Lost Company Press
Hellhounds are malevolent canine entities wreathed in billowing flames and with smoldering embers for eyes. Their bodies are jet black, save for the streaks of fire tracing their ribs and spine, giving the appearance of a creature forged in the heart of a volcano. Their howls resonate with the pain of the damned, chilling the hearts of those who hear it. They are often found guarding forbidden realms or serving as pets for powerful infernal beings.
Motive: To hunt and guard infernal domains
Environment: Volcanic regions, haunted wastelands, or any location with a strong connection to the underworld (Mountains)
Health: 12
Damage: 4 points
Armor: 2
Movement: Short
Modifications: Tracking as level 6; Stealth and Speed defense as level 6 due to agility and flame form; Resisting fire-based attacks as level 7
Combat: A Hellhound's bite engulfs their prey in infernal flames, inflicting additional 2 points of ambient fire damage to any creature hit by its attack. This burning persists for one round after the initial bite. Hellhounds can also exhale a gout of dark fire in a short cone, forcing all within the area to make a Speed defense roll or take 5 points of fire damage.
Interactions: Driven by a deep-seated malice and faithfully obedient to their infernal masters, hellhounds are exceedingly difficult to reason with. They understand Infernal and can communicate in barks and growls.
Uses: As guardians of a cursed crypt, hunting monsters unleashed by a chaotic sorcerer, or pets of a dark lord challenging adventurers at his gates.
GM Intrusion: As a PC attacks, the hellhound bursts into an intense flare, singeing weapons and possibly causing the PC to drop their weapon due to the sudden heat.