[Cryptworld] New Thing: Werestag

A Lycanthropic Hart for Cryptworld

WERESTAG
STR: 7 (105) --- WPR: 4 (60)
DEX: 4 (60) --- PER: NA
AGL: 5 (75) --- PCN: 6 (90)
STA: 5 (75) --- PWR: NA
ATT: 2/90% --- WND: 15
MV: L 250  (75† when human)

Experience: 1,000

Werestags are dangerous half-man/half-deer lycanthropes. Much like other were-beasts, Werestags are cursed to take the form of a human-stag hybrid during the full moon, violently changing into its grotesque shape over 10+1d10 rounds. However, the Werestag does not transform back into a human during the day; rather, it keeps its monstrous form during all 72 hours of the full moon's phase, transforming back into a human only when the final night ends. During this time, it stalks the countryside, hunting larger prey for sport. Horses, bears, and cattle will be found trampled and gored to death throughout the area. And any human beings who investigate these killings will very well find themselves as the Werestag's next prey.

In its Werestag form, the thing stands over 7 feet tall and is covered with short, matted brown hair. The creature's head resembles that of a stag, with a looming set of sharpened antlers. Although it stands upright and bipedal, its legs and feet are that of a deer, giving the monster a satyr-like look.The Werestag's preferred method of attack is to use its powerful legs to charge a victim, lower its head, then impale them on its antlers, goring them to death. The Werestag will also trample a victim under its cloven feet, using its great weight and bulk to crush its prey. Like a Werewolf (Cryptworld rulebook, page 72), a Werestag can recover Stamina as if it were two columns higher, and it recovers 3 wounds per day of rest. Although unaffected by silvered weapon like other lycanthropes, the Werestag takes +5 wounds of damage from any attack made by a deer's antler. An antler sharpened into a dagger or similar weapon will prove to be quite effective against the forest-dwelling behemoth.

The Werestag curse cannot be passed by bite or injury, as the curse is passed along the creature's bloodline. Only if you are born into the Werestag's bloodline will you be cursed with the transformation upon reaching puberty. Although only men of the bloodline will be affected by the curse, the women of the family will help to hide the true nature of their "beloved", going so far as to enticing prey onto their mate's "hunting grounds" for them to have sport with during the full moon.