Lycanthrope (Dungeons & Dragons)
Encyclopedia
In the Dungeons & Dragons
fantasy
role-playing game
, the lycanthrope is a humanoid
shapeshifter based on various legends of lycanthropy
.
(1974) The wererat (or rat men) first appeared in the Greyhawk
supplement (1975). Lycanthropes in general were further detailed in the 1975 Blackmoor
supplement.
(1977). The werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared as player character
races in Dragon
#24 (April 1979). The werebear appeared as a character class
in White Dwarf
#17, by Lewis Pulsipher
. The werebadger, the werebison, the weredire, the werejaguar, the wereleopard, the werelion, the wereram, the weresabre, the weresloth, and the wereweasel appeared in Dragon
#40 (August 1980). The foxwoman and the wereshark first appeared in the original Monster Manual II (1983).
(1977, 1981, 1983). The devil swine appeared in the D&D Expert Set
(1981, 1983). The wereshark appeared in the adventure module War Rafts of Kron
(1984). The werebat, the werefox, and the wereseal appeared in the Master Rules
set (1985). All of these lycanthropes appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
(1991). The devil swine, the werebat, the werebear, the wereboar, the werefox, the werejaguar, the greater wererat, the wereseal, the wereshark, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared as player character
classes
in Night Howlers
(1992).
The werebison, the werecat, the weredog, the weredolphin, the wereleopard, the wereowl ("wrowl"), the werepanther, and the werespider appeared for the Forgotten Realms
setting in Hall of Heroes
(1989). The werecrocodile appeared for the Forgotten Realms setting in Old Empires
(1990), and reprinted in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996). The werebat and the wereraven appeared for the Ravenloft
setting in the Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix (1991), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993) and Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendices I & II (1996). The werebat appeared for the Forgotten Realms setting in Drow of the Underdark
(1991) and the Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix II (1991) under the "bat, deep" entry. The werehyena and the werelion appeared for the Al-Qadim
setting in the Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix (1992). The werebadger and the werejaguar appeared for the Ravenloft setting in Van Richten's Guide to Werebeasts
(1993), and the loup du noir (skin-changer) appeared in Dark of the Moon (1993); these were reprinted in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume One (1994). The werejaguar and the wereswine appeared for the Mystara
setting in the Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994). The wereshark appeared for the Forgotten Realms setting in the City of Splendor boxed set (1994), and reprinted in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two (1995). The werejackal, the werejaguar, the wereleopard,
Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994)
(2000), and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003); sample creatures included the werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf. Several lycanthropes are presented for the Forgotten Realms setting in Monsters of Faerûn
(2001), and lycanthropes are presented as player character races in Races of Faerûn
(2003). The werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared as player character races in Dragon #313 (November 2003).
Most lycanthropes in animal form can communicate with animals of their type, and do so with a +4 bonus to Charisma checks. In humanoid form, they can use any weapon, and in animal form they use natural weapons like the corresponding animals, but each type has a different fighting style in hybrid form.
and not updated since, werefoxes are always chaotic evil in alignment. Whereas other lycanthropes can be male or female, all werefoxes are female; thus, they are often called foxwomen. In humanoid form, all foxwomen have lustrous silver hair sporting a widow's peak, and are incredibly attractive. Often dwelling in secluded woodlands, foxwomen are rarely seen in numbers as they prefer to act alone. A foxwoman's only purpose in life is pampering herself and raising an heiress. In hybrid form, known as vixen, werefoxes use their claws and their poisonous bite, and sometimes long swords. They rarely use their animal form for battle, but when they do they may use their claws and trip attacks. Foxwomen worship the goddess Eshebala
.
and jackalwere
are often seen as variant offshoots of werecreatures, but are not, in fact, the same type of creature. Similarly the lythari, an elven version of the werewolf, are actually good-aligned and considered protectors of the elven lands.
Beings who have been infected with lycanthropy can control or remove the curse by the administration of a special potion provided by worshipers of Selune. Other beings can learn to control their lycanthropy, such as the Black Wolf. (Information obtained form various Forgotten Realms Novels, Including but not limited to The Black Wolf
)
, lycanthropes don't have alignment restrictions, but are more often evil than good. Lycanthropes of all alignments have been almost eradicated from the world of Eberron due to a zealot effort from the Church of the Silver Flame. Although pushed almost to the point of extinction, Lycanthropes may still be found in small, secluded parts of Khorvaire. Shifters are a race that may have descended from lycanthropes, although they don't have as much shapeshifting capability.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
, the lycanthrope is a humanoid
Humanoid (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, humanoid is a type of creature, or "creature type". Humanoids are any creature shaped generally like a human , of Small or Medium size, with few or no supernatural or extraordinary abilities...
shapeshifter based on various legends of lycanthropy
Lycanthropy
Lycanthropy is the professed ability or power of a human being to undergo transformation into a werewolf, or to gain wolf-like characteristics. The term comes from Greek Lykànthropos : λύκος, lykos + άνθρωπος, ànthrōpos...
.
Dungeons & Dragons (1974-1976)
The werebear, the wereboar, the weretiger, and the werewolf first appeared in the original Dungeons & Dragons "white box" setDungeons & Dragons (1974)
The original Dungeons & Dragons boxed set by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson was published by TSR, Inc. in 1974. It initially included the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1974) The wererat (or rat men) first appeared in the Greyhawk
Greyhawk (supplement)
Greyhawk is a supplementary rulebook written by Gary Gygax and Robert J. Kuntz for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
supplement (1975). Lycanthropes in general were further detailed in the 1975 Blackmoor
Blackmoor (supplement)
Blackmoor is a supplementary rulebook for the original edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game written by Dave Arneson...
supplement.
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition (1977-1988)
The werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared in the first edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in the original Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
(1977). The werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared as player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
races in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#24 (April 1979). The werebear appeared as a character class
Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)
A character class is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. A character's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by his or her chosen class; choosing a class is one of the first steps a player takes in order to...
in White Dwarf
White Dwarf (magazine)
White Dwarf is a magazine published by British games manufacturer Games Workshop. Initially covering a wide variety of fantasy and science-fiction role-playing and board games, particularly the role playing games Dungeons & Dragons, RuneQuest and Traveller...
#17, by Lewis Pulsipher
Lewis Pulsipher
Lewis Errol Pulsipher is a teacher, game designer, and author, whose subject is role playing games, board games, card games, and video games. He was the first person in the North Carolina community college system to teach game design classes...
. The werebadger, the werebison, the weredire, the werejaguar, the wereleopard, the werelion, the wereram, the weresabre, the weresloth, and the wereweasel appeared in Dragon
Dragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#40 (August 1980). The foxwoman and the wereshark first appeared in the original Monster Manual II (1983).
Dungeons & Dragons (1977-1999)
The werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic SetDungeons & Dragons Basic Set
The original Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set boxed set was first published by TSR, Inc. in 1977, and comprised a separate edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, distinct from the first edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, which was initially published in the same...
(1977, 1981, 1983). The devil swine appeared in the D&D Expert Set
Dungeons & Dragons Expert Set
The Expert Set is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1981 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-1981 printing:The D&D Basic Set saw a major revision in 1981 by Tom Moldvay...
(1981, 1983). The wereshark appeared in the adventure module War Rafts of Kron
War Rafts of Kron
War Rafts of Kron is a 1984 adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.-Plot summary:War Rafts of Kron is an adventure that takes place both on and beneath the surface of the sea, and includes rules for underwater play...
(1984). The werebat, the werefox, and the wereseal appeared in the Master Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules
Dungeons & Dragons Master Rules is an expansion boxed set for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was first published in 1985 as an expansion to the Basic Set.-Publication history:...
set (1985). All of these lycanthropes appeared in the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia
The Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia was published by TSR, Inc. in 1991, as a continuation of the basic edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, which ran concurrently with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons. Its product designation was TSR 1071...
(1991). The devil swine, the werebat, the werebear, the wereboar, the werefox, the werejaguar, the greater wererat, the wereseal, the wereshark, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared as player character
Player character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
classes
Character class (Dungeons & Dragons)
A character class is a fundamental part of the identity and nature of characters in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. A character's capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses are largely defined by his or her chosen class; choosing a class is one of the first steps a player takes in order to...
in Night Howlers
Night Howlers
Night Howlers is an accessory for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1992....
(1992).
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition (1989-1999)
The werebear, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared in the second edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), and the wereboar and the werefox (foxwoman) appeared in the Monstrous Compendium Volume Two (1989); all of these were reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). The werepanther and the werepanther lord appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two (1995). The werespider appeared in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996). The wererat was expanded in further detail in Dragon #251 (September 1998).The werebison, the werecat, the weredog, the weredolphin, the wereleopard, the wereowl ("wrowl"), the werepanther, and the werespider appeared for the Forgotten Realms
Forgotten Realms
The Forgotten Realms is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Commonly referred to by players and game designers alike as "The Realms", it was created by game designer Ed Greenwood around 1967 as a setting for his childhood stories...
setting in Hall of Heroes
Hall of Heroes (Forgotten Realms)
Hall of Heroes is an accessory for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1989). The werecrocodile appeared for the Forgotten Realms setting in Old Empires
Old Empires
Old Empires is an accessory for the fictional Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the second edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game...
(1990), and reprinted in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996). The werebat and the wereraven appeared for the Ravenloft
Ravenloft
Ravenloft is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. It is an alternate time-space existence known as a pocket dimension called the Demiplane of Dread, which consists of a collection of land pieces called domains brought together by a mysterious force known only as "The Dark...
setting in the Monstrous Compendium Ravenloft Appendix (1991), and reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993) and Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendices I & II (1996). The werebat appeared for the Forgotten Realms setting in Drow of the Underdark
Drow of the Underdark
Drow of the Underdark is the name of two supplemental rules books for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, providing supplementary game rules focusing on drow culture, equipment and folklore for both players and Dungeon Masters....
(1991) and the Monstrous Compendium Forgotten Realms Appendix II (1991) under the "bat, deep" entry. The werehyena and the werelion appeared for the Al-Qadim
Al-Qadim
Al-Qadim is an Arabian Nights-themed campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game. The setting was developed by Jeff Grubb for TSR, Inc., and was first released in 1992. Al-Qadim is set in the land of Zakhara, called the Land of Fate...
setting in the Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix (1992). The werebadger and the werejaguar appeared for the Ravenloft setting in Van Richten's Guide to Werebeasts
Van Richten's Guide to Werebeasts
Van Richten's Guide to Werebeasts is an accessory for the 2nd edition of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, published in 1993....
(1993), and the loup du noir (skin-changer) appeared in Dark of the Moon (1993); these were reprinted in Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume One (1994). The werejaguar and the wereswine appeared for the Mystara
Mystara
Mystara is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role playing game. Although it has officially been dropped from production by its creators, many fans continue to develop and evolve this fantasy setting jointly, continuing its original theme of group development.-Development:It...
setting in the Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994). The wereshark appeared for the Forgotten Realms setting in the City of Splendor boxed set (1994), and reprinted in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Two (1995). The werejackal, the werejaguar, the wereleopard,
Ravenloft Monstrous Compendium Appendix III: Creatures of Darkness (1994)
Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition (2000-2007)
The lycanthrope appeared as a creature template in the third edition Monster ManualMonster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
(2000), and in the 3.5 revised Monster Manual (2003); sample creatures included the werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf. Several lycanthropes are presented for the Forgotten Realms setting in Monsters of Faerûn
Monsters of Faerûn
Monstrous Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn is a supplement for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons.-Contents:It features about 150 pages of monsters unique to the Forgotten Realms campaign setting...
(2001), and lycanthropes are presented as player character races in Races of Faerûn
Races of Faerûn
Races of Faerûn is an optional supplemental sourcebook for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting for the 3rd edition of Dungeons & Dragons.-Contents:...
(2003). The werebear, the wereboar, the wererat, the weretiger, and the werewolf appeared as player character races in Dragon #313 (November 2003).
Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition (2008-)
The wererat and the werewolf appeared in the fourth edition in Monster Manual (2008). The wereserpent appeared in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide (2008), the wereboar. The weretiger, and the werewolf lord appeared in Monster Manual 2 (2009).Description
In the standard Dungeons & Dragons rules, lycanthropy is both hereditary (the children of lycanthropes are lycanthropes of the same type) and infectious (victims of lycanthrope bites become lycanthropes themselves, of the same type as the attacker). 3.5 Edition rules distinguish between natural and afflicted lycanthropes, according to the cause of lycanthropy, and handle them by different rules.Most lycanthropes in animal form can communicate with animals of their type, and do so with a +4 bonus to Charisma checks. In humanoid form, they can use any weapon, and in animal form they use natural weapons like the corresponding animals, but each type has a different fighting style in hybrid form.
Core types
Five types of lycanthropes are described in the 3.5 Edition Monster Manual:| Type | Alignment | Habitat | Favored weapons in hybrid form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Werebear WereBear The WereBears were a series of teddy bears released in 1983 in the United Kingdom. They were created by a man named George Nicholas, a famous children's author, so that boys could have teddy bears without worrying about being bullied.-History:... |
lawful good | cold forests | greataxes and greatswords |
| Wereboar | neutral | temperate forests | gore attack combined with a weapon |
| Wererat | lawful evil | anywhere | rapiers and hand crossbows |
| Weretiger | neutral | warm forests | claws |
| Werewolf Werewolf A werewolf, also known as a lycanthrope , is a mythological or folkloric human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf or an anthropomorphic wolf-like creature, either purposely or after being placed under a curse... |
chaotic evil | temperate forests | teeth and claws |
Werefox (Foxwoman)
Described in Monster MythologyMonster Mythology
Monster Mythology is a sourcebook for the second edition of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. Released by TSR in 1992 and written by Carl Sargent, with interior illustrations by Terry Dykstra, John and Laura Lakey, and Keith Parkinson, Monster Mythology was released as a companion volume for...
and not updated since, werefoxes are always chaotic evil in alignment. Whereas other lycanthropes can be male or female, all werefoxes are female; thus, they are often called foxwomen. In humanoid form, all foxwomen have lustrous silver hair sporting a widow's peak, and are incredibly attractive. Often dwelling in secluded woodlands, foxwomen are rarely seen in numbers as they prefer to act alone. A foxwoman's only purpose in life is pampering herself and raising an heiress. In hybrid form, known as vixen, werefoxes use their claws and their poisonous bite, and sometimes long swords. They rarely use their animal form for battle, but when they do they may use their claws and trip attacks. Foxwomen worship the goddess Eshebala
Eshebala
In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, Eshebala is the foxwoman deity of vanity, charm, greed, and cunning. Her symbol is a female fox.-Publication history:...
.
Other lycanthropes
Several other versions of lycanthropes have been described briefly outside the core rulebooks, some based on non-carnivorous animals. This list includes werecats, werecrocodiles, werebadgers, weredogs, weredolphins, weredragons, werejackals, werepanthers, and wereravens.Related creatures
The wolfwereWolfwere (Dungeons & Dragons)
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a wolfwere is a wolf who polymorphs into a quadrupedal human shape and a humanoid-wolf hybrid, often retaining the bipedal stance.-Publication history:...
and jackalwere
Jackalwere
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the jackalwere is a type of fictional monster for player characters to encounter.-Publication history:The jackalwere first appeared in the first edition in the original Monster Manual ....
are often seen as variant offshoots of werecreatures, but are not, in fact, the same type of creature. Similarly the lythari, an elven version of the werewolf, are actually good-aligned and considered protectors of the elven lands.
Forgotten Realms
In the Forgotten Realms, many werewolves worship Malar. They may help hunters and others who worship or pay homage to Malar by hunting for them during Winter in areas where this is a concern. Packs of werebeings who worship Malar, will engage in what is called a "High Hunt" in which a human is hunted. If the human evades the pack, they are given one boon. If the human is captured, it will be slain, and eaten.Beings who have been infected with lycanthropy can control or remove the curse by the administration of a special potion provided by worshipers of Selune. Other beings can learn to control their lycanthropy, such as the Black Wolf. (Information obtained form various Forgotten Realms Novels, Including but not limited to The Black Wolf
The Black Wolf
The Black Wolf is a horror novel by Galad Elflandsson. It was first published in 1979 by Donald M. Grant, Publisher, Inc. in an edition of 1,020 copies. The novel was reprinted in paperback by Centaur Books in 1980....
)
Eberron
In EberronEberron
Eberron is a campaign setting for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, set in a period after a vast destructive war on the continent of Khorvaire...
, lycanthropes don't have alignment restrictions, but are more often evil than good. Lycanthropes of all alignments have been almost eradicated from the world of Eberron due to a zealot effort from the Church of the Silver Flame. Although pushed almost to the point of extinction, Lycanthropes may still be found in small, secluded parts of Khorvaire. Shifters are a race that may have descended from lycanthropes, although they don't have as much shapeshifting capability.