Banderling Lore

Related topics: Cultures, Banderling, Category:Banderling

Naturally most banderlings are very weak, but ever since the early days of Dereth they have been a favorite test subject of the Virindi. Back then, the strongest natural Banderling was the Chief, but since then the line between altered and natural Banderling has been blurred.

Banderlings are the larger cousins of Drudges and Mosswarts, all of whom are distantly related to the Tumerok. They are even less intelligent than other humanoids, but make up for this with sheer brutality. They prefer to fight in small packs, using heavy weapons or their sharp claws. On average, they stand seven feet tall, though their chiefs are even larger. Forest-dwellers by nature, they can also be found in Hea Tumerok strongholds and dungeons near the Aluvian lands.<ref name=AC:DMBestiaryBanderling>2001/11 Dark Majesty - Bestiary: Banderlings</ref><ref name=GuardianChief>1999/11 Release - The Banderlings</ref><ref name=OrigManual57>1999/11 Release - Asheron's Call Manual p. 57 - Banderlings</ref><ref>2010/06 Shifting Gears - Banderling (Town Network Painting)</ref>

History

On Ezheret

Banderlings originate from the world the Tumeroks call Ezheret-Hazahtu, although they only live on the body they call Ezheret. This requires some explanation. While a sun does rise and fall in the sky, Ezheret actually orbits another, larger planet called Hazahtu. Hazahtu, or “The Blind Eye,” is an enormous, cloud-shrouded grey-blue orb. Ezheret is hot, humid, and prone to extended periods of foul weather. Gales and hurricanes are frequent, perhaps due to the unusual sparseness of dry land.<ref name=AC:DMBestiaryTumerok>2001/11 Dark Majesty - Bestiary: Tumeroks</ref> Ezheret is a moon world capable of supporting several species. Three of these species appear to have better than animal intelligence, capable of crafting rudimentary tools and sustaining a limited form of speech.<ref name=TheoriesofEzheret>2003/05 Discoveries - Theories of Ezheret</ref>

The Banderlings share Ezheret with the Tumeroks, as well as the Drudges and Mosswarts.<ref name=AC:DMBestiaryTumerok/> <ref name=TheoriesofEzheret/><ref name=AC:DMBestiaryTumerok/>Already on Ezheret, Banderlings and Mosswart were at odds with each other, and were involved in "Wanga" which probably means war or fight.<ref name=Gratitude>2004/08 From the Darkness Born - Bleeargh's Gratitude#Lore&Dialog</ref> They seek to obtain each others holy or ceremonial items through trickery, trade or warfare.<ref name=Storytelling>2001/02 Lonely In The World - Storytelling</ref>

On Dereth

On Dereth, Banderlings tried to take over human settlements <ref name=GuardianChief/>, sometimes with success.<ref>1999/11 Release - Fiery Weapons#Lore&Dialog</ref><ref>2002/12 The Hall of the Tusker King - Edelbar Directions</ref><ref>AC:DM CD Lore/Early Dereth Texts/History of Colier</ref><ref>See for example 45.6N, 37.3E - Banderling Cabbage Farm, 9.3N, 63.7E - Banderling Tower, and the towns of Edelbar and Colier</ref> They also took over some underground human <ref>1999/11 Release - Arwic Mines Rumor</ref> However, they were quite capable of establishing their own camps and forts.<ref>1999/11 Release - Banderling Camp Directions</ref><ref>See for example 49.4S, 45.8E - Banderling Fort, 73.0N, 6.6W - Banderling Village, Banderling Fort, and Banderling Castle</ref>

The vendetta between Mosswarts and Banderlings did not stop when the two species arrived on Dereth.<ref name=Storytelling/> However, this changed after the Shadow Spires disappeared. A wave of fierce portal-energy squalls slid down the length of the Direlands, bringing with them fiercer varieties of banderling, shreth, and other familiar creatures. <ref> 2000/06 The Paths of Destruction - Teaser</ref> Banderlings have learned to do bully lesser creatures. Reports came of mosswarts gathered under the banner of banderling camp chieftains. Banderlings and Mosswarts started working together to attack human settlements, and established camps throughout Dereth.<ref name=Gathering>2000/10 A Gathering of Monsters</ref> This did not last long however, since Banderlings attacked a band of Mosswarts which were involved in the kidnapping of Candeth Martine and stole some ceremonial Banderling items.<ref name=MaceExplorer>2000/10 Hollow Victory - Mace of the Explorer Quest#Lore & Dialog</ref><ref>2000/10 Hollow Victory - A Battered Leather Journal</ref><ref>2000/10 Hollow Victory - A Dry Withered Leather Bound Journal</ref>

A well-known Banderling Gertarh, was assassinated by Oswald during the Thorns of the Hopeslayer event.<ref>2000/05 - Heroes' Respite - Inscription on Oswald's Dagger</ref><ref>2000/05 - Heroes' Respite - Town Crier Rumors</ref><ref>2000/04 - Thorns of the Hopeslayer - Description of Corpse of Gertarh</ref><ref>2000/04 - Thorns of the Hopeslayer - Mysterious Note</ref>

One of the results of Aerbax Prodigal experiments was the creation of Harraag, the Prodigal Banderling.<ref>2007/04 Strange Sightings - Aerbax's Prodigal Banderling</ref><ref name=ObservationsHarraag>2007/05 Prodigal Sons - Observations: Harraag (Unattuned)</ref> Harraag was kidnapped from the Hidden Cavern.<ref>2007/03 Ancient Enemies - Missing Persons Investigation</ref> Though it seemed the altered Banderling adapted well, the Banderling themselves were highly resistant to following any being perceived as different from or from outside their species, and this included Harraag. The Banderlings gathered large numbers to drive it off, and Harraag retreated to a physical cave, and, surprisingly, "ripped a hole into Portalspace*" in which to escape. Because of its unanticipated abilities, Aerbax did not perceive this experiment as a total failure, but decided to leave Harraag for now. <ref name=ObservationsHarraag/><ref name=ProdigalBanderling>2007/04 Strange Sightings - Aerbax's Prodigal Banderling#Lore & Dialog</ref>

Culture

Rulers

The banderlings know chiefs as well as Champions. One of the Chiefs known by name is Chief Grogbash, another one Dnaraag.<ref name=GuardianChief/><ref>2003/11 Visions in the Darkness - Harraag, Banderling Champion#Lore & Dialog</ref> Succession takes place by challenging a former leader.<ref name=GuardianChief/> A legendary Banderling Champion during enemeties between Mosswarts and Banderlings was Vagurat<ref>2004/08 From the Darkness Born - Hand of Vagurat</ref><ref>2004/08 From the Darkness Born - Bleeargh's Gratitude#Lore & Dialog</ref>

Religions and Beliefs

Banderlings burn their dead to send their soul to the Sun.<ref name=GuardianChief/> They believe in (unnamed) gods.<ref name=GuardianChief/> They carve Statues and Idols, build shrines and create "holy symbols"<ref>2005/01 Assault - Banderling Haunt</ref>

Customs and Traditions

Banderlings are hunters, who prefer to live in ruins. They hunt Aurochs and Mites and use their hides. They know how to work stone. <ref name=GuardianChief/> They have strong family ties and the bonds towards their young are very strong.<ref>2000/12 The Child of Daralet - Stamped Holtburg Scarlet Red Letter</ref>

Banderlings also enslaved Drudges<ref>2007/04 Strange Sightings - Teaser</ref>, who behold a grudge against them because of this.<ref>2003/11 Visions in the Darkness - Scrum, Drudge Seraph Mystic#Lore&Dialog</ref><ref>2007/05 Prodigal Sons - Hoogan#Lore&Dialog</ref>

They are literate, but not able to express themselves as good as the other creatures from Ezheret.<ref name=Gathering/><ref name=ProdigalBanderling/><ref>Banderling Utterances</ref>