...strength loss is permanent, and you can have negative Strength? In my game for this week, a custom province (from SemiRandom) had a bunch of R'lyeh-type creatures in it with ranged Steal Strength. I now have a whole squad of Ahiman Anakites, all of whome have Strength between -10 and -48. I haven't tested what happens if I try to besiege a castle with them. Actually the guy with -48 Strength should be really good at tearing down castle walls since your effectiveness scales with the square of your Strength.
-Max