Hunter: The Reckoning/Characters

This page includes the characters types players can use in Hunter: The Reckoning.

Hunter Creeds

In General

• Fantastic Racism: This varies between creeds but aside from the wayward hunters is less about the creed the hunter followes after being imbued so much as the type of person who would follow that particular creed. Essentially, few if any of the followers of mercy would be racist towards monsters as you would have to be an open-minded and compassionate sort to be picked for the creeds under mercy while racism against monsters is far more likely with the zeal creeds as those chosen are fighters and warriors primarily.
• Fights Like a Normal: Aside from the edges they gain from their imbuing, hunters are just normal people and the term for their supernatural abilities being edges is very apt as they only give hunters an edge over their quarry. For the most part they have to fight as any other human being would with conventional weapons and skills.
• Personality Powers: Hunters are imbued with the creed that most suits their personality and beliefs. Often you'll find that people who are the compassionate and open-minded sort are chosen for the creeds under the virtue of mercy. Intellectuals, philosophers, and those with very objective views fall under the vision creeds. Those who are fighters or have served in armed forces often are imbued with a creed that falls under zeal.
• What Measure Is a Non-Human?: This varies between creeds and for the individuals. Most under the virtue of mercy don't view the monsters as monsters however the lense they use is different as innocent creed followers just see the monsters as people who are different, Martyr creed followers see the monsters as creatures which may have some humanity left, and Redeemer creed followers see them as people afflicted with a curse. While certain trends are prevalent with, for examples, Zeal hunters often seeing the monsters as nothing like human anymore Zeal hunters may on an individual level acknowledge that the monsters used to be people and that there may be some trace of humanity left in them but won't hesitate to pull the trigger. Regardless of the creed however all hunters agree that the monsters pose a danger to humans and what they disagree on is how to handle that danger.

Zeal Creeds

The Zeal Virtue embodies the fierce determination and righteous anger of hunters who see their mission as a holy war against the supernatural. Hunters driven by Zeal are uncompromising and relentless, viewing the supernatural as a corrupting force that must be eradicated at all costs. They are motivated by a strong sense of justice and a burning desire to protect humanity from the threats they perceive. Zeal-aligned hunters often take on a more aggressive and confrontational approach, willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate the monsters that endanger the world.

Avengers

The Avenger creed in Hunter: The Reckoning consists of hunters driven by a deep desire for justice, often fueled by personal loss or trauma caused by supernatural beings. Avengers see their mission as a righteous crusade against the evils that plague the world, believing that these creatures must be eradicated to protect humanity. They are relentless, uncompromising, and often consumed by anger and vengeance, using their fury as a weapon in their fight. Avengers are the most aggressive and confrontational of the hunters, focused on punishing the supernatural for their perceived sins, and they often clash with other hunters who take a more nuanced approach. Their edges allow them to harm supernatural creatures and bypass any defenses they might have against physical damage, trailing and tracking supernatural creatures, and enhancing their own physical abilities.

Judges

The Judge creed is composed of hunters who view themselves as arbiters of justice, carefully weighing the actions of supernatural beings before deciding their fate. Judges believe in a balanced approach, where not all supernatural creatures are inherently evil, but those that harm humanity must be punished. They seek to understand the motivations behind supernatural actions and strive to deliver fair and impartial judgments, often acting as the voice of reason within hunter groups. Judges are guided by a strong moral code and a sense of duty to uphold justice, ensuring that their actions serve the greater good rather than being driven by personal vendettas. Their edges allow them to learn important information, impose penalties on others, and reveal hidden truths.

Defenders

The Defender creed represents hunters who see themselves as protectors of humanity, dedicating themselves to shielding the innocent from the dangers of the supernatural. Defenders prioritize the safety and well-being of others above all else, often putting themselves in harm's way to protect those who cannot defend themselves. They are the guardians of their communities, focusing on defensive strategies, fortifying safe spaces, and offering support to those in need. Defenders are driven by a deep sense of responsibility and compassion, and they are often the first to respond to threats, placing themselves between danger and the people they are sworn to protect. Their edges involve protecting themselves and others, warding areas against supernatural powers, and being alerted to supernatural dangers.

Mercy Creeds

The Mercy Virtue represents hunters who are driven by compassion, empathy, and a desire to protect and heal. Hunters aligned with Mercy believe in understanding the supernatural, seeking peaceful resolutions when possible, and redeeming those who can be saved. They focus on preserving life, protecting the innocent, and showing kindness, even in the face of horror. Mercy-oriented hunters often struggle with the moral complexities of their mission, but they are guided by the belief that not all supernatural beings are evil or beyond redemption.

Martyrs

The Martyr creed represents hunters who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. They believe that the fight against the supernatural is a noble cause that may require their lives, and they are prepared to endure suffering, pain, and even death if it means protecting others. Martyrs often see their role as one of selflessness, bearing the burdens and dangers of the hunt so that others don’t have to. Their creed is driven by a deep sense of duty, sacrifice, and the belief that their suffering can make a difference in the battle against darkness. However, this mindset can lead them to take extreme risks and sometimes adopt a fatalistic outlook. Their edge involve causing harm to monsters, healing others and even being able to negate supernatural abilities but all of their edges tend to come at a cost to themselves either physically or spiritually.

Redeemers

The Redeemer creed represents hunters who believe that the supernatural beings they hunt can be redeemed or saved. Unlike other hunters who may see the night folk as purely evil or irredeemable, Redeemers strive to understand and rehabilitate them, hoping to guide them back to a more human or moral state. They focus on compassion, empathy, and the belief that even monsters have the potential for redemption, often leading them into conflict with other hunters who take a more ruthless approach. While they seek to redeem monsters they are not naive and will eliminate monsters they believe are too far gone to be reached. Their edges focus on healing others, warding away danger and being able to draw out the hidden humanity still within some monsters.

Innocents

The Innocent creed consists of hunters who approach their mission with a childlike faith and optimism. They believe that the world, including the supernatural, is not inherently evil and that there is hope for a peaceful resolution between humans and supernatural beings. Innocents often act as the moral compass of hunter groups, advocating for mercy, understanding, and non-violent solutions. They struggle to reconcile the harsh realities of their mission with their idealistic views, often seeing the world through a lens of purity and hope. Their edges involve hiding from monsters, preventing others from making aggressive actions, and insight into other beings.

Vision Creeds

The Vision Virtue is associated with hunters who are guided by a sense of purpose, insight, and long-term strategy. Hunters with Vision seek to understand the bigger picture, often interpreting their mission as part of a greater cosmic struggle. They are driven by foresight, planning, and the belief that their actions are part of a larger destiny. Vision-oriented hunters are often strategists and thinkers, looking beyond immediate threats to the broader implications of their fight. They focus on uncovering hidden truths and guiding others towards a unified goal, believing that their insight will lead to a better future.

Visionaries

The Visionary creed is made up of hunters who believe in a grander purpose or destiny behind their mission. They see the supernatural threat as part of a larger cosmic struggle and often have a long-term view, focusing on the bigger picture rather than individual battles. Visionaries are driven by the belief that they are part of a greater plan to reshape or save the world. They are often strategists, planners, and thinkers, working to unite and guide other hunters toward a shared goal, often seeing connections and patterns that others might miss. Their edges give them foresight, allow them to predict the actions of others, and see a wider tapestry of causality and coincidence.

Hermits

The Hermit creed consists of hunters who isolate themselves due to the overwhelming sensory assault they experience from the constant stream of information provided by the Messengers. Hermits are often bombarded with voices and visions that others cannot perceive, leading them to withdraw from direct human interaction to manage the intense flood of knowledge. This constant connection to the Messengers makes Hermits highly attuned to the supernatural, but it also drives them to solitude as they struggle to process and understand the endless flow of information. Because of this, Hermits rarely meet with others directly and typically communicate through telepathy or astral projection, allowing them to maintain their distance while still participating in the hunt.

Waywards

The Wayward creed consists of hunters who are cursed with a dual vision—able to see a world free of monsters yet also constantly aware of the supernatural beings that infest the real world. This unending sensory overload fuels their hatred and obsessive drive to eradicate all supernatural creatures, often leading them to extreme and violent methods. The nature of their imbuing forces Waywards into this relentless crusade, often overriding who they were before, turning them into relentless hunters who see the world in stark terms of good versus evil. Their constant awareness of the hidden dangers around them makes them deeply paranoid and unyielding, willing to sacrifice everything to cleanse the world of the monsters that taint it.