Long ago, a race of beings known as the Mystics saw how mankind had declared himself master of the planet and started to live off the planet, instead of with it. In essence, humans were starting to break away from the ecosystem. Through their own experiences, the Mystics knew where this would soon lead- to the destruction of Earth. The Mystics saw that the other species of animals on Earth still lived with the planet because they lived by instinct. They decided to start an experiment of human-animal hybrids, hoping to create a race with the intelligence and self-awareness of a man, and the instincts of an animal.
Such creations explains the varied stories of Centaurs, Minotaurs, Bigfoot, Mermaids, and of course, Werewolves, among others. It also explains why so many cultures have human-animal hybrids in their lore (Egyptians, Chinese, Native American, etc.). Some hybrids did not last long; some died off gradually. Most were hunted down and killed by humans who feared them, then wrote stories about their 'triumphs'.
A very few actually flourished, for no other reason than staying far away from humans. Among these was what the Mystics labeled their crowning achievement: the human-wolf hybrid, what they phonetically called the "Hybreed," due to their lack of familiarity with the American language.
The creatures took the name "Hybreed" as their own. They have brought this story, among others, down with them through the ages. However, they have no idea why, many years ago, the Mystics vanished without a trace.
Oh, yeah; They also HATE being called werewolves, so if you meet one, don't call it that.
One reason the Hybreed have this knowledge is that they are blessed with longevity; the average Hybreed lives for about 450 years. The stories could be told by the same individuals who heard them with little or no modifications to the story. In fact, these "storytellers" were the first clan to emerge after the Alfas, or leaders. The storytellers swore to preserve the Hybreed legacy, and have done so faithfully through the ages. It has been theorized that the closer to nature the Hybreed live, the longer the Hybreed live. Some have been rumoured to live for a thousand years, but no decisive knowledge of that has been gathered. It is the instinct of all Hybreed to be at one with the planet. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. . .
A very few Hybreed have shown the ability to change from Hybreed to their original state; Hybreed to man and back, or Hybreed to wolf and back. This ability has been attributed to an unstable "Hybreed gene", that cannot keep its form. Though it seems to us to be a great advantage, it has no place in a Hybreed way of life, and so is looked upon with contempt and distrust. Most who have shown these potentials are treated as Omegas, which is just above a clan of slaves. Some have left the colony to find their own way. Among these, who can shift back to human form, are the ones who fathered most stories of the werewolf. Up to the days of Truug, no Hybreed shifter has been known to be able to shift into both human and wolf; their ability is limited to the choice of their Hybreed state or their original state. The idea of human storytellers that a human can turn into a wolf is attributed to mistaking a Hybreed for a wolf. Then again, who knows what those human storytellers were thinking of? If a Hybreed does have that ability, they certainly have kept it well hidden . . .
A Hybreed is very susceptible to the gravitational pull of the moon. When the moon is in opposition (at its closest to the Earth), Hybreed are energized to what might be compared to an energetic, and sometimes even a euphoric, state. Their strength, agility, alertness, instincts, basic emotions, etc. are all increased to a point at which many find difficult to control. "Shifting" Hybreed, if not in their Hybreed State, will uncontrollably revert to their Hybreed State, which explains that part of the werewolf mythology. It just was more dramatic to attribute the change to the full moon instead of the proximity of the moon to the Earth. Human storytellers, go figure.
When the proximity subsides, a Hybreed will usually feel depressed or confused for a day or so, but will be back to their normal self afterward. A shifting Hybreed will not automatically change back to a human or Wolf, for that is not their normal state. However, the Hybreed will find that they could then shift back to their alternate state with much greater ease. During the proximity, a shifting Hybreed will find it Extremely difficult to shift from their Hybreed state, but not entirely impossible. It would take unbreakable concentration at least, not to mention strength. Again, it has been rumoured to happen, but nothing has been proven.
It has been said that a silver bullet can kill werewolves. This is true; a silver bullet can kill humans, too. The truth of the matter is that when silver comes in contact with one of the "Hybreed genes", a chemical reaction ensues that turns both agents into a toxic substance that will kill the infected Hybreed almost instantaneously. The level of effect is proportional to exposure. For example, a Hybreed holding coins with silver in them will be queasy for a day or two. If eating with a silver spoon, a Hybreed will be sick for about two weeks, with a very good chance of recovery. If stabbed with a silver blade, death is certain if the blade is not removed immediately; if sliced with a silver blade, recovery is possible, depending on how much of the silver had a chance to take effect.
Even in the days of Truug (present day), no antidote or vaccine has been found. In fact, there is no known way to combat a silver infection. Then again, Hybreed are not inclined to use technology to find a cure. Technology is looked upon by older hybreed as opposite to nature. Alternative medicine, such as herbs and magnets, are known to the healer clan but used for this circumstance rarely, with any effect against silver undetermined. Still, the research continues elsewhere . . .
Silver is not the only way a Hybreed may die; they are still beings of the Earth, as humans are. If a Hybreed jumps off the top of a very high cliff, the Hybreed will die upon reaching the bottom. If a Hybreed becomes decapitated, the Hybreed is just as dead as a decapitated human is. If the Hybreed gets an aggressive brain tumour, the Hybreed will not survive without medical attention. A Hybreed's enhanced agility, senses, and reflexes, however, make the Hybreed much less prone to the dangers that humans face. They also recover from wounds very quickly, another gift from the Mystics.
Hybreed have flourished not only because of staying as far away from humans as possible, but because they can add to their numbers in other ways. If a Hybreed bites a human or a wolf, that human or wolf will turn into a Hybreed. Usually, the 'victim' is given a choice: join the pack or be killed. A very few have escaped this ultimatum, giving way to the various stories of "werewolves". The other way to increase their numbers is the old-fashioned way: procreation. Unfortunately, this way does not always have positive results.
When Hybreed procreate, they take the risk of the "Hybreed gene" not holding in the offspring. If it does hold: a healthy, bouncing baby Hybreed. If not: twins, a human baby and a wolf pup. When the latter happens, though rare, the pup is given to a nearby pack, and the baby is sneaked into the nearest city and put on the steps of an orphanage. Since a colony has more resources than just a pack, a colony can make a record of each offspring, including hair sample, eye colour, and any other distinguishing features, and filed into a hybreed equivalent of a book called "The Lost Children." Members of a pack have been known to travel to a colony to have the features of their lost children recorded by the storytellers.
Every once in a while, a wolf pup or human baby is born without its corresponding twin. It is taken to its place, recorded in the book, and is thought of as "just one of those things." No other thought is given, because no reason for this occurrence has ever been found.
During the time just before the days of Truug, this phenomenon of only one of the two being born is happening more and more often. An apocalyptic rumour that the Hybreed are going to die off is slowly starting to worry the members of a North American colony that inhabits the forest near a city called Romberg. This colony is old, but none of its original members are still alive. The council of Alfas does have several seasoned, elder Hybreed in its ranks. One is called Crayne; a strong, ambitious Alfa who often leads the colony's outside efforts. Another is Shaman; an older, patient Alfa who is teeming with wisdom and observation. It is not known how old either one actually is. However, more on those guys later.
Hybreed communication is a complex combination of sounds and movements. Every movement can mean something, if accompanied with a sound or direction. Individual intentions can be picked up easily just through body language, though years of practice can modify how a Hybreed presents him/herself so others cannot read him/her as well. Such skill will usually point out the older members of a pack. Because of their strong instincts, a new Hybreed will have a subconscious understanding of what another Hybreed is saying. Because of the human need for civilization, a few minor points on etiquette or protocol may be needed.
If a human becomes a part of the colony, he or she will retain any knowledge and understanding of any human languages learned. They are themselves, but with a new form and with new instincts. However, the subject may find it very difficult to say any more than just a few words in their native tongue. The Hybreed jaw and lip structure does not support human standards of communication very well. For example, a Hybreed could read this summary, if they knew English as a human, rather easily; but to recite all or even a paragraph would be nothing short of a miracle.
Hybreed with a wolf heritage can understand wolves very well, even communicate back and forth. A century ago, the colony in the story won the respect of most wolf packs in the area through protective means lead by Shaman and his underling, Janna. The packs, even in the days of Truug, will tolerate Hybreed presence. Apparently, the mutual respect has been passed down through the ages. Both Shaman and Janna have been able to keep an ongoing "dialogue" alive with packs in the area.
Wolves seem to have an unspoken understanding of what the Hybreed represent, and have accepted the position along with who will be taking the role. Wolves that become Hybreed have reported that they know the Hybreed will become keepers of the planet, but cannot explain how they know. It has been hypothesized that, since wolves are basically lords of the forest, they can sense royalty. Of course, the Alfa called Crayne introduced this egotistical theory, and the theory is kept under scrutiny.
A colony of Hybreed operates in clans that specialize in one aspect of daily life. For example, some of the clans are as follows: Alfas, Betas, Storytellers, Healers, Warriors, Hunters, Artisans, Omegas, etc. Each clan is a different rank of the colony, and changing of rank is not often. Usually, a Hybreed will stay in a clan for the remainder of his life.
In the case of a family or pack, the clan structure is not needed due to traditionally small numbers. However, the individuals of the pack would still fill the roles of the clan system as rank in the pack. The mother, when proficient in an ability, will be an extension to the clan of her ability, but answers to her husband. A young Hybreed is encouraged to explore all opportunities and abilities until one becomes prevalent in his life. If only part of a pack, he would be tutoured by the members of the pack that represent that clan.
There have been times that a Hybreed would be misplaced in a clan. If proficiency toward another clan is displayed, the Hybreed would come under the tutelage of the high-ranking members of the other clan. He then becomes a member under that clan, and his rank is determined by his ability. Often times, such changing of clans happens from Beta to something else, due to the amount of versatility and effort involved in being a member of the Beta clan. Changing clans again often happens with the onset of age.
Each clan is lead by an Alfa, who is responsible for that clan and answers to the Council of Alfas. The council, of course, is lead by the Alfa of Alfas, who is responsible for the direction of the colony. Alfas are the leaders, and also act as mediators and judges.
Betas are the applicators, seeing the job gets done, and the decision upheld. They also are the caretakers of the colony and act as substitutes for any needed skill or special purpose. They are the 'everything' clan, and are often considered the second in command. There are usually very few in this clan, due to the amount of versatility involved.
Storytellers are the record keepers and the entertainers of the group, including singers, players, poets, etc. They are also very attuned to the Earthlife, and often times outlive other clan members.
Healers include the medical aspect, and the psychological. Healers have a difficult time with Hunters, due to the fact that Hunters are usually proud and very possessive about their wounded. Healers usually have a very good working knowledge of the forest or area that the colony or pack occupies, regardless of the fact that most exploration falls in the jurisdiction of the Hunters. They Healers usually know exactly what to use and where to get it, and therefore can often predict changes in terrain and weather by analyzing the surrounding vegetation. Many Hunters find this ability very annoying when it conflicts with their knowledge.
Hunters are the militant group, and also used as enforcers. They usually follow the direction of the Betas, unless an Alfa is around. Hunters gather the food and scout for new locations, intruders, defense perimeters, etc. Though almost all Hybreed hunt whenever they are hungry, Hunters have fine-tuned the action to a highly efficient skill and continue to explore new means to hunt. Most Hunters derive from wolf origin.
Artisans are the artists of the colony, with rock pictures, fire sculpting, prop building for the storytellers, and usually any construction of tools or shelters coming from them. Most members of the Artisan clan come from human origin, and are usually very adept at construction and troubleshooting.
Omegas serve as the grunts, go-for's, and scapegoats of the colony, usually picked on and underprivileged. Omegas are part of the colony and serve a very important purpose, so the Betas make sure they are respected and get a share in whatever the colony has. However, as with many wolf clans, Omegas are treated poorly. This is one aspect of colony/clan lifestyle that has been considered as traditional from the wolf side, but has never been successfully challenged.