Asherons Call: Creature Feature: The Drudge

The Drudge have been around since the earliest days. No one knows exactly when they arrived, although it is assumed they arrived on Dereth at the time that the Virindi brought the Tumerok through portalspace. In fact, a Drudge Note was found, indicating that the Drudge were invited to come to Dereth to be 'made strong'. It could be argued that the same enticement was offered to the Drudge that was offered to the Tumerok: an opportunity to become more powerful. Perhaps because of this, the Drudge have often fought against the humans, who can be seen as competition for the same resources. A little known tale relates that the drudges assisted the Tumerok in an attack on Yanshi.

The Drudge have been looked upon by the Vrindi as experimental subjects, especially by Aerbax. Since he (it?) released the subjects into the wild, they've proved one particular fact: Drudges have no problems breeding. Variations on the basic Drudge have been sighted all over Auberean, from magic using to magic resistant. With so many variations, the sages of the Arcanum have a difficult time cataloging each and every variation of the species, and have put out a call to the general populace to document any sightings of any such creatures, including, where possible, the location of the sighting and any other appropriate statistics*.

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 are also known 'packrats'. In addition to being involved with the thefts from the Arcanum Storehouse, they like to gather keys and stolen adventurer letters (red and gold). They also fashion charms that collectors are very interested in, and in some cases, experienced alchemists can use the remains of defeated drudges to fashion weapons. In some rare cases, the heads of some drudges, treated with the proper care, can be turned into http://ac.warcry.com/compendium/quests/index.php?action=display&id=229&wt=1&pf=walkthrough" title="" target="_blank">masks.

In all likelihood, it is the fact that the drudges have been hunted by the Humans with a mindless ferocity that will cause the Drudges to come to rever the Burun as gods. Because of this, and with the aid of others, the Drudges finally will gain the power they have craved for centuries, and will lead the final attack, and cause the great city of Cragstone to fall.

* specifically the Stalker, Banished, Seraphs Drudges, as well as Batak and Kerthump.