A Brief History: the Sarathai
Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 12:34 am
For some time now, I've been playing a Dark Elf army based on a rogue faction of Druchii who have fled from Malekith and now live far to the south. I do like to play "by the fluff," and I do my best to remember to put in reminders when I post army lists and the like. For the Animosity 5 online campaign, I wrote up a history of these elves and their society, and that helped clear up some of the misconceptions about my army to my fellow campaigners. For some odd reason, I didn't post it here. After a bit of updating of the history, an examination of the Sarathai society can be found below.
There is some missing parts (namely religion), which I hope to include the next time I revisit the text. Thanks for reading!
* * *
The Tower of the Sarathai
Overview
For years uncounted, the armies of the Druchii of Naggaroth have pillaged and raided the coasts of the world. From Cathay to Brettonia, from the Chaos Wastes to Araby, they are seen as that which must be feared and guarded against. The Druchii strike from swiftly moving ships and massive Black Arks, killing and enslaving whoever they come across. Their intent is twofold; to sow terror and discontent across the world, and to reap the joys of this loathing for their enemies. Indeed, the Druchii race has earned its place in the world, and rightly so.
However, there are those that see this campaign of fear as nothing more than a waste of resources and ability… and more importantly, a ruse to keep a long weakened and corrupted king in power. To some, the glaring idea is that the Druchii people have yet to reclaim Ulthuan, have not expanded their empire except through cold and uninhabited lands, and have made deals that put the entire race under the thumb of others. To this day, Ulthuan remains in possession of their arrogant and pathetic cousins, the Druchii live in exile, and an unspoken alliance with the powers of Chaos exists… and this has caused resentment. This anger and frustration could not be spoken aloud, of course, especially in the courts of the Witch King. But over many centuries, those Druchii that held these thoughts inside slowly began a migration out of Malekith’s sphere of influence. Those Druchii unhappy with imperial stagnation and subservience fled to the wilds of Naggaroth, and attempted an existence without weakness and corruption.
In time, these refugees found solace with the Shade Clans. Long since exiled from the great cities, the Shades are an ancient house of Druchii that found the wilds of Naggaroth far more comfortable than the rule of others. Slowly, the Shades accepted these other self-exiles (perhaps reluctantly) as kin. It was here, in the wildest lands of Naggaroth and (reasonably) protected that the rattle of discontent was spread.
Of course, the spreading of ideas in exceptionally hard to track, but three resonating points were displayed during this time.
A. The taint of Chaos interferes in Druchii affairs. Long ago, Morathi corrupted Malekith into being nothing more than a pawn of chaotic entities. Morathi and her Cult of Pleasure have undermined the entire culture of the Druchii, making them care more about indulging desires than the noble causes of Naggarythe’s children. It is because of this that the Druchii have contented themselves with raiding the weak.
B. Though the Druchii are vicious and fierce, they are not bloodthirsty, as the current stigma against them has described. This “bloodthirst” is a byproduct of Chaos-induced raids (described before); the outcast Druchii value the moderation and control of this fierceness over its indulgence.
C. Weakness is shown through the succumbing to emotion blindingly. This idea stems both from the Asur’s showing of arrogance and elite-ness, as well as the larger Druchii culture’s value placed on savagery.
It was during this time that a Druchii began traveling between the various Shade families. His message was one of open rebellion against Morathi and her Chaos cohort, and if Malekith could not be saved, he would need to be replaced. He went by many given names, including the Shadow, the Visioned, and the Grey Lord, and was known for his abilities in shadow magic just as much as for his strong words of open rebellion.
Naturally, the lords of Naggaroth heard the rumors of agitators in the wild lands. Fearing the worst and knowing they could do nothing if Naggarond responded, the rebels fled farther south. Under the guidance of the Grey Lord, the newly named Sarathai (literally, the elvish rune for defiance) traveled through the Doom Glades, past the colony of Arnheim, and across the Straits of Fear to the Viper Mountains. It was in these travels that the first semblances of a society and culture were formed.
They arrived to an uninhabited place with minimal land available for food sources. The high mountains rose up against the ocean, leaving only small strips of flat land at the base. However, the tall cliffs and rocking sea made the area extremely defensible. Here, the Sarathai began their campaign to liberate the Druchii people from the clench of Chaos.
The Sarathai bored into the mountain range, fighting back the small pockets of Skaven and goblins that occupied the natural tunnels. The tunnels were expanded slowly, with typical elven precision and styles. Eventually, a series of docks were added. These procedures have allowed the community to feel a strong sense of security while still being connected to the outside world.
Most recently (and perhaps most important and symbolic), a tall tower was constructed on the mountain top at the tip of the Viper Mountains. Made of a black stone mined from the mountain recesses, the Tower (formally, “The Tower of the Sarathai) spires along its center until reaching a thin balcony at the top (the seat of the Grey Lord). The Tower serves as a governmental center and meeting hall, as well as a signal to the world of the Sarathai’s rise in the world. Colloquially, Sarathai use the term “the Tower” to describe both the physical construction and the government.
As the community expands, it has reached a point where it is able to send out emissaries and garner support for its cause. (Note the current political climate detailed below.)
Political Climate
Still in its infant stages, the Druchii of the Tower find themselves first needing to clear the stigma associated with their race. This has required the Tower to dispatch small emissaries to various entities across the world, including Cathay, Nippon, Albion, and the Maderasari of Athel Sarn. The Tower is keen to find allies against Malekith, which requires little if the Druchii emissaries are allowed within speaking distance.
The Nippon emissaries returned with no success. They were turned away at the coast by flaming projectiles. The Albion expedition has yet to return and are feared dead after rumors of an invasion by many differing races for control of the island. From Cathay, the emissary faired better. Support to or from the people of Cathay was left un-promised, but a sense of parallelism between the Sarathai and Cathay cultures was established. Unable to offer much in the way of trade, the Grey Lord has taken to sending constant ambassadors to keep the Emperor of Cathay informed of the Sarathai’s actions; the hope is to convince Cathay to support the Tower through philosophy rather than wealth or might.
The expedition to the Maderasari within the forests of Estalia arrived amidst a boiling war. After a year of fighting together, the bond between the cousins was reforged. The Maderasari opened themselves up to the outside world and the Sarathai were accepted as official allies. While most returned to the Tower, some military forces of the Sarathai, along with Lord Akerith Kor (the expedition commander and shadow mage), stayed with their new allies and bolstered the depleted armies of the Maderasari.
Hierarchy
A formal dictation of the hierarchy of life under the Tower is impossible, as, in times of such deprivation, all skills of work are viewed as equally important. The farmers and cultivators (traditionally a lower class of people) are viewed as performing a vital work for the betterment of the society as a whole. The merchants (a traditional mid to high social class) find their place to be something akin to spokesmen for the farmers, of which they would not exist without. Indeed the only people that seem to have a semblance of inequality in the social structure are those in permanent military service (and then, only when these persons have just returned from performing a service). Upon returning from a campaign, serving soldiers can expect additional rations and free time to pursue what they wish. (While some see this act as a reward, others see it as reimbursing a traveling soldier for what he was kept from during the campaign.)
The fear of repercussions, even (perhaps especially) when the fear is self-inflicted, serves to join the culture together with a sense of unity, societal growth and preservation that is larger unseen in the world.
It must be noted, however, that the societal hierarchy mentioned above is nearly absent in those serving under permanent military doctrine. In times of service, all rank and title conditions are enforced to the extreme.
Military
The Tower’s inability to field large numbers of troops has led to their need to preserve all that they can. This had led to a guerilla style of warfare, focusing on swift, direct attacks at the most important of an enemy’s abilities. During the initial feuds with the Skaven of the Viper Mountains, the Sarathai were able to win by arrowing their attacks in the center of the Skaven line, tearing through the clanrats and killing the warlord in command. Without a leader, the remaining Skaven broke and fled.
In battle, efficiency and support are the means by which the Sarathai fight their enemies. The infantry lines are instructed in both swords and shields and repeater crossbows. Serving as both ranged combatants and light anvil units, the infantry officers must be consistently aware of their position in relation to the rest of the battle line.
Taking the military teachings of the Shade clan, the most athletic of the community are instructed as scouting parties. These are combined with various Shade families that left Naggaroth along with the Sarathai and form the flankers and information gatherers of the military.
More than one outcast has tagged along with the rebels, and male sorcerers seem to find existence with the Sarathai much more acceptable than a hidden life under the gaze of Malekith. Male practitioners, regardless of what Wind of magic they follow, have migrated to the Tower where they are predominately assigned to military duties.
The settings of the Tower are not able to house the more exotic beasts of current Druchii armies. Manticores, hydras, harpies and cold ones are absent, and a “fix” does not appear currently desired. The Sarathai are currently employing what steeds they have as heavy cavalry along with their more suited role as unarmoured scouting units and flank harassments.
The Sarathai’s military doctrines are centered on having the best person working in any specific role. The challenge system the Druchii of Naggarond foster is still in existence with the Sarathai military, though the Sarathai have injected what they consider a more “honorable” approach. Challenges between an officer and his subordinates are allowed and encouraged to an extent, though all challenges are expected to be made while the higher-up is not weakened by any outside factor. In the end, the purpose of this system is to make certain the best leader is in the position of power, and no one (society, other soldiers, or the challenger) would permit this exchange if they felt they were substandard.
All members of the community are required to partially serve in military service. Training takes up one third of a person’s time per week, and they are tutored by the more learned and military-minded of the community.
There is some missing parts (namely religion), which I hope to include the next time I revisit the text. Thanks for reading!
* * *
The Tower of the Sarathai
Overview
For years uncounted, the armies of the Druchii of Naggaroth have pillaged and raided the coasts of the world. From Cathay to Brettonia, from the Chaos Wastes to Araby, they are seen as that which must be feared and guarded against. The Druchii strike from swiftly moving ships and massive Black Arks, killing and enslaving whoever they come across. Their intent is twofold; to sow terror and discontent across the world, and to reap the joys of this loathing for their enemies. Indeed, the Druchii race has earned its place in the world, and rightly so.
However, there are those that see this campaign of fear as nothing more than a waste of resources and ability… and more importantly, a ruse to keep a long weakened and corrupted king in power. To some, the glaring idea is that the Druchii people have yet to reclaim Ulthuan, have not expanded their empire except through cold and uninhabited lands, and have made deals that put the entire race under the thumb of others. To this day, Ulthuan remains in possession of their arrogant and pathetic cousins, the Druchii live in exile, and an unspoken alliance with the powers of Chaos exists… and this has caused resentment. This anger and frustration could not be spoken aloud, of course, especially in the courts of the Witch King. But over many centuries, those Druchii that held these thoughts inside slowly began a migration out of Malekith’s sphere of influence. Those Druchii unhappy with imperial stagnation and subservience fled to the wilds of Naggaroth, and attempted an existence without weakness and corruption.
In time, these refugees found solace with the Shade Clans. Long since exiled from the great cities, the Shades are an ancient house of Druchii that found the wilds of Naggaroth far more comfortable than the rule of others. Slowly, the Shades accepted these other self-exiles (perhaps reluctantly) as kin. It was here, in the wildest lands of Naggaroth and (reasonably) protected that the rattle of discontent was spread.
Of course, the spreading of ideas in exceptionally hard to track, but three resonating points were displayed during this time.
A. The taint of Chaos interferes in Druchii affairs. Long ago, Morathi corrupted Malekith into being nothing more than a pawn of chaotic entities. Morathi and her Cult of Pleasure have undermined the entire culture of the Druchii, making them care more about indulging desires than the noble causes of Naggarythe’s children. It is because of this that the Druchii have contented themselves with raiding the weak.
B. Though the Druchii are vicious and fierce, they are not bloodthirsty, as the current stigma against them has described. This “bloodthirst” is a byproduct of Chaos-induced raids (described before); the outcast Druchii value the moderation and control of this fierceness over its indulgence.
C. Weakness is shown through the succumbing to emotion blindingly. This idea stems both from the Asur’s showing of arrogance and elite-ness, as well as the larger Druchii culture’s value placed on savagery.
It was during this time that a Druchii began traveling between the various Shade families. His message was one of open rebellion against Morathi and her Chaos cohort, and if Malekith could not be saved, he would need to be replaced. He went by many given names, including the Shadow, the Visioned, and the Grey Lord, and was known for his abilities in shadow magic just as much as for his strong words of open rebellion.
Naturally, the lords of Naggaroth heard the rumors of agitators in the wild lands. Fearing the worst and knowing they could do nothing if Naggarond responded, the rebels fled farther south. Under the guidance of the Grey Lord, the newly named Sarathai (literally, the elvish rune for defiance) traveled through the Doom Glades, past the colony of Arnheim, and across the Straits of Fear to the Viper Mountains. It was in these travels that the first semblances of a society and culture were formed.
They arrived to an uninhabited place with minimal land available for food sources. The high mountains rose up against the ocean, leaving only small strips of flat land at the base. However, the tall cliffs and rocking sea made the area extremely defensible. Here, the Sarathai began their campaign to liberate the Druchii people from the clench of Chaos.
The Sarathai bored into the mountain range, fighting back the small pockets of Skaven and goblins that occupied the natural tunnels. The tunnels were expanded slowly, with typical elven precision and styles. Eventually, a series of docks were added. These procedures have allowed the community to feel a strong sense of security while still being connected to the outside world.
Most recently (and perhaps most important and symbolic), a tall tower was constructed on the mountain top at the tip of the Viper Mountains. Made of a black stone mined from the mountain recesses, the Tower (formally, “The Tower of the Sarathai) spires along its center until reaching a thin balcony at the top (the seat of the Grey Lord). The Tower serves as a governmental center and meeting hall, as well as a signal to the world of the Sarathai’s rise in the world. Colloquially, Sarathai use the term “the Tower” to describe both the physical construction and the government.
As the community expands, it has reached a point where it is able to send out emissaries and garner support for its cause. (Note the current political climate detailed below.)
Political Climate
Still in its infant stages, the Druchii of the Tower find themselves first needing to clear the stigma associated with their race. This has required the Tower to dispatch small emissaries to various entities across the world, including Cathay, Nippon, Albion, and the Maderasari of Athel Sarn. The Tower is keen to find allies against Malekith, which requires little if the Druchii emissaries are allowed within speaking distance.
The Nippon emissaries returned with no success. They were turned away at the coast by flaming projectiles. The Albion expedition has yet to return and are feared dead after rumors of an invasion by many differing races for control of the island. From Cathay, the emissary faired better. Support to or from the people of Cathay was left un-promised, but a sense of parallelism between the Sarathai and Cathay cultures was established. Unable to offer much in the way of trade, the Grey Lord has taken to sending constant ambassadors to keep the Emperor of Cathay informed of the Sarathai’s actions; the hope is to convince Cathay to support the Tower through philosophy rather than wealth or might.
The expedition to the Maderasari within the forests of Estalia arrived amidst a boiling war. After a year of fighting together, the bond between the cousins was reforged. The Maderasari opened themselves up to the outside world and the Sarathai were accepted as official allies. While most returned to the Tower, some military forces of the Sarathai, along with Lord Akerith Kor (the expedition commander and shadow mage), stayed with their new allies and bolstered the depleted armies of the Maderasari.
Hierarchy
A formal dictation of the hierarchy of life under the Tower is impossible, as, in times of such deprivation, all skills of work are viewed as equally important. The farmers and cultivators (traditionally a lower class of people) are viewed as performing a vital work for the betterment of the society as a whole. The merchants (a traditional mid to high social class) find their place to be something akin to spokesmen for the farmers, of which they would not exist without. Indeed the only people that seem to have a semblance of inequality in the social structure are those in permanent military service (and then, only when these persons have just returned from performing a service). Upon returning from a campaign, serving soldiers can expect additional rations and free time to pursue what they wish. (While some see this act as a reward, others see it as reimbursing a traveling soldier for what he was kept from during the campaign.)
The fear of repercussions, even (perhaps especially) when the fear is self-inflicted, serves to join the culture together with a sense of unity, societal growth and preservation that is larger unseen in the world.
It must be noted, however, that the societal hierarchy mentioned above is nearly absent in those serving under permanent military doctrine. In times of service, all rank and title conditions are enforced to the extreme.
Military
The Tower’s inability to field large numbers of troops has led to their need to preserve all that they can. This had led to a guerilla style of warfare, focusing on swift, direct attacks at the most important of an enemy’s abilities. During the initial feuds with the Skaven of the Viper Mountains, the Sarathai were able to win by arrowing their attacks in the center of the Skaven line, tearing through the clanrats and killing the warlord in command. Without a leader, the remaining Skaven broke and fled.
In battle, efficiency and support are the means by which the Sarathai fight their enemies. The infantry lines are instructed in both swords and shields and repeater crossbows. Serving as both ranged combatants and light anvil units, the infantry officers must be consistently aware of their position in relation to the rest of the battle line.
Taking the military teachings of the Shade clan, the most athletic of the community are instructed as scouting parties. These are combined with various Shade families that left Naggaroth along with the Sarathai and form the flankers and information gatherers of the military.
More than one outcast has tagged along with the rebels, and male sorcerers seem to find existence with the Sarathai much more acceptable than a hidden life under the gaze of Malekith. Male practitioners, regardless of what Wind of magic they follow, have migrated to the Tower where they are predominately assigned to military duties.
The settings of the Tower are not able to house the more exotic beasts of current Druchii armies. Manticores, hydras, harpies and cold ones are absent, and a “fix” does not appear currently desired. The Sarathai are currently employing what steeds they have as heavy cavalry along with their more suited role as unarmoured scouting units and flank harassments.
The Sarathai’s military doctrines are centered on having the best person working in any specific role. The challenge system the Druchii of Naggarond foster is still in existence with the Sarathai military, though the Sarathai have injected what they consider a more “honorable” approach. Challenges between an officer and his subordinates are allowed and encouraged to an extent, though all challenges are expected to be made while the higher-up is not weakened by any outside factor. In the end, the purpose of this system is to make certain the best leader is in the position of power, and no one (society, other soldiers, or the challenger) would permit this exchange if they felt they were substandard.
All members of the community are required to partially serve in military service. Training takes up one third of a person’s time per week, and they are tutored by the more learned and military-minded of the community.