Mindless Lycanthropes

To the untrained or weak willed, the lycanthropic transformation overrides their psyches with the instincts of a beast.

These are the most commonly heard of lycanthropes, the unfortunate souls who turn and lose their minds during their first transformation, frequently in urban areas. No longer understanding where they are, trapped in an enclosed space, hungry from the transformation and potentially faced with panicking loud angry people, the results are too often grisly.

Creatures who have failed their check to control themselves lose their alignment and their Intelligence, Wisdom and Charisma scores become that of beast of which the strain of lycanthropy is derived.

Tamed Lycanthropes

Mastered or "tamed" lycanthropes can shift freely with little risk of losing their faculties while in hybrid or beast forms. Gaining the full benefits of lycanthropy with non of the downsides apart from the social stigma.

That is to say, their bestial instincts and their personality have merged without

Contracting Lycanthropy

When attacked my a lycanthrope's natural weapons (bite, claws, tusks, etc...) there is a chance that you may become afflicted with the curse of lycanthropy.

If the lycanthrope wishes to, its attacks can inflict lycanthropy on others. If the target creature is a humanoid, they must pass a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become afflicted with the curse of lycanthropy. A creature does not know for certain if they have been afflicted until the next full moon. "Mindless" lycanthropes always afflicts lycanthropy.

Changing Forms

As tradition, all lycanthropes turn into their hybrid form during the night of a full moon, and cannot revert to their true forms until the night comes to an end.

Someone who has kept their mind during their monthly lycanthropic shift, they can attempt to change forms at any time.

Mastering Lycanthropy

Mastering one's lycanthropy is not an easy task. It is an extended process and is different for each individual, as such, it is not something does in the middle of an adventure, or a life-and-death conflict.

It can be done on one's own, but doing so also risks losing oneself to the beast within. The trial is best undergone with someone experienced in such matters as a guide, such as another lycanthrope who has mastered their lycanthropy, or a high-level druid.

In the end, mastering one's lycanthropy does not allow one to change forms keeping one's mind their own. But instead removes the distinction between both sides. Individuals who have mastered their lycanthropy express many traits and tics that are found in their bestial form in their human forms as well.

Lost Lycanthropes

There are two sorts of lycanthropes who said to be lost:

Those have failed to master their lycanthropy, and has had the bestial portion take over. Souls who have either attempted to master their lycanthropy and failed, or turned so many times without attempting any sort of control. These lycanthropes rarely leave their hybrid forms as they are mentally little more than wild animals who roam the wilds hunting in this form. These lost souls are always of the "mindless" variety.

And then there are those who have mastered it, and taken to their new powers in violent directions. Psychopathic souls who have either driven out of society from their curse and in their despair revenge sent them in a dangerous direction. Or those who were always twisted, and to them, the curse is another tool to hurt.