Okay; let's take the risk of death first. We are all going to die, eventually. How one dies is as valid and important as how one lives. If I were to die trying to become a being I see as a "better me", I would say that was a good death.Uniform Two Six wrote:Wow, I really do wish I had something that profound to say in response.alphanubilus wrote:The reality is, believing in the fantastic is always better than facing the "real" world. I don't think there is a person here or anywhere that wouldn't want to step out of their skin and be somebody else or something else.
For the record, I said "no" because of the "significant chance of death" thing. It does beg the question, however: Once you're a werewolf, presumably you can't go back (okay there's some old legends that hint that "redemption" is possible, but bear with me). What would you do if you really were turned into a werewolf? Even if it's your personal ideal werewolf, would your life really change that much? More importantly, if it did would it be for the better? In reality, you would likely have to hide what you really were from everyone else. As such, you would probably get very little opportunity to explore your newfound nature. I'd think that even if you were transformed into a werewolf, you'd by necessity have to spend most of your life as a mundane human being just like the rest of us poor saps.
As for "Redemption", if you felt the need to be "Redeemed" in the religious sense, then Lycanthropy as a lifestyle is not for you. If you mean the ability to switch forms between Wulf and Smoothskin; that is usually a part of being a Werewolf, a Metamorph.
Religion...The Children of the Wolf would probably have a religion of their own, so maybe "Redemption" comes as a Wolf, not a man; or as a Soul, not a body.
As to the hiding aspect; we hide much of ourselves every day. Being Wulfen would be simply another "hiding", but of a far greater thing than simply a vice or an online character. Living the life? Why not just head out for a "hike" and not come back? You're already set up with what you need to survive in the wild far better than these "Survival Experts" on Television are at their best.
Finally; One would suspect that if they existed, they would be all through society as part of it. That way they could hide better; they'd know who was looking. That would also mean that there would be a society of other Wulfen to hang with, to share with and learn from; remember that Wolves and Humans are social creatures, so you wouldn't be alone.
You might also be surprised on who is "in" on the "Secret" when you're part of that secret. Werewolves might be hiding in plain sight; the "Woods" that are invisible because of the "Trees".
So, I'd still go for it. Life has difficulties in abundance, so why not choose the ones that provide a measure of happiness as well?