Dogman

Centuries ago, the Dogmen were celebrated as mystical guardians by the local indigenous people, embodying a delicate balance between humans and the natural world. Legends spoke of them as unwavering stewards of the natural world, protecting sacred sites and guiding those who respected the environment. These beings once represented harmony and balance, evoking awe and reverence from the communities that knew of them.
Due to the encroaching influence of Anisgaya Ugalisgi in the area around Midnight, however, the entity's power seeped into the hearts of the once revered Dogmen, twisting their very essence. This malevolence warped their noble natures, transforming them into horrifying, feral creatures that now haunt the edges of town and the shadowy corners of the bayous and woods. As the sun sets over Midnight, the Dogmen emerge from the darkness, changing from their human forms into hulking beasts, their once benevolent presence replaced with malice. With glowing, malevolent eyes, they prowl through the eerie silence, seeking unsuspecting prey, their twisted forms and chilling howls shattering the quiet of the night. The locals know to avoid venturing into the wilderness after dark anywhere they have claimed as their hunting grounds.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Human Form:
In its human form, the Dogman is said to stand upright on two legs, resembling a tall, muscular figure. Its height can reportedly range from six to seven feet, making it an imposing and formidable presence. The creature's body is often covered in coarse fur, which varies in color, from shades of brown and black to gray or reddish hues. The head of the Dogman in its human form is particularly striking, displaying canine characteristics that distinguish it from an ordinary human. It is said to have a prominent, elongated snout, akin to that of a wolf or a large dog. Its sharp, pointed ears sit atop its head, which can swivel to detect sounds from different directions. The creature's eyes are known to be intensely unsettling, glowing with a malevolent red or yellow hue. These piercing eyes are often cited by witnesses in their encounters with the Dogman, leaving an indelible impression of dread and fear.
Animal Form:
When transforming into its animal form, the Dogman takes on the appearance of a large, fearsome canine. Its body becomes more streamlined, and its limbs take on the structure and strength of a powerful predator. The creature's fur becomes thicker and more rugged, providing it with additional protection in its animal state. In its animal form, the Dogman is reported to resemble a wolf or a massive dog, with physical attributes reminiscent of both species. Its jaws become filled with sharp, pointed teeth, designed for hunting and tearing apart prey. The creature's keen senses are heightened, enabling it to navigate through the dark and sense the slightest movement or sound. The Dogman's animal form is often agile and swift, allowing it to move stealthily through the wooded areas and bayous that surround its territory.

Ecology and Habitats

This creature inhabits the waters of Straight Bayou and can also be found in The Creek, but has been known to move into inhabited areas when food becomes scarce.

Behaviour

The Dogman is primarily nocturnal, most active during the cover of darkness. As the sun sets and the shadows lengthen, these creatures emerge from their hidden lairs to hunt for prey. Their preference for hunting at night aligns with their enhanced sensory capabilities, which grant them a significant advantage in the darkened wilderness. It is known for its stealthy and elusive nature. It moves with silent grace through the underbrush, evading detection and surprising its unsuspecting prey. Witnesses often describe their encounters with the creature as sudden and unsettling, with the Dogman seemingly appearing out of nowhere and vanishing just as quickly, but those who survive such an encounter are few and far between.
These creatures are highly territorial and protective of their domain. They establish a defined territory within the dense wilderness and defend it fiercely against intruders, whether they be other Dogmen or human interlopers. They mark their territory through vocalizations, howls, and physical markings, warning others to stay away. As formidable predators, the Dogman utilizes a combination of its enhanced senses, agility, and intimidation factor in its hunting tactics. It stalks its prey with patience and precision, using its acute senses to locate and track potential victims. When the time is right, it strikes swiftly and with terrifying force, making use of its sharp teeth and strength to overpower its quarry. Beyond its physical prowess, the Dogman is believed to use psychological tactics to its advantage. Its unsettling appearance, glowing eyes, and eerie howls instill fear and dread in those who encounter it. This psychological intimidation weakens its prey or rivals, making them more susceptible to the Dogman's hunting strategies.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Similar to its canine counterparts, the Dogmen have an incredibly keen sense of smell. Their olfactory capabilities enable them to track scents over vast distances, making them efficient hunters in the dense and complex terrain of the Mississippi Delta. The creatures can detect the presence of prey, rivals, or potential dangers with remarkable precision, ensuring their dominance in its territory.
They also possess acute hearing, capable of detecting even the faintest sounds from considerable distances. Their pointed ears, reminiscent of those found in large canines, can swivel and adjust to various directions, making them highly adept at locating potential prey or threats in their environment. This exceptional sense of hearing allows the creatures to navigate through the dense undergrowth and wooded areas with ease, ensuring they remains elusive and stealthy.

HP: 6

Stats:

• Body: 5
• Strength: 4
• Agility: 3
• Mind: 3
• Luck Points: 1

Skills:

• Initiative: 5
• Stealth: 5
• Grappling: 2
• Melee: 4
• Ranged: 1
• Soak: 6
• Dodge: 3

Ability:

• Petrifying Howl: At the beginning of an encounter, the Dogman may opt to unleash its howl in an attempt to intimidate its prey, causing a Fear Effect (Difficulty: 5 to 6: Moderate). On a fail, as an additional effect of the fear, the victim must roll a 1d6, with an even numbered result causing them to flee in panic in a random direction making them susceptible to being chased and hunted, something the Dogman takes great pleasure in, or on an odd number, freeze up for one round in terror, allowing the Dogman to toy with its prey.

Combat:

• Claws: 5' reach, damage: 3+Strength, Plus a (5 to 6: Moderate Difficulty) Bleed Effect
• Bite: 5' Reach, damage: 2