The Core Hounds

The Chant of the Core Hounds

Forged from Iron,
Weathered in Fire,
Heated by Dumgarth,
Full of Desire.

The Core Hounds March,
The Beasts of Rage,
Their Fury Rises,
From Their Immortal Cage.

Who Dares Stand,
Against Their Charge?
They Spit Lava,
Their Claws Are Large.

So Fear Their Rise,
For If They Come,
Our Tree Will Die,
Our Souls Will Numb.

The Core Hounds

The Core Hounds are a divine species of animals that live in the center of the Arengold Forest. They are massive creatures, covered in molten plates of stone and iron. They appear to be modeled after dogs or wolves, as they are quadrupedal with a tail.

There are 50, and there will always be 50; Dumgarth ensures that there will never be any more. Despite living in the center of the planet, these beasts survive indefinitely, and can also survive outside of the core.

The Core Hounds had two Rises of note; in 900 PW and 1100 PW. The first Rise was a single Core Hound, and the second was ten. Both times, they proved more than a match for the elven army that was prepared. Even a single Core Hound is a difficult battle for a large city, as the material that plates its body is often more durable than anything any tribe has ever seen before.

Core Pelt

This rare metal is only harvested off of the Core Hounds. Their Pelts are currently the most durable material on the planet, though not as hardy as the Dumgar metal.

There are exceptionally few weapons and armor made out of Core Pelt. Most weapons were owned by the elven hero J'Dar-Biscantu, the Core Hunter. This ancient elf battled the Core Hounds in 900 and 1100 PW, and survived both encounters. His ancient relics of swords, spears, and plate mail is said to be hidden somewhere under the Arengold Tree.

J'Dar-Biscantu

The Core Hunter was a very quiet and solemn man. His only art was warfare, and he conducted his art with grace and serenity. None knew just how powerful Biscantu was until 900 PW, when he stopped the Core Hound from destroying his town, the Capital, though very few elves remained. He was given all of the Core Pelt to make his armor and weapons.

This was critical for the 2nd onslaught in 1100 PW. He was too slow to save several tribes from the ten Core Hounds, but he was critical in ending their rampage by the end of the Rise. When the last three Core Hounds re-entered the planet, it was J'Dar-Biscantu who watched.

He would die of old age in 1354 PW. He was remembered for nearly 1000 years before written record forgot him, and the Core Hound Rises.