Hellhound

15. Hellhound

A hellhound is a supernatural dog in folklore. A wide variety of ominous or hellish supernatural dogs occur in mythologies around the world. Features that have been attributed to hellhounds include mangled black fur, glowing red eyes, super strength and speed, ghostly or phantom characteristics, and a foul odor. In cultures that associate the afterlife with fire, hellhounds may have fire-based abilities and appearance. They are often assigned to guard the entrances to the world of the dead, such as graveyards and burial grounds, or undertake other duties related to the afterlife or the supernatural, such as hunting lost souls or guarding a supernatural treasure.

Power and Abilities

They have razor sharp teeth, super strength, and speed, and are commonly associated with graveyards and the underworld. Hellhounds are called The Bearers of Death because they were supposedly created by ancient demons to serve as heralds of death. According to legend, seeing one leads to a person's death. In some legends, hellhounds have the following abilities:

• Invisibility - Hellhounds are invisible to humans, except under special circumstances. However, supernatural creatures, such as demons and angels, can see them. They can also be seen by the humans they are assigned to hunt and through an object scorched with Holy Fire.

• Invulnerability - Hellhounds cannot be killed by conventional means or weapons.

Weaknesses

• Salt - It serves as a barrier which they cannot pass. Salt also harms hellhounds.

• Goofer Dust - It can be used to create a barrier, like salt.

• Devil's Shoestring - This herb can serve as a barrier preventing Hellhounds from passing through a door it's placed over.

Lore

Certain European legends state that if someone stares into a hellhound's eyes three times or more, that person will surely die. In European legends, seeing a hellhound or hearing it howl may be an omen or even a cause of death.