Hellhounds

Hellhounds (also known as Terror Dogs, Black Dogs, Demon Dogs, Moddey Dhoo, Mauthe Doog, Barghests, Bearers of Death, Cŵn Annwn, Gwyllgi, Yeth Hounds, Church Grims, and the Black Dogs of Bouley) are voracious, tenacious, and intelligent creatures of the infernal realms of the many Hells in Creation, acting as the guard dogs that prevent any soul from entering or leaving Hell without permission. Once a hound has the scent of its target, it usually has it for life and will never give up the hunt until one or the other is dead, or its master calls off the pursuit. These beasts can be extremely intelligent, making it difficult to trick or distract them. They are not afraid of improvising new tactics in order to get to their prey. They are considered one the most powerful demon species in Hell- especially since a large majority of the Council of Hell, and the new King of Hell are all hellhounds too.

Hellhounds rank varies among demon societies, in most, they are treated with a more servitude role in Hell and to work for a demon master, or a master chosen for them. However, they actually overpower and rank higher as one of the top three strongest species of Demon in all of the Hells. With the three original hellhounds being some of the most powerful beings in all of Creation.

History
The first hellhound was Weldrok (the New King of Hell, and the Embodiment of Evil and Darkness), as he was directly made from the darkness, evils, and everything wrong with Creation. From his essence, many other hellhounds came into existence, such as Maltresia (Creator of Limbo), and Clown (Embodiment of Insanity). These three where the original hellhounds, from them, came many variants and forms of these creatures, some influenced by their location, role, and the elements themselves giving them all different shapes and mindsets- but all sharing the same mind, darkness, and origin. They are spread out across all of the Hell's in Creation, in nearly every outerverse and the universes, all having a different origin to how they began- however, they all share their bloodlust and loyalty becoming favored pets for demons and powerful soldiers and leaders for others.

When asked by Weldrok on where he came from in Hell (due to him being the first Hellhound), he often describes the map of Hell, as being very much like a world map. He explains that each country and land has similar demons and creatures, but all have origins in other places- saying it's very much like the migration of people from one country to another, slowly changing in subtle ways to make them more distinct. He says he and the original hellhounds are from Wales, in the United Kingdom, as he often says many of the most powerful, darkest, and ancient demons come from here- sometimes ven comparing Wales to be Hell and England as Heaven, seeing as how Lucifer and nearly all of his siblings all act, talk and appear like they're from there (which personally annoys him).

Since the founding of the many Hells, and before their break up from the original, hellhounds have become favored pets of demons. Many demons and even dark gods also retain hellhounds as house pets. However, the species is most commonly known to be used as guard dogs for any soul trying to exit or enter Hell, and are even used in the hunting of souls who have not passed on. These hellhounds venture into other realms and worlds to collect the souls of those unfortunate persons whose contracts have expired. Hellhounds are known to physically rip their victims to shreds in order to collect their souls. In some cases, particularly among older victims, the hounds' mere presence is enough to literally scare their prey to death. Other times, the victims will be driven to commit suicide when a hound or a pack of hounds torment their prey, often howling for several nights or stalking their prey until they are driven to death - often as a means to allow the hounds to collect an early return on their investment.

Appearance
Hellhounds appear as ferocious black quadrupedal beasts with red eyes. They vary in size, ranging from the size of dogs to that of a small horse. Though not actually canine (they appear to be closely related to a type of lizard or dinosaur), they usually share many characteristics with wolves and dogs. Similar to the domesticated dog, there are many different breeds among the hellhound species. Some have long snouts, while others have short snouts. Some have horns that protrude forward, others to the side of their head, and others that have antlers or horns like a rhinoceros. Likewise, many have long, spiked tails and others have short, stubby tails. These aesthetics aside, hellhounds are always muscular, have three front-facing claws, and a fourth rear-facing dewclaw on each of their four legs. They also have spinal ridges that make it difficult for anyone to tackle them without risk of severe injury.

However, older hellhounds share more common traits with other demons in Hell, compared to the more canine look they commonly share, as seen with the three original hellhounds. The older and ancient hellhounds are more canine-like anthropomorphic demons. Hellhounds seem to take after one specific canine for their appearance, with Weldrok looking like a wolf and Maltresia looking more like a dog. Hellhounds thus far all share distinguishable ears and tails specific to their type of hellhound as well as a canine snout.

Notable Hellhounds

 * Weldrok- New King of Hell
 * Maltresia- Creator of Limbo


 * Clown- Embodiment of Insanity


 * Zuul- Servant of Gozer
 * Vince- Servant of Gozer
 * Cerberus- Servant of Hades
 * Smile Dog- Avatar of Weldrok

Powers & Abilities
(Though for the original three hellhounds, ranking their powers is difficult as their power over darkness and Creation is un-matched. For this list, we will be listing the basic powers all hellhounds have when they come into existence, as each hellhound has differing abilities and levels of power over time and the places they work).
 * Invisibility: Hellhounds can make themselves invisible (and inaudible) to all except those with psychic abilities, supernatural senses, or those who have made an infernal contract.
 * Invulnerability: Hellhounds cannot be killed by conventional means or weapons, though pure iron weaponry can be effective. Enchanted weapons, particularly supernal weaponry, can harm and possibly kill them. The natural weapons of magical beings can also harm such beasts.
 * Enhanced Senses: All of a hellhound's senses are extremely heightened.
 * Enhanced Speed: Hellhounds are much faster than humans, able to keep pace or exceed the speed of most ground vehicles. The top speed varies by breed, size, and individual beast.
 * Enhanced Stamina: Hellhounds at rest can be mistaken for being lazy, but when they have been let loose on a hunt or are hungry, these creatures rarely rest until sated.
 * Enhanced Strength: Hellhounds are very strong. They can smash through doors, walls, overturn vehicles, break bones, and even rend metal in pursuit of their prey.
 * Immortality: Hellhounds are immune to most illnesses and will usually not die except through violence, starvation, or dehydration.
 * Psychic Bond: Hellhounds create a psychic bond to their masters and their alphas (if they are part of a pack). These bonds are quite intense and allow the master to call off or signal an attack at will, regardless of the distance between master/alpha and the hellhound. With some focus, masters can learn to even project their consciousness into these beasts, taking control of the beast's body. Without practice, this can be a very taxing exercise for both master and hellhound though many demons, particularly those with limited ability to materialize in the mortal realm, have become masters of this tactic.
 * Psychic Torment: When witnessed, those of weaker wills may be terrorized by horrific hallucinations, panic, and elevated levels of stress.
 * Tracking: Hellhounds can locate any person they are sent after if they have the scent of their soul.
 * Travel Resistance: Hellhounds have become such useful creatures for infernals due to their ability to use ascension chains to travel without difficulty or strain on their bodies. Hellhounds automatically materialize with a fully-functioning physical body when crossing over to the material realms.

Weaknessess
(Some hellhounds have no weaknesses at all, due to their enormous power and resistance, but these are the weaknesses of basic hellhounds with the basic abiltites).
 * Adamant: The touch of adamant causes serious discomfort for hellhounds. Prolonged exposure can cause their flesh to sear and blister. Sustained exposure can be fatal. Furthermore, injuries caused by adamant weapons tend to rot and poison the hellhound's blood, causing weakness until sufficiently treated.
 * Infernal Magic/Weaponry: Though they themselves are infernal, hellhounds can be harmed or killed by other infernal beings or those armed with weaponry enchanted by infernal power.
 * Iron: Weapons made of iron, particularly cold iron, are sufficient to harm these beasts. It is difficult to kill them outright with iron though. The prolonged touch of pure iron against their flesh can cause serious discomfort.
 * Master's Commands: Hellhounds establish a psychic bond with those they accept as their master or alpha. They have great difficulty resisting their understood commands and cannot show aggression toward them without causing severe psychic feedback which racks their mind with pain.
 * Salt Barriers: Hellhounds cannot cross a line of salt or similarly symbolic or consecrated barrier lines or venture into warded rooms or residences.
 * Angelic Magic/Weaponry: Such weapons can kill a hellhound.

Trivia

 * The older more ancient hellhounds share more traits with werewolves and anthropomorphic creatures than the current canine-like structure of modern hellhounds, possibly due to adaptation.
 * Weldrok is the most powerful of the hellhounds, as well as being the very first in all of Creation. He was actually grown from the evil and darkness by God himself.
 * Many beings like werewolves, terror-dogs, and even some anthropomorphic creatures are beings created by hellhounds.