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.

Academy Designation: 01
Location: Northern Oregon
Date: July 20th, 2015

Built shortly after World War II, Camp ThinkerRock is a Superhuman training facility that has been used for decades by the US Government. First as secret training grounds for training NEST Agents, as more 'official' locations were made, Camp ThinkerRock has seen less and less activity. To the point where it was completely desolate save for the people "guarding" it. There were talks about decommissioning the facility all together. Pushing towards the 1980's, however, during the rise of the Academy Program for the Camp was found: training younger Superhumans to effectively use their powers. The location was purchased by the Academy Program (Because NEST didn't want it) and became Academy 01. The first Academy. The entire camp was re-purposed into a "summer-camp for Superhumans" where younger students would have the chance to train. The guise was simple, a super private summer camp in the middle of no where, the nearest town being miles away from the camp. So everyone has the anonymity to use their powers on a larger scale without it being reported. However, the camp didn't exactly get a large amount of campers due to lack of interest, and the fact that there were larger and better Academies didn't help matters. It didn't get more than a few people at a time, which is rather underwhelming to the staff. A few higher ups were able to strike a few deals with NEST to force some more kids into Camp ThinkerRock. Such as picking up juvenile delinquents, or giving runaways a home. This wasn't super desirable, but the staff plans on "working out the kinks" for these campers and turn them into responsible Metahumans. If they make a profit out of this, why does it even matter what they've done beforehand? They might actually learn a thing or two while in the camp such as putting their powers to practical uses and learning not to rely on them so much.

ThinkerRock's main campsite is a large area that features plenty of locations that are spaced out from each other. Connected via paths, the camp has buildings and places to fulfill all of the campers needs. The place is split into four sections. The Main Grounds for basic camper needs. The Recreation Area, to keep them entertained. The Training Grounds, for them to train with their powers and take their hero courses. And the Beach, where a few locations are. But the campsite isn't the entirety of ThinkerRock's facility. Naturally, the camp is located in the middle of a heavily wooded area. Forests are far as the eye can see. All of the facility ground's combined (The campground, the forest, and the buildings off campground), equates to 3500 acres (Roughly four square miles). Meaning that it's a massive location, and hard to easily leave. The perimeter of the entire facility grounds are surrounded by a large thirty-five foot brick concrete wall. These walls are to keep people out of the facility, along with keeping extra animals away. Surrounding the main campgrounds is a massive forest, that have animals of all types. These forests have paths through them, going to every notable location, but ending at the walls that keep the campers in. This forest has everything you'd see in an actual forest. Rivers, ponds, large rocks, and more. And evil monsters. Never forget the evil monsters. The camp is next to a large body of water known as the The Jay-Thompson Lake. This lake is enormous, almost making up a good 20% of those 3500 acres. Around this lake are the facility's many features. There is even military base, all on the shores of the Lake. These are all left behind from the Cold War days. However, there is a mysterious island in the center of the lake, one that holds a strange castle. When asked about this castle, the Counselors tell everyone to go no where near that place.

However, there is a small town; St. Portwell, several miles away from the Facility.

Location: Northern Oregon
Population: 6,234
Size: 9mi²
Crime: Low

A long walk away from ThinkerRock is St. Portwell is a small town located on the Oregon coast. It's a quaint little town, usually inhabited by old people, and some youth. The town is no more than a few square miles at most. The town has that rustic feel, containing plenty of aged buildings that would make a hipster cream. These buildings really give St. Portwell that sleepy, picturesque, look that attracts tourists. What helps is it's woods, and notable locations (Lighthouse, Tunnels, Beaches, and so on). While the town isn't super large, it has it's own shopping mall (Nothing super big, but still notable for such a location). It has a few diners, chain restaurants, and cafes, which are frequent stops for residents. On the outskirts of the town, there are plenty of farms, and gardens which are the main source of commerce for the city. The other source of commerce is fishing. St. Portwell is a home to fishermen. You'll see plenty of boats off the coast of the beach, and the docks, should you approach it. The streets aren't crowded like most cities. You'll see one or two people going about your day, but nothing densely. Speaking of which, the residents are pretty spaced out. The residential areas is rather suburban, and houses on the outskirts of the town tend to be spaced out by at least a mile. The downtown area is where most of the shops, restaurants, and cafes, are, and it's one long street, opposed to spanning several buildings. It isn't particularly ethnically diverse. It's mainly comprised of Caucasian (Which make up the main percentage), and African-American people. Other ethnic types are rather sparse. Because the people are so relaxed in the city, crime is relatively low. Other than drug dealing, very little crime actually reach the headlines. It also has a very low amount of Metahumans living in the confines of the city (Around ten). Despite the low amount of Metahumans, there is a small NEST Outpost not too far away to keep an eye on the Camp.