Hermit

Originally posted by OddHat

Yes, but interpretting it as a bunch of beginning characters hunting the master villains of the world is funnier.

 

Mmm.. well, yes, it is. It occurs to me that some master villains must get VERY Bored indeed to do such things

.......

MASTER VILLAIN: Ah, lackey, bring my docket. I'm sure I'm forgetting something today, something enjoyable and EEEVIL.

LACKEY: Ah, let's see.... *flipping through pages* 1. Wake up, go to bathroom, shower.... dry...put on 'mantle of majesty power armor' and 'flowing in your face cape'?

MASTER VILLAIN: OBVIOUSLY... what else?

LACKEY: Watch Jerry Springer reruns to bolster contempt for humanity?

MASTER VILLAIN: *A smile* Yes, done. In fact, make a note for me. There's a trailer home park in Nebraska I intend to vaporize. While Evil, I do value good taste.

LACKEY: *Scribles it down* Oh, Master, I've found it!

MASTER VILLAIN: Found what? Nebraska? It's not that damn hard to find... see that's the problem with most people these days, basic geography is beyond even the ...

LACKEY: Oh no master, I mean, the thing on your agenda you didn't do yet for today. *Realizing 'no' is not what he needs to be saying, quickly moves on* This is your yearly 'find a group of rookie heroes to torment day'

MASTER VILLAIN: *Powers down his incinerator in surprise* REALLY? Already?? Great! Who do we have?

LACKEY: Our best and newest option seems to be "The Champions"

MASTER VILLAIN: Champions of what?

LACKEY: *Double checks* Just the Champions, Master.

MASTER VILLAIN: Well THAT'S vague. Okay, where are they based, and what's the membership?

LACKEY: Millennium City. Now, the leader is Defender...

MV: Hold it. His name is Defender?

LACKEY: Yes Master, Powered Armored type.

MV: He took the name AFTER Detroit got nuked? That's kind of guarding the hen house after the fox has left, isn't it?

LACKEY: *nods, and goes on* There's Ironclad, an alien brick who...

MV: Ah yes, Prince of his planet no doubt.

LACKEY: Says here he's just a gladitator.

MV: Are you SURE? I mean, is he wrethed in flames or something?

LACKEY: Afraid not master.

MV: Could have sworn..oh well, carry on.

LACKEY: Then there's Nighthawk, a dark avenger who uses his many skills and gadgets in conjunction with martial arts to carry on his war for justice...

MV: ZZzzzzzzzzzzzz

L: Master? *cough* MASTER.

MV: *mmf wakes up* Sorry, sorry.. continue.

L: Next is Sapphire, no doubt you've heard of her. Not only a mutant, but a super star!

MV: I'm not big on music past Wagner. Is she dating Ben Affleck?

L: Ah, not to my knowledge master. She is beautiful, perhaps you should make her your bride of the week?

MV: mmm ...I'll consider it. Go to those super hero erotica sites you always click on instead of dding your job, and bring me some pics. I'll glance over them.

L: *Blush* Right. Lastly is Witchcraft.. raised by an evil organization, she now seeks to redeem herself but psychological analysis shows she maybe someone underconfident.

MV: This Witchfire seems familiar...*musing* She wear highboots?

LACKEY: Why, no master. And, ah, it's Witchcraft.

MV: It is? Hurumph. Witchfire has more panache. Oh, get some pics on her as well.

LACKEY: ALready got them master I... *Notes the Master Villain's look at him* Just anticipating your whim, sire.

MV: Good one. *He nods* Very well, I shall puruse over Witchfire's picture later. These people DO seem to have some hubris.

LACKEY: ANd the best selling comic in the world.

MV: WHAT? So soon? Have I even gotten a cameo yet?

LACKEY: No sire... and sire? It's still Witchcraft.

MV: That tears it! Put them on the list! Let's start slow. Put the severed engine of the team vehicle on Defender's pillow.

LACKEY: At once master. *bows and goes*

MASTER VILLAIN: EXXXCEELLENT... *steeples fingers* Welcome to the big times 'champions'.

Thanks

Originally posted by Darren Watts

Not speaking in my "official voice," because Hero isn't declaring any sort of official policy here, but I've always sort of assumed that "Hunted by the Champions" was a placeholder for "Hunted by (Your Heroes Here)" as soon as you introduced that specific bad guy into your campaign. Yeah, for beginning heroes the Champions seem to have a lot of enemies, but if that bothers you do what Mono suggests and parcel the baddies out to other teams- the Sentinels, Justice Squadron, Nova, UNITY, etc., etc.

Okay, this makes sense to me, 'official' or not And think, the Hunteds your PCs get could be saving the Champions lives. Take a hunted, save a Champion

Thank you for your interest in the Power Brigade Super Hero team, please fill out this form to the best of your ability. Should you require special equipment (Heat proof pencils, etc) in order to complete this form, it will be provided. The Power Brigade does not share this information with any other civilian source, but maybe required to share it with certain govt ones (at risk of losing our tax exempt status). Please be as honest as you can.

Super Hero Name:

(Optional)Secret Identity/Alternate Name:

(Optional)Ethnic Group/Species:

Place of Birth:

Date of Birth:

Question 1. How did you hear about the Power Brigade team?

Question 2. What do you feel you can offer (Both in Super heroic powers/gifts and your knowledges) to the Power Brigade team?

Question 3. Why do you wish to join our team, and what do you hope for if you join?

Question 4. Have you ever been on a super hero team before? If so, which one(s) and why are you no longer a member?

Question 5. Are you a supervillain, govt agent, law enforcement official, media person, or anyone else who is attempting to infiltrate the Power Brigade?

Question 6. How often will you be available to fight crime and save the world? What schedule would be best for you?

Question 7: Do you have some disability, ailment, or other situation (Occasional Demonic possession, intense allergy to space rocks, etc) that our scientists, doctors, and mystics should take into account?

Question 8. To what degree do you comply with the law? Are you registered?

Question 9. Will you be able to provide your own transportation to and from the Power Brigade HQ?

Question 10. What are your feelings on death and property damage?

Question 11. Are you willing to wear our team Logo?

Question 12. How may we contact you should we be interested in having you join? (Phone, mystic mirror, large signal, etc)

Please include any additional notes about yourself you feel are relevant below:

Thank you for your interest in the Power Brigade. All applications will be reviewed, if no response in 4-6 weeks, it is likely the team is currently filled.

*chuckle*

What I mean is, you're very cruel. For shame...

*heh*

Some of my own characters that are current:

History Teacher

Comic Book Artist (He now works on his own book )

Escape Artist and Stage Show magician

Bueracrat and Corp mouthpiece, now unemployed

Architect

My own gaming group has two lady players, and I've noticed they tend to pick out which male NPCs they will show interest in. They even tease each other bout it once they found out their trend.

"Dibs."

"That's mine. The tall one, with the hair."

and so forth.

Methinks they're just a wee bit overconfident about their characters' high comeliness scores

Originally posted by Klytus

A: Just before he landed in traction, what did Defender shout to Grond in a horribly misguided attempt to confuse him in a battle?

 

Q: It's OK - I brought the jellybeans!

Q: Blast, we need the Doctor, but we never know how to get him when we need him! What do we do?

A: No matter where you go... there you aren't.

Originally posted by zarglif69

uhhh... ok, thanx for your help. Not much help if you don't HAVE USPD, but thanx anyways...

Well, now you know what to go out and buy. You're welcome.

Seriously, it has some good options IF you can get your hands on it.

However, until you can.... just off the top of my head, the Janus Key could allow indirect Energy blasts (As dimensional energies are allowed to pour through), Desolidification (Walking between Dimensional planes), A temporary SPD Bonus (Slight TIme acceleration), and excuses for Summoning almost anything (though controlling it might be tricky).

How's that?

"Removes the Toughest stains!"

Open your "UNTIL Superpowers Database" to Pg 61. That's the start of the listings for Dimensional Manipulation powers.

The Janus key has the potiential to grant all that, and more...

mwhahahahaha!

Originally posted by death tribble

Q. What did Captain Hardy say when Admiral Nelson gave him his arm ?

 

(Nelson lost his arm in battle for the non Napoleonic fans)

 

A. Tasty, Tasty, Very, Very Tasty ! It's Very Tasty !

Q: So how do you like our new "Soylent Green with Nicotine"?

A: An anguished howl of sorrow, not unlike a wombat mourning a lost mate.

How are they GOING to die? My take

As for how the 5th Edition crew is going to die?

Geez o petes, let's hope it's not too soon... BUT... if I were going to arrange it this far in advance...

Defender: James Harmon IV will end up locked in mortal combat with Mechanon. Aware the robot is just going to get more and more powerful everytime it loses, Defender will (with Nighthawk's help) devise a computer virus meant to take out the machine once and for all. It will require getting up close and 'interfacing'. Mechanon will start to take over the suit, causing it's power to turn inward and fry James within. James will use this link to upload the virus, which will spread to each Mechanon as it's activated by the signal which spreads it. No sooner will the other units arise, than they'll destruct... never having time to adapt.

James won't live to see his victory.

Ironclad: Drogen Lar will live a long full life. Eventually his people, who have their own super heroes and villains, will need his help. Despite being considered a 'traitor' by his people, Ironclad will rush to save his fellow Dorlavians from conquest (either without, or within...imagine a Perseid Dr. Destroyer). The Champions will help him, but when it comes time to leave, he'll choose to stay.

Later, when the H'zeel invade Earth, he'll be among the Perseid leaders who suggests retalitory strikes against the H'zeel while they're weak. Much to his horror, it will get out of his influence, and turn to a genocidal purge. By the time of the Terran Empire, his statues will be everywhere, and visiting humans will wonder why THIS Perseid leader's image is always presented in metal?

Nighthawk: Nighthawk will be betrayed by Julie Morgan (More unintentionally, or at least without forethought rather than Malice). They'll break up, with Nighthaw more bitter and distrustful than ever. Nighthawk will end up being quite the hunted man as old enemies call debts due. He'll get his chance for revenge on the VIPER nest leader who helped direct the accident that scarred his face. In the mean time, Julie, realizing she loved him, and cursing herself for a fool, will try to track him down. She'll end up captured and her life threatened. Nighthawk will have a choice, take out the VIPER Nest and finally have justice... or save her.

With a wrenching sensation, (And buying off or down his obssession with Crimefighting limitation) Nighthawk will choose saving an innocent over punishing the guilty. She'll get out thanks to him, he won't. Irony of Ironies, the Nest Leader's desire to 'get Nighthawk' will take his own life.

Sapphire: A growing activist for many causes, Sapphire will eventually fade from the music scene, only to dominate the Political one. A future Mayor for Millennium City, she'll eventually have to drop her super hero activities for her career and family. 20 years from now, she'll run for President... and be assassinated by those that fear she just might win.

She'll leave behind at least one son or daughter who seeks to find the killers.

Witchcraft: After being put through an emotional wringer and nearly losing her sanity and her soul, Witchcraft will come out stronger and brighter for it. She will defeat her sister Talisman, perhaps, ironically, by merging with her, and overcoming the evil of her twin. This new Witchcraft will accept her destiny as the new Archmage of the Champions Universe, but those duties will force her to leave her friends.

She'll still appear to them once in awhile, but as her powers grow, so do the restraints on how and when she may use them.

Kinetik: Brendon will join the Champions with many lingering doubts about the wisdom of that choice. He'll do his best to keep the team grounded and helping folks 'on the streets'. His attempts to do so will have him more and more acting in a leadership role. After Defender dies, Kinetik will marry Cory, and they'll have some children. While she focuses on politics, he'll end up being the leader of the very team he was once unsure of joining.

He'll run it wisely and well, before he's forced to retire as his powers fade somewhat. He won't be a liability to the team. His autobiography, Feet on the Road, Eyes on the Prize will be a best seller.

...........

Of course, it won't end there...

Kinetik's youngest brother, Philip, who went into science and was working for Harmon Ind will stumble onto notes convincing him that James was Defender. He'll use the specs his investigations uncover, keep it from falling into the wrong hands, and make his own armor... Dubbing himself "Scarlet Shield II". He'll try to live up to the legacy of BOTH heroes.

Ironclad's tales will inspire some super powered Persieds to visit Earth, at least one of them will try to join the Champions.

Julie Morgan, disgusted and guilt ridden for her part in Mark's death, will hone her own self defense skills over the course of the next year, adjust his costume and gear to suit her... and use her investigative powers to redeem herself and carry on his work fighting crime. She'll become "Nighthawk II" but some in the press will prefer to dub her the "Lady Hawk".

One, perhaps two, of Sapphire and Kinetiks' children will have similar powers to their parents. They'll step forward to join, fighting for both acceptance, and yet a way to step out of their parent's shadows. They'll also hunt Mom's killers on the side. At least one of them may cross 'the line'. Let's hope not.

Witchcraft, growing serene and wise as well as powerful, will take a young adept under her wing as an apprentice. Eventually, it will occur to her that while her pupil is learning magic, lessons on how magic should be used are not quite being grasped. She'll therefore assign her student to the Champions as both resident mystic, and a way to learn things that just can't be taught in books.

Say hello to the Champions: Generation Next

Re: How did the lost Champions die?

Originally posted by OddHat

 

How did the missing Champions die?

Well, you have to recall, in this universe, they didn't. Officially, Defender is the one who's formed the Champions (as per 5th Edition CU), with Sapphire, Nighthawk, Ironclad, and later Witchcraft. Solitaire, Obsidian and so forth just don't exist in 5th Edition history. Heck, Seeker is only a comic book character there.

Perhaps a better question then, is how did reality get rearanged?

I blame (okay, use as an excuse in my games) the "Secret Crisis". That's right, the one sentence homage to DC's "Crisis of Infinite Earths" and Marvel's "The Secret Wars". What was the prize?

Reality.... en masse.

The fourth edition heroes saved it, but at a cost. Their own realities, indeed, their very essences were altered. Some you won't recognize, others you might, but they're still changed. A few may have even been erased from the time line totally.

Originally posted by Mark Rand

As I recall, Marvel has been creating "branch offices" for their most powerful team, The Avengers and one old Marvel RPG module had the Avengers franchise program. Would the Champions do something like that?

In one PBEM I'm in, they did just that.

Now, in the 'official' CU, it's unlikely they'd do it anytime soon, for the reasons Monolith said.

Oddly, I figure either the Justice Squadron OR the Sentinels may eventually retire en masse. Sometimes groups, like old heroes, fade away. If they do, I can expect the Champions rising to fill the void.

Variations on Tech

Tech

T.E.C.H.

Tek

Cybrid (just mash the words "cybernetic hybrid" together )

Technomancer

I haven't really had it abused yet. I think Gary might have a good suggestion though.

MInor Gripe

What IS it with this show and showing the blues on Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman's costumes as purple ??

Originally posted by Klytus

Q: If Rush Limbaugh comes to a fork in the road, which way does he go?

 

A: A naked portrait of Elvira

Q: I'm sorry, the circler patterns on that painting are hypnotic and I can't pull away... just what IS That?

A: Col Mustard, in the game room, with a four sider

Originally posted by JmOz

I play other games with these guys, and in other (More lethal) genre's I have no problem with it. I do think that we should probably stick with other games (But one of the other players loves the system)

I assume this isn't the old marvel game with Karma? If so... well, #$#$, they should have just lost a big chunk.

Okay, that bothers me a bit too. Unless those characters are equating the morlock leader with a court of law, they should have said something. Are you guys making your own characters, or playing existing offical ones? because if the later, I'm assuming they were playing Wolverine and Punisher???

I have to confess, from then on, my characters, if in your character's shoes, would not trust those guys. Even if you feel the scum deserved death, a trust was betrayed.

Best left to blue booking in some folks opinions, and sometimes assumed off panel, Romance is nevertheless a common element in the super hero genre. Be it dark knights and spider guys attracted to thiefs with cat motiffs, nosey reporters with a penchant for being thrown off buildings taking the hearts of caped wonders, or fellow super heroes forging romances within their own team between saving the world sessions; Romance, like excrement and little green apples, happens.

I've noticed the romances my own Players' Characterss' have had tend to be with equals, that is, other superhumans. This is in part my fault, if an NPC intrigues me long enough, it's possible he/she is going to get super powers eventually of their own (I'm trying to fight the habit) but even then, it seems a preference among the players.

I'm trying to think on why. Maybe it's a bit of relief that someone can "Take care of themselves". Or maybe it's that whole 'equal partners' thing.

I've wanted to make a mentalist who's "Job" is a professional stage Hypnotist

Cool. I remember "Crisis at Crusader Citidel" fondly.

Actually, for me the funniest part wasn't in the show, but in a comercial clip... Wonder Woman and (presumably) Hawkgirl are both in trouble... and Wonder Woman cries out "Hera, give me strength" and Hawkgirl snaps in irritation, "Do you always have to say that?"

I couldn't help but smirk.

Originally posted by Klytus

Not just the mentalist with lots of ego powers, but the one who works through proxies and mind controlled agaents so you don't even know who the ultimate badguy is!

 

So, of course, I have one in my universe

Well, yeah, that's part of being a GM, that which spooks us, we're going to use to our own advantage *EG*

Originally posted by Hugh Neilson

Redefine it as an uncanny ability to dodge, or, for the character in question, teleporting out of the way at the last instant, and it makes a lot more sense.

That's how I did it as well.