Houndrock

Houndrock was a landmark located on the north-western shores of Talenai, named so due to how it looked like a large, ferocious hound made of black stone. Most of the time, it was partially submerged, but during low tide the rock could be entered from the ground level, through the entrance is steep and slippery. It was occasionally used by outlaws as a hiding place for generations, but it was empty most of the time.
Before it left the shores of island, it was a landmark's silhouette and burning eyes that signalled to those out in the sea that they were getting close to the small harbour. After it left the shore, there has been talk of constructing something in its stead, but so far, nothing has come out of those discussions.

Local Beliefs

The natives of the Northern Islands call Houndrock the Watchdog, and believe that as long as the fires in its eyes burn, it will keep watch over the island. Should the fires be allowed to go out, miseryhounds will emerge from the sea to eat the sheep and to torment the people.
After the Hound left Talenai, some believed it was because it no longer found the locals worthy of its protection, fearing they had somehow angered it. Others, however, believe that it left because there was no longer dangers that they needed to be protected from, and it went on to look for a new place to guard.

History

In reality, Houndrock is the prison to Smith's son's, Kal'han's, hound, Dennafara, whom he created to walk by his side and to keep him company. Many stories tell Dennafara was a bloodthirsty beast that sowed fear and destruction wherever she went until Hunter and Smith worked together to imprison her in stone.
Dennafara's prison was also later used as one of the five locks to keep her owner locked in the depths of the mountains, and the first to be unlocked. As the magic binding the hound to its place was undone, the hound left the island, heading west in search of her creator, leaving behind great destruction not because she chose to, but simply due to her large size. She left behind her pup who wouldn't cross the sea and who later joined the half-elven adventurer who - though without meaning to - had released his mother.

Location
Talenai

Type

Geographic Feature