A lycanthrope (pronounced: /ˈlaɪkənθroʊp/ LY-kən-throhp[2]or: /ˈlaɪkænθroʊp/ LY-kæn-throhp[2]), also known as a werebeast, weretype,[3] or nightwalker,[4] was an individual who possessed the condition of lycanthropy.[5]
Description
Lycanthropes were shapechangers with at least two forms, that of a humanoid and that of a particular kind of animal. In humanoid form, they appeared no different than a typical specimen of that type and their natural life expectancy was the same.[6] Lycanthropes could 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 could assume an animal form, which would be a perfect disguise except for the unusual spark of intelligence in their eyes that sometimes gave them away.[7] Some lycanthropes could also take on an intermediate "hybrid form", superficially resembling their humanoid form but with the head of the specific animal whose shape they could also take.[citation needed]
Classification
There were several different categorizations of lycanthropes in the Realms, and many related beings.[5]
Therianthropes
Often called lycanthropes, these were humans or giants that could transform into an animal or a monster. Therianthrope type names often had the prefix, were. One became a lycanthrope in several different ways and, accordingly, they had different terms to describe them.
- Natural
- Afflicted
-
- Infected
- Lycanthropes that contracted their condition by being injured (usually bitten) by a true lycanthrope.
- e.g. a human bitten by a true wereshark may become infected.
Related creatures
These beings had similar qualities, but were not technically lycanthropes:
- Antherions
- Shapechanging creatures, but transformed into humanoids from their original animal state, instead of the other way around. Antherion type names often had the suffix, were. They hated lycanthropes, as lycanthropes hated them.
- e.g., jackalwere
- Others
- Other races that had similar qualities to werebeasts, or resulted from the inter-breeding of lycanthropes with humans.
- e.g., shifter
Society
Some lycanthropes were in control of their ability to transform and others were not. Most lycanthropes had some empathy with animals with which they shared their forms. Most lycanthropes were humans or elves,[8] but orc and goblin lycanthropes also existed.[6] Most natural lycanthropes viewed their condition as a gift, whereas afflicted lycanthropes were more likely to be horrified by it and attempt a cure, using belladonna or magical means.[9] However, all lycanthropes were usually secretive about their condition because of the social stigma attached to it and many ended up as lonely adventurers.[5]
History
Some said that thousands of years ago, the god Malar used barbaric human tribes to create the original lycanthropes, providing them with qualities of the predatory animals they admired. Others said it was a blessing from Selûne to a group of young human orphans to help them survive in the dangerous wilds. Either way, these ancient bloodlines were passed down through generations.[6]
A natural line of elven werewolves known as lythari dated back to the first elven explorations of Faerun, and the good members of their kind lived among the moon elf and wood elf communities for thousands of years.[6]
Groups of Lycanthropes
- The Akri: a tribe of werecats who lived in the Anauroch desert.[10]
- The Gray Wolf Tribe: a tribe of Uthgardt barbarians who were all werewolves.
- The Blood Screamers: weremole gnome bandits of southwest Faerûn and followers of Urdlen
Appendix
See Also
Gallery
External links
Lycanthrope (Dungeons & Dragons) article at Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 170–179. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dungeons & Dragons FAQ (HTML). Wizards of the Coast. (2003). Archived from the original on 2017-07-09. Retrieved on 2018-05-22.
- ↑ Timothy J. Kask ed. (November 1978). Dragon #20 (TSR, Inc.).
- ↑ Dave Gross (November 2001). Black Wolf. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-1901-9.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), pp. 231–232. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 142. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 180. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 145. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (April 1991). “Temptations”. In Kim Yale ed. Forgotten Realms #20 (DC Comics) (20)..
Connections
Related Creatures
Aranea • Coyotlwere • Hengeyokai • Jackalwere • Quasilycanthrope • Selkie • Shifter • Wolfwere