I've been running some published adventures in D&D 3.5 and two of the PCs in the party have contracted lycanthropy (they're now were-rats). They've had their first night of the full-moon. While they're not so happy about losing control of themselves and attacking their fellow party members, they absolutely love the bonuses they get.
I try to be a very permissive and generous DM, so I'm okay with them remaining were-rats and finding a way to control their lycanthropy.
That said, I'm also very precise about XP awards (different based on the level of the PC, etc.). So I'm going to respect the rules about the animal HD and the level adjustment.
So, what do the rules say about the PC's XP and when they will level up, etc., if they don't get cured? Also, what published options, feats, spells, variants, etc. might make this less onerous on the PCs?
Addendum: is the variant rule for reducing level adjustments at all a good or balanced option?
Best Answer
If you prefer to stick by the rules, then all of a sudden the afflicted PC get several Hit Dice and increase in level adjustment (as per template). Recalculate his ECL and - guess what - award xp based on his new ECL.
Furthermore, not only their xp gains are affected. He will obtain next level upon earning an xp total sufficient for being level ECL+1, which is quite a lot higher than xp total needed for earning the next level prior to affliction.
If I were one of them, I'd get cured.
For those not willing to be cured, level adjustment buyoff described in Unearthed Arcana will ease the pain of being a lycantrope a bit.