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Werejackels

Recognized as the Spies of Nature, they were also servants to the Triad. The first group of Werejackals were granted such powers by the Triad as a means of deception and constructed what, in their belief, to be the ultimate tool against the undead. With the rise of Vampires came destruction and chaos so in order to combat this problem the Witches came together and formed the very first Werejackals using prisoners of war or other shape-shifting witches in debt to the Triad as a means to find the vampires and gain intel on the more powerful ones. Made to believe they were doing a great service to their people, the Werejackals obediently served the Triad for centuries. There was no rebellion from the jackals like the cats and a wolves. They were the ones who volunteered as the link to tie the werecreatures' transformations to the cycle of the moon. However, they were banished after the felines rebelled. Being spies, the Triad believed them to be more of a liability than an asset after the werecats rebelled. They were hunted with the rest, instead. One group in particular, chose to hide in Hallow Oaks

Transformation

A Werejackal transformation is just painful as a Lycan's, though most begin to enjoy the pain because it happens so often. The first transformation is the hardest, being the first time their bones shift and twist to get transform into their new form. It starts when their body temperature spikes, making them feel extremely hot. They become covered in hair and their muscles bulk up to size. A Werejackal will experience their first shift at the age of puberty, but in rare cases can be caused by extreme emotion under a traumatic event.

Werejackals can tap into their inner jackal willingly and they aren't forced to shift every month, but can only shift into their jackal form under the rays of the moon during any cycle. Through high emotions such as anger and love, they were able to show certain traits such as golden cat-like eyes and fangs. However, during the cycle of a full moon it is said to be the one night a Werejackal is at their peak. It is under the full moon that most wars are waged as it is believed to bring out the most vicious and feral side of a Werejackal, therefore making them nearly unstoppable at this time.

Though they are not forced to shift every month it is highly recommended they do so regularly as not doing so can prove unhealthy for both them and the people around them. If forced to prevent a shift they will become extremely temperamental and will succumb to fits of rage until they are allowed to shift. Like Lycans, they can choose to appear as a jackal or a man-like jackal hybrid, though a simple jackal form proves easier for first time shifters.

Temperament

Werejackals do not have the Lycans' pack mentality for the most part. Like the Werecats, they tend to remain solitary or with a single partner. Loyalty is barely there, however. They don't play well with others at all and strictly solitary beasts. They have the worst temper out of the original three and tend to be the most possessive and territorial, having a difficult time with the idea of sharing. They do know how to play those around them to get the things or circumstances that they want. Like the Werecats, children tend to learn all the ins and outs of their kind and how to control their shifts and temper by their parents. Once they mastered their shifts, they are expected to venture off on their own. Unlike the Werecats, jackal children are not expected to keep in touch. There isn't much of a familial bond between them once adulthood is reached.

Abilities

A single bite can weaken a vampire but cannot turn a witch or human. Only those born with the gene can become Werejackals. When a Vampire is bitten they are infected but do not die from the infection alone. It is merely served as a means to injure the Vampire to make killing them an easier task.

Because of their origins as Shapeshifters, Werejackals inherited the ability to sense danger around them. A strange, unsettling feeling consumes them even though they do not know why and will instinctively take precaution until the feeling has subsided. Much like that of the Lycan's and a jackal, Werejackals have superior hearing, smell, and sight, even in human form. Their sense of hearing being their greatest attribute. They are strong and can bust through most things, but they aren't all quite as strong as Lycans. Their main talents are tied in with their ability to lie, stretch the truth and completely manipulate those around them. While they aren't predominantly fighters, the jackals are the ones most likely to befriend their enemy so they can stab them in the back.

In bothjackal and Human form, Werejackals are able to communicate and in some cases control their smaller ancestor jackal. They also have the ability to communicate with other Werejackals telepathically in jackal form as well.

Weaknesses

The only way to kill a Werejackal is by heart extraction or decapitation. Silver or other metals only cause irritation and in most cases will just piss them off. Ingredients such as Wolfsbane is a highly effective sedative that can easily take down even the most aggressive werejackal with a single dose. Like all species, Werejackals are susceptible to all forms magic.