Artificial Idiot
08-05-2004, 02:57 PM
Ok, some of you may be wondering what has been going on recently with all the SSR threads being locked up tight. Well, basically, the current version of SSR really isn't working out for me. And in an effort to make everything much more tighter, and actually produce an RPG with well planned stories (starting this after major exams, in retrospect, was a bad idea), with a few more limitations and a few more open boundries in an effort to make it a much tighter, enjoyable experiance.
Basically, there are no major changes in the area or background on Lutonpolis it's self, however, there are some major villain changes which will come later and some new limitations I've set on powers and characters at the bottom.
Anyway, as soon as myself and vo have fully planned out the next chapter, the main RPG will be coming along. However, in the meantime, here's some general information...
Important Links
Neo-England's Finest: A Character Thread (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4390)
All character profiles go in this thread. If you don't have at least one COMPLETE profile in that thread, you're not eligble to play. Profiles of dead characters don't count (unless they're revived, then they're not exactly dead are they?). Please don't post incomplete profiles in there either... mainly as it's stupid in any case.
Everything else should be explained in the thread.
Wescorp Nerve Centre (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4948)
This thread is for planning, suggestions, disagreements, generally questions and answers. Any ideas, queries or problems you want to settle with other players or the GM's (Myself and Voes) can be posted here.
Chapters:
Introduction Chapter: A Night in Lutonopolis (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4391) (Complete, Locked)
Chapter One: Truth, Justice and the Neo-English Way (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4679) (In Progress, Open)
Background
The world of SSR is an alternate reality. It's all those corny (and not so corny) comics you've ever read brought to life, with only one twist. It's not in America. The SSR world is a world full of Super Humans, Genetic Mistakes, Gods, Monsters, Mad scientists, Communists, Gangsters, amoung other evils. The SSR world needs heroes, and fortunatly, it has us.
SSR takes place in the 1999's, dominated not only by the multi-national business giant Wescorp, but by everything from common criminals to genetic nightmares the world is looking for quick fixes and easy solutions. The military and police are streached to the limit, trying to keep the peace, The mega corperations work tirelessly to "serve the greater good of the people" by obliterating their buisness rivals and growing fat on thier profits and thousands of so called "super humans" battle on with thier own agenda. All living in fear that one day, racial stigma will cause the people to turn on them.
With so called "Super Villains" tearing their country apart from the inside and the public demanding a visible solution, the government approved the creation of a new division. A division that would put a stop to this Super Villain threat and appease the uneasy public. This division is called The Secret Reserve.
The United States of Neo-England:
Neo-England is the proverbial centre of the world. The strongest, most influencial country in the world, it's generally seen that the only thing standing between Red domination and peace is the USNE. These are, obviously, exagerations. In truth, Neo-England has been struggling since the days of WWII. The war hit Neo-England harder then most of the world thinks, and the cracks are begining to show.
Never fully recovering from the impact of the war, the war with the Soviets has grinded them down even futher. Not to mention Neo-England seems to be the country having the hardest time coping with the new Super Human phenomonon that sprung up just before WWII started. Where other countries, like the USSR and Germany seemed to have this new breed of humanity under control, the USNE have let them run rampant for years. While some do good for thier own accord, or try to live a perfectly normal life. A majority just live to bring hell to the residents of Neo-England.
The destrucstion of London has also been a hard ordeal to cope with. With the colonies seeing it as a sign of weakness and revolting on a regular basis and even Scotland and Ireland have seen a fair amount of up risings in their time.
The only reason Neo-England is still a float is their strong will, determained stubborness and of course, thier powerful corparations. With more and more of the public services being privatised by "WesCorp", and smaller companies being devoured every day. It has been theorised that between them, Wecorp and CKW Enterprises pocess more money then the government it's self.
The United Jack
The flag of Neo England (as seen below) has several pieces of important symbology.
Stripes: Each red stripe is for one state of Neo England. One for England, one for Scotland, one for Wales and one for Ireland
St. Georges Cross: To show, although United, England is at the heart of it all.
Black and White: To show they are united in both darkness and light.
http://www.planetcnc.com/cnc2sw/stuff/NeoEngland.jpg
Lutonopolis
While Birmingham may be the new capital, Lutonpolis is most certaintly the business central of the USNE. It's where all the major businesses such as Wescorp and CKW Enterprises are situated in this city, as are countless small companies.
Areas
Town Centre/Inner City: The town centre and inner city areas serve as a home for manufacturing plants, offices, shops (such as StreetMart) and other places of business. In the town centre, The Town Hall, Daily Rumour Tower and several Wescorp and CKW office blocks. The Town Centre also hosts an amazing amount of sky scrapers, Wescorp and CKW preferring to build upwards in this area, as opposed to outwards. On the outskirts of the Town Centre, just inside the Inner City, resides the StreetMart warehouse and the Museum of Delicate Objects (as it used to be a Victorian needle factory, and is too fragile to move elsewhere) and inside the Inner City it's self, can be found the main base of CKW. There are also many minor Wescorp factories, most of them had their production run cancelled and moved to the Complex when it was built. CKW is making an effort to take these over, but to no avail. And what have been come to be known as "The Slums". Simply for ex-wescorp employee's who lost their job and people who can't afford to live in the suburbs. Crime is high here, and many a super villain and Communist have used these slum areas as a base of operations and even a recruiting post.
Suburbs: The greener part of Lutonopolis, the Suburbs are home to many entertainment facilities and housing that goes from decent, to the "white picket fence, perfect family home" type of housing. In this area resides such landmarks like Wescorp Municipal Park, The City Zoo, Wescorp Elementary and the Hubert Tagworthy Memorial Arena. It also has a fair share of StreetMart outlets, as well as the CKW owned "Playtime!" toy store.
Out of Town: On the outskirts of town, Wescorp Industrial Complex dominates the landscape. It's as though is sprawls from the centre outwards, like a blanket made from steel and plastics. The Wescorp Complex is home to many of Wescorps employees and other valuable assets. It also has a fully functioning defensive system, in case of Soviet attacks. Also on the outskirts of town, lie the Uberbeck estate, Military base Area 15, the Lutonopolis Inter-link suspension bridge and "Grassy Knoll" Power Plant.
Places of interest
Wescorp Industries Complex: A sprawling maze of factories, offices, worker homes, etc. The Wescorp Industries compound dominates the out skirts o the city. While there is also a main office and factory plant in the inner city, the compound is the heart and soul of Wescorp Industries. Ever expanding, it is a centre point for business around the world. The main components of the compound are Dean Mansion, a large penthouse villa, full of exotic treasures and home to the Dean family. Wescorp info-technology tower, a 20 storey high building where all the management and communication are taken care of. And of course, the many factories and design studios that make up the backbone of Wescorp. There is rumoured to be a top secret weapons testing plant beneath the Compound, but such rumours are as yet unproven.
Area 15: Area 15 is a secret military base situated about 3-4 miles away from the Wescorp Compound. It is heavily guarded, with surveillance cameras, heat sensors and armed guards all over the place. However, anybody lucky enough to see the compound would wonder what all the fuss is about. On the outside, it is nothing more then an RAF base, however, it is rumoured that they are keeping mutants from the tragic nuclear attack on London, where at the heat of the conflict with the Soviets, both London and Moscow were destroyed. It is also said that they keep aliens and their space craft locked deep below the base.
Company of Kashemir World-wide: The Company of Kashemir World-wide (Otherwise known as CKW), is a Japanese toy makers that exported it's business to Britain in the late 1950's. Now they have a stable base in inner city Lutonopolis, beating off their much larger rival Wescorp, they now produce the finest quality toys in all Neo-England. However, an article in "The Daily Rumour" points out that there might be a more sinister aspect to the company. Children who apply for toy testing, come out much more passive. CKW PR agents have denied this as "Wescorp lies!" Wescorp declined to comment.
Wescorp Municipal Park : Situated in the heart of Lutonopolis and irrigated from recycled sewer water, Wescorp Municipal Park is the life and soul of the city. Here, the annual Wesfest music festival is held, and throughout the rest of the year it’s spacious lawns provide ample refuge from the rigour and bustle of city life
it’s said that in the centre of the park, you can barely hear the noise from the highway that runs alongside it! The park covers approximately three square miles, and borders the Wescorp-owned city zoo, and contains the sparkling river that runs through the heart of Lutonopolis
Lutonopolis Inter-link suspension Bridge: The suspension bridge that leads out of town and runs right over the River Lea's widest part as it runs out of the city. The suspension Bridge is a structural marvel, the first of it's kind to be powered by hydro-electricity. The Bridge is maintained by funding from both Wescorp and CKW, who set aside their differences to pave the way for a bright, and wonderful future for Lutonopolis.
"Grassy Knoll" Power Plant : The Nuclear power plant on Lutonopolis’s grassy knoll, to the north of the city, provides more than enough electricity to run everything 24/7 and if you stand outside the plant during the early hours of the morning, the bright lights of the city only serve to illustrate this. Grassy Knoll is Neo-England’s oldest surviving nuclear plant, as well as being the largest in the country and despite fears that incidents such as the recent suspected radiation leak could become more common due to outdated equipment, Wescorp owners reassure us that this is nothing to worry about.
FreeMedia Studios: FreeMedia is a new, independant channel, Free of Wescorp control. It is most notable by two things, it's unbiased news coverage of top stories. And the second is the fact that it is said to recieve large donations from CKW. The studio it's self is an ex-Wescorp "Meat Processing" plant set in the inner city and restored by a team of dedicated staff. However, FreeMedia news reporters are usually a common sight after a so called "Super Hero sighting".
The Lutonpolis National Heritage Museum (aka: The Museum of delicate objects): The Museum is the longest established entertainment facility that still exists in Lutonopolis. Built in the early Victorian era as a needle workers factory, the museum is the oldest example of Victorian architecture in Neo-England. And almost as fragile as the objects it contains. It makes for a splendid day out, just watch your step, as the museum works on the strict Wescorp policy. 'You break it, you buy it!
StreetMart Chain Stores: StreetMart is the hip, happening new supermarche in town! It has everything you need, from groceries to funky lava lamps, right up to Ovens and automatic shotguns, If you have a license. And as a branch of Wescorp, you know you can only expect the best quality merchandise on the market! The StreetMart warehouse stocks pretty much everything and anything.
Lutonpololis Town Hall: Lutonpolis Town Hall is the political heart of the city. It is where Mayor Randuff Nyerguds, now sitting in his 5th term in office makes the decisions that make this city tick! There have been some suspicious rumours going around that Nyerguds is just a puppet to Wescorp, but Wescorp spokes people say respects the civil rights and liberties of the Neo-English people, and would never stoop so low.
Daily Rumour Tower: Towering over downtown Lutonopolis, the headquarters of Neo-England’s best selling newspaper is truly a wonder to behold! Thirty stories high, and built using revolutionary new construction methods, The Daily Rumour offices actually only occupy four of the highest floors in the tower (below the revolving restaurant). Despite this, due partly to the sensational headlines produced by the paper’s editor, Michelle Streams, the tower has earned the nickname of “The Rumour Mill”.
Arena: The Hubert Tagworthy Memorial Arena is named after Lutonopolis sports legend, Hubert "The Gibbon" Tagworthy. An air-ball champion. Set just in the suburbs of Lutonopolis, the Arena has full car parking facilities, ten separate built in Micro-StreetMart gift shops and a new system of fold up "Turf-Foil" developed by Wescorp. The Arena is host to a great amount of sporting events, but not only that! Music Concerts are frequently held within it's solid, reenforced steel and concrete walls and it also serves as a focal point for community events. The Arena is also home to the "Lutonopolis Titans", Air-ball champions for 3 years in a row.
Technology:
The average Joe is working at normal, 1960's tech levels. Meaning that there are NO dvd players, Colour TV's are rare and these standards also cross over to weaponry.
However, the rich Corps, businesses, aliens, travellers from another dimension/timeline and anybody with a huge fiancial backing and advanced research team have not only modern standards of technology, but are often beyond that. So, it's more likely to see a computer in a Governmental building then a normal home and it's more common to see an exotic/advanced weaponry on a Wescorp guard or alien then a normal street punk.
Space Travel is not possible at this moment in time, but the USSR and USNE are working on it.
Misc stuff about Powers
I'm trying not to be too strict on powers. But I am going to write a few guidelines on the big powers, and something that has been bothing me with one or two characters. I may add more to this as time goes on and I encounter problems with certain powers, but otherwise, this is as limited as I want to stay.
MAGIC
Magic users walk a fine line between insanity and raw power. Each time they use their powers, they walk amoung terrible demons and monstrosities beyond their comprehension. Using magic is dangerous, and there are few who can truely say they have mastered it. There are generally four schools of thought on how to aquire magic. These are as follows...
Birthright: A rarity. A person is born with the natural genetic structure to proform magical spells. However, these individuals have to be aquired from birth and trained rigoursly from then on. To be good at magic, you need to be at least 50 and to be exceptional, you need to be 70 (although, most magicians don't live that long).
Soul Rending: This form of magic is the most wicked of them all. This form of magic involves ripping it from another man's soul, forever tainting your own and leaving the other man a shell of his former self. Even if the person involved had good intentions, almost all users of this form turn wicked and demented over time.
Summoned: You are a being summoned by the raw power of magic. Usually an elemental. The downside to this form of magic is you are an emotionless slave to the one who summoned you.
Artifact: The most restricted form of magic. You either pocess, or are influenced by a magical artifact. This generally only provides certain advantages, and usually very few.
I don't mind people having psychic powers, however, mind control is a definate NO! I don't mind people moving things around with thier mind, premonitions and I'll go as far to say emotion reading is fine, but NO and I mean NO mind reading.
A note on Shape Shifting. I'd prefer it if you you guys only stuck to humanoids or animals alone. So for example, Diva couldn't change into a kangaroo and let's say, a hero named "One man circus", who can change into any animal alive can't change into any humanoid he likes.
I'd also like to note that this is NOT ShadowZero, and from here on, characters like Tracer and Ryan will NOT exist. Basically, this is an RPG about superheroes. It's about people with extraordinary gifts, not about normal people with a slight edge (and I hardly count an obscure formula and some advanced weaponry as an edge). I'm not saying Human characters with advanced tech are off-limits, not at all. Look at Sonic Equaliser, she's something I could really see on the pages of a comic and be INTERESTED in. As Theoretically, you should be able to make a separate comic about each one of the characters. I'm sorry if I singled people out, but this also goes for all of you and any future characters you make.
P.S, for those who want to argue the Punisher point. First off, Punisher isnt a superhero. He's a guy who hunts down mobsters for revenge, and you definatly wouldn't see him battling Super Villains like Magneato or The Joker, would you?
Also, remember, this is still an RPG. You can have all the superpowers or advanced technology in the world, but if your character is dull as ditch water or too overpowering*, then it means nothing. Also, I feel that people should have powers and personality that reflect their backgrounds. So just saying your character is the smartest man alive and giving him a sledehammer is a bit out of place.
(I.E: You character shouldn't stop a room of people talking everytime he does something)
Basically, there are no major changes in the area or background on Lutonpolis it's self, however, there are some major villain changes which will come later and some new limitations I've set on powers and characters at the bottom.
Anyway, as soon as myself and vo have fully planned out the next chapter, the main RPG will be coming along. However, in the meantime, here's some general information...
Important Links
Neo-England's Finest: A Character Thread (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4390)
All character profiles go in this thread. If you don't have at least one COMPLETE profile in that thread, you're not eligble to play. Profiles of dead characters don't count (unless they're revived, then they're not exactly dead are they?). Please don't post incomplete profiles in there either... mainly as it's stupid in any case.
Everything else should be explained in the thread.
Wescorp Nerve Centre (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4948)
This thread is for planning, suggestions, disagreements, generally questions and answers. Any ideas, queries or problems you want to settle with other players or the GM's (Myself and Voes) can be posted here.
Chapters:
Introduction Chapter: A Night in Lutonopolis (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4391) (Complete, Locked)
Chapter One: Truth, Justice and the Neo-English Way (http://forums.cncden.com/showthread.php?t=4679) (In Progress, Open)
Background
The world of SSR is an alternate reality. It's all those corny (and not so corny) comics you've ever read brought to life, with only one twist. It's not in America. The SSR world is a world full of Super Humans, Genetic Mistakes, Gods, Monsters, Mad scientists, Communists, Gangsters, amoung other evils. The SSR world needs heroes, and fortunatly, it has us.
SSR takes place in the 1999's, dominated not only by the multi-national business giant Wescorp, but by everything from common criminals to genetic nightmares the world is looking for quick fixes and easy solutions. The military and police are streached to the limit, trying to keep the peace, The mega corperations work tirelessly to "serve the greater good of the people" by obliterating their buisness rivals and growing fat on thier profits and thousands of so called "super humans" battle on with thier own agenda. All living in fear that one day, racial stigma will cause the people to turn on them.
With so called "Super Villains" tearing their country apart from the inside and the public demanding a visible solution, the government approved the creation of a new division. A division that would put a stop to this Super Villain threat and appease the uneasy public. This division is called The Secret Reserve.
The United States of Neo-England:
Neo-England is the proverbial centre of the world. The strongest, most influencial country in the world, it's generally seen that the only thing standing between Red domination and peace is the USNE. These are, obviously, exagerations. In truth, Neo-England has been struggling since the days of WWII. The war hit Neo-England harder then most of the world thinks, and the cracks are begining to show.
Never fully recovering from the impact of the war, the war with the Soviets has grinded them down even futher. Not to mention Neo-England seems to be the country having the hardest time coping with the new Super Human phenomonon that sprung up just before WWII started. Where other countries, like the USSR and Germany seemed to have this new breed of humanity under control, the USNE have let them run rampant for years. While some do good for thier own accord, or try to live a perfectly normal life. A majority just live to bring hell to the residents of Neo-England.
The destrucstion of London has also been a hard ordeal to cope with. With the colonies seeing it as a sign of weakness and revolting on a regular basis and even Scotland and Ireland have seen a fair amount of up risings in their time.
The only reason Neo-England is still a float is their strong will, determained stubborness and of course, thier powerful corparations. With more and more of the public services being privatised by "WesCorp", and smaller companies being devoured every day. It has been theorised that between them, Wecorp and CKW Enterprises pocess more money then the government it's self.
The United Jack
The flag of Neo England (as seen below) has several pieces of important symbology.
Stripes: Each red stripe is for one state of Neo England. One for England, one for Scotland, one for Wales and one for Ireland
St. Georges Cross: To show, although United, England is at the heart of it all.
Black and White: To show they are united in both darkness and light.
http://www.planetcnc.com/cnc2sw/stuff/NeoEngland.jpg
Lutonopolis
While Birmingham may be the new capital, Lutonpolis is most certaintly the business central of the USNE. It's where all the major businesses such as Wescorp and CKW Enterprises are situated in this city, as are countless small companies.
Areas
Town Centre/Inner City: The town centre and inner city areas serve as a home for manufacturing plants, offices, shops (such as StreetMart) and other places of business. In the town centre, The Town Hall, Daily Rumour Tower and several Wescorp and CKW office blocks. The Town Centre also hosts an amazing amount of sky scrapers, Wescorp and CKW preferring to build upwards in this area, as opposed to outwards. On the outskirts of the Town Centre, just inside the Inner City, resides the StreetMart warehouse and the Museum of Delicate Objects (as it used to be a Victorian needle factory, and is too fragile to move elsewhere) and inside the Inner City it's self, can be found the main base of CKW. There are also many minor Wescorp factories, most of them had their production run cancelled and moved to the Complex when it was built. CKW is making an effort to take these over, but to no avail. And what have been come to be known as "The Slums". Simply for ex-wescorp employee's who lost their job and people who can't afford to live in the suburbs. Crime is high here, and many a super villain and Communist have used these slum areas as a base of operations and even a recruiting post.
Suburbs: The greener part of Lutonopolis, the Suburbs are home to many entertainment facilities and housing that goes from decent, to the "white picket fence, perfect family home" type of housing. In this area resides such landmarks like Wescorp Municipal Park, The City Zoo, Wescorp Elementary and the Hubert Tagworthy Memorial Arena. It also has a fair share of StreetMart outlets, as well as the CKW owned "Playtime!" toy store.
Out of Town: On the outskirts of town, Wescorp Industrial Complex dominates the landscape. It's as though is sprawls from the centre outwards, like a blanket made from steel and plastics. The Wescorp Complex is home to many of Wescorps employees and other valuable assets. It also has a fully functioning defensive system, in case of Soviet attacks. Also on the outskirts of town, lie the Uberbeck estate, Military base Area 15, the Lutonopolis Inter-link suspension bridge and "Grassy Knoll" Power Plant.
Places of interest
Wescorp Industries Complex: A sprawling maze of factories, offices, worker homes, etc. The Wescorp Industries compound dominates the out skirts o the city. While there is also a main office and factory plant in the inner city, the compound is the heart and soul of Wescorp Industries. Ever expanding, it is a centre point for business around the world. The main components of the compound are Dean Mansion, a large penthouse villa, full of exotic treasures and home to the Dean family. Wescorp info-technology tower, a 20 storey high building where all the management and communication are taken care of. And of course, the many factories and design studios that make up the backbone of Wescorp. There is rumoured to be a top secret weapons testing plant beneath the Compound, but such rumours are as yet unproven.
Area 15: Area 15 is a secret military base situated about 3-4 miles away from the Wescorp Compound. It is heavily guarded, with surveillance cameras, heat sensors and armed guards all over the place. However, anybody lucky enough to see the compound would wonder what all the fuss is about. On the outside, it is nothing more then an RAF base, however, it is rumoured that they are keeping mutants from the tragic nuclear attack on London, where at the heat of the conflict with the Soviets, both London and Moscow were destroyed. It is also said that they keep aliens and their space craft locked deep below the base.
Company of Kashemir World-wide: The Company of Kashemir World-wide (Otherwise known as CKW), is a Japanese toy makers that exported it's business to Britain in the late 1950's. Now they have a stable base in inner city Lutonopolis, beating off their much larger rival Wescorp, they now produce the finest quality toys in all Neo-England. However, an article in "The Daily Rumour" points out that there might be a more sinister aspect to the company. Children who apply for toy testing, come out much more passive. CKW PR agents have denied this as "Wescorp lies!" Wescorp declined to comment.
Wescorp Municipal Park : Situated in the heart of Lutonopolis and irrigated from recycled sewer water, Wescorp Municipal Park is the life and soul of the city. Here, the annual Wesfest music festival is held, and throughout the rest of the year it’s spacious lawns provide ample refuge from the rigour and bustle of city life
it’s said that in the centre of the park, you can barely hear the noise from the highway that runs alongside it! The park covers approximately three square miles, and borders the Wescorp-owned city zoo, and contains the sparkling river that runs through the heart of Lutonopolis
Lutonopolis Inter-link suspension Bridge: The suspension bridge that leads out of town and runs right over the River Lea's widest part as it runs out of the city. The suspension Bridge is a structural marvel, the first of it's kind to be powered by hydro-electricity. The Bridge is maintained by funding from both Wescorp and CKW, who set aside their differences to pave the way for a bright, and wonderful future for Lutonopolis.
"Grassy Knoll" Power Plant : The Nuclear power plant on Lutonopolis’s grassy knoll, to the north of the city, provides more than enough electricity to run everything 24/7 and if you stand outside the plant during the early hours of the morning, the bright lights of the city only serve to illustrate this. Grassy Knoll is Neo-England’s oldest surviving nuclear plant, as well as being the largest in the country and despite fears that incidents such as the recent suspected radiation leak could become more common due to outdated equipment, Wescorp owners reassure us that this is nothing to worry about.
FreeMedia Studios: FreeMedia is a new, independant channel, Free of Wescorp control. It is most notable by two things, it's unbiased news coverage of top stories. And the second is the fact that it is said to recieve large donations from CKW. The studio it's self is an ex-Wescorp "Meat Processing" plant set in the inner city and restored by a team of dedicated staff. However, FreeMedia news reporters are usually a common sight after a so called "Super Hero sighting".
The Lutonpolis National Heritage Museum (aka: The Museum of delicate objects): The Museum is the longest established entertainment facility that still exists in Lutonopolis. Built in the early Victorian era as a needle workers factory, the museum is the oldest example of Victorian architecture in Neo-England. And almost as fragile as the objects it contains. It makes for a splendid day out, just watch your step, as the museum works on the strict Wescorp policy. 'You break it, you buy it!
StreetMart Chain Stores: StreetMart is the hip, happening new supermarche in town! It has everything you need, from groceries to funky lava lamps, right up to Ovens and automatic shotguns, If you have a license. And as a branch of Wescorp, you know you can only expect the best quality merchandise on the market! The StreetMart warehouse stocks pretty much everything and anything.
Lutonpololis Town Hall: Lutonpolis Town Hall is the political heart of the city. It is where Mayor Randuff Nyerguds, now sitting in his 5th term in office makes the decisions that make this city tick! There have been some suspicious rumours going around that Nyerguds is just a puppet to Wescorp, but Wescorp spokes people say respects the civil rights and liberties of the Neo-English people, and would never stoop so low.
Daily Rumour Tower: Towering over downtown Lutonopolis, the headquarters of Neo-England’s best selling newspaper is truly a wonder to behold! Thirty stories high, and built using revolutionary new construction methods, The Daily Rumour offices actually only occupy four of the highest floors in the tower (below the revolving restaurant). Despite this, due partly to the sensational headlines produced by the paper’s editor, Michelle Streams, the tower has earned the nickname of “The Rumour Mill”.
Arena: The Hubert Tagworthy Memorial Arena is named after Lutonopolis sports legend, Hubert "The Gibbon" Tagworthy. An air-ball champion. Set just in the suburbs of Lutonopolis, the Arena has full car parking facilities, ten separate built in Micro-StreetMart gift shops and a new system of fold up "Turf-Foil" developed by Wescorp. The Arena is host to a great amount of sporting events, but not only that! Music Concerts are frequently held within it's solid, reenforced steel and concrete walls and it also serves as a focal point for community events. The Arena is also home to the "Lutonopolis Titans", Air-ball champions for 3 years in a row.
Technology:
The average Joe is working at normal, 1960's tech levels. Meaning that there are NO dvd players, Colour TV's are rare and these standards also cross over to weaponry.
However, the rich Corps, businesses, aliens, travellers from another dimension/timeline and anybody with a huge fiancial backing and advanced research team have not only modern standards of technology, but are often beyond that. So, it's more likely to see a computer in a Governmental building then a normal home and it's more common to see an exotic/advanced weaponry on a Wescorp guard or alien then a normal street punk.
Space Travel is not possible at this moment in time, but the USSR and USNE are working on it.
Misc stuff about Powers
I'm trying not to be too strict on powers. But I am going to write a few guidelines on the big powers, and something that has been bothing me with one or two characters. I may add more to this as time goes on and I encounter problems with certain powers, but otherwise, this is as limited as I want to stay.
MAGIC
Magic users walk a fine line between insanity and raw power. Each time they use their powers, they walk amoung terrible demons and monstrosities beyond their comprehension. Using magic is dangerous, and there are few who can truely say they have mastered it. There are generally four schools of thought on how to aquire magic. These are as follows...
Birthright: A rarity. A person is born with the natural genetic structure to proform magical spells. However, these individuals have to be aquired from birth and trained rigoursly from then on. To be good at magic, you need to be at least 50 and to be exceptional, you need to be 70 (although, most magicians don't live that long).
Soul Rending: This form of magic is the most wicked of them all. This form of magic involves ripping it from another man's soul, forever tainting your own and leaving the other man a shell of his former self. Even if the person involved had good intentions, almost all users of this form turn wicked and demented over time.
Summoned: You are a being summoned by the raw power of magic. Usually an elemental. The downside to this form of magic is you are an emotionless slave to the one who summoned you.
Artifact: The most restricted form of magic. You either pocess, or are influenced by a magical artifact. This generally only provides certain advantages, and usually very few.
I don't mind people having psychic powers, however, mind control is a definate NO! I don't mind people moving things around with thier mind, premonitions and I'll go as far to say emotion reading is fine, but NO and I mean NO mind reading.
A note on Shape Shifting. I'd prefer it if you you guys only stuck to humanoids or animals alone. So for example, Diva couldn't change into a kangaroo and let's say, a hero named "One man circus", who can change into any animal alive can't change into any humanoid he likes.
I'd also like to note that this is NOT ShadowZero, and from here on, characters like Tracer and Ryan will NOT exist. Basically, this is an RPG about superheroes. It's about people with extraordinary gifts, not about normal people with a slight edge (and I hardly count an obscure formula and some advanced weaponry as an edge). I'm not saying Human characters with advanced tech are off-limits, not at all. Look at Sonic Equaliser, she's something I could really see on the pages of a comic and be INTERESTED in. As Theoretically, you should be able to make a separate comic about each one of the characters. I'm sorry if I singled people out, but this also goes for all of you and any future characters you make.
P.S, for those who want to argue the Punisher point. First off, Punisher isnt a superhero. He's a guy who hunts down mobsters for revenge, and you definatly wouldn't see him battling Super Villains like Magneato or The Joker, would you?
Also, remember, this is still an RPG. You can have all the superpowers or advanced technology in the world, but if your character is dull as ditch water or too overpowering*, then it means nothing. Also, I feel that people should have powers and personality that reflect their backgrounds. So just saying your character is the smartest man alive and giving him a sledehammer is a bit out of place.
(I.E: You character shouldn't stop a room of people talking everytime he does something)