Best Superhero to be lost in a Fantasy world

[McManus]

Hey all,

I have been invited to bring a super character into a fantasy world. The system in not Hero.

I am curious what sort of super you think would be best in a fantasy game and why.

The idea of bringing a traditional superhero into a High Fantasy milieu is fun. Most superheroes fall fairly well into traditional fantasy RPG archetypes.

Fighter -
Super Strong characters - Hulk, Thing, Wonder Woman, Colossus, Luke Cage
Combat Specialists - Wolverine, Cap. America, Beast, TimberWolf
Weapon Masters - Swordsman, Shining Knight, Green Arrow, Hawkeye

Thief/Rogue/Monk -
Stealth Characters - Nightcrawler, Invisible Kid, Cloak, Shadowcat
Martial Artists - Nightwing, Daredevil, Moonknight, Iron Fist

Wizard/Mage -
Elementals - Human Torch, Iceman, Captain Atom, Storm, Lightning Lad
Mystics - Dr. Strange, Dr. Fate, Prof X, Zatanna
Telekinetics - Phoenix, Green Lantern, Firestorm, Invisible Woman, Magneto

Multiclass -
Fighter/Mage - Superman, Thor, Martian Manhunter, Vision
Fighter/Rogue - Spiderman, Batman

There are some power sets that don't fit well into the traditional fantasy RPG archetypes. The one that springs most readily to mind is the metamorph/shape changer. While there are lycanthropes in fantasy worlds, there are few were-giants (Goliath, Colossal Boy, Titania) or were-insects (Yellowjacket, Wasp, Ant-man, Atom). Stretchers (Mr. Fantastic, Elongated Man) or full shape changers (Metal Men, Metamorpho, Morph, Plastic Man, Chameleon Boy) are almost unheard of. Speedsters (Flash, Quicksilver) are also not really equivalent to any fantasy archetype. Gadgeteers and powered armor (Gismo, Steel, Iron Man) would not make the transition well, long term. Finally there are "one trick ponies" that have a single, fairly limited superpower, but are otherwise normal (Cyclops, Angel, many of the Legion of Superheroes). These could be represented as whatever archetype/class with one unusual characteristic.

What type do you think would work best in a high fantasy game. By best I mean fun to play, different enough form the other characters, and yet not harmful to group dynamics.

[Supreme Serpent]

First off, bring someone without a CVK or equivalent.

I'd avoid a super-mage. Not much difference there.

I'd avoid a super-scientist, at least those reliant on gear for powers.

I'd avoid weapon masters. Again, not much difference there.

Actually I think some of the more unusual powers that "aren't typical archetypes" would be the best bet. If all you're going to be is a fighter in a cape, why bother bringing in a super? A stretchy guy, the giant-on-demand, the teleporting guy, etc - those could all be different. Add them into a fantasy world, and get some good combinations.

A former supervillain looking to redeem could be a good option too. Checkered past, not goody-two-shoes, but wants to make the most out of this fresh start where people don't already have a pre-conceived idea about him.

[Lord Liaden]

I've seen several "Iron Man vs. sorceror/demon" stories over the years, and the writers always had fun with the mutual incomprehension of the magic and tech characters, and their difficulty in dealing with the SFX of their respective powers. I think that a technology-based character would be entertaining to use in a fantasy world, as long as his powers were fully functional there, and he wasn't highly dependent on a technological society for the maintenance of his equipment. (Although a few problems with recharging or part replacement could make for an interesting challenge.) :sneaky:

[teh bunneh]

How about a lost Prince of Atlantis type? Assuming the fantasy world has its own version of Atlantis (possibly the Prince's own realm, thousands of years in the past) he would fit right in. You could go several different ways with his powers -- do the Namor/Aquaman super-strong, super-tough thing, or you could go with "commands the majicks of the ancients!" thing. :yes:

[Blue]

I'd tend to want to make the character slightly incongruous with the setting. That is, having Hawkeye (An archer with trick arrows) isn't all that different form having an elf with magic arrows. He'll fit in easily enough and where's the fun in that?

Iron Man was a better example, because his armor is unlike anything seen in that world. He could catch a strange rep with his ability to fire energy from his hands and to fly.

[AliceTheOwl]

I actually have a reverse concept going on in my Via campaign - they're an offshoot of the Champions world, their world being the result of an uncontrolled super power. The son of the world's creator accidentally wound up there, and discovered that he had the ability to mimic others' powers.

If I can sneak it into the plot, I'm dropping them into the Champions World for a while.

Anyway, I would imagine that any combination of superteam could work there with some imagination, creativity and ingenuity. Anything tech-based which relies on having spare parts or batteries handy might have more of a challenge than others.

[Super Squirrel]

I'd probably pick Green Arrow to be honest.

[Narratio]

I'd go with one of the shape changers, a Chameleon Boy type, or maybe an elemental like Sandman.

But don't rule out the gadgeteering technology types completely. I remember an Iron man vs Dr. Doom "What if" story from the Secret Wars era, the end of which had Stark trapped in medieval England and having to rebuild his technology at steam level. Joel Rosenberg did a decent series of stories called 'Guardians of the Flame' on real life role players bringing minimal tech to a high fantasy world.

Fantasy meets gunpowder and steam? That's always seemed like a fun concept to me.

[Zindil]

Thor would be a blast. Conceptually he works well in a fantasy game. It would be a load of fun to actually start a religion while playing him. One could show up in a drought stricken area and bring some rain. Voila! Instant worshippers, just add water.:D

Also, Thor's experiences would create an interesting roleplaying opportunity. Here is a character that is at home in both a fantasy universe and a modern superhero universe. Would he seek to go back to Marvel's earth? Would he stay and become the most active and benevolent god in the fantasy universe? What if Loki followed him to the fantasy setting?

Thor has LOTS of potential.

[Gadodel]

In an old campaign I ran, the player who played a 'Silver Surfer' type of character had a lot of fun. Of course, the BBEG was a Great Wyrm Red Dragon; so the aerial combat was a lot of fun to game master.

[Haven Walkur]

McManus, I'm both glad and envious that you've finally found a game!

Oh, and have some Rep for using members of the Legion of Superheroes as exemplars of the various D&D character-types. Have you read the post-Reboot Legion issue "Castles in the Air"? That's another exploration of the merging of sci-fi and fantasy.

In the comic, Cos is their King Arthur; he's married to Saturn Girl...and Lightning Lad is Lancelot! The rest of the Legion are the knights, and Element Lad is also the lord high executioner...charged with executing Mekt Ranzz, the Lightning Lord.

[Vondy]

I'd avoid a super-scientist, at least those reliant on gear for powers.



Victor Von Doom. Science and Sorcery, and therefore technology that can be fueled by sorcery... :eek:

(harnessing electricity/atomic reactions with magic to power his armor)

[Vondy]

Thor would be a blast. Conceptually he works well in a fantasy game. It would be a load of fun to actually start a religion while playing him. One could show up in a drought stricken area and bring some rain. Voila! Instant worshippers, just add water.:D


And then, comic book Thor doesn't want to be worshipped as a god, but would probably inadvertently start one anyways. A comedy of errors ensues.

[lapsedgamer]

OK. Am I the only one cracking up at the concept of Luke Cage in a fantasy world?

[Supreme Serpent]

"Christmas! A beholder!"

[Vondy]

"Christmas! A beholder!"

The Adam West Batman might be fun, too.

[Lord Liaden]

The Adam West Batman might be fun, too.

"Quick, old chum! Break out the Bat Dragon-Repellant!"

[Supreme Serpent]

Or the Wonder Twins...

"Form of...a Neo-Oytugh!"

[McManus]

One of the issues that comes up in this is that characters in the game will start relatively low level and improve over time, standard for a FRPG. What would be the best way to bring a 350 pt super into a world, depower him partially, then have him regain powers as he gains experience?

[Supreme Serpent]

Not much of a super if he's depowered now is he? :p

Extra disads is one way. Not going to be able to get away with Hunted by Viper though. Have the high-pt guy earn XP more slowly and ramp up the XP of the others.

Really though...bringing a 350pt character of any type into a game where everyone else is as 150pts is going to cause problems. Probably best to up the fantasy folks, or drop the pts on the super.

A gadget-based character might actually be good then for balance purposes. Build him with a reasonable amount of gear - that he doesn't pay points for - just like the fantasy folks. Over time, he'll trade out his kevlar for chain mail, his battlestaff for a sword, etc. Non-gear wise, build him on the same points as everyone else.

[copeab]

Hey all,

I have been invited to bring a super character into a fantasy world. The system in not Hero.

I am curious what sort of super you think would be best in a fantasy game and why.


Hellboy, 'cause he's already gone into a fantasy world and came back (_Sword of Storms_).

[CSgeekHero]

Power Girl. For obvious...umm...fantasy...reasons :D

[NestorDRod]

Been there, done that. I once ran a short one-person super campaign for a friend who was playing a pseudo-vampire character (think Morbius The Living Vampire as a college-age girl).

At one point, she locked horns with the Denier, who convinced her to go on a quest in an alternate dimension in exchange for some hostages' lives. A NPC comedy-relief hero (strongly based on Leroy the Awesome Exoskeleton Man) tagged along.

The alternate dimension was, of course, a fantasy world. Exo-Man ended up becoming a hero, saving a village of forest elves from a band of brigands; they thought he was a knight due to the armor he wore. Well, the vampire did most of the work, but the villagers didn't see her as hero-material. She did find out from the grateful villagers that the object she was sent to retrieve was in the possession of a local wizard.

Her attempts to steal the object went awry, but instead of destroying her, the wizard offered her a deal. He'd trade the McGuffin for... a drop of her blood. Confused, she agreed. Blood was drawn, the mission was accomplished, and our heroes headed home.

As an epilogue to the adventure, I related to the player the results of her incursion into the other realm. The wizard used the blood to build himself a race of pale-skinned, red-eyed enhanced warriors. The problem was that, when the wizard tried to give them an order, they looked at each other, said "No", slaughtered the wizard, then went off to try to conquer the world, causing a bloody war that lasted three centuries. (Astute readers of Lawrence Watt-Evans' Lure of the Basilisk will recognize my inspiration).

It was worth seeing her face as she realized that she'd indirectly become the cause of a world-war. :eg:

I'm sorry, what was the topic again? Oh yeah.

All I got to say is, if the fantasy system is d20, quit while you're ahead. Unless you twist the system 'til it screams (a la M&M), trying to do a superhero in d20 makes shoving the square peg in the round hole a walk in the park. :p

[casualplayer]

Busiek and Perez' Avengers reboot started out with a multi-issue Kulan Gath-ification that medievaled the whole roster of Avengers. It was beautifully illustrated fun and we got to see Yeoman America, Jade Giantess and such.

[Gadodel]

Another player played a Forge (X-Men) type of character. It was an urban setting, so it worked. Imagine the Gnomes' surprise when a human tinkered more than they and was willing to help/teach them.

[Matt Frisbee]

I think I'd like bring the Iron Fist, Power Man, Tigra and Spiderman (only because Pete's been everywhere else before). They wouldn't have too much trouble fitting into a fantasy world. But if I had to choose just one, I'd go as Doctor Strange, because he would eventually figure out a way to get back home on his own...

Matt "My-two-cents-worth-and-I'm-out-of-pennies-again" Frisbee

[TheRavenIs]

I have a Technomancer C, Dr Raven. He could fit in really well, he could fit the part of a mage/cleric well, a thief, and ninja type fighter. For information the C is a varient of a C I have played in one form or another for over 25 yrs.

He'd also be fun to set up as a armorer or weapon maker, all the time working to find a way home.