Lycanthropy

There have always been stories of men and women that could turn into beasts; berserk warriors that could rip and rend their opponents to pieces in combat. Myths have a habit of being based at least partly on fact and lycanthropy is no exception.

Lycanthropy can be passed on through family lines, or it can be transmitted via the infectious claw or bite of a lycan. The curse bestows great power, but few would wish it upon themselves as it comes with some serious side effects.

Once Activated, the Lycanthrope partially transforms into an animal, assuming a hybrid form. They will remain in their hybrid form for a number of hours equal to their unmodified Physical Stamina + Fortitude. The animal in question can be anything, with common forms being derived from wolves, bears and large cats. Other more exotic forms have been known, such as bats, eagles and spiders. While in their beast form, the lycanthrope is physically stronger and faster than normal, manifests natural weaponry (claws, talons and fangs, etc.), has heightened senses and heals from wounds rapidly. However, they are susceptible to attacks from silver weapons and they are driven almost insane with a hunger for the flesh of living beings. Additionally lycanthropes are closely connected with the phases of the moon and may spontaneously transform when the moon is full.

While transformed the lycanthrope receives the following bonuses:

• +5 PS, +5 PA, +5 PF
• +10 to the TN for all tests involving sight or hearing
• The lycanthrope can see 10m in low light conditions unaided, or may see an additional 10m with a light source.
• The lycanthrope may recover Physical Health Points every 12 hours

While transformed the lycanthrope suffers from the following negative effects:

• The lycanthrope is driven by the need to hunt living creatures. They may attempt to resist their natural instincts by making a Social Fortitude + Willpower roll vs a TN of 10.
• The lycanthrope feeds on raw flesh and will do so if able as part of their Compulsion.

The lycanthrope suffers from the following at all times:

• Touching silver causes pain to the lycanthrope and they may not use Fortitude to resist damage caused by silver weapons.
• During the three days of the full moon, when the moon rises the lycanthrope transforms into their hybrid form. Attempts to resist the transformation are made using Mental Fortitude + Willpower vs a TN of 10.

Lastly, the curse of Lycanthropy may be passed on through the blood, claws or bite of a lycanthrope making combat with them a very dangerous proposition. A child born to a lycanthropic parent usually does not get a chance to resist the curse, but others that have been bitten, clawed or otherwise infected (blood transfusion?) may do so. The victim may make a TN 50 test using their Physical Fortitude + Endurance. The test is modified by the lycanthrope’s Shaping + Lycanthropy. A failure means the victim has been infected, but they do not become a full lycanthrope until the next full moon and their first transformation. The GM may wish to make the roll in secret to keep the player in the dark.

Target: Personal

Difficulty: Very Hard (TN 10)

Effects: Duration (Hours), Attribute Boost – PS 5, Attribute Boost – PA 5, Attribute – PF 5, Damage (Kinetic) 2, Acute Sense (Sight) 1, Acute Sense (Hearing) 1, Night Sight 1, Rapid Healing (Physical) 1, Transfer Ability (Lycanthropy)

Downsides: Bane – Silver (Permanent), Compulsion 5 – Hunting prey (Temporary) , Trigger 5 (The full moon and a day either side), Unusual Diet – Raw flesh (Temporary)

Cost: 45