Origin

The origin of werewolves traces back to the frozen reaches of Norway during the Viking Age. Warriors, driven by the promise of conquest and glory, set sail for the fertile lands of England. Their journey was perilous, marked by raging storms and starvation, and as they neared the shores of Europe, their desperation drove them to call upon the Allfather, Odin, for guidance and strength. Their prayers, carried on biting winds, embodied the resolve of men who had everything to gain—and everything to lose.

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Upon landing, the Vikings found themselves locked in relentless battles, fighting tooth and nail for every inch of foreign soil. Their enemies were fierce, but the Vikings’ will remained unbroken. Blood-soaked and battered, they raised their weapons to the heavens, calling once more for Odin’s favor. According to legend, the Allfather answered—not with thunder or fire, but through a Seer among their ranks.

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The Seer, a mystic woman revered for her visions, claimed to have seen Odin in a trance. When she emerged, she carried a sacred bowl filled with a thick, crimson liquid said to be a divine offering. The warriors believed it to be Odin’s blood, imbued with the strength of wolves and the fury of the battlefield. Desperate for an edge, the warriors drank deeply.

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The liquid seared through their veins, a fire that consumed their humanity. That night, beneath the full moon, their bodies twisted and contorted as their bones cracked and reformed. They became towering beasts covered in fur, with claws sharp as steel and teeth built for tearing flesh. By dawn, nearby villages lay in ruins, destroyed by these newly transformed creatures—the first werewolves.

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With their monstrous power, the Viking wolves swept through England, leaving terror and destruction in their wake. No army could stand against them, and their conquests grew unchecked. Entire kingdoms fell to their might as they reduced villages to ash and spilled rivers of blood.

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Yet their power came with a heavy price. Over time, the humans they hunted began to fight back. Rumors of the wolf-men spread, and their enemies organized, learning to exploit the beasts’ weaknesses and setting cunning traps. The Vikings, now prey instead of predators, were driven into hiding, retreating to the wilderness to escape persecution.

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But the curse of the wolf refused to die. Amid the chaos, some of the bitten began to transform, passing the beastly lineage to those they once called enemies. The curse seeped into bloodlines far beyond the Vikings, ensuring its survival through the centuries. Hidden in the shadows of history, the werewolf’s legacy prevailed, waiting to awaken under the light of the full moon.

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Presently

In the 1890s, the werewolves of Shadewood Hollow walk a delicate balance between secrecy and survival. The ever-expanding reach of the Monaghan Mining Company threatens their sacred hunting grounds, intensifying the already tense atmosphere within the pack. Bound by The Covenant to remain hidden from human society, most werewolves have integrated into the town's rugged, working-class culture. They work as lumberjacks, blacksmiths, and miners, blending into the backdrop of Shadewood Hollow's industrial workforce. Yet, beneath this ordinary façade, the pack's survival hinges on more than just their day jobs.

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To sustain themselves without drawing attention, some have turned to the production of moonshine—a lucrative and discreet trade that allows them to remain financially independent. The pack’s moonshine is highly sought after, and they secretly sell their product to the Black Lantern Saloon, where its smooth quality is a well-guarded secret. 

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Silas "Ashen Fang" Vance, a resolute alpha and staunch traditionalist, stands as the leader of the local werewolf pack, the "Ironhowl Pack." Known for his strength and unwavering dedication, Silas strives to protect the pack while upholding ancient customs and adhering to The Covenant. Yet, his cautious leadership increasingly clashes with younger wolves, who grow restless over the mining operations’ destruction and demand a more assertive response.

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Adding to the tension, the local witches, led by High Priestess Cordelia Greaves, often find themselves at odds with Silas. The coven’s focus on protecting the mystical balance of Shadewood Hollow frequently conflicts with the pack’s territorial defense. Their disputes have become a significant source of friction in the region, forcing Raven Blackstone, the shapeshifter emissary, to mediate between the two formidable leaders. While Raven’s diplomacy has prevented outright conflict, the underlying mistrust between Silas and Cordelia remains unresolved.

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The pack’s hierarchy relies on betas, trusted enforcers who advise Silas, maintain order, and uphold their laws. The rest of the pack forms a close-knit community built on loyalty and mutual care. Lone wolves, like the rumored rogue haunting the outskirts of Shadewood, are viewed with suspicion, as their uncontrolled actions threaten the pack’s secrecy.

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Though excluded from The Congregation’s council, werewolves serve as its enforcers, wielding their raw power to uphold its laws when brute strength is needed. This uneasy alliance grants them some autonomy, as minor infractions are often overlooked in exchange for their muscle. However, this arrangement fails to ease the rising tensions among werewolves, who remain divided over how to handle human encroachment.

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Silas works tirelessly to enforce The Covenant, prioritizing secrecy and unity, but younger wolves, dissatisfied with his inaction, have begun taking matters into their own hands. Acts of sabotage against mining equipment and efforts to frighten workers who stray too far into the woods jeopardize both the pack’s unity and their hidden existence.

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Meanwhile, the rogue wolf’s indiscriminate hunting further destabilizes the fragile balance. Silas and his betas pursue the rogue relentlessly, knowing that one mistake could unravel decades of careful concealment.

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Despite these challenges, the werewolves remain steadfast protectors of their own. Their howls echo through the Appalachian mountains, serving as both warnings and laments for what has been lost.

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Hierarchy

Werewolves organize into packs with a structure inspired by natural wolf hierarchies:

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• Alpha: The leader of the pack, responsible for guiding the group, making decisions, and maintaining order.

• Beta: The second-in-command, serving as both advisor and enforcer, ensuring the alpha’s directives are carried out.

• Pack Members: The backbone of the pack, contributing to its survival, cohesion, and daily operations.

• Lone Wolves: Werewolves who live without a pack, often regarded with suspicion, pity, or distrust for their isolation and lack of ties.

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Etiquette

Etiquette refers to a set of customary behaviors, social norms, and unwritten rules that guide how individuals interact with one another in various settings. Etiquette is not about rigid rules but about avoiding offense or misunderstandings.

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• Secrecy: Protecting the supernatural veil is crucial to all werewolves, breaks in the veil are considered reckless and may result in undesired consequences. 

• The Congregation: Adherence to directives is widely expected, with actions carefully weighed to align with the greater balance. 

• Congregation Roles: Serving as enforcers for The Congregation is viewed as a shared duty to maintain supernatural balance.

• Leadership: Loyalty to the Alpha is highly valued, with challenges to authority reserved for rare and significant circumstances. Open defiance is generally disapproved of.

• Territories: Respect for boundaries between packs, factions, and humans is customary. 

• Balance: Mastery over predatory urges, violence, and transformations—especially during the full moon—is valued as a mark of discipline and maturity, with reckless behavior widely discouraged.

• Turning: Turning others is rare and approached with caution, typically requiring consultation with community leaders.

• Stewardship: Caring for the land and sacred spaces is integral, with restoration efforts widely respected and neglect discouraged.

• Collaboration: Cooperation with other factions is encouraged when mutually beneficial, while unnecessary conflict is avoided.

• The Young: Educating and protecting “pups” is a collective responsibility, ensuring respect for tradition and self-control.

• Traditions: Rituals tied to lunar cycles are regarded as meaningful events that honor heritage.