Order of Bloodhunters

The **Order of Bloodhunters** is a Lycan order dedicated to the fighting of monsters and the protection of the realm.

## Background

The Order of Bloodhunters work across the continent of Asterox, tolerated by leaders and monarchs in the Varramine Kingdom and across the Free Cities of the Cantida Coast. They are politically unaffiliated, driven by their own strict set of morals.

All blood hunters wear a totem that signals both their rank and what kind of Lycan they are. It is a metal amulet inscribed with their totem sigil, a depiction of their animal form. This is forged in brass for Initiates; iron for those of the second order, Wardens; and platinum for those at the highest level, Elders.

There are outposts for the Order, called Maledictaries, across the continent. Most are small, with a total of only 100-200 Bloodhunters operating across the continent at any time. This is in order to keep a watchful eye on the Bloodhunters and to accomplish their aims neatly and quietly.

Initiates are created through a ceremony called The Taming, in which an interested applicant, once they have proved themself to be physically adept and morally true, is gifted with the curse of Lycanthropy. They are given the curse by a Warden, who is called their Sire. Each Sire inducts and trains their progeny, generally 2-3 Initiates to every Sire. Initiates give up their old family name and devote themselves entirely to the Order.

The Order is led by a council of Elder Bloodhunters. It takes a very long time to reach this level, and there are usually only three Elders at any one time. They direct the Order jointly, keeping one another in check.

Once an Initiate has been in training for several years and proven themself ready, they are sent out into the world. Some are stationed at certain troubled locales in the more dangerous and monster-plagued parts of the continent, tasked with fending off any creatures that come their way. Others are sent on specific missions. They all check back in with their Sire regularly, communicating via raven or crow. They can find these birds at Rookeries in larger towns, or at the territory’s nearest Maledictary.

The Bloodhunters have an age-old tradition of neutrality in political affairs. Their sworn oath is to protect the realm from the monsters and fiends that threaten it, not to meddle with the workings of any one kingdom or faction. They have been asked, every so often, to intervene in a political altercation, by those who know of their power, but the Order always refuses such propositions.

Once in the Bloodhunters, you are bound for life. If you leave the Order, you are exiled, cast out across the seas to fend for oneself in unknown lands. There are a few crimes so severe that the penalty is death: to attempt to cure oneself voluntarily of the curse of Lycan, or to sire new Lycans without permission. Romance between Lycans is permitted, but the birth of children is not, and relations with humanoids outside of the order is strongly discouraged. To be slain in battle with a creature or while protecting one more vulnerable than themself is the most honorable death for a Bloodhunter. If possible, their body should be retrieved and returned to the earth in the Bloodhunter graveyard in the Wyckwood Maledictary.

## Notable People

 Etriss | NPC
 Delphine Mercier | NPC
 Kean | NPC
 Tian | NPC
 Munna | NPC

## Points of Interest

* Fields Maledictary
* Marshlands Maledictary
* Coast Maledictary
* Wyckwood Maledictary