Hellhound lore notes

"Hellhound" is the term to refer to any entity that takes a canine form. Usually quite powerful, and originating from both demons and (fallen) angels- the classification only refers to a "type" of entity, grouped by a physical shape resembling a canine with unusual physical characteristics and/or traits.

- All Hellhounds are classified demonic, regardless of their origin.

- Hellhounds have various traits; scales, fur, leathery skin, etc. There is virtually no limit to these traits, but the stronger a hound is, the more 'unique' they are. This is not always the case, but it can be so. Rarely are bland and plain hounds of any noteworthy status. Likewise; their appearance changes based on their power and status. This goes both ways.

- Wings are (often) a sign of power, both leathery, feathered, and compound wings. However, not all powerful hounds have wings and all powerful hounds may choose to conceal their wings should they have them.

- Hellhounds come in various colors, with there being no limit to the colors one has. There is also rarely a correlation between the colors, and the hellhound's morality or alignment. However, these do sometimes exist with certain traits being more common in chaotic/evil hounds than lawful ones and vice versa among the spectrum.

- It is common for hellhounds to shapeshift. Hellhounds usually have two names. The name they give mortals, and the name they are summoned by. Their summoned name is a powerful thing, it can bend a hound to your will and as such, they often give everyday acquaintances a "fake" name. Usually, this fake name is the name of their host. The material of their host body doesn't matter; their magic is powerful enough to temporarily warp reality to force it to change on a whim, but can only be applied to the host.

- Hellhounds must possess a host via a contract to exist outside the nine circles. On rare occasions, a soul may be warped into a hellhound. However, it is extremely rare and usually borderline impossible. When this happens, the newborn hound will almost always name itself and never take the name of the host.

- A hellhound's alignment changes the appearance of their 'magic' in some ways but not always others. A hellhound can shapeshift by turning itself momentarily into a black ichor or molten gold, with the former still being relatively good-aligned and the latter being evil- appearances can be deceiving in a lot of cases and it is in no way uncommon. It depends on the personality of the hound as well as their alignment.

- Hellhounds can wield pseudo-elemental magic taking the forms of fire, ice, water, or electricity. These are not elemental, and much like the hound's magic as explained above, can change and be deceiving. A hound wielding a bright blue flame can still be evil just as one wielding hellfire can be good. Personal tastes and preferences factor heavily in this, and with practice the magic's appearance can change, and even become more refined.

- Their magic draws from a dominant emotion, and if that emotion is not strong enough the magic cannot be used. A hound driven by hate or anger would be powerless if they were in a state or mindset of inner peace and calm.

- Hellhounds all have internal reproductive organs, hidden inside a genital slit. The appearance of these organs may vary. However, they do not seem able to reproduce via normal means- two hounds possessing human hosts will have an ordinary human child. Hounds can not reproduce in their incorporeal forms, and as such there are a finite number of these entities.

- Hellhounds, being finite with rare exceptions and a limited population, are immortal. You can sever one from its host, kill the host, et cetera; and it will either free the beast from its host for it to wander until it possesses another or send it back to where it came from. However, nothing short of a miracle will permanently put one down.

- Host bodies need to eat. Hounds feed off vices and negative energy. Hosts benefit from a well-fed hound and may develop different mannerisms or habits to keep said hound fed. Hellhounds often grant their hosts superhuman abilities and abnormal traits if desired, if the hound is well-fed, and hounds often are weaker if starved. Usually, hounds aren't picky about which vices they sustain themselves on- but every hound may have a different preference.