast form without shifting back, and they let go of the more rational aspects of their cognition and allow their Beast to lead their thoughts and actions. 

While this can be done entirely voluntarily, it is more likely to be caused by stressful situations, such as needing to survive in the wilderness or going through traumatic situations where the Beast might take over to protect the rational mind. For more chronic survival states, the Lunarwild will generally have stayed in their beast form for at least a year, experiencing a gradual disappearance of their rational thought. A single traumatic situation is generally insufficient to cause ferality, but repeated traumatic incidents where the individual does not shift back afterwards can lead to ferality within a few months. 

A feral Lunarwild can lose their grasp of language wholly or partially. They may understand certain words or the gist of what is being said, or it may be meaningless noise to them and they must rely on tone and body language. They can still instinctively understand other Lunarwilds and communicate with scents, howling, growling, and other animal noises. They tend not to be aggressive towards other Lunarwilds and other blighted, unless the individual threatens or harms them; they recognize a sense of familiarity and belonging among the blighted. 

Feral Lunarwilds can be rehabilitated, returning their rational thought and ability to shift. The Lunarwild must have some desire to recover; those who voluntarily become feral are very difficult to rehabilitate, while those who became feral due to stressful circumstances outside their control are likely to recover. The process generally involves placing the feral Lunarwild in a volunteer or blood-related pack, where they should be spoken to as if human and welcomed into the pack activities. Scenting and bonding with the pack, in addition to helping them feel safe, welcome, and comfortable, may help the rational cognition start to emerge. They will first begin to recover their understanding of language, which comes in parallel with sparks of rational thoughts. Over the course of months, they will come to understand their situation, and their cognition will stabilize into a blend of their Beast and rational self, similar to regular Lunarwilds who voluntarily shift. Once they reach this stable state, they must go through the Lunar Embrace. The Beast cognition will take over entirely once more, but at the end of the night, it shall sleep. If successful, the Lunarwild will wake in their base form, their mind and self restored. 

Rehabilitated Lunarwilds do not generally have a significant risk of relapse—though they may still become feral again if put in circumstances that any Lunarwild may become feral in. In many cases, the most prominent lasting effect is that their Beast tends to be more present in the Lunarwild's base form. Their instincts are easier to sense in base form (but are not compulsive) and they can more easily push their Beast to the surface, which might make them less verbal and more likely to communicate with animal sounds (growls, purrs, etc.) and body language (baring their teeth, nuzzling others, etc.). 

Pregnancy & Pups

A Lunarwild pregnancy generally has less severe symptoms compared to a natural pregnancy of the species. In the case of Lunarwilds who were originally human, they still experience morning sickness and cravings, but these are less intense. They maintain self-sufficiency during their pregnancy; they are always able to move on their own until labor. The birth itself can be difficult, but it tends not to be as painful. If the Lunarwild's beast form is larger, it may be more comfortable to give birth in beast form—their muscles are also stronger. It is safe to shift between base form and beast form throughout the pregnancy, though if one shifts into their beast form during labor, it is not recommended to shift back. 

The children of Lunarwilds are generally referred to as "pups." A Lunarwild litter typically has 1-4 pups. There is around an 80% chance for the children to be born as Lunarwilds. If they are not, depending on the pack, they may be blighted right away or raised as human and given the choice once they come of age. Pups who are born Lunarwilds may be in beast form or base form at birth; it is common for their form to match the form that their dam takes during labor. 

Pups that are born as Lunarwilds will often be very in-tune with their Beast and be just as comfortable in their base form, beast form, or in partially shifted forms. They will often chirp for their caretakers to feed and tend to them, and will continue to make animal noises as a normal part of their communication throughout life. 

Pups born in a pack are typically communally raised rather than just by the birth parents. Depending on the pack's culture and the parents' preference, their pups may be considered children of the whole pack or the parents may be more involved in raising them. Pups that are born in the same year and raised communally are typically referred to as nestmates. This term arose from how in some packs, especially traditional ones, they share a communal childhood nest that is always guarded by pack members. Nestmates are not inherently considered siblings (though many siblings are also nestmates) and in general can have any relationship as they grow up. 

Given the high conception rate of Lunarwilds in mating cycles, unplanned pregnancies are a real concern. There is no taboo surrounding contraception or abortion in traditional packs, though after birth, pups are considered precious beings that should be taken care of. Lone Lunarwilds not part of a pack may choose to give up their pups to a pack to be raised, and some packs are very open to this while others are not. 

Pack Name: Izal Pack
Founded: ~1520s
Leader: Lemma Izal

Size: 20-50 members
Affiliations: Eyrian Flock (paired since 1601)

Lemma's pack is referred to as the Izal Pack, and it is considered the first and original "traditional pack" of Lunarwilds. It began around the 1520s, after Lemma was turned and began gathering other Lunarwilds under their wing. In 1601, it paired with the Eyrian Flock, the Carriophor flock led by Eyria and Corpsific. 

You are welcome to refer to this lore and use or adapt this format for describing packs of your own creation, but please check permission and lore with Auspice when creating your own.  

Social Structure

Leadership

Lemma is the primary pack leader. It is rare that Lemma is challenged as primary leader, but they easily establish their dominance if needed. 

Lemma designates some Lunarwilds as secondary leaders through observing their interactions with other pack members; these secondary leaders might be sub-leaders who manage a section of the pack (5-10 individuals) or they may be co-leaders that help manage the pack more holistically. Sometimes—and this is encouraged by Lemma—sub-leaders will split off their entire sub-pack into their own independent pack. 

Major decisions in the pack, including their next destination and their Lunar Hunt grounds are typically decided through pack meetings. Though Lemma always has the final word, they try to factor in the perspectives of secondary leaders and pack members.

Membership

Members of the pack must be Lunarwilds and carry Lemma's bond-mark. New members of the pack are technically solely determined by Lemma and whether or not they give a bond-mark to the individual. However, Lemma will typically evaluate whether or not they are a good fit for the pack and may outright ask others' opinions.

There are also a fair number of independent members, those who are considered part of the pack and carry Lemma's bond-mark without traveling with the pack or sharing their lifestyle. They generally visit the pack once or twice a year to spend time with the members and have their bond-mark refreshed.

The pack accepts visitors, those who travel with the pack temporarily. Any member of the pack may invite a visitor, but Lemma or the secondary leaders can choose to oust them.

Some visitors may eventually be accepted as kin, who are considered honorary non-Lunarwild members of the pack. Lemma will designate an individual as kin, and indicate this by giving the individual one of the golden teeth of their beast form. (It does hurt to take it out, but it regenerates quickly.)

Lemma or secondary leaders can exile members of the pack, typically as punishment for severe or repeated offenses without proper repentance. Members who are exiled are brought before the pack and required to purge their scent, removing all their scent-marks and bond-marks, before being sent off.

Culture

For the most part, the Izal Pack is very traditional—rather, they are the source of what is considered traditional for Lunarwild packs, and they have maintained many of their customs throughout centuries.

Lifestyle

The Izal Pack is entirely nomadic, typically wandering around in the wilderness and other less-developed areas, including mundane wilds and magical domains. When on the move, they typically camp out in the open wilderness, but they will often settle at one location for a few months at a time.

They always carry animal hides and other materials that allow them to quickly pitch tents and other structures; in the pack's early years, these were carried by Lunarwilds in their beast form, but after the fall of Uonam and Lemma making contact with other members of magical societies, they made use of enchantments that allowed them to carry items in magical "inventories."

On occasion, they may visit parts of united society to explore, trade, or just relax. (There have been a few humorous accounts of the Izal Pack flooding a restaurant.)

Hunting Practices

Members of the Izal Pack hunt with tooth and claw as beasts or with simple tools like bows, arrows, and blades in their base form. They observe customs of respecting nature and sustainable hunting, not wasting any part of an animal. Skins and furs are made into leather and clothes, enchanted for protection and to last lifetimes; any flesh not consumed is picked clean by Carriophors.

Whenever possible, they go on Lunar Hunts and experience the Lunar Embrace. They prepare hunting grounds ahead of time by scouting out potential hunting grounds and placing markers to contain them.

Social Dynamics

The pack engages in "community intimacy," involving cuddle piles, scenting between almost all members, and bonding from Lemma to all pack members. Unless explicitly communicated, all relationships are emotionally and physically open, with all members able to court and mate anyone else within or outside the pack. This community relationship is not considered inherently romantic, but pack members may choose to engage with any others romantically if they wish, within or outside the pack.

• Due to the nature of scents, any physical relations cannot be hidden between members.

• Within the pack, "mates" are those who have mutually bonded with each other, and are known to be preferred partners for mating cycles

• Consent and communication is heavily emphasized in the pack.

Counseling is available to those who struggle with this dynamic, and it may be suggested for them to try a different relationship structure for themself or work through emotions such as jealousy in a healthy way.

Members are encouraged to go through their mating cycles and to prepare in advance by seeking partners and taking contraceptives if they do not want pups—at present, the pack offers herbs and magitechnological contraceptives. Mating cycles are considered a form of intimacy that should be valued and enjoyed. However, if an individual does not wish to go through their cycles, they can take herbs or other means of suppressing their cycle, and there are no physical or social consequences.

Pups of any members of the pack are considered children of the entire pack, and they are communally raised unless the birth parents want a more involved role. If they are born without the Lunarwild blight, they are raised without the blight and then given the choice once they come of age.

You can design your own Lunarwild, though Auspice offers commissions for beast forms:

• 30 USD base price: notion design in Inka style

• 40 USD base price: notion design in Flint style

• 50 USD base price: notion design in Airbrush style

• For custom designs, refer to Auspice's general design commissions. 

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