Homebrew True Lycan Species Details

Lycans are shape shifters that are cursed to transform into nigh uncontrollable beasts on nights of the full moon. Lycanthropy is a curse that spreads like a disease through the blood and saliva of infected individuals. One can contract Lycanthropy if they survive being bitten by a Lycan or if they participate in a ritual where the curse is administered intentionally. Descendants of those who carried Lycanthropy could be born with the curse; these individuals are Trueborn Lycans. When one is born with Lycanthropy in their blood, it may lay dormant for years until a moment of desperation, rage or grief brings out the beast within. After transforming once, the beast within a Trueborn Lycan is fully awoken and can emerge with the changing phases of the moon or with the provocation of strong emotions.

Many choose exile once infected because they are a great danger to the people around them and because a cure for the curse often seems unobtainable. Some have chosen to embrace the curse for better or worse, harnessing the might of their inner beast to their own ends. Many also divulge into complete madness, unable to control the beast within, and become unable to ever return to human form again. With each transformation, an untamed Lycan will gradually forget who they were before the curse took hold and will become more monster than person.

This race of Lycans pertains to those who were born with the curse; the Trueborn Lycans.

Even though they were born with the curse, Trueborn Lycans must still devote a vast amount of effort to truly master their inner beast – an undertaking that often defines one’s Class. Trueborn Lycans feel the beast within in a much stronger sense than any other form of Lycanthropy. In some ways they gain more of their inner beast’s strength, but they are much more acutely attuned to its weaknesses, and their inner beast is much harder to control. After living with the curse for long enough, some Trueborn Lycans learn Feats that allow them to harness the power of the beast.

True Lycan Traits

While the abilities granted by the Lycan race may, at first, appear to be a great boon, Lycanthropy is still a curse and there are many traits that come with being a Lycan that are a great liability. Until your Lycanthropic blood is triggered by your first transformation, the ability scores, skills and saving throws governed by race remain the same as your original race. Lycan’s are derived from living beings, and their race cannot mix with those of any Vampire, or Undead classes. Similarly, the original race of the Lycan cannot be Undead, Vampire, Warforged, Dragonborn, Thri-keen, Tiefling, or Shardmind (at the DM’s discetion). Lycans keep the physical appearance of their original race in base form, but their traits are replaced by the following once their Lycan blood has been awoken:

Ability Score Increase

Your ability scores each increase by 1, Charisma: -1; Constitution: +1; Strength or Dexterity: +1; Intelligence or Wisdom: +1; Any two abilities of your choice: +1.

Age

Your age is based on the age of your original race and is unmodified by Lycanthropy.

Alignment

A Lycan's alignment may vary drastically. Some embrace their curse and use it for evil, while others conceal it or use it for good. Often a Lycan’s alignment is linked with their class or original race.

Size

Size varies in base form because the base races tend to vary. In hybrid form, Lycans typically grow an extra 2 to 3 feet but are generally medium sized with some exceptions allowable at the DM’s discretion.

Speed

Your speed in base form is equal to that of your base race with an additional 5 feet. Your speed in hybrid form is equal to the speed of your base race with an additional 10 feet. Bonuses to speed statistics from your class carry over to your hybrid form.

Languages

Your languages are governed by your base race. You can only speak in your base form. You cannot speak in your hybrid form unless a class feature or feat enables you to do so.

Darkvision

While in humanoid or hybrid form, you have 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 grey.

Instincts

You can detect some objects or creatures within 15 feet by sense of smell and sound. If what you are detecting is upwind, the range increases to 40 feet; if downwind, it drops to 5 feet. Stronger scents and sounds can be detected from greater distances at the DM’s discretion. When you detect an opponent, their exact location is not revealed—only their presence somewhere within range (All Forms).

Regeneration

When in hybrid form, at the start of your turn, if you haven't been attacked you gain 1d4 + your Constitution modifier of health back. You can only gain this benefit if your health is below 50 %.

Regeneration is halted for the duration of your transformation if you have taken damage from radiant energy or silvered weapons. Regeneration is temporarily halted if you regain up to 50 % of your maximum health.