My last post discussed the ape-man cryptids known collectively as Bigfoot. This post will take a look at another common hybrin, the canine-man. Not Werewolves, but hybrids of man and wolf or dog. There are more out there than I originally thought! One such cryptid is native to my own state of Illinois. So that’s where this tour will start!
Author’s note: This series looks at the various North American Cryptids as if they were real, tangible beings that have managed to elude scientific observation. Many of the creatures I will be featuring have appeared in other Savage Worlds products. Often times they have been altered and tweaked to fit that particular setting or to make them more interesting or challenging. My interpretation tries to stay closer to the available lore I could find on each.
I hope you enjoy this series and like my interpretations of these wonderfully imaginative creatures!
NOTE: This has been updated to the new Savage Worlds Adventure Edition!
WOLFMAN OF CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN, THE BEAST OF BRAY ROAD and The MINNESOTA DOG-MAN.
Image credit: Phil Geib / Chicago Tribune
Roaming the wilderness around the Galena, IL area, about 14 miles east of Dubuque IA, this is not a classic werewolf. It is more a wolf that can stand upright. It has been spotted several times throughout the last couple of decades, the most sensational time being an attack on a psychologist in 2010. Though there have been sightings in the Galena region and South East Wisconsin dating back to the early 1980’s. It is said the forelegs have almost human-like hands, like those a raccoon possesses. The creature is said to stand about five feet tall or a little more and is always seen as cunning, feral and savage.
It is likely that the Beast of Bray Road in Wisconsin is the same species of cryptid as the wolfman. It started getting spotted along Bray Rd near the town of Elkhorn in the 1990’s. Some people insist that the sightings were misidentified Wendigo in the area. But others feel this is a wolfman. This is highly likely as it would not be difficult for these creatures to expand their range into Wisconsin and beyond!
Similarly, the Dogman of Michigan is also very likely the same species. In fact, it is possible this cryptid originated in the Michigan wilderness as the earliest reported sighting was back in 1887 when two lumberjacks in Wexford County saw a man covered in grey fur and with the head of a wolf. They were next sighted in 1938 in the town of Paris, Michigan where it was reported that a large dog or wolf was spotted walking like a man through some backyards.
As Final proof that this cryptid species has been expanding its range is the Minnesota Dog-Man; first sighted in 2009, in Otter Tail County by a man who saw a dog large dog walking like a man. Though there are stories that this cryptid may have been seen a decade earlier, in 1999 where an unnamed man is said to have seen one on an air force base in St Louis County, Minnesota.
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6(A), Spirit d6, Strength d8, Vigor d6
Skills: Athletics d6, Fighting d6, Intimidation d6+2, Notice d10, Stealth d8, Survival d6
Pace: 8; Parry: 5; Toughness: 5
Special Abilities
Bite: Str+d4.
Fear: Anyone seeing the creature must make a fear check. These creatures also gain a +2 to any intimidation checks.
Fleet-Footed: These cryptids run on all fours and have a d10 run die.
Go for the Throat: These beasts gain a +2 bonus for called shots to the head.
WAHEELA
These are larger cousins of the wolfman creatures above. Sighted across a huge range from Alaska and the Northwest Territories down to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, they date back to the Native Americans prior to the arrival of Europeans to the new world. Larger, stronger and more territorial than their lesser kin, these creatures are likely the apex predator of North America. The Waheela are more animalistic than human, appearing as semi-bipedal dire wolves that is five feet tall at the shoulder when on all fours and can rise to just over eight feet tall when on its hind legs.
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d10, Vigor d8
Skills: Athletics d6, Fighting d8, Notice d10, Stealth d8, Survival d8
Pace: 8; Parry: 6; Toughness: 9
Special Abilities
Large: Size +1 & Brawny. These are massive hulking beasts!
Bite: Str+d6.
Fear: Anyone seeing the creature must make a fear check at -2.
Fleet-Footed: These cryptids run on all fours and have a d10 run die.
Go for the Throat: These beasts gain a +2 bonus for called shots to the head.
ADLET
The last wolf-man cryptid for this post comes from Inuit legend. The Inuit called them Adlet, while the people of Baffin Island called it Erqigdlit. It is believed that these were the spawn of a human woman and a Wendigo. The resulting offspring had features of both human and wolf with the hindquarters, tail, head and fur of a wolf but the torso and arms of a man. Universally, these are depicted as bloodthirsty and violent pack hunters of the northern most regions of North America and the many islands between North America and Greenland. Though not overly tall, most stand about six and a half feet tall or less, they are powerful, vicious hunters. They are extremely efficient pack hunters at that. Luckily, no sightings of these beasts have been seen far beyond the Arctic Circle.
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d10, Vigor d8
Skills: Athletics d6, Fighting d10, Notice d10, Stealth d8, Survival d8
Pace: 6; Parry: 6; Toughness: 10(2)
Special Abilities
Edges: Brawny
Bite: Str+d6.
Thick Hide: Their thick hide & fur provides a +2 armor bonus.
Fear: Anyone seeing the creature must make a fear check.
Fleet-Footed: These cryptids run on all fours and have a d10 run die.
Go for the Throat: These beasts gain a +2 bonus for called shots to the head.
Hands: Adlet can use handheld tools and weapons normally.
Let me know what you thought of these hybrid cryptids!
ShadowDad
Role Player's Imaginarium 
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