Star Wars Roleplay: Chaos

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Approved NPC Crawlers in the Night

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OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent
: Expand on Vashyada. Make use of a custom species.
Image Credit: Here. Here.
Role: Shock cavalry that rides on giant spiders.
Permissions: Blanket permission for anything made by Val here. Access to Firemane gear since I'm the owner. ARGH gear available to Firemane per this thread. Permission for all ArmaTech gear and all other subs made by Laira Darkhold's writer here and here.
Links: Tylania, Light of Yarkul, Qadiri, Yazgid, Xioquo, Partuz, Firemane.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Unit Name
: Crawlers in the Night.
Affiliation: Vashyada, Tylania.
Classification: Shock/Reconnaissance Cavalry.
Description:
Warhammer_Giant_Spiders.png
Imagine a wood elf warrior riding on this.

The Crawlers of the Night are a unit of shock cavalry who ride on giant spiders called Partuz. These creatures are native to Yarkul and have formed a symbiotic relationship of sorts with the Vashyada. Despite their fearsome appearance, the Partuz are intelligent and able to form social bonds. This applies in particular to their queens. It is a common saying among Vashyada that they interact more with the local Partuz queen than with the High Queen or the Skyqueen - and that she is more helpful most of the times. Vashyada Force-Users have been able to commune with the queens and build partnerships with them. In return for providing what amounts to food tribute to the queen she will allow some of her drones to be mounts and used in battle. This relationship is generally solid so long as the original queen and the Vash who formed the partnership lives. When one dies it must be remade with a successor or the drones will return ‘home’.

This has led to the creation of spider cavalry units. Once raised and tamed by one way or the other, Partuz are very loyal mounts, though learning how to ride a giant spider is difficult. The Crawlers of the Night are the result of this bond. Vashyada are used to irregular and unconventional warfare, which is reflected in the way they employ their cavalry. They are also a very decentralised civilisation, being organised in various clans and chiefdoms that are loosely united by the High Queen and High King.

Each clan has a small stable of riders capable of riding and caring for their Partuz. Thus they are deployed in small units. For instance, the High Queen and High King of the Vashyada have a royal guard composed of some of the best Crawlers. Due to their decentralised nature, the Crawlers do not have a single unit emblem, but images with a spider or web theme are common. The coming of Firemane has produced some changes for the Crawlers, though their essence remains the same. They have access to better weapons and armour though.

In battle they will assemble, acting as scouts and shock cavalry. They excel in unconventional warfare, especially in a forest environment. They can screen allies, stalk and ambush foes. Crawlers are tough, strong and fast, but not suited for pitched combat or head-on assaults. The riders favour weapons such as carbines, rifles and modern bows. If need be, they can dismount and fight as light infantry. The spiders are coordinated enough to follow commands and engage the enemy in such a situation, but for obvious reasons the Crawlers prefer to fight from the backs of their mounts and have the training to fire precisely while riding. While they are animals, the Partuz are very smart. Indeed, some are semi-sentient. The Crawlers are respected among the Vashyada clans, and often the subject of songs and ballads. They are seen as rugged, fierce protectors.

Training to become one of the Crawlers is an intense process with a steep learning curve. Obviously arachnophobes need not apply. Each rider is expected to train and care for their mount, with more experienced riders helping a neophyte get the hang of things. Rider and spider spend a lot of time together outside of training and combat. For instance, it is a typical for a Crawler to take their Partuz out hunting. Moreover, every Partuz receives a name. Riders who do not treat their mounts well are looked upon and kicked out. The Partuz respond well to good treatment and can become rather affectionate. Crawlers do have access to saddles to make it easier to ride their mount, but the Partuz do not like them much. Moreover, old school professionals frown on them, arguing that a true rider does not need them since they and their mount are one.

Animal Friendship is a common power among the Force-Sensitive members of the Crawlers, allowing them to further bond with their Partuz. It also improves their coordination in battle. Now that the Vashyada have gone off into space, the Crawlers have a presence on the Light of Yarkul, the main worldship of the wood elves. Its interior has been designed to simulate the forest they and their animals are used to. These riders are often used for reconnaissance on worlds the Vashyada discover during their voyage, provided the climate is not harmful to their arachnid companions.

Using Partuz is also a good way to clear a battlefied of corpses as they do not discriminate between live meat and carrion. Outsiders who turn up their nose at that are given short shrift. As a Partuz rider called Vorislana once said: "You humans dump the bodies into a pit and cover them with dirt. Yet you call feeding my mount uncivilised when she is just doing what comes natural? Tell me you will not return to your tent and eat meat tonight. What difference is it to you?"

The spiders do not have language per se, but can communicate via body language and pheromones obey commands. Riders skilled in telepathy or Animal Friendship can use these abilities to communicate with them. Vorislana, a veteran Partuz rider, is a leader of one of the Crawler units. She is not great with people skills, but has a strong bond with her steed, a juvenile Partuz queen. The hardened warrior fought against Brahdok and suffered a nasty wound. She does not like Qadiri much and is not shy saying so, even when it is not considered politically correct. She leads by example.

COMBAT INFORMATION:
Unit Size: Medium
Unit Availability
: Rare
Unit Experience
: Veteran
Equipment
: The Crawlers of the Night are not a standing force, but mustered by the disparate clans. As a result while there has been some attempts to increase standardisation, the equipment varies significantly.
Mounts:

  • Vashyada warriors ride on Partuz spiders.
Armour:
  • Blast Vest, Scout Armour and basic helmet or Scout Trooper Forest Camouflage Armour or traditional Vashyada armour that consists of scale or lamella armour and a helm. The Crawlers of the Night are not a regular force, but a militia mustered by the clans. Each clan has a responsibility to outfit its riders, but obviously resources despite an attempt at standardisation. Thus wealthier ones use more modern armour.
Primary Weapons:
Sidearms:
Melee Weapons:
Misc:
Combat Function: The primary combat function of the Crawlers of the Night is as scouts and shock cavalry. In that regard they take advantage of the natural traits of the Partuz spiders. Despite their size, these creatures are extremely stealthy. With its camouflage, near-silent movements, formidable intelligence and ability to hide in seemingly too small holes, the Partuz is an excellent ambusher. It can also fling webs a moderate distance to potentially ensnare targets smaller than it. This can include humanoids or other animals. The Partuz can inject venom into those it bites. This venom acts as a paralytic and also starts to break down the target for easier consumption. This poison is capable of rendering many humanoids or animals paralysed within a few minutes, though an anti-toxin or strong constitution may delay or nullify the effects.

Moreover, the thick hide of the Partuz protects it from a lot of harm. Primitive melee and ranged weapons have little chance of hurting it except if it hits in the head. Even blasters or modern slugthrowers will find penetrating the tough hide difficult. The spiders have bonded with their Vashyada riders, respond to their commands and are loyal to them. Though not sentient, a Partuz is quite intelligent and able to coordinate. Partuz take time to train and any rider faces a steep learning curve. As a result, the Crawlers are not a large unit.

Their natural stealthiness, tracking abilities and connection to nature make them very good scouts. The Crawlers are not ones for frontal assault. Indeed, having them charge an entrenched enemy position would be a very bad idea. Instead they almost always strike from ambush. One of their tactics is for the spiders to hang down from above if possible and throw webs at the enemy whilst others come in from both sides. The ones above can then let themselves down on web like rappelling ropes to get into combat. Whilst this is happening the riders are picking off enemies who are not webbed or in leadership positions. Their riders are armed with rifles and then close range shotguns and blasters for when they close in on the enemy. Bowcasters and energy bows are also popular. The Crawlers are very skilled trackers and good shots.

If met with overwhelming resistance, the Crawlers will pull back. They are not averse to staging a fake retreat in order to draw an enemy into a trap and break up concentrations of enemy forces. Their tactics and the nature of their mounts make the Crawlers an excellent fit for fighting in forests. Used to the cool, shadowed forests of their homelands, the Partuz find hot deserts or frozen tundras unpleasant and so the Crawlers are best not deployed in such environments.

A good number, though not all of the riders, are Force-Sensitive. Rather than forming Force-User-only units, they are distributed across the individual bands of Crawlers. Typically each squad has at least one Force-User, though these are never the majority. They are talented in Animal Friendship and Telepathy. This helps them bond with their mounts and improves coordination. In addition, they focus on stealthy powers, which enable them to mask their aura or conceal themselves from sight. Likewise, they train in Plant Surge, which is helpful for containing, slowing and ensnaring foes. Some have skill in Force Healing, enabling them to heal themselves and their Partuz. To stay mobile and minimise the burden on their spiders, the riders forego heavy armour in favour of more lightweight combat suits. They do not carry heavy weapons for the same reason.

Strengths:

  • Powerful mounts. With camouflage, near-silent movements and their skill at hiding, their Parzut mounts are excellent predators and ambushers. Their tough carapace can also protect them from modern weapons such as blasters and advanced slugthrowers. While not sentient, they are very intelligent and loyal to their riders.
  • The combination of experienced Vashyada warriors and giant spider mounts produces a powerful cavalry. In battle they are most effective striking as shock ambush cavalry, with the spiders deploying their webs or pouncing enemies, while the riders use their weapons. The Crawlers are well-coordinated, agile and mobile. They are excellent ambushers, skirmishers and scouts.
Weaknesses:
  • While the thick hide of a Parzut is tough, it is vulnerable to lightsabres and heavy weapons such as anti-tank weapons. To stay mobile and avoid placing undue stress on their mounts, their riders wear light armour. They are a shock unit that relies on stealth, surprise and speed, and thus not suited to lead a frontal charge against fortifications and the like.
  • The Crawlers forego heavy weapons. Having them go up against a tank unit or similar formations of heavy armour is a bad idea. As tough as it is, a Partuz cannot stand up to a tank big's gun and its rider will not fare any better.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Following the climactic battle with the Xioquo and the Qadiri, Tylania led her people, the Vashyada to the continent of Yarkul. The battle had ended in victory for the wood elves, but it had not come without sacrifice. Moreover, Tylania had been wounded in her duel with Myrou, the Paragon of the Xioquo and needed time to recover. The Vashyada could not endure further conflict with the Qadiri and the desert climate was unsuited to them. They found a new home in the deep forests of Yarkul. For a while Tylania governed her people, before going into seclusion, awakening when there was a crisis they required her guidance to overcome. While they were settling into their new home, the Vashyada encountered the Partuz, a species of giant spiders. Though not sentient, these animals were smart, especially those that dwelt close to the Dark Heart of the forests.

At first, the Vashyada saw the Partuz as a threat. They killed several of the spiders and forced them to move deeper into the forests, though not without sustaining casualties of their own. But they eventually recognised the intelligence and utility of these spiders. Some Vashyada tried to steal the spiders' eggs, but few survived the attempt. They soon tried to use more diplomatic means. The fact that the Vashyada started to embrace a belief system based on worship of the Light and of nature also played a role. The myths claim that Tylania was the first to commune with and tame a Partuz queen, who allowed some Vashyada to ride her drones. While it was not easy to domesticate a Partuz hive, it could be done. The most effective way was to commune with and tame a queen before she founded a nest. In effect, Vashyada were allowed to ride a few of the hive's drones in return for what amounted to food tribute.

Training and learning to ride a Partuz was difficult, but could be done. Eventually each clan had a small group of riders who trained, looked after and rode a Partuz into battle. Indeed, it became a rite of passage for certain Vashyada warriors. While the Vashyada were a peaceful people, their clans sometimes clashed over land and hunting rights. These conflicts typically took the form of raiding parties and low intensity skirmishes, with the aim to force the opposing party to concede rather than destroy it. This could also involve duels between Vashyada riders. However, the intrusion of the Qadiri and the Xioquo forced the Vashyada to confront outside threats. The wood elves had technologically regressed, but they were experts at guerrilla warfare and attuned to warfare. This led to the Crawlers of the Night coming into being. In practice these Partuz cavalry units had already existed on clan level, but now they became more formalised. Warriors provided their own equipment and were trained by their community, but certain standards were created.

The Crawlers have participated in every fight against Qadiri and Xioquo invaders, as well as hostile incursions launched by the space people. They operated in coordination with Vashyada Rangers and druids. One of their most well-known battles was the defeat of a Qadiri Mirza called Brahdok, who led a great army and fleet to Yarkul. The story of her defeat is a tale of woe among the Qadiri. Brahdok built a fortress on the shore, one immune to Vashyada attacks, and then led her army in search of Vastyro. However, the Vashyada knew of their approach. Vashyada Rangers and Crawlers shadowed her forces as they marched into the dense forest. The Partuz were hungry for flesh, but their riders and their own intelligence were able to restrain them. After the Vashyada priestesses summoned mists and illusions to deceive the Qadiri, the Vashyada assaulted the confused enemy, ambushing them in the forests with archers, traps and war beasts.

It is said that the Partuz riders of the royal guard led the initial charge, the spiders themselves charging forward without orders. They were hungry for meat and there were manifold targets to hunt. Victory came at a cost, but it is commonly assumed that Brahdok was slain by a Partuz. The giant spider pulled her from her Yazgid mount and injected a fatal venom dose after its rider had been killed in the fghting. This battle, or more properly a massacre, is known as Brahdok’s Defeat. The coming of the sky people drastically changed the world of the Vashyada. It created both new opportunities and threats. The Crawlers saw action when Ser Grrowh, a Wookiee slaver, and his mercenaries launched an incursion, aiming to enslave the 'primitives'. Ironically, the Vashyada prevailed by using tactics very similar to those Grrowh's more honourable kin often employed against foreign invaders.

Vashyada warriors shadowed the intruders the moment they entered the forest. Rather than engage the raiders head-on, the wood elves resorted to guerrilla tactics. They turned out to be rather ingenious when it came to laying traps. Striking from the shadows, they fired volleys at the raiders. Partuz appeared from their hiding places to ensnare foes with webs and pounce them, before quickly vanishing. Some let themselves down on web like rappelling ropes to get into combat and pick off individual raiders. The heavy firepower of the marauders kept the Vashyada at bay and forced their cavalry to pull back, but their hit and fade attacks unnerved the attackers. Druids resorted to illusions to distract, confuse or frighten the raiders. Some raiders wandered off, distracted by promises of nearby booty and the call of sirens. Others, believing themselves to be under attack, opened fire wildly, shooting at phantoms.

When the marauders finally reached the forest settlement they had targeted, they found it deserted. In this moment the Vashyada sprang their trap. Giant spiders tore apart raiders who did not succumb to traps, get taken out by Force use or succumb to the rifles the Vashyada had acquired from Firemane. Badly injured by an arachnid's pincers, Grrowh was forced to call a tactical retreat. The slavers' heavier firepower kept the Vashyada's at a distance, extracting a toll of blood from them when the Crawlers made the mistake of attempting a head-on assault. But the raid had been turned into a rout. The incursion ended in defeat, though Grrowh was saved from Eldorai starfighters by the intervention of Enyo Typhos. The Vashyada have moved into space to go off and colonise, as Firemane has provided worldships for them. This means that the Crawlers now have a presence on the Light of Yarkul, the wood elves' first worldship. Fortunately, the Partuz have been able to adapt.

However, their supposed 'partnership' with Firemane is falling apart. It is becoming more and more obvious that the megacorp has come with ill intent. Vashyada are being lured into servitude, and Firemane's relentless exploitation of Tygara's has caused severe ecological damage. Firemane dangles the promise of advanced technology in front of the Vashyada, leading to bickering among the clans and exaceberating tribal tensions. The Crawlers are beginning to muster...for a campaign of liberation from Tygara's would-be foreign overlords. Facing this menace may be their biggest challenge yet.
 
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