Inugami are a kind of spirit of possession* which are found all over Higashi. In public, an Inugami looks identical to an ordinary dog, in order to blend in with society; sometimes, even dressed up as a beloved house pet.
In truth, its true form is that of a desiccated dog, with wounds along its neck as to imply a severing of its head from its body.
Sometimes, Inugami are taken as familiars to necromancers and are used as a more protective entity rather than the more mundane tasks usual familiars are used for. When this is the case, these creatures are loyal to their master forever, and in some cases, these spirits can be passed down familial lines, with the means of creating an Inugami likewise being passed down familial lines.
*Spirit of Possession, or Tsukimono - These creatures are beings of powerful emotion and are very good at possessing emotionally unstable or weak people. People who have found themselves possessed by an Inugami are in for some serious misfortune. The only way to be cured of Inugami possession is to hire a caster to remove it. This could take a very, very long time and involve a lot of money. Signs of Inugami possession include: chest pain, pain in the hands, feet, or shoulders, feelings of deep jealous, and/or suddenly barking like a dog.