Originally from Norway, the Hagen pack was started back in the early 9th century when they were expanding their lands for farming, only to realize it was going to make them a bigger target to other tribes that would want to invade and take over their lands for resources.
Seeing the potential danger his clan was in, Chief Erik ordered the Volva or magic woman to ask the gods on his behalf to give his clan superior strength over any who would dare challenge or try to invade. After a month the magic woman came down to the village on the first spring night of the full moon and had all the people gather around at the center where they performed their rituals. The fire was lit along with some torches that formed a circle around the main fire. The witch then had the chief step into the center of the circle by the fire and kneel before her. She then signaled one of the warriors to bring forth a wolf skin and place it over the chief's shoulders.
The witch cut on both of the chief's palms and had him put his bloodied hands on the wolf skin that covered his head. She raised her staff in the air with a burning plant called Henbane tied to the end. This plant was used by the warriors before battle to give them a high adrenaline rush known as the Berserker Rage that terrified the enemy into either submission or retreat. With all the tribesmen and women present, the witch then began the chant as the night clouds parted to reveal the full moon.
"Spirits of the Land, keepers of place
Weather-wise, your knowledge runs deep
Landvaettir great, Ancient as Earth
Land wights old, Guardians of garth
Spirits of leaf, and thorn and stone
Creatures of feather and fur and skin
We call you forth, to bless this ritual."
"This offering we make to our Land Wight
Spirit of peace, and power of Thorn
Protect us and keep us this night as all nights
Ward this Land, ward this Hall,
Ward the people and animals herein."
After she was done saying the chant, a strong wind started to blow in from the north putting out all the torches but not the main fire in the center.
The first change happened with the chief when he started to groan in pain while grinding his teeth and clawing at his face, leaving blood streaks from his bloody hands. Soon the rest of the tribe started having the same reactions as him and fell to the ground in pain as well. Most of the warriors started going into their berserker rage while others just cried out in pain wanting it to stop. The chief then started feeling a heavy burning sensation in his hands, legs, and head. He noticed his fingers start to lengthen, along with the same feeling his legs bend backward in an unnatural position making it impossible for him to stand on two legs.
The worst pain happened in his head upon feeling the bones in his skull shift and crack making it feel like his head was on fire. Erik looked around and could see his fellow tribesmen, women and children alike were all suffering the same as him. He started to have doubts that maybe seeking magical powers to strengthen his tribe wasn't the best decision but it was too late to turn back now. Next his spine contorted and lengthened increasing his body size to twice that of a normal warrior. His skin started to sting with the sudden appearance of long white hair appearing all over his body.
The final big change happened when his vision blurred and he fell to the ground with one final jolt of pain going through his whole body making him roar out into the night air. It was only when he tried to stand, that he saw two big white paws where his hands used to be. Erik finally realized the witch had used a nature spirit spell to have the gods give him and the tribe strength of a wolf pack over their territory. Feeling that he was no longer in his human form, he stood up on four shaky legs getting used to bearing this new weight.
When he looked around, he couldn't believe what he was seeing, his tribe was now a pack of wolves in various sizes and colors standing before him getting used to their new forms as well. Standing up to his full height, his wolf towered over all the others reaching 7ft at the shoulders with twice the muscle mass of the others including his strongest warrior. Another surprise was when he felt a second consciousness in his mind to speak to him.
"You're now an Alpha and this is your pack. You must continue to lead them with wisdom and proper guidance for the gods have deemed you worthy of this gift."
"Who are you and how are you speaking to me without me seeing you?" Erik asked confused.
"I am your wolf and also your guide so you can lead your pack. We must build the bond with the rest of the pack while the moon is still high in the sky, I'll guide you on what to do," his wolf replied.
Erik started to feel his mind open up more letting a flood of voices into his head. He recognized them as the voices of his people and mentally shouted "Silence!", making all the voices stop at once.
As if instinctively, he raised his head and let out a loud booming howl that echoed for miles. All the pack joined in with their howls and followed their alpha as he took off into the night across his territory and once they reached the river, he crept slowly to the water's edge to be met with the reflection of a huge white wolf with blue eyes.
"This is how I look, are you pleased with my appearance?" his wolf asked.
"Words can't describe how happy I am right now of how I and my pack have been blessed," he replied satisfied with his pack's new gift.