(Spoilers you've been warned)If approached right and your group does fight heR? Him? And they are a Goliath she can offer to turn them into a Goliath Werebear, how much would this just trash the campaign if i ended up doing this? It seems like an itneresting mechanic but i mean they'd essentially gain immunity to non silvered weapons , and theres not a whole lot of silver weapons lol.
It's called a curse for a reason. Losing control and becoming a raging monster under a full moon doesn't have to derail the campaign completely, but it will definitely make things a lot more complicated. With regards to the immunities specifically though, they come with vulnerabilities as well and it's not unreasonable to assume that when lycanthrope attacks suddenly spike locals will prepare for them. Not to the point of everyone having silvered weapons and fire-based attacks ready, but still. I think the bigger issue will be what extra trouble the PCs might attract. When people or livestock start disappearing I'd expect monster hunters to get hired for instance, or entire communities going hunting. Oyarminatok gets to stay Good by being the Winter Walker and staying away from civilization - that's not really a plausible option for the PCs unless they are willing to walk away from everything. They'll either have to take extreme precautions not to go on a killing spree while the full moon is out, or deal with the consequences of their actions, or pretty much abandon the campaign.
Not sure what to hide, so I guess I'll hide everything.
I like to explore the whole idea the books present when DMINg a module, that way my players get to see everything or atleast attempt everything and this seems like an interesting idea to try, idk though. Lycanthropy in DND isn't a full moon thing it's more like a hulk when you're pissed thing.
If they challenge Oyaminartok to a fight, the Winter Walker smiles and tests their mettle. Those who impress her with their fighting skills are bitten and become goliath werebears themselves—goliaths who carry Oyaminartok’s curse of lycanthropy. Contrary to myth, Oyaminartok is not a monster but a force of good in the region, and she passes her curse only to goliaths whose hearts are pure.
I would say the character would have to really impress her. You have to remember she thinks it a gift not a curse.
If it were my group, I would assume Oyanminartok would want the afflicted goliath to stay with her for at least a couple cycles of the moon to make sure they can control themselves during the change. If you do this to a character in one of the later chapters, you'll start to fight more creatures with magical attacks, so the damage immunity isn't as big a deal. I would say end of chapter 2 if you are going to do it.
... make sure they can control themselves during the change. ...
Some lycanthropes, werebears among them, avoid passing on their curse. Other than that there is no indication of any real measure of control during the change though. When the change is upon them, the beast inside rules - not the humanoid.
... make sure they can control themselves during the change. ...
Some lycanthropes, werebears among them, avoid passing on their curse. Other than that there is no indication of any real measure of control during the change though. When the change is upon them, the beast inside rules - not the humanoid.
YEah but the book pretty much states that she/they have full control over their form. She can WILLING talk to you/interact etc. A lot of werebeasts can. ITs more a mental magical state that you overcome.
... make sure they can control themselves during the change. ...
Some lycanthropes, werebears among them, avoid passing on their curse. Other than that there is no indication of any real measure of control during the change though. When the change is upon them, the beast inside rules - not the humanoid.
YEah but the book pretty much states that she/they have full control over their form. She can WILLING talk to you/interact etc. A lot of werebeasts can. ITs more a mental magical state that you overcome.
Neither the MM nor (to the best of my knowledge) Rime of the Frostmaiden states or implies werebears in general or Oyarminartok in particular retain full control of their form, and especially their demeanor, during the full moon.
... make sure they can control themselves during the change. ...
Some lycanthropes, werebears among them, avoid passing on their curse. Other than that there is no indication of any real measure of control during the change though. When the change is upon them, the beast inside rules - not the
... make sure they can control themselves during the change. ...
Some lycanthropes, werebears among them, avoid passing on their curse. Other than that there is no indication of any real measure of control during the change though. When the change is upon them, the beast inside rules - not the humanoid.
YEah but the book pretty much states that she/they have full control over their form. She can WILLING talk to you/interact etc. A lot of werebeasts can. ITs more a mental magical state that you overcome.
Neither the MM nor (to the best of my knowledge) Rime of the Frostmaiden states or implies werebears in general or Oyarminartok in particular retain full control of their form, and especially their demeanor, during the full moon.
Werebears are powerful lycanthropes with the ability to temper their monstrous natures and reject their violent impulses.—this is from MM
Y'all need to work on your reading comprehension. It is very clear from the books that the change *CAN* be controlled.
MM p.206 under Lycanthropy: Curse of Lycanthropy:
"A lycanthrope can either resist its curse or embrace it. -> By resisting the curse, a lycanthrope retains its normal alignment and personality while in humanoid form. It lives its life as it always has, burying deep the bestial urges raging inside it. However, when the full moon rises, the curse becomes too strong to resist, transforming the individual into its beast form-or into a horrible hybrid form that combines animal and humanoid traits. When the moon wanes, the beast within can be controlled once again. [...] -> Some individuals see little point in fighting the curse and accept what they are. With time and experience, they learn to master their shapechanging ability and can assume beast form or hybrid form at will."
The unwilling change that happens with the full moon is CLEARLY only listed under those who "resist the curse." Those that accept the curse are explained in a completely different paragraph.
MM p.206-207 specifically Werebears
"Werebears are powerful lycanthropes with the ability to temper their monstrous natures and reject their violent impulses. [...] When a werebear transforms, it grows to enormous size, lashing out with weapons or claws. It fights with the ferocity of a bear, though even in its bestial forms, it avoids biting so as to not pass on its curse. Typically, a werebear passes on its lycanthropy only to chosen companions or apprentices, spending the time that follows helping the new lycanthrope accept the curse in order to control it."
p.293 ID:RotFM (description and Stat Block of Goliath Werebears):
"Contrary to myth, Oyaminartok is not a monster but a force of good in the region, and she passes her curse only to goliaths whose hearts are pure. [...] These polar werebears attack evil in the wilderness, but they steer clear of camps and settlements. Shapechanger. The werebear can use its action to polymorph into a Large bear-humanoid hybrid or into a Large polar bear, or back into its goliath form."
You have to make an active choice to use an action - not something that happens automatically, out of the character's control.
It's called a curse for a reason. Losing control and becoming a raging monster under a full moon doesn't have to derail the campaign completely, but it will definitely make things a lot more complicated. With regards to the immunities specifically though, they come with vulnerabilities as well and it's not unreasonable to assume that when lycanthrope attacks suddenly spike locals will prepare for them. Not to the point of everyone having silvered weapons and fire-based attacks ready, but still. I think the bigger issue will be what extra trouble the PCs might attract. When people or livestock start disappearing I'd expect monster hunters to get hired for instance, or entire communities going hunting. Oyarminatok gets to stay Good by being the Winter Walker and staying away from civilization - that's not really a plausible option for the PCs unless they are willing to walk away from everything. They'll either have to take extreme precautions not to go on a killing spree while the full moon is out, or deal with the consequences of their actions, or pretty much abandon the campaign.
Not sure what to hide, so I guess I'll hide everything.
Dude, he's a CG Werebear. What is he going to do in his Werebear form, raid an apiary or attack picnickers for their baskets or will he take up salmon fishing?
So I went off the regular rules on this, ignoring them quite a bit, and kinda homebrewing instead:
While in human form, you still take damage. Every time you take damage, or experience a situation that causes anger, you must make a wisdom save DC 12 + 1 per 10 points of damage taken. If the wisdom save fails your turn into the hybrid form, or full form if failed by more than 5. Transformation takes the full action, the character cannot do anything else while writing in pain from the transformation.
Once in hybrid or full lycanthrope shape, you do not distinguish friends and foes - you just attack the nearest as long as there are anyone around (But do now have the damage immunity). Animal instinct takes over basically.
Transformed characters can wisdom save 15 + 1 per 10 point of attack damage (even though this attack damage does not apply due to immunities, it makes the animal rage more sustained) to try and break free from the lycanthrope form. When they do, they take 1 level of exhaustion.
During full moon, you change - no saving throws will stop it, and you are in the lycanthrope form for the entire night.
I did it this way to balance a playable and still vulnerable character, but with the explosive powderkeg concept that is very powerful against enemies, but just as easily turns against any allies.
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(Spoilers you've been warned)If approached right and your group does fight heR? Him? And they are a Goliath she can offer to turn them into a Goliath Werebear, how much would this just trash the campaign if i ended up doing this? It seems like an itneresting mechanic but i mean they'd essentially gain immunity to non silvered weapons , and theres not a whole lot of silver weapons lol.
This is probably better off in the DM channel, and for the love of everything, spoilers?
It's called a curse for a reason. Losing control and becoming a raging monster under a full moon doesn't have to derail the campaign completely, but it will definitely make things a lot more complicated. With regards to the immunities specifically though, they come with vulnerabilities as well and it's not unreasonable to assume that when lycanthrope attacks suddenly spike locals will prepare for them. Not to the point of everyone having silvered weapons and fire-based attacks ready, but still. I think the bigger issue will be what extra trouble the PCs might attract. When people or livestock start disappearing I'd expect monster hunters to get hired for instance, or entire communities going hunting. Oyarminatok gets to stay Good by being the Winter Walker and staying away from civilization - that's not really a plausible option for the PCs unless they are willing to walk away from everything. They'll either have to take extreme precautions not to go on a killing spree while the full moon is out, or deal with the consequences of their actions, or pretty much abandon the campaign.
Not sure what to hide, so I guess I'll hide everything.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
I like to explore the whole idea the books present when DMINg a module, that way my players get to see everything or atleast attempt everything and this seems like an interesting idea to try, idk though. Lycanthropy in DND isn't a full moon thing it's more like a hulk when you're pissed thing.
I would say the character would have to really impress her. You have to remember she thinks it a gift not a curse.
If it were my group, I would assume Oyanminartok would want the afflicted goliath to stay with her for at least a couple cycles of the moon to make sure they can control themselves during the change. If you do this to a character in one of the later chapters, you'll start to fight more creatures with magical attacks, so the damage immunity isn't as big a deal. I would say end of chapter 2 if you are going to do it.
Some lycanthropes, werebears among them, avoid passing on their curse. Other than that there is no indication of any real measure of control during the change though. When the change is upon them, the beast inside rules - not the humanoid.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
YEah but the book pretty much states that she/they have full control over their form. She can WILLING talk to you/interact etc. A lot of werebeasts can. ITs more a mental magical state that you overcome.
Neither the MM nor (to the best of my knowledge) Rime of the Frostmaiden states or implies werebears in general or Oyarminartok in particular retain full control of their form, and especially their demeanor, during the full moon.
Want to start playing but don't have anyone to play with? You can try these options: [link].
Werebears are powerful lycanthropes with the ability to temper their monstrous natures and reject their violent impulses.—this is from MM
Y'all need to work on your reading comprehension. It is very clear from the books that the change *CAN* be controlled.
MM p.206 under Lycanthropy: Curse of Lycanthropy:
The unwilling change that happens with the full moon is CLEARLY only listed under those who "resist the curse." Those that accept the curse are explained in a completely different paragraph.
MM p.206-207 specifically Werebears
p.293 ID:RotFM (description and Stat Block of Goliath Werebears):
You have to make an active choice to use an action - not something that happens automatically, out of the character's control.
Dude, he's a CG Werebear. What is he going to do in his Werebear form, raid an apiary or attack picnickers for their baskets or will he take up salmon fishing?
So where do we find Oyaminartok anyway because some of my players want to become werebears but I can’t find her.
Like which town
So I went off the regular rules on this, ignoring them quite a bit, and kinda homebrewing instead:
While in human form, you still take damage. Every time you take damage, or experience a situation that causes anger, you must make a wisdom save DC 12 + 1 per 10 points of damage taken. If the wisdom save fails your turn into the hybrid form, or full form if failed by more than 5. Transformation takes the full action, the character cannot do anything else while writing in pain from the transformation.
Once in hybrid or full lycanthrope shape, you do not distinguish friends and foes - you just attack the nearest as long as there are anyone around (But do now have the damage immunity). Animal instinct takes over basically.
Transformed characters can wisdom save 15 + 1 per 10 point of attack damage (even though this attack damage does not apply due to immunities, it makes the animal rage more sustained) to try and break free from the lycanthrope form. When they do, they take 1 level of exhaustion.
During full moon, you change - no saving throws will stop it, and you are in the lycanthrope form for the entire night.
I did it this way to balance a playable and still vulnerable character, but with the explosive powderkeg concept that is very powerful against enemies, but just as easily turns against any allies.