Lycanthropy

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Lycanthropy, a curse deeply rooted in the lands of Aversia. Though it is a very rare sight indeed, still are heard as whispers across the lands. The curse of the beast spawns in the very soul of the person it inhabits, corrupting their form to call for the night. These creatures' howls are heard throughout the dark, striking fear into those who would dare come into contact, or find these bestial forms. The term 'Lycanthropy' though derived from the form of the wolf, is but one beast the curse holds in its domain, albeit the most common. Transformed from their more humanoid bodies once dusk arrives, new beasts shed their consciousness, and assume their corrupted bodies for the vices of gluttony and wrath.

Origin of Trait

Though veiled in mystery, the origins of the trait tie back to the deity, Ombra. Devout of the faith, the original Lycans, a tribe of moon worshipers in the wild proclaimed to know the words of their mother like no other. It was with this they turned on their own people, and began to slaughter their own followers in mass, neighboring groups who too paid homage to the Night Mother in their own ways. Ombra seeing her tranquility broken, and her night used to promote savagery and despair amongst her followers put a stop to it so she could still indulge in her prayers. No longer would they be men at night, but rather savages, continuing their glutton for flesh and damned by the mother who once sheltered them. Over time, the first generation of these creatures died, and new ones were transferred. Ombra took them under her fold once more, but it was too late, and the curse would continue to spread, and its origins lost.

Acquisition

The curse is spread much in the same way that Vallahism is spread. A blood contact between the recipient and the were-beast is necessary to turn people to the form of the night. This can happen by accident however, and is how it was spread in the earliest days of the curse. The amount of blood necessary to cause a change in someone is much smaller. Once having acquired the curse, at a seemingly random interval of time, the Lycan will transform once the moon rises. The curse may be cured, though the exact cure is unknown to most.

Races that can contract Lycanthropy:

Humans Elves Orcs (Not Goblins) Halfbreeds (Not Half Mer) Danakov Dwarves

Physical Changes

The Lycan are not always physically different in the day in the slightest. Some might be slightly hairier in their human form, have slightly pointier teeth or different eyes, though these changes are inconsistent. By all intents and purposes the person is the same as they were before. They do not have hair growth, fang growth, or enhancements of bestial properties. The person continues to age as normal, and otherwise faces no adversities during the day, or where the sun shines.

However, at night or in the dark, the tug of the beast calls forth to the person, drawing primal urges and bidding them to join the eternal hunt of Wulrin. It is this when they succumb to the curse, and transform into the form of the beast. Their form grows larger, clothes they once wore shed off and split if not carefully fashioned to handle the outbreak. Once in this state, they form large snouts and hunched backs, taking on the fur of the animal of their spirit. These animals are commonly wolves, bears, or other large monstrous four legged mammals. This appearance remains constant for the person upon their first change, and does not change afterwards. Scarring is transferred over from beast to normal form and vice versa, but nothing else is to be the same. These large animal-like beings have gangly yet muscled appendages, being far stronger than that of a normal person. Their senses enhance, granting better sight in the dark, better sense of smell and hearing.

The transformation itself is excruciatingly painful; bones snap and crack to expand into the form of the beast, skin stretches and hair grows as the pain sears through their body. This of course is how it is in reverse. The change itself is entirely magical, and holds no specific bodily changes inside the form of a normal man. Once in beast form, the organs of the creature are the same, and in similar locations, however moved and enhanced to be more feral in nature. The stamina, strength, and agility of the cursed greatly increase, however the meatier and more paw-like hands and feet of the form lose much of their dexterity, preventing the use of most weapons or tools. Their eyes stare out in colors of red, amber, gold or else and are shaped like that of a cat's. Ears rest atop their head like that of an animal, and overall they resemble little to nothing of their human forms. Their skin is tougher than leather, and cannot be pierced or cut save with silver, gold, or holy weapons.

The soul of the Lycanthrope has an odd crackling part. On it is almost a tumorous lump which represents the soul of the animal which has manifested within it. Once in the form of the Lycan, the Animal Soul is the one which has possession of the body, while the bodily form is maintained by that of the man. It is a constant struggle between the two forces for ownership and to change into either form.

Mental Changes

In the form of a normal man, there is little difference. The most notable of which is an urge to eat meat when hungry. The favored choice is usually raw flesh, and even more than that, those who have had the pleasure of tasting such wish to fulfill their cannibalistic desires and consume those of their people. This of course can be suppressed by the person, and some even try to stray from eating meat all together. But there is a constant push to consume it.

In the form of the beast however, unless something interacts with this form, they lose all their senses. Though they will remember all they do in this form with effort, they are unable to truly control their actions. The form of the beast has two tasks in mind: hunting and survival. The beast will do nothing that specifically endangers itself without reason, and still seeks to take the logical route of hunting down their prey, usually being able to skirt and kite to grow near. These beings are able to switch between bipedal and quadrupedal, being bipedal when wishing to attack, but quadrupedal when seeking the speed of their appendages. Their only task while in this form is to kill, and they seek no pleasure elsewise.

Effects

Lycans are extremely weak to silver, and hold a strong adversity to the metal. Gold also causes effect to them, but on its own it is much too soft to cut through their flesh. They seek to avoid these at all costs, but when struck a searing burning sensation begins to strike through them. Lycans seek to consume flesh above all else, and are unable to speak, and in most cases unable to properly process commands or thoughts. With special care, a Lycan could come to possess the ability to retain their normal selves while in this form to use its boon.

A Lycan MUST change once an (OOC week), or they will be forced to change when night strikes when they log on. This feral form makes them care less about self-consciousness before, and they are more likely to make riskier moves. It must be noted that should they choose to change on their own accord, their bloodlust is much more frugal and self-preserving. Lycans can always change more often, though can only begin the transformation at night.

Mechanics

• Lore Approval is required to transmit the curse to another. Should the curse be attempted to transfer another one, it requires the player's OOC consent to be turned as well. Characters may be forcibly turned ICly, but players cannot infect other players without OOC consent. Lycanthropy is acquired through the transfer of blood between the cursed and a recipient.
• Lycanthropy may cause the change to happen through choice. If this is done, the transformation may only happen at night, and lasts for 30 turns unless a stop could be made earlier through other means. A Lycan MUST change once a week, or they will be forced into a feral state where they will change publicly without much choice in the matter. This change is excruciatingly painful, causes bones to break and skin to bend and hair to appear/disappear. The change must begin when it becomes night, but they remain Lycans throughout the period even if it turns day. The turn takes two turns to shift.
• Lycans will remain in their form for the full duration unless the cursed is able to wrestle a modicum of control, is knocked unconscious, or is killed. Under any circumstance, they change out of their form in a single turn.
• Lycanthropes are weaker to silver, gold, and holy icons. All injuries and scars transfer between forms. Lycans also hold total magic resistance to their flesh, protecting them from mages. Lycans cannot be damaged due to this without divine ability, silver, or gold weapons only in their Lycan form. While out of their lycan form, these abilities and materials tend to burn them.
• Those in the form of the Lycan have enhanced sight, smell, strength, and predatory senses. Their skin is also very tough and cannot be pierced or cut by weapons unless of gold, silver, or holy, though they are vulnerable to blunt damage. They are strength tier seven and speed tier six.
• Wolves and bears ignore the Lycans, and will not seek to harm them unless they are firstly harmed or threatened, acting as if they do not exist almost.
• Lycanthropes are UNABLE to use abilities or cast magic even should they gain control of their forms. Their urge to hunt is much too strong, coupled with the fact they are unable to hold an instrument properly, both allowing for a lack of concentration, and no way to cast.

Lycanthropes can form packs with other Lycanthropes. Usually this means they follow a central powerful Lycan and will follow their leadership when shifted. Packs cannot be made with Non-Lycans.

Feral

• This is the introductory stage of Lycans, they maintain very little control in this form and are still learning and adapting to this curse.
• In general, the Lycanthrope will have very little control over their turns and form during this stage, turning usually at inopportune or stressful moments, or even celestial moments such as that of a lunar eclipse or a full moon.

Control

• On average it takes at least six months with sufficient progress shown to advance to be in control. This can be done either through an Non-Standard Character Application OR through speaking to the Loremaster with sufficient RP evidence in the forms of stories and interactions in order to progress.
• Lycanthropes while in their mundane form maintain their heightened animalistic sense of smell, sight, hearing, and taste.
• Lycanthropes are not forced to turn on a cycle and maintain full control of when they do or do not turn. They also maintain full control while in their Lycan form.

The World of Aethius • The Multiverse of Aethier