Inevitables
The exact origins of the Inevitables are not entirely clear, but most people have decided that it is better that way. As long as the Chained Fortress keeps making them to protects those who live beneath its shadow, no one complains. Unless, of course, they are the next target of one of these mechanical justicators.
Contents
Overview
Inevitables are constructs whose sole aim is to enforce the natural laws of the universe. It is believed that the ruler of the Chained Fortress of Tartzerkar, Mörn the Faceless God, is responsible for the making of these mechanical warriors, although this theory has never been proven.
Each type of inevitable is designed to find and punish a particular kind of transgression, hunting down a person or group that has violated a fundamental principle. When an inevitable is created, it emerges from within the Chained Fortress. Originally, it would have shot itself straight to accomplish a mysterious mission, but the Mechanical Priests of Mörn have perfected the technique of "programming" these creatures to do their bidding. It receives its first mission, then finds the transgressors and metes out appropriate punishment. The sentence is usually death, although some inevitables insist on compensation to the wronged party instead, using whatever means they have in disposition. From its first step outside the chambers of the priests, an inevitable focuses totally on its target. It continues its efforts no matter how cold the trail or hopeless the task.
Inevitables are single-minded in pursuit of their quarry, but they are under orders to leave innocents alone. Accomplices to their prey are fair game, however, which sometimes creates conflicts within their programming.
Inevitables gladly sacrifice themselves to complete a mission, but they aren’t suicidal. Faced with impending defeat, they are likely to withdraw and seek a way to even the odds. They are determined but patient foes. They ally with others if that helps accomplish their mission, but they have a hard time keeping allies for long.
Inevitables tend to stick out in a crowd while they’re in observation mode, but they seem oblivious to the attention. Their forms vary, but all Inevitables are gold-and-silver clockwork creatures, with gears and pistons where muscles would be on flesh-and-blood creatures. Their eyes glow with a golden radiance.
Unless their very existence is threatened, Inevitables focus completely on the transgressor they’ve been assigned to, ignoring other combatants completely. An inevitable might attack anyone who hinders its progress, but it won’t tarry beyond the point where it can reengage its quarry. Inevitables take self-defense very seriously; anyone who attacks an inevitable with what the creature perceives as deadly force is met with deadly force in return.
Inevitables are often used by the Technocratic Republics to carry specific tasks of great interests, and sometimes as powerful backup for certain fighting groups, although this is rare. The Mechanical Priests of Mörn are fully in charge of controlling these creatures, and the ultimate word on matters regarding them can not be overriden even by the Thanes themselves.
Zelekuth
Zelekhuts are charged with hunting down those who would deny justice —especially those who flee to escape punishment. Expert trackers, they use a combination of natural skill, technological contrivances, and magic to find fugitives wherever they may hide.
A zelekhut may initially appear rather non-threatening, but when it is about to enter combat, it can cause two spiked chains to spring forth from its forearms. In similar fashion, it can cause a pair of golden metallic wings to emerge from its back, which it can use as a mean for flying. Their four-legged body gives them a vague centauric look, and with their chains and wings fully extended they can make quite an impressive sight.
Kolyarut
Kolyaruts mete out punishment to those who break bargains and oaths, and those who betray and falsely promise.
Before beginning a mission against a transgressor, a kolyarut learns as much about the contract or oath as possible. It’s not interested in those who break deals accidentally or against their will, only those who willingly break contracts or negate their loyalty violate the principle that kolyaruts are created to uphold. If a written contract was broken, the kolyarut typically carries a copy of the contract with it. Because of this, kolyarut are commonly used as a particularly powerful form of civil persecutor.
Kolyaruts are the most talkative of the Inevitables, making credible attempts at social niceties such as proper greetings before getting down to the matter at hand. They can use disguises to appear as almost any kind of humanoid, useful if they need to go undercover to catch their quarry.
Like all Inevitables, a kolyarut is patient enough to study a target before striking. It has a good idea of the transgressor’s abilities and defenses before it enters battle. When it fights, it tries to get the conflict over as soon as possible, minimizing excess bloodshed and mayhem. It doesn’t let concern for innocents delay or endanger its mission, however.
Marut
Maruts confront those who would try to deny the grave itself, and carry on capital punishments.
Any who use unnatural means to extend their life span could be targeted by a marut. Those who take extraordinary measures to cheat death in some other way might be labeled transgressors as well. When a marut has identified its target, it walks surely and implacably toward the foe, never resting.
Once it has found its target, a marut brings it the death it has been trying to avoid, doing its best to carry on the exact same process through which the transgressor should have died.
