Andronicus23

War Never Changes: Let's Tri This Again

Even if the Legion lost at Hoover Dam, its entirely possible they still survived as a faction. A strong enough leader (aka whoever takes them over) could step into Sallow's shoes, claim descent from Mars as the next Caesar, and reorganize the Legion.

War Never Changes: Let's Tri This Again

Yeah for the game endings, I think some modified versions of the endings need to be decided upon. For instance, Fallout 4, if the Minutemen destroy both The Institute and Brotherhood, that knocks out a couple factions for people to potentially RP as.

That's not to say The Minutemen can't win out, but instead of wiping them out. Perhaps The Institute is evacuated successfully and The Brotherhood retreats after Liberty Prime is destroyed (just an example).

Edit: I'll just say too that if the ending can be modified a bit. I'd like to claim those Institute remnants as a potential faction.

War Never Changes: Let's Tri This Again

Definitely ready to roll with this. I'll vote East Coast.

Of Petty States: A Warhammer NRP

Azzsar The Dreamer - The Great City of Mourkain, In Another Time

The warm night breeze lightly tossed the red silken curtains of the balcony’s awning, whilst the scent of perfumed incense wafted through the air. All around were various exotic planters containing a variety of flowers and small trees, each giving off their own scent borne of a hundred different lands. Amongst this decadent setting a small cadre of pale-skinned nobles wearing soft flowing outfits of various colors reclined on stuffed peacock cushions. A number of servants stood gently fanning them, whilst elegant crystal glasses filled with a dark red liquid was held in each of their jewelry-bedecked hands. One of them took a long drink from his glass before turning to his fellows,

“Brothers I must speak,” He turned to one of the nobles seated across from him, and raised his glass, “Azzsar your hospitality is once again proven to all. I cannot think of a finer night I have experienced than this.”

“Please your thanks is appreciated but unnecessary, what manner of man would I be to not welcome my fellow brothers of the night into my home? You are most welcome here, and shall ever be,” The man he'd addressed replied cheerfully.

“I too must compliment you on your mortal fare. Who were they?” Another man spoke, “The taste is exquisite.”

“A criminal condemned and executed not but this very morning. A merchant who swindled a considerable amount of money from his business partners. I’m told he was of excellent heritage and good breeding.”

“Ha! Very fine indeed, you spoil us brother.”

“Only the finest,” Azzsar said as he stood up, his silken white robes billowed about him as he did so, “Brothers I propose a toast. To Great Ushoran, Lord and King of Mourkain and all the lands of Mighty Strygos. I name him founder of this celebration.”

The rest of the nobles followed Azzsar’s lead, and also raised their glasses,

“To the King!”

Suddenly the billowing curtains leading to the balcony parted and out stepped a beautiful woman in light blue dress, her slender pale hands clasped before her and her deep blue eyes looked at Azzsar with a warm unspoken tenderness,

“Brothers,” Azzsar turned, “I present to you my wife.”

Azzsar reached for her hand, eagerly anticipating her loving touch.

It never came.

---------------------------------------------------------

Azzsar woke within his stone sarcophagus, there was a brief moment of dawning realization as he raised up his hand, expecting yet to see his wife before him, but instead seeing only dripping rock and the outline of long razor sharp claws that he quickly knew was his own.

All at once her roared and pulled himself up out of the stone coffin. His bestial cry was borne of the horror of a former life long since lost: of friends, of love, and dignity all now torn from him forever. Azzsar swung one of his hands and tore into the rock beside him, tearing bits and pieces of stalagmites and sending them crashing to the ground as he did so.

Several ghouls scurried their way into his chamber from the blackness of the tunnel beyond. The loathsome creatures carried crudely fashioned bone clubs and wore scraps of tattered animal refuse and hide as makeshift clothing. When they saw that Azzsar had awakened, they immediately dropped low in deference, and placed their hunched and deformed bodies as close to the ground as they could.

Azzsar looked at them and strode over, he immediately grabbed one of the ghouls and with a single powerful bite, he sank his fangs into the creature's neck and tore it open. He drank deeply as its lifeblood drained out in a great torrent before him. The blood was wretched and foul, but it was none the less nourishing and he needed to feed after his long slumber. When he was finished, he tossed the exsanguinated ghoul aside. The other ghouls immediately turned and grabbed at their former pack mate, tearing the corpse apart limb from limb as they feasted on its body. Not a scrap would go to waste.

Someone else entered his chamber then, an undead warrior clad head to toe in ancient armor with a sword clasped at its side. A great helm in the visage of a winged dragon sat atop its head and from its now empty eye sockets glowed a bright blue aura. It drew its sword and knelt before Azzsar in noble deference. When it spoke, its voice was unearthly and remote,

“My Lord you have awakened once more. What command do you have for your servant?”

“Verrok,” Azzsar said, as he approached towards the Wight, “How many years has it been?”

“A century at least, Great One”

“I must feed Verrok. I desire sweeter blood: not of these wretched creatures,” He motioned to the gibbering ghouls who were still feasting on their fallen kin, “I would have an unspoiled mortal.”

“Then I will send out patrols to watch the mountain roads for travelers Great One. I shall procure you a human from which you might slake your thirst.”

“And summon all before my throne Verrok. I would hold court this night.”

“As you wish Great One.”

N.E.O. - New Earth Oracle

New Horizons Coalition, Svalbard Global Headquarters, Office of Xeno-Intelligence Director Miranda Rockwood (“Aurora”)

“UN Resolution 699...”

Director Miranda read through the printed memo carefully, her face stoic as she finished the small brief. In front of her, Xeno-Intelligence operative Dr. Ronald Varis waited patiently. He’d brought her attention to the memo right away, and was eager to hear her thoughts.

Miranda sat silently for a few moments, staring at the paper.

“At a loss for words Director?” Varis asked, “I know that in my case…”

“Morons….” Miranda finally said, interrupting her subordinate and setting the document aside.

“Hmm. Not entirely speechless then...” Varis quipped, “I suppose you are taking the pessimistic approach then. Global cooperation like this is something the Coalition has been desiring for years is it not?”

“I prefer the phrase ‘necessary caution’. And yes, in some sense it's exactly what we've been looking to see, but not like this. Not with this goal in mind. What we want….what we need, is a global concerted effort to agree on defense countermeasures against the Visitors, not this unrestrained optimistic drive to ‘boldly go’.”

“Faster than light travel would be a large step on the way to equalizing our standing with the Visitors. That’s undeniable.”

“And it's something we’ve feared for years might bring the Visitors back,” Miranda stated, firmly, “The Xeno-Intelligence Division has maintained for years that FTL travel and the potential it brings, while undeniably important for humanity's future in the stars, should be approached cautiously. It’s a latchkey advancement, something that signifies a civilization's readiness to begin exploration and colonization of the galaxy, and indeed, universe proper.”

Varis sighed, “I know. I suppose the futurist in me cannot help but feel excited.”

Ignoring the sentiment, Miranda continued, “It's possible that the Visitors came to earth for the first time, perhaps only to examine humanity from a curiosity standpoint. No different than if we observed a colony of ants digging tunnels deep in the forest. We watch, we observe, and we learn much about a societal structure so implacably different from our own, from creatures that we would consider so many magnitudes below us. It's simply genuine interest and scientific curiosity. Sure we might accidentally step on a few, but there is no harm intended.”

Miranda leaned forward, glaring at Dr. Varis, “Let me ask you a question Ronald, what do we do once those same ants start marching their way into our homes? We exterminate them.”

Varis nodded, “Many within the Director Council won’t see things the same way, I’m sure. Other divisions are undoubtedly going to look at this news more favorably.”

“It's our job to see things in ways that others will never consider,” Miranda replied, as she began typing up an email, “We’re supposed to be the voice of fear.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“We need to get a handle on this. Make some calls, and do some digging. I’m going to get a hold of our UN contacts, and our agents in Brazil. If this resolution is happening, then we need to have a voice in how things proceed. In the meantime, I want you to stay focused on what we found in Paris. Keep investigating Thousand Eyes activity, the Council is expecting a report soon.”

“Right I suppose I have an interview to conduct then….”

Svalbard Global Operations Headquarters, Interrogation Room 1C

Two armed guards in full gear stood outside the door leading to the secure interrogation room at the end of a long hallway. The interrogation rooms were deep within the facility, and a level up from the holding cell block. Coalition protocol was not to keep prisoners long term, as in the cases of artifact smuggling or the like it was up to the country of origin’s own discretion for sentencing and punishment: except in special circumstances as dictated by UN charter. Thousand Eyes Cult members were one such exception,

“He’s inside?” Dr Varis asked as he approached.

“Yes sir,” One of the guards replied sharply, “Are you ready?”

Varis nodded, “Yes I’m under orders from Aurora to begin the interrogation immediately...go ahead and open it Sergeant.”

The guard nodded, and unlocked the door with his key. A secondary retinal scan confirmed the unlock, and the heavy security door swung open, allowing Varis to step inside. The guard quickly closed the door and shut it behind him.

Two other guards were already inside, their P90s gripped firmly in their hands pointed down but ready at a moment's notice to swing them up towards the subject in front of them.

The subject in question, a man covered in decadent tattoos and wearing a yellow jumpsuit, regarded Varis coldly as he approached. A muzzle covered his mouth, while his hands and feet were both bound with cuffs: he said nothing as Dr. Varis sat down in front of him.

“State your name and affiliation, for the record...as clearly as you’re able with that thing on you...” Varis began, trying to assert authority.

The prisoner didn’t respond, seemingly unwilling to cooperate.

“What do others in the Cult call you?”

Still there was silence, only the hateful glare of the man seated across from him.

“Okay I’ll level with you,” Varis continued, deciding to switch his tactics, “You allowed yourself to be taken alive...as I understand it, that's a cardinal sin within the Cult of the Thousand Eyes. You’re life there is over. You know that, I know that. If you go back they’ll torture you to death...flay you alive or pour molten lead down your throat…. If we turn you loose into the world they'll find you. There’s a good reason why ninety-nine percent of the time we don’t capture Thousand Eyes cultists alive during a raid. They’re either too insane or too scared to find out what will happen if they surrender and the Cult finds out. However, the rare few who do comply with arrest usually have a damn good reason for doing so. They want out...they want a deal. I’m thinking that’s the same case with you, or am I wrong?”

The cultist balled his hands into fists, but remained utterly silent.

“I’ll take that as acceptance. So why don’t you tell me...what is it you want? I can’t help you or offer you anything if all you do is sit there.”

The cultist lowered his head, and still remained quiet.

Varis stood up sharply, “Alright fine we’re done here. Guards...”

“Wait,” the cultist said suddenly, looking up with a look of fear in his eyes, “I want to die.”

“You...want to die? Well then you could have just let Coalition Tactical shoot you if that’s all you wanted.”

“You don’t understand. I want to die peacefully.... After I’ve told you everything.”

Varis retook his seat, and folded his hands in front of him, “I’m listening. Go on.”

“It's not right. What they’re doing...it's not right. I can’t be a part of it anymore.”

“You joined an apocalyptic Death Cult, I’m confused at which point you thought they were in the right,” Varis quipped, “But I’ll bite, what do you mean you can’t be part of it anymore”

The cultist shook his head, “We were told it would be our salvation. That we would be chosen. Taken up and transcended. The Visitors would make us gods once we offered up the planet to them. Then we would rule the stars as their servants…”

“Yes I’m familiar with the cult’s prophecy, what else?”

“The Acolyte...he says it's not enough to wait for the Visitors to return. We cannot wait to be transcended. We must force our transcendence.”

Varis raised an eyebrow, “You’re talking about mutation. NLC mutations have been used by the Cult plenty of times before. Why is this different?”

“Different...” The cultist shook his head, “Different because before only those who desired it would use the compound. Now The Acolyte has found something else...something stronger. And now no-one has a choice anymore.”

“So members of Thousand Eyes are being forcibly mutated, is that it? By a stronger NLC agent? Something the Acolyte found or perhaps crafted from an artifact?”

The cultists nodded, “But the mutations...it's not like before. It starts as usual, lots of muscle growth, thicker skin...but then the screaming starts….and the screaming doesn’t stop. They scream until their throats tear and eyes burst while the skin bleeds and tears….” The cultist became wide-eyed, fear etched across his face, “And then….”

“Then what?”

“They become something else...” The man lowered his head, seemingly wishing to say nothing more on it.

“And Paris? Why were you there?” Varis narrowed his eyes, unnerved by the man’s confession and unsure whether or not to believe him.

The Cultist looked back up, genuine sorrow etched on his face.

Dawning realization hit the doctor like a brick, “Kidnapping?”

The cultist did not reply, but his expression said it all.

“Escort the prisoner back to his cell,” Varis stood up and motioned to the guards, who moved in to grab him, “I need some time to corroborate this information…”

Of Petty States: A Warhammer NRP

Realm of Azzsar

Faction Name: The Realm of Azzsar



(Old banner hanging with Azzsar's throne room, a tattered remnant from Old Strygos)

Held territory: A deep cave system within the Grey Mountains which serves as the Court of Azzsar. The tunnels and side passages that make up Azzsar’s realm are dark and twisted, with paths that lead both to the Underway and to the deep warrens and brood nests of the verminous Skaven. Some passages lead to great cavernous openings, like the one that serves as Azzsar’s great ‘throne room’ while others meander and wind through the mountains, take deep vertical dives, or simply end abruptly forcing explorers to backtrack miles. Few dare to brave these passages and none who do come back out alive. Safe paths through his realm are known only to those of his court: namely the ghouls, spirits, and wights that are his devoted servants. The Ghoul King constantly wars with the Skaven, Dwarfs, and others over these tunnels, and skirmishes and battles are fought deep within this hellish underworld beneath the mountains completely unknown to the wider world.

Ruler: Azzsar the Dreamer, Blood of Ushoran and Prince of Mourkain. Azzsar is a vampire of the Strigoi bloodline, and a former lord of the once great land of Strygos. After the fall of Strygos and the flight of its broken people, Azzsar made his way into the lands of the Old World. Constantly hunted both by humans and by vampires of the other bloodlines who wished to see the Gets of Ushoran wiped out, Azzsar was driven deep into the Grey Mountains, where he took to hiding within its many deep caverns. There he found a tribe of degenerate ghouls living within these same caverns and quickly bent them to his will, becoming their lord and master. Following this, Azzsar carved out a territory for himself within this underground world, and set up a court of his own from which he might continue to act the part of a noble of Strygos. This act is just that however, and is a pale imitation of his former glory. No longer can he command legions of disciplined warriors, instead the beastial ghouls of his realm are his to lead. His former princely robes are exchanged for ghoul and Skaven-hide garments, and his throne of gold is now one of bones and stone. Here, deep within his new realm he waits, and has slept for years on end as he dreams of past glories and the promise of better days yet to come. Yet recent stirrings in the mountains and beyond has led him to awaken and become more active within his dark kingdom.

Azzsar as a Strigoi Ghoul King is an immensely strong fighter, even more so than a vampire of the Blood Dragon bloodline. What the Strigoi lack in grace and skill in their fighting style, they make up for with sheer strength and raw power. The body of a Strigoi is heavily muscled, monstrously large, and with long sharp claws which might rip and tear apart any who would dare disturb him.


(Ushoran, first of the Strigoi and sire of Azzsar)

In addition to brute strength he is also a gifted caster. Like many of his kin, he is adept at Necromancy and the Lore of Death, and can wield great power in this regard. Raising new servants into unlife and imbuing himself with unholy power. He is a dangerous foe by any measure and only the strongest or the most foolish would ever dare to challenge him directly in battle.

However he is not without his weakness. Like all vampires Azzsar has an aversion to the sun, but in his own case this is particularly egregious. As is the case with many Strigoi in hiding, Azzsar has spent so many years cloaked in almost total darkness that his body, were it to come into contact with the rays of the sun, would almost assuredly begin to burn his skin instantly. Some vampires, especially those of the Von Carstein and Lahamian blood can resist or even completely overcome their weakness to the sun, but this is not the case with Azzsar and his Strigoi kin. It would be almost impossible for him to ever return to the surface without the shielding blackness of night.

Economy: The Strigoi Lord rules over a primitive undead kingdom of ghouls and ghosts, not merchants and traders. His economy is almost non-existent but despite this there is still some opportunity for trade. Great seams of warpstone run throughout his realm and when he is not actively at war with a Skaven clan over them, he might trade with them for trinkets or human slaves from the surface to sate his bloodthirst. In addition when he fled from Mourkain Azzsar brought with him a trove of treasure that he keeps hidden within his throne room: a small horde of gold and jewels from Strygos. While he would be loath to use what is left of his old wealth in barter, he might still use a small sum of it to bribe humans or otherwise part with it in a time of great need.

Of course for those who desire it, Azzsar can also offer the unbridled promise of necromantic power and even the kiss of unlife should he deem them worthy to be sired. More than one necromancer has tried to seek Azzsar out so they might learn secrets he offers, only to be horribly dismembered by his servants or hopelessly lost within the labyrinthine passages of his realm.

Resources: Azzsar’s realm despite its rather primitive state is rich in natural resources. Veins of precious minerals and even warpstone run readily throughout the passages and caverns which he lords over which cut deep into the bowels of the earth. This makes his holdings attractive and eminently desirable to the greed of Dwarfs and Skaven. In the case of the Dwarfs, this is a matter of reclaiming their lost mines and Underway holdings which their ancestors once held. For the Skaven: this is purely greed and taking what should rightly be controlled by the Children of the Horned rat.

Of course for a Lord of Mourkain there is also limitless potential within these cavernous depths. Passages which tunnel under graveyards or into ancient barrows that provide thralls aplenty to serve in the Strigoi King’s armies along with ancient weapons and tomes he might make use of. Even the ghouls, bestial as they are, are valuable: they provide a valuable source of blood for the vampire as they are still technically living. Obviously whenever possible, Azzsar would much prefer to capture and drink the blood of untainted humans.

The Teeming Undead: Azzsar has at his disposal thousands of ghouls and undead creatures. The bulk of his army are indeed made up of ghouls, the tribe of which he has dominated since his arrival in the grey mountains. Ghouls are not particularly reliable fighters, but they are fierce, quick, and deadly in swarms. Their weapons of bone and rock are also more often than not poisoned by decay and filth, which can lead to a slow and painful death to an enemy even if they survive an encounter with them. They are also actually living creatures, being humans that have devolved into animalistic creatures due to indulging in cannibalism. While this means they do need to eat, drink and sleep: it also means they will breed and grow without need of expending magic to raise them. And moreover, it means that they can sometimes go places where other undead creatures may not. Such as in some cases: holy ground.

The rest of Azzsar’s servants are made up of either undead zombies (mostly Skaven but also dwarfs and humans), a number of wraiths and ghosts ( summoned or created from wizards or necromancers unlucky enough to come into Azzsars clutches) and a small number of Wights. The Wights are Azzsars favored servants as unlike the zombies or ghouls, they have some semblance of intelligence and military tradition about them. They consist of the remains of ancient human soldiers raised from the barrows deep within the mountains. Unlike other undead, they retain a small aspect of their soul and thus retain the martial prowess they once held in life. Accordingly, Azzsar uses them as commanders and captains of his undead hordes.

Deep with the darkest caverns of the mountains, there also lurks the potential for other beasts to be raised into service. The mighty Terrogheist is one such creature that, when killed, could be raised into unlife and pressed to serve the Strigoi King.

Regiments of Renown: “The Horrors in the Deep '' a number of Crypt Horror “honor guard” that Azzsar has raised to his service from the teeming masses of the ghouls of his realm. Crypt Horrors are created in a bastardization of the blood kiss, in which a vampire will open their veins and let a ghoul drink of his vampiric blood for some amount of time. Upon which the ghouls grow larger and larger until they become a monstrous mass of flesh and muscle many times their normal size. These abominations guard Azzsar’s ‘throne room’, and protect his person when he slumbers within his stone sarcophagus. Allowing a creature such a ghoul to drink of their blood is considered completely abhorrent by almost all vampires. Only one of the Strigoi would likely ever consider such an act unless the need was great indeed. For Azzsar however, it is but a small price to pay for having such powerful creatures to guard his tomb.

The Horrors of the Deep are a particularly brutal batch of Crypt Horrors, and carry large clubs of stone and mammoth bone. Azzsar has allowed them to drink so many times of his blood, that they have gained particularly enhanced healing and regeneration abilities, giving them an even more dangerous aspect.

Foreign Policy: A Strigoi has few friends and many enemies. Even amongst other vampires the Strigoi are considered outcasts and undesirables. Other bloodlines, especially those of the Lahmian brood, consider them foul and uncouth: the spawn of Ushoran who stole the elixir of life from Neferatra and did not ‘earn’ it as their sires did. Even the Necrarchs, dark and twisted as they are, tend not to associate themselves with a Strigoi, for fear of bringing down the wrath of other bloodlines onto their secret lairs and towers.

And yet there is still some hope for the Strigoi to navigate that wider world. Azzsar has the loyalty of many wandering Strigany caravans: the exiled peoples of Strygos who yet still hold to the old ways and the old tales. Tales of how the vampires once ruled over them beneficently and gloriously, drinking only the blood criminals while defending them from all manner of threats. Rumors abound amongst those who seek Azzsar that he yet might be contacted through the Strigany....

As for the verminous Skaven: Azzsar is not opposed to working with them when it suits his purpose, but he must be careful not to favor one clan too much: for the rat men are notoriously treacherous. Better to let them fight amongst each other and battle them when and where the opportunity presents itself within the deep warrens of the mountains.

Culture: Azzsar still clings to the noble concepts and ideals of Strygos. Although that empire is long gone. He lords over his ghoulish and undead servants like a true king, and expects utter deference and respect in return. He constantly drills his “soldiers” and trains them for war, although the ghouls can do nothing but obey his every order regardless and have little in the way of thoughts of their own.

Notable locations: The deep tunnels of the Northern Grey Mountains, the Realm of Azzsar, Azzsar’s Throneroom, and the Great Pit (a great chasm within the mountains which is one of the deepest locations in the region).

Of Petty States: A Warhammer NRP

Obviously still interested in this and planning on playing a Strigoi Vampire somewhere in the Grey mountains.

N.E.O. - New Earth Oracle

New Horizons Coalition

Tactical Recovery Team Zulu 43 ‘Night Stalkers’ - Paris, France
Recovery Operation ‘Hammer Fall”

Commander Vahid had stumbled upon something terrible.

Zulu 43 had made their way to the warehouse in quick order, and on his command, had breached the doors and began their raid with pinpoint precision. Initial resistance from the smugglers had been light, as expected, and Vahid had anticipated that the raid would proceed as a standard operation.

What had quickly become clear was that this was far from a typical smuggling ring. The intelligence that had been gathered over the past month had not indicated anything out of the ordinary. The smugglers were suspected to be affiliated with contacts in North America, and the artifacts that had been positively identified as in their possession were not considered to be dangerous. More than likely they’d been acquired either through illegal zone scavenging operations in eastern europe or via illicit artifact trading within the city itself. All in all it was considered a low-level bust, with the potential to at least reveal some valuable info on higher level targets.

Things had started to go sideways once they'd cleared the first floor, and proceeded down into the warehouse basement level. Zulu 43 had neutralized resistance quickly, but soon found themselves staring at an unanticipated makeshift tunnel deep within the basement’s structure. It had seemingly been carved out recently by the smugglers themselves, and a safe bet would assume it was some manner of escape tunnel that potentially connected to other buildings in the surrounding area. Not wanting to lose the initiative and potentially allow any high-level targets to escape, Vahid had made the risky request that Zulu 43 continue pursuit immediately down the tunnel. A request that had quickly been granted by Operation Command.

Activating their night vision optics, and leaving two of their members behind to guard the entrance and await reinforcements, the Recovery Team had probed the darkness beyond. The tunnel appeared to be wired for electricity, but in their haste to escape the smugglers had either not activated it or had shut it off to deter pursuit. Overall the tunnel appeared stable and surprisingly well constructed, which immediately began to tip Vahid off to the notion that this might be for more than just a quick exit.

Those suspicions were confirmed when the team began encountering rooms: living quarters and storeroom areas. Some of them even appeared to be well furnished, especially given the circumstances. They cleared each and every one before proceeding onward. In one of these rooms, Vahid had found and picked up a book of some sort, lying on a nearby table upon which strange symbols had been carved. The cover had multiple languages, French, Latin, Russian, and English. The title had read simply:

“The Prophecies of The Thousand Eyes”

“Shit,” Vahid cursed, as he showed the book to his lieutenant, “I knew something was off here.”

“Thousand Eyes,” The Lieutenant gave a whistle, “Didn’t think we’d seen those psychos here. How the hell did they get into Paris unnoticed?”

Vahid shook his head, “No idea, but we need to fall back. Now. There’s no telling what's up ahead.”

“Commander! Contacts!” One of the soldiers shouted, right before he began opening fire further down the tunnel.

“Damn it!” Vahid cursed, and swung his M4 back up.

Screams echoed further down, and twisted almost inhuman forms could be seen manifesting in his night vision. Unchecked NLC mutations, especially those utilized by the Cult of the Thousand Eyes, were loathsome to behold. Thousand Eyes was a Post-Visitation Doomsday Cult dedicated to the idea that humanity was unworthy of its place in the universe, and ultimately believed it to be only deserving of enslavement or eradication. By hastening this end, members of the cult hoped to be found worthy of transcendence by the ever-watchful ‘thousand eyes’ within the black void of space.

The hulking form of a heavily muscled man-creature covered in all manner of ritualistic tattoos barreled down the tunnel towards the Zulu 43 members as it threw aside lesser mutates in its way. In the confined space, it seemed nigh impossible to bring the NLC mutant down with small arms without it reaching them first. Vahid began waving the rest of his team away to make for the exit back where they’d come.

“Ramón! Light it up!”

One of the soldiers detached a flamer nozzle from a device on his back, and he aimed it down the tunnel towards the rapidly advancing mutant. As it came within feet of the pair of them, the nozzle unleashed a hellish torrent of fire. The sounds of screaming filled the tunnel and the fire illuminated deformed faces caught in utter agony.

“Go go!’ Vahid ordered, and he and Ramón began to beat a hasty retreat to follow the rest of Zulu 43 back out the tunnel.

Svalbard Global Operations Headquarters

“As all divisions are currently present, the meeting may proceed.”

A woman in a cleanly pressed black dress suit took her seat at an empty table in a dimly lit room, all around her on the wall were various screens, upon which six other individuals in similar attire were displayed as they transmitted remotely from locations across the globe. Their faces were obscured and their backdrops were nondescript, a certain degree of anonymity being the desired result.

“I’d like to start by going over the report from Paris, an artifact Tactical Recovery Team, codename Zulu 43, engaged elements of the Cult of the Thousand Eyes during a raid on a suspected smuggling ring. Once it became clear that the cult was involved, Zulu 43 immediately retreated and relayed a request for assistance. A close quarters combat specialist team was deployed and the nest was immediately purged. We’re still gathering evidence regarding the Cult’s activities there in cooperation with French authorities.”

“Thousand Eye’s presence in a major European city is disturbing to say the least,” One of the figures on the screens stated, “We need to make sure everything is being done to ascertain how they were able to slip past Coalition intelligence and establish such a strong foothold.”

“A foothold right under our very nose….” another added solemnly, “Aurora any thoughts on that point?”

The woman perked up at her codename, “I’m taking the necessary steps to do just that,” she replied, “I should have an initial report from my subordinates within the next day or two.”

“Very good, I don’t mean to suggest that this was a lapse in your division’s operations. It is a concerning development that affects us all.”

Aurora nodded, “I take no offense, and concur with the assessment.”

“Very good, we’ll continue monitoring the situation then, and raise our threat level regarding the Cult of The Thousand Eyes worldwide. It's clear that we’ve underestimated their capabilities. Their dangerous use of NLC artifacts poses a threat to mankind as a whole, and they cannot be allowed to spread unchecked.”

“Agreed.” Came the unanimous reply.

N.E.O. - New Earth Oracle

New Horizons Coalition

Name:
New Horizons Coalition or NHC

Headquarters: The NHC maintains a military installation and monitoring station in Svalbard, Norway which serves as its Global HQ.

Ownership:

Empowered and entrusted by many of the world’s major national governments and private entities, the NHC is a group dedicated to the defense and preservation of humanity in the wake of The Visitation along with the study, containment, or elimination of the world’s anomalous zones (AZs) and the artifacts that can be found within.

History:

The NHC as an organization was founded directly following the Visitation and the tumultuous events that transpired after it. In its wake, many governments throughout the world felt helpless and completely unprepared as they grappled with a stark wake up call: our undeniably insignificant place in the universe, and humanity’s utter lack of knowledge regarding the horrors caused by the introduction of New-Langium Compounds. Fear gave way to resolve and in a joint accord governments and private entities across the globe funded the creation of the New Horizons Coalition which was to be a collection of scientists, researchers, engineers, and military assets from around the world dedicated to one goal: fighting back.

Since its formation, the NHC has expanded rapidly, with an initial explosion of funding and resources, which resulted in the creation of numerous black sites and exclusion zones across the globe under international jurisdiction. While the NHC is ostensibly a clandestine organization whose existence is kept from the general public, its continued operations are the subject of much debate and speculation amongst conspiratorial circles, most of whom are convinced it is the start of a New World Order and other nefarious ends.

Pressing Issues:

The NHC operates beyond political and national jurisdiction, and its purpose is to foster cooperation and utilize an unbiased scientific approach to the problems and opportunities brought about by The Visitation.

However, inevitably this same desire for unity and international cooperation inevitably has led to infighting and debate, as various groups and political affiliations vie for dominance of the Coalition and control of its direction. This includes the handling of exclusion zones and the artifacts recovered within. All while trying to continue to pursue its goal of eventually getting humanity to the point where it might stand even the slightest chance against whatever lies beyond the boundaries of our known universe.

While the Coalition continues to face growing internal problems, many within the NHC including its highest echelons are beginning to plan for an inevitable shift: as their loyalties now lie more with the Coalition and its goals than in the nations they previously called home.

Budget:

N.E.O. - New Earth Oracle

New Horizons Coalition

Name:
New Horizons Coalition or NHC

Headquarters: The NHC maintains a military installation and monitoring station in Svalbard, Norway which serves as its Global HQ.

Ownership:

Empowered and entrusted by many of the world’s major national governments and private entities, the NHC is a group dedicated to the defense and preservation of humanity in the wake of The Visitation along with the study, containment, or elimination of the world’s anomalous zones (AZs) and the artifacts that can be found within.

History:

The NHC as an organization was founded directly following the Visitation and the tumultuous events that transpired after it. In its wake, many governments throughout the world felt helpless and completely unprepared as they grappled with a stark wake up call: our undeniably insignificant place in the universe, and humanity’s utter lack of knowledge regarding the horrors caused by the introduction of New-Langium Compounds. Fear gave way to resolve and in a joint accord governments and private entities across the globe funded the creation of the New Horizons Coalition which was to be a collection of scientists, researchers, engineers, and military assets from around the world dedicated to one goal: fighting back.

Since its formation, the NHC has expanded rapidly, with an initial explosion of funding and resources, which resulted in the creation of numerous black sites and exclusion zones across the globe under international jurisdiction. While the NHC is ostensibly a clandestine organization whose existence is kept from the general public, its continued operations are the subject of much debate and speculation amongst conspiratorial circles, most of whom are convinced it is the start of a New World Order and other nefarious ends.

Pressing Issues:

The NHC operates beyond political and national jurisdiction, and its purpose is to foster cooperation and utilize an unbiased scientific approach to the problems and opportunities brought about by The Visitation.

However, inevitably this same desire for unity and international cooperation inevitably has led to infighting and debate, as various groups and political affiliations vie for dominance of the Coalition and control of its direction. This includes the handling of exclusion zones and the artifacts recovered within. All while trying to continue to pursue its goal of eventually getting humanity to the point where it might stand even the slightest chance against whatever lies beyond the boundaries of our known universe.

While the Coalition continues to face growing internal problems, many within the NHC including its highest echelons are beginning to plan for an inevitable shift: as their loyalties now lie more with the Coalition and its goals than in the nations they previously called home.

Budget: