The Order of the Hunt

The Order of the Hunt is a guild dedicated to hunting beasts and the sovereignty of it, which the members will display in varying degrees. For some members it's a brotherhood of fellow hunters and a means to travel in a family-like-pack. For others it's a means to maintain balance in the natural world, ensuring no over population, or of one group of animals being preyed on too much by other animals. For some it's a way to foster healthy rivalries for bragging rights on who can bring home the biggest trophy.
Whatever the reason, its attracted a large variety of members to the point to where some consider joining the guild a rite of passage into true hunter/rangerdom. Any walk of life is allowed entry, however, so long as the core tenants are followed...So seeing wizards, while rare, is a possibility.

Structure

To Join

An application must be filled out and a small fee paid, used to cover things such as arrows that the order does provide its members on a limited basis. A trophy must be presented as well, and it must be from an animal, such as a hoof, ear, or even a full on head. These trophies should be cured and cleaned to avoid a rotten carcass being dragged through the quarters. Upon approval the accepted is expected to sleep and prepare within the hall for two to four nights where they will then be joined by veteran members on a hunt. The quarry for this hunt are usually docile but elusive, moreso evaluating the hunter's ability to track and survive rather than simply to combat. The veteran hunters that join them will do as little participating as possible, instead intending to watch the trial member and gauge their ability. Should the hunt be successful and within a reasonable time allotment, they become an honorary member of the order and offered either a mantle, a quiver, or an ammo pouch sewn by artisans dedicated to the organization from the pelt they hunted for their trial and emblazoned with the company's logo.

Remaining Structure

From their beginning they are labelled a fledgling hunter and can move up through the ranks by completing successful hunts and requests from the guild master. While these are usually hunts, they can also be deliveries of pelts and goods to surrounding locales. After enough of these have passed, they can apply for a promotion which involves another monitored hunt, this time for more dangerous prey such as a wolf or boar. Once again, the hunters that join them participate as little as possible, only stepping in when absolutely necessary. Successful completion moves them to the hunter rank.
From here they are granted some more amenities such as additional ammunition, but more importantly, more dangerous missions. Tougher beasts to hunt, harsher environments to endure, larger numbers to cull. As with the previous rank, at a certain point they can apply for the next step and then participate in the trial hunt to move forward, this time even more dangerous prey. Large bears or frenzied wildcats provide a proper challenge.
After this they are considered veteran hunters which only serves to up the ante and increase the missions possible. Often they are dispatched on rescue ventures to save waylaid hunters or to join hunters on their trial hunt. The climb to the final achievable rank is much more arduous, so most hunters exist either in this rank or the rank prior.

The highest rank, under the Lord of the Hunt, are the Huntmasters - Veteran hunters who have devoted their lives to the pursuit of beasts. These elite stalkers know the ins and outs of creatures great and small, and wear dark tanned, loose fitting hides to mask their presence to animals. They realize that a hunt can be lost before its even begun, thanks chiefly to poor preparation, and thus are well stocked for any survival situation, including special supplies such as improvised equipment or scents to provoke or camouflage.
Like with the ranks prior, a veteran hunter must complete a large amount of successful missions and hunts before they can go on the final hunt. This often revolves around hunting multiple quarry, and generally mythical beasts such as griffons, dragons, manticores, and other titanic creatures meant to test the mettle of any prospect. This venture is expected to take months just to complete and has a daunting mortality rate.

There is no hunt too small.

Type

Guild, Professional

Alternative Names

The Hunter's Guild

Location

The Blessed Hall of the Hunters

Controlled Territories

• The Blessed Hall of the Hunters