Homebrew Annwn's Hound Species Details

By binding the otherwordly Cwn Annwn*, to our worldly dogs, Annwn's Hounds were born. Ranging in size from small to medium, these humanoid canines are a loyal and resilient race. Annwn's Dogs are often referred to as “dog folk” due to their distinctly canine features. Although they stand upright with fully articulated hands, their heads still portray the bestial snout and teeth of wild dogs. They also communicate through barks, growls, and soulful whines, but struggle to make themselves understood in the languages of other races, lacking the ability to make certain sounds and facial expressions. Annwn's Hounds flourish in both temperate and cold environments thanks to their natural fur. While the variation in appearance is that of regular dogs in regards to size, ears, snout shape, tail, etc; the fur coloration has a distinctly unnatural tint of red, blue, or green which will naturally be harder to spot in darker fur. These colors seem to have little social significance amongst the Hounds. 

Annwn's Hounds live in small tight packs with a rather nomadic lifestyle, preferring hunting or in some cases herding, to city life. To Annwin's Hounds, a person’s word is his bond and an oath must never be broken. The Great Shame is brought upon a Hound who breaks a vow and those who do so are expected to atone for this breach somehow, either by fulfilling the conditions of the vow or taking revenge on those who caused the Annwn's Hound to break his vow. Pups are raised being taught stories of how vows should be honored, but also of the folly of entering onto an oath rashly. Annwn's Hounds have an affinity for inexperienced witches and their kin, serving as guides and protectors, but do not function as familiars.  

*Cŵn Annwn (hounds of Annwn) were spectral guards of Annwn, the Otherworld. They were associated with a form of the Wild Hunt. A soul-raving chase, lead by the Gods of the Old. People encountering the Hunt might also be abducted to other realms by the aberrations, fiend, and fae present. In some instances, it was believed that people's spirits could be pulled away during their sleep to join the cavalcade by the Cwn Annwn themselves. 

The Cŵn Annwn came to be regarded as the escorts of souls on their journey to the Otherworld. The hounds are sometimes accompanied by a witch, who chooses to serve natural forces. Aiming to learn the way of life and death or worldly balance over personal power. It was because of Cwn Annwn's innate loyalty and devotion that a few could no longer leave their witches behind and chose to stay in the realm of the living. 

 

Annwn's Hound Traits

Deliverers of Spirits, Growling Speech, Powerful Oath, Keen Hearing and Smell

Deliverers of Spirits

Because of their celestial descent, Annwn's Hounds have a strong connection to otherworldly. You get an advantage on Charisma-based ability checks against specific types of monsters. You can add one more type, starting with aberrations at level 0. Followed by fiends (3rd level), undead (6th), and celestial(9th). 

Growling Speech

Annwn's Hounds can learn to read, write, and understand languages other than their own normally but have difficulty speaking and being understood in them. Creatures hearing them must succeed on a DC 15 Linguistics check or DC 20 Sense Motive check to understand their speech. Speaks to Animals or the Annwn's Hound is using Tongues will allow communication on those who cast the spell. 

Powerful Oath (Curse)

If an Annwn's Hounds gives his word to perform (or not to perform) some action for someone else, he gains a +2 racial bonus to Will Saves against any mind-affecting effect that would cause him to break his word. Breaking the vow will result in unknown consequences. 

Keen Hearing and Smell

 The Annwn's Hound has an advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell.

Pack Tactics

The Annwn's hound has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the Hounds's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

+2 Charisma

Due to your comforting outward appearance people like you, you get +2 to your Charisma