Howler

Howlers were pack predators native to Pandemonium. They were known and feared for their mind-shattering howls.

Description
Howlers were long,  tall, quadruped beasts that weighed about. They were patchwork creatures that seemed to cross traits of canines and felines, with bruised, crushed digits ending in claws on their front legs and back legs ending in hooves. Despite seeming gaunt, their backs were strong and resembled those of oxen. Their scales were covered by tangled, red fur that spread into a mane of trembling quills on the backs of their necks and surrounded their muzzled, simian faces.

Behavior
Howlers were nonaggressive and usually cowardly when alone although extremely cruel when in packs. They practically stood when howling, and like dogs would do so for any number of reasons. They howled when lonely, trapped, frightened or challenged but despite their bestial behavior possessed a surprising level of intelligence, enough to understand language.

Young and inexperienced howlers killed their victims quickly for the delicious rush of terror that a violent death generated. However, older howlers preferred to draw long-term sustenance from constantly terrorizing their victims rather than killing them immediately.

Combat
As pack hunters, howlers relied primarily on their numbers and speed. Their primary weapon was a terrifying howl that could be heard from a large distance, even through the loud winds of their home plane, and which caused other creatures to become debilitated by fear and incapable of complex thought.

Its powerful bite could not only rend its opponent's flesh but also its mind. Their spines could break off and become lodged in their victims.

Ecology
Although native to Pandemonium, howlers could be found in all of the Lower planes, in particular those more defined by chaos and evil.

Howlers could be partially domesticated to be used as war hounds. Fiends in particular favored howlers for their ability to temporarily neutralize spellcasters with their howl. Commanding a pack of howlers demanded a long and brutal period of training, until the creatures recognized their trainer as the undisputed pack leader. Well-trained packs of howlers were most commonly employed in the Blood War, but it was also possible for evil mortals to command a pack.

It was also possible to train howlers as mounts. Creatures such as quasits, orcs, and succubi were known to sometimes ride them.

They did not draw sustenance from the flesh of their victims, but from their fear.

Notable Howlers

 * Spike, Cressyl Blackbones's pet howler.