In this world, magic is real - and with enough effort (or luck), you can learn to wield it. You quickly discover that it’s a powerful tool, one that lets you influence politics and intrigue, control unruly vassals, and swiftly deal with most opponents. It also opens the path to further growth through demonic pacts, magical research, and the acquisition of magical artifacts. To the average mortal, you become a god with nearly limitless potential… and your power keeps growing, surpassing all expectations.
Not everyone welcomes this. There are those who, driven by ideology, faith, vengeance, or personal interest, see sorcerers as a threat - and dedicate their lives to fighting them by any means necessary. Witch hunters have been part of this mod almost since its inception, and they’ve undergone a long evolution (which may not be over yet).



A witch hunter is a character marked by either the Witch Hunter trait or the Witch Hunter secret. There are two distinct types: regular hunters and their leader - the Inquisitor (main witch hunter).

• Regular Hunters - They are usually landless characters who may spontaneously appear in your area, especially if you’re dabbling in black magic. Sometimes, they’ll act against you immediately. Most of them carry the Witch Hunter secret rather than the trait. Some will feign friendliness, while others will hold a low opinion of you for seemingly no reason. Even if they don’t harm you directly, they may still participate in hostile schemes targeting you.
  
• Main Witch Hunter - If you’re a witch and the game rule Witch Hunter Activity is set to Normal or High, a main witch hunter will emerge in the game world. If one doesn’t exist yet, they’ll arrive soon - and after their death, successors will be chosen in the same way. This character is always a ruler (at least of duchy rank), who is either Brave or Zealous, and whose religion does not tolerate witchcraft. He can be clearly identified by his Witch Hunter trait with high XP and the 'Inquisitor' modifier. He usually also carries a trophy amulet that protects him from the most obvious magical attacks.

Each year - unless imprisoned or Incapable - the main hunter will take one of the following actions against a witch they’ve selected:

• Launching the abduction scheme – The primary method is an attempt to abduct the target and subject them to a witch trial. The abduction scheme is well prepared, and other hunters are eager to join as agents. If the abduction succeeds, the hunter seizes your magical items, and the trial begins immediately. This usually means torture and death - but less sadistic hunters may relent if you stubbornly refuse to confess.
  
• Launching 'Stop the witch' interaction - This action can lead to many outcomes - from direct confrontation and a formal duel challenge, to attempts at luring you into a trap, applying debuffs, or even persuading the Pope to excommunicate you (if it makes sense within the context).
  
• Activating hunters - If there’s a hunter near the target, he becomes activated - initiating a murder scheme. If no hunter is nearby, a new one is dispatched to the area. The main hunter will hold a strong hook on the newcomer, ensuring that he joins all future schemes against the target.
  
• Waiting - The waiting action can be triggered if the main hunter is already engaged in another operation, or if he is Craven, Lazy, or Patient. But that doesn’t mean nothing happens - during this time, the hunter receives a temporary modifier that strengthens his future schemes and focuses on gathering gold (bribes will be useful in upcoming abduction attempts).

But how do hunters choose their targets? Every character in the game world has an invisible parameter I call Hunter Attraction. If a character is not a witch, or has a strong hook on the hunter who just activated, this value is set to –1000 - meaning hunters will not engage in any actions against them. For other cases, base Hunter Attraction is zero, and it can change depending on the following factors.

• +3 - for Abdul Al-Hazred or Bael - Yes, hunters also believe that they are the biggest problem. Although it is doubtful that they will be able to deal with such targets, they will try – at least you will have some peace and quiet.
  
• +1 - mage trait
  
• +1 - true witch trait
  
• +1 - necromancer/lich/immortal/golem/corrupt/demon trait
  
• +1 - fallen witch hunter/grandmaster of the coven trait
  
• +1 - has magical artifact
  
• +1 - has seven or more magical artifacts
  
• +1 - has more than 120 years - come on, you have to admit that’s pretty suspicious!
  
• +1 - the character's faith does not accept witchcraft - This means the target will be in an environment that’s easier to persuade into the scheme - hunters prefer easier prey.
  
• +2 - witch trait, or the active hunter knows the witch's secret of this character - Confirmed witches are a priority for hunters.
  
• +2 - Openly Practises Witchcraft modifier - same here.
  
• +2 - Slaughterer modifier - This modifier can be granted to a demon who commits a public massacre. Hunters feel compelled to stop the beast at any cost.
  
• +1 - sadistic or callous traits - Witches with these traits are treated as a priority.
  
• +1 - deceitful or arbitrary trait - Well, such witches can also be particularly dangerous/harmful.
  
• +1 - murder or cannibal traits - Well... :)
  
• +1 or +2 - witch-rulers with high tyranny
  
• +1 - character is a human player and the witch hunters activity is set to high - result of increased difficulty level.
  
• +1 - character is a member of revealed High Council of Mages
  
• -1 - compassionate trait - Such witches aren’t high-priority targets - they can be dealt with later.
  
• -1 - forgiving/just/humble traits - Same.
  
• -1 - witch is a vassal - hunters prefer to start with a target that will not be protected by its liege.
  
• -10 - witch is imprisoned - That witch is not a threat for now.
  
• -1 - the witch has an active any countermeasure - Hunters don’t want to strike a target who’s expecting the attack.
  
• +X - black magic counter - When you use black magic, Darkblade, or eat children, the counter increases by 1. If you do not do any of these things within three years, the counter will be reset to zero.
  
• -1000 - cleared of charges - If you survived the witch trial and the hunter let you go, he will no longer be interested in you.
  
• -1000 - Merlin or Baba Yaga - Merlin is considered an acceptable lesser evil, while Baba Yaga has killed so many hunters that attacking her is seen as a painful suicide.

The main hunter selects the two characters with the highest Hunter Attraction, then randomly picks one of them - and proceeds with the previously described actions.

1. Do not provoke hunters - keep low Hunter Attraction. You now understand how Hunter Attraction works. Many factors are beyond your control, but you can consider using dark magic less frequently, avoid negative modifiers, and pay attention to the traits you possess.
   
2. Protect yourself from schemes. There are many magical and non-magical ways to increase resistance to schemes and reveal them. A good, loyal spy master (who does not have the witch hunter secret) is essential, but there are also countermeasures, bodyguards, other court positions, buildings/upgrades, modifiers etc. It’s also worth making sure your subjects either like you - or at least fear you. Or that they’re under your full control in some other way :> That way, they’re less likely to join hostile schemes.
   
3. Preventive measures can be even more effective. Killing the main hunter won’t have a lasting effect - another will soon take his place. However, a hunter can’t harm you if he’s locked in your dungeon. Or if you hold a strong hook on him. Or if he’s Incapable. From time to time, you should ask yourself: “I wonder what the hunters are up to?” Their leader is usually easy to find via the character finder (look for lords with the Witch Hunter trait). It might be worth abducting him before he does the same to you. Or murdering him - which gives you a moment of peace, and maybe his successor will turn out to be a lazy coward with lower Intrigue? It’s also worth checking for hunters at your court. Ordering your spymaster to search for secrets, using scrying, and mind reading can help with that.