Lycanthropes

LYCANTHROPE

A lycanthrope is a humanoid that has the ability to assume the shape of a specific animal, a hybrid of the two, or both. This ability can be either afflicted (through a bite or a curse) or inherited (natural). The animal involved cannot be significantly larger or smaller than the base humanoid and the hybrid form of the lycanthrope must reflect either the size of the humanoid or the animal, whichever is larger.

A natural lycanthrope, as well as long term afflicted, is able to change shape at will and maintain his or her identity (although still influenced by the full moon), but is always at risk of being overtaken by the animal form's alignment. This can have adverse affects to the humanoid's class and also can cause the lycanthrope to be prone to rages. Additionally, natural and long term afflicted lycanthropes will frequently begin to exhibit their animal characteristics, even when in humanoid form. Newly afflicted, and those who are not aware of their affliction, will change involuntarily upon either a full moon or when under severe duress or attack and must remain in their animal form, without any human awareness, until the following dawn. During this time, they are under the influence of their animal's alignment and must behave accordingly.

A natural lycanthrope cannot be cured of lycanthropy. An afflicted lycanthrope can be cured in only one of three ways:

1. Consumption of a sprig of belladonna (wolfsbane) within one hour of the bite. The belladonna must have been picked within the last week and is more effective if administered by a healer. Of note, belladonna is toxic and can affect the character's strength. This is a one time only cure regardless of the amount of belladonna consumed.

2. A healing or remove disease spell cast by a high level cleric (12th level or higher) within three days of the bite.

3. The casting of “remove curse” or “break enchantment” during the three days of the full moon. This can be repeated as many times as necessary (as determined by the caster) to break the curse.

Any wound that would be lethal to either the humanoid or base animal form, such as decapitation or removal of the heart, will also be fatal to the lycanthrope, although they have much higher survivability from serious injuries.

Abilities:

The speed of a lycanthrope is based upon either the humanoid or the animal, depending upon the lycanthrope's current form. The hybrid form's speed is based upon the animal.

Increased physical abilities when in animal or hybrid form are based upon the animal involved.

Improved Senses (Human, Hybrid): Lycanthropes can hear, see, and smell twice as well as a normal humanoid. They are susceptible to over-stimulation of the senses (bright lights, loud noises, strong scents)

Low-light vision: Lycanthropes can see twice as far as a human in starlight, moonlight, torchlight, and similar conditions of poor illumination. They retain the ability to distinguish color and detail under these conditions.

Lycanthropes in any form are able to communicate with the normal types of their animal forms on an instinctual level, being able to convey such concepts as “friend”, “flee”, or “attack.”

Attacks:

The lycanthrope can use the skills inherent to its form. When in the hybrid form, the lycanthrope can use claws, teeth, and weapons.

A natural lycanthrope's bite can cause the victim to contract lycanthropy, but only if the victim's size is not significantly different. Afflicted werewolves cannot pass lycanthropy.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Lycanthropes are highly resistant to injury by most weapons and magically enhanced weapons. However, when in animal or hybrid form, the lycanthrope is more susceptible to damage from weapons made of silver (afflicted moreso than natural). Lycanthropes are not resistant to energy attacks, spells, spell-like abilities, or supernatural abilities.

<h2 style="margin-bottom: 0in">Feats:

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The lycanthrope's feats are a combination of the base humanoid and base animal's feats, except where duplication is involved that would not warrant performing more than once. Lycanthropes receive Iron Will (increased resistance to mental influence or magical effects) as a possible bonus feat.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Lycanthropes are, for all intent and purposes, immortal; however, due to the inherent violence associated with their existence, this is seldom realized.

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Forms of Lycanthropes:

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">The most common forms of lycanthropes are:

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Werebears

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Wereboars (including Dire)

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Wererats

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Weretigers

<p style="margin-bottom: 0in">Werewolves