The Defenders, Vol. 2, Issue 12 - This Ship Is DOOM-ed!

Not long after setting sail, a lookout in the crow's nest spots sails to the aft, calling out frantically "Green sails! Green sails!" Everyone in the crew seems to rush in controlled panic, doing all they can to put speed to their vessel and making sure weapons are at hand. The captain instructs the PCs to go belowdecks and let him handle the situation. When questioned, he states that they are beset by the piratical Lhazaar Prince Doom.

The name having no more than escaped the captain's mouth, Doom appears on deck and demands the ship furl their sails and prepare for boarding, laying claim to the ship and crew as his, to serve under his mark. Bennet challenges Doom's right and strength and the pirate lord disappears from the ship, apparently driven off by the presence of Extranormals unafraid of him.

Presently, however, five devils - two barbazu, two hamatula, and a cornugon - appear on the deck and begin to slaughter crewmen. After shrugging off a few blows, the cornugon rises into the sky to watch the battle transpire. The fighting is hard, with all the heroes using all their resources, but seemingly barely scratching the devils. Bennet goes belowdecks, ultimately unconcerned with who controls the ship and not seeing this battle as his.

The first devil falls, then another, but Beast has suffered a grievous wound from the corrupt weapon of a barbazu, and Kurt is battered. Jean pushes herself beyond her limits and awakens a primal force held deep within her, unleashed in an inferno in the shape of a great bird beast! None have seen this from her before, but are horrified at the sheer destructive power it holds. Her psychic powers become much stronger and she destroys another of the devils, then immolates in a dramatic explosion, but not before the cornugon teleports away. Kurt manages to rescue Henry from the deck of the ship before the inferno rips across the deck of the ship, but the Beast succumbs to the foul wound inflicted by the devil before aid can be delivered.

Taking stock of the situation, Kurt finds some of his companions (barely) alive on deck and Jean weak, but seemingly unharmed by the frightful transformation. Bennet returns to the deck to find it charred, but not damaged beyond repair, thanks to the quick actions of the surviving crew and the saturation of sea water. Only the sails have been destroyed completely.

The Phoenix by IsoBan

The party discusses who captains the ship now with the remaining crew and retrieves the body of Henry and gives him a short, somber funeral aboard the ship while the crew do the same for their fallen. During these ceremonies, Doom appears again, this time with a large chest at his side. He gives his condolences for the lives lost, and again enforces his claim to the ship, now enhanced by his crew having taken the life of the captain of the ship. Doom tells them their passage will not be interrupted, since he does not interfere with brokered deals, and though some muttered challenges to his power are put forth, no real resistance to the claim is to be had and he presents the new captain of the vessel with the chest he has brought, that is filled with fine green sails. The Lhazaar Prince departs, leaving the crew to hoist their new sails to complete their journey.

We leave off with the ship arriving for their layover in Sharn, the captain requesting three days to repair and restock.


Next issue: Stalked by a panther!


Cast of Characters*
Jean Grey, Elan Psion (Kineticist) 7|Wilder 7  - Angela
Bennet du Paris [Exodus], Human Psion (Nomad) 7|Spellthief 5/Cerebrex 2 -Taylor
Kurt Wagner [Nightcrawler], Rogue 3/Fighter 2|Totemist 2/Wizard 3 - David 
Kitty Pryde [Shadowcat], Wizard 6|Ninja 6 - Sam
Henry [Beast], Artificer 6|Anthropomorphic Ape 2/Monk 4 - Paul (Deceased)

*Starting from here until I catch up with things, levels and cast appearances will get murky, as I don't take note of that during sessions. I'm working off memory for appearances, but will increase character levels as seems appropriate as the posts continue.