Lycanthropy

Lycanthropes, cursed beings also known as werewolves, are feared monsters in low-fantasy realms. Afflicted individuals transform into giant bipedal wolf-like creatures when triggered by stress, driven by an insatiable need for flesh and blood. The curse spreads through bites, and a merciful death is the only known way to control it. Lycanthropes are marked by irritability, aggression, and an eventual loss of humanity. While they are prevalent throughout the world, certain regions, like the Swamps of Rasfadal, have a higher concentration. Society views lycanthropes as irredeemable monsters, and wolves may serve as carriers of the curse.

Transmission & Vectors

The curse of lycanthropy spreads through the bite of an existing lycanthrope. When the sharp fangs of these cursed creatures pierce the flesh of their victims, the venomous taint of the curse is passed on, transforming the bitten into a new member of the cursed pack.

Causes

Once cursed, individuals become vulnerable to stress, as high levels of emotional strain trigger the curse's transformation. The cursed individual physically morphs into a hulking bipedal wolf-like creature known as a werewolf. Driven by a primal hunger for flesh and blood, they become aggressive monsters, devoid of any empathy for friend or foe.

Symptoms

Lycanthropy manifests through various symptoms, including irritability, increased stress levels, and heightened aggression. These indicators serve as warning signs that the curse is taking hold. When the transformation is triggered, the afflicted person morphs into a fearsome werewolf, a monstrous entity consumed by an insatiable craving for flesh and blood.

Treatment

Regrettably, there is no known cure for lycanthropy. The curse defies conventional medical or magical remedies. In the face of such despair, the most humane and effective way of dealing with lycanthropy is through a merciful death, sparing the individual and their loved ones from the horrors the curse brings.

Prognosis

The curse of lycanthropy can remain dormant within a person for an extended period, lying in wait until triggered. Years may pass before the curse manifests, leaving the cursed individual in constant anticipation of their eventual transformation.

Sequela

Once transformed into a werewolf, the cursed individual loses all sense of humanity and morality. They become relentless hunters, driven solely by their insatiable lust for flesh and blood. The werewolf's rampage often leaves a trail of devastation and tragedy in its wake.

Hosts & Carriers

Wolves share an intimate connection with werewolves, often hunting alongside them in a twisted symbiotic relationship. Some even believe that wolves can act as carriers of the curse, their feral nature serving as a conduit for the malevolent power of lycanthropy.

Epidemiology

Lycanthropy is prevalent throughout the known world, yet certain regions harbor a higher concentration of lycanthropes. The Swamps of Rasfadal, particularly near the foreboding Veryne Forest, serve as one of the hotspots for lycanthropic activity, with an alarmingly high number of cursed individuals lurking within its murky depths.

History

The true origins of lycanthropy remain shrouded in uncertainty. Legends speak of the Order of the Silver Watch, a knightly order that valiantly battled this curse near Veryne. Their relentless research aimed to uncover a cure, driven by a belief that the curse was either created or intensified by the Swamp Witches, employing dark rituals of blood magic. However, their pursuit of truth led them into the heart of darkness, and the Order of the Silver Watch vanished without a trace.

Cultural Reception

Within society, lycanthropes are considered monstrous abominations, their curse overshadowing any remnants of their former selves. The common belief is that lycanthropy taints the very essence of a person, leaving no room for redemption or acceptance.

Type

Magical