Throughout the centuries there have been a number of organizations in a variety of cultures that worshipped in one way or another the collection of lights in the sky that we now call Orion. Hunter continues the tradition, in defiance of the Emperor, of gathering a clan that strives to live by the virtues and traditions established by the those organizations that followed Orion. We are not the first, nor I hope will we be the last, but nevertheless we will strive to achieve the standards set by our ancestors.
In our travels we have managed to gather two ancient documents from previous sons and daughters of Orion. They help to explain part of where our traditions and ideals have come from.
Anduil, a Hunter who fell to an unknown evil shortly after the Ripture Wars, discovered and transcribed this first document.
In the first days of the world, chaos ruled supreme. The earth fought with the sea, and the wind raged across both. Slowly, the gods brought form and order to the lands... forging a cautious peace between the battling elements. As the order grew, the gods blessed the world with the sun and light... and the elements were pleased, they thanked the gods with a palette of beauty that blossomed under the grace of the gift they had received.
But every day the sun left for a period, and the darkening occurred, and with this time of blackness, the evil of the lands came alive. The gods knew that the world would need aid to combat the evil during the darkening so they placed their jewels in the sky. Hidden during the grace of the light of day, they brought rays of hope to the young world and a balance of power between good and evil.
The greatest of these, Orion the Hunter—a collection of twelve of the strongest jewels the gods had to give, travels across the night sky hunting the evil of darkness with a fierce and determined loyalty. Keeping the wickedness at bay, and maintaining the tenuous balance of the eternal struggle.
So the Clan of Hunter, Sons and Daughters of Orion travel the lands with a like fierceness and loyalty. A collection of the mighty and strong, Hunters and Healers dedicated to protecting the land and its people from the evil, and keeping the darkness that strengthens it at bay. Pride that is reflected in accomplishment, personal growth and respect earned through deeds, not demanded by the words of the weak and false.
Teaching the eager young in the ways of the good and strong, providing the lightness of humor and levity, and celebrating the joy of the hunt...
These are the truths of the Clan of Hunter.
Anduil
Faithful Son of Orion
Garibaldi discovered a second document. He had this document translated by an expert in ancient languages. Here is the letter, and the translated document.
Garibaldi, I have translated your document as best I can. It would appear to be a lesson document given to trainees or newly indoctrinated members. The phrasing of the language places it sometime between year 180 and year 230. There is however an important thing to note about the word for jewel in the language of this text. Literally, it does in fact mean jewel. However, it was also frequently used as a word that doesn't directly translate into common. Translating first into formal Thoom and then into common, the closest translation I can get is "bright spirit," or "cherished spirit".
As evidenced by the document you gave me, it is obvious that the speaker there believes that the jewels in the night sky are in fact those spirits most cherished by the gods. Thank you, Garibaldi, for allowing me to study this document. It has been a wonderful learning experience for me, and I hope that you find it useful.
— Master Langus
You have learned the story of the origin of Hunter. Now you must learn some of the truths that came after. You will recall that in the beginning the gods gave us twelve jewels, and those jewels became the astral body of our guide and mentor, Orion the Hunter. However, if you have sharp eyes or the aid of a looking glass you will see that now there are fifteen lights in the image of Orion. Is the original story wrong? Do the gods play tricks on us? Are the three newcomers imposters from the darkness, intent on hurting Orion? These are all valid questions that you ask. In fact, when the first of these was seen, for many years the elders sought the same answers. It was Kienre, one of the great Mystics of our clan's history, who was finally able to put our minds at ease.
When the thirteenth light was first noticed, there was a great deal of confusion among those in the clan. Speculation ran wild, and we sorely needed help from the gods in understanding this omen. Kienre prepared himself to undertake a difficult vision quest in hopes of bringing some understanding of this great change.
In his vision quest, he found himself following the course of one particular life and the fierce spirit that drove that life. It was a life well lived, honorable, and bravely defended. When the life ended, he overheard a conversation between the spirit and what was obviously the voice of a god.
"Hello, my child. Your choice of living has pleased me greatly. You have learned much, and show great promise. It is time for you to choose again."
The spirit seemed to draw itself up with great dignity. "Have I learned all that I can learn? Have I proven the full extent of my skills? Have I explored the depths of my compassion?"
"No, my child, you have not done that yet."
"Then I will go back, and try again." And with that the spirit started a new life.
Again, it lived well, and again spoke with the god, and again was given the choice, and again went back to learn more. And as his vision unfolded, Kienre could only marvel at the fact that so many of these lives were familiar to him from the pages of our clan histories. Many times the cycle was repeated, and each time it finished another life, the light of the spirit was brighter and stronger than the last time. At last, there came a time when Kienre could only hear the conversation because the brightness blinded his sight. This final time, the god answered with great pride, "Yes, my child, you have done all of those things!"
The god then lifted the spirit up into the night sky, and in the darkness behind his eyes, Kienre saw the spirit take its place within the body of Orion exactly where the thirteenth light can now be seen. When Kienre returned from his quest he was in truth blind to the physical world. Yet the hope and joy in his voice as he told us what he had learned showed that he felt it was a small price to pay for the privilege of learning directly from the gods. We knew then that the thirteenth light in the sky was a great omen and cause for celebration. It meant that one of our own had proven worthy of the Eternal Hunt.
As I said earlier, there are now fifteen jewels that make up the body of Orion. Two more spirits since the time of Kienre have made their way into the sky. Those three are the worthiest spirits that have ever been in our clan. Every light in the night sky is the spirit of one who found favor with the gods. They lived their lives with such adherence to the ideals of the gods that they were chosen to eternally shine their light through the darkness. In their new form, they help us to defend against the evil that hides from the light of the sun. Every defender aids the fight, but those who in their mortal lives dedicated themselves to the principles of Orion the Hunter join him in the end and lead the hunt for the heart of the darkness.
I charge each of you to strive to follow in the footsteps of our worthy ancestors. It might take many lifetimes to reach the level of achievement required by the gods, but eventually we will prove ourselves worthy of the gods and will join our ancestors in the sky. When that day comes, the jewels of Orion will be so many and will shine with such brilliance that the evil will have nowhere left to hide.