Eleanor is the primary rescue target and secondary protagonist in developer Farelas's indie survival horror title The Crimson Hunt, released on October 6, 2026. After being abducted and held captive inside an ancient Victorian mansion, Eleanor escapes her cell and forms an uneasy partnership with Victoria, a half-blood vampire hunter sent to retrieve her. Across the game's three chapters, Eleanor evolves from a vulnerable captive into an active combat companion whose moral perspective directly challenges Victoria's obsession with revenge.
Eleanor's Background and Abduction by Edmund Blackthornnene
Before the events at the mansion, Eleanor lived a quiet life with an appreciation for art and painting. Her father taught her how to swim in a nearby river and instructed her in basic self-defense—skills that strongly suggest he was aware of lurking supernatural threats.
Her capture occurs in town when an ancient vampire named Edmund Blackthornnene approaches her under a deceptive guise. Presenting himself as a handsome, pale stranger devastated by the loss of his daughter in the northern woods, he asks Eleanor for assistance. Upon following him into the forest, Eleanor experiences sudden dizziness and awakens inside a dark holding cell within the estate.
Edmund's intention was to use Eleanor for a dark ritual, demanding "something of herself" to sustain his existence. Despite her terror, Eleanor takes advantage of an opportunity to slip out of her cell before the ritual can begin, evading deformed vampire minions until crossing paths with Victoria.
Victoria and Eleanor: Alliance and Narrative Conflict
When Victoria infiltrates the estate, Eleanor initially mistakes her for an enemy before realizing she was sent to rescue her. Because the main exit doors only unlock from the outside, the two are forced to venture deeper through decaying wings, library archives, and submerged catacombs.
The narrative, penned by writers Cynthia and Jeanine, explores an ideological clash between the two women:
- Art and Memory: In the mansion studio, Eleanor pauses to complete an abandoned painting. When Victoria scolds her for risking her life over a monster's artwork, Eleanor defends her actions, explaining that her mother taught her to finish what she starts. While Victoria views memories as dangerous distractions that blind people to immediate survival, Eleanor argues that past moments—even painful ones—shape identity and grant the strength to endure.
- Vengeance vs. Moving On: As Edmund stalks the duo through the catacombs and ancient ruins, Eleanor pieces together Victoria's unnatural strength and lack of a clear reflection in dusty mirrors. Eleanor warns Victoria that "anger is a hot stone; it only burns the one who holds it."
- The Sewer Betrayal: Upon reaching a sewer exit after escaping a monstrous bat on an underground boat, Eleanor assumes they have achieved freedom. However, Victoria refuses to leave, revealing she intends to return and execute Edmund to avenge the murder of her parents. Eleanor expresses deep disappointment, realizing she served merely as Victoria's pretext to hunt Edmund, and warns Victoria that revenge will reduce her to the very monster she despises.
Companion Mechanics and Co-op Gameplay
Eleanor is voiced by Cat Pepin, while Victoria is voiced by Sarah Bella Joyce. In gameplay, Eleanor functions either as an AI-driven companion or as player two via local split-screen co-op and Steam Remote Play Together.
| Gameplay Feature | Eleanor's Role and Mechanics |
|---|---|
| UV Flashlight | Early in the mansion, Victoria hands Eleanor an ultraviolet flashlight. Players can direct Eleanor to shine UV light directly into the eyes and heads of vampires to stun and weaken them. |
| Inventory Sharing | Eleanor can carry items, weapons, syringes, and ammunition. Passing excess supplies to her prevents Victoria's inventory from filling up. |
| Weapon Equipping | Eleanor is capable of wielding firearms and secondary weapons, including the flare gun, shotgun, or pistols. |
| Ammunition Rules | Unlike companion characters in some arcade shooters, Eleanor's AI does not have infinite ammunition. She only fires equipped weapons if the matching ammo or flares are placed directly into her inventory. |
| Environmental Cooperation | Progress requires cooperative interaction prompts (defaulting to the F key on keyboard). Eleanor assists by boosting Victoria through raised openings, pulling dual levers simultaneously, and extending a hand to pull Victoria out of flooded shafts. |
| Water Phobia | Eleanor suffers from a severe fear of water, forcing Victoria to swim through submerged tunnels alone while Eleanor navigates dry upper walkways. |
The Ending: Eleanor's Fate and The Final Sacrifice
Despite parting ways at the sewer threshold, Eleanor cannot abandon Victoria. During the final showdown against Edmund Blackthornnene in his sanctuary, Eleanor returns to the battlefield, distracting Edmund and setting him ablaze to give Victoria an opening to strike.
Victoria manages to drive a stake through Edmund, ending his centuries of terror. However, Edmund inflicts fatal injuries on Eleanor before his defeat. Victoria rushes to Eleanor's side as she lies bleeding on the stone floor. Desperate and filled with remorse for dragging Eleanor into her vendetta, Victoria faces a painful reality: Eleanor will not survive her wounds naturally.
To save Eleanor's life and avoid repeating the loss of her mother, Victoria bites Eleanor's neck. The bite transforms Eleanor into a vampire, granting her rebirth and cementing an eternal bond between the two hunters as the story concludes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Eleanor in The Crimson Hunt?
Eleanor is voiced by professional voice actress Cat Pepin. Victoria is voiced by Sarah Bella Joyce, and Evelyn is voiced by Dane Geklay.
Why won't Eleanor fire the flare gun or weapons when fighting?
The AI companion requires ammunition to be stored in her personal inventory. If Eleanor holds the flare gun or shotgun without flares or shells in her bag, she cannot fire.
Does Eleanor have to swim during the catacomb sections?
No. Eleanor admits to a phobia of water when Victoria falls into the flooded catacombs. Victoria completes the underwater navigation puzzles alone while Eleanor remains on the upper platforms, eventually pulling Victoria up at the exit point.
Can Eleanor be played by a second player?
Yes. The Crimson Hunt includes local shared/split-screen cooperative play. A second player can control Eleanor using an additional controller or through Steam Remote Play Together.
