Supernatural/Rugaru
 | |
|---|---|
| Creature type | Rugaru |
| Habitat | Planet Earth |
| Activity | Hunting living humans and consuming their flesh |
| Powers | Enhanced physical strength, speed, heightened senses |
| Weaknesses | Fire (primary), intense sonic vibrations, severe brain trauma |
| Creators of the species | Eve (like most monsters); genetic transformation of a human |
| First known representative | Father of Jack Montgomery (killed in 1978) |
| Posthumous localization | Purgatory |
| Seasons | 4, 6, 8, 12, 14 |
| First mention | Metamorphosis |
| First appearance | Metamorphosis |
| Last appearance | Nihilism (mention / enhanced specimen) |
"Rugaru" (also spelled Rougarou) is a species of monster in the series Supernatural, representing a genetically predetermined transformation of a human into a carnivorous humanoid that feeds on human flesh ("long pig"). Rugarus are born and live for a long time as ordinary humans, unaware of their nature, until the process of metamorphosis begins.
History and origin
Rugarus belong to the monsters created by Eve — the Mother of All Monsters. There is no confirmed information in the canon about the existence of a separate Alpha Rugaru, although hunters (including the Winchesters) captured rugarus for Crowley, which indirectly suggests the possible existence of an alpha.
The condition is passed down genetically and is not a virus or a classic curse. A carrier of the gene is born and grows up as a normal human. Around the age of thirty a hidden phase of changes begins: bones start shifting under the skin, animal instincts emerge, and an insatiable hunger appears. At first the person experiences a strong craving for all food, which later turns exclusively into a craving for human flesh.
As long as the carrier has not eaten human flesh, they retain a human appearance and a certain degree of self-control. A single bite of human flesh triggers a complete and irreversible transformation that occurs within minutes. After that the rugaru permanently loses its human form and becomes a monster.
In the episode "Metamorphosis" (4.04) the hunter Travis tells the Winchesters about rugarus and cites the example of Jack Montgomery — the son of a rugaru whom Travis killed in 1978 without knowing that the man’s wife was pregnant. Jack resisted the hunger for a long time but ultimately could not hold himself back, killed Travis and completed the transformation. Sam Winchester burned him alive.
Rugarus were also encountered in Purgatory (where Dean interrogated one of them) and among the enhanced monsters of Michael’s army.
Physical appearance
Before full transformation a rugaru is indistinguishable from an ordinary human. After the first bite of human flesh the appearance changes drastically:
- the skin becomes "wormy", pale, with prominent veins and folds;
- the teeth take on a rotten appearance;
- the eyes turn black (during the stage of intense hunger before full transformation the sclera may be reddish/bloodshot).
A fully transformed rugaru retains a humanoid form but looks repulsive and bestial.
Powers and abilities
- Superhuman strength — rugarus are significantly stronger than ordinary humans and many other monsters. They can easily break human bones, tear flesh, rip off limbs, and break steel handcuffs and chains.
- Enhanced speed — allows them to effectively pursue prey.
- Heightened senses — especially smell and vision; they are able to detect a potential victim from a considerable distance.
- Endurance — they virtually never tire while hunting or fighting.
- Partial invulnerability — ordinary melee and firearms are largely ineffective; specific methods are required.
Even after full transformation rugarus retain memories of their human life and may display remnants of emotion (horror, anger, love, remorse), yet the hunger almost always overrides these manifestations.
Weaknesses
- Fire — the primary and most reliable method of destruction. A rugaru must be burned alive. Hunters use flamethrowers and similar tools.
- Intense sonic vibrations — a special weapon of the British Men of Letters is capable of killing rugarus by melting their brains.
- Severe brain trauma — in Purgatory Dean Winchester was able to "kill" a rugaru by driving the demon-killing knife through the chin into the brain.
- Vamptonite (the Leviathan formula) — theoretically capable of killing most monsters, including rugarus.
While a rugaru has not yet taken the first bite of human flesh it remains as vulnerable as an ordinary human; after the transformation ordinary methods of killing cease to work.
Behaviour and hunting
After full transformation a rugaru acts as a predator, often moving on all fours and feeding in an extremely violent manner. Hunger is the dominant instinct. Individual attempts to resist the transformation are known, yet in the canon no rugaru has ever succeeded in permanently suppressing the hunger.
The genetic nature makes the species especially dangerous: even if the current carrier is killed before transformation, the gene can still be passed to offspring.
Posthumous localization
Like all monsters, the souls of rugarus go to Purgatory after death.
Significance in the series
The episode "Metamorphosis" raises the theme of predestination and free will. Sam, himself experiencing demonic changes, tries to save Jack, insisting that a person can resist their nature. Dean takes a more pragmatic stance. The tragic outcome emphasises that certain monstrous entities in the world of *Supernatural* are virtually impossible to stop before they cause harm.
Interesting facts
- The name derives from the Cajun/French folklore creature Rougarou (a variant of loup-garou — werewolf), yet in the series rugarus differ substantially from the folkloric werewolf: they are not linked to the moon, do not transmit a curse by bite, and feed on flesh rather than blood.
- Travis compared the transformation to a maggot turning into a fly.
- In Purgatory rugarus retain the ability to speak and can be interrogated.
- Grace-enhanced rugarus appeared in Michael’s army (Apocalypse World).