Global Defense Force
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| Backstory | GDF: Phase 1 | GDF: Phase 2 | GDF: Phase 3 | GDF Side Stories | Allies & Enemies | The Beacon | The Hall of Heroes | Team Members |
Backstory
In late 2011, the untimely closure of the Palladium Sentry left a huge void in the superhero community. For so many years, the Sentry served as a cornerstone in not only the fight against crime, but also improving the lives of Paragon City's citizens. Fortunately, former Sentry members Starforge and Arsenal had an idea. Whereas the Palladium Sentry oftentimes fought crime at home in Paragon, Starforge and Arsenal believed a group that could more readily protect the entire planet was needed. Soon enough in early 2012, the Global Defense Force was born.
The mission of the Global Defense Force was simple; to be ready to deploy heroes around the planet at a moments notice anytime a threat arose. In order to do this, Starforge was able to obtain a derelict space station which was soon retrofitted to serve as the orbiting base of the Global Defense Force. Not long after completion of the station, Starforge had the station technicians install a central intelligence unit in the command center. An offshoot of the Palladium Sentry's own intelligence unit, NAIKA, AVI (Automated Virtual Interface) would help keep the station's defenses and databases up to date. Soon enough, the Lambent Dawn was officially operational.
The first members to join Starforge and Arsenal in the Global Defense Force were some of their longtime allies from the Palladium Sentry. It didn't take long for word to spread and before they knew it, the group's membership soon included a wide variety of established heroes; some at the start of their own heroic journeys. Unfortunately, this also drew the ire of many villains looking to make their name at the GDF's expense. The most notorious of these villains were known as the Doom Society. The leader of the Doom Society, Dominion, had his sights set on taking down Starforge and the GDF and at the end of 2012...he succeeded.
Staging a calculated attack on the Lambent Dawn, the Doom Society was able to not only destroy the base but take down a good number of heroes with it. The icing on the cake was their sabotage of the GDF's shuttle which forced a trapped Starforge to watch in horror as everything he had built was taken away. However, in their haste to destroy the base, the Doom Society missed the fact that the shuttle wasn't actually destroyed in the attack. Hurtled through space from the explosion, it took many years for Starforge to return home.
The world had seemingly changed a great deal when Starforge returned to Paragon City. The fallout of the Doom Society's attack had left the few surviving members of the GDF scattered or in hiding while the villains were relishing in their newfound fame. It would take a long time, but Starforge was determined to see the Global Defense Force return. His first stop was the find any trace of the Lambent Dawn. Luckily, he discovered debris on the lunar surface and after establishing a new partnership with the United Nations, the Global Defense Force was once again up and running. Temporarily based out of the Armstrong Moonbase, Starforge used this as a staging ground to recover more debris from the Lambent Dawn. As luck would have it, AVI was able to survive the attack which helped a great deal in getting the GDF up and running again.
In the ensuing months, Starforge worked with the United Nations while also having the Guardian Collective help move a decommissioned Guardian outpost into Earth's orbit to serve as a more permanent base of operations for the GDF. Many more villains were seeking to put an end to the Global Defense Force's resurgence but despite these threats the Global Defense Force's new base, the Beacon, was brought into Earth's orbit and will be the new staging ground for Starforge and his team to defend the Earth from any evil that seek to harm it.
GDF: Phase 1 - The Foundation
Released March 2020
The GDF was informed by the UN that an outbreak of Tellurian Plague had occurred in a Central African research facility. Once inside, the heroes discovered lab notes detailing experiments involving the introduction of Tellurian Plague to flora and fauna from Primal Earth. They also discovered the researchers had successfully combined the Plague with a rare lichen from Eden creating the 'Red Lichen'. Soon after, the GDF rescued the lead researcher of the Red Lichen, Arthur Stotch.
As Arthur led them further into the lab, the heroes learned the Red Lichen seemingly had a mind of its own; quickly enveloping any living creature it was introduced to. To their horror, it was revealed that Arthur had tested the lichen on himself, creating the monstrous entity known only as 'Massacre' The resulting battle between Massacre and the heroes raged throughout the facility as the heroes tried to keep the lab intact but also rescue the remaining trapped survivors. Ultimately, Massacre escaped and the GDF plotted their next moves.
Knowing how linked Massacre could be to the Devouring Earth, the heroes calculated that he would eventually try to make its way toward the Hamidon. The heroes placed scanners throughout Eden and the Hive to notify the GDF when Massacre was in the vicinity. In addition, the heroes also attempted to discover the origin of the lichen used in the experiments. Defeating the Crystal Titan, the GDF were able to recover enough lichen samples to bring back to the Beacon to try and learn how it could be turned into the Red Lichen.
As research on the lichen continued, the UN reported that survivors from the research lab revealed that Arthur Stotch previously worked with Arachnos as a researcher on the Devouring Earth. This pointed the GDF toward Vernon von Grun; Arachnos' chief researcher on the Devouring Earth. The GDF would eventually catch up to von Grun who revealed Arthur wasn't evil enough for Arachnos and was extremely pleased when someone affiliated with 'The Foundation' came looking for candidates for an African research lab.
After dealing with von Grun, the GDF were called back to Eden where the Woodsman had discovered a hidden cave system below where the heroes previously fought the Crystal Titan. Not only did a large source of the same lichen grow within, but also crystallized Will of the Earth. As their research had still come up empty, the GDF assumed the Will of the Earth was the key to creating the Red Lichen. With the sheer amount of Will of the Earth inside, the GDF theorized Massacre would attempt to come here upon his arrival to the area.
The heroes then created a trap for Massacre; installing power dampeners throughout the cave while fighting through the creatures that called the cave home. In addition to the trap, the heroes also obtained Crey's defoliating poison as a backup should the dampeners not be enough. Not long after the final preparations were made, A.V.I. alerted the heroes that Massacre had finally arrived in Eden.
The battle raged throughout Eden as the crazed symbiote monstrosity proved able to withstand immense damage and also siphon off parts of his form to create innumerable decoys. Using the defoliating serum along with any group attacks they could muster, the heroes were finally able to push Massacre into the power dampening trap inside the Will of the Earth cave. The trap ultimately worked as intended and the Red Lichen retreated; Arthur Stotch was once again in control of his actions and teleported to the Beacon's power dampening detainment cell.
After a round of questions regarding the origins of the African research lab and who the Foundation was, Arthur was eventually placed into United Nations custody. If the Foundation had the means to not only procure Tellurian Plague from Praetorian Earth but establish a facility in Africa, they may prove to be a big problem the GDF would have to deal with sooner rather than later.
Released August 2020
Sunstorm alerted the Global Defense Force to attacks that were occuring at numerous Council bases; specifically bases housing Nictus and Kheldian technology. During their investigation, the GDF was drawn into battle with both Arakhn and Requiem before the true culprits revealed themselves. A force of new Void Hunters outfitted with extremely powerful Quantum Array Rifles attacked the GDF although ultimately they were unsuccessful in their ambush. During the ensuing chaos, the GDF was able to obtain one of the rifles which they took back to the Beacon for analysis.
A.V.I. alerted the heroes sometime later and pointed them toward a village in Eastern Europe where the AI had found the manufacturing spot for the rifles. As they investigated the village, the GDF uncovered the mine where the Void Hunters were forcing the villagers to mine for the rifle materials. Upon saving the village, the GDF were pointed to a company known as 'N-Corp'. Investigating N-Corp's office led them to stop more Void Hunters from destroying it but also found themselves in a secret sub-level below the office. Upon investigating further, they were met with a taunting message from Victor Ivanoff, the head of N-Corp. Ivanoff then unleashed his latest creation, Darkforge, on the Global Defense Force.
The GDF did not have long to figure out what the Darkforge was as they were soon called to deal with a prison break at the hands of both the Council and 5th Column who were looking to free their respective leaders. As the attack on Zigursky continued, N-Corp made their move and were able to capture both Nictus. The GDF followed the Void Hunters to a Russian N-Corp facility where the Council had tracked Arakhn to be. Inside the facility, they fought their way through the Void Hunters and Darkforges and were able to free a retired Russian hero known as the Soviet. Taking the GDF back to his base, Guardian was able to give the heroes more information on Project: Darkforge, mainly the fact that they were all cloned from 'NE-M.King', which the heroes concluded that they were cloned from Starforge himself. Unfortunately, they were also left with a message that Arakhn and the Council also had this information.
Taking a small detour on their investigation to stop Arakhn, the GDF enlisted the help of the Freedom Phalanx to help save Paragon City. As Arakhn was defeated, the GDF uncover the flash drive they deduced housed the information she downloaded from Guardian's base, however it turned out to be a message from the mysterious 'S'. 'S' pointed them to an alternate dimension where they found Victor Ivanoff had just left but were able to triangulate his position and teleport to the main N-Corp facility.
Doing battle with Ivanoff, the GDF manage to finally defeat him but not before coming face to face with the source of N-Corp's Nictus and the true source of the Darkforges, Starscourge. Starscourge was revealed to be Starforge's doppelganger from Nictus Earth and the genetic template the Foundation had given N-Corp to use. The GDF ultimately defeated the Nictus and drove him back to his home dimension. Not only did the Foundation appear to have the capability to conduct genetics testing and now cloning but this event also confirmed they had the power to reach various alternate dimensions.
Released February 2021
The GDF are called to help bring an end to the conflict between General Tanambe and Queen Dahlia of Natumbe. Tanambe has somehow obtained an army of War Walkers which he's using to take control of the region. Eventually defeating Tanambe and his army, the heroes attempt to somehow uncover the origins of the War Walker army. After ruling out the Council or Arachnos as sources of the War Walkers, the GDF turn to Alec Parson and the New Praetorians for help getting to Praetorian Earth.
Marauder leads the GDF through Devouring Earth-infested ruins before finding their way to the War Walker factory. Inside, the heroes find hints that the Foundation previously visited this factory during the collection of Tellurian Plague samples. After defeating the factory's Forgemaster, the GDF are suddenly shunted back to Primal Earth. The heroes are shocked to find it appears an attack took place in their absence. Rushing to find Alec, they find him badly beaten with a flash drive containing a message...from the Doom Society.
With the Doom Society back in operation, the GDF attempt to locate old allies that previously dealt with the Doom Society. One was James Grayson, otherwise known as Shadowbat. Learning that James was last seen in China, the GDF hurry to find him. Passing through a remote village, the GDF find references to the word 'Kirau' before they are pointed further into the forest. Encountering a group of warriors in the forest, A.V.I. is able to deduce that they belong to the Kirau Clan, old enemies of Starforge who were enlisted into the service of Victor Van Braun.
Exiting the forest, the GDF discover a mansion they find belongs to Van Braun, as various journals littered the area detailing his battles with the Palladium Sentry. Below the mansion, the GDF soon came face to face with Van Braun's chief lieutenant, the cyborg Turbushido. After a quick battle, the cyborg escaped GDF in pursuit. Inside, the heroes learn that Van Braun was invited to join a mysterious organization they theorize could be the Foundation. Ultimately, the GDF was successful in rescuing James from the the Kirau Clan and returned to the Beacon to inform him of the Doom Society's return.
The GDF are soon informed that Marauder has gone after the Doom Society alone. The GDF follow his path and do battle with the Torrent and Arsonist in Boomtown before the pair escape into the sewers. Inside the sewers, they find many strange, open canisters lining the halls. Eventually, the GDF are able to recover Marauder and after a quick skirmish with another Doom Society member, Ghoul, learn that they all fell victim temporarily to his toxins. Back topside, the heroes were quickly surrounded by a strange mechanical army. It was here that the Doom Society revealed took over the Praetorian factory to create their new Doombot army.
Despite the threat of the Doombots, A.V.I. is able to determine the source of the canisters used to house Ghoul's toxin. Traveling to a Sicilian warehouse said to be controlled by the Marella Crime Family, the heroes soon find themselves on a Marella cargo ship heading back to Paragon City. While on the ship, the heroes discover a rogue metahuman known as Instinct who reveals the Marellas traffic metahumans; his son being one of them. Prior to their arrival in Siren's Call, Instinct notes his son could temporarily negate the metagene.
Exiting to the surface, the GDF and Instinct were thrust into battle with Atom Bomb and Razorjaw. After the battle, a large explosion occurred nearby which blanketed the area in a thick fog. The GDF then found themselves in another nightmare scenario with a hoard of Ghouls approaching. Fighting their way through, the final Ghoul hinted at the Doom Society's real plan involving a mysterious 'Cure' but the heroes found themselves back in Siren's Call before they could learn more. During the battle, it also appeared the villains were able to capture Instinct.
Released April 2021
While the GDF focused on a countermeasure for Ghoul's toxins, they also learned from Fracture that the metahuman trafficking ring was controlled by a Marella lieutenant named Gravemind. The GDF are able to ultimately defeat Gravemind and uncover the location where the captured metahumans are being held. Fighting through the holding facility, the GDF are able to rescue the metahumans however they learn Instinct's son had been handed over to the Foundation while another four elemental-powered metahumans were sent to an undisclosed location.
The GDF return to try and figure out what the Doom Society's 'cure' is and how it relates to the Foundation. Unfortunately, they are quickly called back to Natumbe the GDF learn someone is disturbing the graves of the fallen Natumbe citizens from their recent conflict. After investigating a nearby tomb the heroes are attacked by the mercenary Killzone before a wave of reanimated Natumbe citizens approach. The GDF pursue Killzone into another crypt where upon defeat he tells them that the one behind the reanimation is named 'Sculptor'. Before he can divulge any further information, Dark Carver arrives to extricate the soldier. Eventually, the GDF finally face off with Sculptor although thanks to Dark Carver and Lasernaut, the Doom Society are able to escape with him intact. On top of that, a message from the Doom Society hints that the 'cure' they seek will be 'Doomsday' for the GDF.
The GDF are then called to London to attempt to rescue a former Crey geneticist named Richard Black. Black had received a 'Foundation Grant' to leave Crey and conduct his research into the metagene at a state of the art facility in London. After fighting through hoards of Doombots, the GDF eventually arrive at the research lab in search of Dr. Black. Inside, they find multiple notes that reveal Black was researching both negating the metagene and causing it to evolve further. They also indicated Black was completely unaware of the Foundation's true nature as they supplied him with constant test subjects. The GDF discovered the existence of 'Blanks'; the result of trying to negate the metagene which seemingly wiped out everything of what the subject once was. They also learned the Foundation had sent four elemental metahumans to Black to help evolve their metagene; likely the same ones mentioned in the holding facility. Unfortunately, the GDF are too late to rescue Dr. Black as Lasernaut once again appears to capture him.
Despite the failure to capture Sculptor and rescue Black, the GDF are quickly called by Scirocco to deal with rising Doombot activity in Cap Au Diable. While there, they uncover an unrelated plot by Dark Carver to take control of the Power Transfer System. During ensuing battles with Dark Carver, her identity is revealed to be James Grayson's sister; long thought to have died in the Doom Society's attack on the first GDF base in 2012. Shadowbat quickly comes up with a plan to subdue Carver where they learn that she has been an unwilling victim to Ghoul's toxins all these years.
The race to find a cure for the toxin comes to a head as Shadowbat comes up with a plan to capture any Doom Society member they can for the location of their base and Ghoul himself. The GDF are successful in defeating half of the Doom Society before uncovering the location of their holding facility thanks to Shadewarp, who reveals he was the one that assisted them with N-Corp. Inside, they are able to push back Ghoul with a temporary countermeasure before locating Instinct and Dr. Black. Before they can escape, the GDF come face to face with what appears to be the Doom Society's 'cure', Doomsday. The monstrous Blank, a result of the marriage between Sculptor's twisted body modifications and Dr. Black's research seeks to destroy the heroes but fortunately they are able to escape with the captives before the lab is brought down on the Doom Society's new monster.
Released July 2021
Despite the sudden appearance of Doomsday, the immediate threat the GDF must deal with is Ghoul's toxin. With half of the Doom Society in PPD custody, the GDF go to a local precinct to question Arsonist about the location of Ghoul's lab. Unfortunately, the precinct is attacked by Ghoul who infects the officers with toxin causing the heroes to fight to escape. To make matters worse, Ghoul has placed a multitude of toxin bombs throughout the area forcing the GDF to disarm them all before the citizens all become infected.
With the bombs dealt with Ghoul reveals his final gambit; infected members of the Freedom Phalanx sent to destroy the GDF. Thanks to some quick work by the heroes, the Phalanx are able to eventually come to their senses and Penelope Yin is able to look into their minds to find that Ghoul took them to his base to infect them. With the location finally in hand, the GDF infiltrate Ghoul's lab where not only are they able to create a full vaccine to his toxin, but the madman is finally stopped for good as well.
Before the GDF could celebrate their recent victory, they are alerted to an attack on the UN building in New York City. They find the place in chaos with civilians trying to escape the Doombot attack. As they try to clear the area, the GDF are ambushed by not only the returning Doomsday, but the sinister Sidesplitter as well. It quickly appeared Dominion had loaned out Doomsday for the clown's plot to defeat the GDF. After rescuing Jack Barrett from Sidesplitter, the GDF are forced into another confrontation with Doomsday. After appearing to defeat Doomsday and ensuring Jack Barrett was safe, the GDF refocused on finding Sidesplitter and stopping him. Dealing with Sidesplitter's personal army of Doombots, the heroes believe they have saved the city before a sudden shockwave rips through a multitude of nearby buildings: Doomsday had not only survived but evolved into a stronger form. Within the ruins of New York City, the GDF rushed to rescue trapped civilians while holding back Sidesplitter and Doomsday. Ultimately, they are able to stand their ground long enough for Lasernaut to arrive and extricate Sidesplitter and Doomsday.
After New York, similar attacks occured across the world with Doomsday carving a path of destruction that ends as quickly as they began. After investigating the recent attack sites, A.V.I. determines that all of these areas housed specific technology that could be used for portal technology. Following a trace of Nictus energy at the site of the most recent attack, the GDF are able to finally catch up to Shadewarp who escapes with the final portal component. The GDF eventually learn from the Rikti that Shadewarp was attempting to create the portal in the Rikti's own portal chamber. Inside, the GDF are finally able to stop Shadewarp and shut down the portal but not before the cyborg showed them what lurks on the other side: a giant alien being with a large army at his back. It appeared this was what the Foundation's true goal. Despite the timely arrival of Lasernaut to escape with Doomsday following another attack, the GDF are able to detain Shadewarp.
With Shadewarp defeated, the GDF focus on stopping Lasernaut. Recovering his tech from the Warzone, A.V.I. pinpoints his location where the GDF quickly defeat him. The heroes are also able to learn Sidesplitter's location from the fallen villain. Sidesplitter puts up a larger fight, even using his own specialized serum to transform into a monstrous form but the GDF are still able to stop him. With only Dominion and Doomsday remaining, the heroes are invited to a final battle in the Abyss. Surrounded by Devouring Earth, the GDF enter the final battle with the Doom Society and are not only able to soundly defeat Doomsday but also Dominion. The fallen leader leaves the GDF with one final hint to the whereabouts of the Foundation: the first member is back at the Praetorian factory.
Released October 2021
Arriving at the Praetorian factory, the GDF find research that shows the Foundation doctors, who were revealed to be Doctor Robotis and Quinton Deimos, experimented on Victor Ivanoff. Utilizing their lichen research with the Blanks, the off-shoot White Lichen was created. With Ivanoff as the host, the resulting symbiote was named 'Devastate'. Here the GDF also confirmed the name of the the alien seen in the portal: Conqueror. The GDF were ultimately able to stop both Devastate and Robotis with the former staying behind to ensure the self-destruction of the factory along with Robotis.
Returning home, the GDF were once again alerted by Scirocco that something was amiss. Victor Van Braun was set to meet with Lord Recluse about a potential partnership. During the ensuing battle with Lord Recluse prior to their meeting with Van Braun, the Foundation member revealed his true colors and ambushed both Arachnos and the GDF to defeat them in one fell swoop. It appeared while the Foundation would have allowed Recluse to maintain control of the Isles following Conqueror's arrival, that option was over now that the GDF had involved themselves. Van Braun was ultimately able to escape justice thanks to a last minute rescue from Deimos.
With Deimos utilizing a Nictus-like teleport for Van Braun's escape, the GDF had Farside quickly try and focus on the energy signature left at the battle site to see if they could locate a match. With luck, they found an abandoned lab in Russia. that appeared to have been used long before N-Corp or the Foundation. The GDF also discovered the existence of a Siberian lab that housed all of the remaining tech that was collected following the defeat of N-Corp. Inside the Siberian lab, the GDF quickly encountered Deimos' twisted amalgamation of N-Corp's Void Hunters outfitted with Doombot tech before finally reaching the man himself. As he ultimately revealed, Deimos had embedded fragments from Nictus Earth in a last ditch effort to stop the heroes but they were finally able to stop the madman. During his defeat, Deimos revealed that Van Braun would finish the Foundation's preparations for Conqueror's arrival...at Grayson Technologies.
Inside, the GDF were able to rescue James Grayson's business partner, Damian Royal, who claimed Van Braun was heading toward the testing level. Inside, the heroes were able to catch up to Van Braun however the villain escaped into a hidden sublevel; one even unknown to James Grayson. It appeared this sublevel was constructed in the period that Grayson was a captive of the Kirau Clan; with data entries from the Foundation referencing their mysterious leader and benefactor, 'Sovereign'. This sublevel also was found to house the culmination of all Foundation experiments, Project: Mutagen. Racing to stop Van Braun from releasing Mutagen, the heroes first located a terminal tracking an asteroid that had just entered the solar system before finding themselves in a vast cloning chamber.
Van Braun soon revealed Mutagen had already been released and sent to the Foundation's leader. Following a quick battle with Van Braun and one of the Mutagen monsters, the true leader of the Foundation revealed himself: Damian Royal. Royal proclaimed he not only had possession of Instinct's son, the genetic template for the Mutagen monsters; each with the power to negate the metagene of any metahuman they encountered. He also said Conqueror was nearing his arrival, wondering if the GDF would decide to stop the Mutagen army or stop the asteroid before it reached Earth.
With a choice needing to be made soon, the heroes had one final trip to make. Dominion had requested their presence with a plan to stop Conqueror. He revealed the creation of Doomsday was to defeat Conqueror should he actually arrive on Earth. He left the GDF with the option to release himself from Vanguard custody in order to use Doomsday to stop Conqueror.
Released December 2021
With no time to waste following Damian Royal's latest gambit, the GDF quickly split into two groups: one would head into space to confront Conqueror and his forces head on before they had a chance to reach Earth while the rest would remain behind and focus on stopping the Foundation's Mutagen clones from decimating Paragon City. With the space team making their way off-world, the remaining heroes quickly turned their attention to finding any information they could on the Foundation's latest experiments.
Shadowbat quickly leads the heroes to Damian Royal's office at Grayson Technologies to see if the villainous mastermind left any clues that may help in their efforts to stop the imminent Mutagen hoard. Eventually locating an encrypted file, the heroes discover that the main goal of the Foundation's experimental army was to depower as many metahumans as possible in preparation of Conqueror's arrival. With less available superpowered threats to deal with, the Foundation's complete takeover of the world would be that much easier; particularly with the heart of the superpowered community decimated. With this intel in hand, the GDF quickly rush to Atlas Park in order to inform city officials about what is coming and the threat posed to Paragon City.
Alerting the Freedom Phalanx about the Mutagen army, the city's other heroes rally to stop the clone army as they finally begin their descent into the area. Helping to fight back some of the initial hoards, the GDF are informed by AVI that a child seemingly matching the appearance of the Instinct's son was seen in the area of Skyway City. Quickly alerting Instinct of the possible sighting of his son, the heroes hurry to Skyway to meet up with the vigilante and continue their search. To their horror the heroes are shocked to see the area in ruins; hundreds of depowered heroes lay defeated at the hands of the Mutagen hoard. Making their way through the carnage, the GDF determine that the Mutagen path appeared to lead towards Faultline. The GDF make the disturbing calculation that the Foundation's real plan must be the infection of the city's water supply. With no time to waste, they rush toward the Faultline Dam where they also meet up with Instinct.
Fighting their way through the Mutagen army, the heroes proceed toward the dam where Damian Royal's own personal Doombots guard their leader. With luck, the robotic minions and the clone hoard are pushed back until the GDF finally come face to face with Damian Royal and Instinct's son. Not one to waste an opportunity to monologue, the leader of the Foundation congratulates the group on deducing his plan with the city's water supply. The marauding army was again a necessary distraction while he took care of their true goal personally. Warning the heroes that they were too late to stop him, Royal once again gave the GDF a choice: stop him or save the boy. Lunging toward his son, Instinct appeared to make the choice for them as Damian Royal made a quick escape while the metahuman boy was finally back with his father. Despite Royal's untimely escape, with Instinct's son safe, work on a countermeasure to Mutagen could begin.
The GDF then turned their focus to helping clean up the rest of the clone army and determine just how many heroes were depowered. Despite the defense of the Faultline Dam, the Freedom Phalanx reported severe damage to the Terra Volta power plant as well as word from Scirocco that a faction of the clones also tried to destabilize the Power Transfer System before Arachnos forces were able to stop them. In total, it appeared the Foundation were responsible for the depowering of approximately 50% of Paragon City's metahumans; a severe blow should Conqueror make it to Earth. With still no word from the space team on their own progress, the rest of the heroes ponder if they may ultimately need to take Dominion up on his offer...
Released March 2022
The group of heroes heading into space to confront Conqueror loaded themselves onto the GDF's shuttle to begin their trip toward the near edge of the solar system. Starforge had gathered as many of the GDF's heaviest hitters as possible; the best chance for Earth was stopping Conqueror before he could get there. Thanks to A.V.I. configuring the data from the Foundation lab, the GDF were on course with the asteroid ship believed to be carrying him.
After what seemed like weeks, the GDF finally appeared to reach the asteroid; just outside the orbit of Neptune. Touching down as quietly as possible, the heroes across the surface of the asteroid; searching for an entryway. Making note of the strange structures along their path, they eventually stop upon being attacked by a large force of alien beings. Noting that he's never seen this race before, Starforge deduces that Conqueror and his army must originate from outside the galaxy. As luck would have it, an entryway into the depths of the rocky vessel would open once the last of the aliens fell.
Now inside the ship, the GDF took note of the strange tech and crystalline structures lining the walls. Upon closer inspection, the crystals appear to resemble Nictus fragments; with nearby tech appearing to be Quantum Array Rifles. How could an extra-galactic force have access to such tech? Before the GDF could get answers to those questions, more of the alien army would attack, utilizing those very weapons. During the battle, the heroes would glean that they aim of the aliens were to push them toward a specific part of the ship. Too late to stop their enemy's goal, the GDF were soon alerted to the presence of two figures: an otherworldly man and woman. Cackling to themselves, the pair introduced themselves to the heroes as Senaath and the Matron; servants of their master, Conqueror. Welcoming the heroes to their domain, the pair allow the GDF a moment of respite before they determine if the heroes are worthy of an audience with their master.
Quickly overwhelming the surprised heroes with their otherworldly mental abilities, the GDF eventually are able to fight back and push their attackers deeper into the bowels of the ship. While Senaath used his powers to seemingly multiply himself, Matron attacked the GDF head-on; a sheer ferocity they had not witnessed first hand in some time. With the fight continuing despite no clear victor, the pair eventually stopped and congratulated the heroes. They had apparently fought well enough to be worthy of an audience with Conqueror. Motioning the heroes past, the GDF finally come face to face with the being they saw through that portal months prior: Conqueror. With a voice that almost shook the ship apart, the alien warlord slowly approached the heroes. Taunting the group that their plan to stop him from reaching Earth failed, a viewscreen appears next to them showing the destruction of their ship. They were now trapped and their only hope was Conqueror's defeat.
Not giving them the opening to begin, the cosmic giant showed remarkably fast speed and slammed Starforge into the floor as the rest of the assembled heroes began to barrage Conqueror with attacks. Shrugging off their attacks as minor annoyances, Conqueror picked up the leader of the GDF and heaved him across the area. As the fight continued, the heroes began to realize their attacks were having less and less effect; their foe then revealing the power-dampening tech running throughout his vessel. With Senaath and Matron joining him, Conqueror utilized a strange piece of cosmic technology to create a portal directly to Earth. Leaving in a flash, the heroes finally realized they were once again outplayed by the Foundation. They never had a chance to stop Conqueror and not only did they leave a smaller force behind on Earth, they themselves were trapped billions of miles from home.
Released May 2022
Unable to communicate with the space team and work on a Mutagen countermeasure taking longer than necessary; along with the sheer numbers of heroes currently depowered, the GDF realize they have no choice but to parlay with Dominion and agree to his terms. Making their way to the Vanguard holding facility, the leader of the Doom Society was overtly smug in his greeting; his own gambit had paid off in the end. Freed from his shackles, the master villain quickly suited up and guided the GDF to the blacksite where Doomsday was currently held.
Billions of miles away on Conqueror's vessel, the remaining GDF heroes were struggling to find a way to utilize the tech within to aid them in a quick return home. Their first focus was to turn off the power dampeners throughout the ship. Utilizing the small amount of power remaining, the heroes eventually caused enough damage where traces of their collective powers would slowly return. Starforge would turn toward Farside and Shadeknight in particular to work on a teleportation spell that may enable them to all get home. While they worked on that, Starforge attempted to contact the Guardian Collective as the ship would need to be stopped as well from continuing its path toward Earth.
Back on Earth, the heroes are led by Dominion to Doomsday's holding cell; the villain quickly freeing his monster from his frozen tomb. Awakened from his long slumber, the beast wasted no time in attempting to attack the heroes however Dominion was quick to talk Doomsday down and inform his minion that his true enemy would be here soon. As their luck would have it, A.V.I. immediately contacted the GDF to inform them that alerts were coming in from Paragon City that an alien invasion force had seemingly appeared out of nowhere to begin their quest to take the city. The heroes prepare to head back when Dominion informs them that he and his beast were heading directly for Damian Royal.
Once they were all back in Paragon City, the already ravaged city had little time to recover from the Mutagen assault as endless hoards of extra-galactic aliens made short work of the remaining heroes. Helping as many civilians get to safety as they could, the GDF hurried to follow Dominion toward City Hall; the likely spot where Damian Royal was hiding. Dominion apparently knew his former ally well as Doomsday made quick work of the alien and Doombot forces to reveal Damian Royal. Gloating that it was too late and Conqueror would be back soon, the mastermind attempted to talk them out of stopping the invasion as it was necessary to stop an even greater threat beyond. Before more details could be shared, Royal was slammed into the ground by Doomsday and allowed into GDF custody.
Meanwhile in space, the GDF's mages were having little luck in opening a portal to get them home; the sheer distance proving to be the largest obstacle in their way. With no alternatives remaining, Farside decided to take a chance and ripped off a chunk from the crystalline structures in a nearby alcove. Assuming they could amplify his power like a typical N-Fragment, the heroes stood back as an otherworldly glow began to emanate from the dark mage's eyes before moving to envelop his entire body. Taking a moment to get used to the sudden surge of power, Farside bellowed for Shadeknight to amplify his own magic as another attempt was made to create a portal home. With the rest of the heroes helping anyway they could, their last ditch effort to return home and stop Conqueror began.
Released August 2022
With the defeat of Damian Royal, the GDF make their way to the Rogue Isles, where Conqueror was last spotted. Arriving in Grandville they find nearly the entire Arachnos army engaged with the aliens. As they get closer, Doomsday launches himself toward the top of Recluse's tower where the heroes find a strange pair of aliens surveying the carnage. Dominion deduces they are Conqueror's lieutenants, Senaath and Matron. An all out battle begins as Matron uses her immense strength to tackle Doomsday to the nearby beach below as Dominion begins a mental battle with Senaath. Assisting each fight, the GDF join in Doomsday's battle with Matron while also working to distract Senaath from Dominion's mental assault.
Before long, Matron appears to falter which is the only opening Doomsday needs to defeat her permanently. The rest continue their onslaught against Senaath who is revealed to be mentally masking Conqueror's current location while defending himself from the allied assault. Sensing his eventually defeat, the alien makes a quick escape with the heroes left standing in the ruins of Arachnos. Despite this, Dominion obtained the location of Conqueror from Senaath's mind. With the help of A.V.I., a worldwide broadcast is sent out for any heroes remaining to meet at the given coordinates; it was time to stop Conqueror once and for all.
Traveling to coordinates, the GDF find themselves on a small island mere miles off the coast of Paragon. Finally seeing Conqueror in person, Doomsday launches into a rage and the two behemoths start their battle for dominance. Standing in awe, Dominion scans the area for Senaath and mentally informs the GDF that this is their opportunity to attack. Senaath battled fiercly as his master continued his own fight with Doomsday. As the battle progressed, scores of heroes and villains alike made their way to the island. Enraged at the hubris of humanity, Conqueror quickly overcame Doomsday's assault; eventually putting the monster down permanently and tossing his lifeless body toward Dominion. Cackling, Senaath turns to attack the distracted supervillain. Before he can land his own killing blow, a gigantic portal suddenly appears overhead with a massive energy barrage vaporizing Conqueror's lieutenant. Taken aback by the attack, the warlord narrows his gaze as the dust slowly clears to reveal the return of the GDF's space team.
Glaring at the gigantic foe, Starforge reunites his whole team and immediately launches an all out assault on Conqueror. Fighting for near hours, the combined forces of heroes and villains alike gave everything they had to stop the alien invader; many giving their lives in the effort. The remaining magic-users, including a drained Farside and Shadeknight soon realized that at this rate, they didn't think defeat would be possible and began devising a plan to contain Conqueror. With no signs of stopping, they calculated that a pocket dimensional prison may be the only way to stop him but with them still recovering from the trip home, they'd likely only have one shot. Despite barely standing himself, Starforge attempts to rally the remaining heroes and villains. This was their last ditch effort to stop Conqueror once and for all.
Combining their efforts to stop the alien warlord, one final assault was launched; hoping it was enough to give the mages an opening. Despite the previous monumental losses, their plan ultimately succeeded; Conqueror was cast into a pocket dimensional prison where he would remain. With the conflict seemingly over for good, work on rebuilding the world began...with Starforge eyeing the site of Conqueror's defeat for a new base...and a memorial to those lost during the entire conflict with the Foundation and Conqueror. This memorial would eventually become the Hall of Heroes; standing as a reminder that Earth is not so easily invaded and that its defenders would give their lives to protect it.
GDF: Phase 2 - Age of Overseer
Released March 2024
In the aftermath of uncovering two previously unknown symbiote prototypes, Hunger and Rot, the Global Defense Force returned to the Tellurian Research Lab in Central Africa where their first discovery of the Foundation and their symbiote research began. It was this search that would put the GDF on a harrowing journey. Assisted by Arthur Stotch, the former host of the Foundation's Red Lichen symbiote, Massacre, they delved into the depths of the abandoned facility, discovering the dark secrets hidden within its sublevels.
Their exploration revealed the Foundation's experiments on Hunger, an energy-absorbing symbiote, and Rot, a dark undead symbiote formed from the union of Devouring Earth lichen and corpse. However, their mission took a treacherous turn when Hunger broke free and rampaged through the nearby nation of Natumbe, threatening catastrophe. With Natumbe's defenses deployed and the Global Defense Force in pursuit, a fierce battle ensued, culminating in Hunger's defeat but with a mysterious green glow hinting at its ultimate fate.
Following Arthur's guidance, the Global Defense Force journeyed to Eden, guided by the mysterious being known as Grovemind, a being with intricate knowledge of the symbiotes' origins. Together, they faced the threat of Hunger's resurgence, battling against Devouring Earth and a Crystal Titan sent by the Hamidon. Despite the challenges against them, the heroes prevailed. However, the danger was far from over.
With Grovemind's aid, the Global Defense Force tracked Rot to Siberia, accompanied by the Soviet, a former ally with a long-standing vendetta against the Foundation. Within the frozen confines of a former Foundation lab, they confronted Rot, but the battle took a dire turn when the Soviet fell under its sinister control. Amidst the chaos, Rot escaped, leading to a desperate pursuit into the depths of icy caves beyond the facility.
After a grueling struggle with the enthralled Soviet, the Global Defense Force emerged victorious. Turning their attention to the undead symbiote, the heroes prevailed in weakening Rot enough for Grovemind to transport it to his domain in Eden. With the aid of both Arthur and Grovemind, Rot's sickening power was fully contained with Grovemind's promise to do everything in his power to heal the monstrosity, just as he did with Arthur. With Rot and Hunger now contained, the heroes looked toward their next challenge: an ominous threat loomed on the horizon, one that would prove more dangerous than anything they had encountered before.
Releases May 2024
Coming soon!
Releases July 2024
Coming soon!
GDF: Phase 3 - Blood Oaths
Coming soon!
GDF Side Stories
GDF Character Spotlights
- GDF Spotlight: Nitroburst: During the initial battle with the intergalactic warlord, Conqueror, the Global Defense Force faced their strongest enemy to date. At a dire moment in that first battle, former GDF member Nitroburst attempted a massive release of energy in an ultimately futile attempt to stop the monstrous force. That expended energy did not return to Nitroburst, but instead vanished into the void of space; Nitroburst now stuck with a great deal of his potential stunted. Until over a year later...when the GDF finally picked up a trace of his energy matrix on their sensors. The resulting quest to return Nitroburst to his full power would bring the Global Defense Force into direct conflict with the cosmic barbarian, Legionbreaker, who was seeking the energy matrix for himself.
- GDF Spotlight: Antivenom: Following his defeat in 2021 by the Global Defense Force, the villainous clown Sidesplitter was left broken, depressed and convalescing in a mental hospital just outside Paragon City. Under the direct supervision of Dr. Lorena Harlow, formerly known as the hero Antivenom, the now-mute supervillain was also attended to by Dr. Harlow's assistant Seraphina Marigold. Unknown to Dr. Harlow, Ms. Marigold was a fanatical worshipper of Sidesplitter; even crafting her own villainous persona, Mimesweeper. Thanks to Mimesweeper, Sidesplitter was broken free of the hospital in a naive attempt to 'get his funny bone back'. Despite their efforts, the new villain succeeded in returning Sidesplitter to his former glory and both remain at large to this day.
- GDF Spotlight: Homefront: Many years ago, Thomas Andrews was a lower-level scientist at Crey whose main task was assisting the senior technicians on 'Project: Captain Crey'; Crey's attempt to create their own Statesman. Unfortunately, Thomas eventually happened upon lab notes he wasn't meant to see and before he knew it, found himself as their next test subject. Ultimately surviving the experiments, Thomas gained super strength and invulnerability but before Crey's programming could be completed, he made his escape. Later becoming the hero, Homefront, Thomas would be vigorously hunted by Crey ever since. This hunt culminated with the unveiling of Crey's new "Crey Corps", a new faction of troops directly under the purview of Captain Crey himself. Alongside the Global Defense Force, Homefront would soundly defeat Captain Crey and remind the Countess that this obsession of hers was over.
- GDF Spotlight: Spinosaurus Wrecks: Coming soon.
GDF One-Shots
- Snake Charmers: Alerted to a series of museum heists across Europe by a group of villains calling themselves the "Medusa Men", the Global Defense Force learn the robberies are all coordinated by the mysterious "Madame Medusa" who has been searching some time for the "Blood of the Gorgon". Despite their best efforts, the Global Defense Force were ultimately too late to stop Madame Medusa's henchmen from obtaining her prize. To the horror of the GDF and even the Medusa Men, their fanatical leader transformed into a horrific monster following her consumption of the Blood of the Gorgon; her devoted minions quickly turning into zombie-like stone men. Undeterred, the Global Defense Force fought back against the supervillains to bring them to justice. To date the Medusa Men and their leader remain in a European prison.
- Dark Matter: Following up on a lead they uncovered dealing with the Crey Corps, the Global Defense Force found themselves traveling to London, England to locate Dr. Sebastian Genevieve. As the GDF would find out, Dr. Genevieve had worked briefly as a consultant for both Crey and the Foundation; his main goal at the time being to secure funds for his "Dark Matter" research. Genevieve's discovery of a "Dark Matter Dimension" fueled him with an unhealthy obsession of the strange energy; such as the infusion of Dark Matter into a Rikti test-subject. During their search of Dr. Genevieve's lab, the GDF would finally meet not only the man himself, but also the Rikti test subject he codenamed "Protoform". Attempting an escape into the Dark Matter Dimension, the GDF gave chase; ultimately trapping Protoform in the dimension while escaping with Dr. Genevieve in tow. To date, access to the Dark Matter Dimension remains sealed.
Allies & Enemies
Allies
- Jack Barrett: Currently serving as the Global Defense Force's United Nations liaison, Jack Barrett has been an ally of Starforge's for nearly 15 years. During his days as a detective with the Paragon Police Department, Jack Barrett first met Starforge when he was with the Palladium Sentry and in the midst of the initial Dark Carver investigation. Many years later, Jack is still one of the GDF's most important civilian allies.
- Fracture: John Roberts wasn't always an ally of the Global Defense Force; in fact, he used to be one of Starforge's most dangerous enemies. Originally under the moniker of "DarK Carver", John Roberts did battle with Starforge, Jack Barrett and the Palladium Sentry in the years before the forming of the Global Defense Force. Thanks to their combined efforts, Dark Carver's connection to the dark energy of the Netherworld was severed; finally allowing John some much-needed mental clarity. Falling out with the Doom Society in late 2012, John Roberts would resurface years later under the name "Fracture". Oftentimes assisting the GDF with operations in the Rogue Isles or overseas, Fracture has been attempting to atone for his past every opportunity he can get.
- Justice Squadron: Led by Icon, the renewed Justice Squadron are a powerful group of heroes in their own right with very similar goals to the Global Defense Force. Entering into a formal partnership in early 2024, the GDF see Icon and her team as a good resource to call on should they ever face a threat that may be too much for the GDF to handle themselves.
- The Dark Horses: Another group of heroes that the Global Defense Force entered into a partnership with in early 2024, the Dark Horses a newer group that has their focus on the streets of Paragon City specifically. Led by Dwarf, Starforge has great respect for the tight-knit comradery he's seen the Dark Horses showcase in their few meetings thus far.
- The Arch-Mage: Coming soon.
Enemies
- The Doom Society: Formed back in 2012, the Doom Society have been the primary antagonists of the Global Defense Force since then. Led by the devious Dominion, the Doom Society achieved their first great success in the destruction of the GDF's original space station in late 2012. Following the reassembling of the GDF years later, the Doom Society quickly got back to work in order to stop their greatest enemies once more. This time with an expanded roster of fiends and villains and the back of the Foundation, the new Doom Society took the fight to the Global Defense Force once more. Currently, all known members of the Doom Society are imprisoned...however they always seem to make a reappearance when the GDF least expect it.
- The Foundation: The enigmatic organization known as the Foundation was first discovered by the Global Defense Force in early 2020. Since then, the GDF uncovered a multitude of their endeavors which included cloning, gene splicing, interdimensional travel, symbiotic research, and robotics; all of which culminated in their plot to serve Earth up on a silver platter to the intergalactic warlord known as Conqueror. Despite throwing everything they could at the GDF, the Foundation was ultimately stopped with its few remaining members currently behind bars.
- Conqueror: Coming soon.
- Overseer: Coming soon.
- Legionbreaker: Coming soon.
- Archvile: Coming soon.
- The Covenant: Coming soon.
The Beacon
The Beacon is the name of the orbiting base of the Global Defense Force. A large number of technicians are employed to manage the regular maintenance necessary to keep the Beacon functional. Due to destruction of the original base by the Doom Society in 2012, security has been heightened greatly on the Beacon; members of the Global Defense Force are given communicators that allow them to access the teleportation network set up by AVI to allow them access to the base from any location. Those allied with the Global Defense Force are also granted clearance to access the base.
Base Layout
Room Descriptions
The Hall of Heroes
The Hall of Heroes was constructed on the site where the Global Defense Force and their allies had their final climactic battle with the alien warlord known as Conqueror. Initially built to serve as a memorial honoring all the heroes lost in not only that battle itself but also the various Foundation-aligned plots directly preceding, The Global Defense Force also utilize the Hall of Heroes as their secondary base of operations on Earth. Recently, the GDF have opened up the Hall to tourists and visitors interested to learn more about the GDF and their over 10-year history in defending the planet.
Base Layout
On the edge of the island, a small ferry port and parking lot allow for a multitude of tourists and visitors to come and go from the Hall. Right across from the port, visitors can find a half-dozen food vendors and fountains lining the lower plaza outside the Hall. Moving up the main stairs, visitors are greeted by the large memorial reflecting pool; a monument honoring the lives lost during the Global Defense Force's conflict with Conqueror and the Foundation.
Moving inside the main building, the main entrance level of the Hall houses a museum containing a great many items that tell the story of the GDF's adventures over the past twelve years. A small lounge and training room line each side of the museum with a pair of elevators on either side of the main door. The lower level of the Hall contains a small library, cafeteria and secondary training room. The upper level of the Hall is where senior members of the Global Defense Force have their offices as well as a small assembly hall. While the lower two levels are available for guests to visit, the upper floor is accessible only by members of the GDF and their heroic allies.
Finally, a small elevator behind the assembly hall leads to the GDF's secure sublevel that serves as the Hall of Heroes' command center. Reflecting the same tech as on the Beacon, the command center is lined on each side by a hangar and a medical lab. Past the medical lab is a highly secure teleport bay housing the only known entrance to the interdimensional prison where Conqueror is currently held in confinement.
Room Descriptions
Team Members
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|---|---|---|
| Founder Starforge | ||
| Team Leaders Arsenal • Farside | ||
| Global Defenders Antivenom • Fort • Homefront • Shadeknight • Shadowbat • Silver Twilight | ||
| Defenders Afterglow • Arvo • Ash Maiden • Botanica • Cloudkeeper • Cymone • Dragonstrike • Ever Star • Farwalker • Jaeger Mistmourne • Moonbeam • Nightborn • Psychic Fox • The Silversaint • Spinosaurus Wrecks • Steel Shield • Wind-Rider | ||
| Members All Muscle • Aria Sound • Expert • Gloombug • Godspark • Gridiron Goliath • Mass Impact • Moonlight Medallion Mr. Blank • Nova Starstorm • Pulson • Radiotracer • Sir Winter • Universal Knight • Will o' the Wisps | ||
| Reserve Members Bolty • Chimera Girl • Lumix • Nebuleia • Ultrastar | ||