WERELIONS

Werelions are a rare and powerful species of shapeshifters, capable of transforming into lions while maintaining human intelligence and emotion. Known for their regal and imposing presence, werelions possess a deep connection to their primal nature and are a breed of strength and nobility. They are organized into tight-knit groups called prides, which are led by a Rex (the male king) and Regina (the female queen). In some prides, the Regina leads alone, especially when the Rex's focus is more on dominance than the welfare of the pride.

[Werelions of Vero]

You may not have been born one of us, but you are here now, and that is what matters. The Pride is more than blood—it is strength, purpose, and the unbreakable bond of kinship. Whether this life was chosen or thrust upon you, know that you are not alone. Here, you will find guidance, protection, and a place to stand among those who will fight beside you, hunt with you, and call you their own. Learn your role, honor your kin, and embrace the path before you. The Pride stands together, and now, you stand with us.

[Pride Rank Breakdown]
[Alpha Leader]
Rex – Male leader, Ruler of the Pride.
Regina – Female leader, Queen of the Pride

[Alpha]
> Pride Heir – These are those who have been designated successor.
> Pride Opio – Senior Male, likely overseeing the Jaga and enforcing the Rex's will.
> Pride Ina – Senior Female, experienced hunt leader and caretaker of Tyros.

[Moderate/Alpha]
> Pride Jaga (Male)– Defender and protectors of the Pride.
> Pride Kala (Female)– Elite warriors with a most important role, if not -the- most important role hunting and carrying out the will of their Rex. While yes, this is a city and modern times, nothing beats or satisfies like a fresh catch.

[Omega/Moderate]
Pride Tyro – "Beginner or Novice" Those still learning the ropes, newly shifted but inexperienced. These lions still partake in hunts and guard duty along side more experienced lions. Some moderate Lion may fit into this rank initially. Lions who were priorly a human slave of the pride, will never rank higher than Tyro after their first shift.

[Allys/Human Slaves or Infected]
Pride Tega – "One who Relies" These are those who rely on the pride for protection but have no real standing, this includes those infected humans that have not had their first shift yet, upon their first shift they will gain the title of Tyro.

Pride Structure

Rex and Regina: The pride is typically led by both a Rex and a Regina, whose roles are critical to maintaining order. While the Rex is responsible for defending the pride's territory and maintaining dominance, the Regina often plays a more vital role in managing the pride’s cohesion and daily operations. In some prides, the Regina is the true leader, especially if the Rex’s desire for dominance causes instability.
Rex Challenge: The position of Rex is fiercely contested through challenges, often to the death. Weakness is not tolerated, and failure in such challenges can result in death. The Rex must demonstrate unmatched strength and power to retain their position.
Leadership Challenges: While Rex challenges are typically life-or-death struggles, the Regina’s position is often more fluid, with some prides having a more powerful or dominant Regina who oversees the pride’s well-being.

Interaction and Touch

Werelions have a deep need for physical contact, particularly when greeting or interacting with each other. This tactile nature is common within shapeshifter communities and is an essential way of reinforcing bonds. Werelions are known to nuzzle, rub, or engage in intimate physical rituals to show solidarity and affection within the pride.

Werelion Traits

Werelions share many traits with other shapeshifters, including heightened senses and the ability to heal rapidly. Their strength is unparalleled among shapeshifters, making them formidable opponents in combat. However, they are also deeply connected to their animal instincts, which may sometimes conflict with their human intelligence, especially in moments of high stress.

Physical Traits: In their human form, werelions are typically tall, muscular, and carry an air of dominance. They retain certain lion-like features, such as sharp eyes or a strong build, which reflect their connection to their animal form. When in heightened emotional states, their eyes may become cat-like, often glowing or possessing a predatory gleam.
Healing Abilities: Werelions heal much faster than humans but not as quickly as other shapeshifters like wererats or vampires. Their resilience and regenerative capabilities make them formidable in battle.

Vulnerabilities and Weaknesses

While werelions are powerful beings, they have certain vulnerabilities:

Death by Challenge: The role of Rex is often decided by a fight to the death. If a challenger defeats the current Rex, the loser is expected to die or lose his mane, leaving the pride vulnerable during these transitions of power.
Limited Control in Animal Form: Werelions retain human intelligence in their lion form, but their animal instincts still play a large role. When under extreme stress or in conflict with other predators, they may struggle to control their primal urges, potentially acting impulsively or aggressively.
Silver: Like many shapeshifters, werelions are vulnerable to silver. It can burn or wound them, and although they can heal quickly, silver remains a significant threat.
Pride Conflict: Internal power struggles, especially within the leadership, can cause emotional and social instability. A divided pride can be easily manipulated by external forces, leading to chaos within their ranks.
Emotional Vulnerability: Werelions are deeply connected to their pride and, as a result, can be emotionally manipulated by those who exploit their loyalty and honor. This emotional vulnerability can be used against them by enemies or rivals.
Tension with Other Predators: Werelions have a natural tension with other predatory shapeshifters, especially werewolves. Their instinctual drive to dominate or hunt may cause conflict when they encounter other shapeshifters who pose a threat to their status.
Over-Reliance on Dominance: Werelions, particularly males, can be overly reliant on dominance and power. This tendency can make them inflexible, unable to compromise or work cooperatively in situations that require more strategy than brute strength.

Social View and Role

Werelions, though powerful and often seen as proud and independent, tend to be more secluded than other shapeshifters. They are not as numerous as werewolves and other shapeshifter species, making their social dynamics more guarded and complex. They hold themselves to a strict sense of honor and hierarchy, which often keeps them at odds with others who do not understand or respect their customs.

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.

Werelions