and are known to utilise scavenged equipment due to their background as bone pickers and scavengers. They are known to hunt mutants and heretics to the point of fanaticism (part of the Redemptionist influence) which brings them into conflict with gangs who would utilise them. From a player perspective House Cawdor is a fast-moving close combat house with the gangsters having access to Combat, Ferocity, and Agility skills. Delaque Other hivers are justifiably suspicious of House Delaque, who specialise in spying and assassination. The gangers often wear large trench coats, with large internal pockets for concealing weapons and other large items. Most are bald and extremely pale. Many wear visors, goggles, or have light filters implanted into their eyes, sensitivity to light being a common Delaque weakness. Delaque territory is even more dimly lit than the rest of the hive, fitting for people who are shrouded in mystery. From a player perspective, House Delaque are the ranged specialists, with their gangers having access to Shooting, Agility, and Stealth skills. Escher Strikingly different from the other houses, the Escher population is almost entirely made up of women. The few men that are there are shrivelled and imbecilic and play no part in the normal affairs of the Escher. Men are held in contempt and pitied by the Escher, especially those of House Goliath who are seen as simple, brutish and unsophisticated. From a player perspective, House Escher is a fast-moving and hard-to-hit close combat gang with their gangers having access to Combat, Agility, and Stealth skills. Goliath The domain of House Goliath is situated unfavourably within Hive City and occupies some of the deepest and harshest areas. By way of compensation, the Goliaths are tough and persistent by inclination. They consider the hivers of other Houses to be soft and slack. In truth all hivers are naturally robust, being inured to the toxins and deprivations which they accept unquestioningly as part of normal life. The Goliaths, however, take a stubborn pride in their ability to endure hardship. The other Houses see the Goliaths as barbaric, and unpredictable. Goliath institutions such as the fighting pits and the Feast of the Fallen do nothing to dispel the impression of a violent people inimical to their neighbours. Size and strength are seen as the measure of a man. Their style of dress emphasises a preoccupation with physique, featuring weighty chains and spiked metal bracers.