Weretouched (Shifter Archetype)
One of the most iconic figures that comes up when thinking of shapeshifting is the various types of lycanthropes, cursed to turn into fearsome predatory beasts in response to the full moon.
However, typically being a natural or afflicted lycanthrope has its own sort of baggage, either being incapable of controlling their actions, or suffering from obligatory alignment changes if your GM focuses on rule text over flavor.
What if someone were to find a way to master the curse? Certainly, we’ve seen other archetypes do this, such as mooncursed barbarians.
Perhaps those who have truly mastered the curse are those that have combined it with another shapeshifting skillset. Such shifters are known as weretouched, and master a singular form tied to one of the variants of therianthropy.
Whether they are natural lycanthropes that devoted themselves to mastering the beast within, or the afflicted that achieved a miracle of self-discipline, this archetype represents those who have mastered the beast, rather than being its victim.
As suggested above, these shifters only ever gain one animal aspect, tied to the version of the curse that they carry. Almost every version of lycanthropy (and entothropy, if you want to go that route) that is found in official pathfinder materials has an aspect that is associated with it, with the exception of weresharks, but that can be achieved with some homebrewing. In place of gaining new aspects, however, these warriors instead gain the infamous resilience associated with the curse, which can be pierced only by silver or sufficient magic, and they are immune to truly contracting lycanthropy (or entothropy) in it’s virulent, uncontrolled form.
Their limitation also extends to what animals they share a kinship with, being only the animals of that general type.
Additionally, when using their power to fully transform, they can choose to instead take on a hybrid form like a true lycanthrope, gaining strength and attacking power while retaining hands.
If you’re only interested in one shifter aspect and/or you want to play up a were-beast connection with some extra durability, this archetype may be for you. You could choose a more combat-focused form and be able to choose when you want to go fully beast or just hybrid for the advantages of each, or you could choose a form of lycanthropy that is maybe not so good at combat and have the option for a more combat-ready hybrid form, such as the mouse aspect and falcon aspects for wererat and wereraptors respectively. Regardless, you have plenty of options for builds with this archetype. It’s worth noting that nothing in the rules text technically demands that you pick an aspect that has a canon curse of lycanthropy to it, but given the flavor I’d imagine that GM fiat is required to step outside of that particular box.
Shifters already are sometimes mistaken for lycanthropes due to the nature of their powers, but even those familiar with the discipline may hesitate when they learn that a shifter is a weretouched. This is especially relevant if your setting has specific lore for how the curse came about. If it is tied to nature, others may view your power as dubious and risking a loss of control. However, if lycanthropy is an evil thing, a curse empowering or punishing the wicked, then it may be even more reviled.
Hivehome, a city built into the colossal fallen log of the felled World Tree, is a place famous for its crawling things, including several entothropes and weretouched, that guard it’s city walls with giant bombardier beetles trained as living siege weapons.
Plying boats through the reeds, the lizardfolk that live in the delta recognize the live-giving properties of the river, but also it’s dangers, including those of their kind, as well as humans, that can take on the form of mighty saltwater crocodiles, their reputation making exploitation a deadly prospect.
Though the moon does not hold sway over her like it once did, Lady Mara does enjoy sneaking out on nights of the full moon and embracing her lycanthropic form, that of a fearsome weretiger, not to hunt, but to bask in the beauty of the moonlit wilds.
