Setting: World of Alts

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

I write on Corel. When I post directly to the board from that, it messes up the formatting. To fix that I use my email. I cut and paste to an empty mail form, then c&p to the post box. See if that fixes your format problem.

CES

 

Thanks, Csyphrett, I'll try that now!

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

The Drifter

 

Value Char Base Cost Characteristics: 90 Abilities: 196 Total: 286

15 Str 10 5 Base: 125 Disadvantages: 120 XP: 41

14 Dex 10 12 Points Disadvantage

15 Con 10 10 10 DNPC 8-: Normal, Various, Dual Life

14 Bod 10 8 10 Hunted 8- by Agents of Interested Parties

23 Int 10 13 10 Hunted 8- by Dark Siders or Light Siders

18 Ego 10 16 10 Hunted 8- by Local Criminals and Gangs

15 Pre 10 5 15 Psych Lim: Code Against Killing

12 Com 10 1 15 Psych Lim: Great Responsibility

5 PD 3 2 5 Psych Lim: Loves a Mystery

5 ED 3 2 15 Psych Lim: Protective of Innocents

4 Spd 2.4 16 10 Soc Lim: Criminal Record

6 Rec 6 0 20 Soc Lim: Multiple Identities and Secrets

30 End 30 0

30 Stn 30 0

Costume: Black Domino and Green Gloves.

Cost Ability Height: 6’3” (Base) Hair: Black Eyes: Dark

3 AK: Columbia 14-, PS: Administrator 8-, PS: Teacher 8-

12 Acrobatics 12-, Acting 12-, Breakfall 12-, Bugging 10-, Criminology 8-

7 Knowledge Skills 11-: Alts, Capoeira, Columbia Underworld, Jailhouse Rock, Kung Fu, Philosophy, and Taijutsu.

3 Languages: Russian (Fluent) and Spanish (Basic)

19 Martial Arts: Leg Sweep/Takedown, Fast Strike, Kick, Martial Strike, and Throw

1 Weapon Element: Use Art with Karate Weapons

6 Professional Skills: Singing 12-, Dancing 11-, Performing 8-

12 Research 14-, Scholar, Shadowing 14-, Stealth 12-, Streetwise 12-

3 WF: Karate Weapons, Pistols, and Thrown Weapons

5 Detect Vibe Powers 14-, Sight Group (Sees the Vibe)

7 Elemental Control: Brain Over Body

8 a) Heal: 1d6, 0 End (+1/2), Persistent (+1/2), Heal Limbs, Xtra Time-1 Turn(-1 1/4), Self-only (-1/2)

22 Shape Shift vs. Sight, Hearing, and Touch, with Imitation and Cellular, 0 End/Persistent (+1) Concentration-0 DCV (-1/2), Extra Time-Extra Phase (-3/4), Delayed Action (-1/4), Body Only (-1/2)

15 Life Support: Immune to All Terrestrial Diseases, Immune to Aging

10 Multi Power: Quantum Body-Control, 10-point Pool

1u Density Increase x2 at 1 End (Inertial Cohesion)

1u Flight: 5” at 1 End (Inertial Levitation)

1u Teleport 5” at 1 End (Momentary Intangibility)

50 Variable Power Pool: 40-point Gadget Pool, Only Change with Access to Different Equipment (-1/2), Must have at least –1/2 Focus Limitation (-1/2)

10 HRRP Affected as Sight/Hearing (-1/2) plus 30-point computer, IAF-Mask Attachment or Wrist Watch (-1/2)

 

 

Equipment

Cost Gear (as Drifter)

10 Insulated Ballistic Costume: 5rPD, 5rED, OIF (-1/2)

7 Vibe Glass Inserts: 5rPD, 5rED, Act 14- (-1/2), OIF (-1/2)

15 Throwing Irons: EB-8d6, Range Based on Strength (-1/4), 4 Recoverable Charges (-1/2), OAF (-1)

8 Glider Wings: 24” Gliding, Costs End (-1/2) at 2 End, Gestures Throughout(-1/2), OAF (-1), Requires Flight/Becoming Light to Use Effectively (-0)

 

Cost Gear (as Tony Mercado)

7 Concealed Ballistic Vest: 5rPD, 5rED, IIF (-1/4), Act 11- (-1)

12 Glock: 1d6+1 RKA with +1 OCV, 15 shots (-0), OAF (-1)

11 Big Shiv: 1d6 HKA at 0 End, OAF (-1), 2d6 with Str at 1 End

10 Motorcycle: +10” Running to 16” with x4 NCM, 1 6-hour Fuel Charge (-0),OAF (-1), Bulky (-1/2), up to 115 mph

 

Cost Gear (as Malecia)

7 Weighted Shoes: +2d6 at 0 End (+1/2), HA (-1/2), OIF (-1/2)

2 Camcorder: Eidetic Memory, OAF (-1)

31 Insulated Ballistic Costume, Big Shiv, Motorcycle

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Alas, I don't see any improvement, but I don't have Corel. At least I got to correct some errors in the skills, if you can see them. His characteristics have fluctuated down a bit since he started changing at the cellular level...he accidentally 'erased' some of his self-improvements. Hey, one of the reasons I run a GMPC is I can do things to him that my players would give me much grief over.

 

I gave the characters some generic hunteds: Dark Siders=bad Alts. Interested Parties=people who want to dissect or otherwise exploit Alts, especially high-profile ones. I figure those are Disads I never have to remind myself to make sure they're worth the points.

 

If anyone has other suggestions for helping me c&p character writeups, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm running Vista, if that helps. I am not technically-oriented. Don't look at me like that, I'm over 40, they didn't have these things when I was growing up.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Organizations and Factions

 

Private

 

Enterprise Group, Inc.: This space-oriented research corporation started out as a Discussion Board inspired by the appearance of Alts. Reasoning that Alts could accelerate the time table of humanity's reach for the stars, some computer-savvy Star Trek fans created a board with sub-forums for Engineering, Personnel, Colonization, and Financing. With the aid of Titan, the International Space Station has been completed with some extra bells and whistles. The technical expertise they've attracted for designing better spacecraft and the business know-how brought up on the Financing sub-forum has given some of the participants the confidence to incorporate a new aerospace business with a business model of employing Alts to help with all phases of their business, with putting up satellites being their current main source of income. The dream is to build an FTL starship, the reality is the theoretical foundation may be out of reach in our lifetimes even with Alt geniuses working on the problem. They will probably wind up using inexplicably functioning paratech with potential repair issues, but they want it bad enough to take the risk. They are rumored to have discovered a crystalline power source that will allow a 'warp engine' to function. They are searching for Alts with abilities and skills that will be useful in space, like life support or radiation control. The Board is still active and full of suggestions for missions for Titan and Smoky.

 

Paradocs: This NYC-based clinic is the first to specialize in paranormal medicine, not only the treatment of Alts, but the use of Alt abilities in medicine. A high percentage of the staff is Alts, although the founders were primarily interested in competence regardless of presence or lack of paranormal ability. A high percentage of the Alt staff are Alpha-level savants: diagnosis savants, surgery savants, nursing savants, and so forth. Of course abilities like penetrating vision, the capacity to smell disease, healing, curing, rendering flesh malleable, and boosting immunity are also represented. No Alt ability is overlooked, from super strong orderlies to three-armed surgical nurses. Paradocs is on the cutting edge of such issues as how to get a blood sample from someone with bulletproof skin, how to treat someone exposed to pesticide while in the form of a swarm of bees, and ways to resolidify someone stuck in a phased state. Although their first concern is the well-being of their patients, Paradocs is also a research hospital looking for ways to help all humanity with their discoveries about paranormal physiology, and pays well for test subjects. Their current highest priority is to find a patient zero--they have discovered that someone has a sexually-transmitted cure for AIDS, but it doesn’t survive long enough for secondary transmission and they don’t know who is spreading it. They are also always in the market for Alts who have boosted immune systems and can regenerate, hoping to come up with an immunity treatment based on self-replicating bone marrow--they have had limited success so far due to problems with rejection.

 

PSI: Formerly the Parapsychological Studies Institute, now renamed the Paranormal Studies Instute, this decades-old research organization was well-placed to respond to the events resulting from the Vibe. Although their theory is questionable (their support of the psionic theory of Alt powers may be biased), they have a little funding, some good minds, techniques for evaluating paranormal abilities, some media connections, and a system for recruiting test subjects. PSI is often the first place Alts having power difficulties go to for help.

 

Society of Paranormal Professionals (SPP): This professional and trade organization is an advocate for Alt rights. It’s activities include filing ‘friend of the court’ briefs in cases involving Alt rights, lobbying against legislation perceived as discriminating against Alts, and public service with an eye toward improving the reputation of Alts. Services include insurance-surprisingly cheap because they use Alt gifts to assist with healing and repairs--a trade show scheduled for June in Las Vegas which will provide participating Alts an opportunity to network and interact with their fans, and a convention tentatively planned for September. The dues structure is interesting, and arguably very egalitarian: 40 hours of service with right of refusal on up to three assignments, guaranteed legal and ethical, with reasonable accommodations (e.g. no assignments on a particular day or no assignments likely to involve violence), with hours reduced by sliding scale donation: popular packages are 35 hours and $30.00 and 30 hours and $500.00, with hours reduced at a rate of one hour per $500.00 thereafter (e.g. 20 hours and $5,500.00). Examples of SPP assignments include fighting a forest fire, guarding a witness for seven hours, or manning a booth at the trade show. SPP envisions that it would be rare to call on more than 20 hours of service from a member unless their abilities are in particularly high demand. If SPP should prove popular among Alts, their access to a large number of Alts with a broad array of abilities would make them an organization with resources far out of proportion to its physical and financial assets. Membership is by invitation only and one may join under a codename if one is used. Most publicly known Alts of reasonably good reputation can expect an invitation sooner or later.

 

Xtreme Action Sports Combat: The brainchild of a Las Vegas businessman, this budding entertainment extravaganza combines the excitement of extreme sports, the showmanship of professional wrestling, and the fascination of Alts in action. The setting is a mega-arena miles long with a variety of challenging environments including an artificial lake and mountain. Cameras are everywhere, as are extras, props and paratech holograms. The show is the flagship of a new cable channel focusing on Alts and will feature Alts displaying their powers in competition and in combat in opposition to each other and/or other challenges, including normal humans who get the chance to show they can be just as tough as Alts with the right training and equipment. Advertising for the show involves metallic letters fired at the screen with multiple exclamation points. Competitors can win various prizes, including a chance to be a regular on the show with a generous salary and options. XASC is strictly legal and supposed to be no more dangerous than boxing, combats stop in the case of serious injury, and paramedics are on stand-by. Critics accuse the show of exploiting Alts for mindless entertainment and appealing to the lowest common denominator.

 

Religious

 

Temple of the Avatars: This movement started among Hindus but has quickly gained converts among some polytheists of other stripes, as well as attracting some people who previously considered themselves monotheists or atheists--not to mention its attraction to Alts. The fundamental premise is that Alts have been infused with Divine power and blessings and are either favored by the gods or actual incarnations of gods. Given Hindu theology it is not a paradox for one god to have multiple simultaneous incarnations…or for all the gods to be manifestations of one God. Alts are treated like gods by many Hindus, especially if they seem to have a connection to an already-revered deity. The Avatar movement has also proven to be attractive to certain flavors of Buddhism, and some neopagan and New Age groups. Temples of the Avatars have been founded in Los Angeles Dodoma, and London. The main attraction for many adherents seems to be the possibility that one or more of the more famous Alts might show up.

 

Church of Jesus Christ, Paranormal: This has, surprisingly, sprung from the Russian Orthodox Church. Bishop Boris Kruchek became an Epsilon-level Alt with powers of inspiration, mental healing, and, reportedly, prophetic visions. Quickly excommunicated from the Orthodox Church for his teachings that Jesus, the Prophets, and the Saints were paranormals and that being an Alt is a gift from God, Kruchek started his own splinter religion in Vladivostok. Not a few Christians find Kruchek’s teachings and logic compelling, and the CJCP is a rapidly growing denomination. To the alarm of many, several Orthodox and non-Orthodox churches around the world have converted to the new doctrine. The sinfulness of many Alts is explained as the result of free will--we are always free to squander God’s gifts. Kruchek also teaches that every Alt has a divine purpose, and even Alts who seem to have been handicapped by the Vibe have a greater purpose that justifies their suffering. The home church has several powerful Alts in its organization, and has proven capable of defending its sacred space.

 

The Pentecostal Holiness Tribulation Fellowship: On the other hand…. This group, led by Pastor Fred Wilkins, believes Alt powers come from Satan and are a sign of the End Times, citing Matthew…

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:24

The PHTF is determined to save their, and our, souls from the iniquity of the Alts, aka, the Prophets of the Beast. They believe that Alts, AT BEST, are possessed by demons. More likely they have sold their souls willingly in return for unholy power. The truly repentant Alt can still find salvation through the Holy Spirit, as it has been given to Pastor Wilkins to drive out the unclean spirit and free the afflicted from their tainted power. Since the End Times are clearly nearly upon us, the PHTF is focusing on Rapture preparedness, but is also taking some survivalist-type measures on the off chance that not all of them are called to glory before the anti-Christ begins his reign on Earth. The PHTF is suspicious of non-evangelical religions in general, and the Catholic Church in particular. They exclude Alts from membership unless they have been redeemed, picket against Alts, and attempt to defame them when they can get access to media. These are the kind of people that the children at the Academy who were in the Hellspawn gang were raised by. Sadly, the PHTF, headquartered in Greenville, SC, already has its imitators, which provide a haven for those hostile to Alts.

 

The Pantheon: If the founding members of this group had been happy to remain professional Alt celebrities jet setting around Europe and the Mediterranean, life would have been so much simpler. Perhaps influenced by the Temple of the Avatars and Church of Jesus Christ, Paranormal social phenomena, one of these nouveau glitterati got the idea that being gods would be enormous fun. Armed with tabloid reports of the new religions and reruns of old TV shows starring Kevin Sorbo and Lucy Lawless, they devised divine identities based on pagan gods of their native countries. Calling themselves The Pantheon, they soon collected worshipers, some more than half serious. They also collected other Alts who wanted in on the action. Then things started to happen sort of on their own. They evolved a caste system based on power level, ease of identification with a divine figure, and ability to help them satisfy their whims. A few of them actually came up with a theology involving a resurgence of mythic power which allowed those with more-than-mortal blood to achieve ascension…and a few more of them may actually believe that. Many of them started to wonder why gods had to be bothered with things like customs inspections…or borders for that matter. In fact, why should a god who can’t be restrained by mere police answer to mortal laws at all? That’s when The Pantheon declared that its most powerful members should be considered sovereign states beholden to no law but their own and to be treated with as-at least-equals by Heads of State. Some of the fallout from that declaration was NOT fun, especially for their less powerful members. Figuring it was in their best interest to protect the mere demigods and heroes, The Pantheon decided to create a safe homeland for themselves and their followers by using their combined powers to raise a volcanic island the size of Maui in the Bay of Bengal about halfway between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. They took six days to do it, causing only minor tidal waves, which they were kind enough to alert countries in their path to. As the world looked on in alarm, they took a few more days for landscaping and building and announce the founding of their own country, Lemuria, a homeland for Alts. Geographical features are named for mythically significant locations from European and Indian folklore, like the volcanic Mount Olympus. Hopefully they’ll start minding their own affairs and leave the outside world alone for awhile now that they have their own tropical paradise.

 

Government

 

Bureau of Paranormal Affairs (BPA): This agency is charged with 'covering the paranormal angle' on all civilian government activities. The Director answers to the Secretary of Homeland Security, who answers to the President. The Bureau is divided into sections. Section 1 handles administration and other internal affairs, and provides daily summary reports for the Secretary, President, and National Security Council. Section 2 collects, collates, and correlates all available data on Alts, their paranormal abilities, and their 'activities of interest'. Section 3 locates, acquires, and studies paratechnology and power objects. Section 4 seeks out and recruits Alts for government service and contracts, and is known to 'poach' recruits who are already working for other agencies. Section 5 conducts training and exercises for agents, oriented toward dealing with Alt abilities and personalities, as well as similar training for Alt agents plus use of their gifts. Section 6 coordinates counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism operations using and countering Alts. Section 7 investigates federal crimes involving Alt powers, and has primary jurisdiction over these crimes. Other sections may be added as the BPA's mission evolves. There are some rumors of a black ops wing called 'Section Zero', which is supposed to have a paranormal special forces team equipped with paratechnology.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Organizations and Factions

 

Private

 

Enterprise Group, Inc.: This space-oriented research corporation started out as a Discussion Board inspired by the appearance of Alts. Reasoning that Alts could accelerate the time table of humanity's reach for the stars, some computer-savvy Star Trek fans created a board with sub-forums for Engineering, Personnel, Colonization, and Financing. With the aid of Titan, the International Space Station has been completed with some extra bells and whistles. The technical expertise they've attracted for designing better spacecraft and the business know-how brought up on the Financing sub-forum has given some of the participants the confidence to incorporate a new aerospace business with a business model of employing Alts to help with all phases of their business, with putting up satellites being their current main source of income. The dream is to build an FTL starship, the reality is the theoretical foundation may be out of reach in our lifetimes even with Alt geniuses working on the problem. They will probably wind up using inexplicably functioning paratech with potential repair issues, but they want it bad enough to take the risk. They are rumored to have discovered a crystalline power source that will allow a 'warp engine' to function. They are searching for Alts with abilities and skills that will be useful in space, like life support or radiation control. The Board is still active and full of suggestions for missions for Titan and Smoky.

 

Paradocs: This NYC-based clinic is the first to specialize in paranormal medicine, not only the treatment of Alts, but the use of Alt abilities in medicine. A high percentage of the staff is Alts, although the founders were primarily interested in competence regardless of presence or lack of paranormal ability. A high percentage of the Alt staff are Alpha-level savants: diagnosis savants, surgery savants, nursing savants, and so forth. Of course abilities like penetrating vision, the capacity to smell disease, healing, curing, rendering flesh malleable, and boosting immunity are also represented. No Alt ability is overlooked, from super strong orderlies to three-armed surgical nurses. Paradocs is on the cutting edge of such issues as how to get a blood sample from someone with bulletproof skin, how to treat someone exposed to pesticide while in the form of a swarm of bees, and ways to resolidify someone stuck in a phased state. Although their first concern is the well-being of their patients, Paradocs is also a research hospital looking for ways to help all humanity with their discoveries about paranormal physiology, and pays well for test subjects. Their current highest priority is to find a patient zero--they have discovered that someone has a sexually-transmitted cure for AIDS, but it doesn’t survive long enough for secondary transmission and they don’t know who is spreading it. They are also always in the market for Alts who have boosted immune systems and can regenerate, hoping to come up with an immunity treatment based on self-replicating bone marrow--they have had limited success so far due to problems with rejection.

 

PSI: Formerly the Parapsychological Studies Institute, now renamed the Paranormal Studies Instute, this decades-old research organization was well-placed to respond to the events resulting from the Vibe. Although their theory is questionable (their support of the psionic theory of Alt powers may be biased), they have a little funding, some good minds, techniques for evaluating paranormal abilities, some media connections, and a system for recruiting test subjects. PSI is often the first place Alts having power difficulties go to for help.

 

Society of Paranormal Professionals (SPP): This professional and trade organization is an advocate for Alt rights. It’s activities include filing ‘friend of the court’ briefs in cases involving Alt rights, lobbying against legislation perceived as discriminating against Alts, and public service with an eye toward improving the reputation of Alts. Services include insurance-surprisingly cheap because they use Alt gifts to assist with healing and repairs--a trade show scheduled for June in Las Vegas which will provide participating Alts an opportunity to network and interact with their fans, and a convention tentatively planned for September. The dues structure is interesting, and arguably very egalitarian: 40 hours of service with right of refusal on up to three assignments, guaranteed legal and ethical, with reasonable accommodations (e.g. no assignments on a particular day or no assignments likely to involve violence), with hours reduced by sliding scale donation: popular packages are 35 hours and $30.00 and 30 hours and $500.00, with hours reduced at a rate of one hour per $500.00 thereafter (e.g. 20 hours and $5,500.00). Examples of SPP assignments include fighting a forest fire, guarding a witness for seven hours, or manning a booth at the trade show. SPP envisions that it would be rare to call on more than 20 hours of service from a member unless their abilities are in particularly high demand. If SPP should prove popular among Alts, their access to a large number of Alts with a broad array of abilities would make them an organization with resources far out of proportion to its physical and financial assets. Membership is by invitation only and one may join under a codename if one is used. Most publicly known Alts of reasonably good reputation can expect an invitation sooner or later.

 

Xtreme Action Sports Combat: The brainchild of a Las Vegas businessman, this budding entertainment extravaganza combines the excitement of extreme sports, the showmanship of professional wrestling, and the fascination of Alts in action. The setting is a mega-arena miles long with a variety of challenging environments including an artificial lake and mountain. Cameras are everywhere, as are extras, props and paratech holograms. The show is the flagship of a new cable channel focusing on Alts and will feature Alts displaying their powers in competition and in combat in opposition to each other and/or other challenges, including normal humans who get the chance to show they can be just as tough as Alts with the right training and equipment. Advertising for the show involves metallic letters fired at the screen with multiple exclamation points. Competitors can win various prizes, including a chance to be a regular on the show with a generous salary and options. XASC is strictly legal and supposed to be no more dangerous than boxing, combats stop in the case of serious injury, and paramedics are on stand-by. Critics accuse the show of exploiting Alts for mindless entertainment and appealing to the lowest common denominator.

 

Religious

 

Temple of the Avatars: This movement started among Hindus but has quickly gained converts among some polytheists of other stripes, as well as attracting some people who previously considered themselves monotheists or atheists--not to mention its attraction to Alts. The fundamental premise is that Alts have been infused with Divine power and blessings and are either favored by the gods or actual incarnations of gods. Given Hindu theology it is not a paradox for one god to have multiple simultaneous incarnations…or for all the gods to be manifestations of one God. Alts are treated like gods by many Hindus, especially if they seem to have a connection to an already-revered deity. The Avatar movement has also proven to be attractive to certain flavors of Buddhism, and some neopagan and New Age groups. Temples of the Avatars have been founded in Los Angeles Dodoma, and London. The main attraction for many adherents seems to be the possibility that one or more of the more famous Alts might show up.

 

Church of Jesus Christ, Paranormal: This has, surprisingly, sprung from the Russian Orthodox Church. Bishop Boris Kruchek became an Epsilon-level Alt with powers of inspiration, mental healing, and, reportedly, prophetic visions. Quickly excommunicated from the Orthodox Church for his teachings that Jesus, the Prophets, and the Saints were paranormals and that being an Alt is a gift from God, Kruchek started his own splinter religion in Vladivostok. Not a few Christians find Kruchek’s teachings and logic compelling, and the CJCP is a rapidly growing denomination. To the alarm of many, several Orthodox and non-Orthodox churches around the world have converted to the new doctrine. The sinfulness of many Alts is explained as the result of free will--we are always free to squander God’s gifts. Kruchek also teaches that every Alt has a divine purpose, and even Alts who seem to have been handicapped by the Vibe have a greater purpose that justifies their suffering. The home church has several powerful Alts in its organization, and has proven capable of defending its sacred space.

 

The Pentecostal Holiness Tribulation Fellowship: On the other hand…. This group, led by Pastor Fred Wilkins, believes Alt powers come from Satan and are a sign of the End Times, citing Matthew…

"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matt. 24:24

The PHTF is determined to save their, and our, souls from the iniquity of the Alts, aka, the Prophets of the Beast. They believe that Alts, AT BEST, are possessed by demons. More likely they have sold their souls willingly in return for unholy power. The truly repentant Alt can still find salvation through the Holy Spirit, as it has been given to Pastor Wilkins to drive out the unclean spirit and free the afflicted from their tainted power. Since the End Times are clearly nearly upon us, the PHTF is focusing on Rapture preparedness, but is also taking some survivalist-type measures on the off chance that not all of them are called to glory before the anti-Christ begins his reign on Earth. The PHTF is suspicious of non-evangelical religions in general, and the Catholic Church in particular. They exclude Alts from membership unless they have been redeemed, picket against Alts, and attempt to defame them when they can get access to media. These are the kind of people that the children at the Academy who were in the Hellspawn gang were raised by. Sadly, the PHTF, headquartered in Greenville, SC, already has its imitators, which provide a haven for those hostile to Alts.

 

The Pantheon: If the founding members of this group had been happy to remain professional Alt celebrities jet setting around Europe and the Mediterranean, life would have been so much simpler. Perhaps influenced by the Temple of the Avatars and Church of Jesus Christ, Paranormal social phenomena, one of these nouveau glitterati got the idea that being gods would be enormous fun. Armed with tabloid reports of the new religions and reruns of old TV shows starring Kevin Sorbo and Lucy Lawless, they devised divine identities based on pagan gods of their native countries. Calling themselves The Pantheon, they soon collected worshipers, some more than half serious. They also collected other Alts who wanted in on the action. Then things started to happen sort of on their own. They evolved a caste system based on power level, ease of identification with a divine figure, and ability to help them satisfy their whims. A few of them actually came up with a theology involving a resurgence of mythic power which allowed those with more-than-mortal blood to achieve ascension…and a few more of them may actually believe that. Many of them started to wonder why gods had to be bothered with things like customs inspections…or borders for that matter. In fact, why should a god who can’t be restrained by mere police answer to mortal laws at all? That’s when The Pantheon declared that its most powerful members should be considered sovereign states beholden to no law but their own and to be treated with as-at least-equals by Heads of State. Some of the fallout from that declaration was NOT fun, especially for their less powerful members. Figuring it was in their best interest to protect the mere demigods and heroes, The Pantheon decided to create a safe homeland for themselves and their followers by using their combined powers to raise a volcanic island the size of Maui in the Bay of Bengal about halfway between Sri Lanka and Indonesia. They took six days to do it, causing only minor tidal waves, which they were kind enough to alert countries in their path to. As the world looked on in alarm, they took a few more days for landscaping and building and announce the founding of their own country, Lemuria, a homeland for Alts. Geographical features are named for mythically significant locations from European and Indian folklore, like the volcanic Mount Olympus. Hopefully they’ll start minding their own affairs and leave the outside world alone for awhile now that they have their own tropical paradise.

 

Government

 

Bureau of Paranormal Affairs (BPA): This agency is charged with 'covering the paranormal angle' on all civilian government activities. The Director answers to the Secretary of Homeland Security, who answers to the President. The Bureau is divided into sections. Section 1 handles administration and other internal affairs, and provides daily summary reports for the Secretary, President, and National Security Council. Section 2 collects, collates, and correlates all available data on Alts, their paranormal abilities, and their 'activities of interest'. Section 3 locates, acquires, and studies paratechnology and power objects. Section 4 seeks out and recruits Alts for government service and contracts, and is known to 'poach' recruits who are already working for other agencies. Section 5 conducts training and exercises for agents, oriented toward dealing with Alt abilities and personalities, as well as similar training for Alt agents plus use of their gifts. Section 6 coordinates counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism operations using and countering Alts. Section 7 investigates federal crimes involving Alt powers, and has primary jurisdiction over these crimes. Other sections may be added as the BPA's mission evolves. There are some rumors of a black ops wing called 'Section Zero', which is supposed to have a paranormal special forces team equipped with paratechnology.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

I guess you can't go wrong with regular text. The BPA, Temple, and Enterprise, Inc. are mine, Paradocs was inspired by the comic 'Metadocs'. PSI, XASC, CJCP, and The Pantheon were rippe...er, an homage to Paragons, and the SPP and PHTF were based on Paragons organizations also. I guess factions and organizations aren't my strong point, fortunately Paragons helped me fill in the gaps. I changed details freely, but that's where they came from. Remember too, that each of these groups, at least in their current form, is less than nine months old.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

I'm back. Due to copying difficulties, I'm writing this one up by hand, right here.

 

Shablam

 

Value Char Base Cost Characteristics: 45 Abilities: 105 Total: 150

10 Str 10 0 Base: 75 Disadvantages: 75

14 Dex 10 12 Points Disadvantage

15 Con 10 10 5 DNPC 8-: Normal (Fiance', Roger Thomas)

12 Bod 10 4 15 Hunted 8- by Agents of Interested Parties

13 Int 10 3 15 Hunted 8- by Dark Siders

10 Ego 10 0 10 Psych Lim: Always Keeps Word

15 Pre 10 5 10 Psych Lim: Showoff

14 Com 10 2 15 Soc Lim: Secret Identity (LaTechia Wilson)

4 PD 2 2 5 Unluck: 1d6 (Powers Fluctuate)

4 ED 3 1

3 Spd 2.4 6

5 Rec 5 0

30 End 30 0

25 Stn 25 0

 

Cost Ability

0 PS: College Student 11-, AK: Columbia 8-

3 Acting 12-

3 Paramedics 12-

3 Streetwise 12-

1 KS: Drama and Theater 9-

75 Multipower: 75-points of Energy Control

12 m 10d6 EB, 1-Hex AE (+1/2), No KB (-1/4), at 7 End--Energy Globes

8 m 15 rPD, 25 rED Force Field at 7 End--Personal Energy Shield

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

And STILL it squishes everything to the left. Sigh. I wish there was a character form you could fill out for posts.

 

Shablam is an example of what can happen if you let the press give you your code name. A Drama Major at USC after a brief career as an EMT, LaTechia used her brains and natural flair to escape the street life she had gotten tangled in, inspired by the fate of her sister, who was murdered over drugs. The Vibe buffed her a bit (she only had about 5 points in characteristics previously) and gave her power over an unknown type of energy--she would never be helpless again. She is on the high end of Gamma or low end of Delta.

 

She got into what would have been a mild altercation with her fiance' at the SC State Fair only days after the Vibe, but seared most of his clothes (and hair off). Like many other Alts, she found her Secret to be very short-lived. A couple of the PCs were on the scene and contained her while calming the crowd, managing to do it without losing their own Secret IDs by the skin of their teeth. LaTechia picked up her nom de guerre from an interviewed bystander describing the sound her energy globes make.

 

Shablam is an early example of what would later become the BPA's standard policy: whenever possible, recruit. Homeland Security got her in lieu of her getting a criminal record and possibly prison time. She was transferred to the BPA when it formed. The next time she showed up in Columbia, she had six months of agent training under her belt and was the personal bodyguard of the head of Section Zero, Dietrich Drayton.

 

Later, after the Memphis Incident in which White Supremacist Alts killed local paranormal crimefighter Heatray and severely injured two of his fellows in an act of paranormal terrorism, Shablam was placed in Memphis to help rebuild and formalize Heatray's 'team' as the city's official Emergency Response Team, patterned after similar teams sponsored by Power X (the PC's Alt Employment Agency). As the Memphis Knights' federal liaison and full-time hero, Shablam represents both a good PR move and a way to leverage the Knights' involvement when the BPA needs them. Power X, at the behest of the BPA, recruited two more members for the Memphis Knights: Hot Rod (Alt with superhuman driving ability) and Power Star (a powerful energy wielder who previously operated in Atlanta). As a black male, Power Star, who didn't do a very good job of finding crime to fight on his own, is seen as a replacement for the much-loved Heatray. These developments are important to the course of the campaign, as they represent the effort that the BPA puts in to stave off a much-feared war between Alts and Norms, that could be triggered by a powerful backlash following an act of paranormal terrorism.

 

In combat, Shablam usually runs her MP at 8d6 for her Energy Globes and 11rPD/16rED for her Energy Shield. She's quick to take cover, as her powers are too draining to maintain for long.

[Cassandra]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

You should see what it did to my Power Girl in the DC 250 thread, Doctor.

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

I am not familiar with the Paragons setting, and it is not playgerized or ripped off. It adapted or inspired.

 

Keep up the hard work

 

QM

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

You should see what it did to my Power Girl in the DC 250 thread' date=' Doctor.[/quote']

 

That's so sad. Still a great writeup, though!

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

I am not familiar with the Paragons setting, and it is not playgerized or ripped off. It adapted or inspired.

 

Keep up the hard work

 

QM

 

Gracias. I just want to give credit where it's due, but I might be overdoing it a bit. Adapting all that inspiration is hard work!

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Why hasn't society melted down from the stress of such a huge change as the appearance of Alts? Primarily because that isn't the kind of story I wanted to tell. I put in-game justifications, adequate in my opinion, but everyone has one. I also assume there's still enough tension to make that part of the story as well. Society HAS melted down in some cases...a town in Missouri has dispersed following an outbreak of contagious telepathy. Zimbabwe is undergoing a civil war. For the most part, humanity is adapting constructively. Here's why I think that would be, given the parameters of the setting:

 

Nearly 10% of humanity was affected, and nearly 90% of those are Alphas or Latents. Everyone knows an Alt and practically everyone is related to one or more. Those ties are already in place. To turn against Alts, or for Alts to turn against normals means abandoning those ties. That is something I think most people would be reluctant to do.

 

Maslow's Hierarchy-Basic needs are met first. Because of the 'wishful' nature of the Vibe, people's lacks are addressed first. Yes, this can and does go very, very wrong...sometimes. More often, it's a clear boon. The blind see, the lame walk, amputees are restored. It doesn't even have to be the victim who benefits directly from the Vibe, a spouse or loved one can direct that benefit to the handicapped or dying person, or gain healing powers that allow them to do so. Such healing abilities, often specialized, are among the more common gifts of the Vibe, because so many people want to help their suffering loved ones. You can be a pretty effective healer on +25 base points and +25 in disads. The impoverished gain something that will help them prosper, the starving gain a way to eat (or a way to do without). It can be a boon to have a relative or buddy with such abilities. I think the Vibe would be taken as an overall good despite the problems super-powered trouble-makers cause, at least at first.

 

Of course, Invisibility and Mind Control are relatively common powers, as well.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

On the other side, stressing the fabric of society, in addition to criminals who got powers, and people who decided to become criminals because they got powers, and people who decided to use their powers as terrorists to further radical agendas, there are the basically good guys who want to do the right thing, feel their power comes with additional responsibility, but advance their worldview in ways that make the public nervous.

 

Like the Levellers in San Francisco who are so anti-authoritarian they are almost as likely to side against the cops as help them. Or the Pantheon, who think their first duty is to other paranormals. Or Change the World, who engage in acts of ecoterrorism and violate national sovereignty to rescue political prisoners. Or Genesis, which has been known to harass abortion clinic personnel as well as fight crime?

 

It's human nature to associate with others of like mind, when Alts get together to advance an agenda, it's scary to the authorities and the neighbors. Imagine a heavily-armed group starting a chapter of PETA...wouldn't YOU be nervous?

 

Everyone wants change, THEIR change, and they want it now, and a lot more of them can back up that desire with power now. CO2 levels are dropping at an alarming rate, and Alts are being blamed for it...everyone just KNOWS one or more Alts, probably with good intentions, is altering the atmosphere recklessly.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Power X is the PC-invented organization play centers around. The founder only got a 'magic' pair of sunglasses out of the Vibe, but they've taken him a long way because they let him see and analyze Alt powers. With that resource, the good fortune to be an associate of some of the most powerful Alts in the state (the other PCs) and an imaginary CEO known only as 'Mr. X', he started Power X, the world's first Alt Employment and Talent Agency. Power X has had an enormous influence on the acceptance of, and especially the appearance of, Alts. One of Power X's services is branding and marketing an Alt Identity, including professional costuming, advice on codename, and incorporating the identity so it has a legal life of its own. Most don't go for that, but enough do to be noticed, and it's a requirement to be on one of Power X's government-contracted Emergency Responce and Intervention Teams (ERITs). The founder used the success of his company in a variety of ways, including collection of power objects, discovery of Vibe Glass, and the founding of the Monticello Academy, a private school (sixth through twelfth) for Alt children considered to be too much of a risk to have in public school.

 

He lost his sunglasses eventually to a rival with a knack for acquiring power objects. Her satisfaction was probably short-lived, as he anonymously informed the BPA of what she had---something they REALLY want. He used the most powerful piece of Vibe Glass he had found to become Legion, with the nearly-unique ability to copy other people's Alt powers (just a sixty-point MP with empty slots that he 'fills up' to copy new powers). He then transformed a lesser crystal into a new power object in the form of a ring that gave him the same abilities his old 'power shades' did. Now he's not only the visionary behind Power X and the Monticello Academy, he's one of their first lines of defense.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

‘The Harvester’

 

Value Char Base Cost

50 Str 10 40

29 Dex 10 57

25 Con 10 30

22 Bod 10 24

33 Int 10 23

23 Ego 10 26

30 Pre 10 20

18 Com 10 4

25 PD 10 15

25 Ed 5 20

6 Spd 3.9 21

15 Rec 15 0

50 End 50 0

60 Stn 60 0

 

Cost Ability

20 Detect Alt Powers with Sense, Range, Analyze and Discrimination 16-

50 Life Support: Full, Including Immortality

3 Low-light Vision (+2 vs. Darkness Sight Penalties)

5 Mental Awareness 16- (Psionic Awareness)

60 Multipower: 90-point ‘Taking It Back’ Pool, Alt Powers Only (-1/4), Extra Protection from Power Defense

6u 6d6 Major Transform Alt to Normal at 9 End

6u 6d6 Major Transform Power Object to Normal Object at 9 End

90 End Reserve: 150 End, 75 Rec for All Powers

350 Variable Power Pool: 200-point Mimic Pool plus 150-point Control Cost, Cosmic (+2), Only to Create Powers Copied from a Transformed Target (-1/4), Powers May Only be as Powerful as Target’s Powers (-1/2), Requires a Successful Transformation to First Acquire a Target’s Powers (-1/4)

100 Reserve Points to Mimic Abilities Inappropriate for Power Pool

3 Analyze Technology 16-

7 Languages: English (Complete), Mongolian (Complete), Russian is Native

3 Computer Programming 16-

3 Electronics 16-

3 Scientist

8 Sciences: Computer Science 16-, Nanotechnology 16-, Physics 16-, Quantum Physics 16-

3 +1 with Science Skills

 

Points Disadvantage

10 Distinctive Features: Omega-level Alt

20 Hunted 11- by Light Siders

10 Monitored 11- by Alt Community

25 Psych Lim: God-complex from Hell

20 Psych Lim: Megalomaniac

15 Psych Lim: Protective of Children

10 Psych Lim: Vengeful

15 Reputation 11-: The Harvester

10 Soc Lim: Public ID-Anton Markov

15 Vuln: x2 Effect from Attacks vs. Power Defense

 

Characteristics: 280 Abilities: 720 Total: 1000

Base: 750 Disadvantages: 150 XP: 100

 

 

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

The genius behind the Vibe, Dr. Markov, or 'The Harvester', as precognitives have been referring to him almost since the day of the Vibe, is out to collect the power that rightfully should have been his: the power to become God, to go back in time and create the universe. If he doesn't, we will never have existed, don't you see?

 

Note that Markov's protectiveness of children won't stop him from relieving them of the burden of their misappropriated powers.

 

Markov has spent the time since Oct 12 learning to make the most of his powers, which were originally significantly weaker, damn that Quantum AI! He discovered Vibe Glass and devised ways to use it to make himself more powerful, to make him able to get back that which was 'stolen' from him. Markov's superhuman characteristics reflect what he has taken from the Alts he has already 'harvested'. His reserve points can be used to further improve them if he encounters an Alt with superior characteristics. Markov already has a variety of abilities (about a dozen) he can draw on from his Mimic Pool, but due to the rarity of the more powerful Alts, he doesn't yet have anything with more than fifty active points he can use. He's working his way up the Alt food chain, and now he's ready to ambush a few of the highly-visible Alts working for Power X. After neutralizing the Monticello Academy's main defenders he plans to stalk the Academy halls and relieve the poor children of their powers...it's been so hard on them, after all.

 

Markov has some limitations in how much he can do to an Alt. First, he only drains actual Alt powers, many lower-level Alt abilities are the result of the Alt's molecules being rearranged, and don't require quantum nanotech to operate (although they might fade over time without the quantobots to maintain them). Second, Power Defense gives some extra protection--an Alt can protect as many Active Points in each Alt Power as they have points in Power Defense. For example, someone with 10 points of Power Defense and a 60-point Multipower could walk away from an encounter with Markov with a 10-point Multipower. Since untapped Vibe Glass can provide this kind of protection, this can be a serious limitation once it is discovered and understood. As far as non-nanotech powers retained, Alts can retain characteristics up to 150% of Normal Characteristic Maximums, a power like Regeneration would become the Fast Healing talent, powers like Density Increase, Plasma Blasts, and Teleportation would be lost.

 

Thus far, Power X is only aware of vague warnings and premonitions of a 'Harvester' who is a danger to all Alts. The Pantheon is so worried about him they've made extraordinary arrangements to protect their island from an Omega-level Alt invader.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

After having their most and least cosmic members de-powered by Dr. Markov and getting their place of business seriously damaged, the team re-grouped while Markov's plans were moved much closer to fruition by his new powers of FTL Flight and Extradimensional Travel.

 

Consulting psychics, digging trophies out of the Vault, calling in favors from the BPA, the team took advantage of Markov's explorations to load for bear and prepare a trap. One of the PCs, Sideswipe, can turn into any kind of vehicle no bigger than a semi truck. In the form of a Mecha he concealed his teammates inside his robot form, so Markov wouldn't be able to sense their power, only his. Having 'let slip' their intentions, they went to the site of Markov's lab, the origin point of the Vibe. As expected, eventually Markov showed up and attacked Sideswipe. Sideswipe managed to survive the attack without getting stunned, took a half-phase to Shapeshift into a robot form with gunports, and everyone took a coordinated attack at Markov: .50 cal round + mind stab + ranged stun drain x2 + tk was enough to stun Markov and give the ERT the initial advantage it needed to defeat Markov.

 

I've been running this campaign almost 2x a week since October, it was originally intended as a pick-up game, but it kinda got out of hand. That was the climax and I'm going to take a break from GM-ing for awhile, but I'm not planning on putting the whole thing on permanent hiatus, just limit it to when I'm inspired.

 

Thanks for bearing with my ramblings, I hope there was something useful in this for someone.

[Mr. R]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Thanks for bearing with my ramblings, I hope there was something useful in this for someone.

 

This has been a very entertaining thread. And I like the ideas you present, the rationalizations and the general tone. I look forward to your next arc.

 

Rep to you.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Gracias, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Next time I try something similar I'll know in advance to post vertically like I did The Harvester to avoid squishing, Much easier to read that way.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, especially one I started, but I don't want to cover ideas I've already put out. This was more of a 'share thread' to get ideas out of my head; and now I'm looking for input. I was just about to start a new Urban Fantasy Champions thing; but I've again been bitten by the bug of taking a setting based on the mundane world and turning it upside-down by adding super powers. I've got an all-new group of players (I'm hoping to get them to play themselves), so I can recycle what I want from the old Alts campaign with them none the wiser, but there's a lot I would change, like having a lower starting power level.

 

I was reading Good Omens by Gaiman and Pratchett while watching Ben 10 and Young Justice and I've got a nebulous concept of a child-like cosmic-level being messing with the Earth for several days (unconsciously?), doing things like putting an underwater civilization where Atlantis is supposed to be and adding more cowboys, Indians, and ninjas to otherwise boring days. This would culminate in an Event, like the Vibe in the Alt campaign, where the entity attempts to grant everyone their fondest wish or fulfill their dreams. In Alts there was one origin for everything (quantum nanotechnology), in this setting I want all types of power to be possible. The entity's power is so vast and reality-bending that it just changes things however is needed to make the wish come true. Although in this setting everyone is affected, as in Alts most don't gain appreciable power...their 'points' are shifted around but not increased, or they get a one-off effect like a new car appearing in their driveway that's nice but doesn't involve a 'change to their character sheet'. There is only the one cosmic being who is staying out of sight for now, six or seven very high-powered supers, 60 or 70 high-powered ones, and so forth.

 

I'm interested in what the nature of the entity and its powers might be (in Good Omens it was an 11-year-old unsupervised antichrist), what the event might be called (the Change? Freaky Friday?), what to call the people with super powers, and generally pick your brains before jumping in. I had my group all ready for the occult Champions thing, so if I'm going to switch I want them to be happy with the change. I'm not married to any of the ideas I've presented so far, if you've got a twist or alternative I'd like to hear it.

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

Some physicists suspect the universe may be a simulation. Maybe too much of an existential crisis to spring on the players; but the story behind the event could be something like:

 

'Well, I've shown that if Biafra had not been supported by the international community in the 1970s, Joe Biden would still have been Barack Obama's running mate. I feel kind of bad about just turning off the simulation though...they're just like real people.'

 

'Can I keep running it; please, please?!'

 

'Well, okay, but remember they have feelings, don't be cruel.'

 

'I won't, I'll be REALLY nice to them!'

[csyphrett]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

in my opinion, go with the occult champions. slowly intro them to magic becoming more common and more dangerous. Then let them know that the source is some thing man was not meant to know.

CES

[Doctor Agenda]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

I'll think on that...but the increasing occultism game is a whole different animal than a sudden Event game. I've run an urban fantasy campaign based on an occult event (Red Moonrise) where magic suddenly increased (back in the nineties or early oughts, I think). OTH, it would probably tick my players off less than suddenly switching on them.

 

More in line with the Event concept, it could be a magic event, like a sudden breach between mundane reality and a plane of powerful magic. It's not magic itself that is against the flavor I'm looking for, it's the horrific aspect. There will be horror, you can't not have horror happening when the world turns upside down and everyone is affected in some way, even not counting people using their powers to terrorize others (I've always wanted to be a few inches taller...OMG! I'm taller!--may sound funny, but it would be quite a shock to the person it happened to). But I'm thinking more Fortean than Lovecraftian.

[csyphrett]

Re: Setting: World of Alts

 

You can play up the fortean events like frogs falling from the sky easily enough.