Trying Something New

[mb78]

I like the hereditary curse option. For a setting suggestion, she just turned 18 and is at college. Her family has warned her it's coming (curse begins after 18th birthday), so it's not completely surprising, but it is her first transformation. Maybe something like the new moon rather than full moon as the trigger. Alternately, using the same college setting, first sexual experience triggers the curse (again, having been warned it's coming by her family but not really believing it).

But as always, your creative mind will likely come up with something better than I would!

As for narrative, while the actual transformation content is #1, a good buildup and setting (and characters who are defined) can really enhance the transformation content.

[Cursebearer]

Originally Posted by Amahain

I vote for the Chang. I remember starting a story based on that idea years ago (though mine was based on a similar Indian legend), but I never saw it through to the end.

Some other ideas to consider:

Were-hyena (aka. bultungin of bouda: Plenty of stories about these throughout Africa. Generally, it's a hereditary condition. Naturally, a lot of the stories revolve around were-hyenas digging up graves or roaming around battlefields, looking for dead people to eat.

Were-lions: Also common wherever there are lions in Africa. It's also a hereditary thing, though unlike the were-hyenas, they're a lot more noble.

Were-bear: I'm sure most of us are kind of aware of the old Norse berserkers. Shapeshifting was considered to be one of their abilities (not just into bears, mind you, but the word translates into "bear shirt", so that seems like the most appropriate animal for a story centering around that idea).

Were-jaguar: Basically, the Aztec version of the berserker.

I think it's safe to say that, wherever large predators exist, there's usually some sort of shapeshifting legend associated with them

Didn't have time to give it a proper shout out when I was replying this morning, but this post is excellently helpful. The werehyena in particular has my attention and is going in the list of possible pretty much as soon as I can get to a convenient place to edit. Thank you.

Originally Posted by mb78

I like the hereditary curse option. For a setting suggestion, she just turned 18 and is at college. Her family has warned her it's coming (curse begins after 18th birthday), so it's not completely surprising, but it is her first transformation. Maybe something like the new moon rather than full moon as the trigger. Alternately, using the same college setting, first sexual experience triggers the curse (again, having been warned it's coming by her family but not really believing it).

But as always, your creative mind will likely come up with something better than I would!

As for narrative, while the actual transformation content is #1, a good buildup and setting (and characters who are defined) can really enhance the transformation content.

These are some great idea threads. I actually had a similar thought to you concerning the new moon. A lot of creatures that TF in myth are implied to do so at night, including the Chang. The new moon, the darkest night of the month, seems like a natural choice to trigger such werecreatures. Thank you for this response.

I dig the college girl away from home angle as well, as it provides the benefits of anticipating the change along with undergoing her first transformation. Keep the input coming, folks, it is much appreciated.