Kain's Empire
The Rahabim
History
Centuries past the time of the Pillars falling, Centuries past the Defeat of the Hylden Seraphan lord and Centuries before an Angel with Bat wings Fell from grace, Kain Sired his Dark sons.
The fourth of the Lieutenants to be granted the Dark Gift of Vampyrism by Kain, Rahab learned early on that bickering amongst their own kin would only hamper the Vampire cause, instead of aiding it. Therefore he remained aloof of the rivalries and banter between his brothers, instead focusing on preparing his Clan for war. His teaching in keeping one's views to themselves was passed on to his kin, and the Rahabim became the most silent of all Clans. Silent, but deadly.
Along with his brother Zephon, Rahab was ordered to engage the forces of Meridian and Freeport to the south of the Sanctuary, while his brothers headed west and north. Just as he did not indulge in rivaling with his siblings, neither would Rahab take orders from any other than his sire Kain, and so refused to follow any orders Zephon commanded. The fact that Rahab was the elder brother also enforced this fact. Therefore, even from the beginning there were troubles in the Vampyric command structure to the south.
Eventually the two brothers came to an agreement: Rahab would combat the forces of Meridian while Zephon would face off against Freeport. Finding this satisfactory, Rahab ordered his forces to assault Freeport, confident that the Humans' divisiveness would allow him some easy gains early on. He was to be disappointed. Freeport and Meridian, seeing the threat of extinction staring them in the face, had chosen to ally together, coordinating their efforts and keeping the Vampires at bay. Using the Drowned Abbey as it had become known as a staging base, Meridian launched crippling assaults on the supply lines of the Rahabim. Having had enough, Rahab ordered his forces to seize the Abbey.
The Humans, having expected the enemy to attempt to drive them from their staging base, withdrew inside the perimeter, knowing all too well of how water was like acid to the Vampires. Much of their faith was put into this fact, and so from the perches and balconies the Humans barraged the Rahabim with arrow and throwing spear. In having water their primary defense however, the Humans had made a fatal error.
Devising a plan, Rahab ordered a frontal assault with all but his core bodyguards, who he detached from his army and led these bodyguards in an underwater move, swimming underneath the unwary defenders and resurfacing inside the Abbey. He quickly sought out their commanders and cut them down, leaving the Meridian defenders leaderless - and hence easy pickings. The Abbey soon became the new lair of the Rahabim, and from their Rahab commanded the southwestern campaign, watching as it ground to a stalemate between him and his brother, and the Humans of Meridian and Freeport.
Then, Rahab was summoned with Melchiah to commence the attack on Avernus, due to the other Lieutenants being occupied elsewhere. Again Rahab refused to take orders from anyone but Kain, and this led to a breakdown of the command structure worse than when it was between Rahab and Zephon. This, unfortunately, has given their enemies a chance to regroup, and under a powerful general counterattack...
Doctrine
Following from their Lord Rahab’s principles, the Rahabim Clan adopt an isolationist policy amongst the Clans. Unnecessary contact with other Clans is prohibited and is often punishable by death. They are the ‘quiet ones’ of the Vampire Clans, never speaking out of turn and only when they are spoken to first. This policy has managed to keep them from earning enemies, but it has also led to them earning few friends among the Clans. However, when necessary, the Rahabim are more than capable of working alongside another Clan – though will only do so if Kain orders them to. The Rahabim plan of attack is erratic, and depends on the situation - there is no defined combat policy imposed on the Clan.
Weapons and Armour
The weaponry employed by the Rahabim is dictated by the lack of natural resources in and around the Abbey. Ore is precious, so making swords or other heavy blades is not possible. Any swords they employ are traded for with Clans such as the Turelim and Zephonim - which is done rarely. Instead the Rahabim favor bows and spears: the bows are made from wood and reinforced with wicker, while the arrow and spear shafts, and even the quiver, are made from bamboo. Tusk, bone and obsidian are used for the arrowheads and spear-tips and coarse black feathers for the arrows' flights. Due to their amphibious nature, they do not carry shields into battle - Rahab being the exception.
Their amphibious nature and hence the need to ensure they do not weigh themselves down while underwater necessitates against the use of the Rahabim wearing heavy armour. The level of protection varies among the different regiments, companies and legions, with warriors wearing a combination of breastplate, backplate, and collar. These were all a composite of wicker, bamboo, stone, bone and tusk, all interwoven to form a light yet tough shell. The Rahabim also carry totems, such as beads carved into skull or bat shapes into battle on their armour. All other armour went to protecting them from the sun, as Rahabim are more sensitive to it than other Vampires, so coarse, dark blue linen covered every inch of their bodies, with the bottom of the robe made of rough strips: even their heads are swathed in a thin dark blue linen.
Supernatural Abilities
To most others they are a rather unremarkable Clan, with nothing marking them as unique among Vampires. However, what many do not know is that the Rahabim are, unlike other Vampires, able to submerse in water for a time, how long depending on the age of the Rahabim. Another unusual ability they have is the ability to spit acid at their foes from short distances. Their amphibious nature comes at a price however - Rahabim Vampires are more sensitive to sunlight than any of their brethren, preferring to fight at night more so than the other Clans.
The Kin of the Rahabim
