Just a debate going on in the Skyrim section of the forum got me pondering.

Is it possible to be both a devoted follower of Hircine, AND a good individual. The way I see it there is no compulsion to hunt everything for the sake of hunting (Defeating a guy just to prove you are stronger is more Boethia's department). The hunter gets free will in what he chooses to make his prey, whether that be horripulating a famous warrior because he is a worthy opponent (A definitively evil act), bringing down a mammoth barehanded (essentially neutral) or turning the tables on a dragon attacking a village and turning the hunter into the hunted in order to protect his "pack" (A definitively good act) - surely the hunter gets some choice in what he makes his prey short of Hircine himself communing a specific desire to the hunter.

Also, does a hunt have to end in a kill at all I wonder? - The metaphorical hunt for, and defeat of a difficult to track and assail foe, is that sufficient, or must it end in blood and death? (Are souls of the prey something he's even intrested in?)



I was curious as my current character in Skyrim is a self purported follower of Hircine, but also by DnD standards neutral good. Revelling in the hunt in the wilderness and tracking and hunting apex foes like dragons, mammoths and all sorts of ancient and terrible evils. But at the same time, tends to reserve killing for foes who truly deserve it. Even going so far as to not harm the inhabitants of a lair if they have to break into it (Afterall they are the intruder in their territory), be they terrified civilians who've seen a werewolf or petty thieves and outlaws, or cranky mages holed up in a hole in the ground. Primariyl because wanton slaughter of people isn't what good people DO, and also because such opponents do not pose a serious threat; a bandit raising a weapon to this hunter is about as menacing as a hedgehog presenting it's spines to a wolf... it's the defence mechanism of a scared animal and not a sign that this would be a worthwhile kill to persue.

However, some of the other readers were positive that this was wrong, a follower of hircine can't be good because they can't show compassion, they are compelled to hunt and kill the nature of the target, their compassion and their desire is irrelevant.



What's the lore buffs got to say? ^_^