Introduction To Lycanthropy
Lycanthropy is a rare condition that has existed since ancient times. No one truly knows when or where the first case of Lycanthropy appeared but should one travel deep into the wilderness they may hear stories told, passed down through generations. Warnings to beware the night for there are those who walk the night, can appear as man or elf, then suddenly take the form of a wild beast. Perhaps they could be mistaken for beastkin, but you would soon learn that they are feral and thirst for blood. This is likely the most one would hear of these creatures with little to no evidence supporting the existence of such a thing. Few people have even heard of such a thing as the cases are so rare and scattered.
Folk Legend
As stated above, most of the talk of Lycanthropy is passed through folktales from generation to generation with no real evidence to support it save for some tufts of fur or the remains of slaughtered livestock, which while gruesome, could be attributed to many normal predators. The details vary between tales told but some things are always consistent. A seemingly normal person who takes the form of a wild beast and attacks without discrimination, capable of feats of surprising strength and speed in the dead of night. The cause is not truly known and those out in the wilderness have put forth explanations including curses, disease, beastfolk bandits that utilize some sort of illusion magic, or even some sort of twisted monster that naturally evolved. Along with this, some claim these creatures have particular weaknesses. One story tells of a lycanthrope that would not approach a roadside apothecary shop leading them to believe that perhaps certain herbs or alchemical ingredients act as a ward. Another story tells of a group of warriors fighting lycanthrope, to protect a noble they were charged with guarding. The warriors' steel could not fell the beast however the nobleman in desperation stabbed at it with an ornate silver dagger that was to be a gift to a business partner. After the dagger pierced the monster, it howled and ran away into the dark of night, supposedly.