Jagers

An honorable Jager upon defeated Dragon Sloth

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Chosen or demanded, it is the duty of many – to put their lives at risk in the never-ending war against Hellish Spawn that continually advances upon the shores of Her Gorgeousness, eager to devour us. However, no matter how hard our bravest fight, they are not perfect. Some of Umbral Horrors, clever enough, can stroll away from the swarms of their mindless brethren and pass behind our watch, penetrating far into the safety of our lands and begin spreading corruption from there. When such happens an armed patrol is sent to hunt these creatures down. Yet, especially during a very intensive Envasion, every soldier counts on the front line and can’t be spared to chase unknown threat in lands where no one lives, which may not even exists and be just a rural gossip. Thence, first Jagers were summoned many centuries ago – an honorable profession of independent monster hunters and adventurers who became local heroes, wandering between towns and alleviating them of the danger posed by the secluded Serpent’s offspring, pitiful Tarfested and their dark lairs – like an immune system they eradicate vermin from Her sacred body before it turns into cancer; and centuries later, Jagers still commit to this role.

To legally be one today, a Jager must either be in official military service to the Nation or, if independent, obtain a permit from Herquisition after apprenticeship under another sanctioned Jager, which also includes an assessment of expert merits and additional education on numerous topics, including how to handle the Umbral Remains of slain Beastiary, thus every independent Jager is required to be Engifted of a Spark-grade minimum to effectively learn and perform Tome of Remedy. With a permit, Jagers will be directed by any local Herquisition office to inspect accounts of Jealous Beastiary, Infernal Miscreations or rampaging monstrous wild animals in the province, then deal with these creatures if the danger they represent is real, or report back if the threat was greatly underestimated and requires more than a few Jagers. As well they are entitled to receive official payment for righteous service, can collect appreciation donations from the client and be provided with free sleeping quarters and meals during the official stay as part of the payment, be supplied with minimal provision by the Herquisition with no charge, or receive honorary records to be employed by the Nation for a long-term Jager service with many promised benefits. However, being a sanctioned independent Jager as well brings a lot of mandatory paperwork associated with collecting of mundane reports from all parties involved – to confirm the completion of the Hunt and to affirm the Remedy of its aftermath. With that, expectation are high, and the punishments for failure, cowardice and lies are tantamount.

An honorable profession its, but for various reasons some individuals become Rogue Jagers – without support from Herquisition, and also illegal in some regions due to frequently botched Remedies, or because one too many of them were money-stealing charlatans. Yet, rural communities may still secretly buy the services of Rogue Jagers if possible, either because they fear that official Jagers will arrive too late, because inner greed drives the decision to buy cheaper services, or because the danger is coming from local monstrous wildlife, which some Jagers do not always accept as a suitable use for their talents.