Spectrum's Comments: While the public New Crusaders posts were covered in the previous file, there were a great many things going on via E-mail. Below is the reposting of this private gaming. The majority of this stuff was never revealed anywhere else. First up on deck we have Areion. This snippet took place between his appearance at the end of New Crusaders #4 and LA Knights #1.
Areion:
After a quick instant-change, I'll try to find the owner of the curio shop that was demolished by that familiar sounding warrior maiden. I'll present the man with a business card from my own shop, Chandlers, and use purchasing anything he has left intact (at a fair price) as a cover for needing him for details in apparent 'idle' conversation.
Once I've finished this, it's another instant change back into hero ID and I'll check out the remains of the store (using magic sense spell to pick up any traces she might have left behind or perhaps find what ever it was she was looking for)
Areion 1
Shortly after leaving the meeting, you arrive at the curio shop. You enter the heavily damaged building and locate the owner.
He has already sold what antiques that he had left of another dealer. (The incident happening several days ago.) He plans to sell his shop as soon as he can locate a buyer.
He finds the incident strange, as the woman took what he though was a worthless, supposedly, crystal ball stand.
Arriving later as Areion, you scan the shop for magic. You can detect traces here and there, but nothing extraordinary. No clues as to what Serena is up are found.
Keep this in mind and what I posted on the Update, what are you going to do?
Mail From: AREION Date: Saturday 23-Jun-90 08:33 EDT
Areion's Actions:
"Damn that Serna! What is she up to now!?!?"
Areion will patrol the city & surrounding area (Shift Power pool: 28 AP s7-14" Flight... 16 AP s10-Magic Sense, +3 to roll, sense, range) Whenever/ if I detect any sizable traces of Magic, I'll slow to using my mantle's flight and activate my full Magic Sense, looking for any hint of evil emanation.
If this search should prove fruitless, I'll return to the church at the regular time (1 or 2 AM) and do some research in the occult library...see if I can find information on any magical artifacts that match the description of the stand stolen from the shop.
I may be down there for quite a while, so I'll keep 5 AP of my pool active in s6-Magical Sustenance to negate my need for sleep (and food. Of course, I'll have to use this to get through work the next day too! ;> )
Areion 2
You're search fails to locate Serena.
Returning to the church, you settle down to do some research. You think you might have found something here.... One book speaks of crystal ball stand that, supposedly, belonged to the great Merlin himself!
Next day, you have a visitor at the church. It is a man who introduces himself as Michael Donaldson, the owner of Donaldson Electronics Company.
He says that he learned about the formation of the LA Knights and was wondering if his company could be of service. He doesn't appear to be suggestion that the company donate goods to you, but that you purchase them.
This takes place before your appearance in the LA Knights post. The man is the SI of another player, although you don't really know that. Send your response to his proposal to User Name: Immortal. He'll be expecting you.
Spectrum's Comments: And that concludes Areion's solo stuff. There's more with Immortal later in the file. And the Serena mentioned above is the Q version of the character appearing in Crucible. No, they are not exactly a like!
Below we start another solo section with a character called Purple Haze.
Mail From: ZoneRanger Date: Tuesday 29-May-90 05:38 EDT
PURPLE HAZE:
Being somewhat knowledgeable in computers Tom decides to check out the goings on at the OMEGA Corp. warehouse So Tom Hurst dons his costume and assumes the identity of ... PURPLE HAZE!
He flies over the hills that separate the city from the valley and makes good time to the warehouse. While there, HAZE will try to find the men or man in charge. Preferably the execs of OMEGA Corp. to find out if there's going to be payment for his SUPER talents. Also to find out what it was that Timemaster was doing there or took. Even if he's not paid he still is interested in the crime.
P.S. As soon as I do come upon another super please post me under the POSTS. Is this Game like a bunch of SUPERS in miniature adventures, all rolled into one??
Zone
Purple Haze 1
After arriving at Omega Corporation plant, and after some talking to the receptionist, you are taken to office of William White, President of Omega
Corp.
'Well, it's not every day we receive visitors such as yourself. Please, sit down. How can Omega Corp help you?'
A little short, but gives you a chance to do some role playing! ;)
The way you described the game is to a point correct. I have devised several plot lines and set up a few happenings. How the players deal with these are up to them. For example you were interested with the happenings at Omega Corp that was a plot line. It's up the players to involve themselves in the story. Of course more than one player can get involved in the same plot line!
I'll send you a Champions version of your character as soon as I translate it! Enjoy!
Mail From: ZoneRanger Date: Friday 1-Jun-90 01:21 EDT
"Thank you Mr. White, I will take a seat."
HAZE slides into one of the large leather chairs of the richly furnished office.
"Mr. White...let me get right to the point. It's my understanding that you've had some trouble at one of your warehouses? Apparently it was ransacked by the Alliance of Super Villains, headed by a man calling himself... the TIMEMASTER!
" I wish to help in any way I can ... you see, I'm somewhat knowledgeable in computers myself."
:: HAZE doesn't know whether the theft had anything at all to do WITH computers... he just wanted to sound like he was the right SUPER for the job::
*The following are Questions HAZE will ask of Mr. White (I just noticed I was spelling White's name wrong!), if the Corp. is seeking SUPER help.
"I would like to know what it was the Alliance was after Mr. White. Did they take anything? What was it or what do YOU think they were after?"
"Also I would like to inspect the warehouse myself if I may."
"Have any other SUPERS consulted with you yet?"
Whether I actually go to the warehouse or not depends on what I'm told.
Mail From: ZoneRanger Date: Friday 1-Jun-90 01:34 EDT
PLAYER PROBLEM:
I chose two disadvantages that don't seem to be compatible. OVERCONFIDENCE & SHYNESS.
SOLVE: Tom Hurst is somewhat shy... But when he puts on his costume and assumes the Identity of PURPLE HAZE he feels safe behind the "Mask" and thus tends to be overconfident.
So Tom Hurst = Mild shyness... In Purple Haze form = Overconfident
P.S. I picked up CHAMPIONS today. After reading some of it I find it to be VERY much like GURPS :D
Hopefully I will learn the whole system soon. :)
Mail From: ZoneRanger Date: Friday 1-Jun-90 01:39 EDT
One last thing...
I think your idea for the game is VERY good :)
It allows players to either be solo(ish) or in a group. Solo is the way many of my favorite Comic book heroes work.
ZONE :)
Purple Haze 2
"That is correct, you did have some trouble at one of your warehouses a few nights ago. Ghastly business. No we we're actually seeking Superpowered help, but we won't turn it down. There might even be a reward in it."
"All the thieves took were parts and simple components. Nothing really out of the ordinary, but some of the components are hard to come by. I can show you the warehouse if you wish?"
Your solution for the attitudes problem is fine. If you have Champions now, then you can design the character yourself once you get a grasp of the system. I have my version of the character, but it may not be exactly what you had in mind. I'll send it next mail. I've been having trouble with the disadvantages, since most of what you sent was psychological in nature.
Glad you like the set-up, but I can't take all the credit. My other game in this world, Crusaders started similar to this. But they just joined together to form a team.
Mail From: ZoneRanger Date: Sunday 3-Jun-90 03:16 EDT
PURPLE HAZE (Response 2)
Hmmm...Sust parts and simple components? I wonder what the Alliance is up to!
"Yes indeed Mr. White, I would like to see that warehouse!"
"Perhaps I can find something..."
Your character transfer looks good to me. Although I'm looking at it with untrained eyes ;)
So let's use it. When I become familiar with CHAMPS, maybe we can change something...who knows?
ZONE :)
Purple Haze 3
Mr. White gives you a tour of the warehouse that was robbed. The thieves merely forced their way in, unconcerned about what they destroyed. They took the items they wanted and fled. By the looks of it, then knew exactly what they wanted. Only the items stolen show signs of the looters.
Now what?
Mail From: ZoneRanger Date: Tuesday 12-Jun-90 05:11 EDT
PH3 (R)
"Hmmm...I'm afraid there isn't much to go on Mr. White. From the parts taken can you tell me what you think they may be building?"
"Also, have you called the police on this matter? I would like to know if they've come up with anything."
PH will scan the area for any clues... a matchbook maybe?...or even a match if it will help! ;)
Otherwise I can't think of anything else to do. (At least without being too specific.)
Zone
Purple Haze 4
"I'm afraid that I too am stumped as to why Timemaster would want the parts. Presumably, he is attempting to build some foul device."
"The police were called, but they did little more then look around and file a report. They are rather busy these days, you know."
Checking the place out, you do find something unusual... What appears to be Raccoon fur?
Mail From: ZoneRanger Date: Sunday 17-Jun-90 04:29 EDT
PH4(R)
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I've been having trouble getting on.
Haze picks up as much of the raccoon hair that he can.
"Raccoon hair? What on earth would this be doing here? I've never heard of any super villain or hero for that matter, ever being a raccoon! But theirs always a first time."
I can think of nothing better to do than to go to the local police station and check with them as to whether they've encountered anything like this...and to whom it could be in common with.
If non of the above will work, I might be in need of a little hint to get me in the right Direction...if it does, then great! :)
Zone
P.S. Before I leave I show Mr. White some courtesy and thank him for his help.
Purple Haze 5
Heh-heh... Actually there is a villain know as the Raccoon... Believe it or not, he has a raccoon's tail... He works with a partner, a woman called Panda... Both are believed to be members of the Alliance of Super-Villains... The group headed up by Timemaster...
Mr. White thanks you for your looking into this matter. Feel free to contact him if anything turns up.
Didn't go to far because of the Raccoon incident. It's hard to keep track of those players familiar with Champs and which aren't... :)
Spectrum's Comments: That was the last of Purple Haze. I don't believe he ever appeared again, so this was all just dropped.
Starting below is a character played by Deslock (Ranger, Araduin, Number 6) called Reaper. He was a mutant who thought he was actually the Grim Reaper. Not surprisingly, he decided to go solo but not as a hero...
Mail From: Deslock Date: Monday 28-May-90 21:27 EDT
Well, Reaper isn't exactly the type to respond to this sort of request, so for now he'll be staying an independent. With all the killing and mayhem going on in LA, it would seem there's plenty to keep him busy. He'll hang around the poorer sections of the city, that being where the suffering and dying are most prolific, doing his duty as he sees it.
As for where to post, I'm easy. Whichever way you feel is easiest is OK by me. Reaper may well cross the paths of the others. I wouldn't be surprised if he got blamed for the killings.
Reaper 1
Drawn by your detecting of death and suffering, you wander a run down district of LA. Entire city blocks have been laid waste in super combat.
Screams and the smell of death lead you to a church. Several bodies lie outside and there seems to be fighting inside.
Entering, you find a man in jet-black plate mail pummeling a priest.
'Forsake your false god and you may live. This swears the Black Paladin!'
Now what? I bet you weren't expecting anything like this!
Mail From: Deslock Date: Wednesday 30-May-90 23:42 EDT
Reaper 1 response.
I'll silently move toward the armored form and his victim, until both fall within my aura.
"What is your purpose in this armored one? If you seek to kill this man, then make it so. His suffering is without purpose."
Reaper 2
Covered by your field, the priest slumps in Paladins hands. Paladin turns towards you.
"You are a most peculiar being. By what right do you presume to interfere with my holy task. Those who worship false idols must be shown my tender mercies. They must be made to suffer!"
"What magic it this? I feel myself being drained! You shall pay dearly for this assault upon my person!"
Black Paladin goes for his mace...
Mail From: Deslock Date: Thursday 31-May-90 20:32 EDT
"I care not for your idol nor his, for I am Death, and I come to claim those whose time has come; do not anger me, lest your time be now."
This said, I'll use my scythe to disarm Black Paladin, and then invite him into my cold embrace.
"Come, dark one, come and join with your master!"
Reaper 3
You close in on Black Paladin, but he is just a hair quicker. His mace slams into you, knocking you across the church. You hit the wall and are momentarily stunned.
"I know not what manner of creature you are, but the Black Paladin shall always triumph! Death holds no fear for one who shall never die!"
After recovering from being Stunned, you're at 7 Stun. BP is currently 7 Hexes away.
Mail From: Deslock Date: Saturday 2-Jun-90 17:15 EDT
"So, you think yourself immune to my touch? All things die, and you shall prove no exception."
I'll wait for Black Paladin's advance, saving my moves until he is in range. I shall then again attempt to disarm him and follow up with a grab.
Reaper 4
Black Paladin does not respond to you. Instead, he throws his mace at you!
You manage to dodge the missile and the mace blasts through the wall behind you. A split second later, the mace returns to his master's hand.
He continues to keep his distance.
"You cannot harm that which you cannot touch, demon!"
Mail From: Deslock Date: Monday 4-Jun-90 18:49 EDT
"No one can avoid the touch of Death."
I'll use a half-move leap to close the distance between BP and myself and perform a grab on him. Let's see how he reacts to a squeeze, defense shield, and drain.
Reaper 5
You move forward and leap at the Black Paladin, wrapping your arms about him. He raises his shield slightly, but doesn't seem to put up much resistance to your attack and you both tumble backwards. His armor seems to protect him from the worst of your attack.
Suddenly, he is no longer there! You turn to hear his voice behind you.
"I HAVE avoided the touch of Death, my foolish friend. I am immortal and immune to Death. You may have managed to weaken me, but not even Lancelot Du Lake could bring about my demise and I surely shall not fall to a cur such as you."
The mace again is flung at you and again the Black Paladin's aim is true. You hear the last part of his soliloquy through dazed ears and drop back to the ground unconscious.
You awaken some time later to see a crow sitting on a broken piece of concrete. It caws at you mockingly and then flaps into the air and is gone.
Now what?
Mail From: Deslock Date: Wednesday 6-Jun-90 22:00 EDT
I pick myself up, and look about the field of battle, using my death sense to determine the state of the other bodies in the area.
- I have time, Black Paladin. Death is nothing if not patient, we shall meet again. -
After surveying the situation, and easing along any who need my ministrations, I'll return to the street and to my job.
Reaper 6
Finishing your business in the church, you exit out into the street.
Something catches your attention out in the street, a short distance away from the church. Black Paladin appears to be conversing with a beautiful woman in chain mail armor. They are too far away for you to hear what is being said.
The woman is holding the reins of a bizarre looking horse... Almost demonic looking...
Mail From: Deslock Date: Friday 8-Jun-90 18:58 EDT
- We meet again so soon, Black Paladin. Perhaps your time has come after all.-
Since frontal attack didn't fare so well last go round, I'll attempt to circle around behind BP and his friend. If I can get into the appropriate position, then I'll attack him from behind with my scythe (off strike). During our battle, I shall attempt to remain at close range. If he pulls his disappearing trick again, I'll immediately assume a defensive posture, awaiting his reappearance. If the opportunity presents itself, then I'll place my scythe in the spot in which he is reappearing. (This only really applies is his teleport is a phase in process. If he bamfs, well...)
"Do you still believe you are immune to death, oh dark one?"
Reaper 7
As you approach Black Paladin and the woman, she notices you. For the first time you get a real good look at her and your jaw almost drops. She is incredibly beautiful. Your will feels like it is draining away.
'Who are you?' she says. 'What are you doing here?'
You somehow feel compelled to answer...
Mail From: Deslock Date: Sunday 10-Jun-90 14:20 EDT
- So much for the stealthy approach. Still, perhaps this lovely lady can aid my approach to Black Paladin. -
"I am known by many names, in many tongues, you may call me Reaper, it is as good as any of the others. What I want is to ease the passing of the dying from this realm to the next."
I'll continue to walk toward them as I speak. Once in range, I shall attack Black Paladin, as previously stated.
(Why do I get the feeling it won't be that simple?)
Reaper 8
Ahh... Because you know me to well?
Black Paladin slowly turns to look at you.
"Shall I dispose of him, mistress?"
"No", the woman says. "He too might be of use to me, good knight. I am Serena, Mistress of the Dark Orb. I bid you into my service!"
Still, your will seems to be draining away... You find her offer hard to resist...
Reaper is currently being hit by several attacks. Serena is draining your EGO away, it's at 4 at the moment, and she is hitting you with Mind Control and Seduction. What are you going to do now?
Spectrum's Comments: Yep, this is the same Serena that Areion was hunting at the beginning of the file.
Mail From: Deslock Date: Wednesday 20-Jun-90 18:05 EDT
Reaper
If I have enough will left, then I shall leap in and attack Serena. If not, then I'll continue to move forward, until I'm in range to renew my assault upon Black Paladin, using what I learned in our last confrontation to try to predict his combat tactics and counteract them.
"Many fool themselves into believing the death is their servant. Only later do they realize that death is the final master of all."
Reaper 9
You move closer to Serena, but as move in, the last of your will fades...
Oddly enough, she doesn't seem to be affected by your aura...
'You will obey me, won't you?'
I realize that this isn't much of a post, but another PC is in the area. We'll see what he does! ;)
Spectrum's Comments: This other PC is below.
Mail From: Deslock Date: Friday 22-Jun-90 18:13 EDT
- What devilry is this? None may subvert death, none... -
"What is it you wish of me?"
I guess I cannot continue my conflict with Black Paladin, even though Serena has not explicitly forbidden it, nor named him her ally?
Reaper 10
Serena smiles...
"Yes, I thought you'd see it my way. Now, both of you will behave. I have great plans ahead for us my friend. You both shall be vital tools to my rise to power."
Several days pass as you continue around under Serna's spell. You meet with a fourth member of Serena's group. He bears an uncanny resemblance to Dragonman of the East Coast Crusaders. He calls himself 'Skippy'.
Serena calls you all together to explain her plan. You get the feeling that she is controlling all if not most of you.
"There is a contest in progress among this worlds villains... The prize being the legendary Emerald Eye of Azog... I shall have this Eye... And with it's powers bring my father to this world... You should all feel honored... You shall all have a major role in the order to come."
She then commands you all to leave. She has your ride with her on her Demonic Mount; both appear immune to your death power. Skippy carries the Black Paladin.
You fly over the city and head into the mountains. In a distant location you approach what appears to be a blue metallic dome. It is about 45' in radius...
Spectrum's Comments: That wraps up the Reaper solo stuff. His story continues in the LA Knights coming soon. I should also mention that Dragonman's evil identical twin "Skippy" was not my idea either. DM's player came up with that one, I just ran with it. Probably the most effect use of anything he created.
Next up we have the very short solo career of the Torpedo. He sent a message that was read by the Mayor in the previous file.
Mail From: DM Buzz Date: Tuesday 29-May-90 07:17 EDT
Torpedo's post for NC#1...
Deciding to investigate the goings on up in Los Angeles (he has been operating around San Diego until now), Torpedo will travel up there and try to get a job as a lifeguard (his cover). He won't attend the Summit, but will have this message sent to it:
Greetings,
I have become aware of the deteriorating situation in and about L.A., and have come to the area to help. However, I would prefer to be left alone to deal with the seagoing crime myself. I will not interfere with your operations on land, to compensate for this. In the event that either of us DO need the others' help, then it may be arranged. Until then, good luck to you.
Torpedo
Once he's secured a job and sent his message, he'll spend his free time patrolling the coastline near L.A.
(Let me know if this post is okay. I haven't had much experience with SuperHero type games, and I haven't read a comic for many years, so I may make a mistake or two.)
Torpedo 1
Your post was fine! Not to worry. :)
One question, what name did you use to get the lifeguard job, since I assume that you wouldn't use your own.
It is a typical sun drenched LA day. The summit is being held at this moment, but your at work on the beach.
Suddenly, you notice something in the sky. A greenish-gray speck. It grows larger and larger as it comes closer. It appears to be a humanoid. As it comes closer, it begins to fall. (It was leaping towards the beach.) With a gigantic splash, it hits the water, about 60' feet of the shore. With a growl, it surfaces. The creature is 9' tall, has 4 arms and horns on its head.
'Grrarrrr!!! Grond Wet!!'
A scream comes up from the people on the beach as they run away as fast as they can.
Your character would have heard about Grond before. He is a Hulk-like monster of limited intelligence... Surf's up!
Spectrum's Comments: Apparently, Grond scared the you-know-what out of Torpedo as nothing was ever heard from him again. The Grond encounter continued into the Freedom Squad posts.
Next up we have the Wraithe, who became a member of the LA Knights. He was a shy mentalist was lurking behind the scenes during the fight in the opening New Crusaders posts playing sniper.
Wraithe 1
After leaving the meeting, you make your way back home. (Assuming that there isn't anything else that you wanted to do!)
En route, you cross a desolate area of the city. Most the property in this area was destroyed in a large battle. While passing through, a trio of people catches your interest.
The first you notice is a man in black plate armor. He recognizes him as the Black Paladin, a supervillain of some reputation. The other two are unknown to you. One is a man dressed in black. He looks like the grim reaper himself!
The last person is a beautiful woman in chain mail bearing a sword. She holds the reins to a demonic horse.
It appears that she is Paladin's ally, while the grim reaper-like character is closing on them.
What are you going to do?
Mail From: Immortal Date: Friday 22-Jun-90 22:14 EDT
gulp!
Oh no. I've got to do something. But there are three of them. How can I take them on by myself? I know. I'll call in a tip to the police. Then some of the other heroes may come."
Wraithe, As Donaldson will call the police anonymously and report the three villains.
What is known about them power wise?
Wraithe 2
On a scale of 1-5, Black Paladin would be rated a 2. The others are unknown.
You go and contact the police. They say they'll send some one over as soon as possible, but you get the feeling that it won't be anytime soon.
Returning to the scene, you discover the three gone. You can find no trace of them.
Next day you travel to the church that Areion designated as the LA Knights base. You meet with Areion himself. You present your offer as you sent it to me.
Expect mail from Areion in reference to your proposal.
Mail From: Immortal Date: Thursday 28-Jun-90 23:19 EDT
If possible, Wraith will be there when the L.A. Knights arrive. Maybe he will overcome his under confidence in his abilities and talk to them. I hope!
I mailed AREION by business card. Promised 68% list price for electronics. (Since we make then for 47.89% of list, we still get a profit....hehehehe. (They get a 32% discount rather than the usual 10-20%). So, give me some list prices. :]
Spectrum's Comments: Yes, Wraithe was the one who spotted Reaper, Black Paladin, and Serena but didn't do much about it. His story continues into the LA Knights game.