Order of the Mutant

Blood Hunters

Vampires, werewolves, ghouls, fiends and wraiths walk the land, leaving death and destruction in their wake. Mercenaries can be hired and guards trained, however, the Blood Hunters that make slaying these creatures their life work have a saying: "Never send a man to do a Blood Hunter's job."

Far from the judging eyes of society, Blood Hunters have mastered the secretive techniques of hemocraft, finding blood magic’s esoteric nature effective against evils that resist divine rebuke or arcane bindings. Through careful study and practice, Blood Hunters hone the rites of hemocraft into unique combat techniques, forfeiting a portion of their own health to call blood curses down upon their enemies or summon the elements to empower their strikes. Willing to suffer whatever it takes to achieve victory, these adept warriors have forged themselves into a potent force dedicated to destroying evil.

Blood Hunters are trained in stalking and slaying monsters, making an art form of learning their habits and weaknesses. Several orders exist in service to this pursuit. Each order varies in method but shares the same goal: the destruction of supernatural creatures that prey upon the innocent. 

Blood Hunter Codex Guidelines

Help those in need and protect the innocent:
A Blood Hunter takes every opportunity to aid others, and creates opportunities when they do not arise.

Respect legitimate authority, and abide by the rules and customs of the host land:
While proper respect and courtesy should be shown, a Bloodhunter serves neither man nor king and therefore always has a choice whether to follow commands.

Act with honor:
When a Blood Hunter has said that he shall perform an action, it is as good as done.

The Order of the Mutant

You are a member of the Order of the Mutant. This school specializes in biological adaptations and alchemical advancements in the pursuit of slaying monsters. These Blood Hunters stand out from their peers for their mastery of alchemical concoctions and the ability to use these to adapt their physiology to any situation or prey. 

Screams and the clash of steel can be heard echoing through the corridors of Helix Keep, hidden deep within the High Forest. Here, children are injected with viscous solutions known as the Hunter's Bane. While all Blood Hunters are exposed to the Hunter's Bane, the Order of the Mutant employs a toxic concoction that mutates and alters their biology to the extreme. Those that survive the Hunter's Bane study extensive texts on monster habits and biology, mutagencraft, and are taught to fight until their very last breath. 

The Order of the Mutants is divided into two factions: the first are the alchemists that study the biology and behaviors of monsters to devise new methods to better equip the Blood Hunters in their pursuits. The crowning achievement of the Order of the Mutant alchemists is the invention of mutagens: alchemical concoctions akin to the Hunter's Bane that turn mere mortals into weapons against the supernatural. The Mutant alchemists are constantly tinkering with the mutagen formula, making changes and improvements. As such, no two generations of Mutant Blood Hunters are the exactly same.

The second wing of the school is dedicated to training the Mutant Blood Hunters. Here, students are subjected to the Hunter's Bane and trained in the ways of hunting monsters. The Hunter's Bane changes the subjects irrevocably, altering their biology to better enable the Blood Hunters to combat the supernatural. The Order of the Mutant takes this process to the next level, injecting their initiates with a myriad of extra mutagens that allow them to move faster, see in the dark and resist the harshest of poisons. This school prefers to take young students that have experienced loss at the hands of the supernatural: their young age and passion for vengeance make them more likely to survive the mutagenic process. Those that survive the Hunter's Bane are characterized by streaks of white through their hair and cat-like eyes that glow unnatural hues. Occasionally, a Blood Hunter will manifest unique mutations.

The symbol for the Order of the Mutant is a single wolfsbane flower alongside a crescent moon: the flower is an ingredient that features heavily in their mutagenic concoctions. 

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Nature

Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from Alchemist's Supplies, Herbalist's Kit, or Poisoner's Kit. 

Languages: One of your choice from Abyssal, Deep Speech, Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Sylvan

Equipment: A chain, a holy symbol, a crowbar and a personal item bearing the emblem of the Order of the Mutant. 

Suggested Characteristics

Your exposure to the Hunter's Bane and a lifestyle that entails constant exposure to danger has left you scarred and haunted. You have, however, survived. Your mutations and experiences have left you both strong, and resilient. 

d8	Personality Trait
1	I don't run from evil. Evil runs from me.
2	I am an expert on tactics, alchemy, monster biology and sword-work.
3	I’m haunted by memories of my transformation during the Hunter's Bane. I can’t get the feeling of my blood boiling out of my mind.
4	I’ve lost too many friends, and I’m slow to make new ones
5	I get no greater satisfaction than from hunting monsters.
6	I protect those who cannot protect themselves.
7	I spend money freely and live life to the fullest, knowing that tomorrow I might die.
8	I work for coin, not charity.

d6	Ideal
1	Greater Good. Our lot is to lay down our lives in defense of others. (Good)
2	I kill monsters to make the world a safer place, and to exorcise my own demons. (Good)
3	I like to know my enemy’s capabilities and weaknesses before rushing into battle. (Lawful)
4	I’m a monster that destroys other monsters, and anything else that gets in my way. (Evil)
5	I have a dark calling that puts me above the law. (Chaotic)
6	I work for coin, not people. It's that simple. (Neutral)

d6	Bond
1	I would lay down my life for my fellow Blood Hunters.
2	Someone saved my life on the battlefield. To this day, I will never leave a friend behind.
3	I would sacrifice my life and my soul to protect the innocent.
4	A terrible guilt consumes me. I hope that I can find redemption through my actions.
5	Those who fight beside me are those worth dying for.
6	My torment drove away the person I love. I strive to win back the love I’ve lost.

d6	Flaw
1	I am addicted to the mutagens I concoct. I cannot go more than a few hours without consuming one.
2	My hatred of monsters is blind and unreasoning.
3	I feel no compassion for the dead. They’re the lucky ones.
4	I indulge in many vices to escape the horrors that haunt me.
5	I am a purveyor of doom and gloom who lives in a world without hope.
6	I talk to spirits that no one else can see.