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Across the vast expanse of Isélyr’s land, there are many that have banded together for a variety of reasons. There are those that embrace their brethren in the name of religion; there are those that embrace their neighbor in the dance of dire need, moving to the rhythm of the war drums; there are also those that form brotherhoods for sake of wisdom and knowledge of the Arcanum, seeking to unravel the many secrets of their ancient and mysterious world.
And then there are those that simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
The Hunter’s Guild was not always as renowned, powerful, and influential as it currently is, however. Its beginning was a humble one, its roots originating during the later years of the Amphitheatrum, when the spot itself was out on its luck.
You see, as the Amphitheatrum’s gladiators increased their proficiency with the blade and their ability and skill to wield the magical arts, the spectators’ interest in the sport was on a steady decline. Death in the arena was at an all-time low, so low that the orchestrators were forced to pit several beasts against a lone gladiator if they hoped for even a glimmer of a challenge. Yet in the end, even this proved fruitless. One by one, the seats of the once flourishing Amphitheatrum began to empty, until lack of profit nearly shut the once bustling, legendary coliseum down permanently.
Fortunately, things were about to take a turn for the better.
Three hunters – an Orc by the name of Olaf, a man by the name Demnon, and an elf by the name Mihv – offered the dying Amphitheatrum a deal they couldn’t dare refuse. For a small fee, enough to make an honest living, they would track down and subdue the most fearsome and vicious beasts the lands of Isélyr had to offer. The creatures they promised to deliver were ancient creatures of lore, the likes of which were said to dwell in the deepest bowels of the earth and terrorize the nightmares of children and adults alike; they were truly the foulest, most wretched and powerful fiends their beloved home had birthed into existence. So, skeptical of their ability to actually deliver, and with nothing left to lose, the orchestrators very willfully agreed to the terms.
You can imagine the look of surprise on their faces when the three hunters returned with not one, two or three, but all of the beasts and creatures they had promised. Death and destruction once again plagued the blood stained soil of the arena floor, and from that day forth, the three hunters had found the easiest and most reliable way to earn their coin.
Word of their success in single handedly reviving the blood-sport spread across the land like wildfire, and the three hunters quickly acquired fame and fortune. Aspiring hunters from every corner of the globe traveled to Sunset Hollow, the city where it was said that they could be found, seeking tutelage and guidance in the huntsman arts. In a matter of only several years, the three hunters had acquired a legion of follows nearing the hundreds. Each as skilled and as capable as the next, it was then that they decided to make their brotherhood official: thus, the Hunter’s Guild was founded.
As time went on, the membership of the guild continued to blossom; many of the hunters went on to make Sunset Hollow their new home, increasing the already overwhelming presence that the Guild had in the city. This fact alone paved the way for Mihv, whose interest had shifted more so from the hunt to the political and financial aspects of the Guild, to seize control of the town as the mayor. She won the people’s vote by a landslide, and even the few nobles that made the small, humble town their home couldn’t argue with the she-elf’s obvious proficiency with the coin. And so, Mihv’s first official act of office was to change Sunset Hollow’s name to Hunter’s Hollow, which the natives all found more than suitable.
Since then, the Hunter’s Guild and their city have continued to make a major impact on the Amphitheatrum and a variety of other similar blood-sports. They’re also known to take personal, private commissions from wealthy citizens or foreigners, should the price be worth their time.
Hunter's Guild