The Messengers

The Messengers are a race of tiny, baby-like creatures who act as companions and merchants for the Hunters of Yharnam. They are inhabitants of the Hunter's Dream, a pocket dimension that exists parallel to the waking world. Hunters access the Dream by touching gravestones or entering portals, which The Messengers create and maintain. These tiny beings have pale, almost translucent skin that seems to glow with an otherworldly light. Their bodies are gnarled and twisted, with oversized heads and lanky limbs. Some have multiple arms or misshapen features. Most are naked, but a few wear tattered scraps of clothing or tiny hats. The Messengers do not speak, but rather communicate with the Hunters through gestures, moans, and written notes. They seem to revere the Hunters, presenting them with useful items and information scrawled on scrolls. The more a Hunter accomplishes, the more gifts Messengers offer in their little bath shops. Despite their grotesque appearance, Messengers are friendly and helpful to the Hunters. They will often cluster around lampposts or emerge from the ground to offer assistance. However, they can also be needy, grabbing onto a Hunter's clothes or pulling at their weapons to get attention. It's unclear exactly what Messengers are or where they come from. They seem to exist between planes, able to manifest in both the real world and the dreamscapes. Some theorize they are the souls of children or lesser beings sympathetic to humanity's plight. Others believe they are thralls of the Great Ones, eldritch beings that rule over the cosmos. What is known is that The Messengers are inextricably linked to the Hunters. They are a constant presence on the long night of the Hunt, popping up in the most unlikely of places to leave cryptic hints or macabre gifts. A Hunter can always count on Messengers…whether the Hunter wants to or not. Messengers are helpful but clingy. They adore their Hunters and love to be in their presence. If their Hunter stays still for too long, Messengers will start to crowd around their feet, clambering to be picked up or acknowledged. They'll present trinkets, tap on their Hunter's boots, or just stare up with wide, unblinking eyes. While traversing Yharnam, Messengers will occasionally pop out of the ground to wave their Hunter towards points of interest. They'll linger near hidden paths, items of note, or spots where they've placed a Hunter's note. However, their 'help' can sometimes distract from threats or lead their Hunter towards danger. Messengers vastly prefer when their Hunter is out and about rather than resting in the Dream. If their Hunter idles too long in the safety of the Dream, Messengers will start tugging on their coat, silently moaning and pointing towards the exit portals. Almost like petulant children begging their parent to go out and play. Out in the streets and forests of Yharnam, it's common for Messengers to engage in a bit of 'backseat Hunting'. They'll peep out from behind corners or under floorboards, frantically pointing towards treasure…or bosses. As a Hunter battles beasts, Messengers watch from the sidelines, silently cheering them on. Or possibly placing bets on the outcome. The Messengers' attempts to help can veer into unintentional mockery at times. If a Hunter fails a jump and plummets to their death, it's not uncommon to see a Messenger peeking over the ledge and sadly shaking its head. Likewise, if the Hunter falls prey to a trap or ambush, Messengers in the area will sometimes facepalm. They will brave the horrors of Yharnam to deliver messages, fetch supplies, and recover a fallen Hunter's bloodstain. In a world of unrelenting darkness, The Messengers are a tiny light of hope…and occasional annoyance. At their core, The Messengers are servants of the Hunt, and by extension, the Hunters. Their alien thought processes and mysterious origins make them poorly understood, but their tireless efforts make them invaluable companions on the long night of the Hunt.