Lycanthropy

The Lycanthropes, beings driven to the depths of depravity and bloodlust, not by choice, but by happenstance. Many believe they stay within the forests and jungles of Azura...though few realize that their very neighbor may be one of these dastardly beasts.

## ***Origins***

Long ago, when the lands of Azura were still rampant with spirits, and the gods were locked away, a traveller of unknown origin was traversing the mighty forests and woodland realms of Azura. A hunter in his own right, he would slay all in his path, no matter if the creature was friend or foe. When he was done with his hunt, he would take the heads of the creatures he had slain to his home. One day, during one of his hunts, the individual came across a beast, wolflike in nature, that stood upon two legs, and almost acted as if it were a human. Intrigued by the prospect of hunting the first of a new species, the hunter engaged the creature. The details of how he defeated the creature are unknown, legend says that the creature was slain. Before his very eyes, the creature changed its shape as it lay there before him. It had become what appeared to be a beautiful elven woman. Covered in rags and vines, the woman whispered something as she passed away… the words lost to time. Soon enough, the hunter had become hairy, his fingernails grew into long, elongated claws. He sprouted fangs, and his ears had raised to a point. It was then that he realized he too had become what that woman was, his form painfully changing every time he encountered great stress. Nobody is sure what happened to the old hunter, they say he still roams the lands today.

*“Let those who hunt without mercy, become the very beasts they are so keen to slay, and in return, no mercy shall be given.”*

### **The Curse**

Lycanthropy, oftentimes known simply as ‘Accursed Ones’, is a folklore curse that subjects those afflicted with it to turn into bloodthirsty wolf-like beasts during high stress events. It is during these events that the afflicted loses their sense of self, and ultimately becomes consumed in a blood crazed frenzy, unable to tell friend from foe. The curse is passed down through infection, if anyone who was encountered by a Lycanthrope survives their encounter, and accidentally consumes some of their blood, they will find themselves beginning to develop canine characteristics. Many of those afflicted by Lycanthropy are easily recognizable by the scars covering their body. They also have pointed ears, unibrows, yellow eyes, and fangs. They are also known to be extremely hairy, even in their regular form.

***Just like Vampirism, being afflicted with Lycanthropy causes the bearer to become infertile.***

#### **How it works:**

Accursed Ones transforms the user unwillingly during high stress situations, such as being seriously injured, or triggered by the sight of something traumatic. Many of those afflicted with Lycanthropy are easily identified and shunned by all those within the current kingdoms of Azura.

In their lycanthropy bodies, they reserve rapid regeneration by their affinity to the ‘wild magic’ of curses, incapitations and decapitations able to prevent their beastial emotions. Like an animal, they possess nocturnal vision and keen sense of smell in and without their lycan bodies, able to track humanoids or beasts. Alongside with these physical characteristics, their average running speed increases, approximately 20 mph on their hind legs, and 25 mph on all four.

Lycanthropes are recognized by their hairy bodies, exemplified by unibrows, pointed ears, elongated hands with clawed nails akin to talons, canine teeth like fangs, and a wet dog stench. Lycanthropes have an inability to wield weapons due to their now abnormal grip and losing the dexterity of their opposable thumb.

They are extremely susceptible to pyromancy, vulnerable in regular form to all weapons, and prone to develop psychopathy or schizophrenia. Afflicted reserve uncontrollable rage when transformed, although accursed are able to quell it. Lycanthropes have an inability to use runecasting or mancy, being beings of ‘wild’ magic.

## **Tiers**

**Afflicted**: Beginning to develop characteristics of a canine, afflicted seek ways to subvert the curse after receiving a wound and intaking the blood of the lycanthrope. They are deranged in Lycan form, and extremely vulnerable in regular form. Their irises begin to develop and change into those that can see in the dark; most of the physical characteristics are not shown. Those in this stage only grow claws and fangs when they enter their lycan body. Afflicted Lycanthropes (T1) do not experience any height change while transformed nor do they see any increase of height out of form, in their base form.

**Accursed**: Those unable to be cured, they have succumbed to the beast within. They have keen senses of smell, and often avoid crowded areas. They have fully developed canine features and are often seen impoverished. They still cannot control their beastial rage, though they can choose whether or not to transform in a moment’s notice. Those in this form develop more beast-like features when transformed, growing a snout and tail. Accursed lycanthropes are made by slaying and consuming another lycanthrope who has reached this tier, those who harbor the essence of the Hunters blood - primarily through his many sons. The hunter had few true sons, and their blood is carried through the veins of others now. Accursed Lycanthropes (T2) experience around 3-4 inches in growth in their base form and 3 feet or less while transformed. **Accursed are made ICLY.**

**Embraced**: Those who have fully embraced their dangerous bloodlust, these are the individuals who have been lycanthrope for so long, that they willingly choose to transform and are able to control their dark tendencies. They are often individuals with little to no contact with those who remain in cities, and it is at this point that they have developed pyrophobia, to the point that fire will send them running. They are also schizophrenic at this point, and battle within themselves for control of their mind. **Embraced are staff exclusive**.