Role

Chapter 6

Honor, Duty, and Respect. These are the things that drive the inhabitants of the small
village that has hurled Galtholnicus into the adventuring world. Each boy born to these
people is evaluated at birth. Those who are deemed to be potentially weak are taken from
the womb of their mothers and have their skulls split open by way of large rock. A hard
people, bred for hard times. Though small in size, they have managed to retain their
sovereignty over any attempted occupying force, largely because the loss of life on the
side of the would-be-conquerors is deemed not worth the effort.

The infant sons who are deemed worthy of life are not necessarily the lucky ones.
From the age of four, they are trained with weapons and shields, to fight. The
yearly festival pits two five-year-olds, chosen by lots, in a fight to the death.
At the age of eight, the boys are taken from their homes completely, to be educated
in the arts of war. They are beaten daily, starved, and forced to compete with each
other for food. As always, only the strong survive.

The bond between those who survive this hellish upbringing is, as one might imagine,
is very strong. When those of this village spoke of Honor, and Respect, it meant
between each other. Not to the enemy. No mercy, no retreat, and win, using the
best method to do so.