Moon Dog

People often take moon dogs for something sinister, but these hounds hail from the blessed fields of the upper planes and fight for good. They look like big wolfhounds in shades from slate gray to jet black, with amber eyes and faces faintly human, which makes them seem keenly intelligent. Their forepaws are flexible enough that they can walk upright or run on all fours. They speak a language of their own, can talk with any dog or wolf, and use a limited telepathy to communicate in Common.

Moon dogs show evil no mercy. Their bite deals 3d4 points of damage, but they would rather howl. The baying hurts only evil creatures: any within 80 feet suffer the effect of a 12th-level fear spell, and the effect grows stronger with every additional dog joining in. Evil creatures within 40 feet also take 1d4+4 points of damage per round, and evil beings from other planes suffer such agony that each howling dog gives a 5% chance they flee back to their home plane. Once per round it may also bark, which works as dispel evil, or whine, which dispels illusions.

It also has a set of spell-like powers, each usable freely at 12th level, though only a single one per round. It can turn ethereal and move freely through the Ethereal and Astral Planes. Its sight is twice as keen as normal, with 60-foot infravision, and its sharp nose and ears let it spot all illusions. Spending an hour or more in its company breaks charms and works as remove curse. It can cast dispel magic, but doing so hurls it straight back to its home plane.

In dim, shadowy light a moon dog can weave its body to create the equivalent of a hypnotic pattern out of shadows, reaching 50 feet. Only evil beings are affected, while good creatures within range are warded as if by remove fear and protection from evil. Weaving takes a full round, and the dog can do nothing else while it does.

Only +2 or better weapons harm it. Its senses mean it is never surprised, and it imposes a -3 penalty on opponents' surprise rolls. Fear spells do not affect it, it gains +2 on all saves, and a successful save reduces damage to half or a quarter.

They wander the mortal world and the upper planes alike, hunting evil to confront. They are friendly to good and neutral peoples and their allies, but never stay long with anyone, always moving on to the next hunt. They often contact human communities telepathically to learn where trouble is brewing.