Lythari

Where werewolves are naturally predisposed towards evil, Lythari are goodly lycanthropic wolves. They are commonly mistaken for werewolves, who are the most populous of lycanthropes and persecuted as such. However, you can differentiate between the two using the fact that Lythari have no hybrid form and give off an impression of being friendly and companionable when in lupine form.

Although much less numerous than their evil kin, there do seem to be a lot of Lythari sonsored by the church of Selûne.

Lythari are true lycanthropes, that is, they are born as were-creatures to lycanthope parents. Those who know of the existance of Lythari assume all Lythari are Wood elves but that is a misconception. It is perfectly understandable to think this though, as Lythari packs are almost exclusively found in Wood elf lands or on the isle of Evermeet. However, Lythari are interfertile and can breed with just about any humanoid using a ritual of bonding that will turn the other into a Lythari. This ritual only works if both parties agree to the transformation. It leaves a permanent scar on the transformed, which resembles a wolf bite.

Physical combat is abhorrent to a Lythari. If they aid in warfare at all it would be solely in a scouting capacity or possibly as a messenger, using their speed to their advantage. However, if cornered or forced to defend their kin, they have a powerful bite which they can use to great effect otherwise, they only attack when hunting, which they do as a wolf would, preferring deer, rabbit and wild boar.

Lythari packs are small, usually numbering no more than 30, a dozen or so of which will be too young to fend for themselves. They do not fashion metal objects of any kind and the rare spellcasters amongst them tend to be priests of one of the nature deities. All members of a Lythari pack are treated equally, with no real leaders. As such, these packs tend to be quite anarchic. These packs are increasingly rare, as most Lythari go to live in Faerie, travelling there through portals.

Lone lythari are readily accepted within normal wolf packs and treated deferentially but are left out of the pack hierarchy. Evil wolves such as worgs, werewolves and wolfweres will attempt to drive off a lythari, or slay them if at all possible. They can sense a Lythari's goodliness naturally.