PPU Adventure #1

[SuperBassX84]

-=Over the course of the game, Elfie convinces the Phyrexian that Baltic Avenue is worth a lot more than Boardwalk, Bass aquires the red and yellow properties on the far side of the board, Kyliki ends up winning through tact and cleverness, and Belly spends the game in jail, gets drunk, and ultimately vomits on the board=-

((Piññy or Morb or someone, feel free to advance the plot now))

[piñata]

(OOC: I'll let Morb handle the Phyrexian end of the plot advancement for now, unless he can't or won't for some reason. )

[Meanwhile, back in Ragbralbur...]

*Stalin, Ape Killer, Krotos and Ashley are waiting for news from the scouts Stalin sent out to find Piñata and the others, when they are joined by RoB and Maximillian, back from their insertion mission. This interrupts Stalin's silent musings on a particularly disturbing entry in the prophecy about "One Who Must Be Destroyed".*

Stalin: Brent! How have you been?
RoB: Well, there's a lot less of me now. I might as well be Phyrexian.
Stalin: And I might as well be in Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory, but sometimes extreme measures have to be taken to prolong an important life.
RoB: Where are all the others?
Stalin: Elfie took Belgarath, Oddveig and Kyliki out on a mission... Piñata, Bass and that Wildkarrde thingy went to deal with some cyborgs who were becoming a nuisance, but none of them are back yet. I've sent out scouts to determine what happened to them, since the engagement should be over by now.
RoB: Something weird's going on out there. We were almost engaged by a squad of sentry droids, but then they just... disappeared. All eight of them, vanished into thin air.
Stalin: You're right, that is weird. Do you thoink they're using portals to teleport around the city?
RoB: If they are, then we don't stand a chance. They could just suddenly appear behind us at a moment's notice.
Stalin: This position is already vulnerable enough to begin with. We need to move out.
RoB: Where?
Stalin: Friendly forces have secured the harbor and surrounding warehouses. If we go there, we can establish an official headquarters, and senior staff can coordinate tactics better since we're all in one place.
RoB: Makes sense to me. But we still need this outpost, don't we?
Stalin: We probably do, but whoever stays behind to man it is as good as dead.
RoB: I'll do it.
Stalin: Hell no.
RoB: We don't have time to argue about it. Just leave me some weapons and a couple of troops, and a way to stay in touch with you at headquarters, and Maximillian and I will be fine.
Stalin: It's a suicide mission.
RoB: Who better to volunteer for it than the one whose fault the crisis is, then?
Stalin: Fine, then. Have it your way. I'll leave you an E-Web heavy repeating blaster and two soldiers to crew it, as well as three of the Elvish Rangers, half a dozen commandos, and some spare weapons, ammo and provisions. When the scouts come back from searching for Piñata and the others, you can add them to your team.
RoB: Thanks, that'll be plenty.

*Stalin, Ape, Krotos, Ashley and assorted soldiers/henchbeings leave, carrying as much as they can in the way of supplies. Stalin has a sensor device that can scan dimensional flux patterns in order to detect hidden portals, so there's no danger of getting surprised by one of Wildkarrde's traps. A short while later, the group finds themselves in the warehouse district, and after Stalin explains who they are to Qrel, the Vratix leader of the guards, they are brought to Viper, Scythe and Keldae at the 'Mech warehouse, whose rear office space has been converted into a temporary headquarters.*

[Soulcatcher4]

(((OOC: Sorry I dont post here very often, I have things to do for after school stuff. I'm kinda lost so can someone fill me in?)))

[piñata]

(Well, most of the main player characters are in Phyrexia now, due to a subplot Wildkarrde generated that, supposedly, will reintroduce the character of Morbaruk to the storyline eventually.

Krotos, Ashley, Ape Killer and Scythe are the only player characters left who have escaped the portals, and now they're all in the same location -- an abandoned warehouse complex, part of which has been converted to a 'Mech hangar/storage facility, near the harbor. In addition to five BattleMechs, they've also found things like Scrotum Bombs, Exploding Marshmallows, Salagasder and other Conclaveish WMD. The NPCs with Krotos, Scythe and the others include {but are not limited to} Viperdude, Keldae, and Stalin.

Stalin has the other half of the Prophecy, which means that certain things in the first half have to be reinterpreted when there's a lull in the action and all the senior staff are back from Phyrexia.

The plan right now is that the battle for Ragbralbur will continue to be fought without those who are on Phyrexia -- Redorblue01 will direct the actions of the reinforcements he summoned from an outpost within sight of the city gates, the harbor group will move out from the warehouse district, using the 'Mechs and heavy explosives to cause as much collateral damage {and subsequent confusion among the enemy} as possible, and Archangel {DA's chief of security} will use his own 'Mech to take the east side of the city.

Due to the fact that almost everyone who outranks him has mysteriously disappeared, Krotos is now in the top five in the chain of command, and will probably end up leading a fairly large group of soldiers. ;D)

[SuperBassX84]

((Piññy, I think maybe you should handle the Phyrexian plot as well...Morb seems to be MIA for now...or get ahold of him and make him post.))

[piñata]

(I didn't want to do that, since I wasn't too sure where he was going with it, but I'll contact him and then if there's no answer I'll run his subplot into the ground for him. ;D)

[Scythe]

((ooc: I don't have time for a real story post now, but I hope to wrap up the ragbralbur battle soon and join up with you guys in Phyrexia. Then I can keep in form and open up with the usual "What did I miss?"))

[Ape]

*ApeKiller sits on a box of explosives, twiddling his fingers trying to figure out who all the people are. He keeps having flashbacks of the robot...a robot, one that he was close to, for one reason or another. He can't get the picture of that downed Robot in the temple in the forest out of his head. (see the first few pages, the last time i posted). He knows he's seen all these people before...but...how? He grew up on the streets...he killed everyone who crossed his path...why hasn't he killed these guys already? And how could he have been close to them...OR the robot in the past? He's never had a friend, or atleast, not one that he didn't kill in a few days.*

*ApeKiller TKs (see my character profile if your confused on the initials) the box he is sitting on for the hell of it. He sits there 10 feet or so off the ground, hovering on a box full of explosives*

Scythe: First off...i don't think thats the best idea. and 2nd...How the hell are you doing that?

[Belgarath]

(Oh, we have an RPG here? )

...

(I've completely forgot what's happening...PINATA!!!)

[Ape]

(i have a little plan for this adventure, so hopefully it gets started soon...)

*ApeKiller gently sets the box of explosives down*

ApeKiller: ...I'm bored...

*ApeKiller walks outside of the hangar and wanders arround outside for a bit before falling into what seems to be an invisibles hole*

(Morby set invisible portals earlier, thats why some of you are in Phyrexia right now)

*ApeKiller lands in some black bushes. He see's a light a little ways away and can see some figures. Its the people he was with before. Pinata, DA, Bass, and others. Standing with that machine.(Morb) ApeKiller decides to stay where he is, since it appears something bad is happening.*

*After several minutes of watching the group just stand there, Apes mind begins to wander. He starts wondering, once again, why he is here. Why hasn't he killed these people already? "They don't deserve to live...and i don't know them. I kill anyone who even looks at me...but why? Why do i let these people live? ...and...why do they keep calling me "Ape?" Maybe i belong here. ...maybe i should help them"*

*ApeKiller then realizes he was so caught up in his thoughts that he was muttering his thoughts under his breath. He decides to stop thinking about that and watch...waiting for something to happen*


(to anyone who is actually caught up, it'd be nice if you stayed where your at for a little while. You can stay here in phyrexia, maybe kill off the Machine(Morb) since Morby won't be posting anymore, start a fight or something, but it'd be nice if you stayed in this area for a little bit)

[Elfie]

Elfie: I wonder how long it will be until DA, Oddveig and Balkasior get back.
Piñata: Are you sure they'll be alright?
Elfie: No.
Bass: Then why'd you let them go?
Elfie: I have faith in them.
Piñata: Faith is overrated.
Elfie: Perhaps.
Kyliki: I think they know what they're doing.
Elfie: They better know what they're doing. If they don't we're screwed.

*four figures approach from afar*

Elfie: That'll be them. Alright everyone, act like...hmm. Ah, just act like yourselves.

[Ape]

*ApeKiller sits in the bushes, watching the group of people stand off in the light. He see's DA approaching in the distance, that's when Pinata backs away from the group and into some bushes. A few seconds later, Pinata emerges with someone else. He's wearing a hooded robe and carrying a scythe. ApeKiller's stomach wrenches at the sight of it. As if he is attached to the scythe. Like its something he lost long ago, and wishes he never had. The group begins to talk, but all he catches is "remember Ape?" ApeKiller's stomach knots once again, but he doesn't pay much attention to it. He just lies there, wondering who this "Ape" is. The hooded figure backs away from Elfie, but trips and falls to his back, flinging his hood off his head*

*ApeKillers eyes are thrown wide open, his mouth drops, and his heart skips a beat. This person...they have the same face. ApeKiller jumps to his feet to run out to get a closer look, but the person disappears into thin air. Or perhaps it was another portal. The PPUers hear Ape jump out of the bushes and turn to see him, then they turn back to where the hooded figure had fallen, then back to Ape again*

*ApeKiller knew everyone was confused at what just happened, but Ape knew what was going on. The sight of that guy was enough to remind him. Remind him of a time when he wasn't so alone, and suddenly, ApeKiller felt at home*

[piñata]

ApeKiller said:

(i have a little plan for this adventure, so hopefully it gets started soon...)

(It'd be nice if you shared it with us in the OOC thread... don't forget the complete fiasco that Conclave Adventure #10 has become due to lack of communication.)

[meanwhile, back in Ragbralbur...]

(None of the people in Ragbralbur are active on the site anymore now that Ape's gone, so I guess we're going to have to do this without their help, even if it means a little godmoding.)

RoB stands and watches the herd of caribou that is providing his forces a brief respite before the fighting starts by stupidly crossing the battlefield right in front of the droid army. Apparently the droids don't harm nonsentients or something, because they hold their fire the whole time the herd is crossing.

RoB: How many more are there?
Maximillian: About five hundred, sir.
RoB (watching his troops take the opportunity to erect some last-minute fortifications): That's not enough.

Suddenly, a massive shadow appears over the battlefield, frightening the herd into a stampede (thankfully in a direction away from RoB's forces).

RoB: For fork's sake, what now?
Familiar voice: Airship Basurake. Has it really been that long?
RoB: Static? I thought you left the Conclave.
Static: I did, but whatever it is you're doing here piqued my curiosity. You're making enough noise to wake up the dead, not that I'm suggesting anything.

Basurake starts firing at the droid army, laying waste to the front rank. Almost immediately, droid starfighters are dispatched to deal with this new threat.

Jacob the Cursing Panda (Basurake's new first mate): Shit! Dirty fucking rat bastards!
RoB: Don't worry about it. I have my own aerospace support.

RoB taps the side of his head, as if activating a comm.

Static: Neat trick. How many cybernetic implants do you have now?
RoB: I stopped counting at fifteen.

[Scythe]

A chorus of cheers breaks out in the mech hangar as the last motor tests come back in the green. "The 'Mechs are ready! Radio that in to the others!" Scythe attempts to wipe the engine grease from his face with an equally grimy hand, thereby accomplishing nothing. Frowning, Scythe waves Mint over from where she stands peering over various screens. "How goes the battle?"

"Both sides hav entrenched themselves firmly, and it's been a long, wearying slugging match. hopefully, these 'Mechs will give us the edge we need to break the lines for good."

"Wonderful. Get the other Mech pilots in here and we'll get out there." Scythe says.

"No, the others are scattered about on other duties and YOU need sleep. You've been working for 48 hours, and even planeswalkers need rest. you could do with a shower too..." Mint teases.

"All right, but keep me posted." A tired and dirty Scythe slouches off to the temporary barracks and hits the proverbial sack.

(OOC: I WAS gonna put way more, but I really DO have to go to bed now. Mom-enator's orders...)

[piñata]

(Hopefully this post will end the Phyrexian storyline, at least for the time being.)

Piñata had been trying to practice his gleeman skills the whole time he was waiting for the others to get back... playing various instruments, singing, and telling stories. He was currently playing a flute, and suddenly inhaled sharply, causing the reed to squeak. He drops the flute, his face turning pale.

Elfie: What is it?
Piñata: I felt something in the Force. A massive disturbance, as if billions of lives were just snuffed out.
Bass: I felt that, too. What was it?
Piñata: Well, there's only one territory I know of big enough to support that much loss of life.
Bass: Essential Magic?
Piñata: Exactly.
Elfie: What could be powerful enough to destroy EM?
Piñata: A particularly powerful Planeswalker could do it singlehandedly... Aratar, Morb, Omeguz... you, me, Bass and Freyalise as well... some of the older Planeswalkers from back in the day, like Urza, Teferi, Taysir and Bane... there are a lot of people it could've been.

(The conversation in Elfie's last post occurs at this point, and everyone's attention is drawn to DA, Balkasior and a strangely uncompleated Oddveig [even more OOC: Oddveig needs to maintain a green mana essence in order for the prophecy to be fulfilled. He can't be tainted by machinery. We'll work out what to do about him only having one arm later.], accompanied by the Wildkarrde.

Piñata: Well, it's about forking time.
Elfie: Actually, it went a lot faster than I expected. Oddveig, aren't you supposed to be a bit more... Phyrexian?
Oddveig: I decided to just have them stitch my wound shut and leave the arm as is. It'll remind me to not reach into things I know nothing about.
Wildkarrde: I hate to break up this touching reunion, but we really must leave now.
Piñata: "We"? Once I'm off Phyrexia, I don't ever want to see you again. If I do ever see you again, I'll come back here and collapse this pathetic excuse for a plane.
Familiar, if oddly mechanical, voice: I sort of figured you would feel that way, Piñata. What if an old friend vouched for him?
Piñata: Morbaruk? Is it really you?
Morb: I changed the pronunciation a bit... there's an apostrophe in the middle now. But yes, it's me.
Elfie: You're the ruler of this plane, aren't you?
Morb: I knew you'd be the first one to figure it out. But there's no time for small talk. You must go back to Ragbralbur. Finish what you've started there, then head south to EM. Find out if anyone survived Bane's attack.
Bass: Bane? We've got him under control.
Morb: You may have absorbed his essence, but you didn't remove the taint of his power from Zeles. Zeles wants the Spear of Destiny. That is the reason he attacked EM, to steal the piece they have there. His next target will be The House of Lore.
Piñata: Pfft. He'll find Medwyn a lot tougher to deal with than Rico and Scott.
Morb: I agree, but Zeles is no longer himself. He carries Bane's Planeswalker spark -- and all associated powers -- inside him now. Medwyn may provide him with a healthy workout, but he cannot hope to defeat Bane alone. You must go to him after retrieving the survivors from EM. He will be able to shed some light on the prophecy as well.
Piñata (gesturing to Wildkarrde): I still don't understand why we have to take that with us.
Morb: Because, Alicia and I cannot accompany you personally.
Piñata: Alicia's still alive?
Morb: I gave her immortality.
Elfie: So that's why you went to Phyrexia. Because you didn't want Alicia to die, and knew phyresis would prevent her aging.
Morb: Yes. Has anyone ever told you you're too smart for your own good?
Elfie: All the time.
Piñata: So we need to go back now?
Morb: Yes. The Wildkarrde will accompany you. Try to regard him with a bit more respect and understanding... phyresis is difficult for minotaurs.
Elfie: Ah. So that's what happened to Tahngarth.
Morb: Yes.
Piñata: All right, I guess we can take him. Let's blow this popstand.
Morb: I'll deactivate Wildkarrde's portal traps once you're all safely on the other side.

Piñata opens a portal, and everyone steps safely through. Piñata turns back once, to see Mor'Baruk and a feminine-looking Phyrexian he assumes is Alicia standing together watching their friends leave.