The Slaver
The Peruvian slavers who emptied an atoll in 1862.
In the early 1860s, Penrhyn was almost completely depopulated by Peruvian blackbirding expeditions. In 1862, the ship Adelante took Tongarevans aboard, ostensibly to transport them to a nearby island as agricultural workers. The Tongarevans went willingly: coconut blight had led to famine, while the local missionaries saw work overseas as a way of bringing money to the atoll to pay for larger churches. Once on board, they were shackled in the hold and guarded day and night. 253 survived the voyage to reach Callao, Peru, where they were sold for between $100 and $200 each. Further slaving expeditions followed, and in total, approximately 472 Tongarevans were taken—some died en route or were not sold.
- Role
- Antagonist / Human Trafficker
- Motivation
- Profit via Captivity
Lore & Background
The slavers who struck Penrhyn in the 1860s were part of Peruvian blackbirding expeditions. The first ship, Adelante, arrived in 1862 and tricked Tongarevans into boarding by promising agricultural work on a nearby island. The islanders went willingly because a coconut blight had caused famine, and local missionaries encouraged the move as a way to earn money for larger churches. Once aboard, the Tongarevans were shackled in the hold and guarded day and night. Of those taken, only 253 survived the voyage to Callao, Peru, where they were sold for between $100 and $200 each. Subsequent slaving expeditions followed, and in total, approximately 472 Tongarevans were taken—some died en route or were not sold. This depopulation reduced the island's estimated pre-European population of around 500–600 to just 88 people.
In Their Own Story
The wind carried the smell of salt and desperation across the lagoon. The ship Adelante sat at anchor, its crew promising wages and passage to a nearby island where work awaited. The Tongarevans, suffering from a coconut blight that had brought famine, saw hope. Missionaries urged them to go, dreaming of funds for grander churches. Families packed what little they had and boarded willingly. Then the hatches slammed shut. Shackles were fastened in the dark hold. Guards patrolled day and night. The voyage to Callao, Peru, became a nightmare of suffocation and thirst; only 253 of the hundreds who embarked survived. In Peru, they were sold for between $100 and $200 each. More ships followed. In total, 472 Tongarevans were sold into slavery. The atoll, once one of the most heavily populated in Polynesia, was left with just 88 people.
Reader's Guide
The slavers who targeted Penrhyn in the 1860s were Peruvian blackbirders, not a single ship but a series of expeditions. Their method was deception: they offered agricultural work on a nearby island, exploiting a famine caused by coconut blight and the missionaries' desire for church funds. The first ship, Adelante, took hundreds in 1862. Once at sea, the Tongarevans were shackled and guarded. Only 253 survived to reach Callao, Peru, where they were sold for between $100 and $200 each. Further slaving expeditions followed, and in total, 472 Tongarevans were sold in Peru. The result was catastrophic: the pre-European population of 2,000 was reduced to just 88. The atoll's recovery was slow; by the time of annexation by New Zealand, the population had only risen to 420. The slavers left no permanent structures or records on the island—their legacy is the near-total depopulation of a once-thriving community.
Did You Know?
- The first slaving ship, Adelante, tricked Tongarevans by promising agricultural work on a nearby island.
- Only 253 of those taken on the Adelante survived the voyage to Callao, Peru.
- Captives were sold in Peru for between $100 and $200 each.
- In total, approximately 472 Tongarevans were taken by Peruvian expeditions—some died en route or were not sold.
- The slavers reduced Penrhyn's population from an estimated 500–600 to just 88 people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Slaver?
In RimWorld lore, this title refers to an archetype rather than a single named individual, representing factions who traffic human lives for profit. These groups include pirate bands and agents of distant Empires operating on the harsh periphery of civilization.
What are their primary motivations?
Their main goal is economic gain achieved through capturing colonists alive to sell as labor or slaves. Unlike raiders who seek destruction, slavers prioritize keeping targets intact for trade value.
How do they fight during a raid?
They utilize non-lethal tactics designed to incapacitate prisoners without killing them permanently. Weapons like stun batons and tranquilizers are common tools used to ensure captives survive the capture process.
Why is this threat morally challenging for players?
Encountering slavers forces players to choose between saving their own people or risking death in rescue missions against organized criminals. It highlights the brutal reality where human lives are treated as currency within the RimWorld economy.
Do they ever appear as allies?
Slaver factions generally remain hostile antagonists who view all independent colonists as potential merchandise for their trade networks. They do not form peaceful alliances because every unowned human represents a missed profit opportunity.
More in Colonists & Pawns
Elsewhere in the RimWorld universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record