Lythari are good-aligned elven lycanthropic wolves, similar in appearance to werewolves and often mistaken as such. Lythari differ from werewolves in that they have no hybrid form and are friendly and companionable when in lupine form. Although much less numerous than werewolves, a lot of Lythari are sponsored by the church of Karina, the Lady of the Moon.
Ecology
Lythari are true lycanthropes. They are born as were-creatures to lycanthrope parents. Lythari packs are almost exclusively found in Wood Elf lands or along any of the great forests. Lythari propagate using a ritual of bonding that will turn the other party into a lythari. This ritual only works if both parties agree to the transformation, which leaves a permanent scar on the transformed, which resembles a wolf bite.
Combat
Physical combat is not disliked among the Lythari, unlike other elves. Though, if they were to aid in warfare at all it would be in a scouting capacity or as a messenger, using their speed to their advantage. However, if cornered or forced to defend their kin, they have a powerful bite which they can use to great effect. Otherwise, they only attack when hunting, preferring deer, rabbit and wild boar, much like the wolf they are.
Society
Lythari packs are small, usually numbering no more than 30, a dozen or so of which will be too young to fend for themselves. They do not fashion metal objects of any kind and the rare spellcasters amongst them tend to be priests of one of the nature deities. All members of a lythari pack are treated equally, with no real leaders. As such, these packs tend to be quite anarchic and are increasingly rare, as most lythari go to live in Feywild, traveling through planar gates.
Relationships
Lone lythari were readily accepted within normal wolf packs and treated deferentially but are left out of the pack hierarchy. Evil wolves such as worgs, werewolves, and wolfweres would attempt to drive off a lythari or slay them if at all possible. They could sense a lythari's goodliness naturally and despise their typically peaceful nature.