Ahngek Lore and RP

For countless generations the broods of the Ahngek grew, competed, and either lived or died with relative obscurity deep in the sands of the Tsarven Empire. It was only recently, around 752 SG that many outside only the most remote human settlements realized the fact they were sentient.

The Normal operation of the brood

A royal Ahngek looks the same as any other. The only physical difference is that they are able to lay eggs where others are not able to. Where the true power comes in though is the sheer magnitude of the psionic ability of the royal. Every Ahngek they hatch is bound to them psionically as a hive mind. While this allows the brood to operate with a proficiency unheard of outside of the insect world, it does mean that the hive cannot grow more than several hundred Ahngek and they cannot travel more than a few kilometers from the royal before losing their voice. Each brood is specifically coordinated, and an Ahngek from one brood cannot hear the other, though there have been rumors that royals can communicate directly with each other when close enough.

Sometime in 752 something changed. The first Agngek was born that while they could hear their royal, they were not bound to listen. This caused immediate chaos and several broods instinctively killed these unbound children. It is reported that unlike their kin that could hear a collective choir of voices, they only hear the royal, and only when they are within the range of their royal.

Psionics and Magic

As a whole the Ahngek are some of the most powerful naturally psionic creatures. The entire command and communication for the brood is over a natural telepathy and even non psionic Ahngek can hear their royal's command and voice as clear as anything. Divine, bardic or the weave is a totally other story. Something either in their physiology or their psionics provides them a great protection against magic and a complete inability to wield it themselves.

Technology and War

The Ahngek are proficient smiths both of weapon and armor. They have watched the Akrathi outriders and human clans from the dunes for generations and have learned much in the ways of war. They prefer to lead enemies deep into their tunnels where they can launch charges from blind corners. Since the unbound whole armies of Ahngek have been seen fighting in battles, sometimes even against forces supported by other broods.

The Loyal Unbound

Some royals decided quickly that the unbound could be a powerful weapon for the brood. They raised them for service, training them for work outside the range of the brood as diplomats, assassins, or mercenaries. These loyal unbound tend to follow orders as they are given, but since their thoughts are protected from their royal it is not always the case. Broods who have nurtured the loyal unbound tend to be more diplomatic, mercantile, and approachable.

The Broken Unbound

While many broods have embraced their free kin, other royals see them as distinct threats to the brood and attempt to kill or abandon any Ahngek that are born unbound. Most of the broken unbound are killed quickly but more often than not fate intercedes and the unbound escape. These Ahngek are raised outside of the brood and usually harbor a deep hatred for not only their own brood, but any loyal unbound they encounter.

Known Broods

Karook's Brood - Residing between the oasis at Aliki' Tah and Borna VIlla, Karook's brood is one that has embraced its unbound. Its diplomat, Srikri, was the first Ahngek to travel north in search of a man who had wronged the brood.

Palpaga's Brood - With a home unknown to the realm, the brood of Palpaga has been in a fierce generational war with a local Akrathi clan and not only destroys its unbound, but displays their corpses in the dunes as Palpaga believes that it is the halflings themselves that are poisoning the brood.

Ookra's Brood - Ookra actively nurtures its unbound, but unfortunately also has been corrupted by, and is aligned to the dark forces of the cult of Druga.

Fikra's Brood - Originally Fikra held their brood deep in the desert. Since the unbound though they have moved quickly and reside close enough that their brood is actively engaged in the Crusade fighting for the forces of light. Its unbound tend to be the most, random in their behaviors and it is thought that Fikra is so concentrated on the war effort that it has not thought to properly direct its unbound.

OOC - Consider broods the same way you think about warlock patrons. You can always use a pre-made one but this is also your chance to write your own story. You cannot be a royal, or a bound Ahngek, but otherwise be creative. Mail Phantom if you're super proud of the lore and we can add them here.