Lycans

in: Races

## Introduction

Lycanthropes (or Werewolves) are humans who have been infected with an affliction as a result of exposure to a unique virus. This virus has been associated with the bite of another lycan. Often perceived as a curse by some and a blessing by others, Lycans display inhuman physical strength, speed, reflexes, endurance, and agility when transformed into their lycan form. A transformation is a total process once begun. It is physically impossible for a Lycan to determine a specific limb for singular and partial transformation. Their most unique ability is their ability to turn at will, though they experience a much easier transformation at night. Old legends speak of how the full moon forces a transformation, but the moon could only affect and forcibly transform a lycan that had not yet learned to control their transformations -- or those of feral nature. Lycanthropes have only ever been seen associated with humans. No other race has ever been subjected to the effects of the virus. There is nothing that is immediately obvious that would tell an individual of a human’s affliction at a glance aside from a faint difference in eye color from the normal range of colors -- typically a yellow or orange hue. These afflicted humans blend in with the general populace and usually go unnoticed by the untrained eye. Many false accusations of afflicted states have been issued in the past to those with a similar eye color and those innocents have met an early grave as a result. *NOTE: Once afflicted with the lycanthropy virus, they cannot fall victim to another affliction. A human mage retains the ability of wielding their magic once afflicted with lycanthropy, but they can only cast spells while in their human form.*

## The Basics

* **Other Names:** Werewolves, Lycans, Lycanthropes, Wolf-Men
* **Appearance:** Lycans, when not in a transformed state, are like any other human in appearance with only a unique difference here and there. Their wolf-like forms are towering, bulky, and appear like a large bi-pedal wolf with large, lethal claws.
* **Lifespan:** Unknown, estimated upwards of a few centuries.
* **Height Ranges:** Human: 170 cm (5'7") - 190 cm (6'3")
* **Lycan:** 200 cm (6'7") - 210 cm (6'11")
* **Regions Found:** They can be found anywhere now but originated amongst Nordic and Caledonii regions.
* **Culture:** Their culture is dependent on their homeland, often varies. Some operate within their own subgroups.
* **Common Character Roles:** Fighters, Assassins, Innocent Villager, Monster

### Common Allies:

* **Human Form:** Typically anyone who may align with the human and culture that the lycan hails from.
* **Lycan Form:** None save for maybe other Lycans are likely to cooperate with a known Lycan.

### Common Enemies:

* **Human Form:** Any rivals of the Lycan’s homeland or culture.
* **Lycan Form:** Nearly everyone. Witch Hunters. Hunters.

* **Architecture:** This is purely dependent on where a Lycan calls home, or originates from.
* **Religion:** This is purely dependent on where a Lycan calls home, or originates from as well as their own personal views. They typically defer to homeland influence or something more bestial in nature if they embrace that aspect of their existence.
* **Views on Magic:** This heavily varies from Lycan-to-Lycan. Mostly neutral.
* **Abilities:** They are able to shapeshift at will, but the shapeshift is full and never partial. They are quick with their motions and have increased strength that is almost superhuman.
* **Weaknesses:** A Lycan experiences a powerful urge in the light of a full moon to take to their Lycan form and lash out with violence at any and all, friend and foe alike. They also have an aversion to magical healing effects.
* **Quirks:** Lycanthropes, in human form, sometimes have quirks associated with their nature such as bushier brows, more body hair, and a keen sense of smell like that of a dog. They’re also known for being incredibly temperamental and prone to violence.

## Appearances

A lycanthrope’s appearance is entirely dependent on where they come from or the lineage of their family. Given the fact that the curse has spread throughout the world over the years, their appearance can range from light skin to dark skin, fair hair to dark hair and everything in between. The only constant these Lycans share in their appearance is a vivid gold or yellow colored eyes that almost appear to glow in the dark.

## History & Culture

As the story goes, the very first known and confirmed lycanthropes stemmed from nordic origins. It is in these legends that suggest the first wolf-men were a direct result of blood sacrifices done in a ritualistic setting. Such rituals were performed in hopes of inheriting the strengths of the beasts sacrificed. Others have spoken of a curse cast upon the ancient nordic people as an eternal punishment for raiding a foreign land. While the truth is ambiguous now, the truth has long since been lost to time. Over history, it has been recorded of sudden packs roaming across countrysides waying waste to the lands and surrounding peoples. Those that were victims of these attacks were often found dead, mauled in horrific and bestial fashion or in the transition of going between uncontrolled transformations due to the curse. The grim series of events that followed the Lycan's throughout time helped build a fearful persona of these bi-pedal wolf-men. As a result, the common reaction to a Lycan discovery was a hunting party and the eventual eradication of the werewolves exposed. These days, lycanthropes can be found throughout the world. The curse has spread beyond their point of origin and crossed borders with impunity. As such, no one culture or religion is attributed to these wolf-men and they are often known to embrace whatever is the normal practice of their homeland if they do not give into the primal nature of the hidden beast. More often than not they defer to more remote areas to reside and seem to favor modest structures that they inhabit to avoid drawing additional attention to themselves.

## Variation of Lycan Packs

### The Primordials

*“We are the First, the Blessed and the direct lineage of our forefathers!”*

Those who descended from this lineage of lycans are merely the proud “descendants” of the very first generation of lycans. They wear this association as a badge of pride and honor and perceive any other lycans not amongst their origins to be lesser beings and no better than a domesticated household pet.The lycans who consider themselves among the Primordial sect follow a strict adherence to a chain of command, and they believe that the eldest lineages are the most pure. As such, the ones who not only prove the purity of their lineage to their kin in comparison to others, but also are capable of fending off a challenger in a clash of might are typically the ones who serve in an alpha role to the others -- essentially standing as the leader.

### The Disgraced

*“Do not deceive yourself… we are cursed, and damned. We must endure, guard against ourselves as we seek a cure…”*

The weakest of the Lycans if only because of their inability or unwillingness to accept what they are and what they are capable of. Often perceived as cowards by their other kin who shun their existence and are often hunted and killed by their own more so than anyone else. The Disgraced are typically those who try to hide their affliction in its entirety while acting as though they’re totally human. Some are avid researchers of a cure to rid themselves of their curse.

For those among the Disgraced, they often have a tendency to form their own little communities so that if such a shameful showing of a transformation were to take place, it is away from the keen eyes and ears of the human counterparts. Some do venture out and live among humans and have inherited the knowledge to resist a transformation to keep their secret quiet. In a community setting, this group usually adheres to whatever human laws stand in the area they have chosen to inhabit and thus do not have a direct leader of their own. If they do, it is a position not unlike a mayor of a town or an appointed official.

### Lone Wolves

*“The odds are much better if I stand alone, away from the others. Through exile, I control my own path.”*

This group neither cares for the pride of what they are or the shame that the others feel. More often than not, they seek solitude or a place away from other lycans for a myriad of reasons. Some prefer to try and live amongst the human populace like any other human and others are fearful of what they can do to those around them. There’s those few who choose total isolation and live in remote areas on their own accord. With those who follow have adopted the lifestyle of seclusion, it is rare that they even integrate with humans, other Lycans or anything else for that matter. Typically, if they do come into contact with another group, these Lycans will typically behave with their own interests in mind. They have forsaken the pack-style community that their kin traditionally enjoy and will never yield to another Lycan , human or other being entirely. These wolf-men are as neutral as one can be in an evolving world. For the ones who do end up integrating in another society, it has been said that they avoid a city-like setting and cater towards an outskirts style homestead or community. They do not get involved in the affairs of others, instead keeping to their own goals in life. When threatened, these Lycan are not afraid to tap into their true nature to defend themselves or things they claim as their own.

### Beastial Fury

*“Such mindless beasts. They’re no better than amped up dogs.”*

Violence, aimless fury and an insatiable desire to ravage, maim and kill. There is little to no reasoning with the feral Lycans as they’ve surrendered to their primal nature. Power speaks volumes, and any not of their creed is not worth the investment of speech. This group, or this Lycan type, is often hostile to each and every individual they come across -- whether it is their kinsmen or not. The feral consider their lycanthropic form to be their natural state and thinks that their human form is an unnatural existence. The Feral Lycans are a group who adhere to their violent nature. They embrace it, relish it and do not care for the harm they inflict upon others. To them, the world is their hunting grounds and they, themselves, are at the top of the food chain. It is the strongest among these groups that has the role of leadership but infighting is common, almost daily, as there is always a new challenger standing in contention for the mantle of alpha. These Lycan kill each other more than any other Lycan group in lieu of the constant squabbles that erupt between parties.

Some question as to why the feral do not return to their human form, or ever seek to conceal what they are and the answer is far more simple than one might believe. They simply never bothered to master control over their wild nature. To them, hiding their true form is a preposterous idea.

## Views on Magic

One’s perception of magic is going to vary based upon personal experiences with encountering it. Some may fear it, resent it, while others embrace it. Some believe their nature is magical where others perceive it as being a divine gift. Overall most Lycans have shown a level of indifference and approach it from a neutral standpoint.

## Abilities & Weaknesses

### Inhuman Strength

Lycans are a bi-pedal creature with powerful wolf-like forms, long and lethal claws and fangs. These towering wolf-men are quick on their feet beyond that of humans and they possess an inner strength beyond normal circumstances. They get a +STRENGTH and +DEXTERITY modifier through RPR (Up to RPR Balancing Personnel to determine values)

### Wolf Bite

A Lycan's bite is capable of transforming a human not previously afflicted, though these transformations often lead to the victim's early death if their body cannot withstand the curse's effects in the first twenty-four hours. Those who do survive are often subject to violent rampages in their new lycan form. *THIS ALWAYS REQUIRES CONSENT AND SUBJECT TO ADMIN APPROVAL!*

#### **RPR Stats**

* **Target(s):** 1 person
* **Dice Modifier(s)**: Melee Attack
* **Difficulty Class:** Dodge
* **Cost(s):** None
* **Effect(s):** The user bites the target, seeking to infect them with the Lycan's curse.
* **Cooldown:** 5 Days

### Wolf's Fury

A Lycan is quick to anger, often struggling to maintain their composure when thrust into circumstances rife with confrontation or aggression. Their grasp on maintaining their human form is ever at risk if their temper flares, and loss of control can result in them assuming their lycan form and rampaging at both friend and foe alike.

#### **RPR Stats**

* **Target(s):** Self
* **Dice Modifier(s)**: Determination
* **Difficulty Class:** Varies
* **Cost(s):** None
* **Effect(s):** The user attempts to quell the growing rage, resisting its desire to consume.
* **Cooldown:** 30 minutes

## Attachment & Kit Items:

The items listed in the kits below are made with the Season 6 modlist. They have been updated as of **14th December 2023**.

*Expand for Lycan Racial Kit*

## Lore Contribution

> **Credit for Lore Contribution:** *Rivani*
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