Lycanthropy
Lycanthropy is a supernatural condition (often incorrectly referred to as a curse), which gives a sapient species the ability to become a creature. What creature they become is dependant on what type of lycanthrope infects them or what family the lycanthrope is born to.
Lycanthropes often keep to themselves in their own settlements, to avoid discrimination or possibly hurting someone. Lycanthropy is one of the more feared conditions, and thus those who have it are treated with that same fear if they are in more ignorant settlements.
No matter what others may think of a Lycanthrope due to their condition, they're just people like you or me with their own unique flaws or virtues.
Lycanthropes often keep to themselves in their own settlements, to avoid discrimination or possibly hurting someone. Lycanthropy is one of the more feared conditions, and thus those who have it are treated with that same fear if they are in more ignorant settlements.
No matter what others may think of a Lycanthrope due to their condition, they're just people like you or me with their own unique flaws or virtues.
Transmission & Vectors
Lycanthropy is transmitted through the bite of another Lycanthrope. While how infectious they are depends on the individual, it's known that Lycanthropy spreads quickly and silently among a settlement if one is intentionally trying to do so.
Lycanthropes all have an Infection DC, which must be rolled against to see if one contracts the condition. This DC is 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Constitution Modifier, but may occasionally be tinkered with if the DM doesn't want to make it too hard on their players.
Lycanthropes all have an Infection DC, which must be rolled against to see if one contracts the condition. This DC is 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Constitution Modifier, but may occasionally be tinkered with if the DM doesn't want to make it too hard on their players.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Lycanthropy vary wildly, but they all only occur once before their first full moon. Some may not experience anything and are silently swept into the sudden change during the full moon. Some may experience an awful fever and chills.
After their first full moon, the Lycanthrope will be able to change into a creature. They will have a full creature form and a hybrid form. Depending on the person, they may be naturally able to change into these forms at any time or they may change into them at random. All Lycanthropes, however, will eventually gain the ability to choose when they change and what they change into.
After changing into their hybrid form for the first time, the Lycanthrope will gain permanent features that give a subtle nod to their beast form and will gain impulses and mannerisms from their type of creature. (For example, a weremagpie may become increasingly enticed by shiny objects or a werecat may find themselves drawn to shiny lights or moving pieces of string.)
Every full moon, Lycanthropes will be forced into their hybrid form and have their impulses and creature instincts turned up to eleven. Lycanthropes must roll a D20 to see if they retain control over their minds. (DC 16) There are some enchantments that can allow a Lycanthrope to never lose control of themselves, but they are hard to come by.
After their first full moon, the Lycanthrope will be able to change into a creature. They will have a full creature form and a hybrid form. Depending on the person, they may be naturally able to change into these forms at any time or they may change into them at random. All Lycanthropes, however, will eventually gain the ability to choose when they change and what they change into.
After changing into their hybrid form for the first time, the Lycanthrope will gain permanent features that give a subtle nod to their beast form and will gain impulses and mannerisms from their type of creature. (For example, a weremagpie may become increasingly enticed by shiny objects or a werecat may find themselves drawn to shiny lights or moving pieces of string.)
Every full moon, Lycanthropes will be forced into their hybrid form and have their impulses and creature instincts turned up to eleven. Lycanthropes must roll a D20 to see if they retain control over their minds. (DC 16) There are some enchantments that can allow a Lycanthrope to never lose control of themselves, but they are hard to come by.
Treatment
Lycanthropy has no easy cure, and a good portion of Lycanthropes wouldn't even consider pursuing one! The only known cures are the Wish spell and a deal with an especially powerful creature from Fensilva, both of which are unreliable and largely unavailable to the masses of Pakkiila.
History
Lycanthropy is said to have evolved from the Great Wilderness herself, beginning with the Druids and spreading out from there. While nobody is truly sure where Lycanthropy originated, a popular fairy tale told by Lycanthropes is as follows...
Lycan was an unassuming and young druid, her bright smile and pinkish-orange hair easily recognizable in her Grove. One day, little Lycan got deathly sick. Her grove cared too much for the girl to allow her to pass so easily, so they brought her before the Great Wilderness and pleaded for her to save Lycan.
A beastly wolf approached the Grove, with eyes that glowed like the harvest moon that sat above them. The wolf asked Lycan if she wanted to live, no matter if it meant she would have to work hard to do so, and instructed her to hold out her palm. Lycan said yes, and the wolf bit her.
Before her Grove's eyes, Lycan transformed into a beastly hybrid. Despite her now fearsome appearance, the other Druids knew that she was still the same Lycan they loved. And so, Lycan survived and mothered the Lycanthropes of today.
Lycan was an unassuming and young druid, her bright smile and pinkish-orange hair easily recognizable in her Grove. One day, little Lycan got deathly sick. Her grove cared too much for the girl to allow her to pass so easily, so they brought her before the Great Wilderness and pleaded for her to save Lycan.
A beastly wolf approached the Grove, with eyes that glowed like the harvest moon that sat above them. The wolf asked Lycan if she wanted to live, no matter if it meant she would have to work hard to do so, and instructed her to hold out her palm. Lycan said yes, and the wolf bit her.
Before her Grove's eyes, Lycan transformed into a beastly hybrid. Despite her now fearsome appearance, the other Druids knew that she was still the same Lycan they loved. And so, Lycan survived and mothered the Lycanthropes of today.
Type
Supernatural
Origin
Magical
Cycle
Chronic, Acquired & Congenital
Rarity
Rare
Affected Species
