Barghest

**Barghest** are a species of feral, Shadow-like wolves from the Nightmare Realm. Unlike Shadows, Barghest appear mostly animalistic in both appearance and behavior, though they display limited intelligence.

## Behavior

Barghests are predatory creatures, often hunting the smaller creatures that live in the Nightmare Realm. They share many traits with ordinary wolves, such as traveling in packs, communicating with each other via howls, and often having an established leader or alpha. They settle down in dens underground where they bring back food, or what's left of it, and where they keep both the newborns and the females. They're extremely territorial, and will instantly attack anything that draws too close to their den.

Despite their reputation as violent and mindless animals, they occasionally show signs of strategical planning, and higher thought. They're known for keeping some prey alive to use as bait, injuring their captive, and lying in wait nearby until something investigates, allowing them to ambush them, and secure more food. When they are finished with the bait, they kill it by snapping the neck with their teeth.

## Abilities

**Night Vision:** Due to the darkness of the realm they originate from, they have adapted to have excellent night vision, an ability that has come in handy for those who have managed to cross over into alternate universes.

**Claws:** Barghest possess four digits on each foot that ends in a claw. These can cut straight through metal, making them extremely effective against enemies, even armored ones.

**Jaw:** Their jaw can split down the middle and open up. Every one of these creatures has several sharp teeth that can easily break through bone and tear flesh.

**Strength:** Barghest are strong enough to break down metal doors and overturn cars, this means they can easily pin down their prey.

**Durability:** They can survive multiple gunshot wounds with no issue, and even take a grenade or rocket to the face. However they, like Shadows, are weak to fire.

**Agility/Stamina:** They are fast and agile enough to keep up and surpass most animals they come across. They also do not appear to get exhausted.

**Shapeshifting:** Barghest, much like Shadows, can shapeshift, although this is limited compared to their humanoid brethren. The most common way they use this ability is too increase their strength and agility, or by creating bladed tentacles or firing spikes to ensnare their prey. They can also turn their tail into a blade, or make it barbed, and extend it to use it as a melee weapon. They can mimic humans as well, but they lack the intelligence to keep up the disguise.

**Healing Factor:** They can regenerate from most injuries instantly, from bullet wounds to losing limbs or half their body. It takes much longer for them to recover if they have been attacked with fire.

## Gallery

A Barghest.A Barghest, attempting to pass as a human.A Barghest pup. Rarely seen due to mostly residing in their dens, not much is known about them. The little info that has been acquired suggests that they first begin hunting with the rest of their pack before eventually gathering their own food. Younger Barghest, regardless of gender, also seem to have some kind of bone growth that acts as extra armor, they shed this as they get older.
## Trivia

* The name "Barghest" was used to describe a monster from English folklore. A Barghest is a type of spirit, mostly appearing as a black dog with large claws and teeth, often said to be an omen of death.