One of my readers asked me to post the homebrew heroclix campaign I was working on once I finished it. So for any who might be interested, here it is for your copying and pasting pleasure!
“The (Meta)Human Element”
A rough-cut DC Heroclix campaign by Paeter Frandsen for those preferring a pseudo-RPG style of gameplay.
A Few Notes:
For maps, I have utilized the two-sided map that comes with the base Marvel Heroclix game (city street on one side, shopping mall on the other) and several map sections from:
http://www.daemonsdomain.com/heroclix.htm
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=64597&filters=0_0_0_44283_0
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=79304&filters=0_0_0_44283_0#previews (This was available in a free demo version when I found it, though it appears to no longer be.)
Feel free to adapt the story for maps that you have available.
Although this story takes place shortly after the events of “Blackest Night”, it can easily be adapted for another time. DC fans will notice some minor continuity issues when comparing this to the DC Universe. In most cases, these changes were made to make the story understandable to non DC Comics readers. A few other changes (like those elements that seem to ignore the events of “Final Crisis”) were made because “Final Crisis” sucked. Remaining continuity errors were made because I suck.
For each encounter you will see a list of figures needed, though feel free to substitute. In general, I chose to use figures of either “Experienced” or “Veteran” rank because they were affordable and could be “clicked downward” at the beginning of an encounter if I wanted to represent them as weaker than they are.
This campaign has not been play-tested and any feedback regarding play balance would be appreciated. My intention is that the heroes win but the battles be challenging enough to be fun.
This campaign is designed for two players. One player controls the ally/hero figures, while the other acts as GM, reading encounter information and controlling the enemy figures.
Background Plot (For GMs Eyes Only)
Multiple attempts at finding the anti-life equation (which is somewhere on Earth according to 4th world prophecy) have been thwarted by meta-human interference.
Darkseid has recently considered the possibility that the equation may be hidden in plain sight in human DNA. Particularly meta-human DNA, given that it carries slightly more information than normal.
To search out this possibility while avoiding interference, Darkseid has created an artifact, a blue gemstone, that contains vast technological secrets, but that also exhaustively scans the DNA of all who come near it. Darkseid planted the stone on earth and then began anonymously guiding various villains to find and steal it from each other. It has been in the hands of Lex Luthor and the Scarecrow already.
Currently, the gem has been stolen from the Scarecrow by Penguin's street gangs. Penguin has had it for several weeks and it is now in transit to a more secure location.
(For all encounters, round up villain team point totals to the nearest hundred to determine the base point build used to allocate actions. For example, a team made up of 140 points gets two actions per turn.)
Encounter 1-
They call him an "urban" legend because the city is where he stalks his prey. While brightly colored boy scouts soar above humanity fighting their cosmic battles, Batman remains guardian of the night in Gotham City. No cry of an innocent is too low or distant or too few in number to concern him. The violent greed of Gotham calls out to him for justice.
In the aftermath of the latest "cosmic crisis", he was all that Gotham had. Other heroes with their flashy costumes and amazing powers were cleaning up the mess left behind by a massive alien attack. Tonight Batman protected the streets alone.
Two nights ago, an informant revealed that a hot new item has been violently exchanging hands in the criminal world. A blue gemstone of some kind. Not knowing its origins or proper owner, it couldn't be determined who was being wronged by its repeated theft. But the fact that it was inspiring so much violent crime was enough for Batman to want to get to the bottom of it.
The Dark Knight tracked the gem's path to an exchange point two blocks from crime alley, where Bruce Wayne's parents were killed and the Batman was born. From the shadows of a nearby rooftop, Batman watched as a group of street thugs waited to hand off the gem. His eyes went wide as a familiar face flew down from the night sky and began conversing with the thugs. Unsure of what was happening, Batman increased the magnification of his binoculars and activated his long range microphone.
"Penguin said to make the drop to whoever shows up here, but we never imagined Wonder Woman would be on his payroll!"
"Don't be an idiot," the amazon bit off sharply. With her back to Batman, she moved to show them something in her hand. The Dark Knight couldn't see what it was, but it sounded like something with a liquid consistancy.
"Oh, man! I shoulda known. It all makes sense now."
"Just hand over the gemstone. I've got places to be."
Anxiously, the thugs handed the stone to Wonder Woman, who wasted no time in leaping into the night sky, vanishing too quickly to trace.
Answers from Diana will have to wait, Batman thought. But a few could likely be offered right now by this sampling of Gotham's refuse.
ENC 1 SETUP
Enemies at building corner. All start with two clicks of damage.
Batman on roof corner diagonally across from them. (Batman goes first.)
VC(Victory Conditions)- Defeat all enemies.
Team- Batman EXP(92)
100
VS.
Thug EXP x2
Lackey EXP
Lackey VET
Criminal EXP
(48)
Encounter 2
"Get offa me, man! I didn't do nothin'!" The last creep standing whined.
"Maybe not tonight. We'll see." The Dark Knight growled. "But I know your face, Benson. And your rap sheet. The same for your friends. You all have warrants. But I don't have to bring you in tonight if you can tell me about the gemstone and why everyone wants it so bad."
Unnoticed by the thugs, Batman used an odorless spray to mark them with tracer nanites. He might not bring them in tonight. But tomorrow held no promises. And punks like these seldom bathed.
"They say it's got powers. Makes you smart if you hang onto it. Gives you a buncha new ideas and stuff."
"Where did it come from? Who does it belong to?"
"We don't know. But word is that both Lex Luthor and the Scarecrow have had their hands on it before. Maybe one a' them could tell ya'."
The left side of the thug's head exploded in an eruption of red. Batman flipped around to look for the shooter as more shots took out the remaining, unconscious thugs.
Across the street stood the murderers. More street thugs, with one of them wielding some small but advanced looking gadgets. Their squad leader, no doubt.
"Unbelievable. We got the drop on the Batman. I didn't think it was possible, but the Penguin was right." The leader flicked off a switch on a device in his hand and placed it inside a pouch in his clothes.
Stealth tech. Not the Penguins style or IQ, Batman thought. Maybe there is some truth to the story of the gemstone's "power".
Batman eyed the bodies and visually confirmed each mortal wound, then turned to stare down the group leader while calculating four different moves. One for each of the men across the street.
"Penguin told 'em never to talk about the gem. They knew better."
Batman clenched a fist at his side. "Too bad the same can't be said of you."
ENC 2 SETUP
Enemies directly across the street from Batman's last location. All start with 2 clicks of damage.
VC- Defeat all enemies.
100
VS.
HDC Trooper EXP
Lackey EXP
Thug EXP x2
(50)
Encounter 3
With the murderers strung up and Comissioner Gordon called, the Dark Knight headed for the Batwing, anxious to bring up Diana on Justice League Comms and get some answers about her involvement with the Penguin and the mysterious blue gemstone.
A familiar scratching noise alerted him to a presence off to the left. It came from inside a department store. An unusual place for this particular thief. Diamonds large enough to suit her inflated tastes were usually in museums or very large safes.
Without damaging the lock or setting off the alarm, Batman melted through the feeble security measures of the store and crept up on Catwoman, who crouched in a corner, shivering.
"Selena? What's wrong?"
Selena Kyle had been straight for a few years now, taking extremely high scale "repo" jobs for work, stealing back stolen items from the criminal world. A department store break-in was extremely uncharacteristic of such a skilled thief.
"L-leave me alone." she stammered nervously.
"Selena, let me help you." Batman approached her cautiously, but with an outstretched hand.
"H-help yourself... and RUN!"
ENC 3 SETUP
-Catwoman and Batman adjacent. Catwoman goes first. She starts with one click of damage.
VC- Defeat Catwoman.
100
VS.
Catwoman(59)
Encounter 4
Taking an educated guess based on Catwoman's muscle behavior, Batman quickly administered a broad range antidote to Scarecrow's fear toxin.
Catwoman's breathing slowed and she seemed to see Batman for the first time.
"Thank you. I'm not sure what Crane hit me with, but it was more than his usual cocktail. It didn't just make me afraid in general. It made me afraid of you specifically. And paranoid to the point where killing you felt like the only thing that would give me some peace. The toxin made me follow you all night, but near the end I managed to fight it off enough to hide here, hoping we wouldn't run into each other. But you just can't help being a detective, can you?”
"Why did Scarecrow do this to you?" Batman probed.
"I took a contract with Amanda Waller, head of the..."
"The US Department of Extra-normal Operations. I've had some run-ins with Waller and the DEO before. I take it word got out that she contracted you to obtain the blue gemstone?" Batman asked.
"That's the best I can figure." Selena answered. "Crane had the stone before and obviously put it to good use making this new toxin. He's never been able to control people so specifically before. I'm guessing once he lost the stone he didn't want any competition while trying to get it back."
"You're the best at what you do. I'd say Crane's a wise man." Batman cracked a smile.
"She's hardly the best." A voice called from the shadows. "And I don't like competition either."
Team- add Catwoman EXP
ENC 4 SETUP
Shadow Thief and thugs "around a corner" from Batman and Catwoman. They will go first and utilize cover whenever possible. All start with one click of damage.
VC- Defeat all enemies.
200
VS.
Shadow Thief VET
Thug EXP x2
(81)
Encounter 5
The last blow to the Shadow Thief sent him crashing to the floor, where he melted into the shadows and vanished. Batman and Catwoman both waited for several long, silent moments, but no sign of the criminal remained. He was gone for now.
But the fact that the Shadow Thief, who prides himself on stealth, attacked them openly was an indication that the stakes were getting higher. The situation would need to be contained soon before it got out of hand.
Batman lifted his wrist to his face. “Computer. Lock onto Wonder Woman’s JLA Comm signal and locate her position.”
After just a moment, the computer reported her location through the earpiece in Batman’s cowl. The Dark Knight was already moving.
“What about these?” Catwoman gestured to the thugs.
“I’ll call it in on the way.” Batman gruffly responded. “You coming or not?”
Ten minutes later the Batwing touched down in a back alley of New York. “She’s just ahead in a high security storage facility.” Batman said.
“High security is my specialty.” The feline burglar purred.
Upon emerging from the alley, Batman quickly raised his hand to stop Catwoman’s advance. “Wait. We’re not the first one’s here.”
Catwoman crept ahead several paces, sticking to the shadows, in order to get a peak.
Cat-man and Deadshot, both deadly criminals, were positioned outside of the facility. But their intentions seemed bent on breaking in rather than guarding. Batman flicked the switch to turn on his long range microphone.
“You sure she’s really in there?” Deadshot asked in low tones.
“Our intel is never wrong.” Cat-man whispered. “And I can smell her.”
“Never thought I’d be taking down Wonder Woman.” Deadshot mused.
“Welcome to the big leagues.” Cat-man smiled.
“Like you know anything about the ‘big leagues’.” Deadshot muttered.
“I told you I beat Batman once, right?” Cat-man asked.
“You told everybody and you’re fulla crap. Now let’s just kill this amazon skank and get outta here.”
“That’s our signal.” Batman said. “Let’s move.”
ENC 5 SETUP
200
VS.
Cat-Man EXP
Deadshot EXP
(87)
Enemies outside front of building.
Allies across the street and just around the corner.
VC- Defeat all enemies.
Encounter 6
Catwoman flashed her claws in Deadshot’s face. “Start talking, boys. Who sent you here?”
“We don’t know.” He answered defiantly. “His name is Mockingbird. He tips us off to jobs in exchange for a cut.”
A familiar voice cut into Batman’s earpiece.
“Batman, this is Amanda Waller. Deadshot and Cat-man are my operatives. They work for the U.S. government as part of a team called the “Secret Six””. We created the persona of Mockingbird to keep them under our control without them knowing it. They think they’re mercenaries, but they’re under the watchful eye of Uncle Sam. I authorized the use of deadly force on Wonder Woman. She’s killed before and if she’s gone rogue than she’s too dangerous to handle with kiddie gloves. So set them free or take them with you.”
“Batman?” Catwoman was puzzled. “What is it?”
Batman eyed both men carefully. “They’re coming with us.”
“What?!” All three shouted.
“I call the shots. All of them.” Batman glared at Deadshot. “Switch to your concussive rounds for non-invulnerable targets. No lethal force.”
“What makes you think we’ll take orders from…” Cat-man started, then stopped suddenly. Both he and Deadshot seemed to be listening to something for a moment. Then they both abruptly turned to Batman and muttered, “Fine.”
Batman wasted no time in giving orders. “Catwoman, you take the bottom entrance with Deadshot. Cat-man and I will enter through the top. We move silently and I’ll give the order to ambush once we’re all in position. Remember, we’re four humans against an Amazon whose strength is second only to Superman. Don’t underestimate her.”
“Hmph.” Deadshot muttered to Cat-man as they moved out. “I told you he was human.”
ENC 6 SETUP
Team- add Cat-Man EXP, Deadshot EXP
200
VS.
Wonder Woman EXP
(109)
Wonder Woman in ceneter of “Cargo Bay”. Batman and Cat-man on separate elevated catwalks. Catwoman and Deadshot at the door. Allies attack first.
VC- Defeat Wonder Woman
Encounter 7
(same team, knocked out figures revived)
With the last blow, Wonder Woman staggered backward and the contact point of the last hit she took began to cave in, seeping a brown sludge.
“I should have known.” Batman grimaced. “How did you mimic her powers, too? Or her comm. Device? You’ve never been able to do that before.”
Wonder Woman’s face began to melt while her body expanded, as though she’s been holding her form inward and was finally relaxing. Soon she morphed into a large hulking figure made of brown sludge.
“Clayface.” Catwoman breathed in shock.
“Luthor.” Clayface slurred. “He had the stone long enough to develop a formula for me. One that let’s me perfectly copy on a molecular level.
“Yeah, we can see it’s done wonders for you.” Deadshot cracked. “You look like a pile of melting crap.”
“Luthor needs the stone again to perfect the formula. That’s why I’m getting it for him.” Clayface’s consistency seemed to slowly thin before their eyes.
“Why pose as Wonder Woman?” Catwoman asked.
“Penguin is still semi-legit as a businessman. Too clean to be seen with villains and too dirty to work with heroes. But after Wonder Woman killed that Maxwell Lord guy last year she was just enough rogue to walk the line and be believable as a potential partner with the Penguin. And copying her would give me all the muscle I’d need to get the job done. Or at least that was the plan.”
Batman took a step forward and held out his hand. “The games over now, Clayface. Hand over the gemstone. You’re barely in one piece.”
“That’s not always such a bad thing, Bats.” With a flick of his arms, Clayface flung clumps of himself into three different locations in the room. Each clump quickly expanded into a humanoid form and then completely took the finished shape of a man with rippling muscles. With noticeable effort, Clayface solidified his consistency and lunged forward.
ENC 7 SETUP
200
VS.
Clayface EXP
Criminal EXP x2
Lackey VET
(124)
Thugs spread out behind heroes. Clayface adjacent to one hero. Enemies attack first.
VC- Defeat all enemies.
Encounter 8
Catwoman picked up the blue gemstone from a pool of brown sludge as Batman radioed a meta-human crime unit for the clean-up.
“Would someone care to fill me in?” The commanding female voice belonged to Wonder Woman, as she entered the storage facility and took in the mess around the room. “I came out of Themyscira just an hour ago and found that my comm. Signal was jammed by an identical code that I traced here.”
Batman proceeded to give her a full account of the events so far.
“We still don’t know where the gemstone came from.” Catwoman said.
“No, but Luthor might.” Batman concluded.
“Care for some company?” Wonder Woman asked. I don’t care to have my reputation… soiled.” She frowned as she scanned the brown sludge around the room.
“Alright then. Let’s go see Mr. Clean.” Deadshot piped in. “Get it? ‘Cuz he’s bald.”
“Shut up, Lawton.” Cat-man jabbed him with an elbow.
Lexcorp building automated security was challenging to get everyone through, but far from impossible given the combined expertise of Batman and Catwoman.
Two infamous figures stepped out from behind a orner at the end of the hallway ahead. “Turn around, boys and girls.” Said Captain Cold, leveling his freeze gun at the group.
“You’ll have to make an appointment like everyone else.” The Weather Wizard grinned behind him.
Luthor had taken to hiring some unusual security guards. He must have something important to protect if he’s willing to risk association with known criminals.
ENC 8 SETUP
Team- add Wonder Woman EXP
400
VS.
Captain Cold VET
Weather Wizard VET
Intergang Agent EXP
(224)
In “sci-fi” corridors. Villains at one end, allies at another. No “broken lab”.
VC- Defeat all enemies.
Encounter 9
“Central City, Missourit is a long way from Metropolis.” Wonder Woman observed. “Luthor must have paid them well to guard his tracks, wherever he went.”
“What time is it in Central City?” Catwoman asked.
“Early enough that he’ll still be up.” Batman answered, flicking on his comm. device. “Flash, it’s Batman.”
The Flash’s voice answered from the other end of the line. “As if I wouldn’t recognize that voice. What’s up?”
“I’m on a case in Metropolis. Lexcorps tower. We’ve got two of yours tied and gagged.”
A gust of wind and a flash of lightning washed over everyone. “So that’s where they went.” Flash said from two paces away. “I thought they were just laying low. Hadn’t heard that they’d left Central.”
“Ah crap.” Catman blurted with one hand touching the side of his cowl. “New intel. Luthor knows we’re here and that we took out his boys. We gotta move. He’s sending one of the big guns new to his payroll. A frreakin’ nutjob.”
“Who?” Flash asked.
He was answered by a torrent of twisted metal screaming in protest as the surroundings were ripped away from everyone. Flying debris from Lexcorp tower carried, knocked or threw everyone out of the building.
Plummeting through the air, those able moved fast to avoid casualties. Batman cast a line for himself and grabbed Catwoman on his downward swing. Wonder Woman grabbed Deadshot and Cat-man, timing her descent to avoid dislocating their shoulders. The Flash created a superspeed wind buffer with one arm to slow and control his descent while using a second wind buffer to blow aside metallic debris with his other arm.
“Dr. Polaris.” Batman said once they had all landed. “And more intergang thugs. Luthor is doing business with a lot of dangerous people at once.” He must be desperate to get the gemstone back.”
Dr. Polaris descended toward the recovering group. “Luthor is going to make the voices go away once he has the stone. And so you will give it to me or I will bring this city down on your heads!”
ENC 9 SETUP
Team- add The Flash EXP
400
VS.
Dr. Polaris VET
Intergang Agent EXP x2
Intergang Medic EXP x2
(209)
Like traditional match with enemies on one edge and allies on the other.
VC- Defeat Dr. Polaris.
Encounter 9A
Polaris fell backward in apparent defeat. But after scanning the battlefield, he screamed in a rage of exertion, making a sweeping gesture to everyone in the area. Each person standing, friend or foe, suddenly felt light-headed and immediately lost consciousness.
The sky took on an emerald glow and the street lit up in a flash of green as a cosmic servant of the guardians of the universe took the field.
Green lantern could see twin trails of blood pour out of Polaris’ helmet onto his chest. “Manipulating the iron in bloodstreams is taxing work, even for you. And especially on this scale. You’ve gottabe running on empty, Emerson. Let’s put a stop to this now and get you back to Arkham.”
“It goes both ways, Lantern.” Dr. Polaris said. “I can slow someone else’s pulse, or keep my own going. No one is taking me down today.”
Green lantern shook his head. “Polaris, I don’t even have “Doctor” at the front of my name and I know that’s a bad idea. You’re going to kill yourself. Let me help you.”
Polaris took a step back and faltered, putting a hand on his head. “I- I’m sorry, I just… Give me a moment.”
Balancing compassion and caution, Green Lantern stepped forward slowly, his left hand offered in assistance, his right arm holding a riot shield crafted of emerald light.
Before he could even hear a tell-tale scrape of metal, a manhole cover slammed into Green Lantern’s back at nearly half the speed of sound, sending him flying across the street and embedding him in a brick wall. So much for doing things the easy way.
ENC 9A SETUP
Green Lantern EXP Verses Dr. Polaris
GL in front of a building, Polaris in the middle of the street.
VC- Defeat Polaris
Encounter 10
As Dr. Polaris fell, Green Lantern caught and sealed him in a magnetically neutralizing ring construct. In a few moments the others began to regain consciousness and come to their feet.
“Nice save, GL.” Flash said with an informal salute.
“Thanks for the assist.” Batman said. “What can you do with this?” Batman tossed the blue gemstone to Green Lantern, who caught it in an energy field, surrounded by glowing green robotic scanners.
“Well, it’s not native, that’s for sure.” Green Lantern said immediately. “And it’s registering elements not found on our periodic table. So that puts it outside the galaxy as well.”
“Could it have found its way here as a result of the recent invasion?” Wonder Woman asked.
“I don’t think it has any relationship to the Black Lanterns or any other lantern corps. My ring would make it pretty clear if it did.”
“So what’s left?” Cat-man asked.
“It’s a big universe.” Green Lantern shrugged. “There’s no way to know right now. But it’s not so dense that it could survive entry into our atmosphere. It must have arrived in something else. I can do a planetary scan looking for matching residual energy signatures. If we can find out where or how it arrived we might get more answers.”
“Good idea.” Batman said. “Better rule out Gotham and Metropolis in your scan for now. It’s been circulating in both places for a while and we don’t have time to run in circles.”
The galactic peacekeeper flew straight up into the air and was quickly out of sight. For a few minutes, all waited in silence. Then the sky began to rumble and a glowing green hypersonic passenger jet descended from the night sky and landed in the street.
A door and ramp slid open and Green Lantern announced from inside, “I’ve got coordinates. Anyone want a lift?”
Sometime later, the morning sun appeared on the horizon as the jet landed again, this time in a remote South American jungle. The ancient ruins would have been a unique enough sight to those emerging from the emerald aircraft. But the strange pool of energy easily drew most of their attention.
“I thought your search might bring you here.” A thin, brittle voice called from the trees. A wiry human frame covered in rags and a ghastly hood appeared from out of the jungle. Everyone recognized him as Dr. Jonathan Crane, The Scarecrow.
“The natives in this region worship a god who inspires and embodies fear.” Crane said instructively. “I couldn’t help but investigate. It would seem their worship is more than superstition. Whatever this god of theirs may be, its power is real enough.”
“That pool of energy is some kind of portal, isn’t it?” Batman concluded. “The gemstone came through it and then you stole it from the natives.”
“It was wasted in their possession.” Scarecrow answered. “But in my hands it can reach its true potential as a tool of fear. And I can manipulate through fear with unprecedented specificity, scope and power. Even those I once thought untouchable can now be made subject to fear. Everyone is afraid of something. Everyone.”
Every hero present felt the world drop out from beneath them as Superman stepped out in front of the Scarecrow protectively. “Stay back, Lois.” Superman frantically eyed all of the heroes assembled. They could only imagine what horrors he was seeing as he looked at them.
A few troopers emerged from behind Crane, brandishing high-tech weaponry. “We’ve got your back, Superman.” They smiled cruelly, playing along with Scarecrow’s sick game. “We’re with you to the end.”
“Thank you, commander.” Superman replied. But the best you can do right now is to get Lois of here.”
Wonder Woman cautiously stepped forward, offering her hand in peace. “It’s okay, Kal. It’s me. It’s Diana.
The Man of Steel’s eyes suddenly went wide in terror. “Run, Lois! Run!”
Team- add Green Lantern EXP
500
VS.
Scarecrow VET
Superman EXP
HDC Trooper VET x3
(304)
ENC 10 SETUP
Enemies are set up anywhere 4 space from map center line on the side closest to the portal.
Allies set up anywhere 4 spaces from map center line on opposite side, furthest from portal.
Portal is a “hindering obstacle” but is otherwise normal. I use a game piece from another game to represent the portal. It takes up four spaces.
VC- Defeat Scarecrow and Superman.
Encounter 11
“The antidote, Crane!” Batman threatened as he shook the frail doctor in his fists.
“There is none, you fool!” crane spat. “Not yet. I need the gemstone again to properly devise one. Don’t you see, it belongs with me!”
The whine of several small pulse engines swelled in the air as three Lexcorps battlesuits descended into the area.
“Looks like Luthor might disagree with you.” Green Lantern observed.
Several more armed combatants entered the field via jet packs which they removed upon landing. But one new arrival stood out more than all of the others. A grotesque purple humanoid form with only vague facial features. The Parasite. His touch could steal power and even life itself.
Th scarecrow’s torso became even more narrow as a length of glowing rope fastened around it in a golden flash of light.
“No more lies, Crane.” Wonder Woman ordered. “Where is the antidote for the dose you gave Superman?”
“In my left sleeve pocket.” Scarecrow casually answered.
Batman quickly found the inhaler and shoved it into Superman’s mouth just as he began to groan and regain consciousness.
Superman coughed a few times and then shook his head clear. “Wha? What’s goin’ on?”
“No time to explain.” Batman said. “We’ve got trouble.” He gestured to the Parasite and Luthor’s hired muscle.
“What about Crane?” Diana asked. With a quick and brutal blow, Batman knocked the Doctor into unconsciousness.
“He’ll sit this one out.”
Team- add Superman EXP
600
VS.
Parasite SILVER
Lexcorp Battlesuit VET x3
Intergang Agent EXP x3
Intergang Medic EXP x3
HDC Trooper EXP x2
(481)
ENC 11 SETUP
Each team positioned in 1st 3 rows of one side.
VC- Defeat all enemies.
Encounter 12
“We were lucky.” Superman said as he looked down at the unconscious Parasite. “I can say from experience, that could have gone a lot worse.”
“It still can, boyscout.” A gruff voice responded from above.
Green Lantern Kyle Rayner immediately recognized the metallic skin of the psychotic Major Force. Only a few years ago, he had butchered Kyle’s fiancée and left her for him to find in his refrigerator.
“Maniac! Who found you? How did you get back here?!” Green Lantern shouted. “I left you in pieces on the moon!”
A sadistic sing-song voice came from the trees. “Not all the king’s horses, nor all the king’s men. But I could put humpty together again!”
“No.” Batman breathed in disbelief as high-pitched laughter echoed around the ruins and the Joker stepped into the light.
“The Joker had his brain amped up on the gemstone?” Deadshot said. “That’s about as jacked up a scenario as I can imagine.”
“Then we clearly need to open your mind.” The Joker smiled menacingly. “Good thing I brought my drill.” He said, pulling an electric black and deckerfrom his coat pocket and a turkey baster from his trousers.
“What’s that supposed to do?” Deadshot said, looking at the turkey baster.
“I don’t know yet.” The Joker said, wondering. But it sure looks like fun, doesn’t it?” Squealing laughter filled the air as the Joker enjoyed some twisted unknown thought of his own.
“Don’t underestimate him.” Batman called out to the others. “He’s the most dangerous one here.”
“That remains to be seen.” A strangely displaced voice responded. An electric blur of yellow seemed to flash in and out of existence in multiple places simultaneously.
“Zoom.” The Flash said, grimly.
“Great.” Catwoman added. “Three nut-jobs at once.”
“What’s wrong with this guy?” Catman asked. “Aside from the dark and beady eyes and the creepy vibe he’s givin’ off.”
“His name is Hunter Zolomon.” Flash said. “He thinks he’s helping heroes become better by torturing them.”
“This gemstone is making criminals much more dangerous. The world needs better heroes.” Zoom said, his voice coming from everywhere as he flashed from one place to another. “And soon, you all will be.”
The Joker assumed a presentational stance. “And no party is complete without some mercenary cannon fodder!”
In response to his sweeping gesture, armed men entered the clearing from every side.
600
VS.
Zoom VET
Major Force VET
Joker VET
HDC Trooper VET x2
Lexcorp Battlesuit VET x3
Intergang Agent EXP x2
(509)
ENC 12 SETUP
Heroes in middle of map. Villains spread out surrounding them on all sides.
VC- Defeat all 3 villains.
Encounter 13
In the aftermath of the battle, Batman seemed suddenly startled. He pulled the gemstone out of his utility belt for examination. “It’s gone cold,” He said.
Suddenly it flashed to life again and flew out of his hands, racing toward the pool of energy.
“Flash!” Batman shouted. “Keep us on it!”
In the millisecond that followed, the Flash extended his arms toward all those around him, flooding everyone with the crackling energy of the mysterious speed force.
“Don’t be alarmed, everybody!” The Flash announced. “I’ve pulled this trick a few times before, but never with this many. For the next second or two, you’re as fast as I am. And we’re all going after the gemstone.”
“We are?” Cat-man said in surprise.
“Move!” Batman ordered. And in a massive flash of light, everyone raced into the portal.
The journey was near instantaneous, but disorienting. With the speed force energy returned to him again, the Flash collapsed to the ground, spent.
“You should not have come.” A deep voice boomed. “The gemstone was sent only to collect the data hidden in your meta-human DNA. But you have now foolishly followed it to your doom.”
Superman was the first to shake off dizziness and recognize the threat before them. “Darkseid. Don’t tell me. This was all somehow part of your quest to find your mythical Anti-life Equation?”
“It is no myth, Kryptonian.” Darkseid calmly replied. “Prophecy places it squarely on earth. If the answer does not lie in meta-human genetic coding, then it lies somewhere else. But I will find it there. And with it the universe will be mine.”
“There?” Catwoman asked. “If Earth is ‘there’, then where are we NOW?”
“Apokolips.” Darkseid replied. “My home. And the place of your death. Kal-el, I have recently acquired a pet that is especially interested in you.”
800
VS.
Darkseid VET
Parademon Scout VET x3
Parademon Warrior VET x3
LexCorp Battlesuit VET x3
Doomsday VET 174
(652)
ENC 13 SETUP
The Flash may not take an action for 10 of his player’s turns, as he recovers. Allies are in a cluster, enemies are in a surrounding semi-circle and go first.
VC- Defeat Doomsday and Darkseid.
Aftermath-
“Earth is off limits, Darkseid!” Superman ordered.
The ruler of Apokolips rose to one knee. “You know that can never be, Kal-el. Earth is my destiny. But for now you have once again proved your mettle and may leave Apokolips in peace.”
“Who said we’re leaving?” Batman threatened.
Darkseid looked up at the surrounding landscape. Hundreds of para-demons drew within sight of the battlefield.
“We can’t fight them all.” Green Lantern advised.
“He’s right.” Superman reluctantly admitted. “We can’t finish this here.”
Green Lantern constructed a star cruiser and directed the others to board. Superman remained for a moment and glared at Darkseid. “But we will finish this.” He turned and flew to the cruiser.
“Of that I have no doubt.” Darkseid said softly.
