Lycanthropes

General Info

Lycanthropy is considered a blood disease, not a curse. Having lycanthropy makes you immune to other diseases, but also puts you in the position of being discriminated against. Lycanthropy can be transmitted by the teeth or claws of a lycanthrope in animal form, from an exchange of certain bodily fluids, or from a botched vaccination.

All lycanthropes have qualities that distinguish them from the average human. They have strength and speed far beyond anything a human is capable of, though naturally bigger and more dominant lycanthropes are stronger than smaller and less powerful lycanthropes. They can take more damage than a human without suffering the consequences, in part because of increased endurance and in part because they can heal almost anything that is done to them. Entire limbs can be regrown, given the right situation. Of course, the exception to this rule is silver. A silver wound will take a lycanthrope almost as long to heal as the same wound would take a human, unless they shift. A shift wipes the slate clean, and so a lycanthrope can heal anything if they have the chance to shift. Lycanthropes are also immune to poisons and diseases, although they are highly allergic to silver, at least in the bloodstream. Most lycanthropes cannot abide the touch of silver, but more powerful lycanthropes can hold silver without suffering. Silver is the only metal that can be used for a piercing unless the lycanthrope wants the elry to be absorbed into their body when it heals over.

In addition, lycanthropes have heightened senses, even in human form, though they are largely strengthened in animal form. Lycanthropes can see in a dark room without turning on the lights, and can hear a person's pulse. By far their greatest sensory advantage is in their scent capacity. A lycanthrope can track by scent, and can use the difference in scent to determine if a person is calm or agitated. This can help them judge if a person is lying or not, but is not a universal lie detector.

All lycanthropes, appear perfectly human most of the time. The only exceptions are those who have spent too much time in animal form - these weres often retain animalistic eyes, sharp teeth, or a growling sort of voice even when in human form. During the full moon, times of emotional stress (as new lycanthropes), or at any time they choose (for alpha lycanthropes), lycanthropes take on an animal form. A shift involves the shifting and snapping of bones, the sprouting of fur, and in general can seem to be a very painful process. The stronger the lycanthrope, the less pain involved, and the faster this process can be achieved (willingly). Also, alpha weres can sometimes change only a part of themselves (for instance, just a hand). Regardless of ability, a full shift requires a lot of energy. Younger and/or lesser weres must feed soon after shifting to animal form, and fall into a deep sleep after reverting to human form. With time and practice, this becomes less of a necessity, but the concern is never completely negligible.

Lycanthropes have a distinct energy which they describe as their beast. Among their own kind, this is felt as a purely metaphysical animal made of heat and power. Humans with psychic abilities also feel this aura, though generally this makes them uncomfortable, feeling literally as if their skin were crawling. The stronger the lycanthrope, the stronger the energy, and also the more receptive they are to that energy. Any were can exhibit control over a natural animal of their species (werewolves can control wolves, for example, but not dogs). Two true alpha weres can experience each other's beasts intimately than less powerful weres. Stronger weres can manipulate their power to dominate lesser weres - this can be as simple as an establishment of superiority within the clan, or as complex as controlling the lesser's beast (a true alpha may be able to supress another's beast completely or, conversely, to force it to the surface). Some alphas even have the capacity to share power through blood, or to heal another's wounds.
Lycanthropes in general dislike being on their own. They tend to congregate into territorial clans within each city. Territorial rules vary with the clan, but generally one can visit the city without repercussions (though a gift for the Ulfric or his mate is highly encouraged, especially if you plan to have dealings with the clan). Moving to the area, however, requires permission, as you must then join the clan. Clan leaders have to be careful who they let in, as any new member can be a potential challenger.

Lycanthropes can assume at least two forms - human and animal. Many can also assume a "hybrid" form that is bipedal with animal characteristics or even transform a small part of their body at will (for example, "growing" fingers into claws).
Changing between forms takes a great deal of energy; most lycanthropes must feed immediately after changing to animal form and collapse into a comatose state for several hours after returning to human form. Stronger lycanthropes do not need to feed immediately or collapse, but are extremely tired. The lycanthropes Anita encounters most frequently can change shape almost at will.

Contagion
Lycanthropes' bodily fluids are contagious, but only when the lycanthrope is in an animal or hybrid state. Lycanthropy can be also be passed along by getting a bad batch of lycanthrope vaccine, as Richard did. To date, all lycanthropes introduced in the series were infected with lycanthropy well before first meeting Anita Blake; as yet, no established human characters (save perhaps Anita herself) have contracted lycanthropy, and thus the stages through which someone gradually moves from conventional human society to a lycanthrope hierarchy have not been depicted.

Physical abilities

All lycanthropes are extremely fast, strong, and resistant to damage. Lycanthropes' strength appears to depend somewhat on their actual size and somewhat on their level of supernatural power.
Lycanthropes can recover from almost any wound other than that caused by silver weapons. Lycanthropes are effectively allergic to silver and feel physical pain from even skin contact, although some seem to enjoy silver erly.

Command of animals
Lycanthropes appear able to command animals of their species. (For example, wererats can command rats).

Reaction to vampire's call
Lycanthropes can be "called" and commanded by a vampire with the ability to call their species of animal. Sufficiently powerful lycanthropes can resist a vampire's call, or even interfere with the call, preventing the vampire from calling other lycanthropes or animals. For example, Rafael, as the Rat King, was able to prevent Nikolaos from calling actual rats and from calling wererats against their will.

Similarly, sufficiently powerful shape shifters, are able to look vampires in the eyes without being affected by their mental powers.

Some shape shifters reach "alpha" or "master" status, a power level similar to that of a master vampire. Alpha shape shifters may display some of the following traits:

An ability to resist transforming.
The ability to partially shape shift, for example shifting hands into claws, or even "cosmetic" shape shifting - shifting bones or flesh simply to alter appearance.
The ability to force other shape shifters to change form, or to prevent them from doing so.
Some shape shifters, such as Richard can share their power with others by allowing them to feed on the shape shifter's blood.
The ability to heal others, by a variety of means.