(Cool flag made by @Jared, he do be good)
Vermin horde of Aukruth
"For the lorde and plagues, we will ravage-kill thee!"
-Words heard by an individual moments before death
History / Lore
Beginning
In the midst of galactic war and cruelty, there existed a system bearing a civilized population upon a planet called “Aukruth”. They had achieved FTL but to their surprise found the outside quite ferocious in their own terms.
And though quite intellectual, this species was also quite paranoid, paranoid of the fact some major force might just be attracted to their location and do whatever horrible things they imagined.
Through "great" thinking by the brightest minds they came to the conclusion of that their own sun, was the thing bringing attention to their location. Now they had a "clear" goal, to manage to survive without the sun in the vastness of space.
After generations they had managed to craft a monumental generator, when activated it could make the entire surface of Aukruth survivable in those harsh conditions, though with how it worked the fuel management was a large obstacle, any sence of fuel they had only lasted a very short time.
The lead engineer, tasked with making his life's work, was now seeing it holt down to a stop by a seemingly inescapable blocker, would never take no for an answer, he wouldn't let his precursors down.
After much research, many faulty tests on different fuel-types, he sought out to different methods, soon coming in contact with a higher power. The higher power offered its support, though its enthusiasm was strangely not questioned, and with no apparent downsides the naive and desperate engineer signed.
After morning, the engineer came out with a monumental supply of a strange new rock, it was structured like any other mineral, though with a semi-powerful glow of green. This rock, dubbed “powerstone”, through testing revealed striking durability and energy storage, unlike other fuels the generator didn't immediately consume it and with how long it holded and with such a huge supply the species could last millions of years!
The whole planet celebrated, they finally found their answer to quell their fears of war!
With several ships and engines upon the planet they broke their orbit and set off towards the vastness of space!
Though, while their backs were turned, strange anomalies started to appear. Since the stockpile of this fuel was so large, it wasn’t properly sealed. Soon, there appeared sightings of strange rats, mutated, filthy and strangely attracted to the fuel storage.
Soon, disappearances of crew started appearing, though enforcement turned a blind eye, too focused on their long celebration. Men after men disappeared, though due to design the engine worked on.
Then, it all went even further south; *Walking down the long halls of poor storage, one of the janitors had the misfortune of being witness to the end of their era. Washing the floors he came upon a strange fellow further down. ”Hey, what are you doing here? Access isn't allowed for the time being.” Though the closer he came revealed more horrors, the stranger was hunched over, a large tail and the appearance of pest. Then he felt a great danger around, just to spot them, red eyes all around, eyes of vermin.*
Chaos quickly spread out from the reactor below, the inhabitants of the surface found their streets stalked by large rats, seeking to hunt them in their own home.
People awoke to their neighbours screaming for their lives whilst dragged from their home, or, if they were lucky, killed in their sleep.
As resistance finally came, it was all to late. Soldiers were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of ratmen, pouring out from sewer lids and cracks.
Peasants ran to their capital, hoping to find help from their president, only to find his head on a large pike by the balcony of his own home.
And thus, as the last men, women and children were hunted in a cruel “game”, came the end of an empire, just to be replaced by cruelty, vermin and a new cult of pest.
Now and forth
(i’ll add major events this cult’s apart of or effected by)
Society and politics
Government
The government’s ruled by a council, currently ruled by 11 members, though another seat is reserved for when their god finally comes.
The government holds all power over their capital, controlling it so that no uproar appears.
Inside the cult though, there are also several clans lead by lordes and warbosses, seeking to spread out, gain territory and further spread the cult’s ways.
Race
The main race of this cult are the ratmen, or otherwise known as the Vermin. Crudely imitating man, these creatures resemble a mix between human and rat, hunched over, tailed and a head like that of a rat.
They are cruel, vile and incredibly numerous. To make matters worse every Vermin cares only about their own individual survival and to reign over other Vermin. Pity, mercy, remorse and all other similar concepts know no place in Vermin society and as a result their society is incredibly unstable. Though they are united in their goal to spread out their vicious deeds and pest.
But even though the vermin are the most numerous, they make several different species by the means of mutation, the most common are the rattrolls, giant rattish beings mutated beyond belief, they are commonly used for their strength so they make great slaves.
Territory
As stated, this cult resides upon the rogue planet “Aukruth”, since their location is unknown they aren't easy to spot.
(so basically you need to know where it is to interact with it, either through events or some other reason)
Tech
The vermin tech consists mostly upon the powerstone, with its high energy and radioactive capabilities, it both fuels their mechanical tools, supplies with many experiments and abominations and acts as a wonderful offensive tool. They practically meld it onto weapons for higher effect.
Otherwise their tech is around below average, though the look does make it seem even more outdated.
Though some vermin might even be blessed by their god, giving them magical abilities to cast, most themed around pest and plague.
Some weapons
Powerlaser: A large powerstone hooked up to mechanics allowing to release its energy in a tight beam.
Sludge-Thrower: Using powerstone-contaminated water and other liquids, the vermin shoot a large spray of this highly toxic waste. Acting like a flamethrower
Coated blades: The blades of machines and weapons of infantry might sometimes be coated by powerstone, making the blade sturdier and much more dangerous.
Ships
(i probably won't make ships since in my opinion im not good at cosmo-ship design and its kinda boring making ships all-the-while i keep judging muhsef :/)
The ships of the vermin horde are crudely made, from many materials and unsturdy supports. Though what they lack in manufacturing gets countered by their weapons, since the energy/radioactiveness of the power stones the ships usually shoot away deadly bullets which are shards of powerstone.
Clanlist
Other than the main vermin government, there exists many cases of clans working together in the pursuit described before. This is a list containing some of them with info regarding their lore and behaviour.
(May be extended at any time due to new tribes popping up or the existing ones gaining new info.)
Clan Ketek
One of the top 10 most powerful clans, clan ketek is surprisingly passive. Acting more peaceful and docile than any other clan.
They are ruled by Trenq Crowfang, who have not been spotted as of yet. He is an avid beliver of modifications and it is said he has modificated his body with powerstone and technology to the point of a seemingly "enlightenment". Though this has left him docile and timid.
The other clans in the vermin horde look opon clan Ketek with fear and untrust.
Clan Riqizk
Lead by a certain Scritchec Sneakkill, an imfamous vermin known for his skills in assasination and sneaking. Though he's in hiding as of now, most likely preparing for the perfect strike at a new target though he still finds time to send letters back to commands his clan and leading them onto more missions.
They act that of a marauder-like clan that often works for hire.
They seem both backstabbing and trustworthy, behaviour changes quite a lot unless payments promised.
They frequently visit other clans or even outsiders, asking if they have any need for their "services", these include raiding, attacking, assasinating and like-wise deals.
Clan Smatchk
Lead by Shectkq Madlaugh, the smartest vermin and actually capable of speaking the galactic standard launguage fluently. He's struck crazy, inventing more and more dangerous weapons, with a liking to explosives filled with powerstone and whatever else that might bring short- or long term pain and death to countless people. (nukes)
Clan Smatchk is the leading clan techwise, having invented contless weapons and whatever else meant to bring pain and death. They now search beyond Aukruth for new technology or new targets to fire at.
Clan Cratch
Lead by Socueeknq, a battle-obsessed vermin dekked with several trophees of fallen enemies. Though very traditional, sticking to melee combat, making him extremely expirienced in it, even to more advanced enemies with an almost super-human strenght.
Clan Cratch is the leading power of the different clans, having incredible numbers and many weapons. Though they are very traditional, sticking to swords and many other hand-held weapons, but they do still have a number of more "modern" weapons. They are war-hungry vermin quick on the idea of galactic slaughter and infestation, though for now they only attack trading stations they come across.
Clan Phronqetx
Lead by Qhrol Plaugewielder the most infected vermin of the entire horde, his undying devotion to the vermin god is only strengthened by the horrible "miracles" caused by his approach. Having shown unnormal behaviour and strength from his newly formed apperance on the galaxy, he quickly climbed the ranks to only second in command to the head of their religion.
Clan Phronqetx is the leading clan through their devotion. The most religious of them all, they spread the word and might of their god, getting the most influence on vermin-politics. Though this may seem good, their devotion has left them plauged and rotten, their followers carrying who knows how many diseases. They are the leading force of corruption the galaxy faces, plauging their enemies while serving a God who might at any moment consume their very souls.
Important Rat-bois so i don't forget:
(none for now)
“Relations”
No interaction so far.