Quick question about lycanthropes in Eberron

[Azazyll]

This was posted on the "ask Keith Baker questions" thread, but that one seems to have been dismantled, and no other thread seems quite the right place to put it, so I'll ask again here:

I have a player who wants to play a lycanthrope. This is of course still permissable under "the same, but different" concept, but the background makes it really hard for werebeasts to move around, what with the Church of the Silver Flame killing every lycanthrope they can get there hands on. So my player wants to masquerade as a anomalous Shifter and conceal her true nature from the other characters at first. Usually, this would just be a disguise check, but I can't really see that applying in this case. The only time she really needs to fool people is while in hybrid form (she obviously can't turn into animal form, that's going to stretch beyond credibility).

So, what mechanic would you use the conceal the lycanthrope's transformation as a Shifter's shift? The main book doesn't go into too much detail about what shifting looks like. Should it still be a disguise check? Would hide or bluff work better? Any thoughts or ideas on the subject would be appreciated

 

[Express]

This was posted on the "ask Keith Baker questions" thread, but that one seems to have been dismantled, and no other thread seems quite the right place to put it, so I'll ask again here:

I have a player who wants to play a lycanthrope. This is of course still permissable under "the same, but different" concept, but the background makes it really hard for werebeasts to move around, what with the Church of the Silver Flame killing every lycanthrope they can get there hands on. So my player wants to masquerade as a anomalous Shifter and conceal her true nature from the other characters at first. Usually, this would just be a disguise check, but I can't really see that applying in this case. The only time she really needs to fool people is while in hybrid form (she obviously can't turn into animal form, that's going to stretch beyond credibility).

So, what mechanic would you use the conceal the lycanthrope's transformation as a Shifter's shift? The main book doesn't go into too much detail about what shifting looks like. Should it still be a disguise check? Would hide or bluff work better? Any thoughts or ideas on the subject would be appreciated

Well, I think the shifter race is a nice alternative since it is lycanthrope flavored (yumm) without all the muss and fuss of stats for 3 stages of forms, level adjustment etc. Shifting basically works like barbaarian rage- it gives you a stat boost on one of your six attributes-you have to choose the type of shifter you'll be at chargen. You dont physicaaly change into an animal.

As far as being a lycanthrope you could. They are rare but there are several monster dominated nations were they could flourish. So with disguise, magic etc they could exist.

 

[Azazyll]

right, that was my thought, so I figured it would be allright to let her do it. The idea of persecution works quite nicely actually, and while I realize the whole point of the shifter is being able to be a werebeast without the hassle, the players are starting out at fourth level anyway. It adds a great plot element, confrontations with Silver Flame characters, convincing others that she's not a monster, etc. I was just a little iffy on the mechanics end. I've read the articles on Lycanthropes at the WotC website, but obviously shifters are brand new. I was really hoping Mr. Baker might be able to voice his opinion, but that thread seems to have died out.

 

[Staffan]

right, that was my thought, so I figured it would be allright to let her do it. The idea of persecution works quite nicely actually, and while I realize the whole point of the shifter is being able to be a werebeast without the hassle, the players are starting out at fourth level anyway. It adds a great plot element, confrontations with Silver Flame characters, convincing others that she's not a monster, etc. I was just a little iffy on the mechanics end. I've read the articles on Lycanthropes at the WotC website, but obviously shifters are brand new. I was really hoping Mr. Baker might be able to voice his opinion, but that thread seems to have died out.

Keith is apparently on the road at the moment, but I'm sure he'll check the thread out when he gets back again.

 

[JPL]

I guess I'd just rule that changing to hybrid form look close enough to a shifter's shift that most folk wouldn't notice. Shifters are apparently a pretty diverse group, anyway, with some becoming more bestial than others --- as long as she doesn't go past hybrid and doesn't maintain that form for too long, she's probably good.

But maybe someone with the appropriate Knowledge skill [not sure which one covers lycanthropes] would notice the difference on a successful check, and decide to fetch the silver dagger just to be on the safe side.

 

[Staffan]

But maybe someone with the appropriate Knowledge skill [not sure which one covers lycanthropes] would notice the difference on a successful check, and decide to fetch the silver dagger just to be on the safe side.

Lycanthropes are humanoids, so they'd technically be covered under Knowledge: Local. I'd allow Knowledge: Nature as well.

 

[Morgenstern]

Since a shifter can become a weretouched master, and eventually be able to gain exactly the smae benefits as a lycanthrope in hybrid form, I'd say a person going to hybrid form isn't cause for immediated executution. Just don't turn into an animal, and stay away from paladin persecution (which is a good idea for shifter in general...) and you'l do fine.

 

[Zephyrus]

Were-<whatever> Druid. Disguise themselves as a Druid with Wildshape.
For that Matter be a Were-<whatever> Wizard/Sorcerer/Cleric/Bard/Druid once you attain 3rd level spells take the 'Shifter' Prestige Class from Masters of the Wild <dont have to be a Druid, Heck, A Changling can become a 'Shifter' so long as they fullfil the feat and spellcasting requirements. Maybe even make the Lycanthrope a Cleric of the Silverflame (Hiding in Plain sight or Corrupt Cleric).

Either way they could masqurade as a druids wildshape ability. Even as a Cleric wearing a suit of wooden armor (even though as a cleric they could wear metal armors, it helps the disguise) or claim <not litterally> to be a Cleric/Druid.

 

[Von Ether]

How about the new "Slaves to the Moon" book from Paradigm?