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Rush’s Bachelors
Support material for: The Thieves' Arm (The Unspoken Word, 2002)
Copyright © Neil Smith 2002
By Neil Smith
Old world, new world, who cares? We’ll just take what we want!
Rush to Battle is a powerful and experienced Storm Khan, constantly roaming the Wastes in his endless hunt for Chaos to slay. He is utterly ruthless in this quest, and his single-minded urge has led to all his companions either leaving or dying. His fearsome reputation has spread throughout the Impala nation and the followers of the Storm Bull.
Every summer, the young bachelors of the Impala people leave their clans and form small bands that roam and raid the other Praxians. These bands often accrete around notable or powerful bachelors: Rush to Battle is one of these men. Rush to Battle sees these young, untested men as potential converts to the battle against Chaos. The bachelors see following Rush to Battle as granting an opportunity to gain glory as a mighty warrior.
Fortunately, Chaos is often few and far between. Unfortunately, this means that Rush to Battle's violent urges need another outlet. Also, Rush to Battle and his band need food, drink, herdbeasts, and women to keep them happy. Rush to Battle takes the view that all Praxians owe him a large debt for the Chaos he has killed, and therefore his demands for these things from ordinary folk are perfectly reasonable. Most folk do not see things his way, so when they refuse, Rush to Battle has no option but to attack them and simply take what he needs. It is this preponderance to raid that attracts most bachelors, as they see an opportunity to gain much booty to include in the bride-price they must pay.
Rush to Battle
Impala Warrior 1w2, Storm Khan 20w, Ruthless 1w, Single-Minded 20, Aggressive 5w, Capricious 20, Hate Chaos 10w, Close Combat 8w, Archery 6w2, Ride Impala 20w, Impala Tactics 10w
Yellow Fury
Impala Warrior 15, Storm Shaman 15w, Chaos Lore 5w, Incomprehensible 12w, Incontinent 20
Typical Bachelor
Impala Warrior 20, Ride Impala 5w, Follow Rush 5w
Rush’s Bachelors
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Form:
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To themselves, a group of heroic Chaos-slayers. To everyone else, a simple bandit gang.
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Cultural Context:
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A group of Impala bachelors out to prove their worth.
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Ideology:
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"We kill Chaos where we find it, and take from the weak what we need to survive."
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Look and Feel:
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A swirling mass of whooping pygmies on leaping impalas.
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Purpose:
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To kill Chaos wherever it may be, and to have a wild time doing it.
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Headquarters:
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None, other than their camp.
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Reactions:
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Impala folk will be wary of them; other Praxians will immediately attempt to chase them away from their herds.
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Resources
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Leader:
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Rush to Battle, a Storm Khan of the Storm Bull. His face and torso are a mass of scars and tattoos, all covered in war paint. His ears are pierced by an explosion of long thorns, one for each Chaos beast he has killed. He has a quick, fierce temper and an instinctive grasp of tactics.
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Renowned Members:
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Yellow Fury is a Storm Shaman and Rush to Battle's current companion. Battling Chaos horrors in the Spirit World has unhinged his mind.
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Membership:
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During the winter, perhaps only three or four. In summer, normally around 20 to 30, with as many as 45 on occasion.
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Other Contacts:
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Rush to Battle can call on other followers of Storm Bull. Band members can flee back to their home clans.
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Organisation
There is almost no organisation within the band. Rush to Battle is definitely in charge, and does his best to kill anyone who questions or challenges him. Only his interpretation of Yellow Fury's mad and near-incomprehensible omens and ravings can change his plans.
The remainder of the band is a seething hotbed of unfettered testosterone. There is a constantly shifting network of gangs and bullies within the band. Arguments occur constantly, mostly over booty, and often escalate into fights of varying degrees of violence. Killings are unremarkable. Challenges of riding, archery, and impala-fighting are common. When tensions have risen to an unbearable level, Rush to Battle will pick a target for another raid.
Herdbeasts are the most valuable booty, with metal weapons coming a close second. Slave women care for the herdbeasts as best they can. The women are beaten and raped most nights, and are abandoned if they are lucky enough to survive the summer.
Each time a band member slays a beast of Chaos, Rush to Battle will pierce his ear with a thorn of the Goodwill plant. If he kills a person, Rush to Battle will open a ritual scar on his face. Band members wear these marks with pride.
Anyone who can survive the vicious nature of the band will receive either a glorious death or a small fortune in booty. Many cannot, and are kicked out after having all their possessions stolen.
Tactics
Impala folk cannot hope to win short melees; instead, they use repeated hit-and-run tactics eventually to defeat foes many times their size. Where possible, the Bachelors will attack from ambush, using bowfire to wound, grabbing whatever booty comes to hand, and retreating just as their opponent gets organised. Ideally, their route will be across broken or scrubby ground, over which the impala can jump, while hampering any pursuers. Rush to Battle will repeat these hit-and-run tactics until the target is sufficiently softened up. Then, the retreating Bachelors will either turn on their pursuers when they are too far from their comrades for support, or lure them further away while another group of Bachelors attacks the now-defenceless target.
Membership Keyword
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Membership Requirements:
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Rush to Battle will challenge all potential members to a fight. If they acquit themselves well, Rush to Battle will allow them to stay. Once in the band, they must obey Rush to Battle's orders and never reveal themselves as cowards.
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Mundane Abilities Taught:
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Frightening Visage, Impala tactics, Intimidate.
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Typical Personality Traits:
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Aggressive, Conceited
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Magic:
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Most members become Bullmen, but this lapses when the bachelor leaves the band.
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Thundering Jump
Rush to Battle has served the Storm Bull well, and quested many times into the Spirit World. On one of those occasions, he was only able to escape from the Sucking Sands by binding the power of Thunder into the hooves of Eiritha-Impala, and using her to leap to safety. On his return, a small part of Eiritha's power stayed in his favourite Impala, as the heroband’s Guardian Being.
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Method:
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Manifestation.
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Form:
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An Awakened Impala, ridden by Rush to Battle.
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Membership Requirements:
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Rush to Battle must never walk for more than 10 minutes at a time, and must never refuse a challenge to a fight (although Rush to Battle's retreat-and-attack tactics may confuse some opponents).
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Awareness Function:
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Find Fastest Route 18.
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Blessing Function:
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Thunderclap Leap 20.
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Defence Function:
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Confuse Pursuer 16
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Contact the author
Neil Smith’s web-page
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The Unspoken Word
