Witch Hunters

The Witch Hunters are a powerful and independent agency who specialize in seeking out and destroying unknown and dangerous forms of magic in Cordelia, making them extremely dangerous to anyone they target. There are at first said to be only around ten in the world, usually positioned near major cities. This is later shown to be a drastic underestimate when almost a thousand show up outside of Ruleshaven. They outrank but will occasionally work with local Peacekeepers. Their organization is led by three leaders referred to as "upper management."

Rumor has it that anyone taken in by a Witch Hunter is never seen again, and that they dissect and harness the powers of the witches they capture to increase their own might. It is currently unknown how true this is, but one Witch Hunter is shown to be willing to work with demons themselves to catch their quarry. Some Witch Hunters also wield powerful magic, though it is unclear if this has anything to do with demons or witches. During the episode The Thin Black Line, we are shown an illusory initiation video that explains their purpose is to slay every demon and warlock in case they may carry a world-ruining force known as "The Unpleasantness". They are made fully aware during initiation that they will kill innocents in the process of securing the lives of millions.

When Cordelia unleashes her warlock powers on the town guards in The Soaking Valley, a Witch Hunter is alerted to investigate her unique race and magic. The fact that they were alerted is enough to cause Frederick de Bonesby alarm. When the party returns after clearing out Scrum North, the witch hunter Virginia and Joshy are waiting for them after making a deal with Scrum Fabulous. The group is taken into custody peacefully, but as they attempt to clear the road, they are whisked away to safety by Danny Timeshare. Virginia is able to consult Cheddar and force him to help them track down Cordelia, who she hunts back down in Ruleshaven.

Bellow eventually uses Pebis’ boon to make the Witch Hunters forget that "we” exist. Pebis interprets this to mean “hot people,” which still leaves the organization nearly crippled. When they suddenly realize there are attractive people, many of the Witch Hunters are left in a state of constant arousal while forgetting some of their hotter agents exist. They have difficulty organizing themselves and begin enforcing chastity belts on their more attractive members, who have forgotten most of their lives and are vaguely presumed to be allies. They still patrol main roads and paths, hindering the party's travel whenever they can.

## Members

Virginia

Joshy

Carl Lips

Marvin

Joffrey

Morris Ironside

Stephanie Santangelo Gooch

Eddie Single

Dutch Stewart

Frankie Fielder

Jason Baby

John Menthol

Butthole

## Trivia

* Virginia tells Cordelia that there are “more than one” and “less than a thousand” Witch Hunters, but adds that the number is far closer to the latter than Cordelia would hope.

* Virginia states that Witch Hunters know the location of all other Witch Hunters at all times. She reminds the party several times that should one die or disappear, this would only bring the attention of many others. This is likely maintained by their communication channels via their magical gloves.
* The Witch Hunters will bring powerful magic into play when they feel a target is dangerous enough to warrant it. During their time in Ruleshaven, they employ a Social Call, a magical force strong enough to level the entire city. Shortly after, they summon stones carved into wanted posters at most settled towns. These include a Callstone, one that may be touched to contact the authorities.
* Several scenes involving fighting the Witch Hunters are accompanied by the song The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
* Witch Hunters are often human or similar races. They are puzzled to see anyone as large as Cordelia, and several Hunters are vocally surprised at the idea a kenku agent.
* There are always three members of Upper Management. The only means of the spot opening up is if one of them dies. It is heavily implied that being the person who kills a previous member grants you their position.
* Witch Hunters communicate with each other via their gloves, using them as walkie talkies. In truth, they possess a magical hole that reaches a shared magical rift. Speaking the number assigned to the respective glove or channel speaks into and comes out of the glove.
* Witch Hunters claim to have been around Cordelia for as long as humanity itself has existed. There are ancient cave paintings depicting what appear to be primitive Witch Hunters (which are still paintings on canvases, but were arranged in a cave). These are accredited to an unknown artist they refer to as Painto.
* The Witch Hunters keep an elite force for more extreme cases known as Seal Team Ace.

## Quotes

* *"The humble, primarily wet citizens of Ottersquirt are trying to go on about their business but there's no denying that life under the thumb of the Witch Hunters is less than ideal for all but the most masochistic of subs. And I'm not here to deny them there fun. But still, my heart goes out to the switches in town who are only getting half of their rocks off, to say nothing of the doms of town who this reporter assumes must be closing in on the brink of madness at this point."* -Branson Reese