Lemurian Moonseer Hound
This illustration is featured in the recent RIFTS: Vampires” Table-top Role-Playing Game publication by Palladiumbooks. [link]
Description: While the normal Moonseer is a bird-like animal that can alight upon one’s hand or shoulder, the Moonseer Hound has been mutated into a larger and more dangerous creature. It still possesses the shark-like teeth, but wings and talons have been shed in favor of four stout legs and dog-like claws. The Hound possesses the same detection capabilities as its flying cousin, but can also be unleashed and used like an attack dog. They are excellent for countering Chupacabras, tracking down vampires and distracting them while Vampire Hunters close in for the kill. Almost always outfitted with silver claw and tooth caps, Moonseer Hounds are intelligent, loyal and extremely hostile towards any undead, vampire or otherwise. They also have a partial covering of light mega damage defensive scales that makes them much more resilient against supernatural predators.
Size: About 4 feet (1.2 m) long. 2.5 feet (0.7 m) tall at the shoulder.
Weight: About 90 lbs (41 kg).
Natural Abilities: Nightvision 500 feet (152 m).
See Vampires: A Moonseer Hound’s eyes can spot a vampire from up to a mile (1.6 km) away, 2 miles (3.2 km) when the moon is out and 3 miles (4.8 km) when the moon is full. When they do sight a bloodsucker, they indicate by hissing and pointing with their “nose”. They can also be ordered to attack, and are very good at following the magical scent of vampires, up to 1-4 hours after they have passed by a location.
Sense Undead: While specifically trained and bred to locate vampires, Hounds are very sensitive to other forms of the non-living. Any undead, whether it is a zombie, ghoul or vampire, will make the animal agitated and uncomfortable if it is within half a mile (0.8 km), 1 mile (1.6 km) when the moon is out and 2 miles (3.2 km) on a full moon. While the Hound may not know the direction or number of the undead, they will make a separate call to their handler and appear distressed until the undead move away or are dealt with.
Commentary: This illustration was a chuckle to do as I read the description and instantly thought of fusing a sour mug (English Bulldog) with a great white shark to get that proper squat robust yet powerful aesthetic. This illustration was done on an 11 X 17 with a Zebra M-301 0.5 lead. Time not clocked.