Template:StoryArc An Unnatural Order

Defeat the Devouring Earth before they can mount a full attack

Briefing

I have something that needs your attention. Devouring Earth creatures have been spotted massing in a warehouse. They're trashing the place, but I don't think that's the sum of their plan. There's a good chance that their masters are planning some kind of raid and are using the place as a rally point. If you can defeat the Devouring Earth before they can mount a full attack, we could save a lot of people and property.

Keep on the lookout for any clues that might explain why the Devouring Earth is attacking that warehouse.

Mission Objective(s)

• Stop Devouring Earth raid
• 2 workers left, 7 crates to find

You defeated the Devouring Earth and rescued their victims.

	Packing slip
	You found this packing slip in a crate the Devouring Earth had ransacked. According to the slip, the crate used to hold research equipment scheduled for delivery to Lomad Labs, a biotech company in Paragon City.

	The warehouse worker's story
	One of the warehouse workers you rescued told you: 'I'm real glad to see you! And I think I might have something that'll help you out. The whole time those things were here, I kept my eyes open. And they were rooting through boxes, taking all kinds of stuff! Fact is, I think that's why they came.'

Debriefing

You saved a lot of lives today. It's kind of odd, though. You say the Devouring Earth stole a shipment of technological devices? Usually they just destroy anything man made.

Stop the Devouring Earth attack

Briefing

Apparently that Devouring Earth technology theft wasn't merely random violence. The creatures are after the same company they stole from, Lomad Labs. This time they've struck one of the company's lab facilities. They're tearing the place apart and kidnapping scientists. You've got to stop the Devouring Earth attack!

The Devouring Earth hate technology and everything man made, so it's no surprise that they'd stage an attack on a biotech company. But they must have something against Lomad Labs. After all, they were destroying Lomad's shipments when you fought them in that warehouse.

Mission Objective(s)

• Stop Devouring Earth attack
• 3 scientists to save

You have defeated the Devouring Earth and saved many of the Lomad Labs researchers.

	Scientist's concerns
	One of the scientists you rescued told you: 'I'm glad you came to save us, but those creatures already took a number of my comrades away. They gathered us up, and sorted through everyone. They seemed to identify us by scent! They picked a few people out and took them away. I hate to think what will happen to them.'

	Scientist's observation
	One of the scientists you rescued told you: 'I know it seems like they were just here to kidnap and destroy, but I saw them steal lab equipment! It was strange, but they seemed to know exactly what they were looking for.'

Debriefing

You did as well as you possibly could, but it sure seems like the Devouring Earth have something against Lomad Labs. That's two strikes they've made against the company so far! I know that you're worried about the scientists those creatures kidnapped, but it's not over yet. Those people may still have a chance.

Save the scientists from the Devouring Earth

Briefing

I got some info on those scientists the Devouring Earth kidnapped from Lomad Labs. One of them was able to get a call out on his cell phone. The police are gathering forces to mount a rescue, but I don't think we have time to wait. Save those scientists from the Devouring Earth!

The Devouring Earth moved the scientists into a series of shallow caverns. They're probably waiting for things to quiet down so they can move the scientists to their main habitat out in Eden.

Mission Objective(s)

• Rescue kidnapped scientists
• 3 scientists to rescue

You have rescued the kidnapped researchers from Lomad Labs.

Scientist's warning

One of the kidnapped scientists you rescued told you: 'You need to know that we weren't the only prisoners they had. There was also a woman named Raquel Thibodaux, a mystic anthropologist who had recently arrived in Paragon City. She said she was kidnapped a few nights ago, and had met several other mystic researchers who had also been kidnapped by the Devouring Earth. But they moved all of us after the Council attacked.'

	Scientist's story
	One of the kidnapped scientists you rescued told you: 'They wanted us alive. They even said they would wait to change us until we had helped their leader. I said I'd never help them, but they said that the Hamidon would change our minds or devour us. I don't even know what this Hamidon is, or what it wanted us to help it with. I'm just glad you came when you did.

Debriefing

Kidnapped scientists, and now missing mystics too. It seems the Devouring Earth have been busy. I checked around; a French mystic named Raquel Thibodaux did arrive in town last week, but she hasn't been to any of the conferences she came here to attend. We need some way to lacate her and any more kidnapped people before it's too late.

Seek information in Council base

Briefing

It seems those scientists you rescued were right: the Devouring Earth have kidnapped a lot more people than we had guessed. I've been able to link several missing persons cases to recent Devouring Earth raids. They've been taking mystics from all over the area. Right now, our best chance at finding them is to get information on their movements from some of their enemies. One of the scientists you rescued in the caves mentioned an attack by the Council. There's probably a Council base near those caves. I need you to go to that base and see if they have any information about where the Devouring Earth are taking the kidnapped people.

Whatever the Devouring Earth is up to, it's big. Some of the kidnapped were from cities normally outside their range. Let's just hope that the Council's habit of careful record keeping work for us this time.

Mission Objective(s)

• Seek info at Council base
• Locate any evidence

You've found the information you need to locate the remaining kidnapping victims.

	Report on the Devouring Earth
	This printed report details the estimated movements and actions of the Devouring Earth, as seen by the Council. The report notes that the Devouring Earth have recently gathered a number of prisoners in a well-secured cave system and are holding them there.

Debriefing

Thanks for getting this information. Now maybe we can find those people the Devouring Earth kidnapped.

Rescue the hostages from the Devouring Earth

Briefing

That information you recovered pinpoints the last known location of the mystics the Devouring Earth kidnapped. However, it looks like there may be one more person to look for. I just got a call from Lomad Labs. Seems one of their researchers, a Dr. Theron, disappeared from his home last night. They must have grabbed him after you rescued those other Lomad techs. I need you to rescue the hostages from the Devouring Earth. You're the best chance they've got.

Kidnapped scientists, missing mystics, and stolen lab equipment. I still have no idea what the Devouring Earth are planning, but it can't be good.

Mission Objective(s)

• Defeat all creatures in cave
• 3 mystics to save
• Lead each mystic out

You have defeated the Devouring Earth and rescued most of their victims.

	Raquel Thibodaux' story
	When you rescued Raquel Thibodaux, she told you: 'You have arrived in time to save our lives, but those foul creatures still have two prisoners. The monsters moved Professor August P. Lovelethe and Dr. Achilles Theron to another location. I will consult with the spirits to divine their location. I will contact you ass soon as that location is clear in my mind.

Notable NPCs

• 2 Kidnapped mystics (Hostages)
• Raquel Thibodaux (Hostage)

Debriefing

Those people you saved are in protective custody now. I only wish we could hae found all the Devouring Earth's kidnapping victims! Ms. Thibodaux has promised to try and divine the location of the two missing scientists. After that, it'll be all up to you.

Save Dr. Theron and Professor Lovelethe

Briefing

Raquel Thibodaux, one of the mystics you rescued from the Devouring Earth, just contacted me. She says she's divined the location of the last two people taken by the Devouring Earth. With luck, we can still save Dr. Theron and Professor Lovelethe.

You had better take along some spare emergency teleporters, just in case.

Raquel said that this area may contain answers for you. She was pretty vague about it, but you better keep your eyes peeled.

Mission Objective(s)

• Rescue missing scientists
• Find doctor, Seek clues, Find Professor

You've rescued Professor Lovelethe and discovered the Devouring Earth's plan.

Dr. Theron's journal

After reading a few entries from this tattered journal, you can feel Dr. Theron's growing disgust with humanity and society. In the latter half of the book, there are vague references to meetings with the 'New ones.' The last few entries deal with Dr. Theron's growing desire to help his new friends, and perhaps even become one of them. As he puts it: 'To leave this sickening species behind me and be reborn in the biological crucible of the Hamidon. To shed my old flesh and live forever as part of a new ecology. To join myself, body and soul, with the Devouring Earth! How I long for that day!'

Professor Lovelethe's story

When you rescued Professor Lovelethe, he told you: 'I have failed. I am sorry, but I have failed this city and its people. The Devouring Earth wanted Dr. Theron and me to help them make something they called the Will of the Earth. A terrible stuff, a mutagenic bacterium infused with magical power. I refused and waited for death. But Dr. Theron convinced me we could sabotage their plan if I would help him. 'I agreed, but I was a fool. Theron betrayed me. He was working for them the entire time! They only have a sample, but the havoc it could wreak is incalculable. I think they plan to release it into the sewer system as a test. You must stop them!'

Notable NPCs

• Professor Lovelethe (Ally)

Debriefing

A magical mutagen? Dr. Theron in league with the Devouring Earth? This has to be stopped, and quickly. Fortunately, I think you may have found all the clues needed to put a halt to this.

Prevent the Devouring Earth from releasing the Will of the Earth into the water system

Briefing

According to that scientit you rescued, Professor Lovelethe, the Devouring Earth plan to release this mutagen of theirs into the sewers. We may not have much time. You've got to stop the Devouring Earth from releasing the Will of the Earth into the water system.

The mutagen is contained in giant crystal structures. You'll need to destroy all of them.

Mission Objective(s)

• Stop release of mutagen
• 5 crystals to destroy

You have recovered the Devouring Earth's magical mutagen and prevented its release.

Will of the Earth

This canister contains a sample of a glowing violet bacteria, the living mutagen called the Will of the Earth. When you hold the sealed canister, you sense a faint presence in your mind, as if the substance is speaking telepathically. A million tiny mental voices unite into a single chorus of thought, but it's not talking to itself. You sense that it's communicating with another colony of Will of the Earth some distance away.

Debriefing

Holding this Devouring Earth mutagen is the strangest experience. I swear, I can hear its voice chattering away inside my head! It seems to be talking to a larger colony of mutagenic bacteria. If there's a larger colony, then this still isn't over.

Mission name

Briefing

Mission Objective(s)

(Entrance text)

(Objective complete)

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Notable NPCs

Temporary Power:

(Info on how/when you get temp power plus link)

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Debriefing