Should Werewolves Have Tails?
- Rhuen
- Legendary
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:49 am
- Custom Title: Dark One of the Moon
- Location: The Darkness its self
- Contact:
Can't?neoritter wrote:Thats the problem cells can't grow that fast and you can't create enough energy to magically create the material.
really...can't?
I'll just S'Cry'ed matter and make me a werewolf.
Or summon the energy from the Oblivian plane of creation and turn the energy into matter and add that matter onto my own body as I magically transmutate into a werewolf.
As for cells not being able to grow fast, tell that to the Venus Flytrap.
when I look in the mirror what looks back isn't always my reflection.
- neoritter
- Legendary
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:16 pm
- Custom Title: The Dogfighter
- Location: East Coast
Is a wolf a venus flytrap? no. That aside, the amount of caloric energy needed to rapidly create cells would burn out the person, the cells have to have some sort of biological matter to create themselves with. Now you can create that matter by converting energy into a matter, but that would take far greater amounts of energy. Already realizing that werewolfs are pretty impossible, I am trying to keep it as simple as possible when they transform. Hence, no tail. Thats added material that wasn't there before.Rhuen wrote:Can't?neoritter wrote:Thats the problem cells can't grow that fast and you can't create enough energy to magically create the material.
really...can't?
I'll just S'Cry'ed matter and make me a werewolf.
Or summon the energy from the Oblivian plane of creation and turn the energy into matter and add that matter onto my own body as I magically transmutate into a werewolf.
As for cells not being able to grow fast, tell that to the Venus Flytrap.
-
- Legendary
- Posts: 3355
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 9:16 pm
- Custom Title: Aspiring "Reverse" Kitsune
- Gender: Male
- Location: Lakeville MN - (USA)
- Contact:
neoritter
...it is a simple matter of (Probable) fact that it is impossible to convert a creature that is not designed to transform (a Human) into one that does just that...tail or not...by merely introducing some sort of transmutive agent into thier body. (via bite, etc.)
Long story short...werewolves CAN NOT exist in the way we like to see them.
...but we Want To see them that way.
It has been made painfully clear in many conversations prior to this one (some very heated) that if we were to stick strictly to what is REALLY possible...all our werewolves would be really boring and not cool at all.
So...for each incarnation, we choose to bend the laws of physics and biology in one or more crucial ways. Once we have concluded that, in the universe that the werewolf in question exists in, *THIS* (*fill in whatever is needed*), is possible, then we go ahead and devise how the proccess would progress from there, assuming that it DOES work that way (even if it doesn't in R.L.).
That said...clearly the existance of a tail on a werewolf is undesireable to you, due to the fact that the inherant biological/physical difficutlies that would have to be overcome are just too extreme to be passable...in your opinion.
(...as well as the 'defining feature' aspect on transformations that could be mistaken for normal wolves, as has been included in some legends...)
Noted.
Considering how many Werewolf Movies, Novels and artistic representations have NOT included that perticular feature, you are in good company for maintining that opinion.
...however...
There are numerous symbolic and aesthetic reasons why many others prefer it to be there anyway, which to them (including myself) are good enough to warrant stretching the rules just a little bit more in order for it to exist.
Overall, the insistance that it should not be there because it would be impossible is as stifling to the exploration of the potential of the character as my own tired insistance that werewolves that get bigger when they transform can not exist either.
...as much as either of us may not like it. ...both have thier legitimate excuses to exist in the genre whenever the creator desires it. It has it's place and purpose.
...it is a simple matter of (Probable) fact that it is impossible to convert a creature that is not designed to transform (a Human) into one that does just that...tail or not...by merely introducing some sort of transmutive agent into thier body. (via bite, etc.)
Long story short...werewolves CAN NOT exist in the way we like to see them.
...but we Want To see them that way.
It has been made painfully clear in many conversations prior to this one (some very heated) that if we were to stick strictly to what is REALLY possible...all our werewolves would be really boring and not cool at all.
So...for each incarnation, we choose to bend the laws of physics and biology in one or more crucial ways. Once we have concluded that, in the universe that the werewolf in question exists in, *THIS* (*fill in whatever is needed*), is possible, then we go ahead and devise how the proccess would progress from there, assuming that it DOES work that way (even if it doesn't in R.L.).
That said...clearly the existance of a tail on a werewolf is undesireable to you, due to the fact that the inherant biological/physical difficutlies that would have to be overcome are just too extreme to be passable...in your opinion.
(...as well as the 'defining feature' aspect on transformations that could be mistaken for normal wolves, as has been included in some legends...)
Noted.
Considering how many Werewolf Movies, Novels and artistic representations have NOT included that perticular feature, you are in good company for maintining that opinion.
...however...
There are numerous symbolic and aesthetic reasons why many others prefer it to be there anyway, which to them (including myself) are good enough to warrant stretching the rules just a little bit more in order for it to exist.
Overall, the insistance that it should not be there because it would be impossible is as stifling to the exploration of the potential of the character as my own tired insistance that werewolves that get bigger when they transform can not exist either.
...as much as either of us may not like it. ...both have thier legitimate excuses to exist in the genre whenever the creator desires it. It has it's place and purpose.
Last edited by Vuldari on Wed Oct 18, 2006 11:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Please Forgive the Occasional Outburst of my Inner Sage ... for he is Oblivious to Sarcasm, and not Easily Silenced.
=^.^'= ~
=^.^'= ~
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Oct 18, 2006 2:22 pm
- Kirk Hammett
- Legendary
- Posts: 1496
- Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:02 am
- Custom Title: The Guitar Dude from Metallica
- Location: Planet Krypton (Or Australia)
- Contact:
I agree with Vuldari...if we stuck to science, then werewolves would simply -not- exist. Not in my opinion, despite the tadpole to toad metamorphism, despite all the genetic study one might come up with. A tail is just as impossible as an elgonated jaw and snout and ears...oh and not to mention actual wolf fur...and all this growing rather rapidly.
But I think the question is whether you prefer them to have tails (not including science) or not...and if you don't like tails, then that's as valid an opinion as anyone else
But I don't agree with ya -waves a tail in your face-
But I think the question is whether you prefer them to have tails (not including science) or not...and if you don't like tails, then that's as valid an opinion as anyone else
But I don't agree with ya -waves a tail in your face-
Dang...and I always waited around to see that ... childish horror it might be, but a werewolf nonetheless. I always wanted to see the design. I bet it's bad huh?werewolfprincess01 wrote:the tail really is a must for a werewolf. otherwise it looks like the werewolf off the tales from the crypt werewolf episode.
<b> Pack Drunk</b>
"Animals were not made for humans, not anymore than black people were made for whites or women for men" -Alice Walker-
"Animals were not made for humans, not anymore than black people were made for whites or women for men" -Alice Walker-
- STARWOLF_THE_MYSTIC
- Legendary
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Fri Jul 15, 2005 6:09 am
- Location: NJ, USA
- Contact:
STW, you know that you might want to expand on your answers, go more indepth. You're sorta just spamming for the sake of spam, if that is how you think and don't want to expand on it, then just vote on the ones that have a vote, like this one.
and for Pete's sake, don't spam for the sake of spam. It's sorta rude, if you have a valid point to make, make it, if not move right along
However, you did a good job in not starting new threads good job.
and for Pete's sake, don't spam for the sake of spam. It's sorta rude, if you have a valid point to make, make it, if not move right along
However, you did a good job in not starting new threads good job.
"Nam Sibyllam quidem Cumis ego ipse oculis meis vidi in ampulla pendere et cul illi pueri dicerent 'Sibylla Ti cupisne' respondebat illa 'Cupio mortere'."
-Satyricon
-Satyricon
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 7572
- Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:17 pm
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Contact:
Yes I agree with Fenrir, dont go on a posting spree with comments like that, actually type something worth reading every once in a while, please.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. - Thomas Jefferson
Yes, werewolves should have tails. To touch on another subject that some folks seem rather, well, touchy about. Male werewolves should have lupine genetalia. Female werewolves should have multiple breasts and female genitalia.
I'm not talking a furry John Holmes here, or a fluffy Dolly Parton, but a realistic representation of what you see on Animal Planet or every time you watch a Frisbee catching competition. There's nothing "ickky" or "dirty" about it...it's just a true representation and anything else is just one more speed-bump on the way to me "suspending my disbelief" so I can enjoy the story.
When a werewolf is shown full frontal and is smooth as a Ken doll, all that does is make me laugh at people who try to apply skewed human morality to the beauty of nature.
I'm not talking a furry John Holmes here, or a fluffy Dolly Parton, but a realistic representation of what you see on Animal Planet or every time you watch a Frisbee catching competition. There's nothing "ickky" or "dirty" about it...it's just a true representation and anything else is just one more speed-bump on the way to me "suspending my disbelief" so I can enjoy the story.
When a werewolf is shown full frontal and is smooth as a Ken doll, all that does is make me laugh at people who try to apply skewed human morality to the beauty of nature.
- RedEye
- Moderator
- Posts: 3400
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:45 pm
- Custom Title: Master of Meh
- Gender: Male
- Mood: Meh...
- Location: Somewhere between here and Wolf Bend, Montana.
Starwolf does seem to do a lot of posting and not a lot of saying anything.Fenrir wrote:STW, you know that you might want to expand on your answers, go more indepth. You're sorta just spamming for the sake of spam, if that is how you think and don't want to expand on it, then just vote on the ones that have a vote, like this one.
and for Pete's sake, don't spam for the sake of spam. It's sorta rude, if you have a valid point to make, make it, if not move right along
However, you did a good job in not starting new threads good job.
In fact, he's just short of really spamming. Perhaps he's a newby on the 'net, and just in over his head.
As to Werewolf tails, yes! There are a few potential scenarios that would support a Were' with a tail >strongest: It stays when the Wolf reverts, kinda' like a greyhound's tail. When the Wolf shifts, I fuzzes up. Otherwise, there's only the "switching body" format, where the Werewolf body is stored in Hyperspace. Don't forget the claim check.
Fact is, It isn't scientific, but it is the most aesthetic, for the Werewolf to have a tail... however it's managed.
Edit: After thinking about it, if there are no tails; it'll be a real disappointment.
RedEye: The Wulf and writer who might really be a Kitsune...
I think, when it all comes down to dust, any shifting is going to take an energy that's not understandable. So, I say with hands, feet, head, fur, teeth, and claws, what's a tail more?
I have dogs - one with a stub and one with the new 1/4 tail they have for dogs that have brittle tails. The tail, even a little one, is better. It's such a part of the personality, the body language. And when you don't have a spoken language, the tail's pretty important IMO. And they're pretty!
Besides, i can't picture a wolf without a tail. If I become a werewolf, I want a tail in gestalt form as well as wolf form.
I have dogs - one with a stub and one with the new 1/4 tail they have for dogs that have brittle tails. The tail, even a little one, is better. It's such a part of the personality, the body language. And when you don't have a spoken language, the tail's pretty important IMO. And they're pretty!
Besides, i can't picture a wolf without a tail. If I become a werewolf, I want a tail in gestalt form as well as wolf form.
- Scott Gardener
- Legendary
- Posts: 4731
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:36 pm
- Gender: Male
- Mood: Excited
- Location: Rockwall, Texas (and beyond infinity)
- Contact:
-
- Legendary
- Posts: 132
- Joined: Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:42 am
- Custom Title: *thinking*
- Location: my happy place
- Contact:
- In_Cruce_Salus
- Legendary
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Sun Dec 17, 2006 10:00 pm
- Location: Planet Earth
Well, for most tailed creatures the tail is a very important limb. Not only does it help with communication, but it aids in balance when running. Any werewolf without a tail would either be a gestalt-only werewolf, or would be extremely clumsy as a four-legger.
Initial Here: ___
Here: ___
And Here: ___
Sign on the dotted line: .................................
Here: ___
And Here: ___
Sign on the dotted line: .................................
-
- Legendary
- Posts: 2335
- Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:28 pm
Yes, but ancient thread like this keep the general "omgz shuld wwolfs haev tailz????" threads out.Scott Gardener wrote:Ancient thread at this point, perhaps one of the oldest. 126 to 1, with 6 neutrals. If this were eBay feedback, I'd buy from this guy.
Now, looking at the large number of yesses... This is definitely an indication hat anyone makin' a werewolf movie without a tail s'got something missing...
yay for AB!
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 7572
- Joined: Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:17 pm
- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
- Contact:
I still think tails are just a add on. And its very shallow of people to say that werewolves must have tails. You all forget that some werewolves wouldnt look good with tails (ah la underworld lycan). It all depends on the design, if it has a very wolfish look to it with fur and everything then by all menas have the tail. Otherwise its better to leave it with no tails.
It seems to me that whenever someone here thinks of werewolves they automaticaly think of Goldenwolfs or Jaime Sidor design or other anthro/furry artist. I on the other hand think much different from everyone else including goldenwolf and lobo leo, I like variety .Yes I do wish to see more werewolves with tails in movies, but god forbid to have every werewolf design with a tail, we have enough of that in art and games. True we rarely seen werewolves with tails in movies, but do we really want to see a furture where rarely any werewolves have no tails? Think about it.
It seems to me that whenever someone here thinks of werewolves they automaticaly think of Goldenwolfs or Jaime Sidor design or other anthro/furry artist. I on the other hand think much different from everyone else including goldenwolf and lobo leo, I like variety .Yes I do wish to see more werewolves with tails in movies, but god forbid to have every werewolf design with a tail, we have enough of that in art and games. True we rarely seen werewolves with tails in movies, but do we really want to see a furture where rarely any werewolves have no tails? Think about it.
Last edited by Shadow Wulf on Sat Feb 24, 2007 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories. - Thomas Jefferson
-
- Legendary
- Posts: 2335
- Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2005 6:28 pm
- Scott Gardener
- Legendary
- Posts: 4731
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:36 pm
- Gender: Male
- Mood: Excited
- Location: Rockwall, Texas (and beyond infinity)
- Contact:
I agree that from a movie standpoint, having a tail is the exception we're wanting to see. I also support Shadow Wulf's argument. I'm still a tail proponent myself.
But, ultimately, I think there are more important aspects of lycanthropy to address than whether or not they have a tail, like whether or not they have a tale.
Cosmetic details is fun to dicker over, and we all have our ideals. It is indeed remarkable how so many of us do tend to favor the Goldenwolf / Jamie Sydor look; I even refer to that image as the "Consensus werewolf," because of its heavy endorsement by werewolf fandom, particularly therians. (Not saying it's a universal consensus, mind you, but a strong pleurality one, to the point of being archetypal.)
But really, in essence, debates about motivation and purpose are much more meaningful to me than whether or not one has a fluffy appendage coming out one's buttocks.
But, ultimately, I think there are more important aspects of lycanthropy to address than whether or not they have a tail, like whether or not they have a tale.
Cosmetic details is fun to dicker over, and we all have our ideals. It is indeed remarkable how so many of us do tend to favor the Goldenwolf / Jamie Sydor look; I even refer to that image as the "Consensus werewolf," because of its heavy endorsement by werewolf fandom, particularly therians. (Not saying it's a universal consensus, mind you, but a strong pleurality one, to the point of being archetypal.)
But really, in essence, debates about motivation and purpose are much more meaningful to me than whether or not one has a fluffy appendage coming out one's buttocks.
Taking a Gestalt approach, since it's the "in" thing...
- RedEye
- Moderator
- Posts: 3400
- Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 11:45 pm
- Custom Title: Master of Meh
- Gender: Male
- Mood: Meh...
- Location: Somewhere between here and Wolf Bend, Montana.
Wolves have tails, so why not their cousins, the Werewolves? We humans DO have tails as we develop in the womb, but after a point we grow and it stops.
If Were's don't have fully articulated Big Toes, then they really need
tails for balance and manuvering.
Try this: Take any of the Werewolf Avatars here, and delete the tail by covering it. The picture loses half its impact.
Imagine Figarou sans tail. Pathetic! Were's need to have tails, or they're just not believable.
If Were's don't have fully articulated Big Toes, then they really need
tails for balance and manuvering.
Try this: Take any of the Werewolf Avatars here, and delete the tail by covering it. The picture loses half its impact.
Imagine Figarou sans tail. Pathetic! Were's need to have tails, or they're just not believable.
RedEye: The Wulf and writer who might really be a Kitsune...
-
- Legendary
- Posts: 1384
- Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 5:31 pm
- Custom Title: The hip-hoppinest, nacho-lovinest lycanthrope
- Location: Chu-Town, ID
i personally think that tails are a must when it comes to werewolves.
they're important limbs, and wolves have 'em, and i dunno, i don't think werewolves look good without 'em, knamean?
they're important limbs, and wolves have 'em, and i dunno, i don't think werewolves look good without 'em, knamean?
DENNY COLEMAN IS KING!
"It is a widely known fact that ALL werewolves love Malt-o-Meal."
http://djnacho.deviantart.com
"It is a widely known fact that ALL werewolves love Malt-o-Meal."
http://djnacho.deviantart.com
-
- Legendary
- Posts: 3355
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 9:16 pm
- Custom Title: Aspiring "Reverse" Kitsune
- Gender: Male
- Location: Lakeville MN - (USA)
- Contact:
Here is just a random thought that crossed my mind just now...
Tails are an Aesthetically pleasing feature. They balance the look, and overall shape of most creatures that have them.
When I think about it...the only werewolves that look worse with the addition of a Tail are "UGLY", disgusting, demonic, and/or featureless* (*nearly indistinguishable from an ordinary human) Werewolves.
Aesthetically pleasing werewolves, Like the ones in "Van Helsing", can look good without it, but most of us here would agree would have looked better with.
It's only when the werewolf looks really unnaturally freaky (or boring) that the expressive, animalistic appendage looks out of place...unless it is as freaky looking as the rest of it, like in "Ginger Snaps".
(...at least...that is my observation at 1:34 AM. Maybe in the morning I will think of an exception that disproves the point. I don't know...I need to go to bed)
Tails are an Aesthetically pleasing feature. They balance the look, and overall shape of most creatures that have them.
When I think about it...the only werewolves that look worse with the addition of a Tail are "UGLY", disgusting, demonic, and/or featureless* (*nearly indistinguishable from an ordinary human) Werewolves.
Aesthetically pleasing werewolves, Like the ones in "Van Helsing", can look good without it, but most of us here would agree would have looked better with.
It's only when the werewolf looks really unnaturally freaky (or boring) that the expressive, animalistic appendage looks out of place...unless it is as freaky looking as the rest of it, like in "Ginger Snaps".
(...at least...that is my observation at 1:34 AM. Maybe in the morning I will think of an exception that disproves the point. I don't know...I need to go to bed)
Please Forgive the Occasional Outburst of my Inner Sage ... for he is Oblivious to Sarcasm, and not Easily Silenced.
=^.^'= ~
=^.^'= ~
Too right... I had to cropRedEye wrote:Try this: Take any of the Werewolf Avatars here, and delete the tail by covering it. The picture loses half its impact.
<------ this picture down a bit to make it fit the avatar size restriction, and it doesn't quite look right with half the guy's tail out of shot.