Hunters

**Hunters** -- known in Scotland as "**breakers**" and in Japan as "**hanta**" -- are Awakened humans who have dedicated themselves to fighting against supernatural creatures. Though some hunters do so out of destiny, most do so of their own free will. Despite having no supernatural powers of their own, hunters typically develop an arsenal of specialized weapons and tools -- and oftentimes some magic -- to help them hold their own against the creatures they face off against.

Hunters are often either raised by parents who are hunters, and continue the family tradition, or they are turned to hunting due to the supernatural having an impact on their life, typically a tragic one -- often the death of a loved one. Hunters will typically keep journals as a record of each of their hunts, and to compile whatever knowledge of the supernatural they have learned. These records are then generally passed on to children or other hunters upon their death.

There are some places that hunters use to gather -- warded rest stops on the road, as many hunters travel constantly -- bars, or sometimes shops where items necessary for combatting the supernatural can be purchased. At least one ashram, run by Chadrel Gyatso, existed in India that was a gathering for hunters, where they could train to fight the supernatural alongside the monks there. These places can often be identified by strategic placement of hunter symbols on the windows or signs.

Upon a hunter's death, it is traditional for other hunters to salt and burn the body to prevent their fallen compatriot from becoming a ghost.

## Skills & Equipment

Although hunters are often at peak physical condition, and typically spend a great deal of time honing their fighting techniques with a variety of weapons, hunters do not have any powers that are not available to any average human. Hunters do tend to develop some skills that are particularly specialized -- such as skill at tracking and a working knowledge of certain ancient languages, often relevant to incantations and exorcisms. Hunters are typically proficient at stealth, and a number of skills and abilities that are generally not encouraged by law enforcement: lockpicking, con artistry, disguising themselves, forging fake IDs, identity theft (to pay for their lifestyle), impersonating law enforcement, and -- in some cases -- computer and security system hacking.

Hunters will also tend to accrue a large amount of equipment, useful for a variety of situations, including but not limited to:

* Firearms - guns are go-to weapon for many hunters, and so a variety of firearms are often at their disposal.
* Knives - knives are useful for hand-to-hand, close quarters combat. Machetes, swords, and axes often find their way into the arsenal for similar reasons.
* Salt - particularly rock salt, salt is often a deterrent for several supernatural creatures so many hunters always keep large quantities of it in their equipment.
* Silver - many common supernatural creatures are weak to silver, so hunters often keep items made of silver around -- including silver bullets.
* Iron - another common weakness for supernatural creatures is iron. Hunters will keep items made of iron close at hand.
* Holy Water - a useful deterrent and often useful against demons and vampires, hunters keep quantities of holy water in their arsenal.
* Stakes - wooden stakes are very useful against vampires, and since certain woods like Palo Alto can sometimes be used against other supernatural entities there is usually an assortment of different kinds of stakes.
* Technology - like other people, some hunters are adept at using technology to aid them. Websites like Fi Phillips' So Weird site allow hunters to communicate with each other, research, and even find cases. Tools like the SIDNEY program developed by Grace Nakimura are also useful for research.
* Magic - although not as powerful as witches or other kinds of spellcasters, hunters often use basic magic to aid in their hunts.
	+ Seals & Sigils - hunters usually learn to create numerous protective seals and sigils to ward against danger.
	+ Hex Bags - prepared spells in hex bags are often part of a hunter's inventory.

## Specialization

Some hunters specialize in specific types of supernatural creatures. These include:

* Witch-hunters
* Werewolf hunters
* Vampire hunters
* Ghost hunters

Some hunters have been imbued with special abilities through magic, biology, or destiny. These include:

* Brotherhood of Five
* Grimms
* Schattenjägers
* Slayers
* Witnesses

## Organizations

Hunters typically work with a partner or a small, loosely affiliated group or family. Formalized groups of hunters are rare, though do exist. Often they have ancient roots, sometimes originating in religious orders. Some examples include:

* The Men of Letters - this organization, with branches in both the United States and the United Kingdom, broke off from the Watchers Council in order to fight supernatural threats without relying on a Slayer.
* The Order of the Dragon - a fanatical organization devoted to the elimination of vampires.
* The Faction - a high-tech organization determined to control magic.
* The Order of the Cruciform Sword - a religious order dedicated to fighting demons alongside a chosen Warrior Nun.
* Manos Del Sol - the "Men of the Sun" are a religious order of priests based in Brazil, who have been known to hunt werewolves, vampires and demons.
* The Order of Saint George - a religious order of hunters based out of Vatican City.
* Pinkerton Agency - although a private detective agency and security firm, a division of the company is devoted to investigating the supernatural.

Many countries and government organizations also have their own covert organizations of hunters, which they use to defend against supernatural threats and maintain the Masquerade, keeping most of their citizens unaware of the supernatural. These include:

* Demon Research Initiative - an organization formed by the United States government to study supernatural creatures.
* Agency 355 - a small division within Homeland Security intended for archiving supernatural occurrences and objects.
* Texas Rangers - a division of this law enforcement agency is dedicated to fighting supernatural threats.

Many major cities, such as Chicago, also employ a special police unit to handle supernatural incidents.

## Sources

Hunters are present in all of the source material, but are primarily derived from *Supernatural.*