Veteris Rapax

Description

Veteris was born a runt to a military caste clutch. Unable to dominate his brothers by force, he developed his intellect to be his sharpest weapon. He became a student of behavior and spent his solitary hours studying military accounts from Old and New Lemuria alike. 

His ascension molts refined his physical form until his strength and agility matched his keen mind. He won many battles with his cruel axe and shrewd strategies, inspiring a cult-like loyalty among his soldiers. As his influence grew, he became increasingly critical of the governing theocracy. He was unwilling to shed the power base he spent years building to join the decadent hierarchy of Lemuria – those he publicly proclaimed to be the dullest blades in the Lemurian armory. 

Veteris’ popularity protected him from the swift and bloody end typically meted out by his superiors – but his criticisms of the theocracy would not be tolerated. Veteris was exiled from Lemuria and reassigned to the Riverguard Forts to oversee the ongoing Grey-Rot Hive conflict. Half the warriors in his command deserted their posts, formed their own militia, and followed their revered leader into exile. 

Veteris understood that conventional tactics would mean death against his new foe. Armed companies were splintered into reaving bands, operating independently, and reporting only to him when necessary. He reinstated ancient blood rituals making his armored warriors, bathed in fresh blood, temporarily impervious to the hydrophobic Hive Drones. Veteris Rapax and his ferocious Blood Reavers continue to hold the southern front and have established dominance from D’Zaera’s Hook all the way to the Forancroft Mountains.