Hearth Hounds of Umbak

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The Hearth Hounds of Umbak were a breed of dogs bred for scenting, baying at, tracking and killing Orrish. Over time, they also were trained to do the same for Nurth. They hounds bayed in a certain way when scenting the Orrish. The most ruthless and expensive of the variety was trained with live subjects, and developed a taste for Orrish blood.

History of the Hearth Hounds

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The original hearth hounds were nothing more than the protective family dogs that protected the homes of Umbakians. The church of Aerna sponsored breeding programs for dogs with dispositions that could watch over children. They were the size of [modern] Great Danes, and lived 20 years on average (the same dog would guard multiple generations of family) – It took a hundred years to breed the original species. The dogs were said to know Umbakaisn by name, scent and looks – and could prioritize protecting charges by Umbakian blood. They could find their way home from 30 miles in any direction no matter how recent a move. Gradually, competing and more warlike breeds usurped the place of the hearth hounds. Private breeders, nominally associated with Ikribu and Whelm, took over the breeding and moved from gentle disposition to one of aggressive and hostile. The possession of the dogs fell out of favor and few breeders exist. If any do, they are for private families.
The aggressive nature of the second generation fit more with Umbak’s expansionist dreams. With the bloodlines of Umbak mixing and diluting over time, the dogs got to be bonded to specific individuals instead of lineage, or just bred for the purpose of attack or defense on command.

  • CY 6000; Last of the original Hearth Hounds (recognized The Houthas).
  • CY 7200; Hearth Hounds “2nd generation” (trained to identify and protect against the Nurth) ends.
  • CY 7500; The smithys of Ikribu and Balthazaar collaborated on making a light scale armor for the dogs.
  • CY 7900; Hearth Hounds “3rd generation” (trained for defence and sentry) ends. These are half the size of the originals.
There were schools that maintained training to bay a particular way at the “off scent” of the Orrish. There was another for the Nurth, and another to summon aid for their ward they were set to guard. Not all had this capability, and none are thought to have it any more.

  • CY 8900; Last lineage of the Hearth Hounds dies out. Anything dog with this label beyond this point is not considered genuine.
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