The Hunter's Journal

[The Chronicler]

-THE HUNTER’S JOURNAL-
The Hunter’s Guide to the Universe

This is a supernatural encyclopedia put together by hunters, researchers, and supernatural beings. Credit will be given where credit is due. Here you will find everything you need to know about the universe you’ve just stepped into and the creatures you’ll run into along the way.

__________HUMANS__________

Human beings are varied creatures, made up of several different races, religions, cultures, and moralities. Their strengths lie in their survival instincts as individuals. Humans, as a species, have a drive to not only survive, but to excel and flourish. Humans fight for their existence and, when threatened, have the ability to band together in order to utilize multiple strengths in multiple people in order to accomplish a goal or complete a task. All humans share one weakness: they’re mortal and can be killed by many things.

Civilians
Any human being who does not have a supernatural or psychic ability and has not been trained in combating the supernatural is considered a civilian. Although they may not be as well trained in the world of the supernatural as others, civilians are an important part of the world, since they make up most of it. They all have their individual talents and strengths as well as shortcomings and weaknesses. Although some civilians may have knowledge of the supernatural and may even learn some self-defense tactics, they don’t typically actively go out hunting for supernatural beings.

Hunters
Human beings who have learned to combat the supernatural are called hunters. Experience levels and hunting styles vary. Some have been “in the business” for their entire lives, and some have only just started. These people have knowledge of the supernatural world and actively combat it. They typically have training in hand to hand combat and with various weapons.

Witches
Human beings with the ability to control or manipulate the elements and the ability to spell-cast are called witches. All of them get their powers in different ways and can use their power for good or for evil. Some are born with magical abilities, others train themselves to be able to work with the elements, and others worship demons in exchange for power. Witches can be male or female, good or evil, and their power levels and experience levels vary.

Psychics
Any human being with one or more mental abilities is called a psychic. Psychic abilities range in type and power, but all of them involve the mind in one way or another. These are not powers that require the use of external forces, and most require exercise to be useful. Telekinesis, telepathy, pyrokinesis, and premonition are examples of psychic abilities.

__________DEMONS__________

Demons are mostly malevolent beings, sometimes mistaken for spirits by those who aren’t completely aware of the supernatural. Most demons started out as humans, but when they died and went to Hell, they lost their humanity. They all appear as black smoke in incorporeal form, and all must possess and take control of a human host in order to manifest. A demon can be driven out of a human host and sent to Hell through an exorcism. Some demons leave traces of sulfur when they pass through an area. A human host can not be physically harmed while a demon is possessing the body unless the body is given a mortal wound. In that case, the body will function as long as the demon remains in it, but will die and decay once it leaves. Demons can be trapped by various versions of the Seal of Solomon (also known as a Devil’s Trap). Demons can also lock themselves in a human host using a binding link, or a spell. Demons cannot die in the way that other beings can, having died already and truly residing in the afterlife. The Colt revolver and the rune knife can effectively dispel a demon for a long period of time. Hearing the words “Deus” and “Christo” said aloud will make a demon flinch violently and reveal their true nature.

Note: the Colt revolver is currently in the possession of Lydia Feldman, and the rune knife (originally owned by Ruby) is currently in the possession of Sam and Dean Winchester. These objects can not be used freely by other people.

“Deus” is the Latin translation for God.
“Christo” is the Latin translation for Christ.

Typical Demon Abilities Include:

• Heightened Strength
  
• Heightened Reflexes
  
• Teleportation
  
• Telekinesis
  

ANY OTHER POWERS AND ABILITIES ARE NOT CONSIDERED TYPICAL AND WILL BE JUDGED CRITICALLY DURING THE REVIEW PROCESS.

Things like telepathy and pyrokinesis or other potential psychic abilities for demons will be approved on a case by case basis.

For more information on demons, click here.

Black-Eyed Demons
A varied group of demons, B.E.D.’s display a wide range of characteristics and abilities. Their eyes turn liquid black during possession, but this feature can be controlled by the demon and their eyes can appear normal. Their abilities and power levels vary. Black-eyed demons are vulnerable to or weakened by: holy water, exorcism, rock salt barriers, rock salt ammunition, the Colt revolver, and the rune knife. Holy water will cause a B.E.D.’s eyes to turn black and will cause him or her pain.

Yellow-Eyed Demon
Currently, the only known Yellow-Eyed demon in existence is Azazel, and he was dispelled with the Colt revolver by Dean Winchester. His current status and whereabouts are unknown. The irises and pupils of a human possessed by Azazel will turn yellow, a feature that can be turned on and off by the demon. Azazel can possess supernatural beings other than humans, including Reapers. Cattle deaths, electrical storms, temperature fluctuations, and complications with electrical devices and timepieces occur when Azazel is present. He is not affected by Holy water or rock salt barriers. Azazel is vulnerable to and weakened by: exorcism, the Colt revolver, and the rune knife.

Red-Eyed Demons
Also known as Crossroads Demons, these beings make deals with people in exchange for their souls. In order to make a deal with a R.E.D., one must locate the center of a dirt or gravel crossroads (the point where two roads intersect, and the veil between dimensions wears thin). The deal-maker must then make an offering, putting graveyard dirt in a box along with a bone of a black cat and a photo of himself or herself. This will summon the demon, and negotiations can be made. Once a verbal agreement is settled, the contract is sealed with a kiss between the demon and the deal-maker. The abilities of a R.E.D. vary, depending on the types of deals they specialize in. They are vulnerable to or weakened by: Holy water, rock salt barriers, rock salt ammunition, exorcism, the Colt revolver, and the rune knife.

White-Eyed Demons
These are not necessarily the most powerful demons, but they are the oldest, coming from the earliest generations of demons. The host’s eyes will appear completely white while possessed by a W.E.D. Their power levels and abilities vary, but they are typically more powerful than Black-Eyed demons because they are older and their strength has built up over time. Some are resistant to or unaffected by typical defenses against demons. These weaknesses vary depending on the individual demon.

Other Types of Demons

• Daevas: Shadow demons that can be summoned and controlled; invisible to most beings with the exception of their shadows.
  
• Disaster-Causing Demons: Demons that dwell between the world of the living and the world of the dead; can be good or bad; have the ability to alter the natural world to create natural disasters and phenomena.
  
• Hellhound: Demonic dogs that serve demons in Hell; invisible on the physical plane; a person who sells his or her soul to a Crossroads Demon will be hunted and killed by a Hellhound when the deal runs out; can be barred by rock salt barriers, a vine called Devil’s Shoestring, and goofer dust, can be harmed by rock salt ammunition.
  
• Rakshasa: Shapeshifting demons that eat humans; can appear and reappear at will; can remain invisible for long periods of time; cannot enter a home without being invited.
  
• Rawhead: Water demons who inhabit deep bodies of water; they pray on children, dragging them to their underwater dwellings.
  
• Succubi: Demons that take on the form of a woman, seducing men in their dreams and feeding on their energy.
  
• Incubi: Demons that take on the form of a man, seducing and often impregnating women in their sleep and feeding on their energy.

__________SPIRITS__________

A spirit is an entity whose natural state of existence is in the spiritual plane and whose natural form is incorporeal (meaning bodiless or immaterial). These beings can affect the physical plane, taking on different forms depending on what type of creatures they are.

Ghosts
A ghost is some part of a dead person that has remained in the world of the living. It can be their soul still attached to the physical plane, a powerful emotion taking the form of a ghostly entity, or an echo – a single event being replayed over and over again. It is possible for a ghost to take possession of a living person, or an object. It is also possible for them to affect electrical and battery operated appliances. Ghosts can move objects and manifest, appearing just as they looked at the moment of their deaths. Most of the time, ghosts are taken to their afterlife destination by another entity, such as a Reaper, however, sometimes a more aggressive approach is needed and their physical remains must be properly laid to rest. This requires one to “salt and burn” their bones. Salting and burning is slang for covering a ghost’s remains with rock salt and gasoline and lighting them on fire to purify and cleanse them. In some cases, a spirit is attached to an object, and salting and burning their bones is not enough to force them to cross over. In cases like these, the object they’re attached to must also be destroyed. All ghosts are weakened and temporarily dispelled by iron, and they cannot cross rock salt barriers. Some are harmed by rock salt ammunition, but it will not dispel all ghosts.

Reapers
Reapers are entities whose sole purpose is to guide lost souls to their proper destinations. They are not malevolent beings, although some people see them as being “bad” creatures due to the nature of their jobs. Reapers are not aligned with Heaven or Hell and they are truly neutral beings. In their natural form, they are invisible to most beings, but they can appear as humans if they choose to. All reapers can teleport. They can be trapped using sigils, which appear to be altered Devil’s Traps, and in corporeal (or material) form, they can be killed. Reapers can also be possessed by some demons, and controlled by some spells.

Other Types of Spirits

• Banshees: Death omens that typically appear in the form of a beautiful woman dressed in white; can become independent and harm others; typically seen near rivers; some can be used for or controlled by spells and magic; also known as a “woman in white”.
  
• Black Dogs: Death omens that typically appear at night in the form of black dogs with glowing red eyes; can appear and disappear at will; sometimes have no head or multiple heads; can change their size and appearance; often seen on or near roads, bridges, footpaths, crossroads, gates, doors, stairs, hallways and corridors, and graveyards.
  
• Buru Buru: Ghosts of people who died feeling overwhelmingly afraid; they are manifestations of fear and spread the emotion like a sickness.
  -Ghost Sickness
  
• Death Echoes: A ghost that reenacts its own death over and over again in a constant loop.
  
• Doppelganger: A ghostly double of a living person; can sometimes be a death omen.
  
• Phantoms: An unseen, unknown, and inhuman being that attacks people, leaving them with a disturbing fear of something unknown.
  
• Poltergeists: Mischievous, malevolent spirits.

__________SHAPESHIFTERS__________

Any creature that can change their physical form and appearance is a shapeshifter. They can be harmed by silver and killed by a blow to the heart with silver.

Skinwalkers
Skinwalkers are evil beings who gain supernatural power by murdering close relatives. They tend to be nocturnal and have an aversion to holy objects. A skinwalker is born human and has its own human form, but it can also take the form of others by shedding its skin. It can also mimic a person’s voice. Other than marked changes in behavior and demeanor, the only defining characteristic of a skinwalker is the silver glow its eyes take on, which is particularly noticeable in the dark or on camera.

Werewolves
A human who transforms into an animalistic, primal-type creature after being bitten or infected is a werewolf. There are a few different types, including Common Werewolves and Loup-garou. Common werewolves transform during the full moon cycle and grow claws and pointed teeth and take on a more animalistic appearance while still appearing largely human. They become werewolves by being bitten by one, and cannot be cured. Loup-garou are humans who can shapeshift into wolves. Some can shift at will while others can only do so during the full moon cycle. Some cannot control their shifting at all.

Sirens
Creatures that lure people to them in order to seduce and, ultimately, kill them are sirens. They can shapeshift into male or female form and can read minds and reflect the desires of their victims. They attract and infect victims via bodily fluids, forcing them to do their bidding. A siren craves love and seduces victims to experience many kinds of love. Their true form can only be seen in a mirror. They can only be killed with bronze.

__________RARE__________

These are beings and entities that are either very unique, or uncommon.

Angels
An incorporeal (non-material), divine being that serves God is an angel. All angels must enter a human host in order to walk on earth. The host is called a vessel and the angel must get permission from the human before it can use him or her as a vessel. Their true voices and forms cannot be withstood by most beings. Angels can teleport and have heightened strength. Some angels can put humans to sleep by willing it and some can bend time and space. Angels are expected to obey orders without question or guilt. Some can exorcise demons by physically touching them and willing them out of their hosts. They are repelled or barred by a Banishing Sigil drawn with the blood of an angel’s vessel. Some have telekinesis. They can perceive other non-corporeal beings, such as demons and reapers. Archangels are high-ranking and the only angels to have seen God. Fallen angels are angels who have lost their grace and become human.

Elementals
Beings that can pass between the spiritual and physical planes, having both a physical and a non-material form. An elemental can control one of the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. They balance one another and keep balance within the world. They are neutral creatures, siding with neither Heaven or Hell, although there are some that bend this rule. They are immortal beings, however they are not invincible. They can be harmed in their physical form by any means that would harm a human being, and they can be killed, however they don’t pass on to Heaven or Hell. Instead, they are dispelled from the physical plane for a long period of time and when they manifest again in the physical plane, they take on a different physical form. An elemental is most powerful when he or she is near the element he or she controls. The most effective way to harm an elemental is with the element that opposes the one he or she controls (you can harm a water elemental with fire, fire with water, earth with air, and air with earth). Older elementals have the ability to shift between more than one physical form as a result of having had more than one physical form in their lifetimes.

Vampires
Beings that were once human, but were transformed into fanged, nocturnal creatures that feed on the blood of living beings are vampires. There are several different types, including Common Vampires, and Dragulian vampires. Common Vampires live in groups (also called “nests”), and are only killed by decapitation. They have sharp, retractable teeth. They are nocturnal and, although sun is not extensively harmful to them, they dislike it. They can be harmed by Dead Man’s Blood. Stakes, crosses, and holy water do NOT harm common variety vampires and these types of vampires do not need an invitation to enter a private dwelling. Dragulian vampires are the ones most folklore was based on. They can not consume any nourishment other than blood, they can be killed by sunlight, fire, decapitation, or a stake through the heart. Holy water and crosses harm them and they cannot enter churches or tread hallowed ground. They also cannot directly cross running water. They cannot enter a home without being invited.

Half-Demon Hybrids:
A half-demon is someone who is half human and half demon. This means that one parent was possessed when the child was conceived. Half demons are typically more powerful than full demons, but their powers are often dormant for the bulk of their lives. They are also mortal because of their human heritage and can be killed just like any human can. Some may also be harmed or weakened by things like rock salt and holy water. Half demons are immune to the Croatoan virus, and they are immune to demonic possession. However, they are not immune to angelic possession.

Nephilims:
A nephilim is someone who is half human and half angel. This occurs when one parent is possessed by an angel during conception. A nephilim's powers can vary, as well as its mortality. Some may be mortal while others may not, and some may age slower than others. Nephilims are immune to angelic possession, but can be possessed by certain demons.

Other Unique or Uncommon Beings

• Changelings: The offspring of fae creatures switched for human children; feed off the energy of humans; the offspring are organized by the Mother Changeling, kidnapping children and taking the child’s place in the family while the mother feeds on the real children; can be killed by fire; when the mother is killed her offspring also die; appear with discolored skin, many sharp teeth, and hollow eyes; true nature can be seen in reflective surfaces.
  
• Devas: Also known as demi-gods or demi-dieties; powers, abilities, and alliances vary.
  
• Djinn: Creatures with powers that allow them to twist reality and grant wishes; also known as a genie.
  
• Ghouls: Dead who feed on the dead; these creatures typically dwell in or near graveyards, digging up graves and eating the dead; they take the physical form of the last person they ate; they can also survive on the blood of the living, but cannot often get it without announcing their presence in an area; can be killed by decapitation or destroying the brain.
  
• Revenants: An animated corpse that comes back to life with some personal goal or purpose; can be harmed by silver.
  
• Wendigoes: Creatures that were once human, but were transformed into immortal cannibals; they roam wooded areas, snatching and devouring people; can mimic the voices of those it hears and lures people to it by calling to them; depending on how old it is, a wendigo can have a humanoid appearance or a more animalistic appearance; near-perfect hunters and trackers.
  
• Rugaru: Also spelled “rugaroo,” “rougarou,” and “roux-ga-roux”; a human being with a special gene that can remain dormant for a long period of time; a rugaru experiences an overwhelming hunger and begins to crave human flesh; once a rugaru tastes human flesh it transforms into the monster it truly is and can never appear human again; can only be killed by fire.
  
• Shtriga: An undead witch who feeds on the life force of children; vulnerable to wrought iron.
  
• Thought Forms: Also called “thought projections”; nonphysical beings that are created and brought forth by thoughts of several people or one powerful person; can be controlled by their makers, but can become independent and hostile.
  
• Zombies: Human beings who have either had their souls stolen by supernatural means, or sold their souls to supernaturally inclined beings in order to become a walking corpse serving a master; have to be staked into their graves to be killed.

If you have details you'd like to add, or you have a new character type you'd like to create, please contact Sam or Ruby, or leave a note in the Metallicar.