The latest chapter of Dead by Daylight, titled "Doomed Course," has just been released, inviting players to dive into a chilling new experience. This chapter offers two new characters: a fearsome Killer known as The Houndmaster and a complex Survivor named Taurie Cain. As players navigate this dark and twisted world, they’ll uncover more about the deep connection between the reality we know and The Entity’s haunting realms.
Today, we’ll take an in-depth look at the backstories of these intriguing new characters, unraveling how one of the series’ most relentless Killers and a Survivor with some dark secrets came to be ensnared in the eerie Fog.
Merciless As The Sea
Portia Maye, before she became known as The Houndmaster, had a potential path to an uncomplicated life. Her early days were brightened by her father’s loving presence and the allure of oceanic adventures, mostly spent aboard her father’s ship. However, everything changed when the fierce pirate Mad Molak attacked their vessel, Nightsdream, and mercilessly eliminated almost everyone on board.
Spared for her skill in celestial navigation, Portia was overtaken by a consuming desire for vengeance. Her path into darkness began as she steered her father’s ship into treacherous waters at Dragon’s Tooth, ensuring her tormentors met a watery end. Miraculously, she survived. For years, she was the lone human survivor until she found a loyal companion in her puppy, Snug.
Interestingly, Portia epitomized survival. She lived through the gruesome ordeal of her ship’s massacre and years of being stranded alone, all while her craving for revenge grew stronger. Her stay at Dragon’s Tooth was unknowingly on a ‘Bleed,’ a mysterious portal conjoining realities.
Jessi Thind, Lead Narrative Director, explains, “The danger with entering a Bleed is it either destroys you or drives you mad.” Portia descended into madness, transforming into a Killer more brutal than Molak. By the time her vengeance was exacted, she was firmly entrenched in The Entity’s realm.
Her humanity, limited as it was, remained connected to Snug, her faithful protector. Their connection becomes evident in The Houndmaster’s Power, where Snug aids in tracking and capturing Survivors.
For The Black Talon
Taurie Cain grew up as part of the Black Talon, a branch of the sinister Black Vale. Her entire life was dedicated to uncovering The Entity’s secrets. Guided by her parents, she entered a Bleed someday to advance their studies. Though tragedy ensued, Taurie managed to intervene, cementing her allegiance to a dark cause and quickly rising through the Black Talon’s ranks.
Characters like Haddie Kaur and Elodie Rakoto have interacted with the Black Vale before, but Taurie actively sought the mystery, convinced The Entity held the answers to transcending human limitations.
Thind notes, “Taurie’s upbringing led her to genuinely believe her unsettling actions served humanity’s best interests. But as she climbed the ranks, darkness ensued, forcing her to face a critical choice.” Tasked with killing Jordan Rois, tied to Survivor Haddie Kaur, Taurie found herself at a crossroads years before entering The Fog.
Entering that world revealed the grim truth behind her beliefs, leading to an existential crisis. The revelation was not enough to break her spirit; Taurie remained determined that her real purpose was yet to be fulfilled.
Jessi Thind continues, “Being part of the Vale aligns with her survival in the Fog, as she believes everything is according to plan. Taurie is driven to continue her journey until The Entity deems her worthy of becoming a Killer.” This raises a question: why did The Entity cast her as a Survivor initially?
“Though unclear, The Entity seems to feast on emotions,” Thind suggests. “Taurie’s presence might introduce conflict and tension, feeding The Entity. Her belief in her path creates friction with her fellow Survivors, sparking anger, confusion, and mistrust.”
Despite these tensions, Taurie is relentless in her quest to thrive. Her Perks focus on evading teammates and luring the Killer, using pain to gain an edge.
It’s intriguing to note that both Portia and Taurie have faced Bleeds, yet Taurie seems relatively unaffected. If circumstances differed, they might have had alternate roles in The Entity’s realm. However, once the course is set, it’s irreversible, especially when the destination is enveloped in mystery.
Dive into this new chapter, "Doomed Course," with The Houndmaster and Taurie Cain, out now in the Xbox Store.
