Hunter Erys

Biography[]

Early Life[]

Erys has a shadowy past.^[1] Her brother was bitten by a vampire, and as he was turning into a thrall/vampire himself, Erys was unable to help him. When he reached out for her, he ran. Erys repeatedly dreamt of her brother over the following years.^[2]

Erys spent much of her life hunting vampires^[3] and undead for years,^[3] despite the emotional toll.^[3] As a vampire hunter, she mentored many in her craft. However, many of her protégés succumbed to vampirism, betraying her. Consequently, she was forced to put them down.^[4]

Season of Blood[]

In 1336, a vampire plague swept across the Fractured Peaks; one that the Cathedral of Light ignored, despite the mounting fear and corpses.^[5] Erys worked with a group of fellow vampire hunters to stop it.^[1] Months were spent identifying and tracking the Blood Seekers.^[6]

One night, Erys came across a burning village, finding its people slain by thralls. She concluded that the living needed something different; one with all of the strengths of a vampire, and none of their weaknesses. However, she had little time to dwell on this realization before she was surrounded by thralls. However, they were slain in turn by an unseen figure.^[5]

Erys made her way to Ked Bardu, where she entered the abandoned office of Magistrate Oren. She was aware of a vampire cult that Oren was part of. However, Oren was absent, and in his place was a group of vampires, lying in ambush. Moments later, she was joined by the Wanderer, who aided her in slaying their ambushers. She explained the situation to the Wanderer, and had them search Oren's office for clues. They found a note written by Oren, revealing that he'd been summoned to the Tomb of Hallows. Erys knew where that was, but it was at this point that she realized that the Wanderer had been bitten by a vampire. However, given the depth of the wound, the Wanderer should have already turned.^[7]

Perturbed, Erys nevertheless didn't have time to investigate further. She headed to the tomb, and ordered the Wanderer to follow her.^[7] When asked as to why, Erys explained that their goals aligned, the Wanderer could be of help, and being together would allow Erys to keep an eye on them. However, Erys was certain that the Wanderer would eventually change into a vampire, as in her experience, nothing could stop a vampiric transformation.^[8] While the Wanderer had developed vampiric abilities, and was the type of hero Erys had been searching for, their vampiric traits still made her wary of them.^[4] In Erys's mind, the Wanderer's abilities made them a useful tool, albeit a disposable one,^[1] and as such, she kept a close eye on the Wanderer, as she knew none were truly immune to vampiric corruption.^[9]

The pair entered the tomb and arrived in time to see Oren executed by some vampires. Erys deduced that their presence had complicated things for the cult, and told the Wanderer to search the tomb for logs and documents, as with Oren dead, they'd lost their only link to the cult. Erys meanwhile returned to Ked Bardu to follow up with some contacts.^[8]

Erys appropriated Oren's office as an impromptu headquarters. After sending some vampire hunters to their camp with supplies, she was met once again by the Wanderer, who explained that they'd found the leader of the cult—an Ancient vampire named Zir. Erys was taken aback, not only because of the vampire being an Ancient, but that the Wanderer had been able to walk away. She told the Wanderer that she knew of an Ancient burial site in Hawezar. If they were able to find the remains of a vampire from the time of the Ancients, there were rituals she could attempt.^[8]

The pair retrieved a vampire skull from the Fetid Mausoleum. Erys returned to Ked Bardu while the Wanderer was charged with obtaining enough potent blood for the ritual to be conducted. When the Wanderer returned, Erys could tell that their power was growing, but the Wanderer was still without any apparent side effects from their vampire bite. The ritual was conducted, and the vampire's skull bathed in blood. This awakened it in the form of a talking skull, one that, while 'alive,' was not necessarily lucid. However, it was clear that the skull was no friend of Zir's, and opened a portal to the City of the Ancients, where they could find Zir.^[10]

Erys and the Wanderer used the portal, but found their way blocked by a sealed door. After fighting off a vampire ambush, they returned through the portal back to the skull. Erys explained that she'd need to prepare a ritual to unseal the door, and the skull advised the Wanderer to seek out Zir's Blood Seekers. Erys was uneasy, but gave the Wanderer the information she had on Zir's Blood Seekers. At the least, eliminating them would do Sanctuary a favor.^[10]

Erys was ill at ease. The Wanderer reeked of vampirism, and despite apparently still being in control, was becoming more like a vampire with every passing moment.^[11] She feared that by pushing them to fight monsters, the Wanderer would become a monster themselves.^[12] She poured over an old text on vampirism, paying particular attention to the time it took for the curse to take hold.^[13] She made a list of potential allies,^[14] and headed for the Cathedral of Light in Kyovashad.^[11] In truth, she knew the Cathedral couldn't help.^[12]

Whatever hopes Erys had were dashed at the doors of the Cathedral. She found them locked, and despite her pounding, her pleas remained unanswered. The same remained true for the people of Kyovashad, who had gathered at the base of the Cathedral, but found their cries for help unanswered save for the spears and shields of the Knights Penitent. It was in this crowd that Erys was approached by the Wanderer. Leaving the crowd to speak, Erys stated her fear of the Wanderer. That they'd taken so much of Zir's power, that if they lost control, she did not believe she could stop them. The Wanderer assured her that they were still in control, but Erys could not believe that, despite her desire to do so. She ordered the Wanderer to seek out Zir's army and slay as many of his minions as they could. If they succeeded, she reasoned, they were damned anyway. She explained that the Blood Harvest had reached a scale of carnage she had never seen. She reasoned that Zir's army had begun its "big push." That Zir's ascension was nigh.^[15]

Erys watched the Wanderer tear through Zir's Bloodseekers before she returned to Ked Bardu.^[15] She discovered that the skull had gone missing, but thought little of it.^[16] The Wanderer eventually rejoined her, stating that they'd routed Zir's forces. Erys, awed by the Wanderer's deeds, stated they were ready to face Zir. She revealed that she'd found a way to open the gate in the City of the Ancients that had barred their way earlier, and ordered the Wanderer to meet her there.^[15] She explained that while the Wanderer had blunted the Blood Harvest, Zir's legions would rally and be sent out to gather the remaining blood he needed. They had to defeat Zir before that happened.^[16]

The pair met at the city. She slew vampires to provide the "offering of flesh" the seal demanded, and then breached the seals themselves. The way opened, the Wanderer descended into the city. Erys warned them that Zir likely knew they'd arrived.^[16] Erys returned to Ked Bardu, where later, the Wanderer returned, having defeated Zir. Erys, greatful for their help, confessed to her earlier misgivings, and told the Wanderer that whatever was in their blood would likely cure them of their vampirism in time. However, while Zir had been defeated, Erys knew the fight wasn't over, as his thralls would try to claim his throne, and the killings would continue. She intended to finish packing, have a drink at the tavern, then set out to hunt them down. She joked that she'd leave a few for the Wanderer.^[12]

As for the missing Ancient skull, Erys wasn't worried, reasoning that it couldn't have got far.^[12]

In-game[]

Erys is an NPC in Diablo IV, exclusive to Season of Blood. She plays a significant role in the season's storyline, acting as a "beacon of hope" for players.^[17]

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Personality and Traits[]

A seasoned Warrior^[3] and emotionally complex,^[1] Erys is jaded, having experienced plenty of horror in her life.^[3] Because of these horrors, Erys is emotionally guarded,^[1] and her disposition is frosty and bitter.^[4] She is stubborn and fixed in her worldview. However, she still displays compassion to others.^[1]

The crossbow is her weapon of choice.^[9]

Trivia[]

This section contains facts and trivia relevant to this article.

• Erys is voiced by Gemma Chan.^[3] Chan has described Erys as "delightfully wicked."^[17]

References[]