Lycanthrope (Dungeons & Dragons)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dungeons & Dragons creature | |
|---|---|
| Lycanthrope | |
| Alignment | |
| Type | Humanoid |
| Source books | |
| First appearance | |
| Mythological origins | Lycanthrope |
| Image | Wizards.com image |
| Stats | OGL stats |
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lycanthrope is a humanoid shapechanger based on various legends of lycanthropy.
In the standard Dungeons & Dragons rules, lycanthropy is both hereditary (the children of lycanthropes are lycanthropes of the same type) and infectious (victims of lycanthrope bites become lycanthropes themselves, of the same type as the attacker).
Most lycanthropes have some form of empathy with their animal forms. This is usually communication and a +4 bonus to Charisma checks with animals of the appropriate type.
There are many different types of lycanthropes in the Dungeons & Dragons game, but the most common types are presented below:
Contents |
[edit] Types of Lycanthrope in Dungeons & Dragons
[edit] Werebear
A werebear is always lawful good in alignment. Werebears are often found in cold forests. They are either found singularly, a mated pair, or in small family groups of three to four. Occasionally they will be in a troupe of two to four with one to four brown bears. In their humanoid forms, werebears tend to be stout, well-muscled and hairy. Their hair usually matches the color of their ursine form. Males usually have beards. They often dress in simple clothing that is easy to maintain, repair, remove and replace. In animal form, most werebears are grumpy and moody, looking for evil creatures to slay. In combat, they fight as brown bears do in their animal forms. In humanoid or hybrid, they favor large and heavy weapons, such as greataxes and greatswords. Werebear greataxes are one-handed Medium weapons, and thus can be used in one paw by the werebear.
[edit] Wereboar
A wereboar is always neutral in alignment. Wereboars are found mostly in temperate forests. They tend to be stocky in their humanoid form, but of average height. They dress in simple garments for ease of removal and replacement. In combat, wereboars are as ferocious as a normal boar. In hybrid form, wereboars attack with weapons and their gore attack.
[edit] Wererat
A wererat is always lawful evil in alignment. Wererats can be found almost anywhere. Most tend to be thin and wiry in their humanoid forms, usually shorter than average. Their eyes dart around, and their nose and mouth may twitch with excitement. Males often have thin and ragged mustaches. Wererats usually don't fight in animal form, using that for skulking. In hybrid form, most wererats use rapiers and hand crossbows. Unlike other lycanthropes, wererats transform into dire versions of a rat, with appropriate differences.
[edit] Weretiger
A weretiger is always neutral in alignment. Weretigers are usually sleek and muscular in their human form. They are usually taller than average and very agile. In animal form, weretigers use their pounce and grab attacks like normal tigers. In hybrid form, they use their claws.
[edit] Werewolf
A werewolf is always chaotic evil in alignment. Werewolves in humanoid form have no real distinguishing markings. Werewolves in wolf form fight as wolves, utilizing the full effect of their trip attacks. A werewolf in hybrid form usually dispenses with weapons to use its own teeth and claws, but it is capable of using one should it desire.
[edit] Werefox (Foxwoman)
A werefox is always chaotic evil in alignment. Werefoxes are always female, thus they are often referred to as foxwomen. In humanoid form, all foxwomen have lustrous silver hair sporting a widow's peak, and are unusually attractive. Often dwelling in secluded woodlands, foxwomen are rarely seen in numbers as they prefer to act alone. Their only purpose is pampering themselves and making sure they have an heiress to raise. In hybrid form, known as vixen, werefoxes use their claws and their poisonous bite, and sometimes long swords. They rarely use their animal form for battle, but then they may use their claws and trip attacks. Foxwomen worship the goddess Eshebala.
[edit] Other Lycanthrope Variants
Several other versions of lycanthropes have been reported. Most are based off of carnivorous hunter animals, but a few are not. This list includes werecats, werecrocodiles, weredogs, weredolphins, weredragons, werejackals, werepanthers, and wereravens.
[edit] Related Creatures
The wolfwere and jackalwere are often seen as variant offshoots of werecreatures, but are not, in fact, the same type of creature. Similarly the lythari, an elven version of the werewolf, are actually good-aligned and considered protectors of the elven lands.
[edit] Lycanthropes in Eberron
In Eberron, like most sapient creatures, lycanthropes don't have alignment restrictions, but it is more common to find an evil lycanthrope than a good one. Shifters are a race that are descended from lycanthropes, although they don't have as much shapeshifting capability.
[edit] References
- Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume One (TSR, 1989).
- Findley, Nigel. Van Richten's Guide to Werebeasts (TSR, 1993).
- Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977).
- Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual II (TSR, 1983).
- Poisso, Dean. "Animal Ancestry." Dragon #313 (Paizo Publishing, 2003).
- Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1994).
