ANASTA

"Peace often demands sacrifice."

Anasta is an strength-based warrior hero of the Mauler faction.

The Maulers had not yet fallen into internecine conflict when Brutus was young, and most of his rare memories of stability during childhood are from this time.

Back then, the Mauler Chieftain still enjoyed a semblance of respect and authority, despite generations of depravity bringing the Maulers ever closer to ruin. Awed by his prestige, each tribe just secretly jockeyed for position and power while keeping their naked ambition concealed. The eventual death of the Mauler Chieftain, however, was like a dam bursting, releasing the pent-up aggression and bringing brutal, dog-eat-dog violence to this slice of the desert. Falkin, Centaurs, Bearfolk... All finally showed their fangs as territory, resources, and even persons all became fair game for plunder. The Maulers thus fell into decades of savage strife, the more powerful tribes massacring and annexing the weaker ones with impunity. Every day, tribes of all sizes simply vanished from this desolate, barren land.

The innumerable tribes, which had once formed the mighty Maulers together, now became the architects of their own disintegration. Those without formidable military power spent every day under an oppressive cloud of dread. They hoped against hope that a mighty hero would appear and claim the throne of the Mauler Chieftain, thus ending the wearying years of bloodshed.

The Blood Claw at the time, Anasta, was particularly conspicuous. In turbulent times, pure power is inextricably linked with status, and her prowess hadn't earned her the highest honor a Mauler could receive from the former Blood Claw for nothing. Anasta had the power to change the course of events in the desert, not only from her fearsome combat skills, but also because of the immense support she enjoyed from her followers.

"The Blood Claw is the most exalted among Maulers."

Anasta's proclamation won her many admirers, of whom Brutus was one. He viewed Anasta as the epitome of a true warrior, and underwent harsh training to be able to join her forces. He was eventually accepted as her proud disciple, thanks to his outstanding fighting instincts and iron will. Like her other devotees, Brutus firmly believed that Anasta would inevitably be elevated to the highest station, returning the Maulers to the golden, unified age of the previous Mauler Chieftain.

As expected, Anasta led her courageous and battle-hardened crew to victory after victory, claiming back the fragmented territories of the Maulers with each success. The weaker tribes, eager for protection, were the first to bend their knee, while those who opposed her relentless march were spared no mercy. The tribe chiefs were subjugated one by one, and compelled to sign treaties of alliance. Even the infamous Quicksand Claws feared the approach of Anasta's battle standard, and sought to avoid conflict.

It was not all smooth sailing, however. Over the years, the balance of power amongst the tribes of the Scorched Expanse had changed. The stronger tribes were always annexing the weaker ones, while others were seeking to become more relevant by amassing troops. Pitched battles were vicious, with no side willing to admit defeat. They were so stubborn and proud that they would have a pyrrhic victory or none at all.

To make things worse, in recent years a young Falkin by the name of Skriath had been making a name for himself. After the Blood Guard threw their support behind him, it was clear that this young upstart could actually pose a threat. This fear was proved well-founded as, after only a few more short years, he had firmly established himself as a serious rival to Anasta. For her part, Anasta ventured out of her camp less and less. Brutus spied her more than once lingering in her tent, head bowed over a military map, lost in contemplation.

One day, Skriath himself appeared in the middle of a sandstorm, claiming he had an important matter to discuss with the Blood Claw. As an expression of his sincerity, he had with him only his personal bodyguards, led by the Blood Guard Anoki. Brutus viewed Skriath's visit as a provocation, and was about to attack in rage before Anasta waved him off. She ordered everyone else to leave, before taking Skriath alone into her tent. No one knows what passed between them, but when Skriath later went off, Anasta looked downcast, her eyes troubled.

She was silent for a long time, before finally saying: "There can be only one Mauler Chieftain."

From that day forth, Anasta and Skriath stood in opposition to each other. They faced each other on many occasions, but each time were evenly matched. Anasta became gradually more secluded, as if she was planning something, and occasionally unknown characters would disappear into her tent for secret discussions. All the different factions of the desert watched this cold war intently, fully aware that one of the two would become the next Chieftain.

It was not long before Skriath made the first move. In the name of "Acting Chieftain, "he invited all the tribe chiefs to discuss the future of the Maulers. Anasta was invited, naturally, and held her usual training with Brutus the evening before her departure. Brutus' skills had increased so quickly that Anasta had to now spar with him seriously.

As the fight concluded, Anasta's voice echoed around the camp, carried on the wind.

"Remember, Brutus: Warriors never stop fighting. Sometimes you will have to make some difficult choices, including those which run counter to the gaining of glory..." Anasta seemed to be half teaching Brutus, half convincing herself. "After tomorrow, the Maulers will welcome a new Chieftain."

Wind-whipped sand obscured the pale moonlight, and as Brutus looked at his mentor before him, her face looked strange and unfamiliar.

The next day, all the chiefs gathered, yet Anasta was conspicuous by her absence. The bolt from the blue came just as Skriath was about to call the meeting to order. Anasta, leading a band of Quicksand Claws, launched an assault on the meeting place. Heavily armed, they surrounded the chiefs and demanded each and every chief recognize Anasta as the Mauler Chieftain. None of the chiefs dared breathe out of turn, and seemed on the verge of submitting to the audacious Anasta.

All at once, chaos erupted as a small squad, led by Brutus, broke through the encircling Quicksand Claws.

Not long ago, Brutus had accidentally uncovered evidence in Anasta's tent of collusion with the Quicksand Claws, a secret message from the Lightbearer nobility. They had been secretly funding the Quicksand Claws, in an effort to provoke and exacerbate Mauler civil conflict. The rise of Skriath was a threat, so they decided to aid his opponent Anasta in seizing power.

Brutus couldn't believe that his respected mentor could betray the warrior code and become a Lightbearer bootlicker, stooping so low as to use such base tactics to seize power. The stakes were too high, however, so he secretly assembled a small team of those he trusted most, just in case the unthinkable should come to pass.

The plot was thus uncovered, and the crowd was understandably furious. If Anasta's scheme had prevailed, the Maulers would have been reduced to nothing but the Lightbearers' puppets. The chieftains, disregarding the knives held at their throats, rose as one in revolt as the totally fearless Skriath led the fight. Those encircled by the Quicksand Claws attacked from within, Brutus and his team from without, and together they forced the bandits to retreat.

Anasta, seeing that the tide had turned, didn't waste any more lives on the vain fight. She, together with the remnants of the Quicksand Claws, abandoned the battle and tried to escape. Brutus gave chase by himself, adamant about getting an explanation from his mentor. All he knew, however, had been learned from Anasta. He was never able to best her before, and this time was no exception. He could only watch helplessly as this traitor, his former idol, disappeared into the desert, and demand angrily:

"WHY?!"

"For Mauler unity, someone must make sacrifices..."

Anasta's voice came from the shadows. He could barely make her out before she took one more step forward and completely disappeared into the darkness.