Knives of Artemis
Overview
Background
The Knives of Artemis official info ( Copied from the City of Heroes official website [1]):
Like a diamond-bladed sword, the Knives of Artemis are incomparably beautiful and deadly. Bewitching tales of the Knives of Artemis are told by military pundits and war journalists in awed tones around the world. Heroes speak of them with equal parts enthrallment and dread, because they are renowned for their charms as much as for their mercilessness.
The Knives of Artemis is an all-female mercenary group, and has a reputation as one of the deadliest paramilitary groups in the world. The Knives are often seen as an extension of the Malta Group, and are enlisted for high-level security functions, or to engage in surgical strike operations. They are also rumored to act as elite assassins.
Although they most often work as the hardcore assassin wing of the Malta Group, they are an independent organization. The Knives of Artemis – often called “Knives” by outsiders, or “Sisters” by those within the sorority – are all highly trained operatives. They are masters of stealth and reconnaissance, and trained to be experts with both firearms and melee weapons, however their signature weapons are the wrist-crossbow, caltrops, and their eponymous knives. The ceremonial knives of Artemis that each carries are large, serrated blades that are truly more like a functional sword than a simple ornate symbol – as deadly as the women that carry them.
Each woman recruited into the sisterhood is given rigorous training that lasts years. Their fearsome natural skills are enhanced with advanced military technology, such as cloaking devices and powerful night-vision goggles. Some reports suggest veteran Knives may be augmented through high-tech and illegal technologies, but these are unconfirmed by the FBSA. Their arsenal is extensive, and in addition to their standard knives, crossbows, and caltrops, may include: sleep, or poisoned darts; shuriken; and web grenades.
Their officers sometimes carry darts filled with a paralyzing nerve agent, and exploding shuriken.
When the Knives of Artemis were first encountered, it was suspected that they were a small group of only 70, or perhaps 100 individuals. Obviously their ranks have expanded since the Rikti War as more broken or disillusioned women were adopted into their ranks and hardened. Recruits are selected based on their raw intelligence and inner willpower. While it is always favorable to recruit a girl with fluency in several languages or expert computer hacking skills, much of those abilities can be taught if the raw resources are there. Occasionally a girl will be hand-picked for a particularly desirable trait, although it is extremely rare for a Knife not to be an excellent physical combatant.
Training begins with standard tests of push-ups, sit-ups, a one-mile swim and a three mile sprint. Trainees are then pushed to complete a 3 mile swim, and an 18-mile all-terrain land navigation course, while carrying 35 lbs. of gear (known as “the chariot race,” because it’s like being ridden over by a chariot). Once completed, the distance is increased until recruits can complete a 5 mile swim, and a 50 mile forced march over hellish terrain with 45 lbs. of gear. The Hands of Artemis review these tests as well as the results of a battery of psychological exams and decide on each individual. If accepted into the sisterhood of the Knives there is no going back. And the real training begins.
There are three known ranks to the Knives – the core group of sisters; the lieutenants or Blades of Artemis; and the officers, also known as the Hands of Artemis. Their true numbers remain a closely-guarded secret, as does much of their inner workings. It is said that promotion through the ranks comes not just with field performance but also involves secret combat rituals. Whether or not this is true, the story that a Sister who is involved in a challenge either moves up … or perishes … makes for a great war story.
Villain types
Minions
Mercenary
The Knives of Artemis are one of the deadliest groups of mercenary combatants in the world. It is rumored that they number no more than 100, but no one is certain. Masters of stealth and reconnaissance, they are highly skilled with all weapons, but the crossbow is their signature.
Powers
Hack (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Slash (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Slice (Melee Cone, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Shuriken Ranged, Lethal, Medium Dam
Small throwing weapon.
Caltrops Ranged, Location AoE, Minor DoT(Lethal), Foe -Speed
You are Slowed and are taking minor Lethal Damage over Time from the Caltrops you are standing on.
Sleep Dart (Ranged, Lethal) Foe Sleep
You have been knocked out with a Sleep Dart.
Cloaking Device Toggle, Self Stealth, +Defense
The Cloaking Device allows you to use an LCD body coating become partially invisible. While Cloaked you can only be seen at very close range. If you attack while Cloaked, you will be discovered. Even if discovered, you are hard to see and have a bonus to Defense. Unlike some stealth powers, the Cloaking Device has no movement penalty.
Lieutenants
Blade of Artemis
The intensive training that the Knives of Artemis go through does not completely explain their deadliness. Promotion in their ranks is through rites of combat known only to their inner circles. It is said, however that if you challenge you either move up or you perish.
Powers
Hack (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Slash (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Slice (Melee Cone, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Disembowel (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Shuriken Ranged, Lethal, Medium Dam
Small throwing weapon.
Sleep Dart (Ranged, Lethal) Foe Sleep
You have been knocked out with a Sleep Dart.
Poison Dart (Ranged, Lethal) Poison: Damage over Time (Toxic), Foe -Regeneration
You have been hit by a Poison Dart. You cannot regenerate your wounds while you take damage from this poison.
Web Grenade (Ranged) Foe Immobilize, -Fly, -Recharge
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has snared you in his web grenade. You cannot move or fly and your attack speed is reduced.
Caltrops Ranged, Location AoE, Minor Damage over Time, Lethal, Foe -Speed
You are Slowed and are taking minor Lethal Damage over Time from the Caltrops you are standing on.
Cloaking Device Toggle, Self Stealth, +Defense
The Cloaking Device allows you to use an LCD body coating become partially invisible. While Cloaked you can only be seen at very close range. If you attack while Cloaked, you will be discovered. Even if discovered, you are hard to see and have a bonus to Defense. Unlike some stealth powers, the Cloaking Device has no movement penalty.
Bosses
Hand of Artemis
The highest ranks in the Knives of Artemis are small in number. In addition to being deadly combatants, they must to adhere to and foster a strict code of honor. Some consider honor among mercenaries hypocrisy of the highest order, they just don't say so in front of any Knives.
Powers
Sleep Dart (Ranged, Lethal) Foe Sleep
You have been knocked out with a Sleep Dart.
Paralytic Dart (Ranged, Lethal) Foe Hold
You have been hit with a Paralytic Dart. You cannot move!
Exploding Shuriken Ranged, Area of Effect, Lethal, Medium Damage
This small throwing star is rigged to explode on impact.
Shuriken Ranged, Lethal, Low Damage
Small throwing weapon.
Stun Grenades (Ranged, Targeted Area of Effect) Foe Disorient
The Malta Tactical Ops soldier has Disoriented you with his Stun Grenade.
Hack (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Slash (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Slice (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Whirling Sword (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Head Splitter (Melee, Lethal) Foe -Defense
The Knives of Artemis Mercenary has lowered your Defense with her blade.
Caltrops Melee, Located Area of Effect, Minor Damage over Time, Lethal, Foe -Speed
You are Slowed and are taking minor Lethal Damage over Time from the Caltrops you are standing on.
Caltrops Foe -Speed, Low Lethal
All foes that walk through the Caltrops will be Slowed.
??? +Perception
Knives of Artemis can see through Stealth
Cloaking Device Self Stealth, +Defense
The Cloaking Device allows you to use an LCD body coating become partially invisible. While Cloaked you can only be seen at very close range. If you attack while Cloaked, you will be discovered. Even if discovered, you are hard to see and have a bonus to Defense. Unlike some stealth powers, the Cloaking Device has no movement penalty. Recharge: Slow .
Named enemies
Mercenary Quantum (Minion)
The Knives of Artemis are one of the deadliest groups of mercenary combatants in the world. It is rumored that they number no more than 100, but no one is certain. Masters of stealth and reconnaissance, they are highly skilled with all weapons, but the crossbow is their signature
Powers
Quantum Array Gun (Ranged, Negative) Foe -Recharge, -Speed
Your attack and Movement rate have been slowed by the Quantum Array Gun.
Named Bosses
- Belfry Green 3-2-3 (Hand of Artemis)
- Belfry Green 4-6-4 (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Asheena (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Circe (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Hecate (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Helena (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Lethe (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Livia (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Mercy (Hand of Artemis)
- Sister Sestra (Hand of Artemis)
Notes
- Indigo and Shadow Spider are former Knives of Artemis. This can be seen in their individual backgrounds/storyarcs and powerlists.
- Knives of Artemis are usually found within missions only, or in the Rikti War Zone, or Grandville.