Lycanthropy is a very rare genetic disease that dramatically transforms an afflicted human's physiology and psychology over the course of several months once triggered. It is almost always inherited, but can also develop spontaneously through mutation. Lycanthropy has no known cure and, if allowed to progress to its final stage, will leave the individual as little more than a brutish, carnivorous beast known commonly as a "werewolf".



The disease starts when proteins in the musculoskeletal system begin folding abnormally. When one of these lycanthropic protein strands touches normal tissue, it forces it to refold to match the abnormal structure, spreading the effect across more of the body. Given enough time, this process will “overwrite” the host's human form. The average survival span for patients diagnosed with Lycanthropy ranges from four to six months before hallucinations, delirium, and dementia render the sufferer unable to communicate and unsafe to approach.



The age that transformation initiates varies dramatically between 18 to 60 years with an average age of 35. Because transformation tends to occur after the diseased human has had children, lycanthropy propagates easily through generations despite its lethality. The presentation of the disease- and the final bestial form the sufferer takes- manifests differently from person to person, even among the family members.



The disease follows a predictable course during the first several months, beginning with insomnia that intensifies, causing panic attacks, paranoia, and phobias. As the symptoms reach their peak, hallucinatory and aggressive behavior becomes noticeable, and continues for several weeks.

Internal physical changes begin to present. An inability to digest most cooked meals causes severe intestinal distress, and is typically followed by rapid weight changes, depending on the food sources available. Finally, hair begins spreading across the sufferer’s body and visible alterations quickly take hold.



Early myths linked werewolf activity- infection and appearance of fully transformed beasts- with the lunar cycle. It is now understood that, although werewolves may prefer to hunt by moonlight, there is no direct link between the disease and the phases of the moon.

This illustration and text are brief excerpts from the artbook- A Natural History of the Fantastic.



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