Werebeasts, 1st. Ed.

[KidKrinkles 2043]

A book would soon start appearing within the libraries of Aevos, spread as far as possible (as soon as the Edit GUI stops breaking my books when I make them).

 

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1st. Edition

An Unfortunate Condition

 

    Started on  5th of the First Seed, 205 S.A.

 

By: Ser

   Victor Rorin-Tarus

 

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Foreword....................................................................................................................................................................................................4

Briefing.......................................................................................................................................................................................................8

T&T...........................................................................................................................................................................................................18

Observations............................................................................................................................................................................................33

'Weaknesses'............................................................................................................................................................................................45

A Cure.......................................................................................................................................................................................................50

In Summary..............................................................................................................................................................................................57

Author......................................................................................................................................................................................................62

Salutations...............................................................................................................................................................................................63

 

End

 

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 It is my advice that if one is merely trying to get a quick primer on 'werebeasts', most basic information can be found in the 'In Summary' section, on page 57.

This leaves out most theory & speculating.

 

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I began my delve into this new type of 'darkspawn' after I had passed by the Vale. I noticed lights in Reinmar more than I am familiar with and decided to breeze through. It was hellish.

 A lot of blood. A lot of bodies. A lot of tension. I had ran into familiar faces and they kept talking of 'wolf-like' and 'man-wolves' and it was not the first I had heard this. The Princess of Reinmar had asked I seek and report to her.

 Admittedly, I am an inquisitive man. I had already intended on investigating. An old adage goes,

To that end, I would make my best efforts to help the world.

As something of a disclaimer as well, I would note this is a 'first edition' of a book for a reason.

Interesting times mean interesting developments. A second edition, with updated and confirmed info, will follow.

 

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While 'werewolves' may come to mind, 'werebeasts' is more correct as a term.

I have some report alleging a different sort of 'were'-creature but they are predominately wolves.

 The 'werebeasts' came upon my radar when I had made my way to Haense, Valdev. My daughter stopped me, on the main road, and stated 'wolves are attacking Hyspia'. Which, I found rather odd. It's a desert. There are no wolves; perhaps coyotes.

 But to attack a city is unfathomable. 'How', came to mind. So I rode over. The gates were sealed. But I could hear the chaos, and I could hear the screaming, and fighting. But I could not gain entrance. I departed with just haunting noises.

 I had already described Reinmar, but while there, I was made aware of many other such incidents: in the Vale, in Ravenmire, in Valdev and in Petra. Anywhere could be next. Any untouched city is ripe to be hunted.

 As such the endeavor of this book is not to predict their next attack. But it is to arm the populace with best practices, and, some knowledge of what can be done to stop these beasts. Additionally, my thoughts will be speckled within these pages.

 

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At present I have been made aware that this seems to be some sort of a 'curse'. While the exact origin is not clear to me, I can speculate.

My own theory on the matter is simple, that this curse is Eldritch or Necromantic in nature. We've had an uptick of attacks through the world by the the 'Igarashi Empire' and I had previously been investigating curious, alien assaults upon reality by way of some veilbreaking voidal terror. It's possible that either the necromancers or this voidal entity has become strong enough to alter the mortal form. Some knowledge may be gleamed otherwise in the future; this curse seems closer to the natural domain.

 

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According to the letters I have had incoming, as well as the handful of interviews I have performed, it appears this curse is not bestowed.  The curse is inflicted by way of bite, and to a lesser extent I have heard 'claw' as well. This means that those unfortunate enough to encounter a 'werebeast', who survive, suffer most.

 According to my 'nameless druid', it would appear that a werebeast is as strong as an Orc at least, with a powerful bite and rending claws. If this is their method of transmission, armor is advised.

 In order to protect yourself best, I would at least suggest a gambeson and ring mail be present, and if possible, a suit of full plate.

 I know this is not accessible for all. Additionally, transformation itself seems to be something that is shrouded in mystery. I've heard rumors that 'raw meat' may actually force a person who is a 'werebeast' to transform. Perhaps giving way to baser instincts. I have also been told this form is something of an 'at-will' transformation and can be done when the 'werebeast' needs to.

Now speculating, I theorize that a 'werebeast' may transform either with other 'werebeasts' in a pseudo-pack mentality (hence, the attacks en groups upon cities), or, as part of a parasitic defense mechanism (the curse does not wish to end, and, will respond to danger).

That said, I am only speculating.

My conversations with the 'nameless druid', and as well as a nameless Adunian and nameless Balianite similarly paint an interesting image, as they witnessed a transformation occur.

It was not pretty.

The transformation process sees the mortal twist, pop, snap, morph, wind and unwind and finally transform. It is gruesome. It is gory. In the words of the druid, it is something no one would wish for.

To that extent, there was an interesting observation made. The werebeasts tend to leave no survivors. Those who survive though are plagued to become their attacker.

 

Two more theories:

 I wonder if there's an apex predator relationship involve in the 'heirarchy' of the creatures. Those who survive are 'strong enough', and therefore 'blessed' to become 'werebeasts'. This is a worst case theory. If I am to presume this theory is correct, then any 'werebeast' should be killed, immediately. It implies an insidious and demented nature of sadism and self-perpetuating suffering.

 

To that end, a second theory.

 

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This coincides more with the theory of the curse, itself, being originally inflicted. The characterization here is that werebeasts are uncontrolled, and wild. They suffer from a trigger and then they cannot control themselves. 'They see red', and then will eat and kill anything near them, and around them: excluding other werebeasts.

They're prisoners to urges beyond their own control and perpetuate a cycle of fear befitting the world they live in: We fear them, and so we kill them. They cannot help it, and so they kill us.

Given some of my observations, the truth may never come.

 

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This section is more along the lines of things that are purported or confirmed concerning the 'werebeasts'. As well as how those effect ongoing theories.

 

I have heard tales, commonly, of a gargantuan wolf. The size of a house. I had heard of it's attack on Hyspia. I have also heard of a confrontation within the Northern Tundras. I have better details of the Northern confrontation from an Oyoshiman contact, kind enough to recount the fight.

 Azhl and Boomsteel did not affect it. It beat the group like a hand may swat flies.

 When all seemed lost and they were beaten, a strange old man ran out with a glowing rock and the beast fled. This indicates an indifference to Azhl, and Boomsteel, but does highlight some weakness: something it fears. 

 

Originally, when it occurred to me that some sort of 'werewolf' was about, I was going to petition for Garenbrig and Numendil to lock their cages. My concern was perhaps there was a canine empathy. From the reports of my witnesses: the druid, Adunian, and Balianite, the opposite seems to be true.

Instilled in the 'werebeast' is some sense of fear towards the lupine; towards wolves.

I cannot wrap my head around this. My current theory is that this is a programmed fear per the curse's designer, or, perhaps some act of self-loathing. The first contributes to my current theory regarding intelligent design by virtue of necromancy. The later, additionally, seems to contribute towards the theory of 'werebeasts' as victims.

 

It seems to be that excessive hair-growth may be indicative of a person who has been cursed. I've been able to successfully find some folk who've been cursed; and some folk have known those folk, and seen them transform. Pointed out by them: it seems as though their hair growth had exploded, seemingly, out of no where. I don't see any reason a person may not simply groom: if to disguise, but perhaps they cannot do so.

 

Its been suggested, and I have not confirmed, that those who transform do not remember. I've no experience to say, this is only a rumor I have heard. But, fascinating. Something more concrete, and what I feel may agree with this rumor, is the mentality of the transformed. While it seems cities are attacked in packs, there, reportedly, is not strategy. They are instinctive, wild. In my interview with the druid, at this mention, I asked if a braced wall of spears would skewer these wolves, and she did say it may be possible.

 2This mindlessness is rabid. I theorize the beast and the man fight within. I additionally theorize that there's some great mental strain on those who are cursed. Hairpin bombs ready to explode into their true form on a reflex of fear.

I would suggest minding your company if they seem 'odd.'

Originally I was told that a 'werebeast' may transform at will. I believe this lends to the 'apex predator' theory. But if that was the case, I believe the 'raw meat' idea counters that notion. Without trying to turn this into a philsophical piece: can a creature that is captive to it's own whims without controls truly be an apex predator?

This will need to be answered: and will confirm or deny either earlier theory.

 

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If there are two sections that I would anticipate people would jump to, it would be this section, as well as a 'cure' section. You'll notice this is short: as I have no news on a weakness I haven't said.

 Reportedly, a man, situated in Reinmar, was able to defeat a 'werebeast'. He had hacked it's legs off: and the cursed return to a mortal form. He was able to ask some questions, and informed me of the 'curse nature'.

 That is to say, these beasts are sturdy, and fierce. My druid had told me they have an Orc's strength. Their hide is like leather. Their claws like knives and their bite is crunching and rending. All the same, they are mindless. They fall to steel.

 Their weakness isn't known: but if it comes to it, do not fight alone, and they should die like animals.

Their fear of dogs should be leveraged. Azhl and Boomsteel are seemingly checked off. Further results will need to be reported.

While this is a first edition, my hope is that by first making the world aware of this outbreak, others will find tactics, materials, magics, and alchemy that will prove to be the greatest boon to fighting back and protecting ourselves.

 

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As I mentioned in 'Weaknesses', this is the other section I would anticipate people jumping to immediately.

At present, there isn't a guaranteed cure.

Presently we're unaware of the period it takes for the curse to manifest within those affected. Once bitten, it's unclear if transformation becomes possible immediately, or if there's some period of development.

I have hope for both a shamanistic and an alchemical solution. The Muritor Elixir is a fine demonstration of alchemy used to alleviate similar curses. Similarly, Shamans have an application of spirits to remove curses, and malflame.

My hope is that by a second edition, I will be able to report further experiments on a cure.

For right now, our best hope lies within Shamanism and it's potential to break the curse, or, in Alchemy, and it's potential to suppress the effects.

 

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Consider this the abbreviated notes section of the entire book. If you need a primer, this is it.

• Prevailing thoughts are the Curse is either from a Voidal Terror, or the Necromancers.
• Werebeasts, coming in seemingly any hybridized animal form, are very strong, very durable, and blinded with rage and wild fury.
• They should be dealt with in groups and while heavily armed and armored.
•  At present, we are unsure of a true cure.
•  At all costs do not get bitten.
•  If one is bitten, please seek an experienced alchemist, or a Shaman, immediately.
•  Werebeasts, however, do seem to fear wolves (potentially the kin of what they transform into) and seem to be 'triggered' into their hybrid state.
• Differences in behavior, coupled with a strange, inexplicable growth of hair, may be a give away that a person is under the effects of the curse.
• Mortal blades work fine. Azhl and Boomsteel do not particularly work. A weakness exists but the material is unspecified.

If one is able to experiment, I ask for reports concerning the results.

 

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Ser Victor Rorin typically wanders Aevos. It is advised to reach out via mail to report new information or meet concerning tips and leads on Werebeasts.

Spoiler

(@KidKrinkles MCname)

 

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I will post notice as this book is updated. My intention is to provide this book for free as much as I can: or at least for cost of printing. I thank those who were kind enough to speak with me and write to me concerning this emerging and dramatic issue.

I've left out the names of those I spoke with for their own safety and privacy. That said, if they wish their name added to the next, I will gladly add them.

Please be safe.

Practice good decision making.

Travel with trusted company.

Report odd activity.

 

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[kujo_ 2510]

4 hours ago, KidKrinkles said:

A book would soon start appearing within the libraries of Aevos, spread as far as possible

Spoiler

forum posting this is cheap imo. bestiaries are better when you have to acquire the knowledge through rp, instead of all your characters reading the forums and knowing everything. the old lectors had a middleground of requiring players to have the book mechanically before using the forumpost for their bestiary, could also try that

 

[KidKrinkles 2043]

13 hours ago, KidKrinkles said:

A book would soon start appearing within the libraries of Aevos, spread as far as possible (as soon as the Edit GUI stops breaking my books when I make them).

 

 

9 hours ago, Bonito said:

  Reveal hidden contents

forum posting this is cheap imo. bestiaries are better when you have to acquire the knowledge through rp, instead of all your characters reading the forums and knowing everything. the old lectors had a middleground of requiring players to have the book mechanically before using the forumpost for their bestiary, could also try that

 

 

Spoiler

You cut the quote off.

 

It is an in-game item with a link to this forum post. The Edit GUI is breaking the ability for the book to be copied and spread around.

 

[kujo_ 2510]

11 hours ago, KidKrinkles said:

You cut the quote off.

 

It is an in-game item with a link to this forum post. The Edit GUI is breaking the ability for the book to be copied and spread around.

Spoiler

someone who doesnt have your book can open this post and treat it like irp knowledge, defeating the point of having your book in the first place! if you put a disclaimer or something, players will interact with your books to learn from them. i get that the broken edit gui is annoying but you can still just write in the book or slap the link in the item description

 

[KidKrinkles 2043]

(Just as an aside, I've worked closely with werewOlf reviewing this text and it was relatively easy to remove the information I was given ICly that was metagame'd; if you come across this text IRP it'll be accurate.

 

Fortunately because of the issues with EditGUI and spreading the book mechanically, I still haven't been able to, meaning that there aren't any copies of this text IRP to have to destroy.

 

pls don't metagame it's ******* lame and it hurts good investigate roleplay (ie. shit I really enjoy))