Damazti Cluster
| NPC | Enemy |
The Damazti Cluster is an NPC in Arknights. They are one of the antagonists of Episodes 10 and 11, the main antagonist of Episode 12, and a supporting character in Episodes 13 and 14.
Background[edit]
The Damazti Cluster is the sole member of the Damazti tribe of the Sarkaz—a tribe that, uniquely, has only ever consisted of a single being. Though they support the Kazdel Royal Court, the Cluster asserts that Regent Theresis holds no influence over their actions.[1] The title "Cluster" was chosen to reflect their composite nature: rather than a singular entity, they are a collective—a "cluster" of many consciousnesses—making them a dividual rather than an individual.[2] The Cluster is regarded as the oldest sovereign within the Sarkaz Royal Court, with a history that predates even the Farchaser's first encounter with the Amnannam, the first Originium.[2][3] Over the course of millennia, they have wandered across Terra, witnessing the gradual awakening of the Teekaz under the influence of the Amnannam. Their journey has brought them from Sargon during the reign of the legendary Aslan Padishah Lugalszargus to an encounter with the first known iteration of Kal'tsit.[3][4]
Owing to their dividual nature, the Cluster possesses the ability to assume the appearance of other individuals with uncanny precision. Their mimicry is nearly indistinguishable from the original and extends to the deceased. The Cluster inherits the memories of those they replicate, enabling them to seamlessly infiltrate Kazdel's enemies and acquire critical intelligence without detection. In addition, they are capable of splitting into multiple autonomous entities known as isomorphic fragments, each able to mimic several individuals simultaneously.
Despite their formidable abilities, the Cluster lacks a fundamental understanding of human emotions. This limitation makes them susceptible to interference from individuals with mind-reading capabilities. Their disguises can also be pierced by those who share a close personal bond with the mimicked individual, due to subtle but noticeable deviations in behavior. Eliminating the Cluster’s primary form does not kill them; they are capable of returning through their isomorphic fragments, effectively granting them a form of immortality. Over time, this prolonged existence has led the Cluster to wander Terra in search of meaning and understanding with a level-headed curiosity.
The Damazti Cluster is against mimicking the deceased unless ordered to—it is discomforting to them and, naturally, causes those who knew the deceased significant distress.[5] They can also hold sympathy for the mimicked individuals and their compatriots due to inheriting their memories. This shows that, despite lacking an understanding of the intricacies of human emotion, they are capable of genuine compassion and cooperation.
Story[edit]
Episode 10[edit]
The Damazti Cluster first appears during a meeting with the other lords of the Sarkaz Royal Court, alongside Theresa and Theresis. During the discussion, Duq'arael remarks that the Cluster has yet to play a significant role in their schemes, to which the Cluster responds that their involvement will come later. One of the Cluster’s known disguises is that of a factory owner named Mr. Thomas, whose mission involved luring Dublinn forces to Sudean as part of Manfred’s plan. While being pursued by Dublinn’s soldiers, the disguised Cluster is unexpectedly rescued by Blacksteel and subsequently taken to Rhodes Island for medical examination.[6]
This unexpected turn of events surprised even the Cluster, who was given the opportunity to meet Amiya, Rhodes Island's leader and the current King of Sarkaz. The encounter sparked a peculiar fascination in the Cluster, leading them to agree to assist Rhodes Island in entering the city through Sudean, seeing it as an opportunity to follow them. During their escape, however, the Cluster was struck by the Londinium Secondary Defense Artillery and forced to feign death to avoid discovery.[7] Later, the Damazti reunites with Manfred and reproaches him for his eagerness to test his "prized new toy," expressing regret over missing the chance to speak properly with Amiya. In response, Manfred promises the Cluster another opportunity to meet with the young King of Sarkaz.[8]
This opportunity arises during a joint rescue operation carried out by Rhodes Island and the Londinium Self-Salvation Corps. Manfred deliberately ensured the operation proceeded smoothly, allowing the Damazti Cluster—disguised as one of the Corps’ soldiers—to infiltrate the enemy base. While inside, the Cluster covertly transmitted the Corps’ positions to the Military Commission. Under the guise of an Eartha fighter named Bill, the Damazti engages Amiya in conversation, questioning why Rhodes Island places such trust in her and whether their faith is genuine or simply because she is Theresa's successor.
After being confronted by the rest of the Corps, "Bill" initially feigns innocence, but both Stainless and Rockrock recognize that the real Bill would never be so manipulative. At that moment, Closure suddenly arrives to warn everyone that the Londinium defense artillery is preparing to fire on their location. Despite knowing that Bill is an impostor, Feist and Rockrock instinctively hold onto him as they make their escape. The Cluster remarks that they find the group "very interesting" before relaying Bill’s final words and disappearing.[1]
The Cluster later meets with Manfred while disguised as Regent Theresis. Although initially surprised, Manfred quickly sees through the disguise and brus. He thanks the Cluster for assisting in locating the rebel hideout and expresses hope that they will continue to follow the rebels until every last one is captured. The Cluster, however, doubts they can remain concealed with the Doctor present and reminds Manfred that they are not one of his soldiers. They share their thoughts on Amiya, noting that while she is powerful, she remains immature. Before departing, the Cluster requests that Manfred choose the identity of a living person for their next disguise.[5]
Episode 11[edit]
The Damazti Cluster ambushes and incapacitates Molly, a schoolteacher and close friend of Golding, one of the Self-Salvation Corps' Messengers. Assuming her form and absorbing her memories, the Cluster becomes intrigued by Molly’s deep care for her students, despite lacking any familial ties to them. They instruct Lettou to keep the real Molly confined and safe while they return to the school under her guise to gather intelligence. Upon noticing Logos in the vicinity, the Cluster invites him to take part in a play.[9]
Episode 12[edit]
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Episode 13[edit]
The Damazti Cluster takes part in a joint assault with Duq'arael on the Irnclad Galavae, the Duke of Windermere’s battleship. Prior to the attack, the Cluster infiltrates the ship by impersonating Victorian officers and inciting chaos on the lower decks. One of their clones, disguised as the Sanguinarch, launches a direct attack on the Duke of Windermere. However, before they can unleash their Arts on the Duke’s Swordguards, Delphine sees through their disguise. The real Duq'arael then arrives and joins forces with the Cluster, together overpowering the formidable Duke of Windermere. Observing her downfall, the Cluster deems her failure "regrettable." When Delphine returns and witnesses her mother’s defeat, the Cluster transforms into several familiar figures—including the deceased Duke herself. In a cruel gesture, the false "Duke" stabs herself with an imitation of her own sword, provoking Delphine’s fury. The Cluster then shifts into Delphine’s likeness, mockingly promising that they’ll do better next time.[10]
Below deck, the Damazti Cluster assumes Amiya’s form in an attempt to deceive the Doctor, but the ruse quickly fails. Noticing the Doctor's surprise at their reappearance, the Cluster remarks that the Myriad Souls have rejected them. However, they sense that a part of themselves has splintered away, prompting their decision to support the Royal Court more actively. The Cluster then engages Amiya in battle and aids Salus in capturing her.[11]
When the Confessarius abduct Nightingale, the fragment that split from the original Damazti intervenes by transforming into Mon3tr to aid in the fight against them. Later, Kal'tsit questions this Damazti about their decision to join the side of Rhodes Island. In response, the Damazti explains that they are seeking change—and a deeper understanding of what it means to live a long and disordered life.[12]
Episode 14[edit]
As part of Manfred’s operation to reclaim the Lifebone from Rhodes Island, the Damazti Cluster is ordered to assume his form, anticipating that Ascalon would attempt to assassinate him directly. Disguised as "Manfred," the Cluster briefly engages her in combat—managing to impale her shoulder before being stabbed through the "heart." Feigning death, the Cluster then reveals their true identity to a shocked Ascalon. They remark that she acted too hastily, suggesting that under different, less emotional circumstances, she would have recognized them. At that moment, the Military Commission moves in to surround her.[13]
The Cluster then collaborates with the Confessarii to construct a false witchcraft altar designed to lure the Doctor and Amiya's squad into a deep underground cavern. Disguising themselves as an army of Confessarius guards, the Cluster creates the illusion that the squad is on the right path. However, Kal'tsit begins to suspect something is wrong and orders Mon3tr to attack one of the nearby corpses—only for it to transform into another Mon3tr. In that moment, the terrain abruptly shifts as the "corpses" vanish, and the Cluster isolates Kal'tsit and Logos from the rest of the group.
The Cluster expresses disappointment to Logos, lamenting that the Myriad Souls of the Sarkaz had “nothing to say” when the Cluster had briefly died. Their clones then transform into dozens of different Sarkaz figures from throughout history, drawing upon the emotions and memories embedded in Originium to recreate them. Logos ultimately defeats them using the power of his incantations. Elsewhere, the fragment of the Cluster that captured Kal'tsit questions her drive to persist through countless "rebirths." Kal'tsit responds simply: it is because of her name—and the person who gave it to her.[3]
What became of either half of the split Damazti Cluster following the Victorian Crisis has yet to be revealed in the story. However, it is near certain that both survived the conflict.
Notable guises[edit]
- Bill: An Eartha fighter and close comrade of Feist and Rockrock. Captured by the Kazdelians, Bill died during interrogation, never revealing the location of Eartha’s hideout. Following his death, the Damazti Cluster was ordered by Manfred to assume his form.[1]
- Mr. Thomas: A Londinium citizen and former owner of a Loxic Kohl factory before it was seized during the Kazdelian occupation. He was sought by both Dublinn and the Kazdelians for his knowledge of Londinium’s layout. At some point, the real Mr. Thomas died and was replaced by the Damazti Cluster.
- Molly: A schoolteacher at St. Marsol. The Damazti Cluster assumes her form for much of Episodes 11 and 12.
- Colbert: A Victorian Sarkaz who manages the Sunset Street hotel in Norport Borough.
- Golding: The Cluster assumed her form shortly before Golding’s suicide in order to better understand her emotions.[14]
- Duq'arael: During the assault on the Irnclad Galavae, the half of the Cluster aligned with the Royal Court assumed the form of the Sanguinarch to deceive the Duke of Windermere.
- Mon3tr: During the Confessarii attack on W’s Londinium safehouse, the half of the Cluster aligned with Rhodes Island assumed Mon3tr’s form to assist in the defense.
- Manfred: While the real Manfred boarded the Lifebone, the Cluster took on his form to deceive Ascalon.
References[edit]
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