The Witch Hunters of the Dawn

For centuries, the dark shadows of the supernatural have loomed over the realm, and in response to these mystical threats, the Witch Hunter Order emerged as the formidable weapon in the Church of the Dawn's arsenal. Rooted in zealous devotion and driven by an unyielding mission, the Witch Hunters are the Church's chosen military arm, sanctioned to enforce divine will and eradicate any unlawful practitioners of magic. Established over a millennium ago, the Witch Hunter Order owes its origins to the Church of the Dawn, an influential religious institution that has long championed the purity of faith and the eradication of heresy in all its forms. In an era where magic was feared and misunderstood, the Church recognized the dangers it posed to the stability of the realm and sought to combat it with unwavering zeal.
The Witch Hunters' key tenants revolve around a relentless pursuit of unlawful practitioners of magic, particularly witches and druids. Empowered by the Church's direct supply and substantial funding, they are equipped with the knowledge and resources needed to face the arcane dangers head-on. The revered and feared Witch Hunter General Dukane, appointed by the Church's highest authority, holds absolute control over the organization, shaping its doctrines and leading its zealous crusade.
In their fervent pursuit of purging the land of dark magic, the Witch Hunters answer to no secular authority, acknowledging only the Church's leadership as their guiding force. Their autonomy and independence from mundane governance have garnered them a reputation of being both feared and revered. Few dare challenge their jurisdiction or question their actions, for to oppose the Witch Hunter Order is to invite the full fury of the Church itself.
However, with such authority comes a contentious legacy. The Witch Hunters' notorious reputation for arresting tieflings, those bearing the taint of infernal ancestry, has sparked heated controversies and bitter resentment among those affected. The enmity towards followers of the Faith of the Maiden has only deepened this divide, as the Witch Hunters perceive them as a deviation from the true path of faith.
Despite their divisive methods and fierce reputation, the Witch Hunter Order's fervor remains undeterred. In a world where arcane forces lurk in the shadows, they stand as the Church's most potent weapon, guardians of faith, and protectors of the realm from the malevolent grasp of dark magic. Whether hailed as heroes or condemned as zealots, their legacy endures, shaping the course of history with each step they take in their eternal quest to cleanse the world of all magical impurity.

Structure

Organizational Structure and Hierarchy of the Witch Hunters High Patriarch of the Church: The High Patriarch stands at the pinnacle of the Church's leadership, holding the highest spiritual authority within the organization. While not directly involved in day-to-day operations of the Witch Hunters, their decrees and guidance shape the overall direction and doctrine of the Order.
Archbishop: Second only to the High Patriarch, the Archbishop oversees the ecclesiastical affairs of the Church. They have significant influence over the Witch Hunter Order and work closely with the Witch Hunter General to ensure alignment with the Church's teachings and goals.
Witch Hunter General: The Witch Hunter General serves as the supreme commander and leader of the Witch Hunters. They are appointed by the Church's highest authority and hold absolute control over the organization. Responsible for strategic decisions, resource allocation, and setting the overarching mission, the Witch Hunter General is the driving force behind the Order's relentless pursuit of unlawful practitioners of magic.
Witch Hunter Cleric: Reporting directly to the Witch Hunter General, the Witch Hunter Cleric is a high-ranking spiritual leader among the Witch Hunters. They provide guidance, perform religious rites, and ensure that the Order remains true to the faith and its sacred mission. Additionally, they are skilled in combating magical threats, wielding both divine magic and martial prowess.
Elder Witch Hunter: Elite and seasoned members, the Elder Witch Hunters are the veterans who have proved their devotion, loyalty, and skills in countless battles against the arcane. They act as advisors to the Witch Hunter General, leading tactical operations and mentoring younger Witch Hunters.
Witch Hunter: The core members of the Witch Hunter Order, Witch Hunters are skilled combatants and investigators. Trained extensively in the arts of combat, investigation, and arcane lore, they are responsible for identifying and capturing unlawful practitioners of magic. Witch Hunters operate in teams or individually, seeking out and confronting magical threats across the realm.
Neophytes: Aspiring recruits who have been accepted into the Witch Hunter Order but are yet to complete their rigorous training. Neophytes undergo intense physical and mental preparation, learning the ways of the Witch Hunters under the tutelage of experienced members. They are the future of the Order, honing their skills and dedication to join the ranks of the Witch Hunters as full-fledged members upon completing their training.
Deputized Churchmen: Little more than thugs deputized by a Witch Hunter for a particular task or job. These individuals lack the extensive training and discipline of full-fledged Witch Hunters but are enlisted to serve under their authority for specific missions or tasks. While their role may be more limited, they still act as extensions of the Witch Hunter's will, carrying out duties that require brute force or lesser finesse.
As a highly structured and disciplined organization, the Witch Hunters embody the unwavering dedication of the Church in combating the supernatural. Each tier of the hierarchy plays a crucial role in fulfilling the Order's mission, upholding the faith, and ensuring the safety of the realm from the malevolent forces of magic. The Neophytes represent the potential and promise of the Order's future, while the Deputized Churchmen provide them with a versatile and adaptive force to face the ever-present dangers of the arcane world.

Culture

The internal culture of the Witch Hunter Order is a dark and complex tapestry, woven with threads of religious hypocrisy, corruption, and the abuse of power. Operating under the guise of divine righteousness, the Order's members are bound by an unwavering belief in their sacred mission to cleanse the realm of dark magic. However, beneath the façade of piety lies a troubling underbelly of moral ambiguity and the shadowy pursuit of personal gains.
Religious hypocrisy looms like a haunting specter within the Order's ranks. The Witch Hunters present themselves as zealous defenders of the faith, wielding the divine mandate to eradicate all who wield forbidden magic. Yet, their actions often betray their commitment to righteousness, as they manipulate religious doctrines to justify ruthless tactics and questionable alliances. Sanctimonious pronouncements cloak a hidden desire for power, and the very faith they claim to champion becomes a means to serve their own ambitions.
The corruption within the Witch Hunter Order taints their once noble purpose. Their direct association with the Church grants them access to vast resources, which, in turn, can be exploited for personal gain. Under the guise of hunting down practitioners of dark magic, some members exploit their authority to extort and amass wealth. The lure of temptation is ever-present, as the line between righteousness and wickedness blurs within the ranks, leaving the Order susceptible to moral decay.
The abuse of power serves as a tool to enforce the Witch Hunter's dominance over those deemed as enemies of the faith. Operating with minimal oversight, some members indulge in unchecked aggression, using their status to oppress and persecute individuals, especially tieflings and those who follow the Faith of the Maiden. This abuse of authority fractures the trust between the Order and the populace, leading to fear and resentment of their zealous pursuit of justice.
Amidst these troubling themes, a struggle ensues within the Witch Hunter Order - a battle for the soul of its very essence. Some members uphold the original ideals of protecting the realm from true malevolence, seeking to maintain the integrity of their sacred mission. But within the darkness of corruption and abuse, others succumb to the allure of power and personal gain, casting aside the Order's higher purpose in favor of their self-serving pursuits.
In this complex web of religious hypocrisy, corruption, and abuse of power, the Witch Hunter Order stands as both a beacon of hope and a harbinger of dread. The internal culture within its ranks reflects the eternal struggle between noble righteousness and the seduction of wickedness, posing a profound challenge to the Order's true identity and purpose. Only time will reveal whether the Witch Hunters can reconcile their inner demons and rediscover the purity of their sacred mission.

Public Agenda

The Witch Hunter's public agenda is simple, find and eliminate any and all unwanted practitioners of magic.

Assets

The Witch Hunters command a formidable array of assets, forged to combat the supernatural threats that loom over the realm. As the Church's military arm, they wield an arsenal of specialized weaponry designed explicitly for defense against magic, some of which are touched by powerful, unseen entities of the ethereal realm.
1. Eldritch Weapons: The Witch Hunters' armory contains a collection of Eldritch Weapons, each meticulously crafted with enchanted materials and inscribed with eldritch sigils. These weapons have been touched by powerful, unseen entities from the ethereal realm, granting them unique properties to combat magic. Blades crackle with arcane energy, crossbows fire bolts infused with spectral force, and shields create a shimmering barrier against spells.
2. Enchanted Runes and Wards: Adorning their armor and equipment, the Witch Hunters bear intricate enchanted runes and wards. These protective symbols are empowered by ethereal beings, providing a potent defense against malevolent magical forces. The runes enhance the Witch Hunters' resilience, granting them resistance to harmful spells and curses.
3. Occultist Knowledge: The Witch Hunters possess deep knowledge of occult practices and the intricacies of magical lore. This understanding allows them to identify and counter various arcane phenomena, making them adept at unraveling complex magical enchantments.
4. Mystic Trinkets: The Order maintains a collection of mystic trinkets, small artifacts infused with the essence of otherworldly entities. These talismans grant the Witch Hunters additional abilities, such as the power to dispel illusions or resist mind-controlling spells.
5. Attuned Gear: The Witch Hunters are equipped with gear that has been attuned to the unique magical frequencies of malevolent entities. This attunement allows them to detect magical disturbances and trace the presence of arcane practitioners, aiding them in their pursuit of unlawful magic users.
6. Alchemical Elixirs: The Witch Hunters possess a range of alchemical elixirs, concocted from rare ingredients and imbued with essences from the ethereal plane. These elixirs can enhance their physical prowess, provide temporary immunity to magical effects, or grant them limited access to mystical abilities.
7. Ethereal Training Grounds: The Witch Hunters train in specialized ethereal training grounds, where they learn to attune themselves to the unseen entities. Through rigorous rituals and meditations, they forge a spiritual connection that enhances their abilities to combat magical threats.
With their Eldritch Weaponry touched by powerful unseen entities, the Witch Hunters stand as a formidable force, wielding a unique and potent arsenal against the dark forces of magic. Their expertise in harnessing the ethereal realm's energies, combined with their unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of their sacred mission, make them an imposing and mysterious presence, feared by those who dabble in forbidden magic.

Let the Light be upon us in our solemn duty.

Founding Date

100 B.M.E.

Type

Religious, Inquisitorial

Alternative Names

The Hats; Dark Knives; Boots of the Church

Related Historical Events

• 500 ME
  The Plague Wars