Arc-Welding Archenemies | Untold the Game

Location: The post-Event remains of the Buffalo Stamping Plant
Setting: Late morning on a bright and sunny summer day in the middle of a massive, chaotic, fully-operational metal stamping plant.
Forces: An unusual trio of Gear Guards (GM Minions) defends their newly "assigned" home from a rogue North American Union squad (NAU Defenders) set on "scavenging".
GM MINIONS Leader: Gear Guard, "Z@66-13"
NAU Leader: NAU HERo Sgt.

Battle UP:

415

Setup: If it were not for a total lack of living beings, one would find it hard to believe that the Buffalo Stamping Plant had been built prior to the Event. The unusual pan-cosmic occurrence left the locale surprisingly unscathed and the factory itself in near-perfect working order. That’s exactly the state in which the three Gear Guards, Z@66-1, Z@66-12, and Z@66-13 (also known as "1", "12", and "13", respectively), found it in when they were ripped from their assigned Gear-node in the Great Machine.

While initially confused, the Gear Guards soon extrapolated from observed data that they had simply been automatically re-assigned by the All-Knowing-One and set to work "re-booting" the massive plant. They gleaned from their lack of any direct instruction that they had been promoted for exemplary performance in their service to the Great Machine, and the lonesome three quickly began following the directives of Z@66-13 (the superior model) in their task.

However, something strange happened to these three Klik during their transport from their cog-driven home to Post-Event Earth. Each of them was infused with a tiny bit of chaotic Flux energy. As a result, occasionally when they use their Stunner powers (either while working, defending, or attacking) their electrical blasts will unexpectedly gain sentience and transform into Living Lightnings. Occasionally these Lightning-beings will even heed the commands of their Klik "creators," but generally they’re just a complete nuisance.

An operating Stamping Plant makes for a juicy target for a nearby outpost of NAU, and they have decided to send an advance team to "scout and secure" for a follow-up larger force. However, these scavengers are totally unprepared for their welcome by a trio of "slightly off" Gear Guards and their Living Lightning servitors!

What happens next? No one knows for sure, but YOU and a friend can determine the outcome of "Arc-Welding Archenemies" and shape the Untold Battle world! All you need do is pick a faction and play Untold: Battle! When you’re done, post the results online and change the face of the Untold Battlescape!

(Click for Hooks)

Role-playing Hook
Even though Battle Backdrops don’t normally involve role-playing, one of the highlights of this one could be the interaction between the Gear Guards and their Living Lightning servitors! Imagine a warrior whose sword suddenly started giving him some guff and disobeying his commands, or what about an archer with a bow that refused to “deal with those despicable arrows”! Feel free to dovetail a little role-playing fun into your Battle now and again!

Sense Hook
The primary sense hook for this Backdrop could very easily be SMELL. Use descriptive terms to describe the ozone-laced air, the smell of rust in the air, the over-powering scents of heated metal, or the oil from the bodies of the Gear Guards and the plant — as well as a whole array of smells coming from the nearby Lake Erie! Depending on your take as “GM”, the lake could be fetid and filled with rotting carcasses or pristine and as sweet as honey!

Adventure Hook
This entire Battle Backdrop could be the perfect Hook for an adventure! Line your Party up to be either members of the High-bred scouting party or even associate them with the Klik (they could easily be Gear Guards, Living Lightnings, reinforcements from the Great Machine, or perhaps just “something from the neighborhood”). Their goals are already clearly established, so set the scene and let ‘em go! There’s no telling where you’ll wind up, but it’s bound to be fun!

Game Master's Hook
It would be an easy thing to take this Battle Backdrop and use it as the opening act for a much larger storyline. The Great Machine often works in ways that are mysterious to even its most trusted servants, so perhaps the Gear Guards were NOT sent to the Stamping Plant by accident. Why would the Great Machine have these sorts of designs for this strange little spot on Apoc-Earth? Furthermore, what are the High-bred plans for the same location? Is there something else to this ancient automotive plant — something more than meets the eye? (Also, if you use the ideas presented in the Battle Hook below, what is the purpose for this new Klik weaponry being built on Apoc Earth?)

Battle Hook
Add a whole new dimension to this Battle Backdrop by dropping in the Power Cards found inside Heavy Metal! Perhaps the Gear Guards have already re-tooled the Stamping Plant and are busy churning out new and unusual Klik weapons! Slap these new Power Cards on your Gear Guards instead of (or in addition to) the Living Lightnings and watch the sparks fly — literally!