The Rise of RAAM (Theory on how and why General RAAM came to be)

[SeranSpartan]

WARNING: This thread contains details and justifications that are described in my other thread.
BOTH ARE VERY LONG READS.

My other thread on Locust origins here: http://forums.epicgames.com/threads/...uper-Theory%29

It explains and justifies the concepts that I use in this theory. So if you want to understand the full story and get all the reasoning behind it, it is best if you read both.

Basically, my theory of RAAM is that he was once a normal Drone that served in a unit that was presided over by a Theron Guard.

This Theron respected strength above all else, even defying orders of the Queen and her food rationing system. He secretly questioned the relatively new Queen and thought that her new measures would cause the Drones to become numerous but weak as a whole. As an elder Theron that experienced life before her ascension, he was a supporter of the "old ways." He would allow the soldiers in his unit to kill one another for food so that they can get double or even triple rations. This allows newborn Drones in their 4-10 month growth period to increase exponentially in height.

Part I: Forged in Fire

Born about 30 years before E-Day, RAAM was a quiet young Drone that was extremely ambitious. When he was less than a year old, he made his name known in his unit when he fought and killed 3 Grenadiers in a fight when he was challenged by them for his food. During the fight, he was hit multiple times in the face and broke his jaw, nose, and scratched his right eye. When he won, he publicly executed the last one with a Cleaver and carried it with him at all times afterwards. Since the incident, RAAM earned his entire unit's fear, respect, and admiration. His permanently disfigured face reminds others of his abilities and brutality as a mere child.

He won the Theron's recognition. Whenever he demanded more food, the fearful Drones did not hesitate to give him theirs. By the time RAAM became a Grenadier, he stood at a staggering height of 10 feet. (He ate enough to grow tall and big-boned but not terribly obese.) He was as tall as the Boomers if not taller due to his ability to stand up straight and not hunched.

(As I mentioned in my other thread, Boomers were pampered and fed like kings since birth and finally deployed when they are sufficient size and girth to be bulletsponges from the fat. RAAM fought for his food and actively trained while he grew, thus growing taller and stronger, but not fatter.)

As a Drone, RAAM was uncharacteristically patient and conniving. The Locust military were assigned to find and destroy all opposition to the Queen and the Trinity of Worms in order to solidify their rule. In his first field mission, the young RAAM and his squad of Grenadiers and Drones may have accidentally stumbled into a Kryll nest. In the ensuing chaos, the entire squad was eaten alive or received mortal injuries. RAAM was gravely wounded and his skin was scratched and scarred throughout. He was barely brought back to health by an unknown Kantus within the Kryll-infested caverns.

Since that event, RAAM promised to avenge his squad and vowed to conquer the Kryll for almost killing him. After recovering, his skin molted and returned harder than ever. Drones and Grenadiers get harder skin by getting injured and then molting in order to make sure that such an injury does not happen again. RAAM's injuries led to him grow back a suit of harder skin forged in the bloody feast of Kryll. Due to the grievous injuries he sustained, RAAM's skin had developed into an almost bullet-proof armor.

Shortly after his recovery, when he was less than a mere 2 years old, RAAM became ambitious enough to challenge his own Theron's leadership. Normally, he would be executed on the spot for insubordination; but this rebellious Theron never backed down from a challenge. In a duel to the death, RAAM defeated his former master against all odds and forcibly promoted himself to a Theron despite not being old enough to biologically be a Theron. Under a Trinity Kantus's apprenticeship, RAAM was taught of the Locust's bloody history and how the Goddess Queen descended and brought order. One detail caught RAAM's attention: the secret sect of Kryll-Callers that defected shortly after Myrrah arrived. RAAM survived the throat-scarring Induction Ritual and became an official Theron despite still being at the Drone stage of his life cycle. However, his ambition did not stop there.

Part II: Shrouded in Blood

At the Grenadier stage of his life, Theron RAAM returned to the cavern where he first came face-to-face with the Kryll. There, he found an ancient temple that worshiped the Kryll as the deities of the dark. He braved the crowds of Kryll and walked right through them. He suffered only cuts and scrapes as the Kryll were barely able to penetrate his hide. He met the elderly Kantus that saved his life. It lived alone, its kin and companions having been slowly killed off due to inbreeding and Kryll "accidents". It dressed in full black robes scrawled with various symbols.

Wanting to pass down the art of its people, the Kryll Kantus taught RAAM the secret of the Kryll. "Fear and low-frequency sounds." Kryll can smell blood, sense fear, and hear low noises. He taught RAAM that Kryll avoid eating those who are unafraid because they have the potential to retaliate. Kryll can be commanded to feast with a series of low vibrations. RAAM allowed Kryll to envelop him and tested his will against their hunger until at last, they learned that RAAM simply was not edible. When he graduated, the Kantus used a long unique serrated ritual knife and scarred RAAM's throat even further until his voice was able to reproduce a low, rumbling sound to command the Kryll.

The Kantus wished to test RAAM one last time and growled an unholy sound that reverberated through the caverns. It had enraged the Kryll and they stormed in the temple. The Kryll flooded the room and picked the Kantus to the bone, as it had intended. When they flew to RAAM though, they were unable to eat. RAAM stood fearlessly alone in the temple with Kryll at his command. He retrieved the serrated ritual knife and took it with him.

RAAM became the last Kryll-Caller in existence. Alone, RAAM began to practice his skill against tickers and wretches. In his spare time, RAAM would even encourage the Kryll to roost and nibble on his skin to allow it to molt over and over, hardening it even further until he was practically impenetrable.

He customized his armor into a frightening black shade in tribute to the Kryll-Callers and commanded his own battalion of Drones. Always seeking more power and position, RAAM eventually challenged the General of the Locust army. In a fight to the death, RAAM killed the general and impaled him with his knife. Having usurped the position of General and winning the Queen's approval with his strength, RAAM solidified his influence in the Locust Horde. Shortly after E-Day, General RAAM began to implement the use of the "Kryllstorm" and brought the scourge of Kryll to the surface, terrorizing and decimating the COG forces.

If you did, thank you for reading the whole thing. I know this theory is very speculative and flawed and I am open to suggestions and constructive criticism.

Note: I recently edited some details due to corrections that were suggested by Sgt. Grubkiller and NFI (Thanks!) and I encourage others to do the same.

[GoW 3 Killa]

I dunno if this is real, but this is awesome!

[DragonzZilla]

Once again, you go beyond the call, Seran. You have earned my respect.

[Sgt. Grub k1ller]

That's definitely an...interesting theory. I like the idea of Kryll controlling Kanti(since they can control Rockworms), but RAAM's skin shedding/immunity to Kryll doesn't sit right with me. If he was skinned alive he would die, no question about that. He'd bleed out in minutes.

And if RAAM ate as much as you say he does, wouldn't he be fat like a Boomer too?

Also, @GoW3 Killa, it's a theory, thus not real.

[viperousamoeba]

Nice work man,
You been drinking (tea) with Baird again.
But a very good read.

[TheRealBigBoss]

Very imaginative and well thought out theory I think. Though, like Grub says, it's not exactly bullet proof. Still very interesting though.

[YahBoyzxSLACKEIRx]

So intresting.

[mrkelpo]

That's definitely an...interesting theory. I like the idea of Kryll controlling Kanti(since they can control Rockworms), but RAAM's skin shedding/immunity to Kryll doesn't sit right with me. If he was skinned alive he would die, no question about that. He'd bleed out in minutes.

And if RAAM ate as much as you say he does, wouldn't he be fat like a Boomer too?

Also, @GoW3 Killa, it's a theory, thus not real.

Maybe the Boomers didn't get any physical excercise during the period they were fed, therefore not only growing taller but also building up fat. (To serve as a 'bulletsponge')
And neither do I know where he wanted to go with the skinned alive part, maybe he should have said immensely wounded or something?

[mrkelpo]

Love your work btw Seran.

[I CRAZE l]

If this isn't how it happened, Its definetely how it should have taken place.

Sent from my LG-P500 using Tapatalk

[SeranSpartan]

That's definitely an...interesting theory. I like the idea of Kryll controlling Kanti(since they can control Rockworms), but RAAM's skin shedding/immunity to Kryll doesn't sit right with me. If he was skinned alive he would die, no question about that. He'd bleed out in minutes.

And if RAAM ate as much as you say he does, wouldn't he be fat like a Boomer too?

Also, @GoW3 Killa, it's a theory, thus not real.

Thank you for presenting your criticism.

I tried to justify RAAM's immense amount of health during his battle with Marcus with some theoretical explanations. He is unique amongst his peers, surely he must have a unique story. He is such a precious resource to the Queen, if his origin was not unique or dangerous, he would have most definitely been...imitated. We'd see multiple tall bulletproof Kryll-controlling Therons. My point is, he is unique so I try to explain many of his traits with unique explanations, not simply just saying it was for gameplay.

I augmented this theory with my pre-existing personal beliefs of the Locust as highlighted in the other thread.

Yes, you have point. I was a bit too extreme in that description. Sorry about that. I was trying to say that he used the natural ability of Grenadier-Stage Drones to become as hardy as he is. Why don't other Drones have as hard skin as he does? I think that it must have to do the Kryll somehow. I will modify my thread to accommodate my theory to your argument. Thanks for contributing!

And thanks very much to everyone else for their positive support and comments! I take them to heart when I read them.

[Leather Lumberjack]

Gaaahh so awesome. Thank you for sharing this. You're a damn talented writer.

[NFI]

They already stated Raam was a drone for one year before being promoted, he was never under the wing if a theron but outside of that your initial theory is correct. The writing is good, however.

It was stated in the art book that came with the EE while discussing some memorable characters.

[Aclos09]

That's awesome, I don't care what anyone says, this is RAAM's background for me.

[SeranSpartan]

They already stated Raam was a drone for one year before being promoted, he was never under the wing if a theron but outside of that your initial theory is correct. The writing is good, however.

It was stated in the art book that came with the EE while discussing some memorable characters.

Yes, this recently came into my attention and pokes a hole in the whole thing. The only way I can work around that is by saying that hundreds of Drones are assigned one Theron for training prior to their later deployment in squads or hordes. He possibly may have murdered his Theron when he was only 1 year and a few months old which is an amazing feat. (Few months of the newborn growth period) + (1 year as a Drone) But in order to for him to have done that, many events must have happened to him in a very quick succession in order to fit into the extremely limiting 1 year time frame; which is unlikely. It may require me to make a few revisions to my take on the Locust life cycle.

If not that, then I may have to go back to the drawing board to think about how he could have become a Theron so quickly while taking into account that Therons are so different from Drones. But for now, I think that I'm just going to wrap my theory around that contradiction to patch it up (it is slightly illogical but not impossible) before I make any radical changes based on information I don't have.

But kudos for pointing that out and thanks for the compliment.

[Dominator1992]

very interesting theory i read the whole thing the whole skinned alive thing is still a little iffy for me to understand and him not dying but hey its still awesome

[SeranSpartan]

very interesting theory i read the whole thing the whole skinned alive thing is still a little iffy for me to understand and him not dying but hey its still awesome

I changed it a while ago. It now says he was severely injured and he found another way to harden his skin in a more controlled environment so to speak.

Thanks for reading!

[Trashball Cole]

Are you Karen Traviss dude?
Hahaha, nah just teasing. Really interesting read though.

[SeranSpartan]

Are you Karen Traviss dude?
Hahaha, nah just teasing. Really interesting read though.

lol, I'm flattered.

Thanks for reading!

[Shotchipmunk77]

* clap clap clap clap* Bravo BRAVO!!!! I love this one and the one before it. KEEP WRITING THEM!!!!

[i7VFz MariiN]

Definetly going to share this with my crew! You've earned my respect man. This is Epic!

[soma08]

one simple word ............ AWESOME MAN ....... ok maybe two words, great thread !!!

[Chubster25]

nice read well got to go superbowl 46 started

[Stroker]

Nice! Your a "True Gear"! I look forward to hearing more.

[Doctor Pie 7056]

Just read both of these and I have to say the only thing creepy is the bezeker raping messed up but RAAM is 100 percent possible who knows you could get hired at epic to connect the story make another one

[Doctor Pie 7056]

Sorry if im spaming this post but can you do the story for skorge it would be pretty cool.

[jesusluvscoletrain]

This is awesome, I've always loved RAAM for being BA, and this just makes him better.

[seasoned gear head]

very interesting read.. i am goin to read the other theroies that you have written about the locust and give you my full review

very interesting indeed

cheers

[seasoned gear head]

wanted to come back to this thread just to say i put the time into readin the super theroy. very interesting indeed. To anybody who has read this and not the other one i would definatly read it just to give you an insight of possible locust background

thanks once again

peace
seasoned gear head

[torrez623]

Very interesting

[torrez623]

you dear sir should write a story about RAAM

[DiReX]

nice bit of Fan work.

[N1ssassa]

Like it, however theron guards are not in command of a battalion or something. Your story makes it sound as though Theron guard is a rank of some kind, whereas it's more like special forces. Almost like the Army Rangers of the locusts. They're an elite group tasked with guarding various areas, not like a colonel in the military or something as your story seems to portray. Really enjoyed reading, just wanted to make that little note. Really like everything else though.

[Judg3mentDrag0n]

Very Creative. I liked it

[PureFilipino]

I enjoined every word

[shotgunmasta129]

man, i read the whole thing and thought to myself, if this isnt raams story then what is.

[darksin]

Good point....

[Sleeveless Man]

Very good read. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Born_Brothers]

raam has always been myfavorite, but the whole big hit box thing always makes me
not pick him in games against good people, this makes me not care, ima
be him no
matter what

[Born_Brothers]

ive read the other one about the locust history too, really good ****