Blight Hound

A Strange, Undead Predator

A blight hound is an uncommonly occurring apex predator commonly found in badlands, deserts, and hilly terrain all over Eastern Iterron. It usually hunts at night, as it can turn shadowy and incorporeal when in dim light or dark-as-pitch light conditions. It usually assaults its prey when it is tired and weary of traveling, and it has been known to stalk travelers for hours at a time. Its presence is signified by the smell of brimstone and burnt flesh, and all light sources (including magical) fail to work when within 100 feet of this creature. When its prey least suspects it, the hound leaps at it, biting into its flesh and dragging it back into the shadows where any of its grappled prey becomes difficult to spot along with it. They are not known to hunt in packs, but two at a time have been seen going hunting. They look like dead, rotting mastiffs with shadowy wisps coming off their hide, as well as a strange fungal growth that is sometimes seen in their mouths and heads. Dead blight hounds have been seen, likely dying from whatever fungus has been growing in them. It is thought that eating this unknown fungus is what causes them to die and turn into these things, but more information is unknown. What is especially frightening is that they not only eat their prey alive, but exhale a gas onto them from the fungus that survivors say makes them see their worst nightmares while they are getting their flesh torn out. This fungus doesn't seem to affect humans or demi-humans.

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Unknown, but it is speculated that they reproduce asexually, via spores, as it seems like "baby" blight hounds do exist, but they are covered almost head to toe in the fungus and die quickly.

Dietary Needs and Habits

It seems to only need one good meal a week, though they can starve themselves for a few months.

Lifespan

2 years, from the beginning of its death.

Average Height

3 and a half feet tall.

Average Weight

55 pounds.

Average Length

Depends on the dog, but if it's a mastiff, it's about 3 to 4 feet.

Geographic Distribution

• Mt. Rowan and the Steaming Hills