Bloodhunters 101: Characters

Welcome, visitor! The year is 2500. Thanks to warp gates, we can travel to other planets as quickly as taking a trip to the grocery store. Levatech emitters provide us with artificial gravity and hovering cars. Superheated AON knives allow us to cut through steel. We have holographic televisions, cybernetic limbs, and genetically-enhanced pets.

It’s truly an incredible time to be alive, but not everyone lives very long. With violent crime on the rise, the galaxy becomes more dangerous every day. The InterGalactic Police (IGP) does their best to keep citizens safe, but they often have their hands full. More and more often, people have to rely on bounty hunters to bring criminals to justice. Most recently, the IGP space station exploded, sending the galaxy on a massive manhunt for the terrorist responsible.

So good luck, and be safe out there! Here are some of the people you might meet in your travels. (Minor spoilers ahead.)

Bloodstone is the galaxy’s most notorious bounty hunter. Armed with a weapon for every occasion, this skilled mercenary is the stuff of legend. But what lies under that red-domed helmet? Some have speculated that Bloodstone isn’t even human, but rather a machine programmed to be the perfect hunter. One thing’s for certain though. If Bloodstone is after you, you might as well turn yourself in.

Whisper is a master of stealth and martial arts. Absolutely silent, she can slip into the shadows, striking when it’s least expected. And yet, for all her roguish skills, her heart is pure. As a bounty hunter, she cares less about the reward, and more about making the galaxy a safer place by recovering dangerous criminals. She is armed with an electric whip, and her knack for reading body language allows her to predict her opponent’s moves.

Raven Vermon is a doctor and a scientist. At first glance, she could be mistaken for a cyborg, with her metallic torso and limbs. But her robotic body is more like a complex prosthesis, restoring her mobility after she tragically lost her arms and legs. She has white eyes and short, black hair. She is mildly telepathic, and can tell when people are lying.

Trenyn is a Navoran, an alien species who can only speak telepathically. While most Navorans are also masters of telekinesis, Trenyn’s telekinetic abilities are severely stunted. Navorans only have one sex and no concept of gender. Therefore, Trenyn uses they/them pronouns. They have four hands, and their turquoise-colored skin changes color to match their emotions.

Dervish is a Marae, a species of shapeshifters. Originally conditioned to be a slave, she joins the bounty hunters in the hopes of gaining a sense of independence. Though she’s naïve and lacks experience, her abilities make her a formidable fighter.

Vik Lambert is a former IGP officer, who now hunts for the terrorist responsible for destroying the IGP space station. Bent on revenge, he won’t stop until the fugitive is brought to justice. Vik’s Levatech implants allow him to climb walls, manipulate objects from a distance, and leap to great heights.

Yna is an ex-pirate, who can transform into a fiery energy form. While it’s a powerful ability to have, to Yna it feels more like a curse. She has no idea how she got this way, or if there’s a cure. She is often accompanied by Panther, a black cat the size of a lion.

Lord Teykor Vermon is the ruler of planet Valos, as well as the head of a secret criminal organization known as the Inner Eye. He is also Raven’s father, and is responsible for the attack that left her without limbs. He has white eyes, which he can use to control minds.

Vraxx is a Marae shapeshifter, and Lord Vermon’s bodyguard. He is extremely dangerous, powerful, and loyal to his master.

Alterra Sarr is a fugitive, wanted for the destruction of the IGP space station. Once a member of the IGP, she is now wanted by every bounty hunter in the galaxy. The reward for her capture is the highest ever posted, and whoever catches her will never have to work again.

Doctor G’Heesh Eshton is a scientist who works for the IGP’s research division. He was the head of the project that granted Vik his Levatech implants. Doctor Eshton is a tall humanoid with pale skin and large, black eyes.

Jeke “Berdawg” Skeeper is an Ezarran, a doglike humanoid with yellow feathers. While many people find him hard to take seriously, he’s more dangerous than he looks, and not to be underestimated.

Detanna Taush is a highly skilled bounty hunter. She’s a trans woman, and is saving up for an expensive medical procedure. When she hears about the size of Sarr’s bounty, she’s one of the first ones on the case.

Analon Leebo is a Glorkan, a species of people with an eyestalk instead of a head. He was part of the same program that gave Vik Lambert his Levatech implants, only Leebo’s granted him additional abilities the designers hadn’t foreseen.

Crossbones is a pirate who dresses like a ninja. Or is he a ninja who hangs out with pirates? Regardless, he’s a dangerous assassin with no scruples to speak of. He wields two AON swords, but he’s just as deadly without them.

Remember, if you see Alterra Sarr, make sure to report her to the nearest IGP agent. Do not attempt to apprehend her yourself, as she is extremely dangerous.

Bloodhunters 101: Planets and Moons

Welcome back! Here is a quick guide to a few of the planets you might find yourself visiting in the year 2500. (Minor spoilers ahead.)

Belaum - This planet is plagued by constant storms after its moon exploded in 2472. The remaining cities are under transparent domes on cliff tops.

Chirminon - An Earthlike planet with many large cities and a variety of environments. The planet is home to many species of humanoids, but mostly humans and Vhelrans. The native Chelan people are becoming increasingly rare. On the Northern continent of Greenvale, the city of Trasa is a haven for criminals and bounty hunters. The BotCo factory in Trasa is one of the foremost robotics companies in the galaxy, but they have a reputation for poor management and disgruntled workers. The Southern continent of Exotera is populated by worshipers of Talo-Ka, a dragonlike goddess.

Cleesia - An Earthlike planet with very little remaining foliage.

Cytrine Delta - An impoverished world that is also a center for scientific research.

Earth - Home to the IGP, and one of the more influential planets in the galaxy. English has practically become the universal language, and EarthDate (ED) has become the standard of time. Due to human stubbornness, Earth is often thought of as a planet full of Karens. The three largest countries on Earth are the United States of North America (USNA), the Associated Asian Nations (AAN), and the Euro-Russian Union (ERU).

Ferna - An Earthlike planet with excellent (if unusual) medical facilities. It leads the galaxy in organ donations and coma patient care. They will keep any body alive for one full year, regardless of how unlikely they are to recover. This care is free, and the doctors spend the year doing everything in their power to revive the patient. If the patient is still in a coma after a year, their organs are harvested.

Fertilund - An Earthlike planet, more known for its moon, Itropa. Tourists visit to Fertilund to watch Itropa through telescopes, so they can see its primitive society develop. Fertilund Parks & Preservation strictly monitors who can land on Itropa, to prevent cultural contamination.

Frella - A resort planet with a quaint charm. It is known for using outdated technology and it has unusual weather patterns.

Fresna - An Earthlike planet with a single, worldwide government. They have a two party system, but they are gradually sliding toward a more totalitarian government.

Galea - A planet with two major species – the catlike Meu and the doglike Caniks. Much of their civilization is modeled after Earth in the 1980s. Due to their relations with other planets, the Meu and the Caniks often refer to themselves as “cats” and “dogs.” They think the similarity to the Earth animals is uncanny, and have embraced the monikers. Note that only the cats call the planet “Galea.” The dogs refer to it as “Boof.”

Glayss - Home to a species of Walrus people called the Rosmar.

Gleegha - A swamp planet. Home to an amphibious humanoid species.

Grunthar - A planet of warriors, Grunthians lead the galaxy in weapons manufacturing. They often consider conquering the rest of the galaxy, but their frequent changes in leadership mean that very little progress is actually made in their society.

Haktet - A sparsely-populated desert planet. Three-fourths of planet covered in orange sand and dry rock, with the only surface vegetation surrounding the planet’s single ocean. The terrain is prone to sinkholes, and the weather is dangerously hot. Watch out for sandstorms.

Itropa - Moon of Fertilund. The people of Itropa live in a medieval-style society, and believe technology to be magic. Fertilund’s government is oddly protective of its moon, and has laws against cultural contamination.

Jetsam - A cosmopolitan planet with purple skies and very few laws. People come from all over the galaxy to purchase illegal goods. Outdoor vendors line the streets of major cities.

Kalara - A planet of spider-like humanoids, but it’s not as scary as it sounds. They are very open to visitors from other planets, and their annual festivals are quite popular with off-worlders.

Kithia - An Earthlike planet with very beautiful parks and mountains.

Korrigan - Settled by humans with traditional values, the planet Korrigan looks like tribute to 1950s America.

Mars - Mars has been terraformed but unsettled due to land disputes. Many of Earth’s corporations use Mars for storage, to the point that the planet is sometimes referred to as “Earth’s Attic.”

Miran - Home to two sapient species: human settlers from Earth, and the amphibious Gesh, who mostly live in underwater cities. The two cultures get along well, with the occasional hiccup.

Montara - An Earthlike planet with a gothic aesthetic.

Mortos - The moon of Vivas. The moon is one massive graveyard.

Muerte - The people of Muerte are practical cannibals. They don’t like waste, so they eat their dead and use their bones for construction.

Rabinaar - The citizens of Rabinaar are devout worshipers of one of two gods: Ris Kiree or Norgalla. The two religions are constantly at war.

Saffron Mesa - A planet themed around Earth’s Wild West. While the planet is popular with tourists, it’s also quite dangerous. Laws are lax, and crime is widespread. The city of Kresno in particular is a popular vacation destination.

Sandhaven - A resort planet for the galaxy’s wealthiest people, Sandhaven is full of beautiful beaches and other natural wonders.

Snud - This is the most popular planet for college students on spring break. The population holds one massive party all year long. The tourists are huge targets for kidnappers and scam artists.

Tropis - A jungle planet. Few visitors are allowed on the jungle floor, which is a massive wildlife reserve. Tourists stay in treetop cities that overlook the jungles.

Umbra - A moon that is mostly used as a prison.

Valos - One of the galaxy’s more beautiful planets, Valos was used as a prison until there was an uprising. Now it's home to the Inner Eye, a massive criminal operation. The planet is also home to virtrinium mines.

Vhelra - An Earthlike planet. With their planet overcrowded, the Vhelrans were one of the first cultures to get out and explore the universe.

Vivas - An Earthlike planet. They use their moon as a graveyard.

Safe travels!

Bloodhunters v2 is Now Available on the Kindle Store

Now available:

Bloodhunters v2: Blue Blood

It’s been one year since the destruction of IGP Earthstation 1, and the terrorist responsible is still on the loose. Meanwhile, the heirs to the throne of Valos conspire to build a weapon that will spell doom for everyone on Earth. The hunters become the hunted in this exciting sequel to Xine Fury’s Bloodhunters!