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[NUKE9.13]

Demon Team: Battle Phase T3
TURNTURNTURN
Link to Battle Report
Lesimor Infiltration Report
Progress in the Scholarly Towers continues to be lacklustre, as we still lack the means to entice more powerful figures into the cult/promote existing cultists.
Devil-Crow spies inform us that angelic operatives have been seen moving through the region in greater numbers, and appear to be having considerable success in converting people to their cause.
2/5

Everything we did in the Lawless Capital was sabotaged by Heliel's followers this month. Bright Shadow Acolytes, Shadow Walkers, and their blasted "Song of Soothing" led to burnt Bootlegger's, captured cultists, and reduced recruitment. While we managed to maintain our tenuous control, their superior infiltrators- especially the combination of effective spies and effective saboteurs- have the potential to see us lose ground if they step up further.
Devil-Crows confirm that the Angel's agents are working throughout the city, in roughly equal numbers to our own. 
2/5

With more resources coming into the province, and the ongoing chaos leaving people vulnerable and seeking succour, we were able to establish a Bootlegger's Bounty distribution, and send missionaries to target suitable candidates.
Unfortunately, Devil-Crows bring word that the Angel's tendrils have not only lured many citizens and soldiers into her cult, but have also snared a number of low-ranking officers.
0/5-->1/5

Dolgoth Infiltration Report
Even without the crackdown in the Wartorn Wastes, we probably wouldn't've made much headway, for similar reasons to our lack of progress in the Scholarly Towers. As is, progress totally stalled this month.
Devil-Crows confirm what we already knew; angelic acolytes are playing medic here, and have managed to win some converts doing so, though not alarming numbers.
2/5

The Ostentatious Capital remains a no-go. The King's power here is risky to defy on a normal month, and doubly so now. Devil-Crows track the Angel's minions through the city, revealing that they haven't much more presence than we do, although they do seem to be making some minor progress despite the crackdown.
1/5

It cost us about as much in bribes and profit-sharing as we earned through sales, but we've started selling Bootlegger's in the Trade City. The lack of profit may be unfortunate, but the increase in converts is reward enough. Unfortunately, it seems that while angelic operatives didn't have a large presence here at the start of the month, they've expanded their control, and we can expect more sabotage to hinder our operations next month.
0/5-->1/5


It is now the Design Phase. You have two designs.

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

Magoc: The diabolical leader of your faction, a being of immense power. There is very little they cannot do. Needless to say, they are Unique.

Mundane Units:
Armed Cultists: Being equipped with only a rusty dagger, a spear, and a wooden shield, combined with their lack of training, mean these are not elite warriors- they'd lose a one-on-one fight with a real soldier-, but they're cheap and plentiful. Their shield and tabard are emblazoned with demonic runes that assault the mind with dark temptations and demands to worship Magoc. Like regular cultists, their dedication makes them more resilient mentally than civilians. Common

Cultist Archers: Cultists who have some experience with a bow are valuable assets in combat, harassing the enemy from a distance. They aren't sharpshooters, and their bows are designed for hunting, not piercing armour, but they're better than nothing. Their tabard matches those of the Armed Cultists. Like regular cultists, their dedication makes them more resilient mentally than civilians. Uncommon

Mutamist Sprayers: Cultists carrying a tank of mutagenic liquid on their backs, connected by hose to a pump-and-nozzle contraption that sprays the substance over the battlefield, creating clouds of mist that induce random mutations in those exposed to it, as well as vastly boosting aggression. The range is short, and the effects are temporary. Their tabard matches those of the Armed Cultists. Uncommon
   Mutamist Globadiers: Globadiers carry a satchel of glass flasks filled with the same mutagenic compound as the Sprayers, which they can sling (using a sling) at the enemy, where they shatter and unleash large clouds of the mist. Carry less of the compound than Sprayers, but have much greater range.

Acolytes: Cultists who have begun their exploration of the magical arts, studying under the Demon. They can cast any Common spells (unless noted otherwise). Their physical strength leaves something to be desired, but their mental fortitude is even greater than regular cultists. Their tabard matches those of the Armed Cultists. There are not many Acolytes in a unit. Uncommon
    Teachers of Magoc: Acolytes who specialise in the use of the Language of Inception. They primarily accompany missionaries and aid in late-stage conversion with their scrolls of dark scripture. Uncommon
   
Cultist Commanders: Mean, tough, with a basic understanding of tactics, Cultist Commanders instil a modicum of order and discipline, while also being capable combatants themselves with their exclusive sword and fancy red beret. They are distributed amongst all Cultist units.

   
Summoned/Mutated Units:
Misfits: A small band of mutants. What kind of mutants? Who knows! Cultists who consumed CMD and spun the wheel, ending up with some sort of beneficial mutation. Not much stronger than regular cultists, but kinda freaky, so that's fun. Rare

Devil-Crows: Crows infused with a small amount of Evil, increasing their natural intelligence slightly, and making them subservient to Magoc and his followers. They are larger than an average crow and have an unnatural red glint in their eyes, but are otherwise hard to distinguish. They are capable scouts and spies, having sufficient vocabulary to convey at least a decent summary of what they have seen. Murders of Devil-Crows may be deployed in battle to harass the enemy, in limited numbers. Common
   CHADCrows: Larger, meaner, enhanced Devil-Crows. Their sharpened talons and beaks make them a deadly threat, especially when working together. Typically operate in small murders. Uncommon

CHADS: Tall, intimidating mutants, suffused with Evil and Alchemy. They are stronger, tougher, and faster than even a well-trained regular human. Their every waking moment is consumed with thoughts of violence, at which they excel, although they are less well suited to intellectual pursuits. To make matters worse, they are better equipped than regular cultists; in their arms they wield either a sturdy two-handed hammer or a one-handed axe and a massive tower shield, while their bodies are clad in mismatched iron plates strapped over vulnerable areas. Operate in small units. Uncommon

Spells/Rituals:
Magic Missile: Known by many names, the simple technique of blasting your opponent with raw Magic/Good/Evil is a tried and true method of making things go away. Efficacy increases with caster's mental might, and decreases with the target's. Common


Magical Equipment:
Chaotic Mutagenic Draught: A random assortment of alchemical ingredients, infused with Evil, chucked together and processed into bottles of unusual liquids (usually brown, though). Consumption can have one of a wide range of effects, from nothing at all, to death, to moderately serious mutations. Used by infiltrators to cause havoc. Uncommon

Bootlegger's Bounty: An Evil-infused liquor produced by Magoc's followers. The taste is said to be sublime, to the point where many become addicted after a single shot. Comes in a trademark black bottle with red label, very classy. Sales are used to fund the cult's projects. Common
    Bootlegger Barrel Bombs: Kegs of Bootlegger's that explode when struck by magic of sufficient force. Somewhat unreliable. Uncommon


Infiltration Techniques:
Proselytise: Cultists go forth and spread the Evil word, finding those sympathetic to their cause and slowly winning them over. Not the fastest way of gaining converts, as baseline cultists are not expert missionaries, but it keeps the cult growing. Common
    Bootlegger Club: A recruitment method specifically aimed at addicts of Bootlegger's Bounty, promising a stable supply of the liquor to reel in new members. Very effective. Uncommon

Language of Inception Graffiti: Demonic runes, drawn in blood, subconsciously impart their message onto those who view them. Painted on the walls of human settlements, they subtly steer the population towards evil. Common


Infrastructure:
Draughtsmith: An eclectic laboratory where a handful of fledgling alchemists develop a variety of potions to augment and stabilise demonic mutations.

Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)

DARRIN (Combat)
Rice Terraces: 0/4 | 4/4
Mountain Passes: 4/4 | 0/4
Dry Plains: 4/4 | 0/4

LESIMOR (Influence)
Scholarly Towers: ?/5 | 2/5
Lawless Capital: ?/5 | 2/5
Fortified Frontier: ?/5 | 1/5

XA-NAM (Combat)
Light Jungle: 0/4 | 4/4
River Crossings: 4/4 | 0/4
River Delta: 4/4 | 0/4

DOLGOTH (Influence)
Wartorn Wastes: ?/5 | 2/5
Ostentatious Capital: ?/5 | 1/5
Trade City: ?/5 | 1/5

[dgr11897]

Puppeteer class spirit: A soul imbued with evil energies and contained in a lantern shaped magical artifact,  imbued with evil energy to boost their power. The puppeteer sends out tendrils of spiritual power from its cage, animating nearby dead bodies and using them like puppets to attack enemies. Due to not residing within the undead themselves, the Puppeteer has two advantages over normal undead or animating spirits who directly possess a corpse, first is that each can animate a group of bodies, up to about 10-15 total, and that these undead will keep attacking until their bodies are completely destroyed, in which case the puppeteer will just animate a new body, or the central lantern is destroyed.

[TricMagic]

Spell: Hypnotic Eye

A spell that allows one to hypnotize those you look at with your eye. After this you can implant suggestions or change behaviors, and even have them ignore you. It is difficult to do right, but allows us to buy and smuggle weapons and armor out of cities, building a supply line. Needless to say, Magoc can also use it to create servants out of people who aren't as easy to manipulate. At it's core, it's hypnosis.

In battle, this spell has a specific use in targeting spellcasters to disrupt their concentration, though it's hypnotic effect can be used on others to turn them into spies, saboteurs, and to mess with the mind.


Pale Crow

A Devil-crow that has been altered through alchemy, they now have white feathers and red eyes. They are very intelligent, listen to our orders, and have the ability to Kill spirits and other such constructs permanently by flying through the target. They will be sold to rich folk as messenger birds and pets, as well as some flying more freely, while secretly listening in on conversations and killing spiritual beings with their innate death magic. While on the battle front, they will simply kill enemy spiritual scouts and occasionally lead Devil/CHAD-crow murders, including in Influence Lanes to stop enemy Good Agents from healing and singing. Their intelligence makes them well suited to executing plans and adapting.

As a short explanation, the chemical effects bring out the evil energy in the Devil-crow, infusing them with the concept of the end. All things die, and as their bodies fly through a spirit, it cuts the link and magic keeping them alive. Needless to say, it does not actually effect those with physical forms.

[Rockeater]

Iron waters
This potion, when touching a live or once alive, harden it to be as strong and as though and strong as iron.
Using baths of this susbstance, we can make the low qualaty wool and cloth clothings of our troops to a decent armour, and while it would not make wooden hammers better and only marginaly improve wooden axes, wooden spikes are easy to make and would gain a lot from it and swords can still be made from sharpened wood or animal bones.

[Jerick]

Infestor Worms
These wriggling little terrors are small thin worms infused with evil. When outside of a host they seek out a being not contaminated with evil. When they find one they burrow into it's flesh and begin rapidly multiplying. In sufficient numbers they can hijack the nervous system and begin controlling the host. Initially the infected shows no outward signs of infection other than a compulsion to make contact with other people. As the affliction progresses the behavior changes to a blind aggression towards the enemies of Magoc. The worms are first noticable in the mouth and under the fingernails which act as staging grounds to infect others. In advanced cases of infection worms are constantly coming out of the mouth and from under the fingernails. Such advanced cases are capable of spitting worms at the uncorrupt. When a host is killed all worms in the host will vacate the host to seek a new host.

[Man of Paper]

Unit: Magoc's Mutts

Magoc's Mutts are slender but very muscular canines with short black fur spread across their bodies. Two shiny black eyes and a mouth full of sharp fangs and crushing teeth mounted on a powerful jaw capable of being locked at-will lend to it's a frightening appearance.

Magoc's Mutts start their lives as dogs trained in kennels for either the purposes of war, guard duty, or personal protection. These dogs, once basic training is completed, are mutated with a mixture of Evil Magic and Mutative Alchemy into the frightening beasts used by the cult. Those that survive the changing process receive some further training with their new bodies and senses - particularly their ability to detect Good and Evil. Mutts are willing to take orders from Evil entities (and will prioritize the orders of more Evil individuals), and will warn their masters if they can detect Good magic nearby.


Infrastructure: Warcaster's Keep

Warcaster's Keep is the implementation (finally) of the plans meant for the Obsidian Spire. The Keep is spacious enough to house our spellcasters, contain a large library of ancient, evil, and forbidden knowledge (as well as the more mundane), an internal training area for practice in a controlled environment, and an open yard in the center where more intense training occurs. Some of our more magically adept Acolytes are promoted to Warcasters and responsible for overseeing the training of the cult's acolytes as well as their organization on the battlefield.

Warcaster's Keep is not kept secret, either. Circles, cabals, schools, and covens of spellcasters are informed of the unrestricted studies available at the Warcaster's Keep. The only fee is devotion to the cult!


Spell/Unit?: Skullswarm Beetles

Skullswarm Beetles are long, winged, carnivorous insects about the size and shape of an adult index finger. The creatures form massive clouds and move in unison, stripping bones of flesh, muscle, and cartilage with their razor-sharp mandibles. Barbs on their legs allow the creatures to secure themselves to softer objects, and their tail houses a nasty stinger filled with a poison that causes intense pain and a burning sensation. When killed, these insects release a sweet-smelling, slightly soporific chemical that draws more Skullswarm Beetles to the location.

Originally known as Swarm Beetles, these foul insects inhabit a demonic realm separate from our own. They are referred to here as Skullswarm Beetles as the spell that pulls them from their plane and thrusts them into ours does so through the caster's mouth. Casters have loose control over the swarms they bring forth, though the draw of recently killed Beetle scent is admittedly difficult to counteract in part because of how quickly the swarm's reaction occurs.

The beetles are not banished back to their home realm as most scholars of conjuration would have you assume, and are instead thrust into this realm for the duration of their lives.


Spell: Runes of Ruin

Runes of ruin are magical symbols that can be carved, drawn, stamped, or etched onto any surface. While whole the rune is completely inert and harmless. However, if the rune is broken in any way it explodes violently outward in a torrent of evil and corruption. The massive, sudden assault of dark and chaotic energies is enough to outright kill those caught in the immediate blast, with residual energy causing pain and discomfort in those nearby during the blast or those who pass through the affected area for a time afterwards.

[dgr11897]

Walking Corpse Unit/maybe spell
Based on a ritual, this spell uses magic to animate the corpse of a person or animal. Filling them with evil energy and a malicious spirit. The resulting walking corpses are slow and attack with only their fists and teeth, but make excellent meatshields as they don't feel pain and will keep trying to move as long as their body is at least somewhat intact, making them hard to put down without magic or excessive force.
The walking corpses are directed by the caster in a rather crude fashion, they can be told to go somewhere, attack, or hold position, but that's about it. However, each caster can direct a large number of walking corpses, and each battle provides fresh bodies to be raised as additional troops.

[Detoxicated]

Whisperer
A Shadow come to Life. IT clings itself to weak-minded individuals and whispers Into their ears at nicht and when they are asleep, telling them lies of greed and power and Lust, exploiting their weaknesses to slowly convert them to Our cause. They are created by sacrificing a willing acolyte with a proper ritual.

[Kashyyk]

Using the same script as our Language of Inception, these runes are carefully engraved into solid surfaces, such as the outside of a castle wall, the entrances to a bootlegger warehouse, or upon wooden panels erected at the edge of camps.

Any one who sees these runes will have their gaze drawn to their center, where the script will proceed to drain the viewer's soul to feed both the rune and Magoc. This can be circumvented by concentrating on praises to Magoc as you pass, although anyone with particularly weak affirmations may still come out with less of their soul than when they came in.

This builds on one of our unique techs, and should hopefully be very effective against their Bright Shadows (as they are nothing but souls) and curtail their Shadow Walkers, whislt giving us a solid defence bonus, which will allow us to hold the line better.

(0) Puppeteer class spirit :
(0) Spell: Hypnotic Eye :
(0) Pale Crow :
(0) Iron Waters :
(0) Infestor Worms :
(0) Unit: Magoc's Mutts :
(0) Infrastructure: Warcaster's Keep :
(0) Spell/Unit?: Skullswarm Beetles :
(0) Spell: Runes of Ruin :
(1) Walking Corpse : Kashyyk
(0) Whisperer :
(1) Runes of the Soul Eater : Kashyyk

There are quite a few here I like. I could be convinced towards the Hypnotic Eye, Pale Crow, Warcaster's Keep and Runes of Ruin.

[Rockeater]

(0) Puppeteer class spirit :
(0) Spell: Hypnotic Eye :
(0) Pale Crow :
(0) Iron Waters :
(0) Infestor Worms :
(0) Unit: Magoc's Mutts :
(0) Infrastructure: Warcaster's Keep :
(0) Spell/Unit?: Skullswarm Beetles :
(0) Spell: Runes of Ruin :
(2) Walking Corpse : Kashyyk, Rockeater
(0) Whisperer :
(2) Runes of the Soul Eater : Kashyyk, Rockeater

[Jerick]

(0) Puppeteer class spirit :
(0) Spell: Hypnotic Eye :
(1) Pale Crow : Jerick
(0) Iron Waters :
(0) Infestor Worms :
(0) Unit: Magoc's Mutts :
(0) Infrastructure: Warcaster's Keep :
(1) Spell/Unit?: Skullswarm Beetles : Jerick
(0) Spell: Runes of Ruin :
(2) Walking Corpse : Kashyyk, Rockeater
(0) Whisperer :
(3) Runes of the Soul Eater : Kashyyk, Rockeater, Jerick

Now for my reasons: The pale crows if they work will actually be a decent counter to the enemy spirits and if we use them to supplant other messaging services we could harvest a huge wealth of info from intercepted messages.

I think the skullswarm will be more effective than the walking corpse against the disiplined forces of the enemy. Their soldiers are better equiped and trained than ours and will be easily able to cut through some shambling dead. A swarm of ravenous insects however is much more difficult for a conventional army to deal with.

The soul eater runes if they work will be quite powerful. Empowering Magoc while securing our holdings against intruders and infiltrators.

[TricMagic]

(0) Puppeteer class spirit :
(0) Spell: Hypnotic Eye :
(2) Pale Crow : Jerick, TricMagic
(0) Iron Waters :
(0) Infestor Worms :
(0) Unit: Magoc's Mutts :
(1) Infrastructure: Warcaster's Keep : TricMagic
(1) Spell/Unit?: Skullswarm Beetles : Jerick
(0) Spell: Runes of Ruin :
(2) Walking Corpse : Kashyyk, Rockeater
(0) Whisperer :
(3) Runes of the Soul Eater : Kashyyk, Rockeater, Jerick

For my reason, the Keep will get us stronger spellcasters, which means stronger spells. As well as hopefully draw some scholars into our fold, and with them, knowledge.

Jerick already gave a good summary of what the Pale Crows will do if they go well.

[Rockeater]

(0) Puppeteer class spirit :
(0) Spell: Hypnotic Eye :
(2) Pale Crow : Jerick, TricMagic
(0) Iron Waters :
(1) Infestor Worms : Rockeater
(0) Unit: Magoc's Mutts :
(1) Infrastructure: Warcaster's Keep : TricMagic
(1) Spell/Unit?: Skullswarm Beetles : Jerick
(0) Spell: Runes of Ruin :
(1) Walking Corpse : Kashyyk
(0) Whisperer :
(3) Runes of the Soul Eater : Kashyyk, Rockeater, Jerick

[Man of Paper]

(0) Puppeteer class spirit :
(0) Spell: Hypnotic Eye :
(2) Pale Crow : Jerick, TricMagic
(0) Iron Waters :
(1) Infestor Worms : Rockeater
(0) Unit: Magoc's Mutts :
(2) Infrastructure: Warcaster's Keep : TricMagic, MoP
(2) Spell/Unit?: Skullswarm Beetles : Jerick, MoP
(0) Spell: Runes of Ruin :
(1) Walking Corpse : Kashyyk
(0) Whisperer :
(3) Runes of the Soul Eater : Kashyyk, Rockeater, Jerick

Voting for the Keep because we drastically need better basic units and it may give us some pull in the nerd's tower (and perhaps elsewhere). While the Soul Eater runes seem pretty good, I feel like the way they're written implies a level of power in the effect that would be difficult to attain in a game where a GM is providing some level of balancing. In, say, a literary setting the Runes of the Soul Eater would be amazing, but as it stands I don't think they'll be as big a counter to infiltration as, say, a Pale Crows revision would be. We've got to maximize action economy, and if the biggest point of RotSE is the infiltration deterrent then we should opt to do crows (as a revision) and free up the design for something that'll introduce something entirely new to our arsenal. Like spoopy bug swarm conjurations.

[Kashyyk]

The RotSE is dual purpose: the anti-infiltrator effect, and also in siege defense by etching it in huge form on castle walls and stuff. Pretty much any situation where the Angels would try to assault a prepared position should benefit from the RotSE.