The Hunter Association is an organization which was first started by a coalition of prominent hunter families in the late 1800s to better keep the peace between humans and the supernatural. The association is led by four head chairs, one from each main division, in each major territory of the association's influence. These chairs answer to higher authorities on an international scale, but are locally responsible for the missions and orders that each hunter receives. Once an order has been given to a hunter it cannot be ignored unless the hunter puts in a formal request of being physically or emotionally compromised. Any hunter who does not complete their orders is summoned in front of the four head chairs and is given a punishment according to their transgression. In extreme cases, they may be labeled as a blacklist hunter or be sentenced to death. However, most mishaps result in a strike on the hunter, only removed by paying a fine or taking extra missions for free.

TYPES OF HUNTERS

At some point in their lives, humans with knowledge of the supernatural world are invited to the Hunter Association for training, registration, and -- if they decide to stay with the association -- approval of their weapons. Hunters are labeled in terms of their current relationship with the association, and all hunters in good standing with it may access the free missions board, which allows them to take additional missions for extra money.

Tag Hunters - association members

These hunters are currently a part of the association, divided among the different divisions listed below. While generally they are just referred to as 'hunters' the 'tag' part is used on the free missions board for certain missions to specify that only association members may apply.

Freelance Hunters - association ex-members

These hunters started out as association hunters, but later left for one reason or another. They're registered as hunters in the association's records and have the right to take association missions, but are no longer invited into the more detailed parts of the association. That being said, they may rejoin the association, but leaving a second time will lose them this privilege.

Blacklist Hunters - condemned hunters

These hunters have been found guilty of heinous crimes by the Hunters Association. Blacklist hunters which have not been sentenced to death are given some kind of physical mark to warn other hunters as to what they are. Areas affiliated with the association will deny access to all with this mark. If a blacklist hunter escapes their sentencing they WILL be attacked by other hunters to either be returned or killed.

Unaffiliated - not registered with the association

These are self-proclaimed hunters who have either avoided joining the hunter association or simply haven't been found by the association yet. They may also be called assassins or vigilantes, though they are not truly considered hunters by their peers. In time, they are usually either killed by supernaturals, brought in for actual training, or arrested.

TAG HUNTER DIVISIONS

The Eye - intelligence & communications

Eyes are skilled at collecting, relaying, and controlling information. They are responsible for gathering background info for Voices and Shields, as well as informing through earpiece communication, strategic planning, and surveilling for small teams of 1-4 Blades. Eyes do not generally work with with the same Blades regularly. They may also do damage control if information is leaked, especially in the cyberspace.

The Voice - diplomacy & supernatural rehabilitation

Not all situations can be solved through violence. These members of the association use their skills with language and persuasion to help resolve potentially explosive situations with supernatural groups before they happen. They may also deal with correcting the tendencies of troublesome supernaturals who were captured by Blades.

The Shield - defense & special ops

Shields serve as protecters of the association. They are primarily known for their work in long-term, complex missions, such as protecting Voices on diplomatic missions or overseeing Hisso Academy as students and faculty. Although not as battle-focused as the Blades or information-focused as the Eyes, these agents can protect themselves and have basic reconnaissance skills.

The Blade - field agents

These hunters make up the majority of the association, and deal with the usual capture or kill missions. They are expected to be able to mobilize at any time and spend a fair amount of time at their territory's main base. Unlike the other branches of the association, they are paid by correctly completed mission, generally given once a week, rather than a set salary.

The Armor - supernatural hunters

This division is for hunters who aren't human. These hunters are divided among the other four as seen fit, though most become part of the Blade division as partners to human hunters. The Armor is not actually considered a main division and, although its members are treated fairly, they cannot be taken out of the Armor division and cannot work alone since they are not human.

THE ASSOCIATION & HISSO ACADEMY

Summary: They have an alliance. Hisso Academy was built with the backing of the association, and the administration is aware of the student and faculty hunters among them.

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Before Hisso Academy was built on the island off of New York City, the idea of a school to teach supernatural was brought to the head chairs of the association. At this time no one knew of the Kitsune, Zachary Renalds, nor of the quest he had to teach others of his kind to live in peace with the humans. After two years, the council finally decided to allow the kitsune to run the school upon one condition: whenever the school was in session, hunters could be present in both staff position and the student body to make sure that things were running the way the kitsune had promised.

With this agreement, the school was finally opened, and for the first 100 years the association was given everything they were promised. Students learned how to blend into human society, allowing them to either live in the world as humans or remaining at the school to teach others. This was how the name of Hisso Academy became known throughout the hunter and the supernatural world. With the association on their side, Hisso gained more and more students and staff to the point that the Kitsune, Zachary, once again stepped before the association.

This time with a much wilder idea, the idea to allow humans to enter the academy as well as the supernatural. This was something the council hadn't heard of before, but after the record of the school... the council had nothing on Hisso to deny the request of the kitsune. As long as more hunters could be present in the school, Hisso Academy was given the permission to open its doors to the unknowing world outside its island. To this day, the association and the academy have an alliance with one another. As long as a supernatural doesn't attack a human with ill will, and a hunter doesn't attack a supernatural with ill will, the truce will be as strong as ever.