Rifts

Scene #1: The Exposition Opening Players are attending a high-profile science and history expo hosted by Omni Consumer Industries (OCI) at their newest research facility. Players encounter various media and representatives from the local community, along with a school field trip of students with their chaperones. Players will notice that the students are dressed in costume and visibly irritated that they are there. One of the reporters on-site is Eileen Lockwood, who asks the Omni Consumer Industries’ CFO, Maximillian Masik, “Mr. Masik, Omni Consumer Industries is facing at least four indictments following a government investigation regarding worker safety, compliance with environmental regulations, and its financial dealings overseas in the coming days…is this high-profile event an attempt to shift public attention away from those glaring issues?”

Masik confidently states, “Ms. Lockwood, I could provide you the standard response, which you would attack and use as sound byte fodder for your next expose. Rather than do that, I think the standing of Omni Consumer Industries can be best described by one of your own…J. Jonah Jameson of the Daily Bugle.”

The large display screens in the company foyer transition to a live broadcast of J. Jonah Jameson:

''“Omni Consumer Industries is the cutting edge of technology and entrepreneurship. The government, as usual, is overstepping its bounds with all this legislation that’s stifling their innovation. To show you how safe it is, my good friend Maximillian Masik and I have personally sponsored the field trip from the local elementary school to this facility and for all you sky-is-falling worry-worts, I’ve called in the Exterminators help oversee everything related to security to protect everyone. The Exterminators are a super team of real heroes, not those prima-donnas like the Avengers or Fantastic Four, or a parade of misfit toys like X-Men, and especially the greatest public nuisance of all, Spider-Man! This is J. Jonah Jameson, and not only do I approve this message, but I wrote it myself!”''

During the broadcast, players will overhear conversations from the parents and the school teacher who is trying to keep them and the students calm, reminding them that, “This is just a brief detour. We’ll be at Richmond Acres before lunch.” The teacher is Ms. Adrianna Castille and one of the chaperones is Becky Sutton. When asked, Ms. Castille will explain that she and her students were on their way to Fantasy Story Days sponsored Richmond Acres but was redirected to attend this event by her principal after Maximillian Masik and J. Jonah Jameson called that morning offering a huge donation to the school in exchange of them attending the event that is scheduled to end by 11:00 a.m.

The Exterminators then arrive, introduce themselves, and show off their fancy high-tech gear. Players get the information about them from overhearing Eileen Lockwood talking with her producer to re-air her story about how trigger-happy and reckless the Exterminators are and how they can’t shoot. She adds that she’ll provide an update after today’s event.

Masik then introduces their OCI guides for the tour, who are scientists on staff: Dr. Leon Hoftstader, Dr. Koothrappali Singh, and Dr. Steven Cooper. The three scientists start a guided tour for the various guests, highlighting their research on the seemingly limitless possibilities of Energy X, more commonly known as the substance that created a new generation of heroes like Solarstrike, Minuteman, and Alchemiss in Patriot City. They also highlight the new research wing dedicated to antiquities and historical artifacts, citing that OCI, “goes beyond science and into the arts and humanities such as history and archaeology.”

One of the attendees asked where is the Energy X and the artifacts highlighted on the evening news are stored. The OCI representative states that they are stored in a secure facility on the premises and that due to safety reasons, they are not open to the public. The man then says, “That’s okay, we’ll help ourselves!”  Scene #2: Melee in the Main Foyer

Three of the attendees immediately put on what appears to be ancient looking masks and transform into Volcanon, Revenant, and Trellis, more commonly known as the Primevals. Four of their cronies join them, transforming into Snow goons. Volcanon, Revenant, and Trellis each split up into different directions while the Snow goons attack the attendees to cause a panic and create a diversion. They target the students primarily.

Players battle the Snow goons who threaten the students and pursue the villains as they run amok in OCI. The Exterminators arrive and cause even more problems, accidentally shooting at the heroes due to their lousy aim.

The three scientists are hiding in panic and warn the players that the Primevals are heading straight for the Quantum Flux Capacitor, a highly experimental device fueled by Energy X. At some point during the battle the Quantum Flux Capacitor is damaged, causing energy rifts that cause the appearance of the following individuals to attack, help, or inadvertently hinder the players, depending on the players’ power level:


 * Pactum Umbrarum
 * The Thing & She-Hulk vs. Incredible Hulk (berserk)
 * Mechanon
 * Three Drunk Aquamen (different incarnations)
 * Lex Luthor & Nuclear Man
 * Batman & Robin 1966
 * Batgirl (Future)
 * Guardians of the Galaxy

Initial Combat Resolution. This occurs if the players starting winning or losing significantly. The heroes/villains inexplicably disappear as quickly and unexpectedly as they emerged earlier. If the Primevals have been defeated, they are taken away in human form by Detective Becky Sutton (one of the school chaperones) and the police. If not, the remaining member(s) are hidden and being searched by police and OCI security. The students are evacuated with their chaperones but Luna Lynx/Adrianna Castille will remain.

However, Batman and Robin from 1966 will remain for the time being and deduce the following (or from discussion):

“Apparently, this Energy X you described is even more powerful that you ever imagined. It somehow generated enough power in your device to create a rift in the dimensional fabric between worlds that may even include periods in time.” - Batman

“Holy Quantum Leaps, Batman! How do we stop this from happening again?” - Robin

Batman explains that what’s happening theoretically isn’t much different from an electron hitting an excited state that jumps into another energy level and later revert back after that energy is expended. Batman recommends that the machine should be studied further in terms of potential consequences and more safety measures in place regarding the use of Energy X, and in meantime deactivated.

Maximillian Masik interrupts, asserting that “no costumed Caped Crusader wearing his underwear on the outside is going to dictate OCI research policy and the financial opportunities it provides” and orders them to leave, stating that they are trespassing on private property.

“Holy Fool’s Gold Rush! Don’t you understand the dangers your company is creating? And it was your machine that brought us here in the first place!” - Robin

Just then the machine is reactivated under Masik’s orders to demonstrate how safe it is. Batman and Robin of 1966 will warn them to stop before dissipating back into their home time and dimension.

Scene #3 – Dark Mirrors Depending on the players’ overall power level, players will battle Dark Mirror versions of the following heroes:


 * Superman
 * Wonder Woman
 * Power Girl
 * Thor
 * Iron Man
 * Captain Marvel
 * Batman
 * Shazam
 * Martian Manhunter

If players deactivate the Quantum Flux Capacitor, then half of the dark mirror characters will disappear initially and/or disappear back to their home dimension after sustaining 50% damage to Stamina. If players start losing, Quantum Flux Capacitor will overload and implode, automatically making the foes disappear.

Scene #4 – Final Resolution Additional police arrive led by Becky Sutton and the OCI facility is shut down as a crime scene. Special report airs live by Eileen Lockwood highlighting the recklessness of the Exterminators and Maximillian Masik during the science exposition. Players are thanked by the school students who drive past them on their way back from Richmond Acres.