News of the World – Of Cults & CEOs
By TrailTurtle @ July 20, 2012 at 9:30am
Magical Mayhem in Millennium City
A spate of arcane activity and mystical mayhem at the hands of the Cult of the Red Banner has citizens of West Side fleeing the streets in terror, and asking each other just how much more they can take.
What began as a series of strange thefts has seemingly been superseded by something even more sinister. Sightings of strange lights and storms in the sky around the Shandor Building have accompanied numerous eyewitness accounts of dark rituals being conducted by floating sorcerers in abandoned alleys.
According to many in the community, events leading up to this serious situation began quietly enough. Last week, reports began to surface of armed bands of cultists stealthily stalking the streets of West Side, followed by an increasing number of unsolved break-ins. Citizens of Chinatown were particularly hard hit by the thefts. Antique dealers, curio shop owners, even a number of families reported violent break-ins but with very little of value stolen. Among the reports of stolen property was a curiously high volume of “ancient heirlooms” and “relics.” Curiously, aside from sentimental value, most were reportedly not inherently costly or made from any precious materials.
With representatives of the elusive Trismegistus Council unavailable for comment, the little concrete evidence our sources have managed to uncover seems to point to an impending, sinister magic ritual in the making – one with no doubt dire consequences for our fair city. Until this nefarious plot is unraveled, citizens of West Side – and particularly those residing in Chinatown – are advised to exercise extreme caution, and to stay off the streets at night.
Gravitar Grabs Headlines
Anyone with even a passing interest in super-gossip or fashion news has no doubt seen or heard of the recent exploits of the devious and destructive diva known as Gravitar. Flying in and out of major metropolitan areas, this infamous super-villainess continues to cause serious property damage with apparently little discernible motive.
A recent confrontation with a team of superheroes in Downtown led to the near-complete demolition of a major intersection, not to mention severe traffic congestion for days thereafter. Fortunately, despite repeated incidents, there have been no serious injuries – except perhaps for the pride of a number of would-be heroes and the MARS tactical response units who were unsuccessful in several arrest attempts.
Speculation persists that Gravitar’s true intention is simply self-promotion. And, if the resultant splash of headlines and magazine covers is any indication, she has found success. No matter the property cost or the risk to human life at her every destructive appearance, bystanders seem magnetically drawn to watch from as close as they dare, snapping photographs and recording video of the villainess, while scores of publications print page after page featuring her latest fashion statements.
Sources close to UNITY report that the Champions themselves are setting up a task force to take her down once and for all. Meanwhile, citizens are advised to keep their distance – anyone longing for a closer look at the city’s most vain villainess can pick up a copy of the latest issue of Cosmopolitan Heroine.
Allegations against Franklin Stone Dropped as Key Witness Disappears
Franklin Stone, businessman and CEO of Advanced Concepts Industries, has recently been cleared of all charges in a conspiracy case following the disappearance of a key witness, reporter Arthur Ross.
Speaking at a press conference following the news, Stone expressed his concern for the safety of the missing witness and even pledged the support of his own personal security team to aid in the search.
Recognized worldwide as one of the planet’s most shrewd and ruthless businessmen, this is not the first time Stone has come under scrutiny by authorities. Three prior investigations into Stone and his legitimate organizations have centered on charges of conspiracy, fraud, and even suspected ties to organized super-crime.
However, despite these public inquiries, Stone has not once yet been indicted. Furthermore, he has famously won several lawsuits for libel and has received staunch public support from a number of high-ranking government, judiciary and police officials. This leaves many in the public to wonder if there is any truth to the allegations, or if such success simply comes with the price of making many enemies.
Stone and ACI are currently still under investigation by the FCC for unrelated anti-trust violations.
mighty738 @ Jul 26th, 2012 7:45AM
The News of the World, originally was a british paper. Until it was shut down due to its workers being found hacking famous peoples mobile phones for information, Don't believe me? Check this link out http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/
blindjuggler @ Jul 25th, 2012 1:18AM
This was a good read. Keep up the good work! This is still my favorite game! (300 day vet)
strangeone4lyf @ Jul 24th, 2012 9:56PM
i would play this if i could log on my account stupied account guard
ruuki @ Jul 22nd, 2012 8:33AM
I actually like these "news of the world" articles. I'm somewhat of an RPer in CO so articles like this make me feel like I'm actually my hero reading the paper and thinking, "hmmm, I must investigate." lol. But that's just me and my very active imagination. I'm just kind of lost about arthur stone...I have no clue who that guy is...
cryptogogue @ Jul 22nd, 2012 7:20AM
@geostar7: Gravitar is the most powerful mutant in the Champions Universe, roughly equivalent in that respect to, say, Magneto in the Marvel Universe. She does not have his mutant-supremacy philosophy, though (another mutant called Kinematic fills that role). While wealthy, she disdains reliance on armies of minions and elaborate plots and has publicly dissed Destroyer and Mechanon for their use of them (the fact that she still lives after that should give you an idea of her power level). While no dummy, she's not exactly a deep thinker; her world-domination M. O. has so far amounted basically to issuing orders and beating the holy living tar out of those who fail to obey, until people get into the habit of obedience.
crypticbuxom @ Jul 21st, 2012 2:59AM
This form of advertising appeals only to the extremely hardcore Champions nerd. It came out of the blue with no warning or announcement of what this is supposed to do. This cannot be considered immersion in the slightest if we don't know what its for and if isn't equally elaborated and established IN GAME.
caycepollard @ Jul 20th, 2012 10:27PM
It =would= be interesting if any of this actually ever turns into anything other than "daily grind missions" and "alerts". Otherwise, it's fluff designed to make us feel like we're "immersed" in a world that's getting less immersive with each passing patch.
mijjestic @ Jul 20th, 2012 7:19PM
Wow, haven't seen much of this to date. Loves it! Keep it up!
zoenders @ Jul 20th, 2012 6:56PM
Awesome! It's the best Until report ever! Good job and thank you.
caycepollard
This isn't an "UNTIL Report". Can't you read? It says "News Of The World" at the top.
akirasanbeer @ Jul 20th, 2012 5:01PM
Dat Chin!
revjim
Dead giveaway that he's villainous, isn't it? :D
variatas @ Jul 20th, 2012 4:31PM
Hurray, putting a face to Argent. It's about time they started movement on the Lore front again. Alerts were a little disappointing in that regard after Whiteout. Some more down to earth stories revolving around nefarious mega-tech firms will be very welcome; it'll be nice to have more counterpoint to all the magic stuff.
revjim @ Jul 20th, 2012 3:12PM
I liked it. Gives more of a feeling that you're playing in a campaign instead of just a grinder. And yes, I did read it to the end and I don't think I'm the only one who did so.
geostar7 @ Jul 20th, 2012 3:11PM
What's the backstory on Gravitar? One of the reasons I like many of the villains I like is because of their backstory, and it's kinda upsetting that I don't know hers.
originaltyger @ Jul 20th, 2012 2:45PM
I agree with thesprawler, this kind of foreshadowing and story arc development can make the game more interesting.
sarelfox @ Jul 20th, 2012 1:03PM
No way. This kicks ass, better than the Field Report.
flyingfinn @ Jul 20th, 2012 12:07PM
Franklin Stone?? Never heard of him or ACI. Someone i should know? Will know?
championshewolf
Franklin Stone is the CEO of ACI (Advanced Concepts Industries) in the Champions Universe. I guess a good comparison would be a Lex Luther type of individual for CU.
thesprawler @ Jul 20th, 2012 12:04PM
And so, the day was saved, thanks to: Trailturtle. Don't let those comments get you guys down, I love stuff like this. It helps to bring the Whys. Could it be, I wonder, that the Franklin Stone thingy is related to the upcoming Nighthawk event? ONLY TIME WILL TELL!
trailturtle
Heh, I wish I could take the credit for this. Was one of the other people on the Champs team -- er, one of the reporters of Millennium City! -- who wrote it.
cascadence @ Jul 20th, 2012 11:07AM
Yaaaaay for lex .... I mean Franklin Stone!!! its always good to know you are actually using the IP =p.
darksithbenni2 @ Jul 20th, 2012 10:39AM
that is so useless i mean who spend time for write this useless text? searious spend the time for something else i dont think anyone really read that text to the end.
aavarius
I did. And it was totally awesome! :)
pwkampfykaufmann @ Jul 20th, 2012 10:19AM
Ahh, Franklin Stone. The Lex Luthor of the Champions Universe. This will be interesting...
gamehobo @ Jul 20th, 2012 10:18AM
Give us back our freaking UNTIL Field Report.. all of this is suck
trailturtle
UNTIL report is being finalized right now, actually -- check back over the next few hours.
trailturtle
http://co-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=155131
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