Spectrum's Comments: This is the Nazgul solo bit continued from the Crusaders #1-2 file. I believe that I was writing this by now. As I mentioned earlier, we really didn't know what to do with Nazgul so I took him figuring out I'd think of something.
When we last left Nazgul he was drawn to a concealed chamber deep underground. There were rubies surrounding a portal. One of these rubies began to glow, as did the ring Nazgul wore.
Apparently, a few more mails were lost to the void. Between the last file and where we pick up, Nazgul encountered a woman wearing lavender robes. As she approached, a 2nd ruby on the portal began to glow and she wore a ring much like the one Nazgul wore. She called herself Alyssa and was just as nasty as Nazgul.
Alyssa turns out to be a character that you're all familiar with, but I doubt anyone will guess who she is. I love to tease!
Mail From: Deslock Date: Friday 20-Jan-89 18:32 EST
"Servitude suits you, my dear, but I have higher goals. When we ascend as gods, we shall see who rises the highest"
Four others like unto myself? This is news indeed. Perhaps I can learn how to regain my lost humanity...
What weakness is this? Why would I wish to become as the common rabble? There is power here, and I mean to obtain it.
Nazgul will play along for now, waiting to see what comes of this. There are many options available here, and I mean to explore them. Although he would not admit it, Nazgul has conflicting interests in this matter.
Nazgul
Spectrum's Comments: As hinted at here, it's the ring that created Nazgul. He was someone else before putting it on.
SUBJ: GM Update:
"You seek to mock me? It is our master who shall raise the highest above all others. Do not forget your place! The Bearers are all equal!"
"Well, well, well. What have we here? Two for the price of one?"
You and Alyssa turn to the speaker, a man in red and black robes. A hood covers his face and he cares a mace with a horned skull on its top. Behind him are two others.
The first is a man with dark, charcoal-gray skin. He has pitch-black wings.
The other is a woman in a shiny crimson body suit that appears to radiate light. The symbol of a trident is on her chest Small horns protrude from her head.
Alyssa- "Hieronomous!!"
Hieronomous - "At your service, my dear. Or should that be the other way around? Now, Bearers of the Ring, swear your eternal devotion to your new lord and master! Or face the consequences!"
Spectrum's Comments: As near as I can recall, this mysterious Master created the 5 rings as a contingency plan should he fall or be imprisoned. Probably some demonic critter from the distant past. They were supposed to free/rescue him
Hieronomous is from the Champs module Target: Hero. He got used a few times in the Old Stuff and on Q. The other two are Dark Seraph & Demonfire. I can see Demonfire working for DEMON, but Dark Seraph doesn't seem right. He's too much of a leader to simply follow someone else.
Mail From: Deslock Date: Saturday 21-Jan-89 18:05 EST
Are the three that just arrived ring bearers as well? I'll take a quick glance at the rubies to see if they're all lit now. This information may be of importance if battle breaks out.
"By what measure do you consider yourself my superior? I serve no one. Speak your proposal. If it interests me, perhaps I shall remain."
I'll be preparing myself for battle as I speak. If my words provoke an attack, I shall phase through the floor, to reach some nearby area where I can power up (ie, drain as large an area as possible) for battle. Alyssa seems to consider Hieronomous the most important of the newcomers. Should battle come, I shall concentrate on him.
Nazgul
SUBJ: GM Update:
You glance back at the portal and only two of the rubies are glowing. Turning back you give your response.
Hieronomous - "I speak of no proposal, Nazgul. Yes, I know your name. I know what you think. It is beyond your power to defeat me and my Dark Order."
At Hieronomous's nod, the other two spread out to the flanks.
Hieronomous - "Resistance is futile."
Alyssa - "We'll never surrender to you!"
Hieronomous - "Two of your kind already have. I have them stored away-- for save keeping. When I control all the Bearers, it will be I who controls your master!
Alyssa - "Never!"
She fires a beam of energy from her ring at Hieronomous. He doesn't try to avoid it. The blast hits him, but his only response is laughter.
Hieronomous - "Accept your fate, Alyssa. There is no escape."
The trio moves closer. Now what do you do?
Mail From: Deslock Date: Sunday 22-Jan-89 22:57 EST
My first action will be to drain the area, to power myself up, and to weaken our opponents. I'm not sure whether or not it will affect Alyssa, but let the chips fall where they may.
"Fool Hieronomous, I serve no one, least of all a peasant such as yourself."
I'll then blast Hieronomous with my KEA. If the KEA has no effect on him, then I will switch to physical assault. If the action becomes more than I can handle, then I'll drain again, to power up the KEA some more, and blast the ceiling of this place, hoping to bring it down on my opponents, and myself if need be. I'll become desolidified to avoid the rock fall. Hopefully, Alyssa shares this ability, or it could get rough on her. I'll continue this type of attack until our opponents (or I? nah...) have fallen. If possible, I shall save Alyssa; she's the link in this whole thing. She has answers to some important questions.
Nazgul
SUBJ: GM Update:
You drain the area with you Power Transfer. Only the woman with the horns shows some effect from the transfer. The gray-man snarls savagely and flies towards you!
Dark Seraph - "You shall pay for your petty assault!"
You easily avoid his clumsy attack and he flies past you.
Blasts of fire come from the woman's hands, covering Alyssa. She screams and drops to one knee, stunned.
You give your little speech and KEA Hieronomous and the woman. Neither one is affected by the attack. Hieronomous moves in.
Hieronomous - "Your puny powers cannot hope to stop me!"
He stares at you and you become aware of pressure in your head. It grows more intense until everything goes dark.
Spectrum's Comments: The story continues into the first Crusaders Plus post where some new faces show up to further complicate things.