Crusaders Plus # 6 - 7

Crusaders Plus # 6 - "The Secret of the Rings"

Here's the situation: Nazgul is virtually surrounded by the forces of the New York Knights plus by the newcomers, Professor Abriax, Leo and Gadgeteer.

Nazgul - "So, this vermin seeks to turn on me? Bah! And to think I thought they could be of use. Come then, if you dare, we shall see who walks away from this battle."

Professor - "Nazgul, you buffoon, knock it off! You still suspect us of misgivings at every turn?! What has become of Alyssa?"

Enchantress - "Stand away from there, Professor. I shall deal with this monstrosity."

Nazgul - "Have a care who you offend, pitiful mortals, for there are powers at work here beyond your comprehension."

Enchantress - "I comprehend that you are evil. That is enough."

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, Spectrum appears near Nazgul. Beams of light shoot out of his hands.

Spectrum - "Did somebody say 'deal'!?"

Nazgul is knocked back several feet by the attack. Before he can do anything else, the Enchantress acts. Eldritch blasts strike down Nazgul. His body is surrounded by a blue aura. And then, it simply fades away.

Muskateer - "What did you do to him?!"

Enchantress - "That should not have happened..."

Professor Abriax rushes to the spot her Nazgul once stood. There on the ground is his ring and the one worn by Alyssa.

Professor - "Gone! Perhaps there is still hope!"

He produces his Runestone and chants. He has no success.

Gadgeteer - "How..."

Leo - "I can no longer sense either Nazgul or Alyssa."

Now what?

SUBJ: Leo The Kat FROM: The Flare 02/21/89 S#: 394296

Leo quickly grabs the rings and examines them carefully to see if he can identify them. If he cannot he will hand them to the Professor to see if he can identify them...

Leo will try to use his senses to see what happened to the two....

SUBJ: PROFESSOR ABRIAX FROM: AREION 02/21/89 S#: 426849

"Was it necessary to deal with him NOW ENCHANTRESS?!? We're no closer to solving this mystery than when we started."

I take the rings from LEO, and tuck them away for deeper probing later.

"Well, it appears to me our main objective is still the same. We must locate the DEMON lair in Salem. According to NAZGUL and ALYSSA, even short the two of them, the Dark Order is capable of great evil with the two they have. And if their 'brethren' are as evil as they were, they too will have to be reckoned with!"

SUBJ: GM Update

Enchantress - "Now see here, Professor! My attack would have only stunned a normal person. My intent was to only render him unconscious! I hold life to be very dear."

Muskateer - "Take my word for it, she does. And I saw you pocket those rings, gramps. Give'm over."

Professor - "I intend to study them at a later date."

Muskateer - "They would be safer with us."

Professor - "Nonsense!"

Spectrum - "Look at it from our point of view. We know nothing about you, while we are well know. Virtually everyone knows where our base is. Can you say the same? We probably have greater security measures then you."

Gadgeteer - "He's got you there, Professor."

Leo -"Wait! I'm sensing something... Yes, there can be no mistake... Nazgul and Alyssa still exist! I sense them, but cannot locate them."

Enchantress - "What?! We must examine the rings."

Morning Star - "I hate to break up this conversation, but the middle of airfield during a snowstorm is hardly the place to discuss this. Let's all go back to our base and resolve this under a more civilized setting?"

Muskateer - "Good idea, 'Star. What do you say, Professor?"

Gadgeteer - "Count me in!"

SUBJ: PROFESSOR ABRIAX FROM: AREION 02/23/89 S#: 425555

"Pardon me, ENCHANTRESS, I meant no affront! I certainly do not mean to insinuate that you would intentionally use lethal force so flagrantly. I merely wished to point out that he was a potential ally in battling the Dark Order, even if the need would arise to subdue him afterwards. He could have been of use to the Earth's defense"

"Yes, let us get out of this wretched cold! This costume may be flashy, but it's not very warm!"

After getting in out of the storm, I again turn conversation to the rings

"The New York Knights are indeed well known to me. And the reputation of its resident magi is enough to sway me that they would be relatively safe in your keeping."

"I offer a compromise, I will relinquish the rings to your custody, and place one in your possession at this time. The second will remain in my possession for further study, with the understanding that it belongs to the New York Knights, and, should the need arise, this ring too will be handed over?"

"You have asked me to see your point of view, now I ask you to see mine. I am sworn to uphold this world from any possible supernatural threat. You can not expect me to hand over both mystic artifacts, without any hope of ever comprehending them, without even the benefit of knowing what will be done with them, and rejoice in the completion of my role in the act of handing them over? I was not bequeathed the Soul Gem for mere passive resistance."

SUBJ: GM Update:

Half an hour has passed since departing the airport. The NY Knights make their headquarters on the top six floors of the Campbell Building in Manhattan. The Enchantress escorts you to their security section.

Gadgeteer - "Nice digs".

Enchantress - "I made no mention of denying you access to the rings, Professor. I merely wished to keep both stored in the safety of our vault. You would have been permitted to study them at your leisure. Forgive me if I seem over protective, but objects such as these must never have to opportunity to cause further chaos."

You know find yourself in a small examination room. Various types of equipment line the shelves around the room. In the middle is a sophisticated computer controlled examination table.

Enchantress - "So, you are the new bearer of the Soul Gem? I had heard of it, but never knew for sure that the stories were true."

Professor - "The stories are true, my dear. This is a most impressive laboratory."

Enchantress - "It is at your disposal. I shall return shortly with refreshments."

Gadgeteer - "Yeah, I could stand a cup of hot chocolate. Man, it was cold!"

Professor - "Quite so."

Gadgeteer - "Man that is some kind of lady! All curves and all in the right places!"

Leo - "Uh-huh!"

Professor Abriax produces the two rings and places them on the examination table.

Professor - "Leo, if you would be so kind, hold you analyze these?"

Leo - "Right away, Professor. Like I said before, they are magical and evil."

Gadgeteer - "What exactly are you looking for?"

Professor - "Well, I am-- What the--?"

Just then, the rings begin to glow a soft blue. There is a sudden flare of blue. When the color fades the examination room is empty!

Sometime later, the three men awake to find themselves laying on beds in a large room. Standing near a window are two people who appear to be Alyssa and Nazgul! Stranger yet, between them floats a small dragon!

Spectrum's Comments: Confused by all of this? Well, let's go back in time a bit and pick things up from Nazgul's point of view after he wakes up form being blasted by the Enchantress.... This bit was done by E-mail.

SUBJ: Nazgul

After being blasted by the Enchantress, your entire world turns blue. It slowly fades and you can feel that you're someplace else. You find yourself resting on a bed in a well-furnished room.

As if that isn't shock, but you can see your body before you! You haven't felt this good since the ring was placed on your finger. The ring! You check, but it is missing. Somehow, you are back to normal.

You notice a woman sitting on the other side of the room. She turns and it is Alyssa. "Welcome to wonderland", she says with a smile.

Now what?

Mail From: Deslock Date: Sunday 19-Feb-89 00:18 est

"What the... A... Alyssa? Is that you? How can this be? Since that ring was placed upon me, removing lead to unending pain, how can it be gone now? How can I be alive again?"

In being restored to life, have the memories of my prior life returned, or is the amnesia still there?

SUBJ: Alyssa

"In the flesh, Nazgul. I wondered the same thing when I first appeared here... This nightmare isn't over yet. When we were both 'killed', the evil presence was destroyed. The only thing that I can think of is that we are inside the rings!"

As I mentioned earlier, you have your full range of memories.

Alyssa - "My guess is that once the evil 'heals', we'll be back to where we were. God, I don't want to go back to that..."

Nazgul - "What do you mean inside the ring?"

She moves over to the window and draws the curtains.

Alyssa - "Does this look like Earth to you?"

The scene before you is nothing like you've ever seen before. The landscape is ragged and bizarre. Lava flows freely casting a red glow on everything. Strange creatures, to far to be accurately seen, herd on humanoids. If there is a hell, this surely must be it!

Now what are you going to do?

Mail From: Deslock Date: Tuesday 21-Feb-89 19:10 est

Slowly rubbing his chin, 'Nazgul' gazes upon Alyssa, taking her measure with his eyes. He quickly comes to some conclusion.

"Alyssa, the time has come for us to work together, if we are ever to regain our very souls. My name, as I have myself only just rediscovered, is Martin, Martin Klein. 'Nazgul' was a name that black thing that I had become assumed for himself. I was working undercover when I ran afoul of the fiend who afflicted me with this evil condition. Do you recall how you came to this pass? If we can discover how it was done, then perhaps we can reverse the process. We WILL reverse the process, this thing must come to an end!"

I'll look around the room, and try to gauge what is its nature. If this is indeed hell, then why this safe haven for us? Is there any evidence of a path out of this place? The straightforward approach to this dilemma would appear to be to get out of the ring. The how, on the other hand, would appear to be a more illusive goal.

SUBJ: Alyssa

"In spite of the circumstances, it is a pleasure to meet you, Martin. You can call me Chris, short for Christina."

"My memory is hazy at the moment. I don't recall exactly how I came to possess the ring... Or the other way around to be more precise. Are you a super too? Perhaps you've heard of Nightingale?"

You recall hearing of such a heroine. She disappeared many months before your transformation. She was gifted with mental powers.

"I think that working together is the only chance that we have of surviving this ordeal. However, accomplishing that goal seems to be beyond our power at the moment. This place is strange indeed. I've tried to read the thoughts of the people here but I get nothing. I can read yours, but it is difficult. Your will is very strong."

You scan the room. It has a door, but it is locked and cannot be forced. The window you looked out of appears to be part of a much larger building.

"Hey, I'm picking up something new! Yes, some other thoughts. Coming closer!"

A moment later you hear the sound of flapping wings. Strange as it may sound, a small dragon-like creature lands on the windowsill!

Spectrum's Comments: Believe it or not-- Alyssa was really Nightingale!

SUBJ: Ranger (R) FROM: Deslock 02/23/89 S#: 89653

"Yes, I remember hearing about you, and your disappearance. I, too, am in the hero biz, although I doubt you heard of me. My nom de guerre is 'Ranger'. We must find a way out of here, before the Nazgul and Alyssa spirits recover and take us over again. Perhaps... eh?... something's coming toward the window."

"What an odd creature. If you can read it, does it appear hostile?"

I check out the window, to see if it can be opened. It is apparently our only way out of this room. We'll have to break it, if it doesn't open. Also, to whatever degree I can, I shall check to see if my powers appear to be functioning at 100%. Considering what Christina said, there may be a damping effect upon us while we are here.

"I don't trust this room. The sooner we get out of here, the better I'll feel. Are you with me?"

SUBJ: Hi there FROM: ELRIK KANE 02/23/89 S#: 448130

Flapping around the Sill, I peek in and say Gee she looks better than Connie Chung ::sniff sniff::

I bet you use Dial soap don't you??? Squeezing in thru the bars [if I can] I go up to them Lets Play Make A deal If I get you Out of here you take me with you or else you get What's behind Door # 1

Looking at the woman, I fly up to her face and Kiss her on the Nose. You're a cover girl aren't you? Operators are standing by answer now

SUBJ: Also (R) FROM: ELRIK KANE 02/24/89 S#: 89728

My name is T'kad G'hil D'ihspan.

I am a member of the Draco Domesticus Clan I'm just your ever loving Wild and crazy dragon Looking for fun and adventure but You [ turning to the Lady] Can call me Puff

:::smiling sweetly:::

So what do you Hombres do that made the Big D mad ??? Just between Us, I think the big sap Is Bonkers.

Flapping over to the Lady I whisper in her ear Don't worry fair maiden the good Sir Puff is here to defend you from those Blackguards But only if you take me with you

::looking at the others:::

This Is a Limited offer so what's it gonna be Kemosabe?????

===Hovering====

Spectrum's Comments: Uhm, yes... That was truly bizarre. The little dragon was a PC, at least for a little while. There are times where I do go off on some of the weirdest of tangents. This scenario was certainly one of them! Hey, I didn't take the name GM MAD for nothing! Big 'D' was the ruler of this strange land.

SUBJ: Ranger FROM: Deslock 02/24/89 S#: 423270

"T'kad is it? My name is Martin, and the lady you're accosting is Chris. We would appreciate your aid in escaping this place, and you are welcome to continue with us if you will. It does seem odd, however, that if you know of a way out of here, you need our help. Why not leave on your own? Also, who is this 'Big D', of whom you spoke? We are both ignorant of how we came to be here."

What an odd creature. I wonder, can we trust anything we find in this realm? I feel no malice in this being, but the risk is too great to take chances. Hopefully, Chris will be able to solve this dilemma.

SUBJ: Nightingale

"Well, I can sense no hostility from-- ahh-- 'Puff' here. His thought process is difficult to understand, but he believes in what he says. Considering that we know nothing about this strange place, we seem to have little choice but to trust Puff.'

[Rangers powers appear to be functioning normally. You can easily bend the bars on the window. Puff managed to slide in between them.]

'He does seem to be awfully friendly. I bet you'd like underneath your chin scratched wouldn't you, Puff?'

'So what's the plan, Ranger?'

[Note: 'Gale can fly and would be able to carry you.]

Spectrum's Comments: And that takes us back up to where Professor Abriax, Cat, and Gadgeteer appeared in the room.

Gadgeteer - "This is weird! First a giant cat and now a little dragon?"

The small dragon flyies forward.

Puff - "Welcome to Camelot, me lords and lady. I be a manly dragon doing dragonly deeds! But first we gotta get out of here!"

Leo - "Professor--?"

Professor Abriax - "Puff, forgive me for not taking the time for proper introductions, but we must get moving! This is your home you know it better that we."

Nightingale - "I can sense others approaching! They are hostile!"

Gadgeteer - (Whispering to himself) "A manly dragon doing dragonly deeds?' Where did I put those aspirin...?"

The dragon points his tail at Ranger.

Puff - "Lets make like sheep and get the flock outta here!"

Ranger grabs the bars on the window and rips them out.

Ranger - "One exit coming up!"

The window is located about forty feet above the ground.

Gadgeteer - "How are all of us going to get out of here? Does anyone fly?"

Nightingale - "I'll be able to carry one person, but no more."

Professor Abriax - "It is no problem. I shall carry Leo."

The Professor makes a serious of gestures and casts his Levitation spell.

Gadgeteer - "Once I get my jet pack put together, I can take care of myself."

Several pieces of machinery are produced from Gadgeteers numerous pockets. In moments a jet pack is assembled.

Puff - "Westward ho!"

Just as you prepare to take off, a portion of the wall fades out a lizard like creatures poor in!

Lizards - "SSStop Thheemmmm!"

But they are two late. The odd group led by the dragon is airborne.

Ranger - "Who were they?"

Puff - "Big D's boys. Yeah, that's the ticket! Tryin' to make a hit on us, yeah! Call the Untouchables! But after 10 when the rates are cheaper!"

Professor - "Who is this 'Big D'?"

Ranger - "I don't know. Perhaps the ruler of this place."

Back at the window, the lizards howl and hiss at their escaping prisoners.

Professor - "Where are you taking us, Dragon?"

Puff - "I know of a cave, a cave which no man has entered. The Cave of Arrgh!"

Nightengale - "Argh?"

Puff - "No 'Arrgh'. Back of the throat."

Gadgeteer - "He's throwing out dialog from Monty Python and the Holy Grail! And he's taking us to safety?"

Nightengale - "Perhaps you better give us more information, Puff?"

Puff - "There is another of your kind surviving in the wild lands. Grizzly Adams knows the way, Jose!"

The miles pass over this bizarre land as the group flies further into the wild lands. Virtually no sign of life is seem, but you always have the impression of being watched. After a time you land to rest. Suddenly, Leo's sharp senses register something.

Leo - "Someone is near!"

A moment later there is a loud crack from behind. Turning, you see thick gas forming. Then, there is a sound from directly ahead!

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!"

Turning back again you all see what appears to be a man, except for the fact he appears to be wearing a large pumpkin of his head!

"I don't know how you found me, demons, but you won't get my last box of Rice Crispies without a fight!"

He then hurtles what appears to be a miniature pumpkin into your midst. It explodes and separates the group. No one is hurt by it.

"Snap, Crackle, Pop!"

Gadgeteer - "Stop the play! I want off!"

Spectrum's Comments: Wow. What can you say about that piece of weirdness? Definitely not my finest hour there! Plus I probably took the characters much, much further than I should have. Given the bizarre nature of this scenario, Jack O'Lantern was a natural!

SUBJ: PROFESSOR ABRIAX (R) FROM: AREION 03/05/89 S#: 845878

Quickly prepaid and cast a 10,10 Forbidding between us and this lunatic throwing pumpkins and rattling on about breakfast material!

"PUFF...Is this the man you spoke of?!"

"You there, stop that at once! We're NO demons!! Calm down...we only want to talk."

==I hope those lizard men aren't following us! We'll never convince this loon we're not with them!==

SUBJ: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! FROM: Jack0Lntrn 03/05/89 S#: 465401

The pumpkin thrower is dressed in an all-black bodysuit, with most of his torso covered by some sort of black armor, similar to mail. The Jack O'Lantern head is wringed in a light blue flame, which throws off eerie shadows.

After the initial ambush, Jack O'Lantern slips behind a rock outcropping out of sight. A moment later, he comes flying in from behind the group and buzzes them on his rocket glider, firing rockets from his wrist launchers.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

"You don't fool me, Demon! You guys got some pretty crummy disguises too! And try explaining the salamander!"

(Pointing to the dragon)

Jack O'Lantern glides away, then loops back and lands nearby. He holds another miniature pumpkin over his head.

"You can't possibly kill me. I'm already dead, you see. You can certainly try, but I'll just make you cry. And send ya'll runnin' back to Big D!"

He throws the pumpkin at his feet and it explodes in another black cloud. A moment later, he appears behind everyone.

"Tell ya what: Prove that you're not demons. Demons can't turn themselves into giant green armadillos. I know this for sure. So, if you guys aren't demons, let's see ya turn into a giant green armadillo!"

"Well? I'm waiting!"

Spectrum's Comments: That's Muskateer there tormenting our heroes as Jacko.

SUBJ: Leo The Kat: FROM: The Flare 03/05/89 S#: 404234

With the first explosion Leo rolls gracefully away from the blast..

When our newfound 'freind' asks us to turn into armadillos Leo slips out of the man's sight and sneaks up behind him. If the man attacks any of my companions I will use my feet to try and knock his head off. If he accepts us as being not-demons, I will still stay hidden...

SUBJ: PROFESSOR ABRIAX FROM: AREION 03/05/89 S#: 486726

==This guy is nuts! If he leaves with us I'll have to remember to have him psychoanalyzed!== :>

"You know that old saying? 'Be careful what you wish for...'! A giant green armadillo you want, a giant green Armadillo you'll get!"

Cast a full power Eye Of The Beholder spell. The subject...A giant green Cartoon Armadillo around myself.

"Now will you listen to us!?!?!?!"

SUBJ: Ranger (R) FROM: Deslock 03/05/89 S#: 801531

-- Rice Crispies? The denizens of this realm are indeed silly. Wouldn't mind seeing Castle Arggh, though.

Noting Leo's maneuvering, I'll stay in front of Jack, and will attempt to keep his attention away from Leo. I'm prepared to dodge any further pumpkin attacks, and will stay on guard, particularly any time we lose sight of Jack, since he seems to be quite mobile. I'll remain on the defensive unless Puff informs us that this isn't who we're looking for, or if someone gets into trouble. --

SUBJ: Not too shabby, Chuckles FROM: Jack0Lntrn 03/06/89 S#: 424162

"Okay, so you're not a demon. So what's with the salamander and the werewolf? Speaking of which, tell fuzzy-wuzzy to come out! I know he's hiding back there. I don't like surprises; that's why I never change anyone's diapers. So, nobody ask..."

Jack O'Lantern puts the pumpkin bomb away and turns and fires a pair of rockets into a nearby rock outcropping. It explodes in a shower of rock chips.

"Bulls-ear, Catnip! So, why are you guys tryin' to take my Rice Crispies, if yer not demons? By the way, Mr. Armadillo, do you do Bar Mitzvahs? That's a neat trick..."

GM Update:

Gadgeteer - "Look, freak, we're not after your Rice Crispies! We just want to get out of this loony land!"

Jack - "Well we didn't you say so, ya silly?"

Professor - "As for the 'werewolf', as you put it, he is my companion."

Leo emerges from hiding, the threat apparently over.

Puff - "Salamander!? Why I'll moirderize da bum! Hold me back! Hold me back!"

Nightengale - "Contain yourself, little one. Is this the man we seek?"

Puff - "Yeah, that's da bum. Ya mother was a rutabaga!"

Jack - "Oh, yeah! Well your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!"

Ranger - "Please! Cease this pointless bickering. We need to get to a place of safety."

Professor - "Excellent point, Naz-- Excuse me, Ranger."

Jack - "Then let us retire to my boudoir."

You are led a very well hidden cave in which 'Lantern has been living. You managed to learn most of his story on the way. He was doing his thing one day when he found this ring. There was a flash of blue light and here he was. He managed to escape the city and has been eluding the lizards ever since. He believes that there is a way to get back home. There is a cave entrance several miles from here and the entrance is heavily guarded by lizard types. He's never been able to get past them.

The cave is large and spacious. Everyone relaxes while you discuss your course of action. Professor Abriax notices several plates of metal with strange symbols engraved in them.

Professor - "What are these?"

Jack - "Got me, Prof. They make neato TV trays!"

Nightengale - "Speaking of TV, don't you think its strange the Puff knows so much TV dialog?"

Gadgeteer - "Everything about this place is strange, lady! So they're cable-ready? So what?"

Professor - "By the powers that be! Do you know what these are?"

Jack - "No, but I'm afraid that you're going to tell me."

Professor - "It is writing left by the Elders!"

Gadgeteer - "Senior-citizens?"

Professor - "No, no! Let me explain briefly. There is a theory, although not that well known, that there was a dominant race before recorded human history-- The Elders. Strange tablets with odd symbols were found and eventually translated, but they made no sense. They seemed to tie in with no known culture. Thus the theory that they were before the known cultures. Our Elders. These etchings are of Elder script!"

Leo - "What does it say?"

Professor - "I'm not 100 percent sure... I don't recall it all off of the top of my head."

The Professor proceeds to dust the first of the three plates.

Professor - "This one appears to be continued from another plate. It's not all legible."

It reads:

Tablet 1: "Great War did come... were good had driven... evil but the mighty magicks...and thus was the world... savagely hurtled apart... cataclysm also was the cause... rebirth in time... and a new world was... evil portions clung... those who were most powerful... this plane."

Tablet 2: "The mightiest..., he who is immune... senses of man... Gates of Avalon... again."

Tablet 3: "...five tests which must be pasted... between the two... traveler belonged... destination their tasks complete... departed... last guardian."

Gadgeteer - "Can't you get any more than that?"

Professor - "Not without proper equipment, my friend."

Nightengale - "I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm anxious to get home. Let's check out this cave."

Jack -" You're anxious? I left a roast in the oven!"

Shortly there after, Jack leads you to the cave in question. Standing before the cave are six large lizards. There is little cover with in 50 feet of the cave.

Ranger - "Is there anything we need to know about these guards?"

Jack - "Don't let them hit you!"