Gapehound By JesterOfDestiny Watch

7 Favourites 0 Comments 509 Views

The first proper monster I've dreamed about, in years.



____________________________________________



These grotesque creatures are one of the apex predators of Genenwyn and one of the most widespread animals of the region. They appeared not long after the Great Shattering and has since completely replaced wolves in their respective niches, except in the northern regions. But it's unknown, whether the Great Shattering and the spread of gapehounds are related. Their spread has stopped at the borders of Genenwyn, by environments they failed to adapt to, like the cold of the north and the cliffs of the Broken Coasts.



Gapehounds have hairless dog-like bodies, with a gigantic pair of jaws in place of a head. This maw of theirs can shatter bones with ease and a pack of gapehounds can completely consume larger animals. They're not known to be intelligent, but their brutality is unrivaled. They appear to be in a constant state of excitement, ready to attack anything that moves. Should these monsters get loose in a settlement, extreme precautions are required and citizens should be instructed to hide away from them, until the pack loses interest, or proper help arrives.



Due to them being practically unable to close their mouths properly, a myriad of diseases thrive among the gapehound's teeth. A single bite from one of these monstrosities can cause heavy necrosis, quickly leading to death. If one was to escape the gapehound's gnashing teeth, then treatment from a healer should be seen immediately. Despite the gapehound's perpetually exposed teeth, they don't seem to suffer any grievances. It only resulted in their rather odious adaptation, in the form of constant salivation, to keep their mouths wet.



Nobody's quite sure where these creatures came from, or how they even exist at all. Dissections reveal, that besides the enormous pair of jaws and a significantly smaller brain capacity, their bodily functions are identical to a common dog's. According to some theories, the gapehound is the result of a canine exposed to one of the corruptions that can fall upon dogs, like the hellhound disease. Some say, they're wolves partially transformed by demonic powers. Some others theorize, that the gapehound is another creature, that crossed over one of the random portals, adapted to the alien environment, then crossed back through another portal. Another common theory, is that it's the attempt from a secretive group to purge the world of evil. But despite the abundance of theories on their origins, it is commonly agreed, that the gapehound is a creature magical in origin.



Whatever the case, these vile abominations are nothing but a mockery of all laws of nature and must be purged.

IMAGE DETAILS Image size 1754x1275px 163.71 KB Show More