Lycanthropy in Avanté

In Avanté, becoming a lycanthrope can occur through two distinct methods: the classic bite of a lycanthrope or the more arcane Rite of the Weary Moon, a ritual tied to Nytheris, The Weary Wanderer.

The Bite and Curse

If someone is bitten by a lycanthrope and does not receive a cure before their first transformation, the curse permanently infects them. From then on, they are bound to the cycles of the moon and transform into their lycanthropic form involuntarily. Most who are cursed through the bite struggle for control in the early stages, as the transformation is sudden, violent, and often unwanted. However, with time, certain lycanthropes may learn to harness their curse, using it to their advantage.
Physical and Mental Changes: Shortly after being bitten, the individual’s senses sharpen, their physical strength increases, and they develop a heightened connection to their primal instincts. This can be overwhelming, leading to erratic behavior during early stages, especially during the full moon of Selith, the Mother Moon.

Rite of the Weary Moon

The Rite of the Weary Moon is a dangerous and ancient ritual that draws power from Nytheris, the smaller and more unpredictable moon of Avanté. This ritual is sought by those wishing to willingly take on the curse of lycanthropy, often to gain power or reconnect with their primal nature. The ritual, however, requires a deep sacrifice and has unpredictable consequences. It’s said that invoking the power of Nytheris aligns the individual's fate with the moon’s irregular path, resulting in unique transformations that differ from traditional lycanthropes.
The Rite requires performing the ritual under a rare alignment when Nytheris is full, causing her powers to flow strongest. The participants need a deep connection to nature, often aided by shamanic rites or ancient incantations. These rituals are held in remote wildernesses, under the open sky, near old stone altars or sacred places where Nytheris’ influence can be harnessed.
The participants draw a sigil of Nytheris in a mixture of moonlight-charged water and crushed silver, offering blood (either their own or from a willing sacrifice). During the ritual, they enter a trance-like state, communing with the wild spirits tied to Nytheris. If successful, they gain lycanthropic abilities, but the transformations are less bound to Selith and more to the chaotic cycles of Nytheris.
Lycanthropes born from this ritual tend to have greater control over their transformations, but the influence of Nytheris’ chaotic magic can still lead to unpredictable behavior during lunar phases, especially when her light waxes or wanes unexpectedly. Those who gain lycanthropy this way often experience a deeper connection to the primal forces of nature and a greater spiritual awareness.

Themes and Cultural Impacts

The two methods of lycanthropy create a divide among lycanthropes. Those cursed by a bite are often seen as victims, struggling to master the beast within, while those transformed through the Rite of the Weary Moon are viewed with reverence or fear, as they willingly embraced the power of the moon.
Lycanthropes in Avanté experience varying degrees of control over their transformations. The influence of Selith, Nytheris, and Tethys plays a significant role in their transformations, and some lycanthropes seek out powerful arcane means or ancient shamanic rites to gain better control.
The Rite of the Weary Moon is deeply connected to the shamanic traditions of Avanté. Some tribes believe that performing the ritual brings them closer to the primal forces that shape the land, viewing lycanthropy as a gift from the wild spirits.