Post by Head Moderator on Jan 31, 2012 23:47:39 GMT -5
DOGS
Black Swarth
Bred by necromancers, this dog is a massive creature, with powerful jaws and an exceptional skill at digging. It is also very good at sniffing out the fresh dead, so critical to a necromancer's magic. Its fur is a matte black, to aid in avoiding detection, and its eyes do not reflect light back when illuminated. As a last resort, the dog is quite capable of providing a distraction while the necromancer make their escape.
Woodland Warden
The Woodland Warden is a breed of dog originally bred by elves to keep deer and other animals from destroying particularly important herbs and other plants. Exceptionally disciplined and self-reliant, these loyal beasts would guard sizable plots of land for weeks on end without help or feeding. Capable of foraging for themselves, as well as occasionally taking a deer or rabbit, they needed little help from their elvish masters. Humans have acquired the dog, and find it invaluable for guarding their fields.
Sainthound
Bred originally from large sheepdogs, these massive creatures were intended to guard against the depredations of undead. The physically powerful dog is involved from puppyhood in clerical rituals that provide the adult dog with powers similar to a paladin. These rituals provide some protection from the supernatural attacks of undead as well as allowing the dogs to bite at even immaterial spirits. The dog has long, grey to white fur and resembles a Saint Bernard.
Arcanine
It is common during combat for mages to be employed along with regular troops during battles. As a means of countering the spellpower, the arcanine was developed. A medium to small dog, it is equipped with powerful jaws and great agility. It is trained to weave quickly though enemy formations and to seize upon the hands or throats of mages, and then hold until its victim drops, it is called off by its handler, or it is slain. It resembles a cross between a pit bull and a whippet. Some mages have taken to keeping fighting dogs close by in battle to guard against the arcanine.
Soultrackers
These medium sized dogs are capable of tracking the passage of souls and spirits. This ability allows them to track beings across running water, after inclement weather or in very smelly environments. They are bred by Bloodhounds, and are rarely sold outside of their group. The trackers known as the Bloodhounds hire themselves out to other peoples, as they are unparalleled in their ability to hunt down fugitives. Creatures without proper spirits or souls are undetectable to the soultrackers.
Bryony Sniffer
The Bryony Sniffer was a breed created to assist alchemists throughout Bryony. The small dog has a prestigious ability to discern materials, and can be trained to find hundreds of different inorganic materials on command. It can even find specific metals such as gold, and does so from dozens of feet. The dogs have an unremarkable appearance, appearing more of a generic mutt. They have hardy constitutions to allow them to work in the dangerous labs that are so common in the mageocracy of Bryony. Oddly, the breed is utterly insensitive to organic scents.
Troll-Hound
The giants of our lands have for centuries hunted trolls for sport, and to help them in this, they have bred this animal. They are very wolf like in their appearance, but are larger with shorter muzzles. As well, their fur is very thick and heavily matted, providing some protection from trollish claws and fangs. The dog is usually employed in small packs, capable of tearing a single troll to shreds.
The dog is occasionally traded by the giants with other peoples, but the expense in feeding such large dogs makes them quite uncommon.
Winged Terrier
This winged terrier was first used to hunt birds on the wing. Not the fastest of fliers, the magically endowed dog is capable of great endurance, finding even faster birds when they stop to rest. The nobles of Sarkotos have trained the terriers for racing, mounting rings on tall poles to define the courses. The terriers are also trained to retrieve objects, making them quite useful for thieves.
Obsidian Sheepdog
The obsidian sheepdog is a working dog all the way. They are intelligent and responsive canines. Obsidian sheepdogs will attempt to herd anything, including sheep, cattle, geese, pigs, small children, goblins, etc. They have a jittery, temperamental personality, and are sometimes difficult to rein in. Obsidian sheepdogs are small and lean in size (2' - 2'6" at the shoulder), with short, stiff, matte black fur.
Dox Hounds
Used extensively in Doxenia, these sheep dogs are very relaxed. While not quite as accomplished at herding as an obsidian sheep dog, Dox Hounds are natural guards, and are often used by shepherds They stand 2'6" - 3' at the shoulder, with long hair (often kinked) and a mottled tan/white coloration. From a distance, Dox Hounds are difficult to tell apart from the sheep they are guarding.
The Majestic Snow Hunter of Rumeria
Commonly known as snowdogs, these small white dogs have had 90% of their usefulness bred out of them. Intended for hunting small game in the northern winters, snowdogs have long, straight white fur, broad paws (for walking over snow crusts), and a total disregard for inclement weather of any sort. Unfortunately, they also lack any sense of smell or duty, and are invariably lazy, ill-tempered canines. Their small size (no more than 1' high at the shoulder, with a thick, badger like build and stubby face) and fine coat attracted the attention of merchants & aristocrats from around the kingdoms and they are now merely bred and sold as toy dogs.