Connects to: 13.08, 13.09, 18.11 and 31.04.
This is a strange story that begins with a wizard named Barnabus Bludenoss. Like Dormond of the Crooked Oak, he was a student of the famed wizard Severard, and studied in his tower (13.08) before the unfortunate spider-related incident. Barnabus was, like many wizards, obsessed with the idea of attaining immortal life. He considered becoming a lich, but did not want to be mad, undead, or hated by mortal society. So his researches continued. After ten years of study, Barnabus finally completed his new and bizarre spell: he turned himself into the world’s first were-man.
When Barnabus bites someone, they become infected with a form of lycanthropy. On the full moon, they will transform into clones of Barnabus Bludenoss, with his powers, his desires, and his memories up until the time that the infection was passed on. They even have his clothes - a dark robe and a broad-brimmed hat. In this way, Barnabus plans to live forever as a viral organism.
Some way south of the old Verlime citadel (18.07), there is a dank and wretched swamp (18.10). Deep in this fetid place one may come across a small community of wooden huts built in the treetops. Those who dwell there are all weremen of Barnabus Bloodnose. Their close proximity to each other sets up a magical resonance which enhances the power of the disease, strengthening the Barnabus persona and subduing the unfortunate host body. Because of this, the weremen spend most of their time as Barnabus, but transform back into their original bodies at the full moon. During the period of their transformation, they hang themselves upside down from the tops of trees so that they cannot escape. The varied host bodies wail and cry for help, but none hear them, and in the morning they turn back into Barnabi. Someone who lives nearby has been contracted by the Barnabi to cut them down each month after their transformation.
There is at least one other wereman who does not dwell with his brethren. This is Zeem Olmsted, head of House Olmsted (31.04), who was bitten several years ago. Of course, the family keeps this infection secret; each month, they tie up Zeem Olmsted before he can transform into Barnabas Olmsted, though his vile imprecations can sometimes be heard echoing over the keep. He desires above all to escape the keep and join his fellows, whom he can sense far away in the swamp. For his part, Zeem regards this infection as a relatively minor inconvenience, and tries to manage the problem while continuing to rule over the Olmsted family just as he always has done.
Connection:
- If Barnabus Bludenoss were to learn of the current state of Severard of the Seven Circles he’d gather up as many of his were-men as he could to try to destroy him and all of his bees (13.09).
Hooks
- Where is the original Barnabus now?
- Is there a way to cure Zeem Olmsted? What about the other weremen?
- Who are the other weremen when they’re not Barnabus? Anyone interesting or important among them?