Nordemons are not a conventional part of the Imperium military; in fact, many do not consider them a part of the Imperium at all. They are shock troops that are created by the Ancient One himself by corrupting existing creatures using his own vast, necromantic power. They are typically created for specific purposes and are used as entirely expendable front-line soldiers; it is rare that a specific Nordemon survives more than even a handful of battles, as they are seen as a viable option to throw into battles where even assault robots and heavy Grizzlon infantry would have difficulty surviving.
The process of transformation into a Nordemon is horrifically painful and corrupting; little of what would be recognizable as the original being remains. Eyes begin to glow with a feral, almost mindless savagery, muscles knot and expand grotesquely, and wicked fangs and claws appear. Strength increases by a factor of ten (a typical human undergoing the transformation will gain the ability to exert several tons of force. Flesh becomes leathery and scaly, usually with some degree of a greenish tint, and twisted wings will sprout from the back, enabling them to fly at subsonic speeds. It will require significantly less sustenance and rest to maintain its peak effectiveness, and seems nearly immune to pain, becoming capable of continuining to fight after sustaining injuries that would incapacitate or kill most organic beings. It is extremely difficult to kill a Nordemon; this typically requires the full destruction of its body or at least its nervous system (headshots and decapitation are generally considered the most efficient methods).
If the physical change is abhorrent, the psychological change is infinitely more so. Virtually no trace of the former intelligence or personality remains, being replaced by a fanatical loyalty to the Ancient One and a nearly overpowering desire for violence and destruction. They seem incapable of complicated strategy, but are capable of learning to use most forms of weaponry and can usually follow simple battle plans. Occasionally, a particularly bright one may show some ability to adapt on the battlefield and fight with some level of cunning, but this is a rarity.
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