Other were- species

[Observer]

I'm a new reader of PiTW, and I must say that its an interesting comic- however I find the pseudoscience behind the whole thing quite a bit more interesting than the actual comic (don't shoot me- unless its with silver. That stuff is worth quite a bit )

Now, lets get down to business: A few queries...

1. One question thats been bugging me is the list of were- species in the omake. From my impression of the series (and most pop culture about were- species) it seems inevitable that humans could be hybridized with just about anything, from bacteria (ok, unlikely, but still...) to blue whales.

So why stop at canine/ feline species and... sharks? There's a whole lot of other mammalian species that the list didn't mention and which would be more logical (to me at least) than sharks (not mammals). If thats the full list, and Kris is dead- set on keeping it that way, I'll drop the issue, but please tell me that the possibility of other were- species at least occurred...

I'll leave this point for now.

2. Has there ever been a comprehensive comparison of the physical characteristics of each species' were- forms? Logic would dictate, for example, that werefoxes would be superhumanly intelligent, wererats would have stomachs of iron (extreme omnivores) and werelions would be even stronger/ larger than werewolves, barring exceptions like Peter and Sarah (why are the main characters everywhere always exceptions, anyway?). Has anyone ever discussed the relative merits/ disadvantages of each were- form in detail? I know other threads have wandered into the territory, but there hasn't been a discussion or official material devoted to this matter as yet.

3. How are interspecies relationships between the were communities in Genericville besides the 'well documented' wolves & rats? Dr. Abe I know is close to the Genericville pack, but how about others?

[KindaChang]

[bar1scorpio]

1) Because each species is based on apex predators for the environment from which they came. The 'top of the food change' it wouldn't do much good to be a were-whale, mainly because it'd be too taxing to take that form. Also, we tend to go with only what's already appeared in folktales & myths up to some point. hence, no were-spiders, were-rabbits, etc.

2) Nope. If we did, it'd be supplemental materials, and likely non-canon to our story. one of the going mantras is: if it hasn't happened in-series, it hasn't happened. Keeps from second guessing, hopefully; as well as keeping writer knowledge, reader knowledge, and character knowledge separate.

3) We've discussed hybrids elsewhere, they tend to take after the gender-match of he parent, not hybridize. (Carla's personal theory: part of the were-trigger may be attached to either the X-Y chromosomes, or the hormone baths that the child undergoes during pregnancy.)

[Observer]

OK. VERY good answers for questions 1 and 2, and I'm satisfied. Once again you guys amaze me with the sheer complexity of the mythos you've set up here.

About the relationships, I was referring more to less... intimate stuff, you know, things like dialog/ visits between were species packs. That scene with the werelion and the tailor was definitely in Genericville as well, so werewolves aren't the only ones in the woodwork.

Are the various were communities in Genericville friendly with each other since they exist in close proximity? Sure, the werecats (all types) and wererats might be the minority but there's no way they can avoid rubbing shoulders with the werewolves. I would also find it hard to believe that the were community could maintain the masquerade unless all species worked together.

But... are they on good terms with each other? If so, how good are those terms?

Once again, I'm aware of Dr. Abe, but I'm not aware of incidences of wererats, etc. interacting with the Genericville pack.

[Spiritbw]

[bar1scorpio]

[Crunch Jackson]

[Happygun]

[Kris@WLP]

[Kris@WLP]

OK, inter-weretype relations...

One of the main points of PitW is that people are people are people, even when they get big, furry, and toothy under a full moon.

There is some prejudice between were types, mostly based on stereotypes. However, the vast majority of lycanthropes regard all lycanthropes as part of a single group- very much a we v. they situation, where "they" is normal humanity.

Werewolves tend to get on well with everyone. Werefoxes are the most sociable of all; werecoyotes less so, but still friendly. Wererats are sociable within their own circles, suspicious of strangers. Werecats tend to dislike being placed under authority, but get along quite well in one-on-one or small-group situations. Werebears are highly antisocial and don't get on well with much of anybody. Were-tanuki tend to get on well with others except for were-foxes, who annoy them. Were-sharks are so rare that the question of their socializing with other types of lycanthope very seldom arises.

[K-MacK]

[Timberwolfer]

I'm starting to sound like a broken record. If you find that manner of legends and mythos mixed with pseudoscience interesting, I recommend trying to find a copy of Werewolf the Apocolypse, it's an RPG made by White Wolf Games. They've sinced changed to a new game series, but you can still find the older stuff some places.

[Happygun]

[Observer]

[RBrigham]

[bar1scorpio]

[K-MacK]

[Observer]

I'm assuming that her wuff isn't completely out of her control, unless that little 'shoulder Sarah' and her "sic'em" were just for laughs.

I guess that it will come to a point where all she needs to do is figure out where a certain Mr. Banner gets his purple pants. When that happens, can you imagine her laying the smackdown on Gus, hard? I'd think her very capable of it since she's completely of of touch with pack law, and since Gus wanted her put down anyway.

[Happygun]

[Les]

[Happygun]

[Rasha]

[Travelerr]

Actually this was covered a bit in another thread, to lazy to check and link. Have a yard to mow.