Disciples of Anu missions

The Fire Within

Eliminate the mutated worm infestation. Triggers when you first encounter Disciples of Anu haven.

Before mission:

At the Disciples of Anu haven of [HavenName], a mutated worm infestation is causing serious problems. The locals had placed their hopes in Taxiarch Nergal, the Disciples' greatest military hero, but Nergal is said to be fighting a series of pitched battles against the Pandorans and has been unable to help.

We could eradicate the infestation ourselves, helping the haven, and creating a good first impression with this faction.

Mission briefing:

Eliminate the mutated worm infestation.

After mission:

Taxiarch Nergal: Normally, when we encounter a potential ally, we first send the Apostle to the Once-Born to check them out. But I'm gonna break protocol to say thanks.

Now listen, I'll be honest with you. The Exalted is the only one who has any real answers. Tobias West may be clever, and Synedrion may sound great, but only The Exalted is dealing with the world as it actually is. She can lead us out of this mess. Give us lives worth living.

Player choice 1: We'd like to know more. Player choice 2: We are not ready to put our faith in your dogma.

We'd like to know more

Taxiarch Nergal: If you want to work with us, you'll still have to deal with the hierarchy - work your way up from the Apostle to the Once-Born, to the Keeper of the Threshold, all the way up to the Synod of Yearning and The Exalted herself.

That's hard work. You'll have to earn the knowledge you gain. But trust me, it'll be worth it. And if the Synod of Yearning gives you trouble... let me know.

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +3, FOOD +200.

We are not ready to put our faith in your dogma

Taxiarch Nergal: Very well. I don't blame you. It's hard to see the right path sometimes. I hope you recognize it while there's still time. The Liturgy of the Divine Flesh is coming whether you like it or not.

Rewards:

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project +5,

The First Initiation

Triggers when Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is higher than 15

A mysterious being known as the Apostle to the Once-Born, a servant of The Exalted, has passed by our base, leaving the following message: "What is the nature of a human being? Can we change? Is the fault in our souls, where it may never be reached, or is it in these broken bodies of ours?

Perhaps the Phoenix Project can be a vessel of change. It is not up to this humble apostle to make such a decision, but I wish you well. May your actions please the Keeper of the Threshold. He will seek you out when you have shown your worth."

It looks like we've started working our way up the hierarchy of the Disciples.

The Second Initiation

Defeat a group of raiders who have been attacking havens in this area. Triggers when Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is 24.

Before mission:

Keeper of the Threshold: There are some who still cling to the sins of the old world; even now they are consumed by greed, thinking that if they hoard enough, they will survive the coming changes. These Brigands have attacked many of our havens, and those of others also. Let the judgment of the Dead God fall upon them. The second initiation mission appears.

Mission briefing:

Instead of understanding that survival now depends on adaptation and cooperation, these raiders have kept up the ways of the old world: greed and conflict. They've been attacking havens, hoarding stolen supplies and causing problems for everyone with their unrelenting selfishness. The Exalted has decided that this must stop.

After mission:

Keeper of the Threshold: You have done well. The Exalted sends her thanks, and the Synod of Yearning will speak the names of your operatives at morning prayer. Do not feel ashamed of having killed your fellow humans, although you may pitty them; for in clinging the old, they doom the future. The Voiceless Hierophant shall judge you when the time is right.

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, TECH +200, MATERIALS +200, FOOD +200. Diplomacy status is changed to SUPPORTIVE if Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is 25 or more.

The Third Initiation

Triggers when Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is higher than 35.

Keeper of the Threshold: I come bearing a message from the Voiceless Hierophant: "Words do not matter. Everything written is ash, everything spoken is wind. But your actions show promise. Let the Rite of Hunger commence." Are you ready to make a sacrifice for our faith?

Player choice 1: Make the sacrifice. Player choice 2: Refuse to make the sacrifice.

Make the sacrifice (costs 50 food)

Keeper of the Threshold: The Voiceless Hierophant will be pleased, and you will gain new insights and come closer to the perfection of the body. May your journey to the Blind Legate continue.

Rewards:

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -7, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -3, 15 skill points have been obtained.

Refuse to make the sacrifice

Keeper of the Threshold: Your faith is weak. But none are perfect, save for The Exalted. May you find your way back to the truth.

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -5

The Fourth Initiation

Eliminate a group of New Jericho soldiers occupying a sacred site. Triggers when Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is 49.

Before mission:

Blind Legate: My task is not to see what is on the surface, but to perceive the truth within. What do you believe? Do you understand that there is no way back to the world before the Flood because it was the very nature of that world that caused its downfall?

If you do, then you understand the folly of those who dream of the old world and you will act against them.

I am sending you the coordinates of a sacred site. At this place, a child was born with a body uplifted by Anu and a mind of free of the plague, a harbinger of things to come.

Yet now the heathens of New Jericho occupy this hallowed ground and refuse to leave. Cast them out and prove your dedication to our cause.

Mission briefing:

A group of New Jericho soldiers is occupying this site, which is considered sacred by the Disciples of Anu. The Blind Legate has tasked us to destroy them in the name of The Exalted.

After mission:

Blind Legate: Do you understand why your actions were necessary? Why the site is sacred? It is here that the conditions existed which brought forth and better body with a free mind; one without the other is meaningless. The Exalted bids us, understand: why here? To fathom why the site is sacred is to fathom how other sites may become sacred also. Keep on this path, and you shall hear the voice of the Shadowed Hierarch, and after him, the wisdom of the Synod of Yearning.

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, TECH +200, MATERIALS +200, FOOD +200. New recruit joined the Phoenix Project. Diplomacy status is changed to ALIGNED if Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is 50 or more.

The Fifth Initiation

Triggers when Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is higher than 60.

Taxiarch Nergal: You'll be pleased to hear that you've received the blessing of the Shadowed Hierarch. What does that mean? Well... it's hard to say. He's a pretty elusive figure.

But I know one thing about him: he doesn't care about dogma or symbolism. In some ways, he's a cynic. But that's why the The Exalted keeps him around. Because if he supports something, it's because he thinks it's going to benefit us.

Oh, I almost forgot. The Hierarch also sends a gift. Accepting it has great symbolic value to our people. It means you've accepted his blessing.

Player choice 1: Accept gift. Player choice 2: Reject gift.

Accept gift

Taxiarch Nergal: Good. Soon, you'll be able to talk to the Synod of Yearning. But be careful. Our little trinity is not to be trifled with.

Rewards:

New Jericho's attitude to Phoenix Project -10, Synedrion's attitude to Phoenix Project -5, FOOD +150.

Reject gift

Taxiarch Nergal: He's not gonna like that. But it's your choice. I hope you're not losing sight of the path.

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project -4.

The Sixth Initiation

Invade this Synedrion haven and kill all opposing forces to prove our loyalty to the Synod of Yearning. Triggers when Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is 74.

Before mission:

Synod of Yearning: Yes. Good. Yes. You have succeeded. So far. Yes. You have shown courage. Cunning. Strength. Yes. Now obedience. Submission. Faith above self. Yes. Demonstrate the divine principles. Strike down our enemies. Prepare for the day of judgment. Yes.

Synedrion Apostles of a false creed. Humans at the top of creation. Lies! We are not evolved. Not yet. Find their homes. reak their heathen belief. Show them the wrath of the Dead God. Blood. Fire. In the streets. Yes.

Player choice 1: As you command. Player choice 2: This is barbaric. We refuse.

As you command

Invade this Synedrion haven and kill all opposing forces to prove our loyalty to the Synod of Yearning.

Synod of Yearning: Yes. Our command. Your action. The minds that move. The hand that strikes.

Mission briefing:

War is terrible, but only the Disciples_of_Anu truly understands that to survive, humanity must evolve. Synedrion's ideology of co-existence would prevent humanity from changing, from learning from its sins.

It's a beguiling idea, which is precisely why the Synod of Yearning opposes it so fiercely.

We must attach the haven and destroy all opposing forces, no matter how distasteful it might seem. This will prove our dedication to the The Exalted's plan.

After mission:

The Exalted: I am sorry about what the Synod of Yearning made you do. Those were not my orders. I have no desire to destroy those who disagree with us unless their actions undermine humanity's chances of survival.

The Synod is ... a necessary evil. But perhaps its usefulness is nearing an end.

You have demonstrated your loyalty time and again. I believe you suspect that there is more to my plan than meets the eye, and you are right. The time is almost upon us. I will explain everything soon

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, TECH +300, MATERIALS +400, FOOD +300. Diplomacy status is changed to ALLIED if Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is 75 or more.

This is barbaric. We refuse

Retrieve data from this alien structure on behalf of The Exalted.

Taxiarch Nergal: Don't listen to the Synod and its mad ramblings. It has lost its way, lost sight of our ultimate goal. Too much dogma and too little understanding, if you ask me. This is not what the Exalted stands for, never has been. I have a much better mission for you. Help me retrieve what The Exalted needs from this Pandoran structure instead, and I'll put you in touch with her.

Mission briefing:

Taxiarch Nergal, one of The Exalted's oldest and most trusted advisors, has asked us to provide him with data from this alien structure. The mission is to go in, perform the required scans, and get out. It's unclear what The Exalted requires the data for.

After mission:

The Exalted: I am glad you rejected the Synod's orders. They were not in accordance with my teachings. I have no desire to destroy those who disagree with us unless their actions undermine humanity's chances of survival. The Synod is... a necessary evil. But perhaps its usefulness is nearing an end. You have demonstrated your loyalty time and again. I believe you suspect that there is more to my plan than meets the eye, and you are right. The time is almost upon us. I will explain everything soon.

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project +5, TECH +70, MATERIALS +500, FOOD +350. Diplomacy status is changed to ALLIED if Disciples of Anu's attitude towards Phoenix Project is 75 or more.

Blessed alliance

Triggers when Disciples of Anu's attitude to Phoenix Project is 100.

The Exalted: You've always stood by our side, even when things got difficult. You've fought for our havens - and for me. That kind of loyalty means a lot to me. Our war for humanity is not yet over, and difficult battles still lie ahead. So please accept this gift. It will make you stronger, and a stronger Phoenix Project is good for all of us.

Rewards:

TECH +200, MATERIALS +900, FOOD +700

The Schism

Defend The Exalted from attack by schismatics loyal to the Synod of Yearning. Triggers when Disciples of Anu construct Leviathan chamber and Phoenix Project is not in war with Disciples of Anu.

Before mission:

Taxiarch Nergal: We need your help - now! The Synod of Yearning has turned against The Exalted. That triple-headed fool discovered her true plan and has declared her a traitor to the Dead God. This is a coup, and a prelude to a civil war we simply cannot afford.

Gather your forces! We must save The Exalted, or humanity is lost. I'm sending you the coordinates. Make sure you come prepared; this won't be an easy fight, but it's one we must not lose.

Mission briefing:

The Exalted, our ally and leader of the Disciples of Anu, has come under attack by forces loyal to the Synod of Yearning. They perceive her as having betrayed their holy cause and intend to overthrow her so that the Disciples will not be led astray by false dogma. The Exalted is an essential part of our struggle against the Pandoravirus and must be protected at all costs. The enemy has not yet breached the Leviathan Chamber, but the siege cannot be lifted without our help.

After mission:

The Exalted: Thank you. Without your intervention, everything I've worked so hard for might have been lost. And now you deserve to know the truth. The truth that made the Synod of Yearning declare me a traitor to the Dead God. The truth I've been hiding for all these years, calling myself The Exalted, building this army of faith.

And that truth is... I am a traitor. I always have been. I've never believed in the Dead God. Oh, he's real, real and terrible, but I've never been his faithful servant. All this time I've been playing a game, pretending to be his messiah... so I can get close enough to stab him when he's least expecting it.

You must understand, the Dead God is not a creature like us. Conventional tactics would have achieved little in the long run. He is ancient and powerful beyond belief. Compared to us, he truly is a god. But he is trapped on Yuggoth, and cannot act directly... yet. Soon, however, he will try to come here. He will manifest himself. And that is when we will strike. That is when we will take everything from him and claim it for ourselves.

But before that can happen, there is work that still needs to be done, so that we are prepared. My Anagnostes - I mean, my scientists will reach out to you.

Rewards:

TECH +100, MATERIALS +700, FOOD +400.

Hack the planet

Attack the Palace and help The Exalted merge with the Yuggothian Receptacle. Triggers if The Schism is finished and Disciples of Anu researched Yuggothian Receptacle.

Before mission:

The Exalted: The Dead God - what you call the Yuggothian Entity - is reaching the final stages of his plan. His Pandoravirus has terraformed the planet sufficiently to begin construction of his Palace. When it is complete, he will transfer his mind to Earth - and that will be the end of us. But he believes that I am his servant, and that will be his downfall. I have watched him, listened to his mind. I know his weaknesses. Player reply: Let's end this.

The Exalted: Together, we will infiltrate the Palace. I will become one with the Receptacle, modifying its purpose in a way he cannot prevent. I will download all of his knowledge... but not him. Not his mind. He will be cut off, banished to his barren planet until the end of time. And all the power he sought to use against us will belong to us. To humanity.

That is how we will be perfected. Not in the image of some distant god, but by our own choosing.

Mission briefing:

The Exalted's long con has reached its final stage. Instead of allowing the Yuggothian Entity to come to Earth, we will help her merge with the Receptacle, cutting the Entity off from Earth forever.

Rewards:

Disciples of Anu victory.