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}
] | |
/ === ====
]
| |
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
| |
| [
] |
| |
| |
| [
| |
\_/
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.
| |
| [
] |
| |
______|
|_____________________
______
^ __________________[ ]__
|
|
^ 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.
----|--[/]----|
] |
----|--[/]----|
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. {1st 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 1st
attack. His 2nd 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 2nd
attack. On the 3rd 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 3rd 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. {1st
attack did 19 damage points, -19 to Invulnerability, 5 Invulnerability left; 2nd
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 1st
attack. The Failure table roll had StrikeForce lose his device. On
StrikeForce’s 2nd 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 1st 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 2nd tentacle attack hit. {Changeling did 9 damage points, -9
Invulnerability; StrikeForce’s Invulnerability is now 19} The 3rd
attack missed. The Changeling missed with its 4th 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 3rd >
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 is only 1 doorway at the end of the hallway
(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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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 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.
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."
Best
Tom
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
StrikeForce agrees.
Jamey
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.)
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, Black Orchid. What would you
propose that we do?"
Jamey
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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 3rd >
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 is only 1 doorway at the end of the hallway
(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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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 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.
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."
Best
Tom
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
StrikeForce agrees.
Jamey
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.)
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
"So, Black Orchid. What would you
propose that we do?"
Jamey
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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. 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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
“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
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
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.
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
