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Message: <blockquote data-quote="MarkB" data-source="post: 9562661" data-attributes="member: 40176">I did go with a monthly progression when a few PCs became werepolarbears in an Icewind Dale campaign. I didn't recommend it for this thread because in that instance they were already over 5th level when they were bitten, and were over 10th by the time the later progression kicked in, so its effects weren't so overpowering. I wouldn't recommend it when starting at first level, or for only a single player in a group, but this is what I came up with - it may be worth mining some concepts from:[spoiler=Lycanthropy (WerePolarBear-specific)]The curse of lycanthropy causes a progressive change to the bearer, growing stronger through each full moon.Initial ExposureThe curse builds gradually in the bearer, manifesting mostly as strange urges and expanded senses. They may develop an appetite for raw meat, while finding cooked food less appealing. You gain the Keen Smell ability, granting you advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely upon smell.First Full MoonThe first full moon brings with it an inevitable transformation. Those who resist the curse are transformed involuntarily as soon as they are touched by the light of the full moon, while those who embrace it can hold off on transforming for a couple of hours. This transformation is into the full animal form, and while those who resist the curse become mindless, ravenous beasts, even those who embrace it are not entirely themselves. They retain their intelligence and awareness, but are still driven by a need to hunt. If they do not successfully hunt and feed upon a kill this night, their transformation will remain stunted at the Initial Exposure stage until the next full moon.At this early stage of the curse, the bearer gains resistance to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from non-magical weapons that aren’t silvered. They also gain resistance to Cold damage, but vulnerability to Fire damage.After a successful hunt, the transformation grows more complete, and for those who embrace it, more controllable, though it is physically taxing. As an action, the bearer may transform into a bestial form (either animal or hybrid). Once in that form, they can freely use an action to switch between hybrid and animal forms, but they may only transform from humanoid to bestial form a number of times equal to their Proficiency modifier. This limit refreshes after a long rest.The bearer gains the above-listed resistances and vulnerabilities only while in animal or hybrid form, but even while in humanoid form they no longer suffer ill effects due to cold weather.Second Full Moon - ControlAs the next full moon approaches, the bearers’ power waxes. Starting the day before the full moon, they are able to transform to bestial form at will, with no daily limits. They also gain resistance to damage from non-magical, non-silvered weapons even when in humanoid form, along with resistance to Cold damage and vulnerability to Fire damage. So long as they transform on the night of the full moon, and eat a meal of raw meat while in animal or hybrid form, their curse will progress to the next stage, and they will thereafter retain their ability to transform at will.Third Full Moon - MasteryAs the curse’s power magnifies, the bearer becomes more resistant to harm. Retaining their damage resistance in humanoid form, they now become immune to bludgeoning, piercing and slashing damage from non-magical, non-silvered weapons while in animal or hybrid form.Fourth Full Moon - ApexAfter the fourth full moon, the bearer retains their damage immunity even while in humanoid form.Summary:<table style='width: 100%'><tr><td>Progression</td><td>Form-shifting</td><td>Abilities (Humanoid form)</td><td>Abilities (Bear or Hybrid form)</td></tr><tr><td>Initial</td><td>None</td><td>Keen Smell (advantage on Wisdom (perception) checks based on smell)</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td>After 1st Full Moon</td><td>No. of times equal to Proficiency modifier, resets after long rest</td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> </ul> </td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from weapons that aren’t magical or silvered</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to Cold damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vulnerability to Fire damage</li> </ul> </td></tr><tr><td>After 2nd Full Moon</td><td>At Will</td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from weapons that aren’t magical or silvered</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to Cold damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vulnerability to Fire damage</li> </ul> </td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from weapons that aren’t magical or silvered</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to Cold damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vulnerability to Fire damage</li> </ul> </td></tr><tr><td>After 3rd Full Moon</td><td>At Will</td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from weapons that aren’t magical or silvered</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to Cold damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vulnerability to Fire damage</li> </ul> </td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Immune to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from weapons that aren’t magical or silvered</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to Cold damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vulnerability to Fire damage</li> </ul> </td></tr><tr><td>After 4th Full Moon</td><td>At Will</td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Immune to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from weapons that aren’t magical or silvered</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to Cold damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vulnerability to Fire damage</li> </ul> </td><td> <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Keen Smell</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Not affected by cold weather (as though wearing cold weather clothing)</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Immune to bludgeoning, piercing or slashing damage from weapons that aren’t magical or silvered</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Resistance to Cold damage</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Vulnerability to Fire damage</li> </ul> </td></tr></table>[/spoiler]</blockquote>

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