I was looking into making Lycanthropy an actual curse that creates a gradual lycanthropic proficiency mechanic that can help or harm you instead of the "oh, you want to be a fuzzy Tiefling Warlock? here is some stat increases, a couple bonus traits, and you can polymorph at will at level 1" that I have seen with other places on the interwebz.
A lean, muscled humanoid covered in short, velvet-like fur crouches on the rooftop, its long, membranous wings drooping to the ground like the sleeves of a long robe. Its face bears little trace of anything humanoid with large, pointed ears, needle-like teeth, black eyes, flaring nostrils, and dark fur.
Subrace Replacement: If you have a subrace currently, the following subrace skills and features replace your current subrace skills and features. If you don't have a subrace, just add these subrace skills and features.
Size:Same as main race
Speed: Same as main race, 60ft fly speed in werebat form
SkillsPassive Perception +1, Stealth +1
Languages Same as main race, (can speak Lycan and communicate with bats in werebat form)
Features & Traits (in addition to class traits)
Level 1
Lycanthropic Rage: When in your true form the following trait applies. Upon taking damage from other players or NPCs, make a DC 12 Constitution Save. A failure causes instant transformation into your Lycanthrope form, no action is used to transform. A successful save protects you from Lycanthropic Rage for (1d4+Constitution Modifier+Character Level) minutes (minimum 2).
Natural Defences: When shifting into werebat form, all armor and weapons are dropped at the location of the transformation and cannot be worn/wielded until you leave werebat form. You have natural armor equal to 12 + Dexterity Modifier.
Natural Attacks: Only werebat form attacks can be used while in werebat form
Claws (Werebat Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. (1d6 + Strength Mod) slashing damage.
Level 3
Bite (Werebat Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. (2d4 + Strength Mod) piercing damage. If hit roll is a critical hit, then the target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werebat lycanthropy.
Echolocation. While in werebat form, Gain Blindsight (60ft). The werebat cannot use its blindsight while deafened.
Keen Hearing. While in werebat form, the werebat has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing.
Sunlight Sensitivity. While in sunlight in werebat form, the werebat has disadvantage on attack rolls, as well as on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Level 5
Shapechanger. The werebat has advantage on saving throws for Lycanthropic Rage. The werebat can also choose to fail saving throws for Lycanthropic Rage. The werebat can also use its action to polymorph into a werebat or back into its true form at will. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Multiattack (Werebat Form Only). Make two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws
Level 7
Lycanthropic Control: You have spent enough time in your lycan form that you now have access to all your abilities and spells and can ignore the effects of the Natural Attacks trait.
Level 9
Lycanthropic Wisdom: You have spent enough time in your lycan form that you can wear armor and wield weapons while shapeshifted, you ignore the effects of the Natural Defences trait.
About
Night Hunters. Werebats hunt by night, swooping down from the darkness on unsuspecting prey and leaving mutilated corpses behind, often partially exsanguinated.
Curse of Lycanthropy: A humanoid creature can be afflicted with the curse of lycanthropy after being bitten by a lycanthrope, or if one or both of its parents are lycanthropes. A remove curse spell can rid an afflicted lycanthrope of the curse, but a natural born lycanthrope can be freed of the curse only with a wish.
I was looking into making Lycanthropy an actual curse that creates a gradual lycanthropic proficiency mechanic that can help or harm you instead of the "oh, you want to be a fuzzy Tiefling Warlock? here is some stat increases, a couple bonus traits, and you can polymorph at will at level 1" that I have seen with other places on the interwebz.
I did borrow concepts from here and here.
In honor of Morbius, first example is a werebat.
Lycanthrope, Werebat Subrace
A lean, muscled humanoid covered in short, velvet-like fur crouches on the rooftop, its long, membranous wings drooping to the ground like the sleeves of a long robe. Its face bears little trace of anything humanoid with large, pointed ears, needle-like teeth, black eyes, flaring nostrils, and dark fur.
Subrace Replacement: If you have a subrace currently, the following subrace skills and features replace your current subrace skills and features. If you don't have a subrace, just add these subrace skills and features.
Size: Same as main race
Speed: Same as main race, 60ft fly speed in werebat form
Skills Passive Perception +1, Stealth +1
Languages Same as main race, (can speak Lycan and communicate with bats in werebat form)
Features & Traits (in addition to class traits)
About
Night Hunters. Werebats hunt by night, swooping down from the darkness on unsuspecting prey and leaving mutilated corpses behind, often partially exsanguinated.
Curse of Lycanthropy: A humanoid creature can be afflicted with the curse of lycanthropy after being bitten by a lycanthrope, or if one or both of its parents are lycanthropes. A remove curse spell can rid an afflicted lycanthrope of the curse, but a natural born lycanthrope can be freed of the curse only with a wish.
https://www.shardtabletop.com
Just say dex is 17, if it isn’t higher, at 10th level, can do shape shifting.
I play varis in the twinkling stars tavern, you should check it out! I’m making a Harry Potter themed campaign, Check it out Here.