- "With my passing, it is now time to choose a new leader in the crusade against monsters."
- ―Ulysses Bloodstone[src]
The Crusade Against Monsters was an extensive period of time where Ulysses Bloodstone led a cabal of monster hunters in hunting and killing monsters across the globe.
Background[]
Ulysses Bloodstone rallies hunters together
Centuries ago, Ulysses Bloodstone discovered the mystical Bloodstone, a stone that grants the wielder longevity, strength and control over monsters, such as Werewolves and Sasquatches. As time when on, people began to form a hatred for monsters, due to the destruction they reap, and using this, Ulysses Bloodstone used the power granted by the Bloodstone to gain notoriety as a monster hunter, eventually forming a global secret society of monster hunters that follow a creed which its members must follow, as well as a reward system, rewarding members with medallions, representative to high monster kill counts.[1]
Crusade[]
Formative Years[]
Using the Bloodstone, Ulysses killed a great many monsters, such as Mermaids, Bat-Demons, Vampires, Demons, Werewolves, and even, in 1932, the legendary Big Foot, upon slaying the beasts he would have their heads mounted inside his Estate.
More and more hunters gained notoriety in the community by earning medallions, including Azarel, with thirty-seven kills, Liorn, with forty-three kills, Barasso, with twenty-six kills, and Joshua Jovan, with fifty-seven kills.[1]
Family Troubles[]
Ulysses Bloodstone married a woman named Elise and the two had a daughter, Elsa, who they raised in Ulysses' estate. However, as time went on, Elsa grew to detest Ulysses' obsession with hunting monsters, and so she left her father in 2005, and began living with her. This upset Ulysses, who cut contact with his daughter and eventually remarried a woman named Verussa.[1]
Death of Ulysses[]
Ulysses Bloodstone dies
By 2025, Ulysses had finally been slain, dying at the end of a bloody battle during a full moon. With the Cabal's leader dead, Verussa Bloodstone invited five hunters to the Bloodstone Manor for Ulysses' funeral, as well as a ceremonial hunt to decide the new owner of the Bloodstone and leader of the Cabal. Elsa Bloodstone, hearing of her father's demise, also decided to attend, wishing to take the stone and end her father's obsessive legacy.[1]
Ceremonial Hunt[]
Ulysses Bloodstone's funeral saw the gathering of Liorn, Joshua Jovan, Barasso, Azarel, and Elsa Bloodstone. A monster hunt was planned in which the Bloodstone would be attached to Man-Thing's back. The winning hunter would be granted the Bloodstone and allowed to continue Ulysses' legacy. Jack Russell, Man-Thing's friend, heard about the event and infiltrated in order to rescue his friend. Ulysses' second wife, Verussa Bloodstone, and Billy Swan hosted the hunters and introduced the hunt. Following a debate about Elsa's right to participate, the hunt began as the hunters were brought to the maze where Man-Thing was released. A tuba player brought each hunter into the maze, where Russell was able to find Man-Thing. However, a chase in Azarel resulted in Bloodstone getting locked in the mausoleum with Elsa, who had killed Liorn. Elsa and Russell agreed to work together and escaped the mausoleum, putting their plan into action.
Man-Thing kills Joshua Jovan
While Russell went to the wall to create a whole through which Man-Thing could escape, Elsa found him as he melted Jovan. They ran to Russell and Man-Thing was able to escape while Elsa got the Bloodstone off of him. Russell went to give Elsa the Bloodstone, but the stone hurt him, revealing to the hunters that he was a monster. Verussa found out about this and had him put in a cage with Elsa.[1]
Massacre at the Bloodstone Manor[]
Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone found themselves in a cage, where Bloodstone explained that the Bloodstone could transform him quickly without a full moon. Russell hurried to imprint Bloodstone onto her before Verussa Bloodstone appeared and forced him to transform into a werewolf. Russell bit Barasso's ear off and started killing the soldiers who worked for Verussa while Elsa fought off Azarel. Verussa then attacked Russell, but Elsa killed Azarel and wounded Verussa. Elsa helped Russell wake up and escape from the property. Verussa berated Elsa, but was then killed by Man-Thing, who had returned for Russell. Elsa then pointed Man-Thing in his direction.[1]
Aftermath[]
Elsa Bloodstone became the owner of the Bloodstone and took up her father's business, ordering Billy Swan to clean the mess left by the night's events. Meanwhile, Jack Russell and Man-Thing fled the temple and camped out while Russell returned to his human form. The next day, the two talked about their tendencies to protect each other and got food together.[1]