Ki-Noz - Night Dogs
The fearsome hunters of the Wild Hunt.
Career
Qualifications
The ranks of the Ki-Noz are selected by Hellequin himself, carefully selecting the strongest warriors, most ruthless killers, most skilled hunters and most devious similherez as his lieutenants. The physical, mental and spiritual strain of the Hunt and its potent magical energies, would kill most, or drive them mad. Hellequin and his lieutenants relish in corruption, and will often seek out celebrated and beloved heroes to serve as the vanguard for the mad hunt. Hellequin believes himself to be a supreme being, positioned to judge all below him, and seeks to punish these standouts for their "arrogance" as he sees it.
Experience at combat, riding, tracking and skill at Huderezh are highly sought after skills for those who ascend to serve as the Hounds of Hellequin.
Career Progression
The Ki-Hemolc'h are given a golden torque, magically branding them as the "domain" of Hellequin. As their power grows, often in conjunction with them becoming Milliget, these markings become more and more pronounced and complex.
Successful hunters are rewarded with Nightmare Mounts, special equipment and magical blessings. Failed hunters are punished, transformed into the fearsome Yeth Hounds.
There are an exceedingly rare number of cases of Ki-Helmoc'h who break free of the Hunt's control. These figures attract the hatred of Hellequin.
Payment & Reimbursement
The Ki-Hemolc'h are driven by an insatiable bloodlust, which is only satisfied by continuing the hunt. This cycle of mind-clouding addiction and magical compulsion keeps the hunters focused on their single-minded goals.
Other Benefits
The hunters are blessed with power, agelessness and the magic of the Fae, becoming Milliget and eventually true Fae. As members of the Wild Hunt, they are among the most powerful entities in Alvez among both mortals and Fae.
Perception
Purpose
The Ki-Hemolc'h serve as the elite hunters of the Ar Chase Gouez, warriors dedicated to eliminating the enemies of Faerie, such as the paradoxical Isfont from outside of reality or unstable magical abominations. However, this has also evolved into the personal army of Hellequin, either as mercenaries for the Sidhe Courts or the internal machinations of the Huntmaster.
Social Status
The Hunters of the Ar Chase Gouez are feared among the Fae and Mortals.
Operations
Tools
The hunters utilize whatever weapons they used prior to their "recruitment", aided by the powerful enchantments of Hellequin, which are removed in the unlikely even that a hunter leaves his service alive. Often, hunters are granted nightmares to serve as mounts. Ar Chase Gouez are the only sidhe who willingly use iron on other creatures of Fae.
Materials
The Ki-Noz are granted two specific items upon their ascension: A golden torque and an Olifant.
Each hunter is granted a hunting horn, which differ in material and magical power, with the most powerful Ki-Noz wielding talsim horns imbued with potent magical effects. Hunters instinctively know and understand a number of complex calls to direct each other, the Ki Du and even the host of Sluagh that follow the hunting pack.
The Golden Torque is granted to a hunter upon the initiation and is used as a binding on the Hunter and is worn at all times, serving as the symbol of a Ki-Noz's rank and loyalty, enchanted by Hellequin's dark magik.
Beyond these, the weapons, armor and mounts used by the Ki-Noz differ depending on the preference of their wielder and regional considerations. Bows, flails and polearms are especially common, but many choose to wield swords as well.
Ki-Noz often ride atop Nightmares and similar creatures made of living shadow. These typically take the form of black horses with bronze hooves and manes of fire and smoke, but may also appear as pegasi, unicorns, drakes, wyverns and gryphons. Other Hunters choose to forgo mounts entirely, relying instead on their natural and supernatural talents to personally run down their prey. These "runners" have a reputation for brutality, even among the Wild Hunt.
Dangers & Hazards
The Ar Chase Gouez is a dangerous task, despite the prowess of the group and its Hunters, facing powerful enemies at all times. Death is frequent among the Hunters and there is a constant cycle of their numbers.
The twisted machinations of Hellequin himself are little better. He delights in corrupting the "arrogant hubris", often great heroes or other beloved figures, taking there existence as a personal affront to his self-image as a supreme being, a judge of all beings in Alvez. Hellequin uses his magic to twist their forms into a mockery of their former selves. A cleric of the Southern Faith, for example, may gain the horns, tail and hooves traditionally ascribed to a demon, or a town hero may lead the assault that slaughters the village they once protected.
Alternative Names
Hunters, Hounds of Hellequin
Type
Military
Famous in the Field
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