beahbeah:

1. The role and functions of a pawn.

2. The weakest pieces on the board; numerous; interchangeable; existing to be sacrificed for the benefit of the real players.

3. Unlike other pieces, a pawn may not retreat. It can only go forward, one step at a time.

4. A pawn cannot capture a piece that blocks its path. It may only proceed if the opposing piece concedes ground, or if a different route is offered.

5. The en passant capture is a special move that permits one pawn to successfully attack another without directly engaging it.

6. Otherwise, the only way a pawn can capture is by going one step forward and to the left or right, in a single diagonal move.

7. In very rare occasions, if a pawn is allowed to cross the entire board, unscathed…

8. …it may be promoted to a queen, and, perhaps, turn the tide of the war.

(source)

This is actually one of the first fanworks I saw that made me super interested in checking out Homestuck. Weird how IT ENDED UP BASICALLY CANON, HAHA. PMMMmm