Devoted

### In-game objectives

The Devoted will guard and control all Proto artifacts. They will kill anyone who puts their hands on one of the faction's exclusive items (like psionic rifles). They will spread their religion and either enlighten humanity to the looming cosmic truth or, if they resist, eradicate them as threats to the cosmic balance. They are there to pave the way for the Elder Gods' inevitable descent, which they do by conducting rituals.

The Devoted see time not as a linear progression but a cosmic tapestry where past, present, and future exist simultaneously. They believe that the universe’s end is not only inevitable but may have already occurred in some distant fold of this tapestry. The Eldritch Gods, with their power to manipulate reality, are the weavers of this grand design. To the Devoted, humanity’s destiny is preordained, with every moment echoing in the vast void between the stars. Their isolationism comes from a belief that they alone perceive this grand cosmic truth. They do not seek to prevent the end but to ensure that the universe's final moments unfold in reverence to the Elder Gods, in the exact manner they have foreseen.

### Identity

Once fervent disciples of the lost Protos civilization, the Devoted have transformed under the guidance of their enigmatic prophet, Fel. Initially seeking the unparalleled knowledge and wisdom of the Protos, Fel’s exploration led him to uncover the deeper, darker truth: the ancient Protos had not just been scholars, but gatekeepers, guarding the mortal realm from the Eldritch Gods of the cosmic void.

The Devoted, now awakened to this profound truth, no longer seek knowledge for its own sake. Instead, they revere these ancient artifacts as keys - tools that can unlock the cosmic gateway and usher in the Eldritch Gods they now worship. These artifacts, in the wrong hands, could hamper the coming of the Elder gods and seal the rifts of spacetime prevalent in this reality, or worse, be used to harness their power against them.

Dark rituals, once a means of seeking ancient knowledge, are now performed to communicate with and ultimately summon the Eldritch Gods. Sacrifices and ceremonies are believed to strengthen the bridge between realms, allowing the Devoted to tap into the chaotic energies of the void. The faction's rituals have intensified in their brutality, a reflection of the cultists’ deepening connection to the otherworldly.

Marked with symbols of the void and driven by an insatiable desire to serve their dark masters, the Devoted zealously guard the remaining Proto artifacts. To them, these are not mere relics but the last remnants of a cosmic lock that must either be used to open the gateway or be protected from those who might misuse them.

### Perk: Knowledge beyond death

**Description**

The Devoted have always walked hand in hand with the mysteries of the unknown. Their dark rituals and profound dedication to their occult practices grant them the power to pierce the veil of mortality, retaining the memories of their demise. Where most forget, the Devoted remember.

**Effect**

Members of the Devoted are not bound by the common laws of death. Should they meet a fatal end, the fog that engulfs others' memories does not touch them. They remember the circumstances, faces, and actions leading to their demise, ensuring they never truly die in ignorance.

* Players with this perk can recall the events of the 30 minutes leading up to their character's death.
* This memory retention works regardless of how they died, ensuring the Devoted always have a clear picture of their final moments.
* However, this does not allow players to bypass the 30-minute lockout of a grid outside of the area outside their HQ. While they remember, they are prevented by a forcefield/feel too weak to get out/a similar justification.

## Trading

Items they have available for sale:

*Note: Item availability may depend on leadership and/or your relationship with them.*

## References

1. ↑ https://discord.com/channels/1115275511476789289/1142408465269149696