Template:StoryArc The Unity Plague

Rescue the scientists from the Devouring Earth

Briefing

A group of scientists are under attack by the Devouring Earth. They're doing critical work toward understanding and maybe even reversing the process that the creatures use to convert people into their own kind. I need you to rescue those scientists from the Devouring Earth. If we are ever to defeat the Devouring Earth forever, we cannot afford to lose these researchers.

I want every Devouring Earth creature accounted for.

Mission Objective(s)

The door looks as if it's been kicked in by a 20-pound foot

• Defeat all creatures in lab
  • 5 researchers to save

You have defeated the Devouring Earth and saved all the scientists.

Dr. Ido's concerns

When you rescued Dr. Victor Ido, he told you:

'We were trying to figure out how to reverse the process that turns people into Devouring Earth creatures. Well, we found something, but we're not yet sure what it means. We found biological agents in the blood of normal people that matched similar agents in the recently Devoured! We started taking blood samples from people all over the city, and we've been finding these biological contaminants in nearly every citizen we've tested. I'm not sure what the implications are, but I must admit I'm concerned.

Enemies

Devouring Earth

Notable NPCs

• Researcher x4 (NPC hostage)
• Dr. Victor Ido (NPC hostage)

Patrolling DE mobs dialogue

DE creature 1: Scientists bad!

(aggroed)

DE creature 1: Die!
DE creature 2: You are meat to be wasted!

Hostages dialogue

Scientist: Thank you for savig me!
Dr. Victor Ido: Greetings. I think I may know why we were attacked.

Debriefing

Dr. Ido and his lab crew send you their thanks. They're relocating to a new lab so they can continue their research into the process that turns people into Devouring Earth creatures. These biological contaminants they found in normal human blood are very worrying. Especially since the same contaminants exist in the recently Devoured. I've asked Dr. Ido to keep me appraised of their work.

Capture a Devouring Earth creature for the scientists

Briefing

I just spoke with Dr. Victor Ido, that researcher you rescued from the Devouring Earth. He said that his lab is nearing a major breakthrough in determining the source of those strange biological contaminants they found both in normal human blood and in the recently Devoured. The problem is, they need some recently Devoured creatures in order to confirm their conclusions. Will you capture some Devouring Earth creatures for the scientists to study?

Well, it's all for science. They've located some appropriate creatures, and I've isolated them with an emergency force field. Just take the Light Rail over to the Ulysses Keys.

Mission Objective(s)

The Devouring Earth have claimed this area near Talos Island as their own

• Capture several test subjects
  • Investigate area, 2 test subjects to capture

You have captured the test subjects and found a Devouring Earth manifesto.

Unity manifesto

This document speaks in rapturous terms of a great change that will come over every person in Paragon City. It refers to this coming change as 'The Unity,' and implores people not to fear their inevitable union with the Earth.

Notable NPCs

• 2 Test Subjects (Devouring Earth Lesser Devoured)

Enemies

Devouring Earth

Test Subjects dialogue

Before combat: Grrrrruaaahhh
Combat start: Grarrarrr!

Debriefing

The creatures you captured have already been picked up by the lab's research team. They won't hurt them; after all, those critters used to be Paragon citizens! This manifesto you found really worries me. I don't know what to make of it, but I have a bad feeling it's going to tie into all of this somehow. Check back with me later, I'll keep you informed.

Find a sample of the Unity Plague

Briefing

I just spoke with Dr. Ido. He was able to confirm his theories after you brought him those Devoured creatures. And his conclusions are alarming. It seems the whole time we've been fighting the Devouring Earth, those creatures have had another plan in the works. It's an intelligent virus called the Unity Plague. They've been introducing it to our water for months, and they're getting ready to release the catalyst that will set it off. Dr. Ido and his team need a sample of the plague right away if they're going to combat it. Will you go find a sample of the Unity Plague?

From the looks of things, those creatures have been releasing the plague into our water on a regular schedule. There's a good chance you can find some if you head to the sewers.

Mission Objective(s)

The gutural grunts and cries of the Devouring Earth echo over the sound of running waters

• Stop lead creature, its minions

You have searched, but found no sample of the Unity Plague here.

A fruitless search

You've search this place completely. There's simply no sample of the Unity Plague here.

Enemies

Devouring Earth

Notable NPCs

• Lesser Devoured

Lesser Devoured dialogue

Before combat:
Combat start: DEVOUR YOU!

Debriefing

So you couldn't find a sample of the Unity Plague, eh? We may have moved too early. We'll just have to keep trying. If we don't get a sample of that plague soon, the Devouring Earth may succeed in turning all of us into monsters.

Recover a plague sample

Briefing

According to Dr. Ido, the Devouring Earth should be almost ready to release the catalyst that will set off this Unity Plague they've been infecting people with. There's no time to lose. If you can recover a plague sample, Dr. Ido may be able to engineer a cure before it's too late.

Excellent. We think that the Devouring Earth are keeping a supply of the Unity Plague in a series of caverns, deep beneath the earth. I've marked the entrance for you.

Mission Objective(s)

The interior of this cavern is filled with moist, warm air. It's a perfect environment for healthy viral growth

• Recover Unity Plague sample

Sample of the Unity Plague

You recovered this sample of the Unity Plague deep beneath the Earth. Like the Will of the Earth mutagen, this plague seems to be intelligent. You can sense its alien consciousness probing at your mind, ever hungry and waiting to be unleashed.

Enemies

Devouring Earth

Debriefing

The city owes you for recovering this sample of the Unity Plague. I'll make sure that Dr. Ido and his team get it immediately. With any luck, they'll be able to whip up a cure in a hurry.

Save the scientists

Briefing

There's big trouble. Dr. Ido and his team are under attack. It seems the Devouring Earth found out that he was working on a cure for their Unity Plague. I need you to save those scientists. The future of Paragon City may well rest in their hands.

Thanks. Be careful out there.

Mission Objective(s)

The floor is littered with shattered glass beakers

• Defeat all creatures in lab
  • 5 scientists to save

You have defeated the Devouring Earth and saved Dr. Ido's team.

Enemies

Devouring Earth

Notable NPCs

• Devoured x2
• Scientist x4 (NPC hostage)
• Dr. Ido (NPC hostage)

Devoureds dialogue

Devoured 1:

Before combat:
Combat start: You will not stop Unity!

Devoured 2:

Before combat:
Combat start: Unity cannot be stopped!

Hostages dialogue

Scientist: You´ve saved my life!
Dr. Ido: Thank you. This is getting monotonous.

Debriefing

Dr. Ido sends his thanks, as well as word that they are getting close to a cure for the Unity Plague.

Distribute the cure for the Unity Plague

Briefing

Dr. Ido and his team have finished the cure; now they just need to distribute it to the city. Unfortunately, there's a complication, and that's where they need some help. Are you willing to distribute the cure to the Unity Plague? It won't be easy. In order to make a cure that could counter the Unity Plague and prevent a future infection, Dr. Ido had to reengineer the plague itself. So the cure is, well, semi-intelligent. And the Devouring Earth can detect it. So there's a very good chance they'll be trying to stop you.

Each of the city's signature heroes is waiting for you to deliver a portion of the cure. They'll use their network of heroes to get the cure out quickly.

The Unity cure

These vials contain the cure to the Unity Plague. As with the plague itself, you can feel the collective consciousness of the organic compound you hold in your hand. But the cure is neither hungry nor malicious. It knows it has a job to do, and it's eager to get to it.

Take Unity cure to Ms. Liberty

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Ms. Liberty

Ms. Liberty

Briefing

You're at the top of your game. I'll make sure this gets distributed properly. Back Alley Brawler's next on the list. I'll see you around.

Take Unity cure to Brawler

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Brawler

Back Alley Brawler

Briefing

Good to see you, youngster. Heh, I should just call you by your name these days. You earned it. Now get on over to Steel Canyon and see Positron.

Take Unity cure to Positron

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Positron

Positron

Briefing

This is very serious business, and I applaud your dedication. Synapse is waiting for you in Skyway City. He'll be taking care of both Skyway and Kings Row.

Take Unity cure to Synapse

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Synapse

Synapse

Briefing

Thanks! I'll distribute this at the speed of thought. Citadel's waiting for you over in Talos Island. Good luck!

Take Unity cure to Citadel

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Citadel

Citadel

Briefing

You have performed far above normal limits. I will distribute this immediately. Sister Psyche awaits your arrival in Independence Port.

Take Unity cure to Sister Psyche

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Sister Psyche

Sister Psyche

Briefing

You've done so much, it's hard to thank you enough. Now get the cure to Manticore over in Brickstown.

Take Unity cure to Manticore

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Manticore

Manticore

Briefing

Thanks.

I'll take care of it here.

Go see Numina in Founders' Falls.

Oh, and good work.

Take Unity cure to Numina

Mission Objective(s)

• Take Unity cure to Numina

Numina

Briefing

I have been watching your progress from the astral realm, and you have done very well. Now, however, I must deliver unto you a dire warning. The despicable Devouring Earth have already begun work on a counter-agent to the cure you have delivered. Go now and speak with the one who sent you. You have spared the city for now, but soon you will be needed once more.

Debriefing

You did it! Normally I'd say you should take some time out and celebrate, but Numina's warning changes everything. If the Devouring Earth really are working on a counter-agent to the cure you delivered, we may have to move fast!

Destroy the Devouring Earth's counter-agent

Briefing

I spoke with Dr. Ido about Numina's warning. He agrees that if the Devouring Earth could develop a counter-agent quickly, they might be able to prevent the cure you distributed from taking effect. The Unity Plague may still be upon us! In order to distribute the counter-agent quickly enough, the Devouring Earth would have to introduce it to the water supply near the purification system. Will you go to the sewers and destroy the Devouring Earth's counter-agents?

You are a true champion of this city. I know you won't let us down.

Mission Objective(s)

The howls and cries of the Devouring Earth fill the air it looks like you're in the right place

• Destroy the counter-agent
  • 8 barrels to destroy

You have destroyed the counter-agent and stopped the threat of the Unity Plague.

Notable NPCs

• Devoured x3 (Devouring Earth Lesser Devoured)
• Counter-agent x8 (Object)

Enemies

Devouring Earth

Counter-agent DE guards dialogue

Before combat: Unity comes!
Combat start: You will not stop the unity!

Devoreds dialogue

Devoured 1:

Before combat:
Combat start: Unity comes!

Devoured 2:

Before combat:
Combat start: Join the Hamidon!

Devoured 3:

Before combat:
Combat start: All will be one!

Debriefing

The threat of the Unity Plague is over! You did it! The whole city owes you. With the cure in place, we should be able to reduce the threat of any similar viruses in the future. The city government is also working with FEMA to stockpile stores of the cure in case the Devouring Earth try this trick in another city. Dr. Ido tells me that the information you helped him gather has taught him a lot about the process that turns humans into Devouring Earth monsters. Someday, he hopes, they'll even be able to reverse it!