#image_title
There are many storied individuals in the fantasy genre who are known for their exploits, whether they’re the most powerful king in the world to a malevolent sorcerer bent on world domination. When it comes to that of the fantasy bounty hunter, he oozes coolness as he goes from one job to another which always somehow seems to cause drama both for himself and the other characters involved in the storyline.
One reason why the bounty hunter is cool is because he sports an outfit that draw attention from those who he passes by. Think of Boba Fett from Star Wars as an example. He wears a mask, has a jet pack that enables him to fly, and an assortment of things he can do hidden in his sleeves. Whenever people talk about the coolest bounty hunters in the genre, Boba Fett is a name often bandied about.
One of the perks of being a fantasy bounty hunter is that he carries weapons unique to him. That is, they become his signature, his calling card when he is out on missions for his employer. Depending on the period of time the world is in, the bounty hunter can carry unusual bow-and-arrows or blasters that are notoriously difficult to find anywhere else.
He might live a life of crime but the bounty hunter adheres to a strict code of honor. His creed influences the decisions he makes though he knows that being ruthless is part of the job description and he has no qualms about doing so when the opportunity arises. His moral viewpoint dictates whether he aids the innocent and helpless or not.
This is article number eleven in the various characters series. If you want to see what else we have, you can find plenty more on our blog page!
The bounty hunter in fantasy is usually donned in an outfit that isn’t just awesome-looking but also gets the job done. The outfit becomes kind of a constant presence since it is one he typically wears on the majority of his missions. This begets the question: how do you go about developing such an outfit?
Many creators take cues from many similar outfits from the time period. Regardless of the period of time the story is set in, they look at the various types of armor available as a basis in which to start further fleshing the overall appearance out. They examine those of soldiers, mercenaries, and so on.
Once they’ve settled on the general appearance of the outfit of the fantasy bounty hunter, they then move on to how to make it not just useful but something that represents who he is at heart. The average bounty hunter sees the outfit as an extension of himself, something that he personalizes to showcase the things he considers important.
While some choose not to wear helmets, others do and they go out of their way to make them unique. Some make it themselves but the majority opt to have a trusted ally who is an expert in the art of the smithy make it for them. Many helmets are metallic to make it difficult for arrows or other weapons to pierce the head and deal them a grave blow.
The colors the fantasy bounty hunter selects for the outfit says a lot about him. They represent him in a way that the others don’t while also highlighting what he deems important. Take red for example. It is usually a symbol of power, prestige, and ruthlessness. By having his armor in red, the bounty hunter is essentially telling everyone he is willing to go to any lengths to get the job done.
Though the armor he dons might draw eyes on him, the weapons he carries are the showstoppers. They are what he uses on the job and due to his career, he isn’t content with relying on common ones people use everyday. No, he prefers to go with rare and unusual weapons.
The fantasy bounty hunter is proficient in marksmanship which is a job requirement. Whether he’s using arrows or blasters, he is able to hit his target with relative ease, thereby immobilizing them and making it easier to capture and transport them. To highlight his expertise in this field, he makes his own or he uses an uncommon version.
Another handy weapon he has at his disposal is one that physically impacts his target’s ability to move. It could be a throwing star or a smoke ball he always has on him. These rare weapons enable him to carry out his mission without getting bogged down into a firefight.
For targets who are quick to flee, the fantasy bounty hunter has something to deal with that issue. Though he might not be able to fly in medieval times due to the jet pack not being invented yet, his agile feet let him purse his foe at a high speed and he is capable of sustaining it for an extended period of time, perfectly content to let his prey wear of exhaustion.
Last and not least, the greatest weapon the bounty hunter has is his brain. He is able to identify potential escape routes his target might take and have a plan in place that effectively deals with it. He lays out traps beforehand and if he has allies around, he has them help him restrict what options his target has in terms of escaping.
Many people consider bounty hunters to be cold and impersonal, two traits they associate with the profession. What they don’t realize is that many of, not all of them, are anything but. Yes, there are some who demonstrate both traits in spades but they are in the minority.
The fantasy bounty hunter, like much of his peers, has a code of honor he adheres to. However, it varies by person. His code of honor dictates what he does both at work and outside. For instance, one who goes out of his way to help others in times of need is likely to help someone who is in trouble when he is out and about.
The code of honor the bounty hunter uses is determined by his moral code. The latter influences how he perceives the world around him and how he deals with the people he crosses paths with. Those with a strong sense of morality is reluctant to take actions that run crosswinds with who he is at heart as opposed to those who have lax morals who’s likely to do all kinds of things and it doesn’t bother him.
One characteristic the typical fantasy bounty hunter has regarding his code of honor is how he treats beings weaker than him. They could be babies, wounded animals, and so on. Some treat them with compassion and the respect they deserve whereas others could care less, perfectly content to leave them twisting in the wind.
There will be some jobs that test the bounty hunter’s code of honor. He will have to decide whether to bend it or refuse to violate it. The choice he makes will shape the jobs he has going forward, whether for good or ill.
The bounty hunter is one of the most interesting characters to feature in an imaginary world. He does jobs not many people are willing to do and he does so using his superb skills. And he has a cool outfit to wear when he’s out on missions!
The outfit the fantasy bounty hunter uses suits who he is at heart. Ever practical, he wears armor that enable him to do the job with finesse and not bog him down. The color scheme he goes with is a reflection of his personality. For example, red epitomizes power whereas blue represents serenity.
His outfit wouldn’t be complete without having his trusty weapon. The bounty hunter doesn’t just rely on one weapon; he has several different kinds, all of which he uses whenever circumstances arise. They’re not your common everyday versions; he prefers to use uncommon or rare variants.
Not many people know that the bounty hunter lives by a code of honor. It influences how he solves problems and moral dilemmas. How he addresses them shapes what type of jobs he receives going forward as well as how other people perceive him.
Including the fantasy bounty hunter in your story is a great way to explore a different part of the world where people like him deal with all kinds of situations that has a meaningful impact in people’s lives, for better or worse. You can’t go wrong with bringing this character into your own story!
Let me know what you think in the comments below. (Note: this is an account-exclusive feature).
If you don’t have one, you can register here. It only takes a few moments of your time!
Liked this article and want to subscribe? All you have to do is fill out the form below and that’s it!
Thanks for reading this and until the next time,
Sunfire
Subscribing means you receive:
You can always unsubscribe anytime.
Three Years of Success from an Idea It’s wild to believe that three years have…
CONTENTS The Premise One question that all aspiring fantasy creators struggle with is how much…
CONTENTS Overview Every story set in a fictional world needs a character who the audience…
CONTENTS The Premise Modern fantasy has it all, from elves to orcs to dark lords.…
CONTENTS Overview When two countries in an imaginary world go to war, they each have…
CONTENTS Introduction This is a new series that doesn’t focus on worldbuilding but fantasy in…
This website uses cookies.