Notes on supernatural society
Vampires and werewolves both adhere to a strict hierarchy; they are brought into a group by that group's leader - either a hive's queen or a pack's Alpha - and, consequently, remain as a part of that pack/hive for the remainder of their afterlife. Both types are highly territorial, and it's unusual for any to remain outside their territory for long. Vampires are notoriously incapable of this, while werewolves, as long as they are with their pack, can spend several months away from their land while performing military service.
Would-be supernaturals begin their service to the pack or hive while still mortal - clavigers, or "key-keepers", ensure the werewolves are kept locked safely away during the full moon, while drones are a food source for the hive. They also perform more mundane labour, often working as servants to the supernaturals, or as their daylight agents. Drones and clavigers are typically of an artistic temperament - actors and other extroverted sorts are drawn to the werewolves, while introverts are more likely to become drones - but this does not always hold true. It is, however, commonly believed that creativity is a sign of the excess soul required for a successful transformation - and the distinct lack thereof afterwards is just as telling.
Very few people actually survive transformation - the Westminster Hive, for example, has six members, and is believed to be rather large; the Woolsey Pack is similar in size. Most of these are men - though it must be noted that only female vampires can create more of their kind.
The notable exceptions to the supernatural pecking order are lone werewolves and rove vampires. Both are individuals who have separated from the rest of their kind, and are looked down upon as slightly odd or eccentric (particularly rove vampires). The English monarch typically chooses his or her supernatural advisers from these individuals - the vampire potentate and the werewolf dewan - believing that they are uninfluenced by the politics of hive and pack. They also have their own drones and clavigers, though not in as many numbers, and the followers tend to be quite as eccentric as their masters.
Vampires frown upon the soulless - often referring to them as soul-suckers, which is not at all a term to be used in polite society - as they used to be used to hunt supernaturals, prior to their acceptance into society. Werewolves call them curse-breakers, and many consider them a sort of gift, taking away their transformation - curse - at the full moon by means of physical contact.
The English government keeps track of supernaturals via BUR - the Bureau of Unnatural Registry. BUR employs all three types of supernaturals, as well as "daylight" agents, full humans who are capable of operating during the day. The slang term for a BUR agent is a sundowner; Lord Maccon, the werewolf Alpha of the Woolsey pack, is the chief sundowner and head of BUR, assisted by Professor Lyall, his Beta.
Would-be supernaturals begin their service to the pack or hive while still mortal - clavigers, or "key-keepers", ensure the werewolves are kept locked safely away during the full moon, while drones are a food source for the hive. They also perform more mundane labour, often working as servants to the supernaturals, or as their daylight agents. Drones and clavigers are typically of an artistic temperament - actors and other extroverted sorts are drawn to the werewolves, while introverts are more likely to become drones - but this does not always hold true. It is, however, commonly believed that creativity is a sign of the excess soul required for a successful transformation - and the distinct lack thereof afterwards is just as telling.
Very few people actually survive transformation - the Westminster Hive, for example, has six members, and is believed to be rather large; the Woolsey Pack is similar in size. Most of these are men - though it must be noted that only female vampires can create more of their kind.
The notable exceptions to the supernatural pecking order are lone werewolves and rove vampires. Both are individuals who have separated from the rest of their kind, and are looked down upon as slightly odd or eccentric (particularly rove vampires). The English monarch typically chooses his or her supernatural advisers from these individuals - the vampire potentate and the werewolf dewan - believing that they are uninfluenced by the politics of hive and pack. They also have their own drones and clavigers, though not in as many numbers, and the followers tend to be quite as eccentric as their masters.
Vampires frown upon the soulless - often referring to them as soul-suckers, which is not at all a term to be used in polite society - as they used to be used to hunt supernaturals, prior to their acceptance into society. Werewolves call them curse-breakers, and many consider them a sort of gift, taking away their transformation - curse - at the full moon by means of physical contact.
The English government keeps track of supernaturals via BUR - the Bureau of Unnatural Registry. BUR employs all three types of supernaturals, as well as "daylight" agents, full humans who are capable of operating during the day. The slang term for a BUR agent is a sundowner; Lord Maccon, the werewolf Alpha of the Woolsey pack, is the chief sundowner and head of BUR, assisted by Professor Lyall, his Beta.