Interest Check:Silver Age using Supers! rpg setting)

[honestiago]

Greets all:

Been awhile since I've posted here. My life has straightened out to golden status and I have plenty of time on my hands (as I inch toward retirement). I'm thinking of running a game here and actually staying with it (who'd-a thunk it). I'm not sure about anything other than:

*i'd like to run the Supers! Revised rpg.
*i'd like to run silver age in my old Coastal City setting (aka Mammoth City)

Other than that, I'm open to suggestions.

Oh, and a hearty hello to dorkknight, TWF, Dionon, WK., OurLadyWar (formerly Psilocke). Geez, Is manticore still around by chance?

Cheers,
iago

PARAMETERS: Relics of the New Age (RONA)

*#/players: It's been awhile for me, so let's say 5?

*Rules set: Supers! Revised Rpg (which means we'll use the dice rollah!). These are avalable at rpgnow, etc. I could, of course, share my pdf of the rules. Only thing is, I know the authors personally, and really don't wanna take money out of their pocket (that said, I will send you a copy if you ask).

*Starting Pool: Base=20d, with additions detailed in House Rules, below.

*Threads: One team thread. Everyone gets a solo thread, if they want it. There might be “Team-Ups” as well. (My work schedule grants me a lot of time these days).

*Nemesis: Build your own Nemesis! If you take the Enemy disad, and that enemy is a Supervillain, you can build your own personal albatross. There are no set limit on dice pool for your nemesis, but be judicious about design. A 40d character is cosmic in nature in Supers! You are also welcome to select campaign organizations as enemies (Kraken [our versionof Hydra] and F.O.E. [“Friends of Enterprise”], for example).

*Idea submission: Submit character ideas via PM. A completed CAD is welcome. I'll trust you on the random rolls, if you go that route (see below)


OVERVIEW: RONA depicts a world in which Superheroes are just now emerging due to the effects of a strange probability-affecting “emerald energy” (see the History thread for more details). This energy (often called “Greenwave”), has caused your character to become a superhero, either by altering his DNA (causing physical and/or mental mutations), affecting probability (making experiments and gadgets work; opening wormholes to other dimensions, etc.), or perhaps simply causing a change in mindset (your character suddenly gets the urge to don a garish costume and assume an alter-ego).

Greenwave Effects: the effects of the Greenwave are more or less random. To create a hero in this spirit, you'd be better off using the random character creation set in the are presented with a series of tables. If you decide you’d rather develop your own superhero without resorting to random dice rolls, that's cool, as well.

House Rules, Character Creation: You'll need to decide just what the Greenwave did to you (i.e., the source of your powers), either by choice or at random. If you choose to create your own character, you have total control, but do not receive Boons or Limitations (below). You'll still need to choose which of the following Origins apply to you (below).
If you choose random, you are granted the Boons (Free Dice!) and Limitations of your choice, as listed below. To determine your Origin randomly, roll a d6:

1-2=Mutation
3-4: Probability
5-6: Urge

Effects of Origin:

Mutation: The Greenwave interacted with your character at the DNA level, causing some sort of mutation. It could have simple happened one day (poof! You were strong and could fly), or a series of events caused it to manifest (you fell into a vat of radioactive gunk and emerged green-skinned, powerful and very angry). The particulars of how this occurred are up to you to describe. BOON: If you roll this Origin, you get +2d to add to any of your Resistances (either +2d in one resistance power, or +1d in two Resistances). MUTATION LIMITATION: Because you are more inherently powerful than your average bear, you can only ever have 1d in your permanent competency pool.

Probability: The Greenwave affected the environment in some way that caused your transformation/appearance as a super. Perhaps a failed experiment suddenly worked (your suit of armor has made you a walking tank!), or the laws of time and physics were momentarily warped (bringing you, a reptilian warrior from 33,647 AD to Planet Earth). Again, the particulars are up to you. BOON: If you roll this Origin, you get +2d to add to your Powers (+2d to a single power, or +1d ro 2 powers). PROBABILITY LIMITATION: You are limited to a maximum 2d in your permanent competency pool.

Urge: The Greenwave has given you the urge to go out and fight crime. You have no “powers” per se (meaning everything you do is by gadget, training or sheer willpower). BOON: If you roll this Origin, you get your choice of: 3d to apply as follows: (a) +3d to your permanent Competency Dice (refreshes each adventure), or (b) Gain a free 3d Advantage, (c) +3d to your Aptitudes to be dispersed as you see fit (cannot use these dice to take Super Aptitude). At your option, you may instead disperse these 3d among Competency, Aptitudes or Advantages as you see fit (EXAMPLE: you could take 2d in your Competency pool, then assign the other 1d to Aptitudes, or an advantage. URGE LIMITATION: The downside to the Urge origin is that, unfortunately, that you have no inherent powers. You’re just an ordinary human being with an extraordinary compulsion to do good. You do not have any real Powers. As such, your resistances are capped at 4d. You can allocate more than 4d to a Resistance, but you can only ever take the highest 4d when you roll (similar to the Aptitude cap at taking the highest 3d). NOTE: 4d in a resistance indicates a low-level super, the peak of human perfection. If you have 4d (or more) in a resistance area, your backstory needs to explain how your character achieved such perfection.

TOTALLY RANDOM CREATION: If you wish, you can use the random character creator found in the rules. If you do this, dispense with rolling for an Origin. You get +3d to your starting pool. After building the super, you can then choose the appropriate Origin.

NEW ADVANTAGES: RONA has a pair of advantages not found in the RAW:

Connections: your Hero knows people in a various walks of life. In game terms, you can add Connections dice to other checks for the purposes of making contact. For example, a character with both Investigation and Streetwise (aptitudes) could add a Connections dice to ether check, for the purposes of uncovering information, following up leads, or locating a specific contact.

Exit Strategy: The character is able to slip out of the worst situations, having planned his retreat ahead of time. Note that this Advantage requires a dice roll against a target number (TN) to actually escape (the more difficult the situation, the higher the TN). Typically, you'll need 2d in it for it to be viable. NOTE: This one happens to be a favorite of certain super villains (and, of course, Batman).:-)

[Dhark]

Oh sure, ignore Symeon just because ProBoards lost his account. :-p

Manticore still PLAYS, but he's not ran a game for far too long. He's mentioned more cutbacks in his future too.

[dorkknight23]

Hi, Iago! (I unfortunately have little else to add to the convo!)

[honestiago]

And hello to Symeon! :-) I'll work up some particulars for the campaign. It won't be as super in-depth as some of the great campaign descriptions from the stalwarts here, but I'm sure it will be fun. My FtF D&D Next group meets very infrequently, and getting together a second group is difficult. Damned adults lives of real people.

[honestiago]

HISTORY of Coastal City:
Settlement and Growth (1754-1860)
The original denizens of Coastal City were primarily of French Canadian descent, having moved due to the “Great Expulsion” (1754-1763) and settling the area now known as Blackstone. Among this group were a fervent group of Catholic monks, who settled the area known as Le Creux (“The Hollow”). Here they set to the creation of a monastery. These original immigrants were later joined by Germans of the same sect, who themselves came to America after the 1844 schism with the Roman Catholic Church. With the infusion of additional population came additions to the monastery. Eventually, Blackstone became a magnet for outcasts and ascetics of all faith and stripe. The Abbey became a sprawling edifice reflecting the combined effort of many engineers, including Irishman Jon Dunfirmlin, who oversaw the bulk of the Abbey’s construction (1825-1850). During this time, the city remained primarily self-sufficient, primarily agrarian. This changed with the advent of the war.

The Port Hays Era (1860-1941)
The history of what is now “Coastal City” proper starts with the history of Port Hays, a peninsular town that arose during the American Civil War. What became Coastal City started as a minor port on the U.S. east coast, geographically between the Union and the Confederacy. Befitting its enigmatic geographical location, Port Hays served an enigmatic role in the war, effectively playing each side against the other. Confederate blockade runners often moored in the same places as those who tried to stop them. It was, in a way, the Switzerland of the war – first in neutrality.

Port Hays remained a “sleepy port town” pretty much until the 1920s, when liquor was illegal, but integral to its economy. The newly rechristened Coastal City enjoyed the fruits of rum running, among other things, and boasted more speakeasies than you could shake a jigger at. Local law enforcement looked the other way. Palms were greased, people were sauced. Everyone was fairly happy. It was during this time that the newly anointed area of Birdland, with its jazz and blues scene burst into prominence.

Then came the crash, which had the fortunate effect of removing the inept Thorn Shipping from the picture (though it would come back later). The slow crawl of the 30s featured the decline of most people’s fortunes, but the rise of the Port Hays Sliders, the local AAA baseball team. The franchise boasted six league championships, including the 1937 edition, considered by many insiders to be the best minor league team of all time.

It was during this time that the first “mystery men” appeared in the city, among them an enigmatic figure known as “the gray man” (“Mr. Gray,” to some). Though it is uncertain who “Mr. Gray” was, or what he was up to, rumors spoke of him (it?) possessing unusual attributes and abilities. Some engaged in wild speculation, alleging Gray was some sort of “outsider,” either from another world, or another time, who had come to Earth to take on a mission of utmost importance. This was mostly fantasy, of course, probably an outgrowth of the many and varied pulp novels circulating at the time. Ironically, some of these fantastical stories were attributed to an “M. Gray,” who, over a period of a few years went from unknown to top selling author, then back down again when the Second World War broke out, and real-life figures of fantasy emerged.

The War Years and jut after (1941-1949)
Thanks to its location and a mandate to produce ships, Coastal City’s fortunes boomed with the war. The boom in business contributed to the first real population growth the area experienced. Boroughs began appearing left and right, each taking advantage of new opportunities in business and industry. Copper Cove arose as the fortunes of the shipping industry grew. Coastal City Central (or “Triple C”) became the seat of government and finance.

Just as business arose from the ashes of depression and downturn, so, too, arose a new breed of being – the “super hero.” The old mystery men, cloak and dagger names spoken in hushed tones in small circles, became forces for good known not just to the city, but to the entire country: Major Victory and the rest of the Victory Squad (Slugger, The Liberator, and The Human Bullet) ; the crime fighting duo “Judge” and “Jury;” “Kestrel,” the first major female fighting figure; and, of course, “Beacon,” the ultimate force for good, a superman among supermen. Many of these figures assumed the mantle of law enforcement on U.S. shores (albeit with a strain of accepted vigilantism). Others, like Major Victory served at home and abroad.

The Consortium (1950-1956)
With the war won, but the “looming” threat of Communism still apparent, the Consortium, a full-fledged super group devoted to the eradication of all things evil, was formed. Its founding members were the shield-slinging Major Victory, the sonic-master Gabriel (with his “Horn of Freedom”), investigator extraordinaire Bellwether, the incalculably intelligent (some said alien being in disguise) Omnibus, and the android (some said alien construct) Acuity. Formed in 1950, the group took on many threats, to include: the 1951 attempt by “The Director” to take over the city using giant, expanded, animated movie-set monsters; the “Dino Plague of ‘53,” when various dinosaurs (both malevolent and benign) began popping up around the city; and the 1956 mini-invasion by “little green men.”

The worst threat of all, however, was still to come…

“The Suit” (1957-1959)
The incident that changed Coastal City forever involved good intentions gone bad. “The Suit” was originally the creation of Daryl Robinson, aka “Coat-of-Arms,” a minor super-villain-turned-hero, who sought to outstrip the status of even Major Viktory. Always a tinkerer with some ability, Robinson stumbled upon the old power suit of Nazi villain Iron Kross during a villain raid on a governmental storage facility in 1950. The raid turned out to be sponsored by communist powers, and Robinson and his cohorts soon recanted, repented and remade themselves as heroes in bringing the “real” perpetrators to justice. The astute Robinson, now fighting crime as "The Golden Knight," made note of the inert suit, then returned later to retrieve it, leaving a clever facsimile in its place. Though redeemed from his life of crime, the former villain was still possessed of demons not fully expunged by a single act of heroism. He saw the suit as his ticket to great fame and riches. And indeed it was – for a time.

It was natural that Robinson, an inventor of some talent, would want to experiment on the suit. This was, after all, the machine that, in the skies over Normandy, very nearly brought down Major Victory (it took a fortuitous flak explosion to save our hero). Kross and Victory never tangled again without the Major bringing help along. Later, when it was clear that the Reich had not only failed physically but morally as well, the German superhero -- a noble soldier named Klaus Wehrheimer, surrendered to American authorities and turned over his suit. Scientists immediately set to unlocking its secrets, to no avail. By the time Robinson discovered the inert jewel, the government had long given up reactivating it, deciding that the source of its powers was perhaps a mystery best left alone.

Undeterred by such details, Robinson began his experiments to reanimate the suit. Through trial, error and a stroke of divine luck, Robinson determined the secret of the suit, and soon became its master. Taking flight as a new, improved version of “The Golden Knight,” Robinson became the scourge of the underworld, and something of a prima donna before the press. Nevertheless, his popularity grew. It wasn’t long before he was mentioned in the same breath as Major Victory and Gabriel.

Unfortunately for our glory hound, there was one problem: the suit was almost impossible to keep fully charged. The batteries contained within in began to drain more quickly with each use, making heroism a chore, and press clippings fewer. Robinson's solution? Harness nuclear energy in the form of a perpetual atom collector and splitter in The Suit’s battery compartment. This would give him (he thought) an unending source of power wherever he went. He would indeed be the world's greatest super hero. Fueled by this thought, Robinson manically set to work crafting a new, better, more powerful suit of golden armor. After a time, he was ready for the first test.

Robinson's experiment was initially a success. The Suit powered up the first time he activated it, fueled by the prototype power converter. Energy flowed freely into the suit, turning it into a machine capable of feats beyond any hero of the time. Robinson's golden armor had worked – all too well as it turned out. Moments after activation, the overpowered armor somehow assumed a life of its own. Modern day scientists assume the suit had some form of artificial (Nazi) intelligence, either on board when it was created, or added by Robinson to solve certain problems. Whatever the case, the Frankenstein’s monster turned on its creator, slaying him, then setting its sights on the city itself.

The first target was Port Hays. The Suit flew into the heart of the peninsula, and set about crushing it with massive energy blasts. Within minutes, the heart of the Port was rubble.

The call went out, and every Hero came forth to meet the challenge. None were successful. Major Victory himself only survived the initial assault thanks to his incredibly durable shield. He would spend months in the hospital, recovering from his injuries. The combined abilities of The Consortium were called to bear, to no avail. Heroes and Villains poured out of the woodwork. The National Guard rapidly deployed. All engaged the Suit, with little success. It dispatched all challengers with ease, doggedly, pointedly, remorselessly bringing down the burgeoning coastline.

Enter Omnibus, in a last ditch attempt to save them all. The world’s greatest scientist utilized the advanced circuitry of the inert android Acuity, creating a makeshift “resonance device” to amplify “the primordial energies of the earth.” The device was based on an experimental design Omnibus had intended to use as a source of power for factories and industry. As such, it had never been tested. It was Gabriel who suggested they use said device to amplify the powers of his immeasurable, heavenly trumpet. At the very least, they might be able to blow the Suit out to sea, perhaps gaining valuable time to mount a counteroffensive. No one really knew what the amplifier would do until it was tested.

And so, beaten, but far from broken, Gabriel blew his horn. And, much as what happened with the mythological archangel, walls – and more – came tumbling down. The tremors of his supreme note created a tremendous shockwave, resulting in a small breach of The Suit, followed by an explosion of same in near-nuclear proportions. Gabriel and his horn were vaporized in an instant. The U.S.S. Sanction, a WWII carrier moored in the bay, was lifted and tossed out to sea.

In moments, it was over. The Suit was gone. And with it, so was Port Hays.

Aftermath (1959-1962)
The “victory” over the suit came at a tremendous cost. Not only was Coastal City’s main industry obliterated in the explosion, but so, too, were many of its citizens and virtually all of its protectors. Major Viktory’s injuries made him little more than a relic from a bygone era. The other member of The Consortium were either dead or had disappeared. It would be up to the citizens to pick up the pieces.

Thankfully, a byproduct of the event made this process easier. The strange alchemy of Omnibus’ device, Gabriel’s trumpet and the nuclear energy of The Suit combined in some way to irradiate the very soil, creating a source, and apparently unending source of energy. It was determined in short order that the energy could be harnessed, and tapped into in the same manner as electricity. Thus, most of the city had a free source of power. With this enticement, Coastal City became a magnet for industry, immigration…and, of course, crime.

The Emerald Coast (the present, January 1963)
It is the lowest point in the city’s history. The "Emerald Coast" must rebuild from the devastation of the suit. Many challenges stand in its way. First, the problem of bickering boroughs has never been fully addressed. Everyone seems to have their own idea about how things should be done. Second, The Consortium, the city's ultimate force for good is no more (with the possible exception of Omnibus, whom no one has seen for months). Numerous entities, malevolent and benign, are scrambling to assume control of the precious emerald energy. The Emerald Coast is a hydra of conflicting interests and agendas, with no unifying Hercules. And thus it now stands – Coastal City is a confluence of growth and challenge. To face these new challenges, the city need new protectors. Thankfully, the emerald energy (also known as “Greenwave”) seems to be providing that as well – along with a few villainous counterparts. With Major Viktory retired and Omnibus gone, the burgeoning world that is Coastal City awaits the next great generation of Super Heroes…

[honestiago]

I have a map and write-up of Coastal City. Just have to work on a few things to make the map accessible.

[honestiago]

Well, no interest, so I'll retire this and think of something else.

[Reader]

This sounds awesome!

[honestiago]

A response! It lives!

Anyone else?