Homebrew Lycan of Lazerith Species Details

In ages long past, a witch called upon dark forces to corrupt the essence of a wharg, and a human to create a creature so terrible and ferocious, her quest for world domination would be unstoppable. Bloody was her path to victory. Sure her road to success. But eventually a champion rose to stop her. Artemis, chosen of the goddess Luna, hefted Tunglmóðr high, and brought it down upon the witch's wretched neck to silence her evil forevermore. In their misery, the wolven howled their longing into the night and pleaded for mercy. The goddess, Luna the Ever-Verdant--wise and merciful was she--took pity on the creatures' plight and sent them into the wilds... never to be seen again.

— Archdruid Glenys McLoughlin , Magic of the North

Victims of an unfortunate history, some revile them. Other's simply avoid them. And some still actively hunt them as beasts and monsters. Often misunderstood, Lycans are an old race with a very bloodly past, and an uncertain future. Their orgins are uncertain, though many hold to the belief that it was a powerful witch who created them in ancient times. Their life is often a constant struggle between balancing their bestial instincts with their human morals and ambitions, a hold-over from the curse that once affected them. Upon their first change a Lycan encounters many supernatural changes within their body. Heightened senses, enhanced strength, and the ability to see in the dark, to name a few. Though this is coupled with a lair of unpredictability. Their emotions are incredibly intense. At times, to the point of irrationality. Leading the more naïve to believe that they harbor a dark rage within them. A desire to destroy all things without mercy. This may have been true once... but no longer.

A Bloody Past

Much of Lycan history has been lost after countless wars with humanity wound up destroying what little culture they had or developed. Their Origins are hotly debated within the scholarly community. The running theory, however, is that an ancient Witch--dubbed Suzithia the Red--grew resentful of Fire-Empress Kaylanor The First, sometime during the March of Ashes nearly two-thousand years ago. When Kaylanor's empire fell after her assassination in the year 278, many of her slaves were said to escape enthrallment. Suzithia The Red--allegedly--was one of them. It was here Suzithia noticed the power vacuum, and decided to insert herself. Her plan to do this was to create a creature so vicious and powerful that conventional methods of warfare back in the day were rendered useless. By splicing together the Essences of a Wharg--a massive lupine creature prominent during the frostfall--and a human, she had accomplished her goal.

The creatures proved remarkably resilient to weapons, healed quickly from any wounds they sustained, and were stronger, faster, and more merciless than any human thought possible. They constantly grew in number too. Every human who was bitten, and survived an encounter with a Lycanthrope eventually became one themselves, falling seamlessly under Suzithia's control. Unprepared for the onslaught, many splintered states of Kaylanor's once great empire fell into ruin, leaving Suzithia in control. After taking what she believed to be hers, she turned her sights on the rest of Amrin. Mobilizing her Lycanthropes, she began to conquer human societies all across the continent, forming it into an empire that stretched as far south as Micha, a country in South Amrin home to many exotic races and expansive jungles. Though, her rule was not well received.

Eventually, a resistance formed. Spearheaded by the Crimson Sons of Helion--God of the Sun, Life, Fire, and Justice--Suzithia's expansion was halted. Though, despite the potent magics the Sons' Templar had at their back, the confrontation halted at a long and arduous stalemate that was starting to grow very costly on both sides. In time, a champion rose to end this. Artemis, chosen of Luna, grew tired of her oppression in the north and set southward, joining up with the Crimson Sons wielding a legendary blade blessed by Luna. Tunglmóðr. In her name, and for the survival of humanity, Artemis lead humanity to victory. Striking Suzithia down where she stood.

After the control over the Lycanthropes was destroyed, many of them resorted to the instincts the Wharg side of them pressed into their psyche, and retreated to the woods to hunt and kill in small packs. It is... unknown when this started to recede a bit, but in the millennium following, many Lycanthropes surfaced with more than hunting in mind. They began to build communities, societies, and culture. The curse that carried on in their bite also seemed to fade away.

It is believed that when this started happening, many territorial disputes between humanity and Lycans cropped up... eventually coalescing into a long series of bloody wars. However, the ability to make more through a mere bite was no more, losing the biggest advantage they had over humanity's grand empires. It all climaxed in a war known simply as "The Bloodrage" , in which grudges and vengeance propelled a war that lasted for centuries. Ultimately ending with the rise of Morlindor, and the many new technologies and advances in magic they developed. Lycans--as they were known by this point--surrendered, and gave up the lands they procured to humanity, going into hiding to never be observed in the quantity they were, again.

The Beast Within

While the origins behind their sentience is unknown, many Lycans hold to the belief that it was Luna--goddess of the Hunt, Nature, Fertility and the Moon--who unbound them from Suzithia's will and gave them the opportunity to start anew. As such, many Lycans today venerate and honor Luna as their goddess. Beliving that it is through her pale blue light that they sustain their lives today. Though many humans, particularly the Red Sentinels--A splinter group of the Crimson Sons whom have come to prominence in recent years--strongly disagree. Keeping tensions high among Lycans and Humans.

With the absence of their cursed bite, Lycanthropy now only spreads through procreation. Themselves, or other humans being the only creatures susceptible to receiving the transformation as a gene. Though, this hasn't stopped some bigots amongst humanity from believing in the superstition wholeheartedly.

A Lycan's life is fought with struggles. Due to the curse that affected them in the past, emotions of any kind are very intense for a them. Anger, rage, aggression, lust; but also love, passion, and loyalty. All things they struggle with, for the beast within them is always there. Lurking in the back, waiting for a chance to take over in what many call "The Thrall of the Beast". What they would be, if not for Luna's blessing upon them. As such, many believe that it is by her direction that they spend their entire lives learning to live in harmony with everything that makes them what they are. Finding a balance between man, and beast, that indulges both sides in a constructive way. If anything could be considered culture for Lycans, it would be this.

The Awakening

A Lycan's first change--also referred to as "The Awakening"--is often a very traumatic experience, in which this Thrall of the Beast takes over, making them want to consume anything nearby. Even other Lycans. After which, many of the permanent traits that come with the transformation begin to take hold. Darkvision, keen senses, superior strength... along with the intensity of their emotions. This "awakening" often happens during puberty, meaning female Lycans typically go through it a few years before their male counterparts. As such, Lycans keep a very close eye on their children around this time, watching for signs that would indicate their Awakening is upon them.

When they begin to notice these signs, modern Lycans send their children out to preform a right of passage. Dubbed "Luna's Bounty" the child enters the wilds to survive alone for a week. That way, they can go through their first change with minimal chance of hurting anything beyond large game and monstrous creatures. When--and sometimes if--they come back, the family welcomes them home with open arms and host a large feast for their friends and extended family to celebrate. Through this they ask their child to tell stories of their time out there, and play games to form deeper bonds with each-other. After this, instruction on how to balance their two personalities begins. The bonds they made making it easier to calm them when the beast takes over. Typically, as they become more emotionally mature in their adult years, transitions into the Thrall become incredibly rare.

Creatures of Two Worlds

When in human form, Lycans are similar to humans in height and build but are typically more lean and muscular, naturally. From a distance most Lycans are indistinguishable from humans when in those forms, but if one looks closely they might notice some subtle differences. Lycans tend to have more pronounced canine teeth, sharp edges to their molars and an interesting amber backing in the veins of their eyes. They also tend to grow hair more quickly than others.

When in Lycan from though, they are much different. Males and females both grow around 7-8ft in height and often weigh between 230-360lbs. They have digitigrade legs, long forearms, and nimble fingers that end in wicked claws. Their torsos are longer than typical humanoids, sporting broader chests that allow them to either stand upright on two legs, or down on all fours for speed. And from their lupine head, to their wolfish tail, to their paw-like feet they are covered in layers of soft fur that both keeps them warm, and deflects elemental forces like rain and snow. The length and volume of this fur though depends on the region they live in. Northern Lycans sport a heavy coat of fur that does much to keep them warm in fringed conditions, while southern Lycans tend to have much shorter fur that serves to regulate their body temperatures in temperate to warm climates.

Regardless of where they're from, don't let their size lull you into a false sense of security. For Lycans are also quick, and have very good reaction times. Far from the sluggish brutes you see among trolls and ogres. 

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.

Due to the prejudice other races have developed towards Lycans over centuries of misguided bloodshed and violence, many prefer to take their human forms over their more bestial likenesses, opting not to transform unless it becomes absolutely necessary for their survival. Though, that isn't to say that there are others who embrace it--existing in their bestial forms almost exclusively. However, to teeter the balance from one side to the other is almost never a good idea. Older, wiser, and more elderly Lycans often tend toward indulging both forms and personas equally.

Lycans have a strong presence all throughout Amrin but are most likely to be found in rural areas across the continents' northern reaches, where they often live among humans in secret. Such secrets only being revealed when the community as a whole earns their trust by proving a level of collective open-mindedness and acceptance. Thanks to this many Lycans can seem reclusive and introverted. Though despite this, they place a very strong emphasis on the values of friends and family. To earn a Lycan's trust is to have a loyal friend and ally for life. One need only look past their beastial exterior to see it.

Lycans have a natural inclination toward classes with a primal connection. A Lycan barbarian draws their rage from the beast within. A Lycan ranger indulges their urge to wander and hunt. A Lycan rogue harnesses their own predatory instincts. But Lycans can pursue any path or faith.

Lycan Names

Lycans are, first and foremost, human. They have no language of their own and often live in blended communities. Their names typically overlap with the names of other cultures in their region.

Lycan of Lazerith Traits

Your lycan character has the following traits.

Age

Lycans age exactly like humans up until they hit their prime at around 20. After which, the regenerative properties in their blood slow the process slightly. They remain fit and healthy up until around 60, and often live well into their 120s. The oldest Lycan ever recorded was 153.

Alignment

Lycans tend toward neutrality, being more focused on family than concepts of good and evil. A love of personal freedom can drive Lycans toward chaotic alignments.

Size

Your size is Medium. To set your height and weight randomly, start with rolling a size modifier:

Size modifier = 2d8

Height = 6 feet + 6 inches + your size modifier in inches

Weight in pounds = 200 + (3d4 × your size modifier)

Speed

As a Lycan, you are as fast as a wolf. Your base walking speed is 40 feet. However, if the Poisoned condition gets applied to you, your base walking speed is reduced to 30 feet.

Darkvision

Your heritage as a vicious nocturnal predator gives you superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.

If the Poisoned condition gets applied to you, you loose this trait until it gets removed.

Languages

You can speak, read, and write Common. You can also speak to and understand wolves and other lupine creatures.

Lycanthrope

As a Lycan, you can shapeshift into one of two forms anytime as an action. Each has the following traits.

Beastial Form

• You have a +2 to your STR score, and a +1 to your DEX score.
• Your claws are natural weapons, which you can use to make unarmed strikes. If you hit with them, you deal slashing damage equal to 1d4 + your Strength modifier, instead of the bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
• You can spend your action to make an unarmed strike with your teeth. If you hit, you deal piercing damage equal to 1d6 + your strength modifier. The target must then make a DC 12 + your strength modifier saving throw or fall Prone.

Human Form

• You do not have a bonus to your STR or DEX score.
• You do not have access to your natural weapons or your bite attack.
• Getting poisoned does not temporarily revoke Darkvision, Speed, Regeneration, or Keen Senses. If you take damage from silver you can make a DC 15 constitution saving throw to resist it's poisoning effects, rather than it being automatic.

Keen Hearing and Smell

Your lycanthropic heritage gives you keen hearing and smell. You have an advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

If the Poisoned condition gets applied to you, you loose this trait until it's removed.

Ravenous Predator

The beast within you always hungers, making you a natural hunter and tracker. Because of this, you have a proficiency in the Survival skill.

Regeneration

Your Lycanthropic blood allows you to heal more quickly and completely than other races. During a short rest, you heal hitpoints equal to your character level plus your constitution modifier, in addition to any hit dice you decide to spend.

However, if the Poisoned condition is applied to you, your body is instead focused on purging it from your veins, deactivating this trait.

The Eye of the Beast

As a Lycan, you can tap into some of the supernatural power the curse once granted to you long ago. However, this comes at the cost of your mental stability. Once per long rest, as a bonus action, you can take your beastial form if you aren't already in it and enter a state of heightened aggression known as "The Eye of the Beast" for 1 minute. When in this state, you have the following traits.

• You regenerate hit points equal to your level + your constitution modifier at the beginning of your turns, unless the Poisoned condition is applied to you.
• All strength-based melee weapon, claw or bite attacks deal an extra 1d6 damage.
• You have a disadvantage to all wisdom saving throws.

Effect ends early when you are knocked Unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven't attacked a hostile creature sense your last turn. You can also end "The Eye of the Beast" on your turn as a bonus action.

Silver Sensitivity

If you take damage from a silver weapon, the Poisoned condition is automatically applied to you. This lasts until cured with spells that can remove poison such as Lesser Restoration and Protection from Poison, or until you complete a long rest.