Hello, Hello, I am MothNBone, and this time I am not here for a review. Instead, I am here to dip my toes into the wide world of running a role play. However, before rushing into the deep end, I wanted to test the waters when it comes to intrest in possibly running an RP set in one of my original worlds. I’ve been wanting to explore some of my settings through role-playing for a little bit. For now, my superhero-based script has been rattling around in my brain, so I came up with this rough idea. Please let me know if it catches your eye!
Basic Concept:
Welcome to Cyanide City, or as the old timers call it, New York, New York. On the surface, this might seem like our modern-day cityscape; however, just under the surface is a history of Superhumans, poison-fuelled culling and government control. You see, long gone are the celebrities of the past; this screen-riddled city feeds off comic-coded figures in spandex and capes. In fact, for many hopeful villains and B-list heroes, Cyanide City is the hotbed of fame, all watched over by The League. A seemingly clean government branch that dominates the superhero industry, moulding them into perfect ads for the hungry populace. In Cyanide, the public's attention is a hero's lifeline. Even more so when there's no double life to hide behind.
After all the glitz and glam have done well to hide the unspoken threat that stepping out of their chosen role will have all powered humans being labelled as rogue bio weapons that should be dealt with using lethal means. For nearly three decades, this facade has remained intact until the once untouchable face of The League disappears amidst a trust-shattering scandal. Now the cutthroat underbelly of fame, deception, and open secrets is coming to light. However, the skeletons in everyone's closets are being dragged along with it, including yours.
Just how far would you go to keep your scandal under wraps? Who would you hurt to get higher up in the public eye, or is the cost of freedom truly worth the price?
In this drama-filled, character-based roleplay, both villains and superheroes alike must engage in a game of cloak-and-dagger public relations. All set against an ever-watching original universe that holds as many secrets and drama as our own.
Overall, it would be a slower-paced realm roleplay that would be around an eighteen-plus age rating. However, depending on interest or desired darkness, I could lower it as well.
The setting:
This role-play would take place in Cyanide City, an alternate-history version of New York. Although remnants of the city before the large-scale poisonings of those considered powered remain, they are few and far between. Over the years, under The League's hands, it's become a neoclassical city where buildings double as screens for their PR to direct. No matter what they are watching, even through the grime and emerald tint that seems to cling to everything. The permanent reminder of their dark past does little to conceal the fact that it may happen again if the place doesn't consume its citizens first.
Although no superhero-themed setting is complete without the powers.
The powers:
Powers in this universe are the result of slow mutations within human DNA over the past forty or so years. Meaning more often than not, they are passed down from child to parent. However, in that time, the intermingling of those with powers has resulted in more and more comic book-esque abilities. Even so, for now at least, they are still bound by human biology.
One or more parents need to have a power in order to have their child inherit it. Things may be complicated by the type of power or if both powers hold one. For example, if one parent has a power and the other doesn't, there is a higher chance for the child to inherit it if it's a sensory-based power.
If both parents have the same power, then their child is pretty much guaranteed to also be born with the needed biology to have it. However, if both parents have differing powers that can meld together, such as a telekinesis holder and a pyrokinesis holder, it's likely the child would get a bolstered version of the more dominant power.
Lastly, if the parents have different powers that might not mingle in that way, the child would most likely be born with only one of them. There are cases where a child could have two powers that are able to coexist in their body, but may not be able to use them in tandem.
There are also rarer cases where two separate powers manifest as different offshoots or versions of the parents' powers due to them combining.
Now, for the powers themselves, for this role play, I've organized them into three broad categories.
Elevated feats.
These powers are some of the most common yet interesting, nonetheless. Although some of these may not be as flashy as others, they are still helpful. They revolve around being able to push the normal human body past its normal limits. Often, one or more parts of the person's body are tailored to do so.
For example, powers such as super strength or super speed, as well as things like enhanced intelligence, would fall under this category.
Although this may allow someone to lift a car or run across a city in the blink of an eye, your body can fight against you. Those with super strength may have a sleeper build or find it hard to keep muscle mass since the muscles themselves are stronger than normal, thus making the needed micro rips harder to form.
On the other hand, more intensive powers, such as superspeed, need high amounts of calories to keep up with their increased metabolism. If they don't get the needed amount, they may encounter bouts of lethargy, blackouts or, in dire cases, enter a semi-comatose state. Furthermore, a speedster needs to use their speed; going long stretches without using their power will result in the energy being expelled through muscles like the lungs or heart. In these cases, the body may not be able to keep up, leading to death or near-death
Elevated Senses.
This is what it says on the tin: these powers revolve around some sort of super-sense. Whether that is smell, sight, sound, or taste, there might be more uses for the most common type of power in this world. You may not be able to hear across the globe, but that doesn't mean you can't literally sniff out intel.
However, these powers also come with downsides, including increased sensitivity to a specific stimulus, which can lead to overstimulation. When it comes to senses like hearing in risky situations, one may have a higher risk of ear damage or going deaf. Due to this, they often seek out ways to dampen these senses to lessen both mental and physical pain.
Metaphysical Powers.
Here, we get into the more comic book-esque powers. Although these are less common in the general populace, they are on the rise for people born and raised in The League. Unlike the other powers, this category focuses more on the mental side of things, having a physical effect on the world. These powers tend to be where things like telekinesis and pyrokinesis can be found. Since these powers focus more on the mind, more unique manifestations may appear, such as being able to see a representation of someone's desires or secrets.
Although I do want RPers to be creative with their powers, this category is by far the one with the most wiggle room. However, I do ask that it is still semi-feasible and not overpowered.
Much like others, these powers do have downsides. These can be small, like no one else being able to see someone's desire, and thus may be believed. However, it could be bigger, like the kinetic powers can spiral out of control when the person is under distress. On that same note, pyrokinetic characters may have burn-resistant skin but are still at risk for smoke inhalation.
Now, before we move on to what common roles or archetypes might catch your eye, I want to note that age, these powers may manifest very differently depending on the category.
For this role play, I don't want to pre-assign archetypes but rather let the rpers construct their character from the ground up. However, there are a few common roles that they may want to fill.
First Gen Heroes.
These heroes, as the namesake implies, are the first generation of people to enter the hero industry. Often being born in the early 50s to 60s during the widespread poisoning before coming of age around the time The League was gaining power.
Even though they remember life before The League, how they react will differ between the characters. Some try to fight, whereas others have been thoroughly broken down. Many first-gen heroes were forced into arranged marriages based on possible inherited powers and public appeal. However, where they stand in the modern day is up to the readers. With that being said, they tend to be in their mid to late 50s to 60s age range and may even work alongside their kid/kids.
Some first-gen heroes are still doing active PR and fighting villain work. However, others may do more mundane desk work and are reduced to a figurehead.
Legacy Heroes.
These are the children of the first-gen heroes, more often than not, a result of the arranged marriages. Legacy heroes were born and raised within The League's culture, often kept on a tight leash. Ranging from 20 to 30 years old, these heroes have spent their childhoods in public eyes as sidekicks before growing up into their own personas. They are the most common active heroes, but they also tend to have the messiest behind-the-scenes drama.
This is due in part to The League pushing them to be superstars, leading to a lot of infighting to rise in the ranks. Even though they may not take their parents' hero name, they are expected to have arranged marriages of their own.
Legacy heroes have an assigned number starting with 2-00 along with their birth order. This is partly to keep track of them in paperwork, as well as to further dehumanize them.
Sidekicks
These tend to be the younger active heroes, and this role lasts till the age of 18. Furthermore, sidekicks are often the children of older heroes or siblings of a hero and tend to work alongside an older hero as a mentee. During this time period, they often learned needed skills like fighting, honing powers and public speaking. Sidekicks tend to have a persona themed around their mentor, and the age they actually start fighting can also vary. However, they tend to start working with the public very young.
There is a second way to become a sidekick. The League has a running program where those involved in the industry can often scout underprivileged youth from the rougher side of the city to become a sidekick. If their powers and general interviews go well, they may be offered to have their housing, food and needs funded by The League. However, this comes at the cost of being assigned to a hero and being forced to later be one well until adulthood. Mostly due to the secrets of trade, they now know.
Oftentimes, a nudge from a high-ranking hero or staff member is needed to even get into interviews.
B-Listers
The B-Listers tend to be lesser-known heroes, often doing work in the much smaller cities where The League's grip is looser. Sometimes they flock to cyanide for fame or live already, either now adult sidekicks or powered staff that somehow get a position in the hero side of things.
Perhaps you don't want to be a “ Good guy” and would much prefer to be on the other side. Worry not, for where superheroes go, the super villains follow.
The Nordstroms
The Nordtroms are one of the biggest and longest-standing superpowered crime families. As such, they were able to make an under-the-table deal with The League, where they will keep the powered crime in check as long as it turns the other cheek when it comes to their dealings. In this current generation, there are around 12 siblings set to inherit parts of their crime network. The other two oldest, which, depending on the plot, could become NPCs, are all up for grabs.
( Just note that they would be different ages, but share the same power of super speed. )
However, there are also tons of informers, grunts, dealers and more that you can play as if that suits your taste.
Super villains.
These are costumed criminals who are chosen or become popular due to their flair and gimmicks. They often get apprehended for public appearances and then let go due to the deal. For the most part, they are powered and often pushed towards conflict with certain heroes to create the most spectacle.
Wildcards.
These also tend to be the few rogue costumed criminals that refuse to the Nordstrom's rules, but not yet enough of a threat to be dealt with.
However, there are a bunch of interesting possibilities for civilian players as well. Perhaps you could be a make-up artist, receptionist, or janitor who knows a little too much just to say a few.
Now, when it comes to what scandals the Rpers are involved in is up to the player. However, it could range, love children, blackmail or breaking the biggest taboo of having a relationship with the very Vilian/Hero you're meant to fight. Or perhaps you would prefer something smaller, like hidden passions. Either way, it may not stay hidden for long.
That's just how it goes in the world of Capes and Cyanide.
