Werewyvern

Changed by the Venom of the Wyvern Treasure: Individual

Among the rarest of were-creatures, werewyverns change from their humanoid forms into lean wyverns or into draconic-humanoid hybrids. Most werewyverns possess a draconic greed and ferocity and thus often find work as bandits, mercenaries, or assassins. They are opportunistic warriors and prefer ambushes when possible. Werewyverns like to keep their wyvern form a secret until they need an upper hand in a fight or an aerial escape. Werewyverns transmit lycanthropy through their potent venom. The curse's transmission is unpredictable and often as much a surprise to the werewyvern as it is to the victim.

A werewyvern is a type of lycanthrope that can shapechange into a wyvern. They are the rarest of the werecreatures known to exist as of the turn of the 16th century DR.

Description: As with other lycanthropes, werewyverns have three forms: their normal humanoid form, a lean wyvern form, and a hybrid form combining humanoid and draconic-seeming wyvern traits.

Personality: Werewyverns typically have a vicious nature and a greed akin to that of dragons. They prefer to keep their true nature secret, transforming only when they need to get an advantage on a foe or to fly away.

Abilities: The curse of werewyvern lycanthropy is passed on via their venom. Whether it takes hold or not, however, is unpredictable, making it a surprise to both the victim and the werewyern itself.

Tactics: In battle, a werewyvern favors attacking from ambush and opportunistic strikes. Once transformed, they fight with flyby attacks and use their claws or javelins flung from on high.

Society: Owing to their proclivities, werewyverns operate as assassins, brigands, and mercenaries.

Variations: In addition to the standard variety, there also exist greater werewyverns. The exact differences between the two are not well known due to the rarity of the species. The one known as Ekim Cyre had an inherent resistance against the elements and could not be harmed by non-magical weapons.

History: Werewyverns seemed to be incredibly rare in the Realms. In Cormyr in the mid-to-late 1300s DR, it was said by many locals that a brigand werewyvern, known as Black Shaernauba, would rob travelers. If they tried to fight back, she would assume the form of a wyvern, and fly away with the goods. The werewyvern was said to live in a cave full of riches, and kept attractive men as captives. She was also said to have slain Purple Dragons who tried to make a base near her home, as well as others setting up establishments.

In the Year of the Gauntlet, 1369 DR, a werewyvern by the name of Ekim Cyre, along with a green dragon, protected the Bhaalspawn Abazigal from invaders.

Circa 1501 DR, the Purple Dragons suspected werewyverns were operating on Wyvernfang peak in the Thunder Peaks near High Dale, based on claims of their high intelligence and organization, including herding sheep in valleys only accessible from the sky and building defensive walls. Thus, the Crown proposed sending an ambassador to High Dale; this would be an amethyst-dragon-riding knight who could hunt the wyverns. However, High Dale's High Constable refused each candidate.

At the same time, in the Moonshae Isles, a werewyvern was known to dwell in the marsh of Frostfenn on the isle of Norland. The Purple Dragon Knights came even this far to hunt it.

Notable Werewyverns

• Black Shaernauba, a rumored werewyvern in Cormyr.
• Ekim Cyre, a greater werewyvern that dwelt in the lair of Abazigal.