To: Munsia d'Cente, the Legion General
From: Tremula n'Lochli, Lt.
Subject: Status Report

A status report on the members of the Midnight Pearl (singular, not plural) has been requested by the Midnight General of its Lieutenant. Within lies the summarised details of encounters between its members as told from the point of view of Tremula n'Lochli, its leader.

Battle Plan:

Singular -

At present, the Midnight Pearl consists of two (2) Cacophony, three (3) Nihilists, and one (1) Geomancer. This combination opens up several routes for killing enemies through plague afflictions, mana draining, and attrition through passive combat. With Nihilists able to web, crucify, dominate, and beckon - Cacophonists able to perfect fifth and transfix - and Geomancers able to freeze and ice/stonewall, trapping a singular target becomes extremely possible.

Plague:

Every member within the Midnight Pearl is able to cast plague afflictions of some sort. With at least one Cacophonist's song playing in combat, plague afflictions become a drain of health, mana, and ego (through CarillonKnell). With multiple, reliable methods of afflicting plague afflictions (Necromancy, Gorgulu pact, Cacophony, and Geomancy) it is a huge drain of all three every few seconds. Should two cacophonists be present, one can afflict with auric afflictions to cause the damage to health to be even more ferocious.

Mana:

The ultimate skill of a Nihilist is that of a wrack, which instantly kills anyone who is at or below half mana and bound or paralysed. With passive drains to mana through the Carrilon Knell (an extended encounter attempting this kill worsened through SickeningPlague), as well as active attempts through minorsixth, leech, and amissio (not including tertiary abilities), forcing a target under the mana mark is quite feasible. With the queens lament note, a webbing enchantment, or even one of the three nihilists casting web, a wrack is (in theory) quickly attainable. Better still, with mana barbs through a tritone, even unsuccessful attempts at a wrack will quickly empty anyone of their health.

Attrition:

This is a much more passive fighting style that is no less deadly. With a room held with a demesne, two different cacophony songs playing, and three different nihilist demons attacking, the only thing we need to focus on is keeping our opponent in the room and ourselves alive. This is easily done through chants of puella and major third notes, aided by the TaintedLove, UndeadBlues, Demonsong, Sobbingdread, and Vileblood song powers. With an astrologist, glamourist, and tarot users, the amount of passive damage and afflictions skyrockets.

Group -

In the case where a large scale group conflict is in play, the Midnight Pearl quickly takes on a supportive role for our strongest of combatants (see Munsia, Akyaevin, Ixion, etc.) - aiding them in achieving their kills and keeping them alive. In a manner similar to the attrition strategy mentioned above, we focus on keeping them alive and tying our enemies down.

Dinae De'Unnero -

While not the strongest, most battle-hardened, or overly eager to engage, Dinae does have points to assist the Pearl in combat. In a situation where we have the ground first, he is able to raise his demesne and give us control of the area. Should we take the ground second, he will be useful in breaking off portions of enemy melds to regain the area under a more favourable, or at least neutral, setting.

With a grasp of telekinesis, he is capable of forcing an enemy down through their legs, flinging, and creating confusion in their natural reflexes by forcing them to deal with much more important ailments (see afflictions leading to heartburst), as well as stripping defences and altering their auras to remove sight - enhancing the abilities of glamours in the rooms.

Once he is accustomed to the flow of battle, releasing his staff at opportune times will be more than enough damage to finish off most foes as well.

As to personal relations, I have garnered his respect through my displays of decorum and through position as our Lady's Nightingale. He understands I have proficiency with combat that he lacks, and is more than willing to allow me to lead. Our exchanges have always been polite and pleasant, and he is a refined gentleman.

Ellowyn d'Murani -

She's a smart girl, certainly, but definitely not a combatant. Still, she understands the strategies and theories we have crafted and is more than capable of following orders. With her demon, she can rapidly afflict numerous afflictions and has multiple powers she can afflict directly through an invocation of her symbol to Lord Luciphage.

A tarot user, she is knowleadgable of the tools at her disposal and willing to sacrifice the chance to take the glory of a kill for the greater good of the Squad. Respectful of her station but not losing her refinement as a noblewoman, she is accustomed to acknowledging those who command her and following orders within reason, though she has a mind of her own and will deviate from strategy if it will serve a better purpose. As our Lady's Nightingale, she is more than accepting of my leadership and will prove one of the most, if not the most, valuable members of the Pearl.

Elodres D'Cente -

The strongest member of the Pearl besides myself, Elodres is the only other demigod in the squad. It was our combined minds who decided upon the three combat strategies above, him offering to help train the reflexes of squad members to recognise my calls on the squad aether and react to them as quickly as possible. Another Nihilist, he will be responsible for all of the wracks the squad achieves.

While not nearly as firm bodied as myself, he can hit just as hard with his symbol as I can with my violin, and is adept at recognising auric afflictions on any given opponent and responding as necessary.

Personally he and I have been friends for quite some time, bonding through Astral hunting. He has known me since I was a young girl, and still a Geomancer, and has seen me grow in strength until I would stand alongside him in defence of the city. He is undoubtedly my second-in-command, though he has said that I have earned his respect through my combat abilities and he looks forward to my leadership.

Sabeloth -

The youngest and most inexperienced of our squad...it is hard to judge Sabeloth's abilities as I have never seen them tested in real combat. However, she has my knowledge of Necroscream to fall back on, and will play the supportive role in our songs - imbuing the powers to empower Elodres, Ellowyn, and myself while also aiding in keeping the others alive. Her role will be to aid in keeping our enemies healing and playing major third notes towards myself and Elodres as required.

Personally she seems eager to learn and ready to dip her feet into combat, and while my personal interactions with her have been scarce she has always taken my instruction in the past as her superior. I doubt there is any reason for her to do the same, but as she was added late to my squad I was unable to speak with her fully before the time of this report.

Selna d'Murani-

Our last Nihilist, Selna is our astrologist as well. Her role will be managing the binding of our enemies as much as possible, as the songs of Sabeloth and myself will prove them more effective against our enemies. As well, she will be riddling them with hidden afflictions through her astrology and pushing her demon to its greatest strengths with her feats.

A quiet girl, she is no less noble for it and has a pride about her that I admire. Not one to let her head take the best of her, though, she understands the importance of a hierarchy and will adhere to command by her superiors. Her opinion of me seems to be that of a mentor and protege.