Empire - The Nonhuman Threat

The Nonhuman Threat:

            Most of the Empire’s borders have stabilized but there are still a few places of conflict remaining (though this conflict is mainly limited to bitching between the ambassadors of the three main powers). The lack of wars, and thus conquering, has led the Ephesian government to try to find something else to keep their populous occupied. So, they began targeting the minority populations of “nonhumans” that drifted on the edges of their society. This campaign (blaming these individuals for any and all social ills) started a crusade aimed at eliminating them.

            For this purpose, Hunter divisions were formed in all major cities (with outposts between them). The Hunters are holy soldiers trained to find, capture and (if necessary) eliminate nonhumans. For the most part, nonhumans are captured and put into holding cells while their status is reviewed. If they are deemed not to be a threat, then they are branded, sterilized and released. These brands, however, pretty much make it impossible for them to get a job or shop at any store that inspects for marks (most do). So, nonhumans are generally shuffled into a life of crime and poverty, which leads to them being arrested repeatedly and then (likely) executed. They’re also executed immediately if they try to escape Hunter custody or are deemed to be a threat after capture.

            It’s all pretty awesome and happy for them, basically.

            By this point, the Hunter divisions in most major cities have taken over several other duties. The Hunters in these areas often act more like police officers than holy crusaders, arresting and detaining human criminals as well as nonhumans. In addition, nuns, living in cloisters attached to the headquarters, serve as secretaries and cleaning/kitchen staff, while the more literate operate the archives for each city. The current Capitol (a title given to the city in which the Emperor resides in at that time) boasts one of the largest divisions with six individual squads of 6 to 8 Hunters (plus a bunch of rookies that haven’t been assigned to squads and serve mainly as backup/ground troops).

            Honestly, though, the Hunter divisions and their attached cloisters have started serving as hiding places for less desirable citizens. The cloisters take the illegitimate daughters of the aristocracy and clergy, girls that have had embarrassing pregnancies or abortions, and former prostitutes.  The Hunters themselves adopt illegitimate sons, soldiers that can’t take orders, orphans, the poor and (rarer lately) religious zealots. Generally, this practice is not something people talk about and Hunters are still viewed as Holy Warriors.

            So, what is “the nonhuman threat” exactly? Well they’re pretty much werewolves, wolfmen, etc. Basically, they’re individuals that are affected by something (this something is up to debate) that makes them turn into a wolf during the full moon and, in most cases, eat people. Yeah, it kinda causes problems. Some people think that werewolves are the result of demonic possession; some think they’re infected with a virus/parasite. No one’s really sure and if you ask the church, they’re demon servants of Lucifer that need to be destroyed at all costs. As evidence, the church often cites their allergy to silver, a holy metal in Ephesia.