Blood Hunters

There is a saying in the back alleys of Shadowshore - "set a thief to catch a thief".
There is a similar saying amongst those who employ Blood Hunters. "Set a monster to catch a monster".

Monster Hunters

Often feared or misunderstood, and driven by a seeming unending drive to destroy the wicked, blood hunters are mercenary arcane warriors who specialise in hunting monsters. They travel the world alone; solitary wanderers hiring out their skills for gold, food and lodging.
Despite their undoubted skill at monster slaying Blood Hunters are shunned and feared by common folk. There are many tales about the rites and rituals they undergo during their training, sacrificing their humanity and vitality for their cause.
Dark tales of blood magic and strange concoctions brewed from the essence of their fallen foes shadow them wherever they travel.
Still, they protect the common folk of the wilderness from terrible forces, ever vigilant to avoid becoming the same monsters they choose to hunt.

Arcane Hunters

While most of the classic schools of magical study are well known and widely respected, the less refined and macabre incantations of Hemocraft have long been forbidden and lost to most of the civilized world.
Blood Hunters have reclaimed these techniques away from the judging eyes of society, finding blood magic’s esoteric nature effective against the evils that often defy the divine powers that historically hold the line.
Through careful study and practice, blood hunters have honed the rites of Hemocraft into their combat prowess, forfeiting a facet of their health to infuse their weapons with powerful blood magic and summoning the elements to envelop their strikes.
It is said that they can sear an arcane brand into the body of their quarry that hinders their foe’s abilities and punishes their aggression, or call blood curses upon their enemies, manipulating their bodies from the inside.
Willing to suffer whatever it takes to achieve victory, these adept warriors have somehow forged themselves into a potent force against the terrors that threaten the innocent.

Monsters' Lair

Sandorne Keep by Dakota Curry

Once per year the Blood Hunters return to their communal home, a ruined keep somewhere in the peaks of the Balnoque Spine.
Sandorne Keep is an old imposing fortress built by the ancient dwarves, and now repurposed as a place to rest, train and catch up with each other.
According to myths about the Blood Hunters this place was founded by Sir Scouren Boonstrike, one of the first recognised Blood Hunters who emerged in the early days of the Cerulean Empire, when much of their territory was still wilderness. He brought the first Blood Hunters here to train and sign a contract of brotherhood. What eventually happened to Sir Scouren is not recorded.
It is rumoured that Sandorne Keep lies somewhere near the Dragonborn settlement of Drakenham.

Hunters' Marks

The exact number of Blood Hunters is unknown, but likely they are few. Some of them are known by name however. These individuals are listed below.

• Redgrave - Redgrave is a Blood Hunter, leader of the mercenary group of monster hunters. He rarely leaves Sandorne Keep, but leads the training of his family. An old man, blind in both eyes, he does not let his disability get in the way of his work.
• Cullen Bryce - Cullen Bryce is a Blood Hunter and a member of the Order of the Ghostslayer. This lithe but well-built half-elf is said to be incredibly handsome and charismatic, though he seems to care little for human contact.
• Malk Woodstone - Malk is a mountain dwarf with a long red beard and a shaved head covered in tattoos. He is a Blood Hunter; a member of the Order of the Mutant. Malk is rumoured to have once saved the life of King Brakhur Dimmaster from a giant mutated umber hulk.
• Lasyz - Lasyz, also called The Lizard, is a lizardfolk Blood Hunter, part of the Order of the Mutant. He seems to spend his travels amongst the humanoids of the wilderness and avoids civilised places.
• Imyne Sal - This fiery woman from the far south is a famed Blood Hunter. A member of the Order of the Lycan, she is especially feared, but renowned for her monster slaying ability.
• Egrut Dozig - Egrut is a boor of a man with very few social skills. He is also an incredibly skilled and determined Blood Hunter of the Order of the Mutant. His face and torso are covered in scars, testament to his many battles.
• Vurmush Shiresh - Vurmush Shiresh is a mysterious man of dark skin who hails from west of the Balnoque Spine. His background remains a mystery, but his deeds as a member of the Order of the Profane Soul of Blood Hunters are legendary.

Blood Hunter by Joma Cueto

Alternative Names

Monster Hunters

Type

Mercenary

Base

Sandorne Keep