A hexenwolf is no more a were creature than I am, although I have had a few scares on occasion. Their ability to transform into a wolf stems not from a curse, a birthright, or being bitten; but from a gift given to them from a powerful being of magic. God, sorcerer, fairies, even demons have been known to gift out the talismans to those who they favor.

The ability to transform is given by way of a talisman either worn on a chain around the neck, wrist, or a belt. The key form being that it must encircle part of their body making a whole. It grants them the ability to transform into a large and powerful wolf, not werewolf. They are much larger and more powerful than one found in nature. The hexenwolf possesses enhanced speed, strength, and ferocity all with human intelligence. When transformed, which can be done at will while wearing the talisman, they appear as a large wolf but remain in tact with their human intelligence. The talisman anchors their mortal spirit to the world around them so they do not lose their way.  The only part of the hexenwolf that is unaffected by the transformation are the eyes, which remain the same color as their human form. 

*Side Note I came across two hexenwolves in my travels. The first was a man by the name of Chandak Botolf. A slight fellow of semi mild manner who detailed how he became to own a talisman. He detailed at great length a service he did for a fairy in which the payment was a belt of wolf hide fur. He was mum on the service that he did, but by the slight smile that escaped the crook of of lips I assume it was an enjoyable one for him. He showed it to me with pride but when I asked to touch it he shied away like a wary animal. He explained that it was a freeing feeling to change but to do it to much you were in fear of losing yourself. Losing your spirit is what he said. I gathered he meant losing your humanity.

The talisman provides an insulation of sorts to keep the person's spirit from being destroyed, as well as helps control the physical wolf-body. Through this protection, the person's human intelligence and reason remain intact; at the same time, the person loses their human inhibitions, making them prone to act on their conscious and unconscious desires without doubts. This is at least partly brought about by the presence of the spirit, which would be too strong to control for most people; the spirit would influence the wearer, suppress their conscience, and even control them more fully. The hexenwolf's personality, although initially protected from the transformation's effects by the presence of the talisman's spirit, will continually erode and be destroyed over time.The use of the talisman's power is further described as addictive.

*Side Note I came across another hexenwolf, one that decides to show me how powerful he became when transformed. A request I didn't ask to see of course. Needless to say I didn't get his name, but he did take my right eye. I'm glad the Gods saw fit to grant me with two. A silly saying I heard once but fitting. Regardless, I noticed that when he was still human form he was still animalistic acting in his demeanor and nature. Snarling at me when I walked to close, afraid I would harm him or as a wild animal protecting his food and home. When he transformed, much quicker than Mr. Botolf could when he showed me I might add, his wolf form was ragged. Much larger than a normal wolf, larger so than Mr. Botolf. Almost reaching my chest with his haunches. And sickly, almost rabid in appearance. It was a sad sight and I dreaded having to kill him. It was a shame I ruined his talisman when I cut his throat.

How to aquire the attention of someone, or something, to grant you the gift of a talisman is most difficult. In my years of study I was shunned by ever sorcerer I found hiding in the darkness. The Gods saw fit to ignore me, fitting as I usually hunt down their corrupted children I saw no love lost between us for being ignored. I refused to contact the fey as they are dangerous creatures on a good day, wanting oathes of blood and body. As little body as I have left to give I feel that I should keep what is left to myself.

*Side Note I was luckily granted the presence of a demon, nothing you would normally expect or even desire but given the choice of the fey or a demon I was glad for the invitation. I was approached in the night at my small humble fire off the beaten track, dangerous in my line of work but proving effective at times. I had been hearing the calls of wolves off and on in the distance most of the night but felt little fear of an animal attack. What I got in return was more than I bargined for. A lone figure treked into my firelight around the time of the full moon reaching its zenith. She was uncloathed and beyond beautiful. Her body was the very thing of physical perfection. Taller than me and heavier by the deep prints her feet left in the earth, but her grace defied this. She moved as water over a smooth river stone, every motion effortless and as silk in the breeze.

*Side Note She spoke my name and I knew this meeting wasn't by chance. She told me her name was Larentia, one I know from anitiquity from my studies of latin. Something to do with Romulus abd Remus. She spoke to me at length, telling me from the start that she was a demon and this was a form only used to not frighten mortals. We spoke about the Hexenwolf talisman and how my name was being wispered for my questions. This worried me but she only smiled, more of a condesending sneer but I took it for what it was. She had a belt with her and offered it to me for service. When I declined her eyes were worrisome but instead she offered a trade. A loan of the belt, to test it for one night and in return I had to lay with her before the moon set. An intriguing though on both parts and one I almost delcined but I agreed. Our coupling was intense and thoughts of laying with a demon were far from thought. We both were exaused when finished and she actually smiled sincerly when finished telling me she wished I would change my mind and stay with her if only for the sport. A request I quickly but politely declined but the thought of her body on mine made the request linger.

*Side Note When the belt was worn and I activated the magic the pain was exilerating. Difficult to explain but it was as if my skin was on fire and I was climaxing from ever pore in my skin at once. A disturbing yet satisfying experience. When I was done transforming I looked to her and she melted into a horse sized wolf, as elegant in fur as in human flesh. She howled to the moon and I echoed her call and we ran. The feeling escapes me now as I write this but I remember it being like a freedom I have never felt. It was cut short though on the setting of the moon as the belt was ripped from my waist by her and I fell to the earth naked and in my own flesh wishing to be by her side on the hunt. She ran off into the fading darkness and left me wondering if I would ever see her again, or better yet, if I would ever see our offspring our coupling no doubt produced.

Were Distinction 

• Appear as a very large, oversized wolf when transformed.
• Can be animal like in behavior while still in human form. Over protective of their home or mate.
• The talisman must be worn in order to use it and if it is destroyed they lose the ability to transform. Can be a ring, braclet, necklace, or belt.
• The talisman is a gift from a powerful being.
• Wearing the talisman for to long can be very addicting. 

There are two forms of these peculiar species of Were's. In order to explain the two we need to go back to antiquity to the original lycan. Lycaen Botheric was of noble birth, honor bound and dutiful to his family and subjects, always placing others before his needs. The Gods saw this and doubted his resolve and tested him countless times to see his worth. Always placed others before himself and suffered for it but never once faltered. Then after years of this punishment the Gods saw him fit and his soul true and went to him. 

*Side note. Rumor had me following a trail of dusty clues to a remote part of the northern mountains were I met a man strong of arm and shoulder, a kind yet predatory gleam in his eye, a small wisp of gray peppering his crown. The small town he was in was not on any map I could find and all had similar looks to them as if a long family line was bred there. I spoke at length with this man who was seemingly in charge of my travels and my adventures. Although when asked he simply said he did what was asked and offered much more. He had a small family around him. A wife and three children all with the same caring yet predatory eyes. When I spoke of hunting were creatures I could tell his eyes were saddened but also did not judge. He enveloped me with his entrusting nature that could not be overcome. As I write this I now believe him to have been Lycaen Botheric who has been silently growing a family of fellow Lycans around him for the centuries he has been absent from the world. Perhaps to combat his youngest son Lycaon and his packs of ill tempered brood.

• They all stand on two legs and are covered in thick fur.
• Their claws are elongated, five fingered hands that can shear through planks of wood and cut deep into the flesh of horse. * I have seen one disembowel a man almost severing his top from his legs. Ghastly sight that was. I've still have dreams about it.
• Lycan's can change at will.
• Lycaon's can only change on the full or new moon.
• All Lycaon's are ill tempered and have a thirst for blood where Lycan's are individuals who choose their path.