The Story So Far

Part 2: The Bedos Crusade

It was the 304th year of the Third Gelgadoran Age and the Empire was in the midst of a never before known period of peace. Since the end of the Second Age there had been an era of expansion, ushered in by the rise of nine new gods. Fields were healthy, children were strong and the Gelgadoran Empire, built by the formerly separate nations of Arroway, Otar and Bedos, stretched across the continent, putting an emperor to rule at its heart. But, in the middle of this golden age, the Sword of Legends, the most cherished Gelgadoran relic, was stolen in the night. 

The three divisions of the Western Scouting Battalion, or Chimera Company as it’s more commonly known, were dispatched to Old Bedos, in pursuit of this most precious treasure. They arrived at a small fishing village known as Breakhead. In Breakhead their ranks were reinforced by a division of Imperial Crusaders, also on the hunt for the sword, and together they made for the town’s central stockade. They were admitted inside by a cadre of strange fisher-folk, beings the likes of which hadn’t been seen since the first age, that bore gills, blue skin and fins. Commander Blackgate, leader of Chimera Company, met with Sage Basso, second-in-command of Breakhead. Basso told them of a great evil that had befallen their little village. 

Sea-Monsters had been attacking the portside town for half a year and only a few of the villagers were left to fend them off. The scouts were insistent upon meeting with the town’s leader to see what they knew of the mysterious thieves. The villagers were resistant, but eventually a deal was struck: when the sea monsters attacking the town lay dead, the villagers would open their temple and allow an audience with Evad Adrianus.

Together, the scouts, crusaders and villagers set forth to recover three totems to aid in bringing down the Sea-beasts. Immediately upon setting out, however, they were set upon by the very monsters they sought to destroy. After suffering a few casualties, the forces split into three groups, and were successful in recovering the totems. With these sacred objects in hand, they battled the monsters on a hill overlooking the town and brought down the creatures. Under the suspicious eye of the Crusaders, the villagers successfully performed the rites of burial and passage on the fallen beasts, but were unable to return the totems to their holy sites. 

After a moment to recover themselves, the Scouts were admitted into the sanctum of Evad Adrianus, leader of the Breakhead village. The Evad welcomed them in and told the scouts many things the village had held in secrecy. 

First, the Villagers were Corallusks, the descendants of the same monsters that had begun to plague the town. For centuries the monsters and them had lived in harmony, and no one was sure why they had turned upon the village. Though a few of the beasts were defeated this day, more would be back the next morning. 

More startling than the parentage of the villagers were the religious customs they described. Breakhead worshipped a tenth god, Shadar Bashro, who three hundred years earlier had snuck into the pantheon. It was only through Bashro’s guidance that Breakhead was able to protect itself. When villagers asked Bashro for help with the monsters, they were shown a gleaming sword, covered in jewels, hidden away in high tower. They did indeed steal the Sword of Legends, but it was only at the behest of their god, who said the blade would protect them. Who were they to go against the will of the divine? While Bashro’s divinity allowed them entry to a tower protected by the Nine, there was one detail he left out. The sword can only be wielded by a great hero who is worthy of the blade. 

This new information was declared heresy by the Crusaders, who took a Corallusk hostage and fled from the sanctum. The scouts took this news more solemnly and had a brief moment of reflection on what they had learned. Many sided with the Corallusks, including Commander Blackgate, who thought it best to aid the poor villagers. But several remained loyal to the empire, saying it was by divine imperial mandate that they take back the sword, by force if necessary. None were sure what to think of the claims of a secret god.  All were drawn into a bloody battle with the Scouts and the Corallusks emerging victorious. In the end, the Scouts who survived swore to help the Corallusks against their plague of monsters and the sword was left with them. 

What is to come, no one could yet know. But you will… in Chapter Three CALL OF THE WAR COUNCIL. 

The Story So Far

Part 5: Odyssey

The hunt to find and rescue Mongo Valesser continues! Led by Jaxx Meridian, a coalition of Mongo’s allies from past adventures and members of The Blackstar Battalion have discovered where Mongo is in the Galaxy.  Deep within the dense and forested planet of Cambion, a dark and powerful organization of smugglers known as The Court of 999 Silks has Mongo Valesser. They will be handing him off to The Cult of Spotier Orpheus. Luckily, a group of newly formed rebels who opposes The Court of 999 Silks has agreed to help free Mongo Valesser in exchange for armament and assistance in their rebellion. 

A small drop ship from In Amber Clad lands secretly on the forest floor of Cambion. This ships contains Mongo’s allies and the Blackstar Battalion, as well as the ancient artificial intelligence Grand Khal Oriator who was brought along to help give strategic advice against the Cult of Spotier Orpheus. They all rendezvous with representatives of The Resistance, led by Zanji of the Jivata Clan. Using information from the resistance, they are able to plan an ambush of the trade site where The Court of 999 Silks plans to turn Mongo over to the Cult of Spotier Orpheus.

Everyone gets into their hiding spots for the ambush. Well hidden when the Court of 999 Silks arrives with Mongo, the Resistance and Mongo’s allies spring the trap. Outnumbered, the representatives of the court give Mongo up quickly. Mongo is hurt and in terrible shape. As Mongo is examined, the Cult of Spotier Orpheus arrive. Mongo is quickly moved to the landing ship, with many soldiers from the Resistance and The Blackstar Battalion staying behind to ensure they are not being followed.

As everyone tries to board the ship, they discover that the AI Grand Khal Oriator has betrayed them, and secretly let members of the Cult of Spotier Orpheus on the ship to break it. The AI is moved to a makeshift, yet secure, containment facility outside the ship. Jaxx Meridian figures out what is wrong with the ship, and divides tasks so they can leave the planet of Cambion. 

The Blackstar Battalion leads an expedition out into the dense forests to find the navigation controls stolen by members of the Cult of Spotier Orpheus. They have a hard time fighting the soldiers from the Cult, who have power armor. But they are able to find and capture the one member with the navigation controls while taking heavy casualties from the other cult soldiers. A successful tactical retreat brings the remaining members of the Blackstar Battalion back to the landing ship. 

Meanwhile, The Resistance heads back to their secret base, so they can retrieve data, files, weapons and artifacts they have stolen from the Court of 999 Silks. They arrive at their base and discover members of the Court waiting to ambush them. A large fight ensues, as the Court of 999 Silks uses blood magic to call nearby creatures and monsters to their aid. The resistance is at first overwhelmed by the monsters. Zanji of the Jivata Clan distracts the monsters, making it possible for the rest of the Resistance fighters to get out of the base. Zanji pays the ultimate price, sacrificing their life. Distraught, the remaining Resistance members flee to the landing ship. 

At the landing ship, the navigational controls are starting to be reinstalled. This process will take some time. The landing ship is quickly descended upon by the combined forces of the Cult of Spotier Orpheus and the Court of 999 Silks. The Cult is trying to free the Artificial Intelligence. Mongo reminds everyone that this AI can not fall into the enemy’s hands. A fight ensues around the makeshift containment facility, while the Resistance defends the ship. Eventually the AI is brought back aboard the ship. 

With the combined forces of the Blackstar Battalion and the Resistance, many of the forces of the Court of 999 Silks and the beasts they control are slain. After a long fight and with an operational navigation system, those still living are able to board the ship and set off, having successfully saved Mongo Valesser.

The Story So Far

Part 4: Smuggler’s Reign

Much time passed after the incident with the Phantom Shock Society at the Snake Pit. Mongo Vallesser and his associates became the de facto rulers of Tricutta Sector of the Galactic Commonwealth, the lawless planets and stars at the edge of the Galaxy. The Trees of Cheem returned to Cheem with historical references and artifacts of their ancestors that were once lost to time. The Gears of Liberty returned to their homeworld and fought valiantly for their freedom. Their fight was not over, but freedom for all robotic kind and victory was drawing nearer.

But all was not well in the Galaxy. A group of robots from The Gears of Liberty splintered off and started their own movement. Led by Artemis 2.0, this group wanted to destroy all non-robotic life throughout the galaxy. Violent and determined, these Robots landed on Krosan, the rock planet that is home to The Snake Pit. Mongo Valesser had not been heard from, and a distress beacon was picked up on the outskirts of The Snake Pit’s Military base. Jaxx Meridian, an old ally of Mongo’s, was gathering a force to land on Krosan to fight the Robots and find out what happened to Mongo and his associates. Joining him were representatives from The Trees of Cheem and The Gears of Liberty, who had a vested interest in stopping Artemis 2.0. Rounding out the group was The Blackstar Battalion, a group of mercenaries led by Commander Xavier Comstock who have helped Mongo in the past.

Everyone landed on Krosan and carefully ventured through the abandoned outposts making up The Snake Pit’s Military Base. They found many buildings and outposts that were locked and so they could not get inside. Eventually everyone was able to get into a med-bay and supply power to the building to make it fully operational. The Gears of Liberty made sure the medical robot staffing the med-bay was not allied with Artemis 2.0 before members of the Trees of Cheem named the previously unnamed med-bot “Syringe.”

Jaxx Meridian led the full force out into the nearby woods to find the distress beacon. They found an escape pod that crash landed, with its distress beacon going off. They found a glowing key inside the escape pod as well, but were forced to quickly retreat as Artemis 2.0 and the Robots charged through the woods at them. Once on higher ground and out of the woods, The Gears of Liberty and the Blackstar Battalion were able to keep Artemis 2.0 and the Robots from entering the Military base, but struggled to deal with the enemies’ stronger weapons and firepower. Many were injured in the process. Meanwhile The Trees of Cheem brought the Key and everyone who was injured to the med-bay. Syringe was able to heal the injured, as well as tell them that these keys were needed to enter into the locked buildings and outposts throughout the military base.

The Trees of Cheem rejoined their allies and ventured into the woods to find the remaining keys, with Artemis 2.0 in pursuit. Despite being under heavy assault in the forest, The Trees of Cheem, The Gears of Liberty and Blackstar Battalion were able to get the remaining keys and return them to the med-bay. Syringe told everyone that they needed to use the keys to open up the Mainframe of the military base, where the Master A.I. would be able to tell them what has happened on the base.

At the Mainframe, a representative from each group used a key piece to turn it on. It took some time, but eventually the A.I. appeared and explained that they were Grand Khal Oriator, an ancient AI of Spotier Orpheus design. Oriator was programmed in some of the old world tech Mongo used to redesign the military base. Oriator then explained that Artemis 2.0 and their Robots were trying to destroy the med-bay. The Blackstar Battalion and The Gears of Liberty ascended to the med-bay to stop the attack, while the Trees of Cheem continued to interrogate Oriator. They were able to make sure Syringe was not destroyed or re-programmed in the process. Artemis 2.0 was forced to flee into the woods after Syringe had everyone help them recharge the med bay’s forcefield.

Having regrouped back at the Mainframe, The Trees of Cheem were able to explain that they found out from Oriator that Mongo and all of his associates at the Snake Pit had been captured and given to the secret Cult of Spotier Orpheus. Oriator called upon Artemis 2.0 and their forces to descend upon everyone. A large fight ensued, and a small band of Blackstar soldiers and Robots from the Gears of Liberty went to the med-bay to get Syringe to assist in the fight. Many in the fight were injured, but Syringe was able to help heal the injured and turn the tide of the fight. The Trees of Cheem and Blackstar Battalion were able to keep the Robots under Artemis 2.0’s control from gaining access to Oriator. Eventually The Gears of Liberty were able to Kill Artemis 2.0.

After the fight, everyone had an opinion about what to do with Oriator. Some wanted to permanently disable the A.I., while others wanted to use it to gain information about the cult of Spotier Orpheus.  Eventually it was concluded that Oriator while powerful and dangerous, was too knowledgeable and useful to destroy. They decided to use Oriator to their advantage in their future fight against the Cult of Spotier Orpheus, and to help find and rescue Mongo Vallesser.

The Story So Far

Part 2: The Raiders of Yozon-4

Having rejoined Mongo’s Marauders — Mongo Valesser, The Blackstar Battalion, Crew of In Amber Clad,  and The Star Chaser Guild — on Yozon-4, we found them gathered shortly after the events of the first installment. The Blackstar Battalion led a group to get the weapons from the armory, and found that someone else had already been there and taken the weapons. Meanwhile at the med-bay, B.O.B. and The Star Chaser Guild, watched as a bug hatched from an egg. Given the choice of trying to work with the new hatchling or killing it, the members of The Star Chaser Guild opted to save the baby bug and train it, in the hopes of domestication.

With all the groups returning to the outpost, Mongo Valesser moved everyone en masse to the drop zone for a weapons drop. When they arrived there they were met by a rival gang of raiders covered in what was clearly old-world technology. They were The Haylayers, and they said that the ruins and everything in them belongs to them. They attacked, and Mongo’s Marauders retreated to the outpost while being chased by the well armored Haylayer soldiers who captured B.O.B. in the process.

At the outpost it was decided by the groups of the members that diving deeper into Eberon Keep was not then possible, so they focused on moving what they already had out of the outpost and onto In Amber Clad.  The Blackstar Battalion and the crew of In Amber Clad assaulted the Haylayers at the Drop Zone, and pushed them back. They also retrieved the weapons from the initial weapons drop and stole some old world tech from the Haylayers. 

Meanwhile, Mongo Valesser and The Star Chaser Guild followed B.O.B.’s beacon into Eberon Keep. A small group of Haylayers were using some machines in the old generator room to try and reprogram B.O.B. Mongo and The Star Chaser Guild were able to push through Haylayer soldiers and get to B.O.B. and stop the reprogramming. They escaped with B.O.B. and returned to the outpost.

Everyone met at the Base one last time, and grabbed all of the riches, valuables, artifacts and weapons they had plundered from Eberon Keep. They marched it all down to the drop zone. Upon arrival, they found that their communication relay was broken. The Star Chaser Guild started to fix the relay, as Mongo, The Blackstar Battalion and the crew of In Amber Clad defended them from waves of Haylayer soldiers. The Haylayers were intent on reclaiming everything taken from Eberon Keep. They had even brought a bomb down as a last resort. As their numbers thinned, the Haylayers got ready to plant the bomb and blow everyone away. But as they were in the process, Mongo and some of the soldiers from the various groups charged through and claimed the bomb for themselves. Some Star Chaser Guild members rigged it to explode in a full minute. Everyone started to back up to the drop zone, but more Haylayers were approaching. This final wave was mostly wiped out by the expulsion from the bomb. Everyone got into the drop zone and was warped up to In Amber Clad. 

Unfortunately, they discovered that when B.O.B. was being operated on earlier, they were hacked from an outside source, that many believed was the police force The Phantom Shock Society. A vote was held and the majority elected to sell or abandon B.O.B. so that they cannot be tracked by, presumably, The Phantom Shock Society. Mongo reminded everyone that they would soon be wealthy beyond their wildest dreams with the loot they recovered from Eberon Keep. They set off with the intent of finding a buyer for their bounty of old world technology, weapons and loot.