The lycanthropic curse is keyed to selenic flux
A shift happens only when the flux crosses a threshold.
Novices still have a high threshold, so only the full moon supplies enough push to trip it.
Each transformation rewires bone, fascia, and endocrine loops (think: “lunasomes” forming in tissues).
After a few cycles, the body holds a shape-memory; less lunar energy is needed.
Adept wolves can now be triggered by gibbous moons, strong emotion, or ritual breath/heat.
Beginners “black out”; the wolf runs on instinct, which makes control impossible without the full-moon surge.
Training builds a cortical handshake with the beast, letting the human co-drive. With that control, they can resist or induce shifts outside the full moon.
Bitten/cursed lycanthropes start most moon-bound.
Blood-born or oath-bound lines inherit a lower threshold and reach free shifting sooner.
Silver, wolfsbane, iron salt raise the threshold (novices stay full-moon-locked).
Heat, adrenaline, pack howls, drum pulse act as catalysts (adepts can ride these without a full moon).
Pup: Full-moon bound; no control.
Hunter: Gibbous/gale triggered; partial control.
Warden: Moonless shift possible with focus; can also resist a full moon.
Alpha: At-will shapeshift, partial morphs (hands, eyes, hide), and full resistance.
Novices still have a high threshold, so only the full moon supplies enough push to trip it.
Each transformation rewires bone, fascia, and endocrine loops (think: “lunasomes” forming in tissues).
After a few cycles, the body holds a shape-memory; less lunar energy is needed.
Adept wolves can now be triggered by gibbous moons, strong emotion, or ritual breath/heat.
Beginners “black out”; the wolf runs on instinct, which makes control impossible without the full-moon surge.
Training builds a cortical handshake with the beast, letting the human co-drive. With that control, they can resist or induce shifts outside the full moon.
Bitten/cursed lycanthropes start most moon-bound.
Blood-born or oath-bound lines inherit a lower threshold and reach free shifting sooner.
Silver, wolfsbane, iron salt raise the threshold (novices stay full-moon-locked).
Heat, adrenaline, pack howls, drum pulse act as catalysts (adepts can ride these without a full moon).
Pup: Full-moon bound; no control.
Hunter: Gibbous/gale triggered; partial control.
Warden: Moonless shift possible with focus; can also resist a full moon.
Alpha: At-will shapeshift, partial morphs (hands, eyes, hide), and full resistance.
