3 Strange Werewolves That Would Make Good Characters

3 Strange Werewolves That Would Make Good Characters

Werewolves make great characters in many genres, from horror to fantasy to romance! And we all know the standard tropes. But if you’re looking to write a different kind of werewolf, here are a few less common versions that could liven up your next story:

Farkaskoldus: a wolf-vampire hybrid

In Greek folklore, a Farkaskoldus is a wronged person, often a shepherd, who has been abused and killed. They rise again, motivated by revenge, as a wolf that feeds on blood. Will their rage be satisfied once they’ve gotten their vengeance, or will they turn to hunting the innocent? That’s up to you.

Loup-Garou, Indiana version

The Loup-Garou is a creature from French and Cajun folklore, but in Indiana, there’s a version with a fun twist. This Loup-Garou becomes a werewolf (or were-animal of some sort) by night because of a curse, which lasts 101 days. The only way to be released is to wait out the cursed sentence, or for someone to draw blood from the werewolf while they are in wolf form. If that happens, the wolf becomes a person again, so long as the former wolf and their savior do not mention what happened until the 101 days have passed. Otherwise, the curse returns on them both.

Vilkacis: an astral werewolf

In Latvia, tales are told of a werewolf who is not a whole person, but just the person’s dark side, which escapes, Mr. Hyde-style, and roams the wilderness while the person sleeps. Plus, supposedly, if you catch a Vikacis in a circle of rose petals, you can make it hunt buried treasure for you.

Have fun exploring your wolfish side (so long as it doesn’t wander the countryside without you)!

You can also read about some unusual vampires, rare cryptids, and weird ghosts who might make good characters. Plus more creature feature posts with writing prompts!

Source: Maberry, J., & Kramer, D. F. (2009). They bite: Endless cravings of supernatural predators. Kensington Publishing Corp.

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