Werewolf transformation takes too long.

Gehanna · Oct 3, 2010

If confronted with someone who begins turning into a werewolf, are you going to wait for the transformation to finish before you act?

Not certain about books, but I see this in movies far too often. I would not hesitate to strike and/or execute an evasive maneuver even if there were some sort of courtesy observance established.

My purpose for this post is to seek others who agree and to discuss possible solutions in favor of the werewolf by reducing vulnerability.

Gehanna

Qbynewbie · Oct 3, 2010

I have nothing really to add. I just wanted to say that there's something particularly wonderful about a forum that takes seriously things like werewolf transformations taking too long.

Invincibility · Oct 3, 2010

This is the problem I have with every single magical girl anime

What if the ginormous teeth are the first thing to emerge in the transformation? That way the werewolf can retaliate if attacked.

AlexPiper · Oct 3, 2010

On the other hand, if you actually saw someone turning into a werewolf in front of you, you might well freeze.

No, this can't be happening. Werewolves aren't real, this is some kind of trick. Though it doesn't look faked. But they can't... oh, hey, maybe I should RUN or something...!

night-flyer · Oct 3, 2010

I always found it irritating when someone just stands there watching the thing transform, then when it's done it eats 'em. But I suppose that's due to shock or terror.

I would like to think that I wouldn't stand around waiting for it to get done with it's thing. I may be to scared to attack it, but I think I would definitely get as far from it as possible while it was changing.

CACTUSWENDY · Oct 3, 2010

I would turn....and shout out.....RUN, FOREST, RUN!

frimble3 · Oct 3, 2010

"Some sort of courtesy observance established." Yes, stand still while I get the fangs and claws out.
Reminds me of 'Carpe Jugulem' by Terry Pratchett, where the villagers quietly line up for the vampires to feed.
I'd rather think that the victims were in shock "What, this can't be happening! Is his face changing?" Or at least "Wow, cool effect, how'd they do that great CGI?"
I'd hope I had the instinct to run fast and not freeze like a deer in the headlights.

ceenindee · Oct 3, 2010

What if the werewolves just kind of poof into it? I've read a couple that do that (mine included). Not much warning time then...

Gehanna · Oct 3, 2010

I can understand the use of a person being in shock as a means to allow for the transformation time, but not in a monster vs. werewolf scenario.

What reservations, if any, are there about a transformation of the non-physical body?

Instead of the physical body transforming, the person's soul/spirit/astral body, or whatever transforms. This transformation would be a single event, but it could continue to be a painful experience.

During sleep, or other times when the person's waking consciousness is out of commission (for whatever reason), their transformed soul/spirit/astral body, or whatever projects out of them. This projection is the werewolf. It does not need to transform again. As the werewolf comes forth, it materializes as a solid form.

The continued connection to the human body is such that when the werewolf sustains an injury, so does the human body. If the werewolf dies, so does the human body. The other side is different. If the human body is injured, it has no impact on the werewolf. If the human body is destroyed, the werewolf remains, but loses its "natural" hiding place.

In no way do I think I am having an original idea, but I would like to see werewolves gain some alternatives to the usual.

Gehanna

Sydneyd · Oct 3, 2010

maybe as the transformation occurs a sort of tranquilizing chemical is emitted, like a werewolf defensive maneuver, that forces the audience to stand still?

vfury · Oct 4, 2010

While I'd like to claim that I'd turn and run like hell, if confronted by a transforming werewolf, I'd likely freeze and panic. But depending on how long the transformation took, even if someone ran, the werewolf would probably catch up when it was done.

I faced this problem when my werewolves were hunted in my ms. The more experienced are able to speed up their transformation, but they do have to put obstacles between them and the people after them so they can change without being killed mid-transformation. If facing an enemy themselves, they try to change before the confrontation happens. (Mine change to full wolves. The half-man/half-wolf transformation happens rarely and they quickly run out of energy in that form.)

I also love how questions like this are taken seriously. :LilLove:

Gehanna · Oct 4, 2010

In another thread I made mention of the fact that I deal with situations gone wrong, but if I ever found myself confronted with a werewolf transformation situation I'd probably react something like Richard Pryor did in Stir Crazy.

Check out this clip of Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder from the movie Stir Crazy. It makes me laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cufzG9QfbVA

Gehanna

quicklime · Oct 4, 2010

Gehanna said:
If confronted with someone who begins turning into a werewolf, are you going to wait for the transformation to finish before you act?

Not certain about books, but I see this in movies far too often. I would not hesitate to strike and/or execute an evasive maneuver even if there were some sort of courtesy observance established.

My purpose for this post is to seek others who agree and to discuss possible solutions in favor of the werewolf by reducing vulnerability.

Gehanna

1. how long is too long?

2. How rationally do you think most people would react to seeing a human shape-shift, at any speed?

3. Who is to say the werewolf "physiology" does not dominate from the beginning of the transformation, meaning you can fight all you like, but unless you're packing silver, it won't matter?

These are good things to think of, the more contingencies you have envisioned, the better able to write you will be.

CheG · Oct 4, 2010

Hmmmm... I'm reminded of Being Human when George kills Heric. Didn't Heric just sort of stand there and wait for George to take him out? I know a bunch of stuff was going on at the same time, but Heric was pretty bad ass.

BUT the thing is, in 90% of werewolf stuff the person going after the werewolf already KNOWS they are hunting a werewolf so why are they too irrationally terrified to kill them when vulnerable?

Because then there wouldn't be an epic battle.

Kitty27 · Oct 4, 2010

I would piss myself and then die of sheer terror.

The correct option is to haul ass but shock can have someone rooted to the spot.

I LOVE Being Human and also love that we can discuss the transformation of a mythical creature in such detail.

Aerial · Oct 7, 2010

In my WIP, the transformation (actually to were-leopard rather than your standard werewolf) happens extremely fast for the simple fact that it's a living thing being rearranged at a cellular level and if it didn't happen fast it would die before the transformation finished. The only thing that is retained is total mass.

Aerial

ChimeraCreative · Oct 7, 2010

I suppose a logical, scientific, curious facet of the mind would want to see the entire transformation. Odds are you'll never see it (or anything else) again. ^_^

Jcomp · Oct 7, 2010

I'd run. My flight response is pretty sharp, all things considered. I've run from stuff without even seeing the actual threat. The joke Cedric the Entertainer told about running just because you see other people running without having to see for yourself what you're running from... I've done that. No shame.

So yeah, I agree, in some movies (and even in the most famous music video of all time) the transformation takes forever and someone there witnesses it screaming all the while without trying to get out. Of course, in a lot of other stories it's not really much of an issue, since the werewolf transforms with no one around and then just goes on a rampage about town. Doesn't matter if you were there to flee the transformation, if you're coming home with some groceries and the already-transformed werewolf leaps from the balcony and lands on your back there isn't time to do a thing but get mauled and masticated.

Madelein.Eirwen · Oct 7, 2010

Qbynewbie said:
I have nothing really to add. I just wanted to say that there's something particularly wonderful about a forum that takes seriously things like werewolf transformations taking too long.

I agree with Qbynewbie!

I freeze when I get scared. So if ever I witness a were-anything transformation, I'll be the first to be eaten/mauled. That should give everyone else a chance to run for their lives.

IDGS · Oct 7, 2010

How about pheromones?

Animals are very adept at excreting and recieving the invisible chemical signals, and many of them produce responses in animals whether they intend for them or not. For example, the pheromones excreted by a deer in rut inspire arousal in bucks.

What if the werewolves during transformation essentially triggered a massive excretion of paralyzing or dazing pheromones? Would account for the 'jesus, it's changing! Where's my popcorn - UGH - dead!' theories.

Gehanna · Oct 7, 2010

I like the idea of induced paralysis on prey, but I am concerned that it may interfere with the attributes of speed and strength.

Gehanna

writernow · Oct 14, 2010

I think the transformation taking a while is because it looks cool on film. Personally I think anyone who writes about were creatures has the right to take the same creative license with the old traditional were myths that other writers have with vampires--look, sun doesn't hurt them, they laugh at garlic, they chuckle at crosses (or tell you they were Jewish when they were alive), etc.

Gehanna · Oct 14, 2010

Have there been any werewolves with fiber optic hairs?

Gehanna

Debbie · Oct 14, 2010

Madelein.Eirwen said:
I agree with Qbynewbie!

I freeze when I get scared. So if ever I witness a were-anything transformation, I'll be the first to be eaten/mauled. That should give everyone else a chance to run for their lives.

You're too funny.

I, on the other hand, would have that knee-jerking reaction going on due to brain overload of escape options while hitting Madelein in the arm, "Run, Madelein, run!"

*needs to stop by here more often*

MissMacchiato · Oct 14, 2010

haha love this board. Wouldn't some tiny part of yourself want to stay just to see how far the transformation went? Sometimes the terrified mind isn't entirely rational.

I think the posters in this thread have given some pretty good suggestions of how to combat the slow-to-beast problem though!

Werewolf transformation takes too long.

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