Lycanthrope

A howling call is heard across thatched rooftops,

summoning the pack to assemble. Below, a man tears

at his clothes as moonlight shines down on him. The

hunched figure screams in pain, begging his family to run.

With muscles bursting and razor-sharp claws forming,

his transformation is underway.

Rain pours through the forest canopy as a woman falls

to her knees in exhaustion. Unable to run further, she

accepts her fate and awaits the monsters of the dark.

Instead, she hears a thunderous roar as a hulking figure

tears through the undergrowth with impossible strength.

The hulking, bear-like figure then turns to the woman and

grunts, “Are you lost?” offering a paw in aid.

Lycanthropes may appear to be ordinary humanoids, but behind the veneer of humanity there is a pivotal struggle between beast and man. For most, it is a matter of time before they lose this fight and transform into a monstrous hybrid, half-animal and half-humanoid. Most Lycanthropes recall very little of their time transformed, often waking in a strange location, covered in blood and tattered clothes. However, as some Lycanthropes grow, they learn to balance both natures, using their curse as a gift

The following are examples of possible level milestones for the Lycanthrope:

• Making a further bargain with the Fey creature who gifted you with Lycanthropy originally.

• Killing a powerful creature under the light of a full moon in your hybrid form.

• Failing two Death Saving Throws.

• Killing an innocent creature in your hybrid form after failing your saving throw against Lust for the Hunt.

These are few events that staff will consider during the decision to progress your transformation.

Stage 1 Flaw - Lust for the Hunt

The savage nature of your curse sometimes causes you to lose control. These ferocious tendencies are a constant struggle between you and the beast within. The first time you become Bloodied in a day you must succeed on a DC 10 Animal Handing roll to quell the beast within. If you are in the light of a full moon, you automatically fail this saving throw.

Stage 2 Flaw - Silver Sensitivity

You have developed a debilitating sensitivity to silver. Being injured with a silvered weapon will require a roll on the Grievous Wound table at the end of combat or action if non combat.

Stage 3 Flaw - Frayed Thoughts

You suffer the effects of sharing a mind with two personalities. Memories of less practical significance are lost to new ones of midnight hunts.

Stage 4 Flaw - Ultimate Predator

You realize the true cost of your transformation. The beast within has gained more control of your body than you have. While you can control it at times, you know it cannot be contained forever—and when it breaks free, it delights in any slaughter it can find. If you can see, hear or smell a Bloodied or unconscious creature

Whenever you defeat a creature while in your hybrid form, you cannot transform back into your normal form until dawn the next day

Choice of Beasts.

Wolf, Bear, or Rat

(Lasts up to 2 Hour and ends prematurely if knocked unconscious.)

Hybrid Form:

You may transform into a monstrous hybrid: half-beast, half-sentient. While in your hybrid form, the following rules apply:

You can’t cast spells or concentrate on spells. Your ability to speak is reduced to short, basic, guttural responses.
Any armour you are wearing merges into your Hybrid Form or immediately drops to the ground.

Kindred Forms:

You gain the ability to transform into the animal form representative of your Lycanthropy type.

• Werebear: Black Bear

• Wererat: Giant Rat

• Werewolf: Wolf

You are indistinguishable from other creatures of that type, and you can communicate with those creatures. You cannot speak, but you can understand languages you know. All equipment you wear and carry falls off you when transforming.

Becoming an Lycanthrope

In Etharis, there are two well-known methods of contracting the lycanthropic curse. The first is being bitten by a lycanthrope and not curing the curse before it takes hold.

The second is to complete a Druidic ritual known as the Lunar Sacrament. This violent and bloody rite, involving the sacrifice of an innocent person, underscores the ruthless and uncompromising nature of someone willing to do evil in exchange for power.

Other means of gaining lycanthropy are possible. The curse of a powerful being, a side effect of a powerful artifact, or eating the raw flesh of a lycanthropic creature: all of these are potential triggers for the Lycanthrope Transformation.