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View Full Version : Lycanthropy 302: Creation of a Lycanthrope



Sintanan
2009-12-31, 07:08 AM
Introduction
I have created this as a means of bringing you, the reader, a complete understanding of using lycanthropy to your game. This thread specifically retools the "Creating a Lycanthrope" section in the Monster Manual into something easier to understand by slightly modifying the wording and reorganizing the layout. Without further ado, let's dive in!


Creating a Lycanthrope
"Lycanthrope" is a template that can be added to any Humanoid, or Giant (referred to hereafter as the base creature). The lycanthrope template can be inherited (for natural lycanthropes) or acquired (for afflicted lycanthropes). Additionally, an Animal within one size category of the base creature must be chosen (referred to hereafter as the base animal).
A lycanthrope uses all the base creature’s statistics and special abilities except as noted here.
XXSize and Type: The base creature's size remains unchanged. The base creature gains the Shapechanger subtype in addition to any other subtypes it currently has.
XXRacial Hit Dice and Hit Points: The base creature gains a number of racial hit dice equal to the base animal's hit dice. To calculate total hit points, apply the Constitution modifier gained when using Alternate Form to the new racial hit dice only. For example, a were-wolf human commoner with a Constitution score of 11 has 1d4 plus 2d8+4 hit points, due to the +4 Constitution modifier when using Alternate Form.
XXThe new racial hit dice increase the base creature's base attack, saving throws, and skills. Adjust normally. These new racial hit dice do not entitle the lycanthrope to new feats, however.
XXArmor Class: The base creature gains a natural armor of +2, or increases their current natural armor by 2.
XXSpecial Attacks: The lycanthrope gains the following special attack only if they are a natural lycanthrope.
XXCurse of Lycanthropy (Su): Any humanoid or giant hit by a lycanthrope’s bite attack while using Alternate Form must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or contract lycanthropy. If the victim’s
size is not within one size category of the lycanthrope's base animal (for example, a hill giant bitten by a wererat), the victim cannot contract lycanthropy from that lycanthrope. Curse of Lycanthropy is a supernatural disease.
XXSpecial Qualities: The base creature gains the following special qualities.
XXAlternate Form (Su): The lycanthrope can change its form as a standard action at will into either a form as the base animal or a bipedal hybrid form with prehensile hands and animalistic features.
XXA slain lycanthrope reverts to its humanoid form, although it remains dead. Separated body parts retain their animal form, however. Afflicted lycanthropes find this ability difficult to control (see Lycanthropy as an Affliction in the Monster Manual), but natural lycanthropes have full control over this power.
XXThe lycanthrope's size changes when using Alternate Form. The animal form uses the base animal's size and the hybrid form uses either the base animal or base creature's size, whichever is larger.
XXWhen using Alternate Form, the lycanthrope receives a modifier to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution determined by the base animal. To determine the modifier, subtract 10 from the base animal's even attributes and 11 from the base animal's odd attributes. For example, a wolf has the following physical attributes: Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15 resulting in the attribute modifier +2 Str, +4 Dex, +4 Con.
XXThe lycanthrope's natural armor changes depending on the form used. The animal form uses the base animal's natural armor and the hybrid form uses either the base creature's natural armor (before the +2 adjustment) or the base animal's natural armor, whichever is higher.
XXThe lycanthrope uses different attacks when changing forms. The animal form uses the base animal's natural attacks and the hybrid form has two claw attacks (as primary attacks) and a bite attack (as a secondary attack). The damage of the hybrid form is determined below.
XXXXClaw: Small 1d3, Medium 1d4, Large 1d6, Huge 2d4.
XXXXBite: Small 1d4, Medium 1d6, Large 1d8, Huge 2d6.
XXAn afflicted lycanthrope has damage reduction 5/silver while using Alternate Form. A natural lycanthrope instead has damage reduction 10/silver.
XXLow-light Vision (Ex)
XXLycanthropic Empathy (Ex): The lycanthrope have a minor form of communication with animals of the same type as the base animal. This grants them a +4 bonus to adjust the animal's attitude and the character can communicate simple commands, such as "friend," "foe," "flee," and "attack."
XXScent (Ex): The base creature gains the scent ability.
XXAbilities: Increase from the base creature as follows: +2 Wis. This is a permanent increase, unlike the temporary modifier gained from Alternate Form.
XXFeats: The base creature gains all feats listed under the base animal's entry as bonus feats. Additionally, the base creature gains Iron Will as a bonus feat.
XXOrganization: Change the base creature's organization to the following: Solitary or pair, sometimes family (3–4), pack
(6–10), or troupe (family plus related animals).
XXChallenge Rating: Same as the base creature, modified according to the HD of the base animal: 1 HD or 2 HD, +2; 3 HD to 5 HD, +3; 6 HD to 10 HD, +4; 11 HD to 20 HD, +5; 21 or more HD, +6.
XXTreasure: The base creature's treasure entry changes to Standard.
XXLevel Adjustment: Same as base creature +3 (if natural lycanthrope) or +2 (if afflicted lycanthrope).