Order of the Profane Soul

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 Profane Soul

Blood hunters belonging to the Order of the Profane Soul have pushed the limits of hemocraft for use against some of the most terrifying creatures corrupting the world. Ancient fiends and cruel magic-users have long counted on their ability to meld into the background and escape those who hunt them, vanishing into noble courts without a trace, or bending the minds of the most stalwart warriors with but a glance. So the blood hunters who founded this order trusted their resilience as they delved into the same well of corrupting arcane knowledge, making pacts with lesser evils to better combat the greater threats. And though they might have traded a part of themselves for their power, the members of this order know the benefits of that power far outweigh the price.

The symbol for the Order of the Profane Soul is a black blade pointing towards a drop of blood. 

Training & Initiation

Within the depths of the Underdark lies the Hexed Halls: a series of maze-like tunnels beneath the Fields of the Dead. The Hexed Halls are the training place for all prospective initiates and much more. It is here that the initiates of the Profaned Soul Order are trained to in the dark arts and hemocraft they will need to slay monsters.

Initiates to this Order are chosen from mortals who have the strongest of wills and the greatest resilience against temptations of power. Following extensive training in arcane rituals and occult knowledge, initiates of this order are subjected to several trials. These trials, collectively known as the Trials of Animus, test the initiate's willpower, resilience, and resistance to the influences of evil forces. Should the initiate pass, they are subjected to the Hunter's Bane: a concoction of chemicals that taint the lifeblood and allow the use of hemocraft magic. For members of the Order of the Profane Soul, this is but the beginning.

Following the Trials of Animus and the Hunter's Bane, the initiates have but one more test: The Rite of Power. After extensive study, the initiate chooses an appropriate patron whose power suits their personality, skills, and goals. The initiate gathers the components, chanting in exotic languages and carving the runes they need to summon and bind powerful magical forces. Once a bargain is approved and struck, the initiate emerges a fully-fledged Blood Hunter of the Order of the Profaned Soul.

The Hunt for Hexes

Calling upon dark powers to assist them, these Blood Hunters proceed into the world with two goals.

While the primary directive of all Blood Hunters is to seek out and destroy evil, the Order of the Profane Soul also has a secondary objective: to of track down Hex Weapons and return them to the Hexed Hall. These weapons are then used to make future Profane Soul Blood Hunters.

The Hex Weapons are arranged within the Obsidian Barracks: here the new recruits are encouraged to spend their time, waiting for a call to action from these weapons of power. Hexblade Blood Hunters make up the majority of the Order's numbers, however, other patrons are not uncommon. Should an initiate not be called upon, a suitable patron of a different domain will be selected. 

 

 

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Investigation

Tool Proficiencies: Choose one from Smith's Tools or a Calligrapher's Supplies. 

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 Profane Soul. 

Suggested Characteristics

The taxing nature of your training, and the dark knowledge you have accrued, has forever changed you. You barely recognize your new self, but the Blood Hunter you have become is strong enough to face the evils of the world and emerge victorious. 

d8	Personality Trait
1	I don't run from evil. Evil runs from me.
2	I am an expert on occult rituals, dark magic and the mysteries of the night.
3	I’m extremely disciplined, vigilant and reserved: I cannot allow the dark powers I've allied with to tempt me.
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 have a morbid curiosity regarding dark object and knowledge that I shouldn't.
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	The pursuit of knowledge is worth the risk of death.
6	My torment drove away the person I love. I strive to win back the love I’ve lost.

d6	Flaw
1	I am greatly tempted by the dark powers I've allied with: I feel I am always on the edge of falling into darkness.
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.