This is a thread where I brag about the awesome that occurs in my ongoing tabletop Champions (FRED) game. As per usual Den ettiquette, I expect you all to encourage, ignore, swipe stuff for your own games, and/or just cuss - whatever you see fit.
There's a whole lot of backstory, the short explanation I ran the game weekly or biweekly from Jan-Sept of 08 - then had to drop out because of workschedule changes, but the players enjoyed the universe so much that one of them stepped up to start running the game again in dec 08, and I rejoined as a player in jan 09, and we've been gaming biweekly since then - so we're something like 40-60 sessions into the game before I even post anything.
Not everything in all of those sessions was awesome, and some of the game has been retconned with the GM handoff, so I will try to keep backstory to a minimum, use spoilers to hide the lengthy bits, and concentrate on the most current awesome.
That said, here're the early handouts that served as the rough starting point for the campaign:
INITIAL SETTING GUIDELINES wrote:
1 We can't say "mutant", Marvel might litigate: We are going to use the term Anomoly or “Moly” in place of mutant for this blatant rip off of Claremont's X-MEN.
2. Not tomorrow, yesterday The year is 1985. To get a good idea of what sort of gizmos that comic-book high tech organizations have just take a look at a current gizmo website. Certain technologies which are staples of the comic book genre, like power armor, are more advanced but only in limited production.
3. And he was terribly mysterious: Mankind has a long history of Mystery Men with access to exceptional training and technology. But the emergence of Anomalies with “Real Powers” is a recent trend.
4. Dr. Strange is in a different comic: No “Magic” Characters. Magic is as subtle and internal as it is in the real world.
5. I'm sensing great pain: Limited Psychic powers can be developed thru training but the truly powerful psychics are all Anomalies.
6. Welcome to the big leagues: The player Characters are some of the most powerful beings on the planet - but they are new to their powers and untrained.
7. What kind of lame ability is that? 99% of Anomalies have NCM, a Single “lame” power and a DF.
8. Why don't you pick on someone your own size: The Characters must be motivated to protect weaker Anomalies.
9 No, I don't want to help you conquer all of mankind, but thanks for asking: The player Characters must all have previously turned down an offer by The Zenith (this setting's Magneto analogue) to join APEX
10. A world that hates and fears them:Humanity is inherently fearful and bigoted, as it is in the real world.
Early Version (pre-chargen) Setting Handout wrote:
- Anogen - Contraction of Anomolous Pathogen. Blood factor present in over 99% of Anomolies. First isolated in 1976.
- Anomoly (aka 'Moly) - A human who possesses abilities not present in normal humans and a unique anogen in the bloodstream. The word is a bastardization of “anomaly” due to typographical errors in early reports. See also A-factor, Anogen, Double-A-Hole.
- A.C.E. - Anomoly Catalog Engine. An experimental AI in use by PRIMUS's Seattle Task force. It is a living database that tracks known Anomolies and tries to predict their movements and actions.
- Apex - Group of anomolies recruited and augmented by The Zenith. They espouse the Anomoly Ascendent viewpoint, which holds that Anomolies are are separate and superior species not subject to the laws of baseline humans. Prominent members include: Tornado, Typhoon and Inertia, but Apex is believed to comprise at least several dozen Anomolies.
- Baseline - Term used for non-anomoly humans. See also flatline, de-base, obsolete, etc
- Baseline Fundamentalism - A Christian religious view of Anomolies derived primarily from Matthew 4:1-4:10. It holds that Anomolies are individuals facing a unique temptation to power and that they should live as normal humans by refraining from using any metanormal abilities, since the use of such is a sin of vanity or even hubris. Unlike many other activist groups, they are eager to accept anomolies into their ranks, so long as those Anomolies renounce their powers and refrain from the sin of using them. The most prominent figure of Baseline Fundamentalism is The Reverend Roberts, a nationally viewed televangelist.
- The Gardener Argument / Gardnerites - The Garner Argument that Anomolies are a diseased stock of humanity and, just as with a diseased plant in a garden, anomolies should be quarantined away until a cure can be found or a resistant strain bred. Most Gardnerites only advocate enforced separation of baselines and Anomolies and research towards a cure, but the most extreme go so far as to actually advocate for pruning via forced sterilizations or outright exterminations.
- Heather Onasis - Wealthy heiress and advocate of globalization. Majority owner of Olympic Airlines and Olympic Shipping. In response to the sinking of The Orion, she has recently placed a multi-million dollar bounty on The Zenith and key members of Apex.
- Helix Army - The largest public organization of Anomolies in the United States. Membership is open to anyone with proof of Anomoly status, although some local chapters conduct bizzare hazing rituals. They hold conventions and rallies open only to Anomolies, and frequently have incidents with local law enforcement at such events.
- Los Nuevos - Codename for Soviet-sponsored Terrorist group believed to be utilizing Anomolies in South and Central America.
- The Minuteman - Costumed crimefighter famous for helping to break The Syndicate's drug ring in Atlanta.
- Nephilim - An enigmatic class IV+ Anomoly who claims to have lived from the time of legends into the present day. Suspected of possessing time-travel abilities.
- Power Bailbonds - Bail Bond company specializing in Anomoly cases. Their Power Trace division is responsible for tracking and restraining Anomolies and frequently pioneers the use of tactics and equipment not yet approved for general police usage. Note: edited out of continuity before game began.
- PRIMUS - Primary Response and Interdiction Military Unified Service, the US government law enforcement and response agency for managing incidents involving Anomolies and combating Anomoly crime.
- PRIMUS Psi Division - Recently canceled project to train and develop mental powers to aid in the prediction of and response to Anomolous incidents. Controversy erupted when USA Today revealed the presence of Anomolies with questionable pasts inside the program.
- Project Doctrine - Secret CIA attempt to weaponize anomolies for field deployment against Central American Drug Cartels. Suspended pending Congressional hearings.
- Resplendent Dawn - Secret Japanese society dedicated to reviving the Empire. Basically a crime syndicate specializing in corporate espionage and political blackmail. Currently aggressively recruiting Anomolies to work as saboteurs .
- Representative Keene - Congressman known for his tough on crime stance. Currently lobbying for mandatory minimum sentencing in felonies where Anomolous abilities were used.
- TIER system (transhuman ideopathic effectiveness rating) - A way of ranking the destructive potential of an Anomolies abilities. Scale devised by Dr. Ryan Carmen for PRIMUS project ACE. The most current PRIMUS brief for local law enforcement contains the following guidelines:
Tier 0 - presence of anomolous pathogen in blood tests, but individual has not exhibited any outward symptoms nor exhibited unusual abilities. Should be monitored for manifestation and, if possible, tested for concealed abilities.
Tier I - possesses minor unusual abilities, which do not pose siginificant additional danger to others. Should be monitored for propensity towards erratic behaviour and for signs of psychological instability.
Tier II - possesess unusual abilities roughly as dangerous as small arms or an out-of-control automobile. Treat as armed and dangerous.
Tier III - possessess unusual abilities roughly as dangerous as heavy arms or military equipment.. Treat as heavily armed and extremely dangerous. Notify PRIMUS immediately, attempt to avoid engagements without military backup or drastic numerical superiority.
Tier IV - possess unusual abilities which should be considered as weapons of mass destruction. Notify PRIMUS immediately and attempt to evacuate the area.
Tier V - none verified to exist yet. possess unusual abilities capable of ending all life on earth.- The Zenith - Powerful Anomoly with mental and augmentation powers, leader of APEX
Out-Of-Character Considerations: wrote:
Some Suggested Drawbacks:
Social Limitation: Age. Anomoly powers usually manifest during adolescence, and Anomolies have only been around for 10 years. This means that in most cases the PCs are teenagers or young adults. They may be restricted from driving, prohibited from entering certain venues, or legally required to be in school.
Age can also serve as a springboard for other drawbacks, as many characters will still be in school (high school or college), and may still be living with family members unaware of their Anomoly status.
Social Limitation Public/Secret ID: These will generally refer to whether a character's Anomoly status is known or not. A public ID Anomoly is known to be a potentially dangerous individual and will frequently be treated as such, a secret ID Anomoly is generally afraid of the consequences if their Anomoly status were to become known. Think of the distinction more like “closeted” / ”openly out” than the traditional superhero / secret ID.
Reputation: Tier IV Anomoly: Not just dangerous, but considered a walking weapon of mass destruction by the authorities.If you buy this as a drawback, you should probably also buy it as a positive reputation to add to intimidation.
Watched: PRIMUS. Any character with a notable history as an Anomoly will be on PRIMUS's watch list. Even those with unremarkable histories could be of interest to their ACE project. As a hunted, PRIMUS should be bought As Powerful with Non Combat Influence, watching only.
Many of the other organizations can also serve as hunteds, but it is strongly recommended that you do not buy hunteds above 8- unless multiple players purchase the same hunted(s) or they are bought as “Watching Only”
Psych Lim: Since characters are to be protective of other Anomolies, there are a variety of appropriate Psychological Limitations. As this campaign will focus somewhat on the philosophical ramifications, it can matter what type of motivation you character has. While they are all valid motivations, there are key differences between a “'Moly Rights Extremist”, a “Believer in 'Moly/Baseline equality”, an “Anomoly Supremacist”, and someone who just “Hates Bullies, especially those in positions of authority”
Suggested Background Packages wrote: Here are 11 suggested backgrounds for player characters in the Anomoly Campaign:
· ACE Collaborator
· Former APEX member
· Lapsed Baseline Fundamentalist
· Helix Army Chapter Leader
· On the Run
· Olympia Undercover
· PRIMUS Psi Division Trainee
· Project Doctrine Escapee
· Resplendant Dawn Dishonoree
· Typical Student
These backgrounds are ways to tie your character into the campaign world, but they are suggestions only, they are by no means an exhaustive list, it is possible to have backgrounds radically different from those presented here.
Each background contains a package of skills, talents, perks, powers and drawbacks to buy to represent that background. Again, these lists are suggestions, it is certainly possible to tweak the elements in each package to better customize your character. Of course, the primary machanical benefit of having a background package is as a way to expedite chargen. In some cases, the GM may allow background package disads to exceed the normal cap on the limits of disads inside a category.
ACE Collaborator
You were one of the anomolies who stepped up early to volunteer for PRIMUS's ACE project. You are registered with PRIMUS, you traveled to their Seattle HQ, where they tested, poked and prodded you to determine the extent of your powers, and they sent the results to all major law enforcement agencies. While your status as a Tier IV anomoly is now public knowledge, the authorities see you as at least co-operative, or even helpful. Some of your fellow anomolies see you as a sell-out or something worse.
-Reputation: Co-operative with authorities (both advantage and disad)
-Reputation: TIER IV Anomoly
-14- Watched A.C.E.
-AK: Seatlle, WA and environs
-KS: Computers
-Contact: primus technician
-Contact: primus silver guardian
-May not be hunted by any law-enforcement agency
Former APEX member
You signed up with the Zenith for a while, but then regretted it and left due to philosophical and/or personal differences. You didn't leave on particularily good terms, and they either want you back or want to beat the stuffing out of you. One or two of them are still friendly enough to tip you off on occasion, but not enough to risk their own necks.
-KS: APEX
-Contact; Apex member
-Hunted: Apex (either want to re-recuit (enslave) you or kill you, depending on the circumstances of your leaving)
-Rep: Apex member (both advantage and disad)
-Hunted: assorted law-enforcement agencies
-Hunted: Heather Onasis
Lapsed Baseline Fundamentalist
You're a beleiver in the word of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When your abilities first manifested, they caused you great pain and confusion, and it took the teachings of Reverend Roberts for you to see that this was a challenge God had posed you. You spent some time as a poster child for his Humble Anomoly movement.
Then something happened and you had to use your abilities to save the lives of several members of his flock. Having better control now, you've come the realization the reverend is mis-interpreting scripture and Matthew 25:14-30 is far more appropriate to the abilities of anomolies. Unable to convince the reverend of the rightness of your vision, you left to seek your own path and use your talents to help as many people as possible. Despite the argumentative nature of your parting, the Reverend is still willing to take you back just as soon as you renounce your abilities again. In fact, he's helpfully tipped off a number of sheriff's departments to look out for a runaway anomoly who is confused and might be dangerous.
-Psych Lim: Christian
-KS: Bible Studies
-AK: US Deep South
-Acting
-Contact: Reverend Roberts
-Watched: Local Law Enforcement agencies throughout the US South
Helix Army Chapter Leader
You are a leader of a local chapter of the Helix Army. At a local anomoly pride rally, you found yourself in a bad situation. You were caught between a group of Apex supporters and local police determined to "bust all those freaks". You had no choice but to defend yourself to the full extent of your abilities. You didn't expect the national news to pick up the incident, nor the overwhelming support of other anomolies in your city.
-Membership: Helix Army
-Contact: Lawyer
-AK: Home City
-KS: Anomolies
-KS: Anomoly Case Law
-KS: Helix Army
-Oratory
-Watched: PRIMUS
-Hunted/Watched: Local Law enforcement in ____ (less, NCI, limited geographic)
-Hunted: Apex
-Watched: Tabloids
-Public ID
-Reputation: TIER IV anomoly
On the Run
You've had some trouble in your past. Maybe you couldn't control your abilities when they first manifested and injured people, or maybe you gave in to the temptation of your powers and commited crimes on purpose. Whatever the case that was in the past and you regret it now. But you're not going to jail for it. You've learned to hide your past and keep moving, you have people who tip you off when they're getting close, and you can live off the grid if you need to
-Anonymity or Deep Cover
-Concealment
-Forgery
-Stealth
-Streetwise
-Survival (urban)
-Contact: Organized Crime Informant
-Contact: Corrupt Cop
-DNPC
-Psych Lim: Feels guilty about past
-Reputation: Criminal Record
-Hunted: Law Enforcement 8-
Olympia Undercover
You've been hired directly by Heather Onasis to make sure that another incident like the sinking of the Orion never ever happens again. You are to infiltrate the Anomoly community and monitor and weed out the truly dangerous elements. It would also be appreciated if the APEX bounties didn't have to be paid to an outside party.
-Wealth
-Social Lim: Harmful Secret
-Social Lim: Subject to Orders (only 8-)
-Contact: Heather Onasis
-May not buy Code vs Killing.
PRIMUS Psi Division Trainee
You were one of the few anomolies recruited for PRIMUS's experimental PSI division. You were trained as an agent and your talents were to be put to use in apprehending Anomolies with mental powers. Then a USA Today investigative report exposed your involvement in the project and ruined your cover. The public outcry over PRIMUS wasting taxpayer money on a Psi Division and the public distaste for having PRIMUS use Anomolies to apprehend Anomolies eventually resulted in a media circus which only ended with PRIMUS disbanding the entire division. You're on "indefinite leave" pending final review, but they haven't yet made you turn in your badge. Maybe there's a way for you to salvage the reputation of the division by working on your own.
-Analyze: Mental Powers
-Bereaucracy
-Criminology
-Sci: Psychology
-Perk: Federal Police Powers/PRIMUS Agent
-Perk: Membership in PRIMUS
-Perk: Security Clearance
-Mental Awareness
-Mental Defense
-Public ID
-Reputation: (negative) Anomoly who infiltrated PRIMUS / Sellout, traitor to your own kind
-Watched: PRIMUS
-Hunted: The Zenith
Project Doctrine Escapee
You were kidnapped from your own home and kept isolated in a dark, damp cell in the jungle until they thought they broke you. Then the men in the white coats measured, poked and prodded you - you still have the scars. Then they put you with the others and they began to train you to seek out and eliminate the enemies of the US. You played along, partially because of the implants that let them rattle your brain from a distance with their dog whistles, but mainly because you knew they'd let their guard down. When they did, you seized the opportunity to escape and hitailed it back to the US. You didn't go home, you knew they'd be waiting for you, maybe using your family as a lever against you. You had to take them down, and you couldn't do it by force, so you sent anonymous documentation of their kidnapping of American Citizens to the media and went to the Congressman who controls the budget commitee.
The project is now officially suspended pending a full congressional inquiry, but those involved in it bear you quite a grudge.
-Combat Driving
-Combat Piloting
-KS: Drug Cartels
-KS: Project Doctrine
-Language: Spanish
-Navigation
-Stealth
-Survival (Jungle)
-Systems Operation
-Tactics
-Teamwork
-Weaponsmith (guns)
-Contact: Representative Keene
-Hunted: Central American Drug Cartels
-Hunted: CIA
-Susceptability: 3d6 Stun/Phase from ultrasound
Resplendant Dawn Dishonoree
You were recruited for your powers by the Resplendant Dawn. They trained you in ancient ninja secrets and modern coroporate espionage. But you failed them, and developed a conscience. The Resplendant Dawn does not tolerate failures, and they want you dead before you can talk. They've seen to it that Interpol has a complete file on your abilities, history and the criminal activities you were involved in when you worked for them. You've fled to the US, but for now you are on your own.
-Stealth
-Security Systems
-Concealment
-Language: Japanese
-Martial Arts
-Shadowing
-Demolitions
-PS: Corporate Saboteur
-KS: Resplendant Dawn Personel and Operations
-DF: Clan Tatoos
-Reputation: Dishonored
-Hunted: Respledant Dawn
-Hunted: Japanese Authorities and Interpol
-Any DNPCs must be recent acquaintances
Typical Student
You're still in school, (either high school or college) trying to live a normal life, and you figure the best way of doing that is by keeping your powers secret. Sometimes you wonder if your powers mean that once graduate you'll automatically become a super villain, a spy, an escaped cyborg, a federal agent, a ninja assassin or if it will still be possible for you to live a normal life.
-AK: School or Campus
-KS: Major or Favorite Subject
-Perk: Membership in national Fraternity / or National Affairs Council
-DNPC: family or roomates (group DNPC)
-Social Limitation: Age
-Social Limitation: Must maintain GPA
-Secret ID
And yes "Moly" is an in-joke as the game is run at the house of the player with the nickname of "Mole"