New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

[Hermit]

For those curious, I am intending to mix Scott Heine's incredible creation "The Protectors " (From "To Protect and Serve" with Bay City setting from Fuzion days, and put them in the 6th Ed universe with some touches here and there from other editions. There will be a lot of edits or touch ups as I go along.

 

In 1988, the Protectors, after years of honorable service, were influenced by mystic forces and almost wiped out humanity. Only the intervention of other heroes stopped them, and restored them to sanity but it didn't come quickly and their reputations took a hit.

 

Shaken to their core, not everyone in the membership stayed in the good fight. Some left San Francisco entirely. Others, persevered...

 

Then in 1995... a huge Earthquake shook the entire Bay area, and the Protectors went to work saving as many as they could. San Francisco, Oakland, and other cities of the area would eventually merge as a result of this into Bay City. While the change wasn't as drastic as what occured to old Detroit now Millennium City, it was a change. Everything was changing...

 

The Protectors were no exception.

 

(Timeline and other things in development)

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Their Final Fates

Ace- The changes to the team alarmed Kimberly Yamoto no matter how slowly they came. She'd always kept her distance, but the truth was that she cared deeply for each one of them. Perhaps too much. A misunderstanding between her and Brainstorm lead to the latter leaving the team, something she felt guilty about for years despite the fact it was just that, a misunderstanding. Eventually, she learned to open up to people. She became more of a pilalr of the team than ever. Now, however, she finds herself slowing down, and questioning her choices in life. She has decided to stick around long enough to see a new generation take over the protection of the city before she finds her new course.

 

Brainstorm -Kent mistook Kimberly's pity and kindness as attraction. Nor did she realize how HE felt about her. When he approached, she was startled and immediately rebuffed him, perhaps more strenously than she intended to. While he had grown more mature, Brainstorm didn't handle it well... and fled the team for another city. It took him some time, but he did grow up, and even founded a superhero team of his own. They were among the first out of state superteams to come help the Protectors with the aftermath of the quake. Some fences were mended, apologies (on all sides) made, but despite a kind offer, he decided to stick with his new team and head back east.

 

Doc Sonic- Dr. Robyn Willows never really felt entirely comfortable in the superhero role to begin with, certainly not compared to her role as researcher and scientist. Without even realizing it, she became one of the pioneers for the medical use of sonic tools in surgery and other areas. The quake of 95 drove home to her that her brilliant mind could save far more people with the products of technology than her blasting some bank robber ever could. She moved from part time, and when she eventually found a man who loved her and she him, Doc Sonic was seen infrequently at best. Now with a family of her own, and a thriving demand for her secret ID's know how, she may suit up when an emergency occurs, but that's it.

 

Dr. Wraithe- More mysterious and egnimatic than ever, Dr. Wraithe faced great mystical threats not just to the city, but the world itself. These threats were often forces that his team mates couldn't grasp even if the mystic hero wanted to take the time to explain it all. More and more, Dr. Wraithe left abruptly to deal with some 'threat from beyond' in the middle of team meetings, or declined to answer just what bizzare arcane fallout had just occured. The Bay area's mystical defenses were more under attack than ever, and yet his team was often a non factor in being able to hold against it. In hopes of shoring up those defenses, he devoted less time to the team, and more to training. Taking two apprentices on, he was horrorfied when one of those apprentices turned to serving the 'ancient evil' that had haunted him all his life and the other was taken as a sacrifice. He went trying to rescue them both but only the innocent was spared, and he hasn't been seen since.

 

Eric learned that the 'ancient evil' was none other than himself, that his fate was to become this mystic tyrant, and then seize himself to begin the dark path. Rather than risk that, he unmade himself...and while his heroic actions remain, in a century, there will be no record anywhere that he ever existed.

 

 

Helios- While Demetrios was 'cured' of the desire to purge all evil, said cure did not work as well with the alien within him. The symbiote and its host struggled in a war for control until the rest of the team went into space to find the technology to remove and artificially store that symbiote independently. Stripped of his powers, Demetrios remained a friend to the Protectors, but had to retire from the superhero lifestyle. Expanding on his photogrpahy skills and going professional , Mr. Puros is now reknowned and even attends galas showing off his work.

 

Huntsman- The Huntsman found himself more helpful after the earthquake directing his company of SavCo in aiding the community, and rebuilding than he was as a superhero. Wayne was increasingly pulled between multiple roles: Supehero, CEO, and father to yet more children of his loving wife. Time was taking its toll on his body, one too many blasts from a VIPER pistol, one too many punches from the 'bad brick of the week'. An economic down turn almost ended up with the company becoming victim to a hostile takeover. Feeling something had to give, Mr. Savage informed the remaing protectors of his choice and put away the costume of the Huntsman for good. Some feelings were hurt initially, but as of now, he and SavCo remain a major support to the Protectors, and he looks back on his time as a superhero fondly but realistically.

 

Maelstrom- Dr. James Ford served with distinction as both a professor at the University of California, and as a superhero. His powers over the weather were not dimmed by age, and, indeed, his control became uncanny. However, time, the master of all mortal men, eventually caught up with him. He died roughly two years ago of natural causes. The fact that there is a villain out there now using his old name angers those superheroes who knew the kindly man who came late into the game very much.

 

Quasar - Dayn served as leader for some time, dedicating his every moment to helping Earth become the paradise it should be, and oddly, took the incident of the mystic influence as a learning moment. He understood how dangerous his fervor could be should it ever be twisted again. In some ways, he became a far wiser man, and thus a better hero, than he even was before. A brief adventure in space would call him away from Earth forever. An unknown colony of his people had escaped their former masters. He and the other protectors struggled to help them maintain that freedom, but when it became apparent that his people still needed him, he bid his teammates good bye, and wished them safe journey home.

 

Renegade-Rick was deputy leader under Quasar, and when Quasar parted ways with the team, he had to assume leadership full time. It hasn't been easy. Quite often, he wondered if the team might have done better if he'd made different choices. Perhaps he should have been more aware of the problems facing his teammates and been more of a help to them. Years have passed, and age is starting to wear down on even him. He feels like he's seen it all now, and that while the masks and faces change, crime and evil are unrelenting. Frankly, he's grown tired. Renegade has decided it is time to pass not just the team onto some new comers, but his very power like his father passed it onto him. He's just not sure where he's going to find a worthy successor.

 

Silverfist- Joe Montgomery aka Silverfist was on top of the world. He had an apointment with Dr. Silverback who, in consult with Doc Sonic and others, had found a way to make him human again. Joe figured he might not even have to give up heroing, after all...power armor was all the rage, and he was still a hell of a boxer. Unfortunately, this was 1995, and Silverfist found himself racing to the rescue as a parking garage began to collapse. Trying to hold up a crucial pillar that was beyond even his cybernetic strength, Silverfist realized he was not going to be able to do so long enough for everyone to get to safety. Bypassing some failsafes, he had the mechanisms draw what energy they needed from his fearless heart. That heart burst in his chest, but not before the people made it to safety. It was only two weeks before the appointment, and he could have escaped by himself easily, but he chose dying a hero to living as a human.

[The Nexus]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

I don't have the Protectors but have heard the names. Great write ups so far, Silverfist in particular.

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

I don't have the Protectors but have heard the names. Great write ups so far' date=' Silverfist in particular.[/quote']

 

Thanks

Nothing is written in stone yet, and some maybe subject to change depending on what the players in question want. For example, if one wants to play the son or daughter of a particular Protector, that obvious has consequences for said hero's final fate:)

[Opale]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

It reminds me alot of Champions : the New Millenium, which is the setting I'm gamemastering

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

It reminds me alot of Champions : the New Millenium' date=' which is the setting I'm gamemastering [/quote']

 

I am using their Bay City product in fact, though I did not care for Fuzion itself one bit. I'm hoping to get a good mix and borrow from some of the ideas mentioned in another thread on the hows and whys of retirement

http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php/84621-Fading-Stars...when-and-why-should-superheroes-retire

[The Nexus]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

All the products seem to jumble in my mind, but didn't Huntsman have a son that took over? I seem to remember there being more than one of them, but I'm not sure how I would know that since I've never owned To Protect and Serve.

[Enforcer84]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Not that I recall. Though Scott Heine posts around her periodically.

Looks great Hermit!

[Opale]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

I am using their Bay City product in fact, though I did not care for Fuzion itself one bit. I'm hoping to get a good mix and borrow from some of the ideas mentioned in another thread on the hows and whys of retirement

http://www.herogames.com/forums/showthread.php/84621-Fading-Stars...when-and-why-should-superheroes-retire

 

Well I actually use the total setting of Bay City and C:NM.

And I use the San Angelo, Millenium city, and Viboray Bay settings too, in a mix of my own.

Except that the only Champions remaining are played by my players, as the Offical ones of C:NM.

i.e. Quantum, Solitaire, Behemoth, Seeker, Defender, plus The New Hunter, FistFire and a new one called Impulse.

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Timeline

April, 1988, The Purifier Incident- At the height of their popularity, the Protectors begin committing strange crimes all in the name of a "war on evil". Only a group of visiting superheroes stumbling onto this situation while on vacation end up really unveiling this situation, but it soon comes to the attention of both local police, and PRIMUS. The visiting superhero team continues to pursue the Protectors, especially when it becomes apparent they have been mentally influenced somehow, and plan to 'Purge all evil' and 'help the world start over'.

 

May, 1988, The slow road to recovery- Captured and twharted, each member of the Protectors receives they help they need in ridding themselves of the 'purifier curse' once and for all. However, each team member is shaken to the core and the team almost disbands. Despite the spiritual assault each one has undergone, the public is less than forgiving. Some DEMAND the resignation of the team, with only a handful of the many citizens they've saved coming to their defense. It is, ironically, the governor at the time who bites the bullet for the team, dismissing their crimes and granting a full pardon. Some believe it cost the governor re-election.

 

June, 1988, Helios no more- When it becomes clear that the curse still lingers, not on Demetrios but rather the alien symbiote that provides his fire powers, the Protectors keep it as secret as they can and take a trip into space seeking a way to cure the alien as well. This fails, though they do find a way to remove it. Demetrios, stripped of his powers, leaves the Protectors while he remains a friend. Meanwhile, Quasar's actions call attention to him, though he doesn't know it at the time. This return to Earth will be his last one. The Symbiote , now isolated and suspended in slumber, returns to Earth as well. The Protectors are determined to find a cure for it as well.

 

December, 1988 And here come the wolves- A new TV mini series hits the airwaves depicting a group of superheroes gone bad, dubbed "The Shield that Cuts", there is no doubt in anyone's mind who the 'heroes' in it are supposed to depict. Character names and costumes are only changed enough to help against any legal action. The series downplays the influence the heroes were under, and rather plays up the dark urges that surely must exist in all whackos that dress in tights. It is a ratings hit, and causes much controversy. A frustrated Renegade ends up having to buy a new TV.

 

February, 1989- Little Orphan Hostages- A terrorist group takes a local orphanage over and begins to make demands of the city. As the terrorist group is heavily armed AND employing at least two superpowered mercs, the city turns to the Protectors for help. One child, a brave one who decided not to sit on the sidelines when the protectors were seen, ended up getting injured, but no other children were harmed, and the injured child was adopted soon after by person or persons unrevealed. Overall, the public responds favorably to this, but many still harbor doubts or outright hostility for the "Fallen team".

 

June, 1989- The Aquarium Escape- A new privately contracted 'prison' for water-breathing villains seems to be working well, and while not complete, already holds nearly a half dozen of such beings. Unfortunately, a storm borderline hurricane ends up disrupting everything and the Protectors come to the rescue. The lives of the security and admin personnel are saved but the villains escape and the underwater prison is destroyed. The company, seeking to save its own ass, declares this the fault of the Protectors and attempts to sue them! SavCo provides and pays for legal defense of the Protectors while the superheroes also have to try to round up each of the escaped villains one by one.

 

May, 1990- A mentalist scorned- Brainstorm makes an unexpected (To Ace, at least) romantic overture which is completely and abruptly rebuffed. The young mentalist, feeling humiliated, is gone the next day. Ace blames herself for sometime, despite the protests of some of her teammates that she was hardly alone in the misunderstanding. Attempts to find and retrieve Brainstorm fail. They won't meet him again for another five years.

 

March, 1993- Who Flashes the Flashmen!- A new superhero team arrives in town, capturing the imagination and admiration of many of the locals glad for 'new heroes for a new millennium to come'. The Flashmen talk a lot of smack, and seem to take every chance they can to make the Protectors look bad. It goes beyond that, the Flashmen take credit for other superheroes exploits, twist everything they say to the press for self glorification, and avoid real danger until someone else has softened the threat up. They are, in short, all style and no substance, the very incarnation of what is worse with 90s superheroes. While the Protectors eventually expose them as frauds, some die hards claim to this day that the Flashmen were set up by a jealous old team.

 

January, 1995, The Nasty 95-No great villain's plan, no mystic spell, nor alien interference was responsible, the earthquake of 95 was just Mother Nature getting ugly. Measuring around 7.2, early warning systems failed to catch it. Fortunately, some of the architecture had just this sort of thing in mind, but even then the damage was immense. The Protectors helped deal with the devastation, but were scattered by the chaos at the time. Silverfist gives his life to save many. Because of this, and other heroics, the Protectors find much of their behavior during the "Purifier Incident" forgiven by even die hards. Other superhero teams also come to the rescue, particularly with the clean up. This is the quake that would lead to the consolidation of the various cities of the area into one unified metropolis.

 

October, 1996, The Last Hunt- The Huntsman finds himself slowing down and wearing out. What's more, his company, SavCo, is almost lost to a hostile takeover. A mercenary group kidnaps him to ensure that he misses the vote, though just who hired them (He suspects Franklin Stone was ultimately behind them) is unknown. Trapped on an island with them 'waiting it out' , he manages to escape, and take out his captors one by one. He arrives at the meeting JUST in time to keep his company from being swiped from under him, and then once that's over, goes home and sleeps! The next day he informs his teammates that he has chosen family and the career that supports them first.

 

November, 1997, Professor Muerte looks good in a dress- A nearby research facility experimenting in teleportation accidentally summons a group of villains no one has ever seen before. The villains are ruthless, and lead by a woman in a high tech armor with force projection powers. The Protectors come to the rescue, and both teams seem unsure just who the other is until it becomes apparent that the invaders in question come from a world where the genders are reversed. While it is touch and go, the Protectors prove to be triumphant. It takes some doing, but Dr. Wraithe manages to open a hole to the 'other gender dimension' where they meet the Protectors of that world who take their Terror Inc into custody. More than one member on both Protector teams admit they find the introductions "kind of creepy".

 

December, 2000, Dr. Wraithe's Vanishing Act- After many years of growing increasingly isolated from the team, Dr. Wraithe simply ceases to show up. While the remaining Protectors seek him out, they have no resources in this field beyond the good doctor himself. It is Eric's wife that shows them a note she found that reads, "Where I have gone, you can not, dare not, follow. Remember me. Few will"

 

June, 2002, Of Interstellar Tyrants and Sad Farewells- In their attempt to foil the Wormhole gang's theft and retrofit of a Starship that had been in UNTIL's possession and study, the Protectors find themselves launched into space with the villains in question. When they come close to a hidden planet, Quasar realizes that some of his people have survived and formed a 'free colony'. They face dangers that make the Warlord and his ilk seem almost paltry, and the Protectors struggle to save an entire planet. They succeed, but in the end, Davyn realizes he is needed most among his own kind, and dubbing Renegade the new leader of the team, he bids the rest of the Protectors well.

 

August, 2002, New Blood Drive #1- With the team down to five members, and Doc Sonic barely part time at that, finding new blood for the Protectors becomes Renegade's priority. Speedster, a super fast fellow who's name was very on the nose, had been in the city for a few years anyway, and agreed to join. Nightraven claimed to be too much of a loner, but after some pressure, gave it a shot. A young woman named Skyline, with the powers of super strength and flight, also joined up. She and Renegade had an obvious attraction to each other, but he holds her back a bit, thinking she is too young for him, and his position as team leader would make it all the more questionable.

 

August, 2003, Golly, he was right- Nightraven, having played it solo one too many times, and still unable to trust anyone, departs the Protectors after only one year. The parting is, for the most part, amiable. In the mean time, Skyline finally convinces Renegade she is indeed a woman fully grown and quite capable of making up her own mind. They finally begin to date, much to the relief of the rest of the team that was getting damn tired of the 'will they won't they' drama.

 

 

February, 2004, The Ophidian Plague- The Steel Citadel was hit particularly hard compared to many VIPER nests. Fortunately, the Protectors Inc (the security corporate 'brother' of the main team) allied with PRIMUS agents to great effect, while the superheroes of the area, few as they were, did spot checking and damage control. The full effects on VIPER in the area are unknown, but it is assumed their casualties were very heavy killing even their old Nest Leader. A new one, calling herself the Shadow Serpent, has arisen since, and maybe finally done with the rebuilding process.

 

May, 2004- The Reality Storm- Just as with everywhere, the Reality Storm's secondary effects drove nature wild in the Bay area. In this case, blizzards more suited to Minnesota hammered the area in ice and snow. Strange occurrences abounded as beings an individuals and landmarks from other realities appeared, and those from this one vanished! The Protectors, aided by some local heroes and a few of these strangers, help with the many car accidents, new villains from no where, and stem the tide of panic. When it finally ends, everything appears to have gone back to normal, but psychics, the enlightened, and lunatics seemed particularly disturbed for months after, claiming "It's STILL not as it was."

 

January, 2005, What little girls are made of- When Teleios attempts to use a local PRIMUS base for his latest experiment, the Protectors go to the rescue. Unfortunately, unknown to them all, even Skyline herself, one of their number's memories were false. Jean/Skyline, under her creator's orders, turns to defend the genetic mastermind and starts by snapping Speedster's neck even as tears stream down her face while doing it. When she turns to fight Renegade, however, she finds the strength to resist the commands, or at least hold them at bay long enough for Teleios to be captured. As a parting shot, as Stronghold prepares to carry him away, Teleios, utters one phrase "Sugar and Spice melts in the rain". The words activate something inside of the still stricken Skyline, and she litterally begins to melt like wax, and there is nothing anyone can do as she dies painfully.

No one even considers replacing her or Speedster in the next few years.

 

May, 2006 Sapphire VS the World- Sapphire is scheduled to hold a major concert in Bay City and everyone is excited about it. Most particularly her would be suitors that include Foxbat, El Salto, Bulldozer, and Bob (He was new, and didn't have time for a name after working so hard on his costume). Stumbling into each other, each villain realized that the other was after the same lady. A challenge was proposed and excepted... each one swore that His plan to kidnap/woe fair damsel would succeed, and each took their shot. While Sapphire didn't need rescuing, the Protectors did manage to keep property damage to a minimum, allow the show to go on, and prevented the 'suitors/morons' from hurting themselves.

 

July, 2009, Stronghold Breakout- While the Protectors were not near Stronghold when the breakout occurred, many of the escapees head to California and that includes Bay City. Cateran, the immortal scottswoman powerhouse decides that maybe it's time to consider the advantages of team work as this solo act can get even HER in jail. She makes some offers to certain villains to join her. Most refuse, and , now on their own, turn out to be easy prey for the Protectors who use superior numbers and their knowledge of the city to bring them back to the authorities. Encountering Cateran and her new allies, they aren't so lucky. All of her 'team' escapes, and the claymore wielding powerhouse announces that she and her allies will forge their OWN destinies, thank you very much, that they are "Masters of Fortune". The team becomes something of a thorn in the aging team's backside.

 

September, 2009- The Stormbringer lays still - Maelstrom passes away, in his secret identity, of natural causes. Two funerals await him, one by those who knew him only as a kindly old professor of languages, and the other by those who knew him as a superhero. Ace wonders which, if any, of his bloodkin might also be mutants.

 

May, 2010,- Gold in them there hills- An exhibit of Incan artifacts comes to Bay City, and the Masters of Fortune decide to help themselves. The Protectors face off against them, but as the fight is underway, both sides notice that GRAB has been plucking the prize while they've duked it out. Hero and villain alike chase after the GRAB members, but too late as Cheshire has managed to get the team and their illgotten goods to safety. The Masters of Fortune manage to escape as well. In short, it isn't a good time for the Protectors, and the media is relentless. "Stick a fork in them, they're done!" reads one headline. Renegade and Ace fear they maybe right.

 

December, 2010, The Hard Choice- Christmas Eve, Renegade, Doc Sonic, Ace, and Wayne have holiday gathering where each confesses to the other where they think the Protectors are going, or rather, not going. Renegade doesn't want to give up on the team, but when Ace admits she isn't what she was and need to find a new path, he realizes there's really few choices. Wayne insists that SavCo will support whatever decision is made, but hopes that somehow the Protectors continue and suggests one more try at recruitment. Robyn suggests the same, but adds that the team should take their time, and be more cautious. Rick, still stinging from the last time despite the years that have passed, is reluctant, but the others talk him into it. Over the next year, they utilize resources to find promising new heroes.

 

Two Weeks Ago The Invite to Audition- Roughly a dozen superheroes all over the country have received, by one method or another, an invitation to try out for membership in the Protectors. Those accepted will have a base, a vehicle, funding, and a city that desperately needs more heroes. While not every applicant realizes it, the Protectors aren't looking for folks to join them this time, but rather, replace them.

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

It probably needs some editing and touch ups, but I think that's enough on the timeline for now. Questions, comments, suggestions, as always quite welcome.

[Opale]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Question then : when do we start a pbem game ?

 

All good to me, more would be overwhelming for an average player brain.

[SKJAM!]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Always good to see an appearance by the Flashmen.

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Question then : when do we start a pbem game ?

 

All good to me, more would be overwhelming for an average player brain.

 

Thanks.

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Always good to see an appearance by the Flashmen.

 

They're a fantastic creation that I've used with much malicious joy:thumbup:

[Enforcer84]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Solid story there, Hermit. A little melancholy but heroes stepping aside often are. There is a definite feel to the campaign, even if I'm not a huge fan of the piling on the people who protect us bit, it's not Marvel 616 and I suspect the new team will have a fair shake to earn the trust of their charges. It would also be fun to throw a little "don't know what you've got 'til it's gone," "Renegade wouldn't have gone it that way," on occasion.

 

And other than this reminds me how frickin old I am. It's great.

[Dr. MID-Nite]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Is this an actual campaign you're going to run on Hero Central or something like that...or are you just teasing us all with your story ideas..?

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Is this an actual campaign you're going to run on Hero Central or something like that...or are you just teasing us all with your story ideas..?

 

Yes :nod:

 

While I haven't started a new campaign on HERO central YET, I'm closing an old one and considering a replacement. Hence the brainstorming, tinkering, and so on. Also, I've found my fellow posters to be great suppliers of ideas and materials and I say without shame I rip you guys off regularly

[Tom]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Always good to see an appearance by the Flashmen.

 

They're a fantastic creation that I've used with much malicious joy:thumbup:

 

I've always wanted to use the Flashmen, but never felt GM enough to properly handle them FtF.

[The Nexus]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

It is certainly a great read. As I've said I don't know most of the characters except in some passing references, but reading it, I've started to come up with some legacy characters.

Silverfist II: One of the people Silverfist died to save was severly injured and could only be saved with Cybernetics...

Quasar II: The original did find a colony of his people, and the stories of his adventures encouraged another to walk in his foot steps.

Huntsman II: Well the original did have children, this seems pretty obvious.

 

I've thought about the others a lot too, but I realize this isn't really the direction you were going. I'm guessing the PC's will be the "New Guard".

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

It is certainly a great read. As I've said I don't know most of the characters except in some passing references, but reading it, I've started to come up with some legacy characters.

Silverfist II: One of the people Silverfist died to save was severly injured and could only be saved with Cybernetics...

Quasar II: The original did find a colony of his people, and the stories of his adventures encouraged another to walk in his foot steps.

Huntsman II: Well the original did have children, this seems pretty obvious.

 

I've thought about the others a lot too, but I realize this isn't really the direction you were going. I'm guessing the PC's will be the "New Guard".

Nice concepts

Actually, I'll probably be mixing it. One or two could be legacies, but the others would likely be from other parts of the country.

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Tweaking the Setting

Ok. Let's see some changes I'll be making to what was meant for the New Millennium Setting, and how I'll try to get it to fit

 

1) The Earthquake of 1995 was completely natural. No Wildstrike, no strange energies, as we've seen too sadly in the real world, sometimes mother nature just gets ticked.

2) Because there is no wildstrike, there are no Wildstrikers. Other 'radiation accidents' will need to be found if I intend to keep that.

3) Most of the NPCs in the Bay City book are the same with only slight tweaks to modernize (Not age) them, the possible exception being the mayor who I suspect with California's economic down turn may have finally lost office. He'd still be a power to be reckoned with however.

4) Unemployment and economic troubles are a bit harsher.... but it isn't a worse case scenario yet by any means.

5) Organization and membership changes: Frex, good mystics who are parts of groups are now most likely allied with the Trimetigarus (Sp?) council, where as 'Evil" ones would likely have ties to Demon, or the Circle of the Scarlet Moon.

6) New VIPER Nest leader in 95, now calling herself the Shadow Serpent.

7) The "Masters of Fortune" are lead by Cateran, but have no connection to the Black Paladin. As Hummingbird is with GRAB, I need to create a new member. Depending if I really want to update Whitestar, Crimson the Archer (Failed sidekick of the Scarlet Archer?) , or Tungarak , I might replace some or all of them. Cateran's reason for the team would be a mix of "Strength in Numbers" and the old reason of "We get to stay supervillains" this way. In short, the goal of 'no goal' might still be applying. Crimson and Whitestar are still a bit bloodthirsty for my tastes. That might either get dimmed, or, like I said, they get replaced.

8) The Wildstriker fights will probably be replaced by the Arena.

9) The Guard locations may end up going to PRIMUS

10) And, of course, The PROTECTORS HQ still floats in San Francisco Bay

[Enforcer84]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

Tweaking the Setting

 

10) And, of course, The PROTECTORS HQ still floats in San Francisco Bay

 

And the tide come in and the tide go out

And the waves they came toss my little boat about

And the sky turn black and the sky turn blue

I got no pail, no sail, no anchor, too

Just a leaky little boat

 

-Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers

[Opale]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

No Wildstrike, no Proprietor War then ?

Do you keep some details in Bay City like the ORI or the Pit ?

I modernized aswell some NPCs, like Speedster and ShadowBeast, and the Scions of Caine from the C:NM settings are pretty deeply involved int the troubles of BC. You might like take a look at them, tough they need some work to refresh their stats.

As for the Masters of Fortune ... well in MY campaign, they are THE villain team in the center of the story, so I'll avoid speaking about them too much but there is a thing I kept like it was described, even if I thought at first it was a difficult thing : Crimson Archer and Whitestar are brutal casual killers. Tungarak & Hummingbird are more "adventurous" mind that could be persuaded to become good guys... Cateran is the mighty leader of this splitted team. This has an interest, in making the villains team unpredictable. Just IMHO. Sometimes, a villain doesn't need a mastermind plan toact. Sometimes, having just evil villain is fun. And as they are killers, PCs tends to jump on investigation pretty quickly. That's what I noticed.

For Black Paladin thing : well I kinda mixed the C:NM one and the one described in the Shades of Black scenario; making one the heir of the old one, which lead to an interesting conflict... My players put a moment to realize there was something special about it. And it involved the Master of Fortune of course because of their links with the "new" Black Paladin. (yeah, I like complex, intricated stories and relationships between my NPCs )

Final word to say, one of the most interesting thing in the C:NM setting, is that the PCs ARE the actual new heroes, as every other old heroes are dead in the Proprietor war. It makes them play in the center of all attention, every camera turned at them.

But I'm curious to know more about your settings, been curious like a cat as always

[Hermit]

Re: New Protectors Rising! (Bay City Campaign idea)

 

No Wildstrike, no Proprietor War then ?

Do you keep some details in Bay City like the ORI or the Pit ?

The Pit might stick around, but I'd need another 'origin' for it, perhaps a ritual gone wrong. A lot may depend on what character concepts are. And yeah, no Proprietor war at this time.

I modernized aswell some NPCs, like Speedster and ShadowBeast, and the Scions of Caine from the C:NM settings are pretty deeply involved int the troubles of BC. You might like take a look at them, tough they need some work to refresh their stats.

As for the Masters of Fortune ... well in MY campaign, they are THE villain team in the center of the story, so I'll avoid speaking about them too much but there is a thing I kept like it was described, even if I thought at first it was a difficult thing : Crimson Archer and Whitestar are brutal casual killers. Tungarak & Hummingbird are more "adventurous" mind that could be persuaded to become good guys... Cateran is the mighty leader of this splitted team. This has an interest, in making the villains team unpredictable. Just IMHO. Sometimes, a villain doesn't need a mastermind plan toact. Sometimes, having just evil villain is fun. And as they are killers, PCs tends to jump on investigation pretty quickly. That's what I noticed.

Bay City is the only NM Sourcebook I have, so the Scions aren't going to be used. I'll be drawing more from the others Champions Universes for sources on villains and the like. In fact I really should start a post on which ones are up to what there in this hodge podge setting. Except for Hummingbird (who will be with GRAB and therefore need replacing with another 'not crazy about killing/combat' type) I'll probably keep the other members intact and convert them . Crimson the Archer will probably be a failed sidekick or legacy of the Scarlet Archer.

 

For Black Paladin thing : well I kinda mixed the C:NM one and the one described in the Shades of Black scenario; making one the heir of the old one, which lead to an interesting conflict... My players put a moment to realize there was something special about it. And it involved the Master of Fortune of course because of their links with the "new" Black Paladin. (yeah, I like complex, intricated stories and relationships between my NPCs )

Sounds fun. However, perhaps I'm being lazy, but the stronghold breakout seems to give me plenty of excuse to get her on a team bandwagon.

Final word to say, one of the most interesting thing in the C:NM setting, is that the PCs ARE the actual new heroes, as every other old heroes are dead in the Proprietor war. It makes them play in the center of all attention, every camera turned at them.

But I'm curious to know more about your settings, been curious like a cat as always

 

Sort of where I'm going with this. As Enforcer pointed out earlier, and as the time line indicates, the poor Protectors take a lot of hits over the years. Not ALL of it is bad. Huntsman maybe gone, but Wayne Savage lives on happily married with some good kids. Doc Sonic has retired the battle suit, but is a leader in her scientific fields and has a family of her own. Helios lost his powers, but is quite the buzz in the artistic side of photography so any of those might be seen as having 'happy endings' at least so far, or could be dusted off to be contacts to the PCs. Renegade plans to pass his powers on, and Ace will go out to walk the world when she's sure the city is in good hands.