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[NUKE9.13]

Chiaroscuro 2
Angelic Team Thread
Core Thread Link
Discord Link

PS: All updates have "TURNTURNTURN" in them, so you can search that to pull them all up.

In a world filled with suffering, every act of kindness is a miracle. Literally, in fact; every good deed done creates a small amount of Good (the tangible magical element), creating something out of nothing. Ordinarily, Good simply suffuses the world, providing all with a measure of subconscious comfort. At times, however, the swirling currents of Good spiral inwards on one location, forming a cluster. Brought together by the hopes and prayers of mortals, a consciousness emerges, and draws more Good towards itself. A being that radiates harmony and benevolence, the newly formed Angel is charged by her very nature with the mission to destroy Evil, and to rescue sinful mortals from their own wicked ways- by force, if necessary.
Such is the beauty of an Angel, that those who see her fall to their knees in admiration, and readily swear an undying loyalty to her cause. Within weeks, her following has swelled, the area of her birth firmly under her command, and any sinners forced to accept her benevolent (but lethal) touch. Now is the time to strike against her nemesis; the hideous Demon who has taken form in distant lands, whose mere existence is the cause of constant irritation. Her followers are ready, her powers primed; all that remains is to actually develop the means of defeating the dark menace.


Welcome to the Angelic Team Thread. If you are a member of the Demonic Team, or are undecided about which team to join, turn back now (there's a link to the Core Thread above).

If you have familiarised yourself with the basic rules, and have decided to join the Angelic Team, then welcome aboard. No need for formalities, feel free to get started.

There will be one preliminary turn- that is, a turn without a combat phase. During this turn, you must make several decisions about what manner of Angel your team controls:

-Name: Angels tend to have smooth, flowing names, yet still with an eldritch touch indicating their otherworldliness. Merely hearing the name pronounced can elicit feelings of euphoria in people, and may also render them insane.   
-Appearance: An Angel's true form is beautiful, but in a way as disconcerting to the human eye as a Demon's, so it fills in an approximation. This can be anything: a glowing mass of tentacles, an amalgamation of crystalline shapes, a golden orb burning with holy fire- go nuts. Note that an Angel can shapeshift fairly freely, this is just her default form.
-Base Location: Where did your journey begin? Describe the environment that your base is situated in. This will have slight mechanical effects, although don't bother trying something like "At the peak of a mountain, accessible only by a narrow, winding path"- I will forcefully balance things if necessary; you can have a base at the peak of a mountain, but it will not be strictly better than one situated in open fields (though it may influence what tactics work better).

You have until the end of this turn to decide on these things.

Right now, it is the Design Phase. You have two designs (or one High-Effort design). They will be rolled simultaneously.

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

Angel (Choosing a name will be one of the first choices in the game): The benevolent leader of your faction, a being of immense power. There is very little they cannot do. Needless to say, they are Unique.

Mundane Units:
Cultist Spears: Being equipped with only a rusty dagger, a makeshift 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. Like regular cultists, their dedication makes them more resilient mentally than civilians. Unit Size: ~50 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. Like regular cultists, their dedication makes them more resilient mentally than civilians. Unit Size: ~25 Common

Acolytes: Cultists who have begun their exploration of the magical arts, studying under their angelic patron. 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. Unit Size: ~25 Uncommon

Cultist Missionaries: Cultists with a modicum of charisma and subtlety, sent forth as emissaries of their eldritch master. Unarmed and untrained, they serve no role in combat. Unit Size: ~10 Common

Summoned/Mutated Units:
You don't start with anything in this category. Feel free to ask whether a proposal is viable, at least until you have a grasp of difficulty.


Spells/Rituals:
Magic Missile: Known by many names, the simple technique of blasting your opponent with raw Mana/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

Novice Ward: A very simple magic barrier that will reduce the impact of attacks both mundane and mystical. Won't last long, but can be useful in a pinch. Common


Infiltration Techniques:
Proselytise: Cultists go forth and spread the Good word, finding those sympathetic to their cause and slowly winning them over. Not the fastest way of gaining converts, but it keeps the cult growing. Common

[Kashyyk]

Alright team! Let's go trash some Demons.

Here's my suggestion for our Angel

Name: Mwynneslri, Mother of Light
Appearance: A vaguely humanoid form that bends all Light that would pass through it. Someone with strong mental fortitude can gaze upon Her, fight through the ensuing headacheand see the reflections and refractions of everything around Her form coalescing and diverging constantly. Someone of lesser mental fortitude will suffer seizures and retinal bleeding.
Base Location: A quaint village that sits upon a cliff above the coast. A long winding path leads down to the shore, whilst the countryside is broken up by rocky outcrop that make traditional crops suffer in favour of nimble sheep and goats

And let's have two Designs.

Those who were devout in life, or repentant in death have the opportunity to give one last time in service of [Angel]. Their bodies are suffused with Good and mortal magics to preserve and reanimate them as loyal and tireless workers for Good. The souls are not bound to them, and instead a rudimentary intelligence is created akin to a golem, that is powered by the essence the essence Good itself. Whilst a little clumsy, and not the best conversationalists, Eternal Servants will dutifully till fields, work pumps, carry loads or bear arms in service of [Angel].

There's a common-told story about a traveller from the Tullikan tribe (considered Outcasts by all) who helped a wounded man when everyone else ignored him. In doing a Good deed, good fortune was bestowed. This is the story told to those who are suffering physical afflictions of their own (be it disease, injury or mental difficulties) whilst they are enchanted with the Gift. Smart ones will quickly learn that for each Good act they perform, their affliction is weakened as the Gift feeds on the resultant energy and cures them in turn. Soon enough, doing Good deeds will have become second nature even after the original affliction has been forgotten.

The Eternal Servants should give us a chaff unit in combat plus maybe some benefit economically as we have more labour to work with. The Gift is primarily a shoe in for Influence, but could be used to heal our troops outside of Combat. A more immediate healing spell can follow up.

[TricMagic]

Seed of Eden
A magically infused seed that grows apple trees. The trees mature over the course of a month, before endlessly budding apples over the course of each day which only regrow once plucked. Their taste is divine to the tongue, and fills the body. A bushel of apples is enough for a family to live off of for that day. One will never have to work for food so long as they have such trees.
 Naturally, we shall gift them to the local populace. As well, these trees solve our own food issues, meaning we will never run short. And the people who partake of such trees will find themselves not having to really work all that much, as the price of daily living for the common folk will drop. With hope, a resonance will occur.

Just as fun, leave this thing here since it was too Good.

That said, my first suggestion is to upgrade our base units.

Blessing of Insert Angel Name Here upon her Angels [High-Effort]
Through the Light of IANH, do They share their great gifts to Their followers. The Good within swells, great river cleansing the soul and body of Evils, granting them great physical and spiritual status as they are bleached white. Their bodies mutate into perfect forms of humanity, untouched by sin. The new Angels of IANH' will not tire, and be resistant to the Fel magics of Evil. Those who practice magic will find their Good spells far easier to cast, as their channels are pure, and even those without training will be able to cast the most basic of magic to defend others from harm, the Magic Ward. Of course, such does come with some who reject this gift, but such were never meant for this world anyway. Our Angels perfect forms shall lead others to the Light.

And yes, this is blatant copyright. But being able to just put up an entire wall of cycling magic shields is useful, and later we can improve our selection of spells. A strong base for further projects. (And yes, URUKs were high efforts. Not sure where this design falls.)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Many white haired folk.

My proposal can hopefully be boiled down to a few things.
Physical Reshaping. Basically muscles and no real fat. Hair is bleached though.(and maybe other indicators like skin or nails or eyes.)
Flush: Removing all the Evil from people, leaving only good. Definitely the mental aspect. This is also why the mages get the boost, since there is only Good energy running through their clean magic channels. (or something.) And why even non-mages can form a novice ward to protect others, such is Good and they are Good down to the soul.
Not Tiring: Most a combination of the above. Passive good within has a general homeostasis heal to keep their bodies from degrading. Doesn't offer true regen, just protects them from stamina issues.
... I also like the idea of all our cultists being pale and ethereal models of humans without flaws.
physically I mean, there is definitely something about everyone being perfectly shaped down to the Soul that is eerie and unsettling.

Quick breakdown of what the above design means. Hence why I used the word "Status" there.

[Kashyyk]

As I said in discord, I'd rather not just copy the Uruks of Chiaroacuro 1. However, I do like the idea of Refined and Perfected converts, so I have an alternative suggestion.

In ancient texts, it is common for the Divine to lead great hosts in war. It is only fitting that <Angel> leads her own Host in her Good Crusade. All converts are tested for their physical and mental aptitude already, to dermine of the may best serve as labourers warriors, acolyte or missionaries. Any who perform well in all these trials are marked as Aspirants of the Host.

These Aspirants are pit through rigorous training, to ensure they are powerful and pure in mind, body and soul. Many such aspirants will drop out, and go on to distinguished careers in another part of the Cult. The lessers weeded out, the remaining Aspirants go on a pilgrimage to a secret shrine, where they bathe in the Holy waters, partake in the Holy reagents cultivated there and undergo the final changing.

Approximately half of these Aspirants will be unworthy, their souls scoured clean and their minds purged on impure thought even as the Good applied to them burns away their bodies. In all ways that matter, their stories end here. The successful Aspirants are reborn from <Angel> in the Holy waters.

Whislt reminiscent of their former selves, each Hashmal is perfect in mind, body and soul, easily the match of a dozen mortals. With great wings that sprout from their backs, they move with grace and poise, speak with clarity and purpose, cast with precision and focus, and fight with resolution and justice. They are the elite of our Cult under <angel> and act as her eyes, ears, mouth and fist.

This is obviously a Rare/Unique unit. Reminiscent of Uruks, but definitely their own thing.

[TricMagic]

Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (1) TricMagic
Eternal Servants: (0)
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)

I quite like this. Not too sold on the Angel proposal though.

Forge of Cleansing
A special spring blessed by our goddess. it's waters purify and imbue materials, allowing one to shape ore and bone as if clay. Working the forge, here our gear is created. It is not a difficult task, as the very properties of the forge allow ease of use so long as one does not do something stupid like dip the hands in directly or keep their protective gloves in the water too long.
The process mostly involves submerging the materials being used, then using long tools like tongs and scoops to lift them out, followed by hammers and gloves to shape, fold, and compress the items into shape. They are submerged repeatedly during the process the earth scraped away from the ore during preparation.
While the Forge of Cleansing does not imbue magic into the finished products naturally, it can be used to do so. It's main enchantment is imbuing the materials submerged to ease the work of combining and working them, which could prove useful for other projects down the line. Upgrading our equipment is useful in the here and now however.
Of note, the Forge of Cleansing is quite large, allowing multiple people to work on making gear. The first set is comprised of iron speartips, daggers, and coated shields, with a bone/wood being used as the base of the shield and shaft/handles. With the Forge it all forms into a single smooth piece of gear for our soldiers. It will likely take more work for a working bow design however. While the standardized bone/wood mix is effect at resisting damage, such standardization may not take well to the creation of a bow.

[Failbird105]

Name: Muu
Appearance: Muu's large form is that of an interwoven mass of flesh, stretched over thinly by an almost elastic, pale blue and red skin. Her body shape gives off the illusion of a 'shapely' figure, thinner at the midsection but widening out at the "chest" and "hips". She possesses one pair of arms that splits at the elbow into two or more forearms depending on the task at hand, and where legs should be is an interlocking mass of tentacles that, when she remains upon the ground, support her body in such a way they almost give the impression of a large ballgown.

Her head is the most distinct part of her, a mask of featureless bone that stretches all across its front and sides, concealing whatever features may have been there completely, with a pair of bone plates that stretch out from the sides and curl forward to form a crest that gives the appearance of tusks or horns. Long tentacles writhe out from the open back of the skull in a way that would imply long, flowing hair, which can split open at the tips to reveal small maws containing yet smaller tendrils, which lash about erratically and dangerously whenever exposed.

Base Location: A quaint fishing and farming village that sits upon a cliff above the coast. A long winding sheltered path provides the most direct route of safe passage down to the shore, whilst the countryside is broken up by rocky outcrop that make traditional crops suffer in favour of nimble sheep and goats. The sky above remains stirred into a constant overcast from some action of gods or other beings in ages past, plentiful rain making sunshine rare and warm clothes a necessity. It is here that Muu emerged from the watery depths below.

[TricMagic]

Actually Angles
Mwynneslri, Mother of Light: (0)
Muu, The Twisting Heaven: (1) TricMagic

Designs
Eternal Servants: (0)
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)
Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (0)
Forge of Cleansing: (0)

All aboard the Muu-tide. Keep your tentacles within the currents at all times.
I really do like this theme though. 

[Failbird105]

Goats of Golgotha
Cavalry is a massive boon to any army. Yet it has its... problems. For one, cavalry is simply expensive. Horses are very costly to acquire, and take time to breed. Combine with feeding them and such a small scale early cult as ours simply cannot afford having a sizable cavalry regiment. Or we couldn't, without help from our Angel. By taking the goats we utilize as livestock, and infusing them with pure Good, they have grown greatly in size, now large enough for our forces to ride upon the backs of.

Their great horns make them all the more potent and deadly in a charging attack. Additionally, one particular attribute of the goats, their ability to jump and climb, has largely been retained despite their new bodies. A Goat of Golgotha may not be able to climb the side of an almost sheer cliff face with their size and weight, but more ordinary rough terrain offers little impediment at all.

There are some... issues, with the goats however. For one, they have far greater diets. They cost more to feed than a normal goat, so while still less expensive than horses it is not simple as being as cheap as a goat. For two, well the infusion of Good has had some... side effects. Much like the infusion of any direct magical element would of course. Their body has... okay lets just say it they have eyes and tentacles inside of their body. These tentacles tend to come out from their mouth when they let out their bleats that... sound distressingly like human screams... then again they always sounded like that. For the most part, this just means that despite their increased size, the Goats of Golgotha offer little more the way of edible meat, perhaps even less than they originally did, thus meaning that there is no gain if we were to need more meat than we could obtain from our untransformed goats.

Still, despite all this, the Goats of Golgotha present a potent addition to our forces, presenting a powerful elite unit for us to field.

Actually Angles
Mwynneslri, Mother of Light: (0)
Muu, The Twisting Heaven: (2) TricMagic, Failbird

Designs
Eternal Servants: (0)
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)
Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (0)
Forge of Cleansing: (1) Failbird

[TricMagic]

Actually Angles
Mwynneslri, Mother of Light: (0)
Muu, The Twisting Heaven: (2) TricMagic, Failbird

Designs
Eternal Servants: (0)
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)
Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (0)
Forge of Cleansing: (2) Failbird, TricMagic
Goats of Golgotha: (1) TricMagic

Baaaaaaahhh!~ Or however a screaming goat sounds.
I'm perfectly willing to have goats phase 1.

[Kashyyk]

Actually Angles
Mwynneslri, Mother of Light: (0)
Muu, The Twisting Heaven: (3) TricMagic, Failbird, Kashyyk

Designs
Eternal Servants: (1) Kashyyk
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)
Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (0)
Forge of Cleansing: (2) Failbird, TricMagic
Goats of Golgotha: (1) TricMagic

Not sure what to put my second vote on yet.

[TricMagic]

The Sea Servants
Those who were devout in life, or repentant in death have the opportunity join Muu forevermore. Their bodies receive a fragment of her, their souls are bound to the flesh, and they are given a sea burial. The fragment slowly twists the body with her Good will, as their minds are bound to the Twisting Heaven's. And after 24 hours they emerge changed, forever warped as part of the hivemind. Whilst a little clumsy due to mainly using tentacles, and not the best conversationalists due to a lack of human vocal chords, the Sea Servants will dutifully till fields, work pumps, carry loads or bear arms in service of Muu. (Quite literally as they crush the evil out of their foes.)

For the thematic version of Eternal Servants.

Actually Angles
Mwynneslri, Mother of Light: (0)
Muu, The Twisting Heaven: (3) TricMagic, Failbird, Kashyyk

Designs
Eternal Servants: (1) Kashyyk
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)
Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (0)
Forge of Cleansing: (2) Failbird, TricMagic
Goats of Golgotha: (0)
Sea's Servants: (1) TricMagic

[NUKE9.13]

What time is it? Difficulty check time!

Those who were devout in life, or repentant in death have the opportunity to give one last time in service of [Angel]. Their bodies are suffused with Good and mortal magics to preserve and reanimate them as loyal and tireless workers for Good. The souls are not bound to them, and instead a rudimentary intelligence is created akin to a golem, that is powered by the essence the essence Good itself. Whilst a little clumsy, and not the best conversationalists, Eternal Servants will dutifully till fields, work pumps, carry loads or bear arms in service of [Angel].

A basic zombie is not an especially complicated project. With no added bells/whistles, this would be a Normal design. Seeking an economic benefit as well requires imparting a bit more skill than the average zombie would possess, making this a Hard design. The end result would be Common, with a large unit size (rarity is (generally) not randomised).

There's a common-told story about a traveller from the Tullikan tribe (considered Outcasts by all) who helped a wounded man when everyone else ignored him. In doing a Good deed, good fortune was bestowed. This is the story told to those who are suffering physical afflictions of their own (be it disease, injury or mental difficulties) whilst they are enchanted with the Gift. Smart ones will quickly learn that for each Good act they perform, their affliction is weakened as the Gift feeds on the resultant energy and cures them in turn. Soon enough, doing Good deeds will have become second nature even after the original affliction has been forgotten.

Basic healing would not be a significant challenge. The slow-acting nature compensates for the self-powered nature, and the psychological effect as described is not actually part of the spell, but just a natural consequence (that might not happen in all cases). This would be Easy. That being said, it's quite similar to Heliel's Love, so it might be more interesting to do something else.

Seed of Eden
A magically infused seed that grows apple trees. The trees mature over the course of a month, before endlessly budding apples over the course of each day which only regrow once plucked. Their taste is divine to the tongue, and fills the body. A bushel of apples is enough for a family to live off of for that day. One will never have to work for food so long as they have such trees.
 Naturally, we shall gift them to the local populace. As well, these trees solve our own food issues, meaning we will never run short. And the people who partake of such trees will find themselves not having to really work all that much, as the price of daily living for the common folk will drop. With hope, a resonance will occur.

Infinite, low-cost, rapid growth food supplies... do not come easy. Magical apple tree that grows faster than normal: Easy. Apples take a day to regrow: brings it up to Hard. Apples are the perfect food source: pushes it to Very Hard. The end result would be Rare as well.

Blessing of Insert Angel Name Here upon her Angels [High-Effort]
Through the Light of IANH, do They share their great gifts to Their followers. The Good within swells, great river cleansing the soul and body of Evils, granting them great physical and spiritual status as they are bleached white. Their bodies mutate into perfect forms of humanity, untouched by sin. The new Angels of IANH' will not tire, and be resistant to the Fel magics of Evil. Those who practice magic will find their Good spells far easier to cast, as their channels are pure, and even those without training will be able to cast the most basic of magic to defend others from harm, the Magic Ward. Of course, such does come with some who reject this gift, but such were never meant for this world anyway. Our Angels perfect forms shall lead others to the Light.

Mutate some soldiers into stronger versions with greater stamina: Normal
Mutate all soldiers into untiring Evil-resisting supersoldiers: Ludicrous
They're also better at magic: Impossible
Literally All Our Perfect Soldiers Can Use Magic: Impossible+3. As a High-Effort: Impossible+2

In ancient texts, it is common for the Divine to lead great hosts in war. It is only fitting that <Angel> leads her own Host in her Good Crusade. All converts are tested for their physical and mental aptitude already, to dermine of the may best serve as labourers warriors, acolyte or missionaries. Any who perform well in all these trials are marked as Aspirants of the Host.

These Aspirants are pit through rigorous training, to ensure they are powerful and pure in mind, body and soul. Many such aspirants will drop out, and go on to distinguished careers in another part of the Cult. The lessers weeded out, the remaining Aspirants go on a pilgrimage to a secret shrine, where they bathe in the Holy waters, partake in the Holy reagents cultivated there and undergo the final changing.

Approximately half of these Aspirants will be unworthy, their souls scoured clean and their minds purged on impure thought even as the Good applied to them burns away their bodies. In all ways that matter, their stories end here. The successful Aspirants are reborn from <Angel> in the Holy waters.

Whislt reminiscent of their former selves, each Hashmal is perfect in mind, body and soul, easily the match of a dozen mortals. With great wings that sprout from their backs, they move with grace and poise, speak with clarity and purpose, cast with precision and focus, and fight with resolution and justice. They are the elite of our Cult under <angel> and act as her eyes, ears, mouth and fist.

Rarity is a good way of lowering difficulty. Even so, these are very advanced mutants- you're starting from scratch here.
Rare supersoldiers: Normal
They can fly: Hard
They can use magic: Very Hard

Forge of Cleansing

A magical upgrade to your forging facilities, and a modest improvement of equipment: Normal.
It also lays the groundwork for future enchantment work: Hard.

Goats of Golgotha

Giant goats: Normal
Goat cavalry: Hard
Goat cavalry, avec mountain-climbing ability: Very Hard
Included drawbacks: Back down to Hard. End result would be Uncommon, medium unit size.

The Sea Servants

Close enough to a reskin of the Eternal Servants that the difficulty is the same.

[Failbird105]

Actually Angles
Mwynneslri, Mother of Light: (0)
Muu, The Twisting Heaven: (3) TricMagic, Failbird, Kashyyk

Designs
Eternal Servants: (1) Kashyyk
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)
Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (0)
Forge of Cleansing: (2) Failbird, TricMagic
Goats of Golgotha: (1) TricMagic
Sea Servants: (1) Failbird

Hmmm... sure, if we're good to do themed stuff already I'll grab the Servants first.

[TricMagic]

Actually Angles
Mwynneslri, Mother of Light: (0)
Muu, The Twisting Heaven: (3) TricMagic, Failbird, Kashyyk

Designs
Eternal Servants: (1) Kashyyk
Gift of the Tullikan: (0)
Hashmal, the Angelic Host of <Angel>: (0)
Forge of Cleansing: (2) Failbird, TricMagic
Goats of Golgotha: (0)
Sea Servants: (2) TricMagic, Failbird

[m1895]

Sea Bone Charms
The sailors of Mayfolk hold a great deal of superstitions regarding symbols carved in bone, with the most coveted being made of whalebone.
Of course any wizard or scholar can tell you this is just superstition. That the charms cannot protect you from storm and shipwreck, and yet, when Muu looks upon them she gets a strange feeling of deja vu, like a half-remembered dream. Working with local scrimshanders and her initiates, Muu was able reconstruct the half-dreamed script, at least on some small level, giving us this meagre boon.
The simple charms can be made with fishbone, and are only about as powerful as our novice ward, but they can be churned out in remarkable quantities, and one can wear multiple of them if need be.