Prowlers

"If knowledge is a weapon, then before the formation of the Prowlers, we found ourselves effectively unarmed."

_{- A history of the Pathfinders}

Prowlers are a classification of warriors native to Kilvas that operate under the greater umbrella of the Pathfinders. The Prowlers originated during the Reclamation era, with teachings focused on scouting, reconnaissance, and stealth operations, without sacrificing their capability in combat. Pathfinder missions that operate without a Prowler in their ranks are often referred to as "Blind Voyages".
Powerful as Blood Hunters and Elementalists would prove to be, the tactics and movements of Surtr's forces were highly unpredictable, and a need to acquire information about his army's operations became quickly apparent. Unfortunately, his forces favored movement under the cover of night, and while Yuné had blessed most Lethe with night vision, it paled in comparison to Surtr's creations, preventing the notion of attempting any operations involving stealth. To solve this issue, a select group of individuals began to harness their innate magical talent to bypass the efficacy of night vision itself, eventually cultivating an ability to completely merge with the dark of night and becoming invisible to any who rely on night vision. Thus, the Prowlers were born.

Diverging Paths

Prowlers would continue to develop and hone their techniques, and as time went on, they found that their techniques were not too dissimilar from that of Elementalists. Upon further study and experimentation, various individuals found that the two forms were similar enough to meld portions of their teachings together. However, in order to effectively utilize these teachings, Prowlers found that most lost the ability to utilize the techniques that allowed them to meld into the shadows. Despite the loss of what was considered to be their most powerful asset, many found the new teachings to be extremely useful and would continue to pursue such techniques.
Due to the distinct difference in abilities between the two different teachings, the Prowlers divided their warriors into two different classifications. Those who would follow and develop the ability to blend with darkness would be known as Gloomstalkers, while those who chose to pursue the new teachings would be known as Etherstalkers.

Becoming a Prowler

Should a resident of Kilvas choose to become a Prowler on the Day of Divergence, they and their squadmates will receive tutelage from an Etherstalker that has been deemed capable enough by the The Conclave. Prowlers, amongst all the Pathfinders, are expected to be the most self-sufficient, and capable of independent operations. As such, they will receive rigorous training in combat, survival, and stealth abilities that are considered to be essential for any Prowler.
It is only upon Graduation that an individual will have the choice - and abilities - to definitively choose which path they wish to follow. Should an individual wish to become a Gloomstalker, they will continue upon their current path under the tutelage of a Gloomstalker. Should they wish to become an Etherstalker, they will be forced to cultivate new talents under the instruction of an Etherstalker.

Gloomstalkers:

The Gloomstalkers have the ability to melt into darkness and shadows themselves, preventing any who lack truesight from detecting their presence whenever there is an absence of light. Gloomstalkers specialize in information gathering, hunting, and ambushing unsuspecting prey, and are primarily utilized when stealth is of the utmost importance. Gloomstalkers make for extremely difficult opponents, as most inhabitants of Ferox possess night vision, and have become accustomed to traveling without a source of light.
As one might expect, Gloomstalkers tend to be those who feel most comfortable in the dark, and tend to be more on the introverted side. This is due to the fact that Gloomstalkers are often expected to operate on their own for extended periods of time, without the company of others.
Gloomstalkers are less common than their Prowler counterpart, Etherstalkers, due to the nature of their operations, as well as the fact that their teachings are notoriously difficult to master.

"How to survive a Gloomstalker ambush? Run and pray. Only thing that will save you from a prepared Gloomstalker is divine intervention."

_{- Unknown}

Etherstalkers

Unlike Elementalists, who augment their body by harnessing the natural elements of the world, Etherstalkers have gained the ability to actually transform their very essence into the element that best aligns with their soul. This allows practitioners to strike foes with elemental power, or to transform their bodies in order to facilitate deadly, high-speed movements to confuse, escape, or hide from their foes. Etherstalkers are extremely versatile and are primarily utilized when there is an expectation for combat or guerilla tactics in addition to scouting.
Etherstalkers are a diverse bunch and are difficult to generalize. Each Etherstalker has an affinity with a certain element and is able to use that affinity to modify their bodies and augment their weapons, creating a unique blend of arcane and physical combat styles.

Type

Military Order

Ruling Organization

The Conclave

Parent Organization

Pathfinders

Location

The City of Kilvas

Notable Members

• Grace Sakkyoku