| Lycanthropy |
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Lycanthropy is the disease of the were-beast: a creature that under certain conditions will transform totally or
partially into another creatuire. Were-wolves are the most famous examples ("lycanthrope"
means "wolf-man"), but there are numerous tales of other were-creatures throughout
folklore. Lycanthropy can result from a curse, but is sometimes regarded as a magical
disease, communicable as most mundane diseases are: through bite or touch. Some weres
have no control over their transformation: others can change at will. The moon seems to
have a dominant power over them, and strong emotion is also a reliable catalyst.
Were-animals are also reputed to have miraculous healing powers, and only weapons of pure silver (which would be little use for anything else) can harm them. Sometimes the shape is purely physical, but more usually has at least some degree of mental transformation too. It isn't unusual for a human with lycanthropy to have no memory of his alternate form whatsoever. As techniques go, this is pretty easy: just contrive to get bitten by a were-horse. You've just got to find one. |
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