Nobody knows where they came from: tens of millions of giant rats pour like some furry river from the vicinity of what was once a thriving boomtown. We can only guess at the horror endured by those living in Ratspole when the invasion began, not a soul has survived to tell about it. However, some authorities say we may know very soon, as the stream of deadly rodents has shown no sign of running dry.
In the wake of this scurrying scourge, local settlers are paying top dollar for anything that can protect them, including Wyrds. Although the laws of the land strictly prohibit the employ of known Psykers and other mutants, the ensuing state of panic has wrought its own law: the law of survival. Explains one Underhiver, who asked to have his name withheld:
"Well, it's easy to make laws like that Uphive, but I'd like to see Lord Helmawr and his clowns walk half a mile in the Underhive, even without the rats! Damn right, I'm hiring a Wyrd. So is anyone with any sense and enough credits to do it."
And from the looks of some of the Gulch's strange new immigrants, many of his neighbours concur.
When Brack Wipstung struck archeotech over a year ago in the ancient corridor now known as "Brack's Bend", he had nothing to live on but dreams and a can of Squirmin' Mickeys. When it turned out to be the biggest archeotech hoard in the Ratspole dome, Brack put together the most solid trade deal the local Guilds have ever seen. Now an extraordinarily wealthy man, Wipstung has decided to retire Uphive.
The Guilders were horrified, however, when they saw that he had no legal obligation to continue with his contract to them after his departure. In fact, the terms of his agreement made clear that he is free to transfer his claim to anyone he chooses. Having no real friends or family (Brack was always a loner), he decided to give the hoard away to the winner of a contest.
The rules were simple, twelve fighters went into the arena, and only one came out. No restrictions on weapons, age, or size. As one would expect, the only people up for the challenge came from local gangs: The Sisters of Oblivion, The Denizens of Fire, Les Enfants Terrible, and The Might of Gold. Representatives from Los Desperados and Order were noticeably absent. Vile Chic was also not in the running, after a brutal ambush by unknown antagonists left them leaderless and, most likely, permanently disbanded. Each of the participating gangs presented three of its best fighters, including, in all cases but that of The Might, the gang's leader.
The battle was brief, but bloody, as all twelve warriors rushed into the arena. By the end, though, the frightening cool of the Delaques paid off: only two men remained, 'Tit Louis and Guy "Le Chien Rouge", both of Les Enfants. Still, the two comrades fought to the finish, Louis finally ending it with a resounding pommel hit to Guy's right temple.
When the medics arrived to clear away the fallen, Solaris and Lola, the leaders, respectively, of the Escher gangs "The Denizens" and "The Sisters", lay dead. Anna, also of "The Sisters", and Mickey of "The Might" perished as well. The rest limped home in various stages of disrepair. The victorious "Enfants" carried their champion up to collect the deed which would make them even richer than they reputedly already are.
Interestingly enough, a "Denizen of Fire" among the members of the audience managed to smuggle a gun into the stands. She fired one shot in the direction of a "Might" fighter named Hans, before security beat her into submission.
Until the posting of the next newsletter, the following rules are in effect:
Giant Necromundan rats are infecting the dome in plague proportions. Therefore, if either player wishes to include rats in a scenario, use the following rules, which for the time being replace those for treacherous conditions (the gangs are fighting in more familiar territory until the rat plague is over):
Beastmaster Wyrds are making their way to the Ratspole dome to make easy cash. Because of the unusual demand for their services and the plentitude of vermin, the following rules apply: