Positron Task Force Part One

Overview

The Rule of Three
120px
Contact	Positron
Zone	Steel Canyon
Minimum Size	3 players
Coordinates	(-3136, -80, -501)
Level Range	10-15
Merits	11
Badge	Rule of Three
Enemy Groups	Vahzilok Clockwork Circle of Thorns

The Positron Task Force is the first of six Freedom Phalanx Task Forces, and the completion of all six grants the Task Force Commander Badge. The other five task forces are started by Synapse, Sister Psyche, Citadel, Manticore, and Numina.

In order to get the Positron's Ally Badge, a player must complete both Part One and Part Two, which each grant their own unique badges as well (meaning the revamped Positron Task Force awards three badges).

This task force is also designated as a Signature Task Force. As such, missions will always spawn mobs at level 16 or higher, regardless of team members' levels. A low level team may have a great deal of trouble completing this lengthy task force. The highest level team member should lead to allow the task force to be done at a manageable level.

Template:MeritAward

Introductions

Initial Contact

Character, What can I do for you?

Discuss events in Steel Canyon.

Discuss events in the rest of the city.

Missions

Defeat Epidural!

Briefing Character, I'm glad you're interested in what's going on around here. I've heard a lot about what you've been doing around the city - I think I can trust you to have my back in this current situation. We're getting odd movements all over by the Clockwork, Circle of Thorns, and Vahzilok. I could use the help of you and your team in finding out what they're all up to. Are you in?

Mission Acceptance

Agree to form a task force.

The Rule of Three
Part One: Dead Lead

Glad to hear it. You're going to need a name I can refer to your group by, let's use TaskForceName, shall we?

First things first. The Vahzilok recently tried to poison the water of Paragon City. I've done a little recon in the area, searching for Vahzilok who were involved in that caper, and I came across a nest of Vahzilok led by an Eidolon that goes by the monicker 'Epidural'. There's also another group of Vahzilok that I've picked up in the sewers here beneath Blyde Square.

We'll split up and take both groups down. I'll handle the group here in Blyde Square, I need you to go track down Epidural!

Unnecessary Solicitation

You need to look into that Vahzilok nest!

Mission Objective(s)

The noxious air forms an oily vapor that sticks to everything. Even your own costume, unfortunately.

• Defeat Epidural and guards
  • Find any evidence

Notable NPCs

• Epidural (Eidolon)

Epidural dialogue

On spawn: This plan will be even greater than the doctor's last!
Combat start: Don't let them escape!
At 50% Life: Kill them all!
At 25% Life: The doctor won't let ME be taken in by you!

Debriefing

Good to see you're back, TaskForceName. The lead I chased after came up empty - how did you do?

Ah...I see. Interesting. I'll have a look at that sample you recovered to see what's in there. It's concerning to hear that Dr. Vahzilok might have something else planned for the city, but what else is new?

I'm sure that we'll be able to stop whatever he's planning - once we figure it out. In the meantime, we have a problem cropping up with the Clockwork.

Here TaskForceName, use this signal to contact me from anywhere in Paragon.

Stop the Clockwork Operations in Steel Canyon!

The Rule of Three
Part Two: Gears in a Clock

My scanner indicates that the sample you brought me is a 98% match to that previously used by the Vahzilok, but the other 2% is... hmmm, this will take some time to isolate the unknown variables...

I'm sorry, there I go rambling again. Thank you for this curious sample.

Anyway, regarding the Clockwork. We've got a major situation on our hands. There are reports that the Clockwork are building a massive army right here in the heart of Steel Canyon! I need you all to get to the location of their warehouse and put a stop to them!

While you're there though...

Can you find me a piece of Clockwork that is still functioning? Everyone else that I ask tends to bring in pieces that are battered, melted, frozen, slashed, gashed, and shot to pieces. I just need some pieces that aren't totally destroyed.

Mission Acceptance

Find a piece of Clockwork that is still functioning.

Excellent, I knew you'd be up for it Task Force Los Alamos. I scanned the area, and I found an abandoned warehouse that's infested with Clockwork.

Word on the street has been that an Assembler Prince by the name of Gearteeth has been running a clockwork manufacturing operation in Steel Canyon for some time. My calculations support the hypothesis that a part from an Assembler Prince has the greatest chance of remaining functional after deactivation - as long as you're careful not to destroy it.

Take down Gearteeth and bring me back some of his parts. Also, see what he's really up to, the clockwork don't build a small army for nothing.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I know if anyone can do this, it'll be TaskForceName.

Mission Objective(s)

The grinding of Clockwork gears is almost deafening. It seems you have stumbled onto a major operation. What exactly constitutes a 'major operation' from a group composed of makeshift miniature robots is something you'll have to find out.

• Search for clues to Gearteeth's plans
  • Defeat Gearteeth

Assorted Clockwork NPC dialogue

Clockwork Princess in danger! King will save her! King always has plans to save her. Clockwork King needs this hurried along, Princess is at stake. Positron's looking into matters too deeply! Clockwork King needs them dead! TaskForceName! Clockwork Princess in danger! TaskForceName doesn't care about the Princess!

	Strange Parts
	You found these heavy steel components in a Clockwork nest, but they're clearly not from any Clockwork construct. The robots defended them with vigor, so the parts must mean something to them.

Clockwork NPC dialogue

Piece removed! Piece removed! Retrieve, retrieve! Her palace will be built on the ruins of Paragon, no one will harm her then. Clockwork Princess will be safe forever soon. Kill them! Kill them! They cannot stop us from getting to Faultline! TaskForceName will make good foundation for Princess' palace!

	Worthless Scrap Metal
	After you smashed Gearteeth, the metal automaton collapsed into a pile of rusted metal. The once animated killing machine instantly transformed into nothing but worthless scrap.

Gearteeth dialogue

Orders from King - move forward with Faultline plan. Orders also include killing anyone in TaskForceName!

Mission Completion

You have defeated the Clockwork prince, Gearteeth. Unfortunately, no working Clockwork pieces could be salvaged. You did, however, discover something that Gearteeth was working on.

Debriefing

You didn't find a working piece, eh? That's too bad, but this unusual part you found more than makes up for it. I'd like to examine this; it isn't like anything I've seen the Clockwork King use before.

And he mentioned Faultline? Hrm...I wonder what he could be up to.

This combined with Dr. Vahzilok's plans worry me, TaskForceName. The city is faced with threats daily, but we may have some problems if two major villains are planning two plots at the same time.

I'll worry about that. For now, we have another problem to handle - the Circle of Thorns.

Teleport Assault into Oranbega

The Rule of Three
Part Three: Elder Magic

Azuria contacted me regarding the Circle of Thorns. When I asked her why she contacted me, the scientist of the Phalanx, she said it was because, 'Numina told me that my path and the path of TaskForceName were destined to cross.' So I hope you all don't mind looking into this, or else I'll never hear the end of it from Numina.

Anyway, some of the MAGI mystics have divined that the Circle are in possession of the Book of T'Jer'imikanu.

According to Azuria, it's a very powerful spell book that contains Elder Magic. From what Azuria has said, this is the same kind of magic wielded when the Mu first fought against the people of Oranbega thousands of years ago.

Their mystics within MAGI indicated that the Circle of Thorns have it somewhere inside their magical city of Oranbega.

Mission Acceptance

Recover the Book

Great, I knew I could count on you.

When you find the Book of T'Gerima... T'Geruni... the magic book, be really careful with it. It's the only known copy. According to MAGI It was thought to be destroyed in the Chicago fire of 1871.

Now get on over to MAGI and talk to Azuria, she'll get you where you need to go.

Unnecessary Solicitation

I have no idea how to get into Oranbega. Azuria over at MAGI said she could teleport you to where the MAGI diviners located the Book of T'Geronimo... The Book.

Send me into Oranbega

Azuria

Debriefing

Character, with TaskForceName, correct? I'm glad you came.

I have the spell ready to send you into Oranbega.

Along with retrieving the book, you'll need to defeat the chief mages within and also destroy any obelisks you find. The obelisks...are key to the Circle empowering other magical spells that they have.

Are you ready?

Mission Acceptance

Send me into Oranbega

Mission Objective(s)

Azuria's translocation magic leaves you disoriented for a moment, but when your senses clear you find yourself in the mythical city of Oranbega, home to the Circle of Thorns.

• Find the Book of T'Jer'imikanu
  • 3 Obelisks to destroy, 2 Chief Mages to defeat

Assorted NPC dialogue

Alert the others! What?! Intruders within the city?! This is...surprising. Several points throughout the city. Terra Volta, Faultline, perhaps even the Ziggurat... Do we have the proper spot picked out? Can we not have a moments peace?! Hopefully Tarses will master the Simulacrum spell in time. The obelisk glows - we have intruders. Perhaps that Azuria woman is meddling in our affairs again. A rather irritating woman that Azuria... We will not lose the book, not when we've come so far! We will end her soon, now that she has become too confident. MAGI cannot hope to stop our plans. Did they really believe they could keep this book from us?

Notable NPCs

• Tarses (Madness Mage)
• Rollister (Madness Mage)

Tarses dialogue

Before combat: "With the Lance of Storms we shall finally have the power to destroy our ancient enemies!"
Combat start: "Intruders?!"
"This far into our inner sanctum?"
"Guards! Seize them!"
At 75% Life: "You must know by now that you cannot kill us."
At 50% Life: "Curse this feeble body! Guards!"
At 25% Life: "Enjoy your victory now, but vengeance shall return to you three-fold! Mark my words!"
Defeated: "Aaaaaaaauuuuugh!"
After defeating a player: "When I've finished with you I will take your body as my vessel."

	The Lance of Storms
	The Circle Mages you encountered deep in Oranbega mentioned something called 'The Lance of Storms'.

	This ancient text
	This ancient text is written in a language you don't understand. This book, the last of its kind, was presumed lost in the Chicago fire of 1871.

Rollister dialogue

Before combat: "...even the shadows shall serve us!" "Our time of vengeance is at hand, brothers!" Combat start: "It seems we have uninvited guests." "Destroy them!" At 75% Life: "How original." "You think far too one-dimensionally." At 75% Life: "You think you can beat me, here, now?" "Ha! Our final battle can only end in your death, for I am immortal." At 25% Life: "Let me see who you are..." "Ah, Character." Defeated: "Until we meet again, Character." Defeated: "Ah ha ha ha ha!" After defeating a player: "Needs text"

	Blueprints
	These blueprints are for the Paragon City Dam. You recovered them from the body of Rollister, a Circle of Thorns mage you encountered in the depths of Oranbega, but you don't know why they would want them.

Deliver the Book to Azuria Atlas Park

Azuria

Debriefing

Needs text.

The Book of T'Jer'imikanu! You've found it! It is in superb condition... I don't know how to thank you.

What is this about a Lance of Storms? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with such a thing. Perhaps T'Jer'imikanu wrote of it. I shall look into it immediately!

As for those blue prints, I think Positron could help you decipher those schematics better than I. I'll get in touch with you if I discover anything about that lance.

Unecessary Solicitation

Needs text

Debriefing

Excellent job with fighting the Circle of Thorns, Task Force Los Alamos.

What's this? Blue prints? Interesting...

These blue prints are detailed schematics of the Faultline Dam. I wonder what the Circle of Thorns were doing with these? Hrm...Clockwork and the Circle of Thorns, both connected to Faultline in some manner...I'll look into this for you, Task Force Los Alamos. For now, we have to deal with the Vahzilok. I've made a breakthrough on that chemical you found earlier.

Investigate Dr. Morben's Company

The Rule of Three
Part Four: Two Percent

It turns out that chemical from the Vahzilok is a complex bonded molecular compound with twisted valences. Very high tech stuff. I was intrigued by their ability to... oh, sorry. Alright, here's some information you can use now.

One of the chemicals in the compound was polyfluidic morscarpium. Pretty specialized. Only two distributors in the area even make it. I checked their shipments for the past couple weeks, and traced one to a company here in Steel Canyon that shouldn't exist. [yellow]

What's more is that I still can't identify that mystery two percent of the compound. Maybe you can find some answers in that distribution facility.

Mission Acceptance

Check out the fake company.

The name on the lease is Dr. Morben, but I'm betting he's either dead, or working with the Vahzilok. I'd like you to arrest him or whoever is operating there now.

And TaskForceName, stay sharp, it's likely that the Vahzilok have found out about the raid on Epidural's hideout, so they might be expecting someone to come looking.

Unnecessary Solicitiation

You should be checking out Dr. Morben's operation.

Mission Objective(s)

A chemical odor burns your nasal passage, but not thoroughly enough to make you immune to the stink of the Vahzilok and their walking corpses.

• Find a blood sample
  • Rescue any Vahzilok victims, Arrest whoever is in charge

Assorted Vahzilok dialogue

This latest plan will solve the issues we're having with parts. Hero! You die today! Intruders! Don't let TaskForceName through! Focus, we're still far from completion of the plan. Legs...arms...new heads...better torsos... They move forward too fast, we're not even done here. We need to get moving to meet the others. It's TaskForceName! Harvest them! TaskForceName can't be allowed to live!

	Blood Sample
	You received this blood sample from the unfortunate test subject of a Vahzilok poisoning experiment.

Guards and Vahzilok Victim dialogue

Reaper Fresh body parts! Let's test the serum and see how it goes!
Vahzilok Victim H-help! Please! Don't do this!
Reaper No more interruptions from TaskForceName!
Vahzilok Victim I-it's TaskForceName!

Notable NPCs

• Doc Buzzsaw
  • Doc Buzzsaw is one of Dr. Vahzilok's most promising disciples. Her knowledge of cybernetics has proven invaluable to the Doctor's crusade to cure the human condition and bring humanity to the next stage of evolution. Recent difficulties with Paragon City's heroes have begun to strain their relationship, and it seems only a matter of time before Doc Buzzsaw buzzes off.

	Phase 3
	You overheard Doctor Buzzsaw talking to someone on the phone about 'phase 3'. You couldn't get any more answers out of Buzzsaw, but whatever the Vahzilok are up to, it sounds like it is big.

Doc Buzzsaw dialogue

Before combat: "Tell him that I need to gather more test subjects for the serum before we can proceed to phase three."
Combat start: "Ah, Positron's lackeys! You'll be perfect samples to prepare for the Faultline project!"
At 75% Life: "Well perhaps you can tell me how Positron's lackeys found Epidural in the first place..."
At 50% Life: "I know he is unhappy."
At 25% Life: "Listen, just get me the Excelsior and I'll handle the rest!"
Defeated: "Listen, just get me the Excelsior and I'll handle the rest!"
After defeating a player: "Needs text."

	Excelsior
	Doctor Buzzsaw mentioned that she needed someone to get her some Excelsior and then she would handle the rest. What good could possibly be done with such a potent and frightening drug?

Mission Completion

You have stopped the Vahzilok operation and recovered some evidence.

Debriefing

Good job in bringing in Doc Buzzsaw!

Phase three...and the Faultline project? This doesn't bode well, TaskForceName.

At any rate, this blood sample is a great step forward. Hopefully I can work out a counter-agent to the Vahzilok poison before they get to phase three.

Wait, what was that about Excelsior?

Of course! Now it all makes sense! That 2% of the formula! I knew I'd seen it somewhere before. It's Excelsior! Or rather, small traces of it.

The Vahzilok must be experimenting with mixing their chemical compound with Excelsior in order to increase the success rate of grafting different tissues together. Or worse yet, grafting cybernetics to their walking corpses.

I'll have to study this blood sample and see how it has reacted with the victim's blood. Only then will I be able to figure out what the Vahzilok are aiming to do. This can't be good though if it has to do with Faultline as well.

We should see about that Clockwork lead of -

Positron's communicator goes off with an SOS signal.

Save Atlas Park!

The Rule of Three
Part Five: Reflection

TaskForceName, we've got a serious problem! I was just contacted by Ms. Liberty. Somehow the Circle of Thorns have attacked the very heart of Atlas Park and are now on a mad rampage throughout the city!

She doesn't know how it happened but she needs help, fast!

I need you all to get down to Atlas Park and get the situation under control with Ms. Liberty! In the meantime I'm going to head to Faultline to make sure this isn't some sort of distraction by the Circle!

Mission Acceptance

Save Atlas Park!

Take the trolley, TaskForceName, it'll get you straight there! Once you arrive, seek out Ms. Liberty at once.

If I need your backup at the dam, I'll be sure to send you a message.

Unnecessary Solicitation

There's no time to waste, TaskForceName!

Mission Objective(s)

needs data

• Save Atlas Park!
  • 4 Heroes to Rescue

Defeat the incoming Circle of Thorns!
Speak with Azuria

Notable NPCs

• Snow Maiden
• Ranger
• Strongheart
• Dragon's Tail
• Azuria
• Tarses (Madness Mage)
• Rollister (Madness Mage)

Snow Maiden's group dialogue

Circle of Thorns NPC: "Absorb her essence and then dump the husk."
Snow Maiden "It's not going to end like this...not when I can still fight...!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "TaskForceName! You're becoming a nuisance!"
Snow Maiden "TaskForceName! Am I glad to see you!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Forget this one, just kill TaskForceName!"
Snow Maiden, upon rescue: "Thanks TaskForceName. I'll go help the others in Atlas!"

Ranger's group dialogue

Circle of Thorns NPC: "Finish this fool off, we don't need more heroes in our way."
Ranger "I have too much to settle to be put down here!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "TaskForceName! You're becoming a nuisance!"
Ranger "TaskForceName! Help!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Have we not KILLED TaskForceName yet?!"
Ranger, upon rescue: "You have my thanks. I will go secure the perimeter."

Strongheart's group dialogue

Circle of Thorns NPC: "Finish this fool off, we don't need more heroes in our way."
Strongheart "You'll never put me down, Circle!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Forget this one, just kill TaskForceName!"
Strongheart "TaskForceName, I need your help!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "This is where you die, TaskForceName!"
Strongheart, upon rescue: "That was too close. I'll get moving to secure the rest of Atlas Park!"
Strongheart: "Right behind you Ms. Liberty!"

Dragon's Tail's group dialogue

Circle of Thorns NPC: "There's some power in this one. Take it!"
Dragon's Tail "Is this...all I could do?"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Pathetic!"
Dragon's Tail "TaskForceName!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "Don't let TaskForceName ruin this!"
Dragon's Tail, upon rescue: "I'm in your debt, TaskForceName"

Tarses dialogue

On spawn "So, Task Force Los Alamos, you've gotten this far have you? Well it ends here!"
Combat "The book is long gone by now, TaskForceName! We've got what we wanted!"
"The book is ours, and you will die because of it!"
Upon Defeat "Impossible!"

Rollister: You were foolish to steal the book from us, Azuria. We'll be sure to make you pay for your interference... And now, one final annoyance to deal with. Shadow Simulacrum: Destroy the interlopers!

	Shadow Simulacrum
	These shadowy doubles of you and your team were summoned by Rollister, the Circle Mage responsible for the theft of the Book of T'Jer'imikanu. If this magic were done to someone like Statesman, the devastation would be immense!

Azuria's group dialogue

Circle of Thorns NPC: "You'll be perfect for the first sacrifice, Azuria!"
Azuria "Let go of me!"
Circle of Thorns NPC: "TaskForceName! Eliminate them!"
Azuria "TaskForceName! Help!"
Azuria, upon rescue: "TaskForceName, thank you!"
"The Circle have made off with the book!"

"I'm just glad you came in time before...oh I don't even want to think about it!"

Debriefing

I heard all about what happened in Atlas Park, Task Force Los Alamos. I'm glad you were able to save Azuria and City Hall from the Circle of Thorns. The theft of the book of...of that book helps put together the last piece of the puzzle in this.

The Circle want that book to power what they call 'The Lance of Storms'. To do this, they need a large amount of electricity - something that's generated by the Faultline Dam! Looking over the blueprints you found from the Circle, that object you found from the Clockwork is actually a demolition device - set to destroy the foundations of the Faultline Dam!

City Hall may be safe, but it seems we've got an even larger problem looming on the horizon. The Clockwork, Vahzilok, and Circle of Thorns are all planning something with the Faultline Dam. If this isn't contained, one of them will succeed - or they'll all destroy each other and the dam in the process! When you're ready, come speak to me again. We have a dam to save!

Souvenir

Azuria's Thank You Card

You received a thank you card from Azuria when she was released from the hospital in Atlas Park. Reading it over, it reminds you of an experience you know as...

The Rule of Three

Positron sought out you and your team to help out with some issues around Steel Canyon. Your first investigation was into the Vahzilok. You went into one of their lairs within the sewers and arrested Epidural, one of Dr. Vahzilok's lieutenants. You found on him some odd chemicals, which Positron took to analyze.

While Positron was working on his analysis, you investigated an army of Clockwork being formed in a warehouse within Steel Canyon. You defeated an Assembler Prince named Gearteeth and found some odd parts lying around the warehouse. They weren't parts that belonged to the Clockwork, however. You also overheard the Clockwork speaking about some operation they were planning in the Faultline Dam.

You gave the parts to Positron, who had another task for you. Numina had contacted Azuria, saying that she was destined to work with your team. Your presence was requested by Azuria to recover the Book of T'Jer'imikanu from deep within Oranbega. You were able to storm Oranbega and make it out safely with the book.

Now that Azuria had her book and Numina was appeased, it was time to get back to business. Positron located another Vahzilok cell within Steel Canyon. He asked you to storm it and find out anything you could about the chemical you recovered earlier. You did so and discovered that part of the chemical was Excelsior, used mainly by the Freakshow to make it easier to graft their parts onto their bodies. Positron proposed that perhaps Dr. Vahzilok was trying to make the bodies of ALL the people in Paragon like this. But why?

Before that question could be answered, Positron received an SOS call from Ms. Liberty. The Circle of Thorns had attacked the very heart of Atlas Park! Your team went in to fight them off, saving the trapped heroes that were there as well as the heart of city hall itself. You all had fought a shadow version of your very task force as well! Unfortunately, the Circle of Thorns had made off with the Book of T'Jer'imikanu. Despite that loss, your team had single-handedly saved Atlas Park and MAGI from the Circle of Thorns. For that, you'll all always be remembered.

Like all good things though, your time for victory would be short. The Vahzilok, Clockwork, and the Circle of Thorns all had plans for Faultline's Dam, and there was only one team who could stop them - yours.

History

In Issue 17, the Positron Task Force was updated and split into two task forces, like it was originally planned. The original incarnation was a single task force because the developers could not figure out how to make a contact give two task forces. This made it long, arduous, and often painful for a large number of players, and it was one of the least liked task forces in the game.