Werecreatures

“The first time I changed, I was looking up at one of the moons. It seemed so perfect, so peaceful, that I wanted to sing my joy for all to hear. I threw back my head and my cry changed from a scream to a howl in mid-note. I was astonished, but not frightened because it felt... right. I ran through the forest that night, my sharp new senses opening up a whole new world to me. The Witch Hunters say that I must be wicked, that I’ve consorted with Chaos. I have done no such thing. I pray to Sigmar. I have never harmed anyone who did not try to harm me first. When the forces of the Vampire Count Manfred came to attack a village that I had been staying at, my abilities allowed me to know about it far in advance and I raised an alarm that saved many lives, yet the Empire’s authorities would call me a mutant and kill me if they could. Do you know what has changed the most about me? I’m now glad I’m not a Human for a small and petty race you are.”

– Renata, Werewolf in Entertainer’s clothing Stories about Werecreatures are common in the Old World, though not many of those tales portray them as anything but evil beasts. Werecreatures are men and women with the ability to take on some of the attributes or even the full shape of an animal. Some of them have been cursed to do so, whereas others seem to have the ability as a birthright. Empire scholars frequently argue about where the line is drawn between what constitutes a Werecreature and a Mutant. There seems to be no clear or easy answer, which is why the debate has gone on for centuries. The Norse call their shape shifters ‘Were’ and indeed, the term ‘Werecreature’ is obviously drawn from their language. 1a 1b

The argument is complicated by the fact that many Norsemen are clearly tainted by Chaos, though they would say ‘blessed’ and many of those that may have once been deemed Were may possibly be well on their way to actually becoming Chaos Spawn. Away from the North, the story changes. Werecreatures seldom give any indication that they are anything but a Human. Indeed, those cursed with the “change” may even be unaware of their nature, shifting forms only when triggered to do so, such as by the moon, personal injury or the command of a sorcerer, indicating that the taint of Chaos may not touch all Werecreatures in the same fashion. 1b

Werecreatures can change their form into that of a beast. The Weres of the North are Chaos tainted, whereas the legendary Children of Ulric, if they exist, reputedly draw their power from another source.“berserk”. 1c

Source
Warhammer Fantasy RPG 2nd ED -- Old World Bestiary

pg 59

pg 60

pg. 118