Unlike popular culture, Lycans are not werewolves. Lycans in The Grimscape are monsters at their very core. While the wilds created them for a purpose, the nature of the lycan is drenched in pure bloodlust. These creatures are the apex hunters, embodying all the most fearsome traits of the predators that live across the world, including that of humans. 

 

While there is biologically no difference between each Lycans, humans tend to categorize them by breeds based on the region they have been spotted. Slight differences have been witnessed over the ages, the most obvious being fur color and unique adaptations. Almost always these differences match up with the terrain in which their breed has adapted to. 

 

Lycan society is nearly the same across the globe. These creatures have simple natures and therefore where a Lycan can be found his pack is nearby. The hierarchy begins with the Alpha who tends to be the strongest physically. Next is the Beta, the mate of the alpha. Then the Deltas who make up the more dominant and hunter types and lastly is the Omega which is reserved for young or submissive lycans. This dominance hierarchy by its evolutionary necessity causes constant splinter packs to form to claim their own territory, but most importantly, it gives them the right to mate and produce offspring. 

 

Territorial disputes often stem from the dominance wars, but it is even more common in the modern age for packs to develop peaceful borders, especially if human hunters or vampiric enemies are in the vicinity. Additionally, due to deforestation, climate change, and other ecological terrors that have happened over the centuries, lycans have adapted to the modern world. While more likely to find a lycan in the forest or on a mountain, it is becoming more and more frequent for packs to claim territory within cities, at the detest of vampires specifically.