I wrote it for an older Uroxi character of mine (i.e. what if they hang up their axe?). In essence, old Uroxi can carry on their good work by breeding lots more Uroxi and getting big herds of cattle together as bait so that one day they can take on the Bat. I'll stick it below, so apologies for the length of the post. Also, I did a fair bit of reading to make it fit, but delving into the nether reaches of Gloranthan arcana (?) is a bit too much like what I do at work.
If you like it for Whitewall Bat bait, let me know.
Cheers,
Sam.
HeroCult Marak Steer
Marak Steer was an Uroxi hero who learnt much from Uralda (Eiritha in Prax). He represents the relation between this earth goddess and Urox, as well as the progression of Uroxi worshippers who have not yet died fighting Chaos. He also forms a link between Urox and Storm Bull.
Uroxi must re-enact this myth in a Heroquest to gain the abilities
of the cult.
The myth relates to events which took place in Prax, so Marak's
progression is as an animist worshipper of Storm Bull while the gods
are named as in Dragon Pass.
In the Dawn Age, when all seemed to be peace, remnants of Chaos remained in Glorantha. The Crimson Bat was foremost among these and would descend upon Prax to consume people and animals alike. Marak was a child when he first saw the abomination, and he devoted himself to Urox.
As a Bullman, he killed many Chaos beasts, sallying out to the Devil's Marsh, or patrolling the Block. As a Storm Khan, he became closer to Urox and his power was magnified through the concerted action of fifty other Bullmen. When he became a shaman, his Bullmen became a massive, crushing force, supported by the howling and biting of desert spirits. But when the Crimson Bat returned, this was all to no avail, the massive charge he led was avoided with a flutter of wings and no blood was spilled.
In fury at the injustice of this, Marak entered the Storm Realm and challenged Urox to single combat. Fortunately, Urox had lain with Uralda and was fast asleep. The earth goddess calmed Marak, took him to one side, and told him there was another way, if he would do as she said. She told him to go to Heortland where great victories had been won against Chaos, and sent her attendant spirit, Faralyra, to watch over him.
In Heortland, his rage at Chaos had no outlet but there were many comely maidens and he had many sons. His Sky Bull, Peleff, sired many calves. Faralyra tried to show him how the Heortlings had fought Chaos by uniting different races against a common enemy but he was bullheaded and would not listen. She tried to get him to teach his sons the ways of war, to set his cattle to good pasture for fattening, but he was not interested and set out after Chaos to kill. So, his sons became farmers and stickpickers and his cattle were scrawny and touched by Malia. Marak returned once and found this all quite uninteresting. When he returned again, though, he had many grandsons, and there was a huge herd bred from Peleff. Now Faralyra chose to reveal Uralda's plan to him.
He had twenty times twenty grandsons, some of whom had the Wind God's magic, while the others could be shown the Uroxi way, and he had as many grandaughters who could tend the warriors when they were wounded fighting Chaos. He had one of the largest herds of cattle ever amassed. So, he heard Uralda's plan and thought it good and wise. He found that Uralda's blessing had made his grandsons breed true, as he could teach them all the ways of war. Uralda's blessing had also given him many strong cattle, and these had been fattened by his grandsons.
Marak led this drive north to the Stormwalk Mountains, where many of his grandsons took Sky Bull steeds. They continued to Prax where the Bullmen were so impressed by the size of his warband that they followed Marak and called him Steer.
Not many days passed before they heard of the return of the Crimson Bat to Prax. Marak Steer penned the cattle together, and, with the blessing of Uralda, awaited the Crimson Bat. This abomination could not resist so much of Uralda's flesh and set to devouring the cattle, becoming bloodied in a frenzy. Now, at last, Marak Steer could attack the Crimson Bat. He launched his army of Uroxi and flying Orlanthi. The Uroxi chopped at the beast's wings and blasted its eyes with sand, while the flying Orlanthi pushed it to the ground with their magic. A great battle was had, and the abomination was nearly killed, but in the end it managed to raise its blood-laden wings and fly back to the west, keening in pain as it went.
The Crimson Bat has not been seen since in Dragon Pass or Prax, and may Urox's rage and Uralda's foresight keep it that way.
Mental ability: See the bigger picture
Anti-Chaos (Feats: Sire, Communicate with Herd Beasts)
Note: Marak is also a subcult of Uralda, but in the feminine aspect.
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