Showing posts with label HERO system. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HERO system. Show all posts

Sunday, October 20, 2013


HEROic Rules

The HERO system can do a lot of things , but it still needs some powers to allow the simulation of certain things. So being me I started creating new powers and skills to fill in the gaps.


New Power Matter Creation
    This power enables the hero to make lasting solid objects of a semi-permanent or permanent nature.  These objects have several characteristics that have to be determined when purchasing the power. Value , Size , and Utility.

Value 10 points lets you make inexpensive objects such as flowers , ice , playing cards , sandwiches or the like
         15 points lets you make items of value such as clay statues, non-precious metals
         25 points lets you create expensive items like computers , cars , diamonds etc
Size   1-100 points (at GM's discretion ) usually 1 oz or cubic foot per point til 20 points then 1 pound or cubic
         yard til 50 1 ton or 10 cubic yards after that.
Utility -8 for items of no in game worth (roses, water, ice)
         +10 pts for items of non combat worth (computers, cars)
         +50 pts for items with combat worth (guns , explosives)
         -5 points if the items can only be of primitive complexity or must have no moving parts
         +10 points if the item is of 20th century complexity or above

The base time to create is a full segment for every 5 points of size, this time can be reduced by a segment for every +1/4 advantage purchased.

The base END cost of this power is 1 point per 10 active points.

The base power is not ranged.
    
So Masked Tuxedo can always make a rose to give to the ladies costs 10(Value)-8(no worth)+1(size)= 3 points
Icelad can make basic objects of pure ice up to 50 tons worth 10(no value)+50(size)+10(non-combat worth)-5(no moving parts) = 65 pts
Technomancer can whip up small advanced electronics on a few moments notice 25(value) +10(size)+ 50(utility)+ 10(complexity) =95 pts
Moleculord can make anything he can concieve of 25(value)+100(size)+10(non combat)+50(combat ) +10(complex) =195 pts

Thursday, October 10, 2013


Thursday HERO Adventure


The Freakshow comes to town



It all begins with Halfjack coming to town.
He attempt to perform a robbery of an armored car and fights with one of the heroes (alone on patrol), during the fighting his cybernetcs take a hit , he fires a blast at a passing bus full of nuns or tanker truck and while the hero saves the day he dissappears , leaving behind a damaged cybernetic limb.  He goes looking for a mad scientist who can do repair work.  He finds Dr Kirby Loo. Dr Loo repairs him and offers to upgrade him.  Halfjack makes a return engagement (now armed with 45 Villain Points of upgrades and the limits physically forced loyalty to Dr Loo and an unknown GM determined 2d6 susc) , calls the hero out , and (maybe) defeats the hero with upgraded weaponry then leaves.  Other villains hear of the success thru the grapevine and come to Dr Loo to get helped or fixed.  Halfjack recruits Fire and Ice, Piledriver, Sledge, Occulon and the Scorpion to begin a wave of crime hitting a wide variety of targets to get the components to build a version of Pythias Pomegrantes Ubermachine.  Beyond financing cash they need to steal a number of things for the Doctor's upgrades. After each theft a roll will be made to give all the villains a villain bonus.

Act Roll     Theft
8-              A set of specialized harmonic bells which they will steal from sun valley chip makers
9-              A pound of Vibranium , which they will have to steal from the antigravity research center at Cape 
                 Canaveral.
10-            A kilo of yittrium earths from the Florida Superconductor Project
11-            A special osmium alloy - the best source of which whould be - the (hi tech device of a PC)
12-            Experimental blood substitue fromt he Miami State Seratology dept.
13-            An experimental anti-rejection drug used with PRIMUS agents who take cyberline
14-            The METE environmental chamber

After each heist an upgrade attempt will be made on each of them (use act roll) if successful give all the villains a 10 point villain bonus.

The press will dub the marauders THE FREAKSHOW and the name will stick.

Once he has all of these things he will remove the villains prosthesis and attach them to Halfjack, drain off Fire and Ice's powers to charge the device, and replace Occulon's eyes.  Halfjack will then become Dr Kirby Loos ultimate bodyguard. Halfjack will have stats comparable to that of his own creator Mechanon.

Of course when the heroes thwart the scheme Loo will be sent to Prison and the others to Stronghold where they will tell their tale to other inmates.  The inmates will stage a breakout to recover Loo, and make him repair their maladies.  The second Freakshow will be Griffin, Dragonfly, Ogre, Brick, Grond, Leech and Hideous.  Loo will instead plan to transfer their minds to "worthless" human bodies and replace them with those of his brainwashed lieutenants/sons.  Guarding Loo during the proceedings will be the Green Dragon and the Red Dragon his mind washed martial artists and if he gets the device up and running full time an army of frankensteinian half men.

Monday, September 30, 2013

The Sentinels of Liberty Universe Timeline


On The Value of Campaign Timelines

So I run a campaign which has seen several different systems used , and which uses a mixed universe, combining Marvel and DC universes with the HERO universe and a few others. When I first set it up I just threw together elements willy nilly , but eventually it became nessecary to actually decide some of the details and once time travel and dimension hopping became part and parcel of several of them I needed a timeline , which I now offer to anyone who wants to steal it or loot ideas from it.

I also will accept any cool ideas and bolt them into the timeline , after all , a universe can never have to much backstory.

Timeline of Major Events

1913    First Costumed Adventurer - The Grey Ghost appears in Chicago fighting against a variety of criminals.  Fighting crime with a wide variety of specialty devices and strange allies he strikes terror into the hearts of criminals and invests the world with a new type of role model.  He never kills, and keeps his identity hidden with a mask and special smoke dispenser.

1914    WWI Breaks out - Blitz, the first German Superhero appears and aids the Germans in their attack on Lodz in Poland.  Blitz used lightning bands of unknown origins to hurl bolts of devastating energy. 

1915   
August 4th First Zepplin attack on London partially foiled by Union Jack, the first English superhero.
   
November 2nd Grey Ghost foils Erich Munter's attempt on JP Morgan's life, after preventing the bombing on the Senate on the third.  Munter is captured and tells all to authorities.

December 11th
    Grey Ghost fights against agents of Fu Manchu who have been hired by Germans to poison New York`s water supply.  Blitz saves the life of a then unknown soldier, Adolph Hitler.

1916   
    Battle of Verdun -German superhero Blitz is killed at Verdun trying to save german troops from the poison gas used by their own side.

     The Grey Ghost prevents the destruction of the Black Tom Island munitions plant by German saboteurs led by Baron Klaus Von Kreiger. Von Krieger escapes in a miniature zepplin. Which is mistaken for a flying monster causing mass hysteria.

        Later that year Von Krieger is foiled in an attempt to blow up the White House, this time by a new super hero  Hawkman.  Hawkman used mechanical wings and a rocket pack to simulate controlled flight.

1917    Von Krieger founds HYDRA.  He will bedevil Grey Ghost and America for years to come.

1921    Grey Ghost begins his fight against gangsters as the emerging organized crime syndicates begin expansion throughout America. 


1924    Hawkman thwarts first attempt by Fu Manchu to replace the Presidential Candidate Coolidge with a highly trained double.  Grey Ghost begins operations in San Francisco, opposing mysterious agents throughout the city. Demonmaster  reveals himself to the world in DC, attempting to hold the Capitol hostage with an army of monsters.  These creatures are later discovered to be men in costumes aided by props.  Demonmaster is defeated by Hawkman and the Grey Ghost, working together for the first time.  Demonmaster is unmasked and revealed to be Von Kreiger.

    US Government creates Beauro-13 of the Department of Investigations: It's purpose to detect and thwart unusual threats to American security.

1932    Grey Ghost joins the hunt for the Lindbergh baby, and the real kidnappers are found : Agents of HYDRA, Grey Ghost is seriously injured taking the bullet for Charles Lindbergh. Grey Ghost disappears from the public spotlight.                          

1938 Powerhouse vs NYPD 1938
    "Proved" the existance of superhuman powers to the court
    Created doctrine of "witnessed exceptions from known laws"that allow that if 20 or more individuals in sworn statement claim a being has exhibited powers or abilities the court would normally have to claim as impossible such evidence could be (at the judge's discretion) made available to a jury.    

1939    The Red Skull is created.  A young Steve Rogers enters military service.  Victor Von Doom is born.

1940    Reed Richards and Benjamin Grimm are born.

1941    Johnny Storm is Born.

1942 Susan Storm is born.  Bruce Wayne is Born.

1933-1946
    a number of costumed adventurers show up across America, thwarting criminals across the country.  Beauro-13 is assigned to monitor costumed adventurers and investigate the unknown, the unknowable, and things that exist only as rumors.  Agents of beauro-13 oppose Nazi treasure hunters all across the world.

1951 Powerhouse vs Federal Beauro of Investigation 1951
    The court allows that in certain circumstances a super human may be possessed of abilities or information that "entitles" him or her to disregard many paternalistic public safety. Laws and laws limiting citizen actions in arrest of superhuman criminals.
    "Proved" the existence of Mind Control to the court

1952 US vs Psychon 1952
    First conviction of individuals for criminal use of psychic powers

1953    Soviet hydrogen bomb detonation is overly successful, resulting in the devastation of nearly a 50 mile area.  American`s begin work on the Gamma Bomb to counter the new soviet threat.

    US (DIA) vs Gadgetman 1953
    Created a Protected individual's right to high technology they themselves have created and for "moral" reasons chosen not to patent.  Imminent domain limited for the first time in US History when the US Government is denied seizure of a well known and loved hero's equipment and labs under the umbrella of National Security.

    US (FBI) vs the Defenders 1953
    First attempt to shut down an organized hero team for acting as vigilantes and using unlawful weapons and vehicles.  Hero teams recognized as a Militia according to the Constitution.  Protections extended to possession and "lawful" use of exotic weaponry as long as criminal conduct is avoided.

1954    Parent`s of bruce wayne are murdered in crime alley

1955    Victor Von Doom and Reed Richards enter College at Empire State University together.

    Jaguar vs the USMC (vis-a-vis the Project:Sunburst fiasco) 1955
    Makes public illegal certain army and CIA experiments on soldiers involving substance exposure with or without consent. Jaguar finds he cannot be legally compensated unless he reveals his identity.

1956 An accident at his dormitory lab scars victor von doom, opens a dimensional rift and leads to von doom`s expulsion.  Von doom swears revenge.  HYDRA attempts to destroy the US Space Program in it`s infancy, but are thwarted by the re-appearance of a super-hero long thought retired or dead, The Owl. HYDRA`s involvement brings Bureau-13 onto the scene, where a number of anomalous individuals are detected.  Their existance is never reported to the president.

1958 Reed Richard`s failed space flight attempt results in the creation of the world`s first true superhumans - The Fantastic Four.  They are found by this sector`s green lantern and temporarily recruited to help stop a series of alien plots against earth.

    Jaguar vs the Internal revenue Service 1958
        IRS is forced to acknowledge that heroes may get tax ID numbers and pay taxes on their masked ID . The US Government gets a substantial windfall as a result and the unofficial status of superhumans is improved substantially.

    The Shop splits off from the CIA and begins illegal human experimentation

1960
    Lorrance Umbra McKinney reveals himself as Jaguar, runs for Senate in California winning by a landslide.  1960 he holds the seat for 3 terms.

1961 US (CIA) vs Defenders 1961
    Right to utilize identity protection in citizen's arrest created after Gadgetman and Powerhouse are forced to reveal their identities to the CIA in a court case against Russian sleeper agents.  Both Gadgetman and Powerhouse find their families and friends murdered within a matter of weeks.  The Court recognizes a "higher level of threat to person and property posed by metahuman threats" 

1962 California vs Johnathan Brinks aka Madcap 1962
    Death Penalty in superhuman cases is judged to pose a clear and present danger to the lives and property of civilians.  Death Penalty is abolished after 12 attempts to execute the superhuman Madcap result in extensive and horrifying mutations in his form and his eventual escape and destruction of the FEDRON Penetentiary in Cederville California, and the death of 180 people.

    McKinney-Jameson Act of 1962       
    Reasonable Force laws and guideline seriously changed as a result of a recognition of the difficulty in subduing and holding of metahuman criminals.

    Bane vs State of New York 1962
    The use of a superhuman power in the commission of a crime increases it's severity by "one step" in all cases.

1963
    McKinney-Peterson Act of 1963
        Creation of the first Federal Superhuman Registry and the Primary Response Interdiction Militia Unified Service.  PRIMUS is a quasi military organization made up of "reserve" status soldiers, secret agents, superhuman volunteers (superheroes), and liaisons for the varius law enforcement agencies worldwide. PRIMUS cards issued to heroes who volunteer with the agency allowing them to verify their identity in courts and provide them with limited legal protection and representation.

    NY vs Johnathan Brinks aka Madcap 1963
        Insanity defense is abolished.  In it's place an alternate charge of Personal Instability Posing Threat to Person and Property (PITPP) is enacted by the state legislature of NY.  Other states followed suit.

1959-1969
    Fantastic four help this sector`s green lantern defeat a number of alien threats, and keep their existence and identities a secret until this time of galactic crisis is over.  Their secret war ends the Kree, Skrull, Deviant, Eternal, and Shi`ar threats to humanity.  The rogue Eternal Thanatos of Titan is captured and imprisoned on OA. The Dire Wraiths are detected and their invasion is stopped with a little help from the Earth's Sorceror Supreme who blanks their existance and his own from all but the most sensitive minds in the universe. The Space Knights never come to Earth.

1966 STRONGHOLD Bill passed 1966
        Superhuman prisons bill allows for the construction of 2 superhuman prisons one in the Desert in New Mexico.  The other in Adirondack Mountains of New York.

1970 Bruce banner is transformed into the hulk
    The Hulkbusters are formed.  The Hellfire club attempts to capture the primitive hulk and bring him under their control, the attempt fails and the damage it does to the club shuts it down for the next 10 years. 

1971    The fantastic four reveal themselves to the world at large when they rescue the crew of Apollo 15 from damage done to their orbiter by a rogue meteorite.  Doctor Doom takes over Latveria.  The Red Skull activates the first sleeper which is thwarted by the fantastic four.

    NY vs Stahl 1971                                          
    Telepathy and Teleportation are proved to exist to the court's satisfaction.

1972    captain America found frozen in the ice by the fantastic four, while investigating rumors of a sunken city beneath the north pole. The Captain moves to New York and after stopping a plot to assassinate the President of the USA by the super-human assassin Bullseye.  Afterwards he sets up shop as an independent hero.  The Red Skull activates the second sleeper, who is defeated by Captain America.  Captain America discovers the existence of his old nemesis.
   
    NY vs The Defenders 1972
    The existence of certain Meta-physical manifestations of reality (MAGIC) are argued.  Magic is deemed to still be unreal or unprovable.  Crimes committed using "Magic" are referred to as Unrevealed Mutant Power manifestations.

1974 Victor Von Doom attacks the fantastic four appearing in public for the first time.  Red Skull takes over HYDRA, activates the Third Sleeper.  The Third sleeper is defeated by Captain America and The Green Lantern.

1975    Batman`s first appearance in new york.  Beauro-13 stops a plan by the USSR to replace key blackmail key generals using their own paranormal team.

    NY vs Powerhouse 1975
        First time an American Superhero (and Icon) is jailed and fined for what most would consider normal heroics. While jailed Powerhouse is attacked by his enemies repeatedly , resulting in the death of over 200 guards and nearly a thousand other prisoners. He is given a pardon by the governor.

    Atlantean Invasion of California repelled by Superheroes October 12-30, 1975
    30 Supers given the Medals of Honor or other similar awards
        All domestic superhumans not acting in a felonious manner are legally given the status of Militia for the purpose of laws regarding use of the powers as weaponry.

1976    Jack Napier falls into a vat of chemical`s to emerge as the Joker.  The leader makes his first appearance.  Kingpin successfully ousts the Gambino crime family from new york.  Chun En-lai`s death leads to the Mandarin attempting to seize control of China.  He is thwarted by a novice Iron Man and swears revenge. HYDRA activates the Fourth Sleeper and Fifth Sleepers, they are only barely stopped by The Fantastic Four and Captain America.

    Chicago Light and Power vs Gadgetman 1976
        Court decides that individuals do not have the right to provide utility services in locations where an existing government sponsored monopoly exists.  "Broadcast" Power is judged to be a threat to the public health.

1977    project sunburst test`s conducted in mojave desert.  The Ripper and abomination come into existance. Poison ivy makes her first appearance.  The Hulk rampages through the Lower East side, after being Captured by HYDRA, Red Skull believed killed, forcing a total rebuild of the area.

1978    The mandarin makes his first appearance in the United States, in an attempt to destroy Washington dc, he is thwarted by Iron Man. Kingpin orders Commissioner Harvey dent killed the attempt is botched and instead Commissioner dent suffers irreparable brain damage and becomes two-face. 



1979    First appearance of thor on earth, defeating the mandarin and the dragon fin fang foom.  Clayface makes his debut appearance.  The Wizard makes his first attack on the Fantastic Four.  He is put in Arkham asylum after court psychologist determine he is an obsessed megalomaniac.
    Twoface takes over a large proportion of the silvermane Family`s holdings in New York in the Bloodiest gang war New York has ever seen. Catwoman makes her debut, steals the crown jewels of Laterveria while they are on display at the New York Museum of History, they are recovered by Batman and returned to the Latvarian embassy.

    Miles Orrick vs BAF 1979
        Miles Orrick , billionaire philanthropist is robbed 14 times in 3 months , and eventually seeks to arm his guards with plasma pistols and is arrested. He takes the matter all the way to the Supreme Court. Orrick runs for Congress the next year.
        Rules regarding limitations on personal weaponry are made unconstitutional after it is proven to the Supreme Court that the Government at all levels has "failed in it's obligation to provide such protection as would be deemed necessary to allow the infringement or alienation of personal rights to keep and bear arms."  Automatic weapons and exotic weapons are again legal in most areas and jurisdictions.  Laws making penalties for illegal use of such weapons much harsher become commonplace.

1980    cobra gains his powers.  The Kingpin and Twoface ally their criminal empires to oust the rest of the four families from Manhattan`s criminal underworld.  Their alliance is ended when Batman reveals Kingpin's involvement in Harvey`s scarrification. The Wizard and Poison Ivy escape arkham asylum and nearly slays the fantastic four using a series of deadly plants. 
   
    McKinney-Orick Genetic Alteration Bill 1980
        After the Defenders discovery of an abandoned island of near human intelligence manimals off the Washingtom cost the animals are granted full rights as American citizens and laws are passed to prevent future unchecked experimentation.
        Genetic Alteration or modification of animal species made illegal without submission of any testing plans and proposed alterations to NIH and FEMA agencies.

1981    living laser gets his implants, begins crime wave, stopped by the fantastic four, then later by batman.  The radioactive man teamed up with black tom appear in an attempt to loot fort knox, they are stopped by the combined powers of the fantastic four.  The Joker and Captain America cross swords for the first time when Joker attempts to lighten up the United Nations with a massive dose of Smilex Gas.

    MacNeal-Foxx Robotics Bill 1981
        After the massacre of 17 student in Edison high school by a robotic science fair experiment gone terribly wrong. The disaster is barely mitigated by the teen hero Redjack.
        Creation of Artificial Lifeforms and Intelligences is made illegal without approval from the US Congress.

1982    hyde makes his first appearance, getting thrashed by thor. Clayface is defeated and captured by Iron Man who temporarily cures his condition.  Luke cage accepts experiment option in prison, becoming Power man. sabretooth attempts to murder mayor of new york, and is handily defeated by an upstart new hero - clint barton aka Hawkeye. Captain America, The Falcon and Hawkeye team up for most of 1982-85.  Iron Man introduces his Golden Avenger armor.

    Garrsion-Smith Airspace Law 1982
        Makes illegal the creation, possession and use of spacecapable craft without Federal Authorization through NASA, the DOD, the White House and the FAA.

    1983 Peter Parker bitten by a radioactive spider.  Hydra makes it`s first public appearance in 20 years when it attempts to take over the UN and replace the members with robotic dopplegangers.  SHIELD is created by the UN 6 months later.  Hyde nearly kills The Batman when Batman attempts to capture him during a robbery of a Wayne Enterprises chemical Laboratory.  Hyde is eventually stopped by    Doctor Octopus who robs Hyde of the chemicals and escapes into the night.  The Green Goblin`s First appearance in the life of Spiderman.

1984    The sandman makes his debut as a supervillain.  The Rhino is created.  Electro appears for the first time and is defeated by spiderman.  Doctor Octopus makes his first public appearance, and is defeated three seperate times this year, first by spiderman, second by iron man and finally by the fantastic four.  Mandarin and Doctor Doom ally to attempt to destroy the fantastic Four and Iron man, but their alliance is shortlived when it is discovered by Batman and Spiderman who team up and turn the two master villains against one another.  The First Green Goblin Dies while fighting spiderman.

1985    hydroman appears and is defeated by fantastic four.  The Scorpion is created and defeated by spiderman.  Porcupine, trapster, fixer, and mysterio all maker their first appearances this year.  All are defeated at various times by iron man, captain america, the falcon, spiderman, or batman.  Superhuman damage to new york reaches half a billion dollars.  Star Labs is created.  The Democratic national convention is discovered to be taking millions in soft money from agent`s of HYDRA.
    Hyde escapes prison and is apprehended by Batman, who seriously injures the monstrous hyde and forces him to return to a normal state using a specialty compound.  Hyde is incarcerated on Ryker`s Island as a normal criminal.  The Hobgoblin appears in New York allied with The Rose, in opposition to Twoface and The Kingpin`s organizations. Deathstroke is formed by Deathsinger, Frost, Death Commando, Flag Smasher, Arrowhead, and Stinger.  They kidnap Doctor Strangelove Draconis from Beauro-13's safekeeping.

1986    Iron Fist makes his debut, defeating black tom and thwarting his attempt to steal a large collection of possibly magical gems from a southeast asian collector.  Sunturion makes his first appearance and is defeated by iron man.  Mentallo makes his first appearance and is saved from prison by the fixer.  He, fixer, and radioactive man make a temporary alliance and are only barely thwarted by spiderman.  Loki animates several suits of Iron Man armor and uses them to attack Thor.  The suits manage to put Thor down but The Fantastic Four intervene and manage to destroy the maniac battlesuits with some help from the real Iron Man.  Jack o Lantern Makes his first appearance. The new green Lantern makes his presence on earth known by capturing Deathstroke.  Unfortunately the jail they are sent to is unable to long hold them and they escape, only to be defeated by Spiderman.

    US vs Ackbar (Neutron) 1986
        First villain with diplomatic immunity prosecuted despite his status.  Ackbar aka Neutron had been named as Libya's ambassador to the US is arrested for attempting to annihilate the Pentagon.

    The Brazilian Connection (New York Times) September 1986
            An organization called VIPER is discovered to be behind 40% of the Cocaine and Heroin coming into the United States. 
            VIPER members are discovered to be making large contributions to many corupt Federal and State officials.

    Ronald Reagan passes executive order #110 1986
        Executive order creating the Special American Tactics organization as a response to growing threat of VIPER.

    US vs VIPER 1986 / McKinney-Smith VIPER Act 1986
        The existence of VIPER is proven to the general public with the capture of "Nest Alpha" with 400 agents, 3 superhumans and several dozen illegallly engineered lifeforms. Membership in the criminal organization is made a federal felony punishable by no less than 6 months and no less than 20,000 dollar fine.
        VIPER is made a top priority by most Federal Law enforcement agencies.

1987    Iron monger appears for the first time.  Ogre makes his first appearance.  Wayne Enterprise and Stark Internation pool their reasorces to create Stronghold, the world`s first super-prison.  Work is begun on ryker`s island.  Heroes for hire is formed by luke cage and iron fist. The sandman appears.  First incarnation of the sinister six defeated by the fantastic four and thor.  The flash makes his debut.  The earth sector`s green lantern dies and Hal jordan is picked as his replacement.  Croc makes his first appearance.  He escapes batman but is captured by captain America.  Hyde manages to recreate the formula which turned him into the Monster and manages to put it into the prison water supply.  Hyde then led a mass escape from the Ryker`s Island resulting in the destruction of most of the prison. Batman`s antidote is sprayed on the crowd of criminals but many still escape.  Most are found dead within a month or two due to bizarre chemical mutagenic effects.

    Paris Accord of 1987
        International ban on Omega Radiation weapons, Gamma Bombs, Military use of Powered Armor, Artificial Lifeforms, Teleportation Devices, Mutagenic Weapons, Artificial Intelligence Weapons and Drafting of Superhuman beings.  Signed by all UN Nations except China, USA, USSR, Iraq, Latveria, Madrigar, and Shivania.  Cyberline projects shelved by US "publically".  Some organizations and individuals rumored to have samples of Cyberline derrivatinves made by Russia and China.

    The Libya Incident November 1987
        The Defenders team is tried in absentia for trespass" and violation of sovereign airspace of Libya while pursuing Eurostar.  Libyan officials hire Eurostar to capture Defenders, who are brought to Libya to be executed.  Defenders escape, and destroy 4 Billion dollars worth of Oil and 3 refineries in the process.  The World Court holds the United States liable for the damages, the US courts refute the claim.  Worldwide sentiment against paranormals grows to a fever pitch.  Powerman is sued repeatedly by agents of the Libyan government, eventually driving him to bankruptcy.  Powerman is driven to near madness by the world press and disappears temporarily.

    Ronald Reagan passes executive order #143 1987
            Executive Order pardoning over 60 heroes and costumed vigilantes for all crimes past and present after the Tetugachi Reactor Incident (In which almost every hero in the US combine their powers to prevent Mechanon and VIPER from destroying the planetary atmosphere)
        Defenders member Gadgetman asked to retire due to his part in the creation of the incident


1988    The Wrecking crew gain their powers from loki, but are defeated by thor.  They gain the dubious distinction of being the first inhabitants of Stronghold.  They are soon followed by ogre, hydroman, fixer, mentallo, doctor octopus, the abomination, ripper, sabretooth, electro, scorpion and rhino.  Iron Monger almost defeats The Hulk in a massive brawl that destroys 200 city blocks in Queens, New York.  The Iron Monger for a short time becomes a super hero before it is discovered to be a ruse to lure Iron man into revealing his secret identity. 


    1988 Congress recognizes and offers additional funding for SAT
        PRIMUS made subordinate to SAT.                   

    George Bush passes executive order #3 1988
        Officially makes being an Unregistered Alien Being a violation of National Security.

1989    The scarecow, the riddler, and the penguin all make their first appearances. The vulture makes his first appearance.  The Beatle makes his first appearance.  Harry Osburne becomes the Second Green Goblin, using his father`s gear.  Loki turns the Hobgoblin into a real demon after their first encounter.  Green Lantern defeats the Leader, imprisoning him in Stronghold after the Leader attempts to usurp the power of his Green Lantern Ring.  Doctor Doom creates a hypno-satelite and uses it to take control of Moscow, the satelite is destroyed by The Fantastic Four. Harley Quinn becomes the Joker`s psychiatrist.

    Congress disbands Investigative Beauro 13 1989       



1990    robin joins batman.  Hawkeye sets back out on his own as an independent adventurer.  The Joker destroy`s the life of freddy Foxworth as part of a plan to steal the wayne billions.  Foxworth begins his training to become The Foxbat.  Deathstroke appears on the west coast scene.  A year long crime spree met with little heroic resistance nets them the money to become a serious threat to world stability.  The Penguin teams up with The Scorpion to try to collect the 15 million dollar bounty on the Batman offered by The Kingpin.  Ogre makes his first appearance as does the fly.  Both are defeated By the spiderman.  The Heroes for Hire manage to recapture several escaped inmates of Arkham Asylum, earning the emnity of the Mad hatter, Joker, Poison Ivy and Clayface.  The Green Lantern captures Loki and gets turned into a frog for several months.  Kurt Conners transformed into the Lizard.  Harley Quinn becomes Harlequin, the Joker`s sidekick and girlfriend.  Iron Man introduces his Silver Sphinx armor.

    US vs Menton 1990
            US Supreme court rules that use of telepathic powers on an unwilling subject constitutes not only legally assault but repeated mind control and use of mental illusions is a violation of the person comparable to the crime of first degree rape.  The court allows that in dire circumstances such invasion of a target's mind is justifiable but sets the standard for legality at only when such invasion is necessary to prevent immediate loss of life or gross danger to both persons and property. 

1991    The Champions team is formed in LA by the heroes who prevented the use of The Dagger by deathstroke. Thor temporarily joins the Champions while seeing Flare, but the relationship and the team up are short lived. Shocker makes his first appearance, once the west coast and is handily defeated by the Champions.  Red Skull is discovered to be alive and operating a series of Health Spas in California and using them to brainwash the world`s elite.  He is defeated by the Champions.  The Captain goes to help motivate the troops for the gulf war.  Hawkeye and Falcon stay behind. The Foxbat makes his first appearance.  Doctor Doom is discovered to be aiding the Iraqis, when his robot legion erupts from the sand and nearly annihilates an American Armor Battalion. A plot by hydra to free a number of super villains in it`s employ from Stronghold fails, but does result in the release of The Wrecking Crew.  An unsuccessful attempt on the Kingpin`s life by a group of villains puts Vanessa into a coma.       
   
    Congress passes the Mental Bill of Rights but president Bush vetoes it in late 1991

1992    Prisoners discovered missing from Stronghold.  Others are discovered to be robot doubles.  The vanisher is discovered to be behind the Teleporter`s Underground, a criminal relocation service.  The Vanisher`s buenos Aires retreat is located by The Batman working together with Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four.  Machinesmith, Fixer, Vanisher and Twoface are discovered to be in alliance.  The Head of Shield, Nick Fury, faces down a resurrected Von Kreiger in a fight to the death.  Von Kreiger is discovered to be a robotic double.  Captain America, The Thing, The human Torch, and The Invisible Girl and Iron Man team up to defeat all 5 Sleeper robots, recreated and animated by Victor Von Doom to destroy the Baxter Building. The Sunturion and Force make their debut appearances, both are defeated by the invincible Iron Man.           

    US vs Gargantua 1992
            The Court rules that individuals with superhuman mass are fiscally liable to the state for damages done to roadways, bridges and thoroughfares as a result of their passage.        

    Mutant Registration Act passed  1992
            Powerman show's his support for the act by revealing his secret identity to the government, 2 weeks later he disappears, believed to have been captured by DEMON. His super powered zombie
            Steals a dozen nuclear weapons before being stopped by the hero Firestorm, with some considerable property damage.

    Firestorm vs State of Nevada 1992
            The State has no right to limit the exercise of natural powers and processes except in such cases as those powers endanger or can reasonably be seen to endanger the public good.
            Beings with uncontrollable powers can be remanded to the custody of the state or appropriate governing body as a result of a three judge panel meeting and open hearing.
            Individuals who deliberately activate or use powers which generate "gross amounts of energy" can be legally banned from entering certain clearly defined areas and jurisdictions and may be charged with misdemeanor vandalism and misdemeanor endangering the public and misdemeanor transmission of a threat  for using those powers within city limits.
        Overturned the Mutant Registration Act (passed two months earlier)

1993    The Sentinels of Liberty Form and deal with the Prometheus Plot





Tuesday, September 24, 2013

HERO-ic questions 

This idea is not original to me , but the web is a convienient place to post this. In most of my games I offer a chance for free Experience in exchange for some leverage questions . In D&D I offer (level x 25 exp ) each. In HERO system ,I offer 0-3 points each (usually 1) to a max of 50 points because they give me great hooks for the character and story. In other Marvel they are worth 10 karma a pop. Or in some games I just require the player answer any 10 questions to play their character. They give the GM some direction and ideas and more importantly force the player to think about thier character at some length.

   

What is this character's greatest love ?
What is the worst thing the character ever did to get what they wanted ?
What is this character's worst fear and why ?
What is this character's most intense belief ?
What was the character's worst injury and how does it show itself ?
What is this character's favorite food and where do they always go to get it?
What is the character's favorite beverage and where do they always go to get it?
What is this character's darkest desire , and what wouldn't they do to get it?
Who does your character most admire and why?
Who does your character most fear and why?
Who is your character's greatest rival , when did it begin?
Who is your character's hero/idol , what have they done to be like them or meet them?
Who are your character's dearest non-pc friends , name and describe 3 of them ?
Who does your character most hate and why?
What are your character's political beliefs ?
Who most strongly influenced your character's development ?
Where and how was you character schooled ?
If your character was a weapon what kind would he/she be , explain?
If your character was a color which one would he/she be , explain?
If your character was an animal what kind would he/she be , explain?
If your character was a season which one would he/she be , explain?
If your character was a type of weather what kind would he/she be explain ?
If your character was a substance what kind would he/she be ,explain?
What is your character's family home like ?
Family, who are they and how does your character feel about his/her family ?
How does your character feel about his/her friends ?
How does your character feel about his/her enemies ?
How does your character feel about his/her employer ?
What jobs has your character had and who are the memorable people they worked with?
Who has your character loved and why are they not with them ?
Who has your character killed , just list the important ones if they have a big list?
Who has your character seriously wronged ?
Who has your character worked for ?
Who has your character fought ?
What God or Gods does your character believe in assuming they aren't a priest type?
What religious background does your character come from ?
Does your character believe in an afterlife assuming they aren't a mage or priest type?
Does your character believe in aliens ?
Does your character believe in magic assuming they aren't a mage type?
Does your character believe in conspiracy theories ?
Does your character gamble , what is their game , and what is the most they have lost and won and who was involved?
What are your character's vices?
What kind of entertainment does your character prefer and where do they seek it?
What is your character's favorite hobby or pastime ?
How does your character make a living ?
Where does your character live , describe it and tell me about their neighbors?
What kind of music does your character listen to ?
What kind of mate is your character looking for ?
What is the one thing your character holds to be sacred above all else ?
What combat raining has your character had ?
What is your character's motto , how do they live up to it?
What was their Funniest experience  ?
What was their Saddest experience  ?
What was their most frightening experience  ?
What was their most embarrassing experience ?
What is your character's master goal ?
Does your character keep a journal or diary , where do they keep it?
What is your character's most prized possession and how did they get it ?
What kind of pets does your character keep ?
What place does your character go when out of combat/adventure ?
What kind of vehicle does your character use and what would they rather have?
How often does your character date and what kind of person do they tend to date?

Monday, September 23, 2013

Egg MacGuffin with Cheese

A plot hook device to explain anything in your world ...


The Horn of Legends
The Horn is an ancient device , although it may be older (horn of the cosmic bull of norse myth maybe) it appears to be a ram's horn trumpet with a mouthpiece of gold.

When blown at a sight , which is the origin point of a legendary thing with a hint of truth to it (which certainly includes belief or tradition), the Horn will produce the physical living embodiment of that legend. 

Could be used to create Godzilla, the Slasher, Dracula, Superman, or any number of others .  If the Horn is sounded again with the Legend within 12 feet the legend returns to nothingness - but now has the ability to re-emerge on certain times of the year...

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Why wear a costume / have a secret Identity? 

A Champions/HERO game discussion applicable to most superhero games

Why wear a costume / have a secret Identity?

1. The costume and the persona it creates have real existence in  the jungian subconscious, making it possible to evade mystical and psionic attack an detection dues to the "Seperate" existance of the super and normal self.
In Champions game terms if you wear a costume you have a +5 EGDCV against mind scans and similar means of detection while in your secret ID.

2.All people in costume have extra natural presence in the world owing to the super celebrity status of superhumans.  This extra presence can be lost by humiliation or defeat, but all people in a comic universe have , since their infancy , been raised to believe that the costume signifies something powerful and dangerous.
In Champions terms an extra +10 presence is automatic for a person in costume .

3.The obvious protection in a court of law it provides for both heroes and villains alike, preventing positive identification and thus providing at least some measure of defense against prosecutors. Many superhumans on both sides of the law

4.Protection of family and friends as well as the innocent bystanders that happen to live in the same building. Even if a person doesn't fear for themselves they might not want to bring the wrath of Professor Nutcrusher down on their neighbors and their Aunt Jenny will be far likelier to live to 80 if she isn't being tortured for information on where Captian Obvious keeps his Secret Power Source.
An un-costumed super human seen in the act has an 8 or less chance of being tracked down by the various powers that be (on 3d6).  The opposite holds true for most costumed folks, as the urban legends about people "accidentally" discovering the secret identities of villains and to a lesser extent heroes who then suffer grisley fates abound.


Effects of having a public ID (no costume)

1.Well it's not all bad, having a public ID automatically entitles you to one level (5pts) of wealth between the basic effects of merchandising and free promotions/gifts and other offers.

2.You automatically get an 9 or less hunted by random persons interested in your life.  This can include stalkers . charities, lawers with summons, papparazzi, the IRS, criminal's families, victim's families, star-fuckers of all kinds, mercenary criminals , enemies and low life parasites of every variety.

3.Everytime you publicly defeat a major menace and get good press your wealth is effectively raised one level for 1d6 days while you remain the Flavor of the Minute.

4.Vulnerability of family and friends,who all now have an 8 or less chance of being tracked down by the various powers that be, stalkers, charities, lawers with summons, papparazzi, the IRS, criminal's families, victim's families, star-fuckers of all kinds, mercenary criminals , enemies and low life parasites of every variety.

5. You get 2 extra presence attack dice as long as you are getting good press.

6. You get a +4 to all Seduction rolls , being a super has it perks.

7. The time it takes to get anything done is at least doubled do to the number of people , be they process servers, papparazzi, starfuckers, detectives, FBI Agents or other hangers on seeking "a few minutes of thier time".