Blank Slate
Imagine a world much like the DC or Marvel Universes. Heroes keep the peace, fighting crime, saving lives, and preventing disasters. Villains commit crimes, kill people and cause disaster, only to invariably be defeated and put in jail… only to invariably escape and continue the cycle.
Now imagine that one villain… A Lex Luthor or a Norman Osborne gets the bright idea to gather ALL of the villains into one unstoppable army. They attack a major city with the bright idea of taking it over as their own personal territory, declaring war on the world.
Imagine that to combat this threat, ALL of the heroes gather into an army of their own and fight back. Heroes and villains fight on every street corner, fighting to the death. The heroes seek to liberate the city and save the world. The villains fight to conquer the city and enslave or destroy the world.
Now imagine that something happens… A bomb is set off. A hero and a villain with godlike powers clash. It doesn’t matter, but something goes wrong. A massive wave of energy erupts, destroying the city… There are no survivors, human OR superhuman.
Now try to imagine a world AFTER the age of the superhero… Where new heroes must find a way to live up to the legends of old and find their way in a world which has been shaken to its core. Where former third, fourth, and fifth-tier supervillains find themselves struggling against each other for control of the criminal underworld, and where NEW supervillains spring from the wreckage.
THIS is the world of Blank Slate. What would happen if there were no more legends to protect us… and we had to place our faith in a new generation finding its way…
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The Cataclysm
Present day, Central City. A massive coalition of almost every known supervillain invades the city, killing all law-enforcement officers in their path, as well as Central City’s native protectors. Within minutes, they have issued a statement to the world’s media outlets, declaring war on the governments of Earth.
In response, the world’s superheroes gather together and make their way to Central City, preparing to face the villain threat. Backed by the U.S. Army and Air Force, they enter the city and engage in battle with the villains. Within the first hour, the death toll of civilians, heroes, and villains combined totals over 500,000.
There is no attempt to evacuate Central City. It is made completely impossible both due to the sheer scale of the battle being waged and the simple fact that there was no warning and no chance to mount any organized effort. Civilians attempt to flee the city, but find themselves trapped in gridlock or caught in the crossfire. Most who leave their homes don’t survive more than ten minutes despite the sincerest efforts of the heroes… and most who stay in their homes survive only marginally longer.
Then something happens. While the cause is unknown, there are many theories. A villain sets off some sort of explosive device. A combination of badly-cast spells collide and create a magical vortex. A nuclear-powered hero or villain self-destructs. The sheer amount of energy released by all the superhumans rips open a hole in the dimensional fabric. The prevailing theory amongst experts is that Earth’s greatest hero Paragon and Earth’s greatest villain, Armageddon collided and released all their power in one devastating eruption.
Whatever the cause, all that is known is that an incredible wave of energy was unleashed, consuming all of Central City. The explosion can be heard for hundreds of miles, and the light can be seen around the world. Earthquakes devastate the nearby regions for hundreds of miles, and scientists later determine that the planet’s axis was shifted by a quarter of a degree by the sheer force. A mini-nuclear winter occurs as global temperatures drop from the sheer amount of dust in the atmosphere.
It takes over a month for the situation to calm enough that satellites can get an image of Central City, or that any sort of vehicle can get near it. All they find are devastated ruins. There are no survivors; human or superhuman, heroes or villains.
The world is left in turmoil. Without its heroes to help, crime rates and death rates skyrocket in the aftermath of the destruction. Looting and rioting break out in cities around the world. Disasters natural, unnatural, and supernatural are left unattended. Governments struggle to bring order and hope back to the population.
However… All turmoil eventually ends, and a year after the Cataclysm, things calm to an extent… Until the world learns that the Cataclysm isn’t necessarily over…
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The Shardfall
A year after the Cataclysm, another event occurs, one which again defies explanation. Crystalline shards fall to Earth around the globe in small numbers, maybe only ten-thousand. Most are lost in the wilderness or away from human civilization, but many land in cities or towns.
When certain people came into contact with these Shards, they underwent a change, granting them metatalents. Many are horribly disfigured both psychologically and physically by the change. The governments do their best to round up these poor souls, but cannot get them all…
However, others survive the change without any ill effects, remaining physically human, but gaining superhuman abilities. Many of these people choose to remain anonymous, and just live out their lives without conflict. Others choose the path of the villain, using their new powers for personal gain.
Some… Inspired by the heroes of the past... choose to continue that legacy.
The first theory is that the Shards somehow activated a dormant metagene within the people they came into contact with, but that is quickly debunked when it is found that many who gained powers do not possess metagenes to begin with. While the true cause of the Shardfall is still unknown, the prevailing theory is that the raw power of Paragon and Armageddon and their superhuman brethren was somehow crystallized and pushed into orbit from the sheer force of the Cataclysm. After a year, the orbiting crystals fell back to earth as the Shardfall.
Scientists base this theory off the idea that energy and matter cannot be created or destroyed, only altered. If superhumans, particularly energy-powered superhumans, are big bundles of POWER, then all that power has to go SOMEWHERE when they die…
Once again, the CAUSE of the Shardfall does not truly matter. What did matter is that a new age of superhumans is rising. And what TRULY matters is who these new superhumans will become and what they will do…
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History of the Blank Slate Universe
The Blank Slate Universe is similar to our own, with a few notable exceptions.
Before the 1900s, there were only a few recorded reports of superhuman activities. Five thousand years ago, Atlantis was a hyper-advanced civilization with technology far beyond that of present date. It was protected by a group known as the Protectorate, superhuman warriors. A corrupt Protector who one day would become known as Armageddon caused the city to sink beneath the waves through his machinations to take it over.
In the Middle Ages, there were legends of superhuman knights battling in the Crusades and the Renaissance.
In the 1800s in America, there were unconfirmed reports of gunslingers with superhuman speed, or who fought without using guns at all. Some cowboys mentioned tales of Native Americans performing feats of healing or communing with nature in strange ways.
In 1931, the first “Mystery Man” or masked vigilante, named “the Cloak” began crime-fighting activities in New York City. While his true identity is still a mystery, there are many reports that conflict about what he was capable of. Some reports claim the Cloak had superhuman powers, but others claim he was simply a human using some nifty special effects. Evidence points to the Cloak being human, but all that IS known is that the Cloak was the very first of the Mystery Men.
By 1934, there were 20 known Mystery Men operating in the United States. By 1939, however, the very first confirmed superhuman Mystery Man made his debut. “ “ was the first of what would soon become known as “superheroes.”
By the mid-1940s and World War II, there were over 100 superhumans operating in public in the USA alone. Estimates placed over 200 superhumans active worldwide, both heroes and villains. The US Congress drafted a bill called the Superhuman Compulsory Service Act, or Protocol X for short, drafting all active American superheroes into the military as a specialized unit, informally called “The Super-Soldiers.”
After the war ended, there were almost 500 superhumans active worldwide. However, by the 1950s, McCarthyism set in and suspicion was turned upon the superhumans. Rather than be persecuted for their abilities, the heroes made the decision to fade into the background, giving up their costumes and identities to fight crime and evil covertly. This lead to the development of a superhuman secret society of former heroes simply called, “the Guardsmen.”
McCarthyism was just the American manifestation of an era of distrust which was gripping the world. Around the world, governments and populations turned against the heroes who had protected them. In less than two years, the number of active superhumans worldwide went from 500 to 100. In three years, there were only 10 active superhumans… and in 5 there were none.
The Guardsmen kept the peace in secret for almost thirty years until the early 1980s. In Central City, a helicopter accident occurred, threatening to kill dozens of civilians. A young man flew into the air, catching the helicopter and saving the lives of everyone involved. Afterwards, he flew off. Two days later, a new superhero emerged into the public eye in Central City named Paragon. This was the beginning of the Second Age of Superheroes.
With Paragon’s debut, superhumans who had been hiding their powers or simply trying to live normal lives found themselves able to use them in public once more. Over the course of two years, dozens of superhumans made their debut as heroes or villains. By 1985, the superhuman population was over 400, not counting the human vigilantes. By 1990, there were over 2000 superheroes alone, and over 5000 superhumans total.
1990 was what some called the “Dark Ages” of superheroes. An age where superheroes and vigilantes became dark and brutal, forgetting the ideals they once fought for in favor of meting swift justice. Many heroes who were formerly icons who inspired hope fell to darkness, punishing criminals with serious injuries or death. However, many refused to give in to the Dark Ages, despite public opinion turning to favor these brutal heroes. Paragon remained as one of the brightest lights in this dark time.
By the year 2000, the Dark Ages ended, and the vigilantes and brutal heroes who had reigned in the 90s were brought to justice themselves. Many were executed by the state for the people they killed. Even more were imprisoned for life in maximum security “Super-Prisons.” Those few that showed any remorse for their deeds were given more lenient sentences.
With the end of the Dark Ages, heroes began to try to uphold the virtues and ideals of the old heroes, having seen the fear and rage that the murdering heroes and vigilantes had caused. Over the next ten years, the new generation of heroes proved themselves to be just as heroic as their predecessors.
However, the Cataclysm ended the Second Age of Superheroes with a bang. For a time, the world was without superhumans, as all active superheroes and villains were deceased. However, with the Shardfall, the emergence of young and inexperienced metahumans, and more, the Third Age of Superhumans has begun… But it is unsure whether the Third Age will be one of peace… or devastation….
Superhumans in the Blank Slate Universe
Superhumans in the Blank Slate Universe can be classified into several different types based on their origins or the source of their powers.
Metahumans are natural born superhumans born with a metagene. Unlike the Marvel Universe, there is a definite difference between mutants and metahumans. The metagene is a naturally occurring gene that has been in the human genome for millennia, since even before the days of Atlantis. Metagenes usually require some sort of catalyst to become active, which can be any number of different things, including exposure to various types of energy, imminent danger, extreme emotional states; however, they can also simply become active with age, usually occurring at the onset or middle of puberty.
Mutants, however, have a significantly different genome than humans. While they are born from humans, they are NOT human. Mutants are not considered the next evolution of mankind, but are considered more along the lines of gifted (or cursed) people. Where metahumans usually retain a baseline human appearance, mutants can vary wildly in appearance, from baseline human to any sort of fantastic shapes or sizes.
Magic-users in general are baseline humans who, either through natural gifts or intense study, have gained the ability to tap into supernatural forces which they can call upon at will. Magic can vary wildly from person to person, taking various styles and forms of spellcasting, involving everything from incantations to gestural magic.
Technological Heroes are self explanatory. They rely on technology and science instead of inborn gifts.
Induced Superhumans do not possess a metagene, mutant genome, or a magical source of power. This type is extremely rare, usually gaining their powers through accidents, experiments, or more. For example, in the Marvel Universe, Spider-Man is an Induced Superhuman.
Shard-Holders are those who gained their powers from the Shards during the Shardfall. It is unknown whether the superpowers gained from the Shardfall are permanent or merely temporary, but for the moment they SEEM permanent. While SOME Shard-holders have a metagene, it has nothing to do with the powers gained from the Shard.
Finally, Shard-Freaks are those who have been disfigured physically or mentally by the Shards. Some scientists believe this occurs do to some sort of physiological incompatibility. The government has a standing order to capture any Shard-Freaks found for their own good as they search for a way to revert them to their former selves.
Furthermore, superhumans are classified by power-level from Class 0 to Class 6.
-Class 0 superhumans have weak or useless powers. The power to change the color of one’s clothing is a Class 0 power. Captain America would actually be considered a Class 0 superhuman because his abilities are just slightly beyond human peak.
-Class 1 powers are weak or limited powers. Prehensile hair and X-ray vision are Class 1 powers.
- Class 2 superpowers are more useful or more powerful. Standard superhuman flight is a class 2 power.
-Class 3 superhumans either possess multiple medium strength superpowers or a single high-level superpower. Spider-Man is a class 3 superhuman with multiple powers, the Flash is a superhuman with a single high-level power. Most high-profile superheroes are class 3 or higher.
-Class 4 superhumans possess multiple high-level superpowers, including high-level superstrength, mid-level invulnerability or resistance to injury, high-speed flight, and energy powers. Wonder Woman is a class 4 Superhuman.
-Class 5 superhumans possess either one extremely powerful ability, or multiple very high-level powers. These superhumans are usually the most famous and powerful heroes or villains. Superman and Captain Marvel (Shazam) are both class 5 superhumans.
-Class 6 is the rarest type of superhuman. This class is also known as “god-class.” Superhumans with this power level have multiple extreme level powers or the ability to rewrite the very fabric of reality. Green Lantern is a Class 6 superhuman, due to his powers only being limited by willpower. Franklin Richards is another Class 6 superhuman. Luckily for humanity, there have only been two recorded Class 6 superhumans in modern history, Paragon and Armageddon.
The World After Cataclysm
The Cataclysm was one of those rare events that cause the entire world to stop for a time. Like 9/11, the impact was so great, that the world seemed to press the pause button to deal with the shock. While 90% of the superhumans in combat were American, the vast majority of international superhumans were killed in the Cataclysm as well.
Whether or not anyone survived the initial Cataclysm is unknown, because it took over a month for even investigatory expeditions to manage to get close to Central City. It is certain that in the aftermath, anyone who might have survived was killed by the earthquakes, smoke, radiation, etc…
The world was left in not a state of grief or despair… but a state of utter disbelief. Central City was cordoned off. Civilians are not allowed within 100 miles of the ruins, and even government officials require high-level clearance. Memorials were held around the world for the greatest protectors who died.
However, while the governments and people of the world mourned and tried to recover, a war was going on. As all of the world’s most evil and powerful criminals were now deceased, their syndicates and organizations collapsed. Wasting no time, supercriminals who were once considered wanna-bes or pretenders now found themselves in positions of real power… and as REAL threats to public safety.
Police began finding evidence of what soon became dubbed “the Shadow Wars.” Former mafia bosses killed on the streets in broad daylight with hundreds of witnesses… but no evidence of the murderers. Criminal activities actually DECREASED following the Cataclysm as the Shadow Wars progressed, as most organized criminals were too busy dealing with the Underworld turmoil.
One year after the Cataclysm, the Shardfall occurs. This worldwide phenomenon causes a new wave of fear and shock as normal people suddenly find themselves either transformed into hideous monsters… or into superhumans. The worlds’ governments issue a standing order to capture anyone who has come into contact with a Shard. Easy when it comes to the Shard-Freaks… Much harder when it comes to the Shard-Holders.
Within two months of the Shardfall, the first of the new superheroes emerge into the public eye. Unlike previous the Cloak, Eagle, or Paragon, there is no FIRST superhero that can be named. Several new heroes emerge at once, some who immediately ended their careers either through choice or through inexperience (being killed by criminals, accidents, or even their own powers). However, soon, new heroes began making names for themselves, fighting for peace and justice. Some of these heroes will be discussed in the next section.
The American Government responds harshly to these new heroes, declaring a federal mandate to arrest them. Many police agencies ignore these mandates as the heroes are doing good. However, in general, the new heroes are viewed with even more distrust than during the McCarthy era. The new superhumans draw fear and anger, as many transfer their grief, fear, and anger over the Cataclysm onto the new heroes. At best, the new heroes draw a similar relation to the public as Spider-Man to J. Jonah Jameson. They are acknowledged as heroes, but are distrusted and feared. At worst, they are publicly hunted outlaws.
The government attempts to enact a Superhuman Registration Law, but the Supreme Court shoots it down within less than a month of its enactment. The government then attempts to pass a Constitutional Amendment that will do the same thing, but it does not make it past committee due to the sheer controversy.
Due to this, rogue Senators commission a secret agency, “The Superhuman Restriction and Neutralization Agency” or SRNA. This agency quickly gains the nickname of the “Executioners” as they quickly go out of control, assassinating known superhumans without cause or reason… Just as those Senators intended.
The world as it stands at present date is precarious and dangerous. New heroes attempt to keep the peace and live up to their predecessors. Former third, fourth, and fifth rate villains and new villains wreak havoc as they battle for supremacy. The Shard-Freaks rampage about uncontrolled, unable to help themselves. The population lives in fear, and the government both aids and attacks the new heroes.
It’s in this chaotic environment that several new legends will be born…
Old and New Heroes of Note
Paragon: Lion Metahuman, class 6. Deceased. The greatest hero planet Earth has ever known. With powers of flight, near-invulnerability, extreme-level superstrength and speed, energy projection, and on rare occasions, the power of reality alteration. Born as Cale Lucas, Paragon was a normal human boy until he fell off a cliff in the woods behind his home. Instead of dying, he flew to safety. Despite his newly activated metahuman powers, Cale decided to live a normal life, forsaking and hiding his powers, like most metahumans in the 1980s. However, when a helicopter crashed into a building, he was forced to use his powers to save it. Two days later, he had fashioned a costume and taken the name Paragon. He soon made a name for himself as the world’s premiere hero, starting the Second Age of Superheroes, and inspiring others to take up the fight. He died in the Cataclysm, battling his mortal enemy, Armageddon.
Damage: Fox, Shardholder, Class 4 (potential Class 6). Damage’s real name is Connor Taylor, a sixteen-year-old high school student. Neither popular nor unpopular, he spent his life mostly unnoticed by his peers, teachers, or much of anyone. Then the Shardfall occurred, and Connor came upon one of the Shards. When he took it into his hands, a bolt of power surged into him, and Connor became a living power battery, capable of absorbing, storing, channeling and redirecting kinetic energy in almost any form. He cannot generate energy on his own, and must absorb it from a power source, whether that is a power line or a human body. However, he can project energy in any form: Light, heat, radiation, even blasts of pure force. The more energy he stores within his cells, the faster and stronger he is. Connor, a huge fan of Paragon, does his best to live up to his hero’s example, and has become the premiere hero of the Third Age.
Tristan Blaze: Cat, Shardholder, Class 5. Another teenager, Tristan Blaze was always a taciturn, grumpy youth. Finding a Shard and gaining superpowers somehow only served to make his perpetual bad mood even worse. Blaze is now the world’s most powerful telekinetic and pyrokinetic, also possessing minor telepathic, clairvoyant, and precognitive abilities. Unlike many youths, he found no fascination in the colorful costumes and fantastic names of superheroes, and has gone on a different path, fighting crime in nothing but his street clothes and signature leather jacket. Blaze chose the path of a crimefighter out of sheer boredom, rather than any sense of duty or heroism, but has proven to be a powerful and determined crusader for justice. However, Blaze and Damage have turned out to have a relationship just short of abject hatred. The masked Damage feels that Blaze endangers everyone and everything he loves by not assuming a secret identity, grandstanding… While Blaze views Damage as not having the courage to stand behind his actions and put his name and face on the line. Only time will tell whether the two can put aside their differences and work together… or not.
Starflame- Squirrel, Magic User, class 4 (potentially Class 5). Starflame is not actually one hero… but the latest in a long line of heroes. The Starflame is a supernatural force that has existed in the world since the dawn of humanity. It passes from person to person, granting them vast magical gifts. The power is semi-sentient, choosing the one person in the world who is worthy of wielding its power in the force of good. Normally, the current Starflame trains the next before they pass on the gift… But the Cataclysm caused a young girl named Alicia Shelby to gain the powers from the last Starflame. With the power to call upon the elements to do her bidding, and flight, superspeed, and superstrength, Alicia must learn to control her new powers for the good of everyone… or be forced to send them to the next worthy wielder…
Nighthawk- Hawk, Induced Superhuman/Magic User, class 3. Every so often… Rarely… VERY rarely… Death makes a mistake. She forgets someone, or something happens and a person loses their life before she was ready to take them to the afterlife. This was the case with Luke Hawke. Gunned down in the crossfire of the Shadow Wars, Death was unprepared to take him. In exchange for this injustice, she granted him one last year on Earth to avenge his death. Armed with supernatural abilities, Hawke must find those responsible for taking his life, and bring them to justice. With enhanced strength, speed, limited spellcasting, flight, and immortality, Nighthawk is the terror in the night that comes for those who prey on the innocent. However… the more he uses his powers, the less time he has left before Death comes to retrieve him…
Hardware- Tiger, Tech Hero, Class 3. The son of the billionaire Teru Kazuma, Kiro Kazuma takes up his father’s mantle as the hero Hardware after the Cataclysm. Armed with a prototype exoarmor, Hardware is equipped with the bleeding-edge in crimefighting and metacombat weaponry. MOST of his equipment is non-lethal, as Kiro follows a strict code of honor… but “non-lethal” does NOT mean “not powerful.” The only problem is that Kiro, while definitely a genius, did not pay too much attention to his father’s lessons on using his equipment… Combine that with the fact that his suit is an untested prototype, and glitches are bound to happen.
Blue Blade- German Shepard, Metahuman, class 2. Ryan Farraday was a rookie in the New York City Police Department. Unfortunately for him, exactly one month after joining the force, he was struck by an energy blast from the fourth-tier villain “Doctor Lightbulb.” Left in a coma for two weeks, he awoke to a world changed completely from what he once knew in the aftermath of the Cataclysm. He soon found that Doctor Lightbulb’s blast had caused his metagene to become active, granting him superhuman accuracy with projectiles, near superhuman strength, superhuman reflexes, and a power he dubbed “Overdrive,” a state of hyper-accelerated perception and reflexes, allowing him to move with such speed that the world seems to slow to a stop around him. Originally planning to rejoin the police force, he saw the Shadow Wars wreaking havoc around the world… and decided to do something about it. Assembling a costume inspired by police uniforms and his favorite hero “The Dagger,” he became the Blue Blade, a dagger-tossing protector. Declaring war on the Underworld, he works with his former friends in the police to do what they cannot.
Thunder and Lightning – Lizards, Mutants, class 2. Thunder and Lightning are twins, Ali and Shari Jahar. Born with superhuman abilities, the twins spent most of their lives trying to hide their powers. However, after the Cataclysm, both were walking down the street, when they were mugged by a criminal. Forced to defend themselves, they found a taste for crimefighting. They soon grew to find it the ultimate rush, and became addicted to it. Thunder (Ali) possesses superstrength and bulletproof skin. Lightning (Shari) has superspeed and is a skilled acrobat. Lightning is impulsive, prone to rushing into things without thinking. Thunder is hesitant, thinking too much, wasting opportunities. Separate, they are both seriously flawed and possibly dangers to themselves… But together, they’re the perfect team.
Archetype – Mouse, Induced Superhuman, class 4. Dave Schneider was what would kindly be described as a superhero groupie. Having spent all of his life admiring those gifted men and women who could fly, wield the forces of nature and science and magic, and more, Schneider grew up to become a scientist, working on a process to create the ultimate power source. Then the Cataclysm occurred. Devastated by the loss of all the people who had inspired him to work for good, Schneider did the only thing he could and poured himself into his work. A jealous co-worker, however, changed his life forever. By sabotaging the machinery, all the energies Schneider was trying to harness were poured into his body. Be it fate, chance, or dumb luck, Schneider survived, and found himself with the power to change his body into pure energy. Fashioning a containment suit/costume, Schneider named himself Archetype in honor of ALL the fallen superheroes. Archetype and Damage have encountered each other and become rather good friends, due to their mutual respect for the former heroes and their complimentary powers.
Blackwing – Bat, Metahuman, Class 3. Blackwing is the son of one of the world’s worst supervillains, Doctor Darkness. Originally, young Alex Harkness planned to follow in his father’s footsteps… until he hit his teenage rebellious phase, and decided to become a superhero instead, just to annoy his father. Thanks to all the martial arts and superpower training his father gave him, Alex turned out to be VERY good at it… Then the Cataclysm occurred, and Doctor Darkness died. Without his father to spite, Alex was faced with a choice of giving up his plans to be a superhero… or to continue. It came down to a coinflip, but Blackwing debuted in public soon after. Blackwing is a dark and sometimes misguided hero, but he always tries to do what is right. With his powers of flight, injury resistance, enhanced strength and the ability to project “Darkforce” energy, Blackwing flies the night skies in hunt for the remnants of his father’s criminal empire…
New and Old Villains of Note
Armageddon – Manticore, Mutant Class 6. Deceased. In ancient times in the city-continent of Atlantis, a boy was born named Raith. Raith demonstrated massive superhuman abilities from almost the time since he could walk, making him an immediate candidate for the Protectorate caste. It became apparent very early that Raith would become the most powerful member of the Protectorate Atlantis had ever seen. Unfortunately for the Atlanteans, Raith realized that too. At age 13, he was a power-hungry and deadly youth who had already taken over a hundred lives in the name of “duty.” By age 20, he had killed over a thousand, although most of these deaths were in the line of duty or could not be satisfactorily linked to him. By age 30, despite being renowned for his unstable temperament, he had become the leader of the Protectorate… and immediately began a military coup, attempting to take over Atlantis, then the world. Unfortunately, his actions caused Atlantis to sink beneath the waves, killing almost every Atlantean, and forced him into a vault where he remained in stasis for millennia. A deep-sea exploration vessel accidentally freed him in the late 80s, where he emerged to wreak havoc. Heroes from around the world attempted to stop Raith, who had taken on the moniker Armageddon… and many perished in the attempt. However, Paragon proved to be more than Armageddon’s match. They clashed many times over the years in earthshaking battles… Until the Battle of Central City… and the Cataclysm… When he was alive, he had immense powers involving elemental control, extreme level superstrength, flight, speed, and invulnerability. His powers were so strong, he could even affect the fabric of time and space itself.
Doctor Darkness 1 and 2 – 1: Bat, 2: Owl, Metahuman Class 4. Doctor Darkness was one of the world’s most evil supervillains, responsible for the murder of over 10,000 people, having destroyed the small city of Westbridge, Pennsylvania. His real name, Adam Harkness, was known only to a few. He was training his son, Alex to become his protégé, only to be angered when Alex rebelled and became a hero out of spite. Fortunately, he was not angry for long… Unfortunately, that is because he died in the Cataclysm. Soon after, however, a second Doctor Darkness has appeared in the aftermath of the Shardfall. Blackwing has become his main opponent, as the son of the original Doctor Darkness wants to find out who is usurping his father’s mantle. The second Doctor’s identity is unknown. Both versions of Doctor Darkness have powers involving the ability to meld into the shadows, and to project immense amounts of “Darkforce” energy. Both Doctors also possess superhuman intelligence.
Doctor Lightbulb – Chihuahua, Tech Villain Class 0. Doctor Lightbulb was a joke before the Cataclysm. He was a fourth-tier villain who spent most of his time getting beaten to a bloody pulp by various heroes. He never successfully pulled off a crime, often getting defeated by unpowered civilians. His deepest moment of shame was the time a thirteen-year-old civilian tricked him into tying himself to a lightpole until the police came to pick him up. A former electrician, Bubba-Joe Burkas turned to a life of crime to supplement his income… to incredibly hilarious and unfortunate results. His brightest moment, pardon the pun, was the fact that he was responsible for the creation of Blue Blade. Other than that, Doctor Lightbulb is no more than a dim bulb.
Gamemaster – Chimpanzee, Tech Villain Class 3. Gamemaster is one of the strangest supervillains in existence. He has no interest in money or power. He is not even evil. Before the Cataclysm, Gamemaster, Karl Hesse, was a third-tier villain with a psychological compulsion to challenge superheroes with elaborate schemes designed to push them to the limits of their skills and powers. He never involved innocent bystanders in his schemes, in fact going to extraordinary measures to evacuate civilians from the locations of his latest plots. Even Paragon had trouble fighting Gamemaster’s technology. When he was defeated, Hesse would surrender without a fight, honorably. When the Cataclysm occurred, Gamemaster almost went insane without heroes to challenge. But with the Third Age of Superheroes, the Gamemaster has returned, feeling the obligation to test and train the new batch of heroes to be the best they can be… or die in the process.
Masquerade – Rabbit, Shardholder Class 2. When superheroes and villains tell horror stories, they tell each other about Masquerade. Masquerade’s real name is lost to history, but what is known is that he was insane to begin with. An obsession with masks led him to try to peel the skin off his face, forcing him to wear a mask at all times to protect it. Considering Masquerade’s particular brand of insanity and sense of humor, he chose a jester’s mask. When a Shard fell through the roof of his cell in the insane asylum, destroying it, Masquerade became the most dangerous psychopath in history. Masquerade is determined to remove the “mask of sanity” he claims that the world wears. With his power to drain the sanity out of his victims, he can turn a normal person into a manic-depressive, a schizophrenic, or a stark-raving homicidal or suicidal lunatic. On his first rampage alone, he killed or was responsible for the deaths of over 1000 people, but the total number of people he has killed is probably several times that. Damage and Tristan Blaze have both opposed Masquerade on several occasions as both are immune to his control; Damage’s brain has unique electrical activity that allows him to shrug off Masquerade’s powers, and Blaze’s telepathic abilities negate Masquerade’s power. Despite these defeats, Masquerade only has become more determined to throw the entire world into total chaos and insanity…
Darkstar – Wolf, Metahuman Class 4. Darkstar is hard to define. He is neither hero nor villain. Mark Collins found out soon after the Cataclysm, in his late teens, that he could fly, had superstrength, could teleport, project energy, and become invisible. He immediately turned to a life of crime, stealing from the rich, but he did not keep a cent for himself, using his ill-gotten spoils to support the orphanage and neighborhood where he grew up. He freely admits he is a criminal, and will not give in to the police or superheroes… but at the same time, he fights supervillains who threaten innocent lives, sometimes even working with superheroes to do so. As both an unrepentant criminal and a hero to many, it remains to be seen how long Darkstar will be able to walk the knife’s edge between good and evil.
Abbadon – Goat, Magic User, class 5. Abbadon claims he is a demon incarnate, destined to begin the Apocalypse. Whether or not this is true is unknown, but it’s clear Abbadon is not human. He possesses immense magical powers, capable of shifting mountains with a single spell. He claims that he grows stronger depending on the amount of sin and evil around him. However, it’s been found that the opposite is also true, that when faced by a pure, virtuous soul, his power weakens. In this respect, Starflame is his mortal (or immortal) foe. Abbadon also has the power to corrupt people to evil through sheer force of will, sometimes even permanently. So far, the newest Starflame has stopped his attacks and plots, though the only thing is certain is that after his defeat, it’s just a matter of time until he returns, even more determined to feast on her still-beating heart…
Senator John Barnes – Pig, Mutant, class 0. Senator John Barnes is what might be described as a self-hating superhuman. Born with the mutant ability to influence people, John Barnes became a Senator at the young age of 22. Unaware of his powers, Barnes was determined to end what he called the “freak threat,” promoting what amounted to complete enslavement of superhumans or genocide. Very few took him seriously, even with his powers, and for years, Barnes was relatively obscure, despite winning elections year after year… Until the Cataclysm. After the Cataclysm, Barnes became the most vocal proponent for the Superhuman Registration Amendment and all related laws. After the laws were struck down by the Supreme Court, Barnes “convinced” several other Senators to help him create the Superhuman Restriction and Neutralization Agency or SNRA. He runs this agency from the shadows, designating targets for his Executioners to go out and assassinate. However, after discovering his mutant genome, Barnes continues his actions, although with the constant fear that one of his agents will find out… and he’ll find himself on the target list.
The Executioners – Tech Villain group, class 0-4. The Executioners are the enforcement branch of the Superhuman Restriction and Neutralization Agency. Wielding the bleeding edge in anti-superhuman and metacombat weaponry of supertech, magical, and alien origins; they are trained endlessly to battle superhumans in all shapes and forms and any range of power levels. The agents are either blindly loyal to the United States Government, or raving fanatics who hate “freaks.” Either way, they serve their purpose by assassinating superhumans, heroes, villains, and even innocent civilians. Defeating ONE well-armed Executioner is a feat even for a class 4 superhuman. Defeating a full battle-squad is a desperate struggle for life. They show no mercy, they do not negotiate. When you are targeted by the Executioners, your only choices are to fight for your life… run for your life… or die.
Secretary of Superhuman Affairs Marsha Reilly – Dove, Former Induced Superhuman, Class 5. In the late 1980s until the mid-1990s, Marsha Reilly was Mega Girl, the world’s strongest woman, with immense superstrength, flight, and other assorted powers, after an accident involving several experimental chemicals. However, in 1996, her powers faded away, leaving her a mere human once more. Since then, she joined the branch of the government that was instituted to allow superhumans to have representation and contact with the President and Congress, the Department of Superhuman Affairs. Unlike the SNRA, The DSA is a beneficial agency, working for the good of both humans and superhumans. Shortly before the Cataclysm, Reilly was promoted to the Secretary of the DSA, reporting directly to the President. However, now that the Cataclysm has occurred, it has become her job to track, identify, and deal with the new superheroes and villains appearing around the world. While sympathetic to the new heroes, with the current political climate, she finds herself working against the new heroes as much as for them…
Cosmic Entities
As in many comic universes, there are entities of such immense power that they defy human understanding. Their very power shapes and alters the universe. These beings are known as Cosmic Entities. If described on the Superhuman scale, they would be Class 7. Fortunately for humans, Cosmic Entities are RARELY interested in planet Earth, instead extending their concentration upon the universe at large.
Death – She is the living embodiment of death itself. Appearing to humans as a young woman in goth-style outfits with pale skin and deep-black hair, she is the exact opposite of the fabled Grim Reaper. She is present when every living being in the universe is born, and she is there to take them to their final rest when they die. She carries out her duties with humor, gentleness, and kindness, although when faced with “difficult” subjects, she can be harsh. She has a true, adoring love for humanity as a species, and once every hundred years, she takes on human form for one day to live and die as a mortal to remind her of the high cost of living. She has even been known to possess mortal friends, and she is also known to keep up with human pop culture. However, being a cosmic being does not mean she is infallible. She is known to make mistakes on rare occasions, and as such, she is responsible for the creation of the hero Nighthawk in one of those cases. (This version of Death is © Neal Gaiman and DC Comics.)
The Sins – The embodiments of the worst of humanity, the Sins are Wrath, Sloth, Lust, Pride, Envy, Greed, and Gluttony. They are Cosmic Entities determined to drag all life in the universe into eternal squalor and suffering. Abbadon claims to draw power from them, although this claim is unverified. They are known to walk amongst mankind, spreading their influence. Without the Sins, man would live in eternal peace and prosperity… but the Sins are determined to ensure that never happens.
The Virtues - The Virtues oppose the Sins, representing the best of what humanity is capable of. Valor, Generosity, Truth, Honor, Patience, Love, and Wisdom are the Seven Virtues, working amongst mankind to bring a world of eternal peace and prosperity. Some mystical heroes claim that the Virtues are responsible for granting many, if not most superheroes their powers… but most view that claim as religious nonsense. It IS true that the Virtues exist, and they have been known to step in, granting heroes immense power-boosts to help them overcome challenges that will determine the fate of the planet… or the universe.
Oracle - Oracle is said to be able to see EVERYTHING… He is said to be able to see events anywhere in the universe, in the past, present, or future… He is said to be able to see men’s hearts, souls, and thoughts. Eccentric, with a VERY strange sense of humor, Oracle shows himself only to those who need guidance, whether they’re good or evil. Usually appearing in the guise of a scruffy homeless man in a black trenchcoat (the form gives him the giggles…), it’s not unusual for his advice to fall on skeptical ears. He claims to be working for a great future for mankind and the universe that only he can see. Whether this is true or not is unknown, but all that IS known is that when Oracle gives advice, even the gods will listen to every word he says.
The Remnant - The Remnant first appeared one year after the Cataclysm. He claims he is “what’s left” of the heroes and villains who died in the Cataclysm. As usual, his claims are unconfirmed, but he presents frightening and disturbing evidence that they are. He possesses immense god-like powers, capable of altering reality to his whims… as well as manifesting the powers of many of the heroes and villains who died in the Cataclysm. On top of that, he possesses knowledge that only many of those who died could know, such as secret identities and details of the deceased heroes and villains’ lives. The Remnant is unaligned, neither good nor evil, and his actions have been equally ambiguous. He claims he is searching for his meaning in existence, and searching for a great secret that will change everything. Oracle seems to be working against him, though… but considering Oracle’s strange personality, that does not say much.
Mr. Grey – Mr. Grey appears as a man in his mid to late 30s with long silver hair. He lives in a place he calls the “House Beyond Space,” which has doors hidden in almost every city in the world, allowing access. Mr. Grey claims that he is the protector of the all-powerful Source of Magic, which if possessed by any being would allow them power even beyond that of the most powerful Cosmic Entities. Unlike most Cosmic Entities, Mr. Grey deals almost exclusively with Earth and its people. Like Death, Mr. Grey possesses a deep love for humanity, and willingly will step forward to protect Mankind from other Cosmic Entities if he feels forced to. Grey is possessed of IMMENSE magical ability, far beyond that of any mortal sorcerer. He seems to have taken a liking to the new teenaged Starflame, having acted as her tutor at several points. Mr. Grey is certainly the most human of the Cosmic Entities, leaving one to wonder if at one point he ever WAS human…
Mr. Black - Mr. Black is a twisted mirror image of Mr. Grey. Possessing all of Mr. Grey’s power, but none of his inherent decency, Mr. Black lives in a “Mansion Beyond Time.” Mr. Black is responsible for protecting “the Elder Ones,” eldritch horrors imprisoned in the dawn of time. Once faithful to this duty, eons of solitude in the corrupting influence of the Elder Ones have caused Mr. Black to become one of the universe’s greatest enemies. He seeks the legendary Worldkeys; which if gathered, could plunge the universe into eternal darkness and free the Elder Ones. Opposed by Mr. Grey and Starflame, Mr. Black resides within his Mansion Beyond Time, plotting his next attempt to find a Worldkey…
Super-Teams of Note
The Super-Soldiers – The world’s first “super-team,” the Super-Soldiers was made up of quite literally every active superhero in the 1940s. Brought together by Protocol X, they served in World War II to fight the Axis powers, with mixed success. While they served with diligence and honor, bringing together over 100 superhumans into one team was soon realized to be a distinctively bad idea, as they were hard to control, hard to reign in, and hard to order about. Soon after the Super-Soldiers were formed, they were broken down into smaller units, designated with a Greek letter, thus solving that issue. By the end of the war, there were ten Super-Soldier squads, but Alpha, Gamma, and Omega were the most distinguished. Alpha had been there on D-Day. Gamma helped escort the bombers that delivered the atomic bombs to Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Omega (although this fact is STILL classified) was responsible for capturing and executing Adolf Hitler.
The Guardsmen – Arguably the most successful “super-team” in history, the Guardsmen’s existence was a total secret until Paragon made his debut. After McCarthyism put an end to the First Age of Superheroes, many heroes refused to give up their duties and responsibilities. No longer able to serve in public, they abandoned their colorful costumes for black business suits. For over thirty years, the Guardsmen kept world peace in secret, fighting crime and supervillains, averting natural, supernatural, and unnatural disasters, and even rescuing kittens from trees, all while maintaining total anonymity. The original Super-Soldiers were the founding members, but soon their children and new recruits carried on their legacy. The Guardsmen made their public debut, donning actual costumes for the first time in 1982, two years after Paragon’s debut. The Guardsmen, all of them, from founding members to the newest recruits, perished in the Cataclysm. However, there are rumors of a NEW group of Guardsmen, survivors who were unable to be at Central City… But IF this new group exists, they are keeping an even lower profile than the original group.
The Heroes’ League of America - If the Guardsmen were the most successful, the HLA was the highest-profile hero team in history. Paragon and six other heroes teamed up to thwart an alien invasion and came to the realization that they worked well together… and formed the HLA in 1985. For the next twenty-five years, the HLA’s membership grew larger and larger until literally every superhero in existence (including international heroes) had been a member at one point or another, including those that were members of other teams. It was the full roster, reserves, ex-members, and prospective members who faced off against the villains in Central City… and died.
The Bloodshed Gang - A “hero” team in name only, this group of vigilantes and brutal heroes was formed during the Dark Ages of the 1990s. In this time, the heroes and icons who upheld justice within the law fell out of public favor in the stead of vigilantes who would work outside the law, killing their enemies. A rival to the HLA, their initial roster included such infamous “heroes” as the Judgeman and his Jury, the Killer Twins, Hack and his partner Slash, Tech-9 and his sidekick Uzi…. And many more. In the year 2000, the Dark Ages ended and the short-lived “Hero Wars” began where the HLA faced off against the Bloodshed Gang, the former trying to bring the latter to justice for the crimes they committed. In the end, every last member of the Bloodshed Gang is either deceased in combat with the HLA, executed by the state for the murders of the criminals they killed during their career, or serving life-sentences in the hyper-maximum security “Super-Prisons.” It is only due to that, that members of the Bloodshed Gang carry the dubious honor of being some of the only surviving superhumans from before the Cataclysm.
Legacy - An informal team at best, Legacy is made of up of those heroes who wish to carry on the memory of those who died in the Cataclysm. Unfortunately, most heroes post-Cataclysm are too busy trying to establish their own individual identities to join a team, and so Legacy can be called a team in name only. The initial roster included Damage, Starflame, Archetype, Blue Blade, and Thunder and Lightning. Tristan Blaze was rejected membership due to his abrasive personality (in Damage’s words, “He’s a complete ****ing jerk.”). Nighthawk refused membership, preferring to work alone, although he is considered an ally to Legacy. Blackwing was never approached for membership due to his reputation as the son of Doctor Darkness, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will join the team. Legacy’s teamwork is shaky at best, but there is hope that someday their legend will outstrip that of the Guardsmen and the HLA…
More Heroes and Villains of Note:
Prodigy – Metahuman Class 1, Kyle Lucas was a wanna-be martial artist. Adoring the works of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, Kyle spent much of his time in Chinatown, searching for new martial arts movies to see. Unfortunately, one day, he spent a little too long in Chinatown and was not able to get out before dark fell. Accosted by a group of Triad thugs, he was mugged. However, the last thing anyone expected was for Kyle to beat his attackers to a bloody pulp with the greatest of ease. Kyle found out that he had a unique superpower, instinctive knowledge of ALL martial arts. Kyle could fight better than the greatest Kung Fu sifu, better than the most masterful Karate sensei, and even better than the drunkest Drunken Fist master. With enhanced speed and strength, Kyle found himself the best martial artist on the planet… and he did what anyone would do in his position. Instead of going on the tournament circuit and making millions, he put on a colorful outfit and took the name Prodigy to go fight crime!
Icon – Shardholder Class 5. While Damage and Blaze are the premiere and highest-profile heroes of the Third Age of Superheroes, Icon is the most powerful. With powers of high-level superstrength, superspeed, flight, invulnerability, energy vision, and various sense powers, Icon has become the protector of Vector City. The unfortunate fact? He’s a fifteen-year-old kid with ADD. Mark Nolan was a normal teen, struggling to keep up with his classes, until a Shard fell from the sky right in front of him. Some believe that Mark has inherited some of the power of Paragon. Unlike the other heroes who struggle to find their place in a world that is not willing to accept them, Icon struggles to stop supervillains and get home in time to see his favorite tv shows. Infuriating his enemies with constant pop-culture references and quips, it remains to be seen whether Icon will mature with age and experience, and learn to take his responsibilities seriously.
Surekill – Tech Villain Class 4. Surekill is the alias of the world’s foremost metacombat expert. He has trained since childhood to find, fight, and kill superhumans of any power level. Unrelated to the Executioners, Surekill is a mercenary for hire. He’ll kill anyone, human, superhuman, heroes, villains, innocent people… provided you pay him enough, and his prices are steep. A master of almost every martial art, skilled with every weapon known to man, and using special technology of his own design, it is not a stretch to call Surekill the most dangerous man on the planet. He has taken on superheroes and villains of every caliber, including Prodigy, and walked away victorious. However, he has a strangely quirky personality. Not only is he the nicest guy a person would ever meet, but he won’t kill anyone unless they are his target or if he is forced to in self-defense. He has no qualms about seriously injuring, maiming, and crippling people, though. Refusing to fight in the Battle of Central City (he wasn’t offered enough money), and thus spared from being killed in the Cataclysm, Surekill is one of the few surviving top-tier supervillains…
Mastermind – Metahuman/Tech Villain Class 3. Mastermind used to be a joke of a villain. Despite his name, his plots were usually flashy, elaborate, and doomed to failure from minute one. While not completely useless, like Doctor Lightbulb, Mastermind was considered a third tier villain at best, a threat to normal people but not to superheroes. However, after the Cataclysm, Mastermind reinvented himself, and became the leader of one of the many criminal syndicates involved in the Shadow Wars. Where before, Mastermind was nothing but a wimp to be disregarded and thrown in jail, Mastermind has become one of the most dangerous and malicious people on the planet. With his metatalent of superhuman intelligence, he’s earned that reputation.
Roulette – Mutant class 0-6. Roulette is a villain that ranges from a complete joke to the most powerful person on the planet… depending on the day. Roulette has the superhuman ability to spawn random superpowers for exactly one hour. Unfortunately, he has no control over what powers he gets, and cannot recall those powers. Thus, Roulette can find himself with the power to rewrite the very nature of reality one minute, then the power to change the color of people’s clothing the next. Roulette himself admits that his abilities aren’t the greatest, but he makes do, finding creative ways to commit crimes with the oddest and strangest powers…
Hyperman!!! - Induced Superhuman class 4. Samson Spacker was a normal man, until a freak car accident left him drenched in radioactive chemicals. Anyone else would have died instantly and painfully, but Samson somehow found himself with superhuman powers. With immense superstrength, flight, and limited invulnerability, he fashioned himself into a superhero. Unlike other heroes who fight for good out of a sense of duty, responsibility (or in Blaze’s case, utter boredom), Samson chose to fight crime for money. As the world’s first corporate superhero, Spacker became “Hyperman!!!” (the three exclamation points were added as part of the trademark), and began a career of beating up bad guys for profit. Unfortunately, “Hyperman!!!” happens to have very little common sense, even less charisma, and considering public opinion of superheroes after the Cataclysm, very little support. Other heroes view him mostly as an idiot, a joke, or a sellout and for the most part refuse to be associated with him unless absolutely necessary.
Lazarus - Magic User, class 3 - It’s not certain WHO Lazarus is… He claims to be the Biblical Lazarus, but very few believe that the son of God would have resurrected someone so evil. Lazarus is a necromancer of immense power, who claims that death is the true state of the world. A nihilist of the ultimate degree, it is his goal to kill all living beings on the planet. He seems to possess immortality. He has been impaled, decapitated, incinerated, disintegrated, atomized, drowned, poisoned, and killed in any and every way imaginable… and he always returns unharmed. Starflame and Nighthawk are his main opponents, as their magical abilities best counter his own. Death herself is a constant foe of Lazarus, and like him, she can wait forever until she can claim him…
Important Terms and Concepts of the Blank Slate Universe
Metacombat – Literally, “the art of fighting superhumans.” Less a martial art in and of itself and more a genre of fighting styles. Almost every superhero has to learn one form of metacombat or another in order to be effective. Those without a metacombat style or technique are doomed to be beat up rather easily. A normal human who masters metacombat can take on superhumans even without powers or technology. Most metacombat styles revolve around figuring out how a superhuman’s powers function, then creating an opportunity to use their powers against them or finding a way to neutralize those powers… For example, forcing electricity-powered metahumans to short-circuit themselves, or handcuffing an opponent who can fire energy blasts from their hands. Metacombat is less the art of fighting, and more the art of thinking and strategizing on the fly. Surekill is the world’s greatest metacombat expert. Despite having no superpowers of his own, he is capable of taking on Class 5 superhumans and winning through sheer skill and intelligence.
Shards/Shardfall - Shards are crystalline objects that grant superhuman abilities to the first human to touch them. They first appeared exactly one year after the Cataclysm, raining down upon the world, in an event called the “Shardfall.” It is estimated that over one-hundred thousand Shards fell during the Shardfall, however, 90 percent of the shards were lost in the wilderness, destroyed on impact with the Earth, or simply vanished. The remaining ten percent fell into the hands of humans. Of these, over 40 percent underwent massive disfigurements and mental changes, becoming what are called colloquially, “Shard-Freaks.” The rest became known as Shard-holders, remaining physically unaltered, but gaining superhuman powers. Despite the moniker, the Shards are absorbed into the person’s body and vanish completely.
Supertech - A shortened version of the phrase “super-advanced technology.” Supertech is basically technology that is highly advanced for the current date. In the mid-to-late twentieth century, a greater number of scientific advances were created than were publicly known. These highly-advanced technologies were usually the property of either super-geniuses or the government. In modern times, supertech is more common, but still not available to the general public. Most tech heroes and villains use supertech.
Shadow Wars - During the year after the Cataclysm, organized crime ground to a halt. With all the major supercriminals dead, a literal war was being waged in the back alleys as criminals fought to fill the power vacuum left in their wake. While most of the evidence of this war involved massacres in mafia hideouts or bodies left in alleyways, the repercussions were no less profound. One year after the Cataclysm, new criminal syndicates began to rise up, led by former third, fourth, and fifth-rate supervillains who had reinvented themselves. The two most dangerous syndicates are led by Mastermind and Doctor Darkness II. Several new heroes were created by the Shadow Wars as well, including Blue Blade, Nighthawk, and Blackwing.
Protocol X - A law signed by President Roosevelt in World War II that drafted all active superheroes into the military. A little known fact is that many supervillains also served under Protocol X, under an agreement for amnesty for their crimes. Several supervillains actually reformed from the experience of working with superheroes against a greater evil, and became proud members of the Guardsmen after the war ended.
Superhuman Registration Act - A bill brought before Congress by Senator John Barnes. The Superhuman Registration Act was an extreme measure, requiring all superhumans, aliens, spellcasters, etc, to go register their identities, powers, home addresses, and family relations with the government. Fortunately, the law was shot down for any number of reasons, as superheroes’ identities would become public knowledge, and endanger countless lives in the process. Another reason it was shot down was due to the sheer impossibility of enforcement, finding all the superhumans in the nation (including those trying to live normal lives and hide their powers…), and make them come forward to register. The bill found new support after the Cataclysm, but was brought down in committee a second time.
Superhuman Neutralization Act – A second bill created by Senator John Barnes after the Cataclysm. The law would have given law enforcement, the military, and related organizations the ability to execute superhumans on sight, whether they were good, evil, or simply innocent civilians. The law was shot down again, because it was an obvious ploy to sanction genocide. Senator Barnes BARELY escaped censure for this bill, but was undeterred, and created the SNRA in the aftermath of the failure of this attempt.
Protocol Y - A bill introduced in Congress with the influence of Marsha Reilly, the Secretary of Superhuman Affairs. Viewed as the opposite of the Superhuman Registration Act in terms of intention, it would have sanctioned the creation of a government-affiliated group of superhuman agents, recruited from the new generation of superheroes. Unfortunately, Protocol Y is stuck in committee, as the current political atmosphere leans against superhumans, sanctioned by the government or not. Her intention in this law was to allow the new generation of Superheroes to act with government support… but unfortunately, it seems that this is merely a dream, as the new heroes are hunted by the SNRA and law enforcement, and persecuted by the public media.
Important Places 1
Central City - Central City was a Midwestern city roughly the size of Chicago. Its nickname was the Jewel of the Midwest. Settled in the 1800s, with an initial population of less than 1000, it soon had over 3 million people living in the city. Unfortunately, the current population of Central City is zero. One year previously, a supervillain army marched upon the city, leading to the Battle of Central City. The Cataclysm occurred 24 hours after the battle began, leading to the death of 99.999 percent of the active superhumans in the world, and the entire population of the city. Currently, the ruins of the city (and everything within a 150 mile radius) are in a no-man’s land, prohibited to all but those with the highest security clearance. Trespassers are killed on sight.
Vector City: A city on the East Coast formerly known as the superhero capital of the world. More big-name superheroes made their home there than even New York City. Slightly smaller than New York, Vector has a reputation as being a shining example of what a modern American city SHOULD be. Paragon made his home there before his death. The United States Government studies Vector VERY closely because of the strangely high number of superhumans who are born there. Something about the city seems to attract or draw superhumans or potential superhumans to it and gives birth to them. Most of the heroes and villains mentioned in the previous articles live in or near Vector City.
Campaign Ideas 1
The Shardfall – The date is 1 AC (After Cataclysm). The world is in an unstable state, as the Third Age of Superhumans is quite literally in its first days. The status quo is suddenly shattered as crystalline Shards suddenly plummet from the heavens around the world, wreaking havoc and devastation. Those who find the Shards become either Shard-Freaks or superhumans. Taking place in Vector City, the players will have to survive the initial Shardfall (whether as a powered hero or a normal human), gain their powers, and deal with the monstrous Shard-Freaks that are devastating the city.
Masquerade’s Ball - The date is 1.5 AC, six months after the Shardfall. Damage (PC or NPC) comes upon what seems to be a riot in Vector City’s Capital Park. The heroes will have to help law enforcement (or avoid law enforcement) and try to quell the riot, only to find that the citizens have been driven into a state of temporary insanity. With investigation, the heroes will discover Masquerade is behind this, and is planning to drive the entire city into a state of lunacy in one week unless the heroes can stop his plans. Damage, Blaze, and the heroes will have to work together… if they can stop squabbling and arguing long enough to save the world.
The Executioners - Date is 1.5 AC. People begin vanishing from the streets, and are found dead, sometimes right in the middle of a street. After a little investigation, the heroes should find that all of the dead people were superhumans. Soon after, big name superheroes and villains begin to vanish, some turning up dead. The players should investigate and eventually find that a group calling themselves the Executioners, using powerful metacombat weaponry, is hunting the superhuman population. The heroes will have to fight for their lives as they find themselves on the target list, and must find a way to stop the Executioners from killing any more people… The campaign may lead to a daring strike on “the Compound,” the Executioners homebase, to wipe their computers and all files on the secret identities of the heroes… Or it may lead to major public battles between the heroes and the Executioners in the cities streets…
The Star, the Gray One, the Demon, and the Deadman – 1.7 AC, Starflame (and any other mystical heroes or Legacy members) are invited to Mr. Gray’s House Beyond Space for a look around, when Mr. Gray detects a major disturbance in Earth’s Ether Streams, the natural flow of magic in the world. The Heroes will soon find the dead rising from their graves (including heroes and villains killed in the Cataclysm) and humans suddenly becoming demonic minions. As the heroes work to save as many lives as they can (ushering innocent people into the Doorways to the House Beyond Space for safety), they will find an unnatural alliance between Abbadon and Lazarus has occurred to turn Earth into a demonic realm of the dead. With help from Mr. Gray and Death herself, Starflame, Nighthawk, and the heroes will have to face the demon and the necromancer to restore the balance of Earth…
The Remnant - 2 AC, The heroes are on crime patrol, defeating hoodlums, when they encounter a scruffy homeless man who spouts a cryptic warning about “They are returning… Beware.” When pressed for more information, the man will advise the heroes to go to the Central City Ruins. The man then vanishes into thin air. After some investigation, the heroes will find that the man was actually the cosmic being Oracle. The heroes should head to Central City, where they will find a hostile, post-apocalyptic environment with death waiting around every corner in collapsing buildings, radiation zones, molten lakes of glass, and every other conceivable obstacle. They will soon encounter the Remnant, who claims to be “what’s left” of the heroes and villains who died in the Cataclysm. With his incalculable power, the Remnant wishes to make the world into a paradise where all can live in peace. The heroes will have to decide whether to believe the Remnant’s good intentions… or believe Oracle’s warnings to the contrary…
Eternal Darkness – 2 AC, The heroes should be going about their business, when the entire planet is covered in complete darkness, as if the sun were turned off like a lightbulb. On every frequency and every form of media, Dr. Darkness II appears and declares himself the ruler of Earth. “If the peasants of the world ever want to see even a hint of light again, the governments of the world will surrender to me in 24 hours.” The heroes consult with Blackwing (PC or NPC) who should tell them that Dr. Darkness II can literally be anywhere or do ANYTHING in a world of complete shadow. The heroes will have to work together to face an army of Dr. Darkness’s minions, other supervillains, and find out where Dr. Darkness II is hiding… and find a way to destroy his ultimate invention, the Shadow Veil.
