[OOC] One Universe: World Of Heroes - A Marvel & DC Comics RPG

[Master Bruce]

"If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet."
- John F. Kennedy


♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ A SINGULAR UNIVERSE ROLEPLAY ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

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^{◼ G M (s): Master Bruce ♦ HenryJonesJr ♦ Hillan ◼ G E N R E S: Superhero, Fandom ◼ T Y P E: Sandbox with linear and Collaborative Arcs}

T H E S T O R Y S O F A R:

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By most respects, the Age of Heroes began during one of Earth's darkest periods. In the days of World War II when the Allies were most desperate, a beacon of hope was born. Steve Rogers became Captain America, and helped to turn the tide. Along with the Howling Commandos and the superpowered agents known as The Invaders, Rogers helped to cripple the Nazi deep science division HYDRA, and turn the tide of the war, even if he was lost in the process.

Following the war, costumed adventurers inspired by Rogers popped up in the homeland, and banded together to form the Justice Society of America. They fought corruption, crime, and saboteurs during the cold war, and were generally supported by the public at large. Though, good things were not meant to last. The good will began to fade as super powered individuals began to increase in the 60's and 70's, and along with them the rise in metahuman collateral damage. In response to "Mutant", as the humans saw the metahumans, bigotry, the JSA disbanded and costumed heroes went into the shadows.

Things were quiet, with anti-mutant bigotry festering in the background, for decades. In order to track the movement and growth in the metahuman population, the United Nations formed SHIELD. Using the brightest minds in science and industry, the organization prepared for the day that metahumans would once again act out in the open.

That day came when a man with an "S" on his chest flew and caught a prototype LexCorp space shuttle out of the sky with his bare hands, saving countless innocent lives in the process. While the appearance of the so-called Superman was largely seen as a celebratory moment, some, including Lex Luthor, saw nothing but a potential threat. In response to the appearance of Superman, costumed heroes once again began to appear across the world ready to fight for good, and the public responded with approval.

But for every action, there was an equal and opposite one. As awe inspiring as the arrival of Superman was, the same could not be said for the appearance of a creature known only as The Hulk. The green goliath rampaged through a small town in New Mexico until he was driven off by a re-emergent Captain America and SHIELD. The raw destructive power of the creature struck fears into the hearts of humanity, and made world governments question whether metahumans should be tolerated.

So things went, with heroes and the villains they fought appearing and clashing across the globe.

Then, the creature known as Starro rose from the sea and began to enslave the people of Earth. Before its job could be completed, however, a team of heroes that called themselves the Justice League rose to oppose it. The League stopped the creature and became beloved for it, though the joining of such powerful entities drew the eyes of power-bases throughout the universe. It also drew the eyes of SHIELD, who started to put together a team of their own.

The first challenge to that new power came when the Chitauri, a hive-mind conquering race, appeared in Earth's orbit. When the Justice League moved to intercept the invaders in space, the Chitauri opened a portal above New York and launched their forces behind the superuman team. In response, SHIELD's team, dubbed The Avengers, deployed into the city and ended up ending the Chitauri threat. The two teams stood on an awkward stance of existing in their own spaces, though clearly on course for a clash at some point.

Now the world stood, seemingly protected by the world's mightiest and greatest heroes. But forces beyond comprehension have moved into position, and the World of Heroes will be tested as it has never been tested before...

I N T R O D U C T I O N:

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Welcome fans of Marvel, DC and all comics alike. One Universe: World Of Heroes is a sandbox based RP that seeks to merge and mix the lore of your favorite characters into one living cohesive world. The idea behind this RP is not to embody our favorite heroes to simply retell iconic stories, but to take these characters and create a shared Earth where iconic superheroes and villains can now co-inhabit. In fact, the goal of the RP is for players to take their favorite characters and re-imagine their histories to tell their own stories. We only ask that the soul of the character remains the same. Players will take the roles of their characters and tell stories either alone or in collaboration with other players in order to develop and grow the world.

C O M M U N I C A T I O N:

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All official discussion and announcements will happen through the OOC, however, for those who prefer a faster-paced place of discussion, or just enjoy getting to know your peers, the game also has a Discord Channel.

The Discord link can be found here.

RULES

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• All players will be allotted two Character Concepts, one Marvel and one DC, to be applied for at the player's discretion. This concept may be any character from a mainstream comic book. If applying as a 'Team Concept', a combination roster may be allowed at the scrutiny of the GM Team. Characters originally appearing in Manga or Anime are heavily discouraged because of their incompatibility with western superhero comics. We will judge all properties from outside of the main Marvel and DC Universes on a case-by-case basis provided they fit the themes and tones of the game, but the above limitations are definitive. No Image, Dark Horse, Dynamite or non-DC or Marvel related imprint characters are permitted.
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• Players can compete for characters if an application for your desired character is posted ahead of yours and has not yet been accepted. To compete for a character, you have a twenty-four-hour window to state your intent to compete. The GM Team will then judge the two competing applications.
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• In terms of character creation, you are free to overhaul and redesign any canon character from one of the aforementioned publishers. This means you can tell the story of the character how you believe it should be told. However, there is one major limitation, the heart and soul of the character must stay intact. The character should not be changed so much that they're unrecognizable. This means that Batman can't be a cold-blooded killer any more than Spider-Man can be a rich, well off playboy. Every aspect of the character that isn't a key to their major identity is malleable, this can even include sex and abilities if so desired.
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• Player characters are claimed on a first-come, first-serve basis. If the parent character (i.e. Batman to Robin), hasn’t been claimed, the legacy is just as available. If another player comes along and asks about playing the parent, it’s requested that both players be as accommodating as possible to allow the other to express their vision. It is understandable that sometimes two visions will not mesh, and in this case, we will give the player who came first precedence. If a GM needs to step in as a mediator or an arbiter, we can arrange this in a group PM.
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• The 'parent character' or 'acting parent characters' have a say in any further legacies being applied for. For instance, if you were playing Spider-Gwen, and another player applied as Ben Reilly, as the established 'parent' character, you could are able to voice if the concept compliments your own, or if you would rather the character not be accepted. The GMs will take this into consideration before moving further ahead with any legacy application.
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• Absolutely no 'OOC' chatter in the In Character Thread. If you have a question or anything to explain there is an Out Of Character Thread provided. You have no excuse to make an 'OOC' comment in the IC and if done it will be heavily frowned upon. If you require a more immediate answer, don't hesitate to directly ask the GM Team or relevant player in the Discord.
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• Writing expectations for this roleplay are at least two (2) well-developed paragraphs as a minimum per post. Three (3) to five (5) paragraph posts, however, would be awesome so long as you're not simply chewing the scenery. Proper spelling and grammar is also expected but small mistakes here and there are understandable. Blatant offences will be called out.
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• You are required to post at least once per character within a fourteen (14) day period. There will be a post-check-in, once per week performed by the GMs in order to ensure the IC is moving consistently. Extensions will be given in extenuating circumstances. Please recognize your limitations before joining the RP, if you are unable to post once every ten days, then it's highly likely that you do not have enough time to keep up with the RP. In the event that you do miss the deadline, your character will be listed as 'inactive'. After a further week of inactivity, your character will be expelled, and dealt with as necessary in the IC, whether killed or used as needed and then discarded. This whole process is simply easier if you just let the GM know if you're unable to keep up or simply have lost interest in the RP. If you find yourself in a plot with another player and they disappear, do your best to move on without them and quickly finish the arc to the best of your ability, or ask for the help of a GM.
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• This is a Character-Driven RP, and as such you are encouraged and expected to take charge of your character's sub-plots and storylines. There will be a heavy emphasis on collaborative activities and team building as well. The GMs will be leading the RP in the traditional sense with a driving plot and will ensure the RP keeps moving however we do want to see you develop your characters and produce your own plots. However, we don't want to see you lock your character out of interaction and focus solely on your character and their 'world'. No one enjoys watching you play with yourself, it's always better to let someone else join in on the fun.

[Bounce]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

C A P T A I N M A R V E L

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^{_{W I L L I A M J O S E P H B A T S O N ♦ W I Z A R D ♦ R O C K O F E T E R N I T Y ♦ A V E N G E R S}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"S H A Z A M !"}

Billy Batson is the current Shazam, the guardian of the Rock of Eternity. During WW2, he fought alongside Steve Rogers and was a founding member of the Young Allies -- and was dubbed Captain Marvel by the media of the day. At war's end, he entered the Rock of Eternity to study and prepare for assuming the role of the Wizard. During the Chitauri attack on New York, Billy was alerted to the crisis and emerged, only then realizing how much time had passed. He now slips back into society as a young boy attending school in Fawcett City, Ohio while he tries to get reacquainted with the world and his place in it.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

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Billy Batson has always been a character distinguished by trauma, much like Batman or other Golden Age heroes. His being an orphan, his struggles with the foster care system, and his vulnerability as a child have always been contrasted by both the power of Captain Marvel and his optimistic personality. I want to explore a fresh take on Billy as the wizard, where he’s still the same vulnerable child at heart but burdened by the weight of decades and struggling to remain true to who he is in the face of his responsibilities as Shazam.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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As the current Shazam, Billy Batson is the physical embodiment of the Rock of Eternity and, thus, is always empowered by it. He can alter his outward appearance, either by use of illusion or temporally displacing his physical body.

In this context, Billy is both Shazam and Captain Marvel. Shazam being the title of the guardian of the Rock of Eternity and Captain Marvel being the name that the newspapers gave him during the Second World War.

Supporting Cast
- Aelfyre Whitemane. The Shazam counterpart for the planet Kymellia. A longtime friend of the Wizard Shazam and one of Billy’s mentors. Aelfyre is the guardian of the White Room.

- Roma. The daughter of Merlin and the Shazam counterpart for the dimension known as Otherworld. Serves as the guardian of the Starlight Citadel and is another of Billy’s mentors.

- Kofi Whitemane (“Freddy Freeman”). Aelfyre’s nephew and his chosen successor, learning firsthand from Billy. He has an equine appearance, to include reverse knee joints on the legs. To blend in on Earth, he assumes a human guise as Freddy Freeman but feigns a physical disability to mask his different leg anatomy.

- Courtney Whitmore (Stargirl). A new heroine starting out as young as Billy had. She wields a cosmic staff.

- Smartship Friday. Kofi’s Kymellian spaceship, which doubles as his home on Earth (shared with Billy). When not in use, concealed within an abandoned subway station in Fawcett City.

- (Flashbacks) Elizabeth "Lizzie" Lawrence (Liberty Belle). A young WW2 heroine and a member of the Young Allies.

- (Flashbacks) Thomas Raymond (Toro). A young WW2 hero and the leader of the Young Allies.

Rogue’s Gallery
- Dr. Thaddeus Silvana. The aging patriarch of Silvana Heavy Industries, with a hidden obsession into Nazi occult research into eternal life.

- Blaze. Daughter of Mephisto and one of the Under-Lords of Hell.

- Micah Flint (Rock). An astronaut irradiated and transformed into a rock-like monster in a cosmic accident.

- Belasco. One of Earth’s most powerful sorcerers, banished to Limbo over a century ago by Shazam.

- Zn'rx (Snarks). A crocodile-like alien race.

S A M P L E P O S T:

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Sample Post

| Armed Forces Retirement Home
_{| Gulfport, Mississippi}

Patrick O’Toole had been a character in his youth.

A Brooklyn native who had lied about his age in order to join the Army during the Second World War, those who had served with him wouldn’t know a Patrick O’Toole. They knew Knuckles. Knuckles O’Toole, the Brooklyn brawler.

Officially, Patrick O’Toole had fought in the war in Europe, become a decorated sergeant, served as a drill instructor for a time before retiring from the Army. He didn’t really talk about it with his wife or kids, or grandkids, because that was how it had been. Loose lips sink ships. No one talked about the war, even though they’d all been living it.

What wasn’t in the public records was the fact that Knuckles O’Toole had been one of those enamored and foolish wartime youths who had been inspired by Steve Rogers and the Howling Commandos to form a group they’d called the Young Allies. Fools, the lot of them.

And no better friends.

Today, Patrick O’Toole was ninety-eight. The oldest living veteran inside the retirement home. Soon to be ninety-nine. His wife had passed five years earlier, his children had all moved away, and so he spent the twilight of his life as alone as when he’d snuck away to join the Army at fifteen.

He’d met one other kid who was even younger than him.

“We were...” the old man began, trailing off as he raised a spindly, frail arm. His skin was translucent with age and marked by spots. It was a far cry from the heavy handed mitts that once fought their way through ranks of Nazi soldiers. “Where were we?” the man asked, seemingly talking to himself, as he tried to recall the details of the memory that had come to mind. “Marseilles. We were in Marseilles and Tubby... you remember Tubby?”

Turning his head, the aging spectre of Knuckles O’Toole looked over and down at Billy Batson. A young kid with a bedhead mop of black hair and eyes that were as blue as the sky. Midwesterner, the sort who was Minnesota nice by nature, from Fawcett City, Ohio. In more than eighty years, that face hadn’t changed. “Yeah,” the boy said, wistfully, as though sharing in the memory of yesterday. “Yeah, I remember Tubby.”

“Tubby wanted to crawl up a... a...”

The old man stammered, his mouth falling open as the memory seemed to fade on his tongue.

“It was a church bell tower,” Billy supplied softly.

“It was a god damn church bell tower,” Patrick echoed, as though now invigorated. Arms outstretched, the man seemed almost a shadow of his former self as he said, “And there he is, with his fat ass, trying to shimmy up this wood scaffolding...” the man uttered, lapsing into a familiar laugh.

Then the laughter became a cough, which seemed to wrack the man’s entire body.

Reaching out with one arm, the boy placed a hand on the man’s back. The truth was, what Billy saw was more than just the shared memory. Pulmonary hypertension. He could see it. See the threads of time starting to fray and shorten as they extended out from Patrick O’Toole.

The man wouldn’t live to see his ninety-ninth birthday.

Could Billy change that? Reverse the ravages of time and ease the burden of age on Knuckles’ body? Yes. All that, and more. Restored youth. Renewed vigor. With but a whim and the word, Billy could change it all back to the way it was -- to the way that he remembered him -- with but a snap of his fingers.

He didn’t.

He wouldn’t. Which was not to say that it was not, still, more than a passing thought. After all, if one had the power to do something, to change something, wasn’t it at least worth a thought?

You are not entrusted with the Rock of Eternity that you may install yourself as a god, Billy Batson. You are the guardian of man’s mortal life. Never forget that. One before you once thought himself a god, and was brought low by it.

The lessons of the past. Which were no less the lessons of the present.

As the coughing fit subsided, the man emerged back into the cloud of confusion that had first greeted the boy. “Billy?” Knuckles uttered, as though looking at the youth for the first time. Then, seemed to have at least the wherewithal to realize that wasn’t true. “Who was we talking about again?”

A pained smile tugged at the sides of the boy’s face. “Tubby,” the boy supplied patiently. “You were talking about Tubby.”

“Huh. Tubby,” the old man echoed, sinking back into the seat. “Ol’ Tubby...” he murmured, his eyelids starting to flutter. “He died in... seventy-nine?”

Had it been a question? Or a memory? In either case, Patrick’s head rolled back as the old man fell into a quiet sleep.

A heavy, wearied sigh slipped from out of the young boy. He remembered vividly the Brooklyn native who had taught younger Billy Batson how to fight. Like, really fight. The kind of fighting where your life is on the line. Because their lives had been on the line and it had been Knuckles’ strong hands that had carried their asses out of the fire on more than one occasion.

A hand brushed across his shoulder. Turning his head, Billy looked up to see one of the nurses motioning him out of the room. “He talks like you were there,” the woman -- Annie was her name -- remarked as the two stepped out into the hallway.

“He says I remind him of someone he knew then,” Billy answered cryptically. This particular ward of the retirement home was the assisted living section. It more closely resembled a hospice, with a nursing station monitoring the rooms.

Waiting for the inevitable.

“Anything you want me to help with before I leave, Ma’am?”

“I just appreciate your spending time with them,” Annie answered, as the woman made her way back behind the nursing station. “I know they appreciate it as...”

She’d glanced up then, trailing off as she realized that the boy was no longer there. Turning her head to the left and right, she was presented with an empty hallway.

“I swear that kid’s a ghost.”

| Normandy American Cemetery & Memorial
_{| Colleville-sur-Mer, France}

“I saw Knuckles today.”

A tear slipped down the right side of the boy’s face. Craning his head back, the youth drew in a breath as, for a moment, the myriad of emotion seemed ready to overtake him.

He didn’t know what to say.

Should he say anything?

He was here. It seemed he needed to say something. “Seven kids, thirteen grandchildren, and now he’s got five great-grandchildren. I think he’s done well,” the boy said. Then, paused with a pained laugh as he added, “I think he’s done the best of all of us. Who’d have imagined, right?”

Another tear slipped down his face. He continued to stare up, but couldn’t help the fact that he was crying openly now. It was a pregnant pause before Billy found the courage to look down again.

At his feet was a simple headstone. It was identical to rows and rows of white marble headstones. He knew the names of many. Some better than others, but these had all been a band of brothers. The Americans who had died fighting in Europe against the Third Reich and Axis Powers.

Brothers and Sisters.

Elizabeth Lawrence
Women’s Airforce Service Pilots
Our Liberty Belle

“They’re everywhere!”

“Snipers in the bell tower! Toro, can you..?”

“I’m pinned down. We’re in a crossfire!”

“Billy, you have transform.”

“We’re too close!”

“They’re mowing right over us. IT’S A TRAP!”

“Billy, just say it!”

“I can’t.”

“You’re the only one who can! Billy, say it now!”

“God... fuck...”

“BILLY!”

_{“Shazam.”}

He remembered. All of it. Like it was yesterday. He could still hear the echoes of the German machine guns. Shells exploding in massive clouds of earth, as the tanks had rolled into view, blocking their only escape. It was supposed to have been a simple assignment, a rendezvous with British intelligence.

The whole thing had been a set up.

But the sound he remembered the most was the thunder, when the flash from the lightning had cleared. And he would never forget what he saw when the smoke had cleared.

Billy had been the one who had pulled them out of the fire that day, but he’d only managed to save less than half of them. Toro. Knuckles. Tubby. Wash Jones.

Lizzie had been pressed up against him. They’d been pinned down, taking cover together with German fire coming from both sides.

All his power and Billy couldn’t save her.

“Billy...”

In mid-air, a holographic window seemed to appear, containing the image of a horse-like alien.

When Billy had looked up, he wasn’t sure just which of the two of them were more startled.

“...are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Billy tried to utter, though he’d choked on the word even as he brought his arm up to wipe at the tears running down his face.

He wouldn’t have believed him either.

Clearing his throat, he tried again. “Yeah, I’m fine.” Still wiping at his face, the boy straightened up to ask, “What’s up?”

“Friday just picked up some trace energy readings. We believe that there is a Zn’rx ship hiding on the dark side of your moon.”

Billy was still having trouble with Earth geography. And the hundred-however-many nations. Keeping up with the different alien nations in the galaxy was, frankly, more than his brain seemed ready to handle. “Is this bad?” the boy asked finally. Might as well get to the point of it. It was either a good thing... or it wasn’t.

With aliens, he honestly was never sure what constituted good or bad.

“Potentially. The Zn’rx are space-capable, but quite primitive even by human standards. I do not imagine that they are here to open peace negotiations.”

Great. If it wasn’t Hell on Earth, it was the threat of alien invasion. What ever happened to the days when stopping a single nation dictator was all that being a hero required?

The air around the boy seemed to shimmer. His clothing and form crackled with an electric energy, as a red costume emblazoned with a golden lightning bolt appeared. As a white cape draped over one shoulder, the boy said, “Well, we should probably ask them.”

“You sure that you are okay?”

“Just... catching up with old friends,” Billy offered cryptically, before glancing back up toward the sky. “Dark side of the moon? See you in a bit.”

The holographic window blinked out of existence, giving Billy another moment of privacy in which to glance around the cemetery and memorial one more time.

Then he turned his head back toward the sky.

_{”Up, up and away.”}

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

[Master Bruce]

Quick note, if you're wanting to apply, you can find the application code in the character tab.

[Byrd Man]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

SARGE STEEL

^{_{♦ SARGENT STEEL ♦ PRIVATE DETECTIVE ♦ WASHINGTON, D.C. ♦ FREE AGENT ♦}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"Ain't nobody born bad/It takes a whole lotta hurt/Therein lies one of life's biggest lessons/Ain't got nothin' to do with deserve/ Just pray to the Saint of Lost Causes."
-- Justin Townes Earle}

Five years ago Sarge Steel returned home to D.C. after a fifteen year career in the armed forces, missing his left hand and in need of a purpose in life. He took odd jobs as a bouncer in some area nightclubs and gained a reputation as a guy who could find things when he helped an up and coming DC rapper recover a stolen gold chain. As a show of thanks the rapper hooked Steel up with his defense attorney for work.

It didn't take long but Sarge realized he'd found his calling as a private investigator. His skill set from the army easily translated to the work and he thrived. He now works for several prominent law firms and Washingtonians as both a PI and a finder of sorts. If you need it retrieved he can and will get it for you. For a price.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

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I want to get back into the PI game and I think Steel gives me a fresh spin on it. I really love DC Noir, George Pelecanos is one of my favorite writers, so I'm taking a page out of his book by showing the juxtaposition of crime and mayhem within our nation's capitol.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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CAST

Tom Holley -- Washington criminal lawyer, Steel's main client
Little Big Roy -- Drug dealer and informant for Steel
Captain Derek Robinson -- Metro PD detective and Steel's MPD contact.
Colonel Rick Flag -- CLASSIFIED
Daisy Johnson -- CLASSIFIED
King Farady -- CLASSIFIED

S A M P L E P O S T:

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Not in canon, but one of my favorite scenes to writer over the last few years.

Dissection of a Crime Scene

Baltimore

Joe Burke watched Terry McNeil as the younger detective stood in the rowhouse living room. They weren’t the only detectives on scene at the moment. Crime techs were upstairs collecting evidence while patrolmen worked on keeping people away and canvassing the scene. The white shirts were here too. The western district nightshift commander was ostensibly the highest ranking on-duty official here, but his boss, the real western commander, and a few majors and colonels from downtown had joined him.

Seven dead bodies was a redball, and when it came to redballs every member of the BPD command wanted their fingers in the pie. The brass were all collecting in a command tent outside the house, drinking coffee and figuring out who best to pin this on if things went sideways, while Burke and McNeil did the real work.

“I think this was one guy,” McNeil said after minutes of silent thought.

“Explain yourself, son,” grunted Burke. He sounded gruff, but he was doing his best to hide the grin he wanted to show.

McNeil began to point upwards to the second floor where three bodies had been found after finding the first round of four.

“Guys up top were sleeping when they got their tickets punched. No signs of struggle or restraints. Doer probably used a silencer and took them all out without them knowing. He gets down here and all hell breaks loose.”

Burke followed behind McNeil as he walked into the kitchen. A dead man was slouched against the kitchen counter with his neck at a twisted angle.

“The kitchen is the furthest room from the living room and doesn’t have direct line of sight on the door. I bet the doer hid in here while these four guys came into the house and fanned out. Looks like when one of them came in, our guy got the drop on him and smashed his neck against the edge of the counter. Minimal noise and one of them is dead.”

Burke didn’t interrupt as he followed McNeil down the hall into an empty bedroom. Another dead man was on the floor with a pool of blood underneath his neck and face. McNeil crouched and gingerly adjusted the man’s head to show Burke the discreet little slashes on the man’s neck and shoulder.

“The cut to the throat stuns and silences the victim, the one here on the shoulder? That’s the brachial artery. If it’s executed like this, perfectly, the victim bleeds out in less than five minutes. Our guy pulled the move off and pinned him to the floor while he bled out. Two dead.”

Burke stifled a laugh as they moved further down the hall to the bathroom where the bathroom door had been blasted off its hinges. Here was a two-for-one special. A body with a bullet hole in its head rested against the bathroom tiles. Just outside the bathroom was another body, this one with its face blown off and a shotgun on the ground beside it.

“This one seems obvious enough,” said McNeil. “Our guy pops the guy in the bathroom in the back of the head, not giving a fuck about noise now that the odds are even, and steals his shotgun. He closes the door and sits on the can. As soon as he sees the doorknob move, he lets loose with the shottie and blows number four away. He drops the shotgun to the ground and calmly walks out the house. Minimal noise and gunfire, something nobody in this neighborhood is going to bat an eye at anyway.”

“Brilliant,” Burke said with a smirk. “If it’s all true, that is.”

“A working theory at best,” McNeil said with a shrug.

“That move you mentioned earlier?” Burke asked. “The one with the cut to the throat and shoulder? They call it sticking the bleeders.”

“I know," McNeil said as he looked at his partner. "It’s textbook special forces.”

They let the implications hang in the air between them. Seven dead bodies. If this was the work of Tresser, which it may very well have been, then were they at least partially responsible? They had the son of a bitch in an interrogation room downtown and let him walk right out. There was no doubt in either detective’s minds that the four men on the first floor, and even those on the second floor, were anything other than criminals and lowlifes who had courted their violent deaths in some fashion. Still… the blood of seven people may have been on their hands because they didn’t just arrest Tresser then and there.

Burke’s cellphone chirping drew their attention away from their potential guilt. He pulled it out and looked at the text message on his screen.

“Shit,” he muttered under his breath before looking up at McNeil. “Rick and Dana are over on the east side with the fire department and the arson unit. Someone burnt Jimmy Kappas’ club to the ground. Looks like there's remains of at least three people in the wreckage.”

“Fuck,” said McNeil. He pulled out his own phone and called the BPD communications section. “This is Terry McNeil, BPD Homicide badge number 9819, we need an all points bulletin and BOLO on a Thomas Tresser, white male, approximately thirty years of age. Height and weight….”

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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TBA

[DocTachyon]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

B A T M A N
I N C O R P O R A T E D

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^{_{B R U C E W A Y N E ♦ C E O O F W A Y N E E N T E R P R I S E S ♦ G O T H A M C I T Y}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"Bruce, why do we fall?"}

Almost fifty years ago, two ringing gunshots in the rainy, cold black of an unassuming alley would go on to change the world. For the better, some might say, sacrificing but two in exchange for the greatest hero Gotham City had ever known. Others say the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne has has only made things harder and stranger, letting new breeds of criminal fester in the city, and depriving Gotham of her last, best hope at leaping forward into a brave new world. But, with the efforts of their son, Gotham may just have a chance.

Gotham's streets have known the legend of The Batman for some-odd thirty-five years; they have known his blood and his sweat, the sweeping black of his cape, the glow of his symbol in the sky, and the blinding fury of his rage. Trained under countless masters in the Far East and pushed through endless trials, Gotham's first son forged himself into something new. No longer a mere orphan, but a weapon of devastating power, a cruel reminder of what Gotham lost that night in the rain. But this is the Batman of days gone by. A younger man, heart twisted by senseless violence into something even those closest to him would not recognize.

The Bat grew as the city did, calming with the years, settling into a new normal. From urban myth to vigilante to hero, and everything inbetween. His campaign against Gotham's criminal element has slowly morphed into something more, no longer a boy's struggle for vengenace, but a battle of hearts and minds, hopes and dreams: security for the next generation, lessons for each of his sons to wear the mantle of Robin, his faithful boy sidekick.

Since the emergence of the Superman, Batman has been preparing for the end: the day he can hang up his cowl and watch the sun set on an unwatched city knowing, for the first time, that it would be safe without him. To this end, he has established the so-called Batman Incorporated, dedicated to training gifted youngsters and up-and-comers the ways of The Batman, passing on the tutelage he recieved all those years ago to a new, extended class of proteges.

But something lurks in the back of Bruce's mind, the same paranoia that his festered within the very heart of Batman since the night in the alley. Something is changing in Gotham -- whispers of monsters and owls in the streets, talk of mutant gangs, and a new kind of unrestrained police force. Word of something that is hunting his students. The Batman may need a few more long nights, after all...

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

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For most of my life now, I think we've been getting a different Batman from the one that lives in my heart. The last twenty-odd years of Batman movies have featured a dark, violent vigilante that exacts cruel vengeance on anyone who dares to cross him. I like this Batman, to be sure, and I think it's a wonderful version of the character, but I also think this is a rare opportunity to bring something else to the table.

My Batman is older, and has learned over the years that while scars will leave their marks, they can heal -- especially with a little help from your friends. This is a Batman who wants to be Gotham's protector before he wants to be her 'dark avenger', and a Batman who is getting old enough that the game might be a little more about training the next generation and a little less about making sure to squeeze into the Batsuit every night. I want to write a Batman that has a little more heart to him, one with a storied history and a list of rogues as long as his arm, a long history to reckon with, and a solid troupe of Robins and heroes to help get him through it all.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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Supporting Cast

To be updated!

S A M P L E P O S T:

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Sample

Bruce took his sake warm, in Dad’s old whiskey glass. At this point it had been Bruce’s for a decade or so more than it had been Thomas’. But Bruce still caught himself thinking of it that way, Dad’s glass, half-filled with shimmering bronze that disappeared beyond his lips in measured sips, just enough to calm the nerves and steady the hands. Bruce would think about how it looked on his return from Japan all those years ago, rimmed in dust and looking back at him sadly through the sharp angles of the glass, untouched and uncleaned by Bruce’s own orders. But that was the past.

Still: his glass or not, clean or not, the best manufacturers in the world evidently still hadn’t managed to make sake that went down as smooth Yoru-Sensei’s. Old man never did like to write anything down -- apparently recipes least of all. Bruce supposed that was the one thing he’d admonish his old teacher for, if he ever came back from the other side of the veil: you should have left us something to remember you by. Instead all that Yoru left was a burnt dojo and a class of disillusioned students wondering what went wrong. But this, too, was the past.

This was now: Jim Gordon, Commissioner of the GCPD, making his way across the Persian Rug back from the wet bar, holding his gimlet in one hand and steadying his horn-rimmed glasses with another. The scars and bruises and bullets of the years hadn’t done much to shake him. He was still the same old Jim, a little grayer than he used to be, but he still had the same set to his jaw, no matter how many times some crook had gotten the better of him and broken it.

“Sake?” Bruce offered as Jim lowered himself into his seat. He waved Bruce off.

“I’m good.” Jim set his glass on a coaster. He pushed his glasses up from the nose, the blue of his eyes had dulled with age, but they still retained their focus, arcing across Bruce’s features like a searchlight. “Thank you for having me, Bruce. I know you’ve been busy -- all these kids running around...”

“These days I can afford to make time for an old friend. The boys have a handle on things.” Bruce poured himself another glass. “What brings you my way?”

Jim took a long swallow from his drink and then turned his eyes down on it, watching the ice cubes float and bob in the glass. He looked back to Bruce, “just checking up,” he smoothed his mustache with one hand, settling in his seat, “it’s been a while since we’ve talked. Usually I only get the other guy.”

“Hrm,” Bruce tipped up his glass, letting the warm wash into his belly, still focusing on Jim. How the other man’s shoes tapped against the carpet, how he fingered the rim of his glass.

“You hear from Dick much?” Jim asked. Bruce shook his head.

“I get Christmas cards. You know how they are, at his age,” Bruce said. Some part of him wished he really did get the cards, at least. To get some indication of what his boy was up to in his own words, instead of just the whispers Bruce scraped from the S.H.I.E.L.D servers.

“Always too busy for a phone call,” Jim nodded.

“The same with Barbara, I take it?” Bruce set his glass aside and leaned back in his chair, looking out to the stretches of Gotham winking at him in the distance, beyond the ceiling-high windows of Wayne Manor that cast the house’s light across Bruce’s clipped lawn. Jim’s glass clinked against the table.

“You probably get to talk to her more than I do,” Jim said. Bruce caught the edge in his voice and let the silence sit between them for a moment, keeping his eyes out on the city, tracing out her belfries and alleys in his mind, wondering in which ones his proteges lurked, completing their rotations for the night. Jim probably did the same for Barbara, staring at the stars.

“Managing the Watchtower keeps her just as busy as Dick, I’m afraid.” Bruce said.

“I always thought she was happier as Batgirl,” Jim said, “not up there on that station, looking down on all of us.” Jim put his hands together, squeezing them. Bruce looked back.

“Why are you here, Jim? We’re both too old to do this dance.”

Jim closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose with both hands. “When this started, when Batman started, it was just us and Harvey against the world. Against the Falcones, the Maronis, Cobblepot, even the old Commissioner. Do you remember what we wanted?”

“To save the city,” Bruce said simply. Jim was wound up into himself, muscles tight, with a together expression on his face, lips strained and eyes pressed.

“We wanted accountability. A world where cops like Loeb couldn’t take dirty money under the table and let the families run loose. And what do we have now?” Jim leaned forward, Bruce could smell the gin and lime on his breath.

“We wanted safety, Jim. A world where Babs and Jim Jr. wouldn’t have to worry about the gangs, the drugs, the violence,” Bruce began.

“So instead they have to worry about the Justice League hanging over their heads, and a Batman in every neighborhood? It-it’s not right,” Jim shook his head and he stood, pushing back from his chair, “Batman used to be a-a nightmare, a story we made to scare every crooked cop straight. A threat, not a plan. It was never supposed to be this, an unchecked army in your basement.”

Bruce stood, carefully, rising to face Jim, meeting the burning blue beneath his gray caterpillar eyebrows. Bruce felt the register of his voice step backwards, Batman’s voice clawing its way forward from his throat. “What’s the alternative, Gordon? Letting Loeb fester in his filth? You built this right along with us.”

“Jesus, Bruce. We need… We need reform, checks and balances… I don’t know. Harvey always knew the policy. He wouldn’t have wanted this. Big Brother in the sky, a cape on every corner that can do whatever he damn well pleases --”

“Why don’t you head down to Arkham and ask Harvey for his answer?” Bruce caught himself growling, feeling the pressure build in his chest. He fought it down, forcing his shoulders back and making his eyes stay on Jim, calm, level. Jim shrugged his shoulders, and turned, heading for the huge oaken doors on the far side of the Manor. He sighed.

“Maybe I will. I’m going to have a lot of free time.” Jim said. The gears turned in Bruce’s head. Free time?

Jim reached the coat rack by the door, and slipped his arms into his overcoat. He grabbed his hat, the same one he’d held onto since Bruce met him, an old brown trilby finally starting to be pocked with holes.

“I built all this with you, Bruce, but I can’t just sit by this anymore… But I’m too old to fight it. I’m stepping back as Commissioner. You’re the first to know,” Jim said. He took the knob in his hands and pulled, sending the main doors creaks all through the house. Jim sat his hat on his head.

“Stop this, while you still can. And take care of yourself. Give the kids my best.” Jim didn’t look back as he stepped out of Wayne Manor. Bruce watched Gordon as he went, heard his footfalls echoing down the drive as the door moaned shut behind him.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

[Lord Wraith]

Quick note, if you're wanting to apply, you can find the application code in the character tab.

@Master Bruce

If you want, you can add this to it for an actual C+P sheet:

Application Code

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[img]IMAGE/BANNER[/img][h3][sup][sub][color=LightBlue]B I R T H N A M E [color=1E90FF]♦[/color] O C C U P A T I O N [color=1E90FF]♦[/color] L O C A T I O N [color=1E90FF]♦[/color] A F F I L I A T I O N[/color][/sub][/sup][/h3][img]IMAGE/BANNER[/img]
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[CENTER][sup][color=ADD8E6]"Witty Quote"[/color][/sup][/CENTER]
[INDENT][INDENT][i]This is where you outline your vision for the character including any notable changes or differences from the regularly accepted canon. This should be a short summary that provides insight into where the character is in terms of their overall progress and development.[/i][/indent][/indent]
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[Mao Mao]

M I S F I T S

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^{_{T R E M O R ♦ V I R T U E ♦ A N A R K Y ♦ B U N K E R}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T

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^{"We are the forgotten."}

The American Dream. The idea that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination in the United States of America. No barriers. No restraints. However, somewhere along the way, it died and became a trap to lure the desperate. While they may still obtain their freedom, they are forever stuck in the bottom while those in the top remain untouched. In recent years, there had been movements and groups that tried to challenge the system and demand meaningful change. But like everything that tends to happen, they were either crushed or forgotten by the majority of the population.

That was until now.

Non-stop protests across racism, police brutality, and other problems plaguing America. While people are protesting for change, four individuals know what's going to happen next. There would be no meaningful change from the government unless they did something about it. They decide to stand their ground and force change as the American Dream is slowly decaying. They have been affected by both the dream and the system. Those working in government have forgotten them. Those in their ivory towers have forgotten them. And the heroes of tomorrow have forgotten them. They are Misfits.

Tremor: Being a second-generation Indian American, Roshanna Chatterji spent her life trying to achieve the dream. That was until a drunk driver forever changed her life. Her mother died on the scene while her father lost feeling on his legs. The driver turned out to be the offspring of a well-known businesswoman, who was able to sweep the incident under the table while the Chatterjis had to deal with the medical bills. Her father became addicted and overdosed on painkillers. Roshanna left shortly after the funeral.

Virtue: Holly Ann Fields witnessed her father getting beaten to death by police officers after being mistaken for a robbery suspect. The officers involved in the murder got away, but the police department was forced to pay the Ann-Fields in a settlement. That caused some in the department to start harassing them for years. Getting tired of it, Holly exposed them in a post that went viral and painted a massive target on her back. Being a small-town police department, they were able to send her a clear message. Fearing for her and her family's life, Holly fled to protect them.

Anarky: A Gothamite that grew up on the East Side of Gotham City, Lonnie Machin lived in an abusive household where his parents treated him like garbage. They were struggling to pay rent, so his father began working for the Beretti crime family. And his mother started stealing for the people that she was cleaning for. Eventually, both of them were caught and sent to prison for the crime of surviving in a fucked up place like Gotham. Lonnie was put in a statehouse and faced more abuse until he was kicked when he became eighteen.

Bunker: Miguel Barragan was unaware of being an undocumented citizen until he tried to apply for a driver's license. He tried to remain under the radar for most of his senior year until he came home to an empty house one day. His parents and baby sister were picked up by immigration agents. Fortunately, he was able to stay in a friend's house while he earned his high school diploma. Yet, the constant fear that someone was going to take him away caused him to leave. He had been on the move for a year now.

Spoilers for One Universe: WOH

Each one of them got a cryptic message to meet at the abandoned Angel's Hand. It turned out to be a trap where they were forced to breathe in a mysterious gas. When they awakened in a jail cell, a masked individual approached them and then introduced herself as Drew Fisher. She revealed that the gas, nicknamed Q-Juice, was designed to either give or active metahuman abilities. With her newfound powers, Holly learned that Drew is the leader of Channel M, a hacker collective across the West Coast. With that knowledge, she agrees to save her friend after being taken by the Coral City Police.

Upon arriving at the scene, they were introduced to Katharsis and Officer Whitt. Whitt nearly killed both Loonie and Katharsis before Holly activated her powers even further. While they were leaving, she learned that it was Katharsis' idea to use Q-Juice. And after Roshanna used her powers to escape, Katharsis explained that she was hired by Drew to improve Channel M overall. It was where they learned of Q-Juice and its potential; however, Drew rejected to stealing it. So, Katharsis stole it behind her back. And despite that, Drew helped finalize the plan with using Angel's Hand.

That was also when they learned that both of them read their files. Miguel and Roshanna left the room in disgust and angry over this violation of privacy while Holly remained to tell Lonnie everything.

It has been two weeks since that night. With an increased police presence in Coral City, the group is still figuring out their next step. At the same time, Commissioner Frederick Foley plans to reveal his strategy to deal with the new metahuman threat to City Hall.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S

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With the move to One Universe, I still wish to continue with this group of misfits. Plus, it would give me a chance to explore

Anyway, I want to focus on and explore real America. Not the one made up by propagandists and fantasized by older generations. And each of the four main characters has been affected by the flaws of the United States (Tremor: Healthcare and Big Pharma; Virtue: Police Brutality and Corruption; Anarky: Poverty and the System; and, Bunker: Undocumented and Immigration). If you're one of those people that hates politics in media (especially in video games and comics), you aren't going to enjoy this.

Yet, not every post is going to be political. I want to explain how these met up with each other and formed The Misfits. Explore how they go on with their lives in a post-Cold War/9-11 world. And I want to develop The Misfits into a respectable group that bow to neither the authorities nor the government. Hopefully, our characters can interact with each other and explore the fundamental differences between them.

And as a reminder, this group is based on The Movement. I just changed the name (because it was too on the nose) and removed/added some characters. I hope that's fine.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S

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Coral City, California: A city with a corrupt police department and a corrupt city hall.

Channel M: A hacker collective that plans on exposing corruption across the United States of America, starting with California.

S A M P L E P O S T

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CORAL CITY: THE CITY WITH HEART

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𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦

_{ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA}

0.00 // CORAL CITY: THE CITY WITH HEART

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For the first time in months, Lonnie Machin was able to rest properly without something awakening him in the dead of night. And it was dawn, which gave him time to prepare for the sun. Something that he wasn't used to. Living in Gotham City made him appropriate the cooler temperatures and the unnecessary amount of skyscrapers. But anywhere was better than Gotham. Hell, the Greyhound bus that Lonnie had been on for two days was the safest he had been in a long time. There were only a few other people on board and the driver was paying attention to the freeway. Still, being a Gothamite made him rightfully paranoid of strangers.

Otherwise, he would have been gunned down in an alley.

By the time that the sun was up, the bus had reached its destination: Coral City, California. Lonnie had no clue where he was going when bought that ticket. But again, anywhere was better than Gotham. When the bus stopped for the final time, he knew that it was time to depart. The passengers started doing the same thing and several noticed his attire. He didn't have to turn around to feel some of them making faces at him. One of them was brave enough to comment on the ACAB patch stitched on the vest. "Disgusting."

Lonnie was unfazed by it, grabbed his duffle bag, and left the bus. Inside the bus station, he took a free map of Coral City and started searching for a motel. There was still enough money to stay at a decent motel for a week. It should be enough time to find work and start earning some cash. On his way out, Lonnie felt someone bumping into him and reaching into his back pocket. He immediately turned around and saw that no one was behind him, but he checked his pockets to be safe. That was when he found a small piece of paper and something messy written on it:

Trying to run away from the system that threw you aside?
Go to Angel's Hand, if you want to take a stand.

Lonnie was more curious than afraid. So, he got the map and searched for the name. He eventually found out it was a bar located near the coast. He wanted answers and the only way to get them was head to the bar. And that's what he did, not knowing what the future was in store.

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Post Catalog

P O S T C A T A L O G

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A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

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[AndyC]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

The Amazing

S P I D E R - M A N

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^{_{Peter Benjamin Parker ♦ College Student, Freelance Photographer ♦ Brooklyn, New York ♦ Independent}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"Okay, so half the NYPD wants me behind bars, SHIELD wants me locked away in some black site, every criminal from here to Newark wants me dead, I'm behind on rent, I've got a paper due that I haven't even started on, and oh hey, Rhino's tearing up 82nd and Lexington. Sounds about right for a Monday."}

Backstory

Five years ago, Peter Parker was a scrawny, awkward, soft-spoken underachiever, a true nerd not just in the sense of being intelligent and obsessed with pop-culture, but in the sense of having no social skills or self-confidence. He found himself on the receiving end of Flash Thompson's never-ending hazing, or ruthless needling from the likes of Sally Avril. While his aunt and uncle doted on him and encouraged him to do well in school, their own financial woes meant that his options for a high-end education and brighter future were limited. His circle of friends was more of a triangle, as only the troubled neighbor kid Eddie Brock and his gifted classmate Gwen Stacy gave him the time of day.

Things would begin to change rapidly not long after the debut of the headline-grabbing Superman, as several large corporations within the military-industrial complex began scrambling to catch up. One such corporation was OsCorp, the dominion of the brilliant billionaire Norman Osborn, who was a leader in bioengineering. In the race to develop new metahuman capabilities for military and commercial use, OsCorp began developing a serum called Globulin Green, which would drastically alter a host's DNA. OsCorp first began testing Globulin Green on animals such as lizards, rats, and spiders.

One fateful field trip, an unexpected spider-bite, and a life-changing tragedy after an ill-timed argument with his uncle later, and the rest is history. His DNA altered to display superhuman strength and reflexes, as well as the ability to stick to walls, Peter learned the hard way to put his newfound abilities to good use, and so he took to the streets, using his spider-powers to fight crime and save lives under the not-particularly-creative moniker of Spider-Man.

Starting out with little more than a hoodie, a ski mask, some goggles, and a bad attitude in the wake of his uncle's murder, Spider-Man began his career by knocking around muggers, drug dealers, and local organized crime families. This escalated through his first year of action as crime bosses like Lonnie "Tombstone" Lincoln and Sonny "Hammerhead" Caputo began conscripting superpowered enforcers to stop him; lowlifes like Herman Schultz and Mac Gargan became the Shocker and Scorpion. They were soon followed by a tech-thieving arms dealer named Adrian Toomes, better known as the Vulture, and a small-time mob muscle named Alex O'Hirn, who became the hulking brute known as Rhino. None of these super-villains, however, took Pete as close to the brink of death or struck as much fear into his heart as the cackling masked maniac known only as the Green Goblin.

Over the next year or so, every aspect of Peter's life only got more complicated. He and his childhood friend Gwen both earned internships at OsCorp, where they befriended the CEO's gifted but troubled son Harry Osborn and learned under the tutelage of the brilliant duo of Curt Connors and Otto Octavius. Spending more time together both in and out of work, a budding romance bloomed between Pete and Gwen, much to the chagrin of Harry, who had developed feelings for Gwen himself. While Harry did not mean any harm to Peter, he did drive a wedge between the two and prevent their relationship from growing--something that did not go unnoticed by Harry's girlfriend at the time, Liz Allan. To console him, Pete's aunt May set him up on a blind date with her friend's niece, the vivacious and free-spirited Mary Jane Watson. While the two hit it off, and Pete and MJ developed feelings for each other, Pete found himself unable to choose between MJ and Gwen, not helped by the fact that his old friend Eddie began trying to woo Mary Jane. As Harry and Liz also spent more and more time in the mix, the six of them found themselves in a proverbial Gordian knot of conflicting feelings and dueling relationships, all of which would have probably made for a great teen drama on cable TV.

Meanwhile, newer and stranger villains made life difficult for Spider-Man, such as the high-tech illusionist Mysterio, the activist turned terrorist Electro, the playful but deadly burglar who called herself the Black Cat, or the criminal small-timer turned living landslide Flint "Sandman" Marko. All the while, Spidey's reputation was dragged through the mud by the outrage-mongering media mogul J. Jonah Jameson, and his shaky relationship with the NYPD was shattered completely after an escaped Scorpion framed him for the murder of Captain George Stacy, Gwen's father. While this loss devastated Gwen and damaged the group of friends, it was harmed even further when as he was rounding up some of Tombstone's henchmen, Peter discovered Eddie Brock among them, and he was forced to put one of his best friends behind bars.

As high school gave way to college, Peter found himself facing a difficult decision, as a falling-out at OsCorp resulted in Doctor Octavius leaving the company and starting his own smaller firm, Horizon Labs. Having to choose between Osborn's connections and Otto's stronger ethics, Pete decided to keep learning under Octavius, losing his scholarship money and having to get a job to make up the extra money. Seeing the demand for quality photos of superheroes, he began photographing himself in action and selling them to various news outlets; to his annoyance, his most regular paycheck would come from the Bugle and J. Jonah Jameson, the same man who went out of his way to tarnish everything Spider-Man did. Meanwhile, he began to notice many of his enemies were working together, coordinating as if they were being controlled by some invisible hand. Sure enough, he soon learned that they had been freed from prison and upgraded with new weapons by someone named the "Octopus." When Rhino, Sandman, Vulture, Electro, and Mysterio all began a coordinated assault on OsCorp, Spider-Man learned, to his shock and horror, that they were in fact being led by Otto Octavius, who had been driven insane by his cybernetic implants and his thirst for revenge against Osborn. The newly-christened Doctor Octopus and his Sinister Six would wreak havoc on the city for days, but ultimately, after several brutal skirmishes, a battered and heartbroken Spider-Man would emerge victorious, having saved the city and restored his reputation.

Peter has been active as Spider-Man for nearly five years now. He has upgraded his equipment over the years with a combination of stolen OsCorp and Octavius devices and his own unique brand of "guerilla science" to amass a formidable arsenal of crimefighting gear. He has apprehended hundreds of criminals, defeated nearly a dozen super-powered villains, and saved thousands if not millions of New Yorkers' lives. While he is nowhere near as beloved as Superman in Metropolis, he has become something of a favorite son of the Big Apple, despite Jameson's ravings. Pete has returned to studying under Curt Connors, who now teaches at Empire State University. His photos for the Bugle have gotten a fair amount of attention, to the point where he has developed something of a professional rivalry with the Daily Planet's Jimmy Olsen. He and Gwen have begun dating again, and even gotten engaged. Maybe, just maybe, things are finally looking up for Peter Parker....

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

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I've said it before and I'll say it again: Spider-Man is my favorite character in all of fiction. Even after years of bad writing, disappointing movies, less interesting replacements, and IMO a general misunderstanding of what makes the character great, there's still something special about Peter Parker that always brings me back.

I want to bring back a critical element of Spider-Man that I believe the folks at Marvel and much of the fanbase have forgotten: namely, the life of Peter Parker isn't meant to be a sitcom, it's meant to be a soap opera. Yes, he's funny and nerdy and he runs his mouth a lot, but that doesn't count for much of anything now that, thanks to the MCU, every bloody superhero in the world is a wisecracking smartass who quotes pop-culture. The thing that classic Spider-Man did better than his counterparts is the drama, the personal tragedy, the romance, the sheer unironic and unabashed feeeeelings that so many people avoid because taking things seriously is lame. I'm still going to keep Pete's sense of humor and play up how clownish characters like JJJ can be, but I also want to tell stories that have stakes, costs, and losses amidst all the technicolor tomfoolery.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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Friends and Family, Love and Loss

Ben Parker (deceased) was an honest, hard-working, and immensely kind man who worked most of his life as an MP in the Army. A career of keeping soldiers in line and uncovering wrongdoings within the ranks and officers instilled in Ben a strong sense of accountability, that anyone who wields power should be held responsible for it. He did what he could to make sure May and Peter could live comfortably and happily, and while their life was far from idyllic, he made sure they never went hungry, and that any arguments he and May might have had over bills or school or work were well out of earshot of their nephew. As Pete grew, Ben tried his best to teach him responsibility and maturiy, lessons Pete sadly would not learn until a carjacker took Ben's life. While Ben's death still troubles and haunts Peter, the lessons his uncle taught him have fixed his moral compass and strengthened his resolve.


May Parker is Peter's aunt, a surrogate mother to him ever since his birth parents were killed when he was a toddler. A retired nurse, she has spent most of her life helping people, and has done her best to instill that same charity and compassion in her nephew. Though she no longer works professionally, May is far from idle, as she spends most of her time volunteering at the FEAST homeless center, working closely with the philanthropic community leader Martin Li.


Harry Osborn didn't meet Peter until well into high school, but the two have since become fast friends. The son of billionaire CEO Norman Osborn, Harry has spent his entire life in his father's shadow, and bridles at the expectations put upon him. While he puts on the image of a suave, charming, and motivated young professional destined to inherit his father's empire, in truth Harry lacks that ruthless ambition, and would much rather follow his late mother's footsteps in environmental activism when not goofing off with his friends. The pressures put on him between his dueling identities have started to take their toll on Harry, and while he tries to play it off, something dark is growing inside of him.


Eddie Brock is a childhood friend of Peter's, having grown up in the house across the street. While the Parkers were a struggling but relatively happy household, the Brocks were utterly dysfunctional, and Eddie spent much of his time hanging out with Pete as a way to get away from his parents. Eddie came to see Pete as a sort of kid brother, and would regularly stand up for him against bullies like Flash Thompson, though this often got him into trouble at school, which only led to more trouble at home. Things only continued to spiral downward for Eddie as he fell in with a gang, working as a small-time dealer for Lonnie "Tombstone" Lincoln. Eventually, he was called in by Tombstone to act as a soldier during a turf war with the Maggia, but before things turned deadly, the raid was broken up by Spider-Man, who webbed Eddie up and left him for the police. Eddie served three years, and has just been released from prison, where he now faces the difficulties of trying to make ends meet as an ex-con.


Gwen Stacy is Peter's fiancée, their childhood friendship having grown into an on-again-off-again romance through high school and finally a lifelong commitment. Gwen has always been a fellow nerd and overachiever, and part of her initial attraction to Peter was that she loved competing with him to see who would be top of their class. She was the first person to figure out Spider-Man's identity, and has since acted as a silent partner in his vigilante career, investigating the shady activities of OsCorp from the inside and providing Pete with research and data while he is out on patrol. Her father's death is still a painful memory, though she is determined to do his memory justice.


Mary Jane Watson came from a broken home, but never let that break her spirit. Initially introduced to Peter via blind date, she found she liked him and his group of friends, and spent much of her free time in high school encouraging them to come out of their shells. Now a journalism major, a regular in the college's theater productions, and the lead singer of a punk rock band, MJ has her potential future pulling her in all directions, but rather than give in to the pressure, she is more content to go wherever the wind takes her. She is a troublemaker and a firebrand who regularly takes over any room she enters. She is also one of the few people who knows Pete is Spider-Man, as she once had to drive him to the emergency room after a particularly nasty battle with the Green Goblin. While she is currently dating Harry, MJ is not quite as over her on-and-off relationship with Pete as she lets on.


Liz Allan is a fellow intern at OsCorp, and the former girlfriend of Harry Osborn. A bright and straight-laced young woman with her whole career already plotted out, Liz is very much the antithesis of Mary Jane, always trying to fit in rather than stand out. This seeming obsession with being 'normal' came into focus when her brother Mark was revealed to be a mutant, a low-level pyromancer the Bugle dubbed "Molten Man." Liz is an avid reader of the Bugle and listener to Jameson's "Just the Facts" podcast, which has only fed her phobia of mutants and aliens and other 'freaks' like Spider-Man.

The Bugle, the NYPD, and the Big Apple

J. Jonah Jameson is the Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Bugle, a once proud and well-respected paper that has become little more than a sensationalist tabloid. In the modern news cycle, nothing sells like outrage and fear, and nobody is better at whipping up outrage and fear than Jameson. While he is an outspoken critic of the various costumed 'super-heroes' in general, he has developed a particular antipathy towards Spider-Man, blaming him for every possible mishap and spinning any of his good deeds to be something insidious. While deep down, Jonah may still be the idealistic fearless reporter he once was as a young man, you'd have to dig pretty deep indeed to find it.


Betty Brant is Jameson's receptionist, and a classmate and friend of Mary Jane Watson. A journalism major with dreams of becoming a legitimate reporter, Betty believes that working under the perennially grouchy and penny-pinching Jameson is all part of paying her dues to a more exciting and rewarding career-- or so she hopes. She has also developed a crush on Spider-Man after he would repeatedly swing into the Bugle's office to antagonize Jameson, much to her boss's extreme annoyance.


Ned Leeds is the only reporter left at the Bugle with any sort of legitimacy, and one who frequently uses Peter Parker's photos for his pieces. He's well-meaning and excitable, if a little dopey, but he can put together an eye-catching headline and he's yet to be sued for libel, which is good enough for Jameson.


Captain George Stacy (deceased) was Gwen Stacy's father, a hard-line by-the-book cop with no patience for vigilantism. A firm believer in law and order, Stacy was dauntless in his pursuit of justice, both against crime lords like Tombstone and Hammerhead, and against Spider-Man for taking the law into his own hands. Over time, Spidey and Stacy developed a begrudging trust, but before he could ever consider the wall-crawler a friend, Stacy was tragically murdered by the Scorpion. His death was personal tragedy to both Gwen and Peter, and a shock to the NYPD.


Captain Jean DeWolff was once George Stacy's protégée, and is now his replacement. Like Stacy, she is a firm believer in the badge, and is a crusader in rooting out corruption in her precinct. Unlike her predecessor, however, she has come to see the necessity to occasionally act outside the law, and while she does not publicly condone Spider-Man's actions, she is willing to let the webslinger pick up where the law leaves off. To a point, at least-- DeWolff has made it plain to Spidey that if he ever crosses one line too many, she will come down on him with the wrath of an angry god.


Doctor Curt Connors was the one half of a scientific dream-team at OsCorp, working alongside Otto Octavius to push the company to the forefront of applied sciences. An extremely gifted geneticist and former friend of the late Richard and Mary Parker, Connors was eager to work with their son Peter, and was hurt when Pete left OsCorp to join Octavius's Horizon Labs. After Otto's fall from grace, Connors left OsCorp himself to teach at Empire State University, partially to spend more time with his family, partially to try and reconnect with Peter, but mostly to get away from Osborn and the increasingly frightening things going on behind closed doors there.


Norman Osborn is the CEO of OsCorp, one of the leading technological firms in America. A genius in his own right, Osborn surrounded himself with experts in as many fields as he could, ranging from bioengineering to cybernetics to fusion and theoretical physics, all while pursuing lucrative military contracts as the Pentagon was desperate to keep up in the super-powers arms race. A classic alpha male in every sense of the word, "Stormin' Norman" is famous for his bravado, his charisma, and his unwavering confidence even in the face of potential disaster. There are many who claim of dark secrets in the Osborn household and in the lower levels of OsCorp's labs, of very literal skeletons in Norman's closet. These rumors, however, quickly go quiet, and those who spread them are often quickly convinced otherwise. Norman is not content to sit at the top of his personal mountain, as he now has his eyes set on loftier perches, starting first by recently announcing his candidacy for Mayor of New York City.

Enemies

The Green Goblin is a masked lunatic, a mad bomber and spree killer who has terrorized New York for nearly as long as Spider-Man has been trying to save it. Armed with an advanced hover platform, an array of explosive Pumpkin Bombs, deadly Razor Bats, and a host of poison gases, the Goblin has wreaked havoc across the Five Boroughs without any clear motive beyond mayhem for mayhem's sake. Though Spider-Man has thwarted his rampages and defeated him in combat multiple times, he has never managed to keep the Goblin down long enough to put him behind bars, and to this day he remains the only one of the Wall Crawler's enemies who has yet to be unmasked.


Lonnie "Tombstone" Lincoln is one of the largest and most brutal crime bosses in New York City. Formerly an enforcer for the Maggia family, Lincoln broke away to begin a syndicate of his own, and now oversees a powerful gang that has its hands in everything from narcotics and gun-running to human trafficking and contract killing. A genetic abnormality himself with superhuman strength and durability, Tombstone does not shy from hiring or creating costumed supervillains to do his dirty work for him. While Spider-Man has put him behind bars on three separate occasions, thanks to Lincoln's connections in the corrupt justice system, he never stays in prison for long.


Sonny "Hammerhead" Caputo is one of the most feared capos in the Maggia Crime Family. A blunt, brutish man with no patience for subtlety, Hammerhead prefers direct and spectacular shows of force to frighten people into letting him have his way. While the Maggia patriarch Silvio Manfredi is away, Caputo effectively runs Maggia operations in New York, and has begun a devastating gang war against Tombstone.


The Black Cat is a master thief, as well as an adrenaline junkie and thrillseeker, pulling off daring and dangerous heists purely for the excitement. Felicia Hardy, daughter of the original Black Cat Walter Hardy, was born with a mild mutation that allows her to slightly alter probability when in danger, effectively jinxing her enemies with bad luck. This, as well as a lifetime of training under a master criminal and an arsenal of high-tech equipment, has allowed her to amass fantastic wealth by robbing from the rich and giving to herself, though she seems to only use the money to fund bigger and bolder heists. She has crossed paths with Spider-Man on several occasions, sometimes as allies, but mostly playing a seemingly unending game of cops-and-robbers that Felicia relishes in, always flirting with the webslinger and trying to get him to join her "on the fun side of the law."


The Scorpion was a Maggia contract killer named Mac Gargan, an assassin who specialized in poisons and toxins. Initially hired to take out Spider-Man, Gargan learned that his poisons by themselves would not be enough to eliminate the Wall-Crawler, and so he was 'volunteered' by his superiors to undergo a technological upgrade. Encased in a cybernetic harness that increased his strength and reflexes to mimic Spider-Man's powers, the new and improved Scorpion fought and very nearly defeated the Webslinger, were it not for the interference of the NYPD. Since his ignominious defeat and arrest, Gargan has escaped from prison on multiple occasions, not just to get his revenge on Spider-Man, but on the police officers that helped take him down, which tragically included Captain George Stacy.


Shocker is the first costumed super-villain that Spider-Man ever fought, an honor which is the only real distinction in Herman Schultz's criminal career. While his insulated suit and powerful shockwave gauntlets make him more than a match for any regular law enforcement, he has routinely been humiliated by Spider-Man, who won't stop laughing at his name but also won't tell Shocker why.

The Sinister Six

Doctor Otto Octavius, now known by the public at large as "Doctor Octopus," was a well-respected genius under the employ of Norman Osborn, who repeatedly plundered Otto's ideas and stole credit from him. An expert in robotics and cybernetic prostheses, Otto planned to help the maimed and crippled to walk and function again, but Osborn saw dollar signs in potential military contracts. His work tarnished and his reputation ruined, Octavius left OsCorp to work independently, getting grants from the shady organization AIM to form Horizon Labs, before learning they too wanted to weaponize his work. Over time, Otto was driven insane by a mix of his frustrations and brain damage from untested cybernetics, and he decided to use his weaponized inventions to get revenge for those who had wronged him. Armed with four advanced cybernetic arms and an diabolically genius mind, Octavius freed five of Spider-Man's most feared enemies and used them as his personal army, laying siege to New York before being brought low. Of all of Spider-Man's enemies, he is the only one who knows his true identity, that beneath that webbed mask and layers of snark is his former protégé Peter Parker, and he is determined to one day make Peter see the light and join his Sinister Six.


The Vulture is a gifted engineer named Adrian Toomes, who created a flying harness for himself out of technology left over from fights between other superheroes and villains. While he is far from Spider-Man's deadliest foe, he is among the craftiest, a regular MacGyver who can make deadly implements out of junk with minimal effort. Toomes was the first member of Otto's Sinister Six, finding a kindred spirit in the tentacled mad scientist, though after several humiliations at Spider-Man's hands, he's far more interested in seeing the wall-crawler dead than trying to recruit him.


Mysterio is the criminal alter-ego of former stage magician Quentin Beck. In a world where flying aliens and wall-crawling weirdos are commonplace, even the most impressive special effects and high-tech illusions seem mundane, which threatened to put Beck out of business. Believing he could sell his holographic technology to the highest bidder, Beck found himself with a solution in need of a problem. Whipping up a few illusory bad guys to fight, he would debut as the spectacular crime-fighter Mysterio. However, when Spider-Man uncovered that Beck was behind the very same attacks he was 'saving' the city from, Beck vowed revenge, and Mysterio would turn the webslinger's world upside-down time and time again, both by himself and as part of the Sinister Six.


Electro started out as a political activist and radical by the name of Max Dillon. In order to gain the power he needed to topple "the system," he sought out the organization AIM, who were looked for test subject in their bioengineering program. He emerged with the ability to produce powerful electromagnetic fields, and transform his entire body into charged plasma. Rather than honor their deal to work for them, Dillon began to wreak havoc on New York as a political terrorist and cop-killer. While Spider-Man was eventually able to stop him, Electro found new comrades in Otto Octavius's faction. Of all the members of the Sinister Six, he is the most volatile, always willing to cause wanton destruction and death in the name of his glorious revolution.


The Sandman was once Flint Marko, a small-time enforcer for Tombstone who used his ill-gotten gains to pay the medical bills for his terminally ill daughter. When Tombstone needed guinea pigs for an experiment, some kind of new super-soldier to fight Spider-Man, Flint couldn't turn down the money, and signed up to have his body bombarded with silicate nanites. This turned him into a being of living sand, his consciousness permeating every grain in the nanite swarm, which has allowed him to very nearly squash Spider-Man on multiple occasions. Though he is far more powerful than he realizes, he still sees himself as a small-time crook, with no real ambitions beyond the next big score to keep his daughter healthy. As a result, he is the only member of the Sinister Six that Spider-Man believes he can reason with.


Rhino was a friend of Flint Marko's, a fellow Tombstone thug named Alex O'Hirn who had been told his whole life that he would never amount to anything more than 'big dumb muscle.' Wanting to prove he could be more than a brute, he signed up for the same super-criminal program as Flint, believing he would come out of it with powers that would change everything. He found himself hard-wired into an advanced war suit, one which granted him near complete invulnerability and strength that could rival the Hulk. However, its power supply was extremely limited, meaning he would only ever be able to be let off of his charger for as long as his employer needed him. While Doctor Octopus has promised him his own autonomy in the form of a self-sustaining power source, he has yet to deliver on his promise, and for the foreseeable future, even with his immense power, Alex O'Hirn is still little more than 'big dumb muscle.'

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

"Uuuughhhh.....this sucks," I say as I trudge through a waist-deep river of sewage. "I'll bet nobody on the Justice League has to crawl through sewers on the job. _{....Well, maybe Batman.....}"

Two weeks ago, people started disappearing across Brooklyn. First was a pediatrician, then an insurance agent, then an OsCorp security guard. At first, it didn't seem like there was any connection between them, three seemingly random disappearances that had me looking in all different directions across town for leads. It wasn't until the fourth vanishing that things started to click into place.

"Please be down here," I whisper to myself as the sewage canal gives way to a large, cavernous pump-house. Sure enough, sitting in the far corner, rocking back and forth hugging himself, is who I was praying to find.

Billy Connors, Doctor Curt Connors' nine-year-old son.

A month ago, the pediatrician, one Dr. Kenneth Lang, caught that Billy was showing symptoms of leukemia. He recommended the Connors to see an oncologist, but the insurance agent, one Pamela Burton, told them that it wasn't covered in their plan. Doctor Connors began smuggling OsCorp equipment to his lab at ESU to develop treatments independently, but was caught by a security guard, one George Ransome, who blew the whistle on him. While none of them had any direct tie to the sickness, each had effectively handed the poor boy a death sentence.

Switching my mask's lenses to infra-red, I look around the concrete and steel of the old pump-house, and the coast appears to be clear. Doing my best to climb out of the muck without making too much noise, I quietly call out to him.

"Billy? Billy Connors?" I ask. He stares at me with wide eyes, then quietly nods. "It's all right, I'm gonna get you out of here, okay?"

As I approach, Billy seems to shrink in on himself.

"Hey, no need to worry," I reassure him, "It's just me, your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. Here to save days and fight bad guys. No case too big, no case too small. Or in this case, too dark and smelly. Boy, are your mom and dad going to be glad to see you!"

Billy pulls his knees up to his chest and sinks his head down. His chest starts to shake, and I realize he's crying.

"...was it something I said?"

"Don't hurt him....he's sick.....that's all....he's sick...." Billy whimpers, repeating again and again, "he's sick....he's sick...."

Oh man. The poor kid's probably been through a lot. Whoever took him, whatever they did to him, he's now talking to himself in the third person. When I find the kidnapper, I'll make sure he never does this to anyone again.

"Billy, hey, Billy?" I crouch down as I approach him, trying to get him back to reality. "I know you're sick. I'm sorry, I really am. But I know some doctors, some really good ones, and they can--"

"I wasn't talking about me," Billy interrupts. "Something's....something's w-wrong with him. He....doesn't know what he's d-doing. He's s-sick."

".......who's sick?"

Billy doesn't answer, but he stares right past me.

I feel the familiar sensation running up my spine, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand on end. That super-reflex, my vaunted 'Spider-Sense.' Something's moving behind me.

Something big.

"HssssssSSSSSSsssssSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssss......."

"....I don't suppose there's any chance that's just a gas leak, is it?" Billy shakes his head, and I sigh. "Okay, then let's just--"

Whatever witticism I was about to say flees from my mind, as I turn and am greeted with a blur of green scales, flashing yellow eyes, and snapping, slavering jaws.

"Oh yeah, 'Don't hurt him,' the kid says," I mutter to myself as I ready my web-shooters and scramble for dear life.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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Coming Soon (hopefully)

[HenryJonesJr]

[CENTER]C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

C A P T A I N A M E R I C A

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[h3][sup][sub]S T E V E R O G E R S ♦ S U P E R S O L D I E R ♦ H E L I C A R R I E R A E T H O N ♦ A V E N G E R S[sub][/sup][/h3]
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"I can do this all day."}

Steven Grant Rogers was born a small, frail child on July 4, 1922. His parents, Joseph and Sarah, were Irish immigrants with little to their name, and were often persecuted for their immigrant status. Still, they loved their country, warts and all, and Steve grew up with patriotic pride, and his parents instilled in him a strong sense of honor, hard work, and justice. But Rogers's early life was not to be a happy one. His father died when he was very young, and his mother followed in his teenage years.

While Steve lost the only blood family he ever had, he luckily had his best friend, James Buchanan Barnes, and the Barnes family to fall back on. James, or Bucky as he was known, was the complete opposite of Steve. A strapping, strong boy, he was the high school's star third basemen and all the girls wanted to be on his arm. Still, Bucky and Steve were like brothers, and were inseparable, with the Barnes family taking Steve in after the death of his parents.

While the two were attached at the hip during their early years, the onset of World War II tore them apart. Bucky went off to war, while Steve, desperate to join him, was rejected over his frailty. Steve went from recruiting station to recruiting station, being rejected at each one. At least until he was approached by a Doctor Abraham Erskine who offered him a chance.

Erskine had developed a serum that could turn a man into the pinnacle of human possibility, and he believed Steve, a wholly good man, was someone it would work on. Together with the Strategic Scientific Reserve, an Allied secret organization headed by Agent Peggy Carter, Erskine hoped to create a squad of super soldiers to combat Hitler's dreaded HYDRA and its leader The Red Skull.

In the end, Steve would be the only one transformed, as a HYDRA mole killed Erskine and destroyed all samples of his serum shortly after Rogers's transformation. In turn, Rogers was dubbed Captain America, and was given command of an elite squad of soldiers called The Invaders. Along with the super powered Rogers, he was joined by Namor, a mysterious man who could breath underwater and swim at amazing speeds, and the Human Torch, an android that could cover itself in flame. Not all faces on the Invaders were new ones, however. Bucky, now a crack sniper, joined to Steve's delight, putting brothers side by side on the battlefield as they always dreamed. Bucky's squad, dubbed "The Howling Commandos", were also part of the new Invaders. Agent Carter also joined the team, and soon her and Steve fell madly in love with one another.

The Howling Commandos went to work dismantling HYDRA, forcing The Red Skull to launch his doomsday device earlier than he wanted. During a climactic showdown, Steve defeated The Red Skull, though at a huge cost. Peggy fell to her death, and Steve and the doomsday machine crashed into the Arctic Ice and were lost to time.

Decades later, SHIELD scientists discovered Steve's frozen and perfectly preserved body in a melting portion of a glacier, and were able to revive him. Cap was amazed at the world of technological wonders he found himself in, and the amazing new powered individuals that filled it. He signed on with SHIELD, folding back into the military style life he was accustomed to. He was put at the head of SHIELD's Strike Team Alpha, known as A-Team, the organization's first response unit. There, he teamed with heroes from across the world in order to portray a globally unified front against super-villainy.

He also found one remaining link to his past, in that Bucky had survived into very advanced age. Still sharp as a whip, Steve often visited them man he considered a brother, and Bucky help fill him in on everything he had missed during his time in the ice.

A-Team came into constant conflict with Advanced Idea Mechanics, a technocratic terrorist organization that sought to use their incredible technology for world domination. Through the years since he had been unfrozen, Cap and his team has clashed time and time again with AIM and its various agents.

But terrestrial threats were not the only thing Rogers and SHIELD had to contend with. The emergence of Starro and in turn the Justice League told SHIELD director Nick Fury he needed a response team of his own that was answerable to a chain of command. So he started the Avengers Initiative.

This all came to a head during the Chituari invasion of Earth. While the Justice League attempted to stem the tide in space, the aliens opened a portal above New York in a surprise attack that threatened to destroy the city. Instead, the newly minted Avengers, comprised of A-team as well as the heroes Iron Man, the Hulk, and Thor, managed to close the portal and destroy the Chitauri mothership.

Now, Captain America stands at the head of both A-Team and the Avengers, while forces in the shadows plot the world towards a collision course it may not recover from.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

---

Obviously I love playing Cap, but this is a setting I've never really played before. A more matured universe with heroes already aware of one another, and more interesting interplay between factions. Cap will still be a man out of time, with one singular link to his prior life. He'll be a man of duty, but one with lingering doubts about whether there is a place in this new world of Gods and Monsters for someone like him. There will be revelations that shock him to the core, but will mold him into being someone the universe as a whole needs.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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SHIELD

The UN's peacekeeping force dedicated to studying, understanding, and protecting against metahuman activity, SHIELD is the world's foremost expert on all things meta. Born out of the Allied Strategic Scientific Reserve, SHIELD tracked and studied the rise and spread of metahuman activity throughout the decades that followed the second world war. As meta human occurrences increased, so did SHIELD's budget. Top scientific minds across all spectrums came to work for the organization, leading to incredible advancements like SHIELD's trademark Helicarriers.

Director Nick Fury - SHIELD's commanding officer, Fury is a no-nonsense former soldier and the creator of the Avengers. He and Cap have a good working relationship, though Steve feels like there are more secrets lurking behind Fury's exterior.
Commander Amanda Waller - Fury's second in command, "The Wall" is even more of a hardass, and has a stronger distrust of metahumans, even those under her command.
Helicarriers - SHIELD's floating fortresses, the 4 helicarriers are named after Apollo's horses (Aethon, Pyrois, Phlegon, Eous). These flying bases of operations allow SHIELD to quickly and effectively respond to threats world wide.
>/list>

Allies

• James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes - Steve's lifetime best friend and adoptive brother, Bucky is nearly a century old, but unlike Steve he actually looks it. While Bucky's formerly strong physical body has aged, he is still sharp as a tack, and the two WWII veterans often get together to reminisce on their past lives.
• Strike Team Alpha, aka "The A-Team" - Cap's primary team when out in the field. The team is made up of representatives of all the UN Security Council members.
  
  • Sam Wilson/The Falcon - A former advanced paratrooper that served in the armed forces in the Middle East, Sam provide aerial support and reminiscence for the team. He is probably Cap's closest friend other than Bucky.
  • Ryan Choi/The Atom - China's representation on the team, Ryan is a genius from Hong Kong. He has the ability to shrink down thanks to technology eerily similar to Hank Pym and Ray Palmer's, leading many to believe it was stolen by the Chinese and perfected by Ryan's brilliant mind. Ryan is torn between his duty to his country while also realizing the stranglehold the party has on its citizenry.
  • Piotr Rasputin/Colossus - The team's powerhouse, Piotr is the team's Russian representative as well as the team's lone "Mutant" member. He has studied at Xavier's School for Gifted Youth and been a part of the X-Men in the past.
  • Joseph Falsworth/Union Jack - Britain's member of the team, Falsworth is a British lord as well as an expertly trained espionage agent. Falsworth's grandfather also served for a time with Rogers on the Invaders squad.
  • Vivian D'Aramis/Crimson Fox - France's member, Vivian has the ability to manipulate her pheromones, affecting how men respond to her. This is invaluable in infiltration. She is also trained in hand-to-hand combat.
• The Avengers - SHIELD's response team for Global Threats. The members of the A-Team are also considered part of the team, though the public view the following, along with Rogers, as the main cogs of the machine.
  
  • Tony Stark/Iron Man - A technical genius, Tony and Cap often butt heads as their personalities differ greatly.
  • Thor Odinson - The Norse God of Thunder, Thor is one of the most powerful beings to ever come to Earth. He and Cap are good friends.
  • Bruce Banner/The Hulk - The unpredictable wrecking ball of the Avengers, the Hulk can be friend or foe depending on his mood. Still, the Avengers have gotten on the goliath's good side, and he often aids them in their battles.
  • Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow - A stealth expert and one of the best spies on the planet, Natasha is valuable to the team even without the help of powers.
  • Clint Barton/Hawkeye - A SHIELD veteran, Clint is a master archer, almost to a superhuman level.

Enemies

• Advanced Idea Mechanics - A technological terrorist organization bent on destabilizing and ruling the world. They are about to unveil their greatest weapon yet to terrorize the world.
  
  • MODOK - A former SHIELD scientist, George Tarlton became the villainous MODOK after a failed experiment increased his mental abilities but physically deformed him. He now controls AIM with the goal of destroying the world, and especially SHIELD.
  • Arnim Zola - A former HYDRA scientist, Zola preserved his mind in data and now helps AIM's nefarious goals.
  • TO Morrow - A robotics expert that helped AIM design their robotic soldiers.
  • Professor Ivo - Morrow's partner in robotics
• Kobra Cult - A new player on the scene, the Kobra Cult are a religious extremist terrorist organization.

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

Steve could feel the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, the pressure of the situation getting to him, no matter how unflappable his public persona seemed to be. He studied the table in front of him, knowing that his next move could very well be his last. All the while, the timer ticked down to the moment where all this thinking would be for naught. He was running out of time.

Holding his breath, Steve winced, reached down, and made his move.

He barely had his eyes open, waiting for the sign that he hadn't just made a huge mistake.

After a few seconds which felt like eternity, a small clink and a chuckle told him it was all over, "Checkmate."

"Are you kidding me?" Rogers groaned and inspected the chess board as the bright, late-summer sun shone across Central Park. He searched for any possible move he could make to escape his predicament, but there was none to be had. There never was. His opponent was far too good at this.

"You know, for someone who supposedly had their brain juiced by a magic serum, you really suck at chess," the old man across from Rogers smiled, the lines in his face getting deeper and more plentiful as he did. It was moments like these that Steve could hardly believe that this was Bucky Barnes, his oldest friend. Back in the day, when they were both just boys, Bucky had been the handsome one, the one full of life and boundless energy. Now he was nearly a century old, and though he still had all his mental faculties, physically he was a shell of his former self. Still, Steve was more than happy he had his friend for as long as he had after coming out of the ice.

"Hey, it didn't implant chess in my head," Rogers shrugged.

"It made you a strategic genius," Bucky's deadpan response drew a laugh from Steve. "You just never pay attention when we're playing. You'd stomp me if you weren't thinking about one terrorist or another."

Rogers narrowed his eyes at his old friend, who hit the nail right on the head as always. AIM had been quiet lately, to the point where Steve was worried about what they were up to. On and off for five years they had been causing trouble across the globe, but for the last three months SHIELD hadn't heard a peep. Some were sleeping better at night because of it, but Steve Rogers just assumed they were in the calm before the storm. And the longer the calm, the worse the storm.

"You're worried something's coming, huh?" Bucky roused Steve from his own thoughts.

"Call it a hunch," Captain America shrugged, and looked over the park. It was packed, as it should have been on a beautiful day. Steve saw a pair of joggers, possibly a couple, laughing as they exercised. A mother pushed her child in a stroller, smiling as the baby cooed. In the distance he could see a group of teens playing football. It was like a postcard, the kind of day a cynical man would find stereotypical and trite. But not Steve, he saw everything he had fought for in WWII, and what he continued to fight for.

He caught Bucky smiling at him slyly out of the corner of his eye. He turned to his old friend and raised and eyebrow, "What?"

"See a life you'd like to be living out there? One you could have if you gave all this up?"

Steve rolled his eyes, "No. The chance at that ended when Peggy fell and I went into the ice."

The words sting Buck as much as they do him. He still thinks of Peggy Carter often, and it's never easy. She was his one true love, the one chance he had at true happiness. But that was gone now, and duty was all there was.

"There's too much craziness in this world for me to even try, Buck," Steve added with an apologetic tone. He realized the last answer was far too harsh. "I'd never be able to sleep if I gave it all up and something happened I could have stopped."

"Steve...there's a guy flying around now who can lift ever HYDRA tank we ever trashed over his head with one hand. I'm not saying you're not needed...but there are people who could pick up the slack," Bucky smiled, but with a sadness. He knew no matter how hard he tried, he wouldn't live to see his friend settled down and happy. Really happy.

"And not even he can do everything," Steve winked, but the playfulness he hoped would be in the gesture was absent. It was nothing but a reflex to try and assure his friend that he'd be alright.

Before either of them could say another word, a gust of air slapped them in the face. Steve gathered up Bucky's chess set before it blew away and handed it to him.

"Speak of the devil," Buck muttered.

From above, the whir of an engine could be heard, and a black shape like a giant bird blotted out the sunshine. In a clearing, a Quinjet set down an out stepped a man whose skin radiated back the light. Piotr Rasputin, the mutant known as Colossus, approached the two men, "Captain Rogers. Lieutenant Barnes."

"Pete, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Steve?" Rogers sighed with good humor.

"At least once more, sir. We have an issue."

"AIM?"

"AIM," he confirmed.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

[Mao Mao]

---

𝗕𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥

^{_{♦ T ' C H A L L A ♦ K I N G O F W A K A N D A ♦
♦ W A K A N D A ♦ T A I F A N G A O ♦}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T

---

^{"The world will see Wakanda and know our strength."}

For centuries, the mantle of Black Panther has been passed down to those who fought for the throne. The Kings of Wakanda kept hidden the most valuable resource to the world: vibranium. It was the metal that allowed the isolated country to flourish beyond human imagination. And to keep the knowledge secured, the Black Panther sworn to fight off outsiders and invaders. It wasn't a struggle until the 20th century and the Second World War, where King Azzuri was the first ruler to work with outsiders against the Nazi machine. And as a result, he used favors to formally gained independence from the British. Yet, still untrusting of them and the superpowers, Azzuri created a false history of Wakanda to hide the truth.

After Azzuri's death, his sons dueled for the throne that lasted for forty-eight hours. King T'Chaka emerged the victor and took over the mantle. With the Cold War and technology escalating at an alarming rate, he was the first ruler in Wakandan history to face the possibility of failing to protect from outsiders. And yet, he kept on being Black Panther and formed the Hatut Zeraze to force the isolationist doctrine. Even as the world was rapidly changing, T'Chaka took the time to celebrate the birth of his first child, T'Challa.

T'Challa was taught about the properties of vibranium along with royal and national duties from the young age of five. And then, he was finally told about the Black Panther mantle at the age of ten. He spent weeks in the jungles learning to live off of the land like an actual Black Panther. Then, he was taught the basics of fighting and stealth thanks to the Dora Milaje, the Wakandan royal bodyguard made up entirely of women. After high school, T'Challa's father announced that he was stepping down for both politics and the mantle of Black Panther. It was the first time that the King of Wakanda retired for his role, but it wasn't fully realized until his son beat him at the coronation.

T'Challa's first mission as the Black Panther caused him to travel to the neighboring country of Zambesi. Before retiring, his father was working on arresting the international black-market arms dealer known as Ulysses. Ulysses managed to be one of the few outsiders that successfully stole vibranium. T'Challa knew that he had to destroy his supply before it was sold off. He tracked down Ulysses and managed to destroy the vibranium, but he escaped and went into hiding. T'Challa spent weeks across Africa in an attempt to track him down until he finally found him in the heart of Wakanda, ready to invade it.

It was an invasion that Wakanda had never faced in their lifetimes and it was deadly. Hundreds of brave Wakanadan soldiers fought off Ulysses' private military. The fighting lasted for a week and spread across the country before T'Challa personally cut off his arm and made him order the retreat. The King of Wakanda saw the cost of keeping a secret that was impossible to hide anymore. So, he made the most difficult choice and announced his plans to reveal the truth to the world. T'Chaka opposed the idea and tried to change his son's mind, but it didn't work.

T'Challa was about to embark on a decision that will change his nation's history forever.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S

---

Like the last time that I played Black Panther, I want to focus on the political aspects in a world filled with super-powered individuals. Yeah, T'Challa will still kick butt if he needs to. But he will also be busy talking to countless ambassadors and leaders about the good of his nation, Wakanda. Speaking of which, I wish to be able to explore more of the secretive country and tell a story of how its citizens are handling things since the announcement. So, I'm hoping that there can be a balance between playing politics and playing the hero.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S

---

N'Yami - T'Challa's mother, who spends her time dealing with outsiders and ensuring that everything's smooth between Wakanda and the world.

T'Chaka - T'Challa's father, who was the former Black Panther and King of Wakanda. He helps out his wife with outsiders especially the members of the UN Security Council.

Shuri - T'Challa's young sister, who has a gifted intellectual mind with a vast knowledge of Wakandan science and technology. She's the one that repairs and upgrades the Black Panther suit and gadgets.

Okoye - General of the Dora Milaje. She's the one that protects the Royal Family for any threats and helps out the Black Panther on preparation for a mission.

Nakia - Leader of the Hatut Zeraze. She spends most of her time working on undercover assignments that sent her across Africa. Recently, she became personally involved in finding and arresting Ulysses.

Ulysses - Black Panther's arch-nemesis, an international black market arms-dealer that specializes in vibranium. He went into hiding after failing to invade Wakanda and losing his arm during his fight with Black Panther himself.

Vixen - A superhero that Black Panther met and worked with him during his mission in Zambesi. She has a necklace that gives her the ability to mimic any animal with just a thought.

S A M P L E P O S T

---

TBD TITLE

---

BLACK PANTHER

_TBD

01.00.00

---

_{Royal Palace of Wakanda // Birnin Zana}

T'Chaka was becoming more concerned with his son after he sought advise from his ancestors at Birnin Mutata. He, his family, and the Taifa Ngao had been waiting a hour for his return. His wife, N'Yami, tried to comfort him to no effect. Nearby, the councilors were gathered into one area and began discussing the King's decision to visit the City of the Dead. Abeni listened as his fellow associates were essentially gossiping about T'Challa and the reason behind his sudden departure so quickly after the battle with Ulysses. Most of them assumed that the invasion attempt had something to do.

Councilor Hodari turned his sights to Abeni and began talking to him about the issue. "Abeni, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

Abeni thought of an answer and responded, "I'm wondering if our king sought counsel after the attempted murder on the outsider."

"That could make sense." Hodari seemed supportive of Abeni's theory. "He looked horrified after he cut off the terrorist's arm."

Amara Azikiwe rolled her eyes and dismissed the idea that their king was terrified of striking back ruthlessly. "Our king is the Black Panther. He isn't afraid of some blood."

"But he isn't as cruel as T'Chaka was."

"I heard that he's considering disbanding the Hatut Zeraze due to their cruelty." Other councilors were caught off guard by what Hodari said. Before they could have time to process the information, the Royal Talon Fighter appeared from the distance and began approached them. Everyone got into position and waited to hear what the king had to say after counseling with his ancestors. Meanwhile, T'Chaka finally felt relief that his son was returning and waited for the fighter to land before welcoming him back.

When the ramp was lowered, his younger brother, S'Yan, walked past while he was typing something onto a notepad. T'Chaka immediately knew that something serious had taken place while in the Ancestral Plane. T'Challa emerged from the jet with Okoye by his side. His father greeted his son back at the bottom of the ramp, "My son, I am grateful for your return from Necropolis. I hope you found what you were looking for."

"I did." T'Challa acknowledged his father and then turned his attention to everyone else. "After visiting with my ancestors, and meditating on their words, we cannot remain in the shadows anymore."

"My king, I don't understand."

"Wakanda has to be revealed."

---

[Pacifista]

T H E H U L K

---

^{_{B R U C E B A N N E R ♦ N U C L E A R P H Y S I C I S T / F U G I T I V E ♦ N O R T H A M E R I C A ♦ I N D E P E N D E N T}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

---

^{"At this point, I don’t think I care if anyone tries to stop me."}

23 years ago, a young boy suffered deeply at the hands of the a monster who tried to turn him into another one. Two shining lights in his life dwindled to one before he was finally freed. 7 years ago, he found a life with that remaining light, and things were good. 5 years ago, he showed the world how much of a monster he really was. 4 years ago he met the monster who’d made him one, and snuffed the life from him.

The attack on Navapo, New Mexico, and El Diablo Air Force Base shook the world, and the inability of SHIELD to capture the Hulk directly led to further havoc in New York some months later. Though Hulk was captured at the end of his tantrum, he would come to escape, few prepared to contain such a powerful superhuman. Since then, while he occupied a specific place in the cultural consciousness, one that couldn’t be overlooked, luckily, for many who remained fearful, his escape resulted in the Hulk virtually vanishing, largely unheard of outside of fanciful, unsubstantiated rumor.

Bruce still lives, having escaped to Central America in an attempt to live peacefully, divorced from the self he aimed to bury. But nothing is meant to be repressed forever.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

---

Spiritually succeeding the iteration of the character I played in the past, by jumping ahead to year 5, I’ll be able to skip a lot of that introduction (with the freedom to flashback if needed) and put Hulk in a much more free position to interact with other players. As a character with a lot of baggage, both mentally and given his place in recent history, there’s definitely a lot of potential given the inevitable discord between League and Avengers, not even just with Bruce, but Ross as well. All while Brian (spoilers, not dead) continues his machinations in the shadows.

This Bruce is one a bit less reserved. A once shy nerd having been thrown out into a harsh world, he’s fed up with sitting down and telling himself to put up with it if it means overlooking wrongdoing. Why should he run and hide while plenty of other monsters do business in the world openly? Of course, the Hulk won’t be so easy to tame, and no matter what he tries to do there will be those who refuse to accept him, and those who refuse to let him be accepted.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

Elizabeth “Betty” Ross – Bruce’s childhood friend. Largely a reporter on cultural matters (metas and heroes in particular), she also grew up with Bruce, and was his girlfriend before his transformation into the Hulk.
General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (to potentially become The Red Hulk) – Betty’s protective father and member of the US Air Force. Highly distrustful of metas, he’s been an active internal proponent of anti-meta measures and resources. Given that he fundamentally can’t respect or trust a superhero or meta who didn’t come from a modern military background first when it comes to metahuman matters, he’s only tolerant of the Avengers while not trusting the Justice League whatsoever.
Brian Banner (the Leader) – Bruce’s abusive father. Killed by the Hulk in New York several years ago. In the chaos of Hulk’s rampage, his body wasn’t found, so despite witness testimony and evidence, he has legally been declared missing.
Emil Blonsky (the Abomination) – a soldier injured in the Hulk’s attack in New Mexico. Through experimental science, he’s been given another chance, currently the head of Ross’ Hulkbuster squad.
Benjamin Tibbets (to become Flux) – A young Marine soldier.

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

Cough cough HAGCK

Spray of spit and foam splattering in the sink, Bruce caught his breath, rinsing his mouth out before cleaning off his toothbrush. Wetting down his hands, he wiped at the freshly trimmed stubble remaining on his face. Looking around, he pulled out a razor and a can of shaving cream, pressing down on the nozzle only for it to sputter and die. Shaking his head, he went without. Putting on a pair of light purple shorts, flip flops, a plain button up blue shirt, and a wide panama hat over his mess of brown hair, a pair of hazel eyes lidded, he stepped out of the bathroom into the bedroom, largely consisting of a small, rickety bed and worn down dresser taking up 60% of the floor space, the rest walkable in two steps. Those two steps took him to the kitchen and entryway, making up the rest of the house, the floor dingy and worn but not dirty. Most of the light came from the windows, the room becoming brighter as Bruce pulled open the door, grabbing his bike (kept stored inside for safety), and locking up before heading out.

Even in the early morning, the humid sea air and blazing sun of Belize was rough, but nothing Bruce was uncomfortable with. His skin was quite tanned: the pasty lab nerd practically a different person. His routine of biking around this district of the city with its many long paths, along with occasional labor to make ends meet, had given him a little meat on his skinny bones. Though his face was relatively clean now, in the slightly cooler months he liked to sport a beard. Stepping out into the sun, descending a short stairwell to the ground level, looking out to the rows of small, dingy abodes, none of them older than a few years due to one hurricane or another.

Destroyed and rebuilt. That’s where Bruce was, getting down to it. He was ‘Benny’ now, a down on his luck American currently in Belize City, making it by through helping people out with odd jobs thanks to various skills and expertise, and through various handouts and favors he received from the grateful locals who supported the twice a week English classes he did for free. Benny never asked for much more than a chance, and now honestly, he could say he didn’t mind things where they are. He could look up at the sky, breathe deeply, and feel as though things were alright.

It had been years since the Hulk first took to the streets of Navapo on a warpath to El Diablo Air Force Base, inviting the ire of SHIELD. And it was less than a year after that Hulk was seen for the last time, in New York. It was still a blur to Bruce, but it was the past now. Betty was better off with Bruce gone. Everyone was. Because as long as Bruce was gone, there was no more Hulk.

Setting down his bike, he pedaled off into yet another day in this run down stretch of paradise. While he could certainly envision better, nowadays he was just grateful it wasn’t so much worse.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

A Green God, A Green Devil

TBA

[mickilennial]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

M O O N K N I G H T

---

^{_{M A R C S P E C T O R ♦ N Y C ♦ I N D E P E N D E N T ♦ S O M E T I M E S A N A V E N G E R}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

---

^{“I'm not real.”}

The vigilante known as Moon Knight has been an ambiguous figure of concern in New York City for the greater part of a decade.

The criminal underworld has taken notice, though for the longest time the supposed Lunar Legionaire was nothing but an urban legend. A story told to scare criminals into second-guessing themselves. Perhaps it’s still true. But there are people who believe the stories that the thugs and gangsters that stalk New York at night tell about a moon-crazed lunatic that hunts down the worst and the weird. It is a reality that Moon Knight enjoys. Sometimes a little too much.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

---

I’ve always played with the idea of Moon Knight in these games, but generally I always gravitate to someone else eventually, so this is me trying to give the man a good college try.

This version of Marc Spector is a few separate ideas brought together in this fresh universe, not focusing entirely on the Khonshu mythology but more identifying a broken shell of a man who has been trying to achieve his mission to protect others from the wicked and the weird no matter the personal cost. And Marc at this point has achieved a lot of cost throughout his dealings with his traditional rogues gallery, cults, and secret societies who wish the urban legend great harm. He’s lost pretty much everyone who dedicated themselves to his mission. A deep regret Marc has is that he put people in harm’s way that should’ve never been involved in the first place. In New York City he’s committed himself to carrying on in spite of his loss.

In this game I will explore a older Marc Spector who has more experience than some of the other heroes around him and is struggling with the ambiguity of Khonshu, his own emotional and mental wounds, and how he chooses to push forward. Stories will jump around as needed in a loose format jumping from pulpy serialized moments and great hints at narrative. There will be room for collaboration with other New York heroes, but right now I want to get one foot in the door.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

TBD

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

“A Crescent Moon” • Part 1

Sometimes I imagine this world isn’t real, but another one of Khonshu’s many illusions. For it is Khonshu who whispers in my ear often, alluding to things that persist yet do not persist at the same time. Reality becomes hard to discern beyond the cries of people in the night, but somehow I’m at peace with it.

In recent weeks there’s been a dream where there’s flashes of water. Tar-like water. Water that consumes and engulfs. But it isn’t water. It’s something else. Khonshu is rarely clear to me, as his whims are not orders but vague murmurs and prophecies. Metaphors and glimpses. Scenes are out of order with no color or sound yet distorted and loud. It’s enough to drive a normal man insane a dozen times over. But fortunately for me, I was already insane in the first place when Khonshu began to unravel my brain like a ball of twine. Somehow I have lived over a decade piecing together the madness and the truth. Somehow my brain and body are still here. Partially.

Heh.

But unlike the dogs from a few days ago, I can’t remotely place the water or its meaning. Could be just a dream that has nothing to do with Khonshu. That’s happened before. But I don’t think that’s what’s happening here. Maybe I need more time to piece it together.

Khonshu you enlightened bastard, work with me for once.

Then again? There's no time to squabble with the voices in my head. I've got a date with a creepy schmuck who lives in the dark.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

[NinaDivine]

I saw the list in the Interest Check but wanna see if anything has changed yet. Has anyone stated interest in Green Lantern yet?

[mickilennial]

I saw the list in the Interest Check but wanna see if anything has changed yet. Has anyone stated interest in Green Lantern yet?

@NinaDivine

Go for it.

[Master Bruce]

Look! Up in the sky!
It's a bird!
It's a plane!
It's...

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

S U P E R M A N

---

^{_{CLARK JOSEPH KENT (KAL-EL) ♦ INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST ♦ METROPOLIS, DELAWARE, U.S.A. ♦ THE DAILY PLANET STAFF, THE JUSTICE LEAGUE}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

---

.
^{"I've fought for the same things, even when they don't seem fashionable. It's a neverending battle, but we can't quit."}

Five years ago, an experimental craft said to be able to sustain an atmospheric breach with leisure was launched by LexCorp CEO and famed astrobiologist, Lex Luthor, during a worldwide press conference. When the shuttle began to break down and malfunction, however, the crew aboard the S.S. Lena seemed fated for certain doom. While the gallery of reporters watched the scene play out in horror, including The Daily Planet's own Lois Lane, a rookie journalist that was assigned to shadow her stepped out of view and pulled apart his shirt to reveal a uniform beneath - with a symbol, alien in origin, that unmistakably looked like the letter S. Within minutes, cameras broadcast the shuttle's miraculous rescue for all the world to see as the being who had caught it - with his bare hands, no less, while suspending his own personal gravity to fly through the air - gently landed and placed the craft a mere mile from the launch site, fully intact and with all crew unharmed. That was the day that the world was introduced to a man that would later announce himself as a friend to humanity, a champion of the people that would fight for those who could not fight for themselves. His name was Kal-El of Krypton, but the public latched onto another name that The Daily Planet had coined - Superman.

In the time since The Man Of Steel's first dramatic appearance, Superman and his mild-mannered alter-ego Clark Kent have only looked to further that initial mission of peace. Whether that means saving a village full of people from a raging fire half the world away, writing an exposé on the troubled conditions of the less fortunate for The Daily Planet's online edition, or simply standing between the citizens of Metropolis and a ravaged byproduct of science and mutation gone horribly awry - making such enemies as The Ultra-Humanite, The Atomic Skull, The Silver Banshee, and the alien-tech equipped terrorist outfit known as Intergang - Superman has become a beacon of hope for some and a figurehead of justice where traditional systems have failed. But others, such as Lex Luthor and SHIELD's Nick Fury, regularly treat Superman's presence as a potential threat rather than a potential ally.

While Clark started off confident that he could eventually win his skeptics over, it's become clear that for as long as Superman remains active, others will fear him and even attempt to best him, putting the city of Metropolis and even the world itself in considerable danger. That's why it took little convincing on his part to begin working with others, coordinating a response team in the event of a worldwide catastrophe - one that soon arose in the form of Starro, The Conqueror. Calling themselves The Justice League, Superman has taken on the task of acting as the defacto public face of a group that otherwise shields their true identities and hidden homelands.

Whether facing ongoing threats to humanity and intervening to lend a hand in public crises, or simply trying to rebuff the often skeptical Lex Luthor's latest claim about his true intent, Superman continues to defend Earth's citizens in the name of truth and justice.
.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

---

This seems pretty self-explanatory. Superman is one of the key foundations of the superhero myth, if not the foundation of it, and I've always loved the character. The reason I'm taking him on in this game is because I think the set-up provides a unique opportunity to see Superman on the frontlines of something he's rarely had to ever face in the comics: heroes with opposing ideologies. While DC and Marvel's heroes are at their very core fighting for the same things, they're very different groups of people. Superman represents the best of his type of hero, but he's a far cry from characters like Spider-Man and The Avengers, and I think that presents an interesting moral conflict.

I hope to set up parts of his mythology that seem obvious, such as his more prominent enemies beyond Luthor and his extended super-family, but through the context of a truly shared universe, where costumed heroes are alot more of a commonality. I also want to establish real, tangible dynamics with characters like Nick Fury, Captain America, The Fantastic Four, and others he wouldn't ordinarily get much time with.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

As of right now, Superman's allies consist of Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Perry White, Ron Troupe, Steve Lombard, Cat Grant, and the rest of the staff at The Daily Planet, which is simultaneously one of the last dinosaurs of newsprint and one of the most popular online publications to exist, serving as a testament to old-school journalism and facts in the face of it's rivals' clickbait and misinformation. Whenever he needs a hand with something scientific, he consults Dr. Leo Quintum of S.T.A.R. Labs.

Jonathan and Martha Kent are still alive and well, living on the family farm in Smallville... along with a recently acquired addition. A blonde teenage girl, found by Superman a year earlier. After discovering her while trapped in a crashed escape pod, and wearing his kryptonian symbol, Clark took it upon himself to see that she remained protected until he could know where she came from. She is unable to speak any known Earth language, but Clark has entrusted his adoptive parents to teach the girl the basics of life on Earth, as they did with him.

And of course, he trusts the members of The Justice League. They're all aware of his dual identity as Clark Kent, a secret that he willingly gave up when the decision was made to make the group a permanent fixture. Though the two members of the League that he considers his closest friends are Batman and Wonder Woman, having teamed up with them both multiple times before the Justice League's formation.

As far as his enemies go, Lex Luthor still remains his most vocal critic - though in the five years that they've fought eachother verbally, it's never resulted in a true altercation. And even if he's been suspected of utilizing illegal means to further his empire, Luthor utilizes the law and his public image to his advantage, making him virtually untouchable. Beyond Lex, Superman has battled only a few members of his rogue's gallery, with more to come as the game progresses.

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

And as Mild-Mannered Journalist, Clark Kent...

"Brake. Brake. Brake. Brake!"

Jimmy braces himself for certain doom from the back seat of Lois' car as we enter onto the freeway. Normally, I might try and stifle a laugh at his worry, but I happen to agree with the sentiment whenever I volunteer to sit in this particular passenger's seat. To say that my colleague is... well, an erratic driver is to say that The Atomic Skull's head is on fire. It's just one of those things that you don't have to really say so much as experience. And Jim and I are both having to experience a level of swerving and speeding that threatens to get us pulled over before we even get a chance to make it to the conference. Lois merely sneers at him in the rear-view mirror, shrugging off his panicked wailing as her foot hesitantly pumps the brake. A few of the cars honk behind us at this sudden change in trajectory, and Lois narrowly avoids another collision, but I think Jimmy is more than a little relieved when he sees the speedometer actually fall to the legal limit.

"Fine, Olsen, you can stop shouting in my ear. Couple of girls..."

I adjust my glasses, smiling at Jim as he loosens his death-like grip of the seatbelt and giving him a shrug. While I'm sure that he was just being overly protective about his equipment - which, to be fair, did cost him the equivalent of a fortune on his salary - there was enough worry in his voice to suggest otherwise. Me being me, of course, I was never actually worried about us. Even a severe accident wouldn't have even left me with so much as a scratch, and I'd have thrown myself in the way of any potential impact that would have threatened to harm Lois or Jim. I was just concerned for the other pedestrians on the road.

"Really, Lois. It's not like it's a matter of life and death that we get there early."

Lois scoffs at this assumption. To her, every potential story is a matter of the gravest importance. Nevermind the danger, of course, which is why she's as renowned as she is. It's also led to more than a few close calls, which I'm astonished has never seemed to give her pause.

"It's worse than that, Kansas. It's a matter of my career. You heard Perry in the newsroom, this story is guaranteed to give The Planet's physical edition a boost in quarterly sales. Not to mention inch me ever closer to that Pulitzer, which is totally not the more important part."

I raise an eyebrow at that.

"But you don't even like Luthor."

"Well, yeah. I'm as much a fan of him as I am of venerial disease, but that didn't stop me from covering that outbreak in Suicide Slums a few months ago."

Heh. Point taken, I guess.

"Besides, Mr. Kent, Lex Luthor's public appearances are getting rarer and rarer these days. The fact that he's even holding a press conference at S.T.A.R. Labs and is pointedly not out to smear the big guy, this time, makes it a huge get."

"See? Jimmy gets it."

I try not to have much of a reaction to the 'big guy' part of that statement, but I can't help but wonder if that's truly the case. Neither I nor Lois believe, entirely, that this won't devolve into yet another attempt to appeal to the public that I'm public enemy number one, the doom of all that exists for simply existing with a level of power that he believes to have remained unchecked, among the many grievances that he's made about me over the years. LexCorp's marketing campaigns have even bled into his obvious bias, with his scientific breakthroughs and technological advancement projects offering to make any man a Man Of Tomorrow. An endeavor that I wholeheartedly wish him well in, as I have to admit that Luthor's still a genius when it comes right down to it.

That doesn't mean I trust him to do the right thing with any of that, of course. But I'm trying to be optimistic. Luthor and I have been at odds since the beginning, with his assertions that I'm some kind of ticking clock waiting to go off feeding a media frenzy about my true intentions. Whenever I make those intentions clear, it only seems to double his efforts to prove to the world that I'm some sort of fraud. It's a waste of his talent, not to mention a tactic to try and absolve himself of any sort of wrongdoing with those experiments of his. But Lois, Perry, and the rest of the bullpen at The Daily Planet have been digging into him since before I even got the job. It's clear to anyone that he's complicit in something unsavory, probably even more than a few things. But no one, not even his so-called and self-appointed 'arch nemesis' has been able to get their hands on definitive proof.

"I guess I just don't see the big deal. We could easily get a pull-quote from Luthor over the phone about whatever he's announcing. He's never exactly been shy about freely giving out his opinions on... well, much of anything."

Lois side-eyes me as if I just committed some incredible act of blaspheme.

"That's a defeatist attitude, Smallville. It'll sink your career faster than the Hindenburg. Barring the fact that Lex generally likes to make a spectacle out of any public display of his raging ego, any rando from some rag like The Times, The Gazette, or The Bugle could always dial him up for a pull-quote. It takes a real journalist to get any of his statements on the record while being able to look his pompous gaze in the eye. To show him that he may think that he's on some big freaking pedestal, but he's not above the law and he's definitely not above the press."

"That, and he called Superman a 'parasitic alien feeding off of the gullible minds of the public'."

"That, t---"

Lois stops herself, glaring even angrier into the rear-view mirror.

"And just what are you implying?! That I'm only out to... to get some sort of retaliation on Luthor because he insulted my... I mean, our meal ticket to any major disaster headlines?! That I'm doing this out of some... some sort of protective fit over some childish crush?! Is that what you're implying, Olsen?!"

Jimmy sinks lower into his seat than I would have thought possible. I also elect to remain silent. I may be faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and all the rest that's been said many times over, but I wouldn't dare try and correct or insinuate anything that might set Lois Lane's infamous temper off. Any man that would is asking for a death sentence. Or at the very least, a verbal assault.

^{"N... No, ma'am."}

"Yeah, I didn't think you were."

Mercifully, just as the tension reaches it's fever pitch, I spot the unmistakable silhouette of S.T.A.R. Labs' massive facility encroaching on us. Within the next exit, we should only be a few blocks away from the entrance to the parking garage. Hopefully it's not packed, or the volume of Lois' tirade might go up a few notches. Which is tolerable when you're human, but considerably less so when you have advanced hearing that allows you to hone in on sounds that are half a world away. Not that I'm able to speak up about that.

"Look, all I'm saying is, maybe temper your expectations. Luthor could simply be there to announce one of his company's latest gadgets. An advancement in surveillance tech, or something. Maybe don't expect to get something tangible to work with if you're going after Luthor for whatever he said about... you know who."

Lois smirks, pulling onto the ramp fast enough to give Jimmy another anxiety attack.

"You do journalism your way, Kansas, and I'll do it mine. And we'll see who Perry gives the byline to this time. Loser buys dinner for the three of us. Deal?"

I sigh to myself. "Do I have a choice?"

"Nope!"

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

[webboysurf]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

I R O N M A N

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^{_{T O N Y S T A R K ♦ G E N I U S / B I L L I O N A I R E / P L A Y B O Y / P H I L A N T H R O P I S T
M A L I B U / N E W Y O R K C I T Y ♦ S T A R K I N D U S T R I E S}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

---

^{"I am Iron Man."}

I'm back to take another crack at everyone's favorite self-obsessed billionaire. The concept I'm running with Iron Man this time is a little more simple and open ended: Tony Stark is paranoid. Aliens, gods, monsters, mutants... as far as Tony Stark is concerned, they're all threats to the world at large. The origin is roughly standard: The Ten Rings kidnapped Tony to get him to make weapons for them. He made his first suit to escape, and shortly after became Iron Man. Iron Man would have become active five years ago, and would have been a founding member of the Avengers. Stark Industries has, on paper, transitioned into developing clean energy solutions while also manufacturing luxury vehicles and jets: a far cry from its origins as a weapons manufacturer. Of course, that's not the only thing keeping the company afloat. A secret division within Stark Industries, code-named Stark Unlimited, has been working on a new project behind the scenes: the Iron Legion. The goal of the Iron Legion is to develop Iron Man drones capable of being dispatched by an organization like SHIELD in order to defend cities and people from any number of threats.

Of course, things never go as planned. This arc will take some inspiration from the famous "Armor Wars" storyline, as Tony's technology will be stolen and sold on the black market. Of course, threats come from all sides. Issues revolving around the legality of Stark's arc reactor technology, personal issues with Pepper, and Tony's constant need to prove his superiority are going to drive him to his breaking point. The question then remains: just how Invincible is the Iron Man.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

---

I've decided to lean a little bit more into Tony being a very complicated character when it comes to heroes. Unlike characters like Captain America or Superman, Tony's morality isn't exactly as black and white. He's paranoid and narcissistic, believing himself to be the smartest person in whatever room he walks into. More than that, though: he believes that he's humanity's only hope if someone like Superman turns on the people. Because of his fears, Tony has become rather isolated and obsessed with his quest to protect the world. While he does do some work with SHIELD and intends to contract out his Iron Legion to them, he does everything in his power to hide his technology from them and the rest of the world. Of course, once it becomes clear that he can't hide his creations from the world any more... things are really going to hit the fan.

This story of Iron Man is going to be focused on his greatest enemy: Tony Stark.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

Supporting Characters

JARVIS: Tony Stark's AI assistant, based on his childhood butler.

James "Rhodey" Rhodes: Rhodey is a longtime friend of Tony Stark, since their meeting during a brief stint in which Howard sent his son to a military academy. The two became fast friends, with Rhodey often acting as the voice of reason to the eccentric billionaire. Rhodey has been Iron Man's handler in both the Air Force and later as his handler in SHIELD.

Pepper Potts: Tony's former personal assistant, and now the COO of Stark Industries. Pepper is a Harvard graduate and a shrewd business woman, but has a soft spot when it comes to Tony Stark. The two dated early on in her career, but separated so she could focus on Stark Industries.

Ivan Vanko: A nuclear scientist who believes that Tony Stark stole his father's arc reactor schematics, and whose lawsuit against Tony and Stark Industries is currently on its way to trial.

Former Antagonists

Obadiah Stane (Arrested): Former Executive for Stark Industries, who was responsible for Tony's first encounter with the Ten Rings terrorist organization. He latter secretly attempted to recreate the Iron Man armor and used it as the Iron Monger. He is currently in SHIELD custody on The Raft.

Justin Hammer: The CEO of Hammer Industries and longtime rival of Tony Stark and Stark Industries. While Tony is aware of Hammer's involvement in creating the armor and weapons of some of his adversaries, Justin Hammer has never been convicted for his crimes.

The Mandarin: The leader of the Ten Rings terrorist network, The Mandarin has remained elusive to the Iron Man. The two have never fought directly, though the Ten Rings have continued to operate despite Iron Man's previous efforts.

Aidan Blomfield (Arrested): A career criminal hired by Justin Hammer to use his technology to face off against Iron Man using a sort of crude repulsor technology. He was the first real enemy of the Iron Man, and is still sitting in a cell upon the raft after somehow escaping prison twice to face off against Iron Man with upgraded tech.

Donnie Gill (Arrested): Donnie Gill was an engineer at Hammer Industries who used stolen schematics of Victor Fries' technology to develop the "Blizzard" suit. Justin Hammer had Donnie use the suit against the Iron Man, but was defeated and imprisoned by SHIELD. He is currently being held on The Raft.

Gary Gilbert (Arrested): A political lobbyist seeking to force Congress to pass a bill forcing Stark to manufacture his arc reactor technology for public use. His efforts failed, but the lobbyist was able to get in touch with Justin Hammer. With his career in shambles, Gary Gilbert accepted Hammer's deal and worked with Donnie Gill as Firebrand to try and take down the Iron Man. He too was defeated and is currently imprisoned on The Raft.

Boris Turgenov (Deceased): Boris Turgenov was a Russian soldier gifted a suit of armor (The Crimson Dynamo) with a crude arc reactor installed inside of it by Anton Vanko. The arc reactor was incredibly unstable, and was destroyed in the confrontation. Tony Stark barely survived the encounter himself, and designed the Silver Centurion and Anti-Radiation suits to replace it.

Armors

Mark XVII - The Silver Centurion: One of his most impressive armor designs to date, the Silver Centurion is the most capable suits of combat armor in Stark's arsenal. It's an upgrade of his traditional suit of armor after it was severely damaged in a confrontation with the first Crimson Dynamo.

Mark XVIII - Anti-Radiation Armor: A rather impressive suit of armor that was designed to not only survive in high radiation environments, but absorb radiation to convert it into energy.

Mark XIX - Hydro Suit 2.0: An update of a utilitarian water-based suit of armor he developed. The suit was improved to survive in high-pressure environments and has an improved propulsion system designed for aquatic environments.

Mark XX - Space Suit: Stark designed this suit in the event he ever needed to travel into space. This suit is meant for high maneuverability and is outfitted only with upgraded repulsor technology.

Mark XXI - Godkiller [INNOPERABLE]: Highly classified, and currently unfunctional.

Future Threats

Melter (Bruno Horgan) - A scientist who developed a "melting" weapons technology that he believes Stark's repulsors are based on.
Detroit Steel (Doug Johnson) - A "superhero" in the employ of Justin Hammer, and willing to work for any company for a price.
Firepower (Jack Taggart) - A military test pilot working on a covert project named FIREPOWER in conjunction with Cordco.
Force (Clayton Wilson) - Former professor who developed his own suit off the black market schematics to avenge his dead brother.
Crimson Dynamo (Valentin Shatalov) - Vlatavan General who was responsible for the Vlatavan coup a few years earlier.

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

Never a Dull Day

"We are five minutes from the grand unveiling. Now is not the time to start drinking."

Tony leaned back in his chair, looking out the window while dressed in a red suit. Clutched in his hand and half drunk was a glass of scotch, coming from a bottle that Tony had already forgotten the name of. It was probably something fancy, knowing the kinds of things people sent him. His bloodshot eyes traced over the rest of the New York skyline leading out towards the bay, the red veins more of a sign of his lack of sleep than anything. Tony turned his gaze back towards Pepper, who was sporting a matching red jacket and skirt. She had the same look she always had towards him these days: frustration. He raised an eyebrow at her, flashing the usual smartass grin that seemed to be permanently glued to his face when around her. "My mouth was dry. I needed something to drink-"

"There's this magical drink called water, Tony. I know you're aware of it, because you always had me stock overpriced bottles of it in the fridge right behind you." Pepper shook her head as she held up the tablet that she held in the crook of her arm, tapping away at the screen. "I had JARVIS double check the energy readings and run a practice test this morning-"

"JARVIS, run the numbers again." Tony quickly downed the rest of his drink as he stood up, walking over towards the window as he looked down at the street below. The area right outside of the Tower had already been sectioned off for the big event. The press trucks were assembled, and the reporters were already taking their seats. From up here, they looked like ants. For a moment, a thought crossed through Tony's mind. Is that what he thinks of us?

A disembodied voice cut through the awkward silence. "Sir, all readings indicate the reactor is stable. Do you need anything else, sir?"

Tony shook his head, walking back over to his desk and tapping on the glass covering. The desk lit up, revealing an embedded monitor setup with security footage covering all the building entrances and the reactor room. "Just keep me posted if there's any irregular chatter coming from the NYPD or the SHIELD detail."

Pepper rolled her eyes. "If anything happens, Rhodey can take care of it."

Tony shook his head, walking past her and towards the elevator. "And if Rhodey doesn't, JARVIS is going to keep the engine running in case he needs backup."

As if on cue, a large boom echoed from somewhere in the city. Tony turned his gaze out the window, his eyes falling upon smoke coming from the Brooklyn Bridge. In his ear, a familiar voice began barking orders. "Air support, get me eyes on the bridge. What are we looking at?"

"From the looks of it... we're looking at AIM units on the bridge. And some sort of... cannon? Moving in for a closer... no, pull up, pull-"

Tony and Pepper watched in horror out the window as they saw the quinjet approaching the Brooklyn Bridge get struck down with a large blast of blue light from the bridge. Tony turned his gaze towards Pepper, who simply sighed. "I'll use one of the usual excuses."

Tony nodded, walking away from the elevator and towards the stairs behind the bar. He pressed down on the communicator in his ear. "Sorry to barge in Commander, but this looks like a job for our mutual friend." Tony could practically see his friend hanging his head in defeat. With the silent acceptance, Tony moved his finger away from the communicator, speaking out loud. "JARVIS, is the Centurion in the chamber?"

"Of course, sir."

Tony walked up to the top of the stairs, which led to a small landing. To the left was a set of sliding glass doors that led out to a small landing platform. To the right, however, was a sliding cylindrical door that opened to reveal the front half of the suit. Tony walked up into it as if it were second nature, lifting his arms to fit into the outstretched figure of the suit. As his feet slid into the boots, the chamber began spinning as metal arms lowered themselves to stitch up the armor. Within seconds, the silver and red metal plating locked in around him. By the time he was facing the sliding glass doors on the other side, the suit had closed in around him and the faceplate slid down. It always took a moment until the display inside the helmet, but the red and blue display lit up to provide data accompanying the panorama view to match what his vision would show. The Iron Man lifted both of his feet out of the footholds in the chamber, and walked out onto the launch pad. Tony lowered his hands to his sides with his palms facing downwards, and the repulsors on his legs and feet activated to launch the Iron Man into the air.

Tony flew down low, weaving in between the skyscrapers of Manhattan as he approached the Brooklyn Bridge. He could hear screaming and police sirens, the wails of ambulances approaching and shouting on megaphones. All of it sort of blended in together at this point as the Iron Man raced towards the terrorists. And within but a few moments, Tony began making his main approach as he flew over the highway directly towards the bridge. His HUD began automatically marking the terrorists, little parts of his screen zooming in to confirm the beekeeper-like hostiles. And, of course, part of his screen zoomed in and held on a large metal truck that had a large cannon on top of it. The interior of the cannon began glowing blue, and Tony squinted his eyes as he heard something faint in the audio mix coming from the internal speakers. "JARVIS... isolate the audio coming from the cannon."

"Right away, sir." Almost instantaneously, all the sounds of New York were stripped away. The roaring winds and thunderous sounds of his repulsors launching him forward were stripped as well, leaving a single sound. A familiar whining sound that Tony had first heard years upon years ago. His eyes widened.

"That's... a repulsor cannon?!"

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

[Hillan]

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

G H O S T R I D E R

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^{_{Johnathon "Johnny" Blaze ♦ Bounty Hunter Of Satan ♦ Earth / Hell ♦}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

---

^{"Go to Hell."}

Johnny was the Ghost Rider for a decade, back in the start of the century. He was left for dead after a gang attack, his girlfriend at the time and his adoptive father were both with him and in the same situation. On his deathbed, Johnny asked whatever power there was in the world to do a sinner like him one favor. Take his soul, but save his family's life. Heaven didn't take the deal. He became bonded to the ArchDemon Zarathos, and became the spirit of vengeance. For ten years he rode. Fighting anything from no-good drug dealers to rogue angels from the Black Host. While Ghost Rider was putting the hurt on the Knight Of Hell Abaddon, Zarathos betrayed Johnny and broke their pact. Leaving Johnny dying on the ground, and when his heart stopped beating, his soul was sent to hell for all eternity.

Johnny's been dead for four years. Which in hell was the equivalent of 400 years. During this time, Johnny's been fighting demons every second to avoid endless torture. But with Zarathos and Abaddon's coup on Hell, they released Mephisto's most valued inmates. And the Lord Of Hell needs them back. He resurrected Johnny as a man, to hunt the demons down and maybe, he'd get a chance at redemption for his soul. And more importantly, revenge on Zarathos.

He's back from the grave again. No longer a host split between the man and the demon. He's just a rider. A Rider who dreads he's more ghost than man.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

---

Johnny's prime desire is to kill Zarathos. But in doing so, he'll hunt down every evil son of a bitch he can get. Using the centuries of combat skills he's amassed, he's the most qualified human to fight demons there ever was. Using weaponry enhanced with demonic magic, hellfire loaded buckshot and the occasional shot of demon blood. He's determined to get his soul back from the clutches of hell. For now, his goal is to hunt down the seven sins before they bring ruin to the world.

He's the protector of the innocent and the tormentor of the wicked.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

---

[+]

Allies:
Elaine Belloc: Nephilim, Daughter of Michael, Granddaughter of God. Former Reaper and the one who will inherent heaven, and all of creation one day.

Jim Corrigan, The Spectre - Ghost Rider's counterpart from heaven. Jim carried the Spirit Of Vengeance in him for many decades before he finally moved on. In his last days, he met Johnny and the two hosts of vengeance had a brotherly bond.

Enemies:
The Seven Deadly Sins; Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride. Seven of the most evil and twisted demons in all of Hell, released upon the earth with Zarathos's betrayal. Sure to bring destruction everywhere they go.

Zarathos - Demon and former Lackey of Mephisto, much to his chagrin. Former Co-Pilot of the Ghost Rider and the catalyst for the spirit of vengeance.

Mephisto - One of the many rulers of the underworld. Like, the fiery one. Not the criminal one. A trickster, a manipulator and overall one of the most evil creatures in all of creation.

Zadkiel And The Black Host - Every bad thing the angels ever did in mythology? Yeah, Zadkiel was the one who was tasked with all of it. Planning on overthrowing Heaven and becoming the new God.

Father Carmichael - A Protestant Priest who is highly critical of this Ghost Rider and his inherent demonic connection and is in direct contact with Heaven, spreading propaganda fed to him from the Angels. The guy is sadly technically innocent, so Johnny cannot do anything to him.

Machine Gun Nurses - a group of highly trained assassins and Demon Hunters posing as Nurses, armed with heavenly steel and bullets forged with angelic technique, making them one of the few human forces in the world that are a threat to Ghost Rider.

S A M P L E P O S T:

---

[+]

The Fateful Night in Detroit, because like everything of this nature, it was destined to go down in that Michigan Metropol. The man in black riding his motorcycle, dug up from his grave, a grave that had been empty long before he came there with lantern and shovel. His name was Johnny Blaze, but people these days only knew him as The Rider. Sitting on top of his father's old 1993 Harley Davidson, the bike he infused with the power of Vengeance so long ago. The wheels that tarnished the streets of America with hellfire and spread terror to the things that go bump in the night.

That bike is perhaps the only thing left to remind Johnny of who he was before he was the rider. When he was just a man. A man with a life, adopted into a loving family, spent his life as a performer and fell in love with a girl he had loved his entire life up until that point when they were seventeen. He was a daredevil, a defier of gravity and scared of nothing. Not of flaming rings or rows of buses. He knew his grit and his bike would carry him through it.

Those seconds he was in the air, the roar of the engine as he let go of the gas, the purr of his motorcycle. He felt immortal. And being able to feel that way again, after all those years in the pit? He almost couldn't believe it. He'd be happy, euphoric, even. If that was something he could still feel.

The freeway was empty. It was after all two in the morning. It was off the main road, but Mr. Blaze was hunting his target. And the White SUV with the tinted windows was coming up. They were pulling up onto the overpass, overshadowing the now closed down dive bars of Detroit, bars Johnny had once frequented. Health violations, he would've guessed. He grabbed the chain of Zarthal, demon of the north gate, from it's place wrapped around his shoulder and torso. Un-coiling it from himself with the grace of a olympic gymnast.

Sure, he lacked the magic to do any of the fancyness the chain could do. He couldn't make it burn, and he couldn't change it's shape anymore.

But what could he do with the indestructible metal rope?

Hit the back axle of the SUV. That's what he could do. He threw the chain, coiling around the axle, Coiling the end in his hand around the center part of his handlebar. With his left hand, he pushed the brakes. Forcing his motorcycle to halt, pulling on the chain, and as he started tipping forward, he put his weight on the back of his bike, forcing it back down to the ground after the chain went taunt, the car gave weight, breaking the back left wheel off. Johnny pulled the chain back, coiling it around his right arm as he pulled up alongside the now skidding car, coming to a halt from it's maimed journey.

He removed his black helmet, dismounting the bike. He tossed the helmet on the ground as the front door opened. From his left hip with his left arm, he pulled a revolver loaded with iron bullets blessed by a virgin. The first guard poked his head out, machine gun in hand. Johnny fired his first shot, hitting the guard straight in the head. His head didn't bleed, the bullet lodged in his skull, paralyzing him.

Johnny Fanned the hammer on the revolver as the other two doors opened firing through the car, hitting the guy in the passenger seat in each shoulder, the door closest to him swung open, he took a step backwards to avoid the door, but the possessed man inside lunged at him, Johnny took another step backwards to avoid getting knocked down, shoving his revolver under the man's chin and firing the bullet, seeing it getting lodged inside of his head, it shut him down completely with a spark.

"Come out here, Pride!" He shouted. "Your goons are down! I've come for you!" The rider yelled, the entire car shifted as the second backdoor opened, and Pride, wearing his 6'8 Mexican Cartel Boss- Meat Suit, smirked.
"Well well well. If it isn't little Johnny. Come here to play with the big boys, huh? Follows us out of hell? Came back to get a taste of the good life, ay?"

"There will be no life left for you after tonight, Pride. And after you, I'm killing your siblings."

"My my my, little Johnny's all full of himself. You're really gonna take us all down, all by yourself? Driving your dad's bike, using an old Rider's gun? C'mon. You think I don't know that revolver's the one, what, Hellbilly, used? What a stupid-ass name. You can't kill demons with it. Your blessed iron doesn't do anything but put my boys under for a bit. They'll recover, and it'll do nothi-" He was cut off by Johnny firing four shots into him, hitting his stomach, his chest and his forehead, throwing his head back, and making him take three steps backwards, leaning against the highway wall.

"Nothing but tickle me." He said, the bullets popping out of him as the impact-wound in his forehead immediately closed. A sadistic smile curling on his lips as he walked towards Johnny who was largely unphased, if only angrier by the futility of his firearm. His face was covered in darkness as the singular horn grew out of his left side of the face, his skin turning dark red and claws sprouting on his hands and he grew a half a feet and about doubled in muscle mass.
"You aren't surprised by my true form, Rider?" He asked, mockingly. His voice having a much deeper boom to it as Johnny simply shook his head.

"You aren't the first demon-son-of-a-bitch I've killed. I've waded in the blood of your kind, Pride. And you won't be the last." He holstered his revolver and drew his shotgun. Pride could smell the ammunition and knew he couldn't well, be prideful this time. This wasn't virgin-blessed iron.

He dashed, slicing at Johnny, who had to move backwards, his sawed off shotgun coming up into firing-height as Pride tackled him, the shot going off, but missing by half an inch. The buckshot hit the pavement, exploding into small burning bits of gunpowder.

"Where the hell did you get hellfire from?!" He shouted and Johnny simply smirked. "It's not the only trick up my sleeve." Pride slashed at him, Johnny drew the knife from his back, hitting Pride in his palm, the blade cut him with a bright light, Pride let out a painful groan at the presence of a blade powerful enough to harm him. While Pain was recoiling from the counter-attack, Johnny holstered the shotgun again, saving his remaining shot.

"You insect! A shard of Michael's sword, in your possession?!" He yelled, his voice exploding the windows on the SUV he had been riding in before. Completely stunned to learn that Johnny posessed one of the pieces of the now broken blade, that the Archangel had used to defeat his younger brother.
"A going away present from Hell. Mephisto called it my 500-year gold watch." Johnny goaded, twirling the blade in his hand.
"Heh. You think fighting for 500 years in the pit makes you special, boy?" Pride was getting more composed, less angry about the weaponry Johnny brought. He dashed forward, faster than Johnny could react, the man swiped at him with the knife, but Pride avoided it, jumping in a semi-circle around him, slashing Johnny in the side, a grazing wound. He kicked off again, his knee hitting Johnny in the stomach, while Johnny got to cut him in the arm with the knife, a shallow cut, but still one that pissed the demon off.

He clawed Johnny in the face, he slashed the demon's leg. Getting some distance between the far faster, stronger and more durable foe, Johnny realized he was losing a lot of blood. His leather jacket was soaked in it, in fact. The claw wound wasn't so shallow, after all. He had to end this, quick, or he was doomed. Something else caught his attention, too. The sound of engines in the distance. Motorcycles, getting closer.

"Oh. Look. It's my cavalry." Pride grinned, and Johnny finally showed another emotion than anger and confidence, he was actually concerned. "Ah, there we go. A crack in that armor of your, Johnny Blaze." Pride got ready to attack again, Johnny twirled the shining silver blade in his hand as Pride shared him, twirling it upside down and throwing it at the demon, aiming for his heart.

Like a bolt of lightning, the dagger soared through the air, piercing the demon in the chest.

He cried out in anger and pain, cursing the rider in his ancient tongue. Johnny had a smile on his lips, sure of his victory. But the demon didn't give in. His hand gripped the handle of the blade, pulling the blade out, as his hand and the wound both started burning from being in the presence of the divine blade. He threw the bloodied blade to the ground, his demonic blood lighting the ground on fire as the metal clinked to the floor. Johnny reached for his gun, but as he did, Pride was already upon him, unleashing a flurry of blows tearing him to shreds.

Cutting him up, breaking his arm, scratching him across the face again, putting Johnny on the ground with his boot-clad foot onto his chest, breaking his ribs. Johnny cried out in pain, but nobody was there to help him. The five bikes stopped beside them, and Pain motioned for the other demonic spawn to stay back. This one was his.

After breaking the last of his ribs, Pain grabbed Johnny by the neck and dangled him off the railing, below was a 20 meter drop. He was gonna choke the life out of him, and then drop him for good measure.

"You know what they say, Blaze. Pride cometh before the fall."

As Pride applied more pressure to Johnny's throat, the man's hand grabbed the shotgun and jerked it to the demon's face.
Uttering two most profound words in all of human language. Something not even the destruction of Babel could take away from us.

"Fuck. You." Johnny Told Pride, who barely managed to parry with his arm as he pulled the trigger, unleashing the second shot of hellfire-loaded shotgun shell onto the demon, a loud explosion covered the two and Pride's grip on Johnny was loosened, he careened to the ground. A man beaten and broken, fire from his gun coming off him in ironic symbolism.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

---

"My name is Johnny, and it might be a sin, but I'm the best there's ever been."

[GreenGrenade]

Sample's not completed just yet, should be sweet soon though.

* * *

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

T H E F L A S H

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^{_{B A R T H O L O M E W H E N R Y A L L E N ♦ F O R E N S I C S C I E N C E T E C H N I C I A N ♦ C E N T R A L C I T Y ♦ C . C . P . D .}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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Holy Hannah! Ready yourselves, dear readers, for a tale unlike any other! A series of events so heart-poundingly electric, so entirely exhilarating, that even the bravest of souls must steel themselves for the adventures that lay ahead! Escapades full of twists and turns, romance and intrigue – where reality is but a suggestion, and the brave triumph alongside the bold! So hold onto your seats, dear readers, for this is the story you’ve been waiting for… the story of…

THE FLASH!

Now, we must introduce you to the protagonist of our tall tale -- a bright young man named Bartholomew Allen, born in quaint Midwest America to a star-crossed pair… Our hero grew up with a love of science, spurred on by his loving parents to learn as much as he could, captivated by the wonders of the world! His passion drove him to the magnanimous Central City, gem of the Missouri River, where he pursued his studies with such aplomb, such professional curiosity, that he soon impressed many a professor at his gilded school of academia! It looked as though he may, in time, join their ranks – but fate had other plans!

Lighting struck! Its twisting bolt of heat crashed into Barry as though guided by some unseen force, and our hero was sent into a brief and terrible coma! When he awoke, he discovered that he had been changed… for he could now run at incredible speeds! The very laws of physics he had devoted his time to studying now bent for him! Inspired by stories of Jay Garrick, scarlet speedster of yore, Barry decided to use his newfound powers for good!

It has been five years since he donned a costume in his adventures of super-heroics and science! He has encountered countless incredible individuals, and battled many a dastardly rogue! Influenced by his own escapades in heroism, he has taken up a job as a forensic science technician, so that he might help people both in and out of the mask! He is aided by his trusty partner against crime, Kid Flash! He has a girlfriend! He’s in a league! He is…

THE FLASH!

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

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I’m really just aiming to tell some fun stories with a character I love. I want to write a Barry who’s got a few years as the Flash on his belt, balancing the high-stakes plots that he’s known for with lighter, pulpier adventures befitting a hero who does what he does simply because it’s right. The goal is to inject some Silver Age fun into stories that still fit the mold of this universe – relatively short arcs that give Barry and his cast time to shine, while leaving plenty of room for interaction with the wider World of Heroes.

This Barry is closer to his pre-Rebirth incarnation. His mom is very much alive, and his dad is very much not a wrongfully convicted murderer. He wears a costume for a costume’s sake, and helps people because he’s just that kind of guy. He’s experienced, he’s optimistic, and he enjoys what he does. He’s the Flash. That’s all there is to it, really. I want to have fun with it.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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Supporting Cast

Wally West – The Kinetic Kid himself, Kid Flash.

Jay Garrick – The original Flash. Over one hundred years old. Retired.

Iris West – Reporter for the Central City Picture News television station.

Detective James Forrest – CCPD Detective, Major Crimes division.

Henry and Nora Allen – Barry’s parents.

Rudy and Mary West – Wally’s parents.

Digger Harkness – Ex-Rogue, current bartender.

“Enemies”

The Rogues – Led by Captain Cold.

The Turtle – Old.

More to come.

S A M P L E P O S T:

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[+]

Keystone City, Kansas
1970

“Ladies and gentlemen,” said the man in the turtle costume, “This is a robbery.”

For the men and women in Lampert Fox and Company’s Belmont branch, this was, of course, just another Tuesday. Keystone City was no stranger to this kind of thing. It hadn’t been for over three decades. Since before America joined in on the Big One, the hard-working citizens of this fair town had become well-acquainted with unfortunate circumstances like these. They supposed that it came with the territory, really. Where lightning strikes, fire follows.

But the fire so far had been mediocre at best. All style and no substance. No pizzazz. These people, they saw costumed crime every day and they shrugged. Laughed. Waited impatiently for it to be over. They didn’t shudder, or cower, or cry. The problem was, they had no respect. No respect for the game. And who could blame them, with the all the bozos running around these days? What, were they supposed to be intimidated by the Eel and his grease gun? Was the Rag Doll going to stretch the fear of God into them? And what was the Shade going to do? What exactly did he have to terrorise Keystone with?

“Oooooh, look at my shadows?”

Pffft.

No, what this town needed was someone who knew how to play the game. Someone who was more than just his gimmick, who put as much effort into his schemes as he did to acquire the one hundred pound shell on his back that made walking maybe a little too hard to be worth it. Someone who was made of the right stuff, the stuff that gets you in the history books.

Someone like the Turtle.

And so he walked into that bank, and he announced himself with confidence, because he’d planned this, and he had goons, and by God was he going to show Keystone City what he was made of. As the patrons of Lampert Fox, America’s seventh-largest bank holding company, laid down on the ground with their hands behind their heads, the Turtle dragged his feet with purpose towards the Belmont branch’s manager, staring up at his immaculately groomed face with a triumphant sneer.

“Empty your safe,” he said. “All of i– ”

He didn’t get to finish his well-rehearsed demand, on account of the bank very suddenly transforming into the inside of a police car. He became keenly aware of a pressure around his wrists, which he came to realise were now behind his back. On the window nearest to him leaned a helmeted man dressed in red, a large yellow lightning bolt streaking down his torso.

“Those handcuffs aren’t too tight, are they, son?” asked Jay Garrick.

The Turtle peered over his shoulder, trying to get a good look at his hands. He couldn’t see past his shell.

“They’re fine,” he said, then spat, “Flash.”

Garrick nodded, satisfied.

“That shell,” he said, “What are you called? The Turtle?”

“Yes,” he beamed. “Your greatest enemy. The yin to your yang.”

Garrick chuckled. “Are you, now?”

The Turtle nodded.

“Well, Turtle – from one archenemy to another – let’s agree not to see each other again for some time, okay? I don’t want to see you doing this kind of thing again.”

“Oh-ho, don’t you worry, Garrick,” said the Turtle, using his shoulder to wipe away some spittle, “We’ll be seeing each other again soon. You may have beaten me this time, but mark my words, Flash – I, the Turtle, your greatest enemy – will clash with you once more. Our battles will be legendary. Keystone City – no, the world – will hear of our magnificent throes for an eternity to come. You’ll see.”

“Hmm. I sure hope not, son.” Garrick smiled. “You take care, now.”

He tipped his helmet, and in a blink, he was gone, leaving nothing but a cool breeze as the air rushed in to fill the space where he stood just a moment ago. The Turtle leaned back as far as his shell allowed, feeling a smile form on his lips. The famous Flash, stopping him on his first ever heist. This surely could be nothing but a sign of his own greatness? A sign from above that he was, indeed, made of the right stuff? The stuff that gets you in the history books? The stuff that gets you respect? That makes you into a legend?

“Oh, yes, Jay Garrick,” said the Turtle. “We’re going to do this forever, you and I.”

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.

_{Artwork by Doc Shaner}

[Sep]

I'm still catching up with what everyone else has posted, but here have this.

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T P R O P O S A L

M I G H T Y T H O R

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^{_{T H O R O D I N S O N ♦ G O D ♦ A S G A R D ♦ A S G A R D}}

C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T:

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^{"“Of course it was Loki. It's always Loki.”"}

Thor is one of the oldest heroes, historically speaking. Having existed in a time where Gods and Humans interacted regularly, quite often they did battle as their peoples clashed. Thor did many a battle with ancient Gaelic and Scandanavian deities. His biggest test was against a figure clad in black, while he managed to survive the fight it took a toll on him. A drunk and a brute, when the All-Father Odin brought peace to the nine realms treaties were devised and the Asgardians withdrew from Midgard to focus on their more cosmic concerns.

Through his long life, Thor has witnessed the rising of the Green Lantern Corps, Nova Corps. Rise and Fall of Empires, and has always lent a hand to whoever may need it (usually in the form of helping smite one's enemies). For many years he did not mellow, his arrogance and violent tendencies commonplace and well known throughout eight of the nine realms. It took a plot from Loki, the threat of his father's death and banishment on Midgard for him to finally start to understand his true duties as God and Protector of the nine realms.

Now he divides his time evenly between Midgard, Asgard, and all the other nine realms. When on Midgard he swears loyalty to a noble group of heroes known as Avengers, heroes that helped him in his fight against Loki.

This Thor I'm going with a more traditional take, I still intend to go into some more traditional/folklore elements. I'll be exploring what it means for the world where a literal (self-proclaimed) God is active in the World and what affects that might have.

C H A R A C T E R M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S:

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Thor at this point is a bit more mellow than my previous rendition off him, he still has a slight edge of arrogance. He spends most of his time on Midgard, despite Odin's protests, as he feels that is where he is needed most. He sees the potential in them, and how they can grow to be something great despite all the flaws in their past. Flaws that he has lived through, his banishment was a real eye-opening experience. He has always wielded power, so having his power removed gave him a chance to learn who he was without the power.

I want to see where Thor fits into a world with a Superman, and I honestly think the plot I have for Asgard is one of the best I've come up with. Just to blow my own horn.

How the Nine Realms work: The Nine Realms are extra-dimensional to Earth, systems that exist with Earth as a Central point. There are other planets/worlds within these realms, though they are smaller than the Galaxy at home. While the Bifrost is the may way connecting these realms, there are other more dangerous paths.

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S:

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Plot Arcs

Whoever shall be worthy... - Thor must strive to continually be Worthy of Mjolnir, his greatest weapon.
Asgard Lost: What happens when the Crown Prince cannot return home? [Main Plot]

NPCs

Heimdall - Heimdall is charged with control of the Bifrost, and can see all which transpires through the nine realms. Thors most trusted ally.
Warriors Three - Hogun the Grim, Fandral the Dashing and Volstagg the Lion of Asgard. A group of noble warriors gathered by Thor to fight for the safety of the nine realms.
Lady Sif - Lady Sif was naught but a maiden until she grew the attention of Thor. Wishing to be a warrior the Prince gave her a chance when no-one else would, he has often suspected that there is some form of bond between them.
Loki Laufeyson - Thors younger brother, truly son of Laufey. Did some naughty things, imprisoned by S.H.I.E.L.D?
Amora the Enchantress - Former love of Thors. A most powerful enchantress.
Odin - The Allfather. King of Asgard, protector of the nine realms.
Frejya - Thor's mother, god from Vanaheim who married Odin as a union was made between Asgard and Vanaheim. While their marriage was officially to unite the two realms, they are truly in love.

S A M P L E P O S T:

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Sample

Galdhøpiggen // Norway // Ten Months Ago

A torrent of light came down from the sky striking the top of the mountain, burning runes into the ground as a tall figure walked out from the Bifrost, shining winged helmet, flowing blonde hair, and the unmistakable mass of Mjolnir at his hip. Thor was instantly recognizable even now as he stood atop the remote mountaintop onto a concrete platform. Two S.H.I.E.L.D agents flinched slightly, lowering their weapons again once they realized who it was. One went to begin a salute, while the other one just stood there stoically. As Thor approached, neither of the guards moved to open the door, Thor stopped shy of it and looked between them. “I seek entry into the Vault. I would have words with its occupant.”

The guards merely looked at each other, before the one who held the more stoic expression decided to answer. “I’m sorry Sir, we can’t allow that. You haven’t been given clearance to enter.”

Thor turned to the guard. “You must be mistaken, for I am Thor, Son of Odin. The strongest Avenger, without me this prison would not be here for I am the one who captured its occupant.”

The two guards exchanged looks. “I’m sorry Sir, Commander Hill gave us direct orders. Nobody in or out without her say so.” Thunder sounded off in the distance, barely more than an echo as Thor started to become agitated.

“Then call her up on one of your communication devices-”

“-But sir-”

Thor took a step towards the guard as he interrupted him. Thunder sounded off in the distance again, the faintest spark crackled along with the handle of Mjolnir. “I am not in a trying mood. I must speak to the prisoner now. If you intend to stand in my way, I will gain entry without your assistance.” The guards looked at each other, obviously not quite sure on what to do.

“Well Sir-” The guard barely spoke, sounds befitting more of a mouse came forth from his lips.

“Speak up Mortal.”

“Well Sir, I suppose it will be alright-” The other guard shot him a glance and he merely nodded his head towards Thor in a way Thor took to mean ‘well do you want to fight him?’ “-Afterall without you there wouldn’t be a prisoner, while you’re in there we’ll contact Hill.” Thor merely nodded and waited for the door to open, entering into the main room a series of turrets in the room sat all pointing into the prison. There was little fear of anyone moving to break into the prison, the only fear was the occupant breaking out.

It took Thor ten minutes to pass through the various checks and security checkpoints until he finally stood waiting for the final door to open. It opened like an iris, circular it opened from the center point of the center out towards the radius folding away into the walls. Inside the room suspended in the air was a circular glass unit. Shock absorbers held it in place above a pit. He didn’t know exactly how deep the pit was, merely that he had dug it for what felt like hours until he was bored. The fall may not be enough to kill the prisoner, but it would certainly cripple him. Moving as close to the cell as it allowed, he pulled up a nearby chair and sat on it. The chair groaning slightly underneath his weight.

The figure in the cell turned to face Thor.

“So Brother, how are things?”

Loki grimaced from inside his cell. “Oh they’re good Thor, these dimwitted mortals you’re so fond of just gave me some new rolls of yarn and knitting patterns.”

Thor raised an eyebrow at his brother who was sat there, raising his little knitted woolen hat in the air. “Oh come on Thor, don’t look at me like that. What do you expect me to do? I’m an immortal in prison guarded by mortals whose pathetic little lives are like ants. What do you want? Do you come to gloat? After all this time?”

The Avenger shook his head. “Nay, Loki. I merely come to see how you are, how you’re being treated, and to ask if you need anything. I have been speaking to our father-”

Loki stood up, throwing all pretense of knitting down with his little hat and needles. “Your Father, not mine. I only ever knew my father as a villain in the stories I was told by the man who kidnapped me.”

Thor grimaced. He wasn’t going to go into the whole speech about how Odin had done it to help unite their two peoples, as frankly he never quite understood it himself. This didn’t change that Loki was still his brother, no matter the ill that had befallen Midgard at his hands. He would not give up on the man he had grown up alongside. “Loki, no matter who your biological father was Odin loved you as a Son, Freyja also. She speaks of you often to anyone who will listen, and would visit herself should her station allow.”

Loki rubbed the brow of his forehead with one hand. “First of all, can you stop speaking like that?”

A look of confusion crossed Thors face. “Like what?”

“Like an Asgardian. You’ve spent five years coming to Earth, learn to speak properly, it’s not the eighteen hundreds anymore. I mean come on, if it wasn’t for our magic translating you into English you’d still be speaking Norse for Odin's sake. Get with the time's man.” Loki sighed. “Okay, second of all. If Freyja wanted to come here, she’d find away. Now, please. Leave me to my knitting.”

“Brother, it needn’t be like this. Perhaps if you were to come with me, back to Asgard-”

Loki scoffed.“What, so Odin can lock me away somewhere even worse than here? No thanks. I get television here, I get my magazines and I get my knitting. At least I have some form of entertainment. It’s better than being bound upside down with snakes injecting venom into my eyes.”

“It doesn’t have to be like this Loki, you made a mistake. You merely allowed your mischief to get out of hand, if I were to speak to Director Fury I’m sure-” Loki picked his knitting back up off the floor and begun again.

“Here’s what you’re not getting Thor. I’m not sorry for what I did, the lives lost. Damage is done.” He shrugged his shoulders. “What do you care anyway? You don’t know these people or their lives-”

“It is my sworn duty, I will protect Midgard and the Nine Realms-” Loki laughed, throwing his head back as he did so.

“Please, you just enjoy the hero worship. Getting to fly around and playing God again, I remember what you were like during the conquests. You imprison me for my misdeeds, but how many mortals fell at the hands of Jarnbjorn?”

A fire rose within Thor at the mention of his former weapon. All good humor and intent were lost from his face. “You know well that it was a different time back then, Midgard was full of war and Gods and we warred, too many have paid for our mistakes.”

Loki stood up, very carefully and gently this time. Placing the hat carefully on his seat. “We’re not so different after all. You ruled your people, made them worship you. All in the name of glory. The same way Odin sacrificed his brothers to gain control of Asgard and the nine realms, I made to sacrifice you to rule Earth. We aren’t all that different Thor.”

Thor stood. “Hear me well brother-” The figure of Loki disappeared from inside the cell. “-Brother?” He stepped forward and pounded on the wall of the cell. “I am not opening this cell, so you can stop your little parlor tricks now!” He reached down to Mjolnir and unclipped it from his belt. “I am in no gaming mood!” He turned around to leave and as he did so he looked down at his seat. Upon it sat a wooly hat.

P O S T C A T A L O G:

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A list linking to your IC posts as they're created. This can be used for a reference guide to your character or to summarize completed arcs and stories.