---
# System prepended metadata

title: The Cult Situation
tags: [Lore]

---

###### tags: `Lore`
# The Cult Situation

## Catching Everyone Up:
- Spooky items start appearing.
- Small temples are starting to pop up in hard to reach locations.
- Screaming Signals begin appearing and more cult mobs start to show up.
- Drof's Cult Fortress Raid to rescue a CCO happens.
- Things derail and EVERYTHING is a cult now.
- Put a moratorium on personal story-driven cult events.
- Now they're on the uptick again, so we need to resume story direction before the Staff burns out the crew again:
- Thanks to this sort of stacking of three to five people's different headcanon storylines, I've got a lot of shit to untangle.

## The Untangling

### Current Cult Factions:
- Paracausal Monitoring Division
- The Meat Throne
- ??? (The Forgotten)
- The Geometer of Blood
- Kodiak's "Former" Cultist Thing

### Original Event Purpose:
- As a way to gently reintroduce magic (what a fucking joke at this point) to the crew and canon, the slow appearance of anomalous artifacts aboard the ship begins to escalate.
- To break the notion that every source of cult-styled magic comes from *Nar-Sie*, and to shift that source of power to Redspace.
- To introduce other Redspace styled antagonistic deities, of which *Nar-Sie* is simply the oldest and strongest.

### Captain's Cult Stuff
#### PMD:
- The **Paracausal Monitoring Division** is one of *Central Command*'s paramilitary/research branches. Primarily formed up of scientists and security teams, the PMD functions as an occult policing force.
- Until very recently the PMD had a small budget and low manpower, due to a much larger and long lasting sort of "freeze" on magic in the galaxy.
- Their recent reactivation and mobilization has lead to logistical issues and restructuring efforts.
- PMD agents come in different flavors, based on the severity of the event.
	+ **The Station Chaplain** - Chaplains are the lowest tier of the PMD structure, and are not officially part of the department. Due to their low affinity for magic, however, Chaplains recieve their gear from the PMD, and can be promoted into it over time. (Never tell the crew this. Every Chaplain main will want to be Snowflake Chaplain Doom Guy. I already get requests and I barely told anyone.)
	+ **Paracausal Anomaly Investigator** - Also known as "Inquisitors", investigators conduct interviews, collect data, and inspect ritual sites/the sites of paracausal interference to determine facts about the type and alignment of entity that was tied to the event.
	+ **Paracausal Anomaly Response Agent(s)** - More commonly referred to as PARA, these are the units most crew are familiar with. Magicians all, PARA (It's really hard not to say PARA Agents, which is ATM Machine syndrome) are equipped with Holy gear and magical armor that affords them more protection against paranormal entities. (It's supposed to, anyways, I'm still troubleshooting the gear, because these guys are meant to be rare.) Think of them as Anti-Magic ERT.
	+ **Paracausal Department Researcher** - Standard researchers and scientists. Not all of them have a magical affinity, but it can be helpful when studying or containing artifacts. The people work at the PMD facilities spread across the dark frontier, containing and studying magical artifacts and creatures.
	+ **Higher Command Structure** - The higher leadership of the PMD isn't academically interesting, and should NEVER be relevant to event planning or discussion. There is, in my head maybe one or two tiers here. Something Administrative, and then a Director/Directors role. Then they fold back into the Central Command structure.
- ***Rules for PARA:***
	+ All PARA follow the same naming convention: "Codename X".
	+ X, in this instance, will be a word with some Holy or mystical connotation.
	+ Examples: *Codename Imp, Codename Samsara, Codename Silver Bells, Codename Purity*.
	+ PARA have the same authority and ranking as ERT.
	+ When creating a player-controlled PARA, ask them what type of Null Rod they want to have. The code does not let multiple selections occurr, so you will need to spawn the exact type pre-selected for them.
	+ PARA RIGs, Holy Shotguns, and any weapon that fires Silver Ammo are generally reserved for Lethe and Phlegethon tier threats. Avoid over-equipping the team.
	+ PARA standard gear is sufficient for most threats, but it does not work if the user's mind variable is not ticked to isholy = 1. **MAKE SURE YOU DO THIS**.
- The PMD classifies Paracausal Events and Entities according to a six-tier list, in order from least to most severe:
	+ *Styx, Acheron, Lethe, Phlegethon, Cocytus, Oceanus*
		* **Styx** - A potential threat to the crew. Something spooky is going on. Could just be ghosts, or a few Cultist raiders. The Chaplain and Security can handle it. General Admin antics with spooks will wind up being this tier.
		* **Acheron** -  A potential threat to the station. A magical artifact or entity is present and acting of its own accord. The Chaplain and Security can probably contain it, but the nature of the threat is unknown. Send an Inquisitor.
		* **Lethe** - A confirmed threat to the crew. Fully armored Blood Cultists are running around collecting bodies and converting people, or an Artifact that's spun out of control and is subverting everything around it. This would pop for higher tier events, and usually means a PARA team needs to be dispatched.
		* **Phlegethon** - An existential threat to the station. This doesn't sound so bad, but what this actually translate to in-game is akin to "The Blood Cult has just summoned Nar-Sie.". Phlegethon is the alert tier for when a massively powerful "round ending" magical catastrophe occurrs. Threaten it, but try not to trigger it unless there's a lot of story and tons of contingencies put in place. (*In some older example communications and even some more recent stuff, the tier Phlegethon might have been inaccurately assigned to lower severity threats. Disregard these contradictions. The stated severity here is the established level.*)
		* **Cocytus** - An existential threat to the sector. Galactic sectors are gigantic, but there ARE dead sectors/exclusion zones that Cocytus tier events are related to. These events are exceedingly rare. Unless your event has months of planning, tons of story beats and smaller events that have been coordinated and executed, and everyone else on the team is on the same page as you, don't use this alert.
		* **Oceanus** - An existential threat to the entire galaxy. This alert level is purely theoretical, and should never ever be used ever I'm incredibly serious. **Don't ever call something this fucking tier.**
	+ When the PMD responds to faxes, they include these tiers as a classification metric, so it is presumed that Chaplains and Command would understand this structure.
- ***PMD Keywords, Subdivisions, and Subdepartments:***
	+ **PMD** - *Paracausal Monitoring Division*
	+ **PMD-ID** - *Paracausal Monitoring Division Investigations Departmen*t 
	+ **PARA** - *Paracausal Anomaly Response Agent(s)*
	+ **AOO** - *Active Occult Organization* (Formerly SMO, EMO, and OMO. We're testing variants on this theme.)
	+ **AOE** - *Active Occult Entity*
	+ **LFDW/LFD Wave** - *Low Frequency Dimensional Wave* (Redspace exists on the "low frequency" end of the Dimensional Spectrum, in a way similar to how Red Light is lower frequency than Blue Light. As such, you can detect Redspace interference based on certain "dimensional waveforms" these phenomena produce.)
	+ **LFWA** - *Low Frequency Wave Attractor* (Typically an occult item that acts as an "anchor" for magical intervention, such as an altar or totem.)
	+ **LFWP/LFW Parabola** - *Low Frequency Wave Parabola* (An item through which magic is channeled and redirected, such as a wand or larger occult array.)
- Examples of PMD Communications:
	+ The following is sourced from a GitHub PR that had a lore blurb attached.
		* **Incoming Transmission**
        * **Sender:** *Op4919, (PMD-ID)*
  		* **Classification:** *Phlegethon*
	  	* ***Decrypting...***
	    * **Message Follows:**
		* *PARA team **[REDACTED]** have confirmed directed activity on board Station **[REDACTED]** in the Sigmar Concord. This confirmation brings the current tally of EMOs to **[REDACTED]**. Having reviewed recovered footage and Agent accounts, the Intelligence Division now has reason to believe these incidents are linked, and were most likely coordinated by a singular party. All PMD assets in the Sigmar Concord and surrounding sectors are being directed to upgrade their Alert Status and increase passive monitoring of LFD Waves immediately. Any focused LFD Wave activity must be identified and reported at once, before this unidentified party achieves their goal. To that end, Central Command has authorized the Paracausal Monitoring Division to distribute archived and contained materials rated **[HOLY]** for immediate use amongst all NanoTrasen duty stations in the Sigmar Concord. Maintain accountability of anomalous materials, and ensure all Chaplain Class PARA field assets are briefed immediately.*
		* **Message Ends**
	+ The following are communication alerts that have been broadcast during occult events:
		* **Central Command - Paracausal Monitoring Division:** *Directed Dimensional Waves, Class: **[Low Frequency]** detected. Requesting on-site personnel investigate for any anomalous activity.*
		* **Central Command - Paracausal Monitoring Division:** *Affected area bombarded by **[REDACTED]**. Containment walls set in place. Area is now rated as **[UNSAFE]**. Crew access returned.*
	+ The following is a Fax that was sent from the Triumph **TO** the PMD:
		* *Update of Paracausal activity on the Triumph. A weapon allegedly called the 'Blade of the Herald' has attempted to overtake the physical structure of the ship and compromise the minds of the crew. This weapon is in sealed containment within XenoArcology. I am requesting that Central Command send **[PARA]** agents to assist with the studying, or containment of this item off the Triumph, as it poses an existensial threat to the ship. Two members of the crew, Ishi and Lywarra Lichtut have shown signs of mental contamination of various degrees.*

#### The Meat Throne
- The Meat Throne is the first occult entity/faction that I conceptualized after deciding to introduce more factors beyond the standard Geometer cultists.
- The Meat Throne derives power from violence, such as acts of sport hunting and gladitorial combat. It seeks to persuade those prone to violence to conduct a ritual known as *"The Profane Rite"*.
	+ The nature and mechanics behind the *Profane Rite* are unknown, but it is known that those who perform it gain magical powers.
	+ Entities and activity tied to the Meat Throne cause random objects around them to seep blood, or replace nearby reagents with blood.
	+ Activity tied to The Meat Throne also generates a soft Electromagnetic Phenomena harmful to silicons and equipment.
	+ Activity tied to The Meat Throne also bears a strong memetic effect, as described above. Those prone to violence are weak to this faction's artifacts and influence.
- Known Meat Throne entities:
	+ *The Lord of Bone and Sinew* - *Phlegethon* Class Entity, minor deity. The Lord of Bone and Sinew rests upon The Meat Throne.
	+ **Jubaliel, the Lord's Herald** - A *Lethe* tier Entity. Jubaliel has had direct communications with the crew of the Triumph, and is known to be the source of all Meat Throne artifacts that have thus been encountered.
- Known Meat Throne anomalous items, currently in PMD Containment:
	+ **The Mask of the Witness** (*Demon Mask*) - Must be worn, speaks through host body in Jubaliel's voice. Requires execution of the Profane Rite to grant full, undefined, powers.
	+ **The Blade of the Herald** (*Soul Blade*) - Can become incorporeal. Requires a host to wield it, and thus compels any nearby to carry it. Jubaliel's weapon, it cuts the Veil and grants power. Requires the Profane Rite to recharge. 
		* Side effect of uncontained exposure to the local area: *Slowly converts the surrounding area into a Cult structure. Corruption fades when contained.*
- Known Crew exposed to Meat Throne influence:
	+ **Lywarra L.** - Incredibly weak to Meat Throne influence. Total submission. Last connected with *Blade of the Herald*. Granted a vision.
		* Lywarra's Vision: *"The sword's influence on you begins to wane. You're becoming yourself again. You remember almost nothing of your time with the blade, but your mind aches as you see glimpses of visions. A floor made of meat, a tight canyon of dusty white bone, and a throne that stretches up into the sky. It beats like a heart."*
	+ **Ishi** - Weak to Meat Throne influence. Connection to *Blade* usurped when Lywarra stole it.
	+ **Pjotyr** - Discovered the *Mask of the Witness*, and dabbled in studying it. Believes himself to be resistant to effects, but he is unaware that strong Paracausal events frequently produce heavy EMP effects.
- The Meat Throne is directly tied to the resurgence of magic aboard the ship, and was designed to be the "Similar But Different" faction that would help open the crew's mind to new interpretations of Redspace influence.

#### ???
- ???, hereafter referred to as **The Forgotten**, is a faction with a far more "loose" concept.
- Not much has been established for The Forgotten as an entity yet, except for the artifacts and visions it has produced, and its effects.
- The Forgotten possesses an affinity or hunger for flesh. Its presence introduces carnivorous items akin to mimics.
	+ Activity tied to The Forgotten generates an Electromagnetic Phenomena that is harmful to silicons and equipment.
	+ Activity tied to The Forgotten bears a strong memetic effect, but this appears to be more subversive than anything. Considering other effects of ??? influence, The Forgotten's attempts to influence its victims may be predatory.
- Known ??? entities:
	+ **???/The Forgotten** - Presumably the minor deity of this faction. Threat tier unknown, presumed *Phlegethon*.
	+ **The Voice in The Bear** - It is unclear whether this voice belonged to ???, or to a lesser entity. Threat remains undefined.
- Known ??? anomalous tiems, currently in PMD Containment:
	+ **A Forgotten Totem** (*Bloody Teddy Bear*) - Seeks to form a "relationship" with its current holder. Inspires paranoia and a desire to maintain ownership. Claims to be opposed to Jubaliel. Powers unknown. 
		* Side effect of uncontained exposure to local area: *Plants a "seed" room composed of flesh somewhere, which emits a pleasant odor to lure in prey. The flesh room traps victims and dissolves them in acid pools. Room withers and dies when contained.*
- Known Crew exposed to ??? influence:
	+ **Rose Swiftrunner** - Incredibly weak to ??? influence. Total submission to *A Forgotten Totem*. Granted a vision.
		* Rose's Vision: *As you sleep, you dream. You wake in a pit of green fluid. The room is dark, but a red bioluminescence allows you to see. A small bear floats towards you. A hole shaped like the letter J gapes in its chest. Inside, you can see a knotted mass of blonde hair beating like a heart. The fluid makes your skin itch. You wake up.*
	+ **Bradly Miller** - Strong resistance to ??? influence.
	+ **Animosity** - Resistant to ??? influence, teetering on surrender.

#### Entities and Artifacts
- Not all anomalous entites (*Redspace denizens*) and artifacts (*items corrupted by LFD Waves, aka Redspace harmonic exposure*) belong to any faction.
- Some artifacts need to be contained, but have no utility or harmful application beyond their initial effects. *Styx* tier items, like are **The Square Ball**, are simply impossible objects twisted by the chaotic nature of Redspace.
	+ **The Square Ball** causes strong nausea when viewed, but has no other effects.
- Some entities embody concepts or are simply the twisted simulacra that live in Redspace, somehow transplanted or visiting Realspace.
	+ The abstract embodiment of Cannibalism, **Le Gourmand**, has been encountered by the station crew several times. This creature seems to have no other goal than to entice the crew into performing acts of cannibalism, whether they are aware or not. *Le Gourmand* becomes violent when anyone attempts to prevent his "cooking", and may be "killed" for a brief period of time. He always appears as a chef, and possesses a magical cleaver and rolling pin which seem to be totemic, or perhaps even a part of the entity itself, on some level. Interestingly, *Le Gourmand* appears to only speak Sol Common.


### Captain's Original Plan:
- As the crew is slowly exposed to these artifacts and factions, they begin to recognize the differences between them.
- Eventually the crew would encounter active antagonistic players capable of performing Cult magic.
	+ This was field tested with Exploration, who indeed encountered a Cult temple belonging to a **Hyena woman**.
	+ The battle with this woman lead to her "death" (*And the transference of her essence into her sword, which was captured and brought aboard the Triumph.*)
	+ This battle also lead to the destruction of the planet the Exploration team were present on.
	+ The *Hyena cultist*, a major figure in the Meat Throne hierarchy, was later revived, and has been working as an infiltrator since. (*However, since I put a freeze on this a few months ago she hasn't had much to do.*)
- PMD interactions would eventually lead the crew to discover that anomalous items don't just magically "show up", and that **there are infiltrators in the crew performing the rituals to summon them**.
- With this eventual reveal in mind, I have been slowly encouraging players to create "infiltrator" cultist characters.
- Eventually a prominent character in the crew (*Originally Jade Yu*) would be revealed to be a **sacrificial target** for The Meat Throne, with ??? trying to steal the sacrifice for themselves.
- A chain of events would then unfold leading to a **jaunt into The Meat Throne's plane** to try and rescue the Sacrifice from being slain.
- Regardless of resolution, this quest line would be used to help further expand upon the lore and establish the return of magical interference and magical entities to the setting, as well as establish multiple new factions and influences for the players.

### Drof's Cult Base Raid:
- Drof's cult base raid has absolutely nothing to do with the Cult event chain I had planned.
- It was a directed raid against **The Geometer of Blood** aka **Blood Cult** activity.
- The *Blood Cult* kidnapped a *Central Command Official*, and as the only ship in the vicinity the **crew of the Triumph were dispatched to rescue him** immediately.
- During this rescue attempt, **at least two characters were converted by Player Cultists**, and remained unconverted (*unreverted?*) at the end of the event.
- **The CCO was successfully rescued**.
- Drof says they had further plans for this event chain, but no plans were published or followed up on.

### Kodiak's Cult Thingy:
- This was a couple days ago, and I missed all of it.
- I believe Kodiak says he introduced a new Cult faction of **Former Blood Cultists**.
- Kodiak revealed a twist that the CCO rescued in Drof's event was **secretly a cultist the whole time**.
- Enzo tied this in with the fact that we haven't heard from the Tether in a while to **imply that the Tether had been overrun by cultists**.
- After numerous logistical and canon problems were raised, this storyline has been frozen, and is pending potential retcon.

### Where We Are Now:
- Well, I mean, we're there. We have these three competing Event lines and a proliferation of hostile Cult mobs burning the crew out on this stuff.
- I'm still heavily intent on maintaining and expanding on my planned storyline, although it will necessarily have to be shifted.
- We're waiting to hear from Drof on whether they're intent on maintaining the event line they had planned.
- Likewise, we haven't heard from Kodiak regarding his cult thing.
- However, Enzo and I have been discussing a way to reconcile all of our disparate threads, and we've come to this:

### Proposed Direction:
- Whether it was Drof's CCO or not, **at least one CCO on board the NDV Marksman HAS been compromised** due to all of the recent cultist activity.
- This Cultist CCO (*Ha, CCCO*), has **opened up a rift on Marksman** Deck 3 (*Not that that means anything to the layman. The Marksman is fucking gigantic.*)
- **What this means for the Marksman:**
	+ The majority of local PMD assets are busy fighting back the invading horde of cultists and constructs.
	+ DDO and ERT teams are likewise engaged.
	+ There is an unending horde of Geometer forces seeking to secure a beachhead.
	  * **Proposal:** *This could be a good place to insert my new "Cultist" factions, as with both the Geometer and the PMD distracted with each other, now might be the time to resume their plans? Discuss.*
- **What this means for the Triumph:**
	+ Assigned HR crew, such as TCM and other admin CCOs are still working to keep things running.
	+ However, emergency assets such as ERT and PARA are too busy to send full teams for support.
- **What this means for Cults:**
	+ It means please stop using cultists as the core mobs for every Exploration mission.
	+ They spawn naturally on randomgen POIs and screaming signals as it is.
	+ Let's chill on the Cultists and reel them back in for the more directed storylines we're trying to explore here. We can turn them into basic mob trash later, after we've done some good stories with them.
- **What about after the stories finish?**
	+ Cultists and Constructs are powerful mobs, use them sparingly. And please ping the Lore team if you have Cult oriented ideas.
	+ After the Cult storyline finally ends, we're gonna start doing some nanotech stuff that'll tie in with the Cyber Horror mobs, so look forward to that.
