Rachna

 

Born into the thriving underground skeva community of Xirklx, Rachna emerged as a formidable skeva warrior from a young age. The son of a respected soldier and a healer, he was raised amidst tales of bravery and survival against the oppressive forces of the humans above. From his earliest days, Rachna displayed an innate talent for combat and strategy, demonstrating an almost natural prowess that set him apart from his peers.

Growing up listening to Acharat’s teachings of isolationism, Rachna was steeped in the lore of his people, their history marked by a survivalist mentality. Yet, unlike many skeva, Rachna was never content with mere survival. He felt a deep-rooted frustration with hiding beneath the ground, believing it was a cowardly response to an increasing threat. His spirited nature often clashed with the restrictive doctrines of their chieftain, sowing seeds of rebellion in his heart.

As he matured, Rachna joined the ranks of the shodeth, the elite warriors dedicated to the protection and advancement of skeva interests. His relentless training and unmatched skill in battle quickly earned him a reputation as the fiercest fighter among the skeva. Rachna’s confidence became the backbone of his character, believing that capability and strength were the keys to securing their future against the encroaching human threat.

“We proceed with our plan to attack the humans.”

Rachna looked over his warriors, gauging their reactions. They all wore the same shadowy, lightweight clothing, which helped conceal them in the dark, and soft shoes which kept the claws of their toes silent when they stalked their prey. Many armed themselves with an assortment of throwing knives and stars. All had the short, straight-bladed sword of the shodeth in sheaths at their backs. Not one of them contested his words despite what had just happened in the square. They knew their duty to Acharat and their city, but their loyalty belonged to him.

- THE NULLIFICATION ENGINE

Rachna consistently outperformed his fellow warriors through daring exploits, leading successful skirmishes against goblin incursions. His victories fueled his ambition, and the stalwart undercurrent of support from fellow warriors began to coalesce around him. It wasn’t long before he challenged the status quo, openly defying Acharat during council meetings. Rachna argued passionately for a more aggressive stance, insisting that a pre-emptive strike against the humans of Brighton was essential to ensuring the survival of their way of life.

Rachna’s growing influence often put him at odds with Acharat. The chieftain, embodying a more cautious approach, favored maintaining stealth and secrecy to avoid conflict. Rachna viewed such doctrines as weak and outdated, believing that only through striking fear into the hearts of humans could they protect their future. The tension escalated to such a degree that during pivotal moments of decision, Rachna openly defied Acharat, rallying other warriors to his cause.

Rachna’s ultimate goal became clear: to launch a major assault on Brighton, a pre-emptive strike aimed at crippling the human inhabitants and ensuring that they would never again pose a threat to the skeva way of life. He envisioned a stronghold where skeva could live openly above ground, free from the fear of human aggression. This ambition burned fiercely within him, compelling him to gather support and resources from the shodeth and beyond, guaranteeing that any confrontation would not be one of desperation but of strategic power.

Rachna’s stark vision for the future is marked by his unwavering belief that strength supersedes caution. He is a warrior driven by conviction and a deep-seated desire to protect his people at any cost.

FIRST APPEARANCE

Rachna first appears in The Nullification Engine (The Alchemancer Book Two).

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