Goodman Games

WHAT IF the disease/curse that causes lycanthropy is of lunar origin? After all, the moon plays a major part in lycanthrope lives, moreso now that it is closer to the earth. As a lunar influence, perhaps the lycanthropy disease has a sort of subtle intelligence, like the disease which creates the 'scalded' template (from mech manual). Not all lunar creatures are necessarily evil, which could explain the existence of the neutral and good lycanthropes like were-bears, were-tigers, and were-boars.

WHAT IF the evil strains of lycanthropy finally choose to strike in favor of their lunar overlords. Seroficitacit (the lunar god of change) could easily be the secret patron deity of these creatures.

WHAT IF a single were-rat got aboard a city mech like Nedderpik, and using its superior stealth capabilities, slowly started infecting people throughout the mech, biting them as they slept then fleeing through some bolt hole or grate. Come next full moon, there could be a serious revolt aboard the city mech. Should the worst occur, and the evil lycanthropes overcome the mech's defenders, a city mech could fall into lunar hands, creating much opportunity for disaster. Wars could be started, Friendly city mech could be assaulted by surprise ((What?? Why is Nedderpik firing on Durgan-Lock??)). Possibilities are endless.

I am both proud and scared to play in your campaign...

The same thing would happen but a bit faster if a shadow managed to get on bored... though it would be harder for them to use it...

It's really a shame that the issue of lycanthropy on Highpoint hasn't yet been addressed in an official way. My take on it is that the moon is pretty much always full what with it being so close to the planet and taking up half the night sky.

i got the impression from reading the core dragonmech book that while the moon is probably always visible (due to light reflection from the planet maybe?) is still has its traditional phases. but i suppose that's up to the DM.

i think it'd be pretty heinous when dealing with lycanthropes if EVERY night was a full moon and packs of ravening werebeasts roamed the land, their inherent DR making them very resistant to the lesser effects of the lunar rain.

What you call heinous, I call awesome.

Now the wholly scientific explanation....

the state of moon light is based on it's position relative to the planet it orbits and the solar body the planet orbits.

Not so scientific explanation....

The moon has moved much closer, so it's brighter(relatively) and bigger (relatively) so if takes less than a full moon to provide enough for lycanthropes to transform. Say between 3/4 waxing and 3/4 waning it's enough. that's enough to add a few days on either side of the full moon for transformation. The full moon would also be brighter so... maybe even a buff for lycanthropes on the night of the actual full moon.

Though I think as soon as moon started to fall a massive inquest should have taken place to eradicate lycanthropes. But that's a kneejerk reaction before the lunar monsters showed up in force.