Two weeks after initial infection, over 85% of the United States' population was infected with a mysterious and highly infectious strain of "madness". (The state of other countries is yet unknown.) This infection caused individuals to become extremely hostile and unable to comprehend language or reason. These 'carriers' (also called 'infected' and 'zombies') appeared to feel no pain, as they could lose entire limbs without hesitation and could run long distances without getting tired. The virus does not seem to affect the dead, as fatal shots to the torso and head will put down any infected. While the initial wave of infected individuals heralded only what would be known as 'common infected', various different strains of the infection have begun to violently mutate certain specimens. These would be come to known as 'special infected'. One such strain of special infected is called 'The Hunter'.

The Hunter strain favors fit and athletic specimens. These specimens first begin to climb over obstacles much faster than common infected do. Their fingernails and toenails begin to elongate, narrowing at the tips very reminiscent to the claws of predatory cats. Soon the specimens begin to favor travel over anything tall enough to climb on - building rooftops, trees, fences, lamp posts, etc. - rather than to run along the ground. They become very similar to 'free runners' in their movements. As the strain continues to mutate them, their body temperature rises to a level higher than that of the other infected, also resulting in increased blood flow throughout their bodies. This helps them remain very active, and also makes them seek out warmth whereas other infected would not. A side effect, however, is that they bleed easily and many have been known to bleed from their tear ducts. This gives them their trademark 'bloody faces'.

As the strain completes its mutation, the Hunter specimens begin to show signs of their trademark ability - leaping great distances onto prey and pinning them down as they eviscerate the prey's torso with their claws. While their bodies are not immune to the damage of falling from great distances, like common infected, they do not show any signs of pain from broken bones or injuries they might sustain. This is as far as the Hunter mutation strain goes, or as far as visibly witnessed to go. Whether there is another level to the Hunter strain, no one knows as of yet.

Caution is to be taken around any Hunter specimens moreso than any of the other special infected. Hunters are by far the most hostile and openly violent of the special infected (save for the rarer Tank specimens). They are very easy to agitate and tend to attack on sight. The best way to combat a Hunter is to strike it in the head before it can leap. If successful, the Hunter will back off but very rarely will give up - beware that it may be retreating in order to flank you from a different angle. Listen for its unique scream as it leaps.

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Picto...
x.X.x

In-Forest Appearance...
Zombie Pelt || Orca Mask || Fan Antlers
x.X.x

Sex...
Male

Species...
Human - Infected with the Hunter mutation strain

Slumber...
On top of the Playgound's main rock

Appearance...
This individual hunter fits the criteria for the strain to a tee. He was athletic in his life prior to the infection, taking daily rides down cycling trails in the park near his home. He wears a dark blue hoodie with a zipper in front and a belly pouch, blue jeans with a belt, and red and gray running shoes. Duct tape is taped around his wrists, just above his elbows, around his thighs, and around his ankles. His hair is semi-long and black with dark brown eyes and sickly pale gray skin due to the infection. Blood from his tear ducts have splotched over his face. Fingernails are long and sharp with dried blood and bits of skin underneath from past attacks.

Personality...
Albeit he is a Hunter, he does not actively seek out targets. Instead, living prey has to come up to him and agitate him before he will attack. If those agitating him leave him alone after his warning growls and tensed stature, he will back off and retreat. It is very rare that he tolerates the company of an individual who is not infected. Since he requires warmth to stay active, he is often found sprawled out in the sun soaking up the heat, much like reptiles do to maintain their body temperature. Other than these actions, this Hunter just roams around in a trance until something or someone breaks into it. Being infected, he cannot communicate through language. He instead uses his body motions and growls, screams, and hisses to communicate his state of mind.

Victims...
SMoKER/Danny - Infected do not react harshly to other infected very often. Although fights do sometimes break out over instinctual things, like invaded space or running into each other. Hunter sticks to SMoKER due to the bond special infected have with each other. Albeit Hunter likes to stay in the sunlight and SMoKER prefers the shadows.

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Create a playlist at MixPod.com

WARNING: The above soundtrack has some very loud, very sudden noises in some of its tracks.
If you scare or jump easily, beware of the "Exenteration" and "Scream" tracks.

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WARNING: The video below contains blood, a bit of cursing, and bone crunching noises.
Do not watch if you're squeamish.
This video is just to show those not familiar with L4D just what the Hunter can do.

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This character is more of a human character than a deer. However, I will still be playing him in-forest on rare occasions. Considering Hunters are very predatory-cat-like, it shouldn't be much of a difference.

His account has not grown up yet, so he will be sharing space on Fever's account in the meantime.

I also wouldn't mind other Infected coming to the Forest... So that we may complete Zombietron lulz

He IS hostile. I do not advise approaching him or interacting with him. You may, however, watch him from afar. Let him come to you, if he shows an interest in you. (This does not apply to fawns/nameless for the sake of the community)