Lycanthropy

The Stigma of the Curse

Lycanthropy is poorly understood. Is it just a curse? Is it a disease? Are there other ways it can be passed on that we don't know about? Will the child of a werewolf also be a werewolf? If so, will the unborn baby change during the full moon? If so, can that child scratch the mother and infect her? These are just a handful of the questions and fears surrounding this horrible affliction.

To give a real world example, this is comparable to the HIV/AIDS scare of the 1980's. J. K. Rowling has stated that she used Remus Lupin's condition as a metaphor for HIV. The lack of knowledge about lycanthropy fuels paranoia, and those afflicted with it are looked upon as dangerous and frightening. This is even more true in the Age of Grindelwald than during the lifetime of Harry Potter.

Do not consider a werewolf character if you are not prepared to deal with this level of discrimination and fear. Furthermore, do not assume that what you think you know about lycanthropy is accurate. Staff will be keeping close tabs on all werewolf characters, including their interpersonal relationships.

A werewolf is a human who has been infected with the curse of lycanthropy (or "werewolfry" as it is sometimes known). Werewolves are shunned and actively discriminated against by most members of wizarding society. They are required to register with the R.C.M.C., and failure to do so can result in a known werewolf being marked for hunting. The curse is transmitted by the bite of a werewolf in its wolf form, generally during the full moon. It is possible that there are other methods of infection, as well.

Werewolf.jpg

Werewolves are identical to humans except during the approach of the full moon at which time they begin looking sick. Under the light of the full moon it is almost impossible for someone suffering from lycanthropy to prevent their shift into a wolf. Werewolves in animal shape become highly aggressive towards humans, even those they consider friends or loved ones, and pose a very real and imminent threat to the lives of anyone nearby. Interestingly, werewolves are generally not a threat to animal life, including transformed Animagi.

On the full moon, werewolf hunting parties are allowed on public land (and on private land when invited) to hunt and capture rogue werewolves that have not yet registered themselves. Sometimes, if a werewolf proves to be too dangerous, it has been known to happen that the werewolf is shot down and killed. But regulation states each hunting party must include a member of the R.C.M.C.'s Werewolf Capture Division, so that all measures are taken before any violent force is required.

Appearance

In human form, a werewolf is usually indistinguishable from any other wizard. They will often have scars, both from the original wound that infected them, and from self-inflicted wounds and later battles. Werewolves that have embraced their bestial nature can begin to look more wolfish even in human form. In wolf form, a werewolf is barely distinguishable from a natural wolf. Those that know what to look for can identify a werewolf by their unnaturally large size, foreshortened muzzle, and tufted tail.

Contrary to some beliefs, a transformed werewolf is not a hybrid "wolfman". It is a quadrupedal creature.

Werewolves that have embraced their curse will eventually begin to look the part. When they permit the "wolf" to affect how they live their human lives, they gradually take on a more bestial appearance — such as increased facial hair, heavier brows and jutting jaws, enlarged canine teeth, thick nails that resemble claws, etc.

Magic

Werewolves that began life as normal wizards can cast magical normally while in human form. When in wolf form, their only magic is the ability to pass on the curse of lycanthropy.

System

Werewolf characters can be a challenge to play, due to the fact that every night of the full moon, they turn into a murderous beast and lose control. At this time, this literally means the character becomes an NPC. We are looking into rules that will allow a moderate degree of control by the player, but it will be heavily restricted. A werewolf cannot "tame" their beast inside, no matter how strong their will is. This is a curse, not a blessing.

A character that is bitten by a transformed werewolf risks contracting the disease. This is assuming that they survive the wound itself, which is a cursed injury, and therefore does not heal easily. A mixture of powdered silver and dittany can seal the wound and prevent the victim from bleeding to death.

When bitten, the victim must +roll Body (yep, just Body), with the following results:

  • Embarrassing Failure - Failure: The victim dies an agonizing death.
  • Success - Good Success: The victim survives, but will become a werewolf on the next full moon cycle.
  • Great Success: The victim does not contract lycanthropy, but still develops carnivorous habits.
  • Amazing Success: The victim has staved off the curse completely, with no side effects!

There is no way to know for sure if a surviving victim has contracted lycanthropy for the first month. The first full moon cycle following the bite will reveal whether or not the curse took hold. Regardless of the outcome (unless an Amazing Success was achieved), a victim that survives will develop a powerful appetite for meat (the rarer, the better), and possibly some aggressive tendencies.

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