WERECOUGARS

Werecougars

Werecougars are a rare breed of shapeshifter known for their sleek, powerful forms and elusive nature. Capable of shifting into cougars while retaining human intelligence and emotion, werecougars are skilled hunters and tacticians. They tend to remain on the edges of society, living solitary lives or in small, flexible groups, preferring independence over strict social structures. Their behavior is marked by stealth, cunning, and primal instincts.

Social Structure and Behavior

Leadership and Group Dynamics:
Werecougars do not follow rigid hierarchical structures. They tend to form loose packs or familial groups, but these bonds are often fluid and informal. Leadership is generally based on strength, wisdom, or mutual respect rather than formal titles. Werecougars are often seen as loners and do not seek the same pack loyalty seen in wolves or lions. They rely on their own skills and instincts, and it is common for them to leave a group to live independently.
Social Bonds:
Though solitary by nature, werecougars can form strong bonds with those they trust. They show affection in subtle ways, such as shared hunting trips or protective behavior. They do not have need for constant physical contact, but their bonds with those they care about are deep and meaningful.

Physical Traits and Abilities

Human Form:
In human form, werecougars are typically athletic, lean, and agile. They possess sharp eyes, quick reflexes, and cat-like features, such as pronounced cheekbones and a predatory aura. Their agility and grace make them excellent hunters, and their reflexes are finely tuned to respond to danger or prey.
Shifted Form:
When shifted into cougar form, werecougars retain human intelligence while benefiting from their animal instincts. They are sleek, muscular, and built for stealth and speed, allowing them to stalk and ambush prey with precision. Their movements are graceful and calculated, reflecting their feline nature.
Enhanced Senses:
Werecougars possess heightened senses, including superior vision and hearing. Their ability to see in low light and their acute sense of smell make them excellent hunters and trackers. These abilities help them move silently through their environment, observing their surroundings with unparalleled precision.
Healing Abilities:
Like other shapeshifters, werecougars can heal rapidly. However, their regenerative abilities are not as fast as those of wererats or vampires. Their healing is above human levels, allowing them to recover from injuries at an accelerated rate, which makes them resilient in combat.

Physical Appearance When Shifted

Common Colors:
1. Tawny or Sandy Brown: The most common fur color for a werecougar, resembling the natural color of wild cougars. This tawny shade allows them to blend seamlessly into a variety of environments, from forests to grasslands.
2. Gray or Silver: Some werecougars shift into a gray or silver hue, which is particularly effective in dimly lit environments or at dawn/dusk. This color may be associated with older or more mysterious individuals.
3. Dark Brown or Chocolate: A rarer color that can indicate a stronger or more dominant werecougar. This deep hue makes them stand out and can be intimidating.
4. Red or Russet: A distinctive reddish or russet fur tone can reflect a fiery, passionate, or aggressive nature, standing out in their environment.
Less Common or Unique Colors:
1. Black: A rare shift color, black fur is sometimes seen in werecougars with strong magical or emotional traits. The black coat can be mysterious or intimidating, and these werecougars may be seen as outcasts or powerful figures.
2. Spotted or Marbled: Though wild cougars typically have solid coats, some werecougars may shift with spotted or marbled patterns, indicating unique genetic traits or magical influence.
3. White or Pale: A very rare and striking appearance, white or pale fur can signify an unusual genetic anomaly or magical origin, often tied to age or special status.
Eye Color:
In their cougar form, werecougars' eye color may change and is often striking.
1. Amber or Gold: The natural color most commonly found in cougars.
2. Green: A rarer and unique eye color that could signal magical ability or a distinct personality.
3. Yellow or Cat-like: Eyes that glow or have a predatory gleam, typically linked to heightened emotion, aggression, or a display of power.

Vulnerabilities and Weaknesses

Despite their agility and stealth, werecougars have specific vulnerabilities:

Silver: Like many shapeshifters, werecougars are vulnerable to silver, which can burn or wound them. Although they can heal quickly, silver remains a significant threat.
Instincts Over Rationality: While they retain human intelligence, werecougars' predatory instincts can sometimes overwhelm their rationality, especially in high-stress situations. When confronted with other predators, they may act impulsively or aggressively, potentially leading to dangerous confrontations.
Emotional Vulnerability: Although generally solitary, werecougars still form strong emotional bonds with their group or family. Any threat to these bonds can leave them vulnerable, and those who understand their need for loyalty may exploit this weakness.
Vulnerability in Animal Form: While agile and powerful in cougar form, werecougars are smaller and less physically dominant compared to other shapeshifters, such as werelions or werewolves. This makes them more vulnerable when confronted by larger or stronger predators, particularly if those opponents are more powerful in brute strength.
Tension with Other Predators: Werecougars are often in conflict with other predatory shapeshifters, especially werewolves. Their natural instinct to dominate or hunt can create territorial disputes or outright hostility with rival shifters who view them as competitors or threats.
Lack of Group Stability: Because they do not typically form rigid pride structures, werecougars may struggle with maintaining group cohesion. Lack of leadership or internal strife can weaken their collective strength, leaving them vulnerable to external threats.

Social View and Role

Perception in the Shapeshifter World:
Werecougars are often regarded as the quiet loners of the shapeshifter world. Their elusive and independent nature makes them difficult to predict or understand. They tend to keep a low profile and avoid large, established shapeshifter groups. While not as numerous or well-known as werewolves or werelions, they are respected for their strength, stealth, and hunting abilities.
Role in Society:
Due to their preference for independence, werecougars are typically seen as self-reliant and powerful. While they may not seek attention, their abilities and fierce independence often garner admiration from other shapeshifters. Though they are often aloof or mysterious, they are recognized for their cunning and predatory skills.

LYCAN LEVELS AND INHERENT POWERS

Omega

Animal Awareness (Weak): Can sense unshielded lycans and other supernatural beings (e.g., vampires, humans, humans with powers, etc.).
Healing: Can heal wounds by shifting to beast form, but it doesn't fully heal wounds caused by silver, other lycans, or vampires.
Internal Beast: A metaphysical presence within the lycan that can be provoked to shift by stress, fear, orgasm, or sight of blood. The inner beast can be projected as an aura to greet other lycans.
Senses (10x compared to humans): Enhanced hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch.
Stamina (5x compared to humans): Increased endurance, strength, speed, and reflexes.
Unrestrained Transformation: Once shifted, they remain in beast form for 8-12 hours. Afterward, they pass out and shift back to human form. Shifting too quickly (animal to human) drains energy, causing a coma-like sleep for a minimum of 12 hours.
Vital Signs Changes: Heart rhythm, muscle tension, perspiration scent, and emotional indicators change with lycanthropy.

Moderate

Animal Awareness (Moderate): Can sense unshielded and shielded lycans, as well as other supernatural beings.
Healing: Can heal wounds by shifting completely, with faster healing. Blood loss weakens the lycan. Wounds caused by silver, fire, and vampires heal at the same rate as humans.
Internal Beast: The beast can still be provoked by stress, fear, orgasm, or sight of blood and can project its aura to other lycans.
Moderate Transformation: Once shifted, they remain in beast form for 8-12 hours. They have more control over their transformation and may resist shifting, though they cannot resist the full moon.
Senses (20x compared to humans): Enhanced hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch.
Soothing the Beast (Moderate): Can use their metaphysical beast to soothe weaker lycans.
Stamina (10x compared to humans): Enhanced endurance, strength, speed, and reflexes.
Vital Signs Changes: Heart rhythm, muscle tension, perspiration scent, and emotional indicators change with lycanthropy.

Alpha

Soothing the Beast (Strong): Can calm and soothe weaker lycans with their metaphysical beast.
Animal Awareness (Strong): Can sense both shielded and unshielded lycans and other supernatural beings.
Healing: Can heal by shifting partially or fully, with faster healing. Blood loss still weakens them, and wounds caused by silver, fire, or vampires heal at the same rate as humans.
Internal Beast: The beast can be provoked by stress, fear, orgasm, or sight of blood, and it can project as an aura to greet other lycans.
Mastery of the Alpha: Can shift at will for as long as desired and return to human form at will. Complete control over the inner beast, and can resist shifting if they choose (but cannot resist the full moon).
Senses (50x compared to humans): Enhanced hearing, sight, smell, taste, and touch.
Stamina (20x compared to humans): Enhanced endurance, strength, speed, and reflexes.
Vital Signs Changes: Heart rhythm, muscle tension, perspiration scent, and emotional indicators change with lycanthropy.

Powers Exclusive to Alpha Leaders

Beast Call: Summon other lycans of the same type.
War Cry: Send a pulse of energy to group members, signaling an alert or warning of danger.

Extra Powers

When playing Alpha or Alpha Leader, choose 3 powers from the list below:

ALPHA-ONLY POWERS

Call Flesh: Heal another lycan by sending your beast and power into the wounded.
Facial Manipulation: Realign the bones of your face to assume a different appearance.
Force Shift: Force lesser lycans (including lower-ranked alphas) to shift by pulling their beast from them. This can be used as punishment (causing a painful, explosive shift) or to help heal by forcing a shift.
Partial Shift: Shift only specific parts of the body into beast form, while the rest remains human.
Share Power: Share your powers with others for a limited period by offering your blood.
Shield: Protect others from psychic and aura attacks.
Stilling the Beast: Strip a lesser lycan of their animal self, preventing them from feeling others in their group or shifting. This effect lasts for a day, unless the target is a leader. Cannot be used during the full moon.
Purr: Sooth the weaker target into deep sleep or complete focus on the hypnotic delicious sound of the purr.

ALPHA LEADER-EXCLUSIVE POWERS
Roar: Bring your group to alert to attack mode with this subsonic blast of powerful sound that can be heard for up to a mile. It can break mortal eardrums at close range and will dizzy and disorient weaker supernaturals at a range of 5 feet.
Shield the Call: Protect the group from the call of a Master vampire. If the Master vampire is too strong, the leader should answer the call to protect the group or send someone in their place. This shield cannot hold indefinitely.