The lycan are a magical combination of wolf and elf. They are found only among the moon elves of the Arani Forests, where it is an honor conferred on their most respected warriors. Initiations are a yearly occurance witnessed by all in the community, following many months of observation and testing of prospective candidates. These moon elves are known simply as "Guardians" to their people, and likewise to any forest creatures. While a non-moon elf could concievably recieve the blessing, it would require gaining the respect of the elves as a devoted defender of the forests and the greater natural world.

Rogues are the most common members of this prestige class, as moon elf society has no ranger or druid tradition — the Guardians patrol their realm and protect the forest itself. The most respected lycans and their acknowledged leaders are however mystics with the Moon and Fate domains, though the class is far less common than rogues or wizards among the moon elves.

NPC lycans are typically encountered as a small group patrolling the woods, one mystic and a half-dozen rogues. Each one possesses a ring of hive mind that functions only for them. Adventurers who notice a wolf with a ring on his front paw can assume they are being observed, and would do well to avoid being considered a threat.

Hit Die: d8.

Alignment: Any good.

Special: Must be inducted by another lycan.

Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Lycans gain no proficiency with any weapon or armor.

Alternate Form (Su): Lycans can change shape, assuming one of three possible forms. Changing form is a standard action and doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity. Changing to animal or hybrid form ruins the character’s armor and clothing (including any items worn) if the new form is larger than the character’s natural form; carried items are simply dropped. Items that can change size such as magic items do so, retaining functionality so long as the new form has the appropriate appendage. At 1st level the lycan is simply able to assume the form of a normal wolf, but does not gain any abilities from doing so until he learns the ins and outs of being a wolf over time.

At 3rd level, the lycan can assume a hybrid form — a shape between his natural and wolf forms. This form is the same size as his original form, but is wolf-like in appearance and ability — it is covered with fur, has a large snout, and is in general more animalistic.

A slain lycan reverts to its natural form, although it remains dead. Separated body parts retain their animal form, however. The alternate form ability functions like the polymorph spell, except as noted here.

Ability Score Changes: The indicated ability score increases or decreases by the amount noted. These changes are cumulative.

Low-Light Vision (Ex): A 1st-level lycan gains low-light vision.

Shapechanger Subtype (Ex): At 1st level, the lycan gains the shapechanger subtype.

Lycan Bonus Feats: At 1st, 3rd, and 5th level, the lycan gains the feats indicated on the table as bonus feats, assuming that he doesn't already have them. If the lycan doesn't meet the prerequisites (if any) for a bonus feat, he gains the feat but cannot use it until he does meet the prerequisites.

Wolf Empathy (Ex): Starting at 2nd level, a lycan in any form can communicate and empathize with normal or dire wolves. This ability gives him a +4 racial bonus on checks made to influence the attitude of such creatures. It also allows the communication of simple concepts and (if the animal is friendly) commands, such as "friend," "foe," "flee," and "attack."

Natural Armor Improvements: At 2nd level, the lycan's natural armor bonus increases by +2. A character who does not normally have a natural armor bonus (such as an elf) is considered to have an initial natural armor bonus of +0 for the purpose of this ability. Thus, an elf's natural armor bonus would increase to +2 at 2nd level. These changes are cumulative. The lycan also gains additional natural armor increases in hybrid or animal form at 4th level.

Bite: At 2nd level the lycan gains a bite attack usable in his animal and hybrid forms. The bite is a natural weapon that deals 1d6 points of damage.

Speed: At 2nd level the lycan's base speed in animal form goes up to 50 feet.

Claws: At 3rd level the lycan gains two claw attacks usable in his hybrid form. The claws are natural weapons that deal 1d4 points of damage.

Damage Reduction (Ex): At 3rd level, the lycan gains damage reduction 5/silver. At 5th level, this improves to 10/silver.

Speak with Wolfkind (Ex): A 4th level lycan in hybrid or animal form can converse with animals of approximately the same kind as himself (including dire varieties): wolves, dogs, coyotes, etc. Such communication is limited by the intelligence of the conversing creatures.

Scent (Ex): As a 4th level lycan, the character gains the scent ability in all forms.

Trip (Ex): A lycan in hybrid or wolf form that hits with a bite attack can attempt to trip the opponent as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the wolf.

Powerful Build: At 4th level, the lycan gains greater mastery of his transformational process — his physical stature in hybrid form lets him function in many ways as if he were one size category larger. Whenever a lycan is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during grapple checks, bull rush attempts, and trip attempts), the lycan is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to him. A lycan is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature's special attacks based on size (such as improved grab or swallow whole) can affect him. A lycan can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty (his natural weapon damage increases accordingly). However, his space and reach remain those of a creature of his actual size. The benefits of this trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject's size category.

Lycanthropic Blessing (Su): At 5th level, a lycan can pass on his lycanthropy to other creatures. He must succeed at a bite attack while in animal or hybrid form, and consciously will the transfer (a full-round action). This forces the target to enter the lycan prestige class upon their next level, although they can attempt DC 15 Fortitude save to prevent it.