Black Dogs

Dhurinda was a member of the Ghallanda tribe long before it became a house. An excellent chef, he was exposed as a murderer late in life. Over the years, he had poisoned tyrannical chieftains, bandits, and raiders, despite the Ghallanda vow to aid all travelers.

Dhurinda was unrepentant, maintaining that he had improved the lives of the people of the plains. Some were sympathetic, but the elders felt that a harsh example had to be made. Dhurinda was to be torn apart by wild carvers, but was found dead on the day of execution. Somehow, he had acquired poison and taken his own life. Despite Dhurinda’s fate, it is said that others have followed in his footsteps. Known as black dogs, these vigilantes dispense justice with poison and treachery.

Others might consider you a criminal, but you know better. You are an agent of justice, and though you are willing to kill in the name of your beliefs, many black dogs prefer to avoid murder. Your deadly strike can paralyze as well as kill, and poison can be used for different tasks. After all, slaying a corrupt noble might make him a martyr—but a dose of Dhurinda’s stench will cripple his ability to lead.

Not all black dogs are evil, and even those who are sometimes work to accomplish noble goals. As a black dog, you must establish your own personal code. Are there specific crimes you seek to punish? Are you engaging in a class struggle, preying on the corrupt rich? Do you target dishonest politicians or deceitful priests? Perhaps you hunt criminals, stealing from the thief and murdering the murderer. Whatever path you follow, you believe that the powers of government and the dragonmarked houses are incapable and unwilling to do what must be done, or that they too often punish the innocent as well as the guilty. You can do better.

The path of the adventurer might seem at odds with the goals and tools of the black dog, but the two do converge. Gold for gold’s sake might have no attraction for you, but adventuring can provide you with knowledge, new skills, and more effective tools for your personal crusade.

House Ghallanda opposes the work of the black dogs, and those caught by the house are harshly punished. At the same time, a good number of Ghallandans view the vigilante black dogs as romantic outlaws. If you were one of these, you might have sought out the Children of Dhurinda or been approached by a mentor who saw a kindred spirit and offered to teach you Dhurinda’s secrets.

The black dogs are a small and secretive society. Most live in the cities and metropolises of Khorvaire, where they can find enough crime and inhumanity to fuel their thirst for justice.

A black dog strives to slip into the heart of his community, becoming a locus for gossip and news. If a dog is still a member of House Ghallanda, he might work at one of the house arms or make a living as an entertainer in the service of Phiarlan. Player characters who settle in a city might befriend a black dog long before they learn his true vocation. This character might be a colorful regular at whatever inn the party frequents: always ready with a joke, a story, or a drink for a friend.

The Children of Dhurinda are few in number and solitary by nature, with each black dog seeking his own territory. Members are discouraged from trying to learn the identities of other black dogs, lest this knowledge endanger the order. Though a few recognition signals exist, including the preparation of certain dishes seasoned in special ways, another dog is unlikely to respond unless he is certain he can trust the character in need of aid.

Those who know the black dogs typically have an unfriendly reaction toward anyone they discover to be a follower of Dhurinda. However, more than a few Ghallanda halfl ings admire the black dogs, and it is always possible to find friends when you least expect them.

Black dogs are vigilantes, operating outside the law and willing to kill for a cause. Player characters who take “unjust” actions or cross a black dog could be targeted. Murder is not always a black dog’s goal. A dose of id moss can make life difficult for an arrogant wizard. Alternatively, a misguided or even insane black dog could decide to murder followers of the Silver Flame, members of a dragonmarked house, or any other group he has come to see as corrupt.

On the other hand, a black dog can make a useful ally. Followers of Dhurinda often know a great deal about the local community, and might eliminate enemy NPCs that a law-abiding party cannot touch.