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[Kashyyk]

Sides:
Communalists: (3) TricMagic, m1895, Kashyyk
Meritocrats: ()

Privateers: (3) TricMagic, Quarque, Kashyyk
Blockaders:()
Unique Assignments:
Muu to> Sheltered Fjords: (3) TricMagic,  m1895, Kashyyk
Good Doctor to> Vast Steppe: (3) TricMagic, m1895,  Kashyyk

Sure, let's do all these things. I can't think of any particularly good reason to do otherwise.

[Quarque]

Sides:
Communalists: (4) TricMagic, m1895, Kashyyk, Quarque
Meritocrats: ()

Privateers: (3) TricMagic, Quarque, Kashyyk
Blockaders:()
Unique Assignments:
Muu to> Sheltered Fjords: (4) TricMagic,  m1895, Kashyyk, Quarque
Good Doctor to> Vast Steppe: (4) TricMagic, m1895,  Kashyyk, Quarque

[m1895]

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The sun shines down on my leaves, it's a beautiful day, but the distant thump-thump of a thousand feet tells me this beauty won't last. a shame, not a single bee has even come near me.
~~~
They're closer now, though far enough away that the arrow flying near me seems like an, over eager action. It lands far too close for comfort. I can feel the raw hatred burning off it, I wilt a little in the face of it, but once the hatred burns out, for just a second the pure will to exist shines through. I have to wonder, does the hatred create the will to exist, or does the will create the hatred to justify itself? perhaps it's neither, perhaps everything where they're from felt overwhelming hatred, and the only things that remain have that will to exist.
~~~
They're nearly on top of me now. a ball of lightning races overhead, close enough to singe my petals, though I can't complain, the troops it smashes into fair far worse, but the line wasn't thinned enough to save me. A boot comes down and crushes me, utterly. I can't even curse it's wearer, he only takes two steps before one of those hateful arrows catches his throat; he collapses and his lifeblood seeps into the hungry earth. Honestly, he's paid far more dearly than me. After all, wildflowers only last a season, men last forever as far as I'm concerned, so that only leaves one question, what brought him here?

I awaken into darkness, completely buried. I try to wriggle to free myself, clawing, biting, anything to bring me closer to freedom. The squelching material gives way as I writhe forward; it seems endless, and after ages of crawling forwards, I stop. Why continue forward, when all there seems to be is darkness? why not just lay here, if I'm doomed to an eternity of dark? but even as I lie here my body grows restless. It seems that laying down to die is not in my nature; I wriggle and crawl and bite my way forward once more, crawling forward for another age and a half.
Eventually I scrape against something solid seeming. I prod at it, but this causes it to bust, releasing a flood. I get pushed back into my tunnel, barely holding against the tide, but I do hold on, and once it has subsided I crawl back to the now deflated obstacle. I see the slightest glimmer of light and I pull myself towards as fast as I can, navigating the gap between the obstacle and the tunnel. Finally, freedom! I can feel the air on my skin, and well, actually it's a bit chilly out, but compared to that awful cage, this is paradise. Then I notice it. the mouth of some unfathomably large beast descends around me. I'd try to escape, press on as my nature demands of me, but there's no use, I can't even comprehend how far I'd need to travel to escape. Is this the punishment for trying to rise above the darkness? I stay still as the tripartite jaw closes around my former prison, and finally, as it crushes the life out of me, I realize that it didn't even notice me,. All my hopes and efforts didn't amount to good or ill,
they amounted to nothing.

I've trained hundreds of recruits. No, not on combat styles, The Lady knows I can barely remember the forms drilled into me; I train them how to march and charge without tripping and stabbing each-other by accident. You've never heard of that happening? that's cause I'm damn good at my job. aside from that, I try to separate those who don't have the mettle for combat, honorably, into positions that fit them better within the cu- commune, so I go down the line and this one kid, I could see him wavering, just by how he carried himself and the look on his face, so I prod him, does he think he can stare down a demonic warrior with just the spear and shield in his hand? he looks at me with his acne'd face and says "I-if I have to d-die for the greater good, I will Sarge."
Gah, dying's easy kid, I wanna make sure you won't bring your brothers and sisters down with you. The rest of the week I put him through the usual, this normally causes the waverers to shape up or gracefully pick a different occupation, but this kid took being chewed out over every minor screwup in stride, he brushed off any comment that there's no requirement for him to take up arms, and yet he was still just as wavering as the first day I saw him. When the unit was due at the dockyards, I saw them off, while I stayed here and waited as always. one last time I told the kid that there's no stain on his honor that needs to be washed off; that got some reaction out of him. He told me quite bluntly "I'm leaving Sarge." That was the last I saw of the young man.

Thy line is at end,
but at least I have saved it's name.

[NUKE9.13]

Angel Team: Battle Phase T4
TURNTURNTURN
Battle Report


The Chronicler's Gift:
Having finished interviewing your bewildered cultists, the Chronicler gives her thanks, and haphazardly grabs a few books from her cart and hands them over. Despite her nonchalant attitude towards them, on inspection they are revealed to be very valuable tomes, containing secret wisdom that would greatly benefit upcoming projects. There's also one on badger husbandry, but whatever.
((Gained 1 Tome Token))


It is now the Design Phase. You have 2 designs. You will receive 2 revisions this turn.

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

Muu: The benevolent leader of your faction, a being of immense power. There is very little she cannot do. Needless to say, she is Unique


Champions:
The Good Doctor: Venturing forth with her trusty sword Moonlight (and an unnamed parrying dagger), with traces of Truesilver flowing through her veins, the Good Doctor strikes with surgical precision at enemy weak spots, absorbing their vitality (she's definitely not a vampire). Her sword is especially potent versus non-human foes. Unique


Mundane Units:
Cultist Spears: Reasonably equipped with an iron dagger, a bone-wood-amalgam shield, and bone-wood-shaft iron-tipped spear, though still lacking training. These are not elite warriors- they'd usually 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:
Sea Servants: Deceased cultists, returned to unlife by the grace of Muu. Their mind and soul bound to a hivemind, their body strengthened and transformed into a more tentacle-y version. More vulnerable to damage than humans, but heedless of pain and danger. Used both as labourers and warriors. They are more effective in the presence of Muu, as she can control the hivemind (and a limited number of individual bodies) directly. Unit Size: ~100 Common

Drakegulls: Sea gulls, on a much bigger scale. Three-piece beak, extra eyes, sporadic tentacles, claws on both feet and wingtips. Ridable by cultists, who direct the beasts in battle. Very hungry- will sometimes stop mid-battle to snack on a corpse. Too heavy to fly, though they can glide. Unit Size: ~20 Uncommon OBSOLETE

Hussars of Muu: Humanoid Cuttlefishkin, riding Drakegulls into battle. Armed with a brace of Spears of Light- javelins infused with Bottled Sunlight, that unleash their charge on impact. Also reasonably well equipped with a leather vest, coral-covered shield (very pretty), and iron sabre. Unit Size: ~20 Uncommon

Liquid Light Elementals: A self-propelled mass of Liquid Sunlight, bigger and stronger than a human. A Cherub forms the core of the Elemental, and only by destroying said core will it fall for good. Unfortunately, the Cherubs burn with righteousness, and refuse to dim their light, meaning they must be transported in stasis, and introduced to large barrels of Liquid Sunlight prior to battle. Unit Size: ~15 Uncommon


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

Ymis Ward: A simple magic barrier that can reduce the impact of attacks both mundane and mystical- or be tuned to focus on one over the other. Opposite frequencies can be layered (with a small gap). Won't last long, but can be useful in a pinch. Common


Magical Equipment:
Bottled Sunlight: Sunlight, infused with Good, in liquid form. Can serve as a light source (either extremely bright but short-lived, or quite bright but lasting an hour), applied directly as first-aid (with risk of mutation), or thrown at enemy troops where the concentrated Good will burn Evil beings. Uncommon


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

Worms of Muu: Parasitic/symbiotic worms that produce a worsening malaise unless the host engages in Good-producing acts. Worm will starve if deprived of Good for a week. Encourages good behaviour in a community, and causes the affected to be drawn together by exuded pheromones, forming strong bonds between Good-aligned individuals, who will easily trust angelic operatives while being extremely hard to lure into Evil. Uncommon

Gadflies: Individuals willing to die for a cause, trained in rhetoric and infused with emotion-amplifying hexes that trigger on death. They deliberately seek to be executed for standing up against evil, using the spectacle as an opportunity to give an impassioned speech that is amplified by their death. Even if they are killed before giving their speech, the hexes will still cause a significant swelling of sympathy for the Gadfly and their cause, even amongst the embittered. Unit Size: 1 Rare
   Gadfly Funeral Expenses: By spending a (relatively) small amount of money to organise funerals for Gadflies (who specify it to be their desired funeral in their will), a large gathering is assembled where angelic missionaries can mingle with a receptive audience. The Gadfly's spirit lingers during the funeral, either instilling or reinforcing the effect of their death on attendees.

Corals of Community: Mutant coral, harvested from the waters around Tendril Village, sold as a decoration for aquariums (targeted at the wealthy). Being around the Community Coral will instil a desire to do Good and find a community, as well as rendering the customer susceptible to angelic suggestions. Uncommon


Infrastructure:
Forge of Cleansing: A magically-enhanced forge, where specially blessed water is used to make materials malleable (instead of using heat). This allows for greater use of metals, as well as the use of more exotic materials such as bone. Infrastructure

Spoiler: Tokens (click to show/hide)

3 Wealth Tokens
1 Tome Token

Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)

THPENOS (Influence)
Bountiful Quarries: 3/5 | 2/5
Gridlocked Polis: 3/5 | 3/5
Restless Satrapy: 2/5 | 2/5

CHEGITHA (Combat)
Sheltered Fjords: 8/8 | 0/8
Rolling Hills: 1/8 | 7/8
Deserted Urbs: 0/8 | 8/8

XYRANIA (Influence)
Pirate Haven: 3/5 | 3/5
Schism'd Capital: 2/5 | 3/5
Raiders' Roost: 2/5 | 3/5

WESTERN PROTECTORATE (Combat)
Windcarved Mesas: 8/8 | 0/8
Vast Steppe: 8/8 | 0/8
Pestilent Marshes: 0/8 | 8/8

Spoiler: Influence Factions (click to show/hide)

Reminder: This spoiler provides a brief summary of the factions in each Influence province- their goals, wants, and bonuses. When considering these elements, bear the following in mind:
   Goal: To reach 5/5 control, your supported faction must dominate the province, and you must dominate your supported faction (either converting or replacing their leadership). The other faction does not need to be eliminated, but they must not be able to operate freely. You do not technically have to help your faction achieve their goal, as you could also just crush their opposing faction and elevate their position without pursuing their goals, but their control of the province will seem more credible if their goals are being advanced.
   Want: A faction's wants are not absolute- they are guidelines as to what will most please (and aid) a faction, but more generic infiltration actions can still be effective.
   Bonus: A faction will only provide a mechanical bonus if you have 3+/5 influence in the province. Any action where a faction's bonus is applicable will be easier, with the difficulty reduction depending on the level of Influence you have. At 3/5, it is roughly +0.25; at 4/5, +0.5; at 5/5, +1. If you aren't certain whether a faction's bonus is applicable to a proposal, you can always ask me.

Bountiful Quarries:
   Angels sided with the Communalists.
      Goal: Communal ownership of the mines and quarries.
      Want: Unite the workers, protect the revolution from reactionaries.
      Bonus: Mass Production
   
   Demons sided with the Meritocrats.
      Goal: Reform the administration for greater efficiency.
      Want: Uncover corruption, ensure their members are promoted.
      Bonus: Efficient Management


Gridlocked Capital:
   Angels sided with the Centrists.
      Goal: Build a broad political coalition.
      Want: Persuade politicians to join the coalition.
      Bonus: Negotiation
   
   Demons sided with the Extremists.
      Goal: One-party state.
      Want: Rile up voters, suppress rival voters.
      Bonus: Intimidation
      
      
Restless Satrapy:
   Angels sided with the Assimilators.
      Goal: Assimilate the Satrapy into Thpenos. 
      Want: Educate locals on Thpenian culture, prevent conflict.
      Bonus: Conversion
   
   Demons sided with the Federalists.
      Goal: Provide the Satrapy with local autonomy.
      Want: Sabotage the government, rile up locals.
      Bonus: Harmony (of distinct elements)
      
---

Pirate Haven:
   Angels sided with the Privateers.
      Goal: Regulating pirates, so they act as state-sanctioned privateers.
      Want: Persuade pirates and magistrates to work together, organise/facilitate backroom deals.
      Bonus: Stealth
      
   Demons sided with the Blockaders.
      Goal: Build up Xyranian navy, defeat the pirates at sea.
      Want: Military tech (especially naval), discourage locals from pirate sympathies.
      Bonus: Discipline
      
      
Schism'd Capital:
   Not determined yet.
   
   
Raiders' Roost:
   Angels sided with the Reliquars.
      Goal: Stockpile and safeguard relics.
      Want: Find relics, protect Reliquar vaults. 
      Bonus: Security
      
   Demons sided with the Archaeologists.
      Goal: Acquire and study relics.
      Want: Find relics, unlock their secrets.
      Bonus: Finding Things

[Quarque]

We have a lot of tokens. In my opinion it would be best to utilize them now, in an attempt to turn the tide.

My preferred way to go for the designs would be:

• One influence design. Siren of the West? I say let's boost it with a wealth token. Sounds fitting if we're winning high nobility for the cause.
• One advanced caster design. Star witches? Boost with the tome token, maybe even a wealth token too.

From the battle reports it's clear we desperately need better spells too, but one thing at a time. Casters first.

[Kashyyk]

I am whole heartedly behind using the Tome Token to create an Uncommon-grade Caster unit. I also really like the Veteran Infantry idea Happery had in Discord.

However I also got a rare visit from my muse, and I wanted to capitalise on it.

The scars of ancient wars between Good and Evil can be felt even now, some more readily than others. Cracked mountains, shattered coasts, lands stained with Eldritch energy, mutations of man and beast living in the crevices of the world.

It's unclear whether the Hippotaurs originated as mundane Hippos, or ancient humans. Its also unclear whether they were the product of Good or Evil mutation. We do know that they have been denizens of the Swamps and Fjords for generations, living in close family units.

Standing two or three times as high as a human, they are barrel chested, with a considerable paunch, whilst the Hippotaur's limbs are similar thick and muscled. Each hand three large stubby fingers opposite an equal stubby thumb, making them ill suited to dextrous movements. Instead, they prefer large and weighty implements that match their own prodigious frame. Whilst they maintain a decent speed in water, and are very dangerous over short distances, they are not fast on the march.

Hippotaur family groups, self-referred to as Clans, are tightly knit, although rarily go above one hundred members. When they march to war, Clans will send out their largest and strongest members, and they wil live and fight together, covering each other closely, however they are loath to rely on an "outsider" to protect their flanks, meaning they are instead deployed as small blocks of Heavy Infantry. ((Read: Small Uncommon units))

On their own, Hippotaurs struggle with the delicate work required for fine arms and weapons, relying instead on clubs, large shields, and tanned hides. Whilst our own smiths may be able to produce more effective equipment, that is not a priority at this time.

As I said. Not a thing for now, but I would like your opinions.

[Happerry]

Here's the veteran infantry write up that was mentioned.

Veteran's Academy
With the war with the forces of evil having persisted for some time now, the forces of Muu have begin to develop a surviving core of veteran soldiers among the ranks of Muu's followers. These veterans can be identified and extracted from the ranks of the common spearmen to be given three months of extra drilling and superior equipment to best utilize their proven skill and ability to survive in the face of evil. Being granted actual armor and a proper helmet, as well as spare javelins not used by the Hussars, though also not infused with liquid light, should allow them to counter or outmatch the new enemy Cryptarii. Such Veteran Spearmen would give the forces of Muu a solid core of infantry in the war, which could be vitally important against Nar-Carok's newfound allies.

I'd also support using the tome token to create an uncommon grade caster unit like the Five-pointed Star Witches.

For the Hippotaur Clan Warriors, I like the write up, but tactically they seem to fill the same role as the Liquid Light Elementals in that they're a Light Monster of the blunt force type, so... they're cool, but yeah, not a thing I'd support right now.

Also here's my other write up even if people don't seem as interested in it.

Breath of Muu
Using a single drop of liquid sunlight as a catalyst, the Breath of Muu allows the caster to call up a shimmering fogbank that shines with the lights of distant auroras... and the light of good, of course. While the raw elemental good in the mists created are not enough to cause such dramatic effects as causing beings of evil that enter to spontaneously melt, unless something unusual is effecting said being or they are already unusually unstable, it is still an actively uncomfortable environment for them while being reassuring and comfortable in turn for beings of good that enter the fog as said good beings are ever so slightly empowered by the ambient atmosphere of good energy. The fog can also be thickened to block enemy lines of sight.

[Quarque]

some feedbacks:

• Hippotaurs are cool, although like Happery I think they're not what we need right now. Maybe add an explanation why they'd join our cause?
• Veteran Academy (as an uncommon unit) is something I'll definitely support once we're at 5/5 influence in the bountiful quarry. Right now I feel it would be smarter to invest one design into influence.
• Breath of Muu Is a great idea for a spell to do next turn, although I'd add a line that it specifically hinders enemy ranged attacks..

[TricMagic]

Hippo Rituals demand you must "Flex". Muu certainly has the muscles.

Also, any clue where the star witches write-up is?


LLE Righteousness Channeling
The Righteousness of the Cherub's is a powerful force of Good. They do not wish to hold anything back in their fight against evils big or small. The issue is that liquid light only has so much energy within itself, and they burn it to enlighten all around them. Some may see it as a flaw, but perhaps instead it can become a boon. By tuning this Righteousness, it can become a magical force that envelops the body, changed with the rage of the light. This acts as a shell around the Liquid Light, containing it's force. It bends the light in an unnatural way, and allows it's channeled emotion to maneuver the liquid light as smaller orbs around it's body, or even to change it into an all-out attack.

By channeling this emotion, the LLE can no longer provide an aura around itself. Rather that aura is constrained entirely within the liquid light even when separated. It attacks by either bouncing around, throwing pieces of itself at foes, simply sweeping them up. Or charging, all concerns for stability or collateral thrown to the wayside. These new LLE cannot recover by drinking more liquid light, as the light they are born with is heavily dyed by their own emotional colors. However their control of this liquid is such that it becomes it's own method of combat, blunt force combined with devastating drowning of evil caught within it's light.

It should be noted that this method is not without it's drawbacks. The cherubs are unruly and have a habit of wandering on their own crusades. They do not hide themselves and are the first to charge into combat. And while their ability to float under their emotional power is solid, it's by no means fast. And last is of course the fact that the added ability to channel their energy makes them a Rare sight due to the added complexity in their core.


idea.

Summoning: LLE
Summoning. The basic premise behind it is simple, if complex in applications. It' used to access other realms and bring forth creatures from them, or even to form new ones from the energy provided from those realms. However, nothing says it has to be another realm being accessed. By setting up a ritual circle at home, and then making one in the field, it should be possible to transport beings across space.
Of course, the goats we tried this with went mad(not to mention the strange muutations they underwent), but further testing seems to allow certain things through, so long as the ritual requirements are met. A sword for a sword, a fish for a fish, or liquid light for liquid light elemental. This last one is the most important, since it provides a method of transporting them as needed. A receiving circle is made by acolytes and the ritual performed, and the sending circle at home sends forth a newly born Liquid Light Elemental.

[Quarque]

Just throwing a spell idea out there for later. At least I had fun writing it. 

Only Muu herself could cast this spell on her own; otherwise, it requires an intricate group ritual by a group of casters that are especially attuned to each other.

After they finish a chant and dance, a ball of holy fire launches from their midst and flies off in an arc. Subtle details during the cast will determine where it will land; once the spell has been cast, it is no longer in their control.

Wherever the ball lands, it will explode with a purifying heat that consumes friend and foe alike. Very few things can withstand the intense flames. Anything made out of liquid light is resistant, though; liquid light elementals even heal from it.

After the blast, a mushroom cloud of dust rises on the scene, which spreads good radiation that causes random mutation in anything that lives or even (to a lesser degree) undead. Servants of Muu, while not immune, won't typically mind the effects much, as it is part of their nature.

[TricMagic]

The cherubs hate to dim their light. But there are those hidden away in the dark that scatter from it. This is the rhetoric Muu uses to convince them that shining brightly all the time is not always the correct option, even if it is Good. Rather, shining brightest for a brief moment and absolutely annihilating evil within the dark is also good. Through specialized training the cherub learn how to condense light around them, becoming invisible wraiths waiting for the chance to strike at evil that dares approach. This allows their light to stay contained for that single moment when they shine. They are not truly invisible, there are clear distortions when bright light hits them, but in the darkness they serve as able sentries. The fact this also solves their energy problems is a bonus.

This revision mostly makes use of condensing light around them, so none of it escapes the liquid light. It's fairly easy to see even in shadows during the day. During the night far less so, as there isn't much light hitting them. They are also very obvious once they strike since they throw off that cover. This revision makes use of the Stealth bonus we have from the privateers. Stealth Blobbos. As they aren't throwing it around outside combat, they can last for far longer.

I'll be honest, the electronic reference is also fun, given most things these days have a Dark Mode.


Bonus: Mass Production
Bonus: Negotiation
Bonus: Conversion
Bonus: Stealth
? ? ?
Bonus: Security
For current reference of 0.25 bonuses.

[Happerry]

• Veteran Academy (as an uncommon unit) is something I'll definitely support once we're at 5/5 influence in the bountiful quarry. Right now I feel it would be smarter to invest one design into influence.

That's fair enough.

• Breath of Muu Is a great idea for a spell to do next turn, although I'd add a line that it specifically hinders enemy ranged attacks..

That's what the part about 'The fog can also be thickened to block enemy lines of sight.' is supposed to do, because blocking the enemy line of sight usually screws over ranged attacks.

Also here's something for another turn.

Coral Diftwracks
Scavenging driftwood, stray flotsam, and excess coral growth from local reefs, lumbering constructs, generally four legged but sometimes six legged, are built by trained craftsmen to serve as unflinching and untiring beasts of burden and living siege machines. Vaguely evoking sealife of the abyssal deeps in shape, these great machines function through an ingenious system of internal pumps and pipes that allow for an installed Liquid Light Elemental to puppet and control the construct, bringing it to lumbering and tireless life.

In battle, these Driftwracks serve as living siege weapons, using their great size and strength, as well as the aura of innate goodness caused by their propulsion and motivation system, to literally batter down anything that stands in their way. They are also large enough to theoretically mount light siege weapons on their backs, but that would probably require a later revision to properly implement.

Out of battle, the uses of a tireless giant of coral and driftwood lends itself to many other uses, as few forms of labor can not be added by such a colossi lending aid and brute force to whatever job they may be assisting.

[Failbird105]

Design: The Five-pointed Star Witches
With the project of the Hussars still held in recent memory, and a new supply of arcane knowledge now in our possession, we have turned our thoughts to the field of Magic. Our Acolytes may be our best mortal magical minds, but that's not saying much when they're also our only ones. Many, many concepts where had, but in the end, none of them where the one. Some had a core issue too major to simply work around. Others simply did not hold Muu's attention, their benefits too small or mundane. Yet more still were not even related to the project at hand. Those designers were put on... time out. Regardless, for all the proposals made, none was quite right. Then one individual came up with an idea. Combine several of the best proposals that had been made, mitigating their weaknesses and amplifying strengths. Thus, a new being was crafted.

Volunteers among our ranks were taken by Muu, brought down into the depths, and when they emerged upon our shores once more, they had become something new. Purple skin, with three vivid emerald eyes, hair resembling a starfish stretched over their head, large flat hands with suckers upon the palmar side, and elegant garbs formed of melded sea stars. They were the Five-pointed Star Witches, or the Five-points for short.

Alone, each Five-point is superior in base casting ability than an Acolyte, even if not enough to truly push them up to the next level. The core of the Star Witches, however, is their ability to link themselves together, each connecting mind and soul with up to four others so long as they each remain within several meters of another in their team. This means that they naturally group themselves up into teams of five, forming close bonds of friendship. When linked, they are able to pool both resources and ability together, enabling them to cast more advanced spells and granting their spells more power than an individual mage of the same level by functioning as a single mage greater than their individual abilities combined.

Additionally, due to being starfish based, a sort of exclusive "spell" was created, with which the Five-points(and future Star Witches should we ever make any) can use magic, particularly Good, to empower their natural regeneration to combat viable levels. Sealing arrow wounds rapidly, dulling the impact sites of Magic Missiles, and even slowly reforming lost limbs, though the latter is infeasible to do during active combat.

This power comes with downsides, however. While their synchronization with their Team is practically perfect the lack of connection with those outside of the group means that they have a harder time coordinating with others beyond the team, outside of Muu herself who can tap into these bonds directly, than they did before mutation. They also all share each-others pain to an extent, meaning that the death of one will temporarily send the others into disarray in addition to weakening their magic.

Finally, Muu understands the deep importance of these connections and bonds, those who spend all their time even outside of combat together, from singing in perfect harmony to bathing together. Where a less caring leader would simply force the teams to adapt to replacement members, Muu takes mercy upon them. The minds of Star Witches who die remain contained within their collective consciousness, and time that would otherwise be spent creating new Five-points is instead spent creating new bodies for those who fell. While their tight-knit groups naturally lead them to be fielded in small units of 5(so a single team per unit), we expect that their abilities will allow them to make up for this limitation, especially as we develop new spells for them to wield.

[Tome Token]: To make up for our own lack of magical expertise, we will utilize our new supply of arcane knowledge to educate and empower the Star Witches, allowing them to cast spells of greater complexity, and gaining yet superior willpower to strengthen their magic.

[Kashyyk]

I've adjusted the proposal slightly, to improve wording, explain how we recruited them and hopefully emphasised their defensive focus.

I've also got a couple of other ideas. One for logistics, allowing us to make up for our slow movement. The other is a spell for influence.

Spoiler: Hippotaur Clan Warriors v.2 (click to show/hide)

The scars of ancient wars between Good and Evil can be felt even now, some more readily than others. Cracked mountains, shattered coasts, lands stained with Eldritch energy, mutations of man and beast living in the crevices of the world.

It's unclear whether the Hippotaurs originated as mundane Hippos, or ancient humans. It's also unclear whether they were the product of Good or Evil mutation. Any trace of these origins has been lost over the years as they have bred true, forming close family units amongst the Swamps and Fjords.

Standing two or three times as high as a human, they are barrel chested, with a considerable paunch, whilst the Hippotaur's limbs are similarly thick and muscled. Each hand has three large stubby fingers opposite an equally stubby thumb, making them ill suited to dextrous movements. Instead, they prefer large and weighty implements that match their own prodigious frame. Whilst they maintain a decent speed in water, and are very dangerous over short distances, they are not fast on the march.

Hippotaur family groups, self-referred to as Clans, are tightly knit, and rarily go above one hundred members. When they march to war, Clans will send out their largest and strongest members. These brothers and sisters (quite literally in most cases) will live and fight together, their bond ensuring they will protect each other at all costs. This defensive instinct makes them loath to rely on an "outsider" to protect their flanks, meaning they are instead deployed as small blocks of Heavy Infantry. ((Read: Small Uncommon units)) This disposition against foreigners made initial entreaties difficult, however progress was slowly made with repeated extolling of Community values, generous gifts of amateur metalwork and Muu demonstrating that she can be incredibly big and beefy when necessary.

On their own, Hippotaurs struggle with the delicate work required for fine arms and weapons, relying instead on clubs, large shields, and tanned hides. Whilst our own smiths may be able to produce more effective equipment, that is not a priority at this time.

Spoiler: Transport Golems (click to show/hide)

Bound in iron, the hollow torsos of these golems are made from stout wooden planks and take the shape of large chests and barrels. They are supported by four long, lanky limbs in which it moves with a swinging gait.

Not designed for combat, these transporters instead carry the provisions necessary to keep an army on the march. Food, water, and myriad other mundane supplies can be hefted, as well as the more exotic, such as Liquid Light.

Spoiler: Subtext of the Supplicant (click to show/hide)

A common spell, SotS allows our allies and followers to communicate without fear of being overheard, even in the most crowded of settings. When cast with one or a few targets in mind, they and the caster form a sympathetic bond for the duration of the spell. To the outside observer, the individuals are exchanging basic small talk, however to the individuals in question, they instead infer the true meaning of any statement regardless of what is actually said. Some practice is required to ensure the cover conversation is not pure nonsense, but even if they were merely reciting lines from a script, the true conversation may be  strategic planning, blackmail, recruitment or a myriad other things that are not suitable to unwanted ears.

2 Designs
(1) Five-Piinted Star Witches: Kashyyk
- Use a Tome Token?
-- (1) Yay: Kashyyk
-- () Nay:
(1) Veterans Academy: Kashyyk
- Use  Wealth Token?
-- (1) Yay: Kashyyk
-- () Nay:

[m1895]

Found this because it demonstrates the more mutie direction I'd prefer to take veterans in, will probably still vote for "The Plan" this turn though.

Veteran Cultist Spears
The veterans of our campaigns tend to end up somewhat, uh, distorted looking, but we've managed to work this to our favor.
In a relatively simple ritual, the veteran has their various... blessings shaped into more useful forms; scale hardens enough to turn a blade, rubbery flesh becomes tough enough to withstand clubbing, and well, the tentacles can probably be made useful for something. While normally this may be expected to warp their minds, the war has already done enough of that, and for better or worse has subdued further change.
After this they receive their new equipment, armor made from hexagonal plates of toughened bone with a padded steel cap, a spike or hook set just underneath the spearhead to well, hook enemies and their weapons, and finally a cheap Messer as a very long knife (some may say shortsword, but it's made by knifemakers and is legally a single-edged knife, so there) to provide a better close quarters option.
Drill Squares
It's a simple fact that if you want to effectively train for close-order fighting, you need a drill square.
The drilling improves a soldier's ability work with their comrades more than their personal skill at arms, and also noticeably improves endurance. a small section is set aside for simple "acrobatics" training, and while the average soldier obviously isn't going to put that into practice directly in the field, it should provide a modest improvement in agility and flexibility, or at least limit the instances of "Jim tripped and the entire column humorously tripped over him."
Drakegull Leg Strengthening
The Drakegull's few problems are not insurmountable.
We have modified the mutation process to increase muscle mass and efficiency in the legs (and while messing around with metabolic processes for that, might as well refine them). First and foremost, this allows the Drakegull to do a "jump-glide" which is a net calorie reduction over running and quick. It also allows the Drakegull to have a mean sprint when it needs to, outrunning a galloping horse over short distances, though the horse would win a marathon.