Lycanthropy

"Some men be men and others wolves who sniff the skirts about them but some wolves walk as men when the fur is just 'neath their skin "When Mizov gazes from the wolfish howl and Malar glares down upon Kobos Beware your best lover's growl." ~Czhahyl poem

Transmission & Vectors

The bite of a werewolf, even in human skin, is known to transmit the curse. Additionally, cannibalism can inflict the condition. A lycanthrope who has children generally has children without the condition. However, until broken, the curse will pop up every few generations. Finally, it is a possible outcome of the Gray Wasting

Causes

According to the Canticles of the Demiurge, the Demiurge slew the evil beast-god Malar , divided him into fifteen stars and imprisoned him in the firmament. Forever after, Malar gazed down and chose mortals with which he felt a kinship to 'gift' his curse to.

Symptoms

Lycanthropes can be aggressive, irritable, and averse to water. Before the first change, these and a persistent low grade fever are the only signs of infection. After their first change, they typically have a ring finger as long as or longer than their forefinger, joined eyebrows, and sharp teeth.

Treatment

There are thousands of supposed folk remedies for lycanthropy ranging from the easy to the impossible to the unthinkable. Which one, if any, can genuinely cure the condition is unknown.

Prognosis

Lycanthropes never recover on their own without seeking a cure.

Prevention

Before the first change, pouring a Potion of Ablution on a bite wound can prevent lycanthropy. For other methods of contracting it, there are no prevention measures.

Cultural Reception

A known lycanthrope is more often than not burned at the stake and their ashes spread onto consecrated ground. Suspected lycanthropes can expect treatment ranging from the same, or simply exile and suspicion.