Jackalwere

Jackalweres were treacherous lycanthropes, jackals able to assume the form of a human. They used this power to lure in those that took pity on them before viciously slaughtering them.

Description
In a jackalwere's true form they were indistinguishable from a regular jackal, standing at three feet (.9 meters) tall. When disguised as a normal humanoid they were somewhat haggard but otherwise indistinguishable from normal members. Their humanoid forms were not strictly fixed and could be changed after they returned to normal. When donning their hybrid form they were fearsome monsters with a coat of fur and jackal's head but a bipedal figure. In both human and hybrid form they normally stood six feet (1.8 meters) tall. Like most lycanthropes, a jackalwere's true form was revealed when it died.

Personality
While in their jackal forms jackalweres were bolder and more aggresive than regular jackals. They were pack creatures that preferred the company of jackals and other jackalweres as opposed to other beings. The outward displays of helplessness often seen in their human forms were ruses intended to lower their victims guard. Due to their innate link to a trickster deity jackalweres were born liars. Any attempt by a jackalwere to be truthful caused them literal pain, so much so that it was visible to the perceptive eye.

Abilities
Jackalweres could shift between their three forms at will depending on situation. Their humanoid forms possessed no significant combat advantages, as opposed to their jackal or hybrid forms. Without a weapon jackalweres were reliant on the rending power of their bestial maws, as their claws couldn't be used as effective weapons. This was rarely a problem in any sense, as normal folk could not harm a jackalwere without magical or silvered weaponry.

Regardless of their form the gaze of a jackal was incredibly dangerous, capable of lulling the unsuspecting into a ten minute long trance. This power had to be used sparingly as it possessed numerous crippling limitations. Their slumber inducing stare only worked on those in a state of calm, meaning that those the jackalwere frightened, excited, or provoked would be too mentally stirred to be put to sleep. It also didn't work on other jackalweres or any entity incapable of being magically charmed. Those that resisted were generally not able to be hypnotized for some time, and it was always possible to shake the victim awake.

Combat
Because of the limitations of their gaze power jackalwere could not merely rush their opponents and hope that it worked. Instead jackalweres first would attempt to lure their victims into a false sense of security before using their powers and dragging them off. In the event this failed jackalweres would be left with two options; flee from the potentially agitated target, or attempt to quickly savage their prey if they seemed weak. In order to make a hasty retreat a jackalwere might attempt to use their sleeping powers on an oblivious foe.

When in combat their thirst for blood often led them to attack with their fangs rather than weaponry on hand, although they still had common sense and would use weapons when appropriate. Due to their love of tearing flesh they had a strong preference towards weapons that could cut and slash. Once an opponent had fallen to a jackalwere it was normally not long before they feasted on the corpse, regardless of their form.

Appearances

 * A jackalwere appears in the novel Shadowdale and is slain by Kelemvor Lyonsbane.