So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

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So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

There are spoilers here. Lots of spoilers. People who don't want spoilers should not come in here. At all. You will regret doing so. Go in to the theatre unspoiled. Stay out of here. Can I make it any clearer? Watch the movie, then come back here and we'll have a nice cozy little chat.

Okay.

This is a game world where something like Infinity Wars and Endgame has just happened, and people are in the process of picking up the pieces.

Five years ago, something happened -- and while there's an account of that something circulating, it's entirely up to you whether you believe it or not -- that made half the world's human and animal population disappear. Naturally, this caused an immense amount of chaos -- planes falling out of the sky, people dying on operating tables because their surgeons were gone, ancient portals to hell that were no longer guarded -- and what was left of the world's greatest heroes were hard-pressed to deal with these situations, much less the problem of seeking out and avenging this horrific act on the one responsible.

Time passed, and gradually things began to settle into a new, much bleaker normal. And then, yesterday, everyone who vanished came back. (Before you ask, they returned more or less at their original location, unless that would have been dangerous -- then they came back somewhere near that which was as safe as possible.) There was also some sort of tremendous battle that involved the big league heroes and their associates, but the details of that are still very confused.

You were not in that number. You're a superhero, but you're not in the big leagues; you protect a neighborhood or even a town, not a city, and certainly not the planet. You may have been one of the vanished, and are coming to terms with everything you missed. Or you may not, in which case you have five years of memories of things going very, very poorly.

So. What's your story?
The Big Leagues:

Hyperion: Strong, invulnerable, flies, sees everything, confident smile. Doesn't talk about his origins, or much else, just shows up and helps people, whether dealing with bank robbers, supervillains with real estate manias, or kids with cats in trees. One of the vanished; his return is viewed as the biggest sign that things are finally back on the right track. Whether that's asking too much of the strongest man in the world remains to be seen.

Princess: Super-strong warrior woman from a hidden race (the Hesperans), equipped with an invulnerable shield. Did not vanish, but was largely focused on helping her own people, just as annihilated as anyone else, in the last five years. They have left their former sanctuary to settle on the island of Lesbos, since the Greek government, such as it is, is in no position to do anything about them. The Hesperans were one of the major forces of the final battle.

Nighthawk: Cowled vigilante, world's greatest detective. Broke with his fellows over a dispute in policy prior to the Vanishing. Did not vanish, and was active as a crimefighter throughout the five year gap. However, his methods were increasingly brutal when compared to his earliest days, with many of his foes apparently ending up dead -- though no bodies were ever found, nor any murder charges ever laid. Participated in the final battle, but vanished into the shadows immediately afterwards.

Captain Mystic: Daughter of the original Captain Mystic (believed to have become one with the universe long ago), possesses the same mystically-granted super-abilities as him. Returned to Earth to assist during the interval, but remains focused on the rest of the cosmos. Led a small fleet of ships crewed by aliens who were happy for a second shot at the guy who killed half their species during the battle, and who have stuck around to open diplomatic channels with the planet where their people were restored.

Aquarian: Ruler of the lost kingdom of Atlantis, aquatic strong man with the ability to command sea life. Vanished, with rulership of Atlantis passing to one of his consorts, who assisted during the interval. On his return, led the combined forces of Atlantis into the great battle, with the backing of even certain rivals and former enemies.

Whizzer: Green-suited speedster, fastest man alive. Believed to have been one of the vanished, but had actually gone on a dimensional mission just prior to the Vanishing, and only returned a few days ago. His scientific insights, gleaned from this journey, were crucial to the purpose of figuring out how to reverse the vanishing.

Doctor Spectrum: Wielder of an alien power prism that allows him to do more or less anything. Did not vanish, but was horrified by the loss of life and retired as a superhero immediately after, turning the prism over to a trusted friend. Was secretly working on a method of duplicating the prism during the interval, and ultimately led several prism-wielders into the final battle.

American Eagle: Intensely hawkish operator of a flying suit, wields medieval weaponry. Did not vanish, and led the remnants of the superhero society during the interval. Killed in the final battle, apparently sacrificing his own life to annihilate the enemy forces. His funeral is scheduled for a few days from now.

Minuteman: Short-statured scientific genius and self-trained fighter. Did not vanish, and developed a method to correct his short stature during the Interval, turning him into a near-giant. Seriously injured during the procedure which reversed the vanishing, and may be retiring.

Golden Archer: Master archer, employs various trick arrows. Did not vanish, but retired from superheroics to look after his sidekick and younger sister, Burgher, who suffered a relapse into drug abuse shortly after the vanishing. It is not clear whether either of them took part in the final battle.

Lark: Sonic-powered martial artist and assassin. Sacrificed herself to acquire the means to reverse the vanishing, under as-yet-unrevealed circumstances.

Arcanna: Immensely powerful witch, able to command the forces of nature with a twitch of her nose. One of the vanished, returned to play a key role in the battle.

Green Inferno: Flame-generating android, "killed" immediately before the vanishing. Has not been, and possibly no longer can be, returned to life ... but Arcanna is unlikely to accept this.

Silver Scarab: Young urban acrobat and scientist trained by Nighthawk and later mentored by the American Eagle. One of the vanished, still coping with the results of his return.

The Big Bad:

Abraxas: Killed half of all sentient life as part of a scheme to impress someone, then destroyed the means by which he did so in order to prevent anyone from undoing his great deed. The remaining fleets of every major interstellar power indicated how grateful they were by burning the planet where he'd settled to a cinder. A time travelling version of Abraxas arrived in the present just after the vanishing was undone in order to "set right what had gone wrong". Was given a first hand look at what the disappearance was like. Will hopefully not be a problem after this, but who knows.
Last edited by Davies on Thu Oct 10, 2019 2:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

The Aliens

Albadine: Tall, golden-skinned, pointy-eared tall humanoids. Mostly a space-faring people, but they settle colonies on otherwise low-tech worlds. A fairly large proportion of their species have psychic powers, which they use in battle as well as powering their spacecrafts' hyperdrives. In the months to come, their ambassadors are going to develop a theory that Earth was colonized by their people at some point in history, inspiring the legends of elves.

Dhakim: Humanoids appearing almost identical to Earth humans, who gain powers much like Hyperion's when inside a certain distance of a star like Sol -- or like the star of their home system. Somewhat scientifically backward, since they've never required much in the way of technology to make their lives any easier. (Their star drive was purchased from the Manguai.) Somewhat isolationist, the similarities between their star's properties and those of Sol have aroused their interest.

Geretil: Reptilian, large eyes, slightly shorter than human average. Use technological means to disguise themselves and infiltrate other species. They don't have any malicious intent or desire to conquer -- their home system has all their species could ever want -- this is just a way to study and learn about other peoples at close range. They may end up panicking when they find out about the 'reptoid' conspiracy theory, though, not grasping that it's code for racism against other humans.

Manguai: Slug-like, methane-breathing telepaths. Interstellar traders who would make sounds analogous to hysterical laughter if they ever heard about the idea of a Prime Directive. Are already offering exo-tech to various Earth-based corporations and organizations; unfortunately, Earth is relatively poor when it comes to the resources that the Manguai are interested in acquiring. The rest of the solar system, however, has lots of things that the Manguai find very tempting.

Seshai: Blue-skinned humanoids, most of whom are at least 80% cybernetic. Will regard Earth's transhumanist movement as a bunch of kids playing with Legos. Despite their species' willingness to engage in cybernetic enhancement and modification, only a relatively small minority of the species are involved in cybernetic research and development. Most are artists, scholars and scientists of other disciplines, with nearly all manual labor performed by robots. Have given birth to a small fanatical movement that seeks to cybernetically augment others against their will.

Other Aliens:

Garkun: Ferocious green or grey skinned alien raiders. A persistent enemy of the Albadine -- in fact, the word Garkun is Albadine for "enemy", and just what these people call themselves is unknown, as is how they maintain their technology if every Garkun is a screaming berserker.

The Technate: Largest nearby multi-planetary, multi-species government. Ruled by an individual known only as the Crimson King who leads through a vast aristocracy who are all beholden to the King in some manner. Very expansionist, though the vanishing stopped that for the time being.
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Voltron64 »

So Infinity War/Endgame: Squadron Supreme Edition?
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

... yes, more or less.
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

Of course, some of the greatest heroes of the galaxy don't come from Earth ...

The Prince of Thieves: Aun Taxad was at one point a member of Abraxas' armies, but he deserted to follow his dream of becoming the greatest thief in the galaxy. (He suffers from PTSD from his time there, but covers it with puerile humor.) Despite his desire to just get rich, he found himself drawn into the struggle against Abraxas, and even helping to lead it. He was one of the victims of the vanishing, but has returned only to discover that someone he thought lost forever has returned ... but may still be lost to him. [Starlord + Mister Miracle]

Vittara: Daughter (possibly adopted, possibly not) of Abraxas; supreme hunter of the galaxy. Eventually turned against her father, fighting alongside the Prince of Thieves and others. She was captured and murdered by her father as part of a way to gain the power needed for the vanishing. A time travelling version of her arrived in the present with Abraxas, and turned against him again, playing an important role in his downfall ... but she has not yet reconciled herself to some of the other choices her future self made. [Gamora + Big Barda + Orion]

Stardust: Adopted daughter of Abraxas, a Seshai (q.v.) whip-wielding assassin. Remained loyal to Abraxas longer than Vittara, and was granted the privilege of using a name he had abandoned, but ultimately turned against him as well. Survived the vanishing and helped Doctor Spectrum to return to Earth, where she found a home with Earth's superheroes -- with Lark in particular appreciating the company of someone else with a great deal of red in their ledger. Like many others, is uncertain of her future in the post-vanishing universe. [Nebula + Lashina]

Hallandar: Albadine (q.v.) warrior, one of their most powerful living psychics. Lost his entire family when Abraxas attacked their colony, and swore vengeance. His efforts to avenge them alone proved futile, and so he joined forces with others to somewhat better effect. A victim of the vanishing, he has found his great enemy thoroughly defeated (twice over) and is finding himself surprisingly at peace with this. Has decided to remain on Earth and possibly reconnect with his people in that way. [Movie Drax + Comics Drax + Martian Manhunter + Primus of the Omega Men]

Leomund: Wisecracking cat-man. He believes himself to be the last of his kind, and may be the only of his kind, if hints about his origins as a genetic experiment are true. Perfectly at home with advanced weaponry, and very fond of heavy blasters, but perfectly willing to fight with fang and claw when necessary. Was not one of the Vanished, and worked with Earth's heroes during the interval, but no more comfortable on Earth than he is elsewhere in the galaxy. [Rocket Raccoon + Tigorr of the Omega Men]

Hett: Stony alien giant, allegedly one of the shortest members of his species. Also allegedly, was exiled for being too aggressive, despite being one of the nicest, most even-tempered beings anyone could ever meet ... unless one of his friends is in danger, in which case pity whatever put them there. Doesn't talk much, though Leomund can apparently read his taciturn face (and Hallandar knows that he's quite "talkative", telepathically speaking.) One of the vanished, though it doesn't seem to have affected him much. Then again ... [Groot + Broot* of the Omega Men]

Dragonfly: Empath from the Technate (q.v.), subjected to experiments that gave her wings and a flyer's physiology. Joined up with Hallandar and the King of Thieves to fight Abraxas, and had her wings torn off on their first mission together. Despite this trauma, continued to work with them, while personally questing for a way to regenerate her lost limbs. She's aware that she can't do this alone, and regards the disintegration of their team with extreme displeasure. Was one of the vanished. [Mantis + Harpis of the Omega Men]


* Really, that was his name!
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

Villains of Note

Deukhalion: Son of the original Deukhalion, and like him empowered by magical forces opposed to those which empower Captain Mystic. Unlike his father, who was never more than an super-powered thug, he made a sincere effort to use his powers to good ends. After his family was killed by his enemies, he began covertly hunting other superheroes and villains. One of the vanished, and has not yet learned of the return of Captain Mystic. [Black Adam + Mordo]

Devilfish: The air-breathing, adopted son of a group of Atlantean separatists, using technology to permit him to function underwater. A frequent opponent of Aquarian, the two were brought into an alliance when the latter's half-brother seized the throne of Atlantis and began directing the kingdom's resources in a direction Devilfish liked even less. One of the vanished, but now returned and continuing to act as a 'loyal opposition' in Atlantis. [Black Manta + Man Ape]

Cerebron: Self-proclaimed "scientist supreme", known to have visited many planets, but not definitely known to have originated from any of them. Creates forks of his own consciousness to operate multiple bodies at once, with varying powers and capabilities. The Squadron was founded to battle a large collection of these entities which were being test-driven on Earth. Was not vanished, but was ominously quiet during the interval. [Brainiac + Appellaxians + Loki]

Mink: Burglar and highly-trained martial artist, frequently pursued but never captured by Nighthawk. Secretly an undercover FBI agent monitoring Nighthawk and other urban super-heroes, as well as organized crime. Also secretly corrupt. Was not vanished, and used the interval to seize control of a number of decapitated rackets, becoming a major player in the underworld. The return is likely to cause her more than a bit of trouble. [Catwoman + Harlequin + Black Cat]

Atlanta: Hesperan warrior woman from an earlier era, exiled to another dimension for her refusal to embrace a change in Hesperan philosophy. Escaped from this exile recently, and attempted to conquer Hespera, destroying it in the process. Believed to have been killed in this destruction, but possibly not. Not particularly stronger than Princess, but considerably faster. [Cheetah + Hel]

Morgaine: Hesperan witch. A rival and companion to Princess who believed herself to be a more appropriate candidate to be the emissary to the outer world, and schemed to ruin her 'sister's' mission. Eventually exposed and punished, but deemed too useful to be permanently exiled. Fought alongside Princess against Atlanta, and appeared to be finally reconciled with her ... only to be killed by Abraxas. But if anyone ever knew how to fake their death ... [Circe + Loki]

Ape-X: Uplifted cyborg ape. Well, there's always one, isn't there? Brilliant scientist, employing technology that verges on magic. (Is one of the only terrestrials to understand psionic engineering.) Also a terrifyingly capable schemer -- for example, her plan to create a conflict between members of the Squadron worked like a charm. Vanished, and has now escaped from the (abandoned) prison where she was being held prior to the vanishing. [Gorilla Grodd + Zemo]

The Huckster: Gambling-themed criminal genius and master of disguise. Not a particularly violent criminal; has no particular regard for anyone's safety except his own, but views murder as lacking in refinement. Made faintly dizzy by his luck of the draw in avoiding the vanishing, he actually abandoned crime for most of the interval, but has recently become aware that many of his surviving contacts are disappearing, and concerned he might be next. [The Joker + Turk Barrett]

Master Menace: Greatest genius on earth, just ask him. (Notably does not understand psionic engineering.) Uses powered armor of his own design (actually of extraterrestrial origin that he doesn't really understand) that allows him to fight Hyperion as a peer. Was not vanished, and proceeded to conquer much of the Middle East immediately following the vanishing. With the return, his empire has begun to crumble. [Lex Luthor + Doctor Doom]

Maligner: A former friend and ally of Doctor Spectrum whom the latter trusted to use his power prism -- but used it to create a duplicate prism which he used for sinister purposes. (This duplicate and the original prism shared half the power of the original alone.) Ironically, the Doctor's successful duplication of the prism were inspired by this episode. Imprisoned and vanished, and now planning to attack one of the new prism brigade. [Sinestro + Yellowjacket]

Friday's Child: French mercenary transformed into an invulnerable, extraordinarily powerful but more or less mindless rampaging creature through exposure to an alien artifact in West Africa. Frequently employed by other, more intelligent criminals as a patsy. Imprisoned after his last confrontation with the Squadron, and then vanished. Returned to an abandoned prison, and proceeded to escape, and currently at large. [Solomon Grundy + Abomination]

Baron Khan: Villain active as a self-proclaimed independent agent of the Axis during World War II. Claimed to be the illegitimate child of Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, but some information claims that he is actually hundreds of years old, or older. Emerged decades later to engage in terrorism, but eventually sent into dimensional exile. Encountered at the end of the interval, he affects to have no more interest in what transpires on Earth, but ... [Vandal Savage + Red Skull]
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Voltron64 »

Davies wrote: Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:05 am
Geretil: Reptilian, large eyes, slightly shorter than human average. Use technological means to disguise themselves and infiltrate other species. They don't have any malicious intent or desire to conquer -- their home system has all their species could ever want -- this is just a way to study and learn about other peoples at close range. They may end up panicking when they find out about the 'reptoid' conspiracy theory, though, not grasping that it's code for racism against other humans.
I kind of want to see Geretil's reaction would be realizing the racist dogwhistles behind the reptoid conspiracy theory. At the least, probably nothing but utter contempt.

Also, they're pretty much the Skrulls meets the Watchers, right?
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

Voltron64 wrote: Sun May 05, 2019 9:01 pm
Also, they're pretty much the Skrulls meets the Watchers, right?
They're pretty much movie Skrulls with the refugee aspects toned down, mixed with a very obscure injoke -- in one promo for the 1980s Invasion crossover event, it was mentioned that DC Earth had recently been covertly invaded by reptilian invaders, a reference to DC's comic book adaptation of the TV series V. (Which hadn't been set in the DCU, obviously, so the whole thing isn't a very good joke.)

Their responses would vary, but tend more towards weary resignation that they've encountered yet another species divided against itself. It's nothing they haven't seen elsewhere in the galaxy, and some species have gotten past it without destroying 90% of their own kind, and some have not.
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Hyperion

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Hyperion

The reason that Hyperion doesn't discuss his origins is that he isn't entirely certain what they are. The people who raised him, the only parents he's ever known, told him that they found him in the wreckage of what they took for a UFO. That wreckage had long since been cleaned up by agents of the US Air Force, and there has never been any official statement concerning it, or mention of it in the press. When he actually met an extraterrestrial who had similar abilities in his early teens, he was hopeful that he might have found a distant relative, but his hopes were dashed when the visitor performed scientific tests which apparently demonstrated that they were of two completely different species. All this has left him with more questions than answers.

So too has his recent performance left him questioning whether he is really accomplishing anything. He wasn't able to defeat Abraxas when the cosmic villain finally arrived on Earth, and was one of the first beings to vanish into nothingness when Abraxas finally gained the last artifact he'd been seeking. And while he was able to get in a few good hits against the other Abraxas, it fell to others to finally defeat the menace -- at an appalling cost -- while he fought off the enemy's armies. Is that really all he's good for? Just a strongman in a suit?

Not helping matters is the way that his personal life has completely disintegrated. His father died when he was just on the verge of adulthood, but he still relied on his mother's advice and counsel. Unfortunately, she passed away two years into the interval, and this is something that cannot be reversed. His closest, most intimate friend is now in a romantic relationship with someone else, and he doesn't want to intrude. It isn't clear whether the Squadron will continue to operate together, and the two members with whom he had the most in common have also moved on. While he's managed to restore a semblance of a civilian life as a researcher at York University, he finds himself profoundly isolated and alone, unable to relate even to fellow victims of the vanishing, thanks to his secret identity.

This is probably his greatest vulnerability. While magic can affect him regardless of his normal resistances, and the rare earth element Tartarium can strip him of all his superhuman abilities and leave him in tremendous pain (impaired and hindered), the fact that he has no connection to any other person on Earth, while believing that he has an obligation to protect everyone on Earth, is what is going to cause him the most anguish in the years to come. He will keep trying to save humanity from itself, and sooner or later his all-too-human soul will break under that strain. PCs may be able to help by befriending the man of the future, becoming part of the support network that he desperately needs. If they treat him like an icon to be worshiped, however, they're going to contribute to his eventual collapse.

Hyperion -- PL 15

Abilities: STR 17/4 | STA 18/4 | AGL 1 | DEX 3 | FGT 12/6 | INT 2 | AWE 2 | PRE 2

Powers:
Eyebeams: Ranged Damage 15, Accurate 2, Precise 2.
Hyper-Flight: Flight 14; Movement 2 [environmental adaptation (microgravity), space travel].
Invulnerability: Immunity 11 [life support, need for sleep]; Impervious Toughness 18.
Super-Physique: Enhanced Fighting 6; Enhanced Stamina 14; Enhanced Strength 13; Enhanced Strength 4, Limited to lifting; Array (based on Strength Damage; 17 points).
  • Finger-Flick: Affliction 17 [Resisted by Fortitude; Dazed, Stunned, Incapacitated].
  • Shockwave Clap: Burst Area Affliction 15 [Resisted by Dodge or Strength; Hindered, Prone], Limited Degree.
Super-Senses: Senses 9 [hyper-extended vision 2, vision penetrates concealment, ultra-hearing]

Advantages:
All-Out Attack, Close Attack, Improved Initiative 2, Interpose, Language 4, Move-by Action, Power Attack, Ranged Attack 8.

Skills:
Expertise: Science 10 (+12), Insight 8 (+10), Intmidation 8 (+10), Perception 8 (+10), Persuasion 10 (+12), Technology 8 (+10).

Offense:
Initiative +9, Unarmed +13 (Close Damage 17), Eyebeams +15 (Ranged Damage 15), Finger-Flick +13 (Fortitude 17), Shockwave -- (Dodge or Strength 15).

Defense:
Dodge 10, Parry 12, Fortitude 19, Toughness 18, Will 10.

Totals: Abilities 48 + Powers 176 + Advantages 19 + Skills 26 + Defenses 18 = 287 points

Complications:
Responsibility--Motivation. Alienated and Lonely. Vulnerability (magic). Weakness (Tartarium).
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Voltron64 »

I imagine Hyperion’s collapse to be less Iredeemabable’s rampaging across the world and more Kingdom Come’s seal himself off from the rest of civilization.
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

Voltron64 wrote: Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:41 pm I imagine Hyperion’s collapse to be less Iredeemabable’s rampaging across the world and more Kingdom Come’s seal himself off from the rest of civilization.
Yes, the latter, probably accompanied by a suicide attempt or two.
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Princess

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Princess

Until fairly recently, Zarda of Hespera believed herself to be the parthenogenic daughter of Serena of Hespera, the original 'Princess' who traveled to the outside world some thirty years earlier, then returned to be elected Autarch. She has since learned that she was actually born in the outside world, rescued by Serena, and given powers like those of her adopted people -- if not greater than they, for some reason -- through science. It is this changed understanding of her nature, as much as the loss of her mother and sister, that have led her to make the choices that she has.

The earliest records of the Hesperan people -- and statements made by Atalanta herself -- suggest that they originated elsewhere in the galaxy before coming to Earth, thousands of years ago, and adopting women from this world as Zarda herself was adopted. That would explain why they are indistinguishable from Terrestrial humans in their appearance, but it raises the question of why they came here, and what remains of the world on which they originated. Zarda is determined to answer these questions, both for her own sake as well as to help her people make a new existence for themselves outside of Hespera's fallen walls.

And so she is leaving, in the company of Leomund and Hett and probably Aun Taxad as well. (She finds the so-called Prince annoying, but somewhat admirable nonetheless.) She will help them in their quests and have their help in her own, and it will take as long as it will take. She is leaving the Earth in the capable hands of her allies in the Squadron, and has left the Autarch's sceptre in the capable and wise care of Pyttya, and is certain that everything will be all right. The greatest threat to the universe is already vanquished after all!

She doesn't realize just how much there is to learn, and how vast the cosmos truly is. PCs will probably only run into her if they are also space travelling, and will find her very resistant to the idea that she should return to Earth before her quest is done. A serious threat to Hespera that Pyttya, for whatever reason, isn't handling well -- in Zarda's view, not that of the PCs -- would probably convince her to come back, but even then she would be very reluctant to act against the authority she passed on.

Princess -- PL 13

Abilities: STR 9 | STA 8 | AGL 4 | DEX 5 | FGT 12 | INT 2 | AWE 6 | PRE 6

Powers:
Adamantine Shield: Strength-based Ranged Damage 2; Strength-based Damage 2; Enhanced Dodge 2; Enhanced Parry 2; Removable (-2 points) - 8 points
Hesperan Biology: Immunity 3 (aging, disease, poison); Protection 2 - 5 points
Hesperan Swiftness: Leaping 2, Speed 2 - 4 points
Hesperan Telepathy: Mental Communication 4; Comprehend Languages 2 (understand and speak all languages); Cumulative Sight-Dependent Mind Reading 13, Sensory Link - 61 points

Equipment:
Bucephalas (Size G; STR 14; Speed 14 (air/space); DEF 6; TGH 13; Powers: Concealment 10 (all senses); Features: Autopilot (+4), Navigation System, Remote Control).

Advantages:
Defensive Roll, Equipment 11, Improved Defense, Improved Disarm, Improved Initiative, Inspire 2, Leadership, Luck, Power Attack, Ranged Attack 4, Set-Up, Takedown.

Skills:
Acrobatics 8 (+12), Athletics 4 (+13), Close Combat: Shield 3 (+15), Expertise: History 6 (+8) Expertise: Tactics 6 (+8), Insight 6 (+12), Intimidation 6 (+12), Perception 10 (+16), Persuasion 7 (+13), Ranged Combat: Throwing 6 (+11), Vehicles 8 (+13).

Offense:
Initiative +8, Unarmed +13 (Close Damage 9), Shield Bash +15 (Close Damage 11), Thrown Shield +15 (Ranged Damage 11).

Defense:
Dodge 14/12, Parry 14/12, Fortitude 16, Toughness 12/10, Will 10.

Totals: Abilities 104 + Powers 88 + Equipment 26 + Skills 35 + Defenses 20 = 273 points

Complications:
Knowledge--Motivation. Responsibility (Hespera). Truthful and Direct.
Last edited by Davies on Fri Oct 11, 2019 10:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by greycrusader »

I always enjoy your posts. I do hope you might be posting more on your World of Freedom setting in the near future-I still need to know what's going on with Dracula, Herald Sisyphus, Oblivion Knight, and Ultimaid!

All my best.
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Davies
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Re: So Now What? [If You Haven't Seen Endgame STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD]

Post by Davies »

I'm still waiting to see how I'm going to have to end Hieronymous King's presidency before I say anything else about them. But all plaudits are welcome.
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
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Davies
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Location: Edmonton, AB

The Institute

Post by Davies »

Thirty years before the Squadron was founded, another group of superheroes organized to combat the insidious international conspiracy known as Typhon. They were known as the Institute, and their legacy underlies much of the world that the Squadron strove to protect.

Members of the Institute

Captain Mystic (I): Discovering the ancient Amulet of Jedediah, cub reporter Francis Tyler was endowed with the power to transform into a super-powered form, able to fly, resistant to all injury, and immensely powerful. Initially believing that these powers were in the amulet, he eventually discovered that they were within himself, and continuing to grow, and had been inherited by his daughter Francis, born ten years after his origin. The younger Captain Mystic has stated that her father became one with the universe, and refused to discuss exactly what that means.

Princess (I): Serena of Hespera, one of the most accomplished members of that city of warrior woman, left her homeland after it came under attack by the forces of Typhon. Her charisma and leadership talents led her to become the Institute's president, and she kept the organization well-administered in addition to directing its members in battle. After the end of the Insurgency, she returned to Hespera, though not before rescuing and adopting an orphaned girl from Israel, whom she named Zarda. Serena died at the hands of Atalanta when the latter escaped.

The Cowl: Just what motivated newspaper publisher Owen LeBrett to assume the crime-fighting identity of the Cowl has never been adequately explained. He was 'assisted' by his driver Masque (real name James Graham), who did most of the actual 'fighting', while the Cowl engaged in detective work. Initially hunted by the police, he was soon deputized, possibly thanks to his association with fellow millionaire Randolph Richmond. Pushing fifty when he began his career, he passed away a few years before the rise of the Squadron.

Meteor: Able to fly and produce energy blasts, cropduster Connor Roberts claimed to have develop these gifts from exposure to unusual gases he was exposed to while exploring a cave. He continued to act as a superhero after the Institute disbanded, but his appearances became rarer as time passed. Shortly before the Squadron formed, researcher Joseph Ledger discovered Meteor dying in a crater, and learned that his powers actually derived from the power prism he wore in his helmet, which Ledger subsequently used as Doctor Spectrum.

Flag: Supposedly granted superhuman strength, toughness and fighting skill by a super-serum devised by his father, Jerry Dore's abilities were actually innate gifts of uncertain origin. Intensely patriotic, he volunteered to serve as a living weapon, and was assigned to be observe and report on the Institute's battles with Typhon. He was lost in action when Typhon's headquarters self-destructed, but never officially confirmed as dead. His younger brother Jack became the American Eagle.

Mothman and Ladybird: Brilliant scientist Byron Lewis developed an anti-gravity substance, possibly that earlier developed by George Cavor in the late 19th century, and used it to create a flying costume. He became a superhero almost by accident, and only continued in the field thanks to the encouragement of his girlfriend, and later wife, Sally Jupiter, who joined him using a similar costume. After his wife's death, Lewis turned over the costumes to Jack Dore, who improved it with assistance from Thomas Thompson, later known as Minuteman.

Stardust: Little if anything was -- at the time -- known of this being, also called 'the Super-Wizard'. He usually appeared from nowhere to rain down destruction and horrific transformation on those who attacked the innocent -- while notably never doing much to prevent such attacks. Also founded a militia-like organization that verged on being a cult dedicated to himself. While he worked with the Institute, he broke with them towards the end of the Typhonian Insurgency when they protected members of the conspiracy from his wrath, and abandoned Earth. It is now known that he returned to his homeworld of Daath, where he either adopted the new identity, or returned to his old one, of Abraxas.

Note: Masque was never a member of the Institute. A decade after the organization disbanded, James Graham became the father of Ricky Graham, the future Silver Scarab. He was murdered by a police officer when his son was seven years old.
"I'm sorry. I love you. I'm not sorry I love you."
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