Resource FAQ ver. 97.1 Part 3
KatmanDu
Dementia
There are medical cases of dementia in which the victim believes he or
she is a werewolf; and a disease called congenital porphyria whose
symptoms are very similar to those ascribed to lycanthropy. Science
seems to be catching up with it:
The following appeared in the London "Times" newspaper, Wednesday 31
May 1995.
Scientists hunt down the "wolfman" gene
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[by our science correspondent]
"Scientists have pinpointed the gene responsible for "Werewolf"
syndrome, an extremely rare genetic condition in which patients are
covered in dense hair. A team from Texas, which studied a family of
Mexicans suffering from congenital generalised hypertrichosis, say
that the precise identification of the gene could provide useful
information about the normal distribution of human hair, and could
eventually have significant application in the treatment of baldness.
Many of the victims of the condition have spent their lives
performing in circuses. Four years ago, two Mexican boys aged 9 and 14
were banned from appearing in a circus in Blackpool after protests
from child welfare groups.
There have been only about 50 known cases since the Middle ages. The
scientists report in "Nature genetics" that they have isolated the
gene responsible to the X chromosome. Members of the Mexican family
volunteered to provide tissue samples, from which the rough position
of the gene was identified".
Ergot
By MegaDog and his brother (who has a BS in Organic Chemistry)]
How many of you ever thought of your local bakery as a possible source
of werewolf beliefs? Or of hallucinogenic drugs?
In medieval times, it could have been both.
Ergot [Claviceps purpurea] is a parasitic fungus that can be found
growing on rye or other cereal grasses. Rye grass is by far the most
widespread species parasitized, though wheat and barley are also
commonly affected. The 'ergots' appear as a blackish-purple club-
shaped growth [sclerotia] on the tops of the rye where the seeds are,
and are referred to as "heads of ergot"; from these heads sprout the
Claviceps purpurea fungal fruiting bodies. They have long stems with
bulbous heads when seen under a strong glass or microscope. See
reference [1] for more information.
Ergot naturally produces a wide range of chemical compounds, the ones
of relevance here are collectively known as the "Ergot Alkaloids", and
include ergotamine, ergosine and beta-ergosine, ergonine, ergovaline,
ergostine, ergotine and beta-ergotine, ergocornine, ergocristine,
ergocryptine and beta-ergocryptine. These compounds all have some
degree of psychoactivity; indeed LSD was first synthesized from ergot
compounds. Their other major medical effect is vasoconstriction
[narrowing of blood vessels], which, if severe, can lead to gangrene
of the extremities. Ergotamine has medical uses; for example it is
frequently prescribed [often in combination with caffeine] as a
therapy for migraine headaches.
Ergot was a widespread parasite of cereal grains in europe in the
middle-ages, growing particularly well during excessively damp
summers. The psychoactive components of ergot are *not* broken down by
heat, so it is fair to assume that they would be present in bread
baked from flour milled from ergotized grains. There was a significant
outbreak of ergot-poisoning in France in the early 1950's; this
outbreak gives a good insight into what may have been experienced in
medieval times.
Symptoms of ergot poisoning include hallucinations [the 1950's French
victims reported 'being chased or attacked by horrible beasts',
'terror of the dark', and 'feeling that my body was not mine']
together with tingling/burning sensations in the extremities & the
scalp. These tingling sensations were known in medieval times as "St.
Anthony's Fire", after the saint to whom sufferers prayed for relief.
It is not hard to imagine how an outbreak of ergot-poisoning, or,
IMHO, more likely, an ongoing low level of ergotisation, could lead to
the development of a werewolf-legend, the 'pursuit by horrible beasts'
hallucination being probably the most likely cause, however the
'tingling & loss of sensation in the extremities' effect could
possibly have been interpreted as shapeshifting? For those interested
in more detail of such things, see references [2] and [3].
WARNING
~~~~~~~~~
If any of you are thinking of experimenting with Ergot at home, I
would discourage this most strongly! To back this up, here is an
abstract from a medical toxicology file I just happened to have to
hand....
Ergotamine:
~~~~~~~~~~~
Acute effects:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin.
Exposure can cause:
Nausea, dizziness and headache, stomach pains, vomiting,
diarrhea.
Other symptoms include:
Thirst, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, tingling
in the extremities and confusion.
Chronic effects:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An Oxytocic; in pregnant women may result in abortion or fetal
harm.
Can cause menstrual dysfunction and sterility.
Other effects include peripheral circulatory disturbances and
gangrene. Possible mutagen.
References:-
~~~~~~~~~~~~
[1] "Collins Guide to Mushrooms and Toadstools" by Morten Lange
and F. Bayard Hora. 1978
Description of characteristics of ergot, its distribution & life
cycle.
[2] Fuller, John Grant,_The Day of St Anthonys Fire_, NY:
Macmillan, 1968. This is a look at outbreaks of hallucinations and
other bizarre behavior believed to have been caused by ergot
infections.
[3] Matossian, Mary Kilbourne, _Poisons of the Past: Molds,
Epidemics & History_, New Haven: Yale Univ Press, 1989. This book
covers more ground, from the Middle Ages to witchcraft scares in
Europe. She has charts, maps and graphs to illustrate her findings.
How can I exorcise a were?
-Rich A.K.A. Trafalgar of #ahww
All this time we have been talking about how one may become a
werewolf....I am going to take a walk on the flip side of things for a
bit. But before we get going, I must make the following statement:
<<<WARNING>> In NO WAY, shape form or manner shall I claim
resposibility for what information follows, especially if you edeavor
to persue this interest. The following post covers potentialy
disturbing material and can and will cause physical harm. Caveat
emptor, Your mileage may vary, and return your seats to their normal
upright position....some material has been changed to protect the
innocent. You have been warned.
That said and done, let's get to the meat. <Pulling a dusty
volume from the shelf and paging through>
Common means for exorcising a werewolf:
A common thread among all exorcisms is that the person is
believed to be possesed of some malevolent spirit. So many folks
employ the use of some sort of potion and or prayer, or spinkling of
holy water, and calling the person by their given Christian
name.....<Looking up from the volume> Boring!
Here's one from legend.. "Cast a circle of 9 feet, and a smaller
one only 4 feet in diameter. Place a series of candles at equal
intervals, and place a wooden altar in the south. Within the inner
circle, place the werewolf....(you are on your own to figure out how
to get a hold of him/her) Build a small fire exactly opposite of the
altar, and 1 1/2 foot away from the inner circle. Place a pot over the
fire, containing 2 pints of clear water.
To this add:
1/2 oz. camphor
3/4 oz. ammonia
1/2 oz. hypericum
2 drachms sulfur
1/2 oz castorium
6 drachms opium (!)
3 drachms asafoetida
*(!)* <Higly illegal, and potentially lethal>
Mix thoroughly and then add a portion of mandrake root, 1 live
snake, 2 live toads in a linen bag, and a fungus. (Guess any kind will
do...mushrooms, that old pizza that needs a shave that has been in the
'fridge for an epoch) Bind togehter with red ribbon a wand of three
sprigs, each from ash, white popular, and birch. (The magickal
connotations could easily fill a volume, so I will refrain from
explaining) <At this point it would be wise to employ the services of
your D.O.C.> When the toads cry out from being immersed in the now
boiling water, the mixture is ready. Take a cupfull of the searing
liquid and douse the werewolf, as well as lashing him/her with the
wand....exclaiming "Foul spirit release this persons' soul, return to
the great unknown!" Repeat 3 times." (Lather, rinse, repeat..;) )
Some forms of expulsion use a boiling mixture of baneful
materials, tar, and sulfur. If that does not get rid of a werewolf, it
will certainly rid one of their hide.
That was legend....
Now What follows is mostly theory, and have yet to prove any of it.
Look in any dictionary, Look for the word lycanthropy. Most likely you
will find the same I have. The Greater Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary
has this entry : "A kind of insanity in which the patient supposes
himself to be a wolf." Go ahead, take a look, you may have an entry
that sounds a lot like that too.
Lycanthropy *seems* to fall into several categories... "Infective
Lycanthropy": The Hollywood version of the werewolf. This creature
goes about, with an insatiable appetite for human flesh, and those
that survive the attack become werewolves themselves. Basically, place
your favorite story here. If there is an infectious vector, it has yet
to be discovered.
"Wolfen": Probably the most dangerous phenotype there is. The
lycanthropic condition is cause by some demonic expression of a
creature through a host body. Outward shapes/manifestations vary, but
usualy the
creature takes the form of a highly feared creature, and can be an
expression of a deeply rooted fear or phobia. It can be placed either
by magickal rite or curse...and similarly dispelled. Because of the
supernatural nature of the creature, it is quite possible for the
creatue to perfom amazing feats of strength and literally be bound by
no known physical laws. (ie. changing to mist, and slipping through a
crack under the door)
"Inherent Lycanthropy": Most likely the most common form of
lycanthropy. In this case the "condition" seems to be hereditary.
Passed on from generation to generation, and sometimes skipping one,
it manifests
itself after the person reaches puberty. Sometimes it is not a full
blown case and certain behaviors are the only clues that this person
may be an inherent. Most of the time it is the poor soul who gets
locked away because he imagines himself to be a wild ravening
creature, or wanders aimlessly, imitating the actions of the creature.
"Astral Lycanthropy": Perhaps the most misunderstood form of all. It
is not the physical manifestation of a creature, nor is it a mental
condition, but rather more akin to the Dream quests that a shaman may
take. It is believed that the spirit of a person projects apart from
the body, and takes the shape of one's totem animal/spirit. This is
the most freeform of all shifters, because it is only limited to the
imagination of the individuals mind.
"Magickal Lycanthropy": Like wolfen it entails the use of powers from
outside one's self. But in this case the ability to shift forms is
brought on by the use of elemental forces, or allowing one to be taken
over by an entity... voluntarily. And although different regions tell
different stories, they all have a common thread. Like the "rite of
exorcism" depicted above..... Except the wording is different. All
involved baneful materials, a clearing of some sort, and a chant.
Some are quite simple, like sleeping under the full moon on a
friday night....drinking blood or water from a wolf's
footprint....drinking from a river know to be frequented by wolves....
But by far the most interesting....
"The History Of Magick" -By Paul Christian 1870 A.D.
Book II
pp.450-451
"....Little can be reliably written on Voodoo, the African
magick,
and the reader must be referred to the few works that exist. One
aspect
of it however links with similar phenomena reported elsewhere and is
worth note. West Africa has a number of animals said in different
disrticts to be were or *wir*, that is to be a demon or human
elementary
transformations: there are the weretiger, the werejaguar and the
werealigator. Now India also has a weretiger, and in Australia amongst
certian tribes is the weredingo. In America there is the werecyote,
and
in Europe the evidence for the werewolf....."
It goes on to say "Ancient Egypt is said to have a werejackal,
and nearer home the werecat is reported from Scotland".
What are "furries"?
A lot of participants of AHWW consider themselves "furries". What,
exactly, is a "furry"? Well, let's take a look at what the FAQ for
alt.fan.furry has to say: (thanx to ly...@netcom.com for permission to
use this text)
* WHAT IS "ALT.FAN.FURRY"?
Alt.fan.furry is a newsgroup devoted to the discussion of all things
"furry" and/or of interest to "furry fans". Of course, tangential
discussions occasionally get into things that are very far from being
distinctly "furry", such as copyrights, cellular radios, meks... =)
* WHAT IS A "FURRY"?
"Furry" when used as a noun seems to refer to one of two things:
a) An animal-like character known as a "furry"
b) A person who is a "furry fan"
The latter is easy enough (knock on wood) to define: A person who
particularly enjoys stories, pictures, dolls, video games or whatever
concerning "furry" creatures. Defining a "furry" creature is somewhat
harder, though. There are several definitions depending upon which
"camp" in furrydom, for lack of a better term, you might be in.
The basic definition for a "furry" is an anthropomorphized animal
character. In other words, an animal character given human-like
attributes, such as sapience and often a humanoid form. The term
"furry" is a misnomer, as a creature does not need to have fur to be
"furry" in this sense. Other terms sometimes interchangeable with a
"furry" in this sense are "zoomorph", "morph", "anthropomorph" or
(debatably) funny animal".
The core definition of a "furry" seems to include basically humanoid-
formed creatures with animal faces, fur/scale/feathers/whatever, and
often appropriate tails, wings, claws, etc., able to speak, and with a
human-like personality, though quite often with "quirks" hinting at
the real-life animal upon which the character is based.
A broader definition will sometimes include other odd creatures that
simply have some sort of animal features in their makeup. Such would
include mythical creatures such as centaurs, manticores, satyrs or
harpies, all of which have human faces though more-or-less animal-like
bodies. This broader definition might also include the human-like
characters that appear in some Japanese animation that have an animal
tail and ears, but otherwise look about as human as any other anime
character.
One of the narrower definitions held by some is that in order for a
character to be truly considered furry", the character must exhibit
animal-like characteristics in behavior. Optionally, the fact that
the character is an "animal" must be a major ingredient to the story.
This is exhibited in a frequent criticism of "furry" stories by those
who hold this view: Many stories, while featuring characters fitting
the core definition of "furry" given earlier are criticized as being
"humans in animal suits" if their behavior isn't distinctly
animal-like in some way.
Not all AHWWers are furries, as well... but who can resist a good
convention? *grin*
What are some other names for weres?
Here are some terms for werewolves in languages and cultures other
than english/american... This list is obviously far from complete, and
I welcome any input..
werewolf- English
werwolf- German
Loup Garou- French
Oberroten- Russian
WeerWolf- Dutch
Varulv- Swedish
Mactire- Irish (pronounced Mactira)
Okami Otoko- Japenese
Shungmanitu Wicasa- Native American (one who is wolf)
This is a list of some of the names by which my clan (wendigo) goes in
the Northeastern American continent. I thought it might be fun to
share:
weendigo weeghtako weeghteko weendago
weendegoag
weendigo weetego weetigo wee tee go
wehndigo
wehtigo wendago wendigo wenigo
wightigo
wiitiko windago windagoe windagoo
windego
wi'ndigo windikouk wintego wintigo
wi'ntsigo
wintsigo wi'tigo witigo witiko
wittako
and wittikka
and then there are some that ignore the `w' sound altogether...
atcen atschen sheno djenu
kokodhem
outiko and vinkiko
Werecode
WereCode v.0.5
Compiled by Blackfang <kir...@azstarnet.com>
Based on the Furry Code by Ross Smith <al...@netlink.co.nz>
General Modifiers
These symbols can be attatched to any of the standard codes (unless
indicated otherwise)
to indicate some unusual or uncertain factor.
x?: You havne't decided where you fall in the category, but you know
you're in there somewhere.
This replaces the normal suffix, i.e., S?
x~: An apporximation. Used when you don't feel the given choices
adequately describe you.
x/: You fit more than one of the categories or choices given.
!x: Indicates a positive refusal to take part in the category. Unlike
x?, which means you aren't
certain, this means you _are_ certain you want to have nothing to do
with it.
x>: Indicates that you want to change your standing in this category.
The part on the left is
your current status; the part on the right (the "lesser than" side)
is the category you'd
like to be in.
x$: Use this code if this is what you do in real life. It doesn't have
to be your only source
of income, just a signifigant one.
x#: This is none of your business. Use in place of the normal suffix
when you want to keep the
information to yourself.
The Codes
P - Phenotype
Your wereside. What species are you?
Pc: Canine (wolf, dog)
Pv: Vulpine (fox)
Pf: Feline (cats)
Pi: Insectoid
Pr: Reptilian
Pa: Avian (birds)
Pu: Ursine (bears)
Pp: Pinniped (seals)
Pm: Mythical beastie
P?: I don't know what species my wereside is.
!P: I don't have a wereside.
If you have more than one equally dominant wereside, you can separate
them with a slash. If you have more than one wereside with one more
dominant than the other(s), seperate them by hyphens. For example:
Somewere with an equaly prominent wolf and snow leapord side would use
Pc/f. Somewere with a dominant seal side and a less dominant jaguar
side would use Pp-f.
T - Transformation
What kind of transformations do you experience?
Tsx represents a spiritual or mental shift.
Tpx represents a physical shift.
Choose x from the following code:
su: Aura shifting. Assuming phenotype energy, resulting in a animal
mood. Behavior and senses may be affected in a general sense.
sm: Mental shifting. Like an Aural shift, but generally much deeper.
The wereside is more or less entirely in control.
sa: Astral shfting. Your shift involves going into the Astral plane.
sd: Dream shifting. You *are* your phenotype (or another phenotype) in
a dream, or you change into an animal form.
ss: Spiritual shift. A "totemistic" shift: that is, an external spirit
is channeled into your body.
pm: "Molecular shift." All or part of you body is instantaneously
changed into an animal form.
pc: "Classic shift." All or part of your body gradually "morphs" into
an animal form.
pb: "Biolocational shift." Your human body becomes comatose as an
animal materialzes elsewhere.
pk: Magickal shift. The shift is brought on by some sort of magickal
(ritual) means.
pp: Possesion shift. You send out your spirit to take possesion of or
ride along with a real, live animal.
Degree of transformation. Use the largest shift you've experienced.
T++++: I've become the animal 100%. If the transformation is physical,
I am physically indistinguishable from an animal of the same type.
T+++: A strong mix between human and animal, with emphasis on the
animal: the classical mediaeval werewolf archeytpe.
T++: A mix between human and animal. Mostly human, but with some very
definite animal features/characteristics.
T+: If I have any animal features, they're very slight (maybe thicker
hair or longer canine teeth). My personality/senses may also have some
animal quailty: a tendency to growl or bark, etc.
T: The shift only affects me emotionally. No detectable physical
changes or any major changes in my behavior.
T-: No one else would have been able to tell that I had shifted.
T--: I'm not even sure it happened. I know its in me, but its buried
deep....
T?: I don't know what kind of shifts I've had.
!T: I've never shifted.
T#: Its none of your business what kind of shifts I've had.
T(sx/px)&: Indicates that the shift was involuntary and unplanned.
If you experience more than one of these, connect them with hyphens.
If you experience both spiritual/mental shifts and physical shifts,
use the format Tsx|px. (That looks like an l on my console, but its
really one of those vertical line thingies above the slash.
For example, a were who had shifted spiritually and in dreams, and
physically once, might use Tss&/sd++++|pb+.
A - Art
Many weres like to express their weresides by drawing, especially art
with weres or animals.
A++++: Art is my life.
A+++: My art appears regularly in zines and elsewhere, and people ask
me to
contribute to their sketchbooks.
A++: I have pictures in reasonably well-known zines.
A+: I draw regularly, and someone once said something that could be
construed
as a compliment.
A: I've shown one or two of my pictures to others, and they actually
didn't
throw up.
A-: Tried a few sketches in the privacy of my own home.
A--: Never tried.
A---: Never tried, never will.
F - Fursuits
What would it take to get you into a fursuit?
F++++: I've made plans to be buried in a fursuit.
F+++: I'll wear a fursuit at any opportunity, whether or not costumes
are expected.
F++: I'll wear a fursuit anywhere costumes are uncommon.
F+: I'll wear a fursuit anywhere costumes are expected.
F: I might wear one.
F-: I'd wear one, but only if I really had to.
F--: Are you kidding? No way I'd wear one of those things.
Add an m after the F if you've made your own fursuit.
H - Howls
How often do you go to Howls?
H+++: I lost count of the number of Howls I've been to. Organized at
least one.
H++: Been to many Howls, and plan to go to more.
H+: Been to at least on Howl, and plan to go to more.
H: Never been to one, but I plan to go to one in the near future.
H-: Never been to a Howl, but I'd like to.
H--: Not really interested.
H---: No way in Hel I'd go to one of those things.
H*: I'd like to go to one, but for one reason or another its
impossible.
L - Legends
How close do you come to the "traditional" werewolf myth?
L+++: Thick hair, sharp canines, can't touch silver: I've got it all.
L++: When moonlight makes me want to go down on all fours and howl, I
do.
L+: I feel the occasional urge to eat raw meat. :9
L: Never really noticed.
L-: Nothing about me matches the legends.
L--: I make a point of avoiding were "stereotypes."
R - Religion
Rx: Choose x from the list below:
Rb: Buddhist
Rc: Christian
Rh: Hindu
Ri: Shinto(ist?)
Rj: Jewish
Rm: Muslim
Rn: Native American
Rp: Pagan (non-Wiccan)
Rs: Shamanist
Rw: Wiccan
Degree:
R+++: There is nothing more important to me than religion. I observe
all holidays and services...well...religiously.
R++: Religion is very important to me. I arrange my life, at least in
part, around religious services/observances.
R+: Religion is fairly important. I try to attend services regularly.
R: I go to synagogue/mosque/church on occasion.
R-: I might go to church on Christmas or Easter.
R--: I only believe how I do because it's how I was raised.
R?: Agnostic
!R: Atheist
Place a tilde between R and the code letter to indicate uncertainy. If
you've converted from one religion to another, you can put the letter
of the orginal religion in parentheses after the current code number.
Add w after the code if your belief system involves weres or other
shapeshifters in some way.
For instance, my code would be Rw(j)~w+
(Use *s instead of +s if you volunterr regularly for some religious
organization; if you get paid for it, of course, use the $ code.)
S - Shapechanging IRL
If you had the chance to physically become your phenotype, would you
do it?
S++++: "All this is going to cost me is $1,000,000, my dog, and my
firstborn child? Where do I sign?"
S+++: Probably, but I'd have to think about it first.
S++: Only if its reversible.
S+: Maybe, but I'm not going to be the first guinea pig (or what have
you... ;D)
S: I'd have to consider it carefully.
S-: Thanks but no thanks. I'm happy with my body the way it is.
S--: Un-uh. Not for me. No way.
W - Writing
Have you ever written anything of note? If so, was it were-related?
W++++: Stephen King is an amateur.
W+++: I've sold a full-length book.
W++: I've sold something to a _real_ magazine. ;D
W+: I've sold something to a fanzine.
W: I've written a story or two that nobody else has read.
W-: I have a few rough outlines, but nobody will ever see them.
W--: Never written a word of fiction (IRS forms excepted).
W---: I'm illiterate.
(Use *s instead of +s if your story(ies) or book(s) are not
were-related.)
rl - Real Life occupation
Unless you're some sort of aboriginal hunter-gatherer (or living at
home), you probably have to work for a living. If so, what do you do?
rla: Art
rlbm: Business/management
rlc: Craft
rlci: Construction industry
rlct: Computers/imformation technology
rle: Engineering
rlet: Education/teaching
rlf: Farming
rlfb: Finance/banking
rlgp: Government/public service
rll: Law
rllw: Literature/writing
rlm: Music
rlma: Military/armed forces
rlmc: Media/communications
rlmh: Medicine (non veterinary)
rlrb: Retail business
rls: Science
rlth: Theater
rlti: Transport industry
rlvm: Veterinary medicine
rlat: Were-of-all-trades
rlu: Undecided (generally used by students who haven't picked a major
yet)
rl-: No qualifications, no job. Life is good.
Add * after the code if you're trained in this field, but haven't
actually
found someone who's willing to pay you to do it yet.
a - Age
Pretty straightforward, really. How old are you?
a++++: 60+ years
a+++: 45-59 years
a++: 35-44 years
a+: 25-34 years
a: 18-24 years
a-: 10-17
a--: Under 10 years
You can use a number instead of the codes to give your exact age
(i.e., a22). You could also use a#, of course.
c - Computers
Just how familar are you with the centerpiece of the Information
Revolution?
c++++: I'll be first in line to get a cybernetic interface installed
in my skull!
c+++: RL? WTH is that?
c++: Computers are a big part of my life; I spend at least part of
every day in front of one; I've even tried a little programming.
c+: Computers are a fun toy. I can even use some software without
resorting to the manual.
c: Computers are really not much more than glorified typewriters, but
they can still come in handy.
c-: I get nervous around anything more complicated than a toaster.
c--: Where's the on switch? Better yet, where's the off switch?
c---: They're taking over the world! Smash the machines! Up the
Luddites!
If your rating is at least c, add one or more of the following letters
just after the c to indicate your preferred operating environment:
a: amiga
b: BSD Unix
d: MS-DOS
l: linux
m: Macintosh
n: Win95/WinNT
o: OS/2
u: Unix (commercial)
v: VMS
w: Windows 3.x
d - Doom
Doom, Heretic, Hexen, Dark Forces, Duke Nukem 3D and the like are
tremendously popular. What is it about running around with
heavy-caliber weaponry shooting the crap out of everything in sight
that appeals to us? Or does that question answer itself?
d++++: I work for ID: bow before my might.
d+++: I can solve every level in Nightmare mode with my eyes closed
and one hand tied behind by back. I make 3 or 4 WAD files a day.
d++: I'm pretty good at these games. I can beat most levels easily;
I've even played a couple of WADs I downloaded.
d+: Its a nice diversion on a lazy afternoon.
d: I've played some of these games; I must admit, I'm not that
impressed.
d-: I've played these games, and to tell you the truth, I really don't
like them at all.
d--: I miss Zork.
d---: Its exactly this kind of filth that's corrupting the moral fiber
of today's youth. Why, back in my day...
e - Education
How far have you managed to crawl up the academic ladder?
e++++: Doctorate or the equivalent.
e+++: Master's degree or the equivalent.
e++: Bachelor's degree or the equivalent.
e+: Some tertiary education.
e: Finished High School.
e-: Haven't finished High School.
e--: Haven't started High School.
e*: Learned everything I know from The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the
Galaxy, Star Trek and Monty Python.
e**: Graduate of the School of Hard Knocks.
h - Relationships with other humans
How do feel about and get along with other humans?
h+++: Humans are the true masters of creation.
h++: Humans are responsible for most, if not all, that is good in the
world.
h+: Without humans, the world would be worse off.
h: Humans are no greater or lesser than any other species.
h-: Without humans, the world would be better off.
h--: No other animal has caused so much destruction in the world.
h---: I'd rather be dead than be human.
i - Internet
The Internet and its various sub-media (usenet, e-mail, WWW, MUDs and
MUCKs, IRC, FTP, and Gods know what else) have quickly become a
leading medium of communication among more or less the entire
technologically aware universe. How deeply have you dived in?
i+++: I'm a Webmaster/site sysadmin
i++: I spend most of my free time surfing the Web, and chatting on
IRC.
i+: I browse the world regularly, and use many of the other media as
well.
i: I have browser and a connection...I think.
i-: Not connected.
i--: Nothing more than a flash in the pan.
i---: The Internet is a dangerous, subversive, perverted abomination
that needs to be banned from the face of the earth. My preacher even
told me so.
Add w after the i if you have your own homepage on the Web. Make it ww
if your page at least mentions weres.
k - Number of weres you know
How many weres do you know or have you met IRL?
k+++: I live with one or more weres.
k++: I used to/am going to live with other weres or I know many weres.
k+: I know at least one other were well or several weres slightly.
k: I've never met anywere IRL in more than passing, if that.
k-: I've never met any weres IRL, and I don't think I will.
k--: You can just stay away from me, you weirdos.
l - Lifestyle
What kind of housing do you have?
l++++: Married and living with one or more kids (ack!).
l+++: Married or living with your SO on a long term basis.
l++: Living with one or more were roommates.
l+: Living with one or more non-were roommates.
l: Living alone.
l-: Living alone. Try to get out once a week to buy food; all surfaces
covered in computers, old pizza boxes and old soda cans.
l--: Living in a yurt in outer Mongolia with nothing around for miles
except my sattelite dish.
l*: Still living with my parents. :P
l**: I'm not really sure where I live...my workplace seems like home
to me.
l***: Homeless.
n - Newsgroups
How involved are you in usenet newsgroups, especially AHWW?
n+++: RL has nothing on usenet...and if it did, there'd be a newsgroup
about it.
n++: Regular poster on many newsgroups; my next batch of posts come in
before I finish my first batch.
n+: Regular poster on several newsgroups.
n: Regular poster on AHWW (or one other newsgroup).
n-: I read AHWW or some other newsgroup occasionally.
n--: One visit a month to usenet is a lot for me; I use Netscape for
my news.
n---: I've forsworn all newsgroups forever.
(Use *s instead of +s if you don't read/post to AHWW).
p - Pets
If we can't get our species-change operations yet, we can at least get
closer to animals by including them in our households.
p+++: I have a vast household of assorted furry/scaly/feathery
creatures, and my life is organized to their benefit.
p++: Several pets.
p+: Two or three conventional pets, or one exotic one.
p: One conventional pet.
p-: No pets as of now, but I may enrich my life in the future
p--: I don't have any pets; my lifestlye/household/schedule doesn't
allow for 'em. :(
p---: Filthy creatures! I won't have them in my house!
p*: I'd like to have pets, but my landlord/parents/roommates won't
allow it.
p*: I'm allergic to animals.
(Use *s instead of +s if at least one of your pets is your phenotype)
r - Roleplaying games
How do you feel about Roleplaying games, especially White Wolf's
Werewolf: The Apocalypse game?
r+++: When I need a break from roleplaying, I play at real life.
r++: Most of my free time is spent RPGing, and some of the time I
should be doing something else, as well.
r+: A wonderful thing to occupy a Saturday afternoon...and Sunday..and
maybe Monday...
r: It's something to do when there's nothing else to do.
r-: I might try it someday, but I'm not so hot on the idea.
r--: Role-players are sickos; there's no way I'd *ever* play them.
r---: RPGs are the works of Satan! Burn these tools of evil and
corruption!
(use *s instead of +s if you LARP (Live Action Role-Play)
t - RL study of weres, etc.
How interested are you in werewolf (or other shapeshifter) legends
from RL history or modern culture (movies, novels, etc.)
t+++: I'm a Professor of Lycanthropy at a major universtiy. :D
t++: I have an extensive library of were-related materials...which is
actually redundant, since I've memorized them all anyways.
t+: I have preorders for new were-related books half a month in
advance.
t: I have a couple books or movies, and I've checked out more from the
library/video store.
t-: I read a novel or two about weres, didn't like them that much.
t--: I'd rather read something interesting, thank you very much.
t---: Ick, no thank you. Boring!
w - How many humans know about your wereside?
So, to how many humans (i.e. non-weres) have you managed to explain
yourself to?
w+++: Everyone I know knows the truth about me.
w++: Most of my family/friends know, and they didn't even disown me
(entirely).
w+: I've told at least one person. I'd tell more, if only they'd
listen...
w: I've never told anyone, but I could see it happening.
w-: Never told anyone, and I doubt I will.
w--: It would take a lot to make me tell someone.
w---: There's nothing in the whole wide world that would get me to
tell something.
w*: I don't know anyone except weres.
s - Sex
Sx: Use this code to describe your your gender and sex life.
sf: Female
sm: Male
s+++: There's more to life? What is it, and what equipment do you
need?
s++: I was once referred to as "easy", but I have no idea where that
might have come from.
s+: I've had real, live sex.
s: I've had sex...oh, you mean with someone else?
s-: Not having sex by choice.
s--: Not having sex because I can't get any.
s---: Not having sex because I'm a nun/priest.
s*: I'm married, so I can get it whenever I want (in theory,
anyways...)
s**: Where do you *think* these kids came from, huh?
Megadog has some suggestions for codes as well:
P - PHENOTYPE
Identifies what animal type you associate most strongly with.
Select x from the following:-
c - canine (Dogs/wolves)
v - vulpine (Foxes)
f - feline (All cats)
i - insectoid
r - reptilian
ro - rodent (mice, rats...)
a - avian (Birds)
o - Ovine (Sheep/goat)
e - equine (Horses etc)
u - ursine (Bears)
p - pinniped (seals etc)
m - mythical beast.
@ - Polymorph
T - TRANSFORMATION
The first letter sx denotes spiritual/mental shift, whereas px denotes
physical shifts.
s0 - Have yet to experience a Shift of any
kind.
su - Aura Shifting. Assuming the animal
energy,
resulting in a Wolfish (or other
phenotype)
mood. Behaviour and senses generally
affected.
sm - Mental Shift. Generally a much deeper
Shift
than Aura Shifting. The Animal Side is
more
or less totally in control.
sa - Astral Shifting. The Shifter goes into
the
spiritworld (or astral plane) and Shifts
there.
sd - Dream Shifting. The Shifter is a Wolf (or
whatever animal) in their dreams, or
where
the Shifter changes physically in their
dreams.
ss - Spiritual Shift. To those therianthropes
who
being a Shifter is a very spiritual
thing,
Mental Shift may be regarded as
Spiritual.
pm - Molecular Shift. Instantaneous physical
shift
of the body.
pc - Classical Shift. The gradual
metamorphosis
from human to animal, that usually takes
several minutes.
pb - Bilocational Shift. The body (usually)
becomes
comatose or in trance and a physical
animal
materializes, either in the vicinity or
at some
distance.
pk - Magickal Shift. The transformation is
accomplished through a magickal ritual of
some kind.
pp - Possession Shift. The therianthrope send
out
his/her spirit to take possession of a
real,
live animal.
& - Sense Shift. This is used to denote that
most,
if not all Shifting is done involuntarily
and
that the therianthrope has no or little
control
over it. It could be placed either after T
(ex. T+++&) or after a particular Shift
form
(ex. T+su/sd&)
Degree of Shift: extent (or otherwise) of your shifts may be indicated
by use of the + and - modifiers between the T and the physical/mental
shift variables previously defined.
G - GENDER and ORIENTATION
Since sex seems to be a preoccupation with some (all?) weres, this
letter combination is used to identify your gender and personal
sexuality or preferred sexual orientation(s). The importance of sex in
your life can be indicated by use of the - or + qualifiers.
The first letter identifies your physical gender; choose from the
following:
m - Male
f - Female
h - Hermaphrodite
0 - Asexual/neuter
Your sexual orientation should be selected from the following:-
s - straight (heterosexual)
g - gay
b - bisexual
l - lesbian
o - omnisexual
z - zoosexual
c - celibate
v - virgin
The above can be combined, together with the + and - modifiers, for
example if you're a sex-obsessed male gay zoophile you could put
G+++mgz, whereas a normally-sexed straight female virgin would be
Gfsv.
R - RELIGION
Identify your religion (or absence thereof) by selection from the
following R-attributes:-
b - Buddhist
c - Christian (anyone who wants to try and
make
sublabels for all the denominations
is
welcome to it....)
h - Hindu
i - Shinto
j - Jewish
m - Muslim
n - Native American [is this a religion?]
p - Pagan (non-Wiccan)
s - Shamanist
w - Wiccan
! - Atheist
? - Agnostic
UnaSeal offers this list of Christian sub-demoninations:
ca- Catholic
eo- Eastern Orthodox
oo-Other Othodox
ba- Baptist
pb- Primative Baptist
sb- Southern Baptist
f- Fundamentalist (as a prefix)
mt- Methodist
ms- Missouri Synod Methodist
r- Reorganized, Reformed (as a prefix)
na- new age
ep- Episcopal
sd- Seventh Day Adventists
nd- non-denominational
a- Anglican (as prefix)
ame-African Methodist Episcopal
ac- Apostolic church
bbf- Baptist Bible Fellowship
bfw- Free-Will Baptists
i- independent (as prefix)
bi- Bible Churches
br- Bretheren
cb- Catholic Byzantine
e- evengelical (as prefix)
ch- Charismatic
dc- Disciples of Christ
cc- Church of Christ
cg- Church of God
lds- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon)
ecc- Ecumenical Church
ccv- Church of the Covenant
itc- interdenominational church
sf- Society of Friends (Quakers)
go-Greek Orthodox
jc- Jewish Christian
hc- Hindu Christian
bdc-Buddhist Christian
u- United (prefix)
al- American Lutheran
lcl- Lutheran Church of the Lutheran Confession
els- Evangelican Lutheran Synod
lms- lutheran, Missourri Synod
lws-Lutheran, Wisonson Synod
m- missionary (prefix)
sva- Salvation Army
mtp-metaphysical/aquarian churches
mnn-Mennonite
ra-Revivalist affiliation
ntc-New Testament Church
pnc- Pentecostal Churches
prs- Presbyterian
rsc-Religious Science
unf- Unification
unt-Unitarian
uty- Unity
sdb- Seventh-Day Baptists
wsl- Wesleyan
tti- Twelve Tribes of Israel
rst- Rastafarian
nca- No church affiliation
scn- Scientology
jw- Jehovah's Witnesses
wfc- Witnesses For Christ
cdp- Christadelphians
tsp- twelve-step program
occ- Other <unspecified> Christian churches
Example: If I wanted to designate an affilitation with the United
Free-Will Baptists, I would probably designate it thusly--
R: c (fwb+u)
Note: The "prefix" was used as a suffix in this instance to eschew
obfuscation.
Internet Resources
World Wide Web
There are literally hundreds of shapeshifter-related web pages out
there. I'll list a few here… if you know of any you think should be
included, let me know…
I suppose some of the pack already know about it, but there's an
archive of transformation stories at:
http://www.t0.or.at/~thomas/tsa/index.html. Most are sex-change
stories, but there are four on changing into an animal. Warning: they
all have sexual content, and "The Island of Circe" particularly
wouldn't interest many of you. But "The She-wolf" is pretty good.
-Lyka
Alt.Shift - the AHWW Journal -
http://www.algonet.se/~edge/ahww/alt1.htm. I'm unsure if this is still
up…
http://ksu.ksu.edu/~slathe/handbook.html (May have been changed by
now)
<http://www.uc.edu/~saulsj/WereIndex.html> Please use Netscape 3.0 or
Internet Explorer 2.0 (3.0 beta 1 at this time garbles the tables.
*growl*) As of this post, only the index and links section work.
Striker Redwolf: http://www.physics.umd.edu/~kprice and
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Vault/1567
Kevin & Kell, that unholy union of predator and prey, has a web page!
If you want a regularly updated page of Kevin & Kell, try this one:
http://www.gmcclel.bossnt.com/kk/master.htm
Moonshadow: http://ka.net/moonshadow
Native Book Center - http://www.9to5.com/9to5/NBC
If you don't see your page here, or know of others to add, drop me a
line... I know there are many that aren't on here yet.
Internet Relay Chat
To link to IRC, you must be running an IRC client on whatever platform
you access the internet with. You can set that client to access the
server directly, or access whatever server you like
and type /server <server name> to reach the server. IRC is a lot of
fun, but it can be quite addictive!
The current official irc server, as many of you know by now, *grin* is
irc.catacomb.org 6667. Nuzzles to SabreLion (sa...@wild.net) for
making it for us.
An #ahww has also been registered on DALnet: check alt.irc for a list
of alternate servers besides irc.dal.net in order to access it.
There are also various were-related rooms, up and down at the whim of
the participants, on the EFNET and UNDERNET servers.
FTP
AHWW's official FTP site was, for a long time, run by Lycanthrope
(Larry Lyle). Circumstances forced him to discontinue it, but a new
mirror site is up: ftp://gerulf.acsu.unsw.edu.au/pub/wolf/. There's
quite a bit of interesting stuff here, including Howl pictures and
fiction by AHWWers.
Spyder also has an FTP site. In it can be found: wildlife photos (gifs
and jpgs) in the Wilderness directory; Werecards (which can also be
accessed off the web site) - there are only a few, I think I have more
at home, and if yours is missing either email me a copy or drop it in
the incoming area on the FTP site; Furrotica (if you don't know, don't
ask.)The address is <ftp://ftp.xmission.com/pub/users/s/spyder/>
I also have some items, although I'm limited by space, at
ftp://ftp.negia.net/users/katmandu.
ftp://tau-ceti.isc-br.com/pub/Images/ contains some furry artwork.
Striker Redwolf plans on another mirror of Lycanthrope's site, at
http://lobo.dorm.umd.edu.
Also of interest is avatar.snc.edu - Home to furry art and artists.
Mud / Muck / Moo
Muds, Mucks, and Moos are online games and virtual worlds that can be
accessed with a simple telnet program or clients that handle a lot of
the tedious typing for you. Furrymuck may be of interest to AHWWers,
and can be reached at furry.org 8888.
I think there are several ahww oriented corners at various MUCKS: I
believe that one exists at Virtual Vegas and there's also another one
in FurryMUCK: hopefully someone who knows more than I do will
contribute to this subject.
Tapestries MUCK is becoming a bit popular for the mature
audiences..<telnet://206.40.34.130 2069>
How do I make the chili?
When making truly evil chili, the important thing to keep in mind is
that hotter is better. I don't mean temperature-hot, although that's
important too (no one likes cold chili)... I mean
take-a-bite-and-get-your-tonsils-kicked- out-a-couple-of-
seconds-later hot. Spice is all-important. "Long live the spice!"
Also, _anything_ can go in chili. _Anything_. Use your imagination and
whatever's laying around- chocolate, beer, unidentified spices stuck
to the rack, dead cockatiels, whatever. The proportions aren't all
that strict, either.. if it tastes good, it is good.
The below proportions make enough chili for five people or two weres
with healthy appetites: (TBS=Tablespoon, tsp=teaspoon, lbs=pounds,
oz=ounce, 2+2=4)
Salt 1/2 TBS
Cayenne Pepper 1/2 tsp
Masa Flour 2 TBS (corn flour, like for making tortillas)
Cajun Seasoning 4 TBS *(see note)
Ground Beef 2 lbs
Tomato Sauce 8 oz
Kidney Beans 8 oz (1 can)
Water 2 cups
Tabasco big-ass bottle
White Onion 1 (chopped)
Garlic 1/2 clove (minced)
Also can be added:
Beer 1 can/bottle (Red-Wolf, of course!)
Dark chocolate, powdered
Spicy sausage 1/2 to 1 pound
Bell/Jalapeno peppers, chopped
Shredded cheddar
whatever else is handy
* Cajun seasoning is mostly salt, red and black pepper, cayenne
pepper, and garlic powder... you can mix it up yourself or use
commercial... commercial is easier.
Brown the ground beef and cook sausage (if using any). Drain fat. Use
to make stinky tallow candles. Add salt, cayenne, flour (for
thickness), cajun seasoning, meat(s), tomato sauce, beans, onion,
garlic, and water in pot and stir together. Shake in as much tabasco
as you think you can stand (add more cayenne if wanted). (Add beer and
chocolate and whatever else too; except cheddar). Chili will look very
watery... this is ok. Put pot over heat and bring to fast simmer.
Simmer until chili is nice and thick... most of the water simmered
off. This may take an hour or two if you're making mass quantities!
Serve up in bowls with even more tabasco and cheddar. Prepare steam
blaster to clean pot. Have lanolin-coated toilet paper near privy.
Note: If you're cooking over an open wood fire, smear liquid dish soap
over the outside of the pots before doing anything with them. This way
you can wash the soot off much easier when you're done.
Not recommended for those with gastric disorders exacerbated by spicy
foods, small children, pregnant women, or untreated steel. EAT AT YOUR
OWN RISK!
What are "werecards"?
A werecard is a sort of info-questionnaire; where you can answer
questions about yourself and your therianthropy, if any. It's
basically just a way of telling folks about yourself all at once,
rather than answering a million little questions. It makes a good way
to de-lurk. Here's a blank werecard…snip and fill out, if you like;
and post the results to the group.
Human Name:
Were Name:
Phenotype: (e.g. werewolf, werebat, etc.)
Birthdate:
Birthplace:
Home Territory: (where you live now)
Dream Territory: (where you'd like to live, ideally)
Physical Description, Human:
Physical Description, Were:
Human Career:
Hobbies/Interests:
Favorite Movie:
Favorite Were Movie:
Favorite Literature:
Favorite Were Literature:
Favorite Art:
Favorite Were Art:
Favorite Saying/Quote:
Favorite Were Saying/Quote:
Favorite Personal Quote:
Favorite Song/Band(s):
Favorite Were Song/Band(s):
Favorite Season:
Favorite Holiday:
Preferred Prey:
Hunting Tips:
Preferred Method of Attack:
Favorite Non-Were Mythological Beastie(s):
Feelings Toward Vampires:
Feelings Toward Normal Humans:
Personal Lycanthropy: (This is probably the most important part of the
card. What we're after here is a few paragraphs explaining what your
lycanthropy means to you, how it fits into and affects
your life, your goals, etc. Tell us about your first transformation /
realization of your were nature. Describe the lycanthropy myth as you
see it. And so on...)