World of Aserra

I didn't want to use actual werewolves originally, but I think they could be an option. They will be the result of a curse, not a race. It'll follow some of the typical werewolf myths--victims of the curse shift under the full moon (Nirya in this case) and turn into a bloodthirsty monster. Anyone bitten by a werewolf (and survives) will fall under the curse. They may have typical werewolf weaknesses to silver and wolf's bane, or something else.

For the history, I think that perhaps an entire village was cursed by a cabal of cursers. The curse spread from there, and for generations exorcists have been trying to break the curse, but it's proven to be very complicated.

So, throw in some ideas or werewolf mythos to work with.

They probably shouldn't have hunted those rare silver wolves that were that minor goddess's favorite. I mean, they were warned with myths about the wolves being protected, but I guess no one wanted to listen. Now that they have hunted the silver wolves to extinction, they will become the goddess's sword, and with their fangs and claws, take vengeance in her name. Et cetera.