Fedifensor Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 In my first Champions campaign, I created a mini-newspaper. No detailed stories...just a collection of headlines that players can choose to ask me about if they want more information. Some are pulled from the real world, some are completely invented, and some (which are often the best ones) are a mix of the two. It worked really well...but I haven't done one since the mid 90's. So, here's a copy of my first handout for my new campaign. Some stuff was taken from news sites on the web, some were invented by me, and some were things from websites that I modified to fit the game world. Silverstone Nuggets News Headlines for a Fast-Paced World Weekend Edition, 12/1/07 Top Stories Ace of Spades announces leave of absence from superteam due to health issues Leader of Justice, Inc. to have advisory role while cybernetics are overhauled, Lightstrike to take over leadership. Officials Take Knife to Anti-Terror Funding Administration to slash money for police, firefighters, rescue departments. Theft of military hardware has a local connection Investigation leads to arrest of contractor believed to have sold military hardware slated for destruction to unknown buyers. Local News Man sues human tissue provider amid claims it plundered corpses Alleges link with necromantic cult, company insists there is no evidence of wrongdoing. Reconstruction of downtown Silverstone complete Prime Repair Squad finishes government-mandated repair of devastation caused by supervillain robbery nearly two months ago. Weather causes difficult driving conditions, accidents, closures The inclement weather caused several accidents and road closures across the state on Saturday. U.S./World News Hostage ordeal over, Senator resumes campaign New York senator meets with volunteers who were held hostage, then campaigns in Iowa. Couple arrested in armored car company heist Man was employed by company, knew alarm code to vaults. 10-year anniversary of D.D.I. dissolution no comfort to law enforcement Defensive Design Industries' Armadillo Armor still in widespread use among criminals. Entertainment News 'Quiet Riot' singer found dead Toxicology report pending, suspicion that decade-old drug "Zonk" is a factor in death. "Miracle" mom to make talk-show rounds Superhero reportedly upset at Mary Carpenter's planned appearances on Haven Gospel Hour and 700 Club; fans line up to ask hero's mother to pray for them. Evanescence concert canceled, band members taken to hospital Two members of tour were taken to Porter Hospital with flu-like symptoms, others feel effects of illness. Sports Suspects charged in NFL player's killing Three men were charged today with felony first-degree murder in the shooting death of NFL player Sean Taylor, a death police say was unplanned. Basketball player accused of cheating Rival high-school team claims Silverstone High player has superpowers, asks for tests to resolve issue. Denver Broncos quarterback arrested for DUI 24-year old Darrell Hackney unable to attend practice, third-string status in question. Diversions Beer bandit pulls largest heist in Guinness brewery's 248-year history 450 full kegs stolen by lone man, who hitched truck to fully-loaded trailer awaiting delivery in Dublin brewery. Wash. school calendar forgets Christmas They made a list, but they should have checked it twice. Mayor resigns; admits he was brainwashed by Satanic cult Former mayor of Centerton, Arkansas reveals previous life as minister, left family due to cult influence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermit Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corven_Ren Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Very cool rep to you sir Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hermit Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Hostage ordeal over, Senator resumes campaign New York senator meets with volunteers who were held hostage, then campaigns in Iowa. I wonder if aliens or some evil organization hasn't replaced the volunteers with their own agents so they can get close to the Senator. Could some sinister force be seeking the presidency by getting close to the candidates? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedifensor Posted December 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Mayor resigns; admits he was brainwashed by Satanic cult Former mayor of Centerton, Arkansas reveals previous life as minister, left family due to cult influence. Believe it or not, this was one of the real-world headlines... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boll Weevil Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Good work and repped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Querysphinx Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper I do something very similar in my fledgling campaign, "Sparks Fly." Every game session I put out a 1 page broadsheet of news items relevant to the campaign. The idea is to (a) provide clues. ( let the players see how the world responds to their actions © give the campaign world a sense of independent existence. The broadsheet is called INK ON THE ANVIL and this is Volume 1 issue 3. DR. NOX CAPTURED Denver —AP In a stunning raid last night, Denver police captured the alleged serial kidnapper and murderer known as Dr. Nox. Following the lead of an anonymous tipster, the police traced Dr. Nox to his hideout in Commerce City. Police spokesman, Aaron Frazier, says that an elite S.W.A.T team raided the premises, which was guarded by a number of local gang members. After a brief gun battle, Dr. Nox whose real name is, Dr. Gerard Busman, who has a variety of PhDs in biology and chemistry, was apparently supplying the gang members with designer drugs in exchange for helping him with his psychotic crimes. One of Dr. Nox’s victims, who has not been named, was recovered from the scene. Dr. Nox got his name from an eyewitness who identified a box in the back of a white delivery van used to kidnap Latisha Bones. The box, recovered by police, had been modified to flooded with Nitrous Oxide, an anesthetic gas that kept his victims compliant by putting them to sleep. Police believe Latisha Bones may have died as an overdose of the gas. Her body is still being sought. +++ JOE “SUPERMAN” JOHNSON SIGNS ENDORSEMENT DEAL Milwaukee, WI—AP Officials at Anheuser Bush, America’s largest beer company, today announced that they have cornered a brand new market. Company spokesman, Charles Snaubbery said, “Today marks a historic occasion. There are no more recognizable brands of beer in America, or indeed the world than those brands marketed by Anheuser Bush. In addition to the stellar quality of our products, many people enjoy the enduring quality of our mascots, the Budweiser Clydesdales, the Budweiser Frogs, and the Budweiser NASCAR team. Now, I am proud to announce the latest addition to our list of icons. We have signed an exclusive marketing agreement with Joe “Superman” Johnson, and he will be making his first appearance at a major public venue in the near future.” Joe “Superman” Johnson was not present for the interview. +++ PARIS RECOVERING FROM SPARK BLAST Paris, France—AP Eighteen Months after a large chunk of downtown Paris was annihilated in the an explosion attributed to an Ethiopian Spark, signs of life are beginning to return to Paris France. Scaffolding like a great scab covers the wounded flank of the fabled cathedral of Notre Dam, and teams of archaeologists work round the clock to recover priceless antiquities from the wreckage of the Louvre. The great crater caused by the blast eventually caused more damage to the city than the blast itself by shattering the banks of the Sein and allowing the river to infiltrate the city’s extensive underground infrastructure. Several neighborhoods bordering the river had to be condemned because their foundations had become saturated with polluted water. In a controversial move the civic government displaced thousands of immigrants from their neighborhoods into refugee camps to make room for native Parisians who had been forced from their homes. After the riots that resulted from this, hundreds of immigrant leaders were forcefully deported. Today, the blast crater has become a city lake, and the area around it has been redeveloped to support a brisk tourism trade. Most of the city’s displaced residents have been relocated to newly constructed high rise condominiums on the edges of their old neighborhoods. Not all is rosy, however, as racial tensions remain high, and France’s inefficient economy reels under the huge cost of such public works. +++ DEATH TOLL FROM NEBRASKA TORNADO RISES Nebraska—AP After a force five tornado swept through Anselmo Nebraska, two young people were discovered missing. Search teams have been scouring the tornado scoured region for Rudy Mason (16) and Ulla Hickenmeyer (15). Today State and County research teams, aided by volunteers and Members of the The Corps. Cristie, discovered the mortal remains of Rudy Mason, beneath the shattered wreckage of an oubuilding near where the Tornado is thought to have shut down. Said, search and rescue coordinator, Tom Deerfield, “We suspect that the two children, who were known to be close friends saw or heard the tornado coming and sought shelter in the barn, which, unfortunately, did not stand up to the force of the event. “So far we have found no trace of Miss. Hickenmeyer and we maintain hope that she is alive.” +++ Paid Advertisement: Sparkle Juice Bottled Spark! Do you have the spark in you? Are you capable of doing amazing things, or laughing at the laws of physics? Be the envy of your friends and astound your neighbors with feats of superhuman strength and speed. If you have the spark in you, Sparkle Juice (Patent Pending) our homeopathic blend of natural energy focusing herbs and spices can unleash your godlike potential. Do you want super strength? Try our proven Muscle Mixture. Or perhaps you would prefer the ability to fly. Try our Flight Formula. Call today for our FREE CATALOGUE. Hundreds of options are available. Disclaimer: Sparkle Juice does not provide the spark, only awakens it. This product should only be taken by people who are sure they have great potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheQuestionMan Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Fracking brilliant Sir! Thank you QM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edsel Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper This has been posted before but It is probably worth mentioning again in this thread. Here is a Link to a Newpaper Snippet generator. It is quite useful for producing props for your game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenAge Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Good stuff! Now try and give it some graphic love like this: http://www.herogames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=742578&postcount=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertep Posted December 2, 2007 Report Share Posted December 2, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper This has been posted before but It is probably worth mentioning again in this thread. Here is a Link to a Newspaper Snippet generator. It is quite useful for producing props for your game. I most spread my Rep around before I can Rep you again so consider yourself Repped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
concord Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper lots of neat stuff here... rep to Fedifensor, Querysphinx, Edsel on this thread and GoldenAge on his Sanguine News thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenAge Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Here's another version of the Sanguine News made for a campaign restart. http://www.herogames.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1477195&postcount=17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedifensor Posted December 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper While I can't match the graphical wonders of GoldenAge, here's the next edition of my campaign newspaper... Silverstone Nuggets News Headlines for a Fast-Paced World Weekend Edition, 12/8/07 Top Stories N.J. set to scrap death penalty Will become the first U.S. state to legislatively abolish capital punishment since the U.S. Supreme Court reinstated it in 1976. Prime Repair Squad under fire for costume scandal 'Free costume' program often utilized by supervillains, study finds; Technomancer claims program prevents incidents of public indecency. CIA destroyed terrorism suspect videotapes; Congress to investigate Director says interrogation tapes were security risk; many congressmen call move illegal. Local News Fire damages Denver businesses Firefighters had to battle a dangerous chemical fire at a business Wednesday night. Unidentified heroine still a mystery Mysterious speedster not caught on film at 'Hometown Heroes' event, no further sightings reported. Men with machine guns carjack victim on I-25 Two men with machine guns carjacked and assaulted two other men while at on-ramp, possible link to theft of military weaponry. U.S./World News 'Flying saucers' around Saturn explained Findings suggest bizarre moons were formed from particles in rings. Omaha mall reopens Westroads Mall reopened three days after gunman killed eight, extra security on hand. NYC window washers saved from 47-floor plunge Saved from certain death by superheroine Falcon after scaffolding collapses. Business News EchoStar to change company's name to Dish Network Proposed change in connection with a planned spinoff of broadcast satellite receiver, commercial satellite businesses and set-top boxes. Negotiations on Hollywood labor pact collapse Contract talks take a turn for the worse during fifth week of strike. More money, more problems? Weddings are risky for the mega-rich like the Bayport Alliance's Michael Cannon (Backblast) who will tie the knot this weekend. Entertainment News Superhero cashes in on fame Miracle to receive $25,000 advance on commercial, other deals in the works. Led Zeppelin ready to rock again Anticipation high for long-awaited reunion concert on Monday. True colors become apparent to 'Heroes' Weekly update on struggles to save the world. Sports Shanahan fined $25,000 by the NFL Broncos coach was fined for comments about running back Travis Henry's appeal of a one-year drug suspension. Ironfist competitor appeals boxing defeat Says hero gained superpowers before boxing match in August, while Ironfist claims powers gained from lightning strike in October. Diversions Arctic 'monster' was nearly 40 feet long Remains of a bus-sized prehistoric "monster" reptile found on a remote Arctic island may be a new species never before recorded by science. Irish cops bust beer thieves, but hunt isn't over Detectives still looking for accomplices after audacious 450-keg robbery. Spiritualists draw tourists to Florida town Residents of Cassadaga claim they converse with the dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vann the Red Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper Not much better than a campaign newspaper. I've done it before, but it's so much work. Goal last time was that everyone in the campaign had to provide one 50-word story each week. You can guess how long that lasted. VtR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supreme Serpent Posted December 11, 2007 Report Share Posted December 11, 2007 Re: Campaign Newspaper I've done them before and so have some of our other GMs. Fun stuff, good for dropping plot hooks and recapping highlights of last adventure ("Fresno Force Saves City from Giant Ducks"). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fedifensor Posted April 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2008 Re: Campaign Newspaper It's been a while, and my campaign just went on hiatus until July ( ), but here's the next edition of our campaign newspaper. See if you can guess which are real articles, which are fake, and which are real articles that I modified to fit my campaign world... Silverstone Nuggets News Headlines for a Fast-Paced World Thursday, February 14th, 2008 Top Stories Weather hampers sinkhole repairs CDoT finished concrete paving the western portion of Interstate 25 late Wednesday after a massive sinkhole formed last week but the weather has put their next step on hold. Endorsement expected in Republican nomination Senator to receive endorsement of his main rival, who recently dropped out of the race. Villain makes his escape Authorities admit privately that there are no leads after Maverick successfully eluded authorities in Deadwood, South Dakota. His appearance in Deadwood coincided with his defeat by a new superteam located in Silverstone, Colorado. Local News Inventory nearly complete in robbery of County Records office Several vintage maps covering a 22-year period taken during Saturday's robbery. Miracle's Deadbeat Dad Despite court settlement and an underage child, no child support payments have been received. Several donations have been taken on mother's behalf by a local Christian charity, including $50,000 from an anonymous donor. Report of seismic activity near sinkhole site Local expert claims water main break caused by seismic activity, study disputed by the Colorado Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Council. U.S./World News Pentagon to shoot down spy satellite Agency ignores offer from Technomancer to take down satellite, says operation is perfectly safe. March 4 - the Texas math Check out which candidate could benefit from how delegates are allocated in Texas. Hiroshima spotted near Hawaii Justice, Inc unable to get to location before supervillain departs. Business News OmniCorp unveils "fuzzy logic" computer Technology company touts advances in artificial intelligence. Superteams: the economic impact Study shows that average insurance premium is higher in cities with superheroes, but economic boon from Prime Repair Squad activity has major impact on city prosperity. Entertainment News When will the shows return? Networks rely on reality shows - superhero profile show "Hero for a Day" beats out "American Idol" in ratings. Commentary: Paula's Abdul's drinking woes Allegations made that "American Idol" producers are editing around judge Paula Abdul so that she never appears to be drunk. Local hero keeps a low profile Friends and family talk about Ironfist, but hero stays quiet. Sports Will it be a summer of love for Cubs? Ryan Dempster says, "This is the year to forever bury the ghosts of a century of Cubs baseball." Is Clemens lying? Body language expert claims baseball star's body reveals the truth. Diversions It's February - how's that diet coming? Your eating habits may have veered a bit off course in 2008. But it's not too late — five small changes can help you cut calories and get your diet back. Blue man seeks acceptance Skin condition caused by drinking colloidal silver, man often mistaken for supervillain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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