Lycanthropy

5e Variant

This is a variation of the standard rules for lycanthropy in 5th edition.

Outline

Lycanthropy is a curse that can be transmitted by an infected creature to another creature via a bite, scratch or other means. A newly infected creature is usually unaware that they have been cursed until the next full moon.
Infected creatures can embrace the curse or attempt to resist it. Once the curse is embraced it can no longer be resisted, every full moon that passes makes it tougher to resist.

Transformations

The first transformation happens during the next full moon and transformations will occur on every subsequent lunar cycle. Physical characteristics will alter depending on the original creature's form but usually, features will become more pronounced and feral such as, teeth, nails or claws becoming longer and sharper. Their size increases and their posture mutates into a more animalistic form.
A creature going through an unwilling transformation on the night of the full moon will have no control or recollection of the night's events, where they went or what they did. A willingly transformed creature is able to exert some measure of control over its abilities and will remember most of them once the night is over.

Other Transformations

Any creature that has embraced the curse can attempt to channel their abilities to execute a transformation at will at any time, however, their abilities are greatly diminished in comparison to a full moon transformation. Their physiology is somewhere between their original form and beast form, often referred to as a 'hybrid form'.

Statistics

Regular Form

While in your regular form, you gain some effects listed below:

Resistance

You gain resistance to non-magical piercing, slashing and bludgeoning damage from weapons that are not silvered.

Heightened Abilities

Your strength and dexterity scores are both increased by 2 points. You can not exceed a score of 19 in either ability this way and if you already have a score of 19 or above this has no additional effect.

Keen Senses

You have advantage on wisdom (perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Hybrid Form

While in your hybrid form you can not use your equipment, class features or racial traits and possess the ability to infect creatures with the lycanthropy curse (DC 15 CON save, once per turn). You additionally gain some effects listed below:

Immunity

You gain immunity to non-magical piercing, slashing and bludgeoning damage from weapons that are not silvered.

Speed

Your speed is increased by 20ft while you are in this form.

Extreme Abilities

Your strength and dexterity scores are both increased by 4 points. You can not exceed a score of 19 in either ability this way and if you already have a score of 19 or above this has no additional effect.

Beast Weapons

You gain the ability to make one bite and one claw attack per turn. Both abilities have a reach of 5ft, the bite deals 1d8 piercing damage while the claws deal 2d4 slashing damage, you add your strength modifiers to these to hit rolls and are proficient with these 'weapons'.

Keen Senses

You have advantage on wisdom (perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.