Howling at the Digital Moon: A Theoretical Wolf-Themed Bluesky Client

You know what the AT Protocol ecosystem is missing? More lycanthropic energy.

I've been contemplating (hyperfixating on) the idea of creating a wolf-themed Bluesky client, much in the vein of what dame.is accomplished with anisota.net for moths. The concept keeps gnawing at me—pun absolutely intended—but I'm not quite committed enough to the bit to actually build it. Yet here I am, writing about it anyway.

And to be clear: I know full well this is way larger a project than I could realistically pull off. If it ever did happen, it’d probably spiral into scope creep and maintenance headaches faster than a full moon rises. Still, there’s something fun about sketching out the impossible, even if it never leaves the realm of theory.

The Vision: Selene's Domain

Picture this: a Bluesky client that transforms your social media experience into something altogether more... feral. The interface would be drenched in deep forest greens and moonlit silvers, with subtle animations that mirror the phases of our celestial companion. Posts wouldn't just appear—they'd emerge from the digital undergrowth like shadows between trees.

The name practically writes itself: Selene. In Greek mythology, Selene is the Titan goddess and personification of the moon itself, depicted riding across the night sky in a chariot drawn by winged steeds, her lunar crown glowing against the darkness. There's something deeply appropriate about invoking a deity who is worshipped at both the full and new moons—perfect for a platform that would celebrate the entire lunar cycle. The tagline? "In accordance with the full moon"—a nod to the cyclical nature of both lunar phases and the werewolf transformation that's been central to my special interest for years.

Symbolic Foundations

The visual motifs would run deeper than mere aesthetic choice. Given that my name, Ewan, derives from the Gaelic "Eòghann," meaning "born of the yew tree," the interface could incorporate subtle yew tree imagery throughout. In Celtic mythology, yew trees symbolise death and resurrection, their drooping branches able to root and form new trunks where they touch the ground—an endless cycle of renewal. What could be more fitting for a werewolf-themed social platform than a tree that embodies transformation itself?

And threading through it all would be the triskelion—that ancient Celtic triple spiral representing life-death-rebirth, the endless cycle with no apparent beginning or end. For lycanthropes, this perfectly encapsulates the trifecta of human, wolf, and the transformation between them. The symbol echoes the Triple Goddess encompassing maiden, mother, and crone—the cycle of life, death, and rebirth ever turning.

Gamification: The Pack Dynamics

But why stop at theming? The real magic would lie in the gamification elements that could transform mundane social media interactions into something resembling pack dynamics. Imagine following someone as "joining their pack," with different levels of engagement represented by ranks within the hierarchy. Your most active mutuals could earn "Alpha" status, whilst newer connections might start as curious "Lone Wolves" seeking acceptance.

Lunar Phase Integration

Posts could be categorised by lunar phases—new moon for private thoughts, waxing crescent for building ideas, full moon for your most passionate rants. The algorithm could even shift based on the actual lunar calendar, promoting different types of content as the moon waxes and wanes. During full moons, perhaps the interface would encourage more dramatic, emotional posts, whilst new moons might favour introspective content.

Transformation Mechanics

The client could track user engagement patterns and "transform" the interface based on activity levels. Heavy users might unlock more wolfish interface elements, whilst casual browsers maintain a more human appearance. This gamification would reward community participation whilst reinforcing the transformation theme central to lycanthropic mythology.

Technical Considerations

The beauty of building on the AT Protocol is that all the heavy lifting—identity, data storage, federation—is already sorted. I'd be free to focus on the experience rather than reinventing social media infrastructure. Using something like HTMX for dynamic interactions could keep the codebase lean whilst still providing that responsive, alive feeling crucial to the werewolf aesthetic.

Technology Stack Options

Alternatively, there's been a proper Gleam party happening in the AT Protocol space lately, with Lustre offering compelling frontend possibilities. There's something appealing about building a wolf-themed client in a language that prioritises safety and fault tolerance—traits any self-respecting pack would value.

Then again, I might just stick with my tried-and-tested stack: SvelteKit for the full-stack framework, Tailwind CSS for rapid UI development, TypeScript for that extra type safety, and the usual suspects like Vite for blazing-fast builds and Docker for deployment. There's something to be said for using familiar tools when you're already wrestling with the complexities of lycanthropic UX design. PostCSS and ESLint would keep everything tidy, whilst Prettier ensures the code stays as clean as a freshly groomed coat.

Performance and Accessibility

Regardless of the technology choice, the client would need to prioritise accessibility—werewolves come from all backgrounds and abilities. High contrast modes for users with visual impairments, keyboard navigation for those who can't use traditional pointing devices, and screen reader compatibility would be non-negotiable. The transformation animations would need to respect users' motion preferences, ensuring the lycanthropic experience remains inclusive.

Dark Mode by Design

Obviously, the client would ship with dark mode as the default—and the only mode. Werewolves don't do light themes. The transformation theme would be baked into every interaction: hovering over elements could trigger subtle morphing animations, scrolling through your timeline might feel like prowling through digital territory, and composing posts could involve a ritualistic interface that builds anticipation before releasing your thoughts into the wild.

Visual Aesthetics

The colour palette would draw from natural nighttime environments: deep charcoals, moonlit grays, forest shadows, with strategic pops of amber for active elements—like eyes reflecting firelight in the darkness. Yew trees, with their ancient gnarled branches and dark evergreen needles, would provide perfect inspiration for the interface's organic curves and shadows. Triskelion motifs could appear as loading animations—three-armed spirals that spin endlessly, reminding users of the eternal cycle between human, wolf, and the transformation that bridges them.

Animation Philosophy

Every interaction would tell a story of transformation. Buttons wouldn't simply click—they'd pulse like heartbeats under a full moon. Navigation menus might unfurl like unfurling claws, whilst notification alerts could howl softly into existence. The key would be restraint; too much animation becomes tiresome, but too little misses the immersive opportunity entirely.

Historical Depth and Folklore

What sets this apart from a simple theme overlay is the integration of historical lycanthrope lore. Error messages could reference famous werewolf trials: "Something went wrong, but unlike Henry Gardinn in 1605, this can be fixed." Loading screens might display snippets about Peter Stumpp, whose 1589 trial became one of the most lurid and famous werewolf cases in history, or Gilles Garnier, the "Werewolf of Dole," who was burned at the stake in 1574, weaving education into the user experience.

The client could draw from the rich tapestry of European werewolf persecution that swept across the continent during the 16th and 17th centuries. Peter Stumpp's case, where he confessed under torture to practising black magic since age 12 and claimed the Devil had given him a magical belt, represents the intersection of lycanthropy accusations with broader witch trial hysteria. Gilles Garnier's trial in 1573 was notably secular, with some fifty witnesses summoned to testify, showing how werewolf persecution varied across different legal systems.

Henry Gardinn's 1605 case in Dutch Limburg, where he confessed to transforming with two accomplices including the wonderfully named "Jan le Loup," demonstrates the international scope of these trials. Each case reflects the social anxieties of its time—economic hardship, religious conflict, and fear of outsiders manifesting as lycanthropic accusations against beggars, hermits, and recent émigrés.

Mythological Integration

The mythology of Lycaon could provide rich material for onboarding flows—transforming from human to wolf as users learn to navigate the interface. Easter eggs throughout the client could reference both historical accounts and modern werewolf media, rewarding users who share the special interest with hidden features and references.

But the mythological depth would extend beyond lycanthropy alone. Selene's own story—her eternal love for the sleeping Endymion, her role as the literal personification of the moon rather than merely associated with it—could inspire features around persistent connections and the passage of time. The yew's symbolism of death and rebirth could manifest in how the interface handles deleted posts or account transformations, whilst the triskelion's representation of the three realms—Land, Sea, and Sky—might influence how different types of content are categorised and displayed.

Educational Components

A dedicated folklore section could serve as both reference material and community gathering space. Users could contribute their own research, share regional variations of werewolf legends, and discuss historical accuracy in modern media. This would transform the client from mere social media into a genuine educational resource for lycanthropy enthusiasts.

The educational features could include interactive timelines of European werewolf trials, from the peak persecution period following Peter Stumpp's case through to the later Bavarian and Austrian wolf-charmer prosecutions. Users could explore the geographical spread of lycanthrope accusations, noting how cases like Garnier's in France differed from German trials in their legal procedures and cultural context.

The client could also highlight the socioeconomic patterns in werewolf accusations—how poverty, isolation, and social marginality often preceded lycanthropy charges. Understanding figures like Gilles Garnier, "The Hermit of St. Bonnot," who lived in extreme poverty outside Dole, helps users appreciate the human tragedy behind the supernatural accusations. These weren't just folklore curiosities but real people caught in webs of suspicion, superstition, and social fear.

The Community Element

Perhaps most importantly, this theoretical client could foster genuine community around the shared interest. Custom feeds could surface werewolf media discussions, folklore research, and creative works. Users could rate full moons (both astronomical and metaphorical), share transformation schedules, and build a digital pack that transcends traditional social media boundaries.

Lunar Calendar Integration

The client could integrate with lunar calendars, sending gentle notifications as the full moon approaches—because we all have that friend who needs reminding to check the moon tracker on their lock screen. Community events could be organised around significant lunar dates, creating shared experiences that strengthen pack bonds.

Poetry and Literary Integration

Given my own extensive poetry collection (currently standing at 178 poems, many exploring themes of lycanthropy, identity, and transformation), I could potentially contribute original verse specifically crafted for the client. Imagine login screens adorned with custom werewolf poetry, or notification messages delivered through carefully crafted stanzas that blend the technical with the mythological. The intersection of my existing work on identity, mental health, and therianthropy could provide a rich foundation for interface poetry that speaks directly to the lycanthropic experience.

The poetry integration could extend far beyond mere decoration. Error messages might draw from my collection of verses about transformation and struggle—perhaps excerpts from pieces exploring the duality of human and wolf identities when connection issues arise, or fragments about lunar cycles during server downtime. Loading animations could be accompanied by rotating haikus about moonlight and shadow, whilst successful actions might trigger brief celebratory verses about pack solidarity and shared understanding.

A Living Literary Experience

My themed collections could map beautifully onto different client features: the mythology-focused poems could enhance the educational aspects, whilst the identity and mental health verses might provide comfort during difficult community discussions. The extensive catalogue of lycanthropy-specific work—covering everything from historical trials to modern interpretations—could create an ever-changing literary landscape that deepens with continued use.

There's something appealing about the idea of a social media client that doubles as a poetry anthology, where the technical infrastructure serves the artistic expression rather than the other way around. Users wouldn't just be navigating an interface—they'd be moving through a curated literary experience that celebrates the complexity and beauty of werewolf mythology whilst fostering genuine connection between kindred spirits.

Content Moderation and Safety

A specialised community requires thoughtful moderation policies. Whilst celebrating lycanthropic identity and transformation, the client would need robust systems to prevent harassment, misinformation about mental health, or the spread of genuinely harmful content. The pack dynamics gamification would need careful balancing to avoid creating toxic hierarchies or exclusionary behaviour.

Community Guidelines

The moderation approach could draw from werewolf pack structure—collective responsibility rather than authoritarian control. Trusted community members could serve as "pack leaders" with moderation responsibilities, creating a distributed system that maintains community standards whilst preserving the collaborative spirit essential to the theme.

Why It Remains Theoretical

The honest truth is that whilst I'm deeply committed to the werewolf bit in my daily life, building and maintaining a full social media client is a different level of commitment entirely. There's the initial development, sure, but then there's user support, feature requests, the inevitable scope creep as people suggest integrating with other supernatural creatures...

Truthfully, I know full well this is the kind of project that would balloon way past my current abilities or available time. Even if I did start, it would likely collapse under the weight of scope creep and the reality of maintaining a client long-term. I’d probably be in over my head from day one—but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? Dreaming bigger than is realistic, sketching out something wild and letting it live as a thought experiment, even if it never escapes theory.

Practical Challenges

Plus, I'm rather fond of my current setup with various Bluesky clients serving different purposes. Graze handles my feed curation beautifully, and I've grown attached to the modularity of the current ecosystem. Sometimes the anticipation of a project is more enjoyable than the execution—and infinitely less stressful than the maintenance phase.

Resource Requirements

The reality of maintaining a social media client extends far beyond the initial development phase. User support, bug fixes, feature requests, server costs, and the endless cycle of updates required to keep pace with AT Protocol developments would demand significant ongoing commitment. As much as I love the concept, the practical demands might eclipse the joy of creation.

Future Possibilities

Even if Selene never emerges from the digital forest, perhaps elements of this concept could find their way into existing clients. Themes, custom feeds focused on lycanthropic content, or even browser extensions that add werewolf flair to existing interfaces could satisfy some of the desire for a more themed social media experience.

Open Source Considerations

Should I ever take the plunge, releasing the client as open source would align with both the AT Protocol's philosophical foundations and the community-driven nature of lycanthropic culture. Other supernatural enthusiasts could fork the code for their own themed clients—vampire social networks, fae communication platforms, or dragon-focused discussion boards.

The Inspiration Remains

Even if Selene never emerges from the digital forest, the concept serves as a reminder of what's possible within the AT Protocol ecosystem. The fact that dame.is could create such a distinctive experience with anisota.net proves that social media doesn't have to feel generic or corporate. There's room for personality, for special interests, for communities built around shared passions rather than algorithmic engagement farming.

And who knows? Maybe someone else will pick up the lycanthropic torch and run with it. The AT Protocol's openness means that ideas can spread, evolve, and find new life in unexpected places. Until then, I'll content myself with moon tracking, werewolf feeds, and the occasional howl into the digital void.

After all, the next full moon is this week.