Working on New Constantinople

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Oh, and Kirby, don't know what you thought of the description of Club Spandex above, but you... or anyone else here may certainly use it, as long as you realize that by doing so you absolve me of any responsiblity or obligation if one of your female players and/or male players of female characters should threaten, slap, fold, spindle, or otherwise harm you in anyway as a result.

[Kirby]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Well...okay.

[OddHat]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Wherever there are powerful' date=' strong, brave and beautiful women in uniform or costume, there will be someone there to objectify them and oggle their goodies whether they like it or not. Example: [i']Club Spandex[/i]. This club caters to the tastes of superfetishists by having strippers dress in costumes that 'parody' (and thus become protected by Satire laws) superheroines and supervillainesses. Even if their outfit wasn't risque before, the version worn at Club Spandex certainly is. The world isn't fair, and you're not likely to ever see the real Witchcraft shaking her moneymaker, but C.S. can arrange a substitue who looks very close to the real deal. Despite frequent threats from outraged superheroines, and frequent breaking from even more ticked off supervillainesses, the Club Spandex franchise is growing nationwide. Over twenty different cities in the states have a Club Spandex, and the name, like Playboy has become synomous with quality...well, at least within its field. Ironically, because of the extra scrutiny these clubs often end up getting, they do tend to be cleaner, more legal, and up to code more often than other strip clubs.

 

The owner of Club Spandex in New Constantinople is Bob "Snake" Prescott. Despite the nick name, and the sleeziness, no one has ever proven that Snake is in anyway, shape, or form connected to VIPER.

 

Location (in NewConn): Crosstown, near Crescent

 

 

I like this a lot.

 

I used a similar idea; Internet Super Porn is produced and driven by Demon's Mad Scientists, in a program to degrade the heroic ideal. From a practical point of view this very slightly improves recruitment (dimwits who think that the stories about consequence free rape are accurate) while damaging the prestige in which the public and officials hold Supers. From a mystic point of view, the power of story is slowly warped against "heroes" as the public starts to see them as objects of angry lust.

 

Morningstar Studios and Morningstar Publications (both rumored to be opperated by Demon) have somehow convinced a surprising number of minor Supers (Hero and Villain) to appear in nude layouts and softcore porn films.

[Kirby]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I like this a lot.

 

I used a similar idea; Internet Super Porn is produced and driven by Demon's Mad Scientists, in a program to degrade the heroic ideal. From a practical point of view this very slightly improves recruitment (dimwits who think that the stories about consequence free rape are accurate) while damaging the prestige in which the public and officials hold Supers. From a mystic point of view, the power of story is slowly warped against "heroes" as the public starts to see them as objects of angry lust.

 

Morningstar Studios and Morningstar Publications (both rumored to be opperated by Demon) have somehow convinced a surprising number of minor Supers (Hero and Villain) to appear in nude layouts and softcore porn films.

Some things I've mentioned to Hermit via PM in his campaign is that (due to NPCs in the game and actions of my PC) I've thought of an idea for a super: A female with duplication powers. Her secret/public (not sure yet) ID is that she's a porn star. (If it's a public ID, she may not be a hero, just a metahuman.)

 

Things I haven't yet revealed (but might as well, now): Screen name is Duplicity. Movies she's been in include: Multiple Orgasms, The Three Amigas, Assault of the Clones, etc.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

My we all have dirty minds

 

Anyway, nudging this back on topic, any comments about the other things I've brought up recently for NewConn?

[Kirby]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Yeah, who the heck is the mayor?

 

EDIT: And I guess the City Council, since they aren't mentioned. You may want to list the deputy mayor as well (unless there's some nefarious plot where he'll soon become mayor).

[OddHat]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

My we all have dirty minds

 

Depends on how you approach the material. It's potentially funny or arousing so long as the consequences are minimized; take the consequences seriously, and it becomes rage inducing, possibly to the point of being unusable.

 

Anyway, nudging this back on topic, any comments about the other things I've brought up recently for NewConn?

 

I'm enjoying all of it so far. A GM's section might be useful at some point; the real story, NPC write ups, etc. I'd be willing to contribute a minor background NPC hero or villain.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Yeah, who the heck is the mayor?

 

EDIT: And I guess the City Council, since they aren't mentioned. You may want to list the deputy mayor as well (unless there's some nefarious plot where he'll soon become mayor).

 

Hmm.. still working on the rest but

 

City Government

Mayor Rochester K. Calpis, perhaps the only mayor who mastered "The Vanishing Teleport" Calpis can say an awful lot in front without committing to anything, and never be available if it means actual work. He follows the polls religiously. His second greatest talent, fortunately for the city, is to find the right person for the right job.

 

 

Deputy Mayor Herman Munz , a much put upon paper pusher often assigned the day to day headaches of the admiinstration while the mayor does the meets and greets.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Depends on how you approach the material. It's potentially funny or arousing so long as the consequences are minimized; take the consequences seriously, and it becomes rage inducing, possibly to the point of being unusable.

True, a lot depends on the tone, realism, and 'age' of the campaign you run.

 

 

I'm enjoying all of it so far. A GM's section might be useful at some point; the real story, NPC write ups, etc. I'd be willing to contribute a minor background NPC hero or villain.

 

Well, as Kirby has hinted at by his suggestions, he's already a player in the setting. I began using New Constantinople in a HEROcentral game when my old campaign was rebooted/scrapped. I originally was unsure what to use (Was thinking Vibora Bay, but a bit too dark/occult oriented) but then this started forming up so beautifully I figured what the heck

 

Of course, the PCs in New Conn will vary depending on which group you run in it. I was forced to make some snap judgements on heroes of the past though

 

However, there have been heroes of the past. The greatest of these was Colossus a brick with the ability to grow to truly titanic heights. His career spanned the late 70s to May 8, 1987 where he was last seen risking his life to save the city by acting as a living water break for an artificially created Tsunami. He is said to have litteraly open the bed rock of the ocean to create a counterwave. He has never been seen again, and is presumed dead.

 

He has become something of the Elvis of the city, only less tacky. They're even building a statue of him.

 

Less well known were Nox, and Stormrider. Nox, if she ever existed in the first place, also has not been heard of in some time. Stormrider turned out to be in the employ of VIPER, taking cash from them to elimante their rivals in the name of crimefighting, while keeping attention focused away from them. He went from hero to zero overnight when UNTIL exposed him. It was a dark day.

 

 

I might do a GM vault, but will have to threaten some players to avoid the page if I do

[Kirby]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I might do a GM vault' date=' but will have to threaten some players to avoid the page if I do [/quote']

[Tom]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I might do a GM vault' date=' but will have to threaten some players to avoid the page if I do [/quote']

 

Hmmm, iirc, the 'slang' term for a torpedo with a 'live' warhead is: Warshot

 

 

(this makes sense in context)

 

As another of Hermit's players, I'd like to add my thanks to all of the contributors to this thread for provinding a playground for my and the other's characters...

 

(gonna have to add the city to my campaign too, I'm thinking...)

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Organizations in New Contantinople (Good Guys)

L'Institut Thoth: While the presence of L'Institut Thoth in NewConn is less felt here than it is in some other cities, they do have an office. This particualr branch is chiefly dedicated to superhuman demographics, why certain cities draw certain heroes, and so on. The head of this office is a twinkling eyed woman named Dr. Maureen Helters. Maureen has studied the cycles of superhuman activity in the U.S. and predicted (successfully) a massive burst of superhuman activity in Millennium City... unfortunately "I missed it" , she thinks New Constantinople might be the next location, albeit on a smaller scale, where this would occur and so has set up shop. While not able to do it all, she has enough contacts in and out of the organization to find help for a superhuman in need.

 

The Trismegistus Council: The council has always been here, sometimes in greater numbers than others. They are well aware that at least one Greek God has an avatar here regulalry, and that the totemic spirits of a lost tribe stir in a mix of emotions about their failure to protect them, and they know that many mystical threats are in the shadows, no doubt soon to come out into the open moonlight.

 

PRIMUS: Primus has almost zero presence in NewConn, the exception being a recrutiing office in Athens. Want to join up?

 

UNTIL: UNTIL, on the other hand, is very much present and has a good relationship with much of the city save those who worry about UN interference on US atonomy. Most of their fighting force is standard agents, but they are thinking of upgrading. For the long dry spell of a dearth of superheroes, UNTIL has been the main deterrent against supervillainous activity, and it has cost them. The Base Commander is Major Von Koeln, a hard edged German woman who insists on hand picking the men and women whenever highly dangerous missions are called for. Accordingly, her troops have nicknamed her "The Valkyrie", as she is the "chooser of the slain".

[death tribble]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

The whole thread is fascinating. Kudos to Hermit for kick starting the project and everyone else for chiming in.

 

One thing that you might want to highlight is the cops bar and one perhaps for the mob. Then there is one for supers.

My idea on the latter is that one super saw a minor Talent being given a hard time by cops outside a bar and threatened the cops off. He was bullet proof. Then took the minor Talent into the bar and had a drink. From there it became the bar for anyone with superpowers. No-one commits crimes in the bar or around it on pain of death.

 

Something for the history as well and I'll use a self-aggrandizing example. In a bid to shake off the gloom after the Myrmidons left the city Mayor (X) decided to hold a Death Tribble day as a way to make people feel happy. Mayor Daley had said some derogatory things about New Constantinople and it was well known the emnity that the sometime giant Tribble felt for the mayor. The day looked set to be a disaster with few things organised and lack of popular support until the day itself dawned and with it Death Tribble itself. News coverage of the giant size Tribble spread across the city drawing the crowds. Suprisingly the Tribble behaved itself delighting children by giving them rides and size shifting. It made the whole day a success. However the Tribble made it known that it would not be an annual event. Since then it has become a triannual and is not set to a specific date owing to the Tribble's particular whims. It never clashes though with another holiday like Christmas, New Year or Easter. But at a time when the city needs a cheer up, there appears the manic Tribble.

That uses me but could be adapted for say Grond or someone in your own campaign.

[OddHat]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

The whole thread is fascinating. Kudos to Hermit for kick starting the project and everyone else for chiming in.

 

One thing that you might want to highlight is the cops bar and one perhaps for the mob. Then there is one for supers.

My idea on the latter is that one super saw a minor Talent being given a hard time by cops outside a bar and threatened the cops off. He was bullet proof. Then took the minor Talent into the bar and had a drink. From there it became the bar for anyone with superpowers. No-one commits crimes in the bar or around it on pain of death.

 

Something for the history as well and I'll use a self-aggrandizing example. In a bid to shake off the gloom after the Myrmidons left the city Mayor (X) decided to hold a Death Tribble day as a way to make people feel happy. Mayor Daley had said some derogatory things about New Constantinople and it was well known the emnity that the sometime giant Tribble felt for the mayor. The day looked set to be a disaster with few things organised and lack of popular support until the day itself dawned and with it Death Tribble itself. News coverage of the giant size Tribble spread across the city drawing the crowds. Suprisingly the Tribble behaved itself delighting children by giving them rides and size shifting. It made the whole day a success. However the Tribble made it known that it would not be an annual event. Since then it has become a triannual and is not set to a specific date owing to the Tribble's particular whims. It never clashes though with another holiday like Christmas, New Year or Easter. But at a time when the city needs a cheer up, there appears the manic Tribble.

That uses me but could be adapted for say Grond or someone in your own campaign.

 

I like the idea of the children of New Constantinople waiting in happy anticipation for the day the Death Tribble comes to town. There should be a song.

[Kirby]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Yeah! We have a mayor: Post 83.

 

(It was either that or *bump* without an explanation. )

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

Inspired in large part by the guy in "Best little *CENSORED*house in Texas" with a greek style instead of western

 

"oooo... I love to dance a little side step."

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

MEDIA, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 

Television

New Constantinople once bragged that it watched less Television than most other cities, thanks to a study about four years ago. It was soon revealed that instead they were watching DVDs, and as both involve sitting on your tuckus, the bragging rights dimmed some what.

Major Networks

KTZK, Channel 4

New Constantinople's CBC affiliate has a slim lead in the city when it comes to ratings. As in other areas it shows "family" oriented shows, chiefly comedies. One solid draw is Andre' Paulo, the anchorman who's easy going manners, local birth, and solid credibility have made him the most respected and recognizable media figure in the city. He's planning on retiring soon, and his station manager is said to be in a panic over it.

 

KPFA, Channel 7

Often neck and neck with Channel 4, this NBS affiliate is the more liberal (it would say "progressive") of the city's major networks and its news team is often quick to call the mayor or any other government official to task for perceived failures and or delays. It recently caused quite a controversy with a new TV show "Out of the closet, into the Mask", a drama about the struggles of a lesbian superhero. Some groups tried to boycott the network, and ratings subsequently shot up.

 

KPLC, Channel 10

A falling star to the aforementioned rising ones, this ABS affiliate has taken a direct hit when its news crew used falsified papers that inferred that the city's favored superhero, the late Colossus was also on the take. The outpouring of outrage showed that dead heroes were more popular than live media, and an inquiry eventually revealed the papers had been falsified and fed to the news crew as part of a VIPER plot to tarnish the memory of said hero. Now struggling to recover its credibility, most of the former news crew have been fired, or at the very least, gracefully retired.

 

KFBN, Channel 3

Bobbing along a solid third is the local Adair Network. The most 'right wing' in its news casting here (as it is in many other cities), it continues to own the reality TV show, but cable budding into those same areas and internal conflict has diminished its once vibrant experimentation. The local news team is for the most part a pale echo of the usual AN crew, it also possesses Cindy Marotan, the local "weather girl" who has no problem being eye candy and furthering her career thereby.

 

Other Local Channels

Only two local independent stations even really ever make themselves known; KZPZ (Channel 13) the local Public Television Station, and KWTB (Channel 15) owned by bored local rich guy Douglas Alanopololis who only runs it because his father insisted he do 'something' with his life akin to a job. KWTB therefore plays some of the odder shows, some of which have been surprise hits (Parents have tuned in to see if their kids teams are in the "Young Stars", a show about everything from High School Football games to Little Leagues) to utter flops that Douglas just won't let go (Reruns of "Silver Swans", a truly awful tv show with bad acting, poor scripting, but an attractive female cast in tight spandex.).

SNN, the Super News Network, makes a good showing here, but the city can be a little self absorbed, and its interest varies depending on if it has any active heroes of its own that they might see on it.

 

 

Radio

New Conn and the surrounding area has about 37 FM and 15 AM registered radio stations, and they are as varied as any other metropolitan areas, some of them are based in East Glennport or in other outlying locations. Only three really stand out as unique enough from national norms to mention:

KZUS 91.1 FM, "The Zeus" is a bilingual station that airs in both English and Greek. The music is top pop forty with rock and roll as well. Rumors have it that some of commentary done in Greek is much racier than the English talk, and that the FCC doesn't have enough translators to catch them at it.

KBOB 86.2 FM, "Bob's Station" there is no "Bob" but this college station acts like there is. They claim Bob is all powerful, all knowing, and ever wise. Yet, spookily enough, they've recently had someone sending them Email with uncannily accurate news that even TV stations fail to get… sent from a "Bob". It's secretly begun to wig them out, but it has been great for ratings.

KTWL 1160 AM, "The Twilight" A dying breed of radio station that plays all the old radio shows of yesteryear, including the tales of the mind bending master of shadow turned crime fighter, "Mr. Midnight". Definitely belonging to a niche audience, most do not know that the adventures of Mr. Midnight are based on a real pulp era hero.

 

 

NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES

There are two major newspapers in New Constantinople proper, but they receive stiff competition from one Newspaper in East Glennport.

The New Constantinople Chronicle is the newspaper favored by the more conservative souls of the city, and has extensive coverage of both local community programs and problems, as well as the city's financial situations. Some believe the paper has it in for UNTIL, as it is quick to jump on any perceived mistakes or abuses of power by that organization within the city. Ironically enough, independent superheroes may find firm praise for their civic mindedness.

The Sentinel is on the other side of the spectrum, more liberal in outlook, and excelling in the arts and entertainment areas, the Sentinel never fails to give the Chronicle a run for its money. One of its stars is the political cartoonist Diana Brudaner, a woman with keen artistic skill, and even keener insight into human nature. Superheroes can expect no slack if they put their pursuit of justice over the rights of individual citizens.

The Trumpet Based in East Glennport, the Trumpet is an old school newspaper that has been held together by the will of one man, publisher Todd Peaks, who honestly does serve no agenda but the truth and is completely open about his biases, and encourages his reporters to be honest about theirs and look twice to make sure it hasn't taken over their writing. Unfortunately for any superheroes, this 'right to truth' philosophy means their secret identities are fair game.

There are, of course, other papers both independent and otherwise in nature, of varying quality. The Paranormal Archives is perhaps the most famous and prominent local tabloid.

Magazines produced locally include Hellenic Now which celebrates the Greek American lifestyle and heritage from everything to lists of Greek American businesses to old world recipes, and can be ordered in either English or Greek; the bimonthly Pacific Quest has won several awards for its breath taking under water photography; lastly, many do not know that New Constantinople is the home of the parody magazine Warped which lampoons all aspects of life, even superheroes.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

The whole thread is fascinating. Kudos to Hermit for kick starting the project and everyone else for chiming in.

Thank ye.

 

Just wanted you to know I did not ignore this post, I was just mulling it over while I worked on other things.

 

 

One thing that you might want to highlight is the cops bar and one perhaps for the mob. Then there is one for supers.

Interesting. I've left the super population, the modern one, relatively low, at least on the hero side, but that could and probably would change.

I suppose I should work on the police of New Conn period. I picture them as lower budget, and much lower tech than Millennium City, but better coordinated than Vibora Bay.

 

My idea on the latter is that one super saw a minor Talent being given a hard time by cops outside a bar and threatened the cops off. He was bullet proof. Then took the minor Talent into the bar and had a drink. From there it became the bar for anyone with superpowers. No-one commits crimes in the bar or around it on pain of death.

 

Could work... up to a point, obviously if Takofanes wants a lager, he'll probably act like he wants

 

Something for the history as well and I'll use a self-aggrandizing example. In a bid to shake off the gloom after the Myrmidons left the city Mayor (X) decided to hold a Death Tribble day as a way to make people feel happy. Mayor Daley had said some derogatory things about New Constantinople and it was well known the emnity that the sometime giant Tribble felt for the mayor. The day looked set to be a disaster with few things organised and lack of popular support until the day itself dawned and with it Death Tribble itself. News coverage of the giant size Tribble spread across the city drawing the crowds. Suprisingly the Tribble behaved itself delighting children by giving them rides and size shifting. It made the whole day a success. However the Tribble made it known that it would not be an annual event. Since then it has become a triannual and is not set to a specific date owing to the Tribble's particular whims. It never clashes though with another holiday like Christmas, New Year or Easter. But at a time when the city needs a cheer up, there appears the manic Tribble.

That uses me but could be adapted for say Grond or someone in your own campaign.

 

 

I may actually go with the Tribble idea, or at least thats what the beings nick name might be. Perhaps an alien life form that has terrorized other cities, but for some reason has a soft spot for the folks here.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

*bump*

Just wanting to keep this going.

 

I'm considering the EVIL organizations for New Conn, and where they stand. Since I envision superheroes having been on the down swing for some time before this, I picture VIPER riding pretty high and smug. Their Nest Leader is likely the "Arrogant Showoff" type, at least in part.

 

This, of course, will end, no doubt, when the PCs do what heroes do, that is, foil plans, unite, and eventually take him down.

 

DEMON is another matter. Not sure how best to space them out, or how powerful the local hame should be.

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I think it might set this city and this campaign apart from other established Champions settings, if some of the less prominent villain groups were among the major players in New Con, or even the dominant ones. For example, the Institute for Human Advancement might be the reason why paranormals have been so few here until recently; they may be well established in this city and have been keeping it "clean." ARGENT could be the prime mover behind the growing high tech sector in New Con, and heroes probing the financial establishment too closely may draw their ire. The Chinese segment of Kong Town could provide a foothold for the Cult of the Red Banner, who control illegal trade with the Far East passing through New Con's harbor.

[Kirby]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

DEMON is another matter. Not sure how best to space them out' date=' or how powerful the local hame should be.[/quote']

I would think to keep them small, off-hand, simply because there isn't a current PC with mystic powers. But that's personal flavor/opinion.

[OddHat]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I have some detailed ideas on DEMON in NC. Would you like them posted in this thread, or PMed? Or, well, not.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I think it might set this city and this campaign apart from other established Champions settings' date=' if some of the less prominent villain groups were among the major players in New Con, or even the dominant ones. For example, the Institute for Human Advancement might be the reason why paranormals have been so few here until recently; they may be well established in this city and have been keeping it "clean." ARGENT could be the prime mover behind the growing high tech sector in New Con, and heroes probing the financial establishment too closely may draw their ire. The Chinese segment of Kong Town could provide a foothold for the Cult of the Red Banner, who control illegal trade with the Far East passing through New Con's harbor.[/quote']

 

 

This is a good idea, though unfortunately I know zip about the Red Banner.

 

I think the IHA is definitely worth expanding upon for this setting in particular.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I would think to keep them small' date=' off-hand, simply because there isn't a current PC with mystic powers. But that's personal flavor/opinion.[/quote']

 

Well, two things...

1) It is my hope that New Conn is for anyone here who wants a setting, not just our game in HERO central, and thus, if anything, the PCs for that will be downplayed so the spot can be taken in other campaigns by other players

 

2) As a matter of fact, TWO upcoming characters who are joining in are mystical.

[Hermit]

Re: Working on New Constantinople

 

I have some detailed ideas on DEMON in NC. Would you like them posted in this thread' date=' or PMed? Or, well, not. [/quote']

 

 

I trust my players... put a GMs ONLY spoiler warning on it or something, then a couple of spaces... I'd love to see your ideas.