Lycanthrope Descendant

Werewolves and other were-creatures are often humanoids cursed with lycanthropy. They transform against their will with the cycles of the moon, often becoming vicious, bloodthirsty beasts. Some few gain control of themselves and their bestial natures, however, and manage to live lives of relative normality.

A few of these even have children, either with other lycanthropes or with those who do not suffer the curse.

Those offspring, and their descendants, bear unique traits that reflect their lycanthrope heritage, which combine with their other ancestry or ancestries in a variety of ways. Some lycanthrope descendants still undergo a transformation with the cycles of the moon, though it is usually much less extensive than those of a full lycanthrope. Others bear constant features reflecting their heritage.

In order to create a lycanthrope descendant, you must first create a character of some other ancestry to represent what non-lycanthrope heritage they possess. After all, every lycanthrope was once a member of some other ancestry before they received the curse. Once you have done so, select one or two of the lycanthrope descendant traits below, with this exception of the Lunar transformation trait, and replace the same number of traits from your character’s original ancestry, not including Age or Size. If your ancestry only has one trait beyond those two, then remove that one trait and select two of traits below, adding them to your ancestry.

Alternatively, you may choose the Lunar Transformation trait. With this trait, you appear to have no lycanthrope ancestry most of the time. When the moon is full, however, you transform into someone who is much closer to being a full lycanthrope than other lycanthrope descendants. You retain control of yourself, but are undeniably lycanthropic.

Ancestral Traits

Bestial Claws. Your fingernails are several inches long, bony, and sharp. You have sharp claws at the ends of your fingers which you can use to make unarmed strikes. When you hit, you deal 1d6 slashing damage plus your Strength modifier.

Climber. You have a climbing speed equal to your current speed.

Fangs. Your canine teeth are several inches long and sharp. You can make an unarmed strike as a bonus action when you have grappled a foe. You deal 1d4 piercing damage plus your Strength modifier.

Lunar Transformation. Your non-lycanthrope ancestry is dominant most of the time. On the three days a month during which the moon is full, however, you undergo a total transformation. On those three days, you remove any ancestral traits you have from your non-lycanthropic ancestry (except Age and Size) and instead possess every trait listed here.

Tough Hide. You have thick hair all over your body that resembles fur, which provides you some protection from the cold and damage. When you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 13 + your Dexterity modifier. You can use this score to determine your AC if worn armor would leave you with a lower score. You may benefit from a shield as normal. What’s more, you have advantage on rolls to resist the effects of cold weather and environments.

Swift. Your knees bend the other way and you have powerful leg muscles that propel you more quickly than others. You have a base speed of 40 feet.

Wild Senses. Your senses are unusually sharp. You have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Cultural Traits

Most commonly, people of lycanthrope descent live in cultures related to the non-lycanthrope ancestry. Occasionally, Lycanthrope descendants form their own communities, though when that occurs it is usually the result of a non-lycanthrope descendant community gradually becoming one over many generations, as the ancestry spread through marriage and offspring. In truth, most people of lycanthrope descent simply continue to live as the culture they had before lycanthropic ancestry became common in their communities. In those few cases where they develop their own, distinctive culture, however, their members share certain traits.

Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increases by 2 and your Wisdom by 1.

Alignment. Members of lycanthrope descendant culture recognize the many ways in which people can be different, yet still a part of the same community. The many and various transformations and presentations that many members of these communities display leads most folks away from being overly lawful toward a more chaotic form of goodness.

Self-Acceptance. As a part of lycanthrope descendant culture, children are educated extensively in the lives and ways of beasts. You have proficiency in the Animal Handling skill.

Languages. You can speak, read, and write Common and two other languages of your choice.