A story within a story, Guy Haley’s Emp-Rah’s Eye delves into the oral traditions of the ratskins, and the initiation rites required for a young brave to become the story singer of the Five Eyes tribe. Two Tails, the current incumbent, knows that he’s dying. With five braves before him, one of whom will take his place, he tells the tale of Kopa, who made the perilous journey from Five Eyes territory all the way to the surface of the hive, to look up to the Emp-Rah’s watchful eye and tell Him that the Five Eyes tribe still lives.
Haley really delves into the ratskins and their way of life, using the device of the dying Two Tails passing on knowledge to explore their spiritual beliefs as well as a little of the grim realities facing these primitive (albeit morally quite sophisticated) tribespeople. It’s an intriguing perspective on life in the underhive, and the portmanteau story structure is an effective stylistic choice given the subject matter. There’s real depth to Haley’s depiction of the ratskins, as per his usual high standards of research and characterisation, and it’s all wrapped up in a satisfying, entertaining story showing another fascinating aspect of Necromunda.
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