GETTING STARTED
"A thick mist rises early from the ground covering Central Park in its glistening wetness. Outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a stealthy figure glides down from the fog filled sky. Nearby a bell tolls the hour...it's after midnight True believers!"
The majority of the action in this adventure will occur on Manhattan Island, New York.
CHAPTER 1:
START:
READ the boxed text in the book.
AFTERMATH:
Read to the players:
The theft of anything from the Met is a major media even. Not only is the crime on all the newspaper front pages but also on national television. During the day, you notice television interviews with celebrities, all of whom are appalled that the security of the museum had been breached. If one artifact has been taken, then what is to keep the thieves from stealing other art treasures?
Spiderman:
"You notice an ad in the Daily Bugle from the curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Maximillian Pride, imploring you to meet with him at the museum five minutes before closing time (4:55PM) tomorrow. Pride says he will have a watchman waiting for them at the door."
BLADE: You are lounging in your warehouse base where you have seen the theft at the Met interrupting your tv programs all night. The television becomes static as you start messing with the remote then stand up to check the direct tv box on top. Before you get to the box you hear a familiar voice break in loud and clear in the tv. You bend over looking at the screen and can’t believe your eyes but the Sorcerer Supreme himself Doctor Stephen Strange peers through the screen at you sitting in a floating high-backed chair. “Sorry to interrupt your regularly scheduled program Eric but something has come to my attention that may need your “special” attention. A tome that holds arcane secrets enabling the reader to create monsters has been stolen from the Metropolitan Museum. I would like for you to check this out by meeting with the Curator Maximillian Pride tomorrow at 4:55PM at the museum. I will be doing my own investigation from the dark realm as you investigate here. I will be able to see your findings as you proceed.” The tv screen goes black then a Scooby Doo cartoon comes on.
Daredevil, Power man and Iron Fist:
You are sitting in Matt Murdock’s office when the television breaks the news of the theft at the Metropolitan Museum. Shortly thereafter your desk phone rings and Karen Page is on the other end. You put the phone on speaker for Luke Cage and Danny Rand to listen in. “Matt, I know you are seeing this on the news, too right? Oh sorry. I mean you hear it right?” You crack a smile and give chuckle, “Yes Karen I hear it”. She continues “Well we are getting information from sources here at the paper that some tome of ancient dark power was stolen from the museum. Anything that says ancient dark power screams a theft by the Hand. I think you uhhh …I mean our mutual “friend” needs to check this out and make sure they aren’t back.” You look up at Cage and Rand…
CHAPTER 2:
START:
Read boxed text to players
ENCOUNTER:
"Please be seated" Mr. Pride says as he motions to an old oak table with chairs." Harry, have Ms. Beam bring an assortment of beverages from the café". Harry nods his head and Mr. Pride turns back to speak to you.
"The police have asked me to remain silent about the recent theft, but I feel that they are going to need all the help they can get. The tome stolen from us is entitled A Mad Man's Mutterings. It was written by Bartholomew Jacobs in 1690 who was burned as a witch in 1692. I have not read the book, but I understand it is a hodgepodge of myths and speculations about the supernatural. It is said to be confusing and tedious to read. There is a legend about the book which is told during tours of the museum, that it contains a secret code that when deciphered reveals how to create an assortment of gruesome monsters. Legend says Jacobs was burned at the stake for creating 3 of these monsters. I originally put little credence in the legend, considering it an amusing yarn of sorts. That is until now..."
Mr. Pride opens todays Daily Bugle, lays it on the table and points to one of the headlines:
HAVE ONE OF THE CHARACTERS READ DAILY BUGLE 1 ALOUD
GANG HANGOUT DEMOLISHED IN WILD RAMPAGE! - Frisco’s bar and grill, located in the lower east side, was nearly torn to the ground late last night. Police reports state that just after midnight lunatics entered the bar and began attacking anything in sight. Three people were killed, and five others suffered grievous wounds in the scuffle. Eyewitnesses report the attackers appeared to be pale skinned with mouths full of sharp teeth and clawed hands. Police refute this, speculating that by the number of cuts and punctures in the victims is consistent with gang fights that are common in this establishment that is frequented by the criminal street gang The Crimson Smiles.
Pride continues... Looking at Blade-"Given the mention of the creatures in the article I thought it best to involve you in this. I believe the book may have been deciphered. This is well beyond anything the police can handle. Besides, I told the police my Deacon Frosts and they laughed at the idea. I beg you, for the sake of our city, please look into this. Additionally, the private benefactors of the museum have authorized me to offer a $200,000 reward for the return of the book. If you have any other questions, please ask them now or If I find anything new I will put an ad in the paper just as I did this time."
Possible other questions:
*How was the book stolen?
“The theft took place in this very room. The book was kept in a locked case, which was smashed to bits. There were no signs of forced entry. Only the alarm to the case was activated. During the robbery, security cameras recorded only an unnatural darkness or blur that had to be the thief.
*Was anything else stolen?
“No. Several other valuable texts on display with the book were untouched. By the time the guards responded, they found no intruders but did find one clue. A note in the wide brim of a fedora hat that said “Hammerheads puttin the hammer down!”. The police took the hat and note but Harry our watchman saw it beforehand and told me about it.
CAFE Felicia Beam:
READ to Players: As you are talking with Mr. Pride, a comely young lady enters the room with a beverage cart.
HAVE PLAYERS roll Typical(6) Intuition FEAT to have them notice Felicia Beam is extremely nervous. If she is asked she replies "no... nothing is wrong". NEXT she spills a drink in a RANDOM players lap. If they are mean she leaves crying. If they are nice she helps clean it up and smiles warmly. (SEE CHAPTER 3)
AFTERMATH: IF the Hammerdown clue not found-Harry the Watchman
READ TO Players: As you are being escorted out of the museum at the conclusion of your meeting, Harry the watchman pulls {CHOOSE ONE OF THE POPULAR HEROES} to the side. "Hey, I don't wanna get into trouble or nuttin but you helped out my nephew in a bad spot one time. The police found one of dem fedora gangsta hats on the ground by where the book was nabbed. It had a note in the hat band. I was hanging around and got a look at it. It said "HAMMERHEADS PUTTIN THE HAMMER DOWN!". Whatever that means. I thought you would wanna know."
CHAPTER 3:
READ boxed texts to characters
Additional text for second box:
"My twin brother Johnny is a member of street gang. I have tried to talk him into leaving those bunch of criminals many times, but he just blows me off. The gang calls themselves the Flashing blades. Sunday night I overheard Johnny talking to someone on the phone about "a job at the Met". Now I see that he was talking about the museum robbery. Please help me. Johnny is a very good person. He is just scared of telling the gang he wants out. Can you convince him to give the book back, so he won't go to jail? I know he would testify against those hoodlums."
If they say yes- "Thank you! I heard my brother say that the gang was having a meeting tonight at midnight at a bar in Times square called Hank's. I bet they will have the stolen book there".
CHAPTER 4:
IF the characters insult or get mad at Felicia use this encounter
READ boxed text to characters
Additional text:
You find a young man beaten badly on the ground. There is no sign of his assailants. Struggling to stand the young man screams " I have to warn them! They are going to make a hit on them tonight at Hank's in Times Square! You gotta help. People are gonna get hurt!". The man's eyes then roll into the back of his head as he collapses into unconsciousness.
CHAPTER 5: FIGHT!!! (minis needed 4 Maggia goons in a car/ 2 Vampires/1 Waitress vampire/ Deacon Frost/ Bystanders/thugs/Bar map)
READ THE BOXED TEXT TO PLAYERS
One turn to react before drive by shooting
3 Maggia goons with tommy guns/1 driver with revolver
DURING the Battle have heroes make Typical(6) Intuition FEAT. IF Success read: You hear screams coming from inside Hanks tavern. You see customers are trying to flee though doors and windows. Blood splatters on the large window in the front.
Once they look inside: You see customers running for cover anywhere they can find. You stare in shock as two vampires slash and feed on cowering patrons of the bar! Their claws and fangs dig deep into tender flesh as they cackle with delight.
In the back of the room stands a clean-shaven, well dressed handsome man throwing darts casually at a waitress trying hide nearby. Deacon Frost makes eye contact with Blade: “Eric! Glad you could make it son! Since technically I made you…that makes me your daddy! Come give your Daddy a big hug will ya?” Keeping eye contact Deacon throws another dart hitting the waitress in the head as she screams in pain.
NOTES ON FIGHT:
If someone tries to rescue the waitress, they find she is also a vampire!!!The vampires fight for 5 turns or defeated then read- "lighting dances across the bodies of the vampires as they vanish with a loud thundering report. Deacon looks at Blade smiling a toothy grin waving casually as he disappears".
AFTERMATH:
Johnny :
Have players roll a green result Popularity FEAT.
Johnny tells the Heroes: "Those THINGS appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the bar! They started whaling on anyone they could reach!" Rumors are that Hammerhead has hired these THINGS to do this. He is taking out rival gangs using these monsters. Tonight, we were attacked, last night the Crimson smiles and my money is that those Nazi Buzz cuts will get clobbered at Starky's pool hall on the east side tomorrow night".
OTHER question in book Johnny answers.
Johnny getting out of gang: red Popularity FEAT roll of gang around...green if they aren't.
FAKE Maggia Goons: Thugs dressed as Hammerhead goons. ONLY if heroes ask police about them will they find out they are NOT Hammerheads. The police cannot get the men to talk. IRON FIST or DAREDEVIL can make a yellow intuition roll to notice a tattoo peeking out one of cuffs of one of their shirts. They will immediately recognize this as the mark of the Hand. You realize questioning the fanatics will be pointless.
READ to players: News and police show up shortly after the fighting is over. Police ask for a recap of events as news crews ask for comments from heroes.
If heroes want to go check out Buzz cuts at Starkys tonight go to Chapter 7 if want to go tomorrow go to Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6: Rest day/ Media coverage
Have a PLAYER Read DAILY BUGLE 2
Opening the morning issue of the Daily Bugle, you notice a very interesting article by J. Jonah Jameson:
MONSTERS IN NEW YORK? WHATS NEW?
Last night, Hank’s tavern was the subject of two attacks. The first was apparently a gang related drive by shooting. According to witnesses, the second assault was instigated by another reported sighting of clawed and fanged monsters. What going on in New York? This is the second attack of by supposed creatures of the night. When are authorities going to do something? Is this for real or a well-staged hoax? The police refute the existence of monsters, claiming the violence is the result of a growing gang war. Most of the victims last night were members of a street gang. One of the members quoted to us that he believes the “Maggia is behind all of this and Hammerhead better watch out.” The band of heroes reportedly responding to the scene scared the assailants off. Or are they also part of the conspiracy? Time will tell.
CHAPTER 7: FIGHT!!! minis- Madame Gao (old woman) Shroud, 5 Hand ninjas and Werewolf/bystanders/map of pool hall
READ boxed text
Ask how Heroes are dressed?
If IN COSTUME the place empties and buzz cuts are there to defend their turf. Must have a yellow Popularity roll if tell them there to thwart possible attack on them and Red if they start making demands. If fail then they jump them. 3 thugs to one hero.
STEALTHY"-No one notices you. You see a half dozen or so of the Buzz cuts who stand out with their flat top haircuts playing at pool tables."
THUG TOMMY KENT (he wants $100 for info IF before Monster attack):
Hammerhead hideout question: "I know that joker likes to play poker in the back room of a bar called the ROARING 20s on the lower eastside."
About the Book: " I heard that Hammerhead stole the book and now he has some magical power to summon monsters to take out rival gangs. Looks like it's true to me".
What gang will be hit next: " Don't really know. He has hit small timers so far. I think he will move on to bigger game, but I don't know who".
AT SOME TIME DURING OR BEFORE TALKING TO TOMMY:
Read aloud: " You don't know if your eyes are playing tricks on you or not, but the room seems to be getting darker. You see a flash of light then several operatives of the Hand are before you! Another flash and across the room a gray cloaked man enshrouded in darkness appears with an old woman holding a chained leash on an upright hairy beast. Madame Gao smiles pleasantly at Daredevil and says “One devil deserves another. She lets the chain fall with a laugh as it leaps at you with a slavering maw of teeth.”
After 20 turns/rounds or defeat: " Lightning crackles around your opponent’s bodies as they vanish with a loud clap of thunder".
AFTERMATH:
" The police roll up with lights and sirens. News crews are right behind them. Police question you and the patrons and gang members back up your story. In fact, the gang members begin bragging about your prowess to the news and threaten Hammerhead that the heroes are coming to get him!"
IF heroes immediately go to ROARING 20’s go to chapter 9
CHAPTER 8: DAY OFF
Read boxed text???
CHAPTER 9: Roaring 20's club
Read to players: " Through your knowledge of the city you know that the Roaring 20's speakeasy is a legitimate business, but it is owned by members of Hammerhead's family. The bar is open 5PM to 1AM every day except Sunday. You know that people in the club dress in clothing of the 1920's era."
Ways to approach:
ILLEGAL- Ox the bartender catches them and tells them to leave immediately as he picks up the telephone to call the police. Unless stopped he calls the police or triggers alarm.
Option-Ox the bartender challenges a hero to a fight if threatened OR if they find the safe. If he wins they leave. If they win, he gives up the safe combo. Fight in alley outside.
OX
F: GD (10) A:GD (10) S:RM (30) E: EX (20) R: PR (4) I: Ty (6) P
R (4) Talent: Martial Arts B and +1CS fight unarmed
In safe: $20,000, a handgun and a letter:
“Hammerhead-Come to Washington Square Arch at midnight and you’ll get what you want”.
Jack calls police: Police arrive and begin to arrest the heroes. Jack interferes and says he just wants them to leave and won't press charges as he says, "It wouldn't be good for da boss". The police lecture the heroes on abuse of their powers.
BLUNT- In costume-" The customers hurriedly exit the establishment as a dozen Maggia goons stand and put their hands inside their jackets. You can hear the bartender pick up then phone and begin to speak to a police dispatcher."
If the heroes make threats or move toward the back room the Maggia draw and shoot. Hammerhead is not present in the building.
STEALTHY- " A small band plays 1920's era music while girls called "flappers" dance around the room. As you blend in the crowd you here three tipsy thugs talking at a nearby table ". READ text in book
A GREEN reason FEAT roll will have the Heroes realize they can intercept this Sam Evans and pretend to be him to meet Hammerhead and get information at the poker game.
CHAPTER 10: Meet with Sam Evans
READ TO PLAYERS- " You make it to LaGuardia airport somehow before the Maggia goon!"
READ text in box
Let heroes think of ruse for real Sam Evans. "Game canceled", "kidnap him" knock him out"...
The impersonating hero - " You see the Goon from the Roaring 20's looking around at the gate. He looks you up and down -"You Evans?" Follow me I got a car to take you to da game with da boss".
The goon opens the door to a plush limousine and drives you back to the Roaring 20's.
CHAPTER 11:
Additional Text FIRST:
"Your limo pulls up to the Roaring 20's club. A valet in a red coat, white shirt and black tie opens your door and welcome you-"Welcome to da club Mr. Evans. Mr. H is waiting for ya in da back room". The valet takes the limo keys from your escort and leads you into the club. READ TEXT BOX IN BOOK MAKE SURE NOT TO MENTION DEACON FROST OR ANY Villain HAMMERHEAD DON’T KNOW who is framing him
QUESTIONS TO HAMMERHEAD-*If player isn't quick with questions have another Maggia boss at the table ask the questions out loud for them to hear. MAKE SURE NOT TO MENTION MR DEACON FROST OR ANY Villain. Hammerhead don’t know who is framing him
AFTERMATH: Player should be going to Washington Arch/Central Park
CHAPTER 12: Park Attack!!!
MINIS NEEDED: Maggia Goon/ Man and woman/Deacon Frost/3 vampires/Lots of skeletons
HAVE ONE OF THE PLAYERS READ:
You know that the Washington Square Arch park sits in the heart of Greenwich Village. In the late 1600's the parked served as a burial ground for beggars and the anonymous. Later in the 1700's, it became a popular dueling ground and a place where public hangings and executions were carried out. Several of the ancient trees that served as gallows still stand. You know hundreds of skeletons lie moldering beneath the soil.
NEXT READ BOXED TEXT IN BOOK
COMBAT:
Maggia goon with submachine gun under arch/3 vampires plus up to 80 skeletons!!! SKELETONS don't come out of ground until 3 turns.
AFTER 1 TURN- EEL, and SCORPION help Maggia thug. Supposed to kill but no Mr. Deacon Frost they leave.
AFTER 3 TURNS READ TO PLAYERS: "Even though you are quite busy... you smell fresh wet earth. Looking around to in horror you see dozens of skeletons clawing their way out of the ground. A scream cuts your attention to the young couple trying to clumsily flee the grisly scene."
As the young couple tries to flee-skeletons will attack them.
*If close to losing or knocked out -Deacon Forst and vampires are teleported away.
READ TO PLAYERS:
" lightning crackles around their skin then with a loud clap of thunder your foes disappear with a smell of ozone lingering in the air."
Interrogating- Maggia goon, Scorpion or Eel captured then will answer questions in book IF they aren't turned over to police.
Next chapter is to rest
CHAPTER 13: Day of Rest/Newspaper/TV
Read boxed text for reading newspaper
Read next boxed text for television news.
PLAYER RECOVER Health points 2X Endurance ranks maybe 3X
Read 3rd boxed text from Daily Bugle ad taken out by Johnny to heroes.
CHAPTER 14: Talk with Johnny/Thugs from his old gang to beat him up
Map needed: Park/maybe Egyptian obelisk
Minis needed: Johnny Bifrost/ two thugs for each hero
READ Text in book.
After fight READ TO PLAYERS:
"Hey thanks guys. I quit the gang and that didn't make them happy. What REALLY didn't make them happy was when they found out I was going to tell you about how a guy calling himself the Deacon is gathering up all the gangs to meet in an hour (1AM) at a warehouse on the lower East side near Pier 44. I don't know what it is about, but it can't be good. If you guys want to go check it out I will call the cops to get these jerks".
The thugs have NO useful information.
CHAPTER 15: Waterfront Warehouse
Map: warehouse
Minis needed: 10 thugs to each hero! Deacon Frost
Read boxed text
Read second boxed text IF hero looks into a window
Warehouse: Walls and ceiling of warehouse are concrete (20) excellent material
doors are steel (30) remarkable material-some doors UNLOCKED
Crates are (4) poor material strength/engine parts in them weigh 800 lbs. (takes excellent STR to lift).
Blunt approach-1)Deacon Frost screams tells them to attack-2)Deacon then teleports out- 3)If gangs heroes helped then Yellow popularity FEAT by ONE hero-if fail they attack
Stealthy approach-Good Agility FEAT or spotted to hide among crates. Fail use blunt approach above. If succeed, then READ this to players:
A man is standing on a makeshift stage with his back to the crowd. A group of thugs is at the base of the stage watching in anticipation.
Heroes MUST decide:
1) to persuade the gang members not to take guns-yellow popularity FEAT at -2CS-if success Deacon Frost teleports away in disgust-READ TO PLAYERS: "Deacon looks over the crowd-You spineless miscreants deserve each other."-with a flash of light and a thunderclap he is gone.
IF Popularity FEAT failed READ-Deacon Frost laughs. "Looks like these boys like my toys more than your games". Deacon then kicks a crate onto the floor and 12 assault rifles spill out in front of the hostile crowd
2)Attack before rifles handed out- READ to heroes-"After his initial surprise, Deacon disappears in a loud clap of thunder and a bright flash. The surprised thugs turn to meet your gaze unsure of what to do." Roll yellow popularity FEAT as in 1 above.
3)Do nothing-READ to heroes-"Deacon passes out the weapons from the crates with instructions to be at the Roaring 20's club tomorrow night at midnight where they will wipe out Hammerhead once and for all. Then he smiles with a toothy grin as he promises then a “gift” for their loyalty.
AFTERMATH: If heroes recover guns and thwart plan go to chapter 17. To warn Hammerhead go to Chapter 16. Otherwise go to 17.
CHAPTER 16: IF Warn Hammerhead-Back to the Roaring 20’s
MAP: Night club
MINIS: 6 Maggia Thugs/ Blacklash/Boomerang/Whirlwind
READ TO PLAYERS AS THEY APPROACH THE CLUB:
“As you approach the club you notice a big sign on the door that says, “CLOSED FOR RENOVATION”. You don’t see any lights on inside and nobody seems to be around”.
ONCE INSIDE READ TO PLAYERS:
Allow characters like Spider-man and Daredevil their Intuition based checks before. Daredevil hears the heartbeats and Spiderman has the hairs stand up on his arms.
“You are being as quiet at possible when from the shadows inside the room movement catches your eye. Six goons in Mafia garb step out of the shadows and open fire with Tommy guns. Laughing as their muzzle flash lights up the room”.
READ TO PLAYERS AFTER ONE ROUND:
“As if .45 caliber bullets aren’t enough…you hear a crashing from the ceiling and look up to see the costumed villains for hire Backlash, Boomerang and Whirlwind dropping from air vents in the ceiling.”
AFTERMATH:
Read questions in book that can be asked to captured villains, but basic gist is they don’t know where Hammerhead is. Hammerhead expected an attack and paid them to kill anyone who came in the club.
Because of the disturbance Deacon’s gang doesn’t attack.
CHAPTER 17: REST DAY
READ TO PLAYERS:
Luke Cage and Iron Fist-“Sweet Christmas it’s good to have a day off for bruises to heal! You are spending the day at the Washington Square Park eating barbeque and relaxing at a benefit being put on by the NYPD Police Union. “
Spiderman- “Life is sometimes good when you have an actress for a wife. Peter is at the Langham hotel on 5th Avenue enjoying a luncheon and elbow rubbing session put on by the producers of M.J.’s soap opera gig.
Daredevil- “Why would anyone take a blind man bowling? Your friends Foggy Nelson and Karen Page made you join another mutual group of friends to head to the Bowlero lanes. You are purposely making the group laugh at your attempts to throw the ball down the wrong lanes, but the beer and pizza are great nonetheless”.
Blade- “What’s a day off for a Vampire hunter? What is your day off?”
Have a player read Daily Bugle 3
READ text in second box Chapter 17 if heroes didn’t thwart mass gang attack with machine guns.
Iron Fist or Power Man:
Your cell phone rings and it’s Misty Knight on the other end. “Hey, I just had some lady named Felicia Beam walk in and ask if I could get in touch with you. She said you helped her brother and said she needs to speak with you in person at the park outside the Metropolitan Museum tonight at 7PM. She said she will be near the big obelisk. Don’t know what this is about but the lady looked stressed out to the max. Good luck”
If go to Bellevue hospital go to Chapter 18 if go to meet Felicia Beam go to Chapter 19
CHAPTER 18: Questioning witnesses about walking dead
Read the boxed text then read this:
“Doctor List Says-This is Jimmy Biggles. He was the first person that said he saw one of the corpses move”. Jimmy is obviously sedated but can talk. “I saw them move! They slid themselves right out of their compartments then shuffled right out the doors! Felicia was there! She can tell you! She can tell you I am not crazy! Where is Felicia?! Did they get her? Is she a zombie?”
Option: Have players roll any relative checks. Reason/investigation to discover this was Felicia Beam also working at the morgue.
If the players ask Dr. List about Felicia Beam then read:
“Dr. List crinkles his nose-I think I need a subpoena to give out that kind of information”.
THEN have Daredevil rolls a green intuition FEAT. If success then read “you are detecting a rapid heart beat of evasiveness in the good Doctor”
Have players roll green intuition FEATS after this and highest result notices a tattoo poking out of the shirt collar of Dr. List. The mark is of a vampire familiar.
Once confronted or manhandled heroes. READ to players:
“You think you can stop this? Alliances have been made that will change this world forever!
Felicia started work here months ago. Her flirtations led to a physical relationship. I am a married man with an established career. I was approached in the night by a man with pictures of Felicia and I. He also offered a lot of money to just give access to the morgue. He said he was with the Hand. This worked for a while, but I got greedy. Then viscous red eyed men broke into my office and they gave me this tattoo and told me I was theirs forever. Oh God what I have I done! Felicia said something about an obelisk in the park near the Metropolitan Museum once. I think that has something to do with this, but I am not sure.”
IF the Players go to the park read aloud:
You are at the park staring at the obelisk. You turn behind you with a start as a golden spinning portal of energy appears and a familiar face from Bleeker Street steps out of the portal. Doctor Strange looks at you - “I tracked the darkforce to this exact location. From what I can tell someone wants to make a raging gang war that will kill countless numbers of people. With all this necromancy I can only guess someone is trying to create an army of the dead. It looks like the portal has closed. Residual energy I sense can still be used to send you. I need you to follow it and find out who is behind this. Strange then strides over to the obelisk. He runs his hand over the glyphs in the stones, then takes his hands away and makes several arcane gestures which draws the familiar lightning from the stone. GO! Strange screams over the thrum of energy. We won’t be far behind.”
CHAPTER 19:
READ to players- Shadows have fallen across the park. Near the Metropolitan Museum of Art stands an Egyptian obelisk. On a bench near the monument sits Felicia Beam staring into the darkness. She appears nervous as if she expects someone to jump out and grab her at any moment. Felicia sees you with tears running down her face. “Oh my God, I am so glad you came! My brother Johnny said he wanted to help you guys and had found out something important about the book. That was yesterday, and I haven’t heard from him since. He won’t answer his phone and I am really scared he stuck his nose into something he may now regret. If he found something, it’s probably at his apartment or at least clues of it”.
Felicia tries to give you the address of 444 East Yancy Street Apartment B on the lower East side.
OPTION: Allow intuition checks if warranted. If players, ask about tattoo of a vampire familiar on Felicia’s neck.
If Felicia is confronted: “Horror creeps across Felicia’s face. The obelisk behind the bench crackles with lightning across its surface. Felicia’s look of horror changes to an evil grin. “HE is coming. HE cannot be stopped” as the lightning reaches her, and she disappears into the obelisk with a thunderous boom. You stand mouths open looking at each other.
PAUSE FOR EFFECT….
With a start you turn defensively behind you. A golden spinning portal of energy appears and a familiar face from Bleeker Street steps out of the portal. Doctor Strange looks at you - “I tracked the darkforce to this exact location. From what I can tell someone wants to make as much carnage in New York that will kill countless numbers of people. With all this necromancy I can only guess someone is trying to create an army of the dead or draw power from the dead. It looks like the portal is trying to close. Residual energy I sense can still be used to send you where she went. I need you to follow her. Strange then strides over to the obelisk. He runs his hand over the glyphs in the stones, then takes his hands away and makes several arcane gestures which draws the familiar lightning from the stone to form a visible portal. GO!!! Strange screams over the thrum of energy nodding toward the portal. As you enter you think you hear him scream. “We won’t be far behind.”
Chapter 20: Into the Realm of the Sphinx
Read to players: “The first thing you notice is the heat on your face and bright light in your eyes. When your vision clears you see endless sand and a huge pyramid that crackles with a familiar lightning. Ancient doors block the entrance into the structure. The hairs on your body stand on end as you sense the power radiating from the structure.
Let the players sit and adjust for a minute.
You hear a rustling when you see rotten appendages rise from the sand as zombies crawl out and move your direction.
Chapter 21: The Pyramid of the Sphinx
The doors to the pyramid can be forced open with amazing Strength FEAT roll.
READ to players:
You force the doors open and can immediately smell the familiar ozone smell from when enemies would disappear. What appear to be Egyptian, yet alien hieroglyphs are carved into the walls and floors of a long hallway. Each glyph depicts the same large man in a green headdress performing wonderous deeds of strength and bravery. The hall ends in a door to another room. You can hear the thrum of power emanating from this room.
Once they open the door:
The door swings open and you see a vast room. A large dais rises from the far side of the room. At the foot of the dais is a large sarcophagus of which you can see evil demons depicted on its sides and what appears to be swirling faces of bloody heads upon the lid. At the top of the dais is the large man you have seen depicted in the glyphs through the pyramid. To each side of the dais are Madame Gao and Deacon Frost. The large man at the top grimaces and says “Frost….Gao…do you know these insects that have entered the home of the Sphinx unbidden? “
Frost: “These are mistakes of the world we are going to rule. Once we have enough souls the blood god will be reborn. We can just now add their souls to the pot”
INTUTION FEAT rolls to notice a gem on the Sphinx’s forehead that is cracked or partially formed along with a stream of power that seems to go to or trail from the sarcophagus lid.
The Sphinx raises his hands to the ceiling…. “So be it!!!! Witness how I call upon the gods of my worlds to crush those before me!!! Rising from the very floor rocky monsters lumber forth toward you. Deacon smiles as he raises his hand and vampires crawl out of coffins against the back wall. Gao is emotionless as Hand ninjas creep out of the shadows.
AFTER the heroes start to get hammered:
You hear the familiar sizzling of Dr. Strange’s portal but instead of the Sorcerer Supreme you are amazed to see an even more welcome sight:
HAND THE CAPTAIN AMERICA SHEET OUT
HAVE CAP CHARACTER READ:
1.
CAP: Cap taps touches the communicator in his ear….“I’m through the portal. It’s stable. Ready when you are your majesty and you too Barton.”
More portals sizzle into existence:
HAND OUT HAWKEYE AND BLACK PANTHER
2.
CAP: “Looks like it’s a bring your own God party. Don’t we have one of those? Send him through Strange”.
Another gleaming portal comes into the room:
HAND OUT THOR
3.
CAP: “Hey Doc, is Vision with you yet? Could he find anyone? Oh…oh…ok…that will do. Send them.”
HAND OUT VISION AND WOLVERINE