Lycanthropes, or weres, are mortals who are cursed to assume monstrous beast-forms. The curse affects them no matter their form, turning their psyche more to that of an animal. A were is not a druid, who can borrow many animal forms (although some have been known to seek refuge in druidic groves when their curse took hold). They are also not like sylvanites, whose fey origins give them permanent animal features.
The most common type of lycanthrope is the werewolf. Less common types include werebears, weretigers, wererats, wereboars, and werebats. Most lycanthropes can transform at will, while others are forced to assume their form by external circumstances. While willingly transforming, they can assume a hybrid form that combines traits of their mortal and beast shapes. While fully transformed, a lycanthrope is rarely distinguishable from a true animal, except for through their intelligence.
Not all lycanthropes are evil, although the viciousness of the werewolf has done little to ameliorate their reputation. For example, weretigers are often guardians of nature, protecting fey crossings or other places of primal power.
Infection and turning
Being bitten by a were, regardless of its current form, is very dangerous as lycanthropy spreads via saliva. Other physical contact with a lycanthrope is usually not contagious. For the curse to truly take hold, the creature must then be severely weakened, at which point the curse invokes their deepest fight-or-flight instincts and takes over the creature's mind, instantly turning them into the animal form. A newly turned lycanthrope is far less dangerous than one where the curse is allowed to fester and fully take over the creature. Only humanoids seem to be affected by lycanthropy.
If cursed but not turned, one must seek aid as soon as possible to get it removed. Strange dreams haunt those who are under a werecurse, and their behavior may get more animalistic, although they are still in control of their actions. A creature is not themselves contagious before they turn.
Those affected with lycanthropy react very differently to their new abilities. Some grow hateful of everything, including themselves. Others revel in their newfound strength, finding it more of a blessing than a curse - at least in the beginning. The longer a lycanthrope survives, the less control they have over their form as the curse takes hold on them. Eventually, they lose all traces of their mortal self and become feral. This is the most dangerous type of lycanthrope, where there is no shred of their former self left.
Origins
The true origins of lycanthropy are unknown. Some scholars believe that it can arise spontaneously, starting with a normal beast, who gains an unnatural bloodthirst, and its bite can then spread the curse to humanoids. Others believe that the gods are involved, or that it is caused by the confluence of the essences of the Feywild and Shadowfell. Yet others believe that the different strains originated as a single curse that started with Fenrir, the great wolf, but no scholars have been able to prove this.
Hunting Weres
When an evil lycanthrope stalks an area, authorities often call on adventurers to find and dispatch the creature. Some adventurers specialize in these types of missions. These intrepid were-stalkers are often armed with silvered weapons, ways to remove curses, and spells that force the creature to assume its human form, which is usually its least dangerous form.
Were-hunters also often make use of hunting dogs or other animals to track and pin their quarry. These animals are immune to the curse of the were (although not the other effects of their onslaught), which makes them a good first line of defense.
Famous Lycanthropes
Some weres are famous (or, in most cases, infamous) for their deeds. These names are uttered only as hushed whispers when wolves are howling in the forest.
Lupo the Savager
(human, CE, 890?-931)The most famous werewolf of this age, Lupo's name still strikes fear into the people of Tarmago. He bit and turned dozens of villagers. All who he turned lived in a cave system as a large wolf pack with him as the alpha. He was only killed after Emperor Lucius IV sent an entire legion to root him and his ilk out. Lupo is said to have killed over a dozen legionnaires in his last stand.
Brunvaldis Bearclaw
(dwarf, NG, 1084-1200) Hailing from Myrknes, she was infected during a run-in with a particularly savage bear. Brunvaldis managed to keep her curse in check for several decades, never turning feral. It is not known how she achieved this, but some have theorized that latent druidic powers might have helped.