To get into the mood for Halloween, we thought we’d take a closer look at one of the spookier yōkai in Talespinner… The Okuri Inu 🐺 All of the characters and yōkai that appear in Talespinner are deeply rooted in Japanese culture, with game mechanics that are inspired by their actual mythologies. In this post, we wanted to showcase how we’ve incorporated the backstory of the Okuri Inu into the game!
The name “okuri inu” (送り犬) literally translates to mean “escorting dog”, although the yōkai itself can be depicted as either a dog or a wolf depending on which region of Japan you’re in. These nocturnal dog-like and wolf-like creatures haunt mountain passes, forested roads, and other remote locations searching for unwary travelers. While they may look like their canine counterparts in real life, they are far more dangerous.
If you decide to travel alone at night, beware! The okuri inu received its unusual name because, when they see a lone traveler at night, they will begin stalking them. They always keep a safe distance between themselves and their target, but follow them footstep for footstep. At least, for as long as they keep walking…
If the traveler should trip or stumble, the okuri inu will pounce on them and bring their leisurely midnight stroll to a violent end!
You may be thinking that the okuri inu is all bad, but you’d be wrong.
Within Japanese folklore, they are regarded as both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, if you should falter on your path, they will leap forward and devour you. On the other hand, they are so universally feared that no other dangerous yōkai or animals will dare approach you while they are following you. For as long as you can keep moving forward, you’re safe. On rocky mountain terrain though in the dark of night, your footing is never guaranteed, so tread carefully!
So how have we translated the Okuri Inu’s rich and terrifying folklore into Talespinner?
In Talespinner, you can only encounter the Okuri Inu as part of a special event called It Follows, which may trigger as part of your run. You will have two options when you encounter it: escape its dogged pursuit and lose HP or allow it to follow you.
If you let it follow you, it will become one of your companions, which can be used throughout battles to assist you. The Okuri Inu, however, is not like other companions!
While other companions will provide you with benefits without any drawbacks and can often be activated whenever you need them, the Okuri Inu is a risk versus reward type of companion that has a passive ability. If your HP is above half, the Okuri Inu will bless you with 5 Shield to help you defend against incoming attacks. However, if your HP drops below half, then the Okuri Inu will take its blood toll and cause you to lose 5 HP per turn. This mechanic echoes the Okuri Inu’s ferocious nature, benefiting you only if you stay strong and pouncing on you once you are vulnerable.
It is also the only companion that you cannot dismiss, which ties in to the Okuri Inu’s habit of persistently pursuing its target.
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