Were Creatures are people that turn into animals (or sometimes animals that turn into people). They're feared by commoners and often hunted down and killed. However, the real truth is that they're just normal folk who happen to have the ability to shape-shift.

They've been given a bad rap by a disease that bears some resemblance to their condition (see the section on The Disease for more information).

Were Creatures require some extra effort to build, because it requires some re-tooling for each base race.

The following steps should be helpful:

1. Choose a base race, such as Human, Gnome, Dwarf, etc. This will serve as the humanoid form of the character.
2. Choose an animal. The most common examples are bear and wolf.
   • Giant forms of animals (Giant Rat, anyone?) are acceptable, so long as the Size Modifier of the alternate form is between +1 and -1 of the base race's Size Modifier.
   • Small animals are more appropriate for small races, such as Brownies and Pixies.
     • These races most often become normal-sized rats, ferrets, rabbits or other rodents.
     • Birds are also quite possible.
     • Frogs and Toads seem like a fun idea, however.
3. Build a template for the animal form.
   • Increase the Intelligence of the animal template to ten (without changing Will or Perception) and then add the base race's IQ, Perception and Will bonuses/penalties. Were creatures are just as intelligent in animal form.
   • Use the point value of the animal template to give the character an Alternate Form for it.
     • Apply the Active Change Enhancement from p. P75 and the Magical power modifier.
   • Leave out the Extra Sleep, Short Lifespan and Sleepy Disadvantages, if the animal has them.
     • Were Creatures follow the sleeping schedule of their base race.
     • Match these Disadvantages to the base race, instead.
4. (Optional) Build a half-animal template.
   • Mix the base race and the animal template together in an interesting way.
   • This template should include any extra sensory abilities the animal form has, but at half level if possible.
   • Use the point value of the half-animal template to give the character a second Alternate Form.
     • Again, apply the Active Change Enhancement and the Magical power modifier.
   • This half-animal template may be purchased later on with earned character points.
5. Give the character Social Stigma (Monster), if everyone knows they're a Were Creature, or a Secret if they try to hide it.

The following options may be used:

• Apply Uncontrollable [-10%] to one of the character's Alternate Forms if the character hasn't yet learned to control their shape-shifting completely.
  • This would most often be the half-animal form.
• Apply Uncontrollable Trigger (Night of the Full Moon) [-15%] if the character always changes on the night of the full moon.
  • This would most often be the animal form.
  • Optionally, the GM may allow (or insist on) the following trade-off:
    • If the moon is blocked by thick clouds, then the character can control their form.
    • However, artificial sources of moon light (for example, the Moonbeam spell) can force a change.
• The Lunacy Disadvantage is quite appropriate for Were Creatures.
• Regeneration may be taken with the Magical power modifier at any level and improved (or purchased) with earned character points.
• Regrowth may be purchased with the Magical power modifier during character creation, but at no other time.

It should be noted that there are magical diseases that bear a striking similarity to this genetic condition.

These diseases cause uncontrollable changes into animal form during the full moon or during times of stress, along with a switch to an animalistic and quite murderous personality. Victims of this disease will transform and kill friends, family and anyone that gets in their way, eventually waking up in the morning either naked or wearing shreds of their clothing.

Some variations turn the character into a half-animal form when they're under stress and the animal form during the full moon.

Those bitten by a victim of these diseases or coming into close, physical contact with them must make an HT roll or become infected, transforming during the next full moon (not the current one). Until that time, stress will not trigger a change.

All victims take double damage from silver weapons and take 1d damage per minute they touch silver. They also regenerate 1 hp/second while transformed, but they cannot regenerate wounds inflicted by silver.

The animal personality and the victim of the disease get Reciprocal Rest, as the Shapeshifting Enhancement.

Some rare individuals learn to control the transformation and force the animal personality into submission. This works much like a regular Were Creature, except that they still bear the disease and can be cured.

The disease requires the Cosmic Enhancement on Healing to be cured properly, though there are rumors of other, more mundane cures.