The Vultures
In the Prethos mountains to the south of the Nul live the Vultures. The Vulture flock consists of outcasts from across the continent - exiles cast from their homelands for an abundance of reasons, or those whose proclivity for violence caused them to abandon civilized societies (though many would argue, rather, that civilized society abandoned them). The Vultures are the ultimate hunters of the Nul; they prey upon traveling caravans of excursionists, moving in small groups that allow for quick ambush and escape. They make games of torturing their victims, always leaving one survivor to return home and pass along news of whatever happened. They abduct others, stealing them away to their Nest, which lies somewhere within the Prethos mountain chain. Vultures seek blood, and hold no allegiance to any other group within or without the Nul.
The Vultures are governed, if such a term could be used, by a king. This king seizes power in a ritual of violence, challenging the existing leader to contests of strength and stamina, namely through one-on-one combat to the death. These contests follow no rules beyond that they are witnessed by the whole of the flock. The winner is not strictly determined by who emerges "victorious" - regardless of outcome, it is possible for the flock to favor, and therefore elect, a losing contender: perhaps they received a barrage of hits but remained upon their feet when they should have died, or possibly they inflicted a particularly grievous wound upon the winner which garnered the crowd's favor.
The current Vulture king came to power a decade ago, and rumor holds that they seek to dominate the whole of the Nul. As such, the flock seems to have grown more numerous, and has certainly grown more bold in scavenging. They have expanded their territory, preying further north and east, even venturing into the outer villages of those occupying the dunelands. They cut through the Deep Desert, seemingly unafraid of the gales that funnel through the area during the hot season. They thrive on inflicting pain, and are glad to suffer it themselves in order to do so.
The Vultures are governed, if such a term could be used, by a king. This king seizes power in a ritual of violence, challenging the existing leader to contests of strength and stamina, namely through one-on-one combat to the death. These contests follow no rules beyond that they are witnessed by the whole of the flock. The winner is not strictly determined by who emerges "victorious" - regardless of outcome, it is possible for the flock to favor, and therefore elect, a losing contender: perhaps they received a barrage of hits but remained upon their feet when they should have died, or possibly they inflicted a particularly grievous wound upon the winner which garnered the crowd's favor.
The current Vulture king came to power a decade ago, and rumor holds that they seek to dominate the whole of the Nul. As such, the flock seems to have grown more numerous, and has certainly grown more bold in scavenging. They have expanded their territory, preying further north and east, even venturing into the outer villages of those occupying the dunelands. They cut through the Deep Desert, seemingly unafraid of the gales that funnel through the area during the hot season. They thrive on inflicting pain, and are glad to suffer it themselves in order to do so.
Type
Illicit, Gang
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