Shoosuva

The Shoosuva, or Warhounds of the laughing god are large canine-like creatures that hold special significance to the Goregrinder tribe, as well as undead versions being status symbols among liches. Though once domesticated, it is now a wild species that hunts throughout Frostmourn.

Appreance

A wolf-like creature with a hunched back appearance due to its shorter back legs at the end of each of its four-toed paws is sharp talons. Covered in thick fur, it also has a shorter snout in comparison to other canines, with wider mouths full of razor-sharp teeth that can shatter bone. Long spikes run down its spine with a gap on the arch of its back big enough for a Gnoll to sit. Its long tail ends in a large blade that can do major damage if someone is hit with a swing.
A Shoosuva's fur is white with grey patterns on it while its claws and spikes are normally black and yellow eyes. It is reported during the Rebel Age that the fur was light brown with black patterns, though one with this coloration hasn't been seen since the fall of the Empire of Akoom.

History

While records of Shoosuva date back to the Draconic Empire, Vupeiss even being recorded having the first undead one during the war with the Phervian. Though they showed up rarely, it wasn't until the Shifter invasion of the northern Phervian empire that they became more prominent, being used as mounts by the Gnolls. About halfway through the Rebel age, they seemed to detach from the Gnolls, possibly Outcast as depicted in the oral shifter myth.
Since then they have shown up in various records around Frostmourn, having attacked livestock, wild animals, or even travelers. Most villages of the area put bounties on any that are in the area, and Gnalls especially hunted them during their call of the wild.

Behavour

Shoosuva are pack hunters, often stalking their prey for large distances before actually moving in for a chase. Once they start the hunt properly they will chase the target as others from the pack who have already gone ahead come in from the side. They also don't try to bring a target down with their teeth unless it stops running, preferring to disable its legs with the tail blades.
With a strict hierarchical system based on strength, they differ from similar creatures by the whole pack eating equally, with the 'chain of command' only coming into practice during hunts or mating.

Special significunce and uses

Shoosuva are 'sacred' to Hynadon, which means being able to kill one is seen as a gift from the spirit. This makes them highly prized as a call of the hunt trophies by the Goregrinder tribe, who often wear the talons from any Shoosuva kill in the center of their trophy necklace. Though it is tradition for them to give the Shoosuva a warrior's death after taking a talon.
Other uses for killing Shoosuva include knives made from its claws or even a short sword made from the tail blade. Their thick fur's used to make cloaks, though the scarcity of these kills means the items are normally kept by the warrior that killed the Shoosuva in the first place. All these items are considered status symbols, marking great adventures.

Undead varient

While Shoosuva are naturally occurring creatures, they do seem to have magical properties, which makes them especially good for turning into undead. The only issue with this is the fact that unlike other undead the Shoosuva seem to keep all their capabilities and personality, often leading to the necromancer's death. This makes undead Shoosuva a symbol of power for liches that can control their new pets.

'You sure the little thing went this way?'
'Yeah, look its tracks are there, not sure what all the fuss is about, these creatures aren't so terrifying,'
'..... Possibly because that was a baby, and we just got led into a trap'
'wait wha'

-final conversation between Shoosuva hunters.

Special Shoosuva

Hynadon - Is believed to be a Shoosuva
Frostfang - A large Albino from the Rebel age
Firemaw - the undead Shoosuve of Vupeiss