Lupines
Introduction
A wolf-like race of beings that live in the less populated areas of Lore.
History
Descendants of a long forgotten breed of dragon.
Biology
Lupines in general have a total of 3 forms: human, were, and giant wolf. The true form of a Lupines is their human one as all Lupines steam from the joining of a great wolf and an ancient human. They can all shift between these forms at will (meaning not needing a full moon or for it to be night).
In their were forms (which are the most common right beside their true form), Lupines’s reveal their dragon heritage the most with their features.
- Shark: Rows on rows of sharp teeth
- Alligator: Often Lupines will make a low hissing sound, as well as sometimes transport their young in their mouths due to how puny pups tend to be.
- Hyena: The bone crushing strength of their jaws and the wide grin many tend to have.
- Lizards: Long tongues and the ability to scale steep surfaces without much problems.
The giant wolf form Lupines can turn into is generally used during traveling. There’s been reports of people accidentally mistaking a sleeping pack for some hills after they decided to take a rest during a migration.
Lupines cannot bite people and turn them into a Lupine. However, there is a special kind of magic involved with Lupines that is a bit of a protection spell that they can cast when they imprint on a soul mate where they give them a crumb of their abilities. This is usually limited smaller things like sharper canines, the ability to imitate more Lupine-like sounds such as growling, purring, trilling, etc. Nothing too big. This is mainly to add more self defense to a mate and for more intimate bonding.
Lupines tend to have a large appetite with a leaning towards meat. Due to their size, it’s common to consume things whole and even alive. It’s not unusual for a Lupines to store something in their stomach for safe keeping.
A rare skill a small handful of Lupines have is the ability to shapeshift into others. It takes a lot of practice though and many struggle. Older generations of Lupines have an easier time at form shifting compared to younger generations. Most stick to just mimicking simple sounds, like voices or animals.
Lupines branch off into Canines which are more dog-leaning in appearance. They lack certain abilities and the more dragonlike qualities of a Lupine, often having just the ability to transform into a.
Wolf’s bane is a Lupine's kryptonite, weakening their immune system and muscles. The higher the amount the more devastating the effects are. Silver just gives Lupines a rash as they all universally are allergic. It’s not so much a weakness as it is an annoyance.
Lupines genes are super strong so even if a human and a Lupine have a child, that child will have obvious signs of being part Lupine. Even the child of a half-Lupines and a human will show strong signs.
Half-Lupines are rarities however as humans tend to stir away from Lupines due to a massive bias against them. This stems from plenty of stories, most of which are exaggerated or contain blatant lies about their “monstrous” tendencies.
Transformations
For Lupines transformations aren't really painful. It's more like it can be sore on the body if you don't stretch before hand. There tends to be a few minutes of awkwardness before one is ready to go similar to if you sit up too fast.
First time transformations are certainly painful just because the body isn't used to it yet. Lupines often transform around 3 or 4 years old once they've learned how to walk and talk and can comprehend things.
Half-Lupines have a more difficult time shifting between forms and tend to remain in their true form much of their lives. Only during full moons can they transform with ease and most of the time they can only reach their were form. Half-Lupines have extreme difficulty with form shifting and struggle even with changing their voice. Without the teaching of a full Lupine, acquiring these skills are impossible.
Heat Cycles
Lupines are hit by a discomfort that lasts 3 to 7 days. It’s similar to a human period but not limited to those with a uterus and blood is replaced with the symptom of a high fever. Due to this, Lupines really like ice cream and crunching ice, especially since their teeth are immune to that fucking pain you get if you bite into a popsicle.
Pregnancy
Lupines often have more than one kid with being an only child is more of a rarity. Mothers can have up to 6 kids at a time with 7 also being deemed a rarity.
To pull such a feat off, Lupines have three forms, their humanoid, their werewolf, and then giant wolf form. At the beginning of pregnancy, the body of a Lupines begins to change and shift inside as it determines how many kids a mother is about to have. This calculation is important because once the belly starts expanding, it becomes crucial to shift into a form that makes lift less of a waddle fest.
Often, if there are just two kids, a Lupine will often remain in their humanoid form the entire pregnancy. At three, some slight shifting may occur as the baby begins to show and the mother will transform into a partial were form. Past three and the body will automatically turn into the werewolf form as more babies begin to show. For the remaining duration of the pregnancy, this is how the mother will remain up to when it’s time to give birth.
During the delivery, the mother remains as a werewolf to make birth easier on their body. This is because the babies remain small rather than transforming along with their mom. So Lupine birth often tends to be a lot easier and less painful than us humans…at least that’s the case when a mother is due to have 4+ kids. Less than that and they’re stuck in our hell of hours of pushing and screaming.
During the recovery period, Lupines revert back to their original forms and spend a solid month working on regaining their energy as remaining in a separate form for so long can be stressful on the body alongside birth itself.
Customs
Beliefs
Many Lupines believe in the Olim Gods, Sun and Moon, though there is a high respect for Moon thanks to her gifts of the night and the ability to transform.
Eclipses are viewed as the days the bonds of soul mates are the strongest. They’re celebrated similarly to Valentine’s day.
Behaviorisms
Lupines don’t follow the “alpha, beta, omega” patterns stereotypically attached to werewolf creatures. And just because Lupines have tails and ears doesn’t mean they’re alright with strangers touching them or patting their head. Those are seen as close circle gestures, especially touching their tails.
Even when close to a Lupine, tugging and biting a tail are often things little kids do to each other during rough housing so it’s seen as childish.
Imprinting
Romantically entwined Lupines tend to imprint on one another. This is established once both halves feel complete trust in each other. Those who have imprinted are referred to as *Soul Mates.* The effects of imprinting are being more aware of the other’s feelings and sometimes even thoughts.
The stronger the bond between Soul Mates, the stronger the effects of imprinting are. Mates can even sense where the other is and if they are in pain.
Imprinting is meant to last forever which is why it hurts so bad when a link breaks.
There are even some cases where Lupines die from failed links. Similar to how fairytales can die from heartbreak.
Imprinting is a mutual thing so both halves are aware of each other. Even if the other half isn't a Lupines, the heart link still works.
Weddings
Instead of the bride and the groom, there is the Sun and the Moon. Soul Mates confirm their unity through the Solu dance. This dance is meant to represent the Sun and Moon’s constant orbit around each other and their relationship. It consists of the “Moon” wearing a cloak that conceals them through a majority of the dance. The "Sun" is decorated in bright yellow and orange flowers.
The Mating Dance goes as so: The Sun holds a plate of flowers and the Moon holds a jar filled with water. In the middle of the circle is an empty bowl, representing Olim. The two circle and twirl, careful not to spill any contents as the circle grows smaller and smaller. Once they stop their spinning, they should be face to face with each other. They then take a step back and bow over the bowl. This is meant to be mutual respect.
The hardest part of the ritual comes when the couple must dance together, still holding their items. Once this dance is done, the moon is uncloaked and the two share a kiss. The two then pour the flower and water into the bowl, representing the creation of Olim. Finally, the Sun and Moon can truly dance together, hand in hand.
Child Care
During the period mothers are recovering from birth, it’s customary for others to take care and watch over the babies as Lupines live in close families.
It’s common for an entire village to lend a hand when a Lupine becomes a mama due to just how tight knit the community tends to be.
Raising children is a lot similar humans save for the portion of life where toddlers are taught how to hunt and work on handling their abilities to avoid accidents in the future. This is often disguised as playing with plush toys and doing hide and seek. Lupines often transform around 3 or 4 years old once they've learned how to walk, talk, and can comprehend things.