| Black Dog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Alternate Names/Spellings | |
| Origins | |
| Alignment | Chaotic Neutral, Neutral Good, Neutral Evil |
| Element | Air/Wind/Sky, Darkness/Shadow, Earth/Metal/Sand, Fire, Gravity/Space/Void, Life/Death/Blood, Lightning/Thunder/Electricity, Luck/Fate/Fortune, Mind/Spirit/Psychic, Sleep/Dream/Nightmare, Time |
| Species | Magical Beast (Canine) |
| Appearance | Shadow-Black Spectral Dog |
Also Called[]
- Bargeist/Bargest/Barghest/Bargheist/Bargtjest/Barguest/Barguist/Bo-guest
- Black Shuck/Old Shock/Old Shuck/Shuck
- Capelthwaite
- Cwn Annwn
- Dip
- Galleytrot
- Gurt Dog/Gurt Hound/Gytrash/Trash
- Gwyllgi
- Hairy Jack
- Lean Dog
- Mauthe Doog/Moddey Dhoo
- Oude Rode Ogen
- Padfoot
- Shag
- Skriker/Striker
- Tibicena
- Wisht Hounds/Wishthounds
Beware the Black Dog...
Origins[]
The Black Dog is a creature with origins in the mythology, legend and folklore of countries all throughout Europe. In particular, accounts of its existence first arise in the mythology, legend and folklore of England, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Wales. It has since even gained connections to South American mythology, legend and folklore.
The Black Dog has always been closely associated with death, darkness and ghostly apparitions from the afterlife, for as far back as European historical records go.
It was even said that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous Hound of the Baskervilles (the eponymous dog spirit featured in the Sherlock Holmes mystery of the same name) was based on the famous Black Dog legends.
Appearance[]
Despite thr generic name 'Black Dog', this creature is easily distinguishable from a normal dog, to the trained eye.
True, they may be resemble nearly any medium-to-large breed of dog (commonly a Mastiff, German Shepherd, Doberman Pincher, Rottweiler, Pitbull or the like), but they are always seen in peak physical condition; athletic and fit to pursue. There will never be found a scrawny or flabby Black Dog. It would be more likely to find one larger than a typical dog (perhaps the size of a small horse or a big cat).
In addition, while some have traditional canine eye colors, it is more common to see them with glowing red, white, yellow or green eyes.
Behavior[]
A Black Dog is a very smart, brave and loyal canine. Though, it has a serious demeanor (never playful like normal dogs), and can sometimes be a bit temperamental. Even if taken in by a master (often a being with infernal ties), they are not the kind to fetch sticks and balls.
In fact, they are not known to loaf about at all, or dawdle in any place where it has nothing important to do. As harbingers of death, they feel the compulsion to go wherever there is someone about to die, and so they seldom remain in any one place at a time. They are particularly drawn to stormy places, due to an ominous fondness for thunderstorms.
An when it has arrived, a neutral Black Dog will try to make sure a victim's death goes as planned; a good Black Dog will try to help the victim, keeping them from harm and looking out for them; but an evil Black Dog will often try to lead the victim to ANY death (whether or not it was intended) and may even attack the victim himself...
Abilities[]
- Astral Form
- Intangibility
- Invisibility
- Possession
- Death Perception
- Death Warning
- Dread Presence
- Dread Stare