GRAND HUNTER

Are you seeking for some quick answers to some quick questions regarding the series? Do you have curiosities about the universe or characters in GRAND HUNTER that you’d like to suggest to the artist? Well you’ve come to the right place.

Send your GHFAQ to darkspeeds@hotmail.com (or alternately add your reply to the comments box below) and he’ll get them answered as soon as he’s done with the laundry… Err… As soon as he’s got free time on his hands! Your submissions will get published should the artist see fit, so no guarantees folks! Try to keep them concise and specific, rather than broad and vague. The easier it is to understand the faster your GHFAQ will be answered and be added to the list!

Q: Why doesn’t Ashworth wear pants??
~ (anonymous), AUG2010

A: Well if you must know Ash is either: A) Too lazy to wear anything (it’s a habit thing) or B) It’s part and parcel of who he is (it’s a culture thing). Wombats don’t wear much and they’re one of the only few breeds that does so in Gloreya. It could be a pride thing like you see in village tribes back in your world.

Q: Will NOF still be around, or will it be changed to ARK? Or is ARK going to be a separate entity in the new storyline?
~ Banter-O-Rilley, SEP2010

A: A.R.K. is a separate entity to the storyline, it’ll probably be featured in my other comic series entitled: CLOUD RAIDERS (where the stories take place in Flynelle). N.O.F. (i.e. No-Origin-Faction) has been changed to N.O.A. (i.e. No-Origin-Assembly). The reason for the change? I reckon it sounds cooler. Don’t you think?

Q: How does Fei SURVIVE without knowing how to read or write?
~ Knux-the-Killer, NOV2010

A: That’s actually a good question for Ma Fei, how does one survive when one can’t read or write? Fei, despite his lack of oral and written communication skills was still able to get around the Eastern Kingdom without too much trouble when he was excluded from the Tian Xia Monastery. At first it took a little time to get used to speaking with a limited speech and writing skills but the more he used it the more he improved in his communication. He survived through a bit of common sense and being courteous to people in general when he visited places, from village to village, in the Eastern Kingdom.

Ever since Fei got punished he started to think deeper of what Master did to him and so he became a more humble person and helped out those in need when he visited places (for example helping the elderly carry heavy bags of farming stock and equipment from one place to another, in another instance he plays hero and put village bandits out of commission when they attack the innocent for their welfare). Becoming this humble person made him respectable and his reputation soon spread out to other villages and hence his ability to survive was much greater during his time outside Mount Shen (people generally give him money as thanks or let him stay at their place for a while).

One last thing to point out is that if all else fails when communicating he can always use sign language. He’s getting better at it but it’s not perfect yet.



Q: Is the Roadkill Gang still going to appear in the series at some point?
~ Happyaggro, NOV2010

A: Oh wow! Somebody remembers the Roadkill Gang! I still have them archived in my concept sketches folder ready to be used when the time comes HappyAggro. I plan to use them as a rival group to the GRAND GETZ’s Team Bad-Ass team (i.e. Ruby, Ash, Fei & Corny) from time to time. They will play a bigger role when I write up a story that will take place in their hometown in desert county of the Western Kingdom.



These guys are looking for thrills and riches too, much like bounty hunters but spaghetti western style! During my most recent trip to the U.K. I bought myself box sets of spaghetti/classic westerns and cowboy films featuring Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. I will try to study them as much as I could so that I can get a better picture of what’s involved in that kind of setting – for some odd reasons I have this fascination of the old west, your life is on the line especially when you’re a wanted man!

Q: Who discovered Fortune Islands?
~ (anonymous), JUL2010

A: Fortune Islands was discovered by an early explorer and famous pioneer named Cartel Huntingdale. He and his crew one day set sail, far away from his homeland, and into uncharted territory within Dale’s Western hemisphere. Cartel became the ‘White Diamond’ for finding a casket of precious diamonds during his first expedition to the islands worth more than a million neos. As his fame grew he had the money and support from his kingdom to return to the islands and start drafting a map of the archipelago.

Years later Fortune Islands became a prime location for fortune hunters to uncover treasure hidden deep in the islands. Cartel marked fourteen legitimate islands on the map and they include: Dock, Dagger, Serenity, Rottnest, Pebble, Surpyrus, Jack, Juppy, Martini, Tradewinds, Red, Queen, Pete’s and King.

Q: Thus far, the protagonists seem to use their fists more than weapons to ‘handle’ different situations. Aside from Duke, who’s a master swordsman, is there anyone else who will handle swords and or/firearms in the future?
~ Banter-O-Rilley, SEP2010

A: In the world of GRAND HUNTER warriors of war, fortune hunters, mercenaries wanting to make a quick buck, and fighters from all walks of life require some form of special combat and defensive skill set to survive.

So far from the many designs and concept sketches I’ve created there has been instances where characters can: hold multiple firearms that fit in their coat, play a flute that can summon demons from the Netherworld, operate mysterious technological weapons and much more. However most of the ones I’ve confirmed for the series use either force attacks (e.g. kung fu, power attacks, wrestling) or magic attacks (e.g. Ash’s black flame alchemy, Ruby’s natural summoning abilities and Corny’s illusion magic to trick his opponents – cheeky!).

Q: In the world of GRAND HUNTER there are characters born with magical abilities and others who are not. Can an individual who was born without magic learn some, and is there such a place to learn magic?
~ Banter-O-Rilley, NOV2010

A: Yes Glorians born without any magic in their blood do have the capability to learn magic – but it is not easy. Learning magic can take years of study and practice, some learn it faster than others but in general Glorians without any special ability can learn and use basic magic with at least 5-10 years of training. In comparison to Glorians born with magic in their blood they are able to learn the basics within a year, or in some cases, a few months.

Regarding about places that can teach magic, there a lots of them in Dale. In fact you can easily find schools of magic in the local directory. The only problem is where can you find one that teaches you to utilise magic to your best potential? The schools and teachers that can do that are the hardest to find.




Q: Magic is a vast and deep field accessible to many of the characters with many intricate details. For example…

i) Is there a difference between Darkness and Shadow magic?

A: Yes there is a difference. Dark Arts magic is usually associated with magic that is conjured from an evil force. Darkness powers can range from nullifying all magic types, transforming into more powerful forms (like what Aaron Tidewalker & Duke Vienna had used during their clash in Chapter 04: Duke Vienna vs. Stream The Hawk – OVERDRIVE (enhanced physical strength, agility and magic for a limited time), and create curses on certain individuals (an example of a curse is DEATHWISH – limiting the moral life span of an individual to within seven days, it’s very hard to cure this kind of dark arts magic).

As for Shadow magic one can utilise their own shadow as well as shadows formed by nature to become their puppet master or tool of destruction. Someone who have mastered this trait is Leon Denior who is one of the sub-leaders in GRAND GETZ Mercenaries.

ii) What classification would Lightning fall under: Fire-aligned or Light-aligned magic?

A: I’d say that it falls in neither of those categories. Lightning is considered a class of its own but it is closely associated with the magic element of ‘Earth’.

iii) Are there ‘forms’ in magic? (I.E. Ice magic stems from Water magic)

A: Yes there are ‘forms’ of magic in GRAND HUNTER. In your example ‘Ice’ is actually formed from two base elements – ‘Water’ and ‘Earth’.

iv) What would be considered a non-elemental spell?
~ Banter-O-Rilley, NOV2010

A: Easy this one! Ruby is an expert at this – Summoning! Earlier we’ve mentioned about Shadow magic, that is also non-elemental.

Q: When the series first appeared (i.e. TGAF) you drew and wrote up some great character profiles. Will you be updating them for GRAND HUNTER as well?
~ Banter-O-Rilley, SEP2010

A: Why absolutely (thanks for the compliment as well!). You can check them all out in this neatly packaged ‘Cast of Characters’ page in the INTRO section.




Q: Duke Vienna and Salah Jiwa are both in T.R.A.P., but their ranks are different. Assuming that there is a well-defined hierarchy in the organisation itself, what are some of the other ranks (from lowest to highest) that aspiring soldiers can strive for?
~ Banter-O-Rilley, NOV2010

A: If you go to Page 46 of Chapter 2: Ruby The Unluckiest Fortune Hunter the examiner (Officer Jeffery) at the ‘World Quest Registration Building’ stated three ranks for each of the two classes (i.e. Fortune Hunter and T.R.A.P.) in their World Quest program.


With regards to your question we will focus on the ranks involved in the Taluca Royal Agents and Patrol. From humble beginnings those who applied to join the world military force will begin as a ‘Trooper’ (think of it as a rookie level). As they progress in their combat training and education in counter terrorism and civil justices they will step up the ranks and into the ‘Royal Paladin’ territory. Royal Paladins are considered trained professionals and are much tougher and knowledgeable than troopers, the numbers in this field is almost 100 for every 1000 soldiers in the entire army.


‘Troopers’ and ‘Royal Paladin’ ranks are measured in the same fashion in both areas that run the organisation as a whole – these two areas include: active service and administration. Those in active service are literally out in the field and putting their combat training into practice in situations of counter terrorism or civil warfare. Those in administration are involved in the finance and politics side of the organisation. Keep note that you can only stick to one area if you’re at ‘Trooper’ or ‘Royal Paladin’ rank.


The highest level that could be attained in the ranks of the T.R.A.P. are known as ‘Champions’ (this is the same if you’re in the Fortune Hunter class). These members are wise and often powerful leaders that could potentially become the head of the organisation. The numbers are 10 to every 1000 soldiers in the entire army. Because T.R.A.P. is a world organisation Champions are assigned to each major branch situated in all parts of Dale – they are the ones who will run the show and fully authorise what happens in the organisation. Some Champions have become top ranking members of the public that goven a particular hemisphere of the world – these people are known as the ‘Five Monarchs’ in either the ‘Western Hemisphere’ or the ‘Eastern Hemisphere’ (do note that you don’t necessarily have to be a Champion via T.R.A.P. class to become a Monarch, Fortune Hunter Champions can become Monarchs too depending on the nation’s vote as well as the government for that particular country).


One final note about ranks – there is one additional and very special rank that is attainable through the Champion status in T.R.A.P.. The rank I speak of is ‘Overlords’. Currently there are only four Overlords in the entirety of Dale. Duke Vienna is one of them. Working alongside him is his vice captain Salah Jiwa and his loyal crew of Troopers and Royal Paladins. Overlords have their own special fleet and have total command of their fleet anywhere at any time. Overlords are extremely mobile and powerful examples of what the T.R.A.P. force has to offer. They exist for one reason – to investigate, interrogate and resolve top level and secret missions assigned by well respected Champions of any region.


In terms of comparison Champions and Overlords are of equal rank and power but Overlords will have the final call on whether to accept the requests sent in by Champions. Should an Overlord not accept a Champion’s request there must be a very good reason as to why, otherwise the level of respect between the Overlord and Champion will become questionable. In addition, Overlords can do their own investigations as they see fit, the fleets (i.e. Troopers and Royal Paladins) are to obey Overlords in whatever they command them to do.






Q: Regarding T.R.A.P.’s workings…


i) Are there any special requirements to enter into its service, and are promotions awarded based on merit or are there Trials involved?

A: Not really. If you are physically fit, mentally apt and have a desire to serve in the world government forces against counter terrorism then you’ll probably get in without a hitch. Though it’s not a walk in the park to join, T.R.A.P. does have standards. Officer Jeffery on Page 45 of Chapter 2: Ruby The Unluckiest Fortune Hunter explains this concept where new recruits will have to join the ‘World Quest’ program and pass with at least 70 marks (they do this to eliminate a large number of applicants and narrow it down to a smaller number). After passing the test they will have to pass an additional test called the T.E.E. (TRAP Entrance Exam) which involves a range of tests that will test your limits in challenging situations. Once you pass those two tests you’re in and starting off as a ‘Trooper’, regardless of how impressive your skills are at the time.

ii) Is there a single organisation that controls T.R.A.P. or does T.R.A.P. possess a certain degree of autonomy to prevent from being lorded over by the higher management? ~ Banter-O-Rilley, NOV2010

A: T.R.A.P. is an organisation of it’s own. It is a military force and a means to deal with civil outbreak to maintain the peace. They are not necessarily the police, each kingdom has their own line of acting officers patrolling and protecting the community, however should the situation become too much for the police to control T.R.A.P. forces will come in to help. T.R.A.P. is also an organisation that deals with politics and secret services to protect political interests of their own organisation and also the world governments (i.e. ‘The Monarchs’). The world government does not have direct control of T.R.A.P. but they do have ties and influences with them – simply because they get paid them a large sum of neos (i.e. money) to have T.R.A.P. act as their own law enforcement.