Lycanthropy

Lycanthropy is, a disease (afflicted lycanthropes) or a hereditary condition (natural lycanthropes) (in 4th edition, it is only a hereditary condition ) that causes humanoids and giants to change form, usually into a hybrid humanoid-animal state. A lycanthrope, called nightwalkers by some, is an individual who possesses this condition.

Some lycanthropes are in control of their ability to transform and others are not. Most lycanthropes have some empathy with animals with which they share their forms. Most lycanthropes are humans or elves, but orc and goblin lycanthropes also exist. Most natural lycanthropes view their condition as a gift, whereas afflicted lycanthropes are more likely to be horrified by it and attempt a cure, using belladona or magical means. However, all lycanthropes are usually secretive about their condition because of the social stigma attached to it and many end up as lonely adventurers.

Brief History
Some say that thousands of years ago, Malar used barbaric human tribes to create the original lycanthropes, providing them with qualities of the predatory animals they admired. Others say it was a blessing from Selune to a group of young human orphans to help them survive in the dangerous wilds. Either way, these ancient bloodlines have been passed down through generations. A natural line of elven werewolves known as Lythari go back to the first elven explorations of Faerun, and the good of their kind have lived among the Moon elf and Wood elf communities for thousands of years.

Physical Characteristics
Superficially, lycanthropes resemble their original species but with the head of the specific animal whose shape they are cursed with. In humanoid form, they appear no different than before and their natural life expectancy is the same. Lycanthropes can disguise themselves somewhat through their shape shifting abilities, either taking on a form almost identical to a humanoid but with subtle details revealing their true nature such as pointed teeth or long fingernails. Similarly, lycanthropes can assume an animal form, which would be a perfect disguise except for the unusual spark of intelligence in their eyes that sometimes gives them away.

Types of Lycanthropes

 * Lythari
 * Werebat
 * Werebear
 * Wereboar
 * Werecat
 * Werecrocodile
 * Werefox (foxwoman)
 * Wererat
 * Wereraven
 * Wereserpent
 * Wereshark
 * Weretiger
 * Werewolf
 * Werespider
 * Wolfwere

Though not technically lycanthropes, shifters are a similar race found where humans have interbred with lycanthropes for generations, acquiring the trait of shapeshifting from their feral ancestors.

Groups of Lycanthropes
The Akri: a tribe of werecats who lived in the Anauroch desert.