From all sides the hell hounds barked furiously (Pathfinder)

 

Death and the maiden await those who might sin against the faithful. Art By: Odilon Redon

Pictures Mangled by Me: Any picture with this in its caption means it is a collage I made using 19th and early 20th century illustrations. All these illustrations are public domain, meaning I didn't rob anyone by using these pictures for my own gains.

Author's Note: Here is stats and a pic of a new monster, made in honor of a faithful dog who was killed recently. He was stolen from his yard, a rope tied around his neck, then shot in the head. The neighbor felt that the dog was a nuisance, thankfully it is highly illegal to do this, and the police have been notified and are looking into the matter. A friend of mine knew him, his name was Jasper, and he will be missed.

Oh loyal one,

He of the pack and the hunt,

I have been trespassed against,

Tear from my tormentors their flesh,

Oh loyal one please avenge me,

Bear for me this yoke of vengeance,

For I cannot bear it myself.

- Prayer of the Aggrieved to Saint Jasper.

The reign of the wicked will pass with the coming of the Hounds of Saint Jasper.

Encyclopedia Infinica – No. 4 Saints of the Street Church

The Infinite City is not merely a gathering of people and cultures, it is also a meeting place of countless cultures. Cultures that can maintain their individual identities, or merge with one another to form a culture unique to the city.

While religions retain their purity in temples and cathedrals, they are intertwined and blurred on the streets into something completely 'other'. This other is a syncretic religion is most commonly referred to as the 'Street Faith'. A religion of countless gods, goddesses, and other beings granted sainthood and prayed to on a regular basis.

… Which brings us to the faithful of Saint Jasper. This sub-cult within the greater construct of the 'Street Faith' is of note due to its focus on the figure of a dog raised to near-godhood. The origins of this sub-cult are obscure, as with the majority of the 'Street Faith' due to its dogma being spread solely by word of mouth.

Oh, kind hound, your loyalty is divine.

As with any faith, the cult of Saint Jasper contains its own set of frightening and comforting figures. Common terms applied to these figures across faiths are angels and demons. Though, as with any faith, this one contains its own terminology.

While there are many 'Hounds of Saint Jasper', the one most commonly invoked is a demon-figure called a Tar Wolf. This monstrous canine figure will avenge the injuries of those who belong to Saint Jasper's faith. Though this creature is not completely evil in itself, it is a fearsome figure meant to instill fail in the aggrieved and fear in the unjust.

These monstrous wolves gain their moniker from their peculiar form. Roughly the size of a small horse, their black fur slowly metamorphoses from hair to a tar-like substance as it nears the spinal ridge. Unnervingly, the “tar” drips upward, the perfect reverse reflection of what it would do if given the normal course of gravitation. This tar will slowly fade into oily smoke once it reaches a short height above the creature.

The punishments of Saint Jasper do not end with the passing from this world.

Its physicality is further demented by its overlong snout, and disproportional teeth. Lacking eyes, nose, or ears, it possesses a spare, but still disconcerting, appearance.

While the City neither affirms nor denies the possibility of claims made by any non-licensed church, it encourages its citizens to immediately report any sightings to the local constabulary. Remember, a faith is only worthwhile if it benefits the City, all other faiths are parasitic.

A being of teeth and vengeance. Pictures Mangled By: Me

As large as a wagon, form impregnated by shadow, a canine shape padding closer, growl rumbling within it like an avalanche. No eyes, nose, or ears, just a thin snout and over-wide maw, teeth like shovel blades, sharp as broken glass. Its fur is the dark of the void, becoming slick and protean near the top portions of the body, dripping upward and dissipating like an inverted reflection of ink in water. A voice like screams bubbling up from tar, “WHERE ARE THEY?”

Saint Jasper's Blessed Hound of Vengeance / Tar Wolf / Spooky Syrup Dog

Pathfinder / DnD 3.X

CR: 9

XP: 6,400

NE Large Outsider

Initiative: +6

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, scent; Perception +6

Butcher's Eye: The creature always knows how much more damage a target can sustain before they die. Any damage done by the creature can be reduced to avoid the death of a target. Tar Wolves revel in the pain of their prey, and will seek to prolong it as long as possible.

DEFENSE

AC: 20, touch 14, flat-footed 15 (+5 Dex, +6 natural, -1 Size)

HP: 80 (7d10+42)

Saves: Fort +11; Ref +10; Will +4

Weakness: Lowest of the Faithful (See Below)

OFFENSE

Speed: 60 ft. and Flow the Form (See Below)

Melee: Bite +14/+9 (-1 size) (2D6+7 plus trip)

Ranged: Spit Tooth and Tar +11/+6 (-1 Size) (1D6+3) 100 ft.

Special Attacks: DC = 10 + ½ HD + Ability Mod

Billowing Etheric Tar: Once every 1D4 rounds, the creature can expel a cloud of etheric tar in a 40 ft. cone. Anyone caught in the cone takes 4D4 cold damage (Reflex Save DC: 18 for ½ damage [Dex Based DC]). Additionally, anyone caught in the area of effect must make a Will save (DC 15 Wis Based). A failed save results in the character(s) being effected as by a Slow spell as the tar binds and slows the soul of the target. The effect lasts for 7 rounds. Multiple uses of this effect only reset the duration of the effect, and does not compound the penalties given.

Agonizing Restoration: The creature may opt to use this ability after a successful touch attack (melee or ranged attacks may be used), rather than cause damage they heal their target while inflicting an incredible amount of pain. The target must make a Will save (DC 15 Wis Based), with a failed save resulting in them being paralyzed for 7 rounds. During this time they act as if under the effects of a Hold spell, unable to move due to the sheer agony they are experiencing, while their body knits itself together. Each round the character heals 1D6 points of damage. If the character takes damage while under the influence of this ability, the effect ends.

Why Healing?: The Tar Wolves delight in the torture of the guilty, and are reluctant to let it end due to the frailty of their target. They only kill their target if it presents a true danger to the Tar Wolf, or they have grown bored of its pain.

STATISTICS

Str 24, Dex 21, Con 23, Int 19, Wis 15, Cha 15

Base Atk: +7;

CMB: +15

CMD: 30 (34 vs. trip)

Feats: Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Intimidation), Weapon Focus (bite), Improved Natural Attack (bite)

Skills: (* = Class Skill) Perception +12*, Stealth +11*, Intimidation +15*, Sense Motive +12*, Knowledge (Planes) +12*, Survival +12*, Bluff +10*, Diplomacy +10*, Acrobatics +15*, Escape Artist +12, Climb +13

ECOLOGY

Environment: Any

Organization: Single, Pair, or Pack (1D4+2)

Treasure: Standard

Flow the Form: The Tar Wolf can fit through any space that would allow liquid to flow through, and moves at a rate equal to ½ their movement speed. It takes a single round to unform or reform, during this period of time they are considered flat-footed and they are unable to make normal attacks, however, they can still use their other abilities.

Weakness -

Lowest of the Faithful: While vengeance is within the purview of Saint Jasper, it is considered the lowest of His domains. As such, the victim can call off the death and torture of the party who had wronged them, though this can only occur if the victim does this of their own free will. Furthermore, all the other Hounds of Saint Jasper outrank Tar Wolves and are able to command them as long as such commands do not violate the will of Saint Jasper. Despite being unable to disobey such commands, they do not enjoy it what so ever and make their displeasure known, whining in the case of a victim's command and bearing their teeth at other hounds.