Dive into the latest chapter of Dead by Daylight, titled "Doomed Course," where a sinister new Killer known as The Houndmaster makes her entrance alongside a complex new Survivor, Taurie Cain. This update not only introduces new characters but also expands on the eerie lore that ties our world with The Entity’s mysterious Realms.
Let’s unravel their intriguing backstories, exploring how these formidable figures found themselves ensnared in The Fog.
Unforgiving as the Ocean
Portia Maye, before she became known as The Houndmaster, almost led a normal life. Her childhood was filled with her father’s warmth and the thrill of adventures at sea. But everything changed when the menacing pirate Mad Molak attacked her father’s ship, the Nightsdream, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.
Portia was spared, kept alive to serve as a navigator. Driven by a relentless thirst for vengeance, she guided the ship to the cursed Dragon’s Tooth, where she outsmarted her captors, causing their demise. Despite the odds, she survived, eventually finding companionship in a puppy named Snug.
At one time, Portia epitomized survival itself: enduring the gruesome massacre and later, her years of solitude. However, her mind was consumed with revenge, growing darker over time.
Unbeknownst to her, the Dragon’s Tooth was a ‘Bleed,’ a meeting point where different realms intersect. Imagine it as a blending of two worlds.
"As you step into a Bleed," notes Lead Narrative Director Jessi Thind, "it either kills you or drives you to madness."
Portia’s descent into madness honed her into a Killer more ferocious than Molak. By the time she enacted her final revenge, her fate in The Entity’s realm was sealed.
Now, only her bond with Snug retains any glimpse of her former humanity. This relationship inspires her power as The Houndmaster, using Snug to track and seize Survivors.
Serving the Black Talon
Taurie Cain grew up under the Black Talon’s wing, a faction within the notorious Black Vale, dedicating her life to uncovering The Entity’s mysteries. Seeking answers, Taurie’s parents ventured into a Bleed, but disaster struck, prompting her to follow them in a desperate attempt to save them.
This act of courage set her on a path of dark devotion. Unlike other Survivors who encountered the Black Vale, Taurie embraced it, convinced The Entity held the secret to transcending mortality.
"Taurie truly believes her actions will benefit humanity," explains Thind. "As she climbed the Black Talon’s hierarchy, the darkness intensified, reaching a point where she faced a defining choice."
Her convictions led her to a critical moment, tasked with sacrificing Jordan Rois, Haddie Kaur’s stepbrother. Yet, as she raised her weapon, doubt crept in, marking one of her final acts before entering The Fog.
Once there, she realized her unwavering faith brought only suffering. Despite this, Taurie remains unbroken, still searching for her true purpose.
"Her belief might serve her well in The Fog, as she thinks it’s all part of a greater plan," continues Thind. "She’s resolved to persevere until recognized by The Entity."
A lingering question remains: why did The Entity cast Taurie into its Realm as a Survivor?
"The Entity thrives on emotions," explains Thind. "Perhaps it sensed her division among Survivors could be beneficial, feeding off the conflict she unintentionally creates."
Determined to survive, Taurie uses her skills to separate herself from allies, intentionally drawing the Killer’s gaze, and using every inch of pain to her advantage.
Interestingly, Portia and Taurie both experienced life within the Bleeds, though Taurie’s experience seemed less impactful. Were circumstances different, perhaps their roles in The Entity’s Realm could have shifted. But once destiny charts its course, there are no detours, especially when the journey is veiled in the Fog.
Step into the world of Dead by Daylight’s "Doomed Course," featuring The Houndmaster and Taurie Cain, available now on the Xbox Store.
