The Blood Hunters

**The Blood Hunters** are mortals (which can be human, elvish, dwarfish, half-elvish or Jötunn) who have sworn loyalty to the Vengeful God Vidarr to join him in the Great Cleansing and dedicate themselves to the mission of slaying the dark forces of the universe for as long as they live. They gain eternal youth and semi-immortality as long as they don't break their vows, or are slain in battle.

Blood hunters are clever warriors driven by an unending determination to destroy evils old and new. Armed with rites of secretive blood magic and a willingness to sacrifice their own vitality and humanity for their cause, they protect the realms from the shadows—even as they remain ever vigilant against being drawn to the darkness that consumes the monsters they hunt.

## Description

Whether driven by the wish to make a difference, the need to take vengeance, or the hope of finding a place to belong in an uncaring world, every blood hunter has their own reasons for undertaking the ritual of the Hunter’s Bane that starts them on this path, and binds their soul to that of a vengeful Aesir, who would punish them for eternity should they break their oath. In joining an order of blood hunters, one also joins a family bound by service to each other and a common cause. For many, this might be the only family they have left—or have ever known—making the kinship felt between blood hunters an all-but-unbreakable bond.

Outside the camaraderie of their orders, however, the life of a blood hunter is not an easy one. The ritual of the Hunter’s Bane can leave a character visibly changed, and prone to unsettling the people around them. Likewise, witnessing hemocraft can invoke superstitious fears from even the most learned scholars. While some cultures have come to accept the good deeds of many blood hunter orders, many blood hunters hide their calling unless absolutely necessary. They feel more comfortable in the wilds and wastes of the world, or drift through the outskirts of society, protecting the poor and defenseless from dark intention and the corrupting touch of fiends.

In choosing this path, every blood hunter irrevocably gives a part of themself to their cause—physically, emotionally, and sometimes morally. Each order of blood hunters practices its own ideals and methods, often employing techniques with dark origins that test the strength and will of those who employ them. Many wrestle with the fear of losing this struggle. And so a life of discipline and vigilance drives a blood hunter’s travels as they wander the countryside, in search of like-minded adventurers and whispers of dark deeds afoot.

## History

### Establishment

During the Aesir-Vanir War, Vidarr approached his father with a new idea to give The Aesir an advantage in the conflict. He asked for a small band of fighter, with whom he could mould the perfect warriors. Odin agreed, and gave him the youngest sons of the five oldest families of Humans and Elves to do with as he pleased. Vidarr carried out intense experiments on them which altered their physiology and gave them slight physical differences and advantages, as well as different advantages. This came at the cost of runic markings across their faces that made them heavily stand out from their kin. The complete list of these spells was compiled into an enchantment placed on the words of the **Hunter's Bane**, the oath new blood hunters take to swear their fidelity to Vidarr and his cause. He also decided to wipe his Hunter's memories to allow them to put their past behind them, and dedicate themselves entirely to the cause.

### The First Orders

As the Aesir-Vanir continued with no signs of stopping, Vidarr made the decision to gift his hunters the gift of immortality. He also decided to move their activities away from fighting in the frontlines, to stopping the recently emerged scourge of monsters rising up from the Lower Realms. After **The Battle of Hel** briefly allowed spirits to invade the rest of The Nine Realms, the first School of Blood Hunter's was created, The Order of The Ghostslayer.

## Organization

### Leadership

The Blood Hunters collectively are ruled by a group of leaders known as the **Grand Council of Blood Hunters**, or **Grand Council** for short. The Grand Council was a board of elected hunters renowned for their incredible contributions to the Hunterdom, each one elected by the other members of the Council following the retirement of a Grandmaster. Only five Grandmasters can exist at a time, and only one can hold the title of Grandmaster of each Order.

All Grandmasters take on this position for life, or until "retirement" (the act of a Blood Hunter refusing to hunt more monsters until their extended life runs out). Meetings of the Grand Council were held annually in Asgard. The council was helmed by the High Justicar, and the Council dealt directly with the High Patron, Vidarr.

A clerk, a parliamentarian, and various Vanguards and Masters also serve on the Grand Council as assistants to the Grandmasters.

### Structure

**High Justicar -** The High Justicar is the leader of the Blood Hunters. They have the final say of passing laws, and can intervene or veto the nomination of acolytes into the order. They are also the only member of the Blood Hunters permitted to make contact with Vidarr, their Patron god, without approval by either the Aesir or the Grand Council. It is the job of the High Justicar to preside over meetings of the Grand Council. He acts as mediator and judge for the council, presiding over their arguments, debates, caucus' and plans. Erness Sageweaver is the current High Justicar.

**Grandmaster -** Seated on the Grand Council, four Grandmaster Hunters preside over the affairs of the Hunterdom. It is the highest honor that Blood Hunter could hope to achieve. The Grandmasters hear cases concerning the legalities of proposed or current laws and actions, then decide whether the law or action will be permitted to stand.

Once a Master becomes Grandmaster, the only way to end their tenure is by "retiring" themselves. However, to "retire" themselves, the Grandmaster's Vanguard Legion must unanimously and voluntarily consent to retire as well. Without that consensus, the Grandmaster is not permitted to retire. Should the consensus be reached, arrangements concerning the Grandmaster's successor and the date of the retirement ceremony will be agreed upon; the successor must be present at the retirement to receive the dead Grandmaster's Golden Blade. These preparations are carried out in secrecy.

**Masters -** Vanguard who showed excellency in the field of the Hunterdom may be nominated for the title of Master at one of the quarter-annual conferences of the Hunterdom. Self-declaration of the title was frowned upon and rare practice. Masters were usually appointed to various councils, including the Council of Knowledge, Council of Bestiary, Council of the Forge and Council of the Initiate.

**Vanguard -** The Vanguard were hunters recognized for their dedication and talent in the Hunters. They were ordered to return to the Fortress, and took up a residency there. They ended their time as a mercenary-for-hire, and only accepted jobs from the Order, working in groups to take on big threats. In the meantime, Vanguards acted as guards for the fortresses as well as Mentors for Acolytes and Initiates.

**Hunter -** Following a period of nearly a decade of one-on-one training with a master, a disciplined Initiate was eligible to become a hunter. Hunter's are not permitted to take permanent residence in their fortress, and instead must seek their fortune in the wider world. Hunters take contracts with the general public, and slay the majority of monsters and beasts. They make up the majority of the Hunterdom, and are what are typically thought of as bloodhunters.

### Law

The Hunter's Code was a series of laws, commandments and tenents intended to help establish, regulate and maintain the general behavior of members of the Blood Hunters. All Hunters no matter what Order, or creed they follow are subject to the code, and punishment is doled out for faliure to uphold these laws. The fundamental commandments are a series of laws written up by the first Grand Council to dictate the law of Blood Hunters. They are as follows:

1. Thou shalt always prioritize the safety of civilians and innocent bystanders when engaging in monster hunting missions.
	* If civilians are in immediate danger, the monster hunt should be postponed until they can be safely removed from the area.
	* If innocent bystanders are caught in the crossfire during a monster hunt, the perpetrating hunter must offer compensation for any damages incurred.
2. Thou shalt not discriminate against any member of the organization based on race, gender, or religion, as all members are vital to the success of the mission.
	* All members of the organization must be treated with respect, regardless of rank or seniority.
3. Thou shalt not engage in unnecessary violence or cruelty when hunting monsters. Only the minimum amount of force necessary to neutralize the threat should be used.
	* Monsters should be dispatched as quickly and humanely as possible, without causing undue suffering.
	* Members of the organization should receive training in non-lethal methods of subduing monsters, such as trapping or tranquilizing.
4. Thou shalt always work as a team and support your fellow monster hunters in battle. No hunter should ever be left behind.
	* All members of the team should communicate effectively and work together to achieve their objective.
	* Members of the team should provide support and backup to their fellow hunters during a monster hunt.
5. Thou shalt respect the power and abilities of the monsters being hunted, and not underestimate their strength or intelligence.
	* Members of the organization should conduct research and gather intelligence on the specific monsters they are hunting, in order to better understand their strengths and weaknesses.
	* The organization should provide members with the necessary tools and equipment to effectively combat each type of monster.
6. Thou shalt always be prepared and equipped with the necessary tools and weapons before engaging in a monster hunt.
	* Members of the organization should conduct regular equipment checks to ensure that their gear is in good working order.
	* The organization should provide members with specialized gear and equipment for specific types of monsters.
7. Thou shalt not take on a monster hunting mission beyond the capabilities of the organization, and should seek assistance if necessary.
	* The organization should conduct risk assessments before undertaking any monster hunting mission.
	* If a mission is deemed too risky, the organization should seek assistance from other groups or individuals with specialized skills.
8. Thou shalt keep a record of all successful monster hunts and share knowledge with fellow hunters, to better prepare for future missions.
	* The organization should maintain a database of all successful monster hunts, including information on the type of monster, the location, and the methods used to dispatch it.
	* Members of the organization should be encouraged to share their experiences and knowledge with one another to improve the overall effectiveness of the organization.
9. Thou shalt maintain a code of honor and integrity in all dealings, and never engage in dishonorable or underhanded tactics when hunting monsters.
	* Members of the organization should conduct themselves with honesty and integrity at all times.
	* The organization should have a code of conduct that all members must adhere to, and violations of this code should be taken seriously.
10. Thou shalt not engage in any activities that may bring harm to the natural balance of the world, such as overhunting or extinction of a particular monster species.
	* The organization should keep track of the populations of different types of monsters to ensure that they are not overhunted or driven to extinction.
	* The organization should work to preserve and protect natural habitats in which monsters live.
11. Thou shalt always be respectful of the culture and traditions of the area in which the monster hunt is taking place, and seek to minimize any disruption caused by the hunt.
	* Members of the organization should conduct themselves with sensitivity and respect for the local culture and traditions.
	* The organization should provide training to members
12. Thou shalt not engage in any illegal activities or activities that may bring harm to the organization's reputation.
	* Members of the organization should not use information or resources gained through monster hunting for personal gain or profit.
	* The organization should have strict guidelines in place to prevent conflicts of interest or abuse of power.
13. Thou shalt always keep an open mind and be willing to learn new techniques and strategies for hunting monsters, in order to become better hunters.
	* The organization should be aware of and comply with all applicable laws and regulations governing monster hunting.
	* Members of the organization should receive training on the legal and ethical considerations of monster hunting.
14. Thou shalt always be willing to lend aid to those in need, even if it is not directly related to a monster hunt. Helping others can foster good relations with the local population and lead to valuable alliances.
	* The organization should encourage members to seek out new techniques and strategies for monster hunting.
	* The organization should have a research and development team dedicated to exploring new technologies and methods for monster hunting.

## Blood Hunter Orders

A handful of secretive orders shape and define the knowledge of the blood hunters, their members all guarding unique arrays of cryptic techniques and rituals. Potential Hunters must seek out one of these orders to even be granted access to the Hunter’s Bane rite that starts each blood hunter’s journey. But only once a blood hunter has proven their dedication and worth will an order’s most powerful secrets be revealed.

### Order of the Ghostslayer

The Order of the Ghostslayer is the oldest of the blood hunter orders, its members having originally rediscovered the secrets of hemocraft and refined them for combat against the scourge of undeath. Ghostslayers seek out and study the moment of death, obsessing over the mystery of the transition from life, and the unholy power that can cause the dead to rise once more. These zealous blood hunters make it their life’s work to destroy the scourge of undeath wherever it is found, tuning their abilities to engage undead creatures and those who manipulate the necromancy that creates them.

### Order of the Lycan

The ancient curse of lycanthropy is feared by nearly all peoples and cultures, passed through blood and seeding a host with the savage strength and hunger for violence of a wicked beast. The Order of the Lycan is a proud group of blood hunters who undergo “the Taming”—the ceremonial infliction of lycanthropy by a senior member of the order, for those who do not already carry the curse before seeking this path. These hunters then use the magic of their blood to harness the power of the monster they harbor, without losing themselves to it. Using intense will and secret blood magic rituals, members of the Order of the Lycan learn to control and unleash their hybrid forms for short periods of time. Enhanced physical prowess, unnatural resilience, and razor-sharp claws make these warriors a terrible foe to any evil that crosses their path. Yet no training is perfect, and without care and complete focus, even the greatest of blood hunters can temporarily lose themselves to their own hunger.

#### The Burden of Lycanthropy

Those inducted into the Order of the Lycan choose this path with conviction, understanding the terrible weight it imposes on them and the challenges it brings. Where most afflicted by the curse of lycanthropy grow wicked, deranged, and even murderous, Lycan blood hunters accept the gifts of the beast while maintaining control through intense training and the power of their blood magic. A member of the Order of the Lycan cannot spread their curse through blood unless they wish to, and one of the most sacred oaths of this order is to never infect another creature without the order’s sanction.

If a member of the Order of the Lycan is ever cured of their lycanthropic curse, it brings terrible shame to their name and the order. Members who have been cleansed against their will readily return to the order to undergo a renewed initiation of the Taming, reintroducing the curse to their bodies and restoring their honor.

Lycanthropy comes in many forms bound to specific beasts, with wolf, bear, tiger, boar, and rat the best-known variations. The particular strain of the lycanthropic curse defines the physical traits that manifest in a Lycan blood hunter’s hybrid transformation, even as the benefits the curse bestows remain relatively uniform.

### Order of the Mutant

The process of undertaking the Hunter’s Bane ritual is a painful, scarring, and sometimes fatal experience. Those who survive are irrevocably changed—and not always for the better. Over generations of experimentation, a splinter order of blood hunters honed the way in which hemocraft alters the body, using corrupted alchemy and toxic elixirs to alter their blood even further. Over time, they have modified their capabilities in battle, becoming something beyond what they once were. Calling themselves the Order of the Mutant, these blood hunters now specialize in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their foes, altering their biology to be best prepared for any conflict.

### Order of the Profane Soul

Blood hunters belonging to the Order of the Profane Soul have pushed the limits of hemocraft for use against some of the most terrifying creatures corrupting the world. Ancient fiends and cruel magic-users have long counted on their ability to meld into the background and escape those who hunt them, vanishing into noble courts without a trace, or bending the minds of the most stalwart warriors with but a glance. So the blood hunters who founded this order trusted to their resilience as they delved into the same well of corrupting arcane knowledge, making pacts with lesser evils to better combat the greater threats. And though they might have traded a part of themselves for their power, the members of this order know the benefits of that power far outweigh the price.

## Notable Blood Hunters

* **Haldor Askeson** - The Blood Hunter responsible for founding the Order of The Ghostslayer
* **Olaf Erlason** - First Human to learn how to control his Lycanthropy. Paved the way for the Order of Lycan
* **Larenthanil** - Elven Bloodhunter who developed the first Mutagen
* **Hallr Erling** - Blood Hunter who was the first to abandon an order. Also founded the Order of the Profane Soul
* **Aendryr** - An Elvish Werebear Lycanthrope who lost control and still roams the Wild Plains in Alfheim.
* **Torleif Blackarm** - Order of the Ghostslayer Blood Hunter who felled the Fossegrim of Utgard
* **Einar Torson -** Order of The Mutant Blood Hunter, also known as the Grey Raven