Crisis In Infinite Plexes - First Echo

v.Dungeons&

Maighread swung the sword in an arc that severed the hand of the first Ashen soldier and disarmed the second. Neither opponent stopped – the enchantments of their warlock masters were channeling their suffering into increased strength – and neither did Maighread, dropping into a crouch as the first threw a roundhouse kick, blood spraying out behind them from the stump, and the second smoothly drew a knife. Maighread tucked into a roll, trying to put some distance, but the soldiers pressed and Maighread straightened up but off-balance... 

Except it was all theatre, all a lure to move the Ashen soldiers into range of the Lady Dread's bow. As they lunged at Maighread arrows appeared in each of their necks. High in the trees above, the Fae Leafdancer silently skipped from one branch to another, looking for more targets.

Maighread returned to the temple where the Godhammer and the Faded Knight were dispatching the Living Statue that had awoken when the Dragons had tried entering. Freeman had warned them that his Scrye had revealed the presence of powerful arcane energies, but it was unclear what their nature was...

“Was that it?” Maighread asked the wizard, gesturing at the pile of rubble and dust at Hammer and Fade's feet.

Freeman shook his head. “There is still something inside... I've never felt anything like it...”

With a shared look the adventurers agreed to brave the ruins. From her perch in the trees, Dread watched her companions disappear inside. Some moments later she saw two more of the Ashen Tradition nearing the site but two more perfectly placed arrows put an end to them. She knew that there were many more still searching the woods – likely following the same tracks that had led the Dragons here - and it was only a matter of time before they discovered the Spider Temple as well. 

Suddenly Maighread stumbled from the entrance; she looked wounded. Dread was about to jump down to her, but Maighread raised her hands to her mouth and mimicked the cawing of a crow, a bardic technique taught to them by Maximus. A warning message... Three sharp caws then a fourth.

She was telling The Lady Dread to flee.

Crisis In Infinite Plexes - First Wave

v.Super 

“What is it?” Seraphim asked. She was typing some calculations into her tablet. 

The Shifter looked thoughtful. “Channel is transmitting some live media feeds to me from downtown. It's starting.” 

The Tower stood up from the table. His head almost brushed the ceiling of the hidden bunker under the old factory. “Alright team. Remember, this won't be like the regular street gangs, corporate criminals or mad scientists we've tangled with before. The Alliance of Terrorists, Tyrants and Contract Killers is a threat unlike Plex City has ever seen.” 

The Silhouette nodded. “Time to counter-attack A.T.T.A.C.K.” 

“We need a cool name like that,” The Heretic chuckled. 

“The batteries on the Holo-copter are charged and ready,” Seraphim said. 

Shifter began focusing on the images of the city that Channel was sending him. “I'll port to the scene and start recon.” And with a crackle of autonic energy he was gone. 

v.Dungeons&

Maighread had followed the strange tracks to the ruins of a Spider Temple. The Order of the Spider were famous for laying clever traps, and even though they had fallen years ago to the Children of the Pyre, it was possible that their lethal snares remained. Freeman crouched and conjured a Scrying Eye to search out the way ahead for any hidden dangers. The Faded Knight stood watch while the mage was in trance. 

“Let's just charge in,” Hammer said impatiently. “We don't want to let this thing get away again.”

Maighread didn't entirely disagree with the Changeling – this was the third time they had come across the mysterious markings and each time the maker had eluded them. If some new creature was prowling the realm then they needed to learn its nature quickly; if it be foul then to stop it from causing harm, or if it be fair then to protect it. 

“There is something strange...” Freeman whispered, his eyes closed, seeing through the Scrye into the shadows of the ruins. 

The Lady Dread suddenly dropped nimbly down from the trees. “A patrol of the Ashen Tradition approach from the ravine!” 

Hammer grinned and hoisted her enchanted mallet. 

v.Space 

“Modulating the emitters... There it is! I have the signal, Captain,” Lt. Lokk said from his station on the bridge. 

Capt. Magenta stood up from her chair. “Set an intercept course, Commander Washington. Chief Angellus, we'll need full-speed-plus if we're going to beat that Legacy vessel to the prize.”

Lt. Angellus nodded and began tapping and gesturing on the haptic display at the Engineering station, trying to maximize the synchronization of the Plexdrive with the local quantum-gravity conditions to squeeze out whatever extra power that he could. 

“Course set,” Comm. Washington said, studying vector simulations on his display. “But it's going to be close.” 

Two days ago, Lokk's routine Metawave scans intercepted a Pyro-type Exo probe registering an unknown vessel appearing near the border of a nearby Ether-type Exo territory. Anomalies like this attracted attention, especially Legacy attention, and the crew of The Dragon wasn't about to let them get the first look at it. 

Lt. Cube's voice came in over the comm from the hangar bay. “Send us out, Cap. I'll buy us some time.” 

The crew awaited Captain Magenta's order. 

“You in a Hangman, plus Lt. Comm. Wraith and Ensign Bisaillon in a Reaper. Don't get killed.”

v.Reunion 

Angst sprawled on the bed. Kicked off her shoes. They landed on the floor beside the bag from the convenience store. “I made sure to get you some milk duds,” she said, yawning. “Do you still like milk duds?” 

Frank and Goner were checking out an old local supply cache, to see if it was still intact. Max was meditating in the bathtub. Suki was peering out the motel window. 

Angst stretched. “What are we up to? Fourteen? I'm losing count, I can't remember what's been happening, what changed. After seven years of nothing...” 

Suki glanced at the revolver in her hand. She kept hoping each shift would bring back the Godhammer. Maybe some things were lost forever. She thought that she had been, but... “Maybe we should go shopping tomorrow, see if we can find you a cheerleader outfit.” 

Angst looked thoughtful. “Hm. I don't know. I don't know if that's me anymore.” 

“Is shooting things still you?” Suki asked. 

Angst sat up. “Why?” 

“Because more of those weird-eyed motherfuckers just showed up in the parking lot.”

v.Cadre 

Gauntlet leaned the shotgun beside the door, within easy reach. Peered through the peephole. Opened the door and let in Viking. 

“How do you know where my apartment is?” she asked. Then she noticed the blood dripping from his nose, staining his beard red. “What the - ?” 

“I saw it, saw everything, is what it felt like...” Viking muttered as he stumbled to her couch. “I ran an invocation of all three of the Trimurti, dosed on Type 1 Mana...” 

Gauntlet helped him sit. “You asshole! We had decided to wait!” 

“You know we couldn't, Peyton...” 

“How do you know that name?” 

“Mirk is getting too close, Cube isn't coming back... I had to try something.” 

“You tipped our hand, V. He'll know.” She moved to the window, glanced out. “I hope you got some useful intel at least.” Three black SUVs, an MK-Omega cleaner squad. She headed back to the door for the shotgun. 

Viking pushed himself back to his feet. Took a deep breath. Held out a flash-drive. “There's an audio file, I tried recording everything that came through the divination. I'll buy you some time. You need to get to the nearest subway station.” 

*

Aqua woke up. The rattle and hum of the subway must have lulled her to sleep. Her headphones were still on, but instead of music playing it was the sound of Akimoto's voice. He was rambling about all sorts of things, the kinds of things that he and Max would sometimes talk about. 

She looked down the car to where the barbarian-poet used to sit and meditate. Then she glanced back to where Max used to sit and read. The car was empty. It felt like she had been alone here for a long time. The door to Bishop's booth was closed. It felt like there hadn't been a stop in a long time.

v.D& The Godhammer

The first crypitc messages that the Dragons are given by the Sage lead them to a hidden glade in an ancient Fae Wood, long ago ravaged by the Ashen Tradition. In this glade they find an orphaned Changeling girl - a human raised by the Fae, shaped by their magic. No Changelings survived the Storm and no one knows what this girl will one day become. Another mystery is the origin of the mighty enchanted weapon that she carries; Maighread names the girl The Godhammer, claiming the title is from a tale told in the time before the Storm. 'Hammer' becomes the youngest member of the Order, wielding her fearsome mallet with a skill beyond her years.

v.D& The Dragons

The new Order of the Dragon welcomes all wayfarers, wanderers and outcasts who devote their talents to helping the Free Folk. 

The Lady Dread fights for the Fae, who have been mercilessly hunted by the Ashen Tradition to be corrupted into vicious Ravagers. Her prowess in combat stems from her training as a Leafdancer.

Freeman is a former Child of the Pyre. Maighread bested him in battle and gave him the choice to die or repent. He now lends his arcane powers to the cause of the Dragons and seeks redemption for the harms he has caused.

The Faded Knight is the last surviving soldier of the Order of the Griffon. He had been imprisoned by the Red Cadre at a distant Keep. 'Fade' was rescued by Jorja the Fair and told to seek out Maximus if he wanted revenge against his captors.

The Dragons are sometimes granted aid by a mysterious apparition that they call the Sage. No one knows the Sage's origin or agenda, but his riddles and secrets have often brought the Dragons good fortune.

v.D& Maighread

Long before the rise of the Red Cadre, the Children of the Pyre, and the Ashen Tradition, before the realm fell into chaos and fear, a company of Knights served justice and kept the peace. They were known as the Order of the Dragon. Legend says that they were the first of all the Orders, inspiring the Crow, the Spider, the Griffon and the Unicorn, and that they were the first to fall when the Storm came. Now, when the remaining Orders have been attacked and destroyed or imprisoned, a lone warrior appears bearing the standard of the Dragon and begins rallying champions to the cause of peace and the overthrow of tyranny.

v.D& Maximus

Maximus is an orphan taken in by the the Order of the Crow and trained in combat, tracking and the bardic arts. Before Maximus can complete his training and become a Knight, the Order is attacked and destroyed by the Red Cadre. The wizards of the Cadre imprison Maximus and practice their foul magic upon him until a fellow captive, Jorja the Fair, uses her cunning and trickery to allow them to escape. The two part afterwards, for their safety, but vow to reunite one day. Maximus also vows to use his skills in the service of the Free Folk and to vanquish the Red Cadre.