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Lycanthropy

Lycanthropy is a curse that causes your character to transform into a hybrid between their normal species and a predatory animal. When the curse is first gained, select the kind of animal the curse represents. Wolves are the most common, but bears, great cats, boars, hyenas, and similar animals will use the same rules. The Definition Master can change individual features when another animal would need something different.

This is not a safe transformation ability. Lycanthropes are stronger and harder to kill while transformed, but they also suffer from bloodlust, hunger, involuntary transformations, and several dangerous weaknesses.

Abilities

Were-Transformation (Ex)

Use: 1 + 1 per 7 HD per day [[1+floor(@{hd}/7)]] uses per day
Range: Personal
Action: Full round
Target: Self
Duration: Up to 1 hour per transformed Constitution modifier (minimum 1 hour) [[{@{con_mod}+3,1}kh1]] hours
Saving Throw: None
DC: N/A
Spell Resistance: No

Your character transforms into a hybrid form between their normal species and the selected animal. They gain all of the following effects while transformed:

  • Gain a +6 circumstance bonus to Strength and Constitution. The Constitution increase raises maximum HP as normal.
  • Heal HP equal to the new Constitution modifier x10, up to the new maximum HP. This healing only happens when the transformation begins.
  • Gain regeneration 5 and +20 ft. to base movement speed. The regeneration increases with HD under Cursed Resilience.
  • Gain a +4 circumstance bonus to Acrobatics, Listen, and Spot.
  • Gain a natural claw weapon. At Medium size this weapon deals 1d8 slashing damage with a 19-20 x2 critical. Your character is proficient with this weapon.
  • Gain Monstrous Bite for free.
  • Manufactured weapons and tools cannot be used. Spells with somatic, material, or verbal components also cannot be cast. All carried equipment merges into the new form and cannot be used until the transformation ends.

A voluntary transformation can be ended early as a full-round action. An involuntary transformation cannot be ended this way and will last until the trigger ends. When the transformation ends your character is Exhausted for 5 minutes, then Fatigued until they finish a rest period. Were-Transformation cannot be used while Exhausted. Transforming again will not remove fatigue, exhaustion, wounds, or afflictions.

VTT Description Macro:
@{character_name} assumes a savage hybrid form, gaining +6 Strength and Constitution, regeneration [[5+(5*floor(@{hd}/12))+(5*floor(@{hd}/20))]], +20 ft. movement, a natural claw weapon, and Monstrous Bite. Their maximum HP increases by [[3*@{hd}]], and they heal [[10*(@{con_mod}+3)]] HP up to that new maximum. They can remain transformed for up to [[{@{con_mod}+3,1}kh1]] hours.

Note: These macros assume the Strength and Constitution modifiers on the character sheet are for the normal form. If those modifiers are changed on the sheet during a transformation, remove the +3 from the formulas.

Predator's Senses (Ex)

Use: Constant
Range: Personal
Action: None
Target: Self
Duration: Permanent
Saving Throw: None
DC: N/A
Spell Resistance: No

Your character gains a +4 inherent bonus to Listen, Spot, and Bushcraft checks made to notice, identify, or follow living creatures. Familiar creatures can be identified by smell. Your character can also detect the direction of an exposed and bleeding creature within 60 ft. This does not give an exact square and will not work through total cover.

Relentless Pursuit (Ex)

Use: Once per transformation
Range: Personal
Action: Swift
Target: Self
Duration: 1 round
Saving Throw: None
DC: N/A
Spell Resistance: No

Move up to your character's ground speed without provoking attacks of opportunity. This movement must end closer to a living creature they can see, hear, or smell. During bloodlust, Relentless Pursuit will be used at the first useful opportunity.

VTT Description Macro:
@{character_name} moves up to their ground speed without provoking attacks of opportunity. They must end this movement closer to a living creature they can see, hear, or smell.

Rending Assault (Ex)

Use: Constant while transformed
Range: Melee
Action: Full round
Target: One creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None
DC: N/A
Spell Resistance: No

When two or more attacks with the natural claw hit the same target during a full-round attack, deal an extra 2d8 slashing damage. This extra damage can only happen once per round and is not multiplied by a critical hit.

VTT Description Macro:
@{character_name} hits the same target with their natural claw at least twice, tearing them for an extra [[2d8]] slashing damage. This damage is not multiplied by a critical hit.

Dread Howl (Ex)

Use: Once per transformation
Range: 30-ft. radius
Action: Standard
Target: All other living creatures that can hear the lycanthrope
Duration: 1 round, then 1 minute
Saving Throw: Ego negates
DC: Constitution-based [[10+floor(@{hd}/2)+@{con_mod}+3]]
Spell Resistance: No

All other living creatures within range that can hear the howl must make an Ego save. On failure they become Panicked for 1 round, then Shaken for 1 minute. Allies are affected by the howl. A creature that succeeds is immune to that lycanthrope's Dread Howl for 24 hours.

VTT Description Macro:
@{character_name} releases a terrifying howl. All other living creatures within 30 ft. that can hear it must make an Ego save against DC [[10+floor(@{hd}/2)+@{con_mod}+3]]. On failure they are panicked for 1 round, then shaken for 1 minute. A creature that succeeds is immune to this Dread Howl for 24 hours.

Benefits

Attribute Modification

While transformed, your character gains +6 Strength and +6 Constitution. These are circumstance bonuses and are added after all species modifications and attribute increases.

Cursed Resilience

  • Gain damage reduction 5/silver in every form. This increases to 10/silver at 12 HD and 15/silver at 20 HD.
  • While transformed, gain regeneration 5. This increases to regeneration 10 at 12 HD and regeneration 15 at 20 HD.
  • Gain immunity to non-magical diseases. Your character can still carry and spread them.
  • Gain a +4 inherent bonus to Fortitude saves against poison and environmental exposure.

VTT Description Macro:
@{character_name} has DR [[5+(5*floor(@{hd}/12))+(5*floor(@{hd}/20))]]/silver. While transformed, they also have regeneration [[5+(5*floor(@{hd}/12))+(5*floor(@{hd}/20))]]. They are immune to non-magical diseases and gain a +4 inherent bonus to Fortitude saves against poison and environmental exposure.

Predatory Body

Your character is never considered unarmed while transformed.

Curse

The curse is always active, even while your character looks normal. These weaknesses cannot be removed or suppressed without curing the lycanthropy.

Involuntary Transformation

All lycanthropes transform from sunset to sunrise during a full moon. The Definition Master can also select a personal trigger when the curse manifests. Examples include the noon sun, exposed blood, extreme fear, or a particular sound. This trigger should be uncommon enough that the character can still function, but common enough to cause problems.

An involuntary transformation happens immediately, does not use a daily use, and cannot be refused. It lasts as long as the triggering event. Restraints will not prevent the transformation. Equipment or restraints that cannot fit around the hybrid form will break, and the character takes any damage the Definition Master thinks is appropriate.

Bloodlust

An involuntary transformation always begins with bloodlust. When transforming voluntarily, roll a Will save against a DC equal to the HP healed by the transformation, with a minimum DC of 10. Failure will also cause bloodlust.

During bloodlust, the Definition Master controls your character. They will use their strongest attacks and abilities to kill the nearest living creature they can detect. Friends and foes are treated the same. If there are no living creatures nearby, the character will hunt for one. They will not intentionally harm themselves and can defend themselves from a more immediate threat.

At the end of each turn, roll a Will save to regain control. The starting DC is 15 + HD and is reduced by 5 after each failed save. Regaining control ends the bloodlust, but does not end the transformation. Taking damage from a living creature or detecting a bleeding creature within 30 ft. forces another Will save against DC 15 + HD. On failure the character enters bloodlust again and the control DC returns to 15 + HD.

Voluntary Transformation Bloodlust VTT Macro:
@{character_name} rolls a [[1d20+@{WilTotal}]] Will save against DC [[{?{How much HP did the transformation heal?|10},10}kh1]]. On failure they enter bloodlust.

Bloodlust Control VTT Macro:
@{character_name} rolls a [[1d20+@{WilTotal}]] Will save to regain control against DC [[15+@{hd}-(5*?{Previous failed control saves?|0})]]. On success the bloodlust ends, but the transformation does not.

Bloodlust Trigger VTT Macro:
@{character_name} has taken damage from a living creature or detected a bleeding creature within 30 ft. They roll a [[1d20+@{WilTotal}]] Will save against DC [[15+@{hd}]]. On failure they enter bloodlust and the control DC resets.

The Beast Remembers

Your character only remembers an involuntary transformation as scattered images, smells, and sounds. They cannot reliably remember who they harmed, where they went, or what they revealed without finding evidence afterward. Magic that reads or restores memories will only reveal these scattered impressions.

Carnivorous Hunger

Lycanthropes are obligate carnivores and must eat a substantial meal of raw or very rare meat every 24 hours. After 24 hours without meat they become Fatigued. After 48 hours they become Exhausted. After 72 hours they transform involuntarily and enter bloodlust until they eat fresh meat from a creature they hunted. Eating ends this involuntary transformation, but the fatigue and exhaustion will remain until a rest period is completed.

Silver

Silver weapons bypass the lycanthrope's damage reduction and roll twice as many weapon damage dice. Silver damage also disables regeneration until the end of the lycanthrope's next turn. Direct silver contact against bare skin leaves the character Sickened for as long as the contact continues and for 1 round afterward.

Fire

The first time a lycanthrope takes fire or heat damage in a 24-hour period they become Panicked for 5 rounds. There is no saving throw. Further fire or heat damage will not cause panic again until 24 hours have passed, but still deals damage normally.

Wolfsbane

Contact with wolfsbane leaves a lycanthrope Nauseated for 1d4 rounds. Eating wolfsbane deals 10d6 poison damage, causes the nausea to last 24 hours, and prevents voluntary transformations and regeneration for the same time. Wolfsbane affects every lycanthrope, regardless of the selected animal.

VTT Description Macro:
@{character_name} comes into contact with wolfsbane and is nauseated for [[1d4]] rounds. If the wolfsbane was consumed, they instead take [[10d6]] poison damage, are nauseated for 24 hours, and cannot voluntarily transform or regenerate during that time.

Rejected by Animals

Normal animals can smell the curse. Their starting disposition is one step worse than normal, and the lycanthrope takes a -4 circumstance penalty to Ride and Profession (Animal Handler) checks. At the Definition Master's discretion, an animal raised with the lycanthrope can become accustomed to them and ignore this effect.

Contagious Bite

When Monstrous Bite deals damage during an involuntary transformation, the target must make a Fortitude save. The DC is 10 + half the lycanthrope's HD + their transformed Constitution modifier. On failure the target is infected. Normal medicine cannot detect this infection, and it becomes full lycanthropy at the next sunset. Before then, both Break Curse and Cure Disease must be cast on the target to remove it. After it becomes lycanthropy, only the Special Cure below will work.

VTT Description Macro:
@{character_name}'s Monstrous Bite dealt damage during an involuntary transformation. The target must make a Fortitude save against DC [[10+floor(@{hd}/2)+@{con_mod}+3]]. On failure they are infected with lycanthropy, which will fully manifest at the next sunset.

Death and Resurrection

Lycanthropy is attached to the character's spirit. Death ends the current transformation, but does not remove the curse if the character returns to life. A dead lycanthrope returns to their normal form. Any injuries and evidence left by the transformed body will remain.

Special Cure

Normal curse removal cannot cure lycanthropy after it manifests. Curing it should be a dangerous quest instead of a purchased service. At minimum, the ritual requires three casters able to cast Break Curse, wolfsbane, and a silver chain worth at least 1,350 gp. It must begin at sunset during a new moon and takes 1 hour. The wolfsbane and chain are consumed, and all three casters expend Break Curse.

During the ritual, the subject transforms involuntarily and enters bloodlust. The casters must keep them alive and inside the ritual area for the full hour. If the subject escapes, dies, or a caster stops the ritual, then it fails. All components and spell slots are still lost. On success, the subject returns to normal, the curse ends, and they are Exhausted until two rest periods are completed.