[maquise]

Back; I'm trying to build this cult's organization.

For inspiration, I'm looking at a cross between the Adeptus Mechanicus from 40k and the Borg from Star Trek. It is divided primarily between the Assimilated (Need a more cultish term) and the Enlightened. The former were captured against their will and brainwashed/turned into cyberzombies, the latter joined of their own free will and still have their intelligence.

They also worship an AI/wetware processor called LEGION, which was created by fusing a fragment of DEUS's code with a technomancer's brain. The cult is hoping to continue networking technomancer brains together in order to create a more powerful "cybergod".

I also need help on creating proper enemies/encounters to throw at my players. I'm thinking drones and cyber-zombies, obviously. Where would I find info on them?

[MijRai]

Cyberzombies are in 4th Edition's Augmentation, and that has plenty of the fluff and stats that could make a transition to 5th.  The big thing I'd mention there is that cyber-zombies are *rare*, and difficult to create.  We're talking advanced magic (blood magic in a lot of cases) mixed with super-state-of-the-art technology and a delta-clinic.  In addition, the sheer power and capabilities of cyber-zombies makes them, in my opinion, the most powerful humanoid opposition you can encounter.  A constant mana disruption around them, the huge amounts of 'ware all packed into a person makes them killer in combat. 

You might be better off with 'cyber-zombies' made of a bunch of skill-wired/persona-fixed peons and mooks with some augmentations.  More common, more cult-ish, etc. 

[maquise]

Makes sense; I'll take a look at it, and probably save the genuine Cyberzombies for the boss fights.

Though that poses a question. If the cult is being lead by a reborn Deus that is trying to become a cyber-god and is integrating technomancer brains into its motherboard, could it potentially create Cyberzombies?

Mind you, I unfortunately haven't read Shutdown, so my knowledge is limited.

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

No.  Cyberzombies are people with so much cybernetics in them, they should be dead - but there's magic (and yet more cyberware) keeping them intact and relatively sane.  The tech and magic requirements for creating cyberzombies are such that if you don't have very high levels of both (Delta clinic on the one, initiate grade 8+ on the other) your candidates are simply going to die on the table.

You may, instead, consider the Whites/Greens/Blues of the Shutdown - which it really, really looks like you need to take a gander at, especially if you're going to have Deus clawing out of the woodwork.

[maquise]

I'll take a look at it.

Creating cyberzombies will probably be one of the cult's goals; I suppose, though, that the cult could have gotten hold of and recruited existing cyberzombies, if I can't find a good alternative.

[The Wyrm Ouroboros]

Honestly, neither is likely; cyberzombies are (well, are supposed to be) massive infusions of cash and resources.  Non-corporate cyberzombies would be rare creatures indeed - so any 'cult' that manages to get their hooks into one would be of Very Serious Concern Indeed, and shortly thereafter, Of No Concern At All - because you don't generally have to worry about the incinerated ashy dead.

Don't be fooled by the idea of someone else controlling a zombie, therefore cyberzombies are controlled by someone else; they're not.  The zombie part comes in from the 'you should be dead, but you're not' portion.  If you're going to use Deus, you really, really do need to read up on him - and on his methodology.  Cyberzombies are very, very unlikely to enter into it, and when it comes down to it, a cyberzombie can give an armored platoon fits of trouble.

[ProfGast]

It should be noted that Deus wasn't so much about making cyberzombies, but creating horrifyingly innovative and innovative drone designs.  After all, Cyberzombies for the most part do not have an especially long life expectancy.  You're using a combination of magic and chrome and perverting the very fabric of reality, something that is very very evident in the way that astral space bends and warps around a "living" 'zombie.  Creation of a cyberzombie doesn't give you an everlasting creature, like a lich in some fantasy settings.  It gives you a monstrosity of metal and flesh held together by foul magic and drug cocktails which barely keep the soul tied to what's left of its body.  Keeping the 'zombie alive costs nearly as much as creating the thing in the first place.  And even with all the infusions of cash you're likely to not get much more than six months of active use before the thing falls apart.

Skillwired human biodrones sure.  Fully mechanical drones that move like they're alive?  Oh very yes.  Highly cost inefficient sins against magic?  Not so much.

I'd think the goals of any cult of Deus would be, in no particular order: A. Ascend Deus to be the God He Rightfully Is.  B. Fuse with your God and enjoy the Rapture.  C. Convert more Faithful.  D. Death to the Infidels.

[maquise]

How hard would it be to have a brain in a jar piloting a drone? And what would the best way to model that be?

[MijRai]

How hard would it be to have a brain in a jar piloting a drone? And what would the best way to model that be?

Cyborgs, as per Augmentation, 4th Edition.  I personally feel they're sort of a cop-out in regards to Essence and all that, but they do exist.

[Killstring]

I have to say, as nobody else has touched on it, that your initial idea of borrowing from Crackdown is pure gold. The big reveal there was very, very Shadowrun in feel, and I love the idea that the cult isn't pulling their own strings.

Of course, the second you've got Deus wrapped up in things, those strings start chocking people to death...