Re: Catalyst: A Champions campaign on Hero Central
Let me throw a bone out to all the people currently submitting characters, Catalyst is not a one campaign game. I will be starting a second campaign a few weeks after this one goes live. It is Catalyst: Thebes, a fictional city south west of Mephis along the Mississippi River. While Silverstone is a new city for Primes, Thebes has been a playground for them for almost 20 years. IF you do not get accepted into this game don't throw away your character!!! Finish ironing out the kinks and I will see if we can fit you in. Thebes will need 6 heroes as well, and right now only 1 spot is taken (Fedifensor already has a charatcer... he wants to play too).
Here is a little peek at the city...
Center City – aka Cinder City, is the completely renovated urban hub. Not ten years ago the section of town was raised in the battle between Mechanix’s robot forces, lead by the hero turned traitor Psiborg, and the Ministry of Justice. It is now a gleaming example of eco-friendly high-rises containing about 50% of the cities population and non-industrial work base.
The Rookery – Named after the Catholic Church that was the foundation in this section of town. Its tightly packed row houses have been stained by the constant use of cheap coal for heating. Now it is a slum that police will only come into with significant backup.
Gunnison - is a bustling center for various light industrial plants and manufacturing facilities. The Concordia Correctional Facility is located at the south eastern section of this sprawl.
Waxhaw - A community of brownstone row houses punctuated with small parks every other block. The tree lined streets, ample lights and involved community make this a relatively crime free area. Points of interest include Community College, Waxhaw Symphony, and the Thebes School of Dance and Art.
Rosedale – a small community that was absorbed as Thebes grew. Its small southern homes and manicured lawns are a shocking contrast to the Rookery just on the other side of the levy. The areas closest to the Rookery are low incoming houses and have a higher crime rate. The 9th Precinct at Main & Brown, and the K9 Kennels at Clark & Railroad keep anything major from spilling over into more affluent parts of town.
Sugar Hill – an suburban ghetto sprawl
Eastvale - Middle Income Suburbs
Mound City – Gated middle and upper income suburbs and estates
Market District – an area that experienced a renaissance before the Battle of Center City. Known for its redbrick streets with gas lights. It houses the middle and upper class love of movies, wine and song. Something akin to the French Quarter in New Orleans. An upper class red light district rests in the north western edge of the district.
River District – This river flat was once the home of the sprawling markets. The remaining markets are on the northern and southern edge of the district. The remainder is little more than an inner city slum.
Switchback – Heavy industrial, with a signification portion abandoned. More than a few small superfund sites for toxic cleanup exist in this district.
And a glimpse to the heroes now past:
The Ministry of Justice (team, defunct) – this collection of Primes defended Thebes for over ten years, before sacrificing themselves in the Battle for Center City.
Armed Forces – Military attaché to the Ministry of Justice. He mirrored Liberty Belle’s tenacity and patriotism, but not her other abilities. Equipped with cutting edge military hardware, he was normally not likened to a prime at all. Just a normal man with extraordinary talent. It was thought that he and Liberty Belle were at item at one time.
Liberty Belle – unofficial leader of the group but maintained all Public Relations. Her strength, tenacity, toughness and patriotism were her hallmark. It was rumored that she had a relationship with Armed Forces for a time. She was killed scuttling Mechanix’s sky fortress the only way she knew how. She flew a few miles up into the air and power dived into the aft section that contained the ships reactors. The resulting explosion blew a hole straight through the ship, causing a chain reaction of smaller explosions with the vessel. The ship split in two and crashed into the Mississippi River.
National Guard – an unknown benefactor in a metal battle suit, equipped with a pair of arm mounted force shields. He was known to be the toughest member of the team. He had the ability to reinforce anything he could remain in contact with. He had taken blows that knocked Liberty Belle cold and remarked, “That all you bringing to the party chief?!” During the Battle of Center City he was able to catch a crippled hover platform that was falling to earth. He stopped its decent before it could smash into a large brownstone elementary school. He joked under the pressure, “Nothing to see here… move along…” as children streamed past him and out of danger. His actions saved the lives of well over 500 children. The shear weight of the craft was finally too much for his suit to take as it was crushed under a few hundred of tons of steel.
Plasma Core, aka the Living Light – was Psiborg’s best friend and staunchest ally. After the Battle of Center City he was the only one left standing. He fell down at the heart of the city and wept what appeared to be steam. He then looked to the heavens and said to a little girl, “So this is how it ends.” He then glowed internally and dissolved into a stream of plasma. He has not been seen since and is thought to be dead.
Psiborg – battle leader of the Ministry of Justice and end the end a turncoat. During a decisive point in the Battle of Center City he killed Armed Forces and switched sides. Psiborg was destroyed when a burning section of the financial tower sheared off his mechanical legs and pinned him. Plasma Core looked on at his best friend as said, “Your hatred for us has become your undoing” and walked away, leaving Psiborg to be burned alive.
Shiftlock – had the ability to mimic the physical form of natural beings or function of anything not “natural” that she had touched in the last hour, but once in that form she would stay that way until an hour had past. So she could mimic a shark, be able swim, breath water, have a nasty bite, etc. She could touch concrete and take on its resilience, mass, etc. She used her ability to mimic Liberty Belle at the start of the battle and drew a large contingent of airborne robots away from the heart of the city. She was caught unaware in mid-flight when her hour had passed and plummeted to her death.
Wirework – a consummate martial artist whose signature weapons were a pair of metal whips. Confucius Roberts was the only publicly known super and the star of over twenty martial arts movies. He sacrificed his life to give police critical time to reinforce a strategic intersection. Dying atop a hill of robot parts at least 10’ tall, the amount of laser fire his body sustained made him all but unrecognizable.
And what are the heroes without some notable villians...
Mechanix – aka The Machine Master, weilds almost total control of technology. He is somehow able to corrupt computer logic and reprogram technology on the fly. Time and time again his schemes for domination were thwarted by the Ministry of Justice. His last plan was to attach his floating sky fortress to the industrial section of the city. This would give him a huge supply of raw materials and power to produce an immense robot army. He vanished after the Battle of Center City, thought to be destroyed when his floating sky fortress was scuttled by Liberty Belle.
Warpath (team) – this is a loosely organized group of primes, who come together for common goals. Members have been seen across what was once the Native American lands of the South Eastern United States.
Ghost Dance – the binding force behind the group. A known shaman who is deferred to by the other members out of respect and fear. He is able to call on the spirits of his ancestors in battle. He seeks peaceful co-existence between all races, however is very quick to take offense. He will meet out tribal’esque justice to those who defile Native American historical sites or Native American hate crimes. He went to trial over eight years ago for attempted mass murder and pleaded insanity, holding the memories of over 100 Native American warriors. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity and sent to an undisclosed mental hospital for treatment. He was recently released and claims to be “cured.” His current location unknown.
Iron Horse – a technology based prime who rides a mechanical horse into battle. She is equipped with a lance that has been seen to fire particle blasts or cut open the side of an armored car. A mercenary thru and thru, her only motivation is money. Currently wanted for a myriad of crimes and is at large.
Totem – a large entity composed of earth, boulders, grass and trees. It would be considered the “heavy” of the group. It has only been seen twice, and both in the presence of Ghost Dance. It has only been heard to wail or moan in response to stimuli. Its current location is unknown and is wanted for questioning.
Ten Bears – a circus performer / martial artist / cat burglar who was freed from apparent slavery by Ghost Dance. He is a free agent and loose cannon, with a pen-chance for robbing museums holding Native American exhibits. Is the only known prime to have escaped from PIT more than once. Currently wanted for escaping PIT (and the host of previous convictions).
The Raven (deceased) – a flying prime who used sonic powers. A force for good, she would warn the Ministry of Justice when unknown forces were aligned against them. When Liberty Belle asked her why she was with Warpath, she replied “You only protect what you know, let me protect what I know.” Her last known appearance was during the Battle of Center City, where she was killed.
So, keep up the good work. A few submitted primes might not be a good fit because you would step on other heroes toes. With a new group, we would need those core primes. Here are my guidelines so far...
The New Beginning setting of Thebes is ripe for opportunities for primes.
Characters will be 200/150 for a 350 point prime.
50 points in Psychological Limitations is required. It would be nice for a Psychological Limitation to point to why the character is a hero. Patriot (Common, Strong) is good while Likes to Party (Common, Strong) is poor. If there is not a limitation, then it needs to be explained well in the back story. The “mutant” back story is just a reason not to be creative.
Buying down stats is frowned upon, you are a prime after all.
Standards are 11 DC attack, 25/25 defenses, 23 DEX and 5 Speed.
Standard skill/talent set is 40 points. Some perks and talents count against this, some do not. Martial Arts, combat levels and overall levels do not go against the skill minimum. However, levels with Intelligence Based skills would go against the minimum (this is just an example). Maximum roll on most skills should be 15- (with levels), exceptions for a 16- will be given for honed character concepts. That said, I will deny “Requires a Skill Roll” -1/4 limitation with a high skill level (the max roll for this limitation is 14-).
Any power with a stop or warning sign, probably means no. Ask and we will talk but don’t assume just because you stick it on your sheet it will be taken. Also, don’t ask about Damage Reduction. It’s not for you, nothing to see here, move along… move along.
[*]Expect a crossover with Catalyst: Silvercity.
These hooks already exist in the campaign city. It is no means the historical definitive for power origins, just something to help.
Native American based. This will get you watched/hunted by Warpath, and/or by particular members of Warpath, and/or by the Local Tribe.
Android/Cyborg/Robot. This will get you a more powerful mystery hunted that wants to capture you. Hmmm.... (NOTE: take 8 points of Hardened Mental Defense if you want this… fair warning). You can also take a physical limitations because of your unusual origin.
Rogue Guardsman – this will get an automatic watched by local police, hunted by local gangs, and watched by the Guardsmen. You could have Guardsman tech or you could just use them as a basis for training. Also a great chance for a powerful contact.
Passing the Mantle
The Raven – this prime passed her mantle down to an apprentice. The Raven has one notable power, Serial Immortality, not unlike the old serial hero The Phantom. Her other powers change though she has access to a vast amount of data (last one was mystical, but yours could be through databases!?)
Liberty Belle – basically a flying brick. I.E. Liberty Lass – Armed and Liberty were an item… giving a player time to make a teenaged hero.
Psiborg – he was destroyed, but who made him and/or where are the parts that remained after he was burned alive? Note Cyborg above.
[*]Tech Based Suit – highly recommend 8 points of Hardened Power Defense. The mystery hunted above does not seek you. Though if you run into him or his lackeys I would hate for you suit to turn against you, turning you into pawn for evil for the remainder of the adventure!
OK, that was a lot for you to look at and absorb. I will be dropping a thread in here soon after this campaign group is locked in by Fedifensor. So, if you want to respond with something short then all well and good. Keep character ideas and whatnot on topic to this thread please. I am not here to threadjack, just to inform.
I like what I see and I am looking forward to gaming with the lot of you (one one side of the GM screen AND the other).
Zac