Lycanthrope

A mutation of the genes that can be spread via bite or passed down by a parent. When adrenaline is introduced into the bloodstream, the subject takes on the physical and mental characteristics of their animal form. While natural-born lycanthropes can control this transformation with ease due to having been born with this dual nature, afflicted lycanthropes have difficulty reconciling their original nature with that of their new animal physiology.

Transmission & Vectors

The most well-known transmission is from the bite of an already-affected subject. However, lycanthropy is also passed as a genetic trait from those that have it.

Symptoms

An increase of adrenaline causes the animal nature to transform the subject, both physically and mentally.  In those that acquire it later in life, it is difficult to control as the original nature of the subject conflicts with the new, animalistic nature.

Treatment

Those who have newly received this state should be restrained and monitored until the form can be controlled.  Those born into this state require additional care to train their animalistic nature in addition to their non-animal nature.

Prognosis

Condition is permanent after full onset of first transformation in afflicted subjects. Prior to that, it can be purged from the body with the appropriate magics.  Those born with the characteristic will have the trait from birth.

Hosts & Carriers

Lycanthropy only affects sentient, humanoid creatures.  No known examples of it have been found in animals or other non-humanoid creatures.

Epidemiology

Naturally-born lycanthropes can only breed with those that are lycanthropes and cannot breed with non-lycanthropes but their children will always be natural lycanthropes. Afflicted lycanthropes can breed with anyone but the chance to create a natural lycanthrope only exists if breeding with another lycanthrope. Otherwise, a non-lycanthrope or shifter is the result.  The only exception to this is an afflicted lycanthrope that has had time to resolve its new nature (this usually takes several decades).  If this occurs, their genetic characteristics stabilize into something resembling a natural lycanthrope, preventing the subject from breeding with a non-lycanthrope but enabling the offspring to be natural lycanthropes.
Due to the rarity of the condition, afflicted lycanthropes rarely encounter another lycanthrope before they are slain by hunters.  For this reason, naturally-born lycanthropes are almost entirely found in lycanthropic families.

Cultural Reception

Lycanthropes are hated and feared with the belief that they are uncontrolled monsters.  This makes it far more difficult for those that acquire the condition later in life.

Type

Physiological

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired & Congenital

Rarity

Extremely Rare