Mini-Event: The Moon is a Lonely Place to Die: Introduction and Scene 1
Welcome, true believers!
I got my start in reading comics with Fantastic Four, Vol 3, Issue 10, wherein Reed Richards is captured by the Trapster. The art was gorgeous, by Salvador Larocca (before his art went bad), and written by Chris Claremont.
I jumped in in the middle of a plot, but I quickly found my bearings. By the end of the year, a new storyline had begun, with my introduction to Ronan the Accuser. I’ve decided to bring that adventure to you today. Once this adventure is complete, you can expect to see it as a PDF.
THE MOON IS A LONELY PLACE TO DIE
A Mini-Event by Mark Meredith
Based on Fantastic Four, Vol. 3, Issue 13–15.
In the past few weeks, there has been an increase in activity at Cape Canaveral. Shuttle launches have begun in earnest to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s orbiting space station and to the moon under a total and absolute security blackout. What’s more, a permanent facility is being constructed right outside of the Blue Area of the moon, the portion of the lunar surfaces that possesses a terrestrial atmosphere and environment. The facility is being stocked with top-line cybernetics and military hardware, and a staff to match.
A unique energy signature is emanating from the roof of the Baxter Building.
When the heroes arrive, they will find a prisoner transfer going on with the Kree.
Federal authorities have hidden this encounter in plain sight of millions. All the work is done under the aegis of S.H.I.E.L.D., setting up the scaffolding and establishing a security perimeter. This was all presented to the public as a normal rehab of the superstructure.
The five Kree prisoners are the sole survivors of a terrorist cell whose assault was defeated by the Avengers. S.H.I.E.L.D. is armed with standard S.H.I.E.L.D. troops, as well as three Mandroid Mk II armors.
The PCs may be drawn to the tower due to the fact that the Fantastic Four are off-planet at the time and there shouldn’t be any activity at the Baxter Building. If any players are members of the Fantastic Four, they arrive back in New York and find the building’s roof occupied without their permission. The transfer is in process.
The Moon is a Lonely Place to Die is a Mini-Event in Three Acts. Each Act gives the players plenty of opportunities to show off their abilities, as well as giving the Watcher the chance to challenge the players.
Act One is the arrival of Ronan the Accuser, along with a small Kree strikeforce which the heroes must deal with.
Act Two beings as the Baxter Building is instantly teleported to the surface of the moon. The heroes will have to figure out how they got to the moon and what Ronan’s plans are.
Act Three has the heroes fighting for their lives against… Iron Man?
Act One: I, Ronan
(All Scene Distinctions are marked in Bold.)
By the time the heroes arrive, S.H.I.E.L.D. has set up a perimeter around the building, and has the prisoners bound in chains surrounded by the Mandroid armors.
The shaky scaffolding makes for an easy way for heroes to hide and watch the proceedings. If they choose to up to the transfer point, they are able to do so without notice, due to S.H.I.E.L.D. focusing on the task at hand. A teleportation pad has been built and placed over the Baxter Building’s helipad. S.H.I.E.L.D. is expecting a small contingent of Kree soldiers to arrive and take the prisoners.
If the players simply approach and address the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents, the agent in charge informs the heroes that he has direct authority from Nick Fury himself, and they’ll have to take it up with him. After a few minutes of setting the scene and establishing the location of the heroes, the teleportation pad activates. The S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are surprised, as the Kree were not due to arrive for another half-hour. Kree Soldiers pour out of the teleportation pad (see Annihilation Pg 20) and begin attacking. The heroes have the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents (see the S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Squad in Civil War Pg 89) and the Mandroid Mk II armors above to fight alongside them. After one round of fighting, Ronan the Accuser steps out, attacking everyone in sight, insulted over the capture of these Kree soldiers.
The GM should begin tracking a scene complication: Utter Chaos. Everyone is effected by it, rolling against it. It begins at D4, and builds up to D12. At D12, the scene ends. If Ronan is defeated, the scene ends. If the heroes are defeated, the scene ends.
At Scene End:
While fighting across the rooftop, the heroes look up into the sky. Where the moon should be is gone, replaced with… the Earth! Looking around off the edge of the building, the players realize the entire Baxter Building has been teleported… to the moon.
About Mark
3 comments on “Mini-Event: The Moon is a Lonely Place to Die: Introduction and Scene 1”
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Marvel Plot Points 
You should totally PDF this. 🙂
I second that woot
I still play this game. Anyone in the USF area of Tampa (or if you have Google Hangouts) want to play, drop a line.