34 -- Supplemental Files, Enemy Dossier (Revised, 12/16/2015)
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS INTENDED FOR DISTRIBUTION WITHIN EQUESTRIA AND ITS ALLIES. ANY PUBLIC DISSEMINATION OR DISCUSSION OF ITS CONTENTS WITH UNAUTHORIZED BEINGS WILL BE MET WITH SWIFT ACTION UP TO AND INCLUDING BANISHMENT. THE SAFETY OF EQUESTRIA DEPENDS ON YOUR DISCRETION.
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This document is intended to supplement the previous guides that have been dispersed regarding the descriptions and tactics of the aliens that have deployed against us. Several new developments have happened over the last month and a half that render the original document incomplete. Study what is recorded here. At best, it could save your life. At worst, it’s a sign of what will happen to us all in the end should we fail.
--Captain Tower Shield
Seeker
Threat Assessment: (See notes)
Description: Squid-like in appearance, with no living components.
Armament: A short-range plasma weapon is housed in its hull but its primary means of attack appears to be strangulation via tentacles.
Tactics: The Seekers were confirmed as initially encountered on Earth, but only once, likely due to their skittish nature. They are capable of visual stealth for significant periods of time, and rarely reveal themselves. It is speculated that they only reveal themselves when a target has become isolated enough for them to safely engage and drag the target away. I say speculated because only six of the creatures have ever been officially recorded as encountered. These six were all defeated by Princess Luna shortly before the second Battle of Canterlot. It is believed that these six were responsible for nearly two dozen murdered ponies found in the bowels of the castle.
It is recommended going forward that all guardponies on patrol be placed in pairs, and emphasis should be placed on regular check-ins. The strongest weapon we have against Seekers is vigilance.
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Longma
Threat Assessment: (See notes)
Description: The appearance at a glance is strikingly similar to an earth pony, but any prolonged inspection reveals the coat is composed of tiny scales rather than fur, and the mane/tail are actually appendages. Eyes with vertical pupils are also present.
Armament: Sheathed claws in the forelegs, fangs, and the same poisonous spit that makes the ‘Thin Man’ so deadly.
Tactics: Initially encountered by Lt. Zhang (and named after a mythical figure from his culture), it is suspected that these creatures were designed with the same purpose as the ‘Thin Man’ from earth: infiltration of civilian populations for the purpose of spreading distrust and panic. It should be noted that these imposters have not been nearly as successful as their counterparts on Earth.
The obvious reason for this is that their appearance simply does not hold up to more than a cursory inspection, much like the Thin Men. While the Thin Men could hide the majority of their differences behind clothing and glasses, it seems that Equestrian differences in both of those accessories limits their options. Sightings since the second battle of Canterlot have been few and far between, and we suspect that the aliens might have given up on this particular strain of infiltrator.
When compromised, these creatures can and will lash out with a poisonous spit as well as with claws and fangs. Anypony with experience in the Badlands or near the borders of Everfree should have ample experience with this, and should share their experiences accordingly.
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Minotaur ‘Toy’
Threat Assessment: High
Description: The standard model is a rough approximation of a Minotaur’s shape, eight feet tall and composed entirely of metal. Their appearance may vary wildly based on battlefield adaptations and repairs.
Armament: Manifold and variable, from projectile weapons that rival the humans’ to edged and blunt force weapons for melee range.
Tactics: The minotaur Toys are a menace from over a century in the past. Originally dubbed ‘the Final Invention’, the prototype was intended to be a machine apparatus that could self-replicate and evolve to fill any need in minotaur society. Some malfunction occurred upon activation and the prototype killed its creator before replicating itself enough to become a local, then regional, then national threat. No records exist from the fighting other than Princess Celestia and a contingent of griffons intervening to prevent the extinction of the minotaur race.
The Toys that have been encountered more recently are just as deadly as their forefathers, and far more advanced. Every Toy encountered on the battlefield thus far has been equipped with a gunpowder projectile weapon that is superior to current combat arms fielded by the minotaur Peltast infantry, and approximately equivalent to a human weapon called a ‘Bushmaster.’ This is merely a default, as the units encountered in Applewood were capable of altering their chassis to mount hoplon shields, melee weapons of every stripe, and on the fly combinations with staggering speed.
The greatest weakness of the Toys is their core. Destroying the core disables the Toy, and prior to engaging these enemies in Applewood it was believed that this core resided in the center of the torso. After-battle salvage discovered something startling: As the humans have weapons that can damage or penetrate the central armor of the Toys, it was discovered that the cores of units destroyed towards the end of the engagement had moved away from the center. Cores have been reported in the salvage as residing in the head, the upper back, and even in the limbs.
Consensus has been reached in that the ‘Toybox’, the source of the Toys being produced, must be eliminated as soon as possible. I don’t want to think about how much one of those Toys might turn into if given too much time.
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Windigo
Threat Assessment: Unknown
Description: An armored casket levitating upright above the ground
Armament: No visible weapon systems or attacks can be directly attributed to this enemy.
Tactics: The Windigo was first encountered at the same time as the Damocles Ethereal (see below), during a battle in the town of Shoe Falls. It is with some reluctance that the entry is created, as there is some debate about this enemy being an autonomous being, or some kind of equipment or amplifier for the Damocles Ethereal itself.
The prevailing basis for this theory is based upon the witness accounts from the survivors of Shoe Falls, and how they differ from previously recorded encounters with Ethereals. Survivors of previous encounters with Ethereals have reported a voice speaking in their minds, picking at their darkest secrets and doubts to wear down their wills to the breaking point.
The survivors of Shoe Falls have all reported the same experience: Without warning, the entirety of their consciousness was replaced with an overwhelming sense of fear, with no undermining voice or build up. Because of this effect, this enemy has been titled ‘Windigo.’
If spotted, extreme caution is recommended, as it’s full capacities are not yet known.
(In pencil: Given that the aliens are willing to draw forces from Equestria, both willing and unwilling, I worry that the creature inside this casket just might actually be a Windigo of the ancient past, somehow coerced or converted to the aliens cause. Intel is trying to find out more, but all we have is speculation right now. -FC)
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Revenant [rev-uh-nuh nt] (Still searching for proper translation. -TS)
Threat Assessment: High
Description: Similar to that of Heavy Floaters, with the most notable differences being the pinion-mounted rockets instead of torso mounted, and the unmistakable griffon beak as one of the few traits left behind.
Armament: Plasma rifle mounted onto the left arm, sharpened metal talons on the right arm.
Tactics: The ‘Revenants’, as coined by the griffons, are among the most deadly units fielded by the aliens to date, and with good reason. Video capture of our first encounter with them shows a radical deviation from the suicidal tactics of the Floaters. They remain at an altitude that is high enough to spot most ground-bound threats but low enough to retaliate against anything that challenges them, and anyone familiar with griffon flight tactics will instantly recognize their maneuvers.
It is also worth mentioning that when Captain Matthew Harris (XCOM) drew a Skysteel sword and issued a verbal challenge, every single Revenant halted their engagement with civilians to charge at him. One can only speculate as to the reasons: That they saw Harris as the greater threat, that they recognized the Skysteel blade, or that they were responding to the challenge of a warrior. But almost everyone agrees on one thing: Some part of the griffon’s mind remains inside these horrid constructs, influencing its tactics and actions.
(An additional page is included afterward, written in pencil.)
High Talon Alvar was the first to ‘name’ these creatures, and the term he used was not translated by the devices we’re using in the capital. After the battle was resolved, I asked the High Talon what the term meant, and he replied, “We do not speak of them.” I could not ask any further as the Myrmidon gave what could only be a threatening stare, presumably for even mentioning them. The situation room floor still bears the marks from where the Myrmidon was standing when the Revenants appeared on screen.
I spoke with Lieutenant Zhang afterward to see if he had any insight on the subject. He stated that he had no information as to the cultural significance, but he was able to provide an explanation for the name. The term ‘Revenant’ refers to a ghost of a warrior returning to haunt and torment the living. It’s speculated that the translators failed for us because Equestrians don’t have anything similar in concept within our culture.
Considering how the griffons reacted to just the mention of the word despite the mental assault they endured, there must be some deep-seated cultural legends regarding the creatures. Firecracker, for all her expertise on other cultures, didn’t have anything to share.
-Cpt. Shining Armor
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Ethereal (Damocles)
Threat Assessment: DO NOT ENGAGE
Description: The helmet and robe that is typical of the Ethereals previously encountered are present, though both are black and the latter having highlights in gold.
Armament: While not wielded directly, video recordings seem to indicate that it possesses at least five ‘autonomous weapon platforms’ that immediately retaliated with plasma fire when attacked. This is in addition to the staggering magical abilities that all Ethereals encountered thus far have shown.
Tactics: Information on this Ethereal is somewhat limited, and recent revelations have necessitated giving this particular enemy its own specific entry.
This enemy was encountered during the assault on the small city of Shoe Falls by XCOM member Lt. Zhang, and is speculated to be the primary cause of the panic that struck the town’s entire population. Unlike the alien types previously encountered who appeared to be virtually identical (or in the Muton’s case, physically identical save for their equipment which changed based on their roles), the Damocles Ethereal appears to add proof to the idea that these creatures are the only ones who have any individuality within the alien host.
The first Ethereal (Codename: Overseer) encountered by Twilight Sparkle had a silver helmet with a red robe, and was theorized as the ‘theater overseer’ of the alien assault on XCOM’s base. Unfortunately, no video exists of the first Ethereal encountered by XCOM’s strike teams, but the second (this one in a gray robe and helmet, codename: Gandalf) is clearly visible in the gun camera video of a Skyranger shortly before its death.
The Ethereal encountered in the first battle of Canterlot (Codename: Wight) had a white robe and helmet, and it wore an armored chestplate and style of that was less aesthetic than ablative for combat. It also wore four emitters on its arms, which we speculate boosted its magic enough to contend with Celestia. The Ethereal encountered by the Changeling hive has no description, as Queen Chrysalis reports that all memory of the creature has been stricken from the hive’s memory for the survivors sake.
The last Ethereal has been dubbed ‘Damocles’, after a story in human history of a human king who hung a sword (point down) over his own throne to illustrate the peril that the ruler experienced every day. The name was likely chosen as a first-reaction towards the weapon systems used by the Ethereal, but I like to think that the metaphone is double-edged. (In pencil: Military documents are no place for puns! -SA)
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A wild chapter appears!
As promised, here's that short 'report' chapter I had discussed earlier discussing some of the new stuff that's come up lately. Now to get back to XCOM 2!
6932602 I like these kinds of chapters, and I'm looking forward to seeing more butt kicking.
PS, are you going to incorporate the ending for XCOM into this?
6932616
You should know better than to ask for such spoilers. :P
6932642 Sorry, had to ask.
...
Wow. That's... really, really stupid.
I mean, I get talking about a creature like a... well, Revenants isn't exactly pleasant, but going full taboo in a situation like this will only get gryphons and allies alike killed due to lack of information.
I mean, what's next. Refusing all autopsy attempts? On what's clearly not the real creature, but a mutilated, mind-controlled poor sap meant to be a walking bit of psychological warfare?
I like these report chapters. They what give the story its particular flavor.
6932651
What information? It's not that they've encountered them before but aren't sharing what they know, it's that they're refusing to discuss the cultural/historical aspect of the name. They don't know anything more about the alien Revenants than anyone else, they just happened to be similar to something taboo from their culture, and they really don't want to discuss it. What tales and weaknesses Revenants might have in their stories would probably be irrelevant anyway.
A human equivalent would be if we encountered alien creatures that walk about at night and drink blood, so we name them vampires, but refuse to share cultural tales and stories about vampires. Who cares? It's not like they would actually be weak to running water, garlic, and crosses.
Hm... wonder if they will release the Thin Men's and Longma's true form.
Im currently aiming towards the view that Revenants were from the very early days of the Myrmidons creation, and are either the corrupted creations during the experiments, or the attempts to resurect Myrmidons from beyond death.
A simpler version could be, Revenants are Turned Mymidons. Ultimate Traitors of similar level to Dash, without being Dicsorded, doing her best to kill Celestia.
as it’s full capacities are not yet known
1. Its.
Did XCOM ever have a chance to autopsy Ethereals? Interrogation must be done in the future, I think.
Silly Firecracker! That's not a Windigo. That's just Cadance in a portable Ethereal amplifier / torture device.
The real Windigo is still unconscious in Canterlot, though I think the Ethereals could convince her to join forces with them once she wakes up. They can be pretty persuasive:
Ethereal - Join us, Solaria. Break free of the chaotic defiler and embrace your true nature.
Celestia - Never! I have overcome my "true nature." I value all life before me.
Ethereal - Do not be naive. You possess the power to impose control on immense scales. We have created a flawless design to guide all lesser beings. Together, we marry our strengths and usher in the perfect system of order.
Celestia - I will hear none of your lies! Flee now or face my wrath!
Ethereal - We can strip Discord of all his power. You can d-
punch him for as many millennia as you like.
...
Solaria - So do I sign a contract or just do the standard blood pact?
Other than that, I nice info dump chapter. I have to wonder how much is left to go in this story. Judging by the number of reveals lately, I'd say the end might be in sight, though it probably won't be the series finale. XCOM and Equestria are probably gonna have to contend with whatever eldritch nightmare forces come after this invasion.
My only qualm with this is there doesn't seem to be much variety in the threat levels. Suggestions of mine for names of new threat levels include:
1. Low
2. Medium
3. Fair
4. Formidable
5. BEG FOR MERCY
6. ???
7. Profit!!!
Replace with 'what'
Edit: I'm being silly. The toys are self replicating.
Kinda late on this, but congrats on the inclusion in X-Com 2! Are you going to include the terrifying Avatar Project
? That would make some sense for the motivation behind the invasions, but I'm thinking you're going down a different path. Either way, keep up the great work!
How... convenient.
Ahhhh, I never tire of these. Looking forward to what's coming next, Commander!
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Besides, which ending would you be referring to? The one at the end of the original game, the one at the end of the Enemy Within DLC (might be the same ending, haven't played the standalone version), or the official ending where Earth surrendered by week 3 (Ok, maybe not that early, but you get my drift)?
6933015
I know this quote from somewhere, but for the love of Mike Nelson and the Robots, I can't place it.
Is there any chance of you making a spin-off of the story with it incorporating Xcom 2 elements like Ethereals taking over Earth and cuttting of contact with the xcom units stranded on the other side or the opposite with them taking over Equestria with intend of using their DNA to fund their "project" with Xcom and equestrian remnants in hiding.
I'm surprised there wasn't an entry for Tirek? He was mentioned as working with the invaders, so you'd think he'd be in this Enemy Dossier along with mention of his potential threat level? Also, since I've been playing XCOM 2, I'm curious to see if you'll include some of the enemies or new abilities of the old enemies. For instance, maybe Chrysalids could have the burrow ability from XCOM 2 or the aliens could start fielding Gatekeepers, Vipers and Andromedon's once they build gateways to bring in troops. Also the Faceless could be implemented to replace the Thin Men/Longma due to their infiltration tactics being unsuccessful?
6934157 This is technically just headcanon but I'd say Faceless can't talk, so they're only good for ambushes rather than long-term infiltration.
So... Every time I read any of this story I find myself playing x-com for the next few days. Lol, I think that means you're doing something right.
6934157 From what I gather, X-COM 2 takes place 20 years after X-COM Enemy Unknown/Enemy Within. Aliens likely didn't have time to develop technology.
6932709
To continue your 'alien vampire' example, there might in that case actually be a glimmer of truth to those old myths worth investigating.
Maybe they are lethally allergic to some enzyme in garlic or lemons that could be extracted/synthesized on mass as a poison. Maybe they are a naturally nocturnal or even cave dwelling species, or simply from a world with extreme cloud-cover, and thus extremely sensitive to UV light to the point of crippling burns. Maybe they have such potent regeneration that the stake thing is actually a must to keep them down.
And even if the creature is utterly artificial, in at least this case they're made from gryphons that know those same myths.
I mean, to take an example from the story, they clearly respond extremely aggressively to any challenge or the sight of.., Skysteel swords, was it?
If the gryphons stop being tight-beaked about why, it could be quite plausible to make some sort of decoy or trap based on that... well, weakness. A bouncing Betty with a illusion charm on it, or something. Forcing the aliens to either near fry the minds of the Reveraents to stop them from charging at their doom again and again, or maybe even scrap the enemy type entirely.
And that's just one idea based on what we've seen.
Trite but true, but knowledge is power, and if nothing else the aliens currently have a little more because of how the gryphons are acting.
6934528 I can see Gatekeepers and Andromedon's being more recent developments. Much like how Mutons in XCOM 2 have been enhanced so they're faster and skinnier, lacking some of their previous muscle-mass while the Berserkers are even bigger and tougher, so much so that they don't even armor them any more. (Kind of a dumb move there, same with Sectoids. More armor increases their suitability >~<.)
I'm curious if some of XCOM 2's other science will make an appearance. For instance, maybe the Magnetic weapons could replace conventional projectile weapons, a non-magical weapon that's as deadly as their laser weapons and can potentially be used in areas where magic is nullified?
6934577 Yeah, maybe. Considering that Etherials don't want to improve people but to stomp out Equestrians they may have hastened their research. As to countering magnetic weapons? Trow an EMP grenade at them(not an X-COM setting/multiverse thinking). It would disable all conventional/magnetic/laser gear.
Please tell me they're referring to the Australian bullpup assault rifle or the .450 hunting round from LeMag, not the American 25mm autocannon...
Its, not it's.
And yeah, I immediately went, "That's Cadance in that coffin, isn't it." I mean, honestly, I'm just glad we're not looking at a Kerrigan situation. I hope.
6932720 They already have. The "Viper" species in XCOM 2 is the original ancestor of the Thin Men (or as original as you're going to get, considering the aliens' love of genetic modification.)
6934851
I was thinking about in this story...
Fairly sure you meant metaphor.
That said, I have to disagree with Shining Armor here. It is never the wrong time for a pun.
6936171
This wasn't supposed to be a compliment or in any way a good thing.
Revenants, Windigos, and toys. Oh my. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
6936282 Still haven't got it but after hearing how some people are getting some problems so I'm leaving it for a bit longer and then I'm getting it. Been making sure to avoid nearly all spoilers or new about the game apart from problems cause I want to start how I started in Enemy Unknown, getting my ass handed to me and learning the hard way.
Ethereal Damocles (aka Gandalf): do not engage!
Frak that! I shall silence the enemy with a single strike *swings chainsword and readies laspistol*, for the princesses, for terra.
And to those of you who wish to surrender this world and our holy terra, should be mindful, as it is the people (and ponies) of these words that look to you now. And to any man who dares take a step back will soon find himself serving on the firing lines. But to this now we march, and march we shall, with the light of the holy sisters and the lives of our people behind us we shall march to victory.
*
- words of Lord commissar wolf to the troopers of the 2nd Regiment of Terra, before their trip through the equestrian gate. *just some inspiring words for any new prices of cannon fodder, for both anybody's xcom 2 play through (just remove equestria parts) or for any new characters in the story. Yes not to inspiring but get the job done
6934926
I think "metaphone" is the pun; I can see nothing else that could be. It looks like "metaphor", crossed with the suffix "-phone" (meaning "speech sound"). I'm not sure exactly how that's meant to be punny, but I'm sure Arad can fill us in.
6933057 No, because they're self replicating, so as long as one survives, it can theoretically continue to multiply exponentially/geometrically. Say a Toy can create a copy once every day. Assuming no Toys are sent to combat and destroyed, a single Toy will become 32,767 toys in a fortnight. A week after that, there are over 4 million Toys.
6932651
And given that every gryphon present reacted to the word, clearly they DO talk about them to some extent. At least to the point where every gryphon at some point learns what one is and that they are taboo. If you're going to maintain a cultural taboo, the kids need to be told at some point.
6937585 'sword of Damocles' -> 'double-edged'.
Given that this chapter made mention of amplifiers on the Canterlot ethereal to allow it to contend with Celestia I'm wondering if we ever got an in story explaination for that whole deal. I know there is a side story about her secret past and blah blah blah, but has there been any real explaination in the main story for why Celestia was a punk bitch that couldn't fight a single ethereal and is still KOed to this day? I feel like it is almost expected for some reason that everyone read the SIDE story to even understand a significant plot point of the main story.
I know it will never happen but I'm still kinda hoping that the connection to that side story is completely dropped. The whole "Celestia isn't actually Celestia because Celestia as you know her never existed" feels kinda dumb and only makes Discord a greater annoyance for having EVEN more power that he does absolutely nothing with while innocents suffer and die.
6933698 Well at least they did not surrender in seven hours.
Juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust beat XCOM2
HOLYFUCKKENSHITOMGWTFBBQDATCLIFFHANGERSEQUELHOOKAHRGJAGJSHGHDFSHGHJASJDGDFHDS
6943938
Actually, what is the official time before surrender in XCOM 2? 7 hours can't be canon, can it?
[youtube=DFDSFcyMpFg]
6943979 I believe the canon XCOM EU ending is at three weeks? The first month of Impossible Ironman mode, basically.
The 'seven hours' thing was likely a reference to the Seven Hour War from Half Life.
As I remember the legend Damocles hung the sword over the chair on his right, and 'invited' a boastful noble under his rule to sit there for bragging he 'had no worries'. Which Damocles thought either made him a liar or a fool, and he desired to show his vassal that ruling always came with worries, and the lives of those who ruled were as precarious as a sword suspended by a thread.
6933015
...holy shit, I hadn't considered that... That's horrifying...
I love it...
No idea if I got her design right... But this is the Lana whom I can think of :3
p.s. was it the left or right arm again? Can't really flip between the two.
But I really wondered 'What If' the (Stardust) universe took place in XCOM 2's resistance settings :D
orig00.deviantart.net/a5bc/f/2016/053/9/1/pokit_3416a75f4cea9109507cacd8e2f2aefc_by_8feet-d9sovl6.png
Okay, so this is a bit late but I'm just now getting caught up. YOU KILLED LANA YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD! She was my favorite and it looked like things were finally starting to possibly click between her and Firecracker and now we'll never know! *wails in heartbrokenness* Now that that's out of the way, what a fantastic story! I am loving this story and can't wait to see what happens next! Please don't keep us waiting for long!
6969426
Can't reply much because I'm at work, but be mindful of putting gigantic spoilers in your comments. I did include a spoiler warning in the story description but some folks see the top comment before reading the story chapters and they might not appreciate such a reveal.