Legion of Superheroes - Season 3 - Have you heard the good news about Howard?

Shortened notes to try to catch up.

Just as the party is settling down at the table to talk, the Ventura sisters showed up pointing guns at Quatro. They fire an electrified net at Quatro and successfully entangle him. They attempt to leave when the party gets involved in the fracas.

During the fight Power Boy is distraught as Ultra Boy vanishes.

Combat results in the party defeating the sisters who escape. Quatro attempts to pursue them. The Ventura security drones arrive. Kyle, Dynasty’s brother, was injured in the fight, but Skid healed him.

The security drones attack our heroes. Quatro returns and takes out the drones. One of the drones goes flying and just misses Hgllptx Bg, Jr who happens to be standing there.

Dynasty goes over to Power Boy and sees that, not only is Ultra Boy missing, but there is a pile of black powder.

Kid Skid is approached by a being dressed in “wood face” asking if he wanted to hear about the good news of “Howard” (see Who’s Who).

Dynasty explains to Power Boy that Ultra boy was a “Mantis Morlo” clone.

The heroes escapes into the casino. They notice that there is signage promoting a new game called ‘Snell Station’.

Guards enter the room and the heroes realize they need to leave. They go to Power Boy’s apartment. On the way, they see a lot of graffiti for the "Golden Wolves".

At Power Boy's apartment, the party talks. Kid Skid gets a message from his mother saying he is neglecting his brother. Cad has been "banned" from earth due to his criminal activity with Phora on Earth.

They manage to decrypt the messages from Phora and they discover a lot of communication between him and "Z.Z.P." From the messages, they are corrupting him by suggesting he commit some petty crimes and sends him 'a gift'. Finally, ZZP indicates they have a job for Phora to kill Dynasty's father.

The party leaves for Tau Ceti V to stop him.

Legion of Superheroes - Season 3 - Daily Planet - Ventura Edition 21 August 2986

Lifestyle

The Ventura Sisters talk about Pflx Rambo

Donna: What’s to say? He was Pflx Rambo.

Etta: There’s a lot to say. He was Pflx Rambo after all. He worked his way up through all the best crime families until he was head of the biggest casino on Ventura. And stayed alive through all of it.

Donna: Well, until he didn’t.

Etta: True. But he survived longer than anyone else would have in that situation.

Donna: How old was he anyway?

Etta: Nobody knows. Even his authorized biographies, of which there were 23 at last count, disagree. It seems as if he told a different story to everyone he talked to about his life.

Donna: An intergalactic man of mystery.

Etta: Well, we think he was a man anyway. Or at least a male. He presented as male, but nobody could figure out what species he was, much less what gender.

Donna: To hear his longtime secretary, Mona Climaxia, talk about him, he was ALL male, if you know what I mean. Hung like a Rimborian with the lasting power of a sleeping Zwenite.

Mona Climaxia grieving Pflx Rambo’s death. Her blue
hair represents her sadness. The water represents
her tears. Her breasts represent the milk of sentient
kindness that was Pflx Rambo.

Etta: Let’s talk about Mona for a second. She seemed to be the one constant throughout most of his life. Wherever Pflx was, Mona was by his side.

Donna: Or underneath him. Or straddling him. Or wrapped around him like a drunk Durlan.

Etta: She IS flexible. And since his death, she’s taken over operations of the Golden Stardust, running all aspects of the casino. She’s also overseeing the team upgrading Snell Station. That’s a lot.

Donna: Not just that, but she now serves on all the charitable boards that he used to. Like War Orphans for Pflx Rambo, which last year arranged for millions of orphans from around the UP to collect funds to buy him a new Ultradeluxe Hoverchair 5000 with Genuine Lightning Beast Hide after his old one got a spot on it.

A group of War Orphans for Pflx Rambo listening to
the inspirational speech of Pflx Rambo telling them
that they, too, might someday have a charitable
foundation in their name, but probably not because they’re
just a bunch of orphans who will never amount to anything.

Etta: That was so touching. Did you see their tears when he gave each of them a 25% off coupon for their next Pflx Rambo Burger at all Golden Stardust food dispensaries?

Donna: Truly he was so generous. The UP lost a great sentientarian when he died.

Etta: We got off topic. We were talking about Mona Climaxia. Do you think she’ll ever be able to find love again?

Donna: Well, if rumors are to be believed, and when aren’t they, she already has! She’s been seen consorting with her new private secretary, a handsome stud who’s been working her for a couple months now. I mean, working for her.

Who is this mysterious stallion of a
male sentient who even dares to try to
take Pflx Rambo’s place between Mona
Climaxia’s thighs?

Etta: He must be truly impressive if he can satisfy her like Pflx Rambo did.

Donna: I’m not sure anybody could EVER replace Pflx Rambo, but I bet he does what he can. As long as Mona’s happy.

Etta: So the Pflx Rambo Memorial Festival is starting soon, and you and I have the distinct privilege of being among the stellar talent performing in honor of our fallen hero.

Donna: We do. I believe we go on right after the acts from the Bacard Barley Traveling Space Circus on the 4th day of the Festival. Have you been practicing your juggling?

Etta: You know I have. The cuts on my legs prove it. But that won’t be our only contribution to the festival, will it, Donna?

Donna: No, it won’t. Through perseverance and skilled detective work, we have discovered who’s responsible for Pflx Rambo’s death, and we’ll be revealing that!

Etta: And for you, our loyal readers, here’s a little hint:

This sentient is responsible for the murder of Pflx Rambo! We’ll reveal her identity during our performance
at the Pflx Rambo Memorial Festival. Who could she be?

Donna: Be sure to set your holorecorders for our revelation! That’s all for now!

• Odds that Pflx Rambo is still dead: 1:1
• Odds that Mona Climaxia’s new lover can live up to Pflx Rambo: 7,800,982:1
• Odds that a bloodthirsty mob will rip Pflx Rambo’s murderer to pieces: 5:2

Public Service Announcement

VENTURA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY CLOSED

Due to crowds and riots around the museum within the Pulsar Quasar Casino, the entire floor of the casino has been closed until further notice. Sentients are advised to avoid the area until Science Police drones can disperse the mob.

Security

LEGIONNAIRES TO PROVIDE SECURITY AT PFLX RAMBO FESTIVAL

by M’*aison Pier&e

With record crowds of billions of sentients from across the United Planets expected at the Pflx Rambo Memorial Festival, the Science Police has announced that members of the Legion of Super-Heroes will provide additional security at the event. It has been confirmed that Legionnaires Shrinking Violet, Magnetic Kid, Tellus, and Invisible Kid will aid the dozen Science Police officers and hundreds of SP drones that will be patrolling the festival. More Legionnaires will be added if needed, the SP verifies.

Emotions are sure to be high during the festival, celebrating the life and mourning the death of noted casino owner Pflx Rambo, who was assassinated in his private office in the Golden Stardust Casino almost three months ago. The killer has yet to be caught.

Celebrities from across the galaxy will be attending the festival, with many of them scheduled to perform. Fans are speculating that the Legionnaires will be providing not just security but entertainment as well. Might Magnetic Kid treat audiences to a striptease while Invisible Kid sings the Braalian blues? Or could Shrinking Violet and Tellus act out the death scene from Romeo & Juliet Part 8: The Quickening? Although the latter is admittedly unlikely since manatees are banned on Ventura. We’ll just have to wait and see!

Reports are that Magnetic Kid (Pol Krinn of Braal) is in the running for Sexiest Male Sentient, Humanoid
Legionnaire Division. A striptease at the festival would surely bring him more votes!

Shattered Star - Into the Nightmare Rift - Welcome to the Jungle

This is your first thought as Stormreach comes into view: The city has been destroyed by some terrible disaster. You see crumbling walls and squat, shattered towers. Then a moment later, you realize how far you still are from the city, and you notice the smaller structures clustered around those broken foundations. These ruins must be the work of the giants, buildings that fell long before humans came to this land.

-- Secrets of Xen'drik pp 14

The party proceeds down to Stormreach on the ships boats. Tryptic tries to determine the size of market they can expect to find. He is not certain. The captain gives them some tips for what to purchase ahead of the expedition.

Jazeem tries to find information about local theater. He learns about The Chapterhouse.

Tryptic utterly fails to blend in and find items for trade that aren't available anywhere else.

Morrígan and Wil look for a guide and strikes up a conversation with the local rat-on-a-stick purveyer. He provides several possible areas where they can spend the night, "The Ship's Cat". He also advises either a drow or a giant from the outside camp for a guide.

Tryptic is approached by two warforged who direct him on how to better blend in and where to purchase: bug repellent, hammock tents, machetes, rations, and other jungle equipment they expect to require. Tryptic also finds a map store where he asks about maps for finding the Guiltspur. The shopkeeper steps away to look when one of the maps speaks to Tryptic and says to purchase him as he is a treasure map. Tryptic does.

Morrígan and Wil arrange for lodging at the "Ship's Cat" and then make their way to the tent city of the giants.

Jazeem finds his way to The Chapterhouse. He inquires about theatrical performances. He is given a playbill. (He is looking at musical theater as a second career after adventuring) However, the Chapterhouse doesn't have a great amount of actual musical theater. Mainly just light variety and occasional jugglers.

Jazeem meets up with Morrígan and Wil and they proceed to the tent city Rushemé. They encounter Gualronak talking to a stone giant woman. Morrígan, who speaks giant, discuss finding a guide. Morrígan notices that the stone giant woman is staring at Jazeem. Gualronak explains that a hill giant chieftain named Jubbek has taken over the area. The stone giant woman Solacra offers to help as a guide in return for an anvil (giant sized) for her family's forge. Morrígan agrees realizing that she can "order" one from Sharn to be brought back by the Golden Dragon. Morrígan asks Solacra about her looking at Jazeem and she quickly apologizes. They make their way back to the Golden Dragon.

The map is very eager to look for the treasure and tells his story to Tryptic. He was created by a pirate as to where his treasure is. However, the pirate died before being able to claim it. Tryptic continues shopping and purchases a Type 2 Bag of Holding. Tryptic purchases anything else that may be required.

The party meets up at the location where they disembarked. They talk to Captain Alistair where Morrígan asks him to bring the anvil. He agrees.

They also arrange to meet with Solacra the next day for the expedition. They all return to the Ship's Cat for dinner.

Afterwards, they talk to the map. The map is named North-by. The discussion with them reveals that it is indeed being truthful about it's motives BUT that the destination, Fog Lake, is guarded by a huge, monstrous crocodile-like creature that has draconic ancestry. Nevertheless, the party agrees to the detour.

The next day they prepare to set out and meet up with Solacra.

Before leaving, the map (who can teleport) and Morrígan make a point to memorize the main room of the Ship's Cat so they can more easily teleport back. She also casts comprehend languages on Jazeem and Solacra. They also purchase a nice scroll case for North-by. Morrígan teaches Solacra a few basic words in common. She also teaches Jazeem and Tryptic the equivalent words in giant.

The first day passes without incident and they set up camp for the night. Morrígan casts tiny hut for the party to camp in.

Solacra asks for a detour to the Silver Spire allow her to obtain some of the metal for her family to sell to House Cannith. They agree to this as well.

With some prodding, Solacra also reveals that she is smitten with Jazeem. Morrígan suggests that they each try to learn each other's language to get to know each other better as that would give them something in common and allow them to get to know each other better.

The next day they get to the lake. Solacra warns them that the lake is cursed and they must not touch the water. Using fly spells, everyone but Akeela flies to the island with the tower.

In front of it, there is a table. On it there are some ancient runes written in a Giant dialect:

"Blood Sacrifice Calls the Maker"

Using detect magic, they conclude the tower is some type of container and they should be able to open it.


They continue to examine the area and manage to activate  a mechanism revealing a metal cylinder coming out of the ground that allows access to a gem. Further, it allows Solacra to pick up the necessary chunk of metal she needs. The party continues working with the runes and reveal other cylinders with gems that they can take.

Upon getting the last gem, there is a hissing noise followed by whispering...