Homing Chihuahua

By James Hertsch III (jwhertsc@bulldog.unca.edu)

Cost

4

Level

2

Arete

3

Quintessence

10

Introduction

Graphs don't lie, Doctor Velazquez thought, regarding the descending population curve. The homing pigeon will very soon be extinct. Such a useful creature, too. More's the pity.

Tired from a long day's work, Velazquez exited his basement lab, shut off the lights, and retired for the evening. Toss. Turn. Barking from outside. Yip-yip-yip-yip. Crash. Boom.

Dogs scavenging through the trash again. Discontented, Doctor Velazquez activated a Canine Repellant Field, and watched as the little dogs scampered off into the night.

Pausing for a moment, Velazquez wondered how the little chihuahuas managed to get everywhere. And, more importantly, Doctor Velazquez thought, could they serve mankind in the same way as homing pigeons once had?

Capturing several of the rat-dogs, Velazquez used Lamarckian genetic techniques to instill in his simple chihuahuas the ability to remember where "home" was, and the ability to journey from anywhere to home.

As the homing pigeon faded from the biological spectrum, the world became ready for: Doctor Velazquez's Homing Chihuahuas!!

Description

The Homing Chihuahua is, in effect, a Living Talisman. Gifted with a certain amount of Quintessence to power its gifts, the dog grows extremely tired after several runs. Tass for the dog is available in the form of a high-protein dog food (available from Doctor Velazquez at reasonable rates).

The Homing Chihuahua can return to any location defined as "home." The mage gives the Chihuahua a sense of "home" by showing it the area, saying the phrase "Here is home," and then keeping the dog in a cage. When released, the mage activates the chihuahua by saying "Go home, boy! (or girl)" and the dog races back towards the home location.

Because of its small size, the chihuahua usually can't carry more than a small message in a tube around its collar.

Rumors exist of Velazquez breeding later generations of Homing Chihuahuas with the abilities to step sideways (Spirit 3), or rapid travel to the "home" location. (Mind 1, Correspondence 1, Time 3).