AD&D - Van Richten's Monster Hunter's Compendium, Vol 1 (2e)

Bloodlust and it is by far and away the most
frightening one. It is an uncontrollable
I alluded to this topic earlier, and I rage into which a lycanthrope can fly
include it here to present a when hungry, or when presented with
counterpoint to the two previous the sight and smell of freshly spilled
sections on lycanthropic outlook and blood or fresh, raw meat.
goals and desires. Bloodlust is the
characteristic of lycanthropy perhaps Lycanthropic bloodlust can be
most familiar to the average person,
compared to the rage of a berserker or
a feeding frenzy among sharks, where

Whenever a lycanthrope is exposed tcb a stimulus for bloodlust, the creature
must save vs. polymorph. This saving throw suffers certain situational penalties
a s noted in the following table.

Hereditary lycanthropes are norma

animal or man-beast form. If they are /LuyLc” <” d y I ” ”. L l l l l l L V L Y l .I’.

points while in human aspect, howeve:r, they must save vs. polymorph at -2 or

enter bloodlust. If they do succumb tc, bloodlust, they will immediately

transfigure into either of their other foi

Effects of Bloodlust

A lycanthrope in bloodlust will attack the nearest living creature in a wild

attempt to slay it. During this berserk rage, it gains a +2 attack bonus and a 1-2

bonus to damage: its AC, however, is decreased two steps (that is, AC 4

becomes AC 6). If multiple targets arce equally close, it will usually attack the

weakest creature, unless the DM decitdes this leads to a ludicrous situation (a

lycanthrope faced by three warriors a’ttacking a nearby rabbit, for example).

I Shaking Off Bloodlust I

Once a lycanthrope in bloodlust has c:onsumed enough flesh to satiate its
urges. it must again save vs. polymor ph. All previous modifiers are eliminated,
except for any relating to damage suffered. In addition, the creature gains a +2
bonus. The lycanthrope must make ttlis saving throw each round until it
succeeds. Once it makes the save, it leaves bloodlust and regains control of its
act,ions. Its subsequent behavior will, of course, depend on the situation.

'. .the creatures lose all inhibitions and LYERLEEASE .*.A
forget all caution in the desire to feed.
During bloodlust, werebeasts lose all until it has eaten its fill. Then it will
inhibitions. They fly into a rage that is slowly regain control. This effort may
horrifying to behold, falling with be immediate or may take several
incredible fury upon anyone and minutes. If the bloodlust continues
anything unfortunate enough to be in after the creature has eaten its fill, it
the vicinity. During bloodlust, all will not gorge. Instead, it will continue
lycanthropes become the heartless, its slaughter, but it will not feed on the
ravening monsters from folktales-and bodies of its victims.
then some. They will attack and
attempt to slay anyone nearby, Obviously, bloodlust is a hideous
regardless of whether it is prospective
thing to witness. Lycanthropes-
prey or an erstwhile ally. They will fall intelligent ones, at least-fear its onset,
upon that person and then feed to since it can easily destroy years of
satiation. If the werebeast in bloodlust
is well fed (that is. if it has been eating effort in building up a subterfuge. I
its normal food requirements over the shudder to write this, but I have heard
past few days), it will eat only its
that certain lycanthropes have
regular amount . , . plus, perhaps, a learned how to initiate bloodlust
willingly. I do not know how much
little extra. If it has been denied food credence to put in this claim, having
over the last several days (if it is never personally encountered a
suffering from progressive starvation or werebeast capable of this act. Having
food debt a s described in Chapter witnessed-and barely survived-a
Two), it will eat enough to eliminate bloodlust engendered by a young
lycanthrope, 1 can only cringe at the
this food debt totally . . . and again, idea of confronting a wily, adult
werebeast that chooses to enter
perhaps a little extra. bloodlust. [If DMs decide that this is
The primary stimulus for bloodlust possible, the ability to initiate
bloodlust at will should be very rare
is proximity to a source of food, indeed.]
combined with the sight, smell, or taste
of fresh blood. Hunger, predictably, RelafionsF.ipsBetween
exacerbates the problem, as does the Lycanthopes
proximity of any other lycanthrope that
Speaking generally, infected
has already entered bloodlust. The lycanthropes are solitary creatures,
chance of losing control is also looking out for their own individual
increased if the werebeast is seriously interests. (The only exception to this
wounded; apparently, pain diminishes rule seems to be when they come
under the influence of a true
the creature's self-control. There are lycanthrope.) Werebeasts that are born
other aggravating factors: puberty (for to their disease, however, can be quite
true lycanthropes), and the social creatures.
unfamiliarity of the lycanthropic state
(for newly infected werebeasts). W+hin 4 S i ~ g lPehenotype

Infected lycanthropes can enter In general, a lycanthrope's outlook
bloodlust only when they are in their toward others of the s a m e phenotype
secondary form. True lycanthropes are will depend on its ethical view of the
much more likely to enter bloodlust in world. Thus, some werebeasts will be
solitary, while others will be more
their secondary or tertiary form, social. Most, perhaps, will fall
although if they are severely wounded somewhere in the middle. Let us
they may also succumb while in their
primary human aspect.

3 Once it has entered this state, a
lycanthrope will remain in bloodlust

:. a -.

6LCJIfaK, i l E SECOm: G>

~

Befween Phenotypes are highly pragmatic: they are practi-
cal enough to put enlightened self-in-
Generally speaking, lycanthropes of terest ahead of any personal animosity.
one phenotype tend to shun those of
another phenotype. They are liable to From my experiences, most
ignore the others’ actions unless those lycanthropes seem able to recognize
actions would bring direct harm or and identify others of their ilk,
disadvantage to themselves. regardless of what forms they take.
This explains, perhaps, why
This said, I must again stress the werecreatures who meet in man form
unreliability of generalities. Some in, say, the local market, do not react
werebeasts show extreme antipathy to and attack. Perhaps this recognition is
lycanthropes of different phenotypes based on smell; yet, then, why would
(whether they act overtly on this dogs not detect the difference? Or it
antipathy is another question, of could be visual cues too subtle for men
course); others show the opposite to recognize. Most likely, however, is
behavior and actively seek them out. It the supposition that lycanthropes
is impossible to predict the behavior of exude a kind of “psychic taint” that
any individual werebeast. Further, others of their kind can detect. After
there seems to be no phenotypic all, in so many other ways it seems
correlation with this behavior range: in that Evil recognizes its own.
other words, no phenotype is more or
less likely to diverge from the norm. In A resident werefox I once knew
this matter, then, phenotype is of no sensed that a newcomer to town was
significance, while individual actually a lycanthrope in disguise. I
personality is of paramount import. admit to believing the werefox was in
error, for I had detected nothing out of
I have sometimes thought that the ordinary from the stranger. But not
collaboration between lycanthropes of only did the werefox know the man
different phenotypes would be was an interloper, she knew too that he
beneficial, perhaps even favoring was a weretiger of excessive cunning.
natural selection, and thus likely to Sadly, I still did not believe the fox, and
become more common. While this has she paid for my disbelief with her life
not proved to be the case over the when the weretiger decided to invade
decades I have studied lycanthropy, I her territory. By then, of course, I
a m not yet ready to discard my believed my confederate. Try a s I did,
hypothesis. Perhaps the increase in however, the weretiger eluded all my
interphenotypic collaboration is so attempts to hunt and kill him. He
slow that I have been unable to escaped one night, and I have never
measure it. Or, more disturbingly, seen him since.
perhaps collaboration is so successful
that, where it occurs, the werebeasts Compiler’s Note: This offhand
involved are never detected and thus referenceto the werefox poses many
never destroyed. . . . questions. For some reason he doesn’t
mention, Dr. Van Richten obviously
Even when lycanthropes feel the knew of this werebeast’s existence, but
strongest of antipathies toward each did nothing to eliminate the threat.
other, they will rarely abandon their Perhaps he only discovered the
own subterfuges to act on their ha- werefox’s true nature when it came lo
treds. Even the most virulently hate- him with news of the weretiger, and
filled werebeast might suffer the the werefox was killed by the second
presence of another, simply because werebeast before the good doctor could
taking action against the intruder
would put itself at unacceptable risk. In on his own,
all but the rarest cases, lycanthropes

c

That was my first glimpse into practicality. Their rapacious natures
understanding how keen the senses of inhibit, distort, and finally destroy
werecreatures must be in order to whatever finer impulses might run
recognize someone not quite of their through their veins. Instead, they must
kind, regardless of what form they are depend on humanity to provide for
in. On more than one occasion, this their material needs. Similarly, those
belief has been upheld and even werebeasts that desire repute and
fortified. Yet, on others, the creatures notoriety are dependent on humans
have seemed absolutely unaware of simply because they need a means to
another's presence or specific achieve that end.
phenotype. Does this mean that some
werebeasts have the power to make Werebeasts that infiltrate human
the determination while others do not? society generally do so for multiple
I cannot say, but I maintain that this reasons. The first, of course, is to
ability is a highly dangerous quality for, surround themselves with a food
if a lycanthrope is able to detect the source. The second, however, relates
presence of others of its kind, how to security. A lycanthrope that
unlikely is it that it will not be able to successfully maintains its subterfuge is
detect a werehunter? safer from hunters than is one living in
the wilderness, or so I have concluded.
Rel+onships BetWeen If the disguised werebeast has properly
LyC4ll$FOpeS i?ndHWWnifJ' infiltrated the society, it will have a
group of "supporters." These people
In its most basic terms, the know and deal with the lycanthrope,
relationship between lycanthropes and yet are unaware of its true nature; they
humans (or any humanoid race) is one will, consciously or unwittingly, help
of hunter and the hunted, predator and defuse any suspicion that their
prey. Yet there are some interesting associate is actually a ravening
twists and complexities to the monster. A lycanthrope that has
relationship that belie this apparent successfully infiltrated a village or town
simplicity. will use its neighbors to defend it from
threats, particularly if a group of
First and foremost, all lycanthropes I werehunters arrive in the region. Note
have encountered consider themselves that the longer a werebeast has been
undeniably superior to other races. As living in society, the less likely the
discussed in Chapter One, most of locals will be to entertain suspicions
these creatures consider themselves to against it. Although there are other
be the next logical step in evolution reasons for this, one of the central
beyond humanity. Even those who do motivations is that few people like to
not Fully embrace the evolutionary entertain the possibility that they may
view believe that their ability to change have been very wrong about someone.
shape and their immunity to This unwillingness to consider the
nonmagical weapons make them unpleasant has caused the death of
definitely superior.
more than one hapless villager.
Still, many lycanthropes evince a
need for mankind as more than handy W e ~ b ~ $ - l eGdFOU~S
prey. These are the werebeasts whose
goals and desires extend beyond Although it is attractive and reassuring
finding their next meal. Those to think so, werebeasts have no
lycanthropes that do feel a need monopoly on evil or ill will. There are
beyond that of food are hardly ever those individuals who would not
creative: they can produce nothing, hesitate to knowingly throw in their lot
neither works of art nor items of with a lycanthrope. Fortunately, this

me, and I fall to all fours. The hour life than humans, which are already

ofevil is at hand, a n d I must inferior to themselves. There is no

succumb to what is now mil nature. reason, however, why they cannot

I know now the shape of suppress their distaste and

madness, of ravening insanity, a n d condescension if it suits their purposes.

it is me! Humanoid followers do not offer the

-Anonymous same potential for cunning and guile
4----- =a s”do human devotees, but they do
----G--
represent excellently expendable

The final act of this tragedy took troops that can be used (and used up)

place in a general town meeting, at in combat.

which the visiting adventurers accused

the central figure of being a wererat. IntilfF4ing society
Rather than denying it, the creature
transfigured into its man-beast form. It is sad but true that it is almost more
Simultaneously, some eight or so difficult for a real person to become
other “townsfolk” also transfigured. an accepted member of a town than it
causing absolute panic. The ensuing is for a werebeast to infiltrate the s a m e
chaos culminated in a fire that society. Most townsfolk or villagers are
virtually razed the village. Many highly suspicious of strangers. Initially,
townsfolk died, a s did several human both “candidates”-a real human and
a werebeast in human form-are on
associates of the wererat, a couple of an even basis. Few normal humans
are as socially adept as most true
lycanthropes, and all but one or two of lycanthropes are, however. A human
the adventurers. Most of the wererats expresses his own personality, and it is
escaped into the surrounding a fact of life that not everyone is going
wilderness, but not before attempting to like that personality.
to infect as many innocents a s
possible with their dread affliction. Me1 Lycanthropes, too, have their own
Fira effectively ceased to exist that
night and has never been rebuilt. The personalities . . . but, almost from
region where the village used to stand
is considered one of ill omen, if not birth, they have learned to suppress
cursed. Although I have no firm their true manners and emotions. They
evidence, I fear that the wererat that have learned to watch the reactions of
started the entire debacle escaped the humans around them and to tailor
with its life. It may well be repeating their delivery to make those reactions
its actions in another village. as palatable as possible.

The point of this story is to illustrate A werebeast dissembling as a
the vulnerability humans possess. Most human might make an ambiguous
men revere, and will gladly follow, any comment about elves to the human
creature that proves itself more farmer it meets. When the farmer
powerful than they. This theory also expresses distrust of all nonhumans,
the werebeast echoes the sentiment,
applies to demihumans and those of tailoring the intensity of its opinion to
humanoid origins. Since a wereboar, match the emotional climate of the
for example, is considerably more farmer. Since werebeast and farmer
intelligent and powerful than an now have something in common-
average goblin, the lycanthrope would bigotry toward nonhumans-the
have little difficulty taking over lycanthrope is well on the way to
leadership of a band of the small earning the Farmer’s trust and even
humanoids, should it so desire. friendship. Obviously, this technique
must be used in a subtle manner,
Lycanthropes typically consider particularly in group situations, where
humanoids to be even lower forms of

i SLCT~ON, ‘PIE SECOM:

not everyone will share the same people who have dedicated themselves
outlook. The basis remains the same, to pursuing an adventuring career. In
however. Lycanthropes are masters of other words, certain lycanthropes have
this skill. learned the skills specific to trained
warriors, rogues, mages, and perhaps
One characteristic I have noted even priests.
among natives of more remote locales
is the tendency not t o ask questions This possibility terrifies me, I must
whose answers might be disturbing. admit. I draw solace only from the fact
These people prefer not to reflect that I have yet to encounter such a
upon mysteries. the bases of which skilled werebeast, which leads m e to
might be too frightening to believe this potential is exceptionally
contemplate. (Frankly, this is a n rare. 1 pray that my thinking on this is
attitude I find altogether frustrating clear and not clouded by the human
and impossible to understand.) This tendency to ignore unpleasantries.
tendency to shy away from “things
man was not meant to know,” to n
paraphrase what one old man shouted
at me once, easily works to the benefit -E
of lycanthropes. Once an individual-
human, lycanthrope, or something “You call us the beast,’’ the
else-has earned a level of superficial lycanthrope said, stroking its
trust and acceptance, it is frequently handsome human face. “You say
free of any subsequent suspicion.
People will not pursue nagging doubts, we are dark, twisted reflections of
preferring instead to ignore them. An
annoying, and often deadly, human you. Is that not so?”
trait I’m afraid, but one that the were- I had to nod in agreement.
hunter must keep in mind when “Yet w e see things differently,”
dealing with townsfolk.
the creature continued, musingly.
It is, perhaps, fortunate in some “Wesee ourselves as the next
ways that there are always new arrivals logical progression, the next step
to Darkon and other lands. Most of above humans. Tell me,” it said,
these new souls have not learned this leaning forward, “you have the
tendency to shy away from unpleasant beast, the rage within your soul, do
possibilities. Without such individuals you not?” It waited not for my
who still maintain a natural level of answer. “Of course you do,” it
curiosity, lycanthropes would have an stated. “‘Ouerpowering rage, ’ is that
even easier time infiltrating human not a common human phrase? That
society than they do already. Perhaps describes when the beast within
their fresh outlooks can excite the you is beyond your control.
jaded townsfolk into a higher regard for
safety and life. “Such is not the case with me. I

ObtEtining Skrlls m d Abilities am the beast, the beast is me. And
thus it is always my will, not an
Perhaps the most successful
lycanthropic infiltrators in society have inadequately leashed beast, that is
the ability of which 1 a m about to in control.” He smiled.
describe. Apparently, or so I have been
told, certain true lycanthropes have “Now, for example,”And with
been able to learn the skills and that, the creature began the
abilities normally allotted only to those
-transfiguration. . , .
-From the personal journal of
Dr. Van Richten
-
is

i \YEREBEASTS '-

Character Class Skills its will, obviously, devote themselves to
deities whose precepts match their own out-
Generally speaking, no more than 5%of look on life. Good lycanthropes are likely to
true lycanthropes-and possibly a lower be priests of forest deities or guardian
percentage than that. at the DMs option- deities. Evil lycanthropes would be priests
should be able to learn any character class of storms. destmction, rage, or war.
skills. Of those that can learn these skills,
the most common character class is warrior Psionicist lycanthropes are likely to be
(note that werebeasts can't beccme special- even more rare an occurrence than the
ized subciasses, except in the rarest of cir- mage or priest werebeast. If the Dungeon
cumstances). The rationale is that these Master is willing to permit these creatures
creatures are physicaily fit and highly ag- into his or her campaign, they are only al-
gressive. two of the prime characteristics of lowed to study t'ie psychometabolic,
good warriors. Some lycanthropes lean
toward the rogue class (most notabiy wer- psychokinetic, and teiepathic disciplines.
erats) since the characteristics of this class Note that iycanthropes can use their
fit in weii with their sly and manipulative
nature. character class skills when they are in
human or man-beast form oliig.
Certain lycanthropes could conceivably
become wizards or priests. but t,his should The following table lists the character
be exceptionally rare: perhaps only one- classes open to the most common types of
tenth of those iycanthropes capable of werebeasts. along with the maximum level
learning class skills. Both of these classes the creature can attain. If a particular class
require much more introspection, cerebra- doesn't ap?ear for a creature, it is incapable
tion, and self-discipline than the majority of of learning that class. The order in which
werebeasts could muster. Lycanthrope cler- the classes appear indicates their relative
frequency. DMs,can also use the informa-
tion in the tabie to extrapolate for additional
phenotypes of lycanthrope.

Allowable Charade Classes

Phenotype Potential Character Classes (Maximum Levels)
Werebadger Warrior (3rd), priest (2nd)
Rogue (4th), wizard (3rd), psionicist (2nd)
Werebat
Werebear Ranger (3rd), wizard (3rd), priest (3rd)
Wereboar Warrior (3rd), druid (2nd)

Werecrocodile Warrior ( 4 t h ) ) priest (3rd)
Rogue (2nd), bard (6th), illusionist (4th), psionicist (3rd)
Werefox Warrior (3rd), wizard (2nd)
Werejackal Rogue (6th), wizard" (3rd), psionicist (2nd)
Ranger (3rd), wizard* (6th), psionicist (4th)
Wererat Warrior (3rd), rogue (2nd), psionicist (2nd)
Wereraven Warrior (3rd), priest (4th)
Wereseal Warrior (6th), priest (4th), druid (4th), illusionist (5th)
Wereshark Warrior (3rd), wizard (2nd)

Weretiger
Werewolf

m * These werebeasts can becoqe specialist mages.
None of the lycanthropic phenotypes listed in this table get the THACO or Hit Dice size
advantages for their class. However, they do get the best of both saving throw vaiues,
proficiencies (weapon and nonweapon), and other specialized class skills (such as spellcasting).

Ail werebeast:; pay twice the normal Experience Point values to advance in levels. This
reflects the fact that the self-discipiine required for training doesn't come easily to these

cieatixes.

Individual DMs can decide whether dual-ciassed or multiclassed lycanthropes are
possible. If so, they should be even rarer than lycanthropic w zards, priests, or psionicists.

. .. . .. . . - . ..

,

>gtransmits the contagion does not affect one or more particular phenotypes, c

the viability of the disease. (A human while infected folk representing other
attacked by a werebear is no less likely
to acquire lycanthropy than a human phenotypes are unknown to their race.

attacked by a werewolf.) In contrast, Often, the humanoid's own lore and
other humanoid races appear more
likely to acquire lycanthropy from just beliefs support this theory. Kobolds, for

example, are particularly fearful of

werebats. In my opinion, this fear is

The following table lists one or more phenotypes to which a major race is
vulnerable. (Note that these entries encompass racial varieties, such a s demo
[dwarves], aquatic elves, etc.) If a member of the race is wounded by such a
lycanthrope, the odds ofinfection are a s usual: 2%per hit point of damage

sustained.

The table also provides a "resistance percentage." This applies if a member
of the race is wounded by a lycanthrope not of the phenotypes listed. The DM
should roll Id100 and compare the result to this percentage. If the roll is equal

to or less than the stated percentage, the usual process is used, based on a 2%
chance of infection per hit point sustained. If the roll is greater than the stated
percentage, however, the victim is immune to this particular lycanthrope (the
individual attacker, not the entire phenotype).

Susceptibility by Race

-Race Infective Phenotypes Resistance
Buabear Werewolf, wereboar Percentage
Drow
Dwarf All 75%
Elf (non-drow) Werefox, werebear 95%
All
Gnoll Werebat. wererat -
Gnome All
Goblin All -
Half-elf
Half-orc All 70%
Wereboar, wererat
Halfling All -
Hobgoblin AI1
Human 90%
Kender Werebat, wererat
Werebear. wereboar, werewolf -
Kobold Wereboar, wererat
Wereshark. wereseal -
O~are. , Werebear, werewolf
-
-Orc
80%
Sahuaain
~~ -

Troll -

95%
65%
70%
55%
50%

Example: Two trolls are attacked by werebats-not ai phenotype to which
trolls are specifically susceptible. The resistance perceriitage for trolls is 50%.

Each troll is attacked by one werebat. The DM rolls 1d.l00 for "Troll A," with a

result of 45. Troll A is susceptible to the specificwerebst attacking it, and its
chance of contracting lycanthropy is 2%per hit point of damage suffered. For
Troll 6. however, the DM rolls 70. This troll is totally imrnune to infection from
the werebat currently attacking it. Should the werebat ai:tacking Troll A switch its

attention to Troll E; however. the DM would have to rolli d l 0 0 again for Troll B.

a not unfounded, but it IS the result of sleep and charm spells.
actual experience, While I have never
seen a kobold take the shape of a wolf, Gnoll: No "gnollish" traces are
I have indeed seen several fall prey to apparent.
a werebat's assault.
Gnome: The animal or hybrid form
Yedige6 O f f i c e of an infected gnome is generally
slightly smaller than the average for a
Somewhat predictably, an infected particular phenotype. This size differ-
person's race can affect the entia1 seems not to exceed the natural
appearance of the werebeast's variability of werebeasts, however.
secondary.~aspect. For example,
lycanthropes of races that possess vs. magic, per Table 9 in the PHB.
certain special abilities or
characteristics might retain those Goblin: Like gnomes, goblins
characteristics even after infected with lycanthropy tend to
transfiguration. exhibit a smaller than average animal
or "gnome-beast" form. Again, this
Below, I have set out what little I differentialis within the natural
have learned about this topic. Note variability among individuals.
that these observations are far from
exhaustive, and far from categorical. I Half-Elf Nothing distinguishes the
may well be mistaken on several of the infected half-elf from others of the
points raised, or perhaps the situation same phenotype.
is more variable than I currently
believe it to be. Halfling: Halfling-based
lycanthropes are generally smaller
Bugbear: To the best of my than the average for a particular
knowledge, infected bugbears have no phenotype. However, this slight
unusual characteristics in animal or difference is not a telltale sign of race.
hybrid form.

Drow: It would seem that drow ly-
canthropes retain something of their re-
sistance to magic, regardless of form.

innate 25%magical resistance their !saving-throw bonuses (if any)
while in animal or hybrid form. In
drow form, they have the standard against spells and poisons, per
magical resistance described in the
MONSTROMUSANUALt'"o'me (50% Table 9 of the PHB.
plus 2% per level).
Hobgoblin: No special hobgoblin
Dwarf: Lycanthropic dwarves retain
their abilitv to detect sloping passages, traits are apparent after transfiguration.

saving throws vs. magic and poison Human: Human lycanthropes have
(if any), per Table 9 of the PHB.
no unusual characteristics (since this is
II
-the race aaainst which all others are
Elf: In any form, infected elves compared).
appear highly resistant to sleep and
Kender: Kender-based lycanthropes

are generally smaller than the average

for a particular phenotype. As with

n3~n~o~mes and aoblins, this differential

L

falls within the natural variability

among individuals.

Kohold: Among members of a

particular phenotype, the animal or

I ..- . . -

<:

23 hybrid form of an infected kobold is by a werewolf might transfigure into a
werefox, or into a wererat, or into
always smaller than average. This size another phenotype altogether.
differential is slightly greater than
natural variability. Several explanations for such flukes
are possible. First, the number of cases
Ogre: An infected ogre in animal or is so small (fewer than one in several
hybrid form tends to be slightly larger thousand) that this could well be a
than other members of the same mistake in observation. Second, it is
phenotype. The ogre werebeast also possible that the victims were actually
seems considerably more resilient and infected by two different lycanthropes.
more resistant to damage. (This is discussed under "Multiple
Infections" below.) And third, perhaps
Jnfected ogres gain an additional the maledictive form of lycanthropy
Hit Die in their secondary aspect. was involved.

II A person who acquires lycanthropy
from another infected werebeast will
Orc: Lycanthropes based on orcs share the same trigger condition a s the
appear to have no unusual monster that defiled him. This is
characteristics in their secondary common knowledge.
aspect, except, perhaps, an unusual
propensity for drooling. What, then about the victims of true
lycanthropes? True werebeasts tradi-
Sahuagin: I've observed no unusual tionally have complete control over
racial traits. matters of transfiguration, and thus
have no trigger condition. Where, then,
Troll: Troll lycanthropes are generally do their victims' triggers come from?
larger than average for their phenotype
when in animal or hybrid form. Also, I propose that each and every lycan-
they seem at least partially able to re- thrope, whether true or infected, has an
generate damage inflicted by weapons innate trigger condition associated with
to which the creatures are vulnerable. it. However, this trigger is exhibited, or
Thus, werehunters might face the "expressed," only by infected were-
daunting spectacle of a troll-based beasts. It is a Fact that victims infected
werewolf spontaneously healing wounds by a particular true lycanthrope will
inflicted by magical or silver weapons. share the same trigger condition, which
argues to me that the infecting creature
point per round while in animal or passes it on as part of the affliction.
hybrid form. When they are
reduced to 0 hit points, however, Furthermore, true lycanthropes who
they are dead. (Their regenerative
ability isn't that good.) In primary are siblings pass on the same trigger
aspect, the normal rules apply.
Thus, they regenerate their normal condition to their victims. This does
3 points per round. and can be not mean, however, that a person
slain only by fire or acid. infected by a true lycanthrope can
expect to suffer the same trigger a s
Conservation of FFenofSpe victims of that lycanthrope's parents.
The litter of two true lycanthropes may
The vast majority of victims infected carry the father's trigger, the mother's
with lycanthropy will match the trigger, or an entirely new trigger. It
phenotype of the creature that infected seems inescapable, however, that with
them, I have heard, however, of the any pairing of true werebeasts, all
occasional "sport"-a case where this resulting offspring will transmit the
"conservation of phenotype" is not same trigger condition.

Q upheld. For example, a person infected

Though rare, it is possible for a single This does not mean, however, that
victim to be attacked by-and be the contagion transmitted by the
infected by-two or more werebeasts werebear has no effect whatsoever.
Though the man will never resemble a
of a different phenotype. Personally, I bear, the trigger condition carried by
the werebear does apply. Instead of
know of five such cases. For example, causing a change to bear shape,
both a werebear and a werewolf might however, the trigger brings about the
infect a person. What is the result of transfiguration into a wolf (or man-wolf
hybrid). Thus a victim of multiple
such multiple infections? What animal infections will be susceptible to all the
aspect does the victim assume upon triggers associated with the
transfiguration? lycanthropes that infected him, though
he will assume only the shape dictated
It is interesting to note that virtually by the most recent infection. (Again,
this situation occurs only if the multiple
no folktales or myths discuss this infections were acquired before the
victim's first transfiguration.)
matter, and those few which do men-
tion the issue provide little detail. I And what if the victim is infected
know of only two exceptions. Both
tales originated from the same region after his first transfiguration? Once I
(Kartakass), but each presents a dif-
ferent solution to the puzzle. The first deemed such multiple infections
story claims that a multiple infection impossible. In the overwhelming
results in a deranged lycanthrope of majority of cases, an infected
mixed phenotype (an unholy blend of lycanthrope simply cannot acquire
bear and wolf in my preceding exam- another version of lycanthropy after
the beast within has been unleashed. 1
ple), which immediately and invariably have recently encountered an
flies into bloodlust upon transfigura- exception, however. A werewolf first
tion. The other tale asserts that the attacked the unfortunate involved, and
phenotype of the last lycanthrope to he became a wolf at the next full
infect the victim is dominant, and that moon. Thereafter, he acquired a
the afflicted person will always trans- second infection from a wereboar, with
figure into this phenotype, regardless the equinox as his trigger condition.
of the time elapsed between infections. The victim responded to that trigger
too, becoming a boar, which was
My own research has proved to my subsequently slain with an oaken
satisfaction that the second tale is spear, ending the boy's misery.
closer to the truth. Even so, there are
complexities that are not even hinted Note that an individual infected
multiple times need only be cured
at by this story. once to be free of lycanthropy. It does
The fate of a person infected by not matter how many times he was
infected. This is fortunate, considering
more than one phenotype appears to how arduous the curative process is,
hinge on a single facto1.: whether or not and considering the unlikeliness of its
the victim has undergone his first success. All lycanthropes that infected
transfiguration. If he ha s not, the last the victim must be destroyed a s part of
contagion to enter the 1victim's system this curative process.
becomes dominant. S pecifically, it de-
termines the phenotypt? of the victim. In my travels, several people have
asked me whether a true, or
Let us imagine, for e:xample, that a
man is first infected by a werebear.
Soon thereafter, before the man has
ever changed shape, a werewolf at-
tacks and infects him. The unfortunate
will take the form of a wolf (or man-
wolf hybrid), not that of a bear.

. ..

Q pathologic, werebeast attacked by shall describe each category, as well a s
those exceptional triggers which refuse
-9 to comply with either definition.

another lycanthrope would suffer any Symbolic Triggers

effects akin to the infection that Many of the so-called “symbolic”
triggers define or represent change.
humans suffer. It is an interesting They symbolize a transition, often
drastic, from one state to another. SO
question, and one to which I do not powerful and so magical is this
symbolism that when some facet of the
have a categorical answer. environment undergoes a change, SO
too does the infected lycanthrope. An
In all likelihood, such an infection is archetypal example is a sunset or
sunrise-the transition from day to
not possible. I believe that any lycan- night or from night to day. Sleep is
another symbolic trigger, for it
thrope who attacks a true werebeast represents an altered state of
consciousness and the journey from
will inflict physical damage, and that is reality to the realm of nightmares.

all. Yet, from time to time, folktales However, not every symbolic trigger
represents a clear change from one
spark my interest in the subject. I have strictly defined condition to its
antithesis. Other symbolic triggers
heard several stories concerning true reflect a more general change or
transition. For instance, in most lands
lycanthropes that do not have complete the changing phases of the moon
serve to measure the passage of time,
control over their transfiguration. Like and the moon itself has often come to
symbolize passing time. Thus it should
other true werebeasts, these creatures come as little surprise to learn that a
particular phase of the moon acts as
can change aspect at will. But some- trigger for many werebeasts.
According to popular legends, the full
times they also will transfigure against moon is the archetypal trigger. I have
found, however, that virtually every
their will, in response to some external phase of the moon, from new to full,
through one-quarter waxing through
trigger condition. They can regain three-quarters waning, successfully
triggers certain werebeasts.
whatever form they wish-if not imme-
In like manner, other conditions
diately, then within a score of heart- symbolic of passing time can act as
lycanthropic triggers. Some werebeasts
beats-yet even a momentary shift can respond to changing seasons. Others
respond to astronomical events, such
destroy a life-long masquerade. as eclipses or the movements of
wandering stars, Even the first snowfall
Are these creatures true lycan- or another “weather landmark” may
trigger a particular creature.
thropes that have been partially in-
I must emphasize that in the
fected by other lycanthropes, previous examples, the victim need not

contracting their attackers’ trigger con-

ditions? I cannot say for sure. Perhaps

the loss of control stems from another

cause entirely. Yet, it is an interesting

hypothesis, and one that I intend to in-

vestigate over the next several years.

Triggw

I have made something of a small
study into the conditions, or triggers,
that cause transfiguration in infected
lycanthropes. Such triggers typically
fall into two large categories, which I
have dubbed “symbolic” and
“physiological.”

Symbolic triggers are events that
have some allegorical or figurative con-
nection to the nature of lycanthropy in
general and to the transfiguration itself.
Physiological triggers are events that
cause some change in the lycanthrope’s
body-a change which in turn could
reasonably be expected to initiate a
more drastic physical alteration. Below I

actually witness the symbolic trigger extreme anger are common
for its effect to take hold. In other physiological triggers. Even among
words, the stereotypical werewolf does normal humans, both conditions bring
not have to see the full moon to about profound changes in the way the
become a ravening beast: the simple
fact that the moon is full triggers the body functions. Muscles tense, pupils
change. Thus, a werewolf could not dilate, and the heart quickens its pace.
prevent disaster by locking himself in a Breathing becomes shallow and rapid,
windowless basement for three nights and blood is redirected toward specific
each month-unless, of course, those muscles or organs. In essence, the
locks were exceedingly secure. body undergoes significant changes to
prepare itself for fight or flight.
Symbolic triggers also include
conditions or events which somehow It seems to m e quite logical that
represent the death and destruction left such profound changes can and do
in the wake of a lycanthrope. Such trigger the transfiguration in some
triggers are comparatively rare, werebeasts. Perhaps one of the natural
however (that is, few infected chemicals which Rood the bloodstream
lycanthropes respond to them).
Examples include seeing the color red, reacts with the infective agent, causing
which is symbolic of blood, or black, it to initiate a metamorphosis. If my in-
which represents death. Other terpretation is correct, then the action
examples are a s follows: being plunged of such triggers can be explained solely
into total darkness, which is again in chemical and biological terms.
symbolic of death: seeing or smelling
blood: seeing combat or other overt Let us look at several other
violence: witnessing or experiencing common physiological triggers. Strong
emotional or covert violence; and emotions of any kind, a s well as what
passing through or by a graveyard. we may euphemistically label "intense
passion," cause noticeable
I recognize that some of these trig- physiological changes in the body.
gers could alternatively be classed as According to some sages, injury or
physiological events. For example, is even intense physical pain causes the
the scent of blood a symbolic trigger,
or does it stimulate the hunger of the body to release certain natural
beast within and thus qualify a s physi- painkillers into the blood. I see no
ological? And is being plunged into reason why any of these chemical
darkness symbolic, or is the natural changes could not trigger the
surprise and fear it enjoins the actual transfiguration.
trigger? I do not have all the answers.
Ultimately, however, such distinctions Perceptive readers will ask
do not appear as important a s the themselves a question that counts
recognition that such triggers exist. heavily against my arguments above:
Why does each lycanthrope generally
Compared to symbolic triggers, these have only one trigger?
conditions or events are more direct,
less metaphysical, and hence easier to I fear I have no answer. If, a s I have
understand. Many of them engender argued above, predominately chemical
strong and clearly defined changes in processes trigger the transfiguration, it
the body, even when that body is not would seem logical that all such
infected with lycanthropy. For processes would trigger all lycan-
example, both extreme fear and thropes. In other words, since fear and
anger have such similar physiological
effects, why are some lycanthropes
triggered only by one and not the
other? Why are so very, very few trig-
gered IJY both? Obviously, there may
be much more to the matter of triggers

than simple chemistry and biology.

I?

8 that any event bolism involved in a wererat transfiqur-
ing when it sees a sea gull (as was the
om reading a case with a merchant in Souragne)?

zd, from hearing Similarly, if a lycanthrope were
triggered by a musical melody that had
eing struck on great emotional significance for him
(perhaps bringing back happy or sad
dlet. However, in memories of childhood), that would be
a physiological trigger. Yet I met one
le balance, unfortunate fellow who became a
raging boar each time he heard Vistani
should keep the violin music, despite the fact that he
had never heard such music before his
mind. first transfiguration!

event is very LycWhopic C o 1 4 ~ l

:) or involves There are many folktales describing
how a true lycanthrope automatically
ldept people enjoys a form of innate control over all
those infected lycanthropes it creates.
s not likely that a These tales tell of ravening packs of
werebeasts marauding through the
irvive for very countryside under the control of their
true lycanthrope master.
ceptionally
Although tales attribute this power
nple, if the local to all true lycanthropes, my own

es a werewolf research indicates that it is far from

ihes iron, it won't universal. Certainly, some true
werebeasts seem able to enslave, or at
long to realize least guide the actions of, those
infected victims they create. But by no
#missand to do means all, and perhaps not even the
majority, enloy this dark ability.
t.
For those lycanthropes that can
ifected lycan- control their "infected progeny" (if 1
may use such a term), there seem to
character, it's be several universal characteristics of
this power. First, the true lycanthrope
not to saddle the can control its progeny only when
they are in secondary aspect. The
~~ ~ hat occurs too creature has no influence whatsoever
on their behavior while they are in
often or can't be avoided. human form.

Remember, each time the PC trans- Second, the controlling werebeast
must itself be in its own secondary or
figures. the player loses control of tertiary aspect-that is, animal or
man-beast-to effect such a control. I
the character. Frequent trigger con- can only guess why this might be true,
a matter of perceived kinship perhaps,
ditions can get frustrating very fast. but it seems to hold in all cases I have
investigated
As a guideline, triggers for in-

fected PCs should probably occur no

more than once or twice a month.

other Trigger5

I have recorded some trigger condi-
tions that do not fit easily into either
the symbolic or physiological groups.
Some examples follow: seeing a par-
ticular animal, plant, or object; hearing
a particular sound, word, phrase, or
snatch of music; or casting or being
the target of a particular class of magi-
cal spell (frequently healing magic).

To focus on specific instances, if a
lycanthrope were triggered by sighting
its own phenotypic animal (for exam-
ple, a werewolf sighting a wolf), that
would qualify as a symbolic trigger.
However, not all animal-related triggers
are so cut-and-dried. Where is the sym-

'dl Third, the control seems very the creator behaves in an appropriate
manner, the tendency will vanish over
tenuous. The controlling lycanthrope time. I have heard of one case where
can guide its progeny's actions only in this propensity for trusting the creator
very general terms. It can prompt an werebeast was as strong and wide-
attack against a certain target, or ranging a s a charm spell. This is based
prevent one. It can keep its progeny entirely on hearsay, however, and
quiet and calm, or send them ravening could well be incorrect.
forth in a fury. Any more precise
control appears to be beyond the true Further tales describe how certain
lycanthrope's abilities. A s a n analogy,
the controlling werebeast has about a s lycanthropes can trigger the transfigu-
much control over its pack of progeny ration in all their progeny. The way
as a trusted leader has over a mob of most tales describe this ability, the true
humans. While such a leader can werebeast must be in the presence of
direct broad, unfocused responses, its progeny, and then it simply has to
anything more specific is impossible. ruill them to change. I have come to
the conclusion that this is totally incor-
These are the elements that all rect. No werebeast that I have studied
examples of control have in common. can mentally command its progeny to
Now I shall discuss the factors that can transfigure. I can understand, however,
differ from case to case. where these tales come from.

In some cases, the true lycanthrope Most true lycanthropes are intclli-
and its progeny can somehow sense gent, or at the very least, cunning in
each other's presence. As soon as a the extreme. It would not be difficult for
progeny creature transfigures into a werebeast to discover what condition
secondary form, it can sense where its triggers its progeny. (Recall that each
creator is ( a s long a s the werebeast is true werebeast seems to imbue all of its
within some reasonable range, such a s infected progeny with the same trigger
a handful of miles) and will head
toward its master at its best speed. condition; this was discussed earlier on
Similarly, the true lycanthrope can page 163.)When it has learned what
sometimes sense when its progeny this trigger is, it can certainly use this
have undergone a transfiguration, and knowledge to its best advantage. If the
roughly where they are within the trigger happens to be something it can
s a m e range limit. This ability obviously orchestrate, such a s hearing a particu-
makes it easier for the progeny to lar sound or phrase of music, it could
gather into a pack. I would estimate
that this occurs in perhaps twenty-five arrange a nasty surprise for a village by
percent of cases where control exists. organizing a concert to which its prog-
In an additional five percent of cases, eny are invited and then making sure
this "locator sense" is unidirectional, the trigger occurs!
not bi-directional (in other words, the
progeny can sense their creator, but Even if the creature has no desire to
not vice versa; or the creator can
sense its progeny, but not vice versa). cause such a catastrophe, knowing the
trigger it imbues might well come in
In certain rare cases, progeny will handy should it ever be hunted. After
feel a kind of inexplicable kinship with all, who has better motivation to hunt
their creator while both are in primary down and destroy a werebeast than
human aspect. Even though the victim one of its infected progeny? (Refer to
does not know why, he will feel a
propensity to trust and like the the section "Exterminating the Root"
lvcanthrooe who infected him. Note below.) Again, if the trigger is
that this is a propensity only; unless something it can orchestrate, it can
turn one of its most fervent foes into

an ally. (Hunters who are infected
lycanthropes are well advised to take
precautions against this stratagem.)

i

It is said that some powerful forms
of divinatory magic can determine
whether a victim has been infected.

This seems to be a real hit-or-miss

affair,however. Certain spells allow the
caster to commune with his deity; yet,
since in my experience only malign
deities can be contacted, so any
information gained by such a
communion is immediately suspect. I
have heard that powerful magics such

as a wish may sometimes determine
whether a victim is afflicted with

lycanthropy. Yet, since the intents of

wishes are so frequently perverted,
again the information so gained is

highly suspect.
Not all tests regarding a victim's

condition are fruitless, however.
Though it is difficult, it is not
impossible to determine what event or
condition triggers an infected
lycanthrope's transfiguration, provided
the first such change has already
occurred. Once the individual has
transfigured for the first time, some
might ask, is the trigger not apparent?

Iwould say not. If a character's trig-
ger occurs largely when he is alone-in

If the DIY decides that, for story

purposes. the condition of a victim
should rerr,ain unknown, then so it
remains. The enigmatic dark powers
of Ravenloit may block any and all
attempts to learn whether the victim
is infected.

Alternatively, the DM can rule that

the dark powers of the Demiplane
somehow "release" the information,
should it enhance the story at hand.
Ravenloft is, after a Place Of
great despair. If knowledge of one's
condition brings about suffering-es-
PeciallY w'hen that sufferingis de-
served-then the pivotal knowledge
may be gained. Note that such "de-
served suffering" usually involves a
domain's lord, or a character whose
greed Or s,hortcomings have some-
how led to the infection.

!'@the middle of the night, for example- Curing #heAfflicfion

then it's likely that nobody will be there Curing an infected lycanthrope of its
to witness the transfiguration, and he affliction is an extremely arduous task.
himself will lose all memory of the Travelers who claim they hail from
event. (Such is the nature of the trans- distant lands sometimes say the
figuration; see Chapter One for a more curative process is less taxing in those
detailed description.) lands. Never having visited these
places, I can say nothing to support or
Also, even if the trigger occurs in contradict their statements (except,
public, the precise condition need not perhaps, that I often view such claims
be obvious. Many environments and with a healthy dose of skepticism, for I
have met no shortage of lost, deluded
situations are complex, with multiple souls in my travels). At any rate, in
events and conditions occurring every land I have visited during
simultaneously. Which of these decades of research, the curative
multiple stimuli is the actual trigger? process comprises three distinct
phases, which are outlined below.
Let u s take two examples. An
infected lycanthrope encounters a Before there is even the slightest
large spider and transfigures to his hope of curing an infected lycanthrope,
animal aspect. The obvious conclusion it is necessary to hunt down and slay
is that his trigger is the presence of the true werebeast that ultimately
started the chain of infection. If a true
large spiders, particularly if this werebeast attacked the infected lycan-
thrope who is to be cured, then that
.happens several times. Yet, some time chain has only two links, and it is suffi-
cient to slay the attacker. Unfortunately,
Iiare. r,~ nI e encountI ers~ a gnos~rL an~1a given the infectious nature of the
scourge and the difficulty of a cure, the
transfigures again. It now become: chain is usually much longer. An in-
apparent that the trigger was not the fected lycanthrope passes its contagion
spider itself, but in all likelihood thle to other victims, and those victims pass
fear he felt on encountering it it to still others. The person at the end
(assuming he indeed has a phobia of of this horrid chain cannot be cured
spiders). What's worse, neither spiders unless the true lycanthrope who origi-
nor fear may be the trigger, either. nated the terror is found and slain.
Unfortunately, since intermediate links
Here is another example. lmagirve a may be killed, this task is never easy.
lycanthrope who, so far, has trans1.1g-
ured only during combat. Does thiS Tracking down that originator, which
I shall refer to henceforth a s the
mean that combat is the trigger? r'lot progenitor, requires a clever detective.
Painstaking research is essential, and
necessarily. In just such a case, the in- quite often, so is luck. The victim
fected character later changed she'Pe himself, and all those who know him,
when someone egregiously insulte d his must be closely questioned to
heritage. It became apparent that the determine exactly when and where the
trigger was not the combat a s such, person was initially infected. One must
but the rage that combat initiated in then t.rack down the creature that
the character's soul. infected him, and determine if it is a
true werebeast, or itself an infected
In general, the constraints for victim. If the latter, then the process
divining whether the infection is must be repeated.
present also apply to determining a
trigger condition. Yet it would seern A
that the agencies responsible for such
matters are less loath to reveal
information on trigger conditions.
Divinatory magic may still yield liifS,
half-truths, or evasions; yet there Iseem
to be fewer obstacles to finding thiI>
truth in this lesser investiaation.

The task gets progressively more WEIWEASTS

difficultas one approaches the victim before his first transfiauration. It
progenitor. By definition, that creature I
is aware of its condition, a s all true
lycanthropes are. It can be expected to is this beast-the one that determined
protect itself, initially from detection the victim's phenotype-that must be
and eventually from destruction. destroyed. (Of course, if that creature
was an infected lycanthrope itself, it is
Even if the progenitor is unaware of this beast's chain of contagion that
the attempts to track it down, the must be tracked to its source.)

sheer length of the chain can be obsta- This is my belief about multiple
cle enough. If only one of the links is infections, at least. While some
something of a traveler-an adven- evidence bears me out, I have no
turer, perhaps-then the progenitor actual proof, since controlled
could be located great distances from experiments are out of the question.
the individual to be cured. If one or On both occasions where I have been
more of the links has died in the in- involved in curing someone with a
multiple infection, I assumed that my
terim, the chances of success are di- definition of the progenitor was correct.
minished drastically. The longest chain In one case the cure worked; in the
of contagion I have ever tracked to its other, it was a failure, although I
conclusion comprised only three links, attribute that catastrophe to another
and that endeavor took several months cause (specifically, a failure of will in
of unrelenting effort. Ironically, when I the victim himself). Was I correct in
eventually identified the progenitor, I my definition? I may never know for
discovered that the beast had already certain. In the former case, perhaps
been destroyed several days before the each werebeast that had infected the
victim had to be destroyed for a
individual to be cured had come to me successful cure . , . but only the one I
for help. Although Ihad not known it, I defined a s the progenitor still existed at
could have proceeded directly to the the time of that cure. In the second
next step of the cure without hunting case, perhaps it was the continued
the progenitor at all. existence of another progenitor, and
not the victim's weakness of will at all,
This irony brings up a very that led to failure.
important point, however. It is vital to
To be totally safe, then, one should
ensure that the progenitor has in fact theoretically hunt down and destroy all
lycanthropes that infected the victim
been destroyed before attempting the (or the originators of each chain of
next stage of the cure. An afflicted contagion). This obviously complicates
victim has but one chance to escape matters considerably.
the blight. If any step has been missed,
or imperfectly completed, then the Revitalizingfie Tarnished SpiN
cure will fail and the victim will be
doomed to live out the rest of his days The victim himself must perform the

a s a lycanthrope. There is no recourse, second stage of the cure. H e must per-
no second chance.
form some kind of atonement for the
Individuals infected by multiple
evil he has caused while in secondary
werebeasts pose a special problem. It
is true that an infected victim need aspect. The exact nature of this atone-
only be cured once; the successful
cure removes all taint from his blood ment will vary from case to case.
and soul. Yet the question remains:
which beast (or beasts) is the Those individuals who are faithful
progenitor? Ibelieve that, for the
followers of some religious tradition are
/a purpose of the cure, the progenitor is
the werebeast that last infected the often in a better position than others,

in that their reli"aion miaht suecifv a
-
1

form of penance. Perhaps their faith

has a pious ritual that is always used lives. Because of this, it is much better
to atone for wicked acts. If not, then it to overestimate the degree of atone-
is my belief that the act of atonement ment required than to underestimate it.
should fit the crime (or crimes) in
nature and severity, For example, Rmoving the Blight
making provisions to support the
children of a man the werebeast has The third and final stage of the cure is
killed would be a good start. the most demanding. It is also the most
dangerous, and cannot be accom-
Note that the clerical spell plished without the aid of others. The
atonement cannot be used to speed actions required severely tax the in-
this process. (The spell must be used fected subject and all others involved,
separately in the third portion of the both physically and emotionally.
cure.) So profound is the curse of
lycanthropy that there are no shortcuts In order for the blight to be lifted,
the subject must first assume his sec-
on the road to a cure. The victim must ondary form. Thus, the assistants who
determine what is necessary for are actually performing the cure must
atonement, and perform it himself. await, or orchestrate, the subject's trig-
(Certainly others can provide input and ger condition. (Orchestrating a trigger
even guidance, but the responsibility condition may in itself be quite difficult
for success or failure lies solely with or dangerous, and may carry with it
the one who would be cured.) certain regrettable consequences.)

The requirements for atonement will What constitutes atctnement for
depend on the amount and severity of 3n infected player char acter? DMs
harm wreaked by the werebeast. A should decide this matter based on
lycanthrope who has suffered under :he c:haracter's though!;s,beliefs,
the afflictionfor decades may have to snd emotions, a s well as on the
spend several years atoning. Perhaps character's actions. A PC who
he will choose to seek out the cynically goes through the
surviving relatives of his victims and motions of penance is not really
tend to their material needs while atoning for his actions.
doing everything else in his power to
wipe away the emotional and DMs might decide bNeforehand
psychological damage he inflicted. what degree of atonenlent is
reqLiired, then ieave it entirely up
There is no means of determining to the player to decide when the
categorically whether the required character has done enough. Ifthe
amount of atonement has been DM judges that the ch,aracter has
met the criteria, then the cure can
completed. To the best of my proceed; otherwise, the cure will
fail. Alternatively, the DM can
knowledge, no magic, divinatory or collaborate with the player-in
effectroleplaying the character's
otherwise, will yield a solution. The conscience-to figure out. a
only place an answer may be found is suitable penance.
in the heart of the one who would be
cured, If he truly knows that he has The key issue is that characters
done everything in his power to correci shouldn't escape the blight to0
easily. Lycanthropy is a big deal,
the evil he has done, then the particularly in Ravenloft, and curins
atonement is likely complete. the affliction might turn into a full-
fledged campaign all on its own.
It is vital to point out, once again,
that each victim of lycanthropy has
only one chance to remove the conta-
gion. If the cure fails because the
victim has done too little to atone for
his fell acts, then his punishment is to
remain a lycanthrope for as long a s he

-’ G(/EIEBEASTS ”* !

8, Van Richten states that the victim
must remain motionless when the
Despite the subject’s intense desire to final transfiguration occurs. In game
be cured, his assistants will gain little terms, the character must save vs.
cooperation once the transfiguration is death magic. There’s no way to alter
underway. A subject in secondary or avoid this saving throw, either
aspect takes on the mentality of the magically or pharmaceutically.
beast , . . and the fast thing the beast
wants is to be “cured!”A s a result, the As always, the DM is encouraged
subject should be suitably restrained to add customized prerequisites for
before the next steps are undertaken. effecting a cure, based upon the
phenotype, the crimes committed,
Assuming the beast within is now the the individual campaign, and so on.
beast without, a priest must next cast The cure for lycanthropy should
three spells on the subject: atonement, never be as s#impleas looking up
cure disease, and remoue curse. The the answer in a book, whether it be
spells must be cast in quick succes- this or any other.
sion. (If necessary, more than one
priest can cooperate in casting the ~
magic.) The order of spells is symbolic,
and hence significant. Atonement com- then his human mentality flees, the
pletes the spiritual revitalization de- beast within takes over, and the
scribed in the preceding section. Cure subject’s body retransfigures into its
disease rids the body of the infective secondary aspect. The werebeast
agent. And remoue curse erases the immediately enters bloodlust. Its first
contagion’s intangible effects. act will probably be an attempt to slay
the priest who was inflicting such
The moment the atonement spell is hideous pain on him (or so the
complete, the subject’s mentality werebeast will interpret it).
returns to normal, even though he
retains his secondary aspect. At this What if some earlier portion of the
point, he must be freed from all cure was not completed correctly?
restraints. In addition, he must remain Everything will appear to proceed
totally motionless until the cure is normally until the final transfiguration
complete. If he moves so much as one begins. At this point, however, the pain
limb, then the cure fails, his animal will continue to increase until it
mentality returns, and he is doomed to becomes totally unbearable. N o matter
remain a lycanthrope until his death. how strong-willed the character is, he
cannot withstand the agony. Eventually
The cure disease spell can be cast he will move, and the cure will fail a s
without difficulty. As soon a s the priest described above.
begins the remoue curse spell, however,
the subject’s body is racked with agony I must stress that the agony of the
a s he begins a slow metamorphosis, re- transfiguration is an integral part of the
turning to his normal human aspect. cure, and must be experienced by the
Regardless of the alterations which his subject in its totality. There are certain
body is undergoing, and regardless of magics and herbal concoctions that
the burning pain, he must remain com- can lessen or even eliminate the sen-
pletely motionless. This requires excep- sation of pain. If any of these are used,
tional fortitude and strength of will. the cure will automatically fail. The
pain will increase sufficiently to over-
If the subject conquers the pain and power the magical or chemical precau-
remains motionless, the transfiguration tions, and the subject will be totally
eventually completes and he is fully unable to withstand it. For similar and
human once more. The affliction has obvious reasons, the subject must be
been banished. fully conscious during this process.

If the subject cannot adequately
control himself however, and moves,

i3efore e7 came io ihic hi1 yiacr, this land ca//cd ;%arovia, e7 con tidrred m y d f a ski//ed
hunfrr. c7n ihr hilic ~rurroundcinqmy home, have ~ci~ccessfu/h/yuntrd a// of ihr

nahrallq occurrinq yredaiorc-karr of variour si&,and ferocity. dire wolvrr who.rr packs

c

4ierroriAihr /oca/ theyherdc' fiochs, even ihr reat wyvrrn ihai wicnqc over /he yrahs.

27cYet, considrrrd mysdf we//vrrced in ihe ari of /he l~uniL. Thrrr w0.cno kasi ihai

'odd ei ihr ktirr of me.

Or c7 ihoiyhi unhlc7 wa~rrnp& io had ihai i//-siarred huniiinq triy.

c

(Kkrihere an14 '/up, any omen.khat shouid have warned mr h a t what e7hunted
wa( no ordinarij kar? ~710lo,ohicnq back on ihr evrn1.re7have io say ihrre was no

indicahon~,7Zone, /hat is,until ihe memkn of fbe yariy kcgan io dir.and e7 r e d i d fhaf

e7wm not /he hunker.hut ihr p y !

-From the journal of Darzin Morcantha

nowing the mind of the these monsters were not enough to
werebeast is the first rule muddle the hunter's strategy, I must
pause and re-emphasize the fact that
. i~'1: of the hunt. Both forms of werebeasts are no more "typical" than
the lycanthrope-true and vampires or ghosts or liches. Each
lycanthrope has its own strengths and
, .. infected-are equally weaknesses, both of which are often
quite subtle. Hence I return to the
c.'..i:: ever, each has its own axiom by which I began this chapter:
mindset, its own view toward mankind.
Knowing the mind of the werebeast is
Hence, recognizing which is which can the first rule of the hunt. If this treatise
be crucially important.
can be of service to that end, so much
Pursuit of a true lycanthrope is as the better, but the study of my work is
much a battle of strategies a s it is a not nearly sufficientto arm even the
doughtiest enemy of darkness against
contest of blood; the true werebeast the task at hand. Those who hope to
has lived with its mutable nature all its survive such a quest must search out

life, is accustomed to its predatory every report of the creature and follow
nature (if not comfortable with it), and up every clue. Werebeasts are some of
remains ever cognizant of its nature. In the most violent and ruthless beasts to
contrast, tracking the infected prowl the land of the Mists. No matter
lycanthrope is far more subtle, more how powerful you are, and no matter
cerebral on the hunter's part. The how typical the werebeast may seem,
infected creature is either unaware of
its bestial aspects or desperately failure to seek at least some inkling of
concealing its murderous double life. the monster's strengths and
As a result, seeking one of these weaknesses will deprive you of your
pitiable creatures may seem like throat and quite possibly your very
hunting two separate prey at the same humanity!
time. To complicate matters, this lethal
creature is curable. Enough said; on to observations
regarding the two basic stages of a
If the two, contrasting mindsets of
successful hunt: identification and
entrapment.

i 'VIErnBEASTS G

'g the Beast is, or should be, fairly intimidating to
even the most courageous hero.
Knowing a Yverebeast when one sees it Meanwhile, the hybrid aspect has
may seem c)bvious enough, especially fingers and an opposable thumb,
if the monstmer occupies either its which are necessary for opening doors,
hybrid or animal form, but the jimmying locked windows, climbing
mutability of the creature, plus its trees and roofs, and wielding a weapon
intelligence which is sufficient to if it proves to be the most effective
counter-strategize, forces us to means to the creature's ends.
reconsider this issue.
In spite of all these legitimate
Hybrid Forim arguments for preferring the hybrid
form, though, I think that the real
Certainly th,e man-beast form, under reason lies below the surface. I have
normal circixnstances, is the chilling belief-not a certainty,
unmistakable, if not singularly quite, but close-that the beasts prefer
this form because of the terrible fear it
horrifying. E:ven the charming and strikes into the hearts of their prey
before they die. The beasts might
seductive werefox is terrible in her relish this terror out of some unholy,
beauty, alluiring yet cruel and sadistic. sadistic joy, or perhaps they, like cats
When t h e werebeast reveals itself in that play with mice before eating them,
this form, b lood is almost sure to enjoy or even crave the taste of fear
follow whet1ier the creature is a true or itself. Whatever the reason, I must
infected lyc,anthrope. In this aspect the return to my previous warning before
monster en1:ertains no thoughts of
stealth, and in this shape it is the most roceeding: When you meet the hybrid
effective killer it can be, calling upon rerebeast, prepare for battle.
the powers of both its forms to achieve
its deadly objectives. In short, when in the PCs by withholding their
one meets i3 werebeast in hybrid form, interaction with the hybrid form
one should prepare to kill or be until the climactic battle. Whether
killed-the beast most certainly will. the creature dramatically trans-
forms before their eyes or leaps out
Indeed, I:he hybrid aspect seems to of the shadows in all its terrifying
be the form in which the lycanthrope glory, for optimum horror save this
most often I<ills. By far the predominant aspect's role for last.
report of thix e who have survived an
attack by a lycanthrope is that the crea- Animal Form
ture resemt)led man and beast, and was
thoroughly horrifying to look upon. I do not believe it is practical to seek
to identify a lycanthrope in the
I have ccInferred with several sages company of natural animals. If the
on this matter, and I have arrived upon creature differs in size or coloring from
a few reaso,nable speculations a s to its natural counterparts, readily
why the lyc:anthrope might prefer to recognizing it is not beyond the scope
kill in hybrid aspect. Certainly the of observant hunters, and most
man-beast is a more efficient killer, for werebeasts realize this, including the
it enjoys the advantages of both infected ones, who are little more than
human and animal forms, as I have beasts when the curse overcomes
already stated. Its claw and bite them. Conversely, if the lycanthrope is
attacks are more instinctive and, not readily discernable from its natural
thence, mo,re accurate than the swing cousins, then a hunting party might be
of a sword, and it can employ multiple
attacks in the place of only one. The
inhuman CI'eature also threatens its
Q adversariesi with a fell disease, which

1

.

- &LC-JlOh,TlK hEC@ND

forced to kill entire .~ o.~ u l a t i oonfs a s the spread of a cursed affliction and

natural animals in order to ferret out unbridled evil.
the monster among them; this is
plainly unacceptable, a s any ranger or The hybrid form may be the more
druid will angrily point out.
efficient killer and the animal form
If the lycanthrope is pathologic, it is
possible that the monster could lose so may move faster, but the human form
much of its conscious identity that it
might actually believe it is a wolf or is the beast among us; it is privy to our
bear or badger while occupying that
particular form. These poor creatures, plans, a wolf in sheep's clothing, and
who may be wholly ignorant of their
ailment while they suffer from it, can as capable of killing in this aspect a s
be easy targets for those who hunt
them. Any hunter with the ability to any. Anyone, be they strange or famil-
magically speak with, befriend, or con-
trol animals may quickly learn through iar, friendly or hostile, may suddenly
any number of approaches which
beast is the monster. However, I hasten change to a terrifying monster before
to add that most infected lycanthropes
retain enough consciousness to under- your unsuspecting eyes, or worse,
stand that they are not natural animals,
so it is highly unlikely that the hunters when you are not even looking.
will euer find a werebeast lounging
carelessly among its distant relatives, As the physical signs of lycanthropy
heedless of discovery.
are always there, visible to those with
Knowing that the werebeast can and
does take the form of an animal still foresight a s keen as their hindsight, an
has its advantages, though. Were-
beasts commonly surround themselves objective search for these features may
with their natural counterparts and
prove invaluable. Certain features of
take that form while they do so.
Hence, any ranger or druid who can the animal breed-the beady eyes of

track a animal can also lead a hunting the wererat, the feral grin of the
party to the trail of a lycanthrope. That
is often a s good a s place to begin the werewolf, the piggish nose of the
search a s any.
wereboar, and so on-are inescapable
H w a n Form
to the human form. If the hunting party
Ironically, this lycanthropic aspect is
by far the most dangerous. knows the phenotype of the
Recognizing the true nature of a
werebeast in human (or demihuman) lycanthrope, body traits can do much
form is frequently accomplished in
hindsight, too late. Survivors of a close to eliminate some suspects and indict
encounter with a werebeast sometimes
observe that they should have noticed others, Even so, I hasten to add that
the elongated forefingers or the
abnormally hairy eyebrows before, and these features are often subtle in the
the common failure to do so leads all
extreme, and no one can be blamed
ntoo often to bloody mayhem, a s well
for missing them even when actively

looking for them.

Perhaps the most important key to

recognizing a lycanthrope in human

form is to return to the first rule of the

hunt and determine whether the crea-

ture is born or fallen to its condition.

True lycanthropes tend to formulate

evil agendas, while infected ones live

in ignorance or shame of their other

selves. The former takes the human

aspect a s a disguise, while the latter

simply remains human until some cir-

cumstance beyond control sweeps him

or her into a nightmare world where

nightmares are reality The reasons for

occupying the human form are di-

verse, and therefore the means of iden-

tifying the two types are different.

True Lycanthropes: Born a monster,

the hereditary werebeast's awareness

of its identity and actions in any form

enables it to use its mutability to @

- WEREBEASTS9, m
G
The lycanthrope’s shapechanging them and note who is perhaps
ability results in a preponderance of
scenarios involving identification as unreasonably interested in helping or
a primary factor in the hunt, and
many players expect this. The DM hindering them. Watch for casual on-
must, therefore, seek ways to
muddy the trail without destroying it lookers who turn up wherever the
altogether. Van Richten suggests a
number of methods by which the party goes, and most especially
werebeast may be recognized, but
beware of people who offer a “sure
the DM can easily use these tests to
confuse the PCs or send them way to kill a werebeast.” They may be

toward a secondary goal. For sincere or they may be agents of the
example, what if a young man were
to leave town in search of his monster, if not the beast itself.
fortunes, become infected with
lycanthropy. return home covertly, Pathologic Lycanthropes: These
3nd begin to kill the members of his
[rue family, even though nobody poor fools are often completely
knows he is back? Or what if an
unidentified true lycanthrope unaware that they become monsters

managed to convince the PCs that when conditions are right (or should I

the werebeast in question was an say wrong!).Others have made the
infected one by killing off a family,
one by one, in order to implicate painful connection between the blood
one of its members?
they find on their hands when they
If the lycanthrope has no idea of
its bestial nature, there still may be awaken and “last’snight murder by an
some other NPC who knows the
truth and becomes involved in the animal of some k i n d ; these sorry
scenario for any number of reasons.
He or she may be protectins the creatures are torn between the shock
creature (out of love or evil plans).
or the NPC may be using the of committing actions over which they
monster to distract or occupy the
PCs while other plans work have absolutely no control and the
themselves out. In other words, the
lycanthrope doesn’: even have to be consequences of a crime of which they
the arch-adversary in the adventure.
have no memory. In either case, the
eadly advantage. These creatures art
more likely to spot the hunting party afflicted werecreature generally lives in
before it mots them. A true
lycanthrope in human form engages in effective denial of its bestial nature
psychological warfare. Therefore,the
hunting party must respond in kind. and, in all likelihood, lives its human

If the true lycanthrope is aware of its life a s if it has no other.
enemies, the clever hunting party can
turn this vulnerability to its own If the affected person has no
advantage. An alert hunting party
should pay attention to people around knowledge of his or her acts, a hunting

party cannot depend upon suspicious

behavior to identify the monster.

Neither the werebeast itself nor any

associate is likely to play any form of

“cat and mouse.” In fact, I know of a

few infected lycanthropes who have

noticed the subtle emergence of telltale

physical traits of lycanthropy (a

narrowing of the nose, excessive facial

and body hair, etc.), considered them

a cosmetic nuisance resulting from

growing older, and took steps to hide

them without ever realizing that they

were protecting their inner beast from

the outside world. In short, werebeasts

who are ignorant of their bestial nature

may be even better at hiding their

identities than true lycanthropes.

I’m afraid that the most efficient way

to identify an infected lycanthrope is

also the most tragic: by drawing a

connection between the guilty party

and its circle of murdered loved ones. (

.Ifaoredator taraets p. rey. who are all
I

members of a single family or social lycanthrope may be shallow, and
shadows cast by the sun will help
group, the odds are good that the the hunter find it.
Take note of all signs of the
hunter is a lycanthrope and a member creature’s passing, not just its
tracks. Broken twigs, bent branches
of that same circle, Unfortunately, this and grass, even displaced pebbles
can tell the alert tracker that the
kind of identification depends on the prey has been here, a s well a s
which way the creature is heading.
beast establishing a pattern of victims, If the hunter is lucky, tracking a
lycanthrope can be easier than
which means that a number of tracking a natural beast. Since the
size of the lycanthrope is often larger
innocents must meet their deaths than that of a natural animal, so are
its footprints. I myself have once
before the pattern is established. successfully followed a trail of bear
tracks virtually twice a s long, wide,
Tracks and deep a s those of a grizzly (which
did not result in a feeling of victory,
Unless the werebeast you hunt believe me!) Unfortunately, most
possesses the capability of flight, it is werebeasts’ footprints are not nearly
unlikely that the monster can help but as dramatic as this, and some are not
leave a trail (and even avians must distinct from the natural animal’s
land sometime), After all, how does a footprints at all, but those skilled in
wolf pass without a trace a s it lopes the arts of tracking still provide an
through the forest with the rest of its invaluable service to the hunting
pack? party. Following such a lead may not
always reward the hunters, it can still
The rules of tracking werebeasts are provide a fresh start when more
much the same as those for hunting esoteric trails have gone cold, and it
natural animals. Here are a few can at least tell you where the
pointers for those who do not enjoy the monster has been.
company of rangers or druids: As an aside, I would think that even
a novice woodsman could recognize
Naturally, you must find some tracks the footprint of a werebeast in hybrid
before you can follow them. There aspect. Typically, such a mark is
are always some particular places in possessed of the padlike “toes”of the
the woods where tracks are much animal form, but the print is longer and
easier to see than in others. Once the narrower, in the manner of human feet.
trail of a lycanthrope is undeniably These tracks are most often found on
identified, it can be traced through and near sites of death.
some of the most adverse conditions
if the tracker’s eye is keen and heart Gory Leavings
is patient.
Study the track at length, get to know Sadly, a lycanthrope may be tracked
it. Many hunters discover, too late, by more than its footprints. The beast
that they lost one set of tracks and leaves carnage in its wake, and such
picked up another. Suddenly, they brutal evidence of its passing a s would
closed in upon a beast that was only render a mad butcher sick to his
a beast while the monster they sought stomach. In the company of its natural

came upon them from behind. . . . a

One druid suggested that hunters
sketch the footprints they wish to
follow. Doing so does not necessarily
provide an incriminating picture of the
track, but it does force the drawer to
make note of many nuances that
might otherwise go unnoticed.
63 If Dossible, it is best to track the

beast either early or late in the day.

iQ

tis just beginning, fellows or alone, the werebeast
s have run dry, the abandons a corpse terrible to behold.
2ick up the trail in And more horrible yet is it to search
can use the were- that disfigured mess for some clue that
'r to lead the PCs to may lead to the murderer!
ant encounter or to
lycanthropes might Even so, examination of the were-
;with PCs, leading beast's victim is important for two rea-
snd lethal goose sons: First, he or she may reveal
something important from his or her
rebeast, a PC should possessions, position in death, state of
3 proficiency. decay, or any number of other things.
ne in the adventuring Second, many other creatures (natural
or monstrous) may leave a body in
DM can still leave shreds upon the road. The conscien-
tious lycanthrope hunter must be sure
i that provide bridges of exactly what caused the fatal wounds
unter; the PCs or risk tracking the wrong killer.
able to follow them
! to consult Table 39 The bite marks of a lycanthrope are
acking modi'iers. wider and deeper than those of natural
the body of a lycan- beasts, and I also have observed a cer-
s definite cause for a tain uiciousness in the making of the
th ascending modi- wounds, as if were not enough to
ite to the extent of simply bring down the victim and then
the length of time eat of i,t.Agony and terror are often
is discovered. quite visible in both the eyes and the
:tim can be a con- crimson, gaping rips of a werebeast's
)f some important kill; it is not a sight that can be objec-
lonster's identity or tively described, but you will definitely
know it when you see it, and I apolo-
the lycanthrope may gize in advance for insisting upon it.
3in that did not fall
sumed animal form, Uncovering the lair of the beast
:odd pull it free as he certainly advances the identification
31perhaps the victim process (especially if the monster is at
a p or letter on his home), but it also may provide some
e animalistic lycan- crucial insight into the beast's
id, soaked in blood. strengths and weaknesses. The best
Aical werebeasts way to approach this den of death
,ho run them) might depends upon whether you seek a
;upon the bodies of town or a wilderness lair, and I shall
briefly address those two issues here.
e evidence of a ly- Note that I speak of the abode of a
:k on a corpse can be true lycanthrope in either case, since
nction of the animal infected werebeasts do not normally
11 lore. healing, or maintain a lair as such.
ncies. If t h e check is
a lycanthrope's in- Town Lairs
dicated, it may be as-
PC had to conduct a In the case of the town lair, finding the
ig probe of the body, residence of a werebeast is mostly a
cks are appropriate. matter of confirming the hunter's suspi-

'WEREBEASTS Y

ms. When the search is narrowed to a Discovering the residence of the
short list of suspects, it's a good idea to beast is a step in the process of both
PEnetrate the living quarters of those identifying the beast and learning a bit
PE:ople and look for evidence. I am not about it. If you are lucky, you may find
suiggesting that the intrepid hunter find some insight into the monster's habits,
a way to break into the home of anyone and maybe a record of what the
WIIO was not accounted for the last time lycanthrope knows about you. But best
the lycanthrope made an appearance. of all, a hunting party that locates the
When criminal activity is justified by the lair of a werebeast has just located the
virtue of its intent, then the line between ideal place to set a trap!
9(iod and evil is lost and we quickly find
01Jrselveshard in the company of those When the place in question is lo-
We despise. Rather, Iam suggesting that cated, first search it for all its en-
the hunter enter into a, shall we say, trances and exits and all its hidden
d,iplomatic form of pursuit. nooks and crannies. Then learn what
you can about the beast's domestic
Pose a s a delivery clerk, drop by habits-where it sleeps, stores its food,
u1iexpectedly for tea, even boorishly hides if necessary, and so on. Finally,
intvite yourself into the suspect's home design a trap that will blend into the
UInder the pretense of using the facili- surroundings, avoiding the disturbance
ti(es, but find some way to insinuate
Y'Durself into the suspect's quarters, if A great way to turn a simple
01niy to take a quick look around. It's hack-'n'-sla!jh adventure into a de-
.n.ot necessary to find the meat larder in tective mystery is to very subtly
order to confirm your hunch. If you wave ciues ,of the lycanthrope's
have reason to believe that someone is identity under the PCs' noses.
a werebeast, then a simple scan of their Introduce objects or sounds or
living room can condemn them. Do not smells that readily blend into inno-
look for overt signs of violence and cent backgrounds and then chal-
cannibalism, but for subtler clues that lenge the PCs by linking them to the
fit into the puzzle you have already murders, iater on in the adventure.
been piecing together. Observe the sus- Sometimes the tiniest clue is the
pect's taste in decoratlon, for example. key that breaks the mystery wide
A dark and disturbing painting often re- open, and the werebeast's lair is the
flects a similarly disposed character. Or ideal place to plant it.
seek objects lying about that link the
person to the scene of a crime, like a If and when the PCs discover the
possession of the deceased. I once lair of a lycanthrope, particularly the
identified a wererat when I coinciden-
tally observed a shiny brooch on its wilderness location, the DM should
coffee table that had belonged to a
friend of mine, recently murdered. pay close attention to how carefully
they approach and search the area.
Wilderness Lairs Most animals can easily tell if their
lair has been compromised, without
My discussion of the wilderness lair even entering it, and the best-laid
assumes that the hunting party has plans may be wasted by one PC
already found it-whether they have footprint.
followed a set of tracks to the
monster's doorstep, convinced a Always give the PCs a chance to
natural animal of the beast's find every secret door in the lair, but
phenotype to lead them there, or seek ingenious ways to keep them
bungled upon it by sheer luck. from turning the creature's home
into a death trap; this is the
monster's home turf. after all, and
should not be easily used against it.

of so much a s a pebble if possible. Hunting parties who are attempting
Don’t forget that you yourself leave a to learn the identity and type of a
scent wherever you go, which most lycanthrope should consider the
werebeasts can detect as easily as a possibility that they are hunting any
shark smells blood in the water.(Most number of monsters. An intelligent
druids and rangers are highly adept pack of werebeasts may confound the
circumventing these problems-I most astute and scientific of hunters. I
highly recommend engaging the serv- can say from personal experience that
ices of one of these folk before at- there is no shock a s sickening a s that
tempting to infiltrate a wilderness lair.) which comes from learning you are
Remember, true lycanthropes are as surrounded when you believed that
cunning a s they are lethal; suspicion is you were hot on the trail of a single
second nature to them, especially if monster!
they know they are being hunted.
Wfiessing the T~nSfigmfion
Beware the sudden arrival of the
werebeast while you inspect its Perhaps the surest way to identify an
domicile. Such forays are necessarily infected lycanthrope is to catch it in
clandestine, especially when one seeks the act of transforming. The secret to
to prevent the monster From detecting this is in learning what triggers the
the intrusion, so bringing along a change, which comes from careful
complement of warriors for protection observation of objects and conditions
is impractical. Ifyou are caught, know that are repeatedly associated with the
well that no fury can match that of the monster. Perhaps a pattern of killings
beast whose “safe haven” has been emerges in conjunction with a time of
compromised. day, or the lycanthrope’s victims are
repeatedly found in a patch of wild
Most of the creatures of darkness I flowers. Discovering what triggers the
have studied are more solitary than change of an infected lycanthrope
the lycanthrope, and more careful without actually witnessing the agent
about multiplying their numbers. at work is but a slim possibility, but
Vampires, for example, are careful not any prospect is worth considering.
to create another of their kind with
each feeding, if for no other reason If the catalyst is something that the
than to assure that the general blood hunters can manipulate, so much the
supply is not depleted. Liches consider better. However, be prepared for a sin-
the existence of even one other of their gularly negative reaction if your hunch
kind to be an affront. On the other is right and your trigger device is effec
hand, werebeasts, in their native tive. The hunter who forces a were-
savagery, are not nearly so concerned beast to change form becomes both a
with their own numbers. Indeed, some witness and an enemy with a deadly
of them actively seek to infect a s power over the monster; nothing short
many people as they can in the hope of murder will satisfy the lycanthrope’s
that they may command entire legions fear and indignation. Also be warned
of murderous creatures. I have heard a that some of these creatures can fight
tale of an entire city of lycanthropes the change, if only for short periods of
which grew in leaps and bounds as its time, averting suspicion and removing
army, organized under a king who was any advantage of knowledge that the
himself the lycanthropic trigger, spread hunter may have enjoyed.
across the lands, killing and devouring
every living being in its path. The hunter of werebeasts faces a
moral dilemma: If the monster suffers @

., ... A hunting party of good alignment
~, should seek to cure an infected lycan-
thrope rather than kill it. This creates
~ a challenging and exciting adventure

from a disease that was thrust upon it while it demands more roieplaying
through a bite or scratch, then its from everyone, including the DM. It is
condition is, first, not its own fault and, sweet irony that the ideal resolution to
second, most possibly curable. What is
the lycanthrope hunter's responsibility a scenario involving one of the most
in this case? Should he or she slay the violent of monsters is to avoid the
beast outright, and thereby prevent common "ha~ck-'n'-slashremedy by
any further attacks by the creature? Or which many ,adventures end.
should he attempt to entrap the beast
and effect a cure, even though such Seeking a cure to lycanthropy can
action may leave the door open for
further destruction? extend an adventure that otherwise
might have come to an end with
There is no simple answer. Certainly, simple defeat of a monster. One of the
if a victim is willing to undergo a cure, best things about infected werebeasts
then every effort must be made to is that they can be saved from evil
assist that person. If the victim is unwill- and regain their peaceful existence,
ing, however, destruction of the beast with the help of intelligent and heroic
may be the hunter's only recourse. PCs. Some quick adventure hooks for
this scenario are: an NPC werebeast
Trappingthe Beast who holds a strongly rumored key to
the PCs' escape from Ravenloft; a
Whether the lycanthrope is born to its
condition or acquires it, trapping the time limit before the beast must kill an
creature should be the ultimate goal of innocent or die himseif; one of the PCs
the hunting party. Unless the monster is infected, ,and the adventurers learn
has special abilities, it cannot take (perhaps from the Vistani) that the
gaseous form like a vampire or only way to cure the PC is to first cure
teleport away like a lich. As long a s the werebeast that infected him and
the bonds of a trap are strong enough, then kill the true monster that began
the captured beast may remain the chain o i contagion. The DM is en-
captured. This procedure is particularly couraged to think of a hook that af-
recommended if the werebeast is a
cursed one that may be cured. The fects the PCs personally or one that
method of trapping depends largely, of affectsthe overall story of the cam-
course, upon the form of the creature, paign (any recurring villains or quests
and various parties might lay a snare to tie into the adventure?).
for any one of the three aspects.
PCs who seek only to wipe out the
If the hunting party seeks to trap the menace ars? arguably committing an
animal form, it should probably mimic evil act. re!gardIess of the victim's
the traditional methods of trapping nat- alignment, and thus are subject to a
ural animals. I might recommend this powers check. At the very least, the
approach if the monster in question has
shown a definite predilection for its ani- DM can impose an experience-point
malistic side. When such is the case,
the creature tends to practice the habits penalty for such irresponsible behavior.
of its normal cousins. These Include It's a good idea to introduce an NPC

priest or other character early in the
e PCs that
imple as fol-

executing
Id of it. That
jes for PCs
:stions later.

Other times the hunters must discern the need to crawl through the forest. If
freshly tracks and then follow, remain- you are certain of your target a s it
ing upwind and approaching the beast moves incognito through the streets of
in utmost silence. In either case, pa- a city, then you may perhaps lure the
tience always wins the day. You may be monster into a trap. This is more tricky
right about the path, but wrong about than it sounds, though: the lycanthrope
the time or day, or you may find the is most lucid in this form, and even if it
pack and be forced to approach it is not aware of the PCs, it is instinc-
through dead leaves. tively suspicious and not easily fooled.

Snares are a tricky thing with Of course, those who plot to trap
lycanthropes. The hunter cannot the lycanthrope in its hybrid form must
depend upon limited intelligence and be doing so a s part of a battle plan,
so it is unreasonable to expect the but it is wise to plan the entrapment of
creature to simply step into a noose or a werebeast as if you expect it to be in
fall into a pit. I recommend stalking the the hybrid aspect. The monster is quite
monster a s if it were an animal, but likely to assume that form a s soon a s
snaring it a s if it were a (very the trap is sprung. This leads m e to a
powerful) human. Magical traps are final piece of advice for those who
better if they can be deployed in such would snare the beast.
a way that will not alert the prey to
your presence. The werebeast's senses The hunters should strive to control
are keen, and whispering halfa spell the place where they will confront the
may be the last thing you ever do.
werebeast. If they can do so, they can
The psychological factor also comes
into play here, and it may be booby-t,rapthe entire area against
necessary to create a feint of some escape, then hope to force or flush the
kind, to distract the monster while it monster into one of several snares.
blunders into a real trap. I cannot This is rarely a simple task, but it
provide any useful, specific provides the best chance to save an
suggestions for accomplishing this: infected werebeast or to interrogate
there are too many factors to consider. one born to its condition.
The best advice is, once again, to first
understand the mind of the beast and Making,the Kill
then use that knowledge to trap it.
When destruction becomes the only
Those who would trap the monster alternative, and Iknow well that it
while in its human form may eliminate does, then the processes described
above should still be adhered to,
~ except in this case it would lead
expressly to a lethal trap. The hunting
Especially if the PCs are intent party should use whatever means at its
upon trapping a live werebeast, the disposal to incapacitate the creature
determination of the perfect spot for before putting it to death. This is much
an ambush can provide the better preferred to meeting the werebeast in
part of an adventure. Here, the PCs open combat, for it may pass on its
first seek to learn the identity and disease and escape or even leave a
habits of the lycanthrope, and then person infected after it dies. Like the
engineer the best possible trap zone animal it essentially is, the lycanthrope
and snare, magical or otherwise. is most ferocious when cornered,
Luring an intelligent creature into a capable of surprising feats and deadly
trap inspires much more complex blows even in its death throes.
scheming than simply cornering
and killing it. If it is the hunter's intention to kill
the creature, then I would suggest first
learning the lycanthrope's chemical

\niLJaBEASTS ’* Y

-3found (usually an animal). But instead himself in the place of his quarry, he
comprehends what he would do if he
of claiming that the werebeast at fault
resides in the wilderness, the were the hunted (as he may well be!).
charlatans declare that the culprit is an That is the difference between hunt-
infected lycanthrope-and probably
one of the villagers. ing and murder. In the end, that is the
sole distinction between a man who
After a period of “research,”for contains a beast within and another
which the hunters are compensated, who becomes the beast without.
they name the “ravening beast.”
This is usually a social outcast, a The werebeast is a fell opponent-
villager isolated by appearance, intelligent, cunning, and fearfully lethal
language, or eccentric behavior. By in combat. Detecting its presence, lo-
selecting a person already considered cating it, and then hunting it down is a
odd or not of the norm, the hunters singular undertaking. Too often the task
can readily persuade the townsfolk to easily claims the lives of hunters, or
accept their supposition. To add further
horror, sometimes the person identified curses them with the dread affliction,
a s the lycanthrope will also accept the which is certainly worse than death.
hunters’ claim and beg for assistance
in finding a cure. Yet the task of hunting down and
destroying the werebeast is an impor-
Thus, the hunters can begin the tant one. Lycanthropy is a pernicious,
process of “curing” the lycanthrope. insidious infection in the body of its
Such cures have two things in victim and the body of society a s well.
common: they are impressive and It is a plague upon both the individual
flashy ceremonies, playing to all the and the societal soul, for it erodes our
base beliefs and misconceptions of the ability to embrace our own neighbors
townsfolk; and they are very expensive. for fear that they may not be what we
Most charlatans claim success, which is think they are. Pitiable they may be,
a simple matter given that no lycan-
thropy existed. Unfortunately, some evil yet still they must be condemned.
few who claim failure have found this As I draw to the close of this
an easy excuse to commit murder.
treatise, I must admit that studying the
A true hunter always has as much lycanthrope has been most disturbing.
respect for the prey a s he has for For all my condemnation of these
himself. This is a s true for those who monsters, I must pause a moment and
track werebeasts a s it is for those who reflect upon the reality of the beast
hunt deer and birds. It is not only a within me. The werebeast kills because
matter of understanding that the killing is what it instinctively does. It
lycanthrope can kill at least a s easily has no agenda, no point to prove, no
a s it can be killed, it is more hatred to vent. On the other side, I
importantly a matter of recognizing the have no need to kill at all, instinctively
creature a s a living thing instead of an or otherwise, yet I have pursued that
object simply to be destroyed. It has objective with righteous tenacity. We
drives and fears and a desire to live! are both predators, yet who is the
When one understands the heart and more monstrous?
mind of the beast, one becomes more
attuned to it. When one knows what I must conclude that my agenda to
motivates the prey, one may anticipate destroy all creatures of darkness, my
its reactions. When the hunter puts point to prove that they are indeed vul-
nerable in some way or another, and
my utter hatred of all things evil renders
my deadly intent a tragic necessity-
and I am therefore no monster at all.

Let the werebeast look well to its
hunting skills; I shall show it who is the
superior predator!

c

Mach /iy iuried undrr /he iiaw ax ii watched, c$oJi% a row of ije//owedcanine teeth.
"we"lWrarr not mon~ten,i"t repeated,iaimiijemphacicdq /he point.
are Iihe you,

-
@7"a// do hut which ic in our mhms fo do, fo//owcin-qthe natura/ imyrrativec incorporafed

infowerij fiber of o w kinqs.,?lor~e has any choice in thr mutfe;; but we wereireaturrs are

c

r e d y quitr confenf with the redity of fhc &ation. d i h e mock humunc.

"$Uou/d you caii an eaqic a monctrr for beicnq an r'2aq/e.l"Jt /caned foward me

an earnrci enfered iir voice. ,,c for bcinq a $lo! &f when it hi//c a

and /one Y9'woif c woif!

farmefc rhrep or wrn when it hunk the io</irareier in h e fared is it a monster: ~7kic

jut/ doinq what if was born to do-curyivr.

c

"37eare no djfferenf,me and my hind, from anq other predaiorc.e71 ic merdy

human armc4ancr ibui /ab/<u( wiih /he term 'moncfrr.'G i n c e we hwe thc temerity fo

-feed q o n the cdf-ciy/rd hinqc of crtafion,we are hafed and bared."
c
;Chr creature ihuik/ed quictlij. "~7dfeer had fhe powri-of rperch." ii mu.crd,'J

wonder what horribie /a/& they wodd te// of that monster humaniiq . . ."

-From the personal journals of Dr. Van Richten

s Dr. Van Richten noted process as clear as possible, a sample
earlier, virtually any new lycanthrope, the werebadger, is
predator between the size developed concordantly. The finished
of a small dog and a large monster is detailed in the official
bear can provide the basis
rope phenotype. Most but MONSTROUSMANUAfLormat on page
not all werebeasts are mammals, and
most but not all of them are pure 191. This procedure focuses upon the
carnivores. The MONSTROUSMANUAL design of a true lycanthrope, but the
tome lists the most common, and process remains much the same for in-
probably most useful, of lycanthropes, fected werebeasts.
but it's always a good idea to throw
new creatures at the players- Phmotype
particularly in Ravenloft.
So how does a DM go about creat- The animal you choose will determine
ing a new lycanthrope from scratch? some of the creature's characteristics,
There are six attributes to consider: including its most likely habitat. For this
phenotype, appearance, gaming statis- example, the lycanthrope is a were-
tics, special abilities, vulnerabilities, badger (suitable for use in temperate
climes both above ground and below).
3 and society. Each of these is described
in the following pages. To render the The next step is to decide on the
appearance of each of the creature's

TI- SECTION, it SECOND
ethree aspects: human, animal, and
show a faint spark of unnatural intelli-

gence, or perhaps a bit of whiteness

around the irises. In any case, this fea-

ture shouldn't be immediately obvious,

The primary form of the lycanthrope is and the creature might well be able to
that of a human (or demihuman). Pick suppress such characteristics in order
the race that's appropriate for the to appear a simple "dumb animal."
adventure or encounter you have in The lycanthrope's eyes might glow
mind. The creature's appearance faintly red at night, but in such a way
usually will be reminiscent of the that a player character would attribute
animal aspect. A werebadger is most it to the reflection of a light source like
commonly a dwarf in (demi)human a fire.

form. The lycanthrope may display Hybrid
one or more of the features commonly

associated with werebeasts in their The tertiary form of the lycanthrope

(demi)human form. For example, its should combine animal and human
forefingers may be abnormally long- features. The overall shape is largely
humanoid, yet animal features, subtle
the same length a s its second fingers- or conspicuous, render this the most
or the lycanthrope's hair or beard identifiable lycanthrope form.
might have a white stripe in it, like the

pelt of a badger. A werebadger in hybrid aspect is
The demeanor of the human form is dwarf-sized, its hands might resemble
paws, yet still retain opposable thumbs
also a characteristic of its appearance. Its face might have a pronounced,
A wereboar might be extremely ill

tempered while a werefox might be badger-like face with whiskers.

flirtatious. The werebadger is likely to

be an unassuming loner until Qming fWiistics
provoked, at which time it would show
startling aggressiveness. The easiest way to determine the
werecreature's statistics is to extrapo-

late from those of existing lycan-

thropes. In general, a werebeast's

The secondary form of the werebeast- attributes are proportional to the rela-

that of an animal-is easiest to design, tive size of its animal aspect. A bear is

as a lycanthrope in that form generally larger and more powerful than a wolf,

resembles a larger version of the natu- for example; thus, a werebear should

ral beast-larger than average, but not generally be a tougher opponent than a

so much larger that its lycanthrope werewolf. (Of course, those vulnerabili-

nature is obvious. (Note that the wer- ties specific to a bear, like a fear of

erat is an exception, for its animal dogs, can greatly alter the relative chal-

aspect resembles a giant rat. This point lenge of an encounter.)

raises the possibility that other were- Badgers are Small creatures but are

beasts might be able to transfigure into very strong, due to the fact that they dig

giant-monster forms of animals. While burrows in which to live. This strength

this is left up to the individual DM, such should be reflected, despite the beast's

cases should be very rare.) small size and claws. Damage of ld6/

The werebadger is one such case: ld6/ld4 (claw/claw/bite) seems about

this lycanthrope's animal form is that right. THACO depends on Hit Dice-

of a giant badger. 15 for our werebadger.

Closer inspection of various body Armor Class (AC) depends upon the

traits mav vet betray the werebeast's innate toughness (thickness of hide,

identity. For example, its eyes might etc.), speed, and dexterity of the natu-

~ ability. It might be arbitrary or related
in some way to the phenotype. DMs
!\ have a free hand in this area, giving
them the chance to create unique (and
ral animal. Werebears have a low AC PC-surprising) lycanthropes.
largely because they're such powerful,
thick-skinned animals. However, a Our werebadger is a skilled digger
wererat's AC derives mainly from its and, as mentioned, can be quite
quick, darting movements, which allow ferocious when angered. Extrapolating
it to evade a blow. Since badgers are from this, werebadgers are likely to do
small, low to the ground, and have a more damage with their claws than
thick, furry hide, an AC of 5 seems with their teeth, and they also may go
about right for our werebadger. berserk in combat.

Don't forget that the Armor Class Yulnembilifies
may alter with the lycanthrope's own
change of form. A hybrid's AC should Each werebeast has at least one
lie somewhere between that of the nonmagical vulnerability, Most, but not
animal form and AC 10 (since armor all, creatures of a particular phenotype
owned by a werebeast would have to share the same vulnerability
be donned after the change). Consider (werewolves fear silver, for example).
how much of the animal form's natural DMs should first decide upon a basic
AC would remain with a hybrid. Our vulnerability for a new phenotype, and
werebadger would certainly lose some then decide whether the individual
of its advantages-namely, being creature(s) in question conforms to the
low-slung and the thickness of hide in generic weakness. The vulnerability
hybrid aspect-so AC 7 seems about might be something traditional
(wolfsbane, silver, etc.), or it might be
right. symbolically related to the nature of
Of course, attribute scores and the phenotype.

armor dictate the AC of the human As noted elsewhere in this text, the
form. oil of poppy seeds (and to a lesser
extent, the seeds themselves) are
Most other attributes derive from the poisonous to werebadgers.
nature of the phenotype. Badgers tend
to live alone, unless it's a mother with Sociefy
young. While they prefer to avoid con-
frontations with creatures larger than Social behavior should relate to the
themselves, they are fierce fighters if characteristics of the natural animal. If
cornered or protecting young. Badgers the animal is pack-oriented, the
are not solely predators, but omni- lycanthrope will be social. If it is
vores. Our werejaguar might have aggressively territorial, so is the
treasure class M, Q, or V, if any. While lycanthrope, These creatures are
normal badgers are neutral in align- intelligent, however, so they can
ment, a werebadger (especially in suppress their natural tendencies if
Ravenloft) would have an alignment of necessary. The propensities will
chaotic evil, Number appearing would remain, however, even if they're not
normally be 1. Badgers are aggressive obvious, and they will tend to color the
fighters when provoked, so a Morale of creatures' philosophies and behaviors.
Elite (14) is appropriate.
Badgers are often solitary. Hence,
Specit11 Abilities the werebadger might be a lone
adventurer or a hermit living on the
Certain types of lycanthropes, by outskirts of a settlement.
virtue of their phenotype, gain some
special capabilities. For example,
werefoxes have an ability to charm
victims. A werebeast's special skill

3 might be magical or simply a physical

- WEREBEAST?S*' ..-..I,

i;, poppy seed is poisonous to them (save vs.
poison or die).
WEEBADGER
Each round of combat, the werebadger
CLIMATEITERRAIN: Temperate hills and has a 25% chance to enter a berserk frenzy.
undermound Roll before each round of combat. When
FREQ~IENCYV: ery rare this occurs, the werebeast froths at the
ORGANIZATION: Solitary mouth, its claw attacks gain a +1 attack
ACTIVITY CYCLE Any bonus, and its bite attack gains a +3 bonus.
DIET Carnivore
INTELLIGENCE: Average (8-10) Once in a frenzy, it will not break offthe
TREASURE: M, Q, V
ALIGNMENT Chaotic evil attack until either it is dead or until all its
No. APPEARING: 1 opponents have fled or died. To make
ARMOR CLASS: 4 matters worse, during the frenzy, all bite
MOVEMENT 6 , Br3 attacks have double the normal chance of
HIT DICE: 5 causing the lycanthropic infection to be
THACO: 15 passed on.
NO. OF ATrACKS: 3
DAMAGEIATTACK: ld6/1d6/1d4 Habitat Society: Werebadgers tend to
SPECiAL ATTACKS Berserk frenzy live on the fringes of society (when they
SPECIAL DEFENSES Silver or magical choose to live among others at all). They
weapons required to hit choose professions that allow them to be
MAGIC RESISTANCE Nil alone or excuse bursts of violent anger. For
SIZE: S (4' tall) example, many become scouts or
MORALE Elite (13) or Fearless (20) skirmishers in dwarven armies. Werebad-
XP VALUE: 650 (975 magical weapon) gers dislike physical labor as a rule. They
typically do not work stone or metal.
Werebadgers are dwarves that can
transform into giant badgers or dwarf- Werebadgers dislike other forms of
badger hybrids. In humanoid form, they lycanthropes, but do not hate them. Those
appear to be normal dwarves with a silver that avoid dwarven society tend to be
stripe in their hi3ir or beards (not an loners, living in caves and tunnels, preying
uncommon trailt among dwarves). In upon the unsuspecting. If one encounters
hybrid form, thc?y stand upright but have another werebeast, the werebadger would
the features of i3 badger: thick fur, fight only to defend it$ territory.
enorrnou5 claw!3, and a badger's head. In
beast form, the werebadger simply appears On rare occasions a werebadger will be
to he a giant bzidger. Transforming into found with a mate and young. Treat the
this shape rips apart any clothing the young a s common badgers with
creature wears. lycanthropic immunities. Any sign of
hostility on the part of intruders will
The werebadlger's d a w s are so large that immediately throw both parents into a
they "clack" toglether when not flexed or berserk frenzy (no die roll necessary).
clenched.
Ecology: This lycanthropy affects
Combat: Thi,s monster attacks with its dwarves more readily than other forms of
foreclaws. follo! Ned by a bite. Unlike the humanoids. Gnomes, goblins, orcs, and
giant badger, the claws are actually more other underground dwellers are half as
fearsome than t he bite, but only the bite likely to be infected a s dwarves. Humans,
can transmit th<5 curse of lycanthropy. elves, and other surface dwellers are only
25% a s likely io be infected.
Unlike most lycanthropes, the
werebadger ha:i no qualms about using Werebadgers do not live a s long a s
weapons. Their natural weapons are so dwarves. If allowed to die of natural
potent, howeve r, that only a magical causes-a Milton for the species-they can
weapon is of nc,table improvement. They live to be 80 or 90 years old. Dwarves or
favor axes and war hammers, and there is other long-lived races that are infected with
a 75% chance the creature owns a weapon this form of lycanthropy have the
(25%chance ttiat any weapon carried is remainder of their life spans halved. A
magical). In animal form werebadgers prematurely old dwarf or gnome is
cannot use we2[pons. Only silver or magical sometimes suspected of being a
lycanthrope.
3 Werebadgers. The oil of the
weapons harm

m

..

4ignorance may cost them their lives. emore. My work and the obsession gov-

While a few golems might be dubbed erning it broadened. Igained an under-
"mindless killing machines," such crea-
tures clearly are in the minority. In fact, standing of golems only recently. In

the mind of a golem is most often keen. studying these creatures, I discovered

Unfortunately, it is always twisted. something about the nature of evil, and
Like natural parents, many creators
about myself. Here, now, I freely confess
of golems fashion their "children" in a
familiar medium: flesh. As m y knowl- to sitting by m y hearth, in m y home

edge of the Created comes mainly empty of wife and child these many

from experience with flesh golems, this years, and toying with the idea of creat-
treatise will focus primarily on crea-
ing a new family in their image. This
tures of this type.
However, if the accounts Ihave idea crossed m y mind for but a moment

gathered can be trusted, it is possible before Irealized the true horror of what I
in this world to construct a golem from
virtually any material, from silver to contemplated. Yet, for that briefest of
straw. Iwill attempt to give what infor-
mation I can on the destruction of times, Iunderstood the need-the utter
other, less common forms of the
Created as well. But Imust first con- loneliness and the aching void within-
fess that what knowledge I possess in
such areas is limited indeed. that could drive one to commit acts

I have often stressed the importance which were previously unthinkable.
of understanding the mind of one's
enemy. With the golem, the hunter Looking upon the darkness in m y
must seek to understand not only the
creature but also its creator. What own soul, Irealized we all must be ever
would drive someone to meddle with
life and death in such a foul manner? vigilant. Dark forces lie in wait for the
Obsession, yes. Madness, surely. But
what else? Few of us are fortunate unwary. They listen for our cries and
enough to ride life's course without
claiming some sort of obsession or call out to us in turn, offering to fulfill
madness of our own. I myself might be
considered obsessed by some. Over our deepest desires. They seek out the

the many years of m y fight Ican think seeds of torment within us and strive
of any number of good people who
to nurture them, bending them toward
have named me mad. Perhaps in some
small way they are right. Iacknowl- darkness rather than light. Every one
edge m y life's work is an obsession to
me. It has been one since the moment of us, especially those who have
I held m y wife, Ingrid, in m y arms for
the final time. Cradling her cold, still dedicated themselves to fighting evil,
form against m y chest; burying m y
face against her soft, perfumed hair; must be on guard. The darkness calls
hearing the echo of her sparkling
to us from without, but it has no true
laughter in m y mind; I swore
power over us unless we allow it
vengeance on Baron Metus and all of
access to our hearts.
his murderous ilk: the vampires.
Over the years, Ilearned of still other I consider these insights extremely

evils: liches, ghosts, werebeasts, and valuable. No less valuable is the

knowledge Ihave gained about

golems. I have a dear friend to thank

for both. But this information was

acquired in the most difficult manner

possible: through m y friend's death.

Indeed, many good people have

perished to gain the information I shall

impart throughout this work. Ihope at

least some few will be saved by this

hard-won knowledge. As always,

however, a would-be vanquisher of evil

must remember this rule: Nothing in

our world is absolute. Do not cling so

hard to old beliefs and knowledge that

you become blind to new evidence.

Ishall now relate to you, dear

reader, the tale of how I came to know

of golems. It is m y fervent wish that t

%,

X 2 hearts in your sister’s body?” 1 “Not with golems, doctor She is not

whispered. My stomach, so re1x n t l y truly alive, and thus she cannot truly
warmed with hot tea, turned 1‘0 ice at
die. She is unstoppable, euen by you.”
the thought.
Nodding distractedly, Antoriin con- Turning, Antonin headed to the

tinued. “Yes, yes. But nothing worked. door. Looking back at me, he tossed a
Until I used the living heart. It worked.
I took it from that poor urchin, and yet small journal to the carpet. “You are
i t still beat. /placed i t within hler, and i t
still beat. But not enough, not enough. the only person I could trust to read
So I found other pieces to use, other
this, the only one who would not be
parts to replace. Until euery organ,
tempted to follow the path laid out in
every appendage, was functional. ”
this book and construct an abomina-
Here Antonin paused, lookirw UP
tion as I did. Should you euer run into
from the wooden heart he still clutched
to his breast. “Her eyes openecl, Van that creature or others like her, use this
Richten. And she smiled at meI. At me.”
information in your defense. The man
When Antonin smiled I knew he
was mad. Through my tears I asked who gave me this book is dead now.
him to continue.
Killed by his own creation, as surely as
“But it wasn’t my sweet slsfer after
all. She was so different, not at all I will be killed by my . . . sister.”
herself. One day I arrived horne to find
With that, Antonin lei? me. Several
all the crockery smashed. A uleek later
l a w o k e w i t h her hands about mY weeks later I learned he was strangled
neck, strangling my life away.
to death in a small inn some two days
Tears had replaced his earlitzr smile,
and we cried together as he ccntinued. south of my home. Although Antonin

“I hit her, the mockery of my sister. succumbed to madness, he did manage

Again and again I hit her Whc:n it was to bring me the knowledge I needed to
ouer, I buried her. But the next night I
again awoke to find her choki ng the begin hunting down the Created.
life from me. That is when I fled.”
In the pages that follow, I will attempt
“Then you have escaped yciur cre-
ation, Antonin?” I asked. The iincer- to put forth all that I have learned of the
tainty in my voice stemmed frl3m the
madness still in Antonin’s palez face. Created. I have gathered this knowledge

“Oh, no. That isn’t euer pos!iible. I from Antonin’sjournal, my own re-
just keep moving. When I stop,she will
find me again. She tells me so every searches, and my own experiences. It is
day and night, inside my uerg’ head.
She speaks of how she wishe5; to my sincerest hope you will come to dis-

strangle me.” cern that the monsters and their creators
Rising slowly, Antonin straightened
are both, in some sense, victims. Should
his tie and smoothed his pant:i. “Ishall
be leaving you now, doctor. SIie says you ever confront a golem, perhaps this
she is near, and I have no reason to
doubt my sister.” realization will aid you.

“But surely i f y o u stay we c’an I say this, of course, so that you
destroy her!” I cried. “I do haul? some
small measure ofexperience LLlith such might better understand your foe.

Never should such empathy keep you

from using all means at your disposal

to destroy it. For the Created are

indeed monsters, despite their vaguely

human appearance. And they are

enemies to be feared. Golems do not

view life and death a s you or I do; they

cannot share our joys and fears.

Should you ever be so unfortunate a s

to fight a golem, do not rejoice too

swiftly upon slaying it. You must be

prepared to become acquainted with

true horror as your victim rises again

and again from its supposed death. It

will take all your resources, and

perhaps more, to free the world of just

one of these unholy menaces. G

I~

ti'

OVondrrful ncim today! L a s t month J wroir of ihe heauiiful youcnq woman,
B a f i r a . who for several werhc had been hatihcq a kerrihle caw of ynmmonja.R f i r r
my brief virii yestrrdaij,if rermr the succumbed to her illnrss. ?3or drar: c%ut now mil

own child wi//havr such a swrri. preffy face, and hair a3 sofi a3 silk. &k' won't he locnq

before my hapyineu is complrtr!

2e7 mutt make hade. have a funera! io aitend. 2 n d /hen J mutf mahe my

yrrparaiions for a more privafe honoricnq of he drad.

-From the journal of Thor Hessen

n this chapter Ishall anything is possible given a creator
with the appropriate resources and
1~" I explain the challenges skills.
faced by a madman who
ProcyYjng rvl$eFials
, < ~ desires to construct a
golem's body. I use the Gathering the materials required for a
golem's construction can be a difficult,
t e r m :r-.:dman" expressly, for one of expensive, and even dangerous
prospect for the would-be creator. It
the most fearful aspects of a golem's can also be time consuming,
construction is the creator himself. As I depending on the material chosen.
noted in the introduction, it seems that
A flesh golem typically requires no
virtually any twisted personality can fewer than six corpses: one for each
create a unique and intelligent golem limb, one for the head and torso, and
in these misty lands, from a farmer to another for the brain. (I shall present
a scientist. All that seem truly my theory on why this is so in Chapter
necessary are an obsessive, driving Two.) These parts for flesh golems
need or desire and the ability to must be gathered rather quickly, lest
fashion the physical body. the tissue reach a state of decay too
advanced for use.
Most golems are made of flesh. Due
to the predominance of flesh golems A colleague once wrote to me for
among the Created, I will give a my opinion on a rather demented little
proportionately large amount of space taxidermist, who had to be kept under
to discussing the particular require- lock and key to prevent him from
ments of constructing a flesh golem's gathering up the bodies of dead
body. animals and stitching together hybrids.
Apparently, the man had succeeded in
It is conceivable, however, that a creating at least a few animal golems
golem could be fashioned from almost before he was stopped. Fortunately,
the taxidermist was given to long
any material. Of course, certain periods of catatonia. A catatonic
materials such a s paper or ice would individual stares into space for hours,
presumably be too unstable to form a even days on end, lost to the world
around him. Thus, this man would
lasting body. Furthermore, others such gather together most of the necessary
a s diamonds and rubies would be materials only to find himself, days
difficultto acquire in large quantities, later, sitting amongst the stench and
making their use in a golem unlikely. gore of rotting, unusable corpses.

Even if one could acquire enough of

such rare materials, they would be
difficult to form into bodies. Still,

Assembly Time m d Cos{

Preparation Flesh Bone Clay Glass Metal Stone Straw Wood
time 6 wks 1 rnth 3 wks 3 mths 2mths 2 mths 2 wks 1 rnth

cos[or
assembly (gp) 50,000 35,000 65,000 125,000 100,00080,000 100 20,000

Notes that he or she can focus on the “art.”
Remember too that those who are ob-
Preparation time is the period spent sessed with creating life often spend
gathering materials and equipment. It everything they have to achieve their
does not include the many months or goal-be they a pauper or a prince.
years of planning and research that

some creators perform beforehand. CraftmnansWV
Time orassembly represents the
The table above reflects the minimum
actual number of hours the creator investment for an “average” golem.
spends physically putting his creation

together. (When added to preparation (Base statistics for such golems are
time, this equals the “construction time” presented in Chapters Three and
presented in the MONSTROUSMANUAL Four.) A creator who invests more
tome.) In general, this is the minimum
time required to achieve satisfactory re- time and money-or less-can create
sults. When an obsessive creator is golems of varying quality, a s outlined
working toward perfection, additional below. These variations help DMs
tailor a particular golem to the needs
time may be devoted to the task. of their campaigns. For example, a
Cost ofassembiy includes cash ex- poorly constructed golem may be just

penditures for labor and incidental ex- the foe for an inexperienced party.
Excellent: If a creator invests twice
penses, a s well a s the basic cost of

materials and equipment needed. the usual creation time and expense,

Repeated from the MONSTROUSMANUAL the golem gains + I to physical attrib-
book, these figures should be viewed utes and an additional 2d3 points to

a s basic guidelines for RAVENLOFT its Charisma.
campaigns. As materials vary, so d o Good: If a creator invests 50%more
costs ( a stone golem, for example,
would cost more if carved from gran- resources and time, the golem gains

+ 1 to two of its physical statistics

ite than from sandstone). Other fac- (DM’s choice) and an additional I d 3

tors also affect cost. In general, DMs points of Charisma.
Average: No bonuses or penalties
should let the story at hand determine

how much a creator spends-and, if apply.
the creator is poor, determine how Poor: If the time and cost are re-
that person obtains those funds. Bear
duced by 25%,the golem suffers a -1

in mind that a golem created through penaky to all physical attributes.
obsession (as opposed to traditional Further, its Charisma drops l d 3

magic) may cost far less than points.

amounts shown; the creator serves as Shoddy: If the time and cost are re-

the craftsman. On the other hand, duced by 50%, the golem suffersa -2

even a master craftsman might hire penalty to all physical attributes, and

others for incidental or gritty tasks, so its Charisma drops 2d3 points.

..: Perhaps due to the very nature of
flesh, far more would-be creators of
;‘, flesh golems succeed at their grisly
task than the would-be creators of
Builders of flesh golems who have other forms of the Created.
an ice-cold place available to store
bodies and body parts have more For the creator, flesh is also readily
temporal leeway than most. Deep available, at least for those willing to
snow, ice caverns, even large iceboxes rob the graves of the newly dead (or to
may be used to prevent or slow murder the living). Flesh is soft and
decomposition. While searching for a thus relatively easy to stitch together.
flesh golem south of Viaki, I discovered The golem’s patchwork of skin does
a frozen lake with no fewer than three not heal well when pieced together,
bodies wrapped in canvas and tied to however. The fusing of flesh in a golem
the nearby dock. By stationing myself serves to emphasize the bond,
at the lake, I discovered the identity of resulting in hideous, raised scars and
the golem’s creator. conspicuous traces of stitching.

Other materials can be gathered Such obvious deformities, along
more slowly with little or no with the mismatched body parts, are a
consequence, a s decomposition is not blessing to all who wish to hunt
an issue with metal, stone, and the golems; they allow us to know the
like. But do not think constructing any creature for what it truly is. When one
form of golem body to be easy: far hunts a vampire or werewolf, for
from it. Although some creators do not example, it possible to be a guest in
spend adequate time assembling their the creature’s very home and fail to
grotesque progeny and undoubtedly recognize the prey. But there is no
have poor results, most creators labor worry of attending a gathering hosted
long and hard, using all resources at by a golem and not realizing who-or
hand to “perfect”their dread creations. what-that person is! No, the true
nature of these hideously formed
Fleshly Conceyns
h e i niln_i..s -aI.w.. _avs.,instan.t.l.,v
Constructing a flesh golem presents its
own challenges. As noted, no single recognizable.
body will do: six is the minimum Although the tissue mass that
number required. (Each arm, each leg,
the trunk plus head, and the brain constitutes a flesh golem is hideous, it
must all be taken from different is amazingly functional. These golenIS
corpses, though still more bodies can regenerate at an extraordinary rate. In
be harvested For smaller parts.)
Furthermore, the flesh must be R
relatively fresh. Despite such
requirements, flesh is by far the most
common material used in the
construction of golems.

Why are flesh golems predominant?
Perhaps this is due to the natural
proclivity of flesh to contain and
shelter intelligent life. Unlike the other
materials discussed so far, flesh is
innately accommodating to the life
force. Thus, for the very same reason
you and I are not made from inanimate
wood, glass, or metal, the animating
force of the golem most readily enters
a vessel crafted of once-animate flesh.

.