By definition, lycanthropy is the magical ability to assume the form of a wolf. However, since so many other forms have been used, and indeed popularized, we shall call lycanthropy the magical ability to change into the form of a non-magical animal.

This shape-shifting ability is not unlike that of a Xenomorph, though there are some very disturbing differences. First, this ability to change is limited to non-magical animals- dogs, cats, wolves, boars, etc. There is no such thing as a lycanthropic dragon. Secondly, this change is not at first intentional nor is it ever truly under control. More of this in a moment. Thirdly, the animal shape-shifted into is not necessarily chosen by the diseased individual. So, to take these in some logical order, or by process of explanation, I’ll be off.

First, who can become a lycanthrope? Any individual of human ancestry, however distant, can become a lycanthrope. No individual of pure magical blood, elven, dwarven, faeiry, etc., nor any individual evolved from a race other than human (Kaynyn, Pheelyne, Xenomorph, etc.) can become thus diseased.

Second, how does one become a lycanthrope? This is a tough one. The easiest way to become a lycanthrope is to introduce a lycanthrope’s saliva into your bloodstream. This is usually done during a battle with the lycanthrope. The lycanthrope will bite his victim, the victim’s skin is broken and saliva, carrying the disease, enters the victim’s bloodstream. If the victim survives the attack and nothing is done to prevent the disease from taking effect, the victim becomes a lycanthrope.

Another way of contracting the disease is through continued use of necromancy to shape-shift into a certain animal. The spirits that are appeased to accomplish this may infuse themselves with the spirit of the caster and thus make the caster a lycanthrope. This is very subjective and left solely to the gamemaster’s discretion.

Third, what creatures can a lycanthrope become? Another tough one. The most popularized animal is the wolf. “Even a man who is pure in heart and says his prayers by night can become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms and the moon is full and bright.” That’s a quote from the definitive werewolf movie, Universal Pictures’ “The Wolfman,” starring Lon Chaney, Jr. However, other sources from different cultures show a diverse range of animals. I feel that any non-magical animal could be used, with a little adaptation and a lot of imagination. One of the differences here between lycanthropes and the Xenomorph race is that Xenomorphs maintain their mass- a fat dwarf, a skinny giant, etc. Because their metamorphosis is magical in nature, lycanthropes can actually increase or reduce their mass by as much as 90%. Think about it- this accounts for large wolves, bats, rats, all your basic were-creatures.

Fourth, when does the actual change occur? This is hard, even though it may not seem to be. “When there’s a full moon, idiot.” Yeah, but some campaign worlds do not have moons, and those that do may not have lunar phases. If your campaign world does have a moon and lunar phases, then the full moon is a definite change. Other times of lunar import might also force a change- eclipses, equinoxes, etc. If your world does not have a moon or has no lunar phases, use some other regularly occurring natural event.

There are also degrees of the change. Over time, the lycanthrope should be allowed the chance to control the change. For the first full year, the character will change on the full moon (for lack of better terms). There is no Resistance Roll for that. For the second, third, fourth, and fifth years, there is a 10% chance that the change can be halted once every half-year. After this, there is a 20% chance plus 1% per year of infection of stopping the change under full moon conditions.

Another option is forcing a change without lunar influence. For the first five years, this is not possible at all. After this, there is a 10% chance plus 1% per year of infection of forcing a change once per lunar cycle (outside the full moon condition, or once a month for those who really can’t follow the language here). Of course, the gamemaster may choose to alter this chance.

Fifth, can the lycanthrope choose which animal he becomes? Again, this one is open to debate. Some would say that a certain personality denotes a certain animal. I can’t believe that. A creature with only animal intelligence cannot truly choose its personality. It simply exists as it can. However....

When the character is first infected with the disease, the gamemaster must decide upon the initial creature into which the lycanthrope will change. This shape cannot be altered during the first five years of the disease. After this, the individual has a 10% chance plus 1% per year of infection of being able to control the change and thus control the form. First, a roll must be made to determine if the lycanthrope can control the change as above. If he can, then another roll must be made to see if he can concentrate enough during the change to control the form, as per this paragraph. If both rolls are successful, then the lycanthrope can control the form for this one change. Remember, the animal must be non-magical.

Sixth, how does one cure this disease? Death by silver is the only sure way. A silver bullet, a silver dagger or silver-plated sword, a silver candlestick over the head. Not only will this kill the lycanthrope, it will also cause him to revert to his human or demi-human form. Other gamemaster options might be to have the disease lapse periodically into latency. Restless nights, an inability to gain back Spell Points or Damage Tolerance, a mean disposition, and noticeable irritability could be signs of this. Latency could occur during menopause or “mid-life crises.”

Another chance might be to have a Cleric cure the disease or remove a curse from the victim. Curing of the disease must come before the first transformation. Removal of a curse of this nature should probably involve more than just a single spell.

Seventh, is lycanthropy hereditary? Yes. If a diseased individual donates either egg or sperm (or their “your world” equivalents) to a pregnancy, the disease will be encoded in the genetics of the child, though it will not become active until the child reaches puberty.

Eighth, what will repel a lycanthrope? Wolfsbane is a good herb, though most other allergy-active plants will do. Also, magic circles, wards and glyphs of protection, and some symbols (left to gamemaster’s discretion) will keep a lycanthrope at bay.

Ninth, what kind of adjusts do lycanthropes receive? None. Period. During the first year of infection, the lycanthrope has no control over the change or his actions. During the next phase, he has only very limited control. After that, any control the infected individual may have over the change does not necessarily mean control of the animal. This disease causes the hidden animallike side of the diseased person to take on the physical aspects of an animal, including all the animal instincts and needs. Control of these instincts (and thus the ability to have a sword-wielding wolf twice the size of a man) is not condoned here, either intentionally or inherently.

For these reasons, the diseased individual receives no credit or experience while in animal form. It is the animal that uses animal, or monster, proficiencies, not the player character using learned skills, that makes the kill or bags the babe or whatever.