[ N.O.V.A. ]
The National Office for Variant Affairs, more commonly referred to as N.O.V.A., is a government agency that deals with Variants involving everything from public relations to legal issues to scientific research. The agency for the most part is quite professional, though, over the years, corruption has started to make its way through the system at various levels.
Variant Types and Danger LevelsN.O.V.A. uses a system to classify Variants based on their specific abilities and also by the potential threat to society that those abilities pose. This does not necessarily take into account the notoriety of a Variant, but an especially aggressive or abusive Variant may have a higher danger level than normal (if he/she has been identified).
Danger LevelsClass 1 - Low
(oh please...are you even a Variant?)Variant poses no threat to others; usually possesses low level enhancement or alteration abilities; abilities may even be inherently beneficial
Class 2 - Mild
(yeah, that guy kinda bothers me a bit...)Variant may be a minimal threat to persons in close proximity if abilities are abused
Class 3 - Moderate
(hey now...you be careful with that, ok? we don't want any trouble)Though they may not be an immediate danger, Variant has a high potential to cause damage or harm to others
Class 4 - High
(wait...she can do what?!...yeah, we're screwed...)Variant is an immediate communal threat and individuals within his/her proximity should be on high alert
Class 5 - Extreme
(that's ok...we don't need the Earth anyway, right?)Variant poses a national (or potentially global) danger and should be avoided at all costs; immediate action should be taken to neutralize this threat
Variant TypesBrute - Variant with increased levels of strength and/or durability; he/she may be more difficult to harm or take down
Metamorphic - Variant can change anatomy and/or physiology, either partially or fully; can take human or non-human forms including animal, mineral, energy, or alien
Volatile - Variant has abilities dealing with fire, electricity, plasma, and any other explosive energy/force; includes corrosives
Mentalist - Variant possesses psychic abilities; can control and/or manipulate objects, people, or energy using his/her thoughts
Agile - Variant is prone to quick movements and/or fast/instant travel; he/she may possess increased levels of dexterity
Inhibitor - Variant wields abilities that can weaken and/or hinder others
Augmentor - Variant has the ability to improve the condition of themselves and/or others
Distortionist - Variant is able to alter space-time, intangible concepts, or reality as a whole
Natural - Variant has abilities that utilize and/or affect the natural world and/or animals
Architect - Variant who is able to manipulate, modify, and/or replicate matter and/or energy; some are able to construct tangible objects from energy
NotorietyOne of the primary goals of N.O.V.A. is to identify and register all Variants living within the nation's borders. Variants have no legal obligation to register with N.O.V.A., so, as one would expect, not all Variants are willing to comply with the agency's agenda, whether out of privacy or sheer rebellion. For these reasons, every Variant has a certain level of notoriety with N.O.V.A., whether officially or unofficially.
Indistinct - individuals who have been recognized as Variants but have yet to be identified by N.O.V.A. (usually wear a disguise of some sort)
Watched - Variants who have been identified but have not registered
Wanted - Variants who are known to misuse their abilities and pose a threat to the well-being and quality of life of others; vigilantes operating outside of the law are also considered Wanted as oftentimes their actions can cause collateral damage to people or property
Registered - Variants who have willingly given N.O.V.A. information on their identity and abilities
Noble - Variants who are registered with N.O.V.A. and are licensed to use their abilities for 'altruistic and benevolent practices'
M.A.D.N.O.V.A. employs a task force that is specially trained and equipped to handle Variant criminal activity. M.A.D., which stands for Monitoring, Apprehension, and Detainment, is a fairly recent institution that is being implemented in several major cities. Its members, which included Variants until a rather serious incident caused a policy change, are commonly referred to as MADmen. M.A.D. uses both street cameras and surveillance drones to track suspicious Variant activity. The main facility contains their central command center as well as an armory, garage, and training camp. There are also several smaller satellite 'posts' that are dispersed throughout the city to ensure a wider coverage and quicker response times.
