The Drowned

A member of the Drowned emerging from the depths during the Battle of the Sundered Seas

The Drowned are an elite warrior cadre within the Star Templars, comprised of Omz'mr warriors who hail from the most lightless and pressurized trenches of their oceanic homeworld, Abyssos. Their existence represents the ultimate manifestation of the Star Templars' mastery over both aquatic and terrestrial warfare, though their true origins remain shrouded in mystery and dark legends.

Origins and Recruitment

The recruitment of the Drowned follows ancient and secretive traditions that predate even their integration into the Star Templars. Deep within the crushing depths of Abyssos, in trenches where even the hardiest Omz'mr fear to venture, potential recruits undergo a series of grueling trials known as the Depths' Calling. These trials test not only physical endurance but also mental fortitude, as candidates must face the psychological horrors that dwell in the bottomless chasms of their world.

Some whisper that the Drowned are chosen by the abyss itself, marked by strange phenomena that occur during their trials. Others maintain that they are volunteers who have faced the darkest depths and returned fundamentally changed. The most unsettling theories suggest they are cursed warriors, bound to serve Uzhyr as penance for ancient transgressions. Whatever the truth, their unwavering loyalty and combat effectiveness are beyond question.

Appearance and Equipment

The Drowned's appearance strikes fear into both allies and enemies alike. While standard Star Templar legionnaires wear midnight blue armor adorned with constellation patterns, the Drowned don jet-black battle plate marked only by a single, silver constellation that pulses with an ethereal glow. This constellation, unique to each warrior, is said to represent their personal connection to both the abyss and Uzhyr's divine will.

Their armor incorporates scales harvested from the most fearsome creatures of Abyssos's depths, giving them an otherworldly and monstrous appearance. Their helmets are crafted to resemble the faces of deep-sea predators, featuring arrays of bioluminescent optical sensors that pierce through darkness with unnatural precision. The armor's construction allows them to function equally well in the crushing pressures of ocean depths or the vacuum of space.

Combat Doctrine

In battle, the Drowned serve as the vanguard of Star Templar operations, spearheading the most desperate assaults where conventional tactics would fail. Their combat style emphasizes overwhelming force and relentless advance, earning them the moniker "Tide of Extinction" among their enemies. They are known for chanting eerie, guttural hymns during combat, their voices resonating like the groans of the ocean depths themselves.

The Drowned's signature weapons are their Depth Tridents, artifacts forged from the bones and scales of ancient leviathans. These weapons channel plasmic energy through their prongs, allowing them to pierce even the strongest defenses. In aquatic environments, they move with supernatural speed and grace, their armor systems adapted to harness water pressure for enhanced mobility. On land, they become unstoppable juggernauts, their heavily armored forms shrugging off damage that would cripple other warriors.

Organizational Structure

Unlike other elite units within the Star Templars, the Drowned maintain a unique organizational structure centered around their Abyssal Hierarchies. They answer ultimately to a single Drowned Lord, who reports directly to Archlord Kordator Tyral. This relative autonomy allows them to maintain their ancient traditions while serving the greater purposes of the legion.

The Drowned's numbers are kept intentionally small, with new members only inducted to replace fallen warriors. This exclusivity, combined with their fearsome reputation, has led to numerous myths about their true nature. Some claim they are no longer truly alive, having been transformed by their time in the depths. Others insist they are blessed by Uzhyr himself, chosen to carry out his will in the darkest corners of creation.

Role in the War for Eternity

During The War for Eternity, the Drowned have proven invaluable in combating the forces of the dark pantheon. Their natural resistance to psychological warfare makes them particularly effective against the terror tactics employed by Nemithic forces. In numerous engagements, they have demonstrated an unusual ability to resist the corrupting influence of blightzones, though the exact reason for this resistance remains unknown.

The Drowned have distinguished themselves in several major campaigns, most notably during the Defense of the Sundered Seas, where a single squad held off an entire host of Painbringers long enough for Star Templar reinforcements to arrive. Their actions during this battle earned them recognition from Uzhyr himself, though they remained characteristically silent during the subsequent ceremonies.

Cultural Impact

Within the Star Templars, the Drowned occupy a unique position of both reverence and unease. Their fellow legionnaires respect their combat prowess and unfailing loyalty, yet many admit to feeling disturbed by their presence. This duality reflects their nature as warriors who have embraced the darkest aspects of their world to better serve the light of Uzhyr's vision.

The Drowned maintain their own traditions and rituals, many of which revolve around the worship of Uzhyr through the lens of oceanic symbolism. They view the universe as a vast sea, with Uzhyr as its deepest current, guiding all things toward their proper end. This philosophical outlook influences their approach to combat, viewing each battle as part of a greater tide that will eventually sweep away all opposition to Uzhyr's divine order.

See Also

• Star Templars
• Omz'mr
• The War for Eternity
• Depths' Calling
• Abyssal Hierarchies

References

• Codex Aquatica: The Warrior Cultures of Abyssos
• Chronicles of the Star Templars, Volume VII: The Drowned
• Battlefield Reports: Defense of the Sundered Seas
• Mysteries of the Deep: A Study of Omz'mr Military Traditions