Lycanthropy

Legend

An affliction going by many names, Lycanthropy is the elder of the two curses affecting Tykonia. Its sufferers are known variously as Lycanthropes, Werebeasts, Feral‐Men, and so on. They are afflicted with a great curse, transforming into frenzied beasts under the light of the moon—forcing them to live dual lives of normalcy and monsterdom. The curse’s origin is not precisely known, but they are rumoured to have been birthed by nature’s wrath or by rituals of the occult: some have even suggested House Cassen created them. None of these theories is particularly well-supported by evidence, and efforts to better understand the curse and its origin are ongoing.

Lycanthropy spreads via the mixture of humours*, particularly blood, though children and divinators of any sort cannot be infected. An infected person may not know they’re infected until the next moon rises, causing an immediate and violent transformation. This radical distortion of the body renders them unable to have children.
*Infection requires PTC—infection is NOT guaranteed.

Attributes

In a Lycanthrope’s untransformed state, they are usually almost entirely indistinguishable from a normal person. Lycanthropes often grow more hair, which rapidly returns when shaved, and their nightly activities usually result in poor hygiene, a foul odour, and a dishevelled appearance. When a Lycanthrope has not fed on flesh for at least one (1) week*, they take on yellow-orange eyes, grow more body hair, and begin to smell distinctly of wet fur—signs that all worsen over time. Additionally, the fear of transformation and the memories of actions taken while transformed almost always result in some mental scarring or instability—usually worsening over time.
* Feedings can be NPCed.

Lycanthropes transform into their Werebeast form whenever their body comes into direct contact with moonlight—regardless of the moon’s phase—growing one (1) foot taller and gaining considerable strength, shedding any armour they might have been wearing. This enables them to bend low-quality metals (e.g., copper) and to smash through thin wood (e.g., doors). During a blood moon, their transform will automatically trigger even without contact with the moonlight. At the same time, their transformation is far more potent in a blood moon: growing two (2) feet taller, gaining massive strength, and becoming able to crack stronger metals (e.g., iron) or smash through thicker wooden structures (e.g., gates). The only exceptional scenarios which elicit transformation are life-or-death situations, in which case the transformation will last until the threat is gone. They revert to their standard form when contact with sunlight is made (within five (5) turns), even if dead. Regardless of whether or not they are transformed, Lycanthropes have no enhanced healing ability. Like vampires, they are also not affected by natural diseases: only magical ones can harm them. While they can become undead, they lose their lycanthropic form.

Upon transformation, Lycanthropes gain several additional abilities. They grow claws and fangs strong enough to tear through chainmail—though ironically, they cannot wear armour themselves. Their senses sharpen, becoming able to smell prey from up to thirty (30) feet away, provided they know their scent—although these senses can be overloaded, for instance, with smoke. Lycanthropes possess darkvision*, allowing them to see better in low-light conditions—although bright lights can temporarily blind them for one (1) turn. Lastly, in this form, Lycanthropes enter a frenzy—becoming unable to tell friend from foe and attacking anything nearby, including other Lycanthropes. This madness cannot be reasoned with or stopped, along with making them unable to talk in this state.
*They do not have night vision.

The form of a Werebeast always reflects their primordial enemies: a combination of ancient species’ histories, individual emotion, or phobias. Nonetheless, they always greatly resemble one of just a handful of animals. Forms: Pantherine, Canine, Hyena, Ursine,  Crocodilian, Selachian, Swine, Bull, Goat, Mole, Rat, or Bird of Prey*.
*All of these forms are purely cosmetic, offering no additional advantages. No flying, for example.

Weaknesses

As vampires are afraid of the sun, Lycanthropes have an intense fear of fire. Their fur becomes oily and flammable, but ignition does not initially seem to cause them greater damage than it would a person. This fear extends even into their human form, as does an intense fear of silver*—causing a similar burning sensation upon contact, leaving lasting, searing wounds.
*Only official nobles would have access to quantities of silver large enough to harm a Lycanthrope. The head of an official noble household (e.g., Jequis) is permitted to grant up to five (5) members of their retinue silver weaponry, apart from nobility having their own.

Lycanthropes keep their magical attunements, but their spells weaken when they are hungry. In Werebeast form, they lose their ability to spellcast or to engage with divine magic—although Grounded skills are retained. When a Werebeast’s innate abilities correlate, they do not add upon one another*—in their transformed state, only the greater strength matters.
* Essentially, they don’t “stack”.

The rivalry between Vampires and Lycanthropes goes both ways, although friendships can still exist between the two. Only in their transformed state, a Lycanthrope will not recognise their Vampiric friend.