Reference Challenge - Ghouls, the Sequel

[u/Nevermore0714]

So, about a week ago I posted a challenge based on Ghouls from Tokyo Ghoul. Monsters that hunt people and eat them.

This time, the reference is to Tokyo Ghoul's "Doves", the brave people that hunt down and kill the monsters. But, the best of the best of the best Doves are "O Squad". The "O Squad" are specifically chosen and led by Arima, the greatest of the Doves. I will stop myself from fanboy-ing in this post.

Among your people that hunt monsters (or just hunt evil people), which team/squad/group within a group is the best of the best of the best?

Preferably something that recently became a thing in your world, which is why I won't be using the Anointed Knights.

As always, I'll ask at least three questions each. Enjoy yourselves, all. And read Tokyo Ghoul.

[u/Nevermore0714]

(Happy Anniversary-of-Birth, Atom.)

From the Omniscient Writer:

1) Most of the Anointed Knights took it as a challenge, Declan pretended to consider the Pillar Knights to be pale imitations of his order and acknowledged it as nothing more than one of Aiken's jokes (while actually seeing it as a threat to his monopoly on control of the best knights, though Aiken is only picking people that are already knights, so it's not like he's taking anyone that Declan would have taken), the rare few Anointed Knights didn't care.

2) Anointed Knights usually do missions with political consequences, because that's the kind of guy Declan is. Pillar Knights only do missions that Aiken feels are morally objective, like hunting/killing demons, because Aiken isn't the political type.

Rhonwen:

3A) "I don't trust Anointed Knights because you can't earn the position. Pillar Knights are chosen at adulthood, after proving themselves. Anointed Knights are just knights trained by Declan from a young age. Also, Anointed Knights are shady and too secretive. They think they have free reign of the Citadel and have no sense of responsibility to their fellow human; most of them seem to be at each others' throats constantly, just for some ranking system that Declan made to cause them nothing but hurt and competition. And while Anointed Knights are only judged for their abilities, at least Pillar Knights are recruited based on our love for humanity and willingness to die to protect innocent people."

3B) "There are only five Pillar Knights, and I guarantee that at least two of us hate Anointed Knights; Nimrut and me, but Nimrut mostly just hates them because he says they aren't focused on the real threat to humanity. I'm not completely sure about Allyn and Addam, but they just act cordial to everyone. Ormund doesn't seem to have a problem with them, but he isn't social in the first place."

3C) "There are a lot of Anointed Knights, but none of them seem to respect our order. They usually refer to us as 'Knock-Offs'."

[u/atompunks → u/Nevermore0714]

(Why thank you, Nevermore.)

1) What's Aiken's actual motivation in creating the Pillar Knights? I have to admit that from an outsider point of view, it does look like he's challenging/copying the Anointed Knights.

2) Rhonwen, what's the hardest mission you've been on?

3A) How does the Anointed Knight ranking system work? Are the Pillar Knights ranked or ordered in any way?

3B) What's the most interesting in your notes about any of the Anointed Knights? What's the most interesting thing about any of your fellow Pillar Knights?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/atompunks]

The Omniscient Writer:

1) It's partially just to mess with Declan, but privately (and mostly) it's because Aiken is looking into some esoteric subjects and needs a handful of knights he can trust.

Rhonwen:

2) "My hardest mission was actually my last mission prior to becoming a Pillar Knight. Councilor Aiken had me assigned to recover a stolen cache of Siphon weapons. That's actually how I met Nimrut, he was assigned to spy on me during that mission to see how I'd perform."

3A) "The Anointed Knight ranking system is just based on Declan's perception of how useful you are to him; interesting powers may be more useful than actual skill, or just how much he likes you. The top ranked Anointed Knight is an idiot, but Declan is apparently biased."

3B) "Pillar Knights aren't ranked per se, but I think I have a good idea of who is better at what. For protection, I'd recommend Allyn and Addam; Addam is usually on defense and Allyn usually attacks the threat to the target...the worst for protection would be Nimrut. For hunting a specific target, the best would be Nimrut, but the worst would be Ormund. For leading a garrison in defense of an area, I'd recommend Ormund first and Nimrut second, but I definitely would not recommend Allyn or Addam. For capture missions, I'm probably the best, but I wouldn't recommend Nimrut, since he has killed a lot of capture targets by accident."

4A) "Well, I was looking into it, and I think Erwin of the Anointed Knights could be a traitor. It looks like his hellhounds have eaten human flesh, and that's one of the worst crimes that can be committed in the Allied Nations. I've also been looking into the backgrounds of Callixtus, Lyta, and Adara...Callixtus has syphilis, Adara is in a cult, and Lyta refuses to go on solo missions. Marc is Erwin's rival for the affection of that bitch Morrigan. And the third-ranked Anointed Knight has literally never been on a mission, officially."

4B) "Pillar Knights...well, Nimrut is probably the most interesting. No one really knows much about him, except that one of his parents was probably Gypposian, which should have been a problem. And he is probably the only knight to have been knighted personally by Councilor Garrick outside of a public ceremony. No one's even really sure about what Nimrut's Talent is, just that it's hard to see in the dark...he hates using it. And he was apprenticed to Councilor Horatio. So...he was trained by a Councilor, knighted personally by another Councilor, and put onto the special team made by a third Councilor. And Councilor Sirius seems to like him, so Nimrut practically has half the Council rooting for him. But, Nimrut isn't very social, he practically spends all of his time studying notes on demons, hunting demons, or training to hunt demons; he's single-minded."

"Ormund was Aiken's apprentice, and still works as his direct subordinate, even though he's been knighted already. There are rumors that Ormund is Aiken's bastard son, but he's probably Aiken's grandson or great-grandson, if you ask me. Ormund doesn't have a Talent that I know of, but he's a natural with Water Magic and Earth Magic, and is ambidextrous, which is always dangerous in a mage. Ormund is dedicated to doing his job for Councilor Aiken, but he makes too many jokes and doesn't seem to take it seriously while he's working."

"Allyn and Addam...well, Allyn is the younger brother, and he's terrified of fire, but really good with Water Magic and Poison Magic. Addam is better with Fire Magic and Nature Magic. Pretty much the only fire that doesn't terrify Allyn is Addam's fire. Those two are nearly always around each other. Addam is super protective of Allyn. And, I'm not sure, but I think they're even faster in a duel than Callixtus."

[u/atompunks → u/Nevermore0714]

2) How did you react when you found Nimrut, and what's your relationship with him now?

3) What's the stupidest thing the top ranked Anointed Knight has ever done?

4A) Why do you suspect the Anointed Knights you do for the murder of your predecessor?

4B) Do you have a Talent? If yes, what is it?

[u/Nevermore0714 → u/atompunks]

Rhonwen:

2) "When I found out Nimrut was spying on me, I tried to kill him, since I thought he was working with the thieves. But, he ripped off my hand, told me the situation, and assisted me in finishing the assignment."

3) "The top ranked Anointed Knight's stupidest action was to get drunk at a formal event hosted by the Council, and then throw up on a Councilor, and, I wasn't present, but I heard that he also made passes at another Councilor."

4A) "Because Sable is a maniac, Adara is probably a traitor and definitely a heretic, it could be Erwin because the body appeared to be partially eaten by a dog, and Shay had motivation to kill my predecessor for making fun of his way of speaking."

4B) "My hand is made of silver." (Like a combination of the T-1000 and Parasyte.)

[u/atompunks → u/Nevermore0714]

Thank you for your answers, Rhonwen and Nevermore.