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[Man of Paper]

I mostly disagree with powder but not enough to argue it, so let’s get this going and give the angels less ammo to try to “shit talk” with (if what they’re doing even qualifies)

Nar-Carok Goes In:
Chegitha/Rolling Hills: (0)
Western Protectorate/Vast Steppe: (0)

Bountiful Quarries: (1) Rockeater
Grid-Locked Polis: (0)
Restless Satrapy: (4) Powder Miner, C2M, Twinwolf, MoP

Pirate Haven: (0)
Schism'd Capital: (0)
Raider's Roost: (0)

Vampire Lord Goes In:
Chegitha/Rolling Hills: (5) Powder Miner, Rockeater, C2M, Twinwolf, MoP
Western Protectorate/Vast Steppe: (0)

Bountiful Quarries: (0)
Grid-Locked Polis: (0)
Restless Satrapy: (0)

Pirate Haven: (0)
Schism'd Capital: (0)
Raider's Roost: (0)

[NUKE9.13]

Oh. He was? 


In my defense, it’s hard to tell

For future reference, if I say something that sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true. The inverse also applies, of course- too bad to be true is also unlikely to be true. I try to be even-handed, but I will frequently joke about being biased.

[NUKE9.13]

Demon Team: Battle Phase T1
TURNTURNTURN
Infiltration Report: Thpenos
The Thpenian adminstrators we recruited in the Restless Satrapy this month have explained to us that there are two factions at play. Well, three if you count the rebels, but they stand no chance of defeating the Thpenian phalanxes- only working within the system can realistically bring change (although the rebels can still be used as pawns). The two factions are fundamentally at odds- there is no hope of striking a middle ground between them. In order to continue our infiltration of the province, we will have to choose a side. Fortunately, this is an easy choice- we will obviously side with the more Evil
   Federalists: Though they see Satrapish independence as implausible, the Federalists think that subjugation by the central government is not a viable path either. By supporting local customs and granting increased self-governance, they hope to pacify the locals while keeping the nation united. They can tolerate folks who think a little differently, so long as broad goals align- even if that means reduced tax income.
   Assimilators: The idea that the Satrapish are fundamentally different from Thpenians is outmoded. The Assimilators believe the locals should not be made second-class citizens, but integrated into Thpenos as equals. By showing them the benefits of adopting Thpenian culture, they will cease their futile struggle and unite fully with the rest of the nation. Think alike, be alike, and incidentally pay taxes alike.

((You have reached 3/5 control. Now you get to choose one of two factions to support. Your opponent will be railroaded into supporting the other. Despite what the text above says, there is not a "Good" and "Evil" option- both are equally viable. Once you have chosen (by the end of this turn), I will write up a fluff explanation of how the chosen faction was the obvious choice. This choice is mainly for aesthetic purposes, though it will have some minor mechanical effects, making certain infiltration methods slightly more/less useful, and slightly changing the rewards for infiltration.))

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

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

Nar-Carok: The diabolical leader of your faction, a being of immense power. There is very little he cannot do. Needless to say, he is Unique


Champions:
The Vampire Lord: An ancient Vampire, unearthed from the Buried City by Nar-Carok and his cultists. Relatively weak during the day, but comes to unlife at night as he rampages through enemy camps, though his stamina is limited. He is also familiar with the general behaviour of nobility, making him a decent director (but not actor) in Influence provinces. Unique
   Vampiric Thralls: Retainers of the Vampire Lord, who have been fed a small amount of his blood. Though alive, they inherit most of his strengths and weaknesses (at a lower intensity). They serve as extensions of his will, acting in his stead in Influence provinces and providing backup in combat. They cannot travel separately from their Lord. Unit Size: ~20


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 demonic 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:
Those Who Remember: Skeletal warriors, driven to return to the battlefield by relentless hatred of all things Good. They wield two-handed weapons and sometimes wear decaying ancient armour. Suffused with burning hatred and animated by the amalgamation of warrior souls, they are remarkably skilled and agile, as well as being quite strong. They are more vulnerable to magical damage, and are lacking in self-preservation instinct. Unit Size: ~50 Uncommon
   Those Who Recall: An even more hateful variant, charging into combat unarmed, intending to leap into the middle of enemy formations where their overflowing hatred will cause them to self-destruct (explosively). May be set off prematurely by ranged damage. Unit Size: ~10 Uncommon
   
Ratmen: Rats living in the Wastelands, who mutated over time through a process of "Survival of the Skittish" into short, humanoid... Ratmen. They wear home-made bone 'armour' and wield a mixture of scavenged small blades. Unit Size: ~100 Common
   Skitterpriests: Zealous followers of Nar-Carok whose screeching sermons drive their brethren into a frenzy that mitigates their inbred cowardice. Command units.

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

Dark Seduction: A simple spell that causes the target to have an improved opinion of the caster, ranging from undying devotion to a twinge of approval, depending on the strength of the caster and resistance of the target. Will also slowly taint the target's personality if used repeatedly, and cause brain damage. Common
   Dark Empathy: Sort of an inverted version that enhances the caster's emotional receptiveness, and giving them a weaker but aura-based Dark Seduction effect. Also causes brain damage, so use is limited to a few minutes a day. Common
 

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, but it keeps the cult growing. Common

Spoiler: Tokens (click to show/hide)

2 Wealth Tokens

Spoiler: Map (click to show/hide)

THPENOS (Influence)
Bountiful Quarries: 2/5 | 1/5
Gridlocked Polis: 1/5 | 1/5
Restless Satrapy: 1/5 | 3/5

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

XYRANIA (Influence)
Pirate Haven: 2/5 | 0/5
Schism'd Capital: 1/5 | 1/5
Raiders' Roost: 1/5 | 2/5

WESTERN PROTECTORATE (Combat)
Windcarved Mesas: 8/8 | 0/8
Vast Steppe: 2/8 | 6/8
Pestilent Marshes: 0/8 | 8/8

[Man of Paper]

Masters of Rites (uses Wealth Token)

Masters of Rites are members of the cult trained to be skillful orators familiar with the funeral rites of the various cultures of the region. These ornately-dressed slaves mortals go forth across the land offering their services to those who have lost friends and family recently (old age as the cause is avoided), and at little to no cost to themselves! Masters of Rites prepare the bodies according to custom and host the proper ceremony (and log the location for potential retrieval later). During said ceremony is where they act out their larger purpose: utilizing their ways with words, Masters of Rites offer their own sermon in place of whatever standard there may be.

This sermon is custom-written for any party present for the ceremony and asks them to remember. Remember who it was that cause this unfortunate loss (hence why they avoid the olds). It reminds them they can do something about it. Sure, said entity that "caused" that loss might always be one in opposition of the Cult, and that "something" they could do might incidentally promote our agenda in the area, but that's just a coincidence.

Since people are dying all over the place at this time, we aim to have the Masters of Rites relatively accessible wherever they may be needed, but not too numerous.

----

Figure poor people don't got money and rich people don't wanna spend it, so offering free funerary services in a time of turmoil is a good way to get "business", and it uses a wealth token to dress a hopefully Uncommon unit enough to make them appeal to all parties as well (plus paying for the rites and junk). We can also flavor these guys for the Federalists or Assimilators.

[Twinwolf]

Hateful Bows

Some corpses and souls retain their strong hatred of Good, but not enough to animate a body. Some souls are simply too fractured, too broken, to be put to use as even an ingredient in a proper One Who Remembers or Recalls. But Nar-Carok is not one to let a good Evil soul go to waste.

The Hateful Bows are bows imbued with yet more angry souls of the deeper reaches of the buried cities. These bows give every shot they take the same hatred, enhancing their impact against Good foes. More importantly, these angry arrows actively seek the most damaging targets they can find - often finding themselves shifting their trajectories in the air to ensure they hit a foe. Such weapons allow our archers to actively aim for the enemy's mages with the confidence that they'll hit (unless perhaps blocked by a ward), or shoot into a melee with little risk of wasteful friendly fire.

[TLDR: Good-Seeking bows that hit a bit harder. Ideally replacing our normal bows. ]

Soul Magi

The Buried Capital was home to many, many civilizations - and every passing day Our cult uncovers more and more of it. One layer was discovered to contain the ancient tombs of an Evil cult who sought ways to preserve themselves long past death, being taught by the Demonic patron of their age. In one way, the Cult of the Eternal Soul succeeded. Their tainted souls remain, far more intact than those of their servants and soldiers and citizens in many higher levels of the Tell. But while their souls remained, their bodies still rotted. As their kingdoms crumbled, they had their decaying husks embalmed and sealed such that they might one day rise again.

That day arrived - and We saw use for them. The Cult of the Eternal Soul had their mummified bodies reanimated. Their own Evil was drawn to Nar-Carok's and they swore loyalty in exchange for this revival, and will now seek to use their spellcasting in the name of the Demon. While few in number, each Soul Magi is a highly capable caster. The great spells of old were lost along with their original Demon, the Soul Magi are no less capable of learning new magic for their unliving condition and will be eager to help create new wicked sorceries.

In addition to generally having more skill than average due to experience, the Soul Magi use the lessons of their old ways to channel magic through Soul Gems. These gems, pure crystals and gemstones filled with souls, can have their contents expended to dramatically boost the power of a spell well beyond it's natural limitations - a Magic Missile becomes akin to a catapult of magic, a thunderbolt creates a lightning storm. Each Soul Magi carries a number of these on them at all times, furnished by the expenditure of a Wealth Token to get the super high quality gems needed to power their most grandiose (and some might say excessive) spells. These Soul Gems are best filled on the battlefield - the heightened emotions, hate, fear, excitement, and more makes for better fuel for the gems.

[TLDR: Mummy mages, intended to be rare in exchange for power and endurance. Use soul-gems for the occasional mega-boosted spells, but have a set rate at which they can use them.]

[Knightwing64]

…..

They have tentacle zombies and mind control worms. I think we are outclassed.

[Twinwolf]

…..

They have tentacle zombies and mind control worms. I think we are outclassed.

Friend
Did you not read the part where the tentacle zombies got their crap kicked in by the rats?
And the mind control worms are just a more physical version of Dark Seduction's long term effects.

[Powder Miner]

…..

They have tentacle zombies and mind control worms. I think we are outclassed.

they have SLOWBITCH tentacle zombies, we have chad murder-suicide skellies and stabby zealot rats
also we have fucking greek dracula

[Knightwing64]

That may be true, but the sheer EVIL and TERROR they emit are such much better then our units

[chubby2man]

Ritual of the Sun-Murderer
Or
Seed of a Demon

When the sun is no longer in the sky and darkness fallen across the land, the Murderers emerge. Armed with daggers, clubs, and ropes, they kidnap an unsuspecting victim back to their lair.

There they torture them, carving sigils into their flesh and burning them with fire, drawing out every ounce of pain and fear they can.

And then, as their victim lies quivering and exhausted, they cut into their chest and bring out their still-beating heart, and it is consumed in a flash of black flame.

This ritual feeds a shard of Nar-Carok, a demonic seed that grows on fear and sacrifice and exudes an aura of dread. At this stage it is a mindless thing, craving the darker emotions and whispering dark reflections of the hopes and dreams of potential cultists.

The demon seed is not self-mobile at this stage, but is able to be transferred between safe houses and murder dens as needed. As it is fed it grows stronger and stronger into subtle nexus of corruption. They will drink more, give into lusts and angers, slights becoming unforgivable and bloodshed ever so much easier to excuse.

It prepares the way for its master to return, to a triumph of torn out hearts souls corrupted.

While it is a seed of Nar-Carok, it does not have the capability to grow into a full-fledged demon in its own right. Instead it is shaped to be a malignant influence. While it can grow to have some defenses to not be totally helpless, it won’t be able to resist a capable team of warriors or Angel. 

So was going with just the murderers, but there wasn’t anything too fancy about them, and then went well what if they were trying to grow something

[Man of Paper]

Suneater Circle (High Effort?)

The Suneater Circle is a circle made of stone slabs whose grooves create one of Nar-Carok's unholiest symbols with nine black monoliths inscribed with minuscule text making up the nine incantations that nine magical individuals are to repeat. Each stone begins to emanate a purple-black aura once the incantation is complete, and when all nine monoliths are alight, the caster are granted the ability to rip a celestial object out of the aether and position it in such a way that they can create an extended eclipse in a particular region.

[Taricus]

Ratmen Skirmishers (Wealth Token)

The Vampire lord's recent night-time escapades have rather inspired more than a few of our ratmen; After all, striking after the dark while the enemy doesn't suspect something is far less risky and far more rewarding than being driven forward into a spear line and angelic undead.

To this end, the Skirmishes carry more effective weapons in the form of a short sword and a set of throwing knives. And armoured in a tunic akin to their common brethren, but utilising better and stronger materials to more effective absorb and deflect blows. Along with a hood and other clothing to help break up their murine silhouette. Whilst likely outmatched in equipment by most of their likely human foes, they more than make up for it in training and cunning; Capably trained to work in small teams to eliminate targets in a silent, stealthy and efficient manner. And if forced to fight openly, can capably account for themselves in a melee, making up for strength with agility and downright dirty methods of fighting.

However, the pool of "ratpower" with which to take candidates for the Skirmishers on from is small, and the training intense. We expect these units to be rare within our forces

[Knightwing64]

                        The Dark Spellbook (not the actual creation, just plot/fluff)

“The dark spells are a stunning entry point to greater and stronger evil magic. Typically used by demon worshippers, the dark spells are quite versatile and can be used in a variety of ways. But, enough bragging. Today, we are here to learn about a spell after my own heart. Mind crush.”

- Xanathar the Ancient





                                 Mind Crush

Mind Crush is a simple enough evil spell to master. It takes the brain damage side effect of dark seduction and dials it up to 11. A single cast can leave a lesser willed person crying out in agony, with even the strongest willed people not far behind. This spell has one, tiny side effect though. It requires hand movements to cast and makes it so if your hands are bound, so is this spell. It also causes minor nosebleeds when overused due to depleted mana.

[Rockeater]

A revision, to help us with the federalists and for other potential areas

Influence tactic: cutting off the tendrils
In many areas there are powerful people who would prefer more local control, and extremist groups who's hate for the central authority can be turned militant, in the areas where this tactic is used we shall use the latter to increase the power of the former: we shall infiltrate those radical forces (but keep them away from our true cause and association in case we need to remove them) and direct their actions into the paths and roads which those central authorities use, we can delay commands, forces and resources from the central region allowing those who prefer local control a greater opportunity to organize their current region for such a case, later those extremist groups can be given to our allies as bargaining chips or show of loyalty to the central authority

[Twinwolf]

Masters of Rites (Wealth Token) (1): Twinwolf
Hateful Bows:
Soul Magi (Wealth Token) (1): Twinwolf
Ritual of the Sun Murderer:
Suneater Circle (High Effort):
Ratmen Skirmishers (Wealth Token):
Mind Crush: