History NightmareFuel / HunterTheVigil

** The Ascending Ones may be one of the more diplomatic Conspiracies on paper, but in reality, what's there is scary. See, what you have with the Ascending Ones are a group made up of one third religious militants, with all of the holy war-zeal you'd expect of that, and one third of ruthless drug cartels who blithely supply heroin and worse drugs to generate funding for the "glorious hunt". That's a pretty scary combination as it is, before you wrap them all together with their various noxious elixirs and tonics that let them achieve impossible feats -- let's not forget, the Ascending Ones are the Conspiracy with an Endowment that can turn a human being ''into a vampire''. '''Permanently'''. What other sorts of alchemical horrors could they be hiding in their closet? To say nothing of the implications that, like Cheiron, they've been willing to take supernatural beings apart as alchemical ingredients.

* Think about what it means for hunters if the storyteller decides that [[FanWorks/TheWorldOfDarkness fan games]] exist in the chronicle as well. Not only are you contending with the "usual" threats that come with being a hunter, suddenly you're up against threats that ''no one'' has ever even talked about. You may have staked vampires, filled werewolves with silver, turned witches into corpses, but suddenly, what happens to your cell? Your people are being [[TabletopGame/GeniusTheTransgression turned into dust by some lunatic with gear out of a cheap 1950s-style sci-fi flick]]. Your friends are being attacked by [[TabletopGame/LeviathanTheTempest fish-men that are driving you insane and making you incapable of doing anything]]. A [[TabletopGame/DragonTheEmbers literal dragon is burning your group to ashes]], and looks like it's saving you for the meal. Either [[TabletopGame/PrincessTheHopeful a legion of monsters from the shadow of the world or a would-be superhero who cares not for this "collateral damage" thing]] is after you, either because you exist or because of "the greater good." Just because you're ready for anything doesn't mean you're ready for when it, you know, ‘’finds you’’.
** If we're bringing in fan-made supplements, one would be remiss to not mention the Immortals supplement for Highlanders. Sure, compared to the other factions and splats they normally keep to themselves due to their single-minded focus on the Prize or wanting to fit in. But in the event a Hunter gets on their bad-side, or worse attracts the attention of one of the more immoral of their kind? They are faced with a truly implacable warrior potentially centuries old with combat experience to boot. Mortal weaponry does nothing in the long term, explosions mean little and even drowning or setting them on fire is only a temporary stop-gap. Ageing does not stop them, as imprisoning will just delay the inevitable. And in the event one DOES take off their head? The Hunter, and the surrounding area, are not going to survive.

*** The reality: ''Everything about that perception is true...'' except that there is a part of the vampire that is still human, still capable of remorse. However, the creature ''will'' eventually lose the battle against its [[EnemyWithin utterly amoral predatory instincts]]. It is only a question of ''when''… [[VanHelsingHateCrimes Isn't]] [[HeWhoFightsMonsters it?]]

*** The reality: Not only did they ''not'' get magic from making a DealWithTheDevil, the truth is almost the [[BargainWithHeaven opposite]]. They really got magic by undergoing a spirit quest in which they visited a higher reality and were granted power by benevolent [[AbstractApotheosis living ideas]] without having to offer anything in return. Most of them envision a future where ''everyone'' can do magic. Anybody could become one. ''[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie You]]'' could become one, and are more likely to than many - the [[HeroicWillpower mindset]] that makes people hunters is the exact kind of insight that interests Witch patrons. The one downside is that while the majority want to protect muggles there are still some who have gone as power mad as you thought. Except they're ''even worse'' than the previous description implies. Some want to reduce muggles to hunter gatherers or outright genocide them, some achieved immortality by discovering how to eat human souls and the biggest evil Witch faction [[AncientConspiracy effectively rules the world]], serves malevolent living ideas of tyranny and is manipulating all muggle power structures - including [[ParanoiaFuel many the hunters you're working for]].

*** The reality: The "faeries" you're thinking of aren't the soul-eating faeries. They're the soul-eating faeries' ''escaped slaves''. '''''And they used to be human, just like you.''''' Well, we ''assume'' you're human - the real faeries could have stolen the real you and replaced you with a magical android, and nobody - not even you - would know. And the thing is, just because the slaves were victims doesn't mean they aren't crazy, or dangerous. Each and every one of them [[EmotionEater feeds on uncontrollable passion to power their magic]], is a Manipulative Bastard due to their inherent sense of politics and social dynamics, and the very reason they're ''here'' is that they [[ActionSurvivor fought and tricked their way out, despite the otherworldly madness]]. They're paranoid and forever wary of ''any'' threat to their freedom, and they've become alien to the world - beautifully mad. Hell, even their ''friends'' are scared of their passions - ''Mortal Remains'' tells the tale of one Spring Queen who ''[[HorrifyingTheHorror frightened the Ashwood freakin' Abbey]]'' [[TooKinkyToTorture purely through her fetishes, to feed on their desire]]. The fetishes she ''[[SafeSaneAndConsensual voluntarily demonstrated]].''

** [[TabletopGame/MummyTheCurse Ancient undead sorcerers]] whose power and might are Biblical in scale. If you value your life, never, ''never'' disturb their resting places - or worse yet steal from them - otherwise not all the powers of Hell will be enough to save you. They are relentless, [[ImplacableMan implacable]], and [[NighInvulnerable indestructible]], like ancient Franchise/{{Terminator}}s - they ''will'' find what they're after, no matter what stands in their way. And should they reveal their true selves, the [[TimeAbyss sheer weight of time]] will crash down on you, sending you running for your life.

** [[TabletopGame/DemonTheDescent Demons]]. Literal, bona fide, goddamned (literally) ''{{Fallen Angel}}s'' who rebelled against the Creator for personal reasons, and now walk the Earth as false humans. They are utterly selfish, completely amoral, and capable of [[ConsummateLiar perfect lying]] to get what they want-up to and including a [[DealWithTheDevil a promise that will let them steal your soul]], hollow it out, and then ''wear it like a suit'' so they can take over your life. [[ParanoiaFuel Or the life of someone you know]]. And if you corner them, they can [[OneWingedAngel shed it so they may better kill you]].

** [[TabletopGame/DeviantTheRenegades Rogue, insane mutants, psychics, hybrids and cyborgs]] who [[BlueAndOrangeMorality no longer think like humans in any capacity]]-their biology, minds, and ''souls'' have been so altered they no longer even have a true [[LossOfIdentity self]]-only a purpose. Upset them, they lose what little remains of their sanity and with it, [[OneWingedAngel their grip on humanity]], becoming even more powerful and monstrous. Fail to kill one fast enough or break its cause before it, and you may find yourself recreating the ending of ''Manga/{{Akira}}'', with you playing the part of hapless biomass for the rapidly growing cathedral of flesh.
*** The reality: ''Some'' of those mutants may have done this to themselves, but the majority were made by ''[[HumansAreTheRealMonsters perfectly normal humans]]'' who decided they care more about results and getting what they want, than things like ethics, or morality, just that they needed a weapon or to indulge their curiosity, abducting people and experimenting so hard ''their '''souls''' break''. Some of these people ''[[HeWhoFightsMonsters are hunters]].'' Including conspiracies, such as '''''[[ParanoiaFuel the one you may work for]].''''' Did we mention they want those same mutants back? And a few still work for their sociopathic masters?

* As noted above, most of these things are transformed humans so ''YOU'' could be one of them one day. The worst are probably Vampires since every one of them can make more of their kind any time they want. Maybe one day you'll piss one of them off so much he decides to see how you like being a blood sucking nightmare - or worse, [[WorthyOpponent impresses]] him to the point he [[TheDragon wants you as his agent]]. And then you'll be the one having to fight off the attacking hunters. Lycanthropy is genetic but inactive until the werewolves' [[{{Lunacy}} nutcase moon goddess]] decides to awaken it, so you could suddenly turn into a WolfMan one day because you caught her eye. You could even be a nascent Beast and not know it until your Horror comes to [[KillAndReplace eat and replace]] your soul. And let's not forget that your extremely high chance of a [[CruelAndUnusualDeath horrible death]] makes you perfect material for becoming a ghost or Sin-Eater. And there's always the chance the True Fae will come to [[DraggedOffToHell take you to their world]].

** According to Player's Guide to the Contagion Chronicle, Slashers ''don't have souls.'' For the record, ''every'' gameline has souls, or at least soul equivalents - Prometheans have something that might become a proper human soul, Sin-Eaters and Beasts have their Geists and Horrors acting as a replacement, and the Unchained have their Primium. Even Deviants have souls, just broken ones - which means in a sense, Slashers are even '''more''' inhuman than any of these.

* Perhaps the scariest thing about Hunter is the fact that, no, just because you're human does '''not''' mean you're the good guy. Many hunters are no better than the monsters they fight -- Ashwood Abbey are serial killers/rapists/torturers who just happen to think monsters are better prey than humans, the Promethean Brotherhood are wannabe witches who ritually murder anyone with magical powers to steal those powers for themselves, and that's just scratching the surface. Even if you start out with noble intentions, JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope is very much a real thing for you.

* Most of these things are transformed humans so ''YOU'' could be one of them one day. The worst are probably Vampires since every one of them can make more of their kind any time they want. Maybe one day you'll piss one of them off so much he decides to see how you like being a blood sucking nightmare - or worse, [[WorthyOpponent impresses]] him to the point he [[TheDragon wants you as his agent]]. And then you'll be the one having to fight off the attacking hunters. Lycanthropy is genetic but inactive until the werewolves' [[{{Lunacy}} nutcase moon goddess]] decides to awaken it, so you could suddenly turn into a WolfMan one day because you caught her eye. You could even be a nascent Beast and not know it until your Horror comes to [[KillAndReplace eat and replace]] your soul. And let's not forget that your extremely high chance of a [[CruelAndUnusualDeath horrible death]] makes you perfect material for becoming a ghost or Sin-Eater. And there's always the chance the True Fae will come to [[DraggedOffToHell take you to their world]].

** The Hototogisu, from ''Dark Eras.'' An AncientConspiracy of [[ConMan Con Men]] and [[MerchantPrince Merchant Princes]] founded during the UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod as what was essentially a MegaCorp with one goal in mind; to ''outcompete'' monsters in economic matters. They don't care about justice, or humanity, just the fact that as long as monsters sniff around their back pockets, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney it cuts into their profits]]. "Okay," you may say. "They're amoral, greedy jerks who want a bigger pocketbook, so long as they keep their attentions on monsters, what's the deal? They don't hurt me." Oh, but you don't know how they ''deal'' with their supernatural rivals, do you? Not by killing them, not by driving them out, but by ''[[PowerCopying literally stealing their powers]]''. Simply with a well-placed bit of {{Blackmail}}, a cuckoo can gain ''any'' of the powers on this list without losing a scrap of their humanity, giving them all the power that stopped them from total economic domination with none of the weaknesses. And then ''[[TheManBehindTheMonsters force the monsters to work for them to get their powers back]]''. Oh yeah, and the guy who founded them, Inoue, bought [[TheAgeless immortality]] of some poor schmuck a while back, and he still lives in Tokyo, with a pack of monsters reliant on him to do anything with the economy. You know what type of creature that's most in thrall to him? '''Vampires.''' Read their entry again, about their sheer powers, and realize that a [[EmpoweredBadassNormal normal man]] not only ''matched'' them in ruthlessness and cunning, but now '''[[AsskickingEqualsAuthority owns them.]]'''

** If we're bringing in fan-made supplements, one would be remiss to not mention the [[Film/Highlander Immortals supplement.]] Sure, compared to the other factions and splats they normally keep to themselves due to their single-minded focus on the Prize or wanting to fit in. But in the event a Hunter gets on their bad-side, or worse attracts the attention of one of the more immoral of their kind? They are faced with a truly implacable warrior potentially centuries old with combat experience to boot. Mortal weaponry does nothing in the long term, explosions mean little and even drowning or setting them on fire is only a temporary stop-gap. Ageing does not stop them, as imprisoning will just delay the inevitable. And in the event one DOES take off their head? The Hunter, and the surrounding area, are not going to survive.

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/biomechanical_dice_tattoo_designs.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Say hello to [[ImplacableMan a Mask]]. Tough as nails, and out for your blood.]]

*** 2e mentions that the Les Mysteres is "defunct". This could just mean that its members saw sense and stopped trying to work with spirits, but given that this is the Chronicles of Darkness it probably means something much worse.

*** The reality: Not only did they ''not'' get magic from making a DealWithTheDevil, the truth is almost the [[BargainWithHeaven opposite]]. They really got magic by undergoing a spirit quest in which they visited a higher reality and were granted power by benevolent [[AbstractApotheosis living ideas]] without having to offer anything in return. Most of them envision a future where ''everyone'' can do magic. Anybody could become one. ''[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie You]]'' could become one, and are more likely to than many - the [[HeroicWillpower mindset]] that makes people hunters is the exact kind of insight that interests Witch patrons. The one downside is that while the majority want to protect muggles there are still some who have gone as power mad as you thought. Except they're ''even worse'' than the previous description implies. Some want to reduce muggles to hunter gatherers or outright genocide them, some achieved immortality by discovering how to eat human souls and the biggest evil Witch faction [[AncientConspiracy effectively rules the world]] and is manipulating all muggle power structures- including [[ParanoiaFuel many the hunters you're working for]].

*** The reality: ''Everything about that perception is true...'' except that there is a part of the vampire that is still human, still capable of remorse. However, the creature ''will'' eventually lose the battle against its [[EnemyWithin utterly amoral predatory instincts]]. It is only a question of ''when''…

* Let's look at the list of horrors that being a Hunter means having to face, shall we? Before and after you learn more about what they actually are from their perspective?

*** The reality: ''Everything about that perception is true...'' except that there is a part of the vampire that is still human, still capable of remorse. However, the creature ''will'' eventually lose the battle against its [[EnemyWithin utterly amoral predatory instincts]]. It is only a question of ''when''... [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Isn't it?]]

** [[TabletopGame/ChangelingTheLost Faeries]] who roam the street, disguised so well that even ''other monsters'' [[ParanoiaFuel can't tell what they really are]], looking to trick people into [[MagicallyBindingContract pledges]] that let the fairies [[YourSoulIsMine steal their souls]]. Want to try and fight them? Good luck, we're talking about monsters who convince the [[BlowYouAway very wind]] that you should be pushed away, [[StealthExpert trick light into ignoring them]] and letting them disappear, or sweet-talk the universe into letting them [[GadgeteerGenius rebuild a car]] with pieces of scrap metal. And don't even bother trying to restrain them; they will free themselves easily from any bounds or open portals to [[LandOfFaerie their realm]] from the door of any room you'll try to lock them in-- [[EscapeArtist nothing can keep them trapped, period]]. And when they do drop the Mask, and unleash their fae selves? The human before you melts away into a fearsome beast of a person, or a living candle wick, or a cyclopean giant, ready to make you just as twisted as they are.
*** The reality: The "faeries" you're thinking of? Those aren't the soul-eating faeries. They're the soul-eating faeries' ''escaped slaves''. '''''And they used to be human, just like you.''''' Well, we ''assume'' you're human - the real faeries could have stolen the real you and replaced you with a magical android, and nobody - not even you - would know. And the thing is, just because the slaves were victims doesn't mean they aren't crazy, or dangerous. Each and every one of them [[EmotionEater feeds on uncontrollable passion to power their magic]], is a Manipulative Bastard due to their inherent sense of politics and social dynamics, and the very reason they're ''here'' is that they [[ActionSurvivor fought and tricked their way out, despite the otherworldly madness]]. They're paranoid and forever wary of ''any'' threat to their freedom, and they've become alien to the world - beautifully mad. Hell, even their ''friends'' are scared of their passions - ''Mortal Remains'' tells the tale of one Spring Queen who ''[[HorrifyingTheHorror frightened the Ashwood freakin' Abbey]]'' [[TooKinkyToTorture purely through her fetishes, to feed on their desire]]. The fetishes she ''[[SafeSaneAndConsensual voluntarily demonstrated]].''

*** The reality: Those ''things'' are old ghosts. Ghosts [[TimeAbyss so unspeakably old]] that most have forgotten what living is like and make their bargain just to relive their earthly desires. [[WasOnceAMan We'll let that sink in for a moment.]] Oh, and their hosts? The Fog Men? They were human like you, once. They accepted the bargain because when the Reaper came knocking, they realized they didn't want to bite the dust, not in the slightest. Most use their second chance to patrol the nonliving and keep ghosts where they belong. You're probably more likely to become one than anyone else.

*** The reality: They do this because their [[GodOfEvil gods]] tell them to, and they cannot disobey. These ancient monsters? Are nothing more than tired old ''slaves'' bound to the whims of entities they can barely remember. The "lucky" ones have lost so much of their soul that they shamble through the ages as near-mindless automatons, blearily rising from their tombs only for the task that has called them back, seeking to end their tortured existence and return to the peace of death by completing what is required of them. The unlucky ones are still self-aware enough to be cognizant of the fact that they have outlived everything and everyone they ever cared about, that their world is gone forever, and that they are mere pawns to unearthly abominations who were their slave-masters in life and demand a servitude that will compel them to obey. For all eternity.
** [[TabletopGame/DemonTheDescent Demons]]. Literal, bona fide, no shit, goddamned (literally) ''{{Fallen Angel}}s'' who rebelled against the Creator for personal reasons, and now walk the Earth as false humans. They are utterly selfish, completely amoral, and capable of [[ConsummateLiar perfect lying]] to get what they want-up to and including a [[DealWithTheDevil a promise that will let them steal your soul]], hollow it out, and then ''wear it like a suit'' so they can take over your life. [[ParanoiaFuel Or the life of someone you know]]. And if you corner them, they can [[OneWingedAngel shed it so they may better kill you]].
*** The reality: The Creator in question? We sure hope it's only ''a'' God, because frankly, their reasons for rebellion? ''[[GodIsEvil Completely legitimate]].'' And the God-''[[DeusEstMachina Machine]]'' isn't just amoral and willing to manipulate mortals for its own ends, it's a completely alien EldritchAbomination that mutilates reality into orderly patterns by dint of its presence, and is willing to send similarly mechanical angels to force the issue. Demons are actually ''more'' human and given over to consciences then their "noble" brethren, and yet they're still evil by human standards-both out of desperation to remain free (or at least, rejoin the collective on their own terms) and because [[BlueAndOrangeMorality they literally don't have the same moral instincts as humans]]-their FatalFlaw can easily be something like Generosity, since they view it as sabotaging their own work and those of their demonic friends for a quick feel-good act, and their Virtue can be literal {{Pride}}, as they assert their own self-will and that of their chosen organization against adversity and thus, their inherent "humanity", if such a term can apply to such alien beings. The only thing a demon has to really worry about when moral issues are concerned is the upkeep of the false human self he possesses, and they're always looking for a new one or parts to maintain it...

*** The reality: That pretty much is the reality. Except that the whole "causing nightmares" thing? It's involuntary. If they don't indulge their beastly appetites, their soul-form will go wandering off into the dreamscape, tormenting people despite their best wishes; a lot of them actually are tormenting people in the physical world because it's the only way for them to keep control over it and avoid harming people they actually care about. And the people who join the Hunt? Yeah, [[HeWhoFightsMonsters you're probably better off avoiding them]]. Preferably by being [[KnightTemplar on the other side of the state]], [[AxCrazy if at all possible]].

*** The reality: ''Some'' of those mutants may have done this to themselves, but the majority? Were made by ''[[HumansAreTheRealMonsters perfectly normal humans]]'' who decided they care more about results and getting what they want, than things like ethics, or morality, just that they needed a weapon or to indulge their curiosity, abducting people and experimenting so hard ''their '''souls''' break''. Some of these people ''[[HeWhoFightsMonsters are hunters]].'' Including conspiracies, such as '''''[[ParanoiaFuel the one you may work for]].''''' Did we mention they want those same mutants back? And a few still work for their sociopathic masters?

* The kicker? Most of these things are transformed humans so ''YOU'' could be one of them one day. The worst are probably Vampires since every one of them can make more of their kind any time they want. Maybe one day you'll piss one of them off so much he decides to see how you like being a blood sucking nightmare - or worse, [[WorthyOpponent impresses]] him to the point he [[TheDragon wants you as his agent]]. And then you'll be the one having to fight off the attacking hunters. Lycanthropy is genetic but inactive until the werewolves' [[{{Lunacy}} nutcase moon goddess]] decides to awaken it, so you could suddenly turn into a WolfMan one day because you caught her eye. You could even be a nascent Beast and not know it until your Horror comes to [[KillAndReplace eat and replace]] your soul. And let's not forget that your extremely high chance of a [[CruelAndUnusualDeath horrible death]] makes you perfect material for becoming a ghost or Sin-Eater. And there's always the chance the True Fae will come to [[DraggedOffToHell take you to their world]].

** The Hototogisu, from ''Dark Eras.'' An AncientConspiracy of [[ConMan Con Men]] and [[MerchantPrince Merchant Princes]] founded during the UsefulNotes/SengokuPeriod as what was essentially a MegaCorp with one goal in mind; to ''outcompete'' monsters in economic matters. They don't care about justice, or humanity, just the fact that as long as monsters sniff around their back pockets, [[OnlyInItForTheMoney it cuts into their profits]]. "Okay," you may say. "They're amoral, greedy jerks who want a bigger pocketbook, so long as they keep their attentions on monsters, what's the deal? They don't hurt me." Oh, but you don't know how they ''deal'' with their supernatural rivals, do you? Not by killing them, not by driving them out, but by ''[[PowerCopying literally stealing their powers]]''. Simply with a well-placed bit of {{Blackmail}}, a cuckoo can gain ''any'' of the powers on this list without losing a scrap of their humanity, giving them all the power that stopped them from total economic domination with none of the weaknesses. And then ''[[TheManBehindTheMonsters force the monsters to work for them to get their powers back]]''. Oh yeah, and the guy who founded them, Inoue? He bought [[TheAgeless immortality]] of some poor schmuck a while back, and he still lives in Tokyo, with a pack of monsters reliant on him to do anything with the economy. You know what type of creature that's most in thrall to him? '''Vampires.''' Read their entry again, about their sheer powers, and realize that a [[EmpoweredBadassNormal normal man]] not only ''matched'' them in ruthlessness and cunning, but now '''[[AsskickingEqualsAuthority owns them.]]'''

*** The reality: That pretty much is the reality. Except that the whole "causing nightmares" thing? It's involuntary. If they don't indulge their beastly appetites, their soul-form will go wandering off into the dreamscape, tormenting people despite their best wishes; a lot of them actually are tormenting people in the physical world because it's the only way for them to keep control over it and avoid harming people they actually care about. And the people who join the Hunt? Yeah, [[LightIsNotGood you're probably better off avoiding them]]. Preferably by being [[KnightTemplar on the other side of the state]], [[AxCrazy if at all possible]].

*** The reality: Not only did they ''not'' get magic from making a DealWithTheDevil, the truth is almost the [[BargainWithHeaven opposite]]. They really got magic by undergoing a spirit quest in which they visited a higher reality and were granted power by benevolent [[AbstractApotheosis living ideas]] without having to offer anything in return. Most of them envision a future where ''everyone'' can do magic. Anybody could become one. ''[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie You]]'' could become one, and are more likely to than many - the [[HeroicWillpower mindset]] that makes people hunters is [[NotSoDifferent the exact kind of insight]] that interests Witch patrons. The one downside is that while the majority want to protect muggles there are still some who have gone as power mad as you thought. Except they're ''even worse'' than the previous description implies. Some want to reduce muggles to hunter gatherers or outright genocide them, some achieved immortality by discovering how to eat human souls and the biggest evil Witch faction [[AncientConspiracy effectively rules the world]] and is manipulating all muggle power structures- including [[ParanoiaFuel many the hunters you're working for]].

** [[TabletopGame/MageTheAwakening Witches]], people who have sold their souls to the darkest powers for dark blessings and foul boons. They can [[TheNecromancer raise the dead against you]], turn you into lifeless stone, call down [[ShockAndAwe thunder and lightning]], [[KillItWithFire flame]] or worse against you. They can manipulate [[WindsOfDestinyChange fate]] itself so that bad luck comes your way until you die -- without ever tracing it back to the witch responsible -- or bend time and space like playthings. They're unnatural, too powerful to trust, and [[ParanoiaFuel could be anywhere]].

*** The reality: Not only did they ''not'' get magic from making a DealWithTheDevil, the truth is almost the [[BargainWithHeaven literal opposite]]. They really got magic by undergoing a spirit quest in which they visited a higher reality and were granted power by benevolent [[AbstractApotheosis living ideas]] without having to offer anything in return. Most of them envision a future where ''everyone'' can do magic. Anybody could become one. ''[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie You]]'' could become one, and are more likely to than many - the [[HeroicWillpower mindset]] that makes people hunters is [[NotSoDifferent the exact kind of insight]] that interests Witch patrons. The one downside is that while the majority want to protect muggles there are still some who have gone as power mad as you thought. Except they're ''even worse'' than the previous description implies. Some want to reduce muggles to hunter gatherers or outright genocide them, some achieved immortality by discovering how to eat human souls and the biggest evil Witch faction [[AncientConspiracy effectively rules the world]] and is manipulating all muggle power structures- including [[ParanoiaFuel many the hunters you're working for]].

** [[TabletopGame/DemonTheDescent Demons]]. Literal, bona fide, no shit, goddamned (literally) ''{{Fallen Angel}}s'' who rebelled against the Creator for personal reasons, and now walk the Earth as false humans. They are utterly selfish, completely amoral, and capable of [[ConsummateLiar perfect lying]] to get what they want-up to and including a [[DealWithTheDevil promise to steal your soul]], hollow it out, and then ''wear it like a suit'' so they can take over your life. [[ParanoiaFuel Or the life of someone you know]]. And if you corner them, they can [[OneWingedAngel shed it so they may better kill you]].

** Other hunters, hunting you because you're in the way, or because you don't follow what they see as the right path of the Vigil. Even if you can justify killing vampires nightly, these guys are human, and humans count for murder. Some of them might have powers on par with what a witch might have. Others control the entire local area, police and politicians included. Maybe they have a secret you've worked hard to ignore ready to drop in the local news if you don't toe their line. Maybe they've finally snapped and decided that you need to die to prevent you from becoming a monster yourself. They might even be working with the monsters you've been trying to hunt. Others don't care about you, or anyone else. As long as they have what they want, you and everyone you're fighting to protect can die and mean nothing to them.

** The kicker? Most of these things are transformed humans so ''YOU'' could be one of them one day. The worst are probably Vampires since every one of them can make more of their kind any time they want. Maybe one day you'll piss one of them off so much he decides to see how you like being a blood sucking nightmare - or worse, [[WorthyOpponent impresses]] him to the point he [[TheDragon wants you as his agent]]. And then you'll be the one having to fight off the attacking hunters. Lycanthropy is genetic but inactive until the werewolves' [[{{Lunacy}} nutcase moon goddess]] decides to awaken it, so you could suddenly turn into a WolfMan one day because you caught her eye. You could even be a nascent Beast and not know it until your Horror comes to [[KillAndReplace eat and replace]] your soul. And let's not forget that your extremely high chance of a [[CruelAndUnusualDeath horrible death]] makes you perfect material for becoming a ghost or Sin-Eater. And there's always the chance the True Fae will come to [[DraggedOffToHell take you to their world]].

* Think about what it means for hunters if the storyteller decides that [[FanWorks/TheWorldOfDarkness fan games]] exist in the chronicle as well. Not only are you contending with the "usual" threats that come with being a hunter, suddenly you're up against threats that ''no one'' has ever even talked about. You may have staked vampires, filled werewolves with silver, turned witches into corpses, but suddenly, what happens to your cell? Your people are being [[TabletopGame/GeniusTheTransgression turned into dust by some lunatic with gear out of a cheap 1950s sci-fi]]. Your friends are being attacked by [[TabletopGame/LeviathanTheTempest fish-men that are driving you insane and making you incapable of doing anything]]. A [[TabletopGame/DragonTheEmbers literal dragon is burning your group to ashes]], and looks like it's saving you for the meal. Either [[TabletopGame/PrincessTheHopeful a legion of monsters from the shadow of the world or a would-be superhero who cares not for this "collateral damage" thing]] is after you, either because you exist or because of "the greater good." Just because you're ready for anything doesn't mean you're ready for when it finds you.

*** The reality: They're guarding the world against something ''[[DarkWorld even worse]].'' Well, a third of them are; the rest are fascistic, bloodthirsty nutcases who either want to revert the world to a primal nightmare in which humanity will become chattel for legions of mad spirits, or basically want to wring every last drop of goodness from the world and create an endless, unceasing ''Hell''.

*** The reality: Those ''things'' are old ghosts. Ghost [[TimeAbyss so unspeakably old]] that most have forgotten what living is like and make their bargain just to relive their earthly desires. [[WasOnceAMan We'll let that sink in for a moment.]] Oh, and their hosts? The Fog Men? They were human like you, once. They accepted the bargain because when the Reaper came knocking, they realized they didn't want to bite the dust, not in the slightest. Most use their second chance to patrol the nonliving and keep ghosts where they belong. You're probably more likely to become one than anyone else.

** [[TabletopGame/BeastThePrimordial Living nightmares from the darkest reaches]], abominations that [[HumanoidAbomination attempt to disguise themselves as humans]]. They walk amongst humanity, [[HorrorHunger seeking only to devour what they wish]]. Their very presence causes nightmares, terrorizing the dreams and souls of humans until they either go insane or are compelled to join the Hunt, and they can [[OneWingedAngel shed their false disguise]] to kill you in [[LovecraftianSuperpower all manner of monstrous ways]]. They can open pathways to drag you in [[EldritchLocation the insane, physics-violating realms they call home]], where [[HomefieldAdvantage the environment itself is helping them against you]]. Worse, [[EvilIsOneBigHappyFamily they see most other monsters as kinsfolk]], and [[PowerCopying can even mimic their powers]] to some extent, passing themselves as them- [[ParanoiaFuel meaning they can fool you into thinking you are hunting a vampire or one of the other creatures above, before dropping the disguise at the last minute]].
*** The reality: That pretty much is the reality. Except that the whole "causing nightmares" thing? It's involuntary. If they don't indulge their beastly appetites, their soul-form will go wandering off into the dreamscape, tormenting people despite their best wishes; a lot of them actually are tormenting people in the physical world because it's the only way for them to keep control over it and avoid harming people they actually care about. And the people who join the Hunt? Yeah, [[LightIsNotGood you're probably better off avoiding them]]. [[KnightTemplar On the other side of the state]], [[AxCrazy if at all possible]].
** [[TabletopGame/DeviantTheRenegades Rogue, insane mutants and cyborgs]] who [[BlueAndOrangeMorality no longer think like humans in any capacity]]-their biology, minds, and ''souls'' have been so altered they no longer even have a true [[LossOfIdentity self]]-only a purpose. Upset them, they lose what little remains of their sanity and with it, [[OneWingedAngel their grip on humanity]], becoming even more powerful and monstrous. Fail to kill one fast enough or break its cause before it, and you may find yourself recreating the ending of ''Manga/{{Akira}}'', with you playing the part of hapless biomass for the rapidly growing cathedral of flesh.
*** The reality: ''Some'' of those mutants may have done this to themselves, but the majority? Were made by ''[[HumansAreTheRealMonsters perfectly normal humans]]'' who decided they didn't care about things like ethics, or morality, just that they needed a weapon or to indulge their curiosity, abducting people and experimenting so hard ''their '''souls''' break''. Some of these people ''[[HeWhoFightsMonsters are hunters]].'' Including conspiracies, such as '''''[[ParanoiaFuel the one you may work for]].''''' Did we mention they want those same mutants back? And a few still work for their sociopathic masters?

*** The reality: Not only did they ''not'' get magic from making a DealWithTheDevil, the truth is almost the [[BargainWithHeaven literal opposite]]. They really got magic by undergoing a spirit quest in which they visited a higher reality and were granted power by benevolent [[AbstractApotheosis living ideas]] without having to offer anything in return. Most of them envision a future where ''everyone'' can do magic. Anybody could become one. ''[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie You]]'' could become one, and are more likely to than many. The one downside is that while the majority want to protect muggles there are still some who have gone as power mad as you thought. Except their ''even worse'' than the previous description implies. Some want to reduce muggles to hunter gatherers or outright genocide them, some achieved immortality by discovering how to eat human souls and the biggest evil Witch faction [[AncientConspiracy rules the world]] and is manipulating all muggle power structures including the Hunters you're working for.

** The kicker? Most of these things are transformed humans so ''YOU'' could be one of them one day. The worst are probably Vampires since every one of them can make more of their kind any time they want. Maybe one day you'll piss one of them off so much he decides to see how you like being a blood sucking nightmare. And then you'll be the one having to fight off the attacking Hunters. You could even be a nascent Beast and not know it until your Horror comes to [[KillAndReplace eat and replace]] your soul. And let's not forget that your extremely high chance of a [[CruelAndUnusualDeath horrible death]] makes you perfect material for becoming a ghost or Sin-Eater. And there's always the chance the True Fae will come to [[DraggedOffToHell take you to their world]].

*** The reality: Not only did they ''not'' get magic from making a DealWithTheDevil, the truth is almost the [[BargainWithHeaven literal opposite]]. They really got magic by undergoing a spirit quest in which they visited a higher reality and were granted power by benevolent [[AbstractApotheosis living ideas]] without having to offer anything in return. Most of them envision a future where ''everyone'' can do magic. Anybody could become one. ''[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie You]]'' could become one, and are more likely to than many. The one downside is that while the majority want to protect muggles there are still some who have gone as power mad as you thought. Except their ''even worse'' than the previous description implies. Some want to reduce muggles to hunter gatherers or outright genocide them, some achieved immortality by discovering how to eat human souls and the biggest evil Witch faction [[AncientConspiracy rules the world]] and is manipulating all muggle power structures including the Hunters your working for.

*** The reality: They regard the infernal barginers with the same fear you do; they just had a crazy dream one day and suddenly realized they could do magic. Most of them envision a future where ''everyone'' can do magic. Anybody could become one. ''[[AndThenJohnWasAZombie You]]'' could become one, and are more likely to than many. And a few of them have gone ''exactly'' as power mad as you thought. ''And they [[AncientConspiracy rule the world]].''

*** The reality: ''Everything about that perception is true...'' except that there is a part of the vampire that is still human, still capable of remorse. However, the creature ''will'' eventually lose the battle against its [[EnemyWithin utterly amoral predatory instincts]]. It is only a question of ''when''.
*** [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Isn't it?]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Say hello to [[ImplacableMan a Mask]]]]

** Chameleons are the perfect social predators, so generic to other people that they're barely remembered after a murder. You literally might not even see them even if you're alone with them. Coincidentally, this is why they murder, since they think the world has forgotten them. Boogeymen take it to another level, literally: They're able to phase in and out of Twilight and can appear anywhere.

** [[TabletopGame/DeviantTheRenegades Rogue, insane mutants and cyborgs]] who [[BlueAndOrangeMorality no longer think like humans in any capacity]]-their biology, minds, and ''souls'' have been so altered they no longer even have a true [[LossOfIdentity self]]-only a purpose. Upset them, they lose what little remains of their sanity and with it, [[OneWingedAngel their grip on humanity]], becoming even more powerful and monstrous. Fail to kill one fast enough or break its cause before it, and you may find yourself recreating the ending of AnimeAndManga/{{Akira}}, with you playing the part of hapless biomass for the rapidly growing cathedral of flesh.