Your symbol: Masterful Mash   Masterful from afar, and yet... so "squishy" up close!

As a Hunter who needs to focus and aim before firing, you prefer camouflage, fatigues and weaponry over the latest fashions, accessories and life in the big city. You know how to survive solo in the wild for weeks, even if it means you'll be killing nothing but boars and trying out every recipe found in 101 Ways to Serve Boar!

You enjoy the sights and sounds abounding in nature, but you also enjoy the hunt --- especially when the opportunity arises to track, stalk, observe and focus on your prey before taking the immediate kill. Whether hunting, being hunted or simply taking in the vast glories of nature's beauty and reverence, you are completely "in your element" in the wilds, woods and countryside.

Unlike many other LOTROniac Signs, you hunt because it's in your blood, rather than just for "sport." You eat what you kill and earn a living by selling hides, meats and other spoils found on the hunt. Seldom will you let a kill decompose without having first cleaned, gutted and harvested its organs. Others may be incensed by those duties, but not you Hunters! You can handle all that without even one gag reflex!

On occasion, you may hunt to "bond" with your buddies. On those instances, it is imperative to remember to bring ale, chips, decks of playing cards, ale, soda, chili, ale, cheese and ale cheese soup. Oh, and ale! On those journeys, even you are unlikely to get any kills, but by the time the ale is gone, you won't care!**

When not drunk...you are a highly skilled Hunter, able to trap your prey, sometimes trapping even multiple "animals" at once. Ranged attacks are your forte, as bows and crossbows are your specialty. The most highly skilled Hunters may even start off an attack with a crossbow for more severe damage, switching to a bow for faster hits right after that first hit lands. Though you are still proficiently able to use bows up close, you may decide to end the battle with melee weapons drawn, just for a change of pace. In general, however, it is recommended you avoid toe-to-toe battling, for too much aggro tends to turn you into an unrecognizable mush in approximately 0.6 seconds.

Hunters, like Champions, excel at DPS --- but whereas Champions prefer toe-to-toe fighting, Hunters excel from afar. This has created much whispered rumors among women of all signs about male Hunters and their "range." Female Hunters generally smile and nod knowingly, giving credence to the rumors. Adding to the allure of that Rivendell legend, is the knowledge that Hunters know how to set the mood by lighting a campfire to bring warmth, comfort and regenerative morale and power...not to mention the romance of a campfire at the right time!

On the downside, there are also rumors of your difficulty to focus or retain focus even upon the slightest movement made. Researchers are even now experimenting with alternative options and drug treatments, such as ritalin.

Despite the focus issues, Hunters are often warmly welcomed into fellowships, mainly for your abilities to track creatures and to dish out mass amounts of damage at range, since your bow allows you to lure targets to you, causing injury before many others in the party are close enough to attack.

Relationship-wise, Hunters love the dating scene. When intrigued, you will watch, stalk and "track" potential mates with a tireless determination. You familiarize yourself with their habits, quirks and tendencies...only then, luring them to you with a smile (at range). Little do they know your charm is the irresistible trap that ensnares them once up close!

However, for the rare prey not so charmed by you, or for the prey that may have you feeling "trapped" yourself, remember, you have an easy way out...so long as you use it sparingly. "Desperate flight" can be a life- and soul-saver.

Most of the time, you are the Hunter, but just as enjoyable to you is being hunted. No matter which side of "the chase" you're on, you're loving every tactical maneuver. You are very agile and coordinated, so if you falter, it's usually because you didn't want to block or parry an advance. Once again, it's really just you, the Hunter, luring your "prey" into your trap...though, this time, that trap is probably your arms warmly wrapped around your "prey."

Your prey is hardly likely to want to escape, especially once you light the fire and discuss plans for future vacations in which you will take him/her with you. Ah, the romance of Rivendell...the partying in Bree...the Dwarven architecture of Thorin's Hall......How could anyone resist such a suave and well-traveled Hunter who also knows the value of rest, relaxation and rested XP...even if you may occasionally have blood-stained hands?!

In your free-time, you enjoy world travel, crebain-watching, canoeing, fishing, hiking and going for long moonlit walks in the solitude of the woods. Those of you Hunters more creatively inclined will find you are exceptionally skilled as a Woodsman or Woodswoman, as you are able to craft your own bows - thus, guaranteeing yourself even more success on the hunt with better weaponry than you may find anywhere else in Middle Earth! Not to mention, you would certainly know your woods - where to find them, what to do with them, how to handle them and which woods are the most highly coveted. And being that it's a useful hobby to you rather than a career, you are more passionate and caring about wood than any career lumberman or lumberwoman!

Virtues of the Hunter:

The most commonly shared traits amongst Hunters seem to be Valour, Determination, Justice and Tolerance. Also found in many Hunters are Mercy, Loyalty and Wisdom. The "hunted," however, would probably beg to differ about Hunters being considered just, tolerant and merciful. Numerous Hunters sacrifice Mercy in favor of Loyalty or Wisdom, as you feel what little agility Mercy offers you just isn't enough to make it a viable trait in your overall personality.

For Hunters wishing to maximize DPS, agility is the most important factor that plays into your virtues. If your focus is on endurance, you will likely possess more willpower, as well as show a serious interest in power enhancing and regenerative traits. And, of course, if your main concern is survivability, you will work hard to increase your morale and vitality as much as possible. In addition, it is important to remember the value of utilizing different stances in battle. Precision, strength and endurance stances offer you flexibility for any situations that may arise.

Primary health concerns of Hunters:

As a hunter, your primary health concerns center on or around the hands, arms, shoulders and eyes.

 

With the repetitive motions archers rely upon, you are highly susceptible to Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, so be sure to warm-up, stretch and otherwise exercise your fingers and hands frequently. Also, strengthen and tone the muscles of your arms and shoulders. This will help not only in carrying the weight of your bows, crossbows and melee weapons, but also aids in your targeting, velocity and precision. Take care of your body, and you will consistently notice a much more steady aim while experiencing significantly less fear and trepidation.

 

Be mindful of potential rotator cuff injuries and watchful for any signs of sprains or breaks of the hand, wrist or arm. Alert your healthcare professional immediately at the first sign of any concern, as a serious injury could be detrimental to not only your career, but also your entire way of life!

 

Another key area of concern for you is your eyesight. See an ophthalmologist annually to maintain healthy eyes and eyesight. If you notice any changes in your vision, experience blurred vision (that is not a result of binge drinking), consistently see spots or clouds in your field of vision that do not seem to disappear or you find yourself with bloodshot eyes for more than two days in a row, see your eye care professional immediately! Hunters rely on "sighting in" your targets. Therefore, healthy eyes and 20/20 vision is necessary if you are to excel on the hunts you so love!

Occupations that Hunters excel at include:

The "famed" who exhibit Hunter characteristics include:

**Earnote: Please do not drink and hunt. Not only is it dangerous, but it also wastes precious resources, as it may take you five times as many arrows to hit your target.

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