WEREJAGUARS

Werejaguars

Werejaguars are a powerful and enigmatic breed of shapeshifter, known for their striking appearance, strength, and fierce independence. Capable of transforming into jaguars while retaining human intelligence and emotion, they are revered as skilled hunters and warriors with deep spiritual connections to their animal forms. Unlike more structured shapeshifter species, such as werewolves or werelions, werejaguars are often seen as solitary, elusive, and unpredictable, though they do occasionally form loose, familial groups based on mutual respect and shared goals.

While werejaguars do not have a clearly defined hierarchical structure, their social organization is typically more fluid. Leadership is often based on individual power, wisdom, or unique qualities such as magical ability or spiritual strength, rather than formal titles. The bonds they form are often shaped by personal loyalty and shared history rather than rigid hierarchy, and many are known to strike out on their own when the mood strikes them.

Interaction and Touch

Werejaguars are inherently solitary and do not feel the same need for constant physical contact. Their interactions are often more understated, and they tend to show loyalty and affection in non-physical ways. Instead of seeking physical touch or closeness, they express bond-building through shared experiences, such as strategic hunts or moments of solidarity during times of peril. Although more reserved than some other shifters, they are fiercely loyal to those they care about and will act decisively to protect their family or chosen pack.

Werejaguar Traits

Werejaguars are distinguished by their strength, agility, and cunning, traits that are honed for hunting, stealth, and battle.

Physical Traits: Werejaguars are known for their powerful yet sleek builds. In their human form, they often have an athletic, toned body with sharp, striking features that convey their predatory nature. Their movements are fluid and graceful, reflecting their jaguar forms. The combination of raw power and stealth gives them an almost supernatural presence, and their eyes often have an intense, predatory gleam, particularly when they are focused or agitated.
Healing Abilities: Like all shapeshifters, werejaguars heal much faster than humans. Their regenerative abilities allow them to recover from wounds relatively quickly, though they do not heal as rapidly as other shifters such as wererats or vampires. Their resilience makes them formidable opponents, capable of enduring in battle even against powerful adversaries.
Enhanced Senses: Werejaguars possess heightened senses, particularly in sight, smell, and hearing. Their eyes, capable of seeing in low light or complete darkness, are key to their abilities as night hunters. Their sense of smell is also highly acute, enabling them to track prey or sense danger from miles away.
Spiritual Connection: Many werejaguars have a profound spiritual connection to the jaguar, often viewing it as a totem or guardian spirit. This spiritual bond enhances their magical abilities and guides their decisions. It also plays a role in their battle instincts and supernatural powers, which are sometimes called upon during moments of crisis. For some werejaguars, their bond to the jaguar spirit may manifest in the ability to manipulate shadows, enhance their strength, or even access primal magic.
Magical Abilities: A significant number of werejaguars are also skilled in various forms of magic, especially those that tie to their feline nature. Some may be able to control or manipulate shadows, enhance their senses beyond normal limits, or even tap into ancient magic passed down through generations. This magical aptitude can make them formidable and unpredictable, adding to their mystique.
Common Colors:
- Golden Yellow with Rosettes: The most common color for a werejaguar when shifted is a rich golden-yellow, with rosettes across the body. This coloration is reminiscent of wild jaguars in tropical environments and helps the werejaguar blend into jungle-like surroundings.
- Black (Melanistic) with Rosettes: A melanistic werejaguar, also known as a "black jaguar," has a completely black coat, though the rosettes are still visible in certain light. These individuals often possess a more mysterious, intimidating presence and are sometimes seen as more powerful or rare.
- Gray or Silver with Rosettes: Some werejaguars may have a silver or gray coloration, especially if they are older or more experienced in their craft. This color gives them an ethereal or ghostly appearance, often associated with those who walk between the physical world and the spiritual realm.
- Red or Russet with Rosettes: A more unusual color, red or russet-toned werejaguars are rare. Their fur may take on these fiery hues when in heightened emotional states or during periods of intense aggression. They are considered to be more intense and passionate in nature.
Eye Colors: In their jaguar form, werejaguars typically have vivid, intense eyes that reflect their predatory nature. Their eyes are often:
- Amber or Gold: Common in many jaguar species, these eyes are fierce and mesmerizing.
- Green: A less common eye color that suggests a deeper connection to nature or magic.
- Yellow or Cat-like: These eyes may glow or flash, particularly when a werejaguar is enraged or in a heightened emotional state.

Vulnerabilities and Weaknesses

Though werejaguars are formidable in both physical and magical combat, they have several vulnerabilities:

Silver: Like most shapeshifters, werejaguars are vulnerable to silver. It can cause burns or lasting wounds, and while they can heal quickly, silver remains a significant threat to their kind.
Instincts Over Rationality: Werejaguars, like other apex predators, sometimes struggle to control their primal instincts in high-stress situations. When faced with threats or other predators, their instincts may take over, causing them to act rashly, which can be exploited by enemies.
Emotional Vulnerability: Despite their solitary tendencies, werejaguars are emotionally vulnerable when it comes to their family or small group. They may act recklessly or irrationally when someone they care about is threatened, making them susceptible to manipulation.
Vulnerable in Animal Form: Although they are agile and powerful in their jaguar form, werejaguars are physically smaller than other shapeshifters, such as werewolves or werelions. In direct physical confrontations, they may be at a disadvantage if faced with a larger or stronger opponent.
Tension with Other Predators: As apex predators, werejaguars may experience tension or territorial conflicts with other shapeshifters, especially werewolves. The need to assert dominance or protect their territory can lead to disputes, sometimes escalating into violence.
Lack of Group Stability: Due to their independent nature, werejaguars may find it difficult to maintain stable group structures. Without a strong hierarchical framework, internal disputes or the absence of leadership can undermine their collective strength, making them vulnerable to outside threats.

Social View and Role

Despite their preference for solitude, their status as apex predators often brings them into situations where their abilities are tested or sought after, especially when others discover their talents in combat or magic.

To those who interact with them, werejaguars are seen as both awe-inspiring and dangerous. While other shapeshifters may respect their power and skills, they are also wary of the unpredictability that comes with a werejaguar's solitary, wild nature. They tend to draw both admiration and fear, often leaving those who encounter them unsure of whether they are witnessing a powerful ally or a deadly threat.

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.