Quileutes and Wolfpack
|
The Quileute tribe are a Native American people currently numbering approximately 750.
The Quileute people settled onto the Quileute Indian Reservation after signing the Treaty of Quinault River of 1855 (later reauthorized as the treaty of Olympia in 1856) with the United States of America. The reservation is located near the southwest corner of Clallam County, Washington at the mouth of the Quillayute River on the Pacific coast. The reservation's main population center is the community of La Push, Washington. The 2000 census reported an official resident population of 371 persons on the reservation, which has a land area of 4.061 km² (1.5678 sq mi, or 1,003.4 acres).They have their own government that consists of a Tribal council with staggered terms.
The Quileute tribe linguistically belongs to the Chimakuan family of languages among Northwest Coast indigenous peoples. The Quileute language is one of a kind, as the only related aboriginal people to the Quileute, the Chemakum, were wiped out by Chief Seattle and the Suquamish people during the 1860s. The Quileute language is one of only five known languages that do not have any nasal sounds (m, n).
Like many other Northwest Coast groups, in pre-Colonial times the Quileute relied on fishing from local rivers and the Pacific Ocean for food and built plank houses (longhouses) to protect themselves from the harsh, wet winters west of the Cascade Mountains. The Quileutes, along with the Makah people, were once great whalers.
The Quileute people settled onto the Quileute Indian Reservation after signing the Treaty of Quinault River of 1855 (later reauthorized as the treaty of Olympia in 1856) with the United States of America. The reservation is located near the southwest corner of Clallam County, Washington at the mouth of the Quillayute River on the Pacific coast. The reservation's main population center is the community of La Push, Washington. The 2000 census reported an official resident population of 371 persons on the reservation, which has a land area of 4.061 km² (1.5678 sq mi, or 1,003.4 acres).They have their own government that consists of a Tribal council with staggered terms.
The Quileute tribe linguistically belongs to the Chimakuan family of languages among Northwest Coast indigenous peoples. The Quileute language is one of a kind, as the only related aboriginal people to the Quileute, the Chemakum, were wiped out by Chief Seattle and the Suquamish people during the 1860s. The Quileute language is one of only five known languages that do not have any nasal sounds (m, n).
Like many other Northwest Coast groups, in pre-Colonial times the Quileute relied on fishing from local rivers and the Pacific Ocean for food and built plank houses (longhouses) to protect themselves from the harsh, wet winters west of the Cascade Mountains. The Quileutes, along with the Makah people, were once great whalers.
In the TWILIGHT Series
In the Twilight Saga, fictional members of the Quileute tribe live in and around Forks, Washington. Many of them are shape-shifters. Notable Quileutes include Jacob Black and his father, Billy Black.
Legends
According to Quileute legend, the spirit warriors were the first to shift from humans into wolves. Quileute population was always small, but they never disappeared since it was believed they had magic in their bloodlines.
Spirit Warriors
The Quileute tribe settled in La Push and became efficient fishermen and shipbuilders. As time passed, other peoples coveted their land and moved against them for it. The tribe was small and could not defend themselves, so they took their ships and left the land. At sea, Kaheleha used the magic in their blood to defend it. He was the first Spirit Chief in Quileute history. He and all the men left the ships in spirit only, leaving their bodies behind under the care of the women. Though they could not physically hurt the enemy, the warriors had other ways. They blew fierce winds into enemy camps; they could make great screaming in the wind and could manipulate animals to do their bidding. Animals were the only ones that could see them and help. The invading tribe had packs of thick-furred dogs to pull their sleds in the north, and which were set against them. Bats were brought out of the cliff caverns. As a result, the dogs and bats won and the survivors of the invaders scattered thinking the harbor cursed. The Quileutes released the dogs, who ran wild, and returned to their bodies victorious. The Hohs and the Makahs made treaties with the Quileutes because they wanted nothing to do with their magic.
Legends
According to Quileute legend, the spirit warriors were the first to shift from humans into wolves. Quileute population was always small, but they never disappeared since it was believed they had magic in their bloodlines.
Spirit Warriors
The Quileute tribe settled in La Push and became efficient fishermen and shipbuilders. As time passed, other peoples coveted their land and moved against them for it. The tribe was small and could not defend themselves, so they took their ships and left the land. At sea, Kaheleha used the magic in their blood to defend it. He was the first Spirit Chief in Quileute history. He and all the men left the ships in spirit only, leaving their bodies behind under the care of the women. Though they could not physically hurt the enemy, the warriors had other ways. They blew fierce winds into enemy camps; they could make great screaming in the wind and could manipulate animals to do their bidding. Animals were the only ones that could see them and help. The invading tribe had packs of thick-furred dogs to pull their sleds in the north, and which were set against them. Bats were brought out of the cliff caverns. As a result, the dogs and bats won and the survivors of the invaders scattered thinking the harbor cursed. The Quileutes released the dogs, who ran wild, and returned to their bodies victorious. The Hohs and the Makahs made treaties with the Quileutes because they wanted nothing to do with their magic.
Chief Taha Aki
Generations passed and the last of the great Spirit Chiefs came to be. Taha Aki was a man of peace and was known for his wisdom. However there was one man named Utlapa who believed that they should use their magic to expand their control over the Hohs and the Makahs, building an empire. When the spirit warriors left their bodies their minds were all connected with each other. Taha Aki did not like what Utlapa wanted and banned him from the tribe. Utlapa left and hid in the nearby forest.
Taha Aki was vigilant and protected his people even when there was no danger. Every so often, the Spirit Chief would leave the village to a sacred and secret place in the mountains. He would leave his body behind and searched the surrounding areas for any dangers or threats. One day, Utlapa followed Taha Aki planning to kill him, but as he waited for him to leave his body he hatched another plan. Utlapa left his body, took Taha Aki's body, and killed his own. Taha Aki knew immediately what was happening when Utlapa joined him in the spirit world. He raced back to his sacred place but was too late. He followed his body in his spirit self down to the tribe. For weeks he watched with despair as Utlapa made sure everyone believed he was Taha Aki. Then Utlapa's first edict came: no warrior was to enter the spirit world because he had a vision of danger, but in truth he was afraid of Taha Aki. Utlapa took liberties with the tribe that no one ever dreamed of. He took a second and a third wife, even though Taha Aki's wife still lived. Eventually, Taha Aki brought a great wolf down the mountains to kill Utlapa and free the tribe, but Utlapa only hid from it behind his warriors. The wolf ended up killing a young man, making Taha Aki's grief greater.
Taha Aki was vigilant and protected his people even when there was no danger. Every so often, the Spirit Chief would leave the village to a sacred and secret place in the mountains. He would leave his body behind and searched the surrounding areas for any dangers or threats. One day, Utlapa followed Taha Aki planning to kill him, but as he waited for him to leave his body he hatched another plan. Utlapa left his body, took Taha Aki's body, and killed his own. Taha Aki knew immediately what was happening when Utlapa joined him in the spirit world. He raced back to his sacred place but was too late. He followed his body in his spirit self down to the tribe. For weeks he watched with despair as Utlapa made sure everyone believed he was Taha Aki. Then Utlapa's first edict came: no warrior was to enter the spirit world because he had a vision of danger, but in truth he was afraid of Taha Aki. Utlapa took liberties with the tribe that no one ever dreamed of. He took a second and a third wife, even though Taha Aki's wife still lived. Eventually, Taha Aki brought a great wolf down the mountains to kill Utlapa and free the tribe, but Utlapa only hid from it behind his warriors. The wolf ended up killing a young man, making Taha Aki's grief greater.
Taha Aki had been away from his body long enough to be in agony. He felt doomed of never being ever to cross the line between life and death. The great wolf followed him through the forest and Taha Aki felt jealous of the animal; at least it had a body and a life. At that moment the Spirit Chief had an idea that changed the future of the Quileutes. He asked the animal if he could share his body with him and the wolf complied. As a single being, the wolf and the man went to the village. The people feared the wolf, shouting for the warriors' help. The warriors came with spears in their hands, but they stopped in surprise of what the wolf was doing: the wolf was retreating from the warriors and trying to yelp the songs of their people. The warriors realized what it was doing and could only think that it was being influenced by a spirit.
An old warrior, Yut, disobeyed the orders of the false chief and left his body. Yut gathered the truth in an instant and welcomed Taha Aki. Almost instantly, Utlapa realized what had happened and raced towards Yut's body with his knife. The other warriors were confused. Yut went back into his body but could not fight Utlapa off before warning the others, as he was too old. Taha Aki watched as Yut's spirit left the world and he returned to the wolf's body feeling a great rage. The wolf shuddered and transformed into a man before the eyes of the warriors. The man did not look like Taha Aki's body, but like his spirit self, which the warriors recognized instantly. Utlapa tried to run but Taha Aki had the strength of the wolf and killed him. Upon realization of what had happened, everything returned to normal. The only change he kept in place was the forbiddance of spirit travels. From then on he was known as the Great Wolf or the Spirit Man. He led the tribe for many years because he did not age. He fathered many sons, who in time found that they too could turn into wolves on reaching manhood. However, they were all different because the wolf form reflected the spirit of the man. Some became warriors like Taha Aki and did not age, others did not like to transform, and started to age.
An old warrior, Yut, disobeyed the orders of the false chief and left his body. Yut gathered the truth in an instant and welcomed Taha Aki. Almost instantly, Utlapa realized what had happened and raced towards Yut's body with his knife. The other warriors were confused. Yut went back into his body but could not fight Utlapa off before warning the others, as he was too old. Taha Aki watched as Yut's spirit left the world and he returned to the wolf's body feeling a great rage. The wolf shuddered and transformed into a man before the eyes of the warriors. The man did not look like Taha Aki's body, but like his spirit self, which the warriors recognized instantly. Utlapa tried to run but Taha Aki had the strength of the wolf and killed him. Upon realization of what had happened, everything returned to normal. The only change he kept in place was the forbiddance of spirit travels. From then on he was known as the Great Wolf or the Spirit Man. He led the tribe for many years because he did not age. He fathered many sons, who in time found that they too could turn into wolves on reaching manhood. However, they were all different because the wolf form reflected the spirit of the man. Some became warriors like Taha Aki and did not age, others did not like to transform, and started to age.
The Third Wife's Sacrifice
After Taha Aki gave up his spirit self, trouble began in the North with the Makahs. Several young women had disappeared and they believed the neighboring wolves were to blame. However, all the wolves knew it was none of them because their minds were still connected with each other. Taha Aki did not want a war, especially since he could not lead his people any longer. He gave his eldest son, Taha Wi, the responsibility of finding who was to blame. Taha Wi led five wolves in search through mountains looking for evidence but they only found a strange, sweet scent. They followed it and the journey took them so far north that Taha Wi sent the two younger brothers back to inform the chief. Taha Wi and the other two never returned.
A year later, two Makah maidens were taken from their homes on the same night and the Makahs called upon the wolves. The Quileutes found the same sweet scent and went on the hunt once more. Only one of them returned. Yaha Uta, the eldest son of Taha Aki's third wife, returned carrying strange cold pieces of a corpse. He described what had happened to his brothers. One of them underestimated the strength of the creature and became a victim. Yaha Uta and his other brother were more careful but the creature matched their movements and got his hands on one of them. Yaha Uta found an opening on the creature's throat and began tearing at him desperately trying to save his brother. It was too late but he succeeded in ripping his enemy apart. Yaha Uta laid the remains of the creature on the ground to be examined. Suddenly the corpse began to attach itself together and so the elders set fire to it. They spread the ashes far and wide, except a small bag which Taha Aki wore around his neck to be warned if the creature ever decided to get himself together again. The creature was called the Cold One and Blood Drinker. They feared there were others like it since they only had one wolf protector left. Then came the Cold Woman, its mate. She was the most beautiful creature to be seen, though one small boy claimed the smell hurt his nose. An elder heard this and yelled for them to get away. He was the first to die at the mercy of the woman. She then proceeded to the other people until Yaha Uta arrived, followed by Taha Aki, his third wife, and the elders. When Yaha Uta was defeated, Taha Aki turned into an old gray wolf with the strength given by his anger alone. He began fighting the Cold Woman, when his third wife came to a conclusion.
She had just seen her son killed and now her husband ran a terrible danger, along with the rest of her sons and tribe. She heard every word the witnesses told the council and heard Yaha Uta's version of events the night the other one was beaten. She knew that his brother's divergence had saved him. She grabbed a knife from one of her sons, ran towards the blood drinker and stabbed herself in the heart. The Cold Woman could not turn away from the fresh blood and gave in to the thirst. Taha Aki bit her throat and finished her off along with two of his sons who felt such rage at seeing their mother dead that they turned into wolves. After that, Taha Aki never returned to his human self, staying to protect his wife's body and leaving to the forest never to return to the tribe.
A year later, two Makah maidens were taken from their homes on the same night and the Makahs called upon the wolves. The Quileutes found the same sweet scent and went on the hunt once more. Only one of them returned. Yaha Uta, the eldest son of Taha Aki's third wife, returned carrying strange cold pieces of a corpse. He described what had happened to his brothers. One of them underestimated the strength of the creature and became a victim. Yaha Uta and his other brother were more careful but the creature matched their movements and got his hands on one of them. Yaha Uta found an opening on the creature's throat and began tearing at him desperately trying to save his brother. It was too late but he succeeded in ripping his enemy apart. Yaha Uta laid the remains of the creature on the ground to be examined. Suddenly the corpse began to attach itself together and so the elders set fire to it. They spread the ashes far and wide, except a small bag which Taha Aki wore around his neck to be warned if the creature ever decided to get himself together again. The creature was called the Cold One and Blood Drinker. They feared there were others like it since they only had one wolf protector left. Then came the Cold Woman, its mate. She was the most beautiful creature to be seen, though one small boy claimed the smell hurt his nose. An elder heard this and yelled for them to get away. He was the first to die at the mercy of the woman. She then proceeded to the other people until Yaha Uta arrived, followed by Taha Aki, his third wife, and the elders. When Yaha Uta was defeated, Taha Aki turned into an old gray wolf with the strength given by his anger alone. He began fighting the Cold Woman, when his third wife came to a conclusion.
She had just seen her son killed and now her husband ran a terrible danger, along with the rest of her sons and tribe. She heard every word the witnesses told the council and heard Yaha Uta's version of events the night the other one was beaten. She knew that his brother's divergence had saved him. She grabbed a knife from one of her sons, ran towards the blood drinker and stabbed herself in the heart. The Cold Woman could not turn away from the fresh blood and gave in to the thirst. Taha Aki bit her throat and finished her off along with two of his sons who felt such rage at seeing their mother dead that they turned into wolves. After that, Taha Aki never returned to his human self, staying to protect his wife's body and leaving to the forest never to return to the tribe.
Ephraim Black
Taha Aki's descendants no longer turned to wolves when they reached manhood. Only when a cold one was near would they return. The cold ones always came in ones or twos so the pack stayed small with 3 wolves until a bigger coven came.
The leader of the coven spoke to Ephraim Black as if he were a man and promised not to harm the Quileutes. His strange yellow eyes gave proof of this, and a treaty was offered to the tribe even though there was no need—they outnumbered the wolves and could have won easily if they fought. Ephraim accepted and the coven's numbers forced a larger pack than before. Over the years, the coven left and returned to Forks but always kept true to their word and did not harm the tribe. it was said that Carlisle Cullen was the one who talk to Ephriam and made the promise.
The leader of the coven spoke to Ephraim Black as if he were a man and promised not to harm the Quileutes. His strange yellow eyes gave proof of this, and a treaty was offered to the tribe even though there was no need—they outnumbered the wolves and could have won easily if they fought. Ephraim accepted and the coven's numbers forced a larger pack than before. Over the years, the coven left and returned to Forks but always kept true to their word and did not harm the tribe. it was said that Carlisle Cullen was the one who talk to Ephriam and made the promise.
Modern Day
Billy Black heads the elder council of the tribe and his son Jacob Black is part of the Quileute wolf pack. The other members are Harry Clearwater, Quil Ateara Senior and Sam Uley, who is the eldest wolf and Alpha of the pack. Nevertheless, Jacob is the direct descendant of Ephraim Black and rightful heir to be Alpha of the pack, but he turns it down. However, in Breaking Dawn he claims that right and becomes an Alpha of his own pack, followed by Seth and Leah Clearwater.
Quileutes and Shape-Shifters(Wolfpack):
Quileutes and Shape-Shifters(Wolfpack):
Shape-Shifters (Wolfpack)
Shape-shifters, a.k.a the wolves, decend from original Spirit Warriors, from the ancient Quileutes thousands of years ago. Back then, a spirit warrior/chief could leave his body and travel as a spirit to protect the tribe from harm. They could blow fierce winds and communicate with animals, who would help them in scaring off their enemies. They could also hear each other's thoughts just as the wolves can.
The legend goes that one spirit warrior wanted to use this power to enslave the other tribes, but the chief would not have it and banished him from the tribe. One day the chief left his body in a secret hiding place to patrol the area for any danger. The warrior who had been banished had followed him and stole his body, cutting his own bodies' throat so the chief had no escape. The chief wandered for a while in spirit form, watching the man who stole his body do unspeakable things with his tribe. One day, the man as the spirit found a large, beautiful wolf in the woods. He was jealous of the wolf for having a physical form, but an idea came to him. He asked the wolf to make room in his head for him, and the wolf agreed. He rushed back to the village as the wolf. A few warriors had arrived to try to kill him, but he tried to make them realize who he was by yelping Quileute songs. One spirit warrior realized that there was a spirit influencing the wolf and left his body to talk to it, but the false chief killed him for the treachery, for he had forbidden spirit travels. The true cheif became enraged at this and he meant to go forward and kill the man, but his emotions were too much for the wolf, and the wolf transformed into a magnificent human. He used his new power to kill the false cheif, and quickly set everything right. The cheif had many children, and found out that his sons, at the age of manhood, could transform into wolves as well.
That is how the wolves came to be. The whole pack is made of the great -to however many degrees- grandsons and daughters of that original wolf.
The legend goes that one spirit warrior wanted to use this power to enslave the other tribes, but the chief would not have it and banished him from the tribe. One day the chief left his body in a secret hiding place to patrol the area for any danger. The warrior who had been banished had followed him and stole his body, cutting his own bodies' throat so the chief had no escape. The chief wandered for a while in spirit form, watching the man who stole his body do unspeakable things with his tribe. One day, the man as the spirit found a large, beautiful wolf in the woods. He was jealous of the wolf for having a physical form, but an idea came to him. He asked the wolf to make room in his head for him, and the wolf agreed. He rushed back to the village as the wolf. A few warriors had arrived to try to kill him, but he tried to make them realize who he was by yelping Quileute songs. One spirit warrior realized that there was a spirit influencing the wolf and left his body to talk to it, but the false chief killed him for the treachery, for he had forbidden spirit travels. The true cheif became enraged at this and he meant to go forward and kill the man, but his emotions were too much for the wolf, and the wolf transformed into a magnificent human. He used his new power to kill the false cheif, and quickly set everything right. The cheif had many children, and found out that his sons, at the age of manhood, could transform into wolves as well.
That is how the wolves came to be. The whole pack is made of the great -to however many degrees- grandsons and daughters of that original wolf.
Appearance
The wolves themselves vary in physical appearance, just like their human counterparts. For example, the wolf that scares Laurent away from Bella Swan is described as: “enormous—as tall as a horse, but thicker, much more muscular. The long muzzle grimaced, revealing a line of dagger-like incisors. A grisly snarl rolled out from between the teeth, rumbling across the clearing like a prolonged crack of thunder.” So huge that Bella, along with other residents of Forks, even mistakes it for a "bear" at first.
The other wolves are described: "One was a deep gray, the other brown, neither one quite as tall as the first." And finally a "rusty brown monster".
It is this "reddish brown" wolf that Bella focuses on, explaining "The wolf's eyes were dark, nearly black. It gazed at me for a fraction of a second, the deep eyes seeming too intelligent for a wild animal. As it stared at me, I suddenly thought of Jacob," but it is not until her later dream that Bella realizes that these eyes are actually "the black-brown, familiar eyes of Jacob Black."
Each wolf is a different color, which the stories say correlates with each wolf's true self. Quil Ateara and Sam Uley joke with one another that Sam's black fur is connected to his "black heart" while Quil's chocolate-brown fur reflects how "sweet" he is. This is more or less the only explanation offered for why each of the wolves are so radically different in coloration.
The other wolves are described: "One was a deep gray, the other brown, neither one quite as tall as the first." And finally a "rusty brown monster".
It is this "reddish brown" wolf that Bella focuses on, explaining "The wolf's eyes were dark, nearly black. It gazed at me for a fraction of a second, the deep eyes seeming too intelligent for a wild animal. As it stared at me, I suddenly thought of Jacob," but it is not until her later dream that Bella realizes that these eyes are actually "the black-brown, familiar eyes of Jacob Black."
Each wolf is a different color, which the stories say correlates with each wolf's true self. Quil Ateara and Sam Uley joke with one another that Sam's black fur is connected to his "black heart" while Quil's chocolate-brown fur reflects how "sweet" he is. This is more or less the only explanation offered for why each of the wolves are so radically different in coloration.
In Eclipse, we discover that there are some correlations between human and werewolf form. Bella asks why Jacob is furrier than the others: "Because my hair is longer."
The "monstrous size" of these creatures is emphasized again and again. This links clearly with the actual changes in the boys as well, which Bella notes, although she doesn’t connect the two together until later. "These were just four really big half-naked boys." As a human Jacob is at least 7'0", and she also remarks of the changes in Quil: "He looked bigger than the last time I’d seen him. What was with these Quileute boys? Were they feeding them experimental growth hormones?" It seems that a period of rapid growth happens in the human boy before he becomes a wolf.
It is also noticeable that the human form changes when the shape shifter mutation begins to occur. The mutation makes the boys' bodies accelerate to that of a full grown man, with the aging stopping at around the physical age of 25. This aging will pause at this point until the man stops taking on the spirit wolf form. Jacob crops his hair short, just like Sam Uley and the others, but, "The planes of his face seemed to have hardened subtly, tightened... aged. His neck and his shoulders were different, too, thicker somehow. His hands, where they gripped the window frame, looked enormous, with the tendons and veins more prominent under the russet skin." Becoming a wolf is a sign of maturity, and he visibly ages as a human as well. This also seems to be true of Sam Uley, as his first description is: “closer to a man than a boy, and his voice was very deep."
The boys become very similar in their physical human appearance until they could be mistaken for "quadruplets" as there was "something about the way they moved almost in synchronization to stand across the road from us, the way they all had the same long, round muscles under the same red-brown skin, the same cropped black hair, and the way their expressions altered at exactly the same moment."
The "monstrous size" of these creatures is emphasized again and again. This links clearly with the actual changes in the boys as well, which Bella notes, although she doesn’t connect the two together until later. "These were just four really big half-naked boys." As a human Jacob is at least 7'0", and she also remarks of the changes in Quil: "He looked bigger than the last time I’d seen him. What was with these Quileute boys? Were they feeding them experimental growth hormones?" It seems that a period of rapid growth happens in the human boy before he becomes a wolf.
It is also noticeable that the human form changes when the shape shifter mutation begins to occur. The mutation makes the boys' bodies accelerate to that of a full grown man, with the aging stopping at around the physical age of 25. This aging will pause at this point until the man stops taking on the spirit wolf form. Jacob crops his hair short, just like Sam Uley and the others, but, "The planes of his face seemed to have hardened subtly, tightened... aged. His neck and his shoulders were different, too, thicker somehow. His hands, where they gripped the window frame, looked enormous, with the tendons and veins more prominent under the russet skin." Becoming a wolf is a sign of maturity, and he visibly ages as a human as well. This also seems to be true of Sam Uley, as his first description is: “closer to a man than a boy, and his voice was very deep."
The boys become very similar in their physical human appearance until they could be mistaken for "quadruplets" as there was "something about the way they moved almost in synchronization to stand across the road from us, the way they all had the same long, round muscles under the same red-brown skin, the same cropped black hair, and the way their expressions altered at exactly the same moment."
Speed
Like the vampires, shape shifters are also superhuman in their ability to run. Jacob even compares it to being better and faster than a motorcycle, and thinks that the ability to run so fast is "the best part" of being a wolf.
Even in his human form, Jake seems to have developed more speed: "Then he turned and sprinted through the parking lot, across the road, and into the bordering forest. He flitted into the trees, swift and sleek as a deer." Jake noted in Breaking Dawn that running would be faster than riding a motorcycle, indicating that he can run at speeds of 100 miles per hour. The comparison to the vampires here is quite clear and Bella herself notes that being on Edward's back as he runs is "a hundred times better than the motorcycle."
The wolves caught Laurent, suggesting that they are faster than some vampires; however, they were unable to catch Victoria, indicating that some vampires are just as or faster than a werewolves. Bella says: "I couldn't imagine that—the wolves running faster than a vampire. When the Cullens ran, they all but turned invisible with speed." This may have to do with the werewolves being quadrupeds (using four feet to run) as opposed to vampires who are bipeds. It seems that speed is their real weapon, along with the exchange of thoughts within the pack.
Their reflexes are also immensely fast: "With stunning speed, Jacob yanked a can opener from the counter and launched it at Jared's head. Jared's hand flicked up faster than I would have thought possible, and he snagged the tool just before it hit his face." Also in Eclipse, at the Quileute bonfire, Paul harassed Jacob to give him his hot dog. When Jacob flung it across the circle, Paul caught it before it landed in the sand. They are certainly quick enough to tear apart one vampire as a pack, regardless of how strong that vampire is.
Even in his human form, Jake seems to have developed more speed: "Then he turned and sprinted through the parking lot, across the road, and into the bordering forest. He flitted into the trees, swift and sleek as a deer." Jake noted in Breaking Dawn that running would be faster than riding a motorcycle, indicating that he can run at speeds of 100 miles per hour. The comparison to the vampires here is quite clear and Bella herself notes that being on Edward's back as he runs is "a hundred times better than the motorcycle."
The wolves caught Laurent, suggesting that they are faster than some vampires; however, they were unable to catch Victoria, indicating that some vampires are just as or faster than a werewolves. Bella says: "I couldn't imagine that—the wolves running faster than a vampire. When the Cullens ran, they all but turned invisible with speed." This may have to do with the werewolves being quadrupeds (using four feet to run) as opposed to vampires who are bipeds. It seems that speed is their real weapon, along with the exchange of thoughts within the pack.
Their reflexes are also immensely fast: "With stunning speed, Jacob yanked a can opener from the counter and launched it at Jared's head. Jared's hand flicked up faster than I would have thought possible, and he snagged the tool just before it hit his face." Also in Eclipse, at the Quileute bonfire, Paul harassed Jacob to give him his hot dog. When Jacob flung it across the circle, Paul caught it before it landed in the sand. They are certainly quick enough to tear apart one vampire as a pack, regardless of how strong that vampire is.
Strength
Their movement is in powerful bounds as a wolf, but also as a human there is an incredible and obvious difference in strength. Bella notes that Jake handles her "too roughly" and when he hugs her it's with a "crushing" movement so that Bella is nearly suffocated. He doesn't seem aware of his additional strength like the vampires are, but this could well be due to the newness of the changes he has experienced.
Like the Cullens, once Jacob is a wolf, he exhibits similar displays of strength: "He slid his arms under me and lifted me without effort—like picking up an empty box." However, before the transformation has happened he is restricted to putting his arm around Bella and helping her back along the trail after her motorcycle accident.
When Jacob discusses being a wolf with Bella later in the novel, he explains: "It's what we're made for, Bells. We're strong, too." The sounds that the wolves make are also linked with both strength and ferocity, for example, their growls are described repeatedly as "like thunder".
Part of the strength of a wolf is that he (or she) is not a single entity, but part of a pack. They are stronger as a group than they would be alone. They communicate through the fact that they "hear each other's thoughts, but only when you're wolves", and during fights, like those we see at the end of Eclipse they can alert each other of danger.
They are more than a team. There is "no privacy, no secrets" between them and this makes them stronger. As Edward puts it, "The pack mind is mesmerizing. All thinking together and then separately at the same time. There's so much to read."
Like the Cullens, once Jacob is a wolf, he exhibits similar displays of strength: "He slid his arms under me and lifted me without effort—like picking up an empty box." However, before the transformation has happened he is restricted to putting his arm around Bella and helping her back along the trail after her motorcycle accident.
When Jacob discusses being a wolf with Bella later in the novel, he explains: "It's what we're made for, Bells. We're strong, too." The sounds that the wolves make are also linked with both strength and ferocity, for example, their growls are described repeatedly as "like thunder".
Part of the strength of a wolf is that he (or she) is not a single entity, but part of a pack. They are stronger as a group than they would be alone. They communicate through the fact that they "hear each other's thoughts, but only when you're wolves", and during fights, like those we see at the end of Eclipse they can alert each other of danger.
They are more than a team. There is "no privacy, no secrets" between them and this makes them stronger. As Edward puts it, "The pack mind is mesmerizing. All thinking together and then separately at the same time. There's so much to read."
Physiology
The skin when they are in human form is "burning hot". Bella feels this first when she believes Jake has a fever on the way home from the trip to see the movie. "Whoa, Jake—you're burning up!" but it is common enough for his body to be consistently at this temperature. Vampires are clearly the polar opposites of the wolves, with their icy-cold touch and marble-like skin. Perhaps their physiological make up reflects the tension between them.
A wolf's body temperature is about 108 degrees, allowing them to withstand very cold weather and makes it extremely difficult for them to become overheated. This extremely high body temperature also makes it extremely difficult for vampires to harm them in combat, due to vampires being extremely sensitive to high temperatures. After Bella becomes a vampire, she describes Jacob's skin as like touching an open fire and unbearable to touch.
The wolves also have extensive regenerative and healing capabilities. While they are not built like stone, these capabilities allow the wolves to continue battling even after sustaining serious injury. In some cases, however, this accelerated healing can be detrimental. After Jacob's bones were crushed by a group of newborns in Eclipse, his skeleton healed before Carlisle was able to set the bones back into position, forcing Carlisle to re-break the fractures that had set wrong to ensure that they would heal properly. Jacob also comments in Breaking Dawn that even a bullet through his temple might not be enough to kill him.
The actual transformation between human and wolf is described in most detail in New Moon. Certainly the initial transformation is not an easy one, as Jake explains his symptoms to Bella: "Everything," he whispered. "Every part of me hurts." Initially, I thought that this must be physical pain that Jake was experiencing, but Stephenie explained that this wasn’t actually the case. "The transformation into the wolf form is not a painful process, only disorienting and mentally uncomfortable." It is mental pain that Jake is referring to, from the fact he has realized that he is both a monster and the implications this has in his relationship with Bella.
While their skin is much more durable than that of a normal human (to the degree that the bones in Bella's hand are broken when she punches Jacob in the face), it is not granite hard like a vampire's. However, their high durability and healing factor makes it easier in a fight with the enemy, due to the incredible speed of their healing factor.
In their wolf form, their fangs are sharp enough to penetrate the granite hard skin of vampires. Bella witnesses this for herself during the climatic battle in Eclipse when she sees Seth easily biting through Riley's skin.
A wolf's body temperature is about 108 degrees, allowing them to withstand very cold weather and makes it extremely difficult for them to become overheated. This extremely high body temperature also makes it extremely difficult for vampires to harm them in combat, due to vampires being extremely sensitive to high temperatures. After Bella becomes a vampire, she describes Jacob's skin as like touching an open fire and unbearable to touch.
The wolves also have extensive regenerative and healing capabilities. While they are not built like stone, these capabilities allow the wolves to continue battling even after sustaining serious injury. In some cases, however, this accelerated healing can be detrimental. After Jacob's bones were crushed by a group of newborns in Eclipse, his skeleton healed before Carlisle was able to set the bones back into position, forcing Carlisle to re-break the fractures that had set wrong to ensure that they would heal properly. Jacob also comments in Breaking Dawn that even a bullet through his temple might not be enough to kill him.
The actual transformation between human and wolf is described in most detail in New Moon. Certainly the initial transformation is not an easy one, as Jake explains his symptoms to Bella: "Everything," he whispered. "Every part of me hurts." Initially, I thought that this must be physical pain that Jake was experiencing, but Stephenie explained that this wasn’t actually the case. "The transformation into the wolf form is not a painful process, only disorienting and mentally uncomfortable." It is mental pain that Jake is referring to, from the fact he has realized that he is both a monster and the implications this has in his relationship with Bella.
While their skin is much more durable than that of a normal human (to the degree that the bones in Bella's hand are broken when she punches Jacob in the face), it is not granite hard like a vampire's. However, their high durability and healing factor makes it easier in a fight with the enemy, due to the incredible speed of their healing factor.
In their wolf form, their fangs are sharp enough to penetrate the granite hard skin of vampires. Bella witnesses this for herself during the climatic battle in Eclipse when she sees Seth easily biting through Riley's skin.
Tattoo
In the movies New Moon and Eclipse, the members of the pack all wear this tattoo.
The tattoo was created for film merchandise much like the Cullen Crest and Volturi symbol. The tattoo features the image of two wolves.
The tattoo was created for film merchandise much like the Cullen Crest and Volturi symbol. The tattoo features the image of two wolves.
Phasing
The transformation itself can happen at any time, and isn't dependent upon a full moon. In young werewolves cases, they can change involuntarily because of lack of self-control: "'What would happen...if you got too mad?' I whispered. 'I'd turn into a wolf,' he whispered." The effects of this sort of transformation is shown in the relationship between Sam and Emily and the disfiguring injuries she has suffered. Transformation or "Phasing" is a sudden process and is described through a series of violent words: "burst", "exploded", "vibrating violently", "ripping", "blasted". It is so sudden "that if I'd blinked, I'd have missed the entire transformation" Initial transformations seem to be triggered by anger, and Jake explains that his own conversion to becoming a werewolf was staved off by his happiness with Bella: "I was like a time bomb. You know what set me off? I got back from that movie and Billy said I looked weird. That was all, but I just snapped. And then I—I exploded. I almost ripped his face off—my own father!". Sam Uley's transformation also supports this, as it "took him two weeks to calm down enough to change back."
Jacob's point of view explains the transformation back into human form: "I ignored him [Jared], closing my eyes and pulling myself together again. It felt like the air was trembling around me, shaking out from me in small waves. I lifted myself up on my hind legs, catching the moment just right so that I was fully upright as I shimmered down into my human self."
Jacob seems to find phasing between wolf and human form easier than most. "Even Sam couldn't have phased on the fly like that. He saw Paul losing it, and it took him, what, half a second to attack? The boy's got gift." He explains later to Bella that this may be due to his ancestry: "It takes some practice to phase back and forth but it's easier for me… because Ephraim Black was my father's grandfather, and Quil Ateara was my mother's grandfather." Because his lineage is so very strongly linked with the last pack, it seems to be easier for him than most.
Creation
The Wolves are only created when there are neighboring vampires, so that the Quileute land is always protected. Jacob explains, "There's no exact age... it just builds and builds and then suddenly—" It seems to occur around the point where the boy becomes a mature man, and is certainly accompanied by a sudden growth spurt that lasts for two months.
Their sense of pack-identity is strong. So much so that they are capable of hearing "thoughts—each other's anyway—no matter how far away from each other we are. It really helps when we hunt, but it's a big pain otherwise. It's embarrassing—having no secrets like that." Even in wolf form, they retain full control of their human minds. "They are still themselves–not at all the feral, mindless wolves of other mythologies." This means that all actions are knowing actions, although it is entirely possible for a wolf to lose his temper and for him to be out of control as both a human and a wolf. Jacob shows his human side in wolf form on the run up to the fight with Victoria, when he pulls a face with "his tongue lolled out the side in a wolfy grin" to make Bella giggle. "Jacob's grin widened over his sharp teeth." The wolves were believed to be only male until the transformation of Leah Clearwater, which surprised everyone, even though "she's a direct descendant, all right."
Jacob's point of view explains the transformation back into human form: "I ignored him [Jared], closing my eyes and pulling myself together again. It felt like the air was trembling around me, shaking out from me in small waves. I lifted myself up on my hind legs, catching the moment just right so that I was fully upright as I shimmered down into my human self."
Jacob seems to find phasing between wolf and human form easier than most. "Even Sam couldn't have phased on the fly like that. He saw Paul losing it, and it took him, what, half a second to attack? The boy's got gift." He explains later to Bella that this may be due to his ancestry: "It takes some practice to phase back and forth but it's easier for me… because Ephraim Black was my father's grandfather, and Quil Ateara was my mother's grandfather." Because his lineage is so very strongly linked with the last pack, it seems to be easier for him than most.
Creation
The Wolves are only created when there are neighboring vampires, so that the Quileute land is always protected. Jacob explains, "There's no exact age... it just builds and builds and then suddenly—" It seems to occur around the point where the boy becomes a mature man, and is certainly accompanied by a sudden growth spurt that lasts for two months.
Their sense of pack-identity is strong. So much so that they are capable of hearing "thoughts—each other's anyway—no matter how far away from each other we are. It really helps when we hunt, but it's a big pain otherwise. It's embarrassing—having no secrets like that." Even in wolf form, they retain full control of their human minds. "They are still themselves–not at all the feral, mindless wolves of other mythologies." This means that all actions are knowing actions, although it is entirely possible for a wolf to lose his temper and for him to be out of control as both a human and a wolf. Jacob shows his human side in wolf form on the run up to the fight with Victoria, when he pulls a face with "his tongue lolled out the side in a wolfy grin" to make Bella giggle. "Jacob's grin widened over his sharp teeth." The wolves were believed to be only male until the transformation of Leah Clearwater, which surprised everyone, even though "she's a direct descendant, all right."
Imprinting
The issue of imprinting is also critical as this is how the shapeshifter finds a soulmate: "It's not like love at first sight, really. It's more like... gravity moves. When you see her, suddenly it's not the earth holding you here anymore. She does. And nothing matters more than her."
Once two people are imprinted, the shapeshifter will feel the need of constant being in his soulmate's presence and to unconditionally give her whatever she wants, and vice versa. Should the imprinted one be an infant, the shapeshifter will act as a big brother figure; romantic feelings will not grow until the imprinted one comes to age.
Imprinting doesn't only work on humans but on half human/vampire as well. Like Jacob, it's certain that if a shapeshifter imprints on a hybrid, their hatred for their enemies (vampires) will be gone.
In addition, there is a law in the Quileute tribe that whoever becomes imprinted by a member of the pack, the rest of the wolves will not be allowed to harm them. This law is to prevent unnecessary battle as the shapeshifter will not forgive whoever harmed his soulmate.
Once two people are imprinted, the shapeshifter will feel the need of constant being in his soulmate's presence and to unconditionally give her whatever she wants, and vice versa. Should the imprinted one be an infant, the shapeshifter will act as a big brother figure; romantic feelings will not grow until the imprinted one comes to age.
Imprinting doesn't only work on humans but on half human/vampire as well. Like Jacob, it's certain that if a shapeshifter imprints on a hybrid, their hatred for their enemies (vampires) will be gone.
In addition, there is a law in the Quileute tribe that whoever becomes imprinted by a member of the pack, the rest of the wolves will not be allowed to harm them. This law is to prevent unnecessary battle as the shapeshifter will not forgive whoever harmed his soulmate.
Senses
Their sense of smell has adjusted to help them identify their one enemy. "'Vampire,' he spit out. 'I can smell it! Dammit!'" It is not clear whether it is heightened in other circumstances, but they certainly know vampires from a distance and find the smell sickly sweet and repellent.
They have sharp eyes that can see for great distances.
They all have excellent hearing even when in their human form. In Breaking Dawn, Jacob was able to hear Quil playing with Claire at First Beach from his bedroom.
They have sharp eyes that can see for great distances.
They all have excellent hearing even when in their human form. In Breaking Dawn, Jacob was able to hear Quil playing with Claire at First Beach from his bedroom.
Genetics
Finally, someone has the wolf inside them for life: "What I am was born into me", and while they are still mostly wolfish, they "can't... grow up," and stop aging. Jacob explains that this is only until they “stop phasing for a solid length of time [then] we age again." The wolves will stop aging until they give up the wolf spirit and chose to age.
It is while Carlisle is treating Jacob that he takes a blood sample and does tests with it, on the claim that he is fascinated by "werewolves". It is then that he finds out that shape-shifters have 24 pairs of chromosomes, 1 more pair than a human and 1 less than a vampire.
It is while Carlisle is treating Jacob that he takes a blood sample and does tests with it, on the claim that he is fascinated by "werewolves". It is then that he finds out that shape-shifters have 24 pairs of chromosomes, 1 more pair than a human and 1 less than a vampire.
Werewolves vs. Shape Shifters
While talking to the Volturi in Breaking Dawn, Edward reveals that the wolves of La Push are actually "shape-shifters" and not true werewolves. The original Quileute shape-shifters apparently could have taken the form of any animal, but chose wolves. These other werewolves, or "Children of the Moon" seem to go along with what people usually associate with werewolves. That is, they only change during a full moon, and they usually create another werewolf by infecting a human with a bite (like a vampire) rather than genetically like the Quileutes. Though, according to Edward, they are not harmed by silver bullets. "That was just another one of those myths to make humans feel like they had a sporting chance." Also according to Edward, "There aren't very many of them left. Caius has had them hunted into near extinction."
At the bonfire in Eclipse, the Quileutes say that shape-shifters are a natural enemy of vampires when telling their legend of the original tribe of shape-shifters who suddenly felt antagonism when they smelled a vampire's scent.
It is unknown whether there are other kinds of shape-shifters besides wolves.
At the bonfire in Eclipse, the Quileutes say that shape-shifters are a natural enemy of vampires when telling their legend of the original tribe of shape-shifters who suddenly felt antagonism when they smelled a vampire's scent.
It is unknown whether there are other kinds of shape-shifters besides wolves.
The Quileute Packs
In Breaking Dawn, Seth is informed that Bella and Edward have returned home and Bella has a rare disease. Jacob soon finds out that, instead, Bella is pregnant with Edward's half human-half vampire child. Sam and the others fear the harm the child brings and plan to kill all the Cullens including Bella and her mutant spawn. Jacob and Seth disband from the pack and form their own in order to protect the Cullens. They are soon joined by Seth's sister, Leah, in attempt to get away from Sam and protect her brother. After the birth of Renesmee, Jacob imprints on Renesmee and the shape-shifters' feud with the Cullens is put to an end and both packs work together in helping the Cullens and protecting La Push and Forks.
SAM ULEY'S PACK JACOB BLACK'S PACK Sam Uley (Alpha) Jacob Black (Alpha) Paul Leah Clearwater (Beta) Jared Seth Clearwater Collin Embry Call Brady Quil Ateara Seven unknowns
SAM ULEY'S PACK JACOB BLACK'S PACK