Description
The Ulfhednar of G'ael are fierce warriors very much akin to the berserkers of Norse legend that wore the skins of bears and were said to fight with the ferocity and strength of wild animals. Unlike there berserker counterparts, the Ulfhednar typically adorn themselves in the pelts of wolves instead of bears.
The Ulfhednar all carry within them a strain of lycanthropy that is reputed by legend to have been gifted to the people of G'ael by the northern god, Skall, to provide them a weapon by which to fight back against the Draugr and other such creatures that plagued the night and preyed upon humanity. The Ulfhednar select only the fiercest of warriors to join their ranks, and to be afflicted with the blood of the Ulfhednar is a great honor - but also a double edged sword.
Early onset of the affliction grants enhanced speed, strength and reflexes under times of duress or in the heat of battle, but as time goes on the affliction results in increasing instability and aggression. Where young Ulfhednar only fall sway to the beast and revert to an animalistic nature upon the fullmoon, older Ulfhednar are known to shift during times of duress such as with intense fear or anger. Lunacy is the eventual fate of all Ulfhednar as they inevitably lose their humanity to the beast and become a danger to those around them.
Once the affliction has run its course all traces of humanity are lost, and the victim will assume there bestial form permanently. These individuals - often referred to as feral werewolves - are creatures of instinct and aggression. They cannot be reasoned with, and they lack any concept of morality.
The Ulfhednar all carry within them a strain of lycanthropy that is reputed by legend to have been gifted to the people of G'ael by the northern god, Skall, to provide them a weapon by which to fight back against the Draugr and other such creatures that plagued the night and preyed upon humanity. The Ulfhednar select only the fiercest of warriors to join their ranks, and to be afflicted with the blood of the Ulfhednar is a great honor - but also a double edged sword.
Early onset of the affliction grants enhanced speed, strength and reflexes under times of duress or in the heat of battle, but as time goes on the affliction results in increasing instability and aggression. Where young Ulfhednar only fall sway to the beast and revert to an animalistic nature upon the fullmoon, older Ulfhednar are known to shift during times of duress such as with intense fear or anger. Lunacy is the eventual fate of all Ulfhednar as they inevitably lose their humanity to the beast and become a danger to those around them.
Once the affliction has run its course all traces of humanity are lost, and the victim will assume there bestial form permanently. These individuals - often referred to as feral werewolves - are creatures of instinct and aggression. They cannot be reasoned with, and they lack any concept of morality.