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Lyiat
Seeker
91 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Nov 2014 : 19:59:19
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So... might be an odd question, but my experience in Biology tells me that quite a few animals do not sweat. So, do therianthropes and other werekin sweat, when their alternative form doesn't? Specifically, I'm curious about shifters. Something I'm working on involves a shifter as a prominent character.
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"Stand and deliver, that my hamster might have a better look at you." ~ Minsc |
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
Posted - 28 Nov 2014 : 20:33:55
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The upright running creatures we are on earth gave humans the adaptation to effectively run for long distances in hot climates. The ability to breathe through our mouths while running (allowing more air in the longs and cooling to take place) combined with the ability to sweat gave early plains humans the advantage over competing predators and allowed for larger prey to be taken down.
As I imagine the gait of werecreatures to be really bestial, I would say they dont sweat in their hybrid forms. So an agitated shifter might stop sweating, if able at all. |
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Druidic Groves
Creature Feature: Giant Spiders |
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2014 : 14:41:29
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I have a human (RW) friend who doesn't sweat - he has was born without sweat glands (his whole family has this mutation). He has to apply oil to his skin, which looks a bit scaly.
Although I've never thought about this before, I think it would be an EXCELLENT (realistic) addition to lycanthropy lore if were-creatures did not sweat in their human form, which could be construed as a weakness (a 'tell').
I think it would be rather brilliant for an author to incorporate that in a story.  |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2014 : 19:11:20
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| Except for a few odd cases, most lycanthropes are human/demihuman, and assume animal form. Since humans/demihumans sweat, I'd say that lycanthropes do, too. Not in their animal form, but certainly in human form, and most likely in hybrid/Crinos form, as well. |
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Kentinal
Great Reader
4685 Posts |
Posted - 29 Nov 2014 : 20:00:32
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Hmm, there have been natural lycanthropes in editions, however there are those that get bit or otherwise infected and become lycanthropes because the disease is not always cured. Thus it might follow that they can be no universal rule for them.
I would also add doppelgänger and dragons also shift shape and they clearly might handle sweat differently. |
"Small beings can have small wisdom," the dragon said. "And small wise beings are better than small fools. Listen: Wisdom is caring for afterwards."
"Caring for afterwards ...? Ker repeated this without understanding.
"After action, afterwards," the dragon said. "Choose the afterwards first, then the action. Fools choose action first."
"Judgement" copyright 2003 by Elizabeth Moon |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2014 : 02:38:34
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| Simply speaking, dogs - and I suppose wolves, too - don't sweat because of the structure of their skin, furry and stuff. So, if the humanoid form is furry, I think it would not sweat, and transpiration would be through the tongue. Of course, this is fantasy and you can rule it all out. BTW, I'm a biologist, too! ;) |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2014 : 04:43:33
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quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
Simply speaking, dogs - and I suppose wolves, too - don't sweat because of the structure of their skin, furry and stuff. So, if the humanoid form is furry, I think it would not sweat, and transpiration would be through the tongue. Of course, this is fantasy and you can rule it all out. BTW, I'm a biologist, too! ;)
My thinking is that with the hybrid form, it's animal features overlaid on the basic human/demihuman body. The hybrid form retains the size, upright form, opposable thumbs, and all that -- so my thinking is the sweat glands are still there, too. |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11692 Posts |
Posted - 30 Nov 2014 : 16:11:18
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| I'm thinking whichever way you spin this, you can use it in your campaign. For instance, if its true, the players may use it to solve a mystery. If its NOT true, lyncanthropes may spread it around as false rumor in order to protect themselves. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Barastir
Master of Realmslore
Brazil
1600 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2014 : 12:48:04
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
My thinking is that with the hybrid form, it's animal features overlaid on the basic human/demihuman body. The hybrid form retains the size, upright form, opposable thumbs, and all that -- so my thinking is the sweat glands are still there, too.
Ok, but would if the skin is furry, would them function under that fur? I think the form would be functional, no? Or do you think the skin would be less hairy?  |
"Goodness is not a natural state, but must be
fought for to be attained and maintained.
Lead by example.
Let your deeds speak your intentions.
Goodness radiated from the heart."
The Paladin's Virtues, excerpt from the "Quentin's Monograph"
(by Ed Greenwood) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36779 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2014 : 16:56:25
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quote:
Originally posted by Barastir
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
My thinking is that with the hybrid form, it's animal features overlaid on the basic human/demihuman body. The hybrid form retains the size, upright form, opposable thumbs, and all that -- so my thinking is the sweat glands are still there, too.
Ok, but would if the skin is furry, would them function under that fur? I think the form would be functional, no? Or do you think the skin would be less hairy?
I would assume they still function. |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 01 Dec 2014 : 20:34:14
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--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
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Lyiat
Seeker
91 Posts |
Posted - 02 Dec 2014 : 02:04:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
I have a human (RW) friend who doesn't sweat - he has was born without sweat glands (his whole family has this mutation). He has to apply oil to his skin, which looks a bit scaly.
Although I've never thought about this before, I think it would be an EXCELLENT (realistic) addition to lycanthropy lore if were-creatures did not sweat in their human form, which could be construed as a weakness (a 'tell').
I think it would be rather brilliant for an author to incorporate that in a story.
I actually rather like this interpretation. Part of the curse removes their ability to sweat, which functions as an added tell. I may run with that. |
"Stand and deliver, that my hamster might have a better look at you." ~ Minsc |
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Sweat
