The Basic Types of Wolves on TF
Terra Fera's wolves consist largely of five general types. "All wolves are shapeshifters," is a common saying among them, but really only two of the four can shift their whole lives.
There are also three types of wolflords, however, one is entirely human, while the others are only partially or are just in body.
True Wolves
As the name says, these are the true, real, actual wolves, so wolves that are both wolf in body and spirit. They can shift.
Noble Wolves
Royalty and nobility of the Tribes, they are the ones gifted with immortality, it being said they are Time's favorite creation, thus he wanted it so they could not die by his hand. However, to balance things out, they must pay a price, and at some point in their lives, must give up either their human or their wolf form. To give up their wolf form means to be fully considered a Noble Wolf. To give up the wolf form means to become a Noble Wolflord. To most, this is a choice between power or their freedom.
Werewolves
Humans who have been turned into wolves. They are considered true wolves by technicality, but they still retain their human soul, so are considered by most Tribe Wolves to be tainted and lesser beings. They take on the racial build of whatever wolf made them. They can become Nobles by marrying a Noble Wolf, like any wolf can.
It is important to note that "werewolves" and "lycans" are not the same. Lycans are of a cursed line of werewolves, from the end of the 7th Age, and the wolf called Otho-Telkeli, or "Father of Wolf-People", created the first generation of them. To read more about Lycans, go to the page on Shape Shifters in the Bestiary.
Lesser Wolves
More like feral dogs who have taken on the life of a wolf, and are members of a Tribe, though nearly always in very low ranking, but usually higher than werewolves. They cannot shift, and are the only wolves unable to become Nobles. Only difference between them and what is known to the Tribes as a Great Dog is Great Dogs live as dogs(whether feral or domesticated) and Lesser Wolves live as wolves.
Half-Wolves/Wolf-Dogs
Mixed between a True/Noble Wolf(or werewolf technically too) and a Lesser Wolf. Like Lesser Wolves, they cannot shift, but can become Nobles(or be born one, if one of their parents was one). If they are less than roughly 25% Lesser Wolf, they typically can shift, and are thus considered True Wolves instead.
Wolflords (Non-Noble)
Non-Noble wolflords are the human descendants of either Noble Wolflords or True Wolf shifters(there are a few, rare cases of this). Are not immortal like their Noble ancestors, but do have some slightly heightened senses, tend to be more fit/agile, and have a higher immunity towards human diseases(but of course are still affected by ones that can affect wolves).
Noble Wolflords
As mentioned before, Noble Wolves who have chosen human form, typically to win some freedom from their Tribe or family. Noble Wolflords must still pledge loyalty to their Tribe and Chief, or can choose to pledge loyalty to a different tribe, or can even be asked to serve the Elders instead.
Wolflords (Human)
Wolflords who are completely human, and are the strongest of the three wolflords, having power over all wolves. The Tribes, long, long ago feared them, and out of this fear a genocide of human wolflords was brought. Most were killed, but a few were given a choice to marry into Noble families, by marrying a Noble Wolflord, and swearing to never use their power over other wolves, except for the good of their Tribe. Their children with these Noble Wolflords took after mostly their Noble side, being immortals, and so forth, but still had some power over wolves, like their human side. It's assumed that no pure human wolflords are left anywhere on Terra Fera. Those who refused the offer of marrying into Noble families were hunted down and killed.
There are also three types of wolflords, however, one is entirely human, while the others are only partially or are just in body.
True Wolves
As the name says, these are the true, real, actual wolves, so wolves that are both wolf in body and spirit. They can shift.
Noble Wolves
Royalty and nobility of the Tribes, they are the ones gifted with immortality, it being said they are Time's favorite creation, thus he wanted it so they could not die by his hand. However, to balance things out, they must pay a price, and at some point in their lives, must give up either their human or their wolf form. To give up their wolf form means to be fully considered a Noble Wolf. To give up the wolf form means to become a Noble Wolflord. To most, this is a choice between power or their freedom.
Werewolves
Humans who have been turned into wolves. They are considered true wolves by technicality, but they still retain their human soul, so are considered by most Tribe Wolves to be tainted and lesser beings. They take on the racial build of whatever wolf made them. They can become Nobles by marrying a Noble Wolf, like any wolf can.
It is important to note that "werewolves" and "lycans" are not the same. Lycans are of a cursed line of werewolves, from the end of the 7th Age, and the wolf called Otho-Telkeli, or "Father of Wolf-People", created the first generation of them. To read more about Lycans, go to the page on Shape Shifters in the Bestiary.
Lesser Wolves
More like feral dogs who have taken on the life of a wolf, and are members of a Tribe, though nearly always in very low ranking, but usually higher than werewolves. They cannot shift, and are the only wolves unable to become Nobles. Only difference between them and what is known to the Tribes as a Great Dog is Great Dogs live as dogs(whether feral or domesticated) and Lesser Wolves live as wolves.
Half-Wolves/Wolf-Dogs
Mixed between a True/Noble Wolf(or werewolf technically too) and a Lesser Wolf. Like Lesser Wolves, they cannot shift, but can become Nobles(or be born one, if one of their parents was one). If they are less than roughly 25% Lesser Wolf, they typically can shift, and are thus considered True Wolves instead.
Wolflords (Non-Noble)
Non-Noble wolflords are the human descendants of either Noble Wolflords or True Wolf shifters(there are a few, rare cases of this). Are not immortal like their Noble ancestors, but do have some slightly heightened senses, tend to be more fit/agile, and have a higher immunity towards human diseases(but of course are still affected by ones that can affect wolves).
Noble Wolflords
As mentioned before, Noble Wolves who have chosen human form, typically to win some freedom from their Tribe or family. Noble Wolflords must still pledge loyalty to their Tribe and Chief, or can choose to pledge loyalty to a different tribe, or can even be asked to serve the Elders instead.
Wolflords (Human)
Wolflords who are completely human, and are the strongest of the three wolflords, having power over all wolves. The Tribes, long, long ago feared them, and out of this fear a genocide of human wolflords was brought. Most were killed, but a few were given a choice to marry into Noble families, by marrying a Noble Wolflord, and swearing to never use their power over other wolves, except for the good of their Tribe. Their children with these Noble Wolflords took after mostly their Noble side, being immortals, and so forth, but still had some power over wolves, like their human side. It's assumed that no pure human wolflords are left anywhere on Terra Fera. Those who refused the offer of marrying into Noble families were hunted down and killed.
Wolf Races
Northern Wolves- normally all white, or white with a few light markings, these wolves are larger than all others with the exception of Dire wolves. They live in the northern tundra and the Far North, crossing into Capareon and Northern Niana when the sea is frozen.
Southern Wolves- can come in almost any pelt color and pattern, but with tan or brown variation being common, these wolves are smaller than most, sleek, and are usually rather fast. Originally from the plains in the Far South, they eventually mixed in with other wolves. Closest canine to a coyote in Terra Fera.
Valley Wolves- sturdy, muscular wolves that are built for the rough ‘n tough life of the Valley. Like Southern Wolves, they can come in almost any color and pattern, but black and gray are the most common.
Highland Wolves- there is not much difference between these wolves and Valley Wolves, except they are suited better for rocky, high elevated places. Gray is the most common color in these wolves, but others can occur.
Forest Wolves- these wolves are better fit for temperate regions with cold winters and warm summers. Slightly larger than Highland and Valley wolves, they come in every pelt color and pattern, including a red-brown color.
Coastal Wolves- very much like the Southern Wolves, but the size of Valley Wolves
Dire Wolves- slightly different from the real world’s extinct Dire Wolf, Terra Fera's Dire Wolves are the largest race of wolves. They are essentially a scaled up version of the Grey Wolf. Originally, Dire and Northern wolves were called High Wolves, but the Elders have since outlawed use of the term.
Southern Wolves- can come in almost any pelt color and pattern, but with tan or brown variation being common, these wolves are smaller than most, sleek, and are usually rather fast. Originally from the plains in the Far South, they eventually mixed in with other wolves. Closest canine to a coyote in Terra Fera.
Valley Wolves- sturdy, muscular wolves that are built for the rough ‘n tough life of the Valley. Like Southern Wolves, they can come in almost any color and pattern, but black and gray are the most common.
Highland Wolves- there is not much difference between these wolves and Valley Wolves, except they are suited better for rocky, high elevated places. Gray is the most common color in these wolves, but others can occur.
Forest Wolves- these wolves are better fit for temperate regions with cold winters and warm summers. Slightly larger than Highland and Valley wolves, they come in every pelt color and pattern, including a red-brown color.
Coastal Wolves- very much like the Southern Wolves, but the size of Valley Wolves
Dire Wolves- slightly different from the real world’s extinct Dire Wolf, Terra Fera's Dire Wolves are the largest race of wolves. They are essentially a scaled up version of the Grey Wolf. Originally, Dire and Northern wolves were called High Wolves, but the Elders have since outlawed use of the term.