| “ | They're demonic pitbulls. They're usually used by demons that've made Faustian wagers with any stupid mortal sod, but that's only done once the terms of those wagers expire. When the time's up, the Hellhounds lock on, and they'll hunt ya down 'til the ends of the Earth. And they won't stop until they rip you to bloody pieces before dragging your soul to Hell. | „ |
| ~ John Constantine |
Hellhounds are ballistic and maniacal canine-like beasts of the supernatural world, specifically Hell (hence the name), which are known to serve demons.
Description[]
Described as demonic Pitbulls, hellhounds are ferocious, terrifying entities that inspire fear in humans, demons and even angels. Features that have been attributed to hellhounds include mangled black fur, glowing red eyes, super strength or speed, ghostly or phantom characteristics, and a foul odor.
In European legends, seeing a hellhound or hearing it howl may be an omen or even a cause of death. They are said to be the protectors of the supernatural. Guarding the secrecy of supernatural creatures, or beings, from the world. The Hellhounds are also said to be the personal "pets" of Satan himself. However, other high tier demons can command the hounds such as Mephistopheles.
Overview[]
Hellhounds were said to have been created by Satan, imbuing the fires of Hell into the carcasses of dogs that died on unhallowed grounds. Certain European legends state that if someone stares into a hellhound's eyes twice or more, that person will surely die. With time they became tasked with collecting the souls of humans whose deals are come due. In such circ*mstances, hellhounds can only be seen by those whom they have come for, making them a sort of Reaper of the damned.
Similarly to Cerberus, 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. Hellhounds can be controlled by either demons of which a mortal has made a Faustian bargain with or elite noble demons. Hellhounds also serve as the hunting dogs of Balrogs, demonic agents sent to track down and retrieve any soul that has escaped from Hell or a demon that broke one of the laws of the Hell and escaped to avoid punishment.
