Heroes: Jag, Kabuto, Pacci, Dust and Zeke
Enemies: Michael McFarlane, Ellis Kilkenny, Lucky Pierre, Dr. Wily, and the Mighty and Powerful Clovey the Clover, Official Mascot of Fortune Flakes
Having departed what had so long been the homworld of this adventure, our heroes' trip to Denchul will introduce them to new friends and foes in various forms. But the most important, perhaps, is a new ally in the battle against evil, one who would claim to have been sent by the Gods for just such a task.
Kabuto
Race: Spheran
Rank: Priestess
Affiliation: The Church of the Spheran Divine
What better place than the superstitious backwaters of Denchul to find an evangelizing priest of the formal order of the Spheran Divine? Accompanied by her devoted and zealous Shield-maidens, Kabuto was travelling the galaxy in search of wayward converts to her faith. The Gods had granted her with both a divine vision and powerful mystic abilities to perform this task. Although she served a higher power than the Republic of Electra, she was still up to the task of joining the heroes of the Republic to exorcise the evil and pagan superstitions they would come to face.
Jag – Officer’s Dispatch 41
Recent Duties: Your relentless search for truth has led you far from your homeworld to the backwards land of foragers and farmers. Fortunately, your understanding of international law allows you to easily understand their customs in spite of your foreign birth. This should allow you to bring the law and order to this place that any civilized people deserve.
Troop Status
-Supplies: Schmitzer SMGs, Armored Flak Vests, Deluxe Laywers’ suits, space-titanium armored briefcases, and a fleet of jet-skis. Unfortunately, military grade supplies are not readily available in this peaceful farming community, and ammunition for your Electran-made weapons is not likely to last long.
-Morale: While your men are glad to be free of the oppressive regime of Phil Ken Sebben, they are outraged by the recent incidents of mob rule in this community. Someone needs to restore law and order, and the Shark Pack are the ones to do it.
-Health: The laid-back country attitude of Denchul is a sharp contrast to Phil's regime of paranoia. So much so, that your lawyers are suffering from a bit of culture shock. Fortunately, you should be able to use your international knowledge to explain it to them and ease the transition.
Military Communiques
-Maj. Lanver believes that your group's landing has not gone unnoticed by the Electran authorities. Troops from their posts in the major Electran embassies and recruiting bases may already be on their way. However, these aren't the veterans from the Coalition conflict, and likely won't show the same grit your men possess.
Personal Notes
-Your liberal arts education and knowledge of international law combine to allow you to understand practically anything. This could prove invaluable for avoiding pursuit from Phil Ken Sebben and the Electran armies. Your knowledge of local custom and culture will doubtless allow you to blend in, disappear. They'll never see you again if you don't want them to.
-Clearly what this village needs is the re-establishment of a judicial system to deal with criminals like Michael McFarlane. From the Mayor's greeting, it even seems like former-Captain Dust might have some dirt on him around here as well. Either way, it's going to get cleaned up with you around.
-To your dismay, you have noticed your old legal rival, Lucky Pierre, in town. Some say that it's the lucky clover in his hat that gives him his success, but you suspect it has less to do with his hat and much more to do with his pocketbook.
Mini-Objective
-Re-establish a proper judicial system in the village of Valaria.
-Demonstrate your “knowledge” of Denchulli culture in all its facets.
-Display a panicky fear of mob rule at any and every appropriate opportunity.
Pacci – supreme Commander’s Report 33
Recent Duties: Since arriving on this new planet, your duties have of course mainly involved asserting your authority as the Supreme Commander of this expedition, and 'overseeing' the other troops to make sure they don't get into trouble (which they doubtless would, without you). Now that people are finally settled in, you should finally get some time to examine your surroundings.
Troop Status
-Supplies: PK-33 Handguns, SIR Rifles, Bright Yellow Deluxe Uniforms, Combat Helmets, Steel Breastplates, a Verizon wireless cell-phone, Protoman's Whistle and a sack of potatoes. Although your men are pleased by the abundance of food, military grade supplies are less plentiful.
-Morale: The Pac is saddened by having to leave their legendary arcade machine behind, and have sworn they will return for it someday. This is somewhat alleviated however by all the fascinating tales of Denchulli blarney that permeate this folksy village.
-Health: At last, in the heart of the farmlands, the Pac can eat to their heart's content. Well, not that that would be possible mind you.
Military Communiques
-As Supreme Commander, from now on all military communiques should be coming from you. This of course makes you very busy and important, although you've discovered that finding things to say is more difficult than you'd imagined.
Personal Notes
-General Quacci seems quite content at the peaceful rural landscape of the valley, compared to the cities of Electra. Your only concern is that he might be mistaken for one of the many farm animals that seem to roam abundantly in these parts.
-By now, your love of the supernatural should be no surprise to anyone. And here on Denchul, you've found a whole new set of rural superstitions to tantilize and excite you! In particular, the people of this farming community seem to be obsessed with all sorts of lucky charms that come in all shapes and sizes. In fact, practically everyone seems to believe in the magical lucky properties of some item or another. You want to be lucky too, and so it's only natural that you collect as many of these items as possible!!
-They've got another excellent folktale here on Denchul: that of the leprechaun. Supposdly, if you catch one of these diminutive, mystical creatures, he will give you his pot o' gold at the end of the rainbow! And from the descriptions you've heard, that Barney Stone fellow has to be one of them! The gold doesn't actually concern you so much, it's the thrill of the chase that matters, pac pac pac.
Mini-Objective
-Obtain as many lucky charms as possible.
-Catch the 'leprechaun' Barney Stone.
Dust – Officer’s Report 35
Recent Duties: Coming back home to Denchul has been bringing back old troubles and memories much quicker than you would have liked. Still, you're determined to find a way to put aside your past and rally the people of Denchul against the coming storm. As a man of Denchulli birth with Electran military training, you may well be the only one capable of doing just that.
Troop Status
-Supplies: X-3 Phantom Rifles, Camouflage Scout Uniforms, Sniper Scopes, Rifle Tripods, Climbing Spikes. Your potatoes seem to have gone missing, but fortunately there are plenty more back on Denchul.
-Morale: The Boyo Scouts are elated to be back on their homeworld, no matter the severity of the reason. Those good ol' farmboys will give it their all to protect the rolling green hills, and the peaceful, good-natured people who are their inhabitants.
Denhculli Defenders!: So long as they fight on Denchulli soil, the Boyo Scouts gain +1 to all Attack and Defense rolls.
-Health: There's nothin' like a good ol' homecooked Denchulli meal to put you in good spirits and good health. For once, there's enough vegetables around even for your liking.
Military Communiques
-No longer a military officer, you'd expected to have received your last transmission from your military radio. You were surprised, then, that this was not to be the case when you received a transmission just a few moments ago. However, when all you heard was 'wakka wakka wakka,' the mystery became clear.
Personal Notes
-When you last left Valaria, you left no shortage of unfinished business behind you. Although Michael McFarlane has been dealt with, you are still wanted for the deaths of two of his cronies, and probably of the yak-herder MacTaggart. The time for running is over, and at last it's time to set the record straight through the proper legal means. You intend to see this case dealt with, no matter the verdict.
-There are of course more personal matters for you to deal with as well. You haven't yet told your family you're back in town, but they'll hear soon enough and best if they do so from you. You haven't spoken to your father since the day you killed MacTaggart, and it's past time you did so.
-Paddy Maguire, the man whose life you saved, seems to have taken to wearing a lucky bullet on a cord around his neck. You hear it was the one McFarlane shot him with, and he is naturally quite smug about the fact it didn't kill him. In your books, he's got you to thank for that, not some superstitious blarney.
Mini-Objective
-Deal with the murder charges against you through legal means.
-Reconcile yourself with Torin, your father.
Zeke – Officer’s Report 27
Recent Duties: Well, technically you're not exactly an officer anymore, so this isn't exactly an officer's report. But then, you've never really been about the stuffy details anyway.
Since the climactic battle back on Electra, you've been a busy guy. You really ought to thank Desrae for making it so easy to fake your own death, not that you intend to pay her for it, or see her again if you have your way. Sneaking back to base after your fall from that cliff, it didn't take much convincing to get your boys to go for a long ride, one that would lead you off the planet.
Your ultimate goal was to head for some place like Chalchak; you've got a feeling you really could make a lot of money in a place like that. However, the Electran space-ports were close by war; fortunately, you found an exemption in the form of religious sanction. You hooked up with some kind of religious convoy, purporting to be recent converts.
The missionaries weren't going to Chalchak, but at least Denchul was in the right direction. You figured once you got there, it would be easy enough to ditch them and make the rest of the trip on your own. Unfortunately, no sooner do you arrive than the Electrans announce some kind of hair-brained invasion and have the spaceports blockaded off. This puts you in a bit of a predicament, as having the Electran army catch up with you would not be a good thing.
Troop Status
-Supplies: Hacksaw Shotguns, Biker Helms, Steel Breastplates, brand new leather Wheel jackets, Zeke’s Tent of Horrors, different multiple watches, Delta Mark IV motorcycles!!, a wooden walking stick and a “rented” video camera.
-Morale: Your boys are having to pretend to behave while under the wing of these religious missionaries. This hasn't been easy for them, and they're getting a little rowdy.
-Health: Hey, at least these religious types have wine as part of their 'communion' or whatever they call it. It's not beer, but it'll do in a pinch.
Personal Notes
-These country Denchulli have no shortage of folklore and superstition. Why just the other day, you saw some hunter sitting in a bar praising his lucky rabbit's foot for a successful day of hunting. It's all rather foolish in your opinion. And you know what they say: a fool and his money are soon parted. Surely there's got to be a way you can take advantage of this and create some superstitions of your own that can make some money.
-One legend of particular is of interest even to you. You've heard speak of mystic rock known as the Blarney Stone that is supposed to bring good fortune in love and business to whosoever kisses it. If you could find it, not only could you benefit from this luck yourself, but you could charge others to do the same.
-While you managed to get your bike-riding boys off Electra, most of your subordinates had to be left behind, because either a) you didn't think they'd go for desertion, or b) they shot you. There was only one exception to this, a man who just so happens to be from Chalchak himself, which could make his services quite useful there. Especially if they're in need of any rope traps over there.
Mini-Objective
-Make money off as many fictitious Denchulli superstitions as possible.
-Kiss the Blarney Stone.
Kabuto – Evangelist's Communion 1
Recent Duties: As a humble chosen of the Gods, you really have only one duty, recent or otherwise, and that is to bring the light of your faith to the far dark corners of the galaxy. It is for this reason that you came to the charming but backwards and uncivilized backwater of Denchul to begin with. Although the people here are good of heart, they have been misguided by the devilry of folklore and superstition. Fortunately, that is precisely what you are on hand for to banish.
Troop Status
-Supplies: Spheran Longblades, White steel breastplates, Steel combat helms, Holy Shields, candles and holy incense.
-Morale: Your holy shield-maidens are sworn to the protection of the clergy and the faithful of the Gods. They know that a better place awaits them for their service and are not afraid to fall in the face of danger because of it.
-Health: Keeping your maidens properly fed takes a bit of work, since they decline to eat Denchulli food until it has been properly blessed by you. It would be unclean, after all, for anyone but an ordained priestess to lead a prayer.
Messages from God
-The Gods have spoken to you in your daily prayer of a power that hangs over these poor ignorant Denchulli, one so great it holds its sway over them and keeps them away from the true faith. You don't know what this mysterious force could be, but it is your duty to free the peoples' minds from its influence.
Personal Notes
-The people of this backwards vale remain steeped in folklore and superstition. Why just the other day you met a farmer who claimed his lucky cow, Betsy, had oracular powers. This kind of ridiculous nonsense shrouds the minds of the people. The practices of your faith (such as the belief in wine and bread as the blood and body of the savior, and the proper amount of yeast to use in bread) make eminently more sense. Clearly you will have to indoctrinate these people in the ways of your faith and do away with their silly pagan practices.
-You have heard news that the Electran Republic has recently dispatched troops to 'enforce order' on the planet of Denchul. Indeed, their space blockade is the reason you are unable to leave this place. As far as you're concerned, the problems of the Denchulli can be settled through spiritual enlightenment, not force of arms.
-Converts come in many strange places and forms. While refuelling your ship on Electra en route to Denchul, you were approached by a scruffy man seeking repentance and enlightenment. He said his name was Ezekiel and he and his men were looking to escape the ravages of war and find peace with your church. Also, he'd been trapped in a bunker. Or something. Although they look like a bunch of burly bikers, it is not the way of the Lord to turn aside those in need.
Mini-Objective
-Replace the Denchulli 'superstitions' with much more, uhhhhh, 'sensible' practices from your church.
As the ships rock about, Lanver informs them to buckle their seatbelts, as he's never actually tried landing a ship before. True to his word, Lanver brings the convoy crashing into the green Denchul countryside, the ship flipped and damaged, though the passengers are fine.
The group exits the ship, and they begin to regroup, when there is suddenly a hail of bullets. Dust looks up a hill, and sees a mean face he instantly recognizes -- that of Michael McFarlane, whom he quickly describes to the others as a man with whom there is some bad blood. Dodging a hail of Schmitzer fire from McFarlane, the break-away faction of the Electran army quickly forms up and prepares to attack.
The Electran army finds the going easy against the battle-green Denchulis, but still loses several men. The Boyo Scouts lose two men, the Pac one, and the Sons of Destiny one. However, once all the Denchuli units are broken, they are able to proceed.
Moving towards the town of Valaria, the PCs are greeted by the town's mayor, Bennigan. They are met by another as well: a Spheran, dressed in some sort of religious outfit, with a number of acolytes accompanying her. She introduces herself as Kabuto, and professes to be on Denchul to "convert the heathens." While several in the group, most notably Lanver, are especially wary of Spherans, her lack of aggression and disdain for the established houses of Sphere mean that most are willing to accept her, for the moment.
As they enter the village, they see a couple of pubs, a chicken coop, a sheep pen, a few houses, and "Old Bailey's", a former courthouse. Jag seems particularly interested in the latter, as well as with writing a "constitution" for Denchul.
While Pacci is unable to enter, Zeke and Kabuto are, and the latter sets about trying to convert the Denchulis and convert their superstitions to religious customs and worship.
Pacci, meanwhile, enters "Maguire's", the smaller pub, and orders a large amount of pub food. Afterwards, he heads out to the market, where a farmer is trying to sell a "magic cow". Kabuto arrives soon after, and tries to buy the cow to offer it as a sacrifice to God, but Pacci instead attempts to buy this "good luck charm", as well as every other such "charm" (a green potato, Barney Stone, and others) he can get his hands on.
Zeke is also keen to get his hands on Barney Stone, but only because he believes he'll be able to find the Blarney Stone. However, after chasing the wee man from Maguire's to the chicken coop, they manage to catch him. Barney tells him that the Blarney Stone is located in a nearby old castle.
Afterward, Dust and Jag head briefly over to Old Bailey's, where they start to set up a courthouse. Kabuto provides a Bible to swear upon, though Dust is adamant that a copy of the Field Guide to Birds would be just as useful, and more Denchuli. Jag agrees that the church and state should remain separate, and the two agree to put that in the upcoming constitution. They also get Mayor Bennigan to agree to appear at Dust's trial later on, which they learn is for the murder of a milk farmer named MacTaggart.
The trial finally occurs, with Dust taking the stand against the lawyer-ing skills of the infamous lawyer Lucky Pierre, who is missing his four leaf clover (thanks to Pacci). Jag successfully defends Dust, arguing that in the current mob-rule environment on Denchul, Dust's actions were actually perfectly legal, as he and his family would have no means to pursue a defamation of character lawsuit against MacTaggert for revealing Dust's father, Torin, as a former Strasveck.
Afterwards, Dust heads off to his farmstead to reconcile with his family. His father seems angry that Dust joined the Electran military, but is spurred to action when Dust informs him that Kilant's invading force should be arriving any moment. Torin reaches for his PK-33, and with that, becomes a Boyo Scout sergeant.
Arriving at the town, they find that it is indeed empty, save for one or two people, who are only able to tell them that the townspeople "heeded the call of Clovey the Clover." This instantly arouses the suspicion of the officers, who then make a detour, south to Fortune Flakes Fortress, where Denchul's most popular breakfast cereal is produced.
They arrive shortly thereafter, only to find the gate closed. On it, an inscription reads, "Speak Friend and Enter." Dust speaks the first word that comes to mind, "Boyo", and the gates swing wide open.
Entering in, the officers find a number of villagers and peasant-type-folk working hard to create boxes of Fortune Flakes cereal. Navigating their way through on conveyor belts and such, the officers are unable to avoid scorching hot marshmallows, or the delicious allure of Fortune Flakes, as several (save for Jag) gorge themselves heavily on them.
Eventually, the five make their way into a large chamber, where a giant clover stands. Hanging near the ceiling is the coveted "Blarney Stone" that there has been so much talk of. Clovey barks that it is the great and powerful Clovey the Clover, and when the group confronts it about the villagers, Clovey becomes angry, and attacks.
The group has a hard time confronting this very icon of Denchuli culture. Several are unable to attack, instead bowing down before the might of Clovey. But Jag sees through this malarkey, and attacks, while Zeke frantically tries to climb to the ceiling to kiss the Blarney Stone.
Clovey attacks with his four-leaf clubbing attack, and by dumping increasingly huge amounts of cereal on the heroes. Pacci, however, fails to see the latter as an attack, and is more than happy to eat the cereal and let people move more freely.
But while eating, Pacci notices something odd - a little opening into another room. He crawls through, and sees a mad-scientist-type man behind a console, saying the things that earlier, Pacci had heard Clovey say. The man was none other than Pacci's arch-nemesis, Dr. Wily! Pacci began fighting him, which caused all sorts of strange speech patterns from Clovey. But in the end, Zeke and Jag managed to down Clovey, and Dr. Wily fell to Pacci, in spite of his UFO, Deadly Eyebrows and bizarre Alien Transformation, closing the curtain on the adventure.
Clovey the Clover
Race: Clover?
Rank: Official Mascot
Affiliation: Fortune Flakes Cereal
Though the folksy and often blarney-filled culture of Denchul rarely gets beyond the planet's borders, they do have one cultural icon known through all corners of the galaxy. And that would be the mighty and powerful Clovey the Clover, official mascot of Fortune Flakes Cereal! As would be expected, Clovey looked much like a gigantic, floating four-leaf clover, with a smugly smiling face in the centre of it. In spite of the great mascot's powerful status, or perhaps because of it, a number of people seemed to have a penchant for betraying Clovey, something to which the official mascot could not take kindly.