Monster: Theron

Theron
Armour Class: 5
Hit Dice: 1+2*
Move: 120' (40')
Attacks: by weapon, or 2 claws + 1 bite
Damage: as weapon, or 1-4/1-4/1-3
No. Appearing: 1 (2-8)
Save As: F2
Morale: 9
Treasure Type: B
Alignment: Chaotic
XP Value: 20

Crazed predators and cannibals, theron are often mistaken for ghouls by those unfamiliar with the undead but in fact bear more resemblance to lycanthropes. When the bloodlust takes over, a theron twists into a hunched, bestial posture, growing tearing claws and bestial teeth; their eyes grow slitted and beastlike, and they are often afflicted with a blood-flecked foam at the mouth and bloody tears. The theron's curse is in many ways a "lesser" strain of lycanthropy, passed along in a similar manner and with similar traits. Some theron are provoked into bloodlust by being threatened or injured; others by violent emotional states, or the phase of the moon. Most fearful are those who can control the timing of their transformations.

When unafflicted, theron attack with any weapons they happen to be armed with. When in bloodlust a theron attacks any and all living creatures in sight with claws and teeth for 1-4 and 1-3 hit points of damage respectively; if both claw attacks successfully strike the same victim, the theron rends the wound, which takes another 1-2 hit points of damage on the following round.

Theron regenerate 2 hit points per round. 50% of theron require silver weapons, enchanted weapons or spells to be harmed.

Victims who lose more than half of their hit points to a theron attack have a 50% chance of being taken by the curse within 2-8 days. Certain members of the clergy, as well as various enchanted items and elemental powers, are capable of curing the curse before it takes root.