Burning_Brawler_NA

Nice to see a new red face... er, name on the boards!

Doctor con Vulse stood at the edge of the field of death, shaking his head. Suddenly he heard the voice of his invisible nuisance and his eyes narrowed. The Doctor leapt through the storm, accepting the stinging hits as he went, aiming to tackle the man on the spot in his distraction.

-----------------

Prodder began to turn as Nataan spoke, a lucky thing since it gave him the chance to see the sword swing down for its deadly strike. The large man tightened up into a ball and pushed with all the strength in his legs, moving in under the arc of the blade to tackle the freezing fiend.

As soon as he got a firm hold, preferably around the waist, Prodder intended to launch one large burst of spikes and see just how tough the villain really was.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Every AT gains at least 1 powerset -- Masterminds only get a Secondary, no new Primary. Brutes get 2 new Primaries, and 1 secondary. Everyone else gets 1 Primary and 1 Secondary.

[/ QUOTE ]
Wait... blasters too? Blaster support sets, like mastermind primaries, are unique. You'd have to build an entirely new set.

[/ QUOTE ]

Energy Melee is kind of an exception to that. Maybe Blasters'll get a port from a Dom secondary?

((... Oh, I have nothing to add, I just wanted to be reply 69. ^_^

What, it's late? Gimme a break! Not like I have anything to reply to. ))

Doctor con Vulse skidded to a stop as Julia and Cynic came in view. After a second of analyzation, he determined they weren't his target. "Step aside, you're not part of this," he said, intending to simply charge past them and continue his pursuit.

------------------

Prodder's eyes widened beneath his helmet as the vines began to course up his legs. He found himself forced to cut them away himself, his bursts no longer doing the deed on their own. This took time away from his attacking Pestilence.

And as the spikey man's bursts hit the freezing field of Nataan, they frosted over like icicles, not shattering into dust, but not quite able to pierce in their frozen state.

"Where the hell is Castle?" he murmured, taking a swipe at a particularly nasty set of vines.

((Oops! Fixed (again), Ace, though I was under the assumption Prodder was too far from the sword. Or are Nataan and Pestilence close-ish together?))

Prodder didn't seem too nervous by the canister switch Pestilence was making. This was one part due to his total lack of awareness to the significancy of the letters "TZ" and even if he had, his constantly regenerating structure would have made him cocky enough to still not be nervous. The mass of Carrion Vines however were a bit troubling. The bold and fearless fighter found himself having to kick it into overdrive to compensate for their lashes, and even at that he would have to hope the constant steady bursts of his own spiny-ness would literally cut them down to size.

As Pestilence's hands moved to make the switch, Prodder finished his leap, coming up directly in front of the chemical madman. The hero used one hand to try and get a firm grip on Pestilence as the other, covered in a trio of deadly spines, slammed forward for his gut, albeit a tad slowed by Nataan's assault.

He accepted the stinging hit across his back from the sword, hoping the burst of spines that occured right after would force the mercenary back.

------------------

Doctor con Vulse stared in open-mouthed awe at the audacity of the invisible man. He seemed not to notice Hysteria's attempts which were met with an almost electrical static as he tried to reach the Doctor's mind.

A wide electrical field enveloped the Doctor, shorting out several computers that had contained important information. He leaped off in the direction the paper had traveled, suit wildly scanning for the slightest steady rhythm of footfalls. The electric field would highlight anyone he came in close contact with, something he hoped his quick bounding would soon do.

If the invisible man made for the door, the Doctor would soon have him when the betraying glass portal opened.

Good to hear. I've put my little project on hold til I can get a trio going through the Tyrant arc, but hopefully it'll be done soon.

Like, before the end of the year.

Doctor con Vulse leapt forward, snatching up the documents and landing at the other hand of the hall. "A pleasure doing business with you," he said, quickly thumbing through them. He nodded, satisfied, and leapt again toward the exit elevators.

His ride would be waiting.

----------------

Pokin' quickly reversed his movement as Pestilence moved to fire again, groaning in frustration. He continually hopped around the room, managing to avoid the incredibly high pressure stream. As the walls dented along behind him, he realized the guy with the ice sword would have to wait.

As Pestilence moved to switch canisters, Prodder threw a trio of spines directly for the distracted chem-fiend's chest.

Prodder grunted as the sword struck true, but no sooner had it retracted than the wound began to seal itself. The hero chuckled. "You're gonna have to try harder than that."

It was just then that Pestilence's spray came surging towards him and carried the hero away. He would have been smashed into the wall if it hadn't hit him a little lower, instead taking Prodder's legs out from under him. The explosion finished his flight however, and he soon found himself kissing drywall... Or whatever covered Portal Corp.

He grunted, his body smoking a little, and pushed himself to his feet. "You guys take me too seriously," he muttered, stretching back. As he did, his many wounds sealed themselves rapidly in a single instant.

Prodder's body recovered in spines. He charged back toward Nataan, swinging an arm out wide and sending an entire cone of the nasty things out ahead of him. As soon as he closed the distance, the hero intended to tackle the mercenary to the ground and let one quick eruption finish the job.

------------------

As Hysteria went into... hysterics... a man stepped forward from the shadows. "Oh good, I was looking for those," said a man in full dark orange and grey armor. His helmet obscured all ability to identify him, but an Omega sign showed plain on his chest. The spikes on his shoulders, boots, and gloves shone wickedly and his cape flapped behind him as he reached over to take the documents from the other villain's hand.

It's true RPGs would be nothing like they are now without his influence. His contributions to the world have definitely improved my life, and though I only started playing D&D last year, brought me closer to several friends.

As long as there are dungeons to loot and dice to roll, he'll be remembered.

I'm attempting to make a video mostly from scratch that's taking place in Tyrant's Throne Room, however, I'm having an amazingly large amount of trouble even find a part of the map.

Should I just run the arc from Ouroboros and film myself in there, or is there a trick for future reference to help me find the map so I can move in?

Pokin' Prodder leapt from the portal, above the reach of the vines. He came down behind the strange villain, spinning quickly with a sharp spine reaching from each arm to cut a gash at his back.

The large man's focus made the spores seem to do little harm to him, though the steady eruption of spines from his body had a small chance to go astray.

"I, on the other hand, might have a few objections," said a hero, perched on top of the portal. Spikes suddenly erupted from his large frame, showering the room.

He was a large man, fully covered in black plated armor. His helmet's red visor had an angry appearance that betrayed the mirthfilled voice that issued from the helmet. A large V spiked out from its top. On his back was a black cape torn to shreds from far too many spike bursts.

Pokin' Prodder chuckled. "You guys are really predictable. All I had to do was sit around for the last ten minutes or so and boom, two of you waltz in at once!"

Hrm, I think of all my chars, the one who turned out bigger than I ever really intended has to be Project Heat Seeker. His original role was to be a simple arch-nemesis for Burning Brawler ingame that I came up with around the time people first began seriously discussing making an arch-foe of your creation to fight in missions.

He started out simply as a Crey robot with fire powers sent in an attempt to show the people that Crey was a company with the world's best interests at heart and moving to eliminate a hero whose shady past has given him the fear of the public. Their real motives were, of course, elimanating a hero who was peeking too closely on their private business (BB was in the 30's around this time.)

As I got more into writing, Heat Seeker made an appearance in my second story. In this I moved his time back a bit to right after Burning became a hero. I had him seemingly killed, burnt to nothing but ashes. I also told of how Burning had, before the Rikti war, an army of fire-wielding lowlifes whose push for glory was overshadowed and crushed by the invasion.

In the story, the android has returned and is seeking vengeance. It manages to not only gather up the remnants of Burning's army, but even recruit new members from the Hellions, Outcasts, and some minor-league villains.

I then ended up fleshing backwards even more by revealing Burning's second in command, a man named Heat Stroke, had volunteered for Crey's project to eliminate Burning. Seeker wasn't an android at all, but Stroke in a power enhancing suit seeking revenge for the shattering of his chance at power and total abandonment by his leader.

Stroke was defeated and banished into the Abyss after successfully controlling Burning's mind and making him attack his own son and wife.

He didn't reappear til a few stories later when an attack from the Masters of Mayhem brought back all the major villains Burning and crew had faced, some dead, some not. This Seeker sought his original self, using the kidnapped Obsidian Arrow as a human sacrifice to call him forth.

He was hoping to enslave this demonically tainted version of himself, but found that this creature called The Consumed was too powerful and instead became the servant himself. Burning managed to not only banish The Consumed back to the abyss where he belonged and also apprehend Heat Seeker in the process.

Seeker, Nictus, and Ruby were all tracked down and sent to the Zig by the heroes thanks to an arrangement orchestrated by Blightlord with the note "There can be only one." He was clear that if anyone's plans were to succeed at destroying Brawler, it would be his.

In jail, Harlequin manages to successfully break out two of the villains, but not Heat Stroke. To call the attention of the guards, Ruby Blade and Nictus Brawler found it necessary to snap Heat Stroke's neck.

Little did they know that he was handed over to the prison medics in time to bring him back to life to finish his sentance. Later on, he managed to escape the Zig itself and moved to strike back at the heroes and his former cellmates. He once again regathered the army, putting it to a more efficient use as he pulled together a plan to simulataneously destroy the Masters of Mayhem as well as Burning and his family and friends. This was partially accomplished by the use of more powerful lieutenants to carry out his wishes, among them Torcher and Pyra who later made their way into Anti-Hero 101.

However, when one of his lieutenants betrayed him and Stroke killed him in return, Torcher and Pyra found it in their best interests to switch sides before they met the same end.

The Masters decimated what Stroke had brought to deal with them while the heroes fought Heat Stroke with the aid of Torcher and Pyra. He was handed over to Longbow to be returned to the Zig.

Contrary to all his appearances in stories, that's the only place Seeker has found any real location to thrive. Any incarnation I've made in game has never quite made it to travel power level before getting deleted. Also, his one attempt to make an appearance on the RP forums was unfortunately stunted just before fruition.

One day he may scorch the RP boards with his presence, but when I'm not sure.

Panz isn't my character, but I'm sure PalPal knows what she named her.

And nah, these won't be in the game, they're just for fun.

I showed my story arc to the Masters on our own boards and got a little bit of a rewrite to Panzerfrau's dialogue that was a bit more true to the character. From Palette, here's the rewritten part:

Cutscene

(Walking into the club)
Smashing Pumpkin: Hey, did you see Elitist when he got back to the base.
Harlequin: ‘E zeemed most upset…
Panzerfrau: Vhat, you ver expektink him to make die Trondheim Hammar Danz? Der Council vas vaitink fur him und zhey elektronikdataerasengemacht beffur he vas able to krasch through ze door!
Smashing Pumpkin: I woulda pulled that off easy.


Panzerfrau: Zhis party ist sorely lackink pneumatic entertainment deffices. Bored now. </em crossarms>
(Aggro)
Panzerfrau: Now is die time in das Kriegspiel VHEN VE DANZ! (sp…) (summons 3 Battle Drones)
(at 50%)
Panzerfrau: Schattze, du bist zo very butch! But, how you say: if vhanting lovink, usink glovink! (Summons 2 Protector Bots)
(at 25%)
Panzerfrau: Und now I am turnink up to eleffen! Behold, Heavy Metal Umlaut! (Summons Assault Bot)
(Defeated)
Panzerfrau: Ach du lieber!

Blightlord

Immortal Necromancer

Blightlord is what’s commonly known as a Necromancer, dealing in death magic with some expertise in poisons on the side. The schemes of his that get out around the Isles seem few and far between, and always after their completion. He attracts the attention of some pretty high up characters, but with his vague background and amount of power, that’s not too surprising. Whatever he plans is always big, and the payoffs are sure to match.

Initial Contact:

You believe you have the power to be of worth to one such as me? You’re laughable, hardly worth my time and effort.

Prove him wrong.

Bringing A Lord To Power (45-50)

1) Prove your power

Fine, you wish to prove you’re not as pathetic as you appear? Do this then: In Orenbega, one can find many valuable secrets, all of which are heavily guarded. The Circle of Thorns and their mystics are renowned for their control and contracts with demonic legions, something I am shown frequently at the doorstep of my layer. One such contract is taking place now.

1) Interrupt the contract.

Mission Acceptance:

Very well. There is a mystic named Arkthule deep in Orenbega’s halls. A demon prince named Ba’akthal will be arriving by portal to meet him and discuss a deal, the usual souls for service agreement. I want you to interrupt this meeting in whatever way you see fit, but know this: if you fail, expect no assistance from me. Your death merely proves I was correct in my assumptions.

1) Prove your power (Large Orenbega map)
a. Interrupt the contract
i. Seal the portal
i2. Defeat Arkthule
ii2. Defeat Ba’akthal

Notable NPCs

Arkthule (Agony Mage) <Circle of Thorns> Boss
Ba’akthal (Demon Prince?) <Demons> Elite Boss
Portal <Portals> Object

Notes

The player will half fifteen minutes in which Ba’akthal will be crossing through the portal. If they are successful in reaching the room and destroying the portal within this time period (displayed in the nav bar), then the contract will be interrupted, and the demon’s natural suspicions high enough to believe it was a Circle trick. Arkthule will be present, calling the demon forth. Both he and the portal must be destroyed.

If the player cannot make it in time, a brief cutscene will play, showing the demon’s appearance. The player will then have to defeat both of them, who remain together. Ba’akthal has a entourage of demons with him, type and number dependant on player level and team size. Arkthule likewise has a group of Circle mystics with him.

Quotes

Arkthule: We call upon thee, mighty Ba’akthal. Step forward onto this plane, that blood may rain down upon the heads of our enemies!
(Aggro)
Arkthule: What? How did you- No matter, you will be die for this intrusion.
(Defeated)
Arkthule: You’re a fool… a fool…

Cutscene

Arkthule: We call upon thee, mighty Ba’akthal. Step forward onto this plane, that blood may rain down upon the heads of our enemies!
(Ba’akthal appears out of Portal)
Ba’akthal: I have come. Let the dealings commence.

Arkthule: Then we are agreed. Six hundred and sixty-six souls for the you and your legion’s services. Let us sacrifice the victim to seal our pact in blood.
(Aggro)
Arkthule: Ah, and here’s our sacrifice now!
Ba’akthal: Tremble before my might, mortal.
(Defeated)
Ba’akthal: Treacherous mystics. We will never forget this… (Disappears in red electric effect, banished.)
Arkthule: You fool! What have you… done…

Debriefing

Well, well, well. You survived, did you? Perhaps you may be of some use.

2) Occupy the meddlers

Briefing

I will allow you to aid me in this, but you are an imbecile if you believe I’ll tell you of my full scheme from the beginning. You may have proved that you’re not completely pathetic, but you have not yet earned the knowledge of what it is you are working towards, which brings me to my next point.

Many keep a wary eye on me and my doings, and it is for this precise reason I need you in the first place. I will work on a project to distract those more feeble minded, but there is one family which must be dealt with who will see through my little ruse.

I’ll take care of them.

Mission Acceptance

Not so fast. Their deaths are something that will be brought about by my own hand and in person. You are merely to distract them. The family of which I speak is that of a hero named Burning Brawler. There are four total, Brawler, his wife Danica, their daughter Pstorm, and their son, Void Brawler. I have dealt with the boy already; you need not worry about him. What I want is for you to deal with their daughter.

She is currently in Skyway City trying to hold back a minor spillover from one of the Troll’s raids. Their rather upset by this, and would be quite thrilled to get their hands on her…

2) Occupy the meddlers
a. Defeat Pstorm

Notable NPCs

Pstorm (Storm Summoning/Psychic Blast Defender) <Heroes of Paragon City> Elite Boss

Notes:

The outdoor Skyway map is populated with Trolls, some in their rave forms, including Supa Trolls. Whether or not these count towards the badge for villains is a dev decision. When defeated, Pstorm unleashes a powerful psychic wail.

Quotes

Pstorm: Stop, unless you want to be eating lightning bolts for lunch!
Troll: Git her!
(aggro)
Pstorm: That goes for you too!
(Defeated)
You feel a strange tingle through your mind…

Clue

Troll Assurances

After you defeated Pstorm and handed her off to the Trolls, one stopped to speak with you. “You no worry bout girlie. We takez gud care of ‘er.”

Debriefing

I trust you are not bothered by leaving the girl in the hands of the Trolls. If you are, quit now. I have no time for bleeding heart fools.

3) Make a leader a fool

Briefing

To make sure this goes successfully there will need to be little struggle when the final blow is struck. The best way to do this is to make our adversary seem incompetent. A simple task.

I’m ready.

Mission Acceptance

Good. The man we are making a fool of is one called Elitist. His current plans are directed at the Council, specifically their leader, the Center. The Center is believed to be a mutant with abilities tied to loyalty and the inspiring of it in his men. This seems plausible when one looks at those he calls his lieutenants. Either way, Elitist wishes to learn of this power and if it can be made to work for himself. Your job is to see he fails utterly.

There will be several ways to do this. I am sending you to a Council base near the one he intends to send his own forces. Inside there are several computers and one Archon supervising its activities. Setting off any of these will do, but if you’re feeling particularly bloodthirsty, I won’t mind the enthusiasm. I would prefer you leave the corpses intact enough for my own use, however. This task is critical, so I will be sending a few of my own personal servants to assist you. Elitist will be relying on the element of surprise to get what he needs. We’ll ensure it is he who is surprised.

3) Raise Council Alarm
a. Get the Council on the alert
i.Activate 3 computers
ii. Hack alarm system
iii. Defeat Archon Maroe
iv. Find Grime
v. Find Muck and Guck

Notable NPCs

Grime (Lich) <Blightlord> Elite Boss
Muck (Grave Knight) <Blightlord> Boss
Guck (Grave Knight) <Blightlord> Boss

Notes

Muck and Guck will always spawn together.

Quotes

Grime: You know not who you are dealing with!
Council: Enough talk you overpowered zombie!
(Aggro)
Grime: You’re late…
Council: What now? Argh!
(Rescued)
Grime: Let us hurry. My master will be displeased if Elitist succeeds.

Muck: Kill them!
Guck: Kill all of them!
Council: Where did these things come from?!
(Aggro)
Muck: Fight!
Guck: Blood!
Council: Can’t a guy get a break?
(Rescued)
Muck: Go now.
Guck: Kill the live ones.

Archon Maroe: Everything’s running smoothly.
(Aggro)
Archon Maroe: Who are you? Quick, raise the alarm! I want all intel on lockdown!
(Defeated)
Archon Maroe: Hah! You may have defeated me, but you’ll never get the information you came for…

Clues

Computer: You sent a mass e-mail to the Council bases, warning them to be on guard for an attack in the next hour.

Debriefing

Elitist just returned to our base and seemed quite angry, I must say. Oh, I forgot to mention that, didn’t I? He’s the leader of this band of villains I work with, the Masters of Mayhem. You’re helping me to usurp his position.

4) ‘Coerce’ the Masters

Briefing

Yes, that is my scheme. It seems a rather petty thing, but I assure you, the benefits are well worth your effort. You will reap your rewards in due time, I assure you. Your next step is to ‘coerce’ his most loyal voices to stay out of my way.

Not a problem.

Mission Acceptance

Luckily for us, they are currently on their way to St. Martial for a night of revelry and celebrating the mediocrity that is life. Interrupt their little party, but use caution. I would even encourage you to enlist some aid, though quite frankly you’re as much use to me alive is only greater because you are harder to trace back to me in that state. On that note, expect no assistance from me this time. They will recognize my servants and possible leave to warn Elitist.


4)‘Coerce’ the loyal Masters
a. Defeat the loyal Masters
i. Defeat Harlequin
ii. Defeat Smashing Pumpkin
iii. Defeat Panzerfrau

Notable NPCs

Harlequin (Psi/Psi Dominator) <Masters of Mayhem> Elite Boss
Smashing Pumpkin (Dark Melee/Fire Shield Brute) <Masters of Mayhem> Elite Boss
Panzerfrau (Robot/Force Field Mastermind) <Masters of Mayhem> Elite Boss

Notes

Panzerfrau may randomly burst into German, which I don’t speak. Embellish her dialogue if you wish. She makes good use of her laser rifle and a Nemesis Staff. She will summon bots as the fight progresses. Harlequin speaks in a French accent, but rarely uses French itself. They can spawn in any random combination or separated. This mission takes place within the St. Martial casino. ‘Disturbing the party’ by brawling with the Masters will trigger a Rogue Isles Security ambush of modest size to scale with the size of the team.

Quotes

Cutscene

(Walking into the club)
Smashing Pumpkin: Hey, did you see Elitist when he got back to the base.
Harlequin: ‘E zeemed most upset…
Panzerfrau: Vhat do you expect? Ze Council vere vaiting for him and viped all ze data before he even made it through ze front door!
Smashing Pumpkin: I woulda pulled that off easy.

Smashing Pumpkin: Now this is a party! One thing’s missin’ though…
(Aggro)
Smashing Pumpkin: There we go! Now that’s more like it!
(at 50%)
Smashing Pumpkin: Turn up the music, this fight’s just getting’ started!
(at 25%)
Smashing Pumpkin: I’m not feelin’ so good… Think I had a lil’ too much to drink…
(Defeated)
Smashing Pumpkin: I hear ya… just lemme… rest a lil’…

Harlequin: I ‘ear your thoughts. Come out and play…
(Aggro)
Harlequin: O, zis is fun!
(at 50%)
Harlequin: Ow! You are hurting me!
(at 25%)
Harlequin: Do you feel it? Ze madness creeping in around you?! (Domination activates)
(Defeated)
Harlequin: O poo.. You are no fun…

Panzerfrau: No electronical bull? Vhat kind of party iz dis!
(Aggro)
Panzerfrau: You vant to dance? Vunderbra! (sp…) (summons 3 Battle Drones)
(at 50%)
Panzerfrau: Quit steppink on mein toes! (Summons 2 Protector Bots)
(at 25%)
Panzerfrau: I’ll show you! (Summons Assault Bot)
(Defeated)
Panzerfrau: I… ugh.

Debriefing

Very good, very good indeed… Now we may step forward and strike down Elitist. It will not be easy, but I will be assisting you this time, not in person of course.

5) To Usurp the Elite

Briefing

That would spoil the whole point of you being such an active part of our little adventure. No, I will disable the security systems to allow you entry into our base and ensure you aren’t vaporized on sight. Grime, Muck, Guck, and my spectre, Sludge, will be waiting for you inside. You are to fight your way to Elitist and destroy him.

It’s as good as done.

Mission Acceptance

Perfect. Use a Super Group portal to enter the base. I’ve temporarily altered the base’s security passes to make it open to you. Try not to damage things too much inside. Some of my own work is in there. Most of the other Masters are out committing their own schemes while Elitist remains in the base to brood over his humiliating failure. Take advantage of this opportunity.

5) Defeat Elitist!
a. Defeat Elitist
b. Defeat Techno-Tyrant

Notes

This map is custom, shaped like a typical SG base and filled with Deactivated Turret units that can be destroyed for no reward and will not fight. Disabled Force Field Generators are randomly lying around, are Disabled Traps of various sorts. These can also be destroyed, but have no reward.

The base itself is decked in the Master’s skull symbol with red and black the primary colors. It is a fully functioning base filled with various technological and mystical items. The lighting is generally deep red or sterile white or none at all. The player will only be able to navigate the main rooms and Command Center, no private quarters.

Techno-Tyrant will be present in the base in a random room other than the Control Center, which is where Elitist is staying. Tyrant’s robots are out and about, protecting the base while Tyrant investigates the security failure. They are standard bots and act like normal minions.

Grime, Muck, Guck, and Sludge can be found throughout the base, brawling with Tyrant’s bots. Muck and Guck always spawn together, the others can be separated throughout the base.

Notable NPCs

Elitist (Super Strength/Invulnerability Brute) <Masters of Mayhem> Elite Boss/Arch-Villain
Techno-Tyrant (Robotics/Forcefield Mastermind) <Masters of Mayhem> Elite Boss
Battle Drone <Masters of Mayhem> Minion
Protector Bot <Masters of Mayhem> Lieutenant
Assault Bot <Masters of Mayhem> Boss
Grime (Lich) <Blightlord> Elite Boss
Muck (Grave Knight) <Blightlord> Boss
Guck (Grave Knight) <Blightlord> Boss
Sludge (Spectre) <Blightlord> Boss

Quotes

Grime: Pathetic metal contructs!
(Rescued)
Grime: There you are. Let us deal with the fool Elitist.

Muck: Where Elitist?
Guck: Fight metal men first.
(Rescued)
Muck: To Elitist!
Guck: Kill…

Sludge: Iiiiiiiii smell blooooooooood!
(Rescued)
Sludge: Weeeeeeee will eat his fleeeeeeeeeeesh…

Techno-Tyrant: I don’t understand it! It all just suddenly stops working? Impossible!
(Aggro)
Techno-Tyrant: Magnificent, intruders… Go away, will you?
(At 50%)
Techno-Tyrant: I don’t have time for this! Calling all units! (Ambush wave)
(at 25%)
Techno-Tyrant: Why won’t you die?! I said calling ALL units! (Ambush wave)
(Defeated)
Techno-Tyrant: You… Scanners sense… You’re with Blightlord? You… fool… you… betray…

Elitist: Blightlord won’t even face me on his own? I’ll send his errand boy back in a bloody heap. We’ll see if he gets the message then…
(Aggro)
Elitist: Speak of the devil! So you’re the one who’s been causing me so much trouble? I’ll enjoy this, just like I’ll enjoy ripping Blightlord in two when I get my hands on him!
(at 50%)
Elitist: So you have some fight in you? A shame you’re a spineless worm or you could have been of some use to me!
(at 20%)
Elitist: No! I am Elitist! I am the pinnacle of human perfection! I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED! (Unstoppable triggers, as does Rage)
(Defeated)
Elitist: No… I’ve worked too hard… It can’t be over… Not… not to him…

Clues

Techno-Tyrant’s Warning:

Blightlord? You’re working with that rotting pile? You’re a fool. He’d sooner turn you into one of his mindless slaves than give you a reward. In that last minute before you die, I hope you remember how stupid you really are.

Debriefing

You’ve done it then? Excellent… excellent… Now there is one last thing that must be done.

6) The Future Is Mayhem

The Masters had a bright future ahead of them under Elitist, but in that timeline he proved too secured in his position to destroy fully. I am confident however that I am fully capable of bringing about the same future. Simply do me one last favor and travel into the future to ensure all has gone to according to my long-term plan. Then we may begin talk of your reward.

Consider it done.

Mission Acceptance

Go then. I have hidden the portal in a cave below. Find if I have succeeded in my goals, bring back proof, and return to me.

6) See the future (Ruined Grandville map)
a. Investigate the future
i. Find evidence

Notes

This mission takes place in an even more worn down version of Grandville, confined to the more central area of the city. The Web is broken in large sections and the entire place is filled with Blightlord’s minions. A few random citizens are either strolling about or held captive and pleading for help. It is entirely up to the player whether or not it’s worth their time to rescue them. The clue to find is the player’s own zombified self who is guarding the entrance to the Grandville tower, which is inaccessible. There is also one very large creature resembling Adamastor in appearance and abilities wandering within the mission, known as an Atrocity. Even more of these creatures can be seen from outside the mission’s blocked off area, as can more zombies. The walls serve only to confine the player’s searching area, not to block out all unlife.

Notable NPCs

Zombie <Blightlord> Minion
Grave Knight <Blightlord> Lieutenant
Spectre <Blightlord> Lieutenant
Lich <Blightlord> Boss
Atrocity <Blightlord> Monster
Player Name (Dark/Dark based upon AT) <Blightlord> Elite Boss

Quotes

Player Name: For… Blightlord…
(Aggro)
Player Name: Kill!
(at 50%)
Player Name: So… cold…
(at 25%)
Player Name: Die! DIE!
(Defeated)
Player Name: Sleep… at last…

Clues

Your corpse

You found proof alright… That slime’s “reward” he’s been planning was turning you into one of his mindless slaves. Perhaps Arachnos would like to learn of this little future Blightlord has been planning…

7) Go to Arbiter Daos

Conversation

We know of your doings. Don’t look so surprised. Arachnos monitors every possible future. We can’t leave anything to chance if our own goals of domination are to be achieved. Yes, we watch Blightlord and the Masters of Mayhem as they make there little plans, but this time things have gone a little too far. You should also be aware that we know of your own part in bringing Blightlord’s dreams closer to reality. That is why you will do as I say and not question what I am about to tell you to do.

Blightlord’s future will become an even bigger possibility if he isn’t stopped, something that’s in both our best interests. I could easily send an Arachnos force against him, but that would draw far too much attention. Go, defeat Blightlord, and return to me when the job is done. I suggest you bring plenty of allies with you; this won’t be easy. Then we may talk about your punishment for attempting to undermine Arachnos authority…

8) Defeat Blightlord!
a. Defeat Blightlord
b. Defeat Burning Brawler
c. Defeat Danica
d. Defeat Pstorm

Notes

As you saw above, not only Blightlord will be present in this mission. Burning Brawler and his family will make an appearance on the scene and believe you’re still allied with Blightlord. Throughout the mission which takes place in a map somewhat like Orenbega the player may also run into Blightlord’s head servants at various points, Muck and Guck together as always, Grime and Sludge separate. Burning’s family is always together.

At the end of the mission is a large throne room with a great stone throne in the center on a dais. There is also a very large mirror against the wall with gold lining its edges and a somewhat distorted image of the future mission the player was in just recently. Blightlord waits in there with plenty of minions to fit the team size. He also has the ability to call upon his servants at appropriate rankings based upon the team. For example, a team of four or more will fight them full strength, but any less and they are all Lieutenant rank, even Grime. Blightlord has the ability to resummon them, but how many each time is based upon team size. He also has the three zombies at his side, which are part of his resummonable group. Void Brawler will appear when Blightlord is near death. Blightlord’s defeat will trigger a momentary cutscene showing his collapse and the emergence of The Muck, a black and green slime-like creature. The player will not face this creature, which will instead flee the area.

Notable NPCs

Burning Brawler (Fire/Ice/Fire Blaster) <Heroes of Paragon City> Elite Boss/Hero
Danica (Martial Arts/Willpower Scrapper) <Heroes of Paragon City> Elite Boss/Hero
Pstorm (Storm Summoning/Psychic Blast Defender) <Heroes of Paragon City> Elite Boss
Blightlord (Necromancy/Poison/Soul Summoning Mastermind) <Masters of Mayhem> Elite Boss/Arch-Villain
Void Brawler (Dark/Super Reflexes Stalker) <Masters of Mayhem> Elite Boss
Grime (Lich) <Necromancy> Elite Boss
Sludge (Spectre) <Necromancy> Boss
Muck (Grave Knight) <Necromancy> Boss
Guck (Grave Knight) <Necromancy> Boss
Lich <Necromancy> Boss
Grave Knight <Necromancy> Lieutenant
Zombie <Necromancy> Minion

Quotes

Burning Brawler: Keep an eye out. Blightlord’s close…
Danica: Which means so is Void. If we find him Pstorm, get your brother out fast.
Pstorm: You got it…
(Aggro)
Burning Brawler: You! You’ll learn what happens when you work with Blightlord!
Danica: I’m gonna enjoy this…
Pstorm: Time for some payback.
(at 25%)
Burning Brawler: He’s strong… But I have to get to Blightlord! It’s the only way he can be stopped.
Danica: That actually hurt… Time to kick it up a notch… (Activate Strength of Will)
Pstorm: Armor’s taking heavy damage… You won’t win this time!
(Defeated)
Pstorm: Have to… fight… (Triggers a Vengeance boost for parents)
Burning Brawler: Blightlord… can’t let him win… (Triggers Rise of the Pheonix)
Danica: Void… Matt… I’m sorry… (Triggers Vengeance boost)
(2nd Defeat)
Burning Brawler (Activates Inferno just before death. Triggers Vengeance boost upon falling.)

Grime: My lord will prevail, and great power will be mine!
(Aggro)
Grime: You fool! The future is set in stone!
(Defeated)
Grime: I… I’ll be back.

Muck: We wait here.
Guck: Want fight soon…
(Aggro)
Muck and Guck: KILL!
(Defeated)
Muck: Hear call…
Guck: Master calls…

Sludge: Kiiiiiill the fooooooool!
(Aggro)
Sludge: Life is weaknessssssssss!
(Defeated)
Sludge: Nooooooooooo!

Cutscene upon entering throne room
Blightlord: I have watched your progress through here. I must thank you for dealing with Brawler and that family of his. I was almost concerned for a moment that they would stop me once more. But now my way is clear, my path straight. In a way I should thank you, and so I shall.

By ending your humiliation at the doom you have brought upon the world. (Summons pets)

(Aggro)
Blightlord: And so it begins, a final battle to decide the fate of the world! Utter ruin or oppression!
(at 50%)
Blightlord: Cherish this moment. It is your last! (Resummon)
(at 25%)
Blightlord: No! You are a fool if you think you can win! I am a god among insects! (Void Brawler spawns nearby, Hidden and joins the fight)
Void Brawler: (Assassin Strike) You should watch your back better.
(Defeated)
Void Brawler: No… no! Please!

Cutscene

Blightlord: No… no… this can’t be! I’ll destroy you once and for all! I’ll… (Collapses)

The Muck rises up high into the air, slimy exterior coursing moving constantly. It shrinks away, slinking into a crack behind the throne between it and the ground. A sliver view of a below ground area can be seen if the player looks afterward, but is inaccessible.

9) Return to Arbiter Daos

Story Arc Complete

Well done. Our normal means of spying weren’t able to get through the wards Blightlord had in place, but we could still pick up the power readings when you took him down. The ooze? Yes, he’ll be back. But that defeat was enough to delay him for a long time, long enough for us to eliminate any chance of him succeeding in this again.

As for you… For your service to Arachnos and mending of the damage you caused, we will overlook your deeds, good and bad. But be warned, you have made many enemies in this venture. And now it is time for you to leave…

Hehe. Falsetto voice, Term, or a real change-up?

As for me, I think Voice Chat wouldn't hurt things at all. I might actually try to RP OVER the chat once in a while if the sound quality is decent. But also, using in-game chat for in-character and Voice for OOC would also be pretty sound.

And the really really really "hardcore" RPers should be okay with it for teams, because then they just speak as their character and have the others do the same. *shrug*

((Ah, when I read the beginning of this thread I was under the assumption there was one collective hero base and another collective villain base.

Blightlord's using the Arachnos soldier's body to get inside wasn't the beginning of an attack, just my way of getting in. Blightlord has no intention of just walking in, blowing everyone to shreds, then moving on. At this stage, he couldn't even if he wanted to. All he's seeking at the moment is a base he can reliably return to. Whether that means seeking mercenary-like employment or simply escaping there once in a while is up to whoever is in charge of affairs in this thread.))

Blightlord looked back at his trio of undead. Their helmets still in place, from any ceiling camera surveillance they'd appear as just incredibly weary soldiers back from a long day's patrol.

Satisfied, he walked inside, seeking a quiet place where he could dismiss the undead. It didn't take long. The restrooms, in their most disturbing state, proved quite vacant. Blightlord willed the zombies to melt away, drawing them into himself for later use.

Flushing the toilet to avoid suspiscion, he stepped out. Unless someone was paying an unusual amount of attention or there was really no privacy in the villain base, no one should notice that four men went in, but only one left.

But then again, maybe there would be no surprise at all. The restroom was downright toxic.

Blightlord stood in front of the entrance to the villain base, his arms crossed, and his face rather amused. He held a hand out to one of the zombified Arachnos soldiers standing next to him. The zombie produced a security clearance card, handing it to its master.

Blightlord turned toward the door and swiped the card. Any readings the security system needed to take, palm, retina, should all be accepted seeing as this was the same body that had left for patrol earler that morning.

-----------------

In the Bastion's medical facility, a silent alarm went off to inform the attendants of a new arrival. If any were to step inside however, they would find nothing new or amiss about the room.

That is, until a suddenly flash of black and green fire created a whirlwind around one of the empty beds. It surged and then dissipated, leaving a woman with incredibly long black hair draped across her bare frame fairly conveniently for modesty's sake.

She appeared incredibly weary, and shuddered every few minutes. Scans would show these shudders were often accompanied by small spikes in the room's temperature.

Blightlord watched the Arachnos base grow larger and larger as he approached. Here he sensed the most concentrated amount of corruption. Here, he could grow in strength, at least until he was ready to act independantly.

That would take time however, and resources. He currently had plenty of one but little he could discern of the other. There was also information to acquire...

----------------

Deep in the earth, a cavern lay. It had been undisturbed for years, and long sealed off by an unfortunate cave-in. But its sole occupant did not mind, for she had come there to study. The power and knowledge would keep her nourished until the time it was ready.

It was ready.

A girl looked up, raven-black hair flowing long enough to pool on the floor even as she hovered above it in a lotus position. She watched the book cradled in her arms, eyes fixed on the symbol on its ancient cover.

A green fireball, one that had begun to shine with life.

Art thou ready, child?

'I am.'

Then it is time.

The book flared to life, a great column of black and green flame shooting upward, piercing the cavern and rising high into the sky. As quickly as it had started, the flames retreated back inside, flowing into the girl, infusing her with their power. She cried out in pain, writhing in the heat and scorching pain.

Resist, child! Thou knew well the risks, now resist!

She screamed, fighting through the urge to let the flames consume her, mind, body, and soul. She fought to let them not take her over, but to merge with her. Another scream, and the fire ended, leaving her lying on the ground, smoking, her meager rags of clothing burned away.

Thou hath done well, my child.

Where do you think I found it from?

Conciousness can be a fickle thing, leaving at the most inopportune moments and seeming to return when it deemed best. Whether when you're still beside the person you swore was of the gender you assumed it was that turns out not to be or after an incredibly long period that would leave many quite disoriented.

The second is what befell The Muck.

It was used to this however, used to being inactive for even longer periods of time in fact. Some would notice that The Muck only seemed to reawaken just before a great moment in history. A rare few learned enough to see how often it was a catalyst of these events.

In any case, it seemed history was about to happen once more as a pool of black and green ooze rose from above a pile of rubble. It slithered across the ruined landscape, sensing wretched life not far away. An Arachnos patrol was making rounds, keeping wary eyes open for heroes. The Muck saw its target...

"Sir, if I may," began a soldier. Their commander turned and received a mace blow upside his face. As the officer whirled away, the other three soldiers drew their weapon to bring down the attacker.

He gasped sharply and dropped his mace. "What the hell?!" he shouted as if just now noticing where he was. "What are you jackasses doing you stupid f-"

The man was silenced by several pistol rounds that split his helmet, skull, and brains across the ground. The commander rose to his feet, rubbing his jaw. "Keep a sharp eye!" he ordered.

"Sir, I found it!" shouted one eager soldier, drawing his mace and pointing off into the distance. The other two ran to his side and immediately collapsed as a full-circle swing of the mace cracked open both their heads. The commander threw out a web grenade, ensnaring the sudden traitor.

"I demand to know what this is about, immediately!" shouted the commander, drawing his own weapon and keeping it leveled at the now hopelessly ensnared soldier.

He saw the other man's eyes grow wide, and for a moment, the commander turned. He cried out, firing his weapon at the ooze rising above his head. It recoiled at the shot, but lurched forward immediately after with a wicked ferocity. The commander could not even scream as The Muck began hollowing him from the inside out, consuming his very soul. The ooze crackled and hardened around him, forming a fine armor. There was a sickening crack as the creature stood in full posession of the commander's body. The ooze peeled back from his head, revealing sickly white flesh, rot already working its way through it.

The armor was an odd, blackened, skin-like substance lined with 'veins' that pulsed with toxic liquids. These veins flowed from its feet to its elongnated, razor-like nails. A set of these green veins also ran to a ventilator placed over the creature's mouth, liquids flowing in and out of it.

The three soldiers who had attacked one another so 'mysteriously' arose, one by one, and stood beside their new master, faces twisted into horrified caricatures of their former selves.

Blightlord stepped forward, casting a terrifying glare down upon the soldier ensnared in the web. The man's eyes were bulging, nearly ripping from his skull. The corner's of Blightlord's mouth turned in a cruel smile as he stepped forward with an outstretched hand.

He placed his palm on the soldier's face and relished in the screams of agony that could be heard for a mile around. When he was threw, the soldier's body fell away, a withered husk, fully drained of life. A soft kick, and the husk collapsed into a pile of dust.


Blightlord turned in the direction of the strongest presence of corruption. "Well that was refreshing. Now then, where shall I begin?"

*Bumps into thread*

Oof!

Well what have we here? ...