Welcome to TiddlyWiki created by Jeremy Ruston, Copyright © 2007 UnaMesa Association
Are a one-point disadvantage. Examples are "Never without a Tom Clancy novel"; or "Wears purple everyday"; or "Won't drink wine". They are nothing more than 5 character definers.
''A''
[[AEGIS]]
[[Ankylosaur]]
[[Anvil]] (Masque)
[[Maria Apperson]]
[[Arsenal]] (The Legion)
[[Asp]]
[[Avrio Industries]]
[[Axe]] (Masque)
''B''
[[Battle of Detroit]]
[[Rod Bellar]]
[[Black Hammers]]
[[Bloodhounds]] (Cardinal Bane)
What is AEGIS: Formed after the destruction of Detroit by Doctor Destroyer, AEGIS is the US government’s primary response agency. It is new, having only been fully funded and staffed for the past two years.
AEGIS is divided into four divisions:
- ''Operations Division:'' The largest and most diverse of the divisions. Operations is responsible for combat, logistics & supply, ... .Their symbol is a red and white shield.
- ''Technical Division:'' The next largest of the divisions. Technical runs is responsible for maintenance of most AEGIS equipment as well as Electronic support. Their symbol is a orange and white shield.
- ''Investigation Division:'' Investigations are (normally) plain clothes agents who investigate crimes which fall under AEGIS' jurisdiction. Their symbol is a blue and white shield.
- ''Medical Division:'' In the growing field of superhuman physiology, AEGIS has taken the lead. Their medical division works with hospitals around the country trying to provide extra help when necessary. Their symbol is a green and white shield.
Other items of Note
- ''Special Operations:'' Some AEGIS Opertaions combat units are designated "Special Operations". These include one (or more) AEGIS special units. These units are:
-- [[Pericles Agents]]: Units are mounted on fast moving jet cycles. The Jet Cycles are capable of flight at speeds exceeding 600 mph, limited to 150 mph in enclosed space (like a city).
-- [[Hercules Agents]]: Units are encased in heavy armor. They are slow moving but pack a powerful punch.
- [[The Mountain]]: The Mountain is set to deploy specially trained agents from each Division. Everyone stationed at the Mountain will have the white portion of their symbol replaced with black.
''Hunter Status:'' AEGIS should be considered As Powerful with ''NCI.''
''Contact Status:'' As a base, AEGIS is considered to have Extremely Useful Skills (+3), Access to Major Institutions (+1), Organization (x3).
A typical work-for-hire supervillain, Ankylosaur is dressed in a powerful battlesuit that gives him an array of powers and stiff defenses. His real name is unknown, and it is believed that more than one man has worn the armor.
The armor is reputed to be the work of [[Devilfish]] and -- if so -- is among his finest work.
Ankylosaur wears a suit of steel grey powered armor patterned after the dinosaur of the same name. Sharp spikes stud the shoulders, gauntlets, helmet, and other parts of it, and it has an artificial tail, with a large spiked knob on the end, attached to a backpack-like structure. The tail functions as a grenade launcher as well as a way to smash superheroes.
''Hunter Status:'' Ankylosaur rarely hunts anyone.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Ankylosaur has Useful Abilities (+1).
(c) Hero Games
Anvil (aka, Bobby McManus) is a long-time friend of [[Axe]]. They go back to childhood and share the experience of getting their superhuman abilities at the same time. McManus - never a very popular or overly intelligent kid - fell in with the popular and smart Peter Morelli ([[Axe]]) and as teenagers they got into a lot of trouble.
Anvil proved his loyalty for his friend by pulling 3 years in juvie for a crime that Morelli committed. When he got out, he and Morelli moved west to get try and earn a position in LA. They got work with [[Card Shark]] before signing on with [[Masque]]. She uses them as her primary enforcers.
McManus is very happy in the roll of leg breaker and has little ambition to rise above that level. His lack of ambition make him a very useful pawn for both [[Axe]] and [[Masque]].
Anvil is superhumanly strong and tough. He stands about 8 feet tall and weighs around 350.
Anvil wears a light gray and dark blue body suit with no arms. His face is covered with a half-face mask that comes up from the body suit; his hands are covered in dark blue short gloves. He wears dark blue combat boots. Around his waist is a large, metal studded belt (but that is normally concealed by the length of chain).
''Hunter Status:'' Anvil does not hunt.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Anvil is considered to have Useful Skills (+1).
Member of [[The Legion]]. Arsenal is a weaponmaster. His weapons of choice are usually thrown grenades; he also carries a set of escrima sticks and he is very skilled in their use.
Asp (aka, Alice Malik) is a superhuman hitwoman. She works mostly for Asian crimelords; but has been known to freelance for anyone who pays enough (and she does not come cheap). Already possessing top human fighting skills, she had her body remade in Chiba City by a man known only as [[Doctor Razor]]. Reportedly, she had both of her eyes and arms replaced and significant musculature added to her torso and legs. It is also believed that other organs were replaced or enhanced.
Her hands are equipped with retractable razor nails and a venom sack was implanted between the index and middle fingers of each hand and venom glands were implanted in the pad of each hand.
Alice Malik is a beautiful woman. She is short and slender (but her cybernetic implants cause her to weigh more than she should), with jet black hair and typical Persian features. Her eyes are completely black – she normally wears sunglasses to hide this.
Asp wears a burnished copper colored body suit with black gloves, belt and boots. Her face is covered, except for the top of her head. Her gloves do not cover the tips of her fingers. Asp moves quickly and with grace. She almost never stops moving in combat.
(Originally Avrio Aerospace) was founded by Thomas Morgan 15 years ago. It made an early name for itself with its design improvements on the Space Shuttle and several military helicopter projects. Today it is best known for designing weapons system, personal protection and armor, and transportation systems for Aegis. Their biggest project to date is the building of [[The Mountain]] prison facility near Denver.
Axe (aka, Peter Morelli) is one of Masque's better known underlings. The son of a New Jersey Crime boss, Peter considers himself a "Mafia Prince" and normally acts like it.
Axe is superhumanly strong (though not as strong as [[Anvil]]) and resilient. He wields a specially constructed, nearly-unbreakable axe with deadly skill.
Axe wears a black pants and shirt with a red belt, boots and gloves. He normally wears a black leather jacket with lots of metal buckles. Axe wears a black half-face mask that ties in back. Over that he wears specially made glasses ([[Anvil]] wears a pair exactly like it). The glasses have mirrored lenses and metal frames. They are very distinctive. He usually wears his axe strapped to his back. His gloves and bracers have metal studs on them – he often uses those studs to block incoming attacks.
''Hunter Status:'' Axe is considered As Powerful, he does not have ''NCI''.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Axe is considered to have Very Useful Skills (+2), Significant Contacts (+1), It is unlikely that a character would have a good relationship with Axe.
8 to 10 June 2003 -- more to come
Creations and guards for [[Cardinal Bane]] no one is certain if they were once men or dogs who became these creatures. From all accounts, they are not werewolves (they seem to have no vulnerability to silver). Bloodhounds are slightly more smart than an animals; but not smarter than a man. They do maintain a predatory mindset; seeking to attack the weak and staying away from the strong until an advantage is achieved. They have an uncanny sense of smell and (once they have a scent) can track it.
They can walk up-right, but when they run - it is on all fours.
They look like very large dogs. About 3.5 feet high at the shoulder; when "standing", they are 5'10". They would seem to weigh between 200 and 250 pounds. Their fur/hair some shade of brown or gray. They have glowing, yellow eyes. They attack with their forelegs (arms) and hard claws on each paw/hand; and they also bite with their powerful mouth and sharp teeth. Their most lethal attack is a pounce and chew. Both policemen they killed were killed like this. The pressure from the pounce itself nearly caved in their chest - and then their throats were ripped out.
''C''
[[Card Shark]]
[[Card Shark, the Organization]]
[[Cardinal Bane]]
[[Chimera Virus]]
[[Crius]]
''D''
[[Defenders]]
[[Denver City Government]]
[[Denver Criminal Underworld]]
[[Devilfish]]
[[Doctor Destroyer]]
Fourteen months ago, no one had heard of Cardinal Bane. Fourteen months ago, no one had heard of [[Rush]] either. Then, two of Denver teens detonated themselves at a North High School during the half time of a football game. Denver Criminalists found trace evidence of an unknown substance in the kids blood; they also found that their genetic code was no longer human.
Rumors flew, hushed names were spoken and soon people began to hear of a man who said he could make you fly - or strong. His name was Cardinal Bane and all he required of you -- well that would be telling. While he tries to pass himself off as a quasi-religious figure, in fact he has become the leading source for illegal drugs (and the crime that comes with them) in Denver.
His most famous creation are his [[Bloodhounds]] - mutated dogs with just enough intelligence to take orders and enough viciousness and cunning to rip out a targets throat. They act as guards at all his drug houses and have killed two policemen when they tried to bust the house.
Cardinal Bane is a tall (6'1"), thin Hispanic man. He wears a red suit, with a black shirt and red tie. His face is normally concealed by sunglasses and his long, black hair. He has a beautifully cruel smile and a voice that seems to hold contempt for the entire world. Cardinal Bane usually walks with a walking stick that he can expertly use as a weapon.
''Hunter Status:'' Cardinal Bane is considered More Powerful, he does not have ''NCI.''
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Cardinal Bane is considered to have Very Useful Skills (+2), Significant Contacts (+1). It is unlikely that a character would have a good relationship with him.
''Overview:'' I’d like to see fully realized characters and not just a collection of powers. Characters should have motivations.
''Base Points:'' 225
''Disad Points:'' 125
''Max Disads from Any Category:'' 50
[[''Quirks:'']] Maximum 5 points in quirks (1 point each)
''Required Disads:'' Code v. Killing (at least 5 points); Secret ID (15)
''Other Required:'' Everyone is required to take either [[Package A]] or [[Package B]] -- depending on what the team decides. Everyone will take the same package. Total Cost: 2 points
Generally, we are using the Hero System Fifth Edition Revised. For changes from that, please see the [[House Rules]]
''Special:'' If you are planning one of the following please contact me before starting your build: Alien, Power Armor, Mentalist, "Super Agent turned Super Hero".
An excellent source for character disadvantages is Jack Butler's Master List of Disadvantages found [[here|http://www.globalguardians.com/masterlistwiki.html]].
The Chimera Virus is a biological weapon with a very rare side effect. In minimal doses, it causes sickness; in moderate doses, it is lethal. In the most rare of cases (less than 1 per 10,000), it places the victim in a coma and when they awaken -- they have superhuman powers. The virus is thought to have been created out of research from the Nazi "Potent X" project - that was thought to be stolen from the U.S. military by the [[Powers of Ten]].
In March of 2006, the virus was released in Atlanta at the Centers For Disease control and at the Atlanta Underground - killing hundreds. Later, samples of the virus were being transported to Cal Pacific Medical Center were stolen and then accidentally (AEGIS note: Best intelligence guess - it was an accident) got into an air supply at a YMCA in San Francisco killing 57.
Based in Los Angeles, the Defenders were composed of Lightning Rod (speedster), Paladin (power armor), Maelstrom (martial artist), Rockhead (earth-elemental brick), Eightball (weapons expert), Capricorn (mage), and later Atom Knight (power armor) joined the team, and Lightray (light projector) replaced Capricorn.
During the Battle for Detroit, Atom Knight, Eightball and Rockhead were killed. Paladin and Maelstrom suffered life-changing injuries and retired. Lightening Rod (as [[Rod Bellar]]) went on to help create and lead AEGIS. Lightray left earth and hasn't been seen or heard from since.
In the 1980s, operating in Cold War Europe, Jason Fisher was a arms dealer and arms creator. He used the buying power of both eastern and western powers to fund a small empire for himself. With the end of the Cold War, he began to focus more on high tech solutions for superhumans and superhuman wannabes.
He is now considered one of the premier weaponeers in the world. Operating out of bases in the States, Algeria and Singapore, he outfits those who can afford his wears - no matter which side of the law they happen to be playing.
Jason Fisher is a man in his late 50s with gray hair and cruel smile. He is nearly sociopathically professional; never wanting to know anyone's identity other than their mask, always paid via electronic wire transfers to banks in countries without regulation, and *always* coming through with what he has promised to deliver.
''Hunter Status:'' Devilfish does not hunt.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Devilfish has Very Useful Skills (+1), Significant Contacts (+1). He likes to maintain a professional relationship with his clients and is unlikely to have either a positive or negative relationship modifier.
''Note:'' Devilfish has a large collection of contacts and favors from people for whom he has done work.
Somewhere in Chiba City is a man known in the underworld as Doctor Razor. Razor - formerly an American scientist named Nathan Rash - was a respected researcher and engineer until his experiments with cybernetic implants on numerous homeless people had his arrested. However, his research had been done. He arranged to be secretly transported out of the States and had a new identity created for himself.
He is one of the world's preeminent experts in the field of Cybernetics and superhuman physiology. He is protected by his powerful clients.
''Hunter Status:'' Doctor Razor does not hunt.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Doctor Razor has Very useful skills (+2), Significant Contacts (+1). He frequently does follow-up and replacement work on his former clients -- any former client should take "Good relationship" (+1).
Any power that is purchased with the Focus Limitation (IIF, IAF, OIF and OAF) are considered "mass market" (even if that market is "powerful wizards" or the "US Military"). As such, they have been studied and are understood by most any expert in the given field (ie, a correct roll with KS: Magical Artifacts or KS: High-tech Weaponry or KS: Alien Technology would allow someone to take it apart and figure out how to reproduce it).
These devices - when attacked with a negative adjustment power - take x2 effect.
Characters who wish to have one-of-a-kind equipment should create it as OHID (under the "focus that never gets taken away" clause).
''G''
[[GNN]]
[[Gigaton]]
''H''
[[Hercules Agents]] (AEGIS)
[[Hot-Sleep]]
The Global News Network is a 24-hour cable news service. Their home office is Chicago. They operate the following cable networks: GNN; GNN: The Front Page (headline news); GNN: Sports (featuring their Sports Recap show: Scoreboard!); GNN: Biz (covers business news) and GNN: Buzz (covers entertainment news)
GNN was founded and is still run by [[Vega Morrison]] in 1979 and was one of the earliest cable networks. Over the past few years, Vega has pushed back several take-over attempts by larger companies. She help GNN maintain it's independence -- despite conservative protestations to the contrary.
''Importance of Player Characters:'' Very Important. They will be responsible for protecting several western states.
''World Description:'' The year is 2007. This game takes places in a super-hero version of our own world, many elements from the Champions Universe have been lifted (some that have not: PRIMUS, VIPER, UNTIL). Some changes include: the destruction of Detroit; a technology level that is generally higher than our own (and in places much higher than our own).
''Local Relations:'' This will largely depend on the characters reaction to and working with the local and federal authorities; but they will start out as good and move from there.
''Morality:'' This is an Champions game. It will have some “Iron Age” elements but should be considered more “Gilded” than Iron. The government will start out helpful; the media will (for the most part) start out in support. However, their continued support will depend on the character’s actions. There will be hard decisions, where sometimes the wrong thing will be done for the right reason or the right thing for the wrong reason. These types of conundrums won’t be everyday things, but they will happen.
''Realism:'' Not all that real. People will fly; aliens might invade; robots will talk and try and take over the world. Death is possible (despite the system being rigged against it). Should character death happen, I will work with the player to make sure that it is not meaningless.
''Outlook:'' Mostly success, some failures. Failure can come in many ways (moral, actual defeat, PR problems, etc.) and when it happens; it will be a story point to be played out. Hope cannot exist without the risk of failure.
''Seriousness:'' This is a superhero fiction story. There will be serious times, but there will also be light moments. There will be balance.
''Continuity:'' As serial as we can make it. There will be times when the game will jump forward in time – but the characters will be expected to have their lives affected by events of past games.
Welcome to the Guardians game page. This is a Superhero game played using the [[Champions|www.herogames.com]] rules. To your left, you'll see several links to tell you about the game, the game world and how to play. Please enjoy.
''Update: 08 October''
- Changed Base Points to 225 in [[Character Creation]]
- Added a deadline (14 September) to the [[How To Play]] section
- Changed the [[House Rules]]
- Fixed a typo in [[The Set Up]]
- Edited in [[Who's Who & What's What]]
-- [[AEGIS]] Added their Hunter and Contact status
- Added to [[Who's Who & What's What]]
-- The [[Chimera Virus]]
-- [[Crius]]
-- [[Denver City Government]]
-- [[Grond]]
-- The [[Powers of Ten]]
-- [[Nameless villain group]]
Big -- Strong -- Tough -- Not very smart. Those are the four words at the top of Grond's [[AEGIS]] file. Sidney Potter was a small-time criminal until he was turned into the monster Grond. It is believed that he was one of the initial test cases for what would become the [[Chimera Virus]]. There is nothing left of Potter now - all the remains is a 12 foot tall, one ton monster. His skin green and scaly and he has four arms - each with four fingers (three and a thumb).
Grond was originally unleashed on Los Angeles. In his first rampage, he destroyed the I-5 from Glendale to the Mexican border before he was stopped by the [[Defenders]]. Grond is currently being kept in [[Hot-Sleep]] the La Tuna Federal Prison in La Tuna, New Mexico until [[The Mountain]] can be opened.
''Hunter Status:'' Grond does not hunt.
''Contact Status:'' Grond is not a contact.
© Hero Games, Conquerors, Killers, And Crooks
These agents are encased in heavy armor. They are slow moving but pack a powerful punch. Their armor is more bulky than power armor, it does not have the flexibility or the firepower of power armor. But compared to a normal agent (or policeman), it is a heavy fire platform. Hercules Agents are deployed in teams of three and almost always with support from the Operations Division. Each Hercules can operate at full combat tempo for about 10 minutes before re-charging. They can operate for about 2 hours in standard mode before re-charging.
''Primary weapons systems:''
- Force Lance: A beam of coherent energy sustained for a half-second. The beam does not burn, but acts as a long range "punch". The Force Lance is located on the chest of the Hercules Armor.
- Twin Linked Pulse Cannons: Multiple beams of energy fill the air. Not powerful enough to burn, the Pulse Cannons disrupt the electrical functions of the body causing pain. Pulse Cannons are mounted on each arm.
''Secondary weapons systems:''
- Capture Foam: Each Hercules unit carries three cannisters of the expanding and fast hardening foam. They are launched from a unit on the armors left shoulder.
''Movement systems:''
- Jump Jets: The Hercules unit can jump distances of 100 feet. They must land before they can take off again. The Jump Jets are located in the boots of the unit. They also have a stabilizing fin across the back shoulder. While jumping, they cannot use their Force Lance.
A method for keeping certain very powerful superhumans incarcerated. It involves using a chemical cocktail (varying from subject to subject) to keep the subject in an induced coma for the length of their sentence. Hot Sleep has been called Cruel and Unusual Punishment - but the Supreme Court ruled that it was allowable in the interest of public safety when "other means were incapable of keeping the subject incarcerated."
Hero System 5th Edition rules with the following changes:
- Mental Powers will not be subject to the “classes of minds” rule
- Elemental Controls: any power (other than special powers) that fit the “tight theme” will be allowed in an Elemental Control
-- Life Support costing more than 20 points (and fitting in a tight theme is allowed in an EC)
- Elemental Controls: Primary Characteristics in an EC must have the -1/2 LIM “No figured Characteristics” applied to their cost
- Variable Power Pools will be pre-approved and will be strictly monitored
- Martial Arts: Ranged Martial Arts are not allowed
- Martial Arts: Flying Dodge is not allowed
- Skills: Any skill with an optional cost structure will cost 3 points (Gambling, Survival, Navigation)
- “Professional Package Deals” will be allowed. They can have a maximum of 10 points worth of Disads that are applied to the cost of the package and not applied to your total Disadvantages
- Probably all Talents (from spalt-books) will be allowed in, but I reserve the right to decline them
- If you have an idea that relies on a stop sign power, please ask me first.
- New rules for powers purchased as Foci here: [[Focus Limitation]]
The deadline for submissions is 14 September 2007.
On the deadline, I would like the following:
1. Character background
2. The following writing sample: Please write a beginning to the meeting with Rod Bellar (see “Midnight, your city”).
If your character is accepted, I will ask you to provide:
1. Character sheet
2. A “turn zero” to include how you arrived at the meeting. The “Zero Turn” will happen while we’re getting everything set-up. Once things are set (character sheets approved and ready), we’ll move into “Turn 1” with some action. If you have a different idea for a "Zero Turn" -- please consult me. There is some flexibility.
''I''
''J''
[[Janissary]] (The Legion)
''K''
''L''
[[Laser]]
[[The Legion]]
[[Lightning Rod]]
''M''
[[Maelstrom]]
[[Masque]]
[[Mechassassin]]
[[Thomas Morgan]]
[[Vega Morrison]]
[[The Mountain]]
[[The Set Up]]
[[General Information]]
[[House Rules]]
[[Character Creation]]
[[How To Play]]
[[Our Heroes]]
[[Who's Who & What's What]]
[[Point Of View]]
[[Return to LCG Main Page|http://www.lostcoastgaming.com]]
A local reporter for WDL Television in Detroit, Maria made national news as one of the only reporters to consistently broadcast from Detroit during the battle and eventual siege of Detroit. Maria and Global News Network producer Peter Vleet worked together to get video that no one else had. Maria is now a top field reporter for GNN and has turned into an expert in covering superhumans.
Description: Maria is short, thin and perky. She has thick, long black hair, brown eyes and speaks with a southern accent. Due to her size and her perkiness, she is often underestimated; but has the uncanny knack of getting people to say things to her that they had no intension of saying.
''Hunter Status:'' As unlikely as it is that she would be hunting someone, she should be considered Less Powerful and with ''NCI''.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Maria is considered to have Useful Skills (+1), Significant Contacts (+1), Access to Major Institutions (+1).
''Point of View: [[Maria Apperson]] – Detroit War Journal (Part 1 of 3)''
[[GNN]] Broadcast, 8 June 2003, 2130 Local Time
The image that glued all America to their televisions was introduced by talking-head Glenn Henson.
Henson: What you are about to see is the only footage since the electronic blackout was thrown up over Detroit today at 1:00 local time. It is a compilation of news casts from throughout the day, put together by WDL reporter Maria Apperson and GNN producer Peter Vleet.
The footage you are about to see contains images of graphic violence and strong language; but we felt it was necessary not to edit this to give it the full effect.
Scene: In contrast with the coifed and made-up talking head, a small, lone woman stood against the background of a burning city. Her face was serious and her words belied her sweet, southern accent. She spoke in a rushed, and hushed tone – as if she was worried about being discovered. She was illuminated only by a single white camera light.
Maria Apperson: This is Maria Apperson and I am outside the City of Detroit. What you already know: around 10 AM today, [[Doctor Destroyer]] launched an attack on the city. The attack started with ten of his mechanized units – [[Black Hammers]] – attacking the [[Stronghold]] metahuman prison facility near Grosse Point and allowing for a general jail break.
Superheroes from around the Nation and Canada were called into to try and keep the escapees from getting to far away. A group of the escapees formed a gang and began to attack their way into the heart of Detroit. The Black Hammers – their work done – reportedly left the scene.
In the panic that followed, Destroyer landed a black, wing-shaped ship near the water front and descended into Lake St. Clair. Soon, some heroes were diverted from re-capturing the escaping Super Villains and sent after Doctor Destroyer.
Shortly after 1:00PM, members of the Protectors (from SF) and the [[Defenders]] (from LA) attacked the Doctor under the water. As that battle raged, an electronic blackout was thrown up over the city. The best guess of those we have spoken with is that this was the work of Doctor Destroyer.
The extended engagement – lasting until almost 5:00PM – was won by Destroyers forces.
Video clip: Destroyer and [[Gigaton]] fighting eight to ten superheroes below them – a black, bat-winged vehicle sits on the surface of the water. As other members of the Protectors and Defenders arrive – they join the battle. At one point there are as many as fourteen heroes attacking.
Apperson: It was here that Atom Knight became the first superhero to die at Destroyers hands. He was killed around 4:30 when an energy lance broken open one of his power packs and his suit went critical. He gained altitude and blew up in an impressive explosion.
Around the city, Destroyer agents fought against the Michigan National Guard and the Detroit Police. Lesser powered Superheroes have engaged escaped villains. But, the primary action has been around Lake St. Clair.
Rumors have been flying all day that the US Army and Air Force have mobilized – but we have not seen them this day. Destroyer agents – supported by the Black Hammers have lain siege to the city. Patrolling along a perimeter of more than 20 miles. We have seen the Black Hammers attacking air targets and we believe that they have established Detroit as a no-fly zone.
Video clip: Masked and armed Destroyer agents round up the citizens of Detroit, those who resist are butt-stroked or even shot dead. The video is from far away and is very shaky.
Video clip: People are being led through the gates of the indoor Ford’s Field.
The citizens of Detroit are staying hunkered down in their homes; but many of them have been taken at gun point to make-shift detention facilities at places like Ford’s Field and Comerica Park.
This is Maria Apperson – reporting from outside the City of Detroit. Good night.
A shadowy figure, rumored to be the leader of the [[Denver Criminal Underworld]]. She rose to power in the last 1990s; and is rumored to have heavy political connections. People say that she came from LA and has links to the powerful [[West Coast Mafia]] and [[Card Shark]]. She certainly enforced their brand of order on the Denver criminal element.
Only one photo exists of Masque, in that photo she appears to be a shapely woman with long, black hair. She's wearing a woman's business suit, and is holding a some kind of energy pistol. Her face is covered by a metallic, silver mask.
''Hunter Status:'' Masque is considered As Powerful and has ''NCI.''
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Masque is considered to have Very Useful Skills (+1), Significant Contacts (+1), Access to Major Institutions (+1).
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A psionic villain - probably of [[Varanyi]] descent. Orin delights in the torture and destruction of those who would defy him. He seems to be irrationally hunting "something" - though what that something is, is unknown. He seems to ramble on and on about "the lost treasure of Synflon".
His attacks tend to be limited to academics, especially historians, anthropologist and archaeologists (though he has taken math, physics and philosophy academics prisoner as well). His attacks have ranged all across the country; and the results are normally the same: the victim is left alive, but with damaged higher brain function and normally comatose.
Orin is bald and his head has three oddly shaped ridges. His eyes are a bit more round than most other people's. He normally wears a silver and blue bodysuit with strange symbols around the neck, down the arms and around the waist.
''P''
[[Paladin]]
[[Panzer]] (The Legion)
[[Pericles Agents]] (AEGIS)
[[Piledriver]] (The Legion)
The [[Powers of Ten]]
''Q''
''R''
[[Raptor]] (The Legion)
[[Doctor Razor]]
''The Independent Package''
''Gadget: Team Radio:'' Mind Link , Specific Group of Minds, No LOS Needed, Number of Minds (x8); Only With Others Who Have Mind Link (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense Hearing (-1/2), Does Not Provide Mental Awareness (-1/4), Incantations (Must speak to transmit voice; -1/4), IIF (-1/4), Sense Affected as Radio (-1/4) [Cost: 10 points]
''Perk: Contact:'' Thomas Morgan 11-. Contact has very useful skills and resources; Contact has significant contacts of his own; Good relationship with contact [Cost: 6 points]
''Perk: Money:'' $100,000 per year [Cost: 1 point]
''Disad: Monitored by Thomas Morgan:'' 11- (Less Pow, NCI, PC is very easy to find, Watching) [Cost: -10 points]
''Disad: Rivalry (Professional):'' With members of Aegis, seeks to Outdo [Cost: -5 points]
''The Government Sanctioned Package''
''Gadget: Team Radio:'' Mind Link , Specific Group of Minds, No LOS Needed, Number of Minds (x8); Only With Others Who Have Mind Link (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense Hearing (-1/2), Does Not Provide Mental Awareness (-1/4), Incantations (Must speak to transmit voice; -1/4), IIF (-1/4), Sense Affected as Radio (-1/4) [Cost: 10 points]
''Skill:'' KS: Federal Law Enforcement Protocols [Cost: 3 points]
''Skill:'' KS: The Superhuman World [Cost: 3 points]
''Perk: Contact:'' Thomas Morgan 11-. Contact has very useful skills and resources; Contact has significant contacts of his own; Good relationship with contact [Cost: 6 points]
''Perk: Contact:'' Rod Bellar 11-. Contact has very useful skills and resources; Contact has significant contacts of his own; Contact has access to Government agencies [Cost: 6 points]
''Perk: Fringe Benefits:'' Federal Police Powers [Cost: 3 points]
''Perk: Money:'' $100,000 per year [Cost: 1 point]
''Disad: Monitored by Aegis:'' 14- (As Pow, NCI, PC is very easy to find, Watching) [Cost: -20 points]
''Disad: Social Limitation:'' Subject to Orders (Occasionally, Major) [Cost: -10 points]
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POV is a section of the wiki where I will post various "In Character" posts from prominent or even non-prominent Non Player Characters.
''#1'': [[Maria Apperson: Detroit War Journal, 8 June 2003]]
This shadowy group's origins appear to be tied to the end of the Second World War; but very little seems to be known to them. "Potent X" was a secret Nazi project file that the Americans found when they were liberating a camp in Belgium. From declassified intelligence, Potent X was a biological, mind-control program. Despite thousands of human trials, the Germans were never able to make it work. The names of the scientists involved were redacted -- but it can be assumed that they were never tried for their crimes.
[[AEGIS]] has a very limited file on them. They are thought to be responsible for the creation of the [[Chimera Virus]] that was released by accident in San Francisco and as a biological attack in Atlanta in March of 2006; as well as the creation of the monstrous [[Grond]] and [[Crius]].
''Hunter Status:'' The Powers of Ten should be considered More Powerful, but without NCI.
''Contact Status:'' The Powers of Ten are not available as a contact.
Formerly Lightning Rod, member of the Defenders. The former speedster lost his powers during the Battle of Detroit. He is one of four surviving members of his old team. Bellar went onto become an advocate for AEGIS and was a unanimous choice for its first director.
From 1989 until 2003, Rod Bellar led a dual life as Lightening Rod. During that time he organized and led the Los Angeles Hero group [[The Defenders]]. On 10 June 2003, at the end of the third day of the [[Battle of Detroit]], Lightening Rod lost his powers out-running the blast wave that killed [[Doctor Destroyer]]. After the Battle, Lightening Rod unmasked and led the charge to form AEGIS. He was selected by the President and confirmed in a 100-0 vote by the Senate to hold that post.
Description: Director Bellar likes to wear the "duty uniform" of AEGIS; only wearing suits when absolutely necessary. He is in excellent physical shape. His brown hair is graying and thinning, though his brown eyes are still bright. He is clean shaven. Rod has been adjusting to his role as "agency director" and still has some trouble accepting that he is most everyone's superior officer.
Rod Bellar is married to Christine Bellar; they have one child - Chris.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Axe is considered to have Very Useful Skills (+2), Significant Contacts (+1), Access to Major Institutions (+1).
''S''
[[Savage]]
[[Stronghold]]
''T''
[[Tripwire]] (The Legion)
William Immergluck is a superhuman capable of transforming himself into a man beast whose codename is Savage. While Immergluck knows about Savage and can live through him while transformed, Savage knows nothing of Immergluck. Immergluck likes the power of being able to unleash the "beast within". As a human, he's average in most every way. He's not too tall or too fit. He's balding and sees himself as put upon by most everyone.
As Savage, he has no barriers. He's a stone cold killer without a conscious. Savage is a half-man/half-panther beast. He has thick black and gray fur and animalistic eyes. He walks up right; but stands with a stoop. When he needs to move fast, he can run on all fours – and can cover a lot of ground in short period of time. He has an amazingly fast metabolism that allows him to recover from damage quickly – even regenerating lost limbs or and eye. He is stronger, heartier and faster than most humans (or beasts for that matter). He has powerful arms and strikes with either clawed or non-clawed hands with great power. Savage also possesses heightened senses.
Immergluck / Savage act as hired muscle in the criminal community.
''Hunter Status:'' Savage is considered As Powerful with ''NCI''.
''Contact Status:'' Savage is not available as a contact.
''A Champions Game'' -- Andy Mathews, Game Master
Located outside of Detroit, Stonghold was the US superhuman prison facility until it was destroyed during the [[Battle of Detroit]]. Since it's destruction in 2003, the US has been building a better superhuman prison. When [[The Mountain]] opens in late 2007, it will be the replacement for Stronghold.
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Mercenary Supervillains, the Legion is led by the armored villain [[Panzer]]. Other members include: [[Tripwire]], Gadgeteer; [[Arsenal]], Weaponmaster; [[Raptor]], Speedster; [[Piledriver]], Brick; [[Janissary]] Energy Projector.
Past members have included: [[Utility]], Gadgeteer; and [[Laser]] Weaponmaster.
The Legion is wanted for several counts of kidnapping and crossing state (and national lines). They are also sought in for questioning in three murders.
It is rumored that the members of the Legion rotate in and out as needed (either due to incarceration or injury). It has been established that there has been more than one Arsenal.
''Hunter Status:'' The Legion will only act as a Hunter if there is a bounty on someone's head. Otherwise, they do their best to keep things professional. If they are - for whatever reason - tasked to hunt a character, they should be considered More Powerful and without ''NCI''.
Since the destruction of Stronghold (during the [[Battle of Detroit]]), the US has struggled with civil libertarians and the justice system to keep powerful superhuman criminals locked down. In April of 2004, [[Avrio Industries]] won the contract to build the new super-prison. After budget-cuts, political infighting and much discussion about what is the most humane way to house these criminals, the Mountain (located near Denver) is set to open in late 2007.
Once open, the facility will house 200 superhumans and has 25 [[Hot-Sleep]] units. In order to qualify for sentencing in this prison, the criminal must exhibit special powers that make a standard prison unable to hold him. The "special powers" rule may also be invoked for prisoners who have proven that a standard prison cannot hold him (escaping more than twice).
Set to open in March of 2008 is the Mountain's mental wing. It will have room for another 70 criminally insane superhumans and a specially trained staff of psychologists to work with this population.
''Midnight -- Your City''
It’s been a hard night. You’ve fought and chased and been hit for the past three hours. It’s always something (you think) as you take another mouth-full of asphalt. You pull yourself up to continue the chase, only to have lost contact with your prey.
You slap the surface in disgust.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.” A voice says in the darkness. A man steps out of the shadow, he’s tall and wearing a trenchcoat over some kind of jump suit. He carried himself like a fed.
“My name is [[Rod Bellar]].” He began, “Director of [[AEGIS]]. And, if you have time, I’d like for you to join me at this address and time.” He sets on the ground an [[envelope]] without markings.
“A friend of mine is putting together a team. We’ve been watching you some and think that you’d be a great asset.” He started then held up his hands, “This is not a government job; it’s private. I am only a messenger here.”
“There’s a phone in the envelope, it’s good for seven days.” He said, “If we don’t hear from you, we’ll assume that you are not interested.”
Sometime later that week – you decide to make the call ...
A woman’s voice answers, **Thank you for calling; this is a recording. The date and time for the meeting are as follows: 4PM Sunday September 16. Transportation from Grand Junction to the location will not be provided. Please – for everyone’s safety – wear your working clothes to the meeting. We look forward to meeting you.** The line goes dead.
Sunday September 16 – Anytime during the day. Outside Aspen, Colorado.
The house is a large private ski lodge. It is the only house within 5 miles and the only house on this mountain – which appears to be private land. Large windows overlook three sides, with the fourth side facing the mountain. There are no guards surrounding the house; for most of the day, there is only one man inside. He moves about freely, appearing to watch television for most of the late morning and afternoon. At 2PM, a government car pulls up and Rod Bellar gets out and enters the house. He appears to enter without the use of a key.
Sometime before or after 4PM
“My name is [[Thomas Morgan]].” The man said. He was very well dressed (if casually). He has well-groomed black hair that is showing some signs of graying. Morgan is 5’9” and around 130 pounds. Most of you know how he is, he is the Owner of [[Avrio Industries]]. “You have already met Director Bellar.
“Thank you for coming. I have a job opportunity for you.” The way he spoke gave some hint of his passion for what he was doing and his intellect. “But, before I go to far into this, let me tell you a little about myself – if you’re going to work for me, you should know who you are working for.” He leaned against a window and folded his arms as if gathering himself for what he was about to say.
“Seven years ago, Rod and I were both members of the Los Angeles superteam the [[Defenders]]. Rod’s involvement is common knowledge, mine is not. I was the armored hero known as Paladin. During the battle, my legs were destroyed and I was very nearly killed. Had it not been for some quick work from Rod and another of our teammates, I would have been.” He lifted the pant legs of his trousers – revealing a metal leg.
“I tried to get back in the armor after, but something in me broke that day and I’m just not able to fight the good fight anymore. However, I am able to do other things.” He smiled to break the tension. “My plan – our plan – I hope – is to create a team of Superheroes here in Denver. ‘The Guardians’ was the name that I had selected; but you are free to pick another. I would provide you with a base, a vehicle or two (probably a ground and air vehicle), communications and electronic support, logistical support should you desire it, and a salary of $100,000 per year. Rod?”
Director Bellar cleared his throat, “Aegis would provide you with training and – if you’d like – federal sanction. But that’s not necessary – it’s optional. We would like to work closely with you; as close as you’d like to work with us. But – the deal is a package thing – you will all take the sanction or none of you will. That’s up to you.”
Thomas spoke again, “The salary – you won’t work for Avrio or even me. You’ll work for the Guardians. I will set up a trust fund to pay you; it’s a blind trust – the people who work it don’t know who their client is and you won’t have access to the trust other than they monthly payouts.” He uncrossed his arms, “I realize that money seems ‘common’; but I have always found that if you didn’t get it spelled out in advance – someone will get pissy.”
“So – anyone have any questions? Anyone want to join up?” Morgan asked.
One of the most powerful and feared species in the Milky Way, the Varanyi rule a large region of space on the opposite side of the Galaxy from Earth, directly to spinward of the Velarian Confederation. And if the Varanyi have their way, the amount of space they control will continue to expand.
''VARANYI BIOLOGY''
Physically, the Varanyi are a brownskinned race who tend to be tall: 1.8 meters is the average height, and Varanyi up to 2.3 meters tall are not unknown. Most Varanyi are thin, with similarly slender limbs and digits.
The Varanyi have minimal facial features: their ears are barely noticeable, their noses equally small, and they have no feature corresponding to the lips on a Human. They have no hair (the Varanyi evolved from a warm-blooded reptilian sort of creature, not a mammal). However, each Varanyi has from zero to five symmetrically-placed bony ridges, known as “crests,” running the length of his scalp from front to back. The crests meet at a point between the eyes, immediately above the nose. The number of crests a Varanyi has determines not only his psionic powers, but his position in Varanyi society: the more crests, the more powers and the higher rank.
''VARAN, THE VARANYI HOMEWORLD''
The Varanyi homeworld, Varan, is a lush planet slightly smaller than Earth. It orbits a type F star and has a generally warm climate. Ocean covers 80 percent of the planet’s surface, and all 14 continents are quite small by Earth standards. This creates a warm climate due to the preponderance of coastal land. Belts of swamps, anchored and supported by a native species resembling the Terran mangrove tree, surround most of the continents. Varan has a population of only four billion, but the other planets in the system raise the total to 12 billion for the entire Varan system.
''VARANYI SOCIETY AND CULTURE''
The Varanyi empire is ruled by its most powerful psionics, who form a single dynasty that has held power for ten thousand years. The Sh’garothayn, or Emperor, and his relatives are the unquestioned masters of Varanyi society, with authority descending from them hierarchically. There’s a place for every Varanyi, and every Varanyi has his place... and each of them knows it.
The main division in Varanyi society relates to their head-crests. The more crests one has, the better one’s t’illk. T’illk combines some of the meaning of the human terms “mental serenity,” “class,” “status,” and “face”; it’s a hard concept for non-psionics to grasp fully, particularly since it’s possible for a Varanyi to lose (or more rarely, gain) t’illk and thus effect some change in his status.
Ties of ey’vidra, or “clan,” hold great importance in Varanyi society; a Varanyi writes his clan name before his personal name. As a result, nepotism runs rampant, and large clans or alliances of clans wield significant social and political power. The Varanyi have a total of 357 Varanyi clans — one for the entirety of the Ks’lch, and 356 for the crested Varanyi. Crested males may marry crested females with fewer crests, but crested females never marry male who don’t have as many or more crests as they do.
Despite their societal stratification, the Varanyi consider even the lowest of their kind far superior to any other species. Varanyi culture emphasizes the Varanyi destiny to rule the Galaxy, just as the Emperor rules the Varanyi. Their tremendous psionic power, technology, and mighty empire make them one of the Galaxy’s supreme powers.
As befits a civilization with many millennia of history, the Varanyi have well-developed, highly sophisticated art forms. Varanyi literature, which runs to multi-volume epics and similar grand stories, is read throughout the Galaxy, and students of literature often mention the name of the ancient Varanyi playwright Tlanith in the same breath as Shakespeare of Earth or Jakara Daan of Dorvala.
Because all crested Varanyi can communicate mentally and have a largely telepathic language, they rarely use audible speech. The important places of Varan — the palaces, courts, and so forth — are as quiet as an Earth library. Only the Ks’lch must communicate with voices, so the Varanyi regard the use of the voice as crude, unrefined, and often insulting. A Varanyi who wishes to express the deepest sort of scorn, sarcasm, or insult towards someone uses his voice instead of his telepathic abilities.
Some scientists believe the Varanyis’ psionic powers have slowly weakened over the past millennia. If so, this may hint at a chink in the Varanyi Empire’s armor, and any concrete data on the subject is probably kept secret and secure as possible.
© Hero Games, Terran Empire
Thomas Morgan graduated from Stanford at 19 with dual doctorates in Mathematics and Biology. He went onto found his own company and build it into one of the premier Defense/Aerospace companies in the world. In his later years, especially after the Detroit massacre, he has dedicated his company to protecting law enforcement and making the world a safer place from metahumans. Morgan is one of the world's ten riches people.
From 1991 to 2003, Morgan led a dual life as the hero [[Paladin]]. As Paladin, he co-led the Los Angeles-based Hero team, the Defenders. Morgan used the Paladin armor as a test bed for systems he was developing. On 10 June 2003, during the third and final day of the Battle of Detroit, Paladin rallied ten heroes in an effort protect and hold the city center from [[Doctor Destroyer]]. During that attack, the Paladin armor was crippled and Morgan lost both of his legs from mid-thigh down.
Paladin was rescued by his teammate [[Maelstrom]], who carried him to safety. After the battle, Paladin was one of the many heroes who retired with grave injuries. It is not common knowledge that Morgan was Paladin.
Description: Morgan is either dressed in expensive clothes or in lab-gear. His hair is brown and normally perfect. He has taken to wearing glasses now that he is older and is rarely without one of his three assistants (each works an eight hour shift). Morgan only sleeps a few hours a night. Always a work-a-holic and without Paladin armor to devote his time to, he has thrown himself into his work. He rarely sees anyone socially and has even stopped attending NBA and College Basketball games (which were his passion before Detroit).
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Morgan is considered to have Very Useful Skills (+2), Significant Contacts (+1), Access to Major Institutions (+1).
''U''
[[Utility]]
''V''
[[The Varanyi]]
[[Peter Vleet]]
''W''
[[West Coast Mafia]]
''X''
''Y''
''Z''
The ultimate Swiss Army supervillain: never the most powerful, or best defended, Utility is known for his ability to rig the battlefield for his advantage. He's a mercenary -- and seems to thrive in that culture and living up to that name.
His known to associate with [[Mechassassin]], [[Name]] and [[Ankylosaur]]. He's only been caught once but escaped before he could be arraigned.
He is equipped with a variety of weapons and gadgets - usually prepped for specific missions. But, his most important weapon is his mind. He studies his projected opponents -- getting film, first hand accounts and even newspaper clippings.
Disciplined, calm in crisis, and tactically alert at all times, Utility is a dangerous foe who gives credit for his victories to his attitude and intelligence, not his weapons. Outwitting and defeating superheroes is his obsession, but unlike most supervillains he doesn’t broadcast his intentions, gloat over fallen foes, or ruthlessly mock his opponents.
Utility’s costume is a brown bodysuit with green boots, belt, gauntlets, and attachments. He carries his Omni Pistol in a holster on his left hip, and his Billy Club in a sheath on his right leg. His Wrist Rockets are on his left wrist. Depending on his current selection of gadgets and weapons, his headpiece is either a helmet with his Omni Visor built into the faceplate, or a helmet-like mask with a bar-like Omni Visor attachment over his eyes.
''Hunter Status:'' Utility rarely hunts anyone. If he were to hunt, he would be considered As Powerful with ''NCI''.
''Contact Status:'' As a base, Utility would have Very useful skill (+2).
© Hero Games, Conquerors, Killers, And Crooks
The daughter of Senator Richard Morrison (D-IL) and actress Elizabeth Terry, Vega was born into great luxury and privilege. While attending Cornell, she saw an opportunity in the new cable television industry and quit college to launch her network. Despite it's name, the Global News Network started out with three newsdesks (Chicago, New York and Moscow). But, through shrewed business moves and the burgeoning power of cable television, GNN quickly grew until it was one of the best and largest news agencies in the world - essentially becoming a broadcast version of the AP.
Vega took years off in the early 1990s to have a family. She and her husband (Derrick Gray) have one child: Sampson Morrison, born in 1992. By 1996, she returned to run GNN full-time and launched the GNN:TFP, GNN: Biz and GNN: Entertainment. Since she has returned to lead the company full-time, GNN has seen new competitors and a changing global community. But it is still thriving.
Vega is recently divorced and lives in Chicago with her son (Sampson). She is active in many liberal causes and a large contributer to the Democratic party.
The Guardians is a Champions game set partly in the Champions Universe. The game is set in Denver and the characters are the primary protectors of the region.
Note: Entries are filed under their last name (so "Maria Apperson" is filed under "A").
([[A - B]]) -- ([[C - D]]) -- ([[E - F]]) -- ([[G - H]]) -- ([[I - K]]) -- ([[L - M]]) -- ([[N - O]]) -- ([[P - R]]) -- ([[S - T]]) -- ([[U - Z]])
Type the text for 'YourName'
Contents of the envelope: A round trip airline ticket to Walker Airfield in Grand Junction, Colorado. A map of the area along with coordinated of a house outside of Aspen. A pre-paid cell phone with two numbers in the phonebook. $4,000 in $100 dollar bills.