Story
The advent of firearms marked a turning point in the eternal struggle against the Horrors. No longer were Hunters forced to engage these nightmarish foes in close quarters combat or rely on the strength of their arm to drive an arrow home. The gun was the great equalizer, a weapon that could strike down a Horror from a distance with devastating precision. From this technological revolution emerged a new breed of Hunter: the Powderborn, also known as Gunslingers.
Gunslingers are a pragmatic lot, more interested in results than in lofty ideals or arcane rituals. They understand that in the face of overwhelming supernatural terror, sometimes the best solution is a well-aimed bullet. This isn't to say they lack appreciation for the mystical or the arcane—many Gunslingers have an almost spiritual connection to their weapons, and some even etch their guns with occult sigils to give their shots extra punch against Horrors.
At their core, Gunslingers are defined by their unwavering resolve and unmatched skill with firearms. They are the steady hand in the midst of chaos, the ones who keep firing even when the Horrors are closing in from all sides. Many Gunslingers have a personal code or creed that guides their actions—a set of unbreakable rules that allows them to retain their humanity in the face of inhuman terror.
I remember a Gunslinger named Wyatt who embodied these traits to a tee. Wyatt was a man of few words, but his eyes held a steely determination that never wavered, even in the face of the most nightmarish Horrors. His twin revolvers were like extensions of his own body, and he could shoot with uncanny speed and precision. Wyatt didn't care much for the trappings of occult lore or ancient prophecies—he simply saw the Horrors as a threat to be eliminated, and he was damn good at doing just that.
The path of the Gunslinger is open to anyone with the grit and skill to walk it. Some are former soldiers or law enforcement, accustomed to high-pressure situations and trained in the use of firearms. Others are survivors, self-taught marksmen who've learned to wield a gun out of sheer necessity. Regardless of their background, all Gunslingers share an unshakeable determination to stand against the darkness and an unmatched proficiency with their chosen weapons.
In the dark annals of Obscured's history, there are whispered legends of renowned Gunslingers who turned the tide against the Horrors. Stories of lone Hunters armed only with a pistol and a steely resolve, who managed to take down entire nests of Horrors singlehandedly. Of crack-shot marksmen who could hit a Shade's weak spot from a hundred paces, or gun down a charging Barghest mid-leap.
These tales serve as inspiration for the current generation of Gunslingers, a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming darkness, a steady hand and a well-aimed shot can make all the difference. For this reason, many Gunslingers perform the "Bullet Toast" before a major hunt—a ritual that reaffirms their commitment to their cause and reminds them of the legendary deeds of their predecessors.
In a world besieged by Horrors, the Gunslinger stands as a beacon of hope—a living testament to the power of human resolve and ingenuity in the face of the unspeakable. They are the ones who venture into the darkness armed with the weapons of the modern age, ready to put a bullet between the eyes of any nightmare that crosses their path.
Here's a fun fact about Gunslingers: they're notorious for giving their weapons nicknames, and some of these names are downright hilarious. I once knew a Gunslinger who called his sawed-off shotgun "The Negotiator." His idea of a negotiation was to shoot first and ask questions never.
Another Gunslinger I met had a pair of revolvers she called "The Law" and "The Order." She'd yell "You just got a taste of the Law!" after every kill. I'm pretty sure the Horrors weren't impressed by her catchphrases, but hey, whatever floats your boat, right?
Personally, I think giving your gun a nickname is a Gunslinger's way of adding a touch of levity to an otherwise grim and deadly serious profession. When you're staring down the barrel at a slavering monstrosity from beyond the veil of sanity, it helps to think of your weapon as an old friend with a silly name.
Or maybe Gunslingers are just natural showboats. Who knows?