Okay, werewolves.
![[ghost_smiley]](http://www.dsboards.com/SMF/Smileys/classic/ghost_smiley.gif "Smiley")
The problem with werewolves is finding some kind of variation that makes sense and isn't too stale. Obviously, the most common story is that of a man who hates being such a creature and must somehow keep himself from destroying those around him when the moon is full.
Interestingly, the business about the full moon and silver is all made-up stuff from Hollywood. No more in the actual folklore than bats are associated with vampires! But by all means let us keep to those traditions--why not? But at the same time, let us consider what genuinely makes for a good werewolf story and ask for those to be included in any DS series...
1
Some kind of treatment Notice the word I used. Not "cure" but "treatment." Something that more-or-less keeps the wolf at bay on nights of the full moon. Perhaps an amulet (which can be lost, stolen, given away, etc.), or a (presumably rare) herb, or perhaps an experimental drug. Not a portrait that changes instead of you because, well, that 's been done. But the reason for this is to create conflict, and something for the werewolf to do in response to his condition than a secret stone room. Two excellent examples of this are the films
Werewolf in Paris and
Ginger Snaps 2 (the latter has the werewolf finding increasingly strong injections of wolfsbane growing less effective over time--while a male of the species keeps looking for her as a mate).
2.
Bestial influence I think the most interesting werewolf stories often include a sense that the "wolf" is bleeding into the human. Look at Jack Nicholson in the movie
Wolf to see what I mean, or maybe the husband in
The Howling in which a vegetarian enthusiastically devours meat. Perhaps the effect would grow over time, especially near the full moon. One might even imagine that the lupine form would become less and less anthropomorphic over time. A really cool detail in an episode of
Buffy was when Oz, even in his human form, could smell his girlfriend on someone else.
3.
Different reactions Static characters are dull characters. Identical characters are dull also. Let us see either the Cursed One finding a way to live with their condition, or changing their mind, or in any case doing something other than just mope-and-hide. Perhaps they meet another werewolf whose personality is quite different, who may revel in their condition, maybe even longing to cast aside the human and enjoy the pure life of an animal.
4.
A Woman C'mon, why should the guys have all the fun? There is no reason in the world not to have stories about female werewolves. In fact, there've been some excellent ones (probably the best was the
Ginger Snaps trilogy). Can you imagine, for example, what if Nancy Barrett's Carolyn had been a werewolf? Wouldn't that have been fascinating? Or what if instead of a vampire, Angelique had returned as a werewolf? Can't you imagine her locking someone in a room with her just before sunset on the night of a full moon? Heh heh.
5.
Good Makeup Sorry, but the tendency is too often to create silly looking werewolf makeups. Oz on
Buffy looked like some kind of mongoose, while to be honest the old Lon Chaney design is kinda overdone. Best werewolf designs I've ever seen were in the movie
Underworld but those in
Wolf were also excellent (and subtle).
6.
Consistency Same as with vampires. Write your rules and stick to them. Don't have to tell us them all, but please know them yourselves.
Comments?
