Worgen, the Werewolves of Azeroth

            My favorite contemporary example of werewolves comes from World of Warcraft, an immensely popular video game. In this game there are a race of characters called Worgen, whose beginnings relate strongly to the early modern period werewolves. Worgen began as humans or elves who fell under a curse and would turn into a werewolf form, part wolf and part humanoid. Although not initially evil or bearing ill intentions, they were seen as outcasts because of their monstrous form, and were exiled or imprisoned. They were seen as outcasts and monsters, and thus treated inhumanely, just as people in the early modern period treated the alleged werewolves in the werewolf persecutions. The punishment of Stubbe Peter was clearly a punishment far beyond the ethical boundaries of treatment for any human, regardless of their crimes. However, in World of Warcraft, the Worgen are able to push past being seen as monstrous and reintegrate themselves into society.

            The acceptance of Worgen as another regular race began when a small group of the original Worgen, turned feral and evil by their imprisonment, escaped and began to attack and infect a major human city. As more and more humans fell under the curse, it was clear that it was spreading too fast to be controlled. The remaining scientists and wizards all gave one last effort to find a cure before the entire city was destroyed. They succeeded in finding a solution that although not a complete cure, prevented the curse from being spread any further. The Worgen that were cured could no longer pass on the curse, but they also did not completely regain their human form. They have the ability to transform between a human and Worgen form, however their Worgen form comes out naturally under high emotional stress or in combat. This new race of Worgen, very similar to popular perceptions of werewolves with the ability to transform between human and wolfish forms, began to build a new society and sought to be accepted again amongst their human compatriots in other areas of the world. Eventually they were successful, and the Worgen were accepted into the Alliance as a real race, equal to the other races of men, elves, and dwarves. This acceptance shows how people were able to look past the monstrous form and pay attention to the fact that they were still a population with physical and intellectual capabilities equal to those of the other high races. Similarly, our modern society is experiencing a social movement towards not viewing any group of people as monstrous. Whether it be race, sexual identity or orientation, or any other factor, we are beginning to become more accepting of all people, just as werewolves, or Worgen, were able to become accepted into their culture.