{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Werewolves 101: Origins, Tropes, and Thematic Storytelling with Kel MacDonald","description":" This episode, Janet sits down with award-winning comic creator Kel MacDonald (Sorcery 101, The City Between, Misfits of Avalon) for a deep dive into all things werewolf. Whether you're building a pack for your next RPG campaign, writing a werewolf protagonist, or just love unpacking classic monster tropes, this episode is full of insight for crafting werewolves that actually serve your story. Topics covered include: The surprising history of werewolf mythology\u2014from the Greek myth of King Lykos to the French folktale Bisclavret and the Irish legend of the Werewolves of Ossory Why the full moon as a werewolf trigger is a much more modern invention than you'd think (hint: it's a 1940s Hollywood addition) Standard werewolf powers and features\u2014super strength, heightened senses, silver as a weakness\u2014and where these tropes came from The alpha\/beta\/pack dynamic, its problematic ties to consent issues in some stories, and healthier "found family" alternatives Thematic werewolf storytelling: civilization vs. wilderness, unchosen transformation, marginalization, and the "wolf as id vs. wolf as other" divide Why werewolves and vampires so often end up sharing a universe (blame Hammer Horror) Common pitfalls: full-moon pacing problems, overpowered werewolves, dragged-out reveals, and copying tropes without understanding their purpose Werewolf transmission and "cures"\u2014and why creators should think carefully if lycanthropy is standing in for something like neurodivergence Practical worldbuilding tips, like tying werewolf behavior into ecosystems and community structures https:\/\/www.worldanvil.com  https:\/\/kelmcdonald.com\/  ","author_name":"World Anvil Worldbuilding Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/www.worldanvil.com","html":"