Lycanthropes

A lycanthrope is a humanoid who transforms into an animal during the full moon. In animal form, a lycanthrope (also called a were) appears to be simply a large, powerful example of its species. Its eyes, however, betray its humanoid intelligence.

Viewed separately as a disease, a curse, a blessing, or a bloodline, lycanthropy is spread through the bites of lycanthropes or from a parent to child at birth. The most common varieties of lycanthropes are werebears , wereboars , wererats , weretigers , and werewolves .

The Curse of Lycanthropy. Any humanoid bitten by a lycanthrope in its animal or hybrid form can contract lycanthropy. Lycanthropy inflicted in this way can be cured with a remove curse spell, but a person born a lycanthrope is one by nature, and only a wish spell can remove the curse.

On the night of the first full moon after being bitten (or, for a natural lycanthrope, upon reaching young adulthood), a person involuntarily changes into an animal. This transformation is painful and draining, leaving the afflicted hungry, unable to speak, and often confused and frightened. During the transformation, a lycanthrope’s thoughts are filled with predatory instincts. Many newly changed lycanthropes attack others out of hunger or fear. Others surrender to their bestial natures, reveling in the hunt and the kill.

Mastering the Affliction. As with any skill, mastering lycanthropy takes practice. A new lycanthrope must first learn to control their actions while in animal form. With work, they eventually develop the ability to transform at will, except during the dark of the new moon. Experienced lycanthropes can take a half-humanoid, half-animal form, and rumors exist of alpha lycanthropes who have developed their talents even further.

Some weres shun their curse rather than seeking to master it. Fearing the harm they may do to others, they lock themselves away or lose themselves in the wilderness, especially during the full moon.

Whether a blessing or a curse, lycanthropy comes to dominate a creature’s life. Even in humanoid form, a lycanthrope’s mind is prey to bestial thoughts. A lycanthrope is defined by whether they resist or succumb to these temptations.

Wolfsbane. Lycanthropes are repelled by the wolfsbane flower. A lycanthrope in hybrid or beast form is poisoned while within 10 feet of a living or dried wolfsbane flower that it can smell. If wolfsbane is applied to a weapon or ammunition, lycanthropes are damaged by the weapon as if it were silver. An application of wolfsbane lasts for 1 hour.