Born from the whispered curses of ancient Cajun swamps, the Rougarou transcended its regional boundaries when it discovered the ability to absorb the essence of other cryptids it encountered, gradually evolving beyond physical form into an ethereal entity. As it traversed the world's hidden places over centuries, it became the keeper of transformation secrets, its consciousness expanding until it could manifest anywhere cryptids dwell, serving as both witness to and catalyst for their appearances throughout human history.

The Ethereal Rougarou exists simultaneously across multiple planes of reality, allowing it to manifest aspects of itself wherever cryptid activity occurs. Its primary power lies in transformation—not only between human and wolf forms as in traditional lore, but also in its ability to temporarily adopt characteristics of any cryptid it has encountered, serving as a living archive of cryptid attributes. Though incorporeal in its natural state, it can solidify to interact with the physical world, leaving behind distinctive claw marks that glow with an otherworldly phosphorescence and fade only after seven days.

The Ethereal Rougarou serves as guardian of the boundaries between the human and cryptid worlds, determining when and where the veil between realms thins enough to allow cryptid manifestations. It influences the emergence and behavior of regional cryptids, sometimes appearing as an omen before significant cryptid sightings and occasionally intervening when the balance between worlds is threatened.