Spectrum's Comments: The Crusaders have tracked the missing Sorceress to an underwater DEMON base. Raiding the base, the heroes have encountered resistance of varying types. Now they seem to have come face to face with the Nether Lord himself!
Crusaders - #46 - "DEMON and the Deep Blue Sea: Part Four"
Nightengale has fallen under fire from the Demon Warriors Inferno Rifles. After a momentary pause, Ranger leaps at the next agent. He too goes down with relative ease. Another mindbolt takes out the last agent.
After a moment, Nightengale steps out from behind the screen.
Nightengale - "Well done, Martin! We make quite a team."
Ranger - "Yes we do. We best go and locate the others."
Nightengale - "I've got a fix on them. Follow me."
Elsewhere, the rest of the Crusaders have apparently encountered the Nether Lord himself! Separating, the team moves to the attack.
T-Storm creates a clap of thunder, targeting on the head of the Nether Lord. It appears to have no effect.
Strongbow rushes the monstrosity and brings his tomahawk down on the beast. The Nether Lord merely smiles at this attack, showing no effects of pain. 'Bow wishes he could say the same. When his weapon pierced the Nether Lord, it was as if he had can into contact with a powerful energy field. The energy of his own attack is reflected back at him. Strongbow flies backwards a few feet.
Shadow also suffers the same fate. He attempts to chop the Demon's head off, but falls victim to his own attack. Shadow is stunned momentarily and plunges to the floor.
Down on the floor, Lord Liberty is shouting, but amidst the chaos, none can hear him.
Lord Liberty - "Warning comrades! This Nether Lord is an illusion covering a powerful energy field!"
Near the ceiling, Firestar hurtles a blast of fire at the Nether Lord. Her attack hits and is reflected back at her! However, the attack is strangely altered and the young heroine finds herself encased in ice! Unable to keep herself in the air, she crashes the deck.
From the southern side of the room, Nightstalker and Dragonman attack. 'Stalker fires a burst of primal energy, but that too is reflected back at him. It does little damage to him.
Dragonman attempts to claw the Nether Lord, but he only succeeds in coming into contact of the energy field. He pulls his claws back in pain and barely avoids crashing into the floor.
As the Crusaders try to comprehend what has happened in the last few seconds, an odd laughter is heard.
"How entertaining! You should all consider a career as court jesters!"
The Nether Lord shimmers and disappears. Behind the illusion you can see a softly glowing field of energy that served as the outline of the Nether Lord.
Within this field is the odd alien Nightstalker and Dragonman encounter, Orb. In addition, there is the crimson-cloaked figure of Azalin.
Azalin - "I am constantly amazed at of easy it is to manipulate you. Always believing what you see is real."
Almost unnoticed one of the far hatches opens and Ranger and Nightengale enter.
Azalin - "Oh, do come in! It would be a shame to have you miss the festivities. And I wouldn't consider attack me again. You have already felt first hand the power of my Retribution Shield."
Nightengale - "Then this whole thing was a trap?"
Azalin - "Of course, dear lady! The real Sorceress is hundreds of miles south of us! At the stroke of midnight, Hieronomous shall use her magical energies to summon the Real Nether Lord! And there's not a thing you can do about! For you see, you shall not leave this base alive!"
GM Notes:
That should teach you not to believe everything you see! So, now you know what is really going on, but will you be able to do anything about it?
Hero Status:
| Name | Stun |
|---|---|
| Firestar | -5 of 37 |
| Strongbow | 11 of 29 |
| Shadow | 15 of 35 |
| Nightstalker | 37 of 44 |
| Dragonman | 45 of 62 |
Spectrum's Comments: As Gargoyle would say-- SUCKER! This whole thing was just another DEMON deception to lure the Crusaders into a death trap. Will they escape?
SUBJ: STRONGBOW FROM: AREION 01/22/90 S#: 521902
Realizing the foolishness of his previous actions, STRONGBOW rushes to the teams' fallen leader. Freeing her of her ice cocoon STRONGBOW will administer a Power Cure and try to revive her.
"Firestar...wake up...we have been duped! The Sorceress is far away from here...we have fallen into a trap...and she has only until midnight!!"
Helping FIRESTAR to her feet, the Navaho brave tries to force the urgency of his words past her confusion.
"Please...YOU AND THE TEAM MUST GO!! I will hold these two for as long as my power permits!
Anticipating her reaction, STRONGBOW abruptly continues.
"Please...there is no time to argue. As I have said, the Sorceress' safety is my responsibility. I will not disgrace the trust of my predecessor by others to risk their lives in my stead!"
Seeing the expression on FIRESTAR's face, the young brave adds sharply:
"I am a Navaho warrior and chosen of The Enochians...I WILL GIVE MY LIFE AS I CHOOSE!"
Still sensing her reluctance, STRONGBOW's insides wretch in a chaos of emotions he hadn't expected. Eyeing the newly engaged RANGER and NIGHTENGALE he concludes:
"PLEASE...life is so full, so precious for you. You have so much to live for! Outside of combat I HAVE NOTHING! My only reason to live is wanting to die a warriors death! At least let me die knowing my...Friends...are safe! PLEASE!! LET ME DO THIS!"
SUBJ: Ranger (R) FROM: Deslock 01/23/90 S#: 123901
"Strongbow, I respect your Warrior Creed, but I am a creature of life. Your noble sacrifice may not be necessary. From what I've gathered, we are unable to affect our foes while they are within that field. Fine. The Sorceress is not here, and while I do not enjoy leaving an undefeated foe behind, our first duty lies with her. We should leave this base immediately. I believe that they will have to leave their bubble if they desire to stop us, and then we can have at them. Be that as it may, we must reach the Sorceress before they summon the Nether Lord."
SUBJ: dragon (R) FROM: Wild dan 01/23/90 S#: 812854
fire if you will permit ::if allowed I will cut open the floor and give us a opening Question: in silver dragon form my claws are silver right? then cast water breathing changing to human rev last lines cast then cut ok?
SUBJ: T-Storm (R) FROM: Nain 01/23/90 S#: 813992
"Well, well, well an illusion!"
"Hide in there as long as you want twerps, as long as you have air in there I can get you!"
Power pool to change environment 2 hex radius, fully indirect, (rain) linked 11pts.
Lightning strike 16d6 cone effect, fully indirect, 1/day, costs end (22end) 63pts.
Effect is of a cloud forming inside the top of their shield, and lightning coming from the cloud to strike them. He will probably then collapse from the effort.
"Take that!"
SUBJ: NIGHTSTALKER - Malik FROM: NightStlkr 01/24/90 S#: 115947
Whew...thank heaven for Malik's 'Energy Immunity'; or he might of hurt himself with that Power Burst... ':)
"...Not the real Sorceress?? Then that means...UUGGHH!! I've been smooched by a demon!! ::PTEUY!!!::
Malik turns to the 'Sorceress'. His hands pulsate with brilliant blue energy as he Atomically Reconstructs 'her' clothing into a titanium straight-jacket.
He starts to mutter in Phantorian; you can only assume that he's cursing up a blue streak.
" !#$?#%$#?! ...Aaawww, I shoulda' KNOWN it was too good to be true..."
"Well if the REAL Sorceress isn't here, I suggest we get going; we're running out of time. If these Hell-spawned hornballs succeed in bringing the real Nether-Lord to Earth, we're going to have a heap of trouble to deal with."
(BTW: If Orb is here DM, is he still wrapped in cellophane?)
NIGHTSTALKER leaves with the rest of the team .As he exits the room, he glances back at Orb still wrapped in cellophane. All Malik does is grin and snicker in self-satisfaction.
If we get into another brawl while leaving, Malik will leap into action; Activating Energy Stimuli and Energy Claws if in HTH, or Power Bursts if in ranged combat.
Spectrum's Comments: While that was not the real Sorceress, the copy was based on the original and had her feels as well. So there was interest on the Sorceress part in Nightstalker.
Gm Notes:
To answer the questions posed...
Dragonman, you can only cast spells while in human form. You can change into human, cast water breathing and then change back. Also, Silver form is the only dragon form in which you cannot breath water.
Nightstalker, no Orb is not wrapped in cellophane. For the Orb you previously encountered was also an illusion.
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 01/26/90 S#: 800000
"Wait Dragon Man. I see your strategy, but it would be much more successful if you attack the ceiling directly above him. Shadowwalker your explosive would be of use here also. Everyone else, please exit out the door from which we came in with the last one shutting the door behind us. Time is of the essence if we are to save Sorceress." If Strongbow does not carry Firestar, Lord Liberty will pick her up and quickly leave the room.
SUBJ: dragon FROM: Wild dan 01/27/90 S#: 114669
liberty the shild protected them from above but below that might be another story!
:useing claws to cut throught floor to under the shield them when have a opening into shield will use parralazion gas in a cone: that should do it!
Crusaders - #47 - "Blow Out"
The Crusaders now realize that they were duped into coming to this Demon base. In reality, it is a trap for them!
Upon seeing Nightstalkers reaction upon learning that the Sorceress he found has a Doppelganger, Azalin chuckles. Nightstalker concentrates, unleashing the Power Primal. The fabric of the Sorceress clothing stiffens, becoming rock solid.
Sorceress - "What is the meaning of this? Why are you doing this to me? How can you betray me like this? After what we shared together..."
Azalin - "That portion of the plan went perfectly. Hieronomous has his plans and I have mine. The Doppelganger worked to perfection, fooling even her own teammates. The demon replicates an individual perfectly. Every detail, every nuance of the real Sorceress is there. Except that she will obey my every whim! Once you all have perished, I shall summon more Doppelgangers to assume all of your forms. With my own team of supers I shall use them to capture more supers, until I have a superpowered army!"
While Azalin raves on about his master plan, Dragonman begins to rip up a section of the floor.
On the other side of the room, T-Storm concentrates, subtly using his own powers. Inside the shield, a cloud rapidly forms.
Azalin - What is the meaning of this?
T-Storm - "It means that you can hide behind you shield from me!"
A stroke of lightning lashes out inside the shield. When the brightness fades, you can see that Orb is lying on the ground. Azalin is still up... and he doesn't seem to be amused!
Azalin - "So, the gnats have a sting? Very well. I had hoped to make this as painful as possible..."
Azalin reaches over and touches a button.
The next thing you know, a portion of the ceiling explodes! The ocean comes crashing into the dome, scattering the heroes like ten pins.
Those of you still up can see the ocean rapidly filling up the dome...
GM Notes:
Talk about a predicament...
The water is quickly filling up the dome. It is rising at a rate of 2 feet per phase. The water is current 4 feet deep. The entire dome will be water filled in 15 phases.
Hero Status:
| Name | Stun | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Dragonman | 30 of 62 | |
| Firestar | -47 of 39* | 4 of 13 |
| Lord Liberty | 14 of 33 | |
| Nightengale | 18 of 38 | |
| Nightstalker | 26 of 44 | |
| Ranger | 11 of 35* | |
| Shadow | -7 of 35* | |
| Strongbow | -11 of 29* | |
| Tigress | 8 of 35* | |
| T-Storm | 7 of 29 |
* Character is Stunned
SUBJ: NIGHTSTALKER - Malik FROM: NightStlkr 01/28/90 S#: 130360
"Uh oh...I'd better act fast, before ol' Azalin has us 'Sleeping with the fishes'..."
Malik will use his Atomic Reconstruction on the water pouring in through the hole in the dome; transforming it into a slab of metal in order to plug up the leak. With this problem out of the way, NIGHTSTALKER turns to Azalin.
"Nice try, Azzy...but no cigar."
NIGHTSTALKER will then head for the sub, carrying anyone who is unable to leave under their own power. He'll let someone else lead, since he doesn't know the way back.
"We'd better get outta' here before Azalin decides to bring the whole base down on us..."
Bringing up the rear, NIGHTSTALKER will activate his Darkness and hold it as long as necessary to cover the team's tracks from Azalin.
Spectrum's Comments: Well that ruined a perfectly good deathtrap!
SUBJ: Ranger FROM: Deslock 01/28/90 S#: 463755
Coming out of my daze, I size up the situation.
If Nightstalkers recon job stops the leak, or at least slows it enough to allow us to get out of the dome, then I'll assist anyone who's still stunned to the exit. Since breathing's not a problem for me, I'll be one of the last out of the room.
"Make sure we close all the watertight doors behind us as we go. It will slow pursuit, as well as the water."
If, on the other hand, the dome destruction is too great for the recon to handle, and we can not get clear of the dome room before it fills with water, then,
"Dragonman, I don't know how many people that air breathing spell of yours can handle, but you'd best push it to the limit. The rest of you who can handle the water, grab hold of those who can't and let's get moving. We've got to get to the surface quickly."
SUBJ: T-Storm FROM: Nain 01/30/90 S#: 397951
Damn! Thought that bolt would at least destroy his controls.
Put pool to 25Str TK Radius 0End (75pts) Whirlwind Gather up as many as I can and run to the sub.
"You haven't heard the last of us!"
(Don't the villains usually say that?)
SUBJ: dragon FROM: Wild dan 02/01/90 S#: 490395
Darn
change to humannoid form cast wather breathing on all that cant then change to red dragon NIGHT i will take rear guard you help all the others
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 02/01/90 S#: 413873
"T Storm, my circuits are not suited for underwater combat, therefore it is more logical that I gather up our downed friends, while you use your powers to keep the villain busy while I get them to the sub, is it not?" If agreed Lord Liberty will pick up Firestar and Strongbow and make for the sub.
Crusaders - #48 - "A Rock and A Hard Place"
The great escape continues!
Nightstalker concentrates, and succeeds in damming the inflow of water. Water is still seeping in, but it is no longer a downpour.
Nightstalker - "Nice try, Azzie, but no cigar."
Lord Liberty and T-Storm collect the unconscious heroes. As they do so, Strongbow and the Tigress come around.
Dragonman returns to human long enough to cast Water Breathing on those who cannot survive without air.
Opening the hatch, the Tigress leads the team back the way they came. She is followed closely by Lord Liberty bearing Firestar and Nightengale.
Back in the dome, Nightstalker pauses as a voice calls out to him. Glancing back, he sees the Sorceress slowly go beneath the water.
Sorceress - "Help me, Nightstalker! I'll do anything for you! Help me, please!!!"
Azalin gestures and the Retribution shield disappears.
Azalin - "You shall not escape me!"
Azalin mumbles the words of a spell and five bolts of energy streak from his hand. Dragonman, now in the form of a red dragon is struck by all the missiles, but suffers no ill effects from them.
Dragonman turns, spewing fire from his mouth at Azalin. The Archmage is caught fully by the flames. His robe burns away revealing a horrific sight!
Azalin - "You cannot slay me, dragon! For I am already dead!!"
Little remains of Azalins body. What flesh that clings to his skeleton is charred black.
Azalin prepares to cast another spell.
Most of the team is now in the tunnel leading back to the sub. The Tigress opens the door to the guard area and is rudely greeted by gunfire!
She is hit twice by Inferno Rifle fire. One passes right through her right shoulder, the other grazing her side. She falls into the water and blood begins to form around her.
A voice is heard from the room ahead.
'Pack it in, Heroes! We let you waltz in here and you ain't going to get out that easy!'
GM Notes:
An appropriate title, wouldn't you say?
The Tigress, Lord Liberty, Firestar, Nightengale and Ranger are in the tunnel.
Dragonman and Nightstalker are still in the dome.
Strongbow, T-Storm and Shadow are in-between the two groups.
Hero Status:
| Name | Stun | Body |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Man | 60 of 62 | |
| Firestar | -41 of 37 | 4 of 13 |
| Lord Liberty | 32 of 33 | |
| Nightengale | 28 of 38 | |
| Nightstalker | 42 of 42 | |
| Ranger | 35 of 35 | |
| Shadow | 9 of 35 | |
| Strongbow | 5 of 29 | |
| Tigress | -48 of 35 | -2 of 11 |
| T-Storm | 27 of 29 |
Spectrum's Comments: That's the big secret of Azalin. That he's a lich. But that may not be a big surprise as there was a famous lich in D&D of the same name.
SUBJ: NIGHTSTALKER - Malik FROM: NightStlkr 02/04/90 S#: 478240
NIGHTSTALKER turns to see the 'Sorceress' sinking beneath the water, pleading for help. This strikes a deep chord in him; he rushes to her aid, grabbing her and flying into the air above the water.
"I may hate myself for this, but with all Azzie's talk about things not being what they appear, I can't take the chance on him pulling a double-whammy by having this Sorceress turn out to be the Real McCoy. And if it really WAS her, and I failed to save her, I'd never forgive myself...but for now, the straight-jacket STAYS ON!!!"
Upon seeing Azalin's true form, all Malik can do is hold his stomach in disgust.
"YEASH...and I thought MICK JAGGER was ugly..."
NIGHTSTALKER turns to Dragonman.
"I think we've worn out our welcome, Dragonman. Let's get outta' here before Azzie makes me throw up."
Malik heads for the door with the 'Sorceress' in arms, but before he can exit, something makes him stop; glancing up at the dome. He turns to Azalin a final time, grinning in devilish delight.
"Hey Azzie, here's a little something to remember THE CRUSADERS by..."
'Stalker raises a hand into the air and lets loose a Power Burst, blowing ANOTHER hole in the dome...this one, right over Azalin's head.
"Yer all wet, Azzie..."
Content with his malicious prank, Malik makes a quick exit.
SUBJ: STRONGBOW FROM: AREION 02/05/90 S#: 477585
Hearing the commotion from up ahead, STRONGBOW turns to his traveling companion as he begins to quicken his pace.
"Come, T-Storm...We are needed!"
The gem on his brow begins to pulse more brightly as STRONGBOW kicks in his 'Speed of the Deer' and sprints to the teams' main party.
As he approaches something catches his eye, a flint of red on the surface of the water.
"...blood??..."
Following the slick, STRONGBOW spots its source. Images of himself after the battle with MECHANON...chest caved in so badly he would have been scarred for life had it not been for his magic healing powers, fill his mind. Abruptly another image cancels the first...an image of other creatures like this delicate fallen woman...felenoids.
"Hyl'yanta...Servants of..."
A familiar voice pierces his mind, shattering the visions before him, a voice beyond all denial.
SAVE HER!!!
Instantly STRONGBOW's legs catapult him forward.
"NO...NNOOOOO!!!"
Rushing to his fallen companion, seen in this light for the very first time, The Navaho youth drops to his knees and pulls TIGRESS's limp body into a half sitting position.
Gripping his resolve, STRONGBOW places his fingers over the more serious wounds to her shoulder. Her blood, still flowing from the fresh wound, oozes past the pressure of his hand. As STRONGBOW starts his soft chant his hands begin to pulse a radiant blue in unison with The Soul Gem of the Enochians. After several long seconds (i.e.: 2 Power Heal charges) The Brave removes his hand to reveal a rapidly mending wound (I hope) [If combat is over by now, ignore the rest of this post]
Pausing momentarily, STRONGBOW will use a 3rd Power Heal on himself. Lifting the young Felinoid gently in his strong arms STRONGBOW carriers her off to one side and rests her against a far wall. Chanting again, he passes his Coup Stick in front of him and a shimmering energy field appears between him and TIGRESS, completely sealing her off from the rest of the room (except for a small gap at the top to let air in.-MP s14)
"Fear not warrior maiden...the Enochians themselves have charged me to protect you...and I take no charge THEY give me lightly."
Smiling slightly, he draws his Coup stick and wanders into the fray with nothing but his skill, unaugmented weapons, and good right arm to protect himself (Levels to DCV...STRONGBOW wont wander far.. the forcewall is only 8DEF)
SUBJ: Ranger (R) FROM: Deslock 02/04/90 S#: 500079
"We shall see who benefited more by your avoiding us before. You scum try my patience."
I'll perform a flip into a flying kick on the one who spoke, rolling out of this maneuver to assault the next foe. I continue along these lines until the agents are defeated.
"You people are fools. You serve a lord who would kill you all without a second thought. If he should succeed with his plans, you may find death the most pleasant of your alternatives."
SUBJ: T-Storm FROM: Nain 02/06/90 S#: 486658
"Ah, Hell!!! He can't drown, Nightstalker, and that water won't hurt him you fool! I hope dragons spell works!!"
Seeing I can do nothing here I will teleport ahead (20pts.) to help in the battle. When I see the Tigress is down, I pale and move to protect her and Strongbow. "Not again!"
I will use area effect gravity again, Hexs, line 35 str(60 pts) down only and this time I just won't pin them, I'll crush them until they are one with their base's floor!
SUBJ: NIGHTSTALKER - Malik FROM: NightStlkr 02/07/90 S#: 801620
"Hey, T-storm...use your head for once. Think about it: A bruised Ego is far, far worse than any wound that either you or I could possibly inflict on ol' Azzie. Or didn't that cross your mind?!?"
(Just setting the record straight).
SUBJ: dragon FROM: Wild dan 02/08/90 S#: 441451
:looking at t-storm :: i will hold now give me room !!!!!!!!
:POLY TO BLUE and let him have it with lightning:
SUBJ: dragon FROM: Wild dan 02/10/90 S#: 465313
the him i am refering to is the skellton hopeing to make his spelll backfire
Spectrum's Comments: Next time: The Crusaders escape continues and one of their number falls. Any bets as to who it is?