Black Shuck
| Black Shuck | |
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| Biographical Information | |
| Name | Black Shuck |
| Counties Present | Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, and surrounding counties if driven out by other Shucks. |
| Active Hours | Midnight to 3:00 AM |
| Haunts | Churchyards, coastlines, crossroads, monasteries, motorways. Occasionally sighted at accidents. |
| Signs | Flaming pawprints and scratches on surfaces. |
| Disposition | Hostile |
| Resolve | High |
| Strengths | Cursed Fire, energy projectiles from its eye, whiplike tail. |
| Weaknesses | Fire is finite and can wear out as the Shuck is wounded. |
| Alternate Forms | Its singular eyeball, which it can eject from its head in dire situations. |
The Black Shuck is the most famous of the Black Dogs, barring the “Classic Black Dog”. It possesses a single, hateful eye and all the presence of the Devil. On its humped back burns a cape of flames, which is fuelled by any lesser spirits it can capture. The accursed fire, should it touch a living being, does not burn them physically. Instead, it activates the pain receptors to the nth degree, leaving the victim vulnerable to the killing blow.
Appearance
A typical Shuck specimen resembles a black Irish Wolfhound with a large glowing eye in the center of its head. Its tail is dragon-like, ending in a spade-shaped tip. Its back shows a prominent hump, the purpose of which remains unknown. The creature’s teeth are often hidden by its facial hair, which can glow like the cinders of a fireplace. Its radiation is fuchsia with green accents.
Anomalies include Shucks with a missing eye, flames exclusive to certain body parts and multiple tails.
Relations with other Ethereals
Barghest
The two will behave as rivals unless carefully introduced. The Shuck’s territorial nature conflicts with the Barghest’s studious wandering, its anger compounded by the latter’s quiet confidence.
Black Shuck
It is rare that two Shucks get along. Both desire territory and will kill to get more.
Church Grim
Shucks rarely see Grims as competition due to their stationary nature. However, more ambitious Shucks may try their luck if the offer of a churchyard becomes too tempting to ignore.
Gytrash
The Shuck will feel a desire to correct its impishness, and hate the Gytrash for disrespecting its territory.
Will O' the Wisp
Wisps are virtually defenceless to a Shuck, who may kill them for its own amusement. Other Shucks will save their energy for other black dogs, and tolerate Wisps as long as they don't gather in too high a number.
Notable Individuals
- Little John: Spawned from a domestic dog that was killed out of fear it was vicious. Is aware of the A10 Demon and leaves it alone, preferring to terrorise the local clergy.
- Satan: The pet of infamous vampire outlaw, Black James.
- Scratching: The double-killer of Blythburgh and Bungay. Later hunted down by Cambridgeshire’s vampire hamlets and auctioned among the local councils as a pet.
- The A10 Demon: Allegedly spawned from a mournful domestic dog after its owner drowned in the River Great Ouse. Witness reports allege this Shuck is peaceful, but is too afraid of its kin to venture off the roads. Out of pity for it, this Shuck is left alone. Multiple vampires and familiars have offered to rehome the ghost, but it refuses all accommodations.