Scientists of the Strange

The Scientists of the Strange is a secret society founded in Mozyr at the Menagerie of the Damned.

Disclaimer: The information in this wiki is only IC knowledge for full-members of the Scientists of the Strange. Anyone is welcome to read for OOC entertainment purposes.

Organization

Nobles and commoners alike are welcome to join the Scientists.

When a noble joins, they must choose a specialty, which will be assigned as a full-member rank. Despite choosing a specialty, they are free to study whatever they wish. The specialties are:

• Scientist of the Damned
• Scientist of the Living
• Scientist of the Material
• Scientist of the Immaterial

When adventurers join the Scientists, they are automatically assigned to the full-member rank, Purveyor of the Strange. This rank provides a monthly stipend.

The only elder positions in the Scientists are the Founder and TK.

Library

The following tomes contain the collected knowledge of the Scientists.

• Lore of the Damned
• Zuma Compendium

Science of the Damned

Monsters

Monsters are beasts and creatures that plague every continent of the world.

Combat Strength

Much like human military units, a monster group’s combat strength is determined by a combination of different statistics. These qualities can be observed by adventurers when they spot a horde and choose to collect more information.

Hide (Armor)

• Soft hide*
• Moderately tough hide
• Very tough hide
• Extremely tough hide

Claws and Teeth (Weapons)

• Small and soft claws and teeth
• Moderately large and sharp claws and teeth
• Very large and sharp claws and teeth
• Extremely large and sharp claws and teeth

Working Together (Cohesion)

• Work very poorly together
• Work poorly together
• Work moderately well together*
• Work well together*
• Work extremely well together*

Discipline (Training)

• Very poorly disciplined*
• Poorly disciplined
• Moderately disciplined
• Well disciplined
• Extremely well disciplined

Asterisk = Hypothesized but not observed

The number of healthy monsters in a group also factor in. It is unclear whether monsters have an equivalent for “Equipment Damage.”

Undead

TK

Daimons

Daimons are otherworldly creatures commanded by the Zuma in battle.

Variations

Fire-Throwing Variety

Fire-throwing daimons can throw fireballs, making for a powerful ranged attack of 6 spaces. They have equally powerful melee attacks, making them similar to an exceptional ranged special forces unit.

The Experiments and Plague Refugees were of this variety.

The best observed strategy for facing Daimons in battle is to rely heavily on cavalry forces and position every unit in the front. Melee and ranged forces should be deployed in a skirmish formation to lessen damage from ranged attacks as they get close enough to deal damage of their own.

Flying Variety

Flying daimons move at the speed of cavalry and can soar over fortifications without issue.

Battle Strategy

Morale Loss

If no opposing commanders possess a unique item, all of the opposing forces will suffer a severe morale loss.

Never Retreat

Daimonic units never retreat from the battlefield, though they can be shocked.

Science of the Living

TK

Animals

TK

Herbology

TK

Science of the Material

TK

Materials

TK

Alchemy

TK

Science of the Immaterial

TK

Science of the Unknown

While no scientist can specialize in the unknown, any scientist can lend their hands to collect information on these unknowable topics.

Zuma

Zuma are powerful creatures who live in Zumalands in the southwest of Dwilight.

Terminology

The following terminology has been confirmed by first-hand interactions with Zuma. The terms may or may not be used only by the specific individual who said them.

Social

• Flamespeaker: General of the Zuma
• Fleshlings: Humans
• Great Masters: Zuma nobles
• Outlanders: Humans who reside outside of Zumalands
• Tribes: Close knit social group of individuals
• Zuma: Singular and plural demonym for residents of Zumalands
• Zumalands: Regions held by the Zuma

Unknown

• Great blue: Spiritual reference (related to the ocean?)
• The shade: Death, afterlife

Known Great Masters

Kettle

Once the ruler of Zuma. Giant rainbow rabbit with lobster claws and bug eyes.

Xuveqiz

Led a rebellion against Kettle and became ruler. Daimonic-looking with wings.

Dalguun

Flamespeaker (General) during the Outbreak of Experiments. Large man-like figure made of shadows with ethereal wings.

Yoru

Stone gargoyle.

Mutterer

Known Artifacts

TK

Known Abilities

Turn Human Skin Rainbow

This phenomenon was observed when Kettle ate the skin off Darren Rea’s arm in retaliation for his assassination attempt against her. When the arm skin was spat back out, it was rainbow.

Resurrection

Resurrection of commoners was observed in Astrum towards the end of their war with Luria Nova and reported by Vasilif Ramon.