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Alignment: Black or Dark Arts
Age Range: Ancient (immortal & timeless) Size: Ranges from 3 feet at shoulder, to 7 feet Experience Level: Intermediate-Advanced |
Talents: Protection, Retrieval, Death Work
Disposition: Protective, Powerful, Serious, Loyal Suggested Offerings: Onyx, Nuumite, Musk scents, Salted meats, Upbeat music, One-on-one magical work |
In Earth-centric mythology, Hellhounds appear to be cultural descendants of the Hounds of Annwn, spectral dogs from Welsh mythology who are associated with the Otherworld. They were harbingers of death, retrieving souls to escort them to the Otherworld, or to reveal hidden corpses. As Christianity became more prevalent, the Hounds of Annwn were reclassified as "hell hounds," although the Otherworld was not described as a realm of punishment.
Modern Hellhounds, however, enjoy the name, as they are generally dark in nature and take a liking to things that appear chaotic, and they do not mind the usage of the term here.
Modern Hellhounds, however, enjoy the name, as they are generally dark in nature and take a liking to things that appear chaotic, and they do not mind the usage of the term here.
Biology
Hellhounds are generally spectral in nature, with no true physical body. However, they astrally present as dogs - usually large, imposing breeds, and occasionally as wolves. They are dark and greyscale in color, ranging from the darkest black to a speckled, patchy grey. Their eyes are generally glowing - the most common color is bright blood red, but in rarer cases they can be purple, yellow, or orange. On occasion they have extended fangs or horns. In rarer cases, they have batlike wings extending from their back. Since they choose their form, these physical attributes are for show only, but can occasionally indicate a Hound's social status. Hellhounds also typically have a smoky, colored aura hovering around them.
Hellhounds are ancient beings of pure energy; they appear to have been around since the beginning of time, and are immortal. Therefore, there is very little information known about their life cycle.
Hellhounds are ancient beings of pure energy; they appear to have been around since the beginning of time, and are immortal. Therefore, there is very little information known about their life cycle.
Disposition & Manifestation
Hellhounds exude an extremely powerful energy, and they make themselves known when they are in the room. Loyalty is the name of their game - once they have assigned themselves to be a partner to someone, they are fiercely aligned with you, and would never intentionally do anything to cross you. They have great listening skills, and are able to help root out any anxiety or negativity in your life, putting your fears to rest.
They are closely associated with various forms of the afterlife, or the world beyond the veil. Because of this, they are aligned with death work. When they are tasked by Gods, they typically perform psychopomp duties, escorting souls safely from life to death. They take great pride in this ability, and find it to be honorable work. They have an acute sense of when a death is occurring, and can usually lock on to the energy around it. They are likely to be very active in places like hospitals and nursing homes.
However, an association with death should not be treated with the stigma that we tend to attribute to the end of life in our Western culture. Hellhounds are far from holy, but they do honest work. They are wonderful for protecting against ghosts and spirits. When we humans dabble in spirit work, we open ourselves up to that world more than we know, attracting all kinds of otherworldly people to ourselves. Therefore, if you wish to delve deeper into working beyond the veil - whether that is astral travel, hedge witchcraft, psychopomp work, spirit work, or other similar crafts - a Hellhound companion is going to be a wonderful protector. They also do well as sentries for your body or your home, making sure everything is safe and sound, and taking the initiative to defend their ward against any attackers.
They are confident, self-assured companions who often know why they are here, what they want, and what they are meant to do. They don't often wait for permission to perform an action they think is beneficial to their companion, so it is a good idea to lay out house rules for them that explicitly state what they are not allowed to do without consent (for example: taking protective measures against people with negative thoughts towards you).
They can manifest as shadows, colored lights that match their auras, clicking sounds on hard floors, and smoky scents.
They are closely associated with various forms of the afterlife, or the world beyond the veil. Because of this, they are aligned with death work. When they are tasked by Gods, they typically perform psychopomp duties, escorting souls safely from life to death. They take great pride in this ability, and find it to be honorable work. They have an acute sense of when a death is occurring, and can usually lock on to the energy around it. They are likely to be very active in places like hospitals and nursing homes.
However, an association with death should not be treated with the stigma that we tend to attribute to the end of life in our Western culture. Hellhounds are far from holy, but they do honest work. They are wonderful for protecting against ghosts and spirits. When we humans dabble in spirit work, we open ourselves up to that world more than we know, attracting all kinds of otherworldly people to ourselves. Therefore, if you wish to delve deeper into working beyond the veil - whether that is astral travel, hedge witchcraft, psychopomp work, spirit work, or other similar crafts - a Hellhound companion is going to be a wonderful protector. They also do well as sentries for your body or your home, making sure everything is safe and sound, and taking the initiative to defend their ward against any attackers.
They are confident, self-assured companions who often know why they are here, what they want, and what they are meant to do. They don't often wait for permission to perform an action they think is beneficial to their companion, so it is a good idea to lay out house rules for them that explicitly state what they are not allowed to do without consent (for example: taking protective measures against people with negative thoughts towards you).
They can manifest as shadows, colored lights that match their auras, clicking sounds on hard floors, and smoky scents.
Social Structure
Hellhounds are generally solitary creatures, moving in and out of packs as they please, unless they have bonded with each other through some shared experience. Their packs are extremely mutable and fluid, as they naturally gather in groups until individuals need to branch off for various reasons. Their social structure forms when several of them are assigned to one job or gathered in the same spot. Once they are gathered together, Hellhounds often easily form a pack, finding it easy to work and bond as a group. The ranking of status is not necessarily dictated by size or strength, but rather by who is best suited to the task at hand. There may be a little infighting as the Hounds attempt to distinguish who is most experienced - it can be somewhat violent, but the observer should not worry, as any wounds tend to be impermanent, and these are immortal beasts. The leader, once it is determined who takes that title, takes charge of delegating specific tasks to each individual.
Notably, when a Heavenhound meets a Hellhound, they often have a great deal of respect for each other and do not tend to clash. However, when considering bringing one or the other into a spirit family, it is always important to ask for visits and ensure that they will get along well with others in your keep.
Notably, when a Heavenhound meets a Hellhound, they often have a great deal of respect for each other and do not tend to clash. However, when considering bringing one or the other into a spirit family, it is always important to ask for visits and ensure that they will get along well with others in your keep.
In Companionship
As companions, Hellhounds are loyal protectors. They are the perfect partners for anyone who wishes to become involved in Death or Spirit Work as their primary path, or who needs an entity to guard themselves and their home. They are especially helpful to those who suffer from anxiety, since they can be sent to check on disturbing sounds in the night, or situations and scenarios their companion may be anxious about. Their behavior is similar to that of a well-trained service dog: serious, attentive, alert, and quiet. They will trot at your heels when you are in transit, and sit or lay beside you like a sentry when you are at rest. That being said, once they are comfortable with you, they are likely to be cuddly and silly, just like a real dog companion.
These entities generally come into a companion's life when they are needed. Their arrangements tend to not be permanent unless they make an especially deep bond with their companion. They are creatures who feel they have a job to perform - whether that is the protection or mentoring of a human, or performing as a servant to a God who is in need of their special services. When that job is done - when you have learned what you needed to learn, have gained confidence about your safety, or the conditions of your relationship have been met, they have little qualms about saying goodbye and moving onto the next thing. It is the satisfaction of completing the job that they appreciate in human companionship - emotional closeness is just a bonus. However, it is not unusual for them to grow fond of their companions, returning every once in a while to check in with them.
They have a knack for being where they are meant to be, when they are meant to be. If you feel called to have a Hellhound companion, it is likely that you have a need of one in your life for one purpose or another. Before responding to a calling, it may be a good idea to do some self-searching to discover exactly what aspect of your life you need a Hellhound's help with. Your new companion is likely to arrive ready to be tasked with what service they need to perform.
These entities generally come into a companion's life when they are needed. Their arrangements tend to not be permanent unless they make an especially deep bond with their companion. They are creatures who feel they have a job to perform - whether that is the protection or mentoring of a human, or performing as a servant to a God who is in need of their special services. When that job is done - when you have learned what you needed to learn, have gained confidence about your safety, or the conditions of your relationship have been met, they have little qualms about saying goodbye and moving onto the next thing. It is the satisfaction of completing the job that they appreciate in human companionship - emotional closeness is just a bonus. However, it is not unusual for them to grow fond of their companions, returning every once in a while to check in with them.
They have a knack for being where they are meant to be, when they are meant to be. If you feel called to have a Hellhound companion, it is likely that you have a need of one in your life for one purpose or another. Before responding to a calling, it may be a good idea to do some self-searching to discover exactly what aspect of your life you need a Hellhound's help with. Your new companion is likely to arrive ready to be tasked with what service they need to perform.
Please note that all The Dragon's Library Encyclopedia entries are based on my own personal UPG and may not reflect yours.
This entry represents the type of Hellhound I conjure, while other conjurers may not work with the same exact type.
This entry represents the type of Hellhound I conjure, while other conjurers may not work with the same exact type.