Submitted by Iskallor on Mon, 27/08/2012 – 14:35
I’ve read that they are a beast people that can turn in to sharks. Are they Hsunchen?
Is Beast person and Hsunchen the same thing?
Would they have a Beast Rune, which is how they gain their ability to change?
Thanks for your time.
Ratuki
Submitted by Nils on Mon, 27/08/2012 – 15:24.
The Ratuki can indeed shapechange to sharks, but they are not Hsunchen as their origin is quite different. The Ratuki started out as ordinary Vithelans, inhabiting the large island Tamanjary. In the late imperial age Tamanjary was the site of a great battle between the East Islanders and an alliance of Waertagi and Vormaini. The Waertagi summoned unspeakable horrors from the great deeps which sank Tamanjary to the bottom of the sea. The Vormaini killed Tamanjary’s goddess Tomikaratra. The Tamanjaryans, who had lost both their island home and their goddess, in desperation turned to Tomikaratra’s spouse, the fierce shark god Ratuk (probably a Great Spirit in modern Gloranthan terminology). They became nomadic raiders striking from hideouts in the Sea of Fog. In return for their worship Ratuk gifted them with their shape changing ability.
In secret, the Ratuki have captured the Leviathan, a sea monster as big as an island and have shoals of sharks nibble at its soft belly to force it to move in the direction of sunken Tamanjary. Their plan is to make the Leviathan into a new island in the location of old Tamanjary (now a Ludoch queendom).
Bravo for your ratuki story!
Submitted by Herve on Mon, 27/08/2012 – 15:36.
Love it – it’s now official in my Glorantha.
I also think the ratuki are allied with, or serve, some vormaino faction and do attack the ships they are directed to.
Ratuki and Vormaini
Submitted by Nils on Mon, 27/08/2012 – 16:34.
IMG, the Ratuki utterly hate the Vormaini, due to the history background. Actually, they hate or despise most everyone else, the other East Islanders because they showed up late to the battle of Tamanjary. In the Hero Wars the East Islanders will need the fierce Ratuki though, to fight the andins. So, what will the heroes do to win them as allies, and will they need to sacrifice for that end?
Thanks very much, this has
Submitted by Iskallor on Mon, 03/09/2012 – 10:50.
Thanks very much, this has been very helpful 🙂 I plan to play a Ratuki in an upcoming game.
