Lycanthropes
Lycanthropes are souls who have been cursed, on the night of a full moon they transform into a half-human, half-animal form. Werewolves are the most common type of lynthrope, however the wise have records of other types as well; bears and cats.
Those cursed with lycanthrope appear to be a normal human in every way. However, during their transformation they are given over to a savage bestial nature. They are intelligent but are consumed with an irrational bloodlust, a desire to rend and kill whatever hapless creature crosses their path. Humans in particular seem to be their favorite target, as if driven by wanton revenge against all men, such human victims are seldom consumed but instead are horribly maimed and mutilated. Those who suffer the werewolves bite and live, also become cused
No one is sure the origins of Lycanthorpy, however the folklore of almost all Lythian cultures includes tales of lycanthropes and their origins. For example, Ivinian tales say that werewolves are the curse of Jarlak, the Pradeyalkri servant of Sarajin who takes the form of a giant white wolf. The legend of Udaar the Hunter is one such tale:
Udaar was a great hunter. He and his companions traveled great distances just to kill unusual animals. Yet they did not eat the animals or use their fur for warmth, instead they just left them where they fell, and would brag to all those around of their deeds. Jarlak the Wolf was greatly offended by the cruel wasteful ways of Udaar and his companions, who killed animals for mere sport; so he cursed Udaar to transform into a man-wolf and hunt his friends with the same merciless ferocity he hunted animals. However, lord Siem took pity on Udaar and intervened, ammending the curse to occur only on nights of Yealah and granting Udaar blessed forgetfulness of his evil deeds. Jarlak was angry with Siem's interfence and brought his grievence before his master Sarajin. Sarajin, sought compromise and agreed the curse would only occur during Yealah, but henceforth the curse would be passed to men who survived the bite of a werewolf.Warning: Spoiler
In truth, lycanthropy is a rare magical viral infection originating from Yashain, the disease is spread through the salavary glands of infected and will cause the victim to become infected too. The only mundane cure is treat the victim of a werewolf attack with silver iodide before the next full moon, if the victim transforms, there is no mundane cure, however there are potentially magical cures. Gagun, Sindar, and Khuzadul are immune to the effects of lycanthropy.
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