Their main source of livelihood is piracy of the airships and balloons that use the slipstream to get from place to place. These represent the cheaper forms of flight that an adventurer may use to circumnavigate the globe. Large dirigibles carrying cargo from place to place cut their way through the skies, taking valuable loads from Lumanille to the rest of the world. The winds can be unpredictable, and not forseeing a storm approaching can spell one's doom. When two currents of wind moving in somewhat different directions or speeds meet, a skypilot must make certain that one is elsewhere. The resulting shear can tear a skyship apart, especially the lighter-than-air variety. The "rats" are truly the masters of the skies here. Some skypilots take more minor air streams to avoid the area altogether, while others arm themselves with ballista, grapeshot catapults, or wizards to keep their craft safe. Still others use archers, though these are expensive to train and keep. Many of the wiser merchants pay the 'punks extortion money to leave them alone. The punks supply those that have paid up a characteristic flag, signifying not to bother them. The punks issue a new banner once a month and don't use the same pattern twice.

The "rats" on the whole live in desert caves, either natural or carved out of the limestone of the plains. One need not suppose that they are left without their comforts though. The spoils of piracy afford the 'punks a lavish living. Their caves remind one far more of the palaces of Alexander than the dwelling of a primative. They enjoy all of the modern steamage convenieces: ice boxes, heat, running water, air cooling, and more.

The one being that the "rats" won't mess with are the "awakened," the minions of Count Safrack, the undead lord of the skies. He commands the "Crypt Arial," a collossal airship, a blimp of sorts.