AC2:Bestiary/Drudge

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Drudge

Plural: Drudges
Group: Pack
Offspring: Whelp
Location: Osteth
Natural Allies: Burun
Natural Enemies: Humans, Thornlings, Virindi

Drudges were once nothing more than lowly skulkers, scavenging what they could on the outskirts of civilization. In those days, Drudges were slaughtered in droves, and occasionally became the unwilling subjects of Virindi experimentation. Yet something changed when they began worshipping the Burun as gods. While their new gods could be cruel, regularly harvesting slaves from the Drudge tribes, they also gave their worshippers gifts. These gifts have transformed the Drudges into the creatures that inhabit Dereth today. Although weakest of the Nemesis races, Drudges are still strong enough to threaten the Osteth continent and hinder new adventurers leaving the Shelter Holds.

Despite their newfound strengths, Drudges remain largely stupid, uncouth creatures. They are easily distracted by shiny objects, and tend to be more active at night. While Drudges enjoy some technology and magic, they are largely uncivilized, with common Drudges employing such crude weapons as knives and clubs (not to mention their ever-popular "board with a nail"). They are nearly always encountered in packs, being of a generally cowardly nature, and attack with little discipline.

Drudges appear in three unique types representing the stages of their lifecycle. Each one can be easily picked out by the size of their ears; as Drudges age, their ears elongate.

	The "common" Drudge (such as the Slinker and the Prowler) is relatively young, perhaps six months to five years old. (Drudges mature very quickly—a necessity for a species that dies in herds!) Gangly, pale, and catlike, common Drudges possess great speed and reflexes.
	As Drudges age, their skin darkens and toughens until they become well-armored warriors (like Gloom Drudges). Although no longer as nimble as younger Drudges, they can hit harder for their size and are more skillful fighters. Drudge warriors are generally five to ten years old.
	It is only in the last stages of life that Drudges develop the ability to wield magic. Not all do—Drudges must survive long enough to manifest this ability. As they age, their magic-bearing organs begin to mature. Drudge Mystics are ten or more years old. (In general, Drudges rarely live more than twenty years; none are known to have lived more than twenty-five.) Drudge Mystics float over the ground, sporting a decorative fan of Siraluun feathers (an exotic species of bird presumed extinct). These feathers are enchanted relics passed down by magically endowed bloodlines.

Strategy
Several new quests and encounters opened against the Drudges with the December Event: "Emergence." When facing the Drudge Nemesis, keep in mind the following points:

Due to racial animosities, Drudges hate Humans more than anyone else. You'll note this from all the taunts they throw your way. When facing multiple races, Drudges are more likely to attack and concentrate on Humans.

Drudge Mystics use magic more than practically any other creature. For this reason, magic-using players will find them easier to handle, while melee/missile-users will find them more difficult to beat. For information on why, refer to our Combat by the Numbers article. (To quote: "Presumably, someone who's studied the same type of weapon you have knows how to defend against it better than someone who hasn't.")

Drudges, like other Nemesis creatures, play an important part of the epic Vault campaign. Search their bodies for Glyphs, used to unlock Vaults which offer incredible insight into the history of Dereth.

Need more melee help? Try completing Rashan's Revenge. Travel west of Cavendo and seek out the specter of the legendary hero Rashan Twoblades. He'll start you on this quest. If you succeed, Rashan will reward you with the Drudgebane, a sword which does additional damage against these mewling critters.