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The Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation, referred to as the Octanians, is a fanatical military organization that has allied with Mental and his forces. Led by the dreaded Lord Achriman, they serve as one of two antagonistic factions in Serious Sam 4 and its standalone expansion pack, Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem, along with Mental's Horde.
Overview[]
An Octanian Gamma Trooper, a soldier that forms the bulk of the Octanian war machine.
The Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation consists primarily of a species of cybernetically-controlled humanoid creatures hailing from the system of Sigma Octantis. It is not known if other species are aligned with or affiliated with the faction aside from Mental's Horde. The Octanians, like some of the other creatures seen in Mental's Horde, revere Tah-Um as a messiah and believe him to be the cleansing flame that will purify the universe.[1]
At an unknown point in history, this faction forged an alliance with Mental, and supported him by abiding to his supreme goal; to eradicate all intelligent life in the universe.[1] They use their massive Harvester Leviathans as part of Lord Achriman's plan to convert humanity into mindless beasts.[2][3]
Portal technology[]
The Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation have found a way to utilize portal technology to transport troops, aircraft and supplies from one place to another.[4] Given from what is seen in Serious Sam 4, their technology appears way more advanced and complex than what is seen used by Mental's Horde.[5][6] With this efficient form of being able to transport matter from one part of the universe to another, the Octanians can take over an area as quickly and efficiently as possible, ensuring almost complete control.[5][7] During the Tunguska Offensive, the sudden appearance of a massive portal appearing in Tunguska led to the Octanians estabilshing a strong foothold in parts of Russia, most notably in Siberia.[8][9] Eventually, they began advancong west towards Europe, with the aim of gaining more control over densely populated human settlements. Over time, smaller portals than the one seen in Tunguska began to manifest, allowing the Octanians to take over parts of Europe more quickly and efficiently.[4]
Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation on Earth[]
At the height of the Mental War, the extraterrestrial colonies established by mankind had already fallen to the might of Tah-Um, or as the humans called him, Mental. His hordes went from one colony to another, completely annihilating them and forcing the humans to retreat. Eventually, only Earth remained. Mental soon tracked the survivors down, and had one of his most faithful servants, Lord Achriman oversee the Earth Campaign, and soon a massive portal became established in the Tunguska plateau in Russia.[4] This portal served as a bridgehead for both the Octanians and Mental's forces to invade Earth, and allowed the Octanian Harvester Leviathans to be transported directly to Earth.
An Octanian Harvester Leviathan flying above Rome, Italy.
The Earth Defense Force, humanity's main military force, is scrambled to repel the invaders. The EDF mobilized most of their infantry, tanks, aircraft and supplies over to the main portal in Tunguska, in an attempt to prevent them from getting out of control. This initiated the Tunguska Offensive. Meanwhile, as the EDF were busy dealing with the threat in Russia, additional portals became established in parts of Europe, most notably in France and Italy.[4][6]
While a fleet of these ships stayed with the portal to protect it, others travelled from city to city to harvest the humans all across Europe, with the goal of eradicating the independence and intelligence of mankind.[10] While the EDF attempted to repel Mental's forces at bay and destroy the Tunguska portal, the Alien Artifact Acquisition, team led by General Brand, went onto a mission to gain possession of the Holy Grail, which they believed would help turn the tides in humanity's favor.
In areas closer to the location of the portal in Tunguska, parts of Russia, such as Siberia, came under heavy Octanian control.[8][9] The Octanians managed to establish several bases in the region, to keep any opposing forces or human resistance out at any cost. Despite this, several members of the resistance and EDF troops had managed to sneak in and attempted to infiltrate said bases, but they were soon found out and killed.[9]
Existing human structures like bridges, houses and barns were modified and outfitted with Octanian technology, in order to suit their needs. Shields, force fields, generators and barricades were established at certain entry points to bar entry or restrict movement into areas of strategic importance to the Octanians.[9] Octanian Sentry Tower, a deadly symbotici lifeform equipped with an arsenal of powerful weapons, had also been installed to hamper any further attempts should Octanian territory come back under enemy control.[9][11]
Human harvesting[]
A human transformed into a Processed Anthropolyp.
While the Octanian footsoldiers and combat drones bolster Mental and Lord Achriman's vast ranks, the Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation's largest presence on Earth was through the Octanian Harvester Leviathans. An unknown species of massive alien creature was fitted with Octanian machinery and technology, essetentially turning them into living flying bases. The Harvester Leviathans serve as the Octanians' primary means of transportation and mobile factories.[2][7]
Colloquially referred to as "motherships" by humans, they fly above densely populated locations such as large towns or cities. Once a Mothership has become established in the region, Octanian Raiders and Combat Drones are deployed in large swarms to ensure superiorty of the airspace, while Harvester Drone are deployed to search for humans below to take back to the Mothership to become processed. Once inside, a large portion of the victim's brain is removed and replaced by a colony of Protopolyps, which control the host's body.[12]
Once converted, the Processed are then released back onto Earth to function as disposable cannon-fodder, attacking any human in sight in a feral rage with metal claws attached to their arms.[12] There also exists a significantly more volatile, mutated variant called the Emetic Anthropolyp. It is unknown whether these obese creatures were intentionally created or are a byproduct of unsuccessful conversion, but they possess the same aggressive behavior and are thus released onto the battlefield as well.[13]
Propaganda[]
A propaganda poster featuring Lord Achriman tempting humans to become processed.
Imagery[]
Like Mental's Horde, the Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation rely heavily on propaganda to ensure their influence and combat might on Earth and to remind its residents of their presence. As the Cult is affiliated with Mental's Horde, Octanian units bear their insignia, which can be seen on their uniforms, weapons, and vehicles.[4][8]
Broadcasts[]
A propaganda drone flying around Rome.
Propaganda drones frequently broadcast propaganda messages in public places such as towns or cities. The drones fly around aimlessly, their loudspeakers coming to life whenever someone approaches a drone. Most of their messages would tempt humans into surrendering to Mental, or giving people false hope and promising a better life by encouraging people to volunteer themsleves to become processed and be "rewarded" with "sharp, metal claws".[14] Occasionally, these drones will broadcast messages directly from Lord Achriman himself, boldly declaring his influence over humanity and demotivating and taunting them by any means necessary as a way to coerce people into surrendering and declaring their loyalty to Tah-Um.
Military technology[]
Unlike Mental's Horde, the Octanians follow a strict chain of command. Mental himself stands above all others in the hierarchy, followed by Octifex Maximus. Most Octanian soldiers on Earth wear respirators and goggles to help survive the planet's atmosphere. Their weapons and equipment are of religious significance to them, are linked to them via their species' cybernetic parasites.[1] It can be assumed that these parasites are also connected to the protopolyps found in many of their and Mental's creations.
Infantry forces[]
- Octanian Gamma Trooper: - The most common infantry units, Gamma Troopers are equipped with gamma-ray laser guns. These guns are not perfectly adjusted to conditions on Earth and therefore not as effective as they would otherwise be. They are sometimes seen riding Combat Drones in battle.[15]
- Octanian Commander: - Elite soldiers recruited exclusively from the secretive Order of Octus Dei. They lead the other Octanians into battle and carry energy shields and guns that shoot a barrage of homing projectiles at their opponents.[16]
- Octanian Sniper: Soldiers equipped with a high precision and deadly sniper rifle, attacking mostly from elevated positions.
- Octanian Grenadier: - First deployed in Siberia, these Octanians throw grenades at enemies and deploy small bombs controlled by suicidal micropolyps that automatically roll towards a tracked target.[17]
- Octanian Zealot: - Heavy soldiers that have been bred specifically for iconoclasm. They wield hammers blessed by Octifex Maximus himself. They are heavily armored on their entire body except for their backs, which are exposed out of religious reasons. They are devoted to smashing everything that offends Mental and otherwise occupy their time self-flagellating because they haven't smashed enough things.
- Octanian Legionnaire: - Heavily armored brutes wielding a large wooden shield and a one-handed mace. Said shield protects them from rockets and heavy-caliber ammunition, though their backs are ritualistically exposed just like their Zealot brethren. Their shields are considered sacred items and losing it is equal to losing the divine favor of the Eightfold Manifestation.
Cyber-parasitism[]
The Octanians, whose race shares a symbiotic relationship with a species of cybernetically-controlled colonial organisms called Polyps, utilize these creatures into their forces. There are several known kinds of Polyps; Anthropolyps are used to control human beings and for converting them into Processed, while Protopolyps are cyber-parasites that are used for a variety of purposes, from providing power to military bases and technology, to being able to hijack and take over human machinery and vehicles.[18]
- Processed Anthropolyp: - A human being whose brain has been forcibly removed from the skull and replaced with a colony of polyps. Metal spokes have been added to amplify the creature's close-combat capabilities. They are extremely hostile and aggressive to anyone not affiliated with Mental's forces or Octanian units.
- Emetic Anthropolyp: - A malformed creature made from the same kind of polyps used to process humans, although the 'process' seems to be have produced a more mutated, extreme case, which has resulted in the creation of the "Belcher". Based on its name, it produces a nasty bile used for attacking enemies. The creature is very unstable and releases a powerful explosion when it dies. Upon death, a cloud of noxious gas is emitted.
- Technopolyp: A strange creature whose obscure origin is unknown, and was most likely designed to be used as a biological weapon.[19] Believed to a colony of cyber-parasites related to Protopolyps. It has the unique ability to hijack and control any vehicle or machine that it comes into contact with. They are also able to use a hijacked vehicle's weapons, provided that it has any.
- Megalopolyp: A massive biological entity composed of millions of polyps, essentially functioning as a superorganism. It has the ability to create tentacles and use them for many purposes, such as creating barriers to restrict movement, or as weapons.
Combat technology[]
The Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation has access to a wide variety of combat technology. The majority of their technology is autonomous in nature and serve a variety of purposes, from reconnaissance, to gathering intel, to ensuring aerial supremacy.
- Octanian Harvester Leviathan: - Also referred to as "Motherships", these massive organisms serve as the Octanians' fleet of mobile bases and processing factories.
- Octanian Raider: - Agile fighter aircraft piloted by cyber-polyps instead of Octanians that bombard ground targets and control the airspace. They are deployed by Motherships, and operate in squadrons that may consist of several Raiders at once.
- Combat Drone: - A small, fully automated drone armed with laser turrets. They are deployed in swarms to help ensure aerial superiority and to overwhelm their opponents. They are also used for transporting troops into combat zones.
- Harvester Drone: - Squid-like robots deployed by the Motherships to abduct humans for processing.
- Octanian Sentry Tower: - As the name suggests, these towering fusions of flesh and metal are created to guard strategic points in low-population areas where a garrison would be unnecessary. Shooting at anything within a 150 meter radius, the Sentry Towers annihilate intruders with minigun turrets, artillery strikes, a drone bay and even a teleporter to call in Octanian reinforcements. Their only weakness is a bio-reactor that needs to vent after a while, rendering it vulnerable to counterattack.
- Propaganda Drone: A robot used for spreading propaganda messages or for broadcasting Lord Achriman's speeches. They also guard restricted areas such as control towers, but appear to lack the appropriate measures to apprehend intruders.[20]
- Octanian Shield: A portable force field designed to protect Octanian soldiers in combat. They are capable of resisting damage from small-arms fire and explosive projectiles like rockets.
- Jump pad: An anti-gravitional device that flings entities into the air when something lands on it.
Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation architecture[]
An Octanian outpost using a typical design found in other buildings constructed by the Eightfold Manifestation.
The design and architecture seen in the Eightfold Manifestation's buildings are similar to those made by humans, though their structures tend to be more lacking in design and take on a simplistic and darker theme. The majority of their structures are small, cube-shaped bunkers made from a dark grey, almost black sort of metallic-like material. Various tubes, pipes and wiring can be seen running throughout gaps in the walls and ceilings. Monitors are commonly found next to piping, and can be seen displaying a rhythmic pattern of sorts. Flashing red lights are also often seen in Octanian bases, which are likely alarms or hazard lights.[9]
Aside from the devices found in Octanian outposts, piping, monitors and large tentacles can also be found in human buildings, such as barnhouses. They appear to have been augmented with human technology or the structures themselves. Metal poles, similar to utility poles, originate from Octanian bases and are used to provide power to Octanian Sentry Towers or other devices that use Octanian technology.[9]
An Octanian base that has been augmented with a barn; two structures merged with both alien and human technology.
The Eightfold Manifestation seem to have technology similar to that used by humans, such as a drill-like device that is used for extracting resources from beneath the Earth's surface. These crude devices appear to be self-powered and do not seem to be connected to any external power source. They utlitize a mechanism similar to those found in oil pumps and are used for extracting resources down in the Earth's crust.
A reccuring feature found in Octanian bases are large tentacles emerging from the ground or engulfing nearby structures. Some of these tentacles take on strange shapes which make them appear to have 'branches' reminiscent to that of a tree. These tentacles seem to be used as a power supply for the Octanians' bases. Outside of the bunkers are rectangular-shaped vats filled with a pink chemical, which may be some kind of radioactive or hazardous byproduct used to power the bases.[9]
Trivia[]
- The Cult of the Eightfold Manifestation is heavily inspired by the Roman Empire. This is supported by the fact that the names of several high-ranking Octanians (Claudobrus, Spartaclus, etc.) are a play on famous individuals that lived in the ancient Rome era.
- Additionally, Octanian Zealots are heavy soldiers whose sole purpose is to destroy anything that is regarded as sacred or religious. This is a reference to the Byzantine Iconoclasm.
- Octanian Legionnaires are based on the Legionary, heavy infantrymen that served in the Roman army.
Gallery[]
Imagery[]
List of appearances[]
- Serious Sam 4 (First appearance)
- Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Octanian NETRICSA description
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Serious Sam 4 level: "Death from Above"
- ↑ Processed Anthropolyp NETRICSA description
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Serious Sam 4
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Serious Sam 4 level "The Die Is Cast"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Serious Sam 4 level: "In Carcassonne"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Serious Sam 4 level: "Vive la Résistance"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem level: "Siberiade"
- ↑ Lord Achriman NETRICSA description
- ↑ Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem level: "Roadside Picnic"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Processed Anthropolyp NETRICSA description
- ↑ Emetic Anthropolyp NETRICSA description
- ↑ Serious Sam 4 level: "Anathema Unto God"
- ↑ Octanian Gamma Trooper NETRICSA description
- ↑ Octanian Commander NETRICSA description
- ↑ Octanian Grenadier NETRICSA description
- ↑ Technopolyp NETRICSA description
- ↑ Technopolyp Serious Sam 3: BFE NETRICSA description
- ↑ Serious Sam 4 level: A Breakfast in France
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