[PORT] Changes how Cultists obtain the bastard sword. Instead of sacrificing Heretics, you now sacrifice Null Rods, with a caveat.

code/game/objects/items/holy_weapons.dm

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 	var/chaplain_spawnable = TRUE
 	/// Short description of what this item is capable of, for radial menu uses.
 	var/menu_description = "A standard chaplain's weapon. Fits in pockets. Can be worn on the belt."
+	/// Lazylist, tracks refs()s to all cultists which have been crit or killed by this nullrod.
+	var/list/cultists_slain
 
 /obj/item/nullrod/Initialize(mapload)
 	. = ..()
@@ -59,6 +61,27 @@
 	user.visible_message(span_suicide("[user] is killing [user.p_them()]self with [src]! It looks like [user.p_theyre()] trying to get closer to god!"))
 	return (BRUTELOSS|FIRELOSS)
 
+/obj/item/nullrod/attack(mob/living/target_mob, mob/living/user, params)
+	if(!user.mind?.holy_role)
+		return ..()
+	if(!IS_CULTIST(target_mob) || istype(target_mob, /mob/living/carbon/human/cult_ghost))
+		return ..()
+
+	var/old_stat = target_mob.stat
+	. = ..()
+	if(old_stat < target_mob.stat)
+		LAZYOR(cultists_slain, REF(target_mob))
+	return .
+
+/obj/item/nullrod/examine(mob/user)
+	. = ..()
+	if(!IS_CULTIST(user) || !GET_ATOM_BLOOD_DNA_LENGTH(src))
+		return
+
+	var/num_slain = LAZYLEN(cultists_slain)
+	. += span_cultitalic("It has the blood of [num_slain] fallen cultist[num_slain == 1 ? "" : "s"] on it. \
+		<b>Offering</b> it to Nar'sie will transform it into a [num_slain >= 3 ? "powerful" : "standard"] cult weapon.")
+
 /obj/item/nullrod/godhand
 	name = "god hand"
 	desc = "This hand of yours glows with an awesome power!"

code/modules/antagonists/cult/runes.dm

@@ -222,52 +222,58 @@ structure_check() searches for nearby cultist structures required for the invoca
 /obj/effect/rune/convert/invoke(list/invokers)
 	if(rune_in_use)
 		return
+
 	var/list/myriad_targets = list()
-	var/turf/T = get_turf(src)
-	for(var/mob/living/M in T)
-		if(!IS_CULTIST(M))
-			myriad_targets |= M
-	if(!length(myriad_targets))
+	for(var/mob/living/non_cultist in loc)
+		if(!IS_CULTIST(non_cultist))
+			myriad_targets += non_cultist
+
+	if(!length(myriad_targets) && !try_spawn_sword())
 		fail_invoke()
-		log_game("Offer rune failed - no eligible targets.")
 		return
+
 	rune_in_use = TRUE
 	visible_message(span_warning("[src] pulses blood red!"))
 	var/oldcolor = color
 	color = RUNE_COLOR_DARKRED
-	var/mob/living/L = pick(myriad_targets)
-
-	var/mob/living/F = invokers[1]
-	var/datum/antagonist/cult/C = F.mind.has_antag_datum(/datum/antagonist/cult,TRUE)
-	var/datum/team/cult/Cult_team = C.cult_team
-	var/is_convertable = is_convertable_to_cult(L,C.cult_team)
-	if(L.stat != DEAD && is_convertable)
-		invocation = "Mah'weyh pleggh at e'ntrath!"
-		..()
-		if(is_convertable)
-			do_convert(L, invokers, Cult_team)
+
+	if(length(myriad_targets))
+		var/mob/living/new_convertee = pick(myriad_targets)
+		var/mob/living/first_invoker = invokers[1]
+		var/datum/antagonist/cult/first_invoker_datum = first_invoker.mind.has_antag_datum(/datum/antagonist/cult)
+		var/datum/team/cult/cult_team = first_invoker_datum.get_team()
+
+		var/is_convertable = is_convertable_to_cult(new_convertee, cult_team)
+		if(new_convertee.stat != DEAD && is_convertable)
+			invocation = "Mah'weyh pleggh at e'ntrath!"
+			..()
+			do_convert(new_convertee, invokers, cult_team)
+
+		else
+			invocation = "Barhah hra zar'garis!"
+			..()
+			do_sacrifice(new_convertee, invokers, cult_team)
+
+		cult_team.check_size() // Triggers the eye glow or aura effects if the cult has grown large enough relative to the crew
+
 	else
-		invocation = "Barhah hra zar'garis!"
-		..()
-		do_sacrifice(L, invokers)
-	animate(src, color = oldcolor, time = 5)
-	addtimer(CALLBACK(src, TYPE_PROC_REF(/atom, update_atom_colour)), 5)
-	Cult_team.check_size() // Triggers the eye glow or aura effects if the cult has grown large enough relative to the crew
+		do_invoke_glow()
+
+	animate(src, color = oldcolor, time = 0.5 SECONDS)
+	addtimer(CALLBACK(src, TYPE_PROC_REF(/atom, update_atom_colour)), 0.5 SECONDS)
 	rune_in_use = FALSE
 
 /obj/effect/rune/convert/proc/do_convert(mob/living/convertee, list/invokers, datum/team/cult/cult_team)
 	ASSERT(convertee.mind)
 
 	if(length(invokers) < 2)
-		for(var/M in invokers)
-			to_chat(M, span_warning("You need at least two invokers to convert [convertee]!"))
-		log_game("Offer rune with [convertee] on it failed - tried conversion with one invoker.")
+		for(var/invoker in invokers)
+			to_chat(invoker, span_warning("You need at least two invokers to convert [convertee]!"))
 		return FALSE
 
 	if(convertee.can_block_magic(MAGIC_RESISTANCE|MAGIC_RESISTANCE_HOLY, charge_cost = 0)) //No charge_cost because it can be spammed
-		for(var/M in invokers)
-			to_chat(M, span_warning("Something is shielding [convertee]'s mind!"))
-		log_game("Offer rune with [convertee] on it failed - convertee had anti-magic.")
+		for(var/invoker in invokers)
+			to_chat(invoker, span_warning("Something is shielding [convertee]'s mind!"))
 		return FALSE
 
 	var/brutedamage = convertee.getBruteLoss()
@@ -314,19 +320,11 @@ structure_check() searches for nearby cultist structures required for the invoca
 		convertee.name = convertee.real_name
 	return TRUE
 
-/obj/effect/rune/convert/proc/do_sacrifice(mob/living/sacrificial, list/invokers)
-	var/mob/living/first_invoker = invokers[1]
-	if(!first_invoker)
-		return FALSE
-	var/datum/antagonist/cult/C = first_invoker.mind.has_antag_datum(/datum/antagonist/cult,TRUE)
-	if(!C)
-		return FALSE
-
+/obj/effect/rune/convert/proc/do_sacrifice(mob/living/sacrificial, list/invokers, datum/team/cult/cult_team)
 	var/big_sac = FALSE
-	if((((ishuman(sacrificial) || iscyborg(sacrificial)) && sacrificial.stat != DEAD) || C.cult_team.is_sacrifice_target(sacrificial.mind)) && length(invokers) < 3)
-		for(var/M in invokers)
-			to_chat(M, span_cultitalic("[sacrificial] is too greatly linked to the world! You need three acolytes!"))
-		log_game("Offer rune with [sacrificial] on it failed - not enough acolytes and target is living or sac target")
+	if((((ishuman(sacrificial) || iscyborg(sacrificial)) && sacrificial.stat != DEAD) || cult_team.is_sacrifice_target(sacrificial.mind)) && length(invokers) < 3)
+		for(var/invoker in invokers)
+			to_chat(invoker, span_cultitalic("[sacrificial] is too greatly linked to the world! You need three acolytes!"))
 		return FALSE
 
 	var/signal_result = SEND_SIGNAL(sacrificial, COMSIG_LIVING_CULT_SACRIFICED, invokers)
@@ -335,7 +333,7 @@ structure_check() searches for nearby cultist structures required for the invoca
 
 	if(sacrificial.mind)
 		LAZYADD(GLOB.sacrificed, WEAKREF(sacrificial.mind))
-		for(var/datum/objective/sacrifice/sac_objective in C.cult_team.objectives)
+		for(var/datum/objective/sacrifice/sac_objective in cult_team.objectives)
 			if(sac_objective.target == sacrificial.mind)
 				sac_objective.sacced = TRUE
 				sac_objective.clear_sacrifice()
@@ -344,7 +342,7 @@ structure_check() searches for nearby cultist structures required for the invoca
 	else
 		LAZYADD(GLOB.sacrificed, WEAKREF(sacrificial))
 
-	new /obj/effect/temp_visual/cult/sac(get_turf(src))
+	new /obj/effect/temp_visual/cult/sac(loc)
 
 	if(!(signal_result & SILENCE_SACRIFICE_MESSAGE))
 		for(var/invoker in invokers)
@@ -357,26 +355,70 @@ structure_check() searches for nearby cultist structures required for the invoca
 				to_chat(invoker, span_cultlarge("\"I accept this meager sacrifice.\""))
 
 	if(iscyborg(sacrificial))
-		var/construct_class = show_radial_menu(first_invoker, sacrificial, GLOB.construct_radial_images, require_near = TRUE, tooltips = TRUE)
+		var/construct_class = show_radial_menu(invokers[1], sacrificial, GLOB.construct_radial_images, require_near = TRUE, tooltips = TRUE)
 		if(QDELETED(sacrificial) || !construct_class)
 			return FALSE
 		sacrificial.grab_ghost()
-		make_new_construct_from_class(construct_class, THEME_CULT, sacrificial, first_invoker, TRUE, get_turf(src))
+		make_new_construct_from_class(construct_class, THEME_CULT, sacrificial, invokers[1], TRUE, get_turf(src))
 		var/mob/living/silicon/robot/sacriborg = sacrificial
 		sacrificial.log_message("was sacrificed as a cyborg.", LOG_GAME)
 		sacriborg.mmi = null
 		qdel(sacrificial)
 		return TRUE
-	var/obj/item/soulstone/stone = new /obj/item/soulstone(get_turf(src))
+
+	var/obj/item/soulstone/stone = new(loc)
 	if(sacrificial.mind && !HAS_TRAIT(sacrificial, TRAIT_SUICIDED))
-		stone.capture_soul(sacrificial, first_invoker, TRUE)
+		stone.capture_soul(sacrificial,  invokers[1], forced = TRUE)
 
 	if(sacrificial)
 		playsound(sacrificial, 'sound/magic/disintegrate.ogg', 100, TRUE)
 		sacrificial.investigate_log("has been sacrificially gibbed by the cult.", INVESTIGATE_DEATHS)
 		sacrificial.gib()
+
+	try_spawn_sword() // after sharding and gibbing, which potentially dropped a null rod
 	return TRUE
 
+/// Tries to convert a null rod over the rune to a cult sword
+/obj/effect/rune/convert/proc/try_spawn_sword()
+	for(var/obj/item/nullrod/rod in loc)
+		if(rod.anchored || (rod.resistance_flags & INDESTRUCTIBLE))
+			continue
+
+		var/num_slain = LAZYLEN(rod.cultists_slain)
+		var/displayed_message = "[rod] glows an unholy red and begins to transform..."
+		if(GET_ATOM_BLOOD_DNA_LENGTH(rod))
+			displayed_message += " The blood of [num_slain] fallen cultist[num_slain == 1 ? "":"s"] is absorbed into [rod]!"
+
+		rod.visible_message(span_cultitalic(displayed_message))
+		switch(num_slain)
+			if(0, 1)
+				animate_spawn_sword(rod, /obj/item/melee/cultblade/dagger)
+			if(2)
+				animate_spawn_sword(rod, /obj/item/melee/cultblade)
+			else
+				animate_spawn_sword(rod, /obj/item/cult_bastard)
+		return TRUE
+
+	return FALSE
+
+/// Does an animation of a null rod transforming into a cult sword
+/obj/effect/rune/convert/proc/animate_spawn_sword(obj/item/nullrod/former_rod, new_blade_typepath)
+	playsound(src, 'sound/effects/magic.ogg', 33, vary = TRUE, extrarange = SILENCED_SOUND_EXTRARANGE, frequency = 0.66)
+	former_rod.anchored = TRUE
+	former_rod.Shake()
+	animate(former_rod, alpha = 0, transform = matrix(former_rod.transform).Scale(0.01), time = 2 SECONDS, easing = BOUNCE_EASING, flags = ANIMATION_PARALLEL)
+	QDEL_IN(former_rod, 2 SECONDS)
+
+	var/obj/item/new_blade = new new_blade_typepath(loc)
+	var/matrix/blade_matrix_on_spawn = matrix(new_blade.transform)
+	new_blade.name = "converted [new_blade.name]"
+	new_blade.anchored = TRUE
+	new_blade.alpha = 0
+	new_blade.transform = matrix(new_blade.transform).Scale(0.01)
+	new_blade.Shake()
+	animate(new_blade, alpha = 255, transform = blade_matrix_on_spawn, time = 2 SECONDS, easing = BOUNCE_EASING, flags = ANIMATION_PARALLEL)
+	addtimer(VARSET_CALLBACK(new_blade, anchored, FALSE), 2 SECONDS)
+
 /obj/effect/rune/empower
 	cultist_name = "Empower"
 	cultist_desc = "allows cultists to prepare greater amounts of blood magic at far less of a cost."

code/modules/antagonists/heretic/heretic_antag.dm

@@ -224,7 +224,6 @@
 	RegisterSignal(our_mob, COMSIG_MOB_ITEM_AFTERATTACK, PROC_REF(on_item_afterattack))
 	RegisterSignal(our_mob, COMSIG_MOB_LOGIN, PROC_REF(fix_influence_network))
 	RegisterSignal(our_mob, COMSIG_LIVING_POST_FULLY_HEAL, PROC_REF(after_fully_healed))
-	RegisterSignal(our_mob, COMSIG_LIVING_CULT_SACRIFICED, PROC_REF(on_cult_sacrificed))
 
 /datum/antagonist/heretic/remove_innate_effects(mob/living/mob_override)
 	var/mob/living/our_mob = mob_override || owner.current
@@ -237,7 +236,6 @@
 		COMSIG_MOB_ITEM_AFTERATTACK,
 		COMSIG_MOB_LOGIN,
 		COMSIG_LIVING_POST_FULLY_HEAL,
-		COMSIG_LIVING_CULT_SACRIFICED
 	))
 
 /datum/antagonist/heretic/on_body_transfer(mob/living/old_body, mob/living/new_body)
@@ -382,15 +380,6 @@
 		var/datum/heretic_knowledge/living_heart/heart_knowledge = get_knowledge(/datum/heretic_knowledge/living_heart)
 		heart_knowledge.on_research(source, src)
 
-/// Signal proc for [COMSIG_LIVING_CULT_SACRIFICED] to reward cultists for sacrificing a heretic
-/datum/antagonist/heretic/proc/on_cult_sacrificed(mob/living/source, list/invokers)
-	SIGNAL_HANDLER
-
-	new /obj/item/cult_bastard(source.loc)
-	for(var/mob/living/cultist as anything in invokers)
-		to_chat(cultist, span_cultlarge("\"A follower of the forgotten gods! You must be rewarded for such a valuable sacrifice.\""))
-	return SILENCE_SACRIFICE_MESSAGE
-
 /**
  * Create our objectives for our heretic.
  */