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Tsunami:

--- Quote from: neko128 on April 29, 2010, 03:29:58 PM ---Lycanthropy in general use is also commonly used to refer to *any* were-animal, even if the correct term is "therianthropy".  The *origin* of the term is for the Greek for wolf, but it's certainly not the only use.

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General use, yes. But we were actually trying to make the bear-anthrope reasonably different from the wolf-anthrope, so it makes sense to change the mechanics a bit.

--- Quote from: neko128 on April 29, 2010, 03:29:58 PM ---And while a "true" lycanthrope may only have its full powers for ~2 months worth of days per year, they're at least spread out.  It's much easier to weave a game around them.  It may be fine mechanically, but make sure the character knows what they're getting into if they're going to have extremely long periods of game-time of weaker-than-human status interspersed with periods of super-human cool-ness.  I know I for one would just not enjoy the character.

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Actually the game time with a lot of power would be longer thatn without, basically you can say that about a quarter of the time would be spent powerless. depending on how you set the scenarios.
Wich is similar for Lycanthropes since you have to set their scenarios around the full moon regularly to make full use of the charater. And do you really set more than half of your scenarios at that time... likely not. (werewolf-centered campaigns excepted)

Also, in our actual situation, it's not so much of a problem. The Character is kind of an NPC tagging along so that our GM has someone to be when the GMing changes hands. :-)
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--- Quote from: neko128 on April 29, 2010, 03:29:58 PM ---The fact remains, in my head, it depends on the source of the arkanthropy.  If it's a curse, I stand by my "silver" comments.  If it's a spirit, probably not so much.

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It's definetly a spirit.

arentol:

--- Quote from: neko128 on April 29, 2010, 03:29:58 PM ---And while a "true" lycanthrope may only have its full powers for ~2 months worth of days per year, they're at least spread out.  It's much easier to weave a game around them.  It may be fine mechanically, but make sure the character knows what they're getting into if they're going to have extremely long periods of game-time of weaker-than-human status interspersed with periods of super-human cool-ness.  I know I for one would just not enjoy the character.

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I agree, I also don't think I would enjoy the character. The problem is that Lycanthrope provides inherent tension and interest for the entire group. It is an ever-present story element that they players and GM have to work with and around.

Meanwhile with the Arkanthrope there is basically only 1 month a year, the two weeks surrounding the losing of power, and the 2 weeks surrounding the gaining of power, that are filled with tension because of this same issue. The rest of the time he either has the power, or doesn't have it, and there is no need to think or worry about what might have been, or might soon be.

This pretty much takes all the fun out of the situation. I say go with the Moon phases.

Alternatively, make the Arkanthrope powers Crepuscular, like many bears tend to be in the wild, active at dawn and dusk. So they would be active for about 3 hours in the early morning and 3 hours in the late evening. That is 6 hours of 24, making them active 25% of the time, so not too far off Lycanthropes active percentage. Then the tension is then built around what time it is, rather than what day. Could be quite interesting to actually play.

Papa Gruff:

--- Quote from: arentol on April 29, 2010, 04:39:16 PM ---I agree, I also don't think I would enjoy the character. The problem is that Lycanthrope provides inherent tension and interest for the entire group. It is an ever-present story element that they players and GM have to work with and around.

Meanwhile with the Arkanthrope there is basically only 1 month a year, the two weeks surrounding the losing of power, and the 2 weeks surrounding the gaining of power, that are filled with tension because of this same issue. The rest of the time he either has the power, or doesn't have it, and there is no need to think or worry about what might have been, or might soon be.

This pretty much takes all the fun out of the situation. I say go with the Moon phases.

Alternatively, make the Arkanthrope powers Crepuscular, like many bears tend to be in the wild, active at dawn and dusk. So they would be active for about 3 hours in the early morning and 3 hours in the late evening. That is 6 hours of 24, making them active 25% of the time, so not too far off Lycanthropes active percentage. Then the tension is then built around what time it is, rather than what day. Could be quite interesting to actually play.

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You and neko128 make a valid point that I hadn't considered before. Part of the Lycanthropes apeal is the lack of power for lengthy periods of time (Compellability). With the hybernation idea that would be pretty much canceled out.

The alternative you pointed out sounds reasonable to me and you could even adjust the timeframe of activity on the fly if it doesn't feal right.

Tsunami and me thought this out with a specific PC-concept in mind (that of a hate driven Arkanthrope Vampire Slayer). Because of this we might not be looking at the big picture here. So far your pointers have been a great help. Thanks!

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