Hermit

Okay. I should let this drop but my brain came back to it and I got a few ideas for a timeline. Obviously, I am no proper history student of Canadian history, so this is more conjecture, liberal skimming from various sources applied in a slap dash manner, and whimsy. All of this is subject to change and I am sure there will be much "Mmmmph that isn't how it would have happened" inserted by our Canadian allies on the board. And I'm good with that, but it's my hope some of these ideas will be considered worthwhile with a bit of tweaking.  Some I'm sure, will need flat out correction.
 
You may notice there is no mention of the War of 1812. Honestly? I could joke about Americans always forgetting that one, but I think the existing Canadian Champion source books cover it better than I could and I couldn't think of the best 'Northgate focus' on it.
As of this point, I've only gotten to the Golden Age
*******
 
Northgate timeline (History continued)
 
In 1741, the first Fort Bourbon was established, but due to “small pox” of unusual nature and virulence in the area, was later moved. Trade continued, of course, though Cree and French alike were careful to avoid the deserted fort for a decade and despite the promising river path now open for even greater exploration. Actual settlement in the area was discouraged for a time but eventually, the area would lure others who either were brave enough to risk rumors of curses and plague, or ignorant of them entirely.
 
 
In 1763, the British, victors of the Seven Years War over France led to the formal claiming over the area of Manitoba, and, a decade later, the famous North Brothers discovered that, contrary to outdated records, the area here was to put it in their findings “Uncursed, Unplagued and relatively unpopulated by civilised men”. True, there were Cree and Métis as neighbors, but they had avoided enough of the area to give a foothold for a settlement. Indeed, one of the North Brothers, overstepping his bounds, even brought some respectful tribute to the tribal elders. Some historians think that’s why things went a bit smoother for this settlement than they would for Winnipeg, at least at first.
 
While the brothers continued to explore and survey, somewhere a government official, in a hurry to get his paperwork done, simply labeled the proposed area for a settlement “North’s Gate” and this would, more or less, stick. It would be a long time before the name meant anything of importance to most though.
 
 
 
 
 
1783, The American Revolution was, in many ways, not of import to most in Manitoba, at least, not at first but the areas around “North’s Gate” would be affected by it thanks to one man named Philoman Portendorfer. A prestigious and wily conman, Portendorfer could see the panic in the eyes of the loyalists as they found themselves in a land where the ‘traitors’ had won. Philoman had taken no sides, but approached many a loyalist pretending to be one himself. He spun elaborate tales of the vengeful nature of the revolutionaries and how Loyalist land was to be seized by them. Why he himself was driven from his home, and it was “only by a kindlier god than an old sinner such as myself was fortunate enough to have land up north”. The loyalists who took the bait and inquired would be spun an elaborate story of land near the most beautiful river you ever saw, perfect for fishing, trade, and why yes, farming too.
Sure that they were about to lose their lands in the newly minted “United States of America”, more than a few loyalists give their land in exchange for the promised “Loyalist Utopia” to the far north. It was, of course, a swindle. It is estimated that roughly a hundred and twelve men, their wives and children, went North only to find the forged papers they had were as false as Fool’s Gold. By the time they arrived, Philoman, who had stayed behind to ‘help other true sons of the crown’ had sold their old homes and made quite a tidy fortune.
This particular group of settlers, sometimes referred to by those hunters and trappers in the area as “Portendorfer’s Pinhead Pilgrimage” had a rough time of cold winters, hard men who did not care what paper you waved in their face, and indigenous people who weren’t thrilled to have yet more pale strangers tromping around lost. Some turned back, some, well, they died, but a stubborn chunk actually made a go of it and held on forming their own small settlement that would be eventually absorbed by the city to come.
It should be noted that in modern Northgate, there is more than one statue of Philoman Portendorfer and he is seen more with interest and even a bit of admiration than old rancor. Nothing like a century or two to help develop a sense of humor in a people.
Of course, many loyalists moved to Canada without aid of swindle. This influx of newcomers would alarm the remaining French speaking residents who felt increasingly pressed. The tribal lands had to deal with an influx of colonizers who did not know, nor respect already agreed upon boundaries and behaviors. These seeds of tension would sprout and bloom in what would later be known as the Red River Rebellion.
 
1869-1870 The Red River Rebellion was a Métis uprising that lead to the creation of the province thanks to the Manitoba Act of May 1870. Despite having many demands met, the Métis would in time find themselves disadvantaged to the point many would move to the Northwest. Indeed, with Northgate far more prosperous in this timeline than the area would be otherwise, the pressure of an English speaking White population was even more intense. Nevertheless, a substantial and stubborn Francophone minority would always be a part of the area.
 
 
 
1876, The area was finally and officially incorporated as a city. It was named Northgate, in honor of the Brothers that explored the area a century before, as well as how fitting it was for the city’s growing purpose as a true trading passage to the north. Of course, the fact it also required minimum paperwork was, as many point out, just a byproduct of Canadian Common Sense.
 
 
1894, Steamship transportation had come into its own and then some, offering new opportunities for transport through Canada’s waterways. At this time, Northgate had a very prosperous harbour, called Colville Landing. It was run and operated by the HBC (Hudson’s Bay Company) which had quite the influence in the young city. Alas, one of the largest steamships of the time, caught fire while in in port, and a great blaze consumed the docks and many of the buildings on it. This crippled the economy for a period of time and Winnipeg benefited from Northgate’s loss but the river and rail trade were simply too valuable not to reinvest in and repairs went forward with gusto. The rebuilt district was renamed New Colville Landing.
 
It should be noted that, much like the great Chicago Fire of 1871 (albeit on a much smaller scale), the Colville Landing fire of Northgate lead to stricter safety codes, and a historically well trained department of Firefighters that the modern city would take great pride in.
 
 
 
1914-1920 The Great War/WW1 led to an action that would shape the demographics of Northgate beyond conscription. In the ‘War Measures Act’, the Canadian Government classified immigrants with Austro-Hungarian citizenship/heritage as “aliens of enemy nationality”. Thousands of Ukrainians (Among others) were interned at camps and work sites. One of the larger camps was in the then outskirts of Northgate. It was only after a year after the treaty of Versailles that this policy ended. However, many Ukrainian-Canadians (To use a modern term) would choose to stay in the area either lacking resources to move back to their old locales, or the desire.
 
While one can dwell on the sins of governments in war, Northgate would, a century later, make a kind of restitution by opening it’s doors to Ukrainian refugees (mostly women and children) fleeing Russia’s invasion.
 
1930s- While the first discovery of Uranium in Canada was actually in 1930 in the Northwest territories, a few years later studies of the areas near Northgate later on stumbled onto a much nearer supply of Uranium, Radium and some other materials that, at the time, defied classification. Unbeknownst to most, the great meteor remnants of the area, long altered by pressure and time, were just now being reached again. There would be ramifications.
 
Unfortunately, at the time, the Great Depression hitting North America was no kinder on Canada than it was the U.S.A. so slightly radioactive rocks were hardly of major concern. People wanted jobs, fair wages, and more. Long rivals, the workers of Northgate and Winnipeg united in great demonstrations and protests. Times were lean and hard. The pulp heroes appearing in other cities of Canada were absent in Northgate, leaving a sense of despair as crooked men sought to make bank on the misery of the time.
 
World War II – The second world war was a different kind of misery for all. Economically, it proved to be a shot in the arm for Northgate, as it applied itself to providing resources to the Allies overseas. But, it would also lead to the loss of several sons of the city. Even before conscription, it must be said that Northgate sent more than its fair share of young men for its size, earning Northgate the honorific “City of the Bold”, sadly with the honorific, came the sound of cathedral bells tolling in mourning. Yet there was pride when news of how more than one Northgate native helped free Holland.
Of special note, though often neglected in history, was the contributions of the Cherry Top Angels. The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps ended up with several volunteers from the ladies as well, women who signed on as Nurses to tend to the many wounded overseas, and at home. A military hospice for long term recovery was actually set up inside Northgate, a precursor of a medical industry that would swell in time, but those that would be known as the Cherry Top Angels were never too far from the front line, working in tents overflowing with wounded. Of course, that was not their official name, but they had been given berets of that hue and the name stuck. Perhaps the most famous of these nurses was Lt. Linda Diana Yardlie, who stopped a medical outpost in the pacific from being overrun by shoving a gurney down hill on an imperial Japanese squad coming up to capture or kill HER wounded charges. The gurney in question, being loaded with unpinned grenades, proved to be quite the game changer. She got a promotion, two medals, and five offers of marriage when news of her courage came home to Northgate. Of course her real contribution was the many lives she and her fellow nurses saved by care and healing, but the story does stick out.
 
A note on Golden Age Superheroes- During World War II, the Fifth column was quite infused with superpowered Axis members hoping to wreck havoc on this or that city in North America. Northgate was no exception. A Nazi saboteur dubbed Baron Von Verwüstung briefly became a major threat to Northgate’s factories and training centers. He was foiled by Northgate’s first superheroine Shadfly. Somehow possessing the powers of flight, super-strength, and shrinking, Shadfly routinely held any and all 5th Column foes from completing their plans, while also coming down hard on war profiteers and plan old criminals. Most assumed she took the alternative name of the short lived Mayfly to add extra insult to the Axis goons she protected to the city from, but in the end, it was revealed she’d chosen all too accurately. Born Victoria Garson, the daughter of a famous chemist and no slouch herself, She had developed a formula using local radium admixtures to grant herself superpowers, knowing that it would shorten her life span to a handful of years.
 
In May 1945, Shadfly pulled a sinking ship off the river to safety, and then finally died before the very people she had saved, the formula at last demanding its due. She took the secret of the formula with her to her grave, but there are rampant conspiracies that her body was dug up by this or that shadowy organization for study.
 

There's also Mighty Man and Yukk.

I consider the Herculoids including Zandor to be a super team. Yes, the "animal" members of the team generally did what the humans told them, and Zandor was clearly their tactical leader. Nonetheless, each Herculoid was obviously intelligent, resourceful, and fully capable of acting on their own initiative, independently or as a cooperative team member. Their humans' interactions with them came across much more as equals and friends, than as pet and master.

The Herculoids was far and away my favorite of the H-B superhero cartoon series. AFAIK it's a unique concept -- I've never seen anything else like it. I would have loved to see an official origin story for them, because their background is quite mysterious. The animals are unique creatures, while Zandor's family appear to be the only humans on planet Amzot.
 
I've been thinking about pets in the official Champions Universe. We've already had mention of Witchcraft's cat familiar, Sunshine. Robert Caliburn of Vibora Bay keeps a miniature dragon he calls Nicotine, comparable to Shadowcat's pet Lockheed. The Mexican superhero Macahuitl is accompanied by Timin, a "spirit eagle" gifted to him by the Aztec god of the dead. During the Hero Universe's pulp era, the mysterious fighter of crime mundane and supernatural, the Raven, protected Hudson City with the aid of, among others, his raven ally Cagliostro. While it's not exactly a "pet" in the traditional fauna sense, the robot Gokin is the companion and protector of the Japanese inventor hero, Gadget Boy.

Re: The Power Brigade Interview Form
 
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: The Bowman
 
(Optional)Secret Idenity/Alternate Name:
 
(Optional)Ethnic Group/Species:
 
Place of Birth: Bay City
Date of Birth: 7/31/75
 
 
 
Question 1. How did you hear about the Power Brigade team?
Hero Boards
 
Question 2. What do you feel you can offer (Both in Super heroic powers/gifts and your knowledges) to the Power Brigade team?
 
I am a keen shot with a bow, I have both Magical arrows and tech arrows. The Magical ones are your standard sharp items projected from a bow, I just never run out of them, the others make me an ideal "Agent-Buster". On top of that I have investigative, infiltration, and law enforcement experience.
 

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

 
It sounds silly but I am looking for companinship, my civilian friends don't know about, nor would they understand the work we do.
 

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?
 
I currently work with the BCPD Extrodinary Crimes unit, both Tac and DoE
 

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

 
I am a Police Officer, but am not requesting to join for infiltration
 

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

 
When I am needed, I will be there
 

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?

 
My brother was crippled in a drive by, he is knowledgable on many tech issues, and will most likely be around the headquarters alot.
 
Question 8. To what degree do you comply with the law? Are you registered?

 
About 80%
 
Question 9. Will you be able to provide your own transporation to and from the Power Brigade HQ?

 
I can easily get to anywhere in the city
 
Question 10. What are your feelings on death and property damage?

 
Prefer to avoid it when I can, but sometimes it is needed
 
Question 11. Are you willing to wear our team Logo?

No
 
Question 12. How may we contact you should we be interested in having you join? (Phone, mystic mirror, large signal, etc)

 
Cell Phone
 
Please include any additional notes about yourself you feel are relevant below:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you for your interest in the Power Brigade. All aplications will be reviewed, if no response in 4-6 weeks, it is likely the team is currently filled.

Re: Create a Hero Theme Team!
 
"But Mom," Meg groaned in her best put upon teenage voice, "I don't want to go to the family reunion. It's so Boooring!! All we do is stand around with a bunch of people we never hear from."
 
"Megan Ophelia Harding," Mom came back in that voice that sounded like I was stepping on her last nerve or something. "You will mind your manners and be on your best behavior and the reunion. Now get your brother Karl together. It's a three hour drive to the lake, don'tcha know, and Daddy wants to get a jump on the traffic."
 
I only had one chance of escape left as I frantically looked around the kitchen. Karl, of course just sat in his high chair and burbled at me. Cute kid, but I wasn't having any of it. Flora and I were supposed to go to the mall today. Okay, sure, we go to the mall almost every day, but I really ddin't care. This was my free time we're talking about.
 
"Daddy?" I called out in desperation.
 
"Mind your Mother," a reply came from the living followed by the front door slamming shut.
 
With sullen eyes I turned to look at Mom and had to groan inside. She had that look on her face. Yeah, you know the one. Sighing my best sigh I picked on the drooling machine and headed for the Explorer.
 
You know a three hour drive can be almost like forever. Karl sat in his car seat making bubbles with his drool while Daddy drove like a man possessed. As for me, thank God I had my Ipod and my tunes. Sixteen towns, countless cows that Karl got so excited about seeing, and only one potty break, thank you Daddy so much, we were at the lake. A huge banner proclaimed "Harding Family Reunion."
 
I slammed the door to the Explorer and stalking towards the lake furious that they made me come. I saw Grandpa H. sitting by himself in his chair, but I ignored him. Senioritlity, don'tcha know. I picked up a few rocked and skipped them across the still waters.
 
"Hey you're pretty good at that," a male voice came from behind me. I casually looked over my shoulder to see a boy about my age with a wide grin on his face.
 
"Thanks," I said, "I was thinking about trying out for it in the Olympics."
 
We both had a laugh over my joke.
 
"I'm Myles Harding," he said offering a hand, which I shook.
 
"I guess we're cousins." I said lamely.
 
Again came the laugh.
 
"Want to get something to eat?" Myles asked. "Seeing how much food our mothers brought it would be a shame if we didn't eat some of it."
 
I eyed Myles before shouting, "I'll race you!"
 
I sprinted towards the picnic tables with Myles hot on my feet. However, we didn't get far. There was this streak of light over the park followed by an explosion on the lake. Myles and I were thrown to the ground. I thought I heard a dog barking or wimping nearby. And then we were soaked to skin as a tsunami of lake water rolled over us like a drunk in a mosh pit. I gagged on the foul tasting water.
 
My clothes were ruined. I got to my feet suprised I wasn't hurt in anyway.
 
"Myles!" I shouted seeing that he was still on the ground, looking out of it. In a blink I was next to him checking for a pulse. Oh no, Myles wasn't breathing. Immediately I bent over giving him mouth-to-mouth. It wasn't until later that I thought how weird it was. However, it only took one breathe to revive him.
 
I leapted into the air in joy at saving him. The people in the plane looked almost as surprised as I was as I flew by their windows. Without thinking I waved at them and a few of them waved back. Scared out of my mind, but excited all the same I flew back to park.
 
I felt so powerful. On impulse I want to the lake and picked up a boulder and skipped it across the water.
 
"Myles" I said turning to look for my cousin. "Did you see that? Did you?"
 
However, Myles wasn't there anymore. I later learned that he had ran over three states away before coming to a stop.
 
My life has changed since that day at the lake. Several members of the Harding family have gained superpowers from getting drenched. My friends are so jealous. I even got a super hero costume that makes me look, oh so mature, and the coolest code name ever. People call me Omega, can you believe it. Maybe going to that lame family reunion wasn't so bad after all.

Didn't they recover that version of Bat-Cow from an illegal slaughterhouse or something?  Pretty sure the dietary conversion came from firsthand experience with an abattoir and the pet was a side effect.
 
Nowhere near as dangerous as the Tick's Man-Eating Cow, of course.  And the Chick Fil A super-cows from the promotional comics are nobody's pets.

Brain cells die. Skin cells die and even hair cells die. But the fat cells in my stomach must have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior since they seem to have eternal life.

"Where do you think we are?"

"Covered my ears every night, but… I couldn't bear to hear those horrible screams. You have no idea what it's like to be a coward… To see these horrors… And do nothing. Marritza's dead. He deserves to be dead."

Re: Borrowing your brains: Greek Gods in New Con
 
I didn't much like the alien Roman "gods" in Champions, but I would kind of like to see a confrontation between Mars and Ares. Contrary to popular opinion, Mars is not just Ares by another name. He was his own independantly developed Italian god long before the Romans fell under Greek religious influence. Primarily Mars was the god of young men. This made him the patron of soldiers because soldiers are mostly young men. It's similar the way that Athena gained a portfolio as a war goddess because she was primarily the goddess of skill mastery.
 
Speaking of Athena, isn't it obvious that her Earthly incarnation would be very much like Martha Stewart?
 
One idea I've had in my mind for a long time are including the muses as plot devices. Consider Clio, the muse of history. She's great for time travel plotlines. Urania, muse of astronomy is the go-to girl for locating alien invasion fleets. Melpomene, the muse of tragedy is useful for revealing bad guy motives. Polyhymnia, muse of faith, is good for when you need a miracle. I figure that in their human identities:
 
Clio (History): Is a history teacher, exposing her students to history in a very personal way.
Calliope (Epics): Works at a comic book company as an office worker, but all the writers like to visit her and go over plot ideas and plumb her amazing degree of knowledge of superheros and supervillains, so she gets very little official work done.
Thalia (Comedy): Owns a comedy club that every up and coming comedian wants to work because the audience is always so receptive, and the owner gives you pointers that always improve your act.
Melpomene (Tragedy): Victims of violent crimes counsellor
Erato (Romantic Poetry): Runs an unconventional matchmaking service.
Polyhymnia (Sacred Poetry): Assists various local religious leaders with their work, moving on once she's helped them invoke a miracle or two.
Terpsichore (Dance): Choreographer.
Urania (Astronomy): Acts as an assistant to a famous astronomer
 
I know I've missed one. Sneezy? Dopey?

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Mandarin replaced by Cantonese... and mention of a Stooge loving Uncle made
And thanks again, Lawnmower Boy

The Police Officer 
Roberto Barrera is a rookie cop. Fresh out of the Academy, Roberto is one of those guys the department is happy to show off to prove its "commitment to diversity." Roberto is okay with that, as long no one assumes that's how he got into the academy. He worked darn hard to qualify, and he takes pride in it. That pride does not equate to arrogance, however. He tips his hat to women and older citizens as he walks by wishing them good day. He is happy to provide directions. Officer Roberto patrols on foot as much as allowed, thinking it will keep him in touch with the people he's protecting.
 
He's never met a super powered individual, and like a lot of red blooded American guys, the sight of a good looking woman in spandex is liable to cause his jaw to hit the floor before he recovers and tries to pick it up again. Officer Barrera has that odd mix of courage and optimism that may drive some heroes crazy even if they take a liking to them. He'll volunteer to be a decoy if a hero needs it despite the dangers, and it may take a moment for him to realize that shooting a villainous Brick a second time isn't going to work any better just because you step closer for the next firing. In short, he may yet get himself killed, but he'll also be the sort to save a life. A bit wet behind the ears Roberto maybe, but he's got the potential to be a great cop.
 
Roberto comes from a large family, lower middle class, and in contrast to the police officers who've had family members in previous generations in the Force, is the first member of his family to put on the blue. They're a squabbling, loving, often voice raising mess of a clan, and while his mama fusses to him about staying safe to the point of embarrassing him, most of them are proud of him.
 
 
 
 
QUOTE: "You need to start using your head. They may call it a 'five fingered discount' but it can land you in jail for months and cost a fortune in legal fees. No, I'm not arresting you, but we are calling your mother right now. Yes, 'I gotta'"

The EMT
Theo Jamal Morton is a huge black man with a deep voice and an easy smile. He's a giant, but he's a gentle one, and that serves him well as a top notch Emergency Medical Technician. For a big guy, he moves pretty fast, and a superhero might see Theo race across the street to get a fallen citizen to safety at risk of the EMT's own life. Now, Theo is human, so the superhero might also hear him cursing at any near blast, but the point is the big guy values the lives of innocents as much as any superhero out there. 
 
Anyone getting to know Theo in his off time will find he's quite extroverted, warm and friendly. He's currently dating but doesn't have a regular boyfriend yet. His family isn't crazy about his sexuality, but hasn't spurned him either. He likes Hip Hop, but admits a weakness for Johnny Cash "And really, show me a man who doesn't like one Johnny Cash song, and I will show you someone I cannot trust" . He considers himself apolitical, and would prefer to discuss almost anything else.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
QUOTE: "Hey, stay with me. You're going to be okay."

The Fire Chief
Benjamin J. Rusk is proud, very proud, of his firefighters.  As Fire Chief, he's got good reason to be proud. The city's fire fighters have truly earned the title "Bravest" again and again facing not just regular fires, but having curbed and contained those started by superhumans. Rusk projects a stern but protective father image to his "boys", and the gray haired man with trim crew cut and mustache looks the part. Always dressing ten years out of style, while the man gets some light jokes his way from the men and women who work under him, those same firefighters have been known to threaten a beat down on anyone else making insulting comments their Chief's way.
 
For his part, Rusk can come down hard on his men on the rare times they screw up, but he'll also go to bat for them against city officials, reporters who question their efficiency, and corporate big wigs who want preferential treatment for their buildings compared to the lower class residential areas. And he listens, somehow knowing which guys are having wife troubles, which ones are struggling to make the rent, and while he doesn't handle their problems openly, sometimes those same people find hours changed to buy them time with loved ones, or given a 'bonus' (From Rusk's own pocket not that he'd say that). 
 
 
 
 
 
QUOTE: "You guys are heroes eh? That's nice. So are my boys. Now, let's talk about this arsonist."

The Doctor
Dr. Changchang Wei is the best damn surgeon in the city. As her name implies, she's Chinese, from Hong Kong originally, but she's since gotten American citizenship.  She studied medicine at the finest schools, and was in the top five percent of her class. She could tie a slip knot blind folded around any blood vessel you care to name. She's really that good and her services can be hard to get thanks to demand. Almost anyone who knows about the medical scene knows all this.   What they don't know is she offers her services to superheroes. It's her own form of vigilante activity. The laws would require her to report bullet wounds and the like to the authorities, which would naturally place a superhero's identity in jeopardy (at least if anyone tried even a minimum of detective work). Changchang keeps it all under the table at a private clinic that only a handful know about. Exactly what started her on this path is unsure, but the masked men and women whose lives she's saved are grateful for it.    They've shown that gratitude by paying her in scalpels that are made of materials that can cut even super skin, and other medical equipment that's state of the art. Admittedly, as they enhance Dr. Wei's chances of saving them the next time, its somewhat self serving, but it is the form of payment Dr. Wei prefers. Well, that and she reserves the right to lecture her patients with a great deal of snark (Her sharp tongue can also cut through super skin, albeit it metaphorically) and suggestions they save her some hassle by changing to a safer line of work. Repeat customers get it even more fiercely, and she does have them. Surgeons of her caliber do not grow on trees, and some super teams from other cities have been known to emergency rush a fallen team mate to her or vice versa.   Because of this, and because she's smart enough to stay abreast of the unique nature of superhumans; she's actually very in the know of 'who's who' in the super hero set. Dr. Wei would never violate a medical trust, but short of that, she might certainly be able to make a suggestion on how to enlist outside help for a caper that's gotten a bit too big.  
    QUOTE: "You know those superheroes who are bullet proof? Nothing can hurt them? Well, I think we've established you are the other kind. I just pulled out enough titanium shrapnel from your body to make an ashtray. No, no payment needed, but I'm keeping the titanium."

The Crime Boss
Caspar Brown remembers it like it was yesterday. A child from a war torn African country, he had been adopted by a kindly and affluent American couple. Oh, what a wonderland the US seemed in comparison to the horrors back home. His two new parents, and their daughter, seemed determined to win him over. They were rich, they were powerful, and their hearts were pure.   How little that all meant. Caspar remembers his adopted sister's hat getting caught by a stiff wind and blowing into the alleyway behind the playhouse. He recalled them going to retrieve it, and yes, he clearly remembers the man who held up the Browns at gun point, and then shot them in cold blood. Had their murderer's gun not jammed, he and his sister would have surely joined them.   While his sister cried over the bodies, Caspar watched the gun man flee, and at that young age, he had his epiphany.  It was all about power. A king could shine his crown all he wanted, but if the man with the sword next to him wanted him dead, he would be. The noblest heart could be stopped by a piece of lead tearing through it, and all those good deeds wouldn't protect it. No one was ever safe, not really.    The best way to defend against monsters was to become the biggest monster out there. Taking his share of his inheritance, Caspar went around the world, learning the many methods of monsterdom. He learned how to fight, of course. Perhaps he'd never been the greatest, but he was a black belt twice over. He learned how to earn one's trust, and then betray them. He learned how to make money both legally and otherwise. He learned as much as he could about everything, really. Knowledge is another form of power, after all.   And then he returned to the city and put his plan in motion. Covertly funding street gangs under the nickname "Mr. Ghost", outfitting them with weapons, he watched as entire neighborhoods tore themselves apart in gang wars... and then he stepped in and saved those same neighborhood as Mr. Caspar Brown, wealthy philanthropist. Of course, he wasn't stopping the crime, not really, he was stream lining it, hiding it, and making it more efficient.  People didn't really care about decency, they wanted order, and he gave it to them. Who cares about murder in the streets if it only involves a prostitute? Who cared if the system for maximum penalties and minimal rehabilitation meant those who entered in criminal activities had no where to go but down? By playing both Sinner and Saint, Caspar has forced the poor and desperate into his umbrella, while using surgical strikes (Such as drug addition, blackmail, and bribes) against those in power.   To this day, few know that Mr. Ghost and Caspar are one in the same. However, that does not mean the city is truly his. There are contenders for the title of top crime boss, at least two others that rival his power. He plays along, speaks of respecting territory and the like, but it's only a matter of time before he makes his move. Mr. Ghost will be king of all monsters, and he will have both the crown and the sword.  
  QUOTE: (As Caspar Brown) "People have mentioned that I am hard on crime. They say I hold vengeance in my heart for what happened to my parents in that alley. But I do not do what I do to avenge my pain. I do it so no other eight year old child will experience what I have. I do it to keep the monsters in the shadows where they belong."   (As Mr. Ghost) "You think you can stop me? Stop me from what? You think if you strike the head from the snake the body will die, ,but no. We are not one body, we are, each and all of us, monsters to the core, held to common purpose by my will for I am the King of the monsters here. This city would tear itself apart if not for my holding the reins. You should be grateful."

Charity Worker
Jamie Clements has a hard road ahead of her. The thirty three year old woman runs the regional charity Hope for the Hated, and the charity's name is no exaggeration. It seeks to draw the public's attention to the plight of former convicts who cannot get jobs once they've served their time. It campaigns to 'Ban the Box', that check list on job application forms where you have to admit your previous criminal past, on the ground it makes it harder for ex-cons to even start the interview without being rejected. It has taken the extremely unpopular stance of loosening restrictions on sex offenders who have served their time and where they may live since many, in Jamie's view, are being driven into homelessness and away from the very support groups they need to hold strong.  And yes, she and the charity try to raise money for supervillains, not just hoping to get them jobs, but the therapy many of them need. Teenage supervillains are often tried as adults even for non violent crimes due to their powers, another thing she works to change.
 
None of that is cheap, and it takes donations. So Ms. Clements finds herself holding her hand out on behalf of those many in society would prefer to see gone forever, time served or not. Compared to other Charities, Hope for the Hatred struggles, but she and those with her believe its a struggle worth fighting. She shows up at town council meetings, organizes protests, and calls up strangers in charity drives fully aware she's got a high probability of being told she's going to burn in hell for helping "monsters". 
 
No one said the right thing was easy, she tells herself, and doubles down. Her cause has cost her her marriage, and custody of her kids (Her ex convinced a local judge that his wife's charity work would endanger them). But she's seen other folks lose more because of one mistake. So she fights.
 
Like many others in the city, she respects and admires what superheroes try to do. She doesn't see them as enemies at all. However, she'll be the first to get between a hero and a former Stronghold Jailbird if she feels that ex-supervillain is just trying to get his life together. And yes, she'll have the chutzpah to ask if a hero would like to help out some of the same criminals he/she put away now that they're legit.
 
 
 
 
QUOTE: "Whatever you think of Scott... and his name is SCOTT, not Shatterzone, not 'scum', he's served his time, he's cleaned up his act, and he wants a second chance. You're a hero, right? If you believe in redemption, you won't try to deny him that."

Skipping "Boyfriend/Girlfriend" as that would require specific PCs
 
The Burglar/Thief 
Melody Clifford used to turn heads, and is still a damn fine looking woman at her age who stays fit. Back in the day, she was none other than the notorious cat burglar Lace. As Lace, she flirted with masked heroes on the roof tops and danced with danger as she took her latest prize home. Then? Well, to paraphrase a movie, she got her foot caught in the door. One costumed gent in particular didn't just ignite her passions, she found herself in love with the nuisance.   At first she fought it, but eventually, she gave in, and gave up her old life. For a year or two, she adopted the name Shadow Vixen and even worked with her new love... and it was fun. But then, well, the jerk knocked her up (He pointed out, in that annoying way of his, that it did take two to tango) and that was that for a few years.
 
And darn it, if she wasn't deliriously happy! Melody discovered she loved her kids (That's right, she had more than one) and even grew to like some aspects of being a housewife (Not that she would ever admit it). Time slipped away from her, and suddenly she wasn't as good as she used to be. 
 
Neither, sadly, was her husband, but that didn't stop him from heroing. "Soon" he would say "I'll quit soon", but then he stumbled onto a plot by a villain, and then soon would never come. Melody had to come in and identify her husband's body.  She saved her tears for when she was alone. That was five years ago. Now, she seems to have recovered from her grief, and while on the straight and narrow, she exudes a certain playful confidence still. She's come to this city to make new memories and be closer to one of her children who lives her now as an adult.
 
Or so she claims
 
 
 
 
QUOTE: "A t-tech 3001 security system takes a full three seconds to kick in the back up generator, plenty of time if you know what you're doing"

The Bail Bondsman 
Robert Gates is one of those rare breed, a bail bondsman who will deal with superpowered individuals despite the risks involved. Of course, making sure men and women of such power show up for court is no easy feat, but Gates has found an elegant solution. He hires ex-super criminals who have served their time, offering them legitimate jobs as bounty hunters now tracking down their former peers who jumped bail. Since former convicts rarely have an easy time of getting work once they go straight, more than a few have taken him up on it with mixed results. 
 
A smart cookie, Gates has added another profit making element to the deal. He's outfitted his employees with body cameras, and now you too can watch 'Gates' Keepers' the Reality Show (Think "Dog the Bounty Hunter" but with powers sort of ). Bounty Hunters, and the immense powers they're granted in some areas, are controversial enough, but some folks think that Robert has actually taken on flight risks in hope they jump bail just to keep the show going! He denies this, but ratings are definitely up.
 
 
 
 
QUOTE: "Hey, Hero. If you're really worried about him running, here's my number. Why hunt him down for nothing when you could get a paycheck for it?" 

The Athlete 
Tomasina "Tomtom" McElroy is the wrong gender, and she plays the wrong sport; otherwise you'd know who she is. Still, she came to the city to play; that's not a metaphor, this city is one of the few member cities of the National Women's Soccer League in the United States. The sport is struggling here, despite hopes that Americans would come around and it might bring in some revenue, but it sure isn't for lack of skilled athletes. Tomasina "Tom Tom" McElroy is good, very good. She's the kind of Forward any thinking Goalie dreads, and is in a tie for leagues most goals for season. Within the small group that follows the sport, she's a rock star! But among 90% of folks, even in town, few would know her name. 
 
Now, if she'd been born male and playing "real football" , she'd be making money hand over fist and have more endorsement deals than you could shake a stick at. Is she bitter about that? Well, she'd be lying if she said it didn't bug her now and then, but she's got her Bronze Olympic medal from years ago, and how many people can say that? Now she's playing professionally in a game she loves, and she's getting by. What's to gripe about really? 
 
While she does date now and then, her focus is on her sport career. Athletes often have a limited set of prime years, and she doesn't want to waste a one of hers. In short, any guy pursuing her will have to accept that he's going to be on the bench a lot and she maybe away in other states on games that will be lucky if they get seen on Youtube.
 
Still, she tries to be a good role model for girls and young women in the city, and is a spokeswoman for Breast Cancer awareness since her own aunt lost her life to same.
 
 
 
 
QUOTE: "Get me an opening and I'll kick the ball so hard the factory that manufactured that goal will feel it."

Since this first went up, Guidelines have been made official by the admins etc.
 
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Since this first went up, Guidelines have been made official by the admins etc.
 
So.. putting them here for anyone who missed them:
 
Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message.
 
The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of DOJ or these forums. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to report the message to the moderators. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary.
 
You agree, through your use of these forums, that you will not post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.
 
You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by DOJ.

Since this first went up, Guidelines have been made official by the admins etc.
 
So.. putting them here for anyone who missed them:
 
Please remember that we are not responsible for any messages posted. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message.
 
The messages express the views of the author of the message, not necessarily the views of DOJ or these forums. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to report the message to the moderators. We have the ability to remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame, if we determine that removal is necessary.
 
You agree, through your use of these forums, that you will not post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.
 
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