Witch-Hunters

The Witch-Hunters, feared throughout Chernaya for their unyielding pursuit of perceived heresy and magical corruption, trace their origins back to Aryn Chernaya's 12 Argent Knights. Following the destruction of his Oblidan tribe, Aryn, seeking retribution and strength, was said to have learned secretive arts from the Feyn spirits of the wilds. He imparted these potent teachings to his chosen knights, creating an elite cadre that wielded their magic with the purpose of maintaining order and striking down threats to the nascent realm. Over generations, what began as a protective order transformed into an institution that wielded both mundane and mystical powers with an iron fist, coming to serve as the right hand of the Crown.   The Argent Knights' teachings, based on the blending of human martial tradition and Feyn-derived sorcery, laid the foundation for the methods used by modern Witch-Hunters. Unlike most magic-users in Chernaya, who are forced to rely on secrecy and subtlety, the Witch-Hunters openly use magic to counter and suppress magical threats. They see themselves as protectors of the realm, although their brutal tactics and harsh measures inspire fear rather than admiration. This paradox—employing the very arts they seek to control—has always been at the heart of their organization. Over time, this complexity gave them political power and influence unmatched by any other order in the kingdom.   The rise of the Inquisitors further solidified their dominance. These elite members serve as ideological and operational leaders of the Witch-Hunters, using methods that blend religious zealotry with harsh pragmatism. Under their rule, public trials, torture, and ruthless purges became common, particularly during times of political unrest. Their use of fear as a tool of control ensured loyalty and compliance, even among dissenting nobility and rival factions. The introduction of Death's Head masks for Witch-Hunter officers symbolizes their merciless authority and anonymity, transforming their presence into a reminder of impending doom and judgment.   A significant turning point came with the influence of Ilarik, a particularly ruthless Inquisitor. Whereas previous generations of Witch-Hunters focused on purging unauthorized magic, Ilarik initiated a darker shift: the theft and appropriation of all forms of magical power, regardless of its origin. Under his guidance, the Witch-Hunters not only hunted rogue sorcerers but began absorbing their abilities, strengthening their arsenal with artifacts, rituals, and powers once deemed forbidden. This practice, while effective in consolidating their strength, also deepened their corruption and blurred the line between hunter and hunted. Many believe that this unrestrained lust for power foreshadows their eventual downfall, though so far this has seemed more like hope than reality.