Lycanthropes (Shape Changers)

Well now, you say you're here to learn about the shape changers.  The library has some information on them, not quite as much information as we would like, but with Lord Draken and his wife being shape changers we are hoping to change that.

Most of us have heard stories of the werewolves, but very few have ever heard of the other forms of shape changers.  There are three major types of shape changers we know of, the canines, the cats, and believe it or not the birds.

Let's start with what they all have in common.  First, they all have an aversion to silver, exterior contact does not affect them, but if it gets in their blood stream, it slows down their healing process.  Second, they tend to have a distinct odor that other animals can smell.  Third, they tend to avoid normal people and stay strictly within their own cities.

Now the canines, they are most diverse being that they change into various canine forms, wolves, coyotes, and dogs being the primary forms.  The wolves tend to be slightly larger than normal and have an intelligent gleam in their eye. The coyotes are a bit smaller than their wolf brethren and have a yellow colored fur, some believe them to be the children of the wolves.  In reality, they are adults, we have no idea why they are a different breed of canine when they change.  The dog shape changers are most interesting though as they change into all manner of dogs, some look very similar to their wolf cousins, and others resemble a cross between a horse and a wolf.  All of them tend to hunt in packs.

You want to know about the birds?  There is not much to say, we know they can change into large birds, but no one living has seen one to report exactly what their nature is.  It is a popular belief that this breed of shape changers may have died out at some point in time.

The cat shape changers, now that is something we have quite a bit of knowledge on.  You see Lady Rose is of this persuasion, and has been gracious enough to give us a bit of history on her people.  They were originally the priests and priestesses of those that worshiped the huntress, or lady of cats.  According to the legends, they were rewarded with the ability to change into a forest cat after proving their loyalty to the goddess.  According to Rose though they split from the rest of their people who were using cats as servants and became their own people.  When they reach the age of maturity, they change into a forest cat, and remain in that form until such time as they have grown to match their human body weight.  Once they have reached this size, they must choose a mate and go through a special ceremony in which they will either die or be forever bonded to their mate.

How is the ability spread?  Why would you ask that question?

Ah, you want to become a shape changer I see, well the only way to become one is to be bitten by a shape changer, and even that is not guaranteed to work.  If you are bitten, there is a chance you will change shape and become one of them, but there is a greater chance you will die.

I hope this clears up all of your questions regarding the shape changers.

As recorded by:
Alphos the Archivist two days before he was found torn apart by what appeared to have been a pack of wolves

Draken Trilogy update

Well, normally I don't just post updates, but I figured I should.  I am currently writing book three of the trilogy, yeah that's correct, we're bringing it to a conclusion.  About half way done with the third book, but wanted to share something Piers Anthony wrote after reading book one:

I read Lyam's Awakening, by Jeramiah Wade (available at Amazon.com). This is a self published fantasy novel. I find no indication where it might be ordered. It is not well written or motivated, but it does have a good story. Lyam is an officer assigned by the King to investigate the mysterious deaths of a party of men in the haunted forest. Soon his own party is similarly decimated. Lyam continues, and the adventure forms around him. Someone is evidently watching him. He does incidental good works along the way, helping people, treating them courteously. They are surprised, as the King's soldiers normally simply take what they want, whether food or women. More than one young woman gets interested in him, but he is not seeking such interaction. He discovers a horse caught by a trap; he frees the animal, who then joins him as his steed, Midnight. Midnight is no ordinary horse; he's a carnivore, and partially telepathic. He becomes a loyal assistant. Later Lyam is attacked by a forest cat, kills her, and cares for her seemingly orphaned cub, whom he names Rose. It turns out that the cub is a were-cat, and when she changes to woman form she becomes the one he wants to marry. There is a surprise about Lyam's own nature as he gradually awakens to it. So I can recommend this novel to those who are not picky about style or taut plotting; there is a fair story there


Please note this is from Piers Anthony's newsletter for Dismember 2010, which can be found at www.hipiers.com 

Dragons and their homes

"What pray tell are you doing in a dragons home?  You know you really shouldn't be here, they get very cranky when disturbed while in their nest.

I see, you just wanted to have a look around and see what a dragon keeps in its cave.  Well, since you are here I suppose I had best show you around, at least to the public areas.  Wouldn't want you to know where the best treasure is hidden after all.

Follow me, and I will show you the main audience hall, where the dragon greets his guests and does battle against those who would steal from him.  As you can see, he has some very large doors to prevent people from entering uninvited, and yes before you ask, he did see you coming from a long way off.

Come inside and take a quick look around.  How much treasure is in this room?  Oh, not all that much, around fifty tons of gold and jewels, some silver and a bit of copper.  Oh, not to mention the cast iron table.

Why does a dragon have a table?  Oh, quite simple really, it is where he prepares and serves meals to his humanoid guests.

This is as far as I can take you into the dragons cave, just for security reasons.  I can tell you though if you walk a good distance across the cavern here, you will come to a tunnel that leads down farther.  This tunnel leads to the larder, where he keeps a herd of wild sheep, and to the egg chamber and his children's rooms.  It also leads to an underground lake where he gathers fresh water when he needs it.

Oh look, you are lucky indeed our host has decided to grace us with an appearance.  Would you like to join him for a quick meal?  Wait, where did you go?

Oh he fled the cave you say?  Too bad, you make an excellent roast."

Valarious Dragon Friend