Lycanthropy

The curse of Lycan, first reported in the northwest reaches of the continent, has continued its quiet spread no matter what measures are brought against it.

Transmission & Vectors

There are countless theories and superstitions as to how lycanthropy is transmitted: blood contact, bites, or even eye contact with an afflicted individual are all suspect. It is said that offending certain spirits, defiling natural or consecrated sites, offending full-blooded wolves, or just crossing a stream by moonlight without the proper wards can attract the curse.

The one sure way to contract the curse is to kill a werewolf.

Symptoms

Early Stages

Once contracted, it takes anywhere from a few weeks to a year for the curse to fully manifest. During this period, the afflicted individual may experience:

• Intense irritability and aggression
• Bursts of overwhelming energy
• Memory gaps, usually surrounding episodes of the above
• Delusions and paranoia, usually in brief intervals
• Confusion, executive dysfunction
• Fever, gradually worsening until it becomes debilitating/dangerous

Full Manifestation

Once the curse has fully taken hold, the afflicted will mostly return to full health and their usual mental state, with notable exceptions. It is once they reach this stage that they may be called werewolves.

• During the full moon, or if enraged beyond their control, the afflicted will transform into a wolf-like, monstrous beast
• While in this form, they have severely reduced self-control
• At any time, they will heal rapidly from any survivable wound
• At any time, they will be unable to tolerate silver, having a strong allergic reaction to silver that is worn or handled, and being essentially poisoned if it is ingested or used to wound the afflicted

Unconfirmed Symptoms

• It is said that werewolves with training in magic gain greatly increased power and abilities
• The afflicted may, at any stage, experience a strong desire for blood or raw flesh, especially of humans
• Werewolves are rumored to act as servants to vile forces, unable to resist the control of evil spirits

Treatment

There are reports of the curse being successfully lifted if treated in the early stages, by various rituals, divine intervention, and/or cleansing magics.

Prognosis

The early stages of the curse can be dangerous, particularly due to the high fever and erratic, irrational behavior. However, if the afflicted survives this stage without the curse being lifted (if this is truly possible), they will bear the curse for the rest of their life.

While there are certainly risks to being a werewolf, it is not directly a danger to the afflicted person's health--in fact, the increased ability to heal ensures that werewolves are generally healthier overall.

Affected Groups

Humans are the most commonly afflicted by lycanthropy; whether this is because they are particularly susceptible or simply more numerous is uncertain. The human manifestation of the curse is the "baseline" response detailed in this article.

Dogfolk

Dogfolk have the easiest transition, and their chances of death in the early stages of the curse are very low. Later, their manifestation of the curse is very similar to a human's, though they are perhaps less prone to violence.

Fauns

Fauns who contract the curse have a greater chance of fatality during the early stages, but if they survive, they are able to gain a much greater control over it. Faun werewolves in D.Elidian are revered as envoys of the Moon Spirit (or Moon Goddess, depending on the tribe)

Goblins

Goblins also have a greater chance of dying early on. Even if they survive, they are particularly vicious in wolf form

Sphinx

sphinx who contract the curse will almost certainly die. Those who survive, however, show no further symptoms or manifestation.

Prevention

Various sigils and plants are said to protect against the curse, including wolfsbane and rye or calm god's sign etched into suncrystal.

History

According to legend, a man called Lycan was little more than a petty criminal who rose to vigilante status as he fought against increased occupation by the Raithar Empire.

What set him apart from all others who died opposing the empire, however, is the cure he laid with his dying breath. Under the light of a full moon, Lycan vowed that his blood and that of his descendants would ever rise against those who sought to slaughter them.

Full Article: Lycan, the First Werewolf

Cultural Reception

Tales of werewolves past, mostly during the Raitharan occupation, are largely romantic: the werewolf is a symbol of the wild freedom of the Northwoods, rising against all odds and overcoming any wound to enact terrible vengeance on their detested overlords.

However, the curse did not end when Raitharis fell. No matter how much they love werewolf stories, the sappers are much less fond of living werewolves.

Few would dare outright hunt the afflicted, since that is a sure way to contract the curse themselves, but it does happen--particularly if a werewolf is out of control and the hunter believes that the intervention of a priest or hedgewitch will surely save them. Mostly, however, werewolves are ostracised, left alone on the fringes of the already remote society.

Known To

Esoteric / Regional Knowledge

Type

Supernatural

Cycle

Chronic, Acquired

Rarity

Extremely Rare

Where wolf?

In Valor, lycanthropy is exclusively found in the Northwoods, however, it has spread to other regions as well.

Deeproots Elidian

It isn't known outside of D.Elidian how common or rare lycanthropy is in that country. However, they seem to hold the afflicted in high regard, viewing the condition not as a curse, but as a blessing of the moon spirit.

Shaodan

Lycanthropy is rare in Shaodan but can be found in most regions of the country. The jackal morph is more common than the standard Valoran form, and has a more positive reception.

Anteus

The jackal morph seems to have originated in Anteus, and is the only form of lycanthropy found in the country. The afflicted here are given deference but also a wide berth.