They only bayed when in the determined pursuit of fleeing victims, creating a hollow and frightening tone. Ĭunning and efficient, they targeted the weakest of prey, slowly surrounding those that refused to retreat. One or two hell hounds would immediately use their scorching hot breath to drive their quarry into the waiting, fiery fangs of the other pack members, unafraid of harming their other infernal companions. Hellhounds were very stealthy creatures and unlike ordinary dogs they did not howl when hunting, instead quietly stalking their prey and surrounding them in a ring. Hell hounds were capable of breathing out a stream of scorching fire from their mouths. Even if not specifically trained, they stole items from their deceased victims to use as playthings, such as noisy bags or pouches containing a victim's treasures, toying with them until the flammable components eventually turned to ash and the remains littered their dens. Outside of retrieving specific objects, hell hounds could only be trained to kill, abandoning or betraying masters that forbade them from sating their merciless hunger. Hell hounds, being intelligent beasts of law, could be trained and commanded by various entities across the planes, but their inherent malice limited their versatility. Nessian breeds always coal-black fur and were typically equipped with infernal chainmail shirts. The markings on their bodies as well and their fangs and tongues were the color of soot, and they reeked of sulfurous smoke.

Their fearsome forms were covered in short, rust-red or red-brown fur and their eyes glowed red. Nessian breeds were the size of draft horses. Hell hounds resembled monstrous dogs with powerful physiques, standing between 2‒4.5 ft (0.61‒1.4 m) high at the shoulder and weighing about 120 lb (54 kg).

Infernal cinders