Lycans, known in popular culture as werewolves, are among the most common and widespread of the Cryptozoological entities the Bureau engages with. Ranging the entirety of North and South America, as well as some areas of Eastern Europe, Lycans are highly social entities and unlikely to exist outside of human communities in the modern world. Their frequent interactions with mankind make careful management of their populations and attention to their wants and needs of the utmost importance to the Bureau’s operations.

The United States is home to 28 recognized Lycan organizations (henceforth referred to as packs) as well as numerous small and unregistered groups. These groups range in size, though those officially recognized as packs typically number no fewer than 40 (the Black Hills pack is an exception, see report Incident L248.22 and “Spirituality in Lycan and American Indian Mixed Populations”).

Lycan packs are, in any case, rarely a threat to human habitation. Being anthropogenic, Lycan populations rarely exist far outside of human settlement, although they seem to prefer the outskirts of human society and are rarely found established in heavily urban areas. Most Lycans lead entirely normal, safe lives during the day, and are considered low risk when interacting with human populations. New Lycans, however, are an exception.

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Lycanism, the underlying cause of Lycanthropy, is classified as a curse. Though its origins are uncertain, it is believed to be incredibly old, and is seated in the blood of the cursed individual. Lycanism is commonly referred to as “blood sickness” and can cause newly made Lycans to be a danger to themselves and to others.

Lycanism can cause, in a new and uninitiated Lycan, intense auditory and visual hallucinations, painful forced shifts, loss of sense-of-self, depression, and bloodlust. These effects range in intensity and, combined with the supernatural strength, senses, and regenerative capacity of even a partially turned Lycan can cause the individual to be a danger, both to themselves and to those around them. The collective psychogenic effects of the curse in a new Lycan are referred to in common parlance as “The Call” or “Bloodmoon’s Tide,” and Lycans commonly describe the sensation of it as a kind of pull on the psyche, though they seem unable describe what it is pulling them to.