The Pit Rats.
The Tertium Pit Rats, a notorious hive gang from the underhive of Novaria Tertium, have become synonymous with bloodsport and brutality. Once merely a group of bouncers and enforcers for the local bars, the Pit Rats have evolved into a power-hungry gang, capitalizing on the violence inherent in the underhive to fuel their rise to dominance.
In the early days, the Pit Rats operated as protectors for the numerous drinking dens and speakeasies that dotted the underhive. Their original role was simple—keep the peace and ensure that the bar owners paid their protection dues. However, the frequent brawls that erupted in these establishments provided the gang with an opportunity to grow their influence. Rather than quashing the violence, the Pit Rats saw potential in it. They began organizing the chaos, transforming drunken brawls into controlled, lucrative events.
What started as makeshift arenas for bar room scuffles quickly evolved into full-fledged fighting pits. The Pit Rats built crude, grimy rings where combatants could settle their differences in front of baying crowds. These fights became increasingly popular, drawing spectators from all walks of life—hive scum, disgraced nobles, and anyone looking for a thrill in the otherwise bleak underhive. As the crowds grew, so too did the power and influence of the Pit Rats.
The gang was quick to exploit their newfound position. They leveraged the wealth and connections of their more affluent patrons, engaging in subtle blackmail and coercion to expand their operations. The gang's rise did not go unnoticed by the ruling elite of Tertium Hive, particularly the city’s Governor, who, sensing an opportunity, extended his support to the Pit Rats. A firm believer in the adage "bread and circuses," the Governor saw the Pit Rats' brutal entertainments as a way to keep the populace distracted and docile. He believed that the gang could be a useful tool, particularly in the event of a tithe demand for the Planetary Defence Force or even the Astra Militarum.
With the Governor's tacit approval, the Pit Rats expanded their reach throughout Hive Tertium. They established contacts within key sectors, including the city’s armouries, manufactorums, and fuel depots. The gang's ambitions soon outgrew their original role as mere enforcers and fight organizers; they began conducting raids on these vital facilities, looting them for weapons and supplies. Resistance was minimal, as many who opposed the Pit Rats were either too intimidated or corrupted to act against them.
However, as the gang’s power grew, so too did their obsession with the bloodshed that had fuelled their rise. The fighting pits became the focal point of their operations, spreading throughout the city like a malignant tumour. They began abducting bystanders and prisoners, forcing them to fight to the death for the gang's twisted amusement. The Pit Rats took perverse pleasure in pitting friends and family against one another, promising survival to the victor, only to conscript them into their ranks or throw them back into the pit for another round of torment.
The gang’s insatiable thirst for blood eventually led to open revolt against the city’s established order. However, their uprising was short-lived. The arrival of the Novarian 401st, the local Astra Militarum regiment, quickly crushed the rebellion. The Pit Rats were scattered, their leaders slain or captured, but the veterans of the 401st suspected that the gang had not been truly defeated. Their fears were confirmed when reports emerged of Pit Rats fleeing toward the neighbouring hive city of Aetheris.
The anomaly that soon engulfed Aetheris made a mockery of any attempt to track or stop the gang. As the city’s population vanished, the Pit Rats, seemingly unaffected by the chaotic energies, seized the opportunity to rebuild their power. They ambushed and slaughtered the 401st survivors who had attempted to reinforce Aetheris, taking their weapons and supplies. Emboldened by their victories, the Pit Rats began defacing any symbols of the Emperor or the Omnissiah they encountered, further cementing their descent into madness and heresy.
The Pit Rats now roam the twisted, empty streets of Aetheris, their once-makeshift arenas transformed into ritualistic slaughterhouses. For every prisoner they capture, a new pit fight is staged, and the cycle of bloodshed continues. Their ultimate aim remains unclear, but one thing is certain—the Pit Rats have become more than just a gang. They are a force of chaos, feeding off the fear and violence they have sown, and their hunger for power knows no bounds.
Type
Illicit, Gang
Alternative Names
Lords of the Tertium Underhive
Leader
Notable Members
Related Species
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