Lycanthropes
Ravos the Mooncaller is the mythical progenitor of all werewolves, a legendary figure who was transformed by the Wild Father, Ilmos, to protect the natural world from destruction...at least in his own words. Once a mortal hunter of unparalleled skill and devotion to the balance of nature, Ravos became the first werewolf when he prayed for the strength to defend the wilds from mortal greed. His transformation was both a blessing and a curse, granting him immense power and a connection to the moon but burdening him with an insatiable primal fury as a punishment for his hubris against Ilmos.
Ravos is revered among werewolves as a symbol of their dual nature: protectors of balance and relentless hunters under the moonlight.
5e Game Stats Human Form
5e Game Stats Human Form
- Appearance: A normal humanoid form, indistinguishable from any other mortal.
- Abilities: In this form, the werewolf has no overt supernatural traits but retains enhanced senses (e.g., hearing, smell) subtly.
- No changes to base stats.
- Advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell or hearing.
- Vulnerable to silver weaponry even in this form.
- Appearance: A full transformation into a large wolf, sleek and powerful, with glowing eyes that reflect the moon’s light.
- Abilities: Enhanced physical speed and senses, but limited to animalistic actions. Ideal for stealth and tracking.
- Replace humanoid form stats with a wolf stat block but retain mental ability scores (Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma).
- Gain Pack Tactics (advantage on attacks when an ally is within 5 feet of the target).
- Enhanced movement speed (40-50 feet).
- Lose the ability to use weapons or cast spells unless abilities are explicitly natural.
- Appearance: A towering humanoid wolf, combining the strength of man and beast. Muscular and covered in fur, this form radiates primal power and raw fury.
- Abilities: Combines the dexterity and speed of a wolf with the physical might of a humanoid. In this form, the werewolf can wield weapons, but natural claws and teeth are more effective.
- Gain temporary stat increases:+2 Strength, +1 Dexterity, and +1 Constitution.
- Natural weapons: Claws (1d8 slashing) and Bite (1d10 piercing).
- Bite may inflict a lycanthropy curse (DC 15 Constitution save).
- Resistance to nonmagical, nonsilvered damage.
- Gain advantage on Athletics (Strength) and Intimidation (Charisma) checks.
- Gain bonus movement speed (+10 feet).
- Disadvantage on Insight and Persuasion checks due to the intimidating nature of the form.
- Frenzy Risk: Make a Wisdom saving throw (DC 12) at the end of combat to avoid attacking allies or innocents.
- Appearance: A massive, monstrous wolf-like form, almost unrecognizable as humanoid. Fur bristles like a mane, claws extend like blades, and the eyes glow with supernatural fury.
- Abilities: The most primal and savage of forms, this is the embodiment of Ilmos’ curse—raw power and unbridled rage.
- Dramatic stat increases: +4 Strength, +2 Constitution, +2 Dexterity
- Gain advantage on Athletics (Strength) and Intimidation (Charisma) checks.
- Hit Points increase by 50%.
- Gain bonus movement speed (+10 feet).
- All attacks deal an additional 1d6 damage from hybrid form.
- Bite may inflict a lycanthropy curse (DC 15 Constitution save).
- Resistance to nonmagical, nonsilvered damage.
- Disadvantage on Insight and Persuasion checks due to the intimidating nature of the form.
- Unstoppable Fury: Immune to being frightened, charmed, or paralyzed.
- Regeneration: Heal 10 HP at the start of each turn unless reduced to 0 HP by silver or magical weapons.
- Frenzy: Must attack the nearest creature (friend or foe) unless a successful Wisdom saving throw (DC 15) is made at the start of the turn.
- This form is unsustainable and can only last a limited time (e.g., 1 minute per Constitution modifier). The werewolf collapses into exhaustion afterward (level 1).
- Voluntary Change: A werewolf can transform willingly as an action, except during a full moon.
- Involuntary Change: During a full moon or under extreme stress (e.g., when at less than 25% HP), a Wisdom saving throw (DC 15) must be made to avoid involuntary transformation into Hybrid or Dire form.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Werewolves are humanoids cursed with a dual form: a human guise and a bestial hybrid state. In their hybrid form, they are towering and muscular, with fur ranging from earthy tones like brown and gray to stark white or black, often influenced by their human hair color. Their eyes glow with a predatory light, typically amber, green, or red, and their fangs and claws are long and razor-sharp, capable of rending through armor.
The transformation reshapes their musculature and skeleton, granting them immense physical strength, heightened agility, and elongated limbs for running on all fours if needed. Despite these changes, they retain a bipedal stance, combining the savagery of a wolf with the dexterity of a humanoid.
Biological Traits
Werewolves heal rapidly from non-magical injuries. Only silver or divine magic can harm them permanently and they can transform at will, but the full moon compels involuntary transformations. Their physical abilities far exceed those of humans, making them formidable hunters and warriors; however, they do have one severe weakness in that silver weapons bypass their regenerative abilities, causing lasting damage due to its perceived connection to the moon which is the biggest part of their curse. Prolonged exposure to the full moon can send even the most controlled werewolf into a berserk state.
Genetics and Reproduction
The curse of lycanthropy is primarily spread through a bite, claw, or magical ritual, binding the victim to Ilmos’ will. Children born to a werewolf and a mortal have a chance to inherit the curse, though the transformative ability may manifest unpredictably. Those born werewolves have greater control over their transformations than those infected later in life.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Werewolves are omnivorous but have an insatiable craving for fresh meat, especially in their hybrid or wolf forms. This need intensifies under the full moon. Many struggle to balance their hunger with their moral beliefs, particularly if they were once vegetarians or nature guardians.
Behaviour
Werewolves are deeply influenced by their connection to Ilmos. They often display strong territorial instincts and a drive to protect or dominate their surroundings. Pack dynamics dominate their social structure, with alpha figures exerting control through both physical strength and spiritual wisdom.
Additional Information
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Werewolves possess heightened senses, especially in their wolf or hybrid forms. They can track individuals over vast distances and detect emotional states through pheromones. Their hearing is sensitive enough to detect whispers or the movement of prey in dense forests. They can see clearly in complete darkness. Some werewolves feel the presence of nearby threats or powerful magical forces channeling almost an echo of Ilmos’ divine influence.
Civilization and Culture
Beauty Ideals
Among werewolves, physical prowess and signs of connection to nature—such as scars from battles with beasts or silvered fur indicating wisdom—are admired. Humans who display courage and respect for nature often earn their admiration as well.
Relationship Ideals
Werewolves value loyalty and strength in their relationships, whether romantic or platonic. Pack bonds are sacred, and betrayal is met with brutal consequences. Relationships often form between those who have proven their worth in both combat and character.
Common Taboos
- Disloyalty or harming fellow pack members is the ultimate sin.
- As creations of Ilmos, werewolves abhor environmental destruction and see it as a betrayal of their purpose.
- Werewolves and vampires are natural enemies, and alliances are seen as treachery.
Common Myths and Legends
Ravos the Mooncaller
“Long ago, when the world was still young, Ravos was a mortal man—a hunter of great skill, a protector of the forest and leader of his tribe. He lived not for glory or gold but for the balance of nature. He hunted what was needed and gave thanks for every life he took, always ensuring the wilds thrived under his care. The beasts knew his name and fled before him, but they never hated him, for they saw his respect for the cycle of life and death. But the mortals… they did not see as Ravos saw. The people of the land, greedy and blind, sought to tame the forest and to raze the trees and slaughter its creatures for sport and coin. Ravos stood against them, a lone hunter against an army of men. He fought to protect the forest, but no matter how many arrows flew true, no matter how many axes he broke, their forces were endless. Desperate and enraged, Ravos prayed to Ilmos, the Wild Father, the god of nature and the hunt. ‘Grant me the strength to save the forest,’ he begged. ‘Let me become what I must to protect it; I have followed your footsteps and I have walked the path! There must be something for my loyalty to you in order for my tribe to continue protecting what we have for all these years! Let my people and I be your wolves to protect this world!’ With a howl that split the sky, Ilmos descended, not as a man, but as a massive wolf wreathed in starlight. He looked upon Ravos and saw his desperation, his love for the wilds, and his willingness to sacrifice everything, and his hubris in taking for granted that the forests were his responsibility and not a gift to all to use. Ilmos granted his wish—but not without a price. ‘You shall have my blessing,’ the god said, ‘but you shall also bear itscurse. You will know the strength of the beast, the speed of the hunt, and the clarity of the moon’s light. But you will also carry the fury of the wild and it will never be sated. Your blood will sing with the call of the hunt and it will burn within you forever and it will taint all of those you hold dear.’ With those words, Ilmos struck Ravos down, and when he rose, he was no longer a man. He was the first werewolf, his form towering and savage, his senses sharp as the wolf’s, his soul forever bound to the silvery moon. He howled, and the forest answered. The beasts rallied to his call, and together they slaughtered countless and shared the curse amongst his tribe. Ravos reclaimed the wilds, but he soon learned the truth of Ilmos’ words. The beast within him was unrelenting. Each full moon, his mind grew clouded with rage and hunger. He hunted not just for balance but for the thrill of the chase, the taste of the kill. He feared what he was becoming, and so he turned to Ilmos once more. ‘Why do you curse me so?’ he asked. ‘I wished to protect the wilds, not become a monster.’ And Ilmos answered again. ‘You are not cursed, Ravos. You are my hand upon the world. The wild is neither gentle nor kind—it is balance, it is fury, and it is freedom. Accept your nature, for it is mine.’”
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Werewolves have strained relationships with most races due to their feral nature and terrifying transformations. They are often viewed as monsters, though some druids, rangers, and nature-aligned groups see them as sacred protectors. Werewolves despise all undead (especially vampires), viewing them as perversions of life and parasites on the natural order.
Lifespan
250 Years
Geographic Distribution
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