Editing Werebat (section)

==Shadkyn==
[[File:Shadkyn Dragon 266.jpg|right|300px]]
In [[Dragon Magazine]] #266, the article "Dragon's Bestiary: Giant Lycanthropes" revealed that [[voadkyn]], or "Wood Giants", are one of the only two species of [[giant]] with a true [[therianthrope|lycanthrope]] subspecies. This is the '''Shadkyn'''; a voadkyn version of the werebat. Shadkyns resemble pale and skinny voadkyns when in their giant form, but have the ability to become mobats (Huge sized carnivorous bats) or a monstrous voadkyn/bat hybrid, resembling a smoky-colored voadkyn with bat-like ears, [[vampire]] fangs, bat wings for arms, and prehensile claws for feet. 75% of infected shadkyns only have access to one of the non-giant alternative forms. Shadkyns can infect both [[humanoid]]s and other [[voadkyn]] with their bite; a non-voadkyn becomes a normal werebat with the shadkyn's smoky coloration.

Ability-wise, shadkyns are basically identical to AD&D werebats, just bigger, stronger and tougher.

Shadkyns live in tribal groups, occupying a similar niche to [[voadkyn]]s - unlike their non-therianthrope kinsfolk, though, shadkyns are voracious carnivores. Farms within shadkyn territory suffer frequent raids, and a distinct lack of large herd animals such as cattle can be one sign that a traveler has entered shadkyn country. Shadkyn tribes are savage bands, ruled over by the largest and most powerful of their ilk, who reigns with a brutal fist; the tribe lives only to breed and feed, consisting of 1d12+3 males, two females per male, and 2d6 children - the weak or elderly are often cannibalized by the rest of the flock if food is scarce. Tribes frequently (60% chance) keep a flock of 1d10 normal werebats as scouts and servants.

Two factors limit shadkyn numbers. Firstly, only one child is produced per pregnancy - furthermore, 5% of these shadkyn children are born with access to only one alternate form (usually the hybrid) and another 2% can't shapeshift at all, resulting in their being driven from the flock to become bitter recluses. Secondly, shadkyn and voadkyn despise each other, and are constantly warring with one another.

Despite that, the two races can interbreed. The product of such a mating has a 50% chance of being either a shadkyn or a voadkyn, and voadkyn children born to a shadkyn parent have a 50% chance of being "lesser shadkyns" (infected werebat voadkyns).