Caedesthropy

Caedesthropy - also known as "Monster's Disease", "Hunter's Disease", and "The Bite" - is a condition which affects a select number of people across Wyrring, although is typically concentrated around Ostrangard. During the full moon, those afflicted with this condition enter a mad rage where they transform into a monster and go on a rampage. This transformation is completely involuntary, and the infected have no control over the acts the monster takes while they are transformed. The form that they take varies from person to person, however, several sub-groups have been identified.

• Lycanthropes - Appearing like large, humanoid canines, lycanthropes (or "werewolves") are on of the most common Caedes. Typically one of the more dangerous kinds, due to their affinity of hunting humans.
• Ursaethropes - Taking the form of humanoid bears, "werebears" typically are more of a threat to a towns food supply, as they are known for their voracious appetite.
• Mustelthropes - Taking the form of humanoid badgers, "badgermen" are similar nuisances as werebears, taking great pleasure in digging up and consuming entire farm fields.
• Procythorpes - Typically considered the smartest ot the Caedes, procythorpes - or "Goons" - are humanoid raccoons, who appear to consciously take pleasure in causing mischief wherever they go, including stealing, pranking, and spooking. Despite their intelligence, they are typically harmless.

  These subgroups, although typically grouped together, are different strains of this condition, and are inherited directly from the infector to the infected.   Caedesthropy is typically spread through biting, where an infected individual, open biting an uninfected individual, causes the infected to contract their same condition.   Some scholars group Vampirism as a subgroup of Caedes, due to the similar transmission method and the impact of the moon on their power and potency. This has lead some to nickname vampires as "werebears".   During visits by The Wanderer, the infected transform into their Caedes form for entire weeks as the celestial body passes by.