This newsgroup is probably a little different than most groups you've come across in Usenet. If you're reading it based on the name, then chances are you have an interest in werewolves and horror-genre fiction. So do we... but there's more to it than that.

When alt.horror.werewolves was first grouped, lo those many years ago, it was basically for discussion of werewolf fiction. There really wasn't a lot of traffic in it; maybe two or three messages a day. It attracted the attention of Folks who were interested in just more than horror fiction, folks who were interested in legends and folklore and fact. And, also, folks who felt a special attraction to werewolves and shapeshifters. Gradually, the talk turned to address those feelings and thoughts, and a new concept was formed: Spiritual Therianthropy.

A theriomorph is a shapeshifter; a being who can assume an animal as well as a human form. A spiritual theriomorph is someone who sees aspects of animals in his or her personality and actions, and those aspects more or less shape who he or she is. Many of us feel an animal spirit that is an integral part of our being, affecting how we interact with others, what we do, where we go... and in that sense, we are shapeshifters. We exist mentally as both animal and human. When we shift, mentally, the outside world usually notices it... the change in thought produces a change in demeanor that's readily recognizable.

Some of us are role-playing gamers, yes... but this newsgroup is not a role-playing game. It is for real, and we are for real. We discuss pretty much everything here; we like to have fun as well as be serious. We've discussed arcade games, books, movies, how to combat shedding problems, virtual snowball fights, serious philosophy, original fiction and poetry, parties, RPG games, methods of transforming, physical vs. spiritual... you name it; if it has to something to do with shapeshifting or one's personal search for enlightenment it'll get talked about here. BUT! We don't live-role play here. There are better places to do that and we'd rather not confuse folks into thinking that we're just role-playing and not actually serious. alt.games.whitewolf is a good place for discussing the finer points of RPG's like _Werewolf: The Apocalypse_. alt.fan.furry is a good place for discussing anthropomorphic cartoons, animation, and artwork. alt.games.furrymuck for muck/mud/moo enviornments.... you get the picture.

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) file is posted monthly on the group, and is also available from the keeper of the FAQ, KatmanDu, via email at katmandu@uga.cc.uga.edu {Note: Kat has the most recent version of the FAQ}

and, the whole AHWW FAQ can be found on Lobo's AHWW Page or Utlah's Copy (one of the best) or Techwolf's Core AHWW FAQ (partial, but good) or Read it in German

or check the portions I have (which are a much older version than most versions you'll find, but also have a few notes added by me here and there):

Part I: The Basics, Part II: Spiritual Therianthropy, Part III: Shifter Multimedia, Part IV: A Bit of Fun, Part V: Wendigo Mini-FAQ, Part VI: Werebear Mini-FAQ, Part VII: Feline Mini-FAQ,and Part VIII: Odds n' Ends.

It answers alot of questions that folks seem to have, but there's nothing like a one-on-one conversation for specific problems. Read the group awhile, read the FAQ, and find someone who is writing that you admire and email 'em.... most everyone on the group would be happy to answer your questions.

Again, welcome to alt.horror.werewolves! We hope you'll enjoy the conversations here.

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