Gauru is one of the forms taken by the Uratha. It has a limited duration and is generally used only for a kill.
Overview[]
Physiology[]
In Gauru form, the ears gain another three or four inches in length beyond those of the Dalu form, but the inner ear does not change; this increases auditory sensitivity only slightly. The ears, unlike those of wolves, face only forward. The nose merges completely with the mouth and grows to form a snout equal in length to that of the nearwolf form, creating the war form’s vicious jaws combined with a more sensitive nose. The throat becomes broader and makes a much smoother transition from the chin (now a part of the muzzle) to the chest, which grows larger to accommodate a reinforced ribcage. The werewolf's eyes do not grow (and visual acuity does not increase significantly), but the eyes are more sensitive to motion and less sensitive to stationary objects, to a greater degree than that of the wolf form. This makes it easier for a werewolf in Gauru form to be aware of events and aspects of combat, at the expense of other vision.
In this form, the eyes of the werewolf have an unmistakably bestial aspect, not to mention the Rage visible deep within. The vomeronasal organ is fully developed at this point, and provides a very useful reference: enemies and “friendlies” emit very different pheromones, making it easier for the werewolf to instantly tell friend from foe in the heat of battle. The fully developed vomeronasal organ also makes it more difficult to trick the werewolf with regards to one’s loyalty — which means that if one is hiding ulterior motives, it is a good idea not to be nearby a dupe in Gauru form. “Betrayal pheromones” can sometimes be hidden among the scents of other, more obvious enemies, but it is a risky proposition. The wolf-human form is not used as a means of testing loyalty because of the dangers and lack of control associated with it, and because those particular scents are rarely emitted except during the vigor of combat.
Usually, at least half of the height gained entering Gauru form is from the elongation of the legs. This is also the form in which the legs make the transition from plantigrade to digitigrade. The war form takes advantage of the longer, digitigrade legs to move both more quickly — the war form makes it almost impossible to do anything but run — and more quietly. The werewolf’s arms grow several inches, as do the length of the fingers, providing a reach advantage over other (unarmed) opponents. The “fingernails” become full claws at this point, with uniquely overgrown nail beds to prevent the nails from tearing out when used in battle. The werewolf gains equally strong claws on their paw-like feet, preventing them from slipping when pushing off to leap into battle, even on rain-soaked pavement. In this form, the werewolf’s metabolism increases several times in speed. This change cannot be laid at the feet of a physical change, and some interested Uratha claim that Rage forces the metabolic processes into overdrive. This increased metabolism has the dual effect of reducing the lifetimes of drugs in the body and causing the werewolf to be hungry when the rigors of Rage force them out of Gauru.
The vocal cords in this form can cross the entire range of pitches necessary to fluently speak the First Tongue, and the throat and mouth in Gauru are the perfect shapes to properly inflect and enunciate the First Tongue; unfortunately, werewolves are rarely in a position to make use of this advantage. Savants among the People can only hypothesize that this was the preferred form before their downfall. The werewolf speaks human tongues with pronounced growls and guttural additions, but well enough to be understood.
Psychology[]
A werewolf in Gauru form is ruled by instinct. They feel irresistible urges that govern their actions, causing them to take the most immediate and direct solutions to any problem that presents itself. An enemy is to be destroyed with application of force, a stuck door is to be destroyed with application of force, an unsalvageable game of chess is to be destroyed with application of force, a bad movie…. When they smell a familiar scent, they move to hurt it if it’s a recognized enemy, or ignore it otherwise. A sound that might be suspicious or dangerous elicits a deadly reaction. If an ally whose motives are suspect changes to a more dangerous form — especially Gauru — they probably becomes an immediate candidate for attack. The most powerful instinct of this form is one instilled in the People’s spirits, commonly called Rage, which forces the werewolf to exert themselves to their fullest extent. Rage gives them strength and speed born of perfect desperation, and affects their other instincts somewhat — but it is also extraordinarily draining. When the werewolf no longer has the energy to maintain this exertion, incontrovertible instinct drives them to revert to another form. Werewolves can exert some control in Gauru form, but the control is very little and very difficult. When in a werewolf is in this form, everything looks like food; werewolves spend a great deal of effort preventing themselves from devouring human-, wolf- or werewolf-flesh while in this form. Some werewolves take the wise precaution of ensuring that they are reasonably well-fed.
Clearly, the human-wolf form is chosen only when the direct approach is desirable, and one believes the risks and collateral damage are worth the results. Or, as the Forsaken know too well, when taken by Kuruth.
Reference List[]
- WTF: Werewolf: The Forsaken Rulebook, p. 171-172
- WTF: Blood of the Wolf, p. 36-37