Spectrum's Comments: At long last, here is the final batch of Lost Heroes files. Tesseract finally explains what this was all about...
Lost Heroes #57 - "A Tale to Be Told"
Tesseract looks towards Doug. "You are correct. Perhaps I should start from the beginning to better explain the situation..."
"Near the end, during the last days of man on Earth, a group of scientist worked feverishly on the problem of the energy parasite that was destroying their planet. Ermon was among these scientists. They worked in an installation known as Mindkeep."
"The scientists were looking for something to defeat the alien, no matter how remote or bizzare it might sound. Years earlier, during designing and testing of Hyper-Drive, a strange energy has found floating through Hyperspace. A bizarre form of floating energy not bound by time or space. Little did they realize that they had uncovered the Q'rrm Effect."
"Discovering this vast, untapped energy, the scientists set about harnessing it. That's when things started to get problematic..."
"They built a receptacle to hold the power. A powerful weapon directed by the will of the scientists themselves."
"The creature sensed the energy and hungrily sought it. It raced to Mindkeep."
"When the creature appeared, the scientists attacked. But the power of the Q'rrm effect was too much. The weapon could not contain. It exploded out, bathing the scientists in its energy... Just as the creature reached them."
"Mindkeep itself exploded, not being able to contain the energies within its walls. The creature fled, hurt. The scientists themselves survived, but containing power beyond human understanding."
"But that was only the beginning of the apparent damage. The Time/Space fabric of the universe itself was 'torn' in the explosion. Numerous alternative dimensions came into existence. Each depicting a different version of the events that took place after the explosion."
"The Space/Time Fabric cannot withstand such tearing. Each Alternative dimension is like a separate string in the fabric of the universe. Too many strings appear, the universe un-ravels."
"That is what is happening right now. The universe is unraveling from the damage done to it. That is why there are so few stars remaining in the sky. They are simply ceasing to be..."
"The alternative Earth that you are all on is under the control of Ermon. He believes you all to be nothing more then fictional characters that he created in some type of story that he types on his computer. A most bizarre concept."
"In reality, somehow, he sub-consciously saved you from your various fates, but bring you into this future. He has been controlling your situations, but he cannot control you anymore."
"Your first step is to stop his interference. His power has reached its limits. He cannot create any new threats for you to face. You must reach him and stop him by whatever means you must use."
"The unraveling process can be stopped, and the keys to it's stopping lie in this universe. Somewhere, in the world that Ermon has created, is a time travel device."
"Your task is to find the device, travel into the past and prevent the energy parasite from coming to earth."
"Doing this will create yet another parallel Earth. But there is a difference. I have previously stated that using my power would have disastrous effects on the universe. It would in fact, destroy it."
"You must create this parallel dimension and then I will destroy the world that now exists. Pruning it before it begins."
"Any questions?"
GM Notes:
Simple task, no? If Tess didn't answer you question in this post, I should have covered it in one the notes on the last post.
Your turn!
Spectrum's Comments: Here's the real gist of what Lost Heroes was about. It was about a group of players playing a game in which their characters were trapped in a game ran by someone else. Sort of like an RPG inside an RPG! So in essence, the real enemy in the game was Ermon, or the GM.
SUBJ: "Ummm..." FROM: Bloodshard 05/10/90 S#: 839003
Impact has stayed silent most of the time. He at first was stunned by the teleporting, and then out of politeness didn't interrupt anyone else. Now he feels he should speak.
"Well, I'm all for saving the universe and all, but do you have any idea as to where this time traveling thing-a-ma-bob is?"
He seems willing and helpful at surface, but inside his head other thoughts are going on.
*What if we're just being used as pawns? This lady seems pretty invincible. Maybe there's some way to test her. Maybe Beth or REM can mind read her... no... they would have done that already. Dang, I wish I had more mental powers. I feel like I got INTERGALATIC PAWN stamped on my head.*
"So this guy thinks we're in his computer game. You're telling me?"
-Bloodshard
Spectrum's Comments: Basically, yes.
SUBJ: Doug (R) FROM: Shadeblade 05/11/90 S#: 472697
Doug listens to the explanation, starting to realize what is going on. When she finishes, he finds that he has sat down and cannot bring himself to stand again. He isn't even sure he wants to stand, for fear of falling after the stunning effect of what is told.
"I... I wish I could say you were crazy. I wish I could say that you're just spinning yarns. Everything you've just said sounds too insane, even for some off-the-wall science fiction writer. The scary part is that I BELIEVE it! I'm not even sure why, but I do. Whoa... The price for failure is kinda steep, though...
"Ok... You say that we have to get rid of Ermon's control first. If he's the one in control of this pocket of the universe, how are we supposed to take it from him. You say he has reached his limits, but those limits are still a bit high. What do we do? Unplug his computer or something? It might surprise you, but I've never been in this type of situation before..."
B)
SUBJ: WARLOCK (R) FROM: DMG 05/11/90 S#: 789229
Hearing the task that lies ahead Warlock will mutter about not finishing his robot and not being the hero type. But Warlock will go on this insane adventure and hope there's some good loot.
SUBJ: UG FROM: Yiseal 05/11/90 S#: 97179
I simply sit back and nod my head when she says that someone has been in control up to now. When she says he has reached his limit, I smile. "I thought things were happening in too orderly to be natural. As for taking control, that should be simple. All we have to do is call out to him and tell him we know of him and want the time travelling device. If he would be so kind as to lead us to it, we would be grateful. This will shake him up and he will no doubt come up with things to delay us but we will eventually get it. Once we get it, we will be totally beyond his reach because we won't be in HIS universe any more. We will go back before it. Now as for stopping the energy creature, I am open to suggestions there."
SUBJ: Beth
Beth... Takes several minutes to regain her bearings...
"Are you telling me that everything that we've suffered, everything we've been through is some kind of game!! I never thought that I could take another's life, but I may make an exception for this vermin Ermon. If this is true, the he killed all of our missing comrades! Mary...."
Tears weep up in Beth's eyes as she recall's her lost sister...
"I too believe what she says... As for stopping Ermon, we could kill him... But I could get something from the medical labs that would put him out. That would stop him, wouldn't it?"
SUBJ: GM Answers...
To Impact:
"You must find the time device on your own. It won't be as difficult as you might suspect. In fact, it'll probably find you! Speaking in the strictest sense, we are all pawns in the order of events."
To Ug:
"You may try to get Ermon to hand over the device to you, but I doubt it will work. His power to alter the flow of events is gone. The machine is a back ground piece in one of his plots that you have yet to encounter."
Spectrum's Comments: There were a great many plots that the PC's didn't follow up on. Probably a contributing factor as to why the game ending. They just seemed to want to stay at home and let things come to them.
SUBJ: WHEEEW! (R) FROM: Psycho Tim 05/14/90 S#: 84643
Outback mutters to himself "A sheepherder, all I wanted to be was a ...sheepherder and now, me and me mates are galavantin' 'round the universe, lookin' fer some bloke with a giant computer who is playin' us as PAWNS IN A GAME!!!!"
He throws out the food he is holding." Well I thought I was goin' to buy the Herd, but I end up in this futuristic place just as I get torched...LETS GO KICK 'IS ASS MATIES!!!!"
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/14/90 S#: 2058
- So, we are to destroy this world before it exists. What then of what we have accomplished here? ... -
"That's about the strangest yarn I've ever heard. It would seem that whether I believe it or not has little bearing on what's going to happen in any case. I'll finish my work on the ship; if this time tunnel exists, it will probably help us locate and get to it, if not, we shall have use of it anyway. As for the power parasite, if it is a creature which thrives on energy, then perhaps we should use anti-energy against it. I once read a theoretical article on a substance called 'darkforce' which might be of use. One final question, what of the scientist we have awakened? Can they 'return' to a time from which they did not come, or do they get destroyed with the rest of this place?"
Lost Heroes #58 - "Time In!"
In the meeting room, the Lost Heroes have encountered the mysterious Tesseract....
"I can remain no longer. The stress of holding the flow of events in their place becomes to great."
"The scientists you speak of will perish when this alternative dies. But, they will all have survived in the new one."
"You people here are the only hope left. You are living paradoxes. You have traveled the lanes of time and have gone outside of it's power."
"I leave you now. If you succeed in your task, then we shall meet again."
With a gesture, Tess disappears. There is a loud whooshing sound as time returns to normal. The eerie silence is gone.
You stand around the table looking at each other....
Now what will you do?
SUBJ: Number 6 (R) FROM: Deslock 05/17/90 S#: 842512
I'll move over to the computer console again, and verify that everything appears to be 'normal' again.
"Well, whoever that was, and whatever our fate may be, I still have work to do."
After checking in on Fred, I'll check into the information center to set up a speed learning course on astro-navigation and space craft piloting.
SUBJ: Lets Go! FROM: Psycho Tim 05/17/90 S#: 86628
"C'mon! Let's all get ready to go find that time Travel thingy! The we can go destroy this bloke on the computer!"
After this Outback heads for the food dispensers.
SUBJ: Beth
"Good riddance, if you ask me... The was one spooky woman. We must stop this Ermon first. The woman seemed to suggest this. But, where is he? How can we find him?"
"Rem, I have an idea? Perhaps we can attempt to locate him mentally? You have any thoughts on that?"
GM Notes:
According to the computer, the entire time in the meeting room never occurred. It failed to register Tess's existence.
Number 6 looks a speed learning area in the 'School Sphere'. The information he requested will be transmitted directly to his brain. The process will take only 1 hour.
SUBJ: Doug (R) FROM: Shadeblade 05/18/90 S#: 810232
"I agree that we need to do something about this Ermin fellow, but I don't have any idea on how to track him down, much less destroy his control. If REM doesn't have any luck, we may be in for a puzzle. I sure hope this isn't going to be as hard as it sounds..."
Doug then listens to the rest of the group, trying to see any possible solution. Even a little idea might help.
SUBJ: WARLOCK (R) FROM: DMG 05/18/90 S#: 21295
Hoping that REM will be able to locate him Warlock will go down to finish his robot. (He will do the programming and add a box of tools, medicine kit, good armor, and a displacement shield. He will use his ODDS power to speed up his pace.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/18/90 S#: 416123
- OOF... that's a headful... there really is nothing to it, this piloting stuff is a snap. Then again, once I get some time, maybe I should find a simulator around here. I think I may have a severe case of lots of knowledge with no experience. -
I'll head back out to the spaceship, and resume the repair tasks.
GM Notes:
Speaking for Rem...
Rem concentrates, trying to locate Ermon...
Her eyes open...
"Of course! He's in the one place that we've been denied access to... The heart of the Black Forest!"
SUBJ: UG FROM: Yiseal 05/20/90 S#: 74142
"Well since he is in the heart of the Black Forest, let me grab my weapon and let's get going."
With that, Ug picks up his weapon and heads for the door. When he realizes the others aren't following right away, he pauses and waits. 'By the time these guys get ready to go hunting someone, some other bounty hunter would have claimed the reward. Lucky for him that we are the only ones that are going to be hunting him down. It could be much worse if the local inhabitants find out that he has been causing all these problems in their lives.'
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/20/90 S#: 11767
Hearing the new developments, I'll rejoin the others.
"Well, I didn't expect he'd be right under our noses. I wouldn't worry about competition, UG, we're the only game in town. I suppose we'll have to go and give him a look."
I'll check over my gun and belt unit, and wait for the party to begin.
SUBJ: Doug FROM: Shadeblade 05/21/90 S#: 806806
"The Black Forest? I've heard some of the long-timers talk about it. Didn't it, like, EAT some people? It seems like the ideal place for this guy to hide, and he's got one H*ll of a watchdog. I guess waiting isn't going to us any good, so I agree to an immediate look around there. The sooner we start, the sooner this whole thing ends."
Grizzly thoughts come to mind with his last comment, but he keeps them to himself.
(That lady only said that the group was fated to help save the universe. That doesn't mean that we won't end up a smaller group in the end than we started with. If we aren't careful, we could end up fertilizing that forest in there...)
Doug only uses a sword for a weapon, and he already has it with him. He will wait for everyone to get ready, then makes an observation.
"I might make a good front man, if only because of my 'Fields. I could help clear the way for people to get in, if that is what it takes. In other words, I'm volunteering to risk my neck first."
SUBJ: Beth
"I've got my stuff here, guys. Let's do it."
Check to see if my stun gun and force field belt are on full power. If the gun isn't enough, then I can try out Solitaire's powers.
"As I recall, (and having a photographic memory, I recall very well!), light and fire repelled the forest. You may have to create 'Firestar' again, Rem. Somehow your illusion of that heroine hurt the forest."
GM Notes:
Those of you going into the forest, arrive at the entrance to the Botany Sphere. The door silently slides open. Beyond is what appears to be a more wooded area, with the exception that everything is jet black. Everything is black within the forest.
SUBJ: Doug FROM: Shadeblade 05/22/90 S#: 510218
"What was that, Beth? The forest is "afraid" of light and heat? Hmmm... I've never really thought to try IT in combat... I wonder..."
As to what IT is, Doug doesn't say. He just waits as everyone gets ready to enter. When they are all prepared to do what they want, Doug will nod, take a deep breath, and enter the door quickly.
"Let's rock, folks! We have a computer god to catch!"
Doug kicks up his personal field on entering at about half strength. He prepares to jump it to full or let loose with a Forceblast. If it looks clear, he will tell everyone so and step to the side, ready to give a ForceWall to cover if need be.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/22/90 S#: 830808
"Hold your horses, folks. Let's get some flashlights before we plunge into the abyss. Since the forest doesn't like light, they'll be all that more useful. Might be useful to bring some torches, too. Light and fire, plus a good back up if we run into power problems."
Once these supplies are gathered, I'll set my gun for explosive effect, click on my belt, and head on in.
SUBJ: Shopping FROM: Bloodshard 05/24/90 S#: 809748
Impact grabs any kind of light and flame projector he can get and follows the group. He acts as a shield for any kind of physical attack.
Lost Heroes #59 - "Out of the Blue, Into the Black"
In search of Ermon, the being who has used all of you as pieces in some bizarre game, you prepare to enter the Black Forest.
From what you knew previously, assuming that that information still holds water, the forest is what became of the Botany Sphere of Alpha Base. Somehow as the centuries passed, the forest mutated into something the fed on darkness.
The Lost Heroes now stand before the entrance to this dismal place. After a few minutes delay, to procure flashlights and make some torches, they proceed into the Black Forest.
The darkness seems to recede as the light comes in. Out of the corner of you eyes, the forest seemingly recedes, moving away.
Rem - "Let's see what I can do!"
Rem concentrates, and the illusion of 'Firestar' appears. She raises her hands and blasts of fire come out. Even though you all know that this isn't real, the effect on the forest is dramatic!
The trees and grass move quickly away, revealing a path leading deeper into the Sphere.
Suddenly there is movement and a large, scaly creature leaps from the darkness. It's claws render the illusion of Firestar. Coming into the light, it can be clearly seen....
Rem - "Good grief! It's the space lizard!!"
The lizard from beyond the stars speaks, it's voice heard in your minds.
"Turn back, hu-mansss! Only death awaitsss you here!!'
GM Notes:
He's back! The lizard from beyond the stars! And this time Brawn is not around... :)
For those who weren't around in those days, the lizard hassled our heroes way back in posts 6-8.
Also, Firestar is a heroine from the past, circa 1990's. She was a member of the Crusaders.
Spectrum's Comments: As was noted by Tess, Ermon has reached the limits of his abilities. Thanks to what Tess did with her meeting and making those in it anomalies, they could no longer be controlled. Ermon was no longer able to bring new people in or whisk people away and the only threats he could toss at the PC's were ones already 'in game', so to speak. Hence the return of the Lizard from Beyond the Stars.
SUBJ: Lets get him! FROM: Psycho Tim 05/24/90 S#: 431495
"I don't know what the bloody hell you are! but I don't like you!" At this, Outback rips a medium sized tree out of the ground and proceeds to bash the lizard in the mid-section. With full force :)
SUBJ: UG (R) FROM: Yiseal 05/25/90 S#: 96429
I change to become like the creature. "We come to go through and meet thy masssster. Now you can lead the way or be the carpet we walk on to meet him."
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 05/25/90 S#: 836435
"OK Godzilla, I see you are back for a rematch. Good I want another crack at you. After all, it was you who started all the trouble with Black Tarantula back then. Beth, lets see if the two of us can break his will." REM will then start trying to probe this beast deeper and deeper into his mind in the hopes of bringing up his worst nightmare. (Hey if we succeed this thing won't exist right here, so I guess it is alright to kill it).
SUBJ: Beth
'Okay, Rem, I'll follow your lead."
After Rem attacks, I'll follow in with a pushed Ego attack.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 05/26/90 S#: 102895
"I believe this must be the work of Ermon. How else could this thing have entered this place without our knowing about it?"
I'll switch my gun to armor piercing, and take a shot at Dr. Lizardo.
SUBJ: WARLOCK FROM: DMG 05/27/90 S#: 810790
Seeing this jumbo lizard come charging Warlock will aim his Plasma cannon at the ugly thing, croutch and fire. When it starts to get really close Warlock will teleport behind our group and shoot at it but with the grav gun.
SUBJ: Doug FROM: Shadeblade 05/29/90 S#: 851248
"I regret, scaly one, that I agree with everyone else. We WILL see Ermon, and you will NOT stop us for long. Please take off before anyone gets REAL
nasty..."
Doug will throw a half-strength Forceblast at the lizard, keeping the rest of his strength reserved to put up a Forcewall in case of attack. Doug will put the wall up between the beast and everyone else, as close in front of the critter as possible. If it charges, it might end up with a surprise and a headache. (I've never seen the long-timers attack with so much determination. They must have a reason for using so much force on a single beast.)
Lost Heroes #60 - "The Lizard Strikes Out!"
Within the deeps of the Black Forest, the Lost Heroes have encountered the Lizard from beyond the stars. It threatens you not to continue on, but being the stubborn lot you are, you ignore the warnings. Battle soon follows.
Rem concentrates, attempting to use here telepathy to 'get into' the lizards head. She makes surface contact, but otherwise is unsuccessful.
Beth follows this with an Ego Attack, with some success. Outback chases down a tree and rips it out. Ug shifts to the form of the lizard himself. The lizard doesn't by it.
'You cannot deccieve me with sssuch a transssparent ploy. I am the ultimate Gothronian! I am unique!'
Lizzie swings at Ug but misses. Ug returns the favor, knocking the lizard back.
Now separated from the group, Doug, Warlock and Number 6 shoot the lizard with their various attacks. 'Lock's plasma rocket is particularly devastating.
Before the lizard can recover, Outback plays slugger, send the lizard deep into the forest and out of sight with his bat.
Moments pass, and there is no further sign of the lizard.
Following the path, you proceed further into the Black Forest. Soon you come to a clearing. Within the clearing is a small group of, very familiar, people. They are Eclypse, Brawn, Terry, Valteria, Jinx, Albert, Slade, Mary and Sh're.
Eclypse moves forward.
"You may have defeated the first guardian, but you shall find us a most difficult opponent. Turn back, for you cannot get past us."
GM Notes:
The old timers will recognize all of these faces, but for the sake of the newer players, here is a brief write up on them.
Eclypse is a warrior from a war on another planet. He crashed on the, then, powerless Earth and located the Original Popsicles. Eclypse has the powers of the Star Scepter and Amulet at his command.
Brawn was one of the original Popsicles. He is a large, muscular man in a black body suit with a red hockey mask.
Terry was another of the original Popsicles. She is a police officer possessing
mentalist powers.
Valteria is a muscular woman-warrior. She carries Dragon Fang, a great sword.
Jinx was the first person to simply appear out of nowhere. Little is known about her, but as her name suggests, she is not lucky to have around.
Albert is supposedly the cloned descendant of the legendary villain Dr. Destroyer. He is small male with many gadgets.
Slade an alien metamorph.
Mary is young woman who is Beth's 'sister'.
Sh're is a living energy being whom you might already be familiar with.
Now what?
Spectrum's Comments: As noted in my previous note, Ermon could only using what already existed, so all the people who had gone missing were the next line of defense.
SUBJ: Your Mine! FROM: Psycho Tim 05/31/90 S#: 128152
"So they call you Brawn, the lets 'ave a little test of stregnth!" AT this point Outback will throw the tree he is holding onto the entire other group and then run to attack Brawn.
SUBJ: WARLOCK FROM: DMG 06/01/90 S#:63343
Seeing if the entire group will attack(besides outback)Warlock will REALLY use his Odds power to counteract JINX and that her powers work against her own group. He will also use it on what-evers gadgets hoping they go nuts if he uses them. If he has to he will use his Plasma Cannon on any who attack him and teleport around if shot at a lot.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 06/01/90 S#: 504599
"It would seem that Ermon must has run out of ideas, to be reduced to sending phantoms of our former teammates to attack us."
I'll set my gun for one-hex effect, and open up on these new 'guardians'.
SUBJ: REM (R) FROM: REM9 06/02/90 S#: 829717
"Hey what won't work on one might work on another." REM concentrates her thoughts on Eclypse. She knows what gets to him already. His arch enemy The Lizard!! Let the two of them battle it out for a while.
SUBJ: UG FROM: Yiseal 06/02/90 S#: 476529
Seeing all the gadgets and weapons, Ug hopes his history lessons about here have a little truth in them.
I change from the lizard form I am in to that of a Midrin. If I can't get things to work, I will blast away with my weapon. Either way, I will attack who ever is not engaged by the others physically.
Spectrum's Comments: And that's where Lost Heroes ended. Looking back I can't be sure of the reasons why it ended, other then the typical ones. Player and/or GM interest was wanning, or I was tired of it and wanted to do something else. This was also around the time both Rem and Deslock faded from Q, so two of the more important PC's were gone as well.
I had a rough idea where this was all leading based on clues already provived in game. The basic idea was for the heroes to travel to Gamma Base, which was mentioned in game several times. There they would discover the necessary equipment to build a space ship, after engaging in several scavenger hunt type adventures. The space ship would be short range and they would locate a serviving space station where a plague had been let loose. Clues would lead them to a Chronos Base on the moon and that's where they would get the time machine to go back and try and undo all of this.
The game didn't just die and be forgotten. Many of the PC's transferred into the other games, LA Knights & Crusaders. This whole situation ultimately was resolved during the live sessions of Young Champions. Look for closure in those files. Coming soon!