Lycanthropy

Torn flesh. Mangled remains. Split bones. These have become signatures of the degenerate predators known as Werewolves. These depraved cannibals turned away from The Servant’s mercy, and hunted any that have done, or would do them wrong.

## Inception

Fissured, fractured, ruptured into many remnants of a once-great Empire, the Catfolk were isolated from the wars brought by the Age of Darkness. Yet, from where there was suffering, The Rebel was never far. He whispered to those halves of the Catfolk which felt betrayed by the Divines, and named his demands. Those who came to be the Werewolves obliged; they hunted the fellow races that failed to help them protect their homeland and empire. The Rebel applauded their strength, their prowess in the hunt, and granted them the forms of Predators, of wolves larger than any seen before. Towards the end, the Catfolk had become very few in number, yet were saved once more by The Servant.

The Servant drove the Werewolves from the desert, divine powers causing their forms to be stuck to humanoid states. Yet, in the darkness, as would the Vampires, Werewolves found salvation in the pity of The Veil, and were allowed their wolf-like forms once more.

## Transition

Lycanthropy is a common affliction in Humans, Dwarves and Elves, and oddly enough, rarely in Catfolk, but still can become one, this will also mutate their cat like features to be more wolf-like.. It is spread rather easily, by the transfusion of a Werewolf's blood into the bloodstream of the victim (as long as they are amongst the known races susceptible to the affliction), however it typically only overwhelms those with weaker immune systems; in fact, there is only a two in three chance of the affliction taking root, or to one in three for Catfolk.

The transition into Lycanthropy is a painful and dangerous one, for a person’s body will involuntarily shift at any arbitrary point within the first 24 hours of infection (should it successfully take root in the victim), and their form shall be witnessed to contort horrendously into a snarling, dimwitted, wolf-like beast. Some with severe health complications already have been known to die as a result of the transformation. Others may die due to the shock and agony of it. However, those who survive may find themselves cured of any past ailments, and of any crippling of the bone.

Werewolves can be born from two afflicted Werewolves, otherwise a normal child is produced.

## Strengths

Strengths all seem to be mainly physical, as opposed to magical. The individual, in whichever form, will gain muscle rapidly, and lose any ‘unnecessary’ fat. Whilst they may be slightly slower, this lost speed can be regained with time as they get used to their new strength and they become impressively robust. A Werewolf’s sense of smell and sight is well-enhanced, with exemplary night vision to complement. They make for excellent and stealthy hunters, despite not being the most agile or flexible (or smartest). They are immune to cancers and most diseases, but not to bacterial infections or diseases through blood.

## Weaknesses

Once turned, a Werewolf is unable to cast magic, but are able to use minor magic items, runes, and charms once they’re ‘attuned’ to them. They are weak to copper, silver, and mythril. Copper will dull a Werewolves' senses and even prevent shifting for a short time if struck whilst in human form. Silver will stop regeneration for a short time. Mythril will do both, but because the metal is incredibly rare, this is hardly seen, and very unknown.. The duration of the effect depends on how long the user has been in contact with the material of either copper, silver, or mythril. Touching the object briefly will result in a short duration between five to ten minutes, for each minute longer it is touched, the more time is tacked on. Being cut with any of these materials will immediately set a thirty minute effect belonging to the proper material they were struck with. The longer the weapon or object remains in them or if they are cut with it again, the longer they will remain affected.

## Physical Description

Werewolves are often not changed in terms of physical, humanoid appearance. The blessed weapons or touch of silver and copper may cause their skin to break out in red angry blisters, but otherwise, they’re mostly normal. Tufts of fur may mottle the skin, especially around the chest, though this is mostly seen in male afflicted. Eye colors stay the same, but typically tend to have a more ‘feral’ appearance, with narrowed slits or wolf-like pupils. Nails tend to grow more claw-like and require more care and attention, and tend to be more sensitive to damage. Their shoulders grow broad, and body muscular.

In wolf form, they tend to stand on two legs, yet run on all fours, with bent, extended ankles, and a taller figure of up to 10ft when stood. Typically, a shifted Werewolves form can and often will be an inverse of their eye color and hair color. For example a Werewolf with gold eyes and brown hair, will have blond-golden fur and brown eyes in a shifted state. A snout pushes from the nose, and hair engulfs the body. Hands and feet will grow blade-like claws averaging about 2-3inches, and teeth often become pointed and sharp, ripe for tearing at carcasses.

## Trivia

Some take pills of Silver after suffering a transfusion of blood with a Werewolf to stifle the risk of infection, however this may turn one’s complexion grey temporarily, permanently if taken too often.

Werewolves are said to be very protective of their own, and people consider that the reason for their ‘protection’ by The Veil.

Vampires cannot become Werewolves, and Werewolves cannot become Vampires, and the two afflictions cannot mix. A Werewolf can only reproduce with other Werewolves; producing true lycanthropes, or non-afflicted which will give birth to an non-afflicted child.

Animals seem to feel an instinctive fear of Werewolves and other Afflicted victims.

They are thought to suffer physically in the presence of divine champions, a showcase of weakness for all the strength they were given.

## Notes

Tag Elysium Staff member **Grima** for questions about the lore and future updates.