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Scourge

2021-01-10T19:17:08Z

2601:C4:C200:6770:D9AD:3D81:9519:843F:

[[File:dzc_scourge_fancy_symbol.png|200px|thumb|right]]

The '''Scourge''' are a technologically advance race of neuro-parasitic [[xenos]] in the [[Dropzone Commander]] and [[Dropfleet Commander]] universe and are pretty much just even more Grim Dark [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animorphs Yeerks].

==Morphology==
The Scourge are best described as a jellyfish-like species with fragile, boneless bodies comprised of a central mass and a myriad of tentacles. They are unable to move freely outside of liquid in gravity beyond 0.5G, suggesting an aquatic natural environment. Scourge communication is entirely silent leading to theories ranging from telepathy to ultrasound as to how they communicate. It is also theorized that the parasitic aspects of their species did not appear until late in their evolution, as Scourge beyond the larval stage of their lifespan are unable to manifest such abilities.

===Possession===
Scourge larvae have the ability to integrate themselves with the nervous systems of other creatures, taking control of the victims body in the process. It is reported to take up to several months for full integration with a human host, an experience that is understood to be incredibly painful for the victim. It is believed that Scourge hosts retain full awareness whilst possessed, leading to a long life of constant pain and eventual insanity.

Shortly after integration, Scourge hosts lose the ability to produce pigments, essentially becoming an albino. In addition, the host begins to sweat profusely and constantly resulting in extreme dehydration. The resulting thirst is such that many Scourge take to drinking the blood of the fallen, both friend and foe alike.

Possession of a host gives the Scourge access to all of its abilities, immunities, and memories of its victim. This knowledge allows the Scourge to utilize the technology and infrastructure of the host species for their own ends. This ability to possess, adapt, and repurpose makes the Scourge [[Tyranid|the apex predator of the galaxy.]]

The Scourge parasite can extend the lifespan of its host for several centuries although as the parasite ages its grip on its host's body begins to falter. Scourge "Aged Ones" are known to twitch and spasm erratically as the tortured consciousness of the host begins to manifest. Eventually, the Scourge dies, often before the host itself, [[grimdark|thus leaving an insane, screaming, convulsing, pain-wracked albino behind.]]

==Technology==
[[File:dzc_scourge_starter.jpeg|300px|thumb|right|Scourge starter set]]

The Scourge possess many advanced technologies derived from those of the various species they have possessed. This includes plasma-based weaponry and propulsion systems, and mass repulsion (anti-grav) technology. For power, Scourge appear to rely on fusion reactors, even going so far as to mount them on their vehicles.

===Vehicles===
All Scourge vehicles are at least partially organic in nature and are piloted by adult Scourge that failed to take a host before maturity. The pilots are suspended in a black, tar-like nutrient soup and neurologically (and permanently) integrated into their respective machines in a technological reproduction of the Scourge possession process. This melding of alien and machine gives Scourge pilots an unprecedented level of control over their vehicles, resulting in incredibly organic and instinctive maneuvers unmatched by any other species.

Scourge vehicles, both on land and in the air are powered by on-board fusion reactors that rely on mass repulsion systems to maneuver. Although highly advanced, this technology drastically lowers the maximum altitude of Scourge aircraft as higher altitudes exponentially increase the power draw from the reactor. The end result is that during a planetary invasion, Scourge aircraft must be dropped into a planets atmosphere from low orbit and freefall until they reach an acceptable altitude.

===Weapons===
Most Scourge weapons utilize solid projectiles surrounded by blue-white plasma. Although immensely devastating, this drastically reduces the range of most of their arsenal.

To fill the role of an anti-aircraft weapon, however, the Scourge prefer to use bolts of energized ions which latch onto isolated objects (such as aircraft). These "Arc Casters" are entirely useless against ground targets, however, as there are too many objects for the ion streams to latch on to. The Scourge compensate for this with the Ion Storm Generator, a massive weapon mounted only on Scourge command vehicles that unleashes a devastating blast of energized ions that compensates for being unable to hit one object by hitting ''every'' object.

For building clearance, the Scourge occasionally make use of [[Banewolf|pressurized hoses firing a potent acid that instantly dissolves organic tissue.]] As an added bonus, this acid quickly evaporates into noxious fumes.

==Combat Doctrine==
Above all, what the Scourge special in most is planetary invasion, preferably without damaging the planet's infrastructure so that it can be utilized once the defenders are wiped out. The Scourge are a purely offensive race relying on speed and sheer aggression to dominate the battlefield. Their dropships are entirely one-way, unable to either return to their parent ship nor retrieve their cargo once deployed (<s>with the exception of infantry</s> the rules allow them to though). As such, the only way for a Scourge warrior is forward, and to that end the Scourge excel. Their Main Grav-Tank, the Hunter, is over twice as fast as the UCM Sabre MBT, and three times as fast as a PHR Type-1 Walker. This speed is the life blood of Scourge tank commanders as without it their almost comically short-ranged weapons would be utterly useless. This combination of speed and devastating point-blank firepower makes the Scourge the undisputed masters of [[rape|close-quarters urban combat.]] When caught in the open, however, [[Anal Circumference|well...]]

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:scourgejelly.jpg|
File:Patrice-rameau-scourge-human-portrait-with-plein-bg.jpg|
File:Scourgerain.jpg|
File:Dfc_scourge_battlefleet.jpeg|
</gallery>
</center>

United Colonies of Man

2021-01-10T19:17:00Z

2601:C4:C200:6770:D9AD:3D81:9519:843F:

[[File:dzc_ucm_fancy_symbol.png|200px|thumb|right]]

The '''United Colonies of Man''' or '''UCM''' are one of the factions representing humanity in [[Dropzone Commander]] and [[Dropfleet Commander]]. Consisting of the remaining frontier planets that are still under control by humanity. Their sole goal is to reclaim the Cradle Worlds from the Scourge.

==Pre-History==
With the discovery of fusion technology and FTL drives, humanity entered a golden age of advancement and discovery.
Eventually humanity makes first contact with the Shaltari. At first the Shaltari were friendly and showed humanity a number of colonizable worlds.
Later it was discovered that the Shaltari were only doing this in order to use Humanity as cheap foot soldiers for their wars against other Shaltari tribes. Needless to say, this did not go over well.

===The White Sphere===
One day, a tennis ball sized white sphere descended into earths atmosphere and landed in Peru. The sphere, despite its small size, required two men to carry it. The sphere was quickly brought to a lab in South America to be analyzed. As soon as the sphere was linked to a computer with a network connection, the entire lab went into lock down and every single computer on the continent was hacked. Hours later, from inside the locked down facility, explosions could be heard from outside. Later after the lockdown had been lifted, it was discovered that the sphere had been stolen. Days later a single message was broadcast through out all inhabited world on all channels warning humanity of impending doom and to go to Talon IV one year from now in order to survive. This caused a lot of civil unrest and divided humanity between those who wished to flee and follow the sphere's warning and those who wanted to ignore it. This culminated in a massive space battle over Talon IV between the abandonists and the EAA Navy one full year after the white sphere issued its warning.

Two day after the separatists left the Scourge attacked. Across all the Cradle worlds, Massive alien fleets simultaneously emerged from foldspace and raced to the Cradle worlds and darkened the skies with bizarre dropships carrying sinister vehicles and payloads. The Scourge quickly swept aside all resistance both in space as well as on the ground. Only 10% of the human population survived the Scourge invasion and less than 1% were able to escape Earth against the onslaught.

The Golden age of humanity was over.

===Rebuilding===
Those that could fled the Cradle Worlds to the Frontier worlds, minor colonies on the edge of human controlled space. For a long time the frontier worlds lived in the shadow of the Cradle worlds and were often ignored by the more sophisticated and decadent societies. Needless to say the small colonies were surprised when fleets of refugees that had escaped the Scourge invasion arrived over their worlds. Fearing the Scourge may soon come to the frontier world, many braced for the inevitable slaughter that would take place. But, the Scourge never came. Why the Scourge never attacked the frontier worlds is still a mystery. Not willing to risk another invasion, the Frontier worlds scrambled their jump nodes so nobody from outside the colonies could jump in. In the following 160 years, the massive influx of refugees plus a rise in birth rates lead to a population explosion across all colonies who now called themselves the United Colonies of Mankind. The resource rich frontier worlds were exploited to their fullest. Cities grew at an amazing speed. The new civilization became highly militant both out of fear the Scourge would find the Frontier worlds but also from a burning lust for revenge. State of the art battle-fleets were constructed and factories cranked out advanced war-machines and armaments to wage a crusade to take back mankind's lost colonies.

==Technology==
[[File:Dzc_ucm_starter.jpeg|300px|thumb|right|UCM starter set]]
===Vehicles===
UCM's vehicles are utilitarian in appearance as they prefer function over form. Their tanks normally only have one crew member that lies prone inside. This is helped by the fact that most of the systems and functions in the tank are automated to a degree. Their fleet ships often feature a bifurcated design, and are well armored.

===Weapons===
One of the most recognizable traits of most of the UCM vehicles are their folding weapons. Most of the weapons on their vehicles are mounted on giant folding arms that can be raised and lowered. Their tanks can even raise their weapons above cover to fire as the main body stays safely behind cover. Spacecraft typically feature either turret-based weaponry that covers a wide range of firing arcs, or powerful spinal-mounted lasers that can burn through enemy craft.

==Gallery==
<center>
<gallery>
File:Dfc_ucm_battlefleet.jpeg|
File:Ucmhazardsuit.jpg|
File:Ucmmortor.jpg|
</gallery>
</center>