Mutants, Freaks, Overhumans, Gods themselves... Commonly called Meta-humans are normal humans that were afflicted with a strange condition that has given them powers that defied the laws of nature and physics. Men with super strength, women who can teleport, children who can control nature itself. These powers are extremely varied. These abilities stem from a strange energy that resides deep within them. A green flowing energy that is known as the Meta-human energy. A invisible energy that is extremely hard to detect through normal means. This energy inhabits a Meta-human's entire body, from their skin, to their bones, to their blood. The energy isn't detrimental to them, or the environment, not even in the slightest, it can even be called beneficial. What is interesting is that scientists have observed that energy is the same, everyone has a slightly different form of the energy. Which is believed to be related to how no Meta-human has the same exact power. When a Meta-human uses their power on the outside world, a small amount of the meta-human energy gets projected and focused in that area. Such as a Water-Elemental controlling a cup of water will get some of the energy projected into it, until they cease control and the energy will return to their body. There will be a residual amount of the energy on it, however. It's so faint that it's extremely hard to even detect, only extremely specialized and complex technology can detect faint amounts of the energy. Another interesting effect the energy has is how it grows within a human being. Starting out with a small amount of the energy, until it grows as they develop and learn new things about their powers. Stronger Meta-humans tend to have more energy within them. However, there's a particular connection between high-stress situations and the advancement of powers. Under high-stress situations, powers rapidly develop.

There is no set age when powers develop. Some Meta-humans are born with their powers, while others won't develop until late into their lives. Powers received are sporadic at best. There is no way to predict what power a Meta-human will have, nor who will develop powers. Not even the strongest information-type can determine that. That said, any power a Meta-human receives is almost random. Completely unrelated to race, culture, education, or physical activity. It is also theorized that every human being has the potential to become a meta-human. However, there are such a thing as hereditary powers. Powers passed from parents to the children, or simply run in the family. These are relatively uncommon, but this is the reason why there are entire families of Meta-humans. However, while inherent powers do exist, anyone will get a different version of a passed down power. In what ways vary. Sometimes it's a slight difference, then other times there's a difference in function, or they will have an ability that nobody else have. Like it's been stated before, Inherent powers are uncommon, but there is a chance family members will get a power. Which will be explained below.

Meta-humans have a very particular effect attached to them: The Black Fall Effect. This has two main effects on the meta-human population. Firstly, all Meta-humans are subconsciously attracted to each other. So subtly that it's next to impossible to even notice. It causes the shyest people to head out and interact, or draws people to one particularly location. The more Meta-humans that are around, it will cause a "flocking" effect. The other primary effect is that those who spend plenty of time around other Meta-humans have a higher chance to develop powers themselves. It can't be a minimum amount of contact, it has to be years around Meta-humans for someone to develop powers. Which is why family members and close friends are extremely likely to get powers.

Meta-humans are only capable of using one third of their potential strength, very similar to muscles. These natural limits are theorized to be in place so that they don't burn out. However, similar to flight-or-flight, high-stress situations allow Meta-humans to push themselves beyond their blocks, and develop them in the process. However, while powers are truly incredible, they come at a price. Powers have a toll on the body and mind. Excessive and unrestrained use would cause what could be described as physical overexertion. They'll get tired and weak from use, along with some bodily damage. Pushing powers beyond their limits in high stress situations cause even worse problems, and at it's most extreme, it may cause an effect known as "Ashing". This is basically an extremely deadly aliment where a Meta-human self destructs. Their powers shut off, and all their cells will die at an alarmingly fast rate. Their cells will drop off their body like specs of ash, and this process will continue until there is absolutely nothing left of a Meta-human. This state is extremely deadly, and there's a mere 4% chance of survival - Even if a ashing victim does survive, there are some permanent physical damage (Amputation, Brain damage, loss of powers, etc, etc - Are a few). Ashing is what Meta-humans truly fear, as any meta-human can ash if they are not careful.

There is a slight prejudice against Meta-humans. With people who can easily tear a city to shreds, it's a given. However, with the advent of NEST and the other laws in place to keep Meta-humans in check, it has greatly waned. All Meta-humans must be registered and have a special chip implanted in them that will allow them to be identified by NEST officials. Any unregistered Metas caught will be immediately forced to register.

Verthaven is a metropolis on the very beaches of California, in between San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The city started out centuries ago as a coastal settlement during the Californian gold rush. Gold was found in the mountain, so they formed a small town for a place to rest. During this period, Verthaven grew into a mighty city - just like it's rival city, San Francisco. Even after the Gold Rush ended, and they milked the mountain dry, the city continued to boom. In a few years, the population absolutely quadrupled, and continued to grow. Rows and rows of houses were built, and because of it's location, it became a hub for fisheries, traders, and rich families. Who helped the city thrive. Pushing into the 1900's, the city quickly became a massive boom-town capable of rivaling it's neighbor cities. Skyscrapers, row-houses, businesses, and more, quickly filled up the budding city until it reached it's peak.

It's technically bigger than San Francisco, but no where near as large as San Francisco. It's location also made it a great spot for the overprivileged, and vacationers. Even to this day, not much has changed. The population of the city is slightly higher than that of San Francisco too. The population is large, diverse, and open to a myriad of change. It's population is diverse in terms of Ethnicity too. Plenty of people chose Verthaven as their destination when they immigrated. The city is comprised of a wide range of Caucasian, Asian, African, cultures, with some Middle-Eastern people making the place their home. This has influenced the city being very multi-cultured, and tolerant of each other. However, like Black Fall, it has become a hot-spot for Metahuman activity. Many Metahumans gathered in Verthaven during the early 50's, after Metahumans were outed. The Black Fall effect gathered the westward Metahumans in Verthaven, just like how the Metahumans on the Eastern part of the United States went to Black Fall. A large minority of its large population is Metahuman, and it's another reason the city has so much to note. Crime used to be pretty low, but as the years went by, and more organizations sprung Verthaven, it has gone up. The city's poverty and levels of homelessness has also been on a steady increase and shows no signs of stopping. However, a major blow has been dealt against the city's organized crime. The Fifth-Seed Crime Syndicate, Verthaven's mafia, and La Familia De Asesinos, a Mexican cartel, have been eliminated by the police (With support of NEST). Removing two major players from Verthaven's crime world. The side-effect was that it left a power vacuum.

One of the main draws of Verthaven is it's rather unique geography. Starting off with the miles, and miles of pure sandy beaches (And other noteworthy landmarks like rocks, and businesses). It makes it a great place for people to relax - whether you're on vacation or not. The sea beyond the beaches are pure Atlantic Ocean. Easily the city's most distinguishing feature is the network of waterways that go through the city like a large web. These rivers are what the city was built around, and they're well integrated into the city's design. The largest and most notable river is the Cross-River, which, as the name implies, is cross-shaped, and miles wide. One end comes from the oceans, while the other leads into other places in the United States. It splits the city into four large sections, with a network of smaller rivers running through them. Each of the rivers lead into a large lake in the very center of the city, and inside of this lake contains an island. Giving the city a very unique look when walking through it. The city itself appears to be a mixture of New York, San Francisco, and Venice. It's a very populous city, and it's lined with all sorts of houses, businesses, and places to just have fun. The streets are lined with palm trees, and other bushes. The city is absolutely massive, and thus, there are plenty of ways to traverse the lands. There is a massive network of highways connecting each part of the city with one another, along with a trolly network that'd give everyone a scenic way to get around. What the city is mainly noted for contributing to the Metahuman community, other than it's high population. Inside of the city limits of Verthaven contains the NEST National Headquarters. It's a major contributor to NEST activities all over North America. This is where the most NEST Agents are trained, and is the home to the very first NEST team.

Weather is generally fairly sunny around Verthaven. It's very unexpected for any weather conditions other than rain. The city is warm and sunny during the summer, and moderately cold in the winter months. Year round, the city is very humid due to all the water that flows through the streets. The city sees rain quite often. It's also at risk for flooding, and tsunamis. The city has faced floods more often than any other city on the Californian coast. In 2003, the city was hit with the largest and most destructive tsunami in the city's history. The city was flooded, and hundreds of people died, many more were injured. Massive damage was caused to the city, the very same damage that is being fixed to this very day.

As stated above; Verthaven is divided into four sections called isles, and from there, their land is sectioned into various sub-districts. Each isle has it's own name, which has it's own special theme. Each isle has a female name ending in a. Isabella Isle is the top-left section of the city, holding it's pore official districts. Estella Isle is the bottom-left section, and is more of the city's business and shopping center. Rosalina Isle is the top-right section of the city, being it's the leisure center and its primary commercial area. Priscilla Isle is the bottom-right a more domestic district that is primarily residential. Now, the city's shape is best described as squarish, with a cross shaped river separating these locations. At the very center of the city is a massive lake known as the Centerpiece Lake.