Hounds

Appearance

Hounds are canid-shaped entities that move on all fours. Their overall body plan resembles a large dog, though the proportions are wrong — the limbs are too long relative to the body, the jaw is too large for the skull, and the teeth are too numerous. Their colouring ranges from pale grey-white to dark brown, and their eyes have a faint reddish glow in darkness. The body shows evidence of having once been something else.

The transformation into a Hound is caused by a neurotropic infection — designated the Hound Virus or Egremond Syndrome — that produces rapid and violent physical change in the host over a period of twenty to thirty minutes. The process is painful and complete. What the Hound was before is no longer recoverable.

Behaviour

Hounds hunt primarily by sound and movement. They do not rely on light or darkness and are active regardless of environmental conditions. They have been documented covering large distances quickly and are capable of jumping barriers that would stop a human wanderer.

They do not stalk in the way Smilers do. A Hound that becomes aware of a target generally begins pursuit immediately. However, they can be temporarily driven back by light — a bright flashlight directed at a Hound causes it to retreat, at least briefly. This is one of the few entity types where carrying a functional light source is specifically protective.

Hounds have been documented hunting in pairs or small groups. When multiple Hounds are present, they appear to coordinate — one driving the target in a direction while others wait.

Biology & Notes

The Hound Virus is transmissible. A bite that breaks the skin carries infection risk. Anyone bitten by a Hound must be monitored closely. Symptoms begin within hours. There is no documented cure. Early-stage infection can be slowed by Almond Water but not reversed.

The intelligence of Hounds appears to be limited but not absent. They can be confused by sudden changes in direction and have been documented briefly losing a trail they were following closely.