AZEGAN FILES: SHEATHES-10 ASSETS 003

GENERAL OVERVIEW

- Not all the Monarchs got their way when they entered the Universe. Emperor Vulcan and Empress Gaia were fine with what the general consensus was concerning Science and Nature, and while both of them could tweak such things to suit their purposes, Empress Hecate was not so fortunate. The deal with Cozen (an invention of a certain Siegfried von Eisenhower to render all True Magics obsolete) is that is adapts to what a Target Area's 'views' on Magic are. Unlike the Target Area of her Sibling Monarch from SHEATHES-700, Magic within the Ancerious Universe was more 'tethered' to Logic and Reality. It could not ignore the limitations imposed by Physics like True Magic could. An example demonstrating this can be found should Empress Hecate and Emperpr Ramses pull a rabbit out of a hat. Within the Universe SHEATHE-10 is located in, the Cozen that Empress Hecate relied on would have had to work hand in hand with Physics; perhaps her Cozen would cause a Quantum Anomaly that allows the manifestation of materials to form and assemble into the body of the rabbit in question. But, should Emperor Ramses pull a rabbit out of a hat in the Jormugandr Grid, he would have been able to do so 'just because of Magic', in direct defiance to all Cosmic and Existential principles; there would be no reason or process, neither would any experimentation or analysis yield 'scientific' knowledge on how such a thing came to be. That is because Cozen within the Jormugandr Grid conforms to be more like True Magic, unlike the Physics-laden 'Magic' of the Ancerious Universe, the which Siegfried would have classified as 'False Magic'. Empress Hecate greatly envies her Sibling's Cozen, but is unable to change the nature of her own. Once Cozen adapts to a Target Area, it stays adapted. However, like the saying goes, where there's a will, there's a way, and Monarchs have lots of the former; in fact it is a key 'ingredient' for making their Subjects. If her Cozen refuses to disobey the 'regulations' of Reality here, then Empress Hecate would overrule that Reality with a different Reality. More specifically, an Excell-Enclosed Reality.

- Empress Gaia creates 'Materials' in her Excell-Enclosed Realities (Natura Gemstones like Terraberyl) and Emperor Vulcan creates 'Energies' within his (Machina Voltages like the Ira Bolt) so it's only common sense for Empress Hecate to come up with similar tactics. What she created within her Excell-Enclosed Realities were 'Rules'. More specifically, she created the Arcana Laws, which can 'substitute' itself for a Law of Reality that would dare stand in her way. By opting to bind themselves to Arcana laws, Subjects would still be following a 'Law' of Physics. It's just that their Empress happens to own the brand of Physics whose laws they follow. Like any Excell-Enclosed Reality fabrication, Arcana Laws can only exist within SHEATHES-10 Territory. They have no effect on anything Non-SHEATHES, and they have have a set time limit before the current Universe gives them the boot, whereupon they must be replaced. Unlike the other Excell-Enclosed Reality fabrications, Arcana Laws are whole lot harder to get rid off. Natura Gemstones, of which three brands are Terragems, Aquagems, and Caelagems, can be broken by sufficiently-powerful enemies. Machina Voltages can be defended against, that is, if the defenses are compatible with such a task. Despite being protected from enemy manipulation and control by their Monarchs' Authority, Natura Gemstones and Machina Voltages are 'corporeal' enough to interact with. They aren't ordinary things, so interaction will never go as planned, but once in a while, something can happen. However, with Arcana Laws, simply denying their existence, refusing to react to them, or proving they don't work mathematically or scientifically doesn't make them go away, neither does disbelief or disapproval have an impact on them.

- With her Arcana Laws bolstering her reign, Empress Hecate was able to surprise both Emperor Vulcan and Empress Gaia in their first War Games Session; the latter two had sensed her Cozen adapt to the norm for 'Magic' within the current Universe, and had prepared their forces to face something more fathomable. What faced and dealt them humiliating defeats was anything but. Empress Hecate systematically dismantled their participating Banners with spells boosted by Arcana Laws, mythological beings who could only be faced on their own terms, and enchanted artifacts of great might and unknowable mechanics. It was only when Emperor Vulcan and Empress Gaia took their presumably-handicapped colleague more seriously, calling forth their more powerful Subjects and Assets, did events balance out. Today, the three Monarchs are equals in War Games, but the ones who preside over the Machina and Natura States have never forgotten how much it cost them to underestimate the one who rules the Arcana State.

- As Empress Hecate Ages, she finds herself relying less on Arcana Laws to maintain the Arcana State's existence, simply exerting her own power over that of the Universe's and making her stuff works the way she wants it to, not the way others say it should have. Nowadays, Arcana Laws are used to focus or specialize her might, as opposed to safekeeping it.


SPECIFICATIONS OVERVIEW

- Subject Identity: Mythology Icon Set 1

- SHEATHES 'Number': 10

- Subject State: Arcana

- Subject Tier: Basic



PICTURE OVERVIEW

- 1: Icon for Hex-Imbued Weaponry.

- 2: Icon for Arcana Barrier.

- 3: Icon for Inquisitor Sigil.

- 4: Icon for Laelaps Sigil.

- 5: Icon for Phoenix Sigil.

- 6: Icon for Abracadabra Satchels.

- 7: Icon for Lifeleecher Talisman.

- 8: Icon for Summoner Array.

- 9: Icon for Cosm-Breaker Array.



UTILITY OVERVIEW

- Hex-Imbued Weaponry: Once directed energy weaponry developed, the reign of forged steel, chiseled stone and carved wood was at an end, so they say. Unfortunately, for whoever 'they' might be, Empress Hecate doesn't give a damn about sayings, not unless they're coming from her Oracles. Hex-Imbued Weaponry are as versatile as they are numerous and useful. They are what results when Empress Hecate takes what used to be outdated junk and turns them into treasures that puts a damper on the ego of the most advanced firearm or the most evolved limb. Hex-Imbued Weaponry can literally be anything, from something as simple as axes that get sharper the more they are used to bows that fire spells as arrows. Swords can be enchanted for the purpose of 'killing' wounds with the same savagery as killing a foe, stabbing an ally to cure them of their wills, and a plain bo-staff can now call upon the power of Ancestral Spirits to bestow an ethereal form upon its wielder that renders him intangible to physical harm. This was the kind of madness Emperor Vulcan's soldiers faced during the first War Games Session of SHEATHES-10. Bullets and grenades did nothing against foes who could 'fool' incoming attacks into 'betraying' their sources, shift forms into feral were-beasts, spread a decay that affected anything that was touching it, or dissolve into Elemental Avatars at a whim.

- Arcana Barrier: Empress Hecate's challenge to the once straightforward weaponry of her colleagues. The concept of the Arcana Barrier is simple: a swirling, flowing mass of 'Magic' that detaches a Subject from the 'mundane' realm. An Arcana Barrier renders those under its protection intangible to anything but Magical means and methods. It's application, however, is nothing short of aggravating. Until they relied on their more heavyweight assets, neither Emperor Vulcan nor Empress Gaia could surmount this defense. The Arcana Barrier simply 'ignored' their attempts, ranging from 'exotic-energy' beams to globs of superacid, all of which simply passed through Subjects behind Arcana Barriers like pebbles through ghosts. Once 'mundane' assets were cast aside, and Machina Voltages and Natura Gemstones were called into play, did the other two Monarch overcome the Arcana Barrier without having to field anything 'magical', which would not be something they have any hold over. Granted, they did so only for Empress Hecate to unveil a more powerful Arcana Barrier, to which the other Monarchs unveiled more potent Excell-Enclosed Reality creations, and so the volleys went on. Obviously, the Arcana Barrier does nothing against Magical Attacks, so everything from spells to enchanted items will slip through completely unhindered. But that is where the one of the first Arcana Laws to be implemented comes in handy...

- Inquisitor Sigil: Enables Empress Hecate to 'instruct' her Cozen to be more 'true to its former self'. That is, it regains the ability to perfectly devour anything 'supernatural'. Regardless of the Magic in question, Cozen can feed on it. However, there are factions whose Magics will display an immunity or resistance to the 'lesser' Cozen used by SHEATHES, whether for no good reason or because their Magics aren't really Magics. In such a case, there is a reason why Empress Hecate specifically labelled Arcana Laws as 'Laws', not 'Aspects': there can be steep penalties for breaking them. The moment an Arcana Law is 'disobeyed', her Subjects infallibly gain massive bonuses against the 'Law-Breaker'. In the case of the Inquisitor Sigil's Arcana Law being broken, Empress Hecate's Subjects are bestowed the ability to use the Magics of the 'Law-Breaker' to empower themselves, at the same time shrugging off any of its harmful or negative effects.

- Laelaps Sigil: Each Arcana Law has a clear statement. For the Inquisitor Sigil's Arcana Law, that statement is 'Cozen devours all Magic'. For the Laelaps Sigil, that statement is 'Laelaps cannot fail to catch his prey'. This Sigil stems from a Grecian Legend where an Uncatchable Fox was being chased by an Inescapable Hound, the latter of whom was Laelaps. Coincidentally, therein lies this Sigil's weakness and its strength. Any Subject branded with a Laelaps Sigil is fated to catch its Target, regardless of where it goes or how it goes there. Neither distance, era or realm will be a hindrance. However, the moment a Teumessian Fox is Summoned and made to encounter the Subject bearing Laelaps Sigil, the abilities of the 'Inescapable Hound' and 'Uncatchable Fox' negate each other. What happens after a Subject catches its quarry is not part of Laelaps Sigil's Arcana Law; if the Target were to kill the Subject after it showed up, such an event would not be a violation of the Laelaps Sigil's Arcana Law. Furthermore, if the Sigil is touched by the Uncatchable Fox, then both the Fox and the Subject will instantly turn to stone.

- Phoenix Sigil: The statement of this Sigil's Arcana Law is, 'Phoenixes always rise from their ashes'. One of the more straightforward Arcana Laws, yet it's among the most useful: a Subject with the Phoenix Sigil on it will resurrect itself after it is killed. Even after being reduced to an existence beyond oblivion, Subjects will reconstitute. Until the Phoenix Sigil is dismissed or Empress Hecate is unable to Maintain it, its effects will remain. This Arcana Law is similar to the Colletic Coding Field, but it does have differences. For one, Colletic Coding Fields are 'data-based', and an affected Subject will return to its latest 'recorded' state. The Phoenix Sigil causes a Subject to return what it was prior to being obliterated, minus any negative statuses it may have acquired. The Colletic Coding Field first records and then reverts. The Phoenix Sigil brings one back from the afterlife. The Colletic Coding Field's 'reversion' is instantaneous, but must be manually triggered at additional expenses. The Phoenix Sigil's 'reconstitution' takes time, but automatically occurs free of charge, that is, if there aren't any active Locking Glyphs on Empress Hecate; when the Locking Glyphs activate the moment she enters the Ancerious Galaxy, repetitive resurrections will tire her out. As with any asset, there is a catch, and that catch was just mentioned. The larger, more powerful and/or more expensive a Subject is, the longer it takes to resurrect. Regardless of the free trip back to the Realm of the Living, waiting around for 2.5 centuries for one Pantheon Chariot to resurrect is just not practical. Furthermore, when a Subject bearing the Phoenix Sigil is destroyed, it dissipates into a swirling mass of glowing blue particles that can be considered as the 'Phoenix's Ashes'. These 'Ashes' can be physically transported or guarded, but not destroyed or tampered with. This means that while its rebirth cannot be nullified or interrupted, when a Subject in question does 'rise from its ashes', it may be in a holding cell or in front of a firing squad.

- Abracadabra Satchels: Going back to the analogy of how Empress Hecate and Emperor Ramses would pull a rabbit out of a Magician's Hat, this item is how Empress Gaia would pull such a thing off without relying on an Arcana Law to mirror what her SHEATHES-700 Sibling could do. Abracadabra Satchels are enchanted to contain a space larger than their physical volume appears to be. This increased space is akin to a pocket dimension, albeit the 'Magics' infusing it help its owner in multiple ways. First, they respond to their owner's thoughts, maneuvering the required item to their hand and cutting down on the time one might need to rummage. Second, they ensure the entry and exiting of anything goes as smoothly as possible, shrinking whatever needs to go through the satchel's mouth and returning it to its real size when needed. Third, they organize their contents perfectly, and prevent all of them (well, almost all of them) from interacting. A china shop and a bull occupying the same Abracadabra Satchel will not result in a bunch of broken valuables. Incidentally, the managerial 'Magics' of the Abracadabra Satchel can also become its weakness. Disrupting their function could produce some very awkward or painful situations, and the worst part is that such a thing can happen by itself. Sometimes the Satchel will gain an ego and refuse to yield an item that User needs, substituting something that it thinks is more appropriate. Faulty Satchels have been known to bite off the hand (or tentacle) of their owners. All in all, Abracadabra Satchels are a useful asset of the Arcana State, but not a perfect one.

- Lifeleecher Talismans: Often confused for Retrograde Talismans and, to a lesser extent, Twisted-Karma Talismans. Lifeleecher Talismans were something Empress Hecate implemented after seeing her Boss 'Patrons' Dante and Damien embroiled in a Role-Playing Game. The concept of being rewarded with Health Points after destroying an enemy's own intrigued her, and she set about actualizing that idea. And so, Arcana Lifeleecher Talismans became a staple of the Arcana Military. Any 'Damage' an Arcana Subject does against a foe is 'considered' by the Lifeleecher Talisman and the exact same amount of 'Health' is awarded. Basic Lifeleecher Talismans do not actually take the life of an enemy; they only convert inflicted wounds into the opposite for a Subject. No, that would be the job of a Lifegobbler Talisman, which can convert something Non-SHEATHES into a SHEATHES-compatible item, which in this case would be 'Life'. The reason why Lifeleecher Talismans are different from Retrograde Talismans and Twisted-Karma Talismans is because a Subject must need to cause harm to gain healing. If a Subject did not dent a Target's armor, then no 'life' will be granted. Retrograde Talismans 'consider' the damage output of a Subject and heal them by that amount, regardless of whether that damage succeeded in reaching or interacting with its intended Target. Twisted-Karma Talismans take the 'wrongdoings' of a Subject and turn it into 'good fortune' for them, regardless of whether they were successful in their endeavors. Lifeleecher Talismans are the easiest to manufacture, so they are a lot more common than their more powerful counterparts. Also, basic Lifeleecher Talismans are only useful on Subjects that are actually alive; Undead or Spiritual Subjects will not gain any health. On the plus side, any Target can be a source of health, as long as it first receives damage.

- Summoner Array: What's better than a Magic User? A Magic User commanding an army that is both intelligent and subservient. Empress Hecate can call up her Subjects in droves. But what about her Subjects? Why can't they do the same? Empress Hecate not only asked herself that question, she answered it too. Her answer was the Summoner Array. Arcana Subjects can employ a Summoning Circle of sorts to call for various Familiars to aid them. The Tier of the Subject decides the overall caliber of the Summoned Entity. Advanced Subjects can Summon Advanced Familiars, Basic Subjects can Summon Basic Familiars, and so on. All it takes is a little focus, a little energy, and a little incantation. The catch for this SHEATHES Asset is that the Summoned Familiars are not Monarch Subjects; it is essentially the Subject of a Subject. Summoned Familiars hail from special Pocket Realms within the outskirts of Empress Hecate's 'portion' of the Yggdrasil Galactic Triumvirate, and it is within those Realms that her Subjects conceive, develop and share their creations. As such, Summoned Familiars are not covered by Monarch Authority, and hence can be directly manipulated. From genetic-level infestations to mind control, and from being properly scanned or having Reality within them warped/reshaped via Magical or Cosmic means, Subject Summons do not boast the immunities of their 'Summoners'. The Subject activating this kind of Array must draw from its personal, Non-SHEATHES 'reserves' of energy, which can be compared to classic Mana, to Summon its Familiars. It must also be vigilant over its control over said Familiars, as they can be turned against their 'Master', who will be forced to Dismiss them and waste valuable resources. Of course, that's not to say Summoner Arrays can't be used to call forth other Subjects, but such would be closely-related variants instead called Summoning Arrays.

- Cosm-Breaker Array: For use within the Yggdrasil Galactic Triumvirate only, like during War Game Sessions. The Cosm-Breaker Array is an unprecedented advancement of Arcana Laws, one that is the equivalent of Empress Hecate blowing a raspberry at the Current Universe and its Laws of Reality, defying it and whoever made it. While regular Arcana Laws substitute themselves in place of, change, and/or eliminate a Physical Law, the Cosm-Breaker Array takes Arcana Laws and spins them into a 'tapestry' that does the same not only to Physical Laws, but to Logical and Trans-Logical Laws. Each of the SHEATHES-10 Monarchs have more than one Asset or Subject that inspires disbelief or terror in the other two. Emperor Vulcan has his Machina Coding Fields. Empress Gaia has her Natura Transcendent Organisms. For Empress Hecate, it's her Arcana Cosm-Breaker Arrays. These 'Magical Circles' can broadcast the most insane effects within their Area of Jurisdiction. Even the most boastful and almighty Beings are no more than ordinary folk in the face of a Cosm-Breaker Array. How does one Reality-Warp when there is no Reality to Warp, and any created Reality immediately falls under the dominion of the Cosm-Breaker Array? How does an army fight when the very 'Vectors' and 'Distances' around them betray their every action? This is why in the face of Emperor Vulcan's overwhelming firepower and resources and Empress Gaia's overwhelming numbers and diversity, Empress Hecate can rally 'Evolutionarily Inferior' and 'Technologically Medieval' forces and still go toe to toe with them.



EMPLOYMENT OVERVIEW

- Hex-Imbued Weaponry: It would be easier to list the ways they can't be employed; that amount, factually, is none. Each Hex-Imbued Weapon comes with its own pros and cons, and due to their immense numbers, those will be individually listed with their weapon instead.

- Arcana Barrier: Primarily used to rout forces without any Magical or Trans-Reality capabilities. Why meet something on its home turf when one can simply rain hell from a more comfortable vantage point? In Empress Hecate's eyes, those wielding technology have grown arrogant thinking that all contenders must go and meet them on their own terms. With the Arcana Barrier, a faction unwise enough to tango with the Arcana State is denied the privilege of setting the grounds for combat, much less have full control its events. Secondarily, Arcana Barriers can be used to turn any Spell into a defense. Arcana Barriers are already masses of pure 'Magic'; why not give that 'Magic' specifications and specializations? Two examples can be found in the Frog Prince Arcana Barrier and the Retrograde Arcana Barrier. The Frog Prince Barrier curses all foes and attacks that make contact with the form of an ordinary Earthling amphibian. Almost identical to Retrograde Talismans, Retrograde Arcana Barriers switch damage with healing. The second of these two Arcana Barriers was a response to Emperor Vulcan's Retrocasuality capabilities, wherein his Subjects could hit something before they fired, making their shots 'faster' than instant. Empress Hecate thought it fun to turn her foes' wisdom into folly, converting enemy firepower into a source of rejuvenation for her Subjects.

- Inquisitor Sigil: When Siegfried von Eisenhower came up with Cozen, it was designed to 'mirror' True Magic and 'murder' it at the same time. There is no Magic that can deny it; Magic that can surpass the greatest form of Anti-Magic wouldn't even count as an challenge. Only the works of a Grim Artist (no matter how that Grim Artist denies being one) bolstered by their Prerogative, can withstand it. In its true state Cozen treats Magic like gasoline, and it is a spark of fire. It's only when Cozen conforms to a Target Area's 'general consensus' of what Magic is and isn't does it risk losing that trait. This risk goes double for the 'lesser variant' of Cozen used by SHEATHES, which is neither as refined or advanced as that used by SWORDS Monarchs. Sometimes SHEATHES-level Cozen maintains its Magic-Eating capability, other times it doesn't. Empress Hecate was somewhat disappointed that her situation was that of the latter, and was reluctant to accept it. Hence, the invention of SHEATHES-10's Inquisitor Sigil. Since Arcana Laws are 'abstracts beyond abstracts', and cannot be 'manhandled' by their Monarch much less anybody else, Arcana Sigils were needed to 'anchor' them to a place. Each Sigil corresponds to an Arcana Law, giving it influence and presence. Without Sigils, Arcana Laws would not be able to 'fit' into the resident Reality, much less have an impact on it. The Inquisitor Sigil is definitely the go-to asset whenever Empress Hecate faces off against other Magic-Wielding factions; whether they obey or disobey its Arcana Law, Empress Hecate benefits either way. However, the Inquisitor Sigil is a two-edged sword, and a sharp one at that. When the Inquisitor Sigil is activated, it forces Cozen to regain its Magic-devouring capabilities. This 'agitates' the Cozen, and like a bear being jolted from its nap, 'agitated' Cozen can place the Arcana State itself in grave danger. Reawakened Cozen does not distinguish between True Magic or False Magic. Because the Arcana State's Cozen has gained a resemblance to Magic, even it will not be spared. Essentially, Cozen that is 'reawakened' by the Inquisitor Sigil is a 'flame' that Empress Hecate must control strictly, because it could just as easily spread out of control and wipe out her Subjects and other Assets. Even worse, as Empress Hecate is herself comprised of Magic-Imitating Cozen, she too could be seriously hurt by this Arcana Law. Among the Monarchs of SHEATHES-10, she is the only one who has to deal with this kind of risk. This is why activating a Inquisitor Sigil behind an Arcana Barrier wouldn't make a Subject utterly untouchable; the Reawakened Cozen would proceed to devour the Arcana Barrier and the Subject within it.

- Laelaps Sigil: Placed mostly on assassins and ammunition. While political killings are among Empress Hecate's last resorts, with such things being almost prohibited to an Exploration-Oriented SHEATHES, there have been occasions where her hand was forced. As opposed to killing off an entire civilization, she would very much prefer to eliminate an important figure and have more sympathetic leaders resolve the situation. When applied to ammunition, missing even the most evasive Targets becomes an impossibility. The Laelaps Sigil's Arcana Law will 'enchant' a bolt of water to chase its quarry into any Realm, ignoring that Realm's effects, ever driving onwards, never giving up. Still, all this Sigil does is render evasion moot. A tough defense eliminates the need to evade. Sure, the Laelaps Sigil is destined something to catch its Target, but then what? There is also the countermeasure of the Teumessian Fox, which is the mythological antithesis of Laelaps. Of course, if a faction doesn't have the means to Summon a Teumessian Fox, maybe because it lacks Magic or is unfamiliar with that Legend, then it's out of luck. But for those with the means, combating this Sigil can be very easy. This is often the downfall of the Arcana State; by adhering to more 'Traditional Fantasy', it gains weaknesses along with strengths. Take the Basilisk, for example: it's gaze will fell entire armies, but it dies upon hearing the call of a rooster. With Arcana Laws, such scenarios happen 'Magically', without any real ties to the Laws of Reality. Where a Logic-laden Vampire will die from exposure to sunlight because of a chemical or allergic reaction to Ultraviolet Rays, a Truly-Magical Vampire will burn because of something along the lines of 'light vanquishing a creature of darkness'. On the plus side, if the Laelaps Sigil's Arcana Law is broken, usually by permission of Empress Hecate, then the Subject bearing it can keep the effects of the Laelaps Sigil forever, without its susceptibility to the Teumessian Fox.

- Phoenix Sigil: If the Arcana State seems gimmicky and riddled with 'tacky' powers and characteristics, it is because on the 'mundane' level, it is extremely delicate. This can be conveyed via an analogy of a Wizard versus a Panzer Tank. By itself, a Wizard is a soft, squishy thing. It risks death by so much as tripping and cracking its head open on an ill-placed rock. It terms of raw and regular parameters, all the Panzer Tank would need to do is run over the Wizard. But when special abilities come into play, the Panzer Tank is in for a serious fight. Before it can fire a single shot from its main cannon, there is the possibility that it has plunged into a chasm opened by the Wizard, or shrunk down to a fraction of its size. This can be observed further in the genres of Fantasy and Science-Fiction. Foot Soldiers are going to do nothing against Robotic Armies with Directed-Energy Weapons. But when said Foot Soldiers can be turned into immortal, indestructible heroes by being bathed within the River Styx, a clash becomes less one-sided. On the same premise, Empress Hecate's Elven Longboats would normally meet their demise by being dashed onto a cliff via unfavorable weather. But, swathed in Spells and Enchantments, mere 'wooden boats' become capable of space-faring shenanigans, able to give the most high-tech interceptors a run for their money. The Phoenix Sigil only sweetens the gestalt of the Arcana State. It is wasted on more sizable, or more Advanced, or more expensive Subjects; the higher the Tier of a Subject, the longer its resurrection time is, despite such a thing being free of charge. However, this Sigil allows Basic Tier and Fodder Tier Subjects to engage more aggressively and fearlessly, continuing to be a threat for longer, not just because they can return to the fray, but because they return having learned from their experiences and mistakes, which is something the Colletic Coding can fail at. They can be gifted to other factions if they are packaged in a Territory Bubble created by Boss 'Patrons'. More often than not, other factions do not use the exotic, gimmicky assets of SHEATHES-10, and as such, more 'mundane' users of the Phoenix Sigil will be revived much faster than a SHEATHES-10 Subject.

- Abracadabra Satchels: As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, 'an army marches on its stomach'. With Abracadabra Satchels, an army can march forever. All the supplies and sustenance one would ever need is literally an arm's reach away. Long, sluggish convoys prone to raids are a thing of the past with the Arcana State. The only thing Empress Hecate needs to do stock up Abracadabra Satchels with goods. Unlike their variants or equivalents in SHEATHES with higher 'Numbers', Abracadabra Satchels of SHEATHES-10 do not create items and gear out of nothing. Things have to be in there before a Subject can use them.

- Lifeleecher Talisman: Great for turning what seems to be a vulnerable and squishy Arcana force into something much harder to eliminate. Lifeleecher Talismans not only increase any Military's survivability without it having to field methods for defense or evasion, but they can have a negative psychological impact on opponents. Only hardened minds would not be disturbed or perturbed to see something rewarded with life when they are given death. Unlike the 'Lifesteal' Abilities in most Role-Playing Games Empress Hecate has observed her 'Patrons' playing, Lifeleecher Talismans is not picky as to how damage is caused to an opponent. This means that offensive spells can grant health just as easily as loping off a head will.

- Summoner Array: The conjuring of minions is something that has been a part of True Magic and False Magic alike. In an attempt to keep up with Empress Gaia's aptitude for churning out armies like they were spare change, Empress Hecate came up with her own methods for her Subjects to call forth forces of their own. The important logistics and mechanics of Summoning Arrays are kept a secret. The only known about Summoning Arrays is that Subjects equipped with them use a weird energy akin to classical Mana. Arcana Subjects direct and mold this 'Mana', state incantations, and then concentrate on a Summon to transport to the battlefield. Arcana Subjects have been seen beckoning to a vast list of Summons, ranging from 'Deity Avatars' to 'Monsters', all of which come from an undisclosed location of Empress Hecate's design. Subject Summons are not covered by Empress Hecate's Authority, as they are the Subjects of her Subjects. Subject Mana isn't covered, but in order to manipulate it, one must manipulate the Subject first; as experienced by all warlocks and sorcerers who've encountered SHEATHES-10, Empress Hecate is no slacker when it comes to covering her Subjects with Monarch Authority. Still, while she can control Subject Summons by controlling the Subject that did the Summoning, she cannot protect the former from all sorts of events, powers or effects that may be inflicted upon them. By keeping the secrets of Summoning Arrays under lock and key, Empress Hecate can at least prevent anyone from harming or tampering with Subjects Summons before they are used by her Subjects. Summoning Arrays themselves are covered by her Authority, rendering them immune to sabotage or subterfuge, but just because the door is unbreakable doesn't meant the person walking through it is.

- Cosm-Breaker Array: Impossible to use outside the Yggdrasil Galactic Triumvirate because of the SHIELDS Treaty. Empress Hecate is the Monarch of an Exploration-Oriented SHEATHES, and is not permitted to field anything too extreme for the sake of establishing STABS. It goes without saying that Cosm-Breaker Arrays count as extreme. Their employment in anywhere not 100% 'owned' by the Monarchs constitutes as a violation of peacekeeping protocols, which would open up SHEATHES-10 to eradication and replacement by their Boss 'Patrons; what use is a SHEATHES that will not fulfill its purpose? Despite Cosm-Breaker Arrays not being weapons with an offensive use, they do their fair share of havoc with their manipulative capabilities. Empress Hecate primarily uses them to turn the tides of an unfavorable engagement. Just when Emperor Vulcan or Empress Gaia think they have the upper hand, Empress Hecate whips out a Cosm-Breaker array and smiles at her colleagues protests of unfair play. Of course, despite their power, Cosm-Breaker Arrays have their nemeses too in the Natura and Machina States. Empress Gaia and Emperor Vulcan are hard-pressed to counter Cosm-Breaker Arrays, but they are far from helpless against them. After all, the purpose of War Games is to force the Monarchs to develop much faster than usual. While the ability to manipulate one's timeline to accelerate advancement is something only SHEATHES above the 'Number' 500 can do, War Games facilitate Arms Races, Political Races, and Economical Races that can be described lightly as 'on steroids'. Empress Hecate may have come up with the Cosm-Breaker Array, but her colleagues can come up with their own replies, back and forth, on and on.



VARIANT OVERVIEW

- Mandatory Emissary Note: It is tradition for 'Watchers' to document a variant of a Subject from its Sibling-SHEATHES, if one exists. Despite their close bond, however, Sibling-SHEATHES are unable to exchange Subjects. Any Monarchs who have 'Lesser Numbers' risk dying from overexertion if attempting to accept a Subject from a 'Higher Number' Monarch. Any Monarchs who have 'Higher Numbers' are guaranteed to crush a Subject from a 'Lesser Number' Monarch in the 'grip' of their Authority. No exceptions. 'Higher Number' Monarchs cannot reinforce 'Lesser Number' Monarchs with Subjects. 'Lesser Number' Monarchs cannot evacuate Subjects into the SHEATHES of 'Higher Number' Monarchs. No 'Equal Numbers' exist for SHEATHES. All data contained herein applies to SHEATHES-10 and SHEATHES-700 only.

- Hex-Suffused Weaponry: Function remains identical, but their numbers and power are higher. Enchantments are fused into the weapon itself, not simply 'equipped'. If using an actual curse, Hex-Suffused Weaponry are able to jinx enemies from afar, although actual contact is more preferable, especially since they can magnify or prolong their effects with additional strikes.

- Bolstered Arcana Barrier: Function remains identical, but because Emperor Ramses' Cozen retains most of its Magic-Eating Capabilities even when conforming to the consensus on 'Magic' of its Target Area, Bolstered Arcana Barriers are effective even against other Magics. So far, only Empress Boudicca and Emperor Temujin have ever breached a Bolstered Arcana Barrier.

- Tyrant Inquisitor Sigil: Name is theoretical. No actual SHEATHES-700 Variant. See Bolstered Arcana Barrier.

- Ensorcelled Laelaps Sigil: Function remains identical, but Emperor Rameses has somehow fused Laelaps with the Teumessian Fox, giving a Subject both the abilities of the Inescapable Hound and the Uncatchable Fox. Basically, one really annoying Sigil to deal with.

- Hydra Phoenix Sigil: Function remains identical, but every time his Subjects (are permitted) to die, they instantaneously revive. However, instead of one Subject returning from the Realm of the Dead, up to three do. That means the last thing an enemy wants to do is kill a Subject of Emperor Ramses.

- Alakazam Satchels: Function remains identical, but they can create anything a Subject might need or modify anything a Subject might store.

- Lifeswindler Talisman: Function remains identical, but it can heal a Subject disproportionately to the damage it causes. A simple scratch will restore the loss of an arm. Some Lifeswindler Talismans will exact this extra health by draining from the Subject's Target. Extra-devious Lifeswindler Talismans will 'consider' the health it drains as more damage caused by the Subject in possession of it; in such an event, it will continue the process of healing and draining until the Target is no more.

- Fertile Summoner Array: Is both the Portal for Subject Summons and the Realm where Subject Summon hail from. Fertile Summoner Arrays are their own Multiverse, and they can unleash all sorts of unbelievable entities, each one covered by Emperor Ramses' Authority, despite them not officially being his Subjects.

- Cosm-Grinder Array: Can be deployed outside SHEATHE-700 and its STABS Omniversal Colonies, but forbidden by Boss 'Patrons' as overkill. As such, besides the usual War Games usage, they are deployed against Renaissance 'Villains', who prove to be the only Targets that can properly shut down Cosm-Grinder Arrays.