The world of Llia is largely peaceful and prosperous at the minute, with only one note worthy conflict between two nations. But for all the peace, there is one factor that instills fear in the hearts of all. Monsters of all shapes and sizes have been pouring into the world through an unknown portal.

As a result, the people of Llia have responded, and now people known as Hunters float through the world. These people of amazing skill and abilities worship the god and goddess of the hunt, Tuman and Freia. By worshiping these deities and claiming monster kills in their name and sacrificing the choice part of the beast, they have been gifted special abilities.

But even among the many legendary names, there is one who stands above all others. Ethan Thorn. Ethan the un-killable. Ethan the Decimator. Legends say that he is capable of taking on any monster with no weapons or skills and win.

He is a legend no more.

On a stormy night our story begins with a hooded man slamming a knife into the wall of a tavern, attaching a piece of paper flapping in the heat from the fire-place. On it is a few simple lines:
An edict from Ethan Thorn
~Need four heartened hunters ready to test their skills
~Each needs to be approved the legend Ethan Thorn
~He claims to have found a way to close the portal.
~All able bodied Hunters willing to risk their lives for this cause should meet at dock 43.

--
You read this and think to yourself that it is at least worth a look at. Wondering what other hunters will be there, what powers they possess, and what this missions entail, are all thought that fill your head as you drift off to sleep in your cozy rented room.

--
Looking for no more than four other players to hunt down some of the biggest and baddest beasties I can imagine. All hunters have a special ability. All hunters have cool OP oversized weaponry. And all of them will heed the call of the Rise of the Hunters. But while they have a common goal, they have to work together. And with Hunters with an ego the size of a gigantasaur, some interesting situations shall ensue.

You awaken in the morning to a clean crisp breeze floating through the window. Stretching your limbs, you quickly jump up and get ready for your day. Before long, you are walking down the water-side of the little town of Croman. The smells of different bazaars fills your nose, intermingled with the aroma of sea salt. You soon realise that you must be approaching the dock where Ethan Thorn told the hunters to meet, as you are passing a wide variety of 'unique' individuals. Men and women both big and small litter the docks, a vast array of weaponry between them all. And standing on the bough of a large ship is a grizzled intimidating man, eye-patch and beard. What pulls your attention is his distinct lack of weapon. Other than his billowing coat, he is completely unarmed.

The attention of all the hunters is caught by his booming billowing voice, you included.
"Welcome one and all. I won't waste any time on what I am going to say. Thanks to a witch doctor from the northern shores of Laren, I believe I have a way to end the monster horde that plagues us. Ten monsters must fall to us, and from each we take something. By bringing them together in a particular place, we can close the portal that lets these vicious creatures into our world. Who's with me?"

A stunned silence falls like a pall over the crowd. One by one, hunters start mumbling, laughing, cursing, and all manner of gesticulating. You see that most of them turn to leave. It doesn't take long until a handful of twelve hunters are left, you included. With a gruff nod, Ethan, gestures you all onto the ship.

Standing in the depths of the ship, Ethan turns and addresses you all again.
"Thank-you for your time. Not wanting to rehash anything you heard out there, we are facing the potential to end monsters for all time. No longer will they terrorise us, and have us and our loved ones living in fear. Here is a list of the ten monsters. I have a rough location for them all, and it is up to us to do the rest."
One hunter asks something about the God and Goddess, and their thoughts on the situation. You notice his face darkens.
"They do not condone this venture. Many times I have appealed to them, and they continue to forsake me. But if we succeed, then we will no longer have a need for them."
You gasp slightly. Despite your thoughts and feelings, that is utter blasphemy for a hunter. Without the God and Goddess, then there would be no hunters at all. A number of the remaining people shake their head and leave, leaving you with three others plus Ethan. He smiles and regards you with a look in his eyes.
"Welcome, to the rise of the hunters."

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Appearance: (Image much preferred)
Personality:

Deity: (Do you worship Tuman or Freiya? Tuman is the God of the Hunt and the patron of front line fighters and bruisers. Freiya is the Goddess of the Kill and the patron for those of a more clandestine approach. You have to worship one, else you aren't a hunter)
Loyalty: (TO what extent do you worship them. Is it a fleeting thing simply for their abilities, or is it complete and utter devotion, or somewhere in the middle?)

Weapon:
Inventory:

Special Ability: (Subject to approval, but be creative. Think of the kind of role you want to fill, and react accordingly :))
Speciality: (What sort of monster do you excel at hunting? Can be any mythical creature. They will all get incorporated into the game)

History: (A couple of paragraphs summarising how you became to be the hunter you are today. Is it tragic? Comedic? Serious? Ludicrous?)
Forgotten : (Anything you feel like adding?)

~Chupacabra
A wolf like creature that hunt and live in packs. Known for having three fangs which are used to make their prey bleed so they can enjoy a hunt. Tend to live in open plains

~Golem
A gigantic sentient creature with a base intellect and basic instincts. Often found far to the north in the frozen wastes, they can flatten anything with their enormous strength.

~Jorogumo
A spider creature that entices men by taking on the form of a beautiful women, luring them into the woods and into her web, slowly devouring them over time.

~Wendigo
A large brutish creature that dwells deep within forests. Known for incredible speed and momentum, crashing into everything in their way.

~Naga
A giant snake that lives within warm desert wastes. Suprises people who crosses the desert by springing up from the sands to devour them.

~Dragon
A mighty scaled flying creature. Can be found anywhere, but are incredibly rare. Not much is known, other than they are very strong, and very tough.

~Ifrit
A being made entirely of fire. Live in and around volcanos.

~Ovinnik
Ghastly shades that roam townships heavily populated by people. Will feed on sleeping peoples energy. Can pass through physical objects.

~Mermaid
Only found deep under water, these half fish half human creatures capsize ships with mighty powers and rip anyone who falls into the water to shreds.

~Wight
Known to eat the bodies of the dead and decomposing, they can be found near where mass death has taken place. Their scratch and bite is highly venomous from the decay of its food, leading to rage and eventual death of anyone infected.

Name:
Ethan Thorn

Age:
35

Gender:
Male

Appearance:


Personality:
Brash and abrasive, Ethan is known to be gruff and short tempered. Often goes off on odd tangents, but can be relied on to come up with a brave and daring plan to save the day.

Deity:
Tuman

Loyalty:
Bare Minimal, used to be fanatic

Weapon:
Bare fists

Inventory:
A handful of balls that produce light when thrown, a flintlock pistol with a few rounds in it, and a map.

Special Ability:
After touching a monster, Ethan gains their strength and fortitude, and can fight them on the same grounds. Wears off once the monster is defeated. Can touch one monster and fight another.

Speciality:
Physically strong monsters

History:
WIP

Forgotten:
Not as yet

Name: Nova Blake
Age: 20
Gender: Female


Personality: Brimming with attitude, Nova will almost always have a witty remark. She takes great pride in herself and her abilities as a hunter and is quick to attack anyone who tries to discredit her. Nova is a confident person, unafraid to speak her mind, however she can be surprisingly humble and quiet. Above all else, though, Nova is a loyal companion. When deciding to travel with anyone she considers her comrades' lives as precious as her own, and will risk severe injury in order to help them.

Deity: Tuman
Loyalty: Avid worshiper. True love and respect for her chosen Deity.

Weapon: Twin Katanas (Shown in above picture. ^^)
Inventory: A map, a coin and a bag of varying sweets.

Special Ability: Elemental Assistance: Nova can influence the element Air to assist her in battle, however her range of use is quite limited. When focused around her feet, Nova can glide across the ground as easily as if it were made of ice (an elemental form of roller-skates if you'd like). By focusing the element around her waist, Nova becomes 'lighter' allowing her to leap higher into the air, or launch herself forward at a greater speed than her unaided body could manage alone. Beyond her body, Nova's influence is fairly weak with a maximum distance of 11 feet.

Nova's ability is mostly fueled by her faith, in both Tuman as well as herself. Wavering faith in either will result in a weaker reaction from the element or complete failure to influence it altogether.

Speciality: "Banshees" (Or any monster with high agility/flexibility)

History: Growing up, Nova's family didn't have much money but they got along comfortably enough. Her father earned money by braving the plagued lands as a travelling merchant, travelling to sell various goods he had traded for or clothing his wife had made during his previous trips. While tough work, he made enough money to support his wife and two children, Nova and her older brother Leo. They four of them lived comfortably and happy until one trip, her beloved father never returned home. The family received word about a week and half later that the region he had been staying had been attacked with no survivors found in the small town.

Without the merchant's income to support them, the three did their best to make good of their terrible situation. For two years they managed to get by, but their happiness was short lived. The creatures came in the middle of the night, wailing like the wind in a storm. They were given no other warning before the attack, her mother falling as their first victim. Leo (17 by this time) took his 10 year-old sister and ran as fast as they could travel, heading for shelter in the nearby forest. Nova hid under the roots of a large tree alone, forced to watch her brother use himself as a decoy to lure the monsters away from herself. Silently she prayed to the Deity she had only heard about, in hopes that it would bring her brother back to her. The hours seemed to stretch on forever but eventually morning came and with it, the only remaining family member she had left.

Everyday from that day on Nova prayed and thanked Tuman for her brother's survival and for the strength to stand up to the monsters like Leo had. While her brother found work in blacksmith's shop, Nova trained every day to become the warrior that she is today. Now at the age of 20, Nova has decided to protect her brother one last time, using the gifts Tuman gave her to answer Ethan's call.

Forgotten: Has a large soft spot for animals, especially birds.

Name: Hachirou Eiku
Age: 24
Gender: Male

Personality: Preferring to stay quiet in most situations, he prefers to observe and analyze people, though he does talk when he wants or needs too, due to this he has developed a keen eye over the years which helps him discern people's personalities. His battle sense is much like his normal personality, analyzing and putting his plans in motion rather than attacking headfirst. Perceived as cold due to his quiet nature, he has grown accustomed to doing missions solo, though will work with a team when time calls for it. Has a hidden side of anger that will only get shown if his parents or master is disrespected or when a Wendigo shows up.

Deity: Freiya
Loyalty: Has enough loyalty that he respects his deity, though will not change his idealogy based on said deity.

Weapons:: Holds the Rapier in his right hand and a Dagger on the left,



Inventory: Has a small emergency pistol on his right legs holster, for emergencies.
Various types of poison for different usage and a flash bomb(s) that he uses when he needs to get out a tight spot.

Special Ability:
Flicker Step: Fast movement, looks like he teleports but it's a trick of the eye, he can flicker step to a location in a limited range, that's within his vision, leaves a blurry after image of himself.


Speciality: Slow monsters, particularly ones that cannot keep up with his speed.

History:
Raised by Culinarian parents who had a penchant for unique 'tastes' which Hachirou inherited, growing up he had always tasted different types of cuisine first hand, everyday it was a different dish for Hachirou, his parents even dabbled in Monster Cuisine. His parents trained him to be like them, culinary experts in this vast and open world. During his adolescence. he had always kept quiet and listen to his parents whimsical and exhilarating stories of his parents youth and how they went all over the world to look for different tastes and sights. Always admiring his parents tenacity towards different and unique tastes, he looked up to them, with glowing excited eyes.

One fateful day, his parents ahd taken Hachirou out for an ingredient hunt, he was being carried around on his father's neck, while his mother was excitedly picking up rare and sought out ingredients in the forest, though the forest was deemed as dangerous and humans should stay away, his parents never really heeded this and still went to find 'unique' tastes. The forest was serene, and blissful. The sun shining through the trees made the atmosphere so peaceful and calm,not the environment one would expect a Wendigo come crashing through, it started off with thudding from the distance that quickly sounded like it was closer. His dad, wide eyed at the black terror dashing right for them, his father had quick reflexes, and he could have dodged this horror easily, had his son not been on his neck, he threw his son towards the bush, hoping it was soft padding then was crushed by the horror with a smile on his face.

Hachirou seeing this became wide eyed, in horror, only to see his mother fall prey next to this swift horror right before her telling him to run and smiling. Hachirou would have been crushed too, had it not for a passing Hunter, who shot to through the leg of the Wendigo which significantly reduced its speed and then swiftly slashing its throat to finish the horror off. Through tears, Hachirou was taken in by this hunter, feeling pity for a child that had lost both his parents that day. Hachirou had become more withdrawn but still maintains a kind attitude, even after that day. The Hunter for some unbeknownst reason, chose him as his one and only successor, always proclaiming that speed triumphs all, and if you never get hit, in theory, you should always win.

During his training, his master neither coddled nor was especially strict with Hachirou, he would also make him spar with other apprentices who are slightly better than him just so that he can improve and his training regime was akin to those of Spartans, though Hachirou didn't see this as a problem. Days turns into Months, months into years, and after many years, he has finally been able to surpass his master, through sheer integrity and grit, he had become a swift Hunter, his Master, already way past his prime and dying on the bed, in his last breath gave Hachirou the blessing of Freiya and his equipment, Hachirou who tends to keep his emotions locked away behind a mask had cried that day, but with new purpose instilled in him, he chooses to hunt to protect innocent people and their families, so no one has to go through what he has gone through.

Forgotten:
Adept at Culinary arts,
Somewhat decent at tracking.
Despises Wendingos in particular.
His family line is peculiar in that, in death, if they see no way out of it, they will Smile, an ear to ear grin, accepting rather than fearing death.

Griff grew up on a coastal town in the snowy north. Following his fathers footsteps to become a woodcarver, he lived for many years peacefully and prosperously. Meeting the love of his life at a young age, he settled down and started his own business. His wife was a strong and successful hunter, and while she always kept danger as far away from him as possible, he became accustomed to battle. Never able to have a child, the couple lived alone and somewhat secluded from the town, though they were happy.

Of course such happiness does not last in this world. And a roaming band of beasts ravaged that small northern town. Being on the outskirts of said town, Griff and his wife fought as best they could to protect their home and people. Lives were lost, some didn't make it, though Griff was not one of these. Surviving, alone, Griff took up his wife's blade, and her profession.

Traveling southward, Griff fought hard and savagely, slaying any beast he could for many years, until he became hardened and his rage cooled. Finding finally the herd who had taken his partners life, Griff settled their debt. Being aimless, old and alone, Griff wandered once more.

Taking up residence in a large town of stone, Griff became a sort of defender. Keeping off nearby bests, and claiming bounties to make a living, Griff grew older, and wiser, and stronger. Fast forward yet again, and at the old wall of a tavern, posted with a knife, Griff found purpose.