Conquest of the Horde

Demon Hunters: What You Need to Know!

The Demon Hunters are dark, shadowy warriors who are shunned by their greater society. They made a pact, long ago, to fight against the forces of darkness using its own terrible powers against it. They specialize in the destruction of demons and fel-users. Believing in the ideal 'fighting fire with fire' they've found ways to emulate Illidan and kill demons with frightening skill. These mysterious warriors ritually blind themselves so that they develop 'spectral sight' or cursed vision, that enables them to see demons and undead with greater clarity. With a 360 degree field of vision, arcane and fel magics burn like a multicolored fire pit in an otherwise grey and murky world. They wield demonically charged warglaives in battle and even call upon demonic energies to augment their formidable combat skills. Although they are counted as some of the mightiest warriors, the demon hunters are always maligned and misunderstood for making their selfless pact with darkness.

Illidan Stormrage is the most famous demon hunter, and was the first of their kind. Even Malfurion, Illidan's brother did not appreciate his sacrifice, and locked him underground for thousands of years for trafficking with dark powers. Illidan's case was unique. Sargeras, lord of the Burning Legion, burned away Illidan's eyes with magic fire until only scorched sockets remained. Illidan's resulting sight was a maddening display of violent colors. His altered vision allowed him to easily recognize both demons and mortals with magic powers. In addition, Sargeras covered Illidan's body with black tattoos that increased his arcane power.

Later, a group of night elves, inspired by Illidan's example, made a pact to turn the Burning Legion's powers against it, fighting destruction with destruction. Obviously they could not gain their powers in the same way Illidan did, but they discovered other means. In the millennia since, other night elves, and a few creatures of other races, have made the same pact, binding demonic essence in their bodies and using it to destroy the Legion's minions.



Walking the Dark Path is not an easy one. The Demon Hunters are hardened hunters, immune to torture and interrogation. There is only one way to become a Demon Hunter. You must be approached or find another Demon Hunter who will train you in their arts. There are no other ways.

The Will: The first thing required of an apprentice, is the will to destroy all things fel, especially the Burning Legion. If you cannot show your master the strength of mind to do this, then you will be cast aside. It is a path that will destroy any relationships you currently have. It will shun you from greater society. Once passed, you move onto the trials.

A Physical Test: This is a rather open concept. The master chooses how this works. Whether it is a race across the continent, or weeks of torture, beatings and intense interrogations, it is a test to form the apprentice into a hardened, marble sculpture. If you can survive, you continue along in his apprenticeship.

Written Exam: The exam is written for the apprentice by the master. The master usually keeps a journal containing details of all types of demons that he/she has encountered, including their abilities and their locations. The apprentice is given the journal and must study it for as long as the master allows. Afterwards, the test is given and, generally, the passing grade is 90%. Anything below, you are either abandoned or given a second chance.

(( The next parts of the training can be done in whatever order the master wants. Traditionally, the tattoos are given first. ))

The Mark of a Hunter: The hunter is ordered to find a demon of his choosing. They are to retrieve either its blood, or its heart and return it to his/her master. The master then, depending on the demon and how well the training has gone, choose a style of tattoo to bind the essence with the apprentice. Most times, if not, every time, the tattoo causes a fel sickness, which can include fever, inability to eat/sleep, vomiting and emotional instability. The tattoos section, will go more into detail.

Weapon Training: After the first 'true' trial, the apprentice is given the traditional demon hunter' weapon; the warglaives. He is then trained with the weapons until he is considered an adept, or until the master is pleased with his progress.

A New Vision: There are two possibilities for this to go down. Either, the apprentice is sent to hunt another demon for its blood, or the master has prepared his own. Regardless, this is a task the apprentice must do himself. With ceremonial dagger, covered in demon blood, in hand, the apprentice is to cut out his eyes with the dagger. If successful, the apprentice has gained the Cursed Vision, able to see without eyes. Many times, the apprentice binds his ruined eyes to the blindfold in nostalgia. Symptoms of this trial, usually involve a coma or something similar to the fel sickness. This is the part of the trials, where it is most likely for the apprentice's mind to shatter.

A Last Time: The apprentice is sent on one final trial. Traditionally, the apprentice must seek out a corrupt demon hunter and kill it, draining the blood from its heart into his/her mouth. This is the final lesson a master can give. The powers the apprentice gains are great, but he/she must always watch themselves. Although they fight the darkness, it is only a matter of time, before they become what they hunt.

However uncommon it may be, some masters have decided to pit their apprentice against a powerful demon, as a final task.

The Blood Oath: All demon hunters are required to take the Blood Oath. They swear to their masters that they will hunt, without an end, all demons. They will then cut their wrists and drink some of their blood, swearing to kill until he/she himself/herself, must also die.


The demons bound and the colors don't always mean you are getting a specific type of tattoo or color. There are various theories for colors and patterns, however, I have read around and have provided a pattern, color and abilities that go with them.

A demon hunter may only have one type of tattoo. However, it is possible to add onto the tattoos, with exceptions. For example; it is possible to add onto the Unity and Dissonance tattoos, so they may bind more demons. It is also possible to add onto the tattoos of Calm and Control, in order to subdue the beasts even further. The drawbacks are simply increased as well.

Calm:

These markings calm the demon hunter, making him appear more composed--almost emotionless. They are very faint, some claim they are invisible at times. Others claim they are indiscernable from scarring. However, the longer they are on the hunter, the more visible they become. They appear as curved lines that snake around the demon hunter's torso. This is useful for hunters who have been able to achieve control over their demon, but whose personality has become more aggressive after the binding. These marks subdue the demon's influence over the hunter, but also subdue the true personality as well.

Possible Demons: All

Possible Colors: Black, Purple

Control:

These markings symbolize caging the demon within. They are angular and sharp, and very deliberate in their design. They provide the demon hunter with a stronger measure of control over the demon's essence, but they do this by limiting the power of the bound creature significantly and releasing the essence from the runic binding over time. This allows the demon hunter to exert his or her will over a weakened form of the demon first, thus allowing him to learn control over time. They fade significantly as the demon's essence is slowly freed, but they never disappear completely.

Possible Demons: All

Possible Colors: Black, Purple, Red, Blue

Dissonance:

The Dissonance markings are opposite of the Unity markings. Dissonance markings allow the hunter to keep the disparate souls of multiple demons separated and call upon one demonic essence at a time during combat. Dissonance demon hunters use a word of power to switch between these aspects. However, because the markings never allow a full unity, the demon hunter is considerably weaker since he is not living up to his full capability. The tattoos are heavily drawn vertical lines across the hunter's body. Hunters with the Dissonance markings have been known to begin suffering from a specific disorder. It is entirely possible that each essence becomes a new personality for the hunter, borrowing heavily from the traits of the particular demon souls within.

Possible Demons: All/Multiple possibilities

Possible Colors: Black, Blue, Purple

Rage:

The Rage markings are extremely dangerous and rares, they enhance the burning desire for destruction inherent in all demons and bring that anger to the forefront of the hunter. They promise to keep the hunter's personality even until the anger is released using a word of power. However, this has proven to be unreliable and many hunters who use these markings end up being significantly more wild than those who have not. The appear as a chaotic mass of designs upon the hunter's skin. The lines have no discernable shape or direction. They are angular smooth at the same time--sharp and soft. If you are not trained to recognize the Rage markings, then you will find it difficult to find a pattern in their design.

Possible Demons: More typically Felguards and Doomguards, however all physical demons are used for Rage.

Possible Colors: Green, Black, Red

Shadow:

Shadow markings are also rare, but extremely useful to the demon hunter who is able to control it. A shadow marking only works if a demon hunter has bound the essence of a nathrezim or eredar warlock. These markings cover most of the demon hunter's body, and in fact appear as a negative tattoo. The hunter's skin is covered in the ink and it is the clean portions that appear as intricate patterns. The shadow markings allow the hunter to move and fight silently, as if they were made of shadow and mist alone. A few rare demon hunters have achieved a similar ability on their own, but these markings assist greatly in emulating those skills. However, since these markings effectively remove a part of the demon hunter from the material realm and keep a part of that hunter permanently in the shadow realm, madness is largely guaranteed. The hunter loses all sense of reality, kinship, and sanity. They become increasingly distant from the world, and all who have used these markings eventually vanish completely. It is believed they chose a permanent existence in the Realm of Shadows.

Possible Demons: Nathrezim or Eredar Warlock. I would also mention Succubi, due to their stealthy nature.

Possible Colors: Blue, Green, Purple, Black


Unity:

Hunters who have experienced problems during their binding ritual may be forced to bind multiple demons over time. This is not intentional and is caused by some severe trauma experienced during training or hunting. Multiple bindings are inherently stronger than most single bindings for a limited time, but they also push the hunter much closer to madness. In addition, the multiple demon souls may not wish to work together, which strips away the demon hunter's powers and strength at inopportune moments. The Unity binding was created to control this. Drawn as a complex series of flowing marks that whirlpool around most of the upper body of the demon hunter, these markings are only visible while the demon hunter is unable to control his multiple bindings. Once he or she has learned to unify the demon essences, the markings vanish, allowing the hunter full access to the powers of the bound demons.

Possible Demons: All/Multiple

Possible Colors: Black, Blue, Purple



Demon Hunters have a variety of abilities that assist them in destroying demons, though the power coursing through their bodies also allows them to prevail over lesser foes. Demon hunters eschew heavy armor, valuing mobility and speed. As a demon hunter grows in power, they undergo a gradual evolution, becoming more and more demonic in appearance. The changes are cosmetic and can take many different forms, from burning eyes to black blood.

By the time the demon hunter reaches the pinnacle of his development, he is a twisted and dark version of his former self - though the chaotic energy in his body does not affect his personality and allegiance (or so the demon hunters claim), it wreaks great changes on his physical form. The demon hunter’s gradual evolution achieves its pinnacle as they become a demonic entity. Their appearance has changed to something frightening: The exact changes vary, but can include glowing red eyes; horns; clawed feet and hands; nonfunctioning wings; cloven hooves; a spiked tail; dark skin; a deep, rumbling voice; and similar cosmetic changes. The demon hunter becomes an outsider.

Keep in mind, that any mutations that are excessive are not allowed. Keep in mind that this is only after -many- years. Therefore, keep them to a minimum/non-existent.



Though equipment obviously varies from demon hunter to demon hunter, one universal element of the order seems to be the blindfold. Used to conceal the remains of the demon hunters' mutilated eye sockets, the demon hunter blindfold is usually some dark but mundane-looking fabric. Blindfolds are occasionally neglected, perhaps to make the demon hunter appear more frightening and intimidating.

A second common occurrence among demon hunters is the tendency for the males among their numbers to be stripped to the waist, which is just one display of the demon hunters' emphasis on the importance of agility and general rejection of heavier armor. Those female demon hunters that have surfaced have been similarly garbed, wearing only the bare minimum of clothing on their upper bodies, sometimes even nothing at all. Demon hunters further tend to wear what appears to be cloth or leather, rarely (if ever) donning plate and mail, favouring greater speed and agility on the battlefield.

To contrast their stark lack of armor and clothing in general, demon hunters seem to typically carry large, curved warglaives, in the style of Illidan Stormrage's own Twin Blades of Azzinoth. Though the exact reason for this tendency isn't well explained, there are several possible reasons. One is that this kind of weapon has simply become a tradition over the years, later demon hunters mimicking the first of their kind. Another is that this style of curved warblades is common among the kind of demons that demon hunters have to kill as part of their basic initiation process. A third explanation is that the dual-bladed nature of their large, curved weapons allows them to deal the most damage with the least amount of effort, allowing them to focus on their agility and speed. A final explanation is that this kind of weapon is somehow easier to magically charge or channel through, though there is nothing that directly suggests this.

Abilities:

In this section I will briefly explain the abilities gained from becoming a Demon Hunter and their effects.

Cursed Vision:

Through the blinding trial, the hunter is given a 'spectral sight'. This allows them to see in 360 degrees and able to literally see arcane and fel energies, usually depicted as flames. Keep in mind, they can tell the difference between FEL and ARCANE. They cannot see the difference between a necromancer and a mage, when it comes to their 'flame', nor can they see the difference in flames with undead and other arcane users.

Drain Demonic Essence:

Through the binding ritual, they are able to use pure fel energy to power their abilities and keep themselves in tip, top shape. If they are feeling weak, are injured or drained, they are able to absorb the chaotic energies from either a demon or fel-user. This energy allows them to essentially refuel.

Mana Burn:

The hunter can literally cause the arcane within an individual on fire. It wells inside them and burns them, causing arcane damage to their insides. The mana used to burn the enemies insides is expended at the same time.

Immolate/Fel-fire:

Using the chaotic magics absorbed from fel, the hunter is able to conjure a shell of fel-fire. It protects the hunter from attacks and also deals damage in a ring around him. To further expand on the powers of fel the hunter possesses, he is able to fire a bolt of fel-fire from his body. He may also cover his blades in fel-fire for extra damage. All of these skills, require a great amount of fel.

Shadow Stealth: (For the sake of balance, I'd say that this will only be usable if you have the shadow tattoos.)

After years of practice, or with the help of the Shadow tattoos, the hunter is able to place a part of himself in the Shadow Realm. This allows the hunter to move much more silently and swiftly, than normal. It also provides a temporary invisibility, visible only to other hunters and to those who are also partly in the Shadow Realm.

Metamorphosis: (Unusable ICly)

Using the demon bound to the hunter, he calls upon it, draining it of all its power to transform or metamorphose into a demon-like form or into the actual demon for a small amount of time. He gains almost limitless amount of fel and unique demon abilities.



(( This is my first guide. I am open to criticism and ask that if I missed anything to please let me know. I will update it regularly with new/improved information. ))

(Would you like this moving to the class/guides section?)

Only if people find it helpful.

There's not much out there on Demon Hunters, and (I recognize some of this as the fanon from Netherbane) it is good to see a source which holds anything there -is- in one place.

I'd argue some of your reasonings behind races are fallacies, but that aside, I like this guide!

Y'could clarify that demon hunters can or can not have different kinds of tattoos on their person.

I would ask that you clarify the fact that demon hunters are not omniscient detectors of magic, and although they can in fact tell the undead it is not because they are undead. A demon hunter cannot tell different forms of arcane magic-- a mistake in the past was that the demon hunters could tell different forms of magic (necromancy, arcane shadow) etc.

It is true that arcane energies also light up in the demon hunter's eye, but the reason they can tell if someone is undead or not is because of the inherent magical properties of the foul beasts themselves. A demon hunter can't tell if someone is a user of necromancy because necromantic magics are arcane intrinsically. A user of necromantic arcane would light up as a regular mage would, just as a user of arcane shadows would light up the same as a regular mage. (Necromancy is twisted, yes, but it is a subdivision of arcane and it is the use of it that makes it bad. Necromancers do not use a different source than regular magi, I should say, it is merely the way they use the arcane that makes it wrong. Supposedly, to go on a slight tangent, one could use necromancy for less nefarious purposes like preserving bodies as a mortician or perhaps defeating the undead in a 'fire vs. fire' kind of way.)

I totally repeated myself five-hundred times.

tl;dr: Demon hunters can't tell if someone is a necromancer by looking at them because necromancers use the arcane in their practice. They can see the undead because the demon hunters can sense arcane the same as fel, and undead are animated by arcane energy.


-Aphe.

(01-24-2012, 02:21 PM)Kenshiro Wrote: [ -> ]Gnome: They are -far- too happy to even consider the dark and dangerous path that leads to demon hunting. They have never been touched by demons until being taught by warlocks. They do not fear the demons nor do they love them. Chances are, a gnome doesn't even know what a demon hunter is.

Regarding the "-far- too happy" Gnomes, people forget that this is a race that tried to eradicate an invasion by unleashing toxic materials from their vents. And while the resulting Leper Gnomes aren't "demons" per se, Gnome warlocks do exist, which means Gnome fel users exist, and I don't think it's as much of a stretch for a Gnome to try to manipulate those energies to help retake their homeland. A demon hunter, by definition, makes the willing sacrifice of being ostracized by their own people in pursuit of the greater good. Gnomes, for the greater good, refused to trouble the Alliance for any assistance with their problem, and I can easily see a Gnome taking the chance to become a selfless one-man demon killing machine. Location, if anything, would be what keeps Gnomes from becoming Demon Hunters, as I don't see many elves making the trip to the cold mountains, and except for a handful of Gnome warlocks, demons and demonology probably aren't on the enemy priority list.

...Holy crap...did I just defend Gnome Demon Hunters? I'm gonna totally regret this one day...

I can submit a new profile soon! Gnome demon hunter, amirite?

(01-24-2012, 04:24 PM)Piroska Wrote: [ -> ]I can submit a new profile soon! Gnome demon hunter, amirite?

He/she shall be known as Felwrench the Demon Steamwarrior!

I changed the wording for the Gnomes and also wrote up a small section for typical Demon Hunter abilities. Including what Aphetoros said about the cursed vision.

By the way, the Tauren also took part in the War of the Ancients. So, you know, they could very easily be Demon Hunters. Feasibly, I would imagine any race that took part in Hyjal could be a Demon Hunter.

I have an idea. If you guys want, PM your opinion on whatever races. I'll review it and edit my main post, so that everyone just gets to read a general outlook and not necessarily a higher or lower chance to be a DH.

I edited the main post once again, with a little bit more information regarding the tattoos.

(01-24-2012, 03:43 PM)Jonoth Wrote: [ -> ]

(01-24-2012, 02:21 PM)Kenshiro Wrote: [ -> ]Gnome: They are -far- too happy to even consider the dark and dangerous path that leads to demon hunting. They have never been touched by demons until being taught by warlocks. They do not fear the demons nor do they love them. Chances are, a gnome doesn't even know what a demon hunter is.

Regarding the "-far- too happy" Gnomes, people forget that this is a race that tried to eradicate an invasion by unleashing toxic materials from their vents. And while the resulting Leper Gnomes aren't "demons" per se, Gnome warlocks do exist, which means Gnome fel users exist, and I don't think it's as much of a stretch for a Gnome to try to manipulate those energies to help retake their homeland. A demon hunter, by definition, makes the willing sacrifice of being ostracized by their own people in pursuit of the greater good. Gnomes, for the greater good, refused to trouble the Alliance for any assistance with their problem, and I can easily see a Gnome taking the chance to become a selfless one-man demon killing machine. Location, if anything, would be what keeps Gnomes from becoming Demon Hunters, as I don't see many elves making the trip to the cold mountains, and except for a handful of Gnome warlocks, demons and demonology probably aren't on the enemy priority list.

...Holy crap...did I just defend Gnome Demon Hunters? I'm gonna totally regret this one day...

The only problem I have with this, is the definition you use for a demon hunter. I can find no sources where it is defined as you said. They hunt demons, specifically, Legion demons. "They made a pact, long ago, to fight against the forces of darkness using its own terrible powers against it." This isn't metaphorical, considering their abilities are Fel-oriented and the forces of darkness are usually referred to as demons.

Also, the name, Demon Hunter. It would be almost impossible for them to become one. Location, as you said and they're missing the will to become one.

Time to roll a Gnome Demon Hunter.

I mean, I already got a Murloc one. :P

Kenshiro, I think you're trying to blanket the entire Gnome race into having one mindset. Hell, I remember when Jacula had a cannibal Gnome. Where there's a will, there's a way.