And now, in a continuing service, an entry from the Encyclopedia Ardrisia.

CHIMERA HOUND

Native to the deserts of Tarokka, the chimera hound is a magical hybrid between the chimera lizards that once populated the region and the hunting hounds initially used by that country's Orc citizens. One of very few purposely mage-bred species (the snakepeople of Vedris being another), the chimera hounds are used by the Orcs to hunt down prey, including the chimera lizards (now extinct), whose hide was highly prized by armorers. Chimera hounds retain several magical abilities from their chimera ancestor. They include the ability to cloak themselves in very convincing illusions, which they often use to lull their prey into a false sense of security by appearing to be some sort of harmless creature, like a kitten or a squirrel. Chimera hounds are empathic to a limited degree, enabling them to feel and feed off of the emotions of others. They also have an unusual digestive system, allowing them to eat and digest nearly anything: sand, people, rocks, trees, off-Broadway plays, what have you. They are able to distend their jaws to swallow most prey whole and are ravenously hungry, especially in their early years. A fully-grown chimera hound stands as tall as a bull mastiff and have temperaments only a mother - or an Orc - could love.

The Encyclopedia Ardrisia , volume 4 (Candletakers to Czarn Keep), Kilanio University Press, 48th edition.