The type of werewolf described here was perhaps the most convenient variety found in the Inquisition's lexicon of shapeshifters, especially when it came to heretics, dissenters and other inconvenient persons. All that was required was a few nocturnal animal attacks and an accusation -- and officially sanctioned torture would produce the confession that proved the case.

As distasteful as such proceedings were to modern sensibilities, and as ignorant as the dogma involved appears to modern eyes, the main text assumes the literal truth of the matter. This is an expressly evil were, and unlike such beasts as the Cinematic "Monster" Werewolf (see pp. 83-85), it is directly powered by whatever embodied force of supernatural Evil is present in the campaign.

While wolves were the most common shifter type in European folklore, especially in regards to Church dogma, they were far from the only possibility. The construction guidelines in the main text can be applied to a number of different of other animal templates to produce "historically" accurate were-creatures. Cats (p. BE108) were the second-most-likely choice for the Hell- aligned were's animal shape, but dogs (also p. BE108) and virtually any other predator species might also serve. Note that smaller templates will probably not have the Odious Personal Habit, if only because of the difficulty they will have hunting and killing humans.

Here are two of the most common alternate werewolves, according to medieval Catholic dogma. They start with the same version of the "Wolf with a Human Mind" template as the werewolf in the main text, worth 82 points.

Alchemical

This werewolf may have an inherent ability to change, but it requires a trigger -- smearing upon his body a foul ointment composed of a number of unpleasant ingredients, some of which are guaranteed to earn the user a death sentence, or worse, excommunication. Once changed, the user cannot remain in wolf form beyond the next sunrise or sunset, although he can change back to human at any time he cares to before then.

Creating the "alchemical" werewolf: To the basic template, add an External Trigger: the ointment (rare, exclusive, from human to wolf only), -15%, and Maximum Duration (sunset to sunrise), -7%.

Alchemical weres may have an Addiction to the ointment, if only because of the effects of the psychoactive plants usually cited in authentic medieval recipes.

Skinchanger

This version covers a wide selection of werewolves, all of whom must don some item of clothing made from wolf skin in order to change. This can range from a pair of gloves, to a broad belt, to an entire skin worn as a cloak. Upon donning the item, the were changes; he can change back at any time.

Creating the skinchanger: Turn the basic werewolf template into an item-based change (p. 44-45) with the following modifiers: Can be stolen with stealth or trickery, only usable by owner, -5%; Unique -25%. Breakable and Can Be Hit are appropriate, but the values will vary depending on what form the item takes. Finally, if the item is large enough, add Awkward (-10%).

Male; Age 37; 5'5''; 135 lbs.; Middle-aged Frenchman, salt-and-pepper hair, blue eyes, Van Dyke beard/mustache

ST 9 [-10]; DX 10 [0]; IQ 13 [30]; HT 12 [20]

Speed 5.50; Move 5.

Dodge 5; Parry 8.

Damage: Punch: 1d-4; Kick: 1d-2; Thrust 1d-2; Swing 1d-1

Advantages: Literacy [10]; Patron (Hell) (9 or less) [35] (Special Qualities: Very Unusual, +10); Status 2 [5]; Wealth (Wealthy) [20] (Starting Wealth: $5,000); Werewolf (Projected Were-form: -50%; Cure/Cursebreak: Exorcism, werewolf must cooperate: -40%) [23].

Disadvantages: Bloodlust [-10]; Secret (Apostate Werewolf) [-30]; Selfish [-5]; Vow: Revenge himself on people of Mende and the Church [-15].

Quirks: Careful never to manifest or vanish his wolf-form near his home; Likes the taste of human flesh; Pretends to be a good Catholic; Still mourns for his wife and sons; Unsatisfied with the revenge he has so far taken. [-5]

Skills: Acting-16 [8]; Animal Handling-13 [4]; Area Knowledge (Mende and environs)-15 [4]; Bard-13 [2]; Brawling-12 [4] (Parry: 8); Cooking-13 [1]; Cyphering-14 [2]; Detect Lies-14 [6]; Diplomacy-14 [6]; Economics-13 [4]; Fast-Talk-14 [4]; Gambling-14 [4]; Intimidation-14 [4]; Knife-12 [4] (Parry: 5); Merchant-16 [8]; Metallurgy/TL3-12 [2]; Riding (Horse)-10 [2]; Savoir-Faire (Medieval France)-15 [0]; Shadowing-15 [6]; Tracking-15 [6].

Languages: French (native)-14 [1].

Once upon a time, in 12th-century France, there was a prosperous merchant with a large, loving family, who lived in a fine house just outside of the town of Mende. Abban Galdemar was his name, and the town council of Mende despised him because they envied his good fortune, and because he did not bribe them as much as they thought was their due. But because Galdemar technically lived outside the town, they could not exert any more pressure on him than they already did -- not without losing his trade to another town. They would sooner see him dead.

Then one day, that became a real option. A large party of bandits came upon Mende. The town fathers, having no stomach for a fight, paid off the bandits from the treasury rather than have the understaffed town guard engage them. Laying an extra bag of coins in the bandit chieftain's hand, they pointed him in the direction of "rich pickings" -- Galdemar's home.

The bandits besieged his fine house and took it over. They beat Galdemar mercilessly until he revealed the location of his moneybox. They raped his wife Marie. After they finished sacking the estate, the bandits put the beautiful building to the torch. Then they rode off with his sons Luc and Marc, the chieftain laughing a ransom demand over his shoulder.

The tragedy only compounded. Marie, in shame, hanged herself, and was refused last rites and Christian burial by the Church. Unable to pay his creditors, he was bankrupted, and was unable to pay the ransom on his sons; their bodies were dumped unceremoniously upon the ashes of his home. He was finally reduced to begging on the streets of Mende, where the elders who had once envied him now delighted in spitting on him as they passed.

When the beggar Galdemar overheard the elders laughing about how they had arranged his fall, his despair and anger and new-born hatred crystallized in his chest. He cursed the name of God for subjecting him to the conspiracy and ill fortune that had taken away all that he had ever loved, and swore he would take his revenge not only on the bandits, but on the Church, and on the townsfolk who caused it all.

No sooner had he uttered this oath than a dark man in fine clothes of black silk appeared and offered him the power to get his revenge, and more. Galdemar agreed instantly.

Today, Abban Galdemar is once more a prosperous merchant, fortune having smiled upon him again. He lives in Mende now, where he has been taking an active role in the council ever since several of the elders were killed by a wild animal attack, one of many this bleak winter. He refuses to remarry, and dresses only in black, in memory of his wife. Yes, Abban Galdemar is a successful man . . .

. . . and he is a werewolf. Since making his bargain with the Devil, Galdemar has hunted down and slaughtered the bandits who destroyed his life. He used their ill-gotten gains to rebuild his business and buy a home in Mende. In the months since, he has killed several of the elders, and has begun preying upon the children of the town even as he has taken up a role in its governance. He keeps up the appearance of a devout man in permanent mourning, and has gained much respect in Mende for the dignity and strength with which he survived his adversity. No one knows he is also the ravenous beast who has killed so many over the past two seasons . . .

Abban Galdemar is a 150-point character suitable for use as a "secret mastermind" type of opponent in a medieval setting, be it standard fantasy or ostensibly historical. He will usually ignore strangers to Mende unless they seem to be allying themselves with the remaining town elders, or if they are in the service of the Church. He is clever enough to simply lie low if Inquisitors or their agents appear in the town, but may be willing to attack secular werewolf hunters.

Galdemar's were form is a normal-sized wolf with ST 9, DX 14, IQ 13, HT 12. It takes no permanent damage from anything but fire, silver and consecrated items. Galdemar has developed a liking for human flesh when in wolf-form, and never fails to indulge that liking when he kills; unfortunately, the wolf template's Gluttony has almost led to his discovery on several occasions. He is otherwise cautious, though; when he sends his soul roaming in wolf-form, he never manifests (or dismisses) it near his home.