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World War II - The Vanguard Issue #7 Battle for the fate of Albion!

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Post  Admin Wed Feb 15 2012, 21:28

What went before...

Members of the Vanguard, the superheroes known as Frostbite and Silver Sentinel, journeyed to the mystical land of Albion, a place the Vanguard had visited
before, in order to ask for help against the Nazis that threatened to overrun their realm. However, they found that the reformed Queen, Morgana Le Fay, had been kidnapped and
spirited away... by herself! The Holy Grail which had healed the land had gone a step further. In order that the land be in balance, it created an evil duplicate of every
truly good creature in the land, all now flocking to an evil duplicate of Morgana! The Vanguards' friend, Elesieth, had been proclaimed Queen until Morganas' return.
Elesieth herself was kidnapped by the forces of Darkness but recovered by the Vanguard. After a war council, the free peoples of Albion decide to march on the evil Queen to
end the threat she poses! The Vanguard do their part - Frostbite recruits an army of fearsome mystical warriors known as the Crimson Legion, the majority of the Giantish race,
and the race of Dragons, as well as picking up a couple of artefacts on the way. Silver Sentinel recruits a horde of Ogres and Trolls, an army of Pirates, the scourge of the seas and fearsome warriors in their own right. He had to make a choice - the pirates, or the undead ruled by a necromancer who was once the Pirate Queens sister. He chose pirates, and the Dark Queen made her own army of undead to send against the Pirates to wipe them out!

They nearly succeeded, but once more, the Dark Power proved decisive as it had so many times before.

But power, of any kind, comes at a price.

The Vanguard will soon know what that price is...


World War II - The Vanguard Issue #7 Battle for the fate of Albion! Vanguard_titles_issue_7

"I don't believe this!" spat War Mashal Satarri as he saw the Pirate Queen, Merissa, enter the tent


There was a hissing of blades and two sides formed - those of the Pirate QUeen and her trusted Captains, and the Lords and Nobles of Elesieths court, each with a small army of
hired warriors and loyal guards.

The leader of the Crimson Legion stood,impassive in the corner of the tent, resting on her sword, feet apart like a statue.

Frostbite and Silver Sentinel entered the expansive tent to see a long wooden table, chairs all around it, and at the head, Elesieth, head in hands. When she heard the clank of Sentinels armour she looked up and smiled. "ENOUGH!" she yelled. Everyone in the room turned to look at her. The nobles - albeit reluctantly - bowed, and made their way to their seats, whilst the pirates sneered and made jokes at the nobles expense. They'd made a living from piracy from those they were supposed to fight alongside, and neither party was keen on the arrangement.

Another of the nobles, Count Harrgaard, tried to contain his temper. "Glad to see your friends are back, highness. Would you mind telling the armoured fellow that it's pointless me having cavalry if my men have to run into battle?" Elesieth raised an eyebrow and the Count rolled his eyes. "HIS!" he shouted, pointing at Silver Sentinel "Ogres are eating all my bloody horses!"

Sentinel stifled a smile. Since the battle with the undead the Vanguardians had travelled with the pirates to eventually meet with the main body of Elesieths' force, thousands of men and monsters camped in rows (the men) and an unruly mob (the Ogres and Trolls). The Giants had been spotted striding across the countryside and would join in a day or so. Frostbite had the means to call the Dragons, but for the sake of all gathered, thought that would be best only when the time was right.

An army of hungry dragons and so much food - albeit canned in armour - would be far too tempting! They'd arrived at the camp and immediately had to interpose themselves between the pirates and the nobles who'd been wronged. Both sides were up for a fight, and more than willing to forget that they were here to face a common foe. The night had been a long one - the raucous pirates staying up for most of it, and loud with it. The soldiers were more disciplined, and extremely irritable come the morning, having been restrained from 'sorting out' the Pirates! During the night more horses had been spirited away, and the camp was a big melting pot of boiling tempers! Over 5,000 warriors and monsters, ready to do battle and at this moment in time, not caring whether it be against each other or an enemy!

The table erupted into complaints and arguments once more, before all were interrupted as one of the Queens guards came in with an exhausted looking scout. "Your majesty! The enemy rides! They are less than one day away!"

OOC You have options:

1) Set up and wait for the enemy to come. The terrain is gently rolling hills and fields, not much in the way of woodland. You get the idea that Elesieth had rather she had gone to the enemy, rather than the other way round!

2) Go it alone with yourselves, Raspandarr and any other allies you deem powerful enough to look after themselves. Scout out the enemy, perhaps even take them on and save some bloodshed?

3) Call on the Dark power and sort this mess out with one powerful blast!

4) Attempt to meet with the Dark Queen and arrange a peace, of sorts

5) March to meet the enemy at a more advantageous point - atop a hill, or on the edge of woodlands, with archers ready, knights set to charge, dragons to swoop and giants to toss boulders, amongst other options.

OR go your own way - an option not listed...


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Post  Steeple_jackuk Thu Feb 16 2012, 00:05

Admin wrote:OOC You have options:

1) Set up and wait for the enemy to come. The terrain is gently rolling hills and fields, not much in the way of woodland. You get the idea that Elesieth had rather she had gone to the enemy, rather than the other way round!

2) Go it alone with yourselves, Raspandarr and any other allies you deem powerful enough to look after themselves. Scout out the enemy, perhaps even take them on and save some bloodshed?

3) Call on the Dark power and sort this mess out with one powerful blast!

4) Attempt to meet with the Dark Queen and arrange a peace, of sorts

5) March to meet the enemy at a more advantageous point - atop a hill, or on the edge of woodlands, with archers ready, knights set to charge, dragons to swoop and giants to toss boulders, amongst other options.

OR go your own way - an option not listed...

OOC:
Ok as you say we have options, but what priority. Ok some questions,

Firstly is there land that is more defensible without compromising a valuable tactical advantage or has the Queen stolen a march on us to try and eliminate that advantage?

Second we need to get a good idea of what forces can fight where to best advantage, cavalry will need a good run up for instance, the foot soldiers will need to dig in, let the enemy come to them with trenches, sharpened stakes and what not. It would be good if we can put some distance between the Trolls, Ogres and other forces before discipline breaks down completely. Close but not to close, if you know what I mean.

Third I am inclined to at least look over the enemy, but perhaps Sentinel might be better placed to go have a look and see what is what. Whilst I sort out things here.

I am also interested in contacting the Queen, except I know she has either a plan up her sleeve, some massive sleep, frost or other type spell so she can avoid killing us, but still incapacitate us and win. I know she wouldn't be attacking if this wasn't the case, so I am open to talking but cannot see what it will accomplish. I could be wrong however!

I am reluctant to just dish out the dark power, in the end if I can use the sword I've got to capture the queen, freeze her and do to her what she might well have planned for us, then all good and well. The problem with using the dark power is its only good for short bursts, and its better used when we know what and how we can best use it. So I think we'll keep that in reserve for now. Although if there was a way to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, after all we want some of these folk to fight in the war effort, so I don't want them dying here!

Anyway that is enough to be thinking about for now


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Post  smaug Thu Feb 16 2012, 07:41

OOC: Good ideas. I think frostbite would be far better to organise this unlikely alliance, people seem to listen to him although sentinel feels he has some good tactical advice being ex army he is better taking orders than giving them.

Setting up our 'troops' is really important. Think we need to find a better point to attack from, like u quite rightly said set up the giants and archers but the enemy will know ITS A TRAP! (to quote admiral akbar) so can I recommend we bait the trap with the trolls, they can take alot of punishment.....and it may save our horses.

So what will you have sentinel do? Just some recon, get in take a peek and get out...hopefully drawing their forces out and following sentinel back to our trap?

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Post  Admin Fri Feb 17 2012, 22:27

Steeple_jackuk wrote:

OOC:
Ok as you say we have options, but what priority. Ok some questions,

Firstly is there land that is more defensible without compromising a valuable tactical advantage or has the Queen stolen a march on us to try and eliminate that advantage?

The land between you and the enemy is mostly fields, light woodland and rolling hills. To the north (from where the Queen is marching) it's steeper, and the ground is harsh moorlands with heather and gorse making going slower, with rocks scattered about the moors making it difficulty to forge a straight path for the Dark Queens forces. She's in no rush - wipe out the alliance of men and monsters and she figures the neutrals will fall into line without a fight.

Second we need to get a good idea of what forces can fight where to best advantage, cavalry will need a good run up for instance, the foot soldiers will need to dig in, let the enemy come to them with trenches, sharpened stakes and what not. It would be good if we can put some distance between the Trolls, Ogres and other forces before discipline breaks down completely. Close but not to close, if you know what I mean.

So you intend to set up and dig in here? The soldiers can set to digging earthworks - trenches with the dirt piled high to make a barrier of sorts, and trees can be chopped to provide stakes and so on.

Third I am inclined to at least look over the enemy, but perhaps Sentinel might be better placed to go have a look and see what is what. Whilst I sort out things here.

That's Sentinels call. Remember you face a cunning enemy. She'll have been watching what you can do...


I am also interested in contacting the Queen, except I know she has either a plan up her sleeve, some massive sleep, frost or other type spell so she can avoid killing us, but still incapacitate us and win. I know she wouldn't be attacking if this wasn't the case, so I am open to talking but cannot see what it will accomplish. I could be wrong however!

Again, if you wish to form a parley party and go on ahead to meet with them, that's your call.

I am reluctant to just dish out the dark power, in the end if I can use the sword I've got to capture the queen, freeze her and do to her what she might well have planned for us, then all good and well. The problem with using the dark power is its only good for short bursts, and its better used when we know what and how we can best use it. So I think we'll keep that in reserve for now. Although if there was a way to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, after all we want some of these folk to fight in the war effort, so I don't want them dying here!

Wiping out the enemy army would be reasonably simple for the most part. Most are living creatures. The Dark Power is adept at inflicting huge damage to sentient creatures and in such a tight knit bunch as an army would be, all your problems could be solved with a simple high power dark blast! Smile ...

Anyway that is enough to be thinking about for now


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Post  Steeple_jackuk Sat Feb 18 2012, 09:08

Admin wrote:So you intend to set up and dig in here? The soldiers can set to digging earthworks - trenches with the dirt piled high to make a barrier of sorts, and trees can be chopped to provide stakes and so on.

Frostbite gave order for the men to start to build fortified defences, he had the trolls do some of the heavier lifting, making sure that they were working toward using their energies constructively so they didn't grow bored and troublesome.

Admin wrote:Again, if you wish to form a parley party and go on ahead to meet with them, that's your call.

With the work being supervised, Frostbite spoke with Sentinel, Elsieth and the other leaders, "Friends we cannot just hope to win this fight on shear strength in numbers. True the Queen couldn't account for us, but she will adapt. I would like to parley with her, for we know that whatever we do to the forces she has with her, the grail will just renew. She is the key, but for some reason she believes she has a decisive advantage we do not have. I need to find out what that is, and try and stop it. Besides which she has the Queen and we must do what we can to free her. I will go with Sentinel and act on our behalf. If any of you wish to join us then so be it. We fly in one hour!"

With that Frostbite stood down to allow time for questions, but deep in his mind he brooded over what powers the Queen had bargained with to gain the strength she had. Why and what had made her to tip the balance? Frostbite didn't wish to see another bloody war, be fought in vain, he needed to know what she had. And he'd find out one way or another.

OOC:
- OK so for now we dig in here, I want to make sure that we've got space to fight, defences positions that mean we can't easily be flanked, plenty of killing ground for the dragons and when the giants arrive, stones for them to throw.

- I also want to make sure we've got ground to fall back to, and make sure that there are scouts keeping watch on our perimeter so we won't be surprised by any rear guard actions.

- Second unless anyone else wants to come, I will send a message - using the dark power if necessary, but if not just fly to the Queens side to ask for a parley. Assuming she can be trusted to honour an honourable agreement. Hopefully Sentinel and Elsieth will want to come.

Ok I think that is enough to be going on with. Unless Sentinel/Ross has any other suggestions.


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Post  smaug Sat Feb 18 2012, 22:00

"So whats the plan then Joe?" sentinel asked frostbite with a slight worried tone that only a friend could detect.
"If the proverbial white flag doesnt work blast the witch in the face and nab the grail? I mean whats the bigger picture....theres gotta be a way to 'sort' this balance problem out once and for all?"

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Post  Steeple_jackuk Sun Feb 19 2012, 08:56

smaug wrote:"So whats the plan then Joe?" sentinel asked frostbite with a slight worried tone that only a friend could detect.
"If the proverbial white flag doesnt work blast the witch in the face and nab the grail? I mean whats the bigger picture....theres gotta be a way to 'sort' this balance problem out once and for all?"

Frostbite took Steve aside to talk to him away from the others, "I have a sword...I know what you're thinking. I got it on my travels, if I can trick the queen, it will freeze her such that she won't be dead or alive. Sort of a statue, in which state the grail won't duplicate or replace her. But what worries me more is how she thinks she can defeat us and still manipulate the Grail so as to stop our forces being duplicated? That is why I want to talk with her, find out more about her, if at all possible. Might be a chance to use the dark power to look into her find out what she is hiding!"

Frostbite said, pointing to his head and waggling a finger to indicate the use of Psi Powers or even magic if such a thing can be used within her presence. There was still so little they knew about what was really going on here and how the grail actually worked. Information that the Dark Queen possessed, perhaps from Morganna herself.

OOC:
ok so lets set up the parley, I think we might seek to use Psi power to try and read her mind, but carefully as I don't want to give away what we are up to.


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Post  Admin Sun Feb 19 2012, 23:01

Elesieth was uncomfortable at the thought of sending her prized allies into a situation where the Queen might somehow kill or capture them, but after looking about sighed and conceded that if there were a way to save so many lives without bloodshed, it needed to be tried.

With her councillors and Captains about her, the Queen had to be all business, but her eyes betrayed her worry. "Take no undue risks." she said, imperiously. "The Dark Queen is everything the reformed Morgana is not. She is cruel, deceptive, spiteful and evil. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants - total dominion over all, and death to any that oppose her. That said, we need to try to stop her without mass bloodshed. At the first sign of duplicity or trickery, you must leave - do not attack her!"

=========

The Vanguardians flew, along with the Dragon Raspandarr, Northwards...

The enemy was not hard to find.

Vast plumes of smoke from innumerable fires blotted out the sun and dust from thousands of feet kicked up a choking cloud. The enemy army was a vast sea of darkness that laid waste to anything it came across. Even as Frostbite and Sentinel flew towards it, streams of refugees hurried as best they could from its path!

As they got within miles of the main army body, dark shapes began to appear in the sky ...

World War II - The Vanguard Issue #7 Battle for the fate of Albion! Cinema_television_lotr_flying_nazgul_img

Six were their number, on great scaled beasts that clawed and shrieked their way through the sky, eager to take on the Dragon they saw as prey!

Even as they approached, the Vanguardians felt a curious onset of fear!

OOC Frostbite 15 ego+9, Sentinel 12 ego + 18, Dragon 10 ego + 12. Bad guys 18 rolled plus their ego.

Frostbite felt a chill in his bones, colder than any chill! He immediately felt the urge to turn and run! He knew that the longer he stayed and the closer these things got, the quicker his nerve would fail! Sentinel was uneasy, whilst the Dragon, without a word, turned and flew as fast as possible back to the allied lines!

OOC No compulsion to run yet, but the sight of these fellows is causing some unease. They are flying directly towards you, and its six of them, two of you. Anything you want to do, or are you holding your ground?
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Post  Steeple_jackuk Mon Feb 20 2012, 07:24

Admin wrote:OOC No compulsion to run yet, but the sight of these fellows is causing some unease. They are flying directly towards you, and its six of them, two of you. Anything you want to do, or are you holding your ground?[/i]

Frostbite berated himself, Joe was a soldier after all. He dealt with nerves before and so steeled his will even as the things approached. Unbidden the truth of what they faced and the vast numbers involved made him feel uneasy. He was a soldier, not a general and yet here he was once again responsible for innumerable lives. To do nothing would be to subject them to what he saw below, to fight...he need to finish the thought. They had to win, for with the power of this world, would the Dark Queen be satisfied with but one world?

Turning within himself, Frostbite spoke to his companion, "What do you make of all this? And how will your power fair if we face all that we see before us?

Frostbite wanted to know what his odds were verses the things he faced! But at the same time he couldn't help but wonder if there was a way by which they could strike at the enemy, some Achilles heel that would stave off the need for unnecessary death and bloodshed.

Speak up for the first time, he said to his companions, "Let them approach, we do not need to be attacked, we come in peace - for now!"

OOC:
Ok either I am making a terrible mistake and we are dooming our whole forces by placing ourselves at the Queens mercy? Hence my discussion with my Shadow, I want to know if all else fails his power won't. If I went ballistic in the midst of all this lot, truth be told it would be an improvement! But I'd had for the Queen to have some ability that somehow negated our only ace.

As regards to the fear effect, I know I can call on the DP for an ego boost, but that won't last - but if I do end up obliged to flee due to poor rolls - I'd better do it anyway.

Once the dark riders get closer, I'll explain what we are here for and ask for terms of Parley, safe passage, to be unmolested whilst we discuss terms with the Queen until we are safe with our own forces. I guess the question now is who blinks first, I can't imagine the Queen honouring a parley for long!


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Post  smaug Mon Feb 20 2012, 07:42

"Okay shadow we'll play it your way, (OOC: Just fly casual chewie) but the first sign of trouble Im gonna start pulling some wings off" sentinel answered out loud trying not to show his unease.

"Frostbite....Joe if that does happen remember our mission get to the grail, you are faster than me and better equipt with your sword and silver tongue. Dont worry I'll be right behind you old friend"

He wasnt suicidal or stupid but he knew what was at risk he just hoped it wouldnt come to that and if it did he could buy frostbite some time.

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Post  Admin Mon Feb 20 2012, 23:26

'There is something... about this whole encounter that unsettles me.' said the Dark Power inside. 'You two are the most powerful individual beings in this and most other worlds. The sheer might you can call on depends on the negative emotions available to use, and there is much fear in the air. You can, with a gesture, destroy the enemy.'

'I believe this 'Dark Queen' knows that. How she intends to combat you is therefore unknown. The power of this Grail she has access to is great indeed, but it is a conduit, a means to siphon magic from the land to work miracles. This whole world is magical, therefore its power is great indeed, but the magic has almost gone from your own world.'

Both Vanguardians heard the words as the creatures came closer.

'You will not like the solution I offer. If I am wrong, there will be consequences, namely the death of those who follow you. They are outnumbered and though valiant, would soon fall beneath the might of this Queen. Therefore you are their only hope... and, I suspect, the actual problem. Because of the power you wield, the Grail draws magic from the land to balance the good and evil forces. The Dark Queen has somehow 'convinced' the artefact that she is the only hope for balance. Every time you use the Dark Power, she becomes more powerful.'

'I believe she is COUNTING on you to wipe out the forces sent against you, in order to save your friends. Do you want my advice?'


The creatures were only a few hundred metres away now, and Frostbites chattering teeth were nothing to do with any cold he felt!

'Leave. Leave your friends to their fate. If you stay here, the Grail will continue to pour power into the Queen until she drains the world dry, and everything on it, all linked and bound by magic, will perish leaving only her, a Dark Goddess!'

Sentinel glanced at Frostbite. Both turned to glance at the retreating Dragon and the far distant army! They then turned to see the distant dust cloud, and the black sea that was the enemy! And the Dark Power, their supposed ally, was telling them to leave? Was this some trick of the Queens? Poor advice? One of the Shadow Demon Princes' games?

The incoming creatures were only 100m away now, and closing fast!
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Post  smaug Tue Feb 21 2012, 07:31

As they flew closer and closer sentinel looked at frostbite for answers for he knew he could trust his friends opinion

"You dont need me to tell you thats not an option, leaving all those people, it would be a massacre. Give us another option I beg you......what would happen if we didnt use our dark power and..and just used our regular powers instead?" exclaimed sentinel whos face was starting to look horrified as if their safety net had been taken away

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Post  Steeple_jackuk Tue Feb 21 2012, 08:04

Admin wrote:[color=red]And the Dark Power, their supposed ally, was telling them to leave? Was this some trick of the Queens? Poor advice? One of the Shadow Demon Princes' games?

The incoming creatures were only 100m away now, and closing fast!

Frostbite couldn't believe what he was hearing, but then if it was true that the grail had been fooled into thinking as had been suggested it would make perfect sense that their winning, would only result in a greater defeat. Assuming they were correct!

They had delivered an army, would the wholesale slaughter of all that is good, at the hands of the dark queen have the opposite effect. Would the grail reject the Queen and restore! It seemed like a terrific gamble, one in which would leave them at a complete loss. Joe would return to that dark crampt space within his host, whose body he had come to occupy when he first jumped back in time, whilst he'd have to leave Elsieth to her fate, not knowing what would happen next and moreover the mission would be a failure as regards to bringing through an army to defeat the Nazi's. On every level this would be a crushing defeat. But Frostbite couldn't ignore the logic of what the Shadow told him. If it was all true! But would the Shadow lie, what would it gain?

Moreover what was he to do right now, as the dark creatures approached his mind was becoming befuddled with the feeling of creeping terror that threatened to overwhelm him. Meeting the Queen was perhaps the only way he could determine the truth of what the Shadow had told him. Somehow he had to find a strength to get through this. If using the Shadows dark power only increased the hostility of the grail to the Queens twisted aims, perhaps going in powered down - would prove otherwise!

Frostbite turned to Sentinel, trying to control his reaction, Steve, we go through with our Parley. We need verification, either way there is a lot riding on this!"

OOC:
Ok need to know what we do face, trouble is there is always a hint of the Shadow having an alterer motive, so I never know, logical or not, where its the whole truth or not. But perhaps going to the Dark Queen will make this clearer. There is certainly a lot to be said for the fact that since we've been striding across the world, the Queen has clearly got some idea of how to defeat us. But she had also her original plan - which was to capture the queens and do something with them? I don't like leaving without knowing what will happen next. So we go ahead with the Parley and we determine the truth of what we've been told as best we can.

Shame we can't put a call through to Victoria, she more than anyone knew a lot more about the grail!


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Post  Admin Tue Feb 21 2012, 23:01

OOC Queen Victoria is still here in this time... safely ensconced within the vaults of Buckingham Palace. She'll be asleep though, the cold sleep that keeps her living.

The evil beast riders circled the Vanguardians, clearly looking for a sign of weakness.

They wouldn't get it. One hovered in front of the pair, then leaned over, only metres away. "You wwwish to parley wwwwith QQQueen?" There was a grinding sound like a laugh. "MMMMuch fear in you. Queen ssssays she will ssssee you... follow..."

The beast riders were clearly some kind of undead. Powerful, fearless, steeped in dark magick. Each would be a king in their own right if not for the Dark Queen claiming dominion over all! Even as these creatures had a mocking tone, there was respect there. No outright insults, to threats.

They could sense and respect raw power when they saw it.

=========

The group flew over a seething sea of darkness


All manner of evil warped creatures ate, rested, squabbled and fought in the army below. Too many to count or estimate, it was clear they outnumbered the forces of good by a large amount.

'There is much evil here. I respect that.'
said the Dark Power in the Vanguardians heads.

And there in the distance, impossibly, a castle.

Risen from the dust and ground by the power of magic, the dark forbidding fortress was of natural rock, a jutting stalactite from the earth.

'Something... something is wrong.' said the Dark Power. 'There is powerful magick at work in that place. If you enter, you will not be able to call on the Dark Power. Or rather, if you do, there will be events set in motion that cannot easily be undone. In there, the power of this world is gathered into the grail. It is not that the Queen is more powerful than we, rather that the fortress blocks the source of the Dark Powers strength. Here, there is so much hate and fury... it is like nectar! Tread carefully, mortals...'

World War II - The Vanguard Issue #7 Battle for the fate of Albion! Krull_theblackfortress

OOC imagine the forces of darkness camped outside this place, sleeping, arguing, eating, farting, fighting, being evil in other words. We're talking men, women, orcs, goblins of all kinds, elves, dwarves, lizardmen, you name it.


Many of the evil creatures watched as the pair of Vanguardians flew over the mass towards the castle. Up close, it was even more intimidating, but the heroes would have to venture into that dark edifice to confront the Queen...
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Post  Steeple_jackuk Wed Feb 22 2012, 07:47

Admin wrote:'Something... something is wrong.' said the Dark Power. 'There is powerful magick at work in that place. If you enter, you will not be able to call on the Dark Power. Or rather, if you do, there will be events set in motion that cannot easily be undone. In there, the power of this world is gathered into the grail. It is not that the Queen is more powerful than we, rather that the fortress blocks the source of the Dark Powers strength. Here, there is so much hate and fury... it is like nectar! Tread carefully, mortals...'

OOC:
Oh blast I hate having to second guess what is going on! So if we go in we're rendered powerless - we can't die but our bodies would be smashed to pieces and we'd put ourselves into a position where the dark power would have to take time to build up all over again. Time we haven't got.

Or we turn back since we won't meet the queen on her own turf and take up what we do next in terms of leaving or staying?

Or we ask the queen to join us in neutral territory - unlikely!

Or we go in and see if as a result of dying the grail doesn't then WAKE UP, to the fact its been fooled and the queen is evil etc!

Talk about Hobsons choice. Well there is little point walking into a place where we will most likely die/be captured and I don't like the tone of "there will be events set in motion that cannot easily be undone."

==

Frostbite stopped in mid flight, to ask the Shadow, "What do you mean events set in motion? What do you foresee!

Frostbite wasn't a fool. If stepping into the Queens castle put them in the position of ultimate weakness then she had already won. But more and more this fight seemed to be one that had ramifications and complications from which he could see no clear way out.

Perhaps the place was getting to him, but he couldn't help but feel his original intention - coming here for help, now seemed seemed all for nothing! Whilst men fought and died back home, here he Sentinel and his very presence had caused more harm than good. A bitter taste formed in his mouth. If only he'd stopped to talk with Queen Victoria before coming, but even that was too late now!

Motionless he ignored the noise around him as he conversed with the Shadow Prince within, what did his warning mean?

OOC:
Ok not sure what to do now! I think we'll have to turn back I'm still not sure if we'll leave or stay, but one thing is for sure we'll end up having to face the queen on her own turf and the same problem will exist - we'll be without our powers and at her mercy. So somehow the fighting all seems a bit pointless. But if people fight anyway, die and the grail just learns or brings them back - then what. Man this is doing my head in!

Ok so I'll wait for the Shadow Prince to tell me what dire consequences await us, for using the Dark power and then make a final decision as to parleying on not. I've a mind to go back to Elsieth, who is the only other person who knows more about the grail to talk this over with her!


Sj



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Post  smaug Thu Feb 23 2012, 11:07

Frostbite stopped in mid flight, to ask the Shadow, "What do you mean events set in motion? What do you foresee!

Frostbite wasn't a fool. If stepping into the Queens castle put them in the position of ultimate weakness then she had already won. But more and more this fight seemed to be one that had ramifications and complications from which he could see no clear way out.

Perhaps the place was getting to him, but he couldn't help but feel his original intention - coming here for help, now seemed seemed all for nothing! Whilst men fought and died back home, here he Sentinel and his very presence had caused more harm than good. A bitter taste formed in his mouth. If only he'd stopped to talk with Queen Victoria before coming, but even that was too late now!

Motionless he ignored the noise around him as he conversed with the Shadow Prince within, what did his warning mean?

"You know what lets just blast them all to hell. Its not like this is gonna do any good what with no dark powers and chances are the queen wont listen...shes pure evil and she'll never meet us out in the open. BLOW THEM ALL TO SMITHEREENS AND LETS GO OUT WITH A BANG TO HELL WITH TALKING!" Sentinel spat

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Post  Steeple_jackuk Thu Feb 23 2012, 12:07

smaug wrote:BLOW THEM ALL TO SMITHEREENS AND LETS GO OUT WITH A BANG TO HELL WITH TALKING!" Sentinel spat

OOC:

Hold that thought, I want to see what Paul comes back to us with, from my questions before I do that.

But that aside the main problem being that the Dark Queen may have the grail with her and that might mean we can't take her out or if we do something worse happens to counter us? Then again you might just be right? I just don't know.


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Post  Admin Thu Feb 23 2012, 13:10

OOC heh, yeah I did kind of mix things up a bit I suppose. Do you go in, make a deal, fight for your lives, finish the queen off? Or go back to the army, stand with them, leave as the shadow says, and wrestle with your conscience? Who says superheroes are black and white? I much prefer grey Smile

'The magic of the grail that changed you from the previous mortal form, Joseph Hoskyn, into the form you now wear, Jospeh Rigdon, could in theory separate all three into distinct beings. I have no idea on how well I could control my persona if unleashed without the balancing persona that you both bring. As for your young friend, I'm all for death and mass destruction, but would not that play into the hands of the Dark Queen? Think on this. The magic of the grail is extremely powerful in this realm of magic. It draws in and amplifies magic to bend reality to the wielders whim. It also strives to create balance, to right the supposed wrongs done by the last visit we made to this realm. There is no balance no, no perfect evening up of sides, one or the other. Always there is the conflict, the see saw, sometimes for good, sometimes for evil. That is the way of things. The Grail does not understand that. It is a sentient artefact with the best of intentions, but I believe it can be tricked, and the Dark Queen seeks to do so.'

'Your presence in this realm is empowering the Dark Queen. Every time you defeat her forces, she grows more powerful! Wiping out her army would give her an enormous amount of power, and the Grail would drain more magic from this world, leaving it a lifeless husk, as it seeks to redress the balance! The Grail is the real enemy, in the truest sense of the word. The Dark Queen is the evil mirror image of the good queen. If you banish the grail, or kill the good queen, the conflict would, I believe, be ended for the now.'

'The other option is to leave, either with yourselves or take your army with you. I am unsure as to the outcome then. My best guess is that the Dark Queen would see her power flee her, the grail would create an army of good to match the army of evil, and the war would continue, but the forces would be matched. There is no way even an artefact such as the Grail could match one Vanguardian, let alone two, but it will never stop trying whilst there is magic to call on. If you leave, there will be a price to pay, as there always is. This army will run rampant, turn on itself, slay innocents and smash countries in its wake. That is not your concern. You must turn yourself away from what might be. Life goes on, but perhaps not for this world. There are others, and you cannot, despite your best intentions, save them all...'


OOC probably leaves you more confused... I'll update again today. Missed the update yesterday because the new Marvel Heroic game came out so I bought it and tried to read it. Failed. Also watched the three musketeers (recent one). Waste of my life. So I started writing up a new game system for us to try out, and have a chunk of the first section written. Anyway, no messing about today, Updates later.
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Post  Admin Thu Feb 23 2012, 22:51

The creatures on the mean looking giant flying lizards looked impatient. They were wise enough (and valued their existence enough) to avoid insulting their 'guests' though.

"You want ppparley with qqqueen or nnnot?"
one hissed, as the wings beat on the creature that carried it. By now a crowd had gathered some 50m down, at floor level. Though intangible (OOC I presume) Frostbite knew the power of magic had few problems when it came to overcoming problems, and they faced a master practitioner with the power of a world at her disposal!

'It seems that you have hard choices to make. Someone will die, whatever your final choice is. Choose wisely, humans.'
said the Dark Power in the minds of the Vanguardians...
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Post  Steeple_jackuk Thu Feb 23 2012, 22:59

Admin wrote:'It seems that you have hard choices to make. Someone will die, whatever your final choice is. Choose wisely, humans.' said the Dark Power in the minds of the Vanguardians...

OOC: I'm going to sleep on this, assuming I don't get kept awake trying to turn this around and around, so I can try and come at this fresh tomorrow.

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Post  Admin Thu Feb 23 2012, 23:24

OOC no problem. These days, more and more, every decision you as players take will affect the direction of the game. I'm happy to go with the flow, and whilst I offer a few paths to go down, it's you guys who choose which one to take. Most of the time I don't know where they lead to, but you can rely on the fact that it won't be easy for the characters Smile
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Post  Steeple_jackuk Fri Feb 24 2012, 14:06

Admin wrote:OOC no problem. These days, more and more, every decision you as players take will affect the direction of the game. I'm happy to go with the flow, and whilst I offer a few paths to go down, it's you guys who choose which one to take. Most of the time I don't know where they lead to, but you can rely on the fact that it won't be easy for the characters Smile

OOC:
Ok I've written a really long email several times over this issue, but am not even sure if I should send that - after all am I just over thinking this! But is this a No-Win situation?


Frostbite bit back the retort he felt like letting loose at the Shadow, after all if it knew this was going on all along, why had they come in the first place? Opening old wounds and meddling has made matters far worse, than they could've imagined.

Holding up an hand to the Dark beast, he called on the dark power he needed to speak to Elsieth. In truth he just didn't know if there was any winning scenario. Warn down by the weight of so many souls depending on his choices, Frostbite mustered himself as he sought the power he needed to speak directly to Elsieth. After all though he might have deific power, he didn't have immortal wisdom and insight.

OOC:
Ok assuming I pass my Dark power roll to get a call through to Elsieth


Turning away from the creatures, Frostbite reached out to the woman he found he had deep feelings for. "Elsieth." He called and suddenly she came to mind.

After explaining what he know realised, before he had left her side, he finished with his chilling conclusions, "...so as it stands, if we remain here to lead the army, the Grail will syphon all the remaining magic of the land and bring about its own destruction. Same if we confront the Queen - the grail will be forced to counter us. But if we leave..."

For the first time Frostbite chocked unable to find his voice. But he had to tell her what was going on and despite the irony, how powerless this made him feel.

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Post  smaug Fri Feb 24 2012, 22:04

"How bout you use your dark power in a non lethal way would that still effect the grail for example use it to spot the dark queen through her ranks, properly hiding, then while doing your ghost thing (OOC: intangible) plow through straight to the bitch herself"

OOC: Dont know what you could do once you get there, rip her insides out, beat her up to get info on the grail or snatch and run

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Post  Steeple_jackuk Sat Feb 25 2012, 09:45

smaug wrote:"How bout you use your dark power in a non lethal way would that still effect the grail for example use it to spot the dark queen through her ranks, properly hiding, then while doing your ghost thing (OOC: intangible) plow through straight to the bitch herself"

OOC: Dont know what you could do once you get there, rip her insides out, beat her up to get info on the grail or snatch and run

OOC:
Ok I have been worrying about this a bit, I really think this was looking like a no win situation. We're damned if we do or don't. But then I got to thinking something. I need to know if this is possible, what I am thinking is if we both Sentinel and I freeze the whole area in some way. Nothing is dead, just suspended that way nothing has changed as far as the grail is concerned. Perhaps we make everyone go to sleep or something. I realise that means we also have to put the Queen under.

But if we do that we've done nothing to the balance of beings, then I am thinking if we can successfully do that. The grail might not feel so threatened by us, we'd walk into the castle depowered anyway. And we can do one of two things 1) take the grail back to Victoria. Its safer with us - you might need to make sure that is the case and my assumption as a player isn't incorrect. 2) we can free the real queen and as a result free the land. Perhaps this way, the balance can be restored, minus the evil queen - whom we could leave frozen, but alive. We could then take our army - to smash what resistance is to be found in the Nazi's and I won't have tens of thousands of deaths on my characters conscious.

Anyway this is only a suggestion and I need to know if this is a good one, before I go ahead and implement it. Because also I figure, even if we lost control, to the Shadow Prince killing these things wouldn't be as much 'fun' as freezing them awake or alive so they are aware but unable to stop anything. That might play into the Shadows way of thinking without loosing our integrity or our souls, in the processes - potentially!

What do you think?


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Post  Admin Sat Feb 25 2012, 23:16

OOC Both ideas have merit. The Shadow Demon goes for 'kill everything, all the time' with a crazy laugh, but you guys are in charge so long as you make your rolls. Fairy Tales are full of instances where a magical sleep halts proceedings. Putting both the good and evil queen on ice will keep the balance as it is, and when you leave this place, that will tip it to the evil side, meaning the grail will right it and make more good forces. Of course, taking the grail away would solve every problem - it's the cure and the cause in this place. Bear in mind the Dark Queen is waiting for you, in her place, with appropriate counter measures. Your ideas are good ones, but mind your step. If you can get the grail away from her, she'll be de-powered enough to do your deep sleep thing. That might be easier said than done... So. How to proceed. Intangible? Or walk straight in? Perhaps try to use the Dark Power out here and affect her in there?
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