Fereldan lore is full of instances where these creatures have plagued the countryside: wolves possessed by rage demons and transformed into humanoid monsters with incredible speed and strength, able to spread a curse to those they bit that would drive them mad with unthinking fury. When in this enraged state, a human host can likewise become possessed and be transformed into a feral, wolf-like beast. Tales differ on these werewolves of human origin, some claiming that their transformation into a bestial form happens uncontrollably. Some claim the transformation is irreversible. As is often the case with demonic tales, both versions were most likely true at some point.
—From Codex entry: WerewolfThe Werewolf's Curse
The werewolves attacking the Dalish elves were created by Zathrian, the Dalish elf, who used the curse to punish the humans who had killed his son and raped his daughter; who later committed suicide when she found out she was pregnant. He bound the spirit of the forest to a wolf, and so created the curse, which was passed through bite. While he gained immortality from the curse, they were transformed into wicked creatures, beastial, deadly, impulsive and unable to revert back to human form, even in death. Even though the people who had attacked Zathrian's family died long ago, the curse remained.
During the Fifth Blight the werewolves, under control of Witherfang and the second in command Swiftrunner, led a group of werewolves, who partially regained their minds, in an ambush against the Dalish elves, slaying many and cursing more. This was revenge against Zathrian, but was also meant to force him to end the curse. If someone is bitten, they know within a matter of days. The signs to look for are sweating and vomiting, followed by a high fever.
This was not the only outbreak of werewolves in the history of Ferelden. Whether the other outbreaks were begun by a deliberate curse, similar to the case of Zathrian is unclear.
Recruiting Werewolves
Werewolves: In Body And Battle
Werewolves either lack the opposable thumbs to wield weapons or refuse to do so, instead engaging opponents with nothing but claw and fang. A werewolf is taller than humans and elves, although their strength far outmatches that of the race's. They lose all resemblance to themselves upon transformation, growing taller and gaining fur, a snout and claws. But perhaps worst of all that gets changed is the mind; the Werewolves have little. They become truly like a beast. Hunting, surviving and mating are the only things in their primitive minds. However, werewolves can regain, at least partially, their minds, although it is always a challenge to keep from killing. A beast's true nature is hard to change.
Werewolves strike with their claws to cut deep into the flesh, and deliver a final bite to the throat. This would be the ideal battle for a werewolf, but, unfortunately (or fortunately, as the case may be) very few humans, elves or dwarves will let themselves be hunted like a common rabbit. Werewolves wear no armor, except for thick skin, which can still be pierced easily by blade or bow. With no means of defense, a werewolf will usually try to strike swiftly and hard, rather then wait for the opponent to make the first move. Their hides serve no defense against magic, making that as good an option as any.
Werewolves in the Game
- Normal Werewolf
- Rabid Werewolf
- Werewolf Alpha
- Shadow Werewolf
- Swiftrunner
- Danyla
- Gatekeeper
- Blighted Werewolf