The Dark Watcher (Primal Earth)

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Overview

The Dark Watcher
File:DarkWatcher.jpg The Dark Watcher
Zone	Rikti War Zone
Level Range	45-50
Introduced By	Gaussian
Enemy Groups	Arachnos Nemesis Rikti

The Dark Watcher is a hero and villain contact in the Vanguard Compound neighborhood of Rikti War Zone. His level range is 45-50.

Introductions

Contact Introduced By

• Gaussian

Information

Mysterious Man in Black

Many rumors swirl around the Dark Watcher. Some claim that he's a federal agent who learned too much and went renegade. Others say he's an immortal being who walks the treacherous path between worlds under his own power. Still others say that he is not a human being at all. Whatever the truth, he has appeared time and again to help the heroes of Earth fend off enemies ranging from the Rikti to the Rularuu. Normally, he disappears after his job is done, but for reasons unknown he has stayed with Vanguard since the group's inception, acting as Lady Grey's loyal advisor.

Initial Contact

I really respect and appreciate the effort you've put into this.

I'm the Watcher. You're Insert Character Name. I know what you can do. You know I'll help you do it. Let's get started.

Store

• Inspirations
• Level 50 Technology Single Origin Enhancements
• Level 50 Magic Single Origin Enhancements
• Level 50 Science Single Enhancements
• Level 50 Mutation Single Origin Enhancements
• Level 50 Natural Single Origin Enhancements

The Dark Watcher sells all Enhancements at 200% of their base cost.

Story Arc

The Horror of War

Souvenir: A book titled 'The Truth'

Many people died over the contents of this book. The well-written volume lays out in comprehensive detail the terrible truth of the Rikti War and its origins as the merciless machinations of none other than Nemesis, the so-called 'Prussian Prince of Automatons'. The author chose not to use her name with good reason. Of the many people named in the book who were instrumental in uncovering the truth, you're one of the few who are still alive. Whenever you hold it, you recall the adventure you remember as:

The Horror of War

It all began with an important mission from The Dark Watcher. A general of the Nemesis Army wished to defect and claimed to have important information. You went to the agreed meeting spot to find General Sherman of the Nemesis Army about to be executed for treason by his former comrades. The allegations General Sherman shared with you were more explosive than you could have imagined: he claimed that the Rikti War had been started on purpose by Nemesis! And what's more, he knew where you could find the proof: the Nemesis Army's Shadow Shard base!

The portals at Vanguard's disposal aren't powerful enough to reach the Shadow Shard, and even if they were modified, Longbow could block the transmission using Portal Corp's more powerful equipment. So instead of fighting against Longbow, the Dark Watcher suggested you try to talk them into helping. But when you arrived at their hidden base in the War Zone, they were being over-run by the Nemesis Army! You joined up with Captian W.M Dietrich to link up with Lt. Sefu Tendaji and clear out the attackers. But triumph turned to tragedy when you found Lt. Tendaji's body, slain by the Nemesis Army. Captain Dietrich's mask of icy cool shattered when she saw the body of her friend, then reformed into a righteous anger. She promised all the support you needed to get to the Shadow Shard, as long as you brought retribution down on Nemesis and the Nemesis Army.

The portal in the Vanguard base was ready in record time, and you found yourself hurled into the strange reality known as the Shadow Shard. While there, you did more than just get the proof you were looking for, you found working Imposter Automatons of the Freedom Phalanx that had been used in the attacks on the Rikti! With all the evidence you needed now in your possession, it was time to get the truth out about the real origin of the Rikti War.

The truth spread quickly. Vanguard and Freedom Corps both used all of their power and media savvy to tell the truth to every corner of the globe. The Nemesis Army began to strike back, desperate to keep the truth hidden. One of the most hotly contested battlegrounds was the Rogue Isles, where the brave reporters of WSPDR were under attack by Nemesis forces trying to shut them down. You went in to help them so that even the people of the Rogue Isles could know the truth.

The truth had powerful effects. There were reports of massive in-fighting and purges among the Rikti Restructuralists, and the group-mind near-suicidal depression among Vanguard's Traditionalist allies was only fought back with help from Earth's psychics. One of the most important effects was the desertion of General Bu'Dekka, a high-ranking war leader fresh from the Rikti Homeworld. With support from Captain W.M. Dietrich and Longbow, you helped Bu'Dekka and her troops escape the wrath of Hro'Dtohz. During the battle, General Bu'Dekka revealed a terrible threat: Hro'Dtohz was determined to keep the truth from reaching the Rikti Homeworld, and was planning to destroy the Earth in order to keep the truth buried!

In order to get the troops he would need, Hro'Dtohz would have to radically widen the conduit between Earth and the Rikti Homeworld, endangering both planets to keep the truth of the war hidden. There was only one place he could do that: the Portal Cavern beneath the Rikti Saucer. Joined by some old friends along the way, you descended into the depths once more to confront Hro'Dtohz, destroy the portal stabilizers, or both. Yet there was another twist to play out, as Nemesis attacked during the battle! His plans in ruins, Nemesis had a terrifying back-up strategy: to implant a copy of his consciousness into the Rikti mental network, taking them over entirely! As the Nemesis Army and the Rikti Military fought, you battled to complete one of your objectives to deny victory to all of your foes!

In the end, you carried the day. Hro'Dtohz is still out there, as is Nemesis, but neither of them accomplished their goals. At least one world now knows the true role of Nemesis in instigating the Rikti War, and maybe one day both will know the truth. For now, it is enough that, though the battles will continue, Earth will survive. And this day, it owes that survival to you.

Bring in Nemesis Defector

The Horror of War
Part: One

Dark Watcher

Briefing

Let's cut to the chase, Character. This is big. An officer of the Nemesis Army has contacted us. He says he wants to defect. He also said that he wanted to talk to you specifically. Knowing Nemesis, this could be a trap, but it's too good an opportunity to pass up. I want you to bring the defector in.

The defector's name is Captain Sherman. He wants out, and that's very interesting. The Nemesis Army rarely has any defectors, so it's almost too unlikely to be a trap. In either case, I doubt they'll be willing to let him go easily. Get Sherman to safety, then we may be able to find out more.

Mission Objective(s)

There have been few defections from the Nemesis Army. Or at least, very few successful ones.

• Bring in Nemesis Defector
  • Lead Capt. Sherman out

You have rescued the Nemesis Defector.

Werfer Jaeger: I suppose it'll be the chopping gear for Captain Sherman, eh?
Dragoon: There's no room for traitors in the armies of Lord Nemesis.

Werfer Jaeger:

The crime is treason against the Nemesis Army, and slander against the good name of Lord Nemesis himself!

Captain Sherman:

Good name?

You have no idea how ridiculous you sound.

Werfer Jaeger:

Vile cur!

You'd dare besmirch the name of a loyal automaton of the Nemesis Army?

Captain Sherman:

If you knew even half of what I've learned...

Fake Nemesis:

And that is why you must be silenced.

The Sentence is death! To be carried out immediately!

Enemies

Nemesis

Notable NPCs

• Captain Sherman (Nemesis Traitor, Defector)

Captain Sherman: They'll be coming for me! We've got to get out of here!

Fake Nemesis: Once more a Sherman seeks to undo my great work!
Fake Nemesis: And after we took him from his barbarous mirror universe!

Colonel: My Lord Nemesis, the traitor approaches our position.

Fake Nemesis: The Nemesis Army shall suffer no betrayers!

Dragoon: Kill the traitor!

Captain Sherman: I can't believe I was ever one of those fanatics. Thank you, Character.

(Mission Failure) 'It was... Nemesis!'

With his dying breath, Captain Sherman tried to tell you the explosive information that had caused his defection.

'Nemesis... It was all him. The war, the lies... The truth is at the Shadow Shard base. Take the coordinates. Learn the truth. The whole war, started by Nemesis! The Rikti were his dupes... It was... Nemesis!
I was Nemesis...
all...
along...'

As the life left him, he handed you a bloodied piece of parchment with a set of dimensional coordinates and one word: 'Proof!'

Dark Watcher

Debriefing (Mission Failed)

Captain Sherman's fate was unfortunate, but his last words confirmed a suspicion I've had. The first time I visited the Rikti Homeworld, they were a peaceful people. When I learned about the invasion I couldn't believe until I saw it myself. Any people can be manipulated, and Nemesis is a master of it. In retrospect, it's obvious, but we still need to convince others, and find the proof.

Meet with Longbow

The Horror of War
Part: Two

Dark Watcher

Briefing

Before we can act on Captain Sherman's information, we need a clear corridor. I've re-opened talks with Longbow. We need thier help to boost our portal's signal if we're going to investigate that Nemesis Army base in the Shadow Shard. They're willing to meet with one of us to hear what we have to say, and I'd like you to be the one to talk to them.

I know you probably don't have a great relationship with Captain Dietrich, but at least she knows you're one of our best. Lt. Sefu Tendaji should be there, too. He's been friendly to us in the past. He might be able to help win her over to our side.

Mission Objective(s)

This isn't the kind of reception you expected! The base in under attack from the Nemesis Army!

• Meet with Longbow
  • Find Lt. Tendaji
  • Find Capt. Dietrich
  • Defeat Nemesis Army

You have done all that you can here.

Fake Nemesis: For Lord Nemesis!

Enemies

Nemesis

Notable NPCs

• Captain W.M. Dietrich (Longbow, Hero)

Captain W.M. Dietrich: Let's find Sefu and clear out these intruders.

The Sword Gets Things Done

When you found the remains of Lt. Sefu Tendaji, Captain Wilhelmina Dietrich's iron-hard shell cracked.

'Sefu? This... This is impossible! He was my right had, my, my... He was my best friend. He can't be dead. He can't be!

He was such a good man, always hopeful, always upbeat. He'd always chide me for being so stern. He saw the best in people. I needed that. I needed...
His wife thought we were having an affair, you know. We weren't, he never would have done something like that. But to the Nemesis Army, he was just...
If Vanguard needs our help to investigate this base in the Shadow Shard, you will have it. I'll get it done. That's what his name meant: 'Sefu Tendaji', 'The Sword Gets Things Done'. And when you reach that base, I want you to find that information, and I want you to show every one of those steampunk fanatics what that means.'

As the body fades away through the city's teleportation network, a grim determination sets itself on Captain Dietrich's face. The Nemesis Army has no idea of the retribution they are about to receive.

Dark Watcher

Debriefing

I'm sorry to hear about Lt. Tendaji, but we have to concentrate on what we can do right now. Captain Dietrich was true to her word and Portal Corp has sent over scientists and technicians. Our base portal will be ready for you soon. Then we'll get the proof we need.

Investigate Nemesis Base

The Horror of War
Part: Three

Dark Watcher

Briefing

Those Portal Coporation technicians work fast. The portal is ready to send you into the Shadow Shard. It's time to learn if Captain Sherman was telling the truth. I recommend bringing some allies along. This one could get difficult.

There may be more than one way to find the information you're looking for, so keep your eyes open. All you will need is one solid piece of proof or evidence, but get more if you can find it. Of course, with all that the Nemesis Army has done recently, you may want to take your time. That's fine. Just don't imperil the mission.

Mission Objective(s)

The strange energies of the Shadow Shard are going to cause some problems. You'll have to make your was back here to escape once you're done.

• Investigate Nemesis Base
  • Search the Safe
  • 2 Collect automaton remains
  • Find Mission Exit

You have the evidence you need to prove Nemesis' involvement in the Rikti War.

Dragoon: For Lord Nemesis!

Fake Nemesis: By the orders of Lord Nemesis, we must suppress this traitor's slanderous columnies!

Fake Nemesis: Trying to steal our invasion plans? How droll!

Enemies

Nemesis

Notable NPCs

• Manticore Automaton (Freedom Phalanx, Hero)

Manticore Automaton: Well, FILE MISSING: KICK_THEM_WHEN_THEYRE_DOWN.TXT!

Manticore Automaton: You call that fighting? I call it ERROR IN SARCASM DATABASE

Manticore Automaton: I guess you really are BELITTLING_OBSERVATION

Manticore Automaton: Oh yeah, well SARCASM ENGINE FAILURE. SHUTTING DOWN SYSTEM

• Positron Automaton (Freedom Phalanx, Positron)

Imposter's remains.

These are the remains of the Nemesis-built Manticore Imposter Automaton. It shows signs of wear, but is still a convincing copy. This would have fooled the Rikti easily, convincing them that they were under attack by aliens from another world. An attack so severe that they'd have to retaliate with overwhelming force. Though parts of its memory core are missing, deep inside are the details of its attacks, physical evidence that Nemesis started the Rikti war as part of his mad schemes.

The Nemesis Plan

These triplicated documents are written on heavy parchment by a bold, mechanical hand. Though they're written in code, in an odd oversight, the dozens of draftsman-like drawings scattered through them tell the whole story. From the drawings, you can see it all laid out: plans for dimensional exploration that lead Nemesis to find the Rikti homeworld, the first schematics of the Freedom Phalanx automatons, and force deployments for using the imposters to attack the Rikti homeworld in a wave of terror. Even his projections for the points the Rikti would-be counter-attack, and Nemesis Army rallying points. This is a comprehensive plan that lays out the suffering of two worlds in precise text and line drawings. It may be the single most monstrous thing you've ever seen, and that's even before it's been fully decoded.

Dark Watcher

Debriefing

I wouldn't have hoped for this much, but I'll take it. We'll talk to our Traditionalist allies and get all the corroborating evidence. And then we're going to get the truth out.

Spread the news in the Rogue Isles

The Horror of War
Part: Four

Dark Watcher

Briefing

We're getting the truth about the Rikti War out any way possible. Incandescent is using every resource of the Herald Division and Dietrich has taken it to the Longbow brass. They're disseminating it all over the city and the country through Freedom Corps. The Nemesis Army is attempting to suppress the information, by any means necessary. One place where they may succeed is in the Rogue Isles. It's tough enough to get any information out through the layers of Arachnos control, but now there's a wave of Nemesis attacks on news agencies and reporters. The people of the Rogue Isles deserve to know the truth and I want you to help make sure they learn it.

You're going to the WSPDR building. The Nemesis Army has cut the main power, but WSPDR has set up 4 back-up generators. You've got to make sure that at least 1 generator survives. We have a few people on the scene to help you, but Arachnos has mobilized against what they see as a Nemesis Army invasion, so it's going to get difficult. Your objectives are to protect at least 1 generator, rescue Amanda Vines, WSPDR's star reporter, and take out the leader of the Arachnos forces. That should give WSPDR enough time and power to transmit.

It might be a good idea to have allies along on this one. Just my advice.

Mission Objective(s)

The brave reporters of WSPDR are desperately trying to stay on the air despite being caught between the Nemesis Army and Arachnos.

• Get the News Out!
  • Rescue Amanda Vines
  • 4 Generators
  • Defeat Silver Mantis

Mission Failed: You were unable to protect the generators. WSPDR has gone off the air.
(generators were being taken out before we could reach them, so no successful completion text - yet)

Tarantula: Hail Arachnos!

Werfer Jaeger: For Lord Nemesis!

Enemies

Arachnos

Nemesis

Notable NPCs

• Amanda Vines (,)
• Silver Mantis (Arachnos, Archvillain)

Dark Watcher

Debriefing (Mission Failed)

It's unfortunate that the Nemesis Army was able to suppress WSPDR's transmission, but there are many in the Rogue Isles who know the truth. We'll have to rely on the underground and word-of-mouth to get it out to the average citizen, but you can be sure the elites of Arachnos will know. It's a start, at least.

Retrieve the General's intel and assist in her defection

The Horror of War
Part: Five

Dark Watcher

Briefing

We knew that this news would have an impact on the Rikti, but we didn't realize how much of an impact. Our allies in the Traditionalist faction are nearly suicidal. We have psychics riding their mental network trying to keep them calm. We're getting reports of violent purges among the Restructurists, however. A lot of them were humans who bought the Rikti story that they were attacked first. But the most surprising news has come out of the Rikti from their homeworld military. One of their generals has decided that she can no longer pursue this war, and has contacted us about sanctuary for her and her troops. The Rikti military won't take a desertion like this well. We're going to need someone of your prowess to make sure this happens.

The General is named Bu'Dekka. She's fresh from the Rikti homeworld, and high up in their chain of command. If she and her troops are willing to give up the fight because they found out the truth about the war, it tells us a lot about the state of things both here and on the Rikti homeworld. Your goal is to meet up with General Bu'Dekka and attempt to aid in her defection.

She carries with her crucial information regarding the Rikti homeworld. We need that information. I dare say it is more important than the General herself. The Rikti will surely send troops after her in an attempt to stop her. Good luck.

Mission Objective(s)

Bu'Dekka and her troops have made it to Point Du Hoc on their own, but now they'll need your help.

• Get the General's intelligence
  • Find General Bu'Dekka
  • Survive pursuit waves

You have defeated all of General Bu'Dekka's pursuers.

General Bu'Dekka:

Imperative Order: Remove Yourself/Obstruction.

Current Location: Troop Rally Point.

Homeworld Chief Soldier:

Statement Falsity: Apparent. True Objective: Defection.

If Return (Bu'Dekka, Troops) Status: Negative,

Then; Hro'Dtohz Authorization Granted: Execution.

General Bu'Dekka:

Hro'Dtohz Mental Status: Insane, Anti-RiktiThought!

Earth War Initiation: Mistake! Continued Aggression: Monstrous!

Homeworld Chief Soldier:

Warfare Morality: Irrelevant. Decision Ownership: Hro'Dtohz.

Choice Remainder: None. Options Remaining: Submit: Lord of Lineage of War; Die.

Headman Gunman: Reinforcements: Attack!

Enemies

Rikti

Notable NPCs

• General Bu'Dekka (Rikti Chief Soldier, Pet)

General Bu'Dekka: Character Request: Assistance!

General Bu'Dekka: Counter-Attack Initiation: Imminent.

General Bu'Dekka: Visuals Lost: Character!

General Bu'Dekka: Gratitude Directed: Character.

• Homeworld Chief Soldier (Rikti Chief Soldier, Boss)

Homeworld Chief Soldier: Death Provided: All Enemies!

• Pursuit Soldier Jya'Zon (Rikti Chief Soldier, Boss)

Pursuit Soldier Jya'Zon: General Bu'Dekka Submit: Rikti Justice.

• Pursuit Priest Zhi'Pyo (Rikti Priest, Boss)

Pursuit Priest Zhi'Pyo: Forgiveness Conditional: Immediate Surrender

• The Executioner (Rikti Chief Soldier, Boss)

'In the Ashes of your World'

As you fought beside her, General Bu'Dekka of the Rikti Homeworld told you some vital information.

'Patience: Requested. Engaging: Mark III Translator:

Ah! The Mark 3 really is much better than the old Mark 2! I can actually understand your barbarous, yet childishly endearing causality statements. Maybe if we'd worked on these before we built the giant fleet of death ships, things would have been different! But that's Hro'Dtohz for you. He's a military genius, but he thinks everything is a military problem. It made him a very boring date.

Anyway, Hro'Dtohz has heard the truth about this war, but he refuses to accept it. If the homeworld learns the truth, it would turn him from a war hero into a war criminal, and he'd have to face all that he's done. So he's planning on one last massive push. They're going to stabilize the conduit and expand it. Hro'Dtohz plans to bring enough troops across to wipe out everything on this Earth. Then the truth can lie forgotten in the ashes of your world.'

Dark Watcher

Debriefing

Bu'Dekka and her troops are being debriefed and cared for in a hidden location. The information they brought is vitally important, and coincides with energy readings we've been getting from the cavern beneath the Rikti ship. We believe that Hro'Dtohz is about to open and expand the conduit between our world and the Rikti Homeworld to bring through vast numbers of troops. And we're going to have to stop him.

Stop Hro'Dtohz and save the world

The Horror of War
Part: Final

Dark Watcher

Briefing

It's time to save the world, Character. Hro'Dtohz is going to bring over the entire Rikti military from the Homeworld and he has to be stopped. Portal Corp thinks they can jam him for a while, but we need someone who'd been in that portal chamber beneath the ship to lead the strike. I'm putting this in your hands. I'd recommend a team, but if you want to go alone, I'll trust your judgment. The fate of the world is in your hands.

We'll be launching a major assault once you're inside, but that's just a distraction to help you get in. Once you're in the main cavern, there are two things you're going to need to do:

Defeat Hro'Dtohz himself. Tis will cause him to medi-vac back to the Homeworld and from what Bu'Dekka tells us he'll be busy just trying to keep the rest of the Rikti from discovering the truth about the War to come back and bother us.

Disrupt the Homeworld portal itself, that will make a massive transit too dangerous, also ending the threat for now. If another major threat were to appear, it could throw the Rikti into confusion, causing them to lock the Homeworld down for a time.

Mission Objective(s)

It's been a long time since you were here last. Now it's time to finish what you started.

• Save the World
  • Defeat Hro'Dtohz
  • 4 generators to destroy
  • Thwart War Architect

Hro'Dtohz's plans are in ruins and the threat is averted.

Guardian: Protect: Hro'Dtohz!

Advanced Drone: Hro'Dtohz Orders: Crazy! Portal: Unstable! Conduit: Unstable!
Conscript: Hro'Dtohz Orders: More Power!

Guardian: Defend: Portal!

Nemesis:

I'm afraid that I cannot allow you to win, Character!

Not when I'm on the cusp of a victory you can barely even conceive!

With my role revealed, it's time to activate my secondary plan.

You see, I'm going to upload a copy of my superior intellect into the Rikti's mental network.

Soon I shall be distributed across 2 billion minds.

An immortal will with innumerable legions for a body!

You may now applaud my audacity...

But I cannot let you stop me!

Enemies

Nemesis

Rikti

Notable NPCs

• Nik'lux (Rikti Priest, Boss)
• Faultline (Vanguard Shield, Henchman)

Faultline: Haven't you guys heard the news yet? You're fighting for no reason!
Homeworld Chief Soldier: Disbelieve: Human Lies!
Faultline: Hey, Character! Glad you could make it!
Homeworld Chief Soldier: Purge: Earth Filth!

Faultline: Fusionette and I couldn't let you have all the fun!
Faultline: Of course, she ran on ahead. That girl will be the death of me...
Faultline: ...But I can live with that! Let's go find her.

Faultline: Character! Where'd you go?

Faultline: Let's get back into it!

• Psi-Scout Lk'Onik (Rikti Chief Mentalist, Boss)

Psi-Scout Lk'Onik: Mark 3 translator's pretty nice.
Psi-Scout Lk'Onik: Let's go.

Psi-Scout Lk'Onik: Character, hold formation.

Psi-Scout Lk'Onik: ...
Psi-Scout Lk'Onik: Thanks.

• Fusionette (Vanguard Shield, Henchman)

Fusionette: Don't look at me like that!
Fusionette: We had to be in on this one!

• Lord of War: Hro'Dtohz (Rikti, Archvillain)

Lord of War: Hro'Dtohz: If (Vanguard Fool) Seeks: Painful Termination; Painful Termination: Willingly Provided!

• Nemesis (Nemesis, Archvillain)

Nemesis: How do you like them apples?

Nemesis: My, my my! Such delightful impertinence!
Nemesis: A pity you'll have to die.

Nemesis: I do not say this to many, but you have gotten my dander up!

Nemesis: I commend your puissance, but I cannot let you stop me!

Nemesis: Your victory is hollow.
Nemesis: I am Nemesis!
Nemesis: I am...
Nemesis: Eternal...!

Dark Watcher

Debriefing

The series of events that occured in that cavern have set off a firestorm among the Rikti. The eventual end-point may be a long way off, but already we're hearing rumors that Hro'Dtohz is fighting to suppress the truth both on the Homeworld and among his troops on Earth. He's weakened, his life-line to the Homeworld is unstable, and his confidence has taken a beating. But from what we know, he still has enough political clout, troops, and supplies to carry on fighting for some time. If he decides to do so, the Vanguard will be here to fight him and his army. We've been given another chance to protect our world, and it's all because of you. Thank you, Character.

Oh, and one more thing: any time you're ready, you can talk to Lady Grey. I hear she may have a Task Force for you.

See Also

• Rikti War Zone

Character History

The Dark Watcher as drawn by Jon Landry

The Dark Watcher was a famous hero from the Golden age. He was one of the co-founders of The Freedom Phalanx which was founded on July 4, 1932. He has an awesome control of teleportation and even a limited ability to project force fields. He is frequently regarded as costumed in dark clothing.

The Freedom Phalanx

According to the City of Heroes novel The Freedom Phalanx, The Dark Watcher vanished in 1954. (p. 108)

Top Cow Comic

Issue #19: The Dark Watcher tells Lady Grey that he spent decades lost in nightmarish dimensions full of magic and monsters. He reveals to the Freedom Phalanx that he has returned and warns them that a war is coming and tells them to step aside when the time comes.