Megalopolis: 2016

Location: Domain Dimension}

The Ghoul bellowed in victory, “Earth Pack Rules! Surrender now and you will be allowed to join us! Victory will be ours!”

The two Boogens dropped their spears.

“I am Brocus of the Earth Pack formerly of the Tooth and Claw Pack. Pick up your spears and join us.”

The Boogens pick up their spears and bowed their heads to Brocus.

“I am Vol Esen, Leader of the Beak Flock. This is Kral Kronuk my nest brother. We gladly join the Earth Flock.”

Brocus escorted the two new recruits to Red Hawk. He introduced Kral Kronuk and Vol Esen to the Earth Pack Leader. Next he introduced them to the rest of the Guardians.

The Guardians entered the control center. This building is a squat thirty foot cubic room made out of glowing black crystal, but contains only a small sphere which hangs mysteriously in the air. Vol Esen explained that the sphere will accept verbal orders and controls the raising and lowering of the Scarlet Orb. When the Scarlet Orb is lowered it will open up a doorway for two Earth minutes. The door will close and the beam will reactivate lifting the ball skyward. But the ball on the control room will accept no further orders for an hour.

Adamas looked at the new 'recruits', "You three will lead us, bring down the orb. We need to take this thing out. Without it, they cannot get to our homes."

Vol Esen gave the command for the Scarlet Orb to lower. “We have never been in the Orb before. I can get you in but I can’t guide you once we are inside.”

The doorway opened and the Guardians with their Demon recruits entered the entrance way.

The door at the end of the entrance opened into a room in the Scarlet Orb.

The room is decorated in “early torture chamber” and contains manacles, three electric chairs, a brazier of hot coals with assorted branding irons, an iron maiden, and other torture items. In the center of the room is a crystal sphere about two feet in diameter. At the other side of the room is a door. Picking through the door reveals a hallway. An intersection of two other hallways is visible 20 feet down the hallway.

{Simple drawing of hallway}

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Menagerie turned to Adamas, "What do you want to do next? Do we explore each room? Too bad we don't have someone on the inside."

Adams attempted to use his super senses to see if he can see into the other rooms, or further down the hallway. He asked others on the team who might have “special” senses to check things out before they move forward.

StrikeForce activated his sensors trying to gather as much Intel as he can.

On Menagerie’s recommendation, he attempted to reach out to his old friend Agent America, “We are in the orb…”

Agent America said, "There are no guards in the hallways or to the entrances of each level. The Domain Generals are expected to protect themselves. Guards only watch over prisoners they don't protect leadership. You are on the top level, known as Level 1. I am in the Throne room on the bottom level, level 3 with Cr'tgerof and his Generals."

Adamas could see completely across the Orb down the hallway in front of them but could not see within the walls and beneath the floors because it was made from a super alloy. He did not see any Demons in the hallways. There was only 1 doorway at the end of the hallway

StrikeForce used his sensors including parabolic hearing and infrared vision. StrikeForce was able to identify following information

Single | |

Breathing | | Computer and machine sounds

Being | |____________

___________________| |_empty room_|____________

Guardians

Location ____________ ___________________[ ]_____

Thick | |Single Harsh | Two deep

Cloud and | | Breathing Being | Breathing

no body | | and water | Beings and

heat signs | | splashing sounds | hum of a life

| |_______________| support system

| | Metal objects \

| | and no body heat \

| | signs \

| | \

{GM Note: I am not sure if Infrared can really see through metal but I want StrikeForce to have better than state of the art tech so I am giving them better (super senses) for this case. I might have to scale back when we get back to Earth so we might have a situation where the Domain increased his sense but I am unsure.}

The Skink was rattled a bit from a tough fight with experienced monsters, but settled in and scoped the place out with his Thermo vision, looking for variations in heat patterns, as well as listening. He also had a branding iron from the torture chamber to use as a pry bar...

"Man, this place is weird... those last two mugs were pretty tough on me, tryin' to crunch me in the corner like that. They better work out on the team."

Conquistador placed a hand on Skink's shoulder, "I agree it is a risk but any adventure like this always depends of gaining the employ of the local to help navigate the dangers."

Menagerie looked down the right hallway. He saw 3 doors.

V - Guardians position looking down the hallway

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\_/

It ended at the smooth inner wall of the Orb. None of the Guardians could find access to the lower floor.

The Skink with his therma vision couldn't see any heat signatures down the hallway. He did spot a discoloration forming around the single door on the right. He couldn't tell what it was but it reminded of some of the gas vapors in his Father's lab. There was no lock on the door.

Adamas could not see through the walls because of their Super Alloy density.

StrikeForce heard no sounds of movement from the room on the right and couldn't find any heat signatures.

The door furthest away from them on the left was the same but there were no sign of any thermal discoloration. There was no lock on the door.

The closest door on the left displayed a large emblem of skull and crossbones. The skull wasn't human shape but more like a Boogen. Vol Esen and Kral Kronuk visibly recoiled at the emblem. Underneath the emblem were runes which Trekker recognized they were part Arabic and part Latin. Black Orchid looked closely. She agreed that they were ancient versions of the languages. She read what it said.

"Do Not Feed The Animal"

The door itself was very thick and heavy, and had several locks and bolts across it.

StrikeForce heard strange sloshing sounds and gusts of wind occurring in the room.

Vol said, "I have heard that the Demon Lord keeps his enemies and pets locked up on this level. I don't which this is but that emblem is our sign for 'Danger Within'. If we are here to battle I can get us past the door but if we are trying to find a way to a different level we should try a different hall."

"I agree", said Adamas. He moved to the other side of the hallway and placed his palm against the wall. He followed the wall back to where they started and again takes a right, following the hallway.

StrikeForce agreed and continued on with the others.

The Guardians turned around and head back the way they came from. At the hallway intersection, Black Orchid saw that there was 1 door on each side of the northern hallway.

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______| |_____________________

______ ^ __________________[ ]__

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^ Where the Guardians are standing

Black Orchid asked StrikeForce about the area to the right and in front of her. She thought he said there were 2 rooms in there but she was only seeing 1 doorway.

StrikeForce confirmed there were 2 rooms. Black Orchid concluded that the smaller room must only have a doorway inside the other larger room.

The Guardians traveled down the hallway with only a single door {the hall to the right of the ^}.

The door leading into this room appeared to be highly technological. There was a small window which the Guardians looked through to see 3 the superheroes which were lost when the first Matter Vacuum came to Earth. {see Back Issue: Crossover Issue 1 "the Briefing".} They are Blitzkrieg, Telecomm, and Meganaut. Gravitron was conspicuously absent. Outside the door there were four switches.

Black Orchid studied the switches. She tried each and each time the door opened. After a few minutes she figured out the correct sequence to keep the door open and not locking on them after they entered. {Successful Intelligence save roll.}

The prison room was constructed out of an alien super alloy.

Lying inside the chamber the captured superheroes were all unconscious. All technological items had been removed from their persons and Meganaut has been disconnected from his nuclear reactor but Life Support was still working.

There are no demon guards in the room.

Seeing his fallen comrades, Adamas moved to aid them.

He attempted to wake them, and freed them from their bonds.

Blitzkrieg and Telecomm were awoken. Black Orchid successfully reconnected Meganaut's nuclear reactor. The heroes thank the Guardians for rescuing them.

They asked if the Demon Lord has completed the Demon Bridge to our dimension yet.

StrikeForce updated the heroes with the information that he had. Speaking to them, he added, "I can't speak for everyone, but I would be happy to have you join us." He will observe the team to make sure that he had not overstepped

None of the other Guardians showed any sign that StrikeForce had overstepped in briefing the freed Heroes. "Thanks," said Telecomm, "I think I can lead you to third floor where the Demon Lord's throne is. He liked to bring me down there to enjoy dinner and discuss alliances. I think he was trying to convert me to his side."

"There is a small room in the room across the hall. It functions like our elevators do. The larger room is some kind of scientific workshop. I can lead you to the room if you like."

The other two heroes indicated that only Telecomm had been taken down to the third floor. They believed it was because the Demon Lord was worried that Blitzkrieg's powers would allow him to easily escape and Meganaut had defenses which prevented the Demon Lord from turning Meganaut's allegiances.

The Black Orchid suggested, "I think it is prudent to move with haste now that we have freed the Guardians. The Demon Lord may have something to detect Meganaut's energy signature or some other means of alarm. That being said, should several us, maybe including Meganaut form a 'feint', or should we stick together?"

"So, Black Orchid. What would you propose that we do?" StrikeForce asked.

Adamas voted to stay together.

"I'm definitely willing to stay together if we think we can maintain our momentum and surprise." The Black Orchid suggested.

"I would prefer to stay together as well. With the small number of us and the unknown number of opponents, I think that a unified front would be our best option." StrikeForce said.

Telecomm led the Guardians into the large room across the hallway. They had to move back toward the intersection and then north up the hallway to the lone door on the right. When the Guardians entered the room they felt like they had entered a gigantic clock. The room contained many large and small devices which were clicking, groaning, and pumping. Large axles and melon-size flywheels abounded.

On the northern end of the room, the Guardians saw a 3-D Star map, on closer examination they realized it was the Andromeda Galaxy and surrounding space.

In the eastern end of the room, several large clear glass vats boil with purple-green liquid. In the liquid, suspended by life support units, are small babies, each baby is a mutant of some sort and all looked grisly.

On the southern wall the Guardians found a large assortment of metal-working tools and mechanical parts. The Guardians found blueprints that detail a large megalo-robot with mighty armor and armaments. Beside the blueprints was a box about two square feet in size. Inside this box is a scaled down version of the robot in the blueprints. It has three legs and two arms. There are small missiles attached to its arms. There is a red button on the robot's breastplate. It has a strong human appearance {GM Note: 89% human-looking}. The robot is painted red and black and has a Nazi swastika scrawled across its chest.

Telecomm lead the Guardians to the area of the room the lift. Its mechanism is simple to operate and can be taken to either the second or third level.

Strike Force brought his senses online. Scanning the area for any pertinent information, he was able to determine that shattering the glass vats will kill the baby creatures.

A quick scan of the lift {elevator} revealed it was not secured and there were no traps.

Telecomm, Blitzkrieg, and Meganaut entered the lift. Telecomm said, "This is the way. Are you coming?"

The Black Orchid looked at the map. "The Andromeda Galaxy? Is this where we are? Oh my! How is this possible?" She then collected herself and went over to examine the plans and the robot.

The blueprint was dated April 26, 1945. Black Orchid did not remember anything about Nazi having invented the Robot but she did remember that they invented Jet Fighters, Stealth Bombers, and Guided Missiles. There were designs that they weren't able to finish: Nuclear bomb, Space Plane and Orbital Mirror Lasers.

“Evil knows many forms,” Adamas said as he walked up behind Black Orchid. “These things should not be created,” and his eyes flashed red. The paper of the blueprints began to turn brown in the middle and flashed into a brief fire, engulfed and destroyed. “I will not destroy the unborn, but this perversion should not be. I think it’s time we put a stop to it.”

Adamas joined those in the lift.

StrikeForce joined the others on the lift.

The Black Orchid shook her head and ran her hand through the ashes. "Technology cannot be not inherently evil. Only those who wield it are capable of such a distinction. We could have learned something about what's going on here." She started concentrating and making a mental effort to try to remember as much as possible of the plans.

Black Orchid focused on the blueprint as it quickly burned. She successfully committed it to memory. {GM Note: with her Willpower ability it will be available for immediate use whenever she wants it}

The lift lowered down bypassing level 2 to go to level 3.

This level of the Scarlet Orb was decorated in modern furniture and looked very much like an executive high rise.

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Exiting the lift there was a door on the north side and the south side. The hallway ends in a wall on the west.

Adamas voted for the right door.

StrikeForce used his senses to acquire whatever information he can, that may help the decision about which direction to take. In the room to the north, was the smaller of the two rooms and there was a single heat signature. The only sounds that could be heard were the sounds of eating.

In the room to the south, was the larger of the two rooms and there are 10 heat signatures. One of the heat signatures was within human parameters. 8 different voices could be heard talking. They were discussing when the Demon Bridge would be finished and the marshaling of troops to be prepared to march at that time. Most of the voices were impatient, extremely ready for the invasion to begin but a few were pleading for patience. There were a couple of challenges to personal combat but none were accepted.

The Guardians agreed to enter the right door.

This was a grandiose room filled with objects of great beauty. Black Orchid was overwhelmed with joy by the exquisite paintings on the wall. There were originals by all the masters of the art. Long lost paintings of the greats were here.

The walls were decorated with drapes of spun gold and silver.

The floors were decorated in exquisite carvings of an Egyptian design.

Adamas stared mutely at the statues on the side of the room. They brought back faint feelings of childhood when he was at home with his family, feeling loved and secure. Memories were just beyond his reach. If he stared longer they might return ... or they might not.

Red Hawk was amazed by the architecture. It was amazing how it used the physics of the Domain to provide strength and beauty.

The ceiling was a perfect mirror, and caused the room to seem twice as large as it really was.

StrikeForce, The Skink, and Trekker appreciated the beauty of the room but were focused on the throne room at the other end of the room.

In the room sat Cr'tgerof reading several huge tomes. Next to him was the Overseer. Adamas remembered the Overseer from Earth. This was the Demon in charge of the Matter Vacuum Towers and the construction of the Portal to allow the Lord of the Domain to enter Earth. His failures on Earth, two Towers being destroyed had put him in jeopardy of losing his position as second in command of Cr'tgerof's Generals. Overseer was smoking a large green water pipe.

Cr'tgerof glanced up and then returned to his readings, pointedly ignoring the Guardians.

The guardians could see movement in the shadows behind the throne. There were others beside Cr'tgerof and the Overseer.

Cr'tgerof slammed the book shut. He insisted that the Guardians kneel in his presence and humbly apologize.

He waited their response.

Directing his comments to Cr'tgerof StrikeForce replied, "Since you seem to be so determined to destroy our home, I don't think that an apology will be coming from me."

Cr'tegerof stood. They were shocked to see he was 12 feet tall. He said, "Then you miserable pests must be taught a lesson that you shall never forget. Behold! My demons will suck the marrow from your bones, and I shall torment your mortal souls until the end of time!

At Cr'tegerof's command from the shadows came seven figures to join the Overseer. They were a Horror, Spirit, Changeling, Abomination, Cr'oooz, Sl'sssk and Agent America.

On Cr'tegerof's orders they attacked!

Adamas said to his teammates, “Everything here except Cr'tgerof is a distraction. We must focus our efforts if we are to be victorious. Cut off the head and the body dies. Please focus your attacks on the object of our mission.”

[50] Trekker teleported behind Cr’tgerof. He swung his Caduceus Staff and missed.

[38] Blitzkrieg ran across the floor and up the stairs. He ran behind trying to punch him from behind but missed.

[36] The Skink leaped up on the elevated podium. He leaped onto the shoulder of the Abomination to launch himself up toward Cr’tgerof’s head. He swung the branding iron striking the villain. {Skink did 14 damage points}

{GM Note: Cr’tgerof is really tough. To help the players better see the fight, I am going to post their damage points. I will keep secret how much of the damage is reduced by defenses and how much is rolled.}

[35] Trekker ported above Cr’tgerof. He attempted to smash his staff over Cr’tgerof’s but the Lord of the Domain raised his arm blocking it.

[35] Adamas launched himself at Cr'tgerof. He grabbed the largest object he could find, be it a pillar or decorative object, and planned to strike with it as often and hard as he can, staying focused on the one true enemy.

As he flew past Agent America, he said, “Join us brother, now is the time for whatever plot you had in mind.”

WHAM! Adamas struck the Demon Lord with the statue. {Adamas did 14 damage points}

The Black Orchid immediately turned invisible. She was a bit surprised to see a human hero among their attackers. She had no illusions that the demons can't see her, but some of the others might not. She tried to assess Agent America to see if there was something physical controlling him, maybe mind control (a look of struggle on his face) or whether he was really on their side.

[34] Without a sound or any unnecessary movement to betray his intent, Agent America spun and applied a spinning round kick to the head of the Overseer. The Man from Medusa knew that while Overseer was out of favor he was still second in command and very dangerous. The Super Spy landed an upper cut to the Demon’s jaw. As the Demon General staggered, the Hero Who was Lost finished the Overseer with an elbow strike to the head. The Overseer fell to the ground incapacitated. {Agent America did 49 damage points on 3 attacks}

[30] Red Hawk flew after the other Guardians to attack the Lord of the Domain. He fired dual Vibe blasts striking with both of them. Cr’tgerof rolled with only one of the hits. He was able to continue with the fight. {Red Hawk did 31 damage points on 2 attacks. Critical hit on second attack. Cr’tgerof couldn’t roll with damage.}

[28] Meganaut levitated across the stairs up the podium. “I am sorry Adamas but the Abomination is too much of a threat to let it attack an opponent of its choice. I must engage him while the Guardians take down his Lord.”

The Robot with a Human Brain smashed his fists on the chest of the Demon Prince. It roared in pain but was able to still fight on. {Meganaut did 28 damage points on 2 attacks}

[28] The Demon Prince swung his gigantic fist at Meganaut. The Abomination missed.

[23] Upon Adamas' direction, the bionic brawler used his staff to propel himself over anyone between himself and Cr'tgerof. He struck and moved against his opponent. StrikeForce struck true with his staff. Cr’tgerof grunted in pain as he rolled with the blow. StrikeForce followed it with a sidekick which the Demon Lord blocked. {1^st attack was a critical success. Rolled Mighty Strike on Critical table which means maximum damage in done without having to roll the dice. StrikeForce did 25 damage points on his 1^st attack. His 2^nd attack missed}

[23] Blitzkrieg spun around to attack the Lord of the Domain again. He struck a hard blow in the lower back of Cr’tgerof. The Domain Master grunted in pain. {The attack was a critical success. Rolled Mighty Strike on Critical table; Blitzkrieg did 21 damage points}

[23] The burrowing demon that lived in the subterranean webs charged across the podium. The Sl’sssk unleashed a war cry from its squid-like head. The Sl’sssk resembled a giant sand crab with tubular neck and eight long tentacles.

“For the Master and the Domain!” It screamed as it attacked Red Hawk. It reached up to grab the Aerial Android. It missed.

[23] “You have been a thorn in my side long enough! You are not the savior of Earth!” Cr’tgerof cried as he charged Adamas. Cr’tgerof threw 2 mighty punches landing both on them. Adamas withstood the blows and faced the Demon Lord defiantly.

{GM Note: Cr’tgerof did 24 damage points on 2 attacks, -24 to Invulnerability. Adamas’ Invulnerability is now 0}

[20] Trekker teleported behind Cr’tgerof. He smashed his Caduceus Staff into the back of the Demon Lord. The Lord of the Doman rolled with the attack. {Trekker did 3 damage points)

[20] The Changeling charged across the podium. He attacked StrikeForce with its 4 tentacles. The first tentacle struck StrikeForce in the chest. StrikeForce withstood the blow. StrikeForce dodge and weaved to keep from being hit again. Attacks 2 through 4 missed.

{GM Note: Changeling did 11 damage points, -11 to Invulnerability. StrikeForce Invulnerability is now 17}

[19] The Demon Spirit floated across the chasm next to the podium. With a wail, the Spirit unleashed a mind blast at Conquistador. The Mystic Warrior defended against the blast. He was unhurt as the mind energy dissipated.

[18] Conquistador flew over the chasm to the podium. He fired a blast of solid of light at Cr’tgerof. The blast missed.

[18] Menagerie ran toward the stairs of the podium. As he ran up them he fell down.

{GM Note: Roll 20 on 1d20 for hit. On the Fail table the roll resulted in fall down.}

[18] “Brocus attacks for Earth Pack!” The Ghoul ran up the stairs to the podium. It leaped into the crowd of attackers on Cr’tgerof. It slashed the Demon Lord with its claws. {The Ghoul did 8 damage points}

[17] A Cr’oooz is a giant furry snake with hairy spider legs. Cr’oooz has nine bulging eyes in various parts of their body. It ran down the stairs with the sounds of “click, click” from its spider legs. Across the expanse it charged toward Telecomm. It attempted to bite her with its fangs but Telecomm ducked.

[17] The Horror in the Armani suit was holding a Cuban cigar in his right hand. The tentacles on its face twitched. “I can’t have anyone disturb by ability to rule over the Southern Hemisphere of Earth, now can I?” From underneath its tentacles ink was spewed at Blitzkrieg {GM Note: This is a chemical attack}. The attack missed.

[16] Black Orchid started moving laterally away from the rest of the group but towards Agent America. She fired a Vacuum Blast at Cr’tgerof. With the hit, she drained energy from the Demon Lord. {Black Orchid did 19 damage points which is applied to Power Points}

[16] The Boogen, Kral Kronuk, charged up the stairs, “Down with the Tyrant of the Domain! Earth pack will free us all!”Kral struck the Lord of the Domain a mighty blow with his Spear. {Rolled a 1 for crit hit, rolled a mighty blow for max damage. Kral did 13 damage points.}

[16] The Boogen, Von Esen, charged up the stairs, “Fear the Flock! Earth pack and Boogen Flocks will free the Domain from Tyranny!” Von struck the Demon Lord with his Spear. {Von did 4 damage points}

[15] Telecomm flew across the room. She missed with her punch as the Lord of the Domain ducked.

[8] Blitzkrieg punched Cr’tgerof in the back. {Blitzkrieg did 15 damage points}

[5] Trekker teleports above Cr’tgerof. He missed with his staff strike.

{This is the end of Turn 1. Nothing occurred which requires new orders from the players so I ran Turn 2}

Turn 2

[44] The battle became close quarter melee with the Guardians and friends battering at the Lord of the Domain, Cr’tgerof. Blitzkrieg smashed a fist into the Demon Lord. {Blitzkrieg did 7 damage points}

[41] Adamas smashed the statue upside Cr’tgerof’s body. {Adamas did 26 damage points}

[41] Trekker smashed his caduceus staff into the Demon Lord. {Trekker did 6 damage points}

[36] Agent America attempt to punch the Demon Lord with his fist but Cr’tgerof caught it. The Lord of the Domain held the Man from Medusa’s fist tight. {Rolled 20 for auto fail. The table stated lose that attack.} The Super Spy smashed his freed elbow hard into the forearm of the Demon Lord. Agent America then performed a snap kick into the elbow of the arm freeing his hand from Cr’tgerof’s grasp. {Agent America did 13 damage points on 2^nd attack. On the 3^rd attack he rolled a 1 for a critical hit. I ruled that over turned the previous roll of 20. So he freed his hand. AA did 18 damage points on 3^rd attack}

[34] The Skink leaped onto StrikeForce’s shoulder launching himself into a triple somersault which ended in his attempt to rake this claws into the side of Cr’tgerof. His attack missed as he leaped by the Demon Lord. The Skink landed safely next to Meganaut.

[33] Meganaut activated his Cybernatic Iniative Implant using power to speed up his reaction time. He wanted to attack first. Meganaut pounded his fist into the Abomination Prince. {Meganaut did 16 damage points}

[32] The Demon Prince bellowed in frustration. These Earthlings weren’t going to prevent him from enjoying the thrill of conquest. The Abomination swung his massive fist, missing Meganaut.

[30] Red Hawk unleashed twin Vibe Blasts. One hit the Demon Lord while the other missed. {Red Haw did 11 damage points}

[29] Blitzkrieg hit the Demon Lord in the lower back. He hoped Cr’tgerof had a kidney where he punched. {Blitzkrieg did 8 damage points}

[29] The Lord of the Domain struck Adamas in the chest. Adamas withstood the blow. “Enough of this defiance! Surrender now! I command it!” With his other fist, Cr’tgerof struck Adamas again. Adamas winced as he felt this blow. {1^st attack did 19 damage points, -19 to Invulnerability, 5 Invulnerability left; 2^nd attack did 15 damage points, -5 Invulnerability, -7 PP, and -3 HP}

[28] StrikeForce moved in close. He struck with his staff. Cr’tgerof caught it and pulled it away from StrikeForce. The Cybernetic Combatant used the momentum of the staff being yanked away to launch into a flying tornado kick. StrikeForce landed the kick on the Demon Lord’s jaw. Cr’tgerof spun around, his eyes rolled up into his head. The Lord of the Domain fell to the ground unconscious. The Devil of the Domain was knocked out cold.

{GM Note: StrikeForce rolled a 20 on his 1^st attack. The Failure table roll had StrikeForce lose his device. On StrikeForce’s 2^nd attack he did 17 damage points. The KO roll was 12 on 1d100!! Cr’tgerof was KO!}

[26] Agent America said, “Attack the Abomination Prince now! He is the remaining leader left!!”

Trekker teleported behind the Abomination, striking him with his caduceus staff. {Trekker did 6 damage points}

[20] Kral Kronuk charged. He drove his Spear into the Abomination. {The Boogen did 7 damage points}

[20] The Cr’oooz ran across the room. The “click, click” sound of its spider legs running. It ran up the podium to attack Telecomm. It tried to bite her with its fangs but missed.

[19] Changeling attacked StrikeForce with its tentacles. The 1^st attack missed. The tentacle was caught by StrikeForce. StrikeForce ripped the tentacle from the Changeling’s body. {Changeling rolled a 1 on 1d20. The failure table roll was lose the attack.} The 2^nd tentacle attack hit. {Changeling did 9 damage points, -9 Invulnerability; StrikeForce’s Invulnerability is now 19} The 3^rd attack missed. The Changeling missed with its 4^th and final tentacle attack.

[18] The Spirit Demon floated across the floor. It came to Menagerie who was sprawled on the floor. The Spirit wailed as it attacked with a Psi Blast. The Blast missed.

[17] Menagerie stood up and evaded

[17] Brocus attacked the Abomination with its fangs and claws. The Ghoul ripped fur from the Demon Prince. {The Ghoul did 17 damage points on 2 attacks}

[17] The Sl’sssk attempted to peck Red Hawk with its beak. Its attack missed.

[17] The Horror in the Armani suit raised the tentacles on its face. It spewed Demonic ink at Blitzkrieg {GM Note: This is a chemical attack}. The attack missed Blitzkrieg but hit the Abomination. {GM Note: Rolled 20 on 1d20 for an auto-failure. On the Failure table rolled hit teammate. Horror did 15 damage points} The Demon Prince bellowed at the Horror calling it a traitor!

[15] Black Orchid blasted the Demon Prince with her Vacuum Blast. The Abomination moaned as its energy was drained by the ultimate cold of the vacuum of space. {Black Orchid did 27 damage points}

[15] The Boogen Vol attack the Demon Prince. With its Spear, Vol Esen struck the Abmonination. {The Boogen did 7 damage points}

[14] Blitzkrieg slammed into the Abomination. {Blitzkrieg did 18 damage points}

[13] Conquistador attempted to blast the Demon Prince with solid light. His blast missed.

[11] Trekker teleported about the Abomination. He smashed his caduceus staff into the top of the skull of the Demon Prince. The Abomination crumpled to the ground incapacitated.

The remaining Demon Generals fled. They were going to gather their forces. The Domain was leaderless. Now was the time for their species to rule.

The ghost of Cor rose from the neighboring room. He told the Guardians that they must hurry to the demon bridge. It was their best way to escape the Domain and close it off to Earth’s dimension at the same time. Checking the room Conquistador found an old coffin which had the shriveled, mummified body of Cor. The Conquistador created a solid light barge to carry the remains of Earth’s hero, Cor, back to his world.

Agent America informed the Guardians of a prison they could send Cr’tgerof to. “The Demon Lord has bolted and locked the door because it leads to another dimension where there resides a guardian who can trap him forever”. The Guardians remember the room on the top floor. {GM Note: See page 3 of this issue}

The Guardians carried the Devil of the Domain to the room. The Man from Medusa quickly picked the locks. They opened the door. They are stuck with a pungent odor so strong they are momentarily stunned. The contents of the room are obscured by dense brown mists. They heard strange sloshing sounds and gusts of wind from the pocket dimension. A long tentacle reached out and grabbed Cr’tgerof. The Demon Lord was pulled through the doorway.

The doorway led to a small swamp-filled pocket universe with tall wispy willows and gentle, loathsome creature known as the Pit Fiend. It is the eternal enemy of Cr’tgerof and will be its jailer for eternity.

The Boogens and Ghoul thanked the Guardians for freeing them from the Tyrant of the Domain. They let to join their own Flocks and Packs. They wanted to part of the eternal struggle for dominance that is ecology of the Domain.

The Guardians quickly arrived at the Demon Bridge. They dispersed the Demon Crawlers which made up the bridge. They crossed to Earth as the bridge broke up.

The Guardians arrived home after eliminating the threat of the Devil’s Domain.

<Replies and Actions due Oct 3^rd >

If you want to add dialog or change any actions that happened in this issue.

Please let me know what your characters will do now that they are back on Earth. Please send them and I will publish them in the last issue of the Quest along with the experience points gained and any level increases.

This ends the Quest. Please let me know if you will be continuing to play.

If you are staying please let me know what type of villains you want to face. We haven’t explored the world of Earth/Human Supervillains or Space Alien Supervillains. There are several V&V (and other game) modules covering both I can adapt to our game, like I did the Magical Supervillains for the Quest.

If there are any areas of the lives of your characters you would like to explore let me know as well.

Thanks

Tom

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IC: Adamas looks at the new 'recruits', "You three will lead us, bring down the orb. We need to take this thing out. Without it, they cannot get to our homes."

Jon

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Vol Esen gave the command for the Scarlet Orb to lower. “We have never been in the Orb before. I can get you in but I can’t guide you once we are inside.”

The doorway opened and the Guardians with their Demon recruits entered the entrance way.

The door at the end of the entrance opened into a room in the Scarlet Orb.

The room is decorated in “early torture chamber” and contains manacles, three electric chairs, a brazier of hot coals with assorted branding irons, an iron maiden, and other torture items. In the center of the room is a crystal sphere about two feet in diameter. At the other side of the room is a door. Picking through the door reveals a hallway. A intersection of two other hallways is visible 20 feet down the hallway.

{Simple drawing of hallway}

] | |

/ === ====

] | |

Menagerie turned to Adamas, "What do you want to do next? Do we explore each room. Too bad we don't have someone on the inside."

Best

Tom

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IC: Adams will attempt to use his super senses to see if he can see into the other rooms, or further down the hallway. He would also ask others on the team who might have “special” senses (scanners, etc) to check things out before they move forward.

On Menagerie’s recommendation, he will attempt to reach out to his old friend Agent America, “We are in the orb…”

Jon

------------------------------------------------------------------------

StrikeForce activates his sensors trying to gather as much Intel as he can. Whatever he discovers, he will relay to the team.

Jamey

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(GM Note: Walls and Floors are SR 12. He has to spent 5 PR and 1 action to see past each wall or floor space)

Strikeforce used his sensors including parabolic hearing and infrared vision. Strikeforce was able to identify following information

Single | |

Breathing | | Computer and machine sounds

Being | |____________

___________________| |_empty room_|____________

Guardians

Location ____________ ___________________[ ]_____

Thick | |Single Harsh | Two deep

Cloud and | | Breathing Being | Breathing

no body | | and water | Beings and

heat signs | | splashing sounds | hum of a life

| |______________| support system

| | Metal objects \

| | and no body heat \

| | signs \

| | \

GM Note: I am not sure if Infrared can really see through metal but I want StrikeForce to have better than state of the art tech so I am giving them better (super senses) for this case. I might have to scale back when we get back to Earth so we might have a situation where the Domain increased his sense but I am unsure.

Jamey, are you okay with this?

Please get back with me on your moves. I would like to live email role-play the Guardians "Dungeon Crawling" until they run into a true adversary. I will get orders for that event and then prepare the next issue from there.

Thanks

Tom

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tom, I am fine with however you want his senses to work. Jon, I think that we should use your idea.

Jamey

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OOC: From my dungeon crawling days, I know if you put one hand on the wall, and follow it, you always get out of a maze… I’m thinking down the hall to the right, but if someone feels strongly differently, or if one of our stealthier members would like to do some scouting, I’m game for that as well. It sounds like the goal is to get to level three with as little interference as possible.

Jon

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Skink is rattled a bit from a tough fight with experienced monsters, but settles in and scopes the place out with his Thermo vision, looking for variations in heat patterns, as well as listening. He also has a branding iron from the torture chamber to use as a pry bar...

"Man, this place is weird... those last two mugs were pretty tough on me, tryin' to crunch me in the corner like that. They better work out on the team."

Chuck

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conquistador placed a hand on Skink's shoulder, "I agree it is a risk but any adventure like this always depends of gaining the employ of the local to help navigate the dangers."

Menagerie looked down the right hallway. He saw 3 doors.

V - Guardians position looking down the hallway

| |

| [

] |

| |

| [

| |

\_/

It ended at the smooth inner wall of the Orb. None of the Guardians could find access to the lower floor.

Adamas could not see through the walls because of their Super Alloy density.

StrikeForce hear no sounds of movement from the room on the right and couldn't find any heat signatures.

The door furthest away from them on the left was the same but there were no sign of any thermal discoloration. There was no lock on the door

The closest door on the left displayed a large emblem of a skull and crossbones. The skull wasn't human shape but more like a Boogen. Vol Esen and Kral Kronuk visibly recoiled at the emblem. Underneath the emblem were runes which Trekker recognized they were part Arabic and part Latin. Black Orchid look closely. She agreed that they were ancient versions of the languages. She read what it said.

"Do Not Feed The Animal"

The door itself is very thick and heavy, and had several locks and bolts across it.

StrikeForce heard strange sloshing sounds and gusts of wind occurring in the room.

Best

Tom

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Menagerie said, "I don't think we are here just to fight. If it was a prisoner why place the "Danger Within" sign. Let's try another hallway."

"Does anyone disagree?"

Thanks

Tom

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IC: "I agree", said Adamas. He moved to the other side of the hallway and placed his palm against the wall. He follows the wall back to where they started and again takes a right. Following the hallway.

Jon

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StrikeForce agrees.

Jamey

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The Guardians turn around and head back the way they came from. At the hallway intersection, Black Orchid saw that there was 1 door on each side of the northern hallway.

| |

| [

] |

| |

______| |_____________________

______ ^ __________________[ ]__

| |

^ where the Guardians are standing

Black Orchid asked StrikeForce about the area to the right and in front of her. She thought he said there was 2 rooms in there but she is only seeing 1 doorway.

StrikeForce confirmed there were 2 rooms. Black Orchid concluded that the smaller room must only have a doorway inside the other larger room.

The Guardians traveled down the hallway with only a single door (the hall to the right of the ^).

The door leading into this room appeared to be highly technological. There is a small window which the Guardians looked through to see 3 the superheroes which were lost when the first Matter Vacuum came to Earth. (see Back Issue: Crossover Issue 1 "the Briefing".) They are Blitzkrieg, Telecomm, and Meganaut. Gravitron is conspicuously absent. Outside the door there are four switches.

The prison room is constructed out of an alien super alloy.

Laying inside the chamber the captured superheroes are all unconscious. All technological items have been removed from their persons and Meganaut has been disconnected from his nuclear reactor but Life Support is still working.

There are no demon guards in the room.

What do you do next, do you try to wake Blitzkrieg and Telecomm? Do you try to reconnect Meganaut? Do you leave them in their prison?

Best

Tom

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seeing his fallen comrades, Adamas moves to aid them.

He will attempt to awaken them, and free them from their bonds.

Jon

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Blitzkrieg and Telecomm are waken. Black Orchid successfully reconnected Meganaut's nuclear reactor. The heroes thank the Guardians for rescuing them.

They ask if the Demon Lord has completed the Demon Bridge to our dimension yet?

Do you brief them? What do you do next? Where do you go? (The Hallway dead ends after the prison room, It was the last thing in the hallway.)

Best

Tom

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StrikeForce will update the heroes with the information that he has. Speaking to them, he will add, "I can't speak for everyone, but I would be happy to have you join us." He will observe the team to make sure that he has not overstepped.

Jamey

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"There is a small room in the room across the hall. It functions like our elevators do. The larger room is some kind of scientific workshop. I can lead you to the room if you like."

The other two heroes indicated that only Telecomm had been taken down to the third floor. They believe it was because the Demon Lord was worried that Blitzkrieg's powers would allow him to easily escape and Meganaut had defenses which would prevent the Demon Lord from turning Meganaut's allegiances.

What do you do next? Investigate the workshop, go to the Alien Elevator, investigate a different room altogether?

Best

Tom

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Hi all,

Sorry for the long absence. Tom, thanks for running The Black Orchid so well!

The Black Orchid suggests, "I think it is prudent to move with haste now that we have freed the Guardians. The Demon Lord may have something to detect Meganaut's energy signature or some other means of alarm. That being said, should several us, maybe including Meganaut form a 'feint', or should we stick together?"

Macy

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"So, Black Orchid. What would you propose that we do?"

Jamey

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Adamas vote is to stay together.

Jon

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm definitely willing to stay together if we think we can maintain our momentum and surprise." The Black Orchid suggests.

Marc

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"I would prefer to stay together as well. With the small number of us and the unknown number of opponents, I think that a unified front would be our best option."

Jamey

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Telecomm led the Guardians into the large room across the hallway. They has to move back toward the intersection and then north up the hallway to the lone door on the right. When the Guardians entered the room they felt like they had entered a gigantic clock. The room contained many large and small devices which were clicking, groaning, and pumping. Large axles and melon-size flywheels abounded.

On the northern end of the room, the Guardians saw a 3-D Star map, on closer examination they realized it was the Andromeda Galaxy and surrounding space.

On the southern wall the Guardians found a large assortment of metal-working tools and mechanical parts. The Guardians found blueprints that detail a large megalo-robot with mighty armor and armaments. Beside the blueprints was a box about two square feet in size. Inside this box is a scaled down version of the robot in the blueprints. It has three legs and two arms. There are small missiles attached to its arms. There is a red button on the robot's breastplate. It has a strong human appearance (GM Note: 89% human-looking). The robot is painted red and black and has a Nazi swastika scrawled across its chest.

Telecomm lead the Guardians to the area of the room the lift. It's mechanism is simple to operate and can be taken to either the second or third level.

What do you do? Do you investigate any parts of the room more? Do you touch something? Do you take something? Do you take the lift? to what level do you go?

Thanks

Tom

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strike Force brings his senses online. Scanning the area for any pertinent information. He will relay any applicable Intel to the team.

Jamey

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StrikeForce was able to determine that shattering the glass vats will kill the baby creatures.

A quick scan of the lift (elevator) revealed it was not secured and there were no traps.

Telecomm, Blitzkrieg, and Meganaut enter the lift. Telecomm said, "This is the way. Are you coming?"

Regards

Tom

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The Black Orchid looks at the map. "The Andromeda Galaxy? Is this where we are? Oh my! How is this possible?" She then collects herself and goes over to examine the plans and the robot. Does she remember anything from history about Nazi experimentation with robots? Are the plans dated in any way to show when they were written?

Marc

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The blueprint was dated April 26, 1945. Black Orchid did not remember anything about Nazi having invented the Robot but she did remember that they invented Jet Fighters, Stealth Bombers, and Guided Missiles. There was designs that they weren't able to finish: Nuclear bomb, Space Plane and Orbital Mirror Lasers.

Best

Tom

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“Evil knows many forms,” Adamas says as he walks up behind Black Orchid. “These things should not be created,” and his eyes flash red. The paper of the blueprints begins to turn brown in the middle and flashes into a brief fire, engulfed and destroyed. “I will not destroy the unborn, but this perversion should not be. I think it’s time we put a stop to it.”

Adamas will join those in the lift.

Jon

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

StrikeForce will join the others on the lift.

Jamey

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Black Orchid shakes her head and runs her hand through the ashes. "Technology cannot be not inherently evil. Only those who wield it are capable of such a distinction. We could have learned something about what's going on here." She starts concentrating and making a mental effort to try to remember as much as possible of the plans (Use of Willpower A using Engineering skill and High intelligence as the GM decides)

Marc

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Black Orchid focused on the blueprint as it quickly burned. She successfully committed it to memory. {GM Note: with her Willpower ability it will be available for immediate use whenever she wants it}

Best

Tom

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The lift lowered down bypassing level 2 to go to level 3.

This level of the Scarlet Orb is decorated in modern furniture and looked very much like an executive high rise.

----|--[/]----|

] |

----|--[/]----|

Exiting the lift there is a door on the north side and the south side. The hallway ends in a wall on the west.

Do you open the North or South door?

Best

Tom

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adamas votes right…

Jon

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StrikeForce will use his senses to acquire whatever information he can, that may help the decision about which direction to take. Any information that he receives will be relayed to the group.

Jamey

------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the room to the north, is the smaller of the two rooms and there is a single heat signature. The only sounds that can be heard were the sounds of eating.

In the room to the south, is the larger of the two rooms and there are 10 heat signatures. One of the heat signatures is within human parameters. 8 different voices could be heard talking. They were discussing when the Demon Bridge would be finished and the marshaling of troops to be prepared to march at that time. Most of the voices were impatient, extremely ready for the invasion to begin but a few were pleading for patience. There were a couple of challenges to personal combat but none were accepted.

Best

Tom

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Guardians agree to enter the right door.

This was a grandiose room filled with objects of great beauty. Black Orchid is overwhelmed with joy by the exquisite paintings on the wall. There originals by all the masters of the art. Long lost paintings of the great are here.

The walls are decorated with drapes of spun gold and silver.

The floor is made of millions of inlaid tiles, with each one detaining a scene from history.

Red Hawk was amazed by the architecture. It was amazing how it used the physics of the Domain to provide strength and beauty.

The ceiling is a perfect mirror, and caused the room to seem twice as large as it really was.

StrikeForce, The Skink, and Trekker appreciated the beauty of the room but were focused on the throne room at the other end of the room.

In the room sat Cr'tgerof reading several huge tomes. Next to him was the Overseer. Adamas remembered the Overseer from Earth. This was the Demon in charge of the Matter Vacuum Towers and the construction of the Portal to allow the Lord of the Domain to enter Earth. His failures on Earth, two Towers being destroyed made him the least favorite of Cr'tgerof's lieutenants. Overseer was smoking a large green waterpipe.

Cr'tgerof glanced up and then returned to his readings, pointedly ignoring the Guardians.

The guardians could see movement in the shadows behind the throne. There were others beside Cr'tgerof and the Overseer.

Cr'tgerof slammed the book shut. He insisted that the Guardians kneel in his presence and humbly apologize.

He waited their response.

Cr'tegerof stood and said, "Then you miserable pests must be taught a lesson that you shall never forget. Behold! My demons will suck the marrow from your bones, and I shall torment your mortal souls until the end of time!

At Cr'tegerof's command from the shadows came seven figures to join the the Overseer. They were a Horror, Spirit, Changeling, Abomination, Cr'oooz, Sl'sssk and Agent America.

On Cr'tegerof's orders they attacked!

{GM Note} This is our running email campaign. Please send me your actions for the turns. I will try to carry your orders over a couple of rounds of battle if it makes sense. That way we can speed up the battle where you need to only provide orders at key points in the combat instead of every turn.

Actions due August 15th. If you need more time please let me know.

Thanks

Tom

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Directing his comments to Cr'tgerof StrikeForce replies, "Since you seem to be so determined to destroy our home, I don't think that an apology will be coming from me."

OOC: StrikeForce will keep his senses active, and will engage the closest adversary.

Jamey

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

StrikeForce will move and attack, if he finishes with his opponent, he will aid whomever needs the help, or if all fights appear even, he will help the closest one.

Jamey

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I have received StrikeForce's action but I need the turns for the rest of the Guardians. You have finally made it to the Devil's Domain and face the evil behind the Quest.

What do your heroes do now?

Thanks

Tom

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Black Orchid will immediately turn invisible and start moving laterally away from the rest of the group but towards Agent America. She is a bit surprised to see a human hero among their attackers. She has no illusions that the demons can't see her, but some of the others might not. She will try to assess Agent America to see if there is something physical controlling him, maybe mind control (a look of struggle on his face) or whether he is really on their side.

Marc

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adamas says to his team mates, “Everything here except Cr'tgerof is a distraction. We must focus our efforts if we are to be victorious. Cut off the head and the body dies. Please focus your attacks on the object of our mission.”

With that, Adamas will launch himself at Cr'tgerof. He will try to grab the largest object he can find, be it a pillar or decorative object, and strike with it as often and hard as he can, staying focused on the one true enemy.

As he fly’s past Agent America, he says, “Join us brother, now is the time for whatever plot you had in mind.”

Good Luck to us all!

Jon

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Upon Adamas' direction, the bionic brawler will use his staff to propel himself over anyone between himself and Cr'tgerof. He will strike and move against his opponent.

OOC: StrikeForce will move and strike, he doesn't want to be a stationary target.

------------------------------------------------------------------------The ghost of Cor rose from the neighboring room. He told the Guardians that they must hurry to the demon bridge. It was their best way to escape the Domain and close it off to Earth’s dimension at the same time. Checking the room Conquistador found an old coffin which had the shriveled, mummified body of Cor. The Conquistador created a solid light barge to carry the remains of Earth’s hero, Cor, back to his world.