Lycanthropes
Known to some as werewolves, Lycanthropes are a race and not a disease. The condition that affords one the power to shift into the form of an upright wolf is not “infectious” and must be a trait passed on from a parent. They have an aversion to silver, burning on touch.
These lycanthropes have a culture based around being in shifted form, as it’s the only form that can survive the harshest climate in the world - the wilds of Ayr'razor. As well as this, they are often physically stronger in this form, with natural weapons. Lycans live in nomadic, caravan-style communities that travel from place to place, carrying everything in packs on their back and flank-side saddle bags on their hind legs.
When a lycanthrope is in their canine form, they refer to it as their 'coat.' A shifted lycan is 'wearing their coat,' and when they shift they are 'taking off their coat.' The only times they deign to take of their coat is when leaders of clans, or 'jarls,' gather and meet. It is a way to show they are not frightened or intimidated, whilst also acting as a sign of respect to offer such vulnerability to another jarl.
Sagas and Galivanting
Their last names are three-note songs that they call a 'saga,' howled across valleys to denote which clan is in the area. When made phonetic by human society, lycans opted to make last names that were equally three-parted, with the first letter of each surname matching the note of their howled name (E.g. Fern-el-Braum).
Young lycans often undergo a 'gallivant.' When a pack member is of age, the strongest often make the decision to leave their pack and roam on their lonesome, often staying short-term with other packs and meeting fellow people on their gallivant. As they meet people, others on their gallivant or even pack members of those they stay with can make the decision to join them, forming a new pack with one lycanthrope at the head of it. Once their galivant begins, they pick their own, new name. While their first name may not always change, their surname, their saga, must. It is a coming-of-age rite, a great spiritual honour to spend time bathing in the Anthem and searching for a harmony to become one's own saga - this ritual is known as a 'Harmony Hunt.'