Deviant Lycanthropy: Ancient Recollection

Your character has contracted deviant lycanthropy, a curse that is considered a dangerous condition by most civilized societies. While some lycanthropes learn to control their new abilities, some are driven mad by the curse and become no more than feral beasts. No matter who they are, the presence of the full moon can drive even the most seasoned lycanthropes into an uncontrollable frenzy.

Deviant lycanthropy includes many types of lycanthropy that are considered unusual, even by lycanthrope standards. Ancient Recollection is a type of deviant lycanthropy that triggers the body to recall dormant genetic traits long-since forgotten by evolution. Unlike many strains of lycanthropy, the transformation caused by Ancient Recollection is dependent on the recipient, not on the lycanthrope that passes the curse down to them.

A lycanthrope has three different forms: a humanoid state, a hybrid one that combines humanoid and animal traits, and a pure animal form. As an action, the lycanthrope can use its Shapechanger trait to change between these forms. Lycanthropes have the same stats as normal characters in humanoid form but benefit from additional damage resistances and non-weapon stat block actions of their associated werecreature, as well as occasional bonuses in their animal and hybrid forms. The DM determines which variety of lycanthropy your character has contracted.

For instance, a character with werecanid lycanthropy gains a Strength of 15 and a +1 Armor Class bonus in their wolf and hybrid forms, as well as Bite and Claw abilities, which they can use for Multiattack. The character also gains resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks but becomes vulnerable to silvered weapons (the main weakness for all lycanthropes).

A lycanthrope player character can thus be supremely strong, but with this strength comes caveats. For example, the player may lose control of their character while in their hybrid form, a possibility hinted at in the Monster Manual. Some lycanthropes may even be vulnerable to losing control under certain environmental stimuli.

Wereavian. The character gains a Dexterity of 15 if his or her score isn’t already higher, a flying speed of 50 ft. in Beast or Hybrid Form, and the Mimicry trait. Attack and damage rolls for the beak are based on whichever is higher of the character’s Strength and Dexterity.

Werecanid. The character gains a Strength of 15 if his or her score isn’t already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in Beast or Hybrid Form (from natural armor). Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength.

Werebear. The character gains a Strength of 19 if his or her score isn’t already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in Beast or Hybrid Form (from natural armor). Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength.

Wereboar. The character gains a Strength of 17 if his or her score isn’t already higher, and a +1 bonus to AC while in Beast or Hybrid Form (from natural armor). Attack and damage rolls for the tusks are based on Strength. For the Charge trait, the DC is 8 + the character’s proficiency bonus + Strength modifier.

Wererodent. The character gains a Dexterity of 15 if his or her score isn’t already higher. Attack and damage rolls for the bite are based on whichever is higher of the character’s Strength and Dexterity.

Werecat. The character gains a Strength of 17 if his or her score isn’t already higher. Attack and damage rolls for the natural weapons are based on Strength. For the Pounce trait, the DC is 8 + the character’s proficiency bonus + Strength modifier.