Changing a Lycanthrope's Alignment

[Archade]

So, one of my group's PCs may have contracted lycanthropy from a werehyena (who is neutral evil).

My players, who are a bit worried about the full moon in over a week, want him cured -- however, the player of the PC who got bit thinks it might be fun to be a lyanthrope (using SKR's savage progressions template so he doesn't overpower the group with +4 ECL). So, the PCs are thinking about scrouning up a Helm of Opposite Alignment to make the Barbarian Neutral Good should the worst happen.

1) Would you allow this solution in your game?

2) How easy would you think it is to find a Helm of Opposite Alignment?

3) Can you think of any other solutions to fixing a lycanthrope pc who's going to become evil sooner or later?

Thanks guys!

 

[DreamChaser]

i would play it out. his lycanthropic beastly instincts make him want to be Neutral Evil. If he has a desire to be good, I would allow him to fight it. Since he is a barbarian, he has lots of rage inside him that would make fighting it an interesting challenge. Perhaps a concentration check or Will save to avoid doing nasty things.

Just my thought...not a rules thing specifically. More of a what would be fun for me and mine answer.

DC

 

[werk]

As a DM my questions to the players would be:

How does your character know about lycanthropes, especially hyenas.
How does your character know about alignment/what werehyena alignment is.
How does your character know about lycanthropy, afflicted vs natural, etc.
How does your character know about helms of opposite alignement.

If you can get good answers to these questions, from character knowledge and perspective usually requiring skill checks and/or research, then do whatever you like. Well...do whatever you like either way

IMC
1) no.
2) no.
3) death by silver.

.02

 

[SelcSilverhand]

The DC15+number of times you've changed, is pretty rough. That and if you willingly take the form there is no save. Especially for a melee who is more likely to get hit and change form involuntarily more often.

I would allow him to fight it, it makes for good roleplaying opportunities and it's fun.

The only by-the-rules solution I can think of is letting him take the Moon Guardian prestige class. It's in some PDF on the WotC web site. I think it was a web enhancement for the Complete Divine. "More Divinity" or something like that.

 

[andargor]

If I remember, the BoED has alignment conversion rules. It takes a while, but perhaps the character could be locked up during full moons and talked into changing alignment. I believe the related skill is Diplomacy. As a lycanthrope, the character does still have an intelligence score. I would see it as "taming the beast".

Andargor

 

[Archade]

Hiya guys!

Thanks for the replies!

1) The characters have made knowledge checks to identify the critters as werehyenas (gnoll werehyenas -- very subtle changes in hybrid form!), and that they're evil. That's all they know. As experienced players they know they need a 12th level cleric to cure him -- however, the characters are blithely stumbling along, hoping they don't have to lock up the barbarian in a cage.

2) Yes, the beast within is a great play on the Rashemi barbarian. I kind of hope he fails his DC 15 Fortitude save and contracts the disease, just because it would be interesting.

3) I don't think that BoED alignment conversion stuff is going to work on a supernatural disease that causes a change in alignment. Too easy.

4) I'd like to think I'm being fair in thinking that their characters have heard of a Helm of Opposite Alignment. My general gist on magical stuff is that anything out of the DMG is at least hearsay to the characters -- sure, you've heard of a robe of the archmagi -- can't find one for sale, but you've heard of one. I'm thinking a DC 15-25 Gather Information check will let them find a cursed item, as they aren't exactly marketable items. But what do you guys think of the helm of opposite alignment idea?

 

[andargor]

But what do you guys think of the helm of opposite alignment idea?

So he'd be good on full moons, and evil the rest of the time?

Andargor

 

[Archade]

Nope -- he's Chaotic Good now, if he succumbs to the lycanthropy alignment, he becomes permanently Neutral Evil in all forms, so when they jam the helmet on him, he becomes Neutral Good in all forms -- the Helm specifically states that only a wish or miracle will change his alignment at that point ...