Debbie Wynn's Notebook 10-11 (2-1-2012)

[Kris@WLP]

And Debbie's notes end on... WEREJACKALS!

This bit was the reason for the rest of the notes, really. I'd previously stated that there were no such things as werejackals. Then, a few months back, I was reading about the concept of apex predators and saw "jackals" on the list. I decided to read a bit about werejackals and discovered that, so far as the Sahara and Arabian deserts are concerned, jackals really are the biggest predator around. And since we know that the lycanthropic definition of "apex predator" can be reeeeally flexible (tanuki? Rats?), I couldn't see any reason why jackals would NOT be represented- especially since they're so very closely related to wolves.

So something in my mind said, "That must mean there WERE werejackals, but they're not around NOW... so why not?"

That thought dovetailed with the history lesson Debbie gave on page 213, and this is the result- another sad, cruel and fearful morality tale of the sort weres seem to like.

(I need to remember to include the "crab bucket" concept in this comic before the end...)

[Kaeto]

From the way it reads werejackals as a species makes Gus look kind and gentle.

[Kris@WLP]

[Happygun]

[nighthawke]

It makes the Egyptians portrayed in Cecil B. DeMille's The Ten Commandants look good. We know by history now that the film was wrong by and large, but that's beside the point. Jackals are mean SOB's towards any and other species.

[Kris@WLP]

[Kris@WLP]

[Happygun]

[Ganthan]

[Coyote42]

And let's face it, the snark among furry artists is we've gotta do our own version of Anubis eventually...

[koryu]

Kudos to the writers on this one. I have learned that Tuaut (or Tuat or Duat) is the underworld of the ancient Egyptian mythos. Who says comics aren't educational? ^_^

[bar1scorpio]

[stormydragon]

This comic also reveals that the idea that it's bad to be too successful is widespread in Were society, which explains a lot about why the pack in the comic is so messed up culturally.

[blackjackel]

exactly how physically strong are werejackels as strong as werewolfs or only a bit stronger than wererats?

[Kris@WLP]

[blackjackel]

And what exactly is this "edge" your taking about?

[Kris@WLP]

Clarification: werewolves were, on the average, very slightly larger, stronger, and more powerful than werejackals, but not enough so that it was the deciding factor in, well, much of anything at all.

[bar1scorpio]

[blackjackel]

If the werejackels somehow survived the purge and the were jackels had known this for years would they be accepted in were society? because it would seem like they would of learned not to use there shapeshifting for power and profit.

[bar1scorpio]

Given how they'd tried to become the dominant were, and had turned to fanaticism to solidify their reign, IF they were still around, I doubt they'd be up to any good.

As for size, almost as tall as a wolf, but a lot rangier, lean-limbed; and easily more dangerous than their distant cousins, the coyotes. There's a reason why they're associated with death, while coyotes are regarded more as well-intentioned clowns, with quite a bit of life-giving qualities.

[stormydragon]

I get the need to not be too noticeable, but the pack in the story seems to have gone from "we need to be inconspicuous" to "we need to be mediocre". That even if you're engaged in some completely mundane task, you shouldn't try too hard because you might end up being good at it.

[blackjackel]

Im not saying theyd be completely good but you'd think they would of learned from there ancetor mistakes and near extermination and get with the program of not trying to be the dominant were speices

[Kris@WLP]