Sign In
Create Account
We've been discussing in the Translation thread on what Gandharva could or could not accomplish differently in Kalibloom. When discussing war options though, the first thing to do is always to list an overview of the known capabilities of each side, so that's what this thread is for. :3
0. God Kubera
I'm listing God Kubera separately because he's a wild card.
Personal offensive capabilities: unknown
- We don't know exactly what God Kubera's current combat capabilities are. Sagara seems to think that she can beat him after he's exhausted from opening Gates. He can easily dispose of a bunch of Mara, but that's not saying much.
- His allies probably Do know that should he feel like it, he can walk into any city and assassinate anyone he wants to.
- Strategic ability: Gate between realms. God Kubera is currently the only one who can open the Gate between realms, allowing him to freely summon any additional Sura reinforcements.
- Strategic weaknesses: there are probably some, judging from the fact that he doesn't act openly, but it isn't clear what they are.
Intel capabilities: very high
- God Kubera is the one who got all the Sura to come in the first place. He knows their motivations and exact capabilities. Though he can't use Insight on Gandharva and Sagara, he nevertheless knows them well enough not to need it.
- God Kubera can freely enter any human city, thus obtain any information he needs, moreso thanks to the use of Insight.
- God Kubera also knows exactly where Leez and her company are and what they're doing.
- God Kubera also knows exactly where Yuta is and what he's doing.
- Despite his high mastery over the situation, he is still not guaranteed to win over his "opponent" (Visnu?), who already "knows how this battle will end".
Allies and influence: very high
- "Key player": Sagara (and probably Gandharva and Maruna)'s actions are in order for the main player, God Kubera, to win. If the main player steps out, things would get messy.
- Strong influence over Gandharva: as the only one who can open the Gate, God Kubera is the only one who can help Gandharva find Shakuntala. He uses this to his advantage, both by making use of Gandharva and his army's military might, and by messing with Gandharva's emotional resonance.
- Strong influence over Maruna: God Kubera promised help in finding Maruna's siblings. Maruna has outright stated that he and Gandharva would become enemies should Gandharva decide to oppose God Kubera.
- Strategic alliance with Sagara: Sagara seems to believe that God Kubera and her goals are aligned. Unlike with Gandharva and Maruna, however, God Kubera does not have "blackmail" material over Sagara. Sagara also seems to believe that God Kubera feels guilt over what he did to Ananta, though it is unclear how much this can be exploited beyond keeping their goals aligned.
- Unknown relationship with the Taraka clan: was he the one who summoned Taraka to the Water Channels on Willarv in the first place? Perhaps he first called her to Carte in N5 (thus causing Carte's destruction), making a deal with her in exchange for helping her find her son? Unknown.
- Decent influence over Kubera Leez and Yuta. Both treat him as an ally for now.
Observations: God Kubera is obviously not making full use of his military and intel capabilities, instead pretending to be mostly passive while manipulating allies into getting things done instead. Perhaps he must keep his presence and actions secret: Gandharva was unwilling, for example, to cite God Kubera by name when facing Agni after Agni returned. Also, Kasak noted that after the Cataclysm, Gods weren't allowed to be openly active in the human realm. However, his actual influence over his "allies" is very high, thanks to a good understanding of their motivations. Although his stated motive is to kill the one with his Name, his true motive is currently unclear (most of all, why he assembled such a large army if he doesn't intend to kill Leez in the first place, or can kill her himself).
I. Sura faction
I.1. Gandharva
Personal offensive capabilities: average-high
- Gandharva is currently severely weakened: he cannot take Sura form in the human realm, his physical capabilities are weakened as well, part of his transcendentals were sealed by Taraka, and his vigor was drained from trying to preserve his clan in the Sura realm.
- Even so, he has decent offensive abilities. Riagara has stated that she is incapable of defeating Gandharva alone. However, the current Gandharva has been stated to be weaker than Maruna, weaker than Agni (but can still block some attacks), and incapable of opposing a city full of fighters and magicians on his own.
Intel capabilities: high
- Strategic abilities: Gandharva is, in fact, the only Sura capable of completely infiltrating and blending into a human city: by removing his right eye, not even the gates detect any Sura parts, and he can eat vegetables without any issues. This makes Gandharva the prime candidate for infiltration and Priest assassination, but would also make him the best candidate for human intel gathering (though he hasn't been doing much of it).
- As a Nastika, insight from Gods such as Agni also don't work against him.
Allies and influence: high but fading
- Near command over Maruna. Maruna is the son of Gandharva's friend, and Maruna was trained by Gandharva, resulting in a certain amount of deference. However, Gandharva's influence over Maruna seems to be gradually eroding, both due to a difference in strength in the human realm, and also a gradual erosion of confidence due to Gandharva's inability to get things done.
- Joint command over the Yaksha, Garuda and Gandharva armies.
- Strategic aspect: he's the only one who knows Agni's weakness. However, he will likely not be able to exploit this weakness twice. Conversely, he is bound by Shakuntala's promise to avoid confronting Agni as much as possible.
- Strategic weakness: Shakuntala. Because of this strategic weakness, Gandharva has been doing the bidding of both God Kubera and Sagara, both of whom have also used this weakness to manipulate his emotional resonance to their needs.
- Strategic weakness: Teo Rakan. This is one of the weaknesses that Sagara exploited to trigger emotional resonance against Kalibloom.
Observations: Gandharva has been acting like a lone victim and everyone's dog all this time, but should objectively have much more negotiating power based on his capabilities and military influence (he's basically whoring himself out way too cheaply. Consider: his "side" is no less useful than Sagara's, but Sagara establishes herself as God Kubera's equal, not his slave). He is the only Sura that can freely infiltrate cities and potentially gather intel (which unfortunately, he hasn't done. Gathering intel on the planet's top magicians and their whereabouts could have helped in pinpointing possible allies and locations of the Target, for example). His initially high influence over Maruna and the army has also been gradually eroded due to his attempts to do things by himself and by his indecisiveness (resulting, for example, in Sagara directly summoning Maruna and the Yaksha + Garuda armies herself to Kalibloom). Even Sagara has become tired of using him. :S
I.2. Maruna
Personal offensive capabilities: high
- Aside from Agni and maybe God Kubera, Maruna is currently among the strongest single opponents in the current setting, capable of fighting Kasak (Rakshasa 5th stage equivalent) on more or less equal terms (both were drained). All the Ananta Rakshasa are afraid of him. His skill can annihilate a whole city, as long as the barrier is gone.
- Strategic ability: thanks to the powerful transcendental he can use in human form, Maruna is the only Sura with the ability to destroy the barriers without triggering the turrets. However, because of delays and vigor drain, he can't both destroy the barrier and destroy the city right afterwards.
Intel capabilities: low
- Not much to speak of, plus a lack of personal initiative.
Allies and influence: low
- Joint command over the Yaksha, Garuda and Gandharva armies.
- Obeys God Kubera for now: Maruna has accepted to do his bidding in exchange for help in finding his siblings. Maruna probably views killing a few humans as "no big deal."
- Obeyed Gandharva to a certain degree: because of Gandharva's indeciveness however, Maruna has been listening to him less.
- Strategic weakness: his siblings. God Kubera convinced Maruna to help him by promising aid to help him find his siblings, and Riagara managed to convince Maruna to attack Kasak to gain information on Kalavinka.
- Strategic weakness: Gandharva. Riagara convinced Maruna to help them by convincing them that they're also helping Gandharva who's unable to help himself.
Observations: whether it is due to a general lack of initiative or a lack of experience, Maruna takes little initiative when it comes to making big decisions. This makes him open to being influenced by the suggestions of others, including those he knows he shouldn't be listening to.
I.3. Yaksha, Garuda and Gandharva armies
Offensive capabilities: average-high
- This army consists mostly of 3rd and 4th stage Mara, as well as Upani.
- According to their own estimates, they should be able to take down Rindhallow if Maruna breaks the barriers first, though it would be difficult.
Intel capabilities: average
- The inferior Sura of this army are natives to the planet, so they have some awareness of the capabilities of the cities.
Allies and influence
- Jointly commanded by Gandharva and Maruna, though seems to be mostly headed by Maruna these days.
- The Gandharva portion of the army is unstable because of emotional resonance.
I.4. Sagara
Personal offensive capabilities: average
- Like Gandharva, she's unable to take Sura form, has her physical capabilities weakened in the human realm, and has part of her transcendentals sealed by Taraka.
- Apart from admitting that she's weaker than Riagara and Pingara in the human realm, we've also seen her have trouble with quickly killing Leez in her human form without offensive transcendentals (granted, Leez has the persistance of a cockroach, but still...).
- Strategic weakness: temper. She lost patience against Brilith, resulting in a mistake that caused Agni to come back. She also took her time with Leez because she didn't want to take male form against a human out of pride. However, she is willing to admit her mistakes, so this weakness may not be easy to exploit. After what happened with Brilith, she decided to kill Teo outright, and did, in the end, take male form against Leez.
Intel capabilities: average
- Unlike Gandharva, she is only able to infiltrate human cities if the barrier gets temporarily disabled first, or to infiltrate areas not protected by the barriers. She can only pass off as a Half (which comes with limitations regarding sponsorship), and unlike Gandharva, she'd probably have a hard time passing vegetable tests (does she look vegetarian to you? She sure doesn't to me). At least she can speak, though.
- Her army can do a decent enough job of gathering intel in her place, though.
Allies and influence: high
- Command over her own army. This army could have overtaken Atera if not for Agni's interference.
- Allied with God Kubera for now. Unlike Gandharva, who acts like God Kubera's slave, Sagara doesn't quite act like a subordinate to him, though for now their interests are aligned.
- Manipulating Gandharva. When Gandharva failed to get him to kill the Priestess for them, she manipulated him into using emotional resonance to aid in the destruction of Kalibloom. She seems to be getting fed-up of using him though.
- Increased influence over Maruna through Riagara, and indirectly over the army he commands. Apart from convincing him that their interests are aligned, Riagara convinced Maruna that Gandharva is unable to help himself.
Observations: objectively speaking, Sagara's side is not necessarily stronger than Gandharva's "side" (especially factoring in Maruna), and lacks its strategic abilities (Gandharva's infiltration ability and Maruna's barrier-breaking ability). However, it makes up for it in cohesiveness and decisiveness: by taking the initiative in ensuing battles, Sagara essentially ensured that all parties are acting according to Her plans and not the other way around (what I mean is: the one taking the initiative will always have an upper hand compared to those who just react passively), while also giving authority that allowed her to gradually erode Gandharva's command over his own side. Her tactics may come back and bite her in the ass later on though.
I.5. Sagara's army
Offensive capabilities: high
- This army consists of 4 Ananta Rakshasa (three 4th-stage, one 3rd-stage), 1 Asura Rakshasa (4th-stage), and Ananta Upani of up to 5th-stage. If not for Agni's return, it could have taken down Atera (even with Kasak's presence, though it would have taken much more damage without Maruna's help)
- Strategic ability: tank. Hura is a pain to command, but is damn near invincible (save against summon-type transcendentals).
Intel capabilities: average-high
- Sagara was seen praising her army's intel capabilities once. It can likely also gather information from the majority of Ananta and Asura sura living in the vicinity (those that weren't eaten by Maruna yet, in any case)
- Cloche has an ability that allows her to see a dead creature's last visual memories by touching its blood, though this is of more limited use in an attack setting.
Allies and influence:
- This army is under the direct command of Sagara, and shows high loyalty (apart from Hura).
- Riagara has successfully influenced Maruna to assist on several occasions.
- They have even managed to call over the Yaksha and Garuda armies to attack Kalibloom.
I.6. Shess
Shess appears to have decent combat abilities, and has a certain degree of influence over a large amount of parties (Gandharva, Maruna, Kasak and God Kubera). He claims to have come to "be on God Kubera's side", but his true intentions for now are unknown.
II. Human(-ish) faction (minus Leez' group for now)
II.1. Agni
Offensive capabilities: very high
- Agni is likely the single strongest character on this planet right now (possible exceptions for God Kubera). He sent Sagara's entire army + Maruna running for their lives just by showing up. A barrier powered by him is just about unbreakable.
- Strategic weakness: the person he is searching for. Gandharva claimed he found and killed her in order to get Agni mad so that he'd accidentally drain his Priestess. It is unlikely for this weakness to be exploited a second time, unless another party has specific information on this person.
- Strategic weakness: Brilith. Agni's strength is limited by the vigor of his summoner, and Brilith currently has no more life to drain. With Brilith's vigor + using the Staff of Agni as a medium for his weapon, however, Agni is still strong enough to send Sagara's whole army running.
- Strategic weakness: movement. As he (has to?) stay besides his Priestess and protect Atera, he cannot freely travel around to face his opponents.
Intel capabilities: average
- Agni likely knows a few things about the events leading up to N0. He has learned from Maruna that the Sura are seeking the Power of the Name, and has probably guessed from Gandharva that God Kubera is involved. And he had the opportunity to use insight on Kubera Leez.
- However, he can't use his insight on either Gandharva or Sagara directly. His insight only works on other Sura if he can look into their eyes.
- He is also incapable of using his insight on Kasak, though Kasak may have told him things of his own will.
- His insight also doesn't seem to work on Brilith.
Allies and influence:
- Agni has formed a team with Kasak to protect the planet.
- Strategic aspect: Gandharva and Agni are reluctant to confront one another.
Observations: Agni's current situation is "high in offense and low in mobility," and he's also in a situation where he has to decide to what degree he will get involved: will he go after Sagara? Gandharva? God Kubera? With only partial info on what they are after, as well as Brilith and her city to protect, Agni isn't free to act rashly.
II.2. Kasak
Offensive capabilities: high
- Kasak is equivalent to a 5th stage Rakshasa save for vigor. He can breathe invisible fire.
- Strategic weakness: when Agwen is with him, he must limit physical attacks and rely more on long-distance transcendentals to avoid putting her in danger.
Intel capabilities: average
- Kasak seems to know a lot more than he's letting on thanks to what Visnu told him. This information cannot be retrieved by Agni.
- He knows Kalavinka's whereabouts.
Allies and influence:
- Kasak has formed a team with Agni to protect the planet. More or less.
- Kasak and Shess are long-time acquaintances. Kasak may have obtained more information from him.
- Yuta is supposed to go find him again after Yuta grows up.
Observations: Beyond being one of the parties protecting the human side, Kasak's full role is unclear for now. It depends on what Visnu then Shess have revealed to him, and how free he is to act on that informaton. Like Agni, he has to decide to what degree he will get involved: go after Maruna? Sagara? Gandharva? God Kubera?
II.3. Everybody else
Not counting our main protagonist group, the other participants of this war (on Willarv at least) are the various cities, which show varying levels of defensive capabilities:
- Atera: with the return of Agni, Atera is currently has the best defensive capabilities among the cities.
- Eloth: Eloth is a city where the defense is near impossible to break through (the Barrier of Creation there is probably particularly strong).
- Rindhallow: Rindhallow is a place where magicians gather more than other places. Even so, Maruna believes he can break through the dual barriers, though he will then need time to recover. The army under his command believes that it can, with difficulty, overcome the magicians within the cities after that. The Priest of Death (ranked #2 magician) is currently on vacation in Kalibloom, but probably knows when to get back in time. The Priestess of Darkness is ranked #3 as well, so the city may not be so easy to attack.
- Kalibloom: Kalibloom's trump card, the Barrier of Chaos, has currently been disabled. The Barrier of Earth is supposedly weak. The city has a high number of fighters, but it remains to be seen if they can withstand an attack by a Sura army, especially while dealing with rampaging Gandharva Halfs.
- Mistyshore: with the Temple of Resurrection gone, Mistyshore is likely among the weaker cities, with only one barrier protecting it. However, it does not seem to be targeted.
- Aeroplateau: nothing known about this city. Also doesn't appear to be targeted.
Observations: the human cities are currently passive "sitting ducks" players, with no initiative in attacking. Will this change?
III. Main protagonist group
Leez and Asha are currently more focused on evasion than offense, so their offensive and intel capabilities are of secondary use for now (since they avoid fighting).
Edit: A few stand-out points:
- Gandharva really sold himself short so far. He should have been commanding one of the most influential factions, but instead got his personal weakness manipulated by both God Kubera and Sagara, then gradually saw his influence over his faction erode, while Sagara and co's influence over it grew (Maruna is doing what Sagara wants instead of what Gandharva wants, even though Maruna knows he shouldn't trust Sagara - Gandharva really screwed up for this to happen). He really needs to get a grip and re-establish himself among his allies, or outright redefine his priorities.
- Sagara managed to gain influence over all Sura factions by taking initiative and being the only one who seems sure of what she's doing, also by knowing what Gandharva and Maruna want and manipulating them based on that. It may come back and bite her in the future though.
- The human faction is no better than sitting ducks for now. Even though Agni is the single most powerful player and is backed up by Kasak, they need to urgently define their course of action, or the human cities will just slowly be destroyed one by one.
- Leez and co. are just running and hiding for now.
Edited by Mizura, 05 October 2013 - 02:58 PM.
Back to top
