Van Richten's Monster Hunter's.pdf - Askadesign.com

,w I have set out what I have
ed to learn about the
ibilities of different phenotypes.
I recognize that other
,ash exist, I have not been able
such information about them.)
iat infected lycanthropes share
ne vulnerabilities as the creature
fected them. Also note that none
statements below is categorical;
d be unwise to bet one’s life on
ormation.
ebat: The vast majority of
its are vulnerable to weapons
If
silver, as are werewolves. One
le I have heard put forward is
5 color and nature of silver
:nts the full moon, which is a
it trigger for lycanthropes.
not all lycanthropes have this
r trigger, I am not totally
ced of this, but I have nothing
:o propose.) Also note that
Merebats are vulnerable to the
rullcap.
ebadger: I have encountered
few of these creatures, so I must
size that my experiences may
representative of an entire
ype. However, those I battled
vulnerable to silver weapons.
he advice of a Vistana (which I
,d only with the greatest
nce), I tricked one werebadger
Jesting poppy seeds. This
nce proved fatal to the
:as.
rebear: Most werebears are
Ible to a cold-forged weapon,
zd the weapon is made of the
iron. The symbolic rationale for
lnerability seems to be that
irging iron requires great
al force, a characteristic that
)plies to werebears. In addition,
werebears are susceptible to
mna, or “deadly nightshade.”
jarding cold-forged iron:
ling to the armorers I’ve con-
most ordinary weapons are
2f low-grade steel. Pure iron is
used, for it is softer than steel, it
takes less of an edge, and it is less re- e4
silient. Thus, a would-be hunter desir-
ing a cold-iron blade must commission
a blacksmith to create it. Furthermore,
most weapons are forged-beaten into
shape-when the metal is red-hot and
pliable. In contrast, cold-forged
weapons cannot be heated. The iron
must be beaten into shape while it is
cold. Obviously, this is a much more
difficult procedure.)
Wereboar: In general, wereboars are
vulnerable to spears made of
sharpened oak. The entire spear must
be free of any metal or stone
reinforcement; a metal spear point
renders the weapon ineffective. Natural
boars are sylvan creatures, and they
are most frequently hunted with spears
(thus the expression, “bleeding like a
stuck pig”). This seems to be the
symbolism for this vulnerability. As for
an herbal bane, many wereboars are
susceptible to camphor.
Werecrocodile: Perhaps because
they are relatively primitive creatures,
werecrocodiles are vulnerable to
primitive weapons. The majority can
be struck normally by cutting,
piercing, or bludgeoning weapons
made of flint. Flint weapons may have
wooden or other handles, so long as
the actual cutting edge, piercing point,
or place of impact is unreinforced flint.
Mandrake appears to be the herbal
nemesis of most werecrocodiles,
though I am uncertain whether any
singular part of the plant is
responsible.
Werefox: Surprisingly, most
werefoxes are vulnerable to
bludgeoning or piercing weapons
formed from the bones of any canine
creature (dogs, coyotes, wolves, or
jackals), I am intrigued by the
possibility that this is a form of
symbolic magic, since fox hunts using
dogs to chase and kill the prey are
common in several regions I have
visited. In addition to the weapons
described, many werefoxes seem
vulnerable to juniper berries. G