Reavers
From Flight From Darkness
As the Lookshy War raged, strange rumors began to circulate the Scavenger Lands. Rumors of horrifically mutilated men descending on villages, raping and despoiling it people, before dragging them off for parts unknown. These rumors were mostly ignored, for what was one more dread rumor in these dark times? Most likely they were just pawns of a rakasha, or the creation of some mad anathema. It was only when Great Forks was devoured from within and without that what was left of the River Provinces discovered that these creatures were something new and horrifying. As they fell upon and defiled town after town, city after city, the scattered survivors of the River Provinces named them Reavers.
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[edit] Appearance and Behavior
The Reavers are horrific, mutilated form of life. The have the stature of tall men and are without exception covered in scars and mutilations, most apparently self inflicted. Most have inserted sharpened pieces of metal into their bodies, though a few cadavers examined by Kyphus had jagged metallic growths sprouting from within their bodies, ripping through their flesh to the surface. They commonly wear the rotting skins of people they have killed, though some have been noted to wear armor.
Their behavior is uniform: extreme, malicious violence to all non-natives of Malfeas. They also show tendencies towards extreme sadism and cannibalism. Or as one refugee from the the Lookshy Expedition Camps phrased it: "They'll rape us to death, eat our flesh, and sew our skins into their clothing – and if we're very, very lucky, they'll do it in that order." Despite apparent retention of intelligence (see below), every attempt to communicate with the Reavers has failed. Current evidence suggests that Reavers are incapable of not attacking, and then defiling those they view as prey.
[edit] Capabilities
Reavers are at near peak human physical condition. They are also uniformly semi-skilled with all weapons, and in the construction of traps. Their most troublesome trait is their ability to transform others into Reavers. The transformation in most cases requires the the subject be exposed to Revear bodily fluids, or prolonged exposure to Reaver Infectors. Less then one in five are susceptible to the change, but those that are effected are transformed in minutes. Once complete, they show the same animalistic fury typical to their kind, and quickly begin to inflict mutilations on themselves. The only humans that have been confirmed as 100% immune to the transformation are the Exalted. It is recommended that any member of the Dream showing such symptoms be immediately killed, as Revear bodily fluids loose their infectious capabilities upon death.
At first glance they appear to embody berserk fury, ignoring all pain and injuries. However they have shown high levels of tactical and strategic planning, and have often been seen to cooperate with demonic forces. In addition there have been scattered report of them using First Age weaponry. They are exceedingly clever trap makers, with a preference for disabling traps. This trend is not out of any mercy for their victims, but rather a liking for having live mortal to torture to death for eating... or for them to convert.
Some Reavers have been known to show advanced mutations. Termed Advanced Reavers, these are relatively uncommon, and seem to function as leaders for the horde. The mutations shown vary drastically and wildly. Most worryingly, some show signs of being able to use Spirit and Martial Arts Charms. To date there have been no confirmed cases of Reavers utilizing sorcery however.
[edit] The Reavers and the Dream
The Reavers were scattered throughout the East of Creation, usually in warbands of a few hundred to a few thousand, though larger numbers have been reported in sieges on major population centers. Scattered reports indicate that they like have been spreading to the North as well. To date the only major Reaver incursion onto The Dream was the Reaver Plague, though it is presumed that upon resuming conflict with the Dragon the Reavers will be on the front line.
[edit] The Reaver Plague
The Reaver Plague traces it roots to the rescue from the Lookshy Expedition Camps. During the rescue several troops noted the inmates were strangely susceptible to suggestions. These symptoms cleared up after a day or two, and aside from a large number of complaints of Realm Troops abusing the situation, no further symptoms showed at the time. It was at the time believed to be an effect generated by an artifact, or the Flames charms. Six months later this was proven false.
Six months after the Lookshy Rescue, a sudden eruption of violence rocked The Dream. A large amount of its population had spontaneously mutated into Reavers, causing destruction and havoc across The Dream. Details around the beginning of the outbreak are confused and scattered, however the efforts of the Medical Corps, The Last Legion and the Bridge Crew showed that most of the initial cases came from the survivors of the Lookshy Expedition Camps, and those that had had close contact with them. Surprise, combined with the Reaver Plagues high transmissibility and short duration, allowed them massive population growth and inflicted massive damage to the population of The Dream. It is believed that the only reason that enough of the Dream's population survived to keep it flying was the Reavers tendency to 'play' with their food, and the Dreams immense size. This gave enough time for the Bridge Crew to organize the Exalted of the Dream to launch a full scale counter attack, annihilating most of the Reapers on the Dream. The remainder were subject to a short, viscous hunt. It is at present assumed no Reavers have survived to the present day on the Dream. Despite the sharp response, less than a quarter of the Dreams population remained intact, barely enough to keep the ship flying. Shortly thereafter it was announced that the Dream would be moving into the Wyld indefinitely, until such time as it was ready assume actvie operations against the Dragon again.
[edit] Treatment
Reavers resist almost all known medicine charms. Kyphus developed a Charm capable of regressing a Reaver to normal following the Reaver Plague, however most patients after recovering have attempted to commit suicide shortly thereafter. A small number had a far more horrific response: they sought reinfection, or continued to act as though they were infected. Only a handful of cases are still alive to this date.
CLASSIFIED TO BRIDGE CREW, LUNAR CONCLAVE, LAST LEGION GENERAL STAFF AND SELECT MEDICAL CORPS MEMBERS: The difficulty in treating Reavers comes from their unique method of transmission: microscopic gods. These tiny polyhedral beings enforce and further the Reavers mutations and mental states, constantly undoing any effects of most medical charms. The origin of the nano-gods is unknown, though Kyphus believes them to be modified First Age technology.
[edit] Standing Response Orders
Upon detection of Reavers the sector they are detected in is to be placed in Class 1 Lockdown until EDC or Last Legion forces can purge the area. The rest of the Dream is to be placed in Class 2 Lockdown, and response teams are to be on formed and be on high alert. All environmental attacks are authorized for the duration of the emergency, and the ghosts restrictions to the Black Plate are lifted.
