![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
SETTING ENGAGEMENT
SETTING ENGAGEMENT
BLANKET PERMISSIONS
Players do not have to ask permission to thwart or cause villainy. Our assumption is that as this is a superhero game in a world where superpowered people have existed for decades, daily life is going to involve supervillains and general mayhem.
Examples of things that do not require permission or engagement requests.
You are welcome to have your characters interact with the game's NPCS at any time.
Players do not have to ask permission to thwart or cause villainy. Our assumption is that as this is a superhero game in a world where superpowered people have existed for decades, daily life is going to involve supervillains and general mayhem.
Examples of things that do not require permission or engagement requests.
You develop an NPC villain for a log! This villain doesn't cause any major damage or many casualties. Maybe they have a de-aging ray, they give people temporary amnesia, turn people temporarily into animals, etc. You are welcome to use these for temporary effects.
Your character steals anything up to 5000 dollars. You can assume that they got away with this, or if they were caught, the guild paid law enforcement to look the other way.
Your character uses their powers to heal or change another character or player created NPC. This is a superhero game after all. We expect you to be using your powers and testing them.
Your character invents a tiny teleporter that jumps between their house and their friends house. This technology exists and is normalized in this world. We encourage players to create their own systems like this.
You are welcome to have your characters interact with the game's NPCS at any time.
SETTING ENGAGEMENT
The Metaheroes setting is designed to be interacted with. Our approach to this is best compared to a tabletop roleplay system. Your character will take an action and the mod team will provide you with the outcome of that action.
You do not need to pre-plan these actions. You're free to approach us as they evolve in threads to ask the consequences of your characters actions. Some of these consequences will be immediate, and others will appear down the line. Some may be expanded into full blown player plots.
Please note that these engagements are developed as ongoing storylines. We gently discourage players to rush to a conclusion as they're designed to be evolving based on character actions. We'd like to know how your characters are reacting, what actions they're taking, etc. We encourage reporting back to us with any developments or changes your characters are making to their approach, we will adjust the plot and add new elements accordingly.
To better keep track of these engagements, please reply to the corresponding monthly top level. You can continue to reply to that comment thread if your plot extends out from the month it begins in. Or you can begin a new one and link to the previous one if it helps you better track your character's specific movements through the months.
The Metaheroes setting is designed to be interacted with. Our approach to this is best compared to a tabletop roleplay system. Your character will take an action and the mod team will provide you with the outcome of that action.
You do not need to pre-plan these actions. You're free to approach us as they evolve in threads to ask the consequences of your characters actions. Some of these consequences will be immediate, and others will appear down the line. Some may be expanded into full blown player plots.
Your character kills someone. If they're a hero, are they reporting themselves to the authorities? The mod team needs to know how your character is handling the body.
Your character tries to use their powers to heal, harm, manipulate a Mod NPC.
You want your character to dismantle a major crime syndicate.
You want your character to develop a following / a cult / etc.
You want your character to steal everyone's left shoe.
You want your character to enter a pact with a God and become their champion.
You want your character to gain power and influence.
You want your character to learn the magic native to the setting.
A character or group of characters stage(s) participate in a conflict that destroys a city block. There may be fallout, fines, and a loss of public favor for this.
You want your character to open up a business.
A character or group of characters engage with a mod-run NPC character, guild, or business. The NPCs will react accordingly and their opinion of your character will change.
A character uses a baby ray on important political figures to take over the tri-state area. You need to inform the mods to find out whether or not you're successful or if you're thwarted by Perry the Platypus.
Please note that these engagements are developed as ongoing storylines. We gently discourage players to rush to a conclusion as they're designed to be evolving based on character actions. We'd like to know how your characters are reacting, what actions they're taking, etc. We encourage reporting back to us with any developments or changes your characters are making to their approach, we will adjust the plot and add new elements accordingly.
To better keep track of these engagements, please reply to the corresponding monthly top level. You can continue to reply to that comment thread if your plot extends out from the month it begins in. Or you can begin a new one and link to the previous one if it helps you better track your character's specific movements through the months.
EVENT FOLLOW UP & SETTING INVESTIGATION
There are a number of mysteries for players to solve. Most events have an investigative element that requires player collaboration to uncover.
An example of some mysteries currently unsolved are:
To ensure that this is visible to all players and isn't lost in the shuffle, there is a dedicated toplevel to investigations HERE. Please reply to this comment.
There are a number of mysteries for players to solve. Most events have an investigative element that requires player collaboration to uncover.
An example of some mysteries currently unsolved are:
What really happened to Starstruck?
Who was the person who hacked the Expo exhibits?
What caused the first confluence?
Who and what brought you all here?
What exactly are the flowers in Sunset Falls? Are they here to stay?
To ensure that this is visible to all players and isn't lost in the shuffle, there is a dedicated toplevel to investigations HERE. Please reply to this comment.
MOD PERMISSION REQUESTS
Actions that will significantly affect or impact the game must be run by the mod team before being introduced into play.
These would be things that alter the shared setting of the game environment in a way that cannot be easily ignored.
For this, we ask players to visit the PLAYER PLOT & Mod Permission page. Below is an example of actions that go beyond consequence reporting or investigation. You can use this page to develop a plot in this direction, but these actions cannot be taken until approval has been given.
These actions are still doable! However, as they may greatly impact the setting and may count as mini events, we ask players submit them on the Player Plot page.
Actions that will significantly affect or impact the game must be run by the mod team before being introduced into play.
These would be things that alter the shared setting of the game environment in a way that cannot be easily ignored.
For this, we ask players to visit the PLAYER PLOT & Mod Permission page. Below is an example of actions that go beyond consequence reporting or investigation. You can use this page to develop a plot in this direction, but these actions cannot be taken until approval has been given.
A character is killed and not revived two hours after their death. Characters will still revive after this happens. However, this must be brought to the mod team.
Your character installs surveillance equipment around town that would allow them to spy on NPCs or player characters. This would require a permissions post and a post on the OOC comm to notify players that it has occurred.
Your character destroys established areas of the setting. Guild HQs, established landmarks, or large parts of the cities.
Your character causes mass casualties.
Your character enters an agreement with a God / Demon for power (outside of an event).
Your character kills an Mod Created NPC.
Your character kills and becomes a God.
Your character breaks Guild Law.
Your character tries to go to the Underworld.
Your character attempts to destabilize the guilds or government.
These actions are still doable! However, as they may greatly impact the setting and may count as mini events, we ask players submit them on the Player Plot page.
PREMISE | SETTING | GUILDS | FAQ | RULES
TAKEN | CALENDAR | ENGAGEMENT | NPC ENGAGEMENT
RESERVES | APPLICATION | MOD CONTACT | PLAYER PLOTS
HIATUS & DROP | CANON & POWER UPDATES
QUESTIONS & GUIDANCE
Examples:
Example Question
Example Answer
Mayor West will more or less abdicate the role as soon as there's a viable candidate waiting in the wings. There's a reason why he's doing this, but unfortunately, you won't find out until you're sitting in the mayor's seat!
If you're open to this mystery you can go ahead and start this campaign at any time.
Additional or Deeper Powers ICly?
If I want Balthier to develop additional applications for his powers, do I need approval for that (example: learning he can permanently attach an illusion to a piece of paper to make it Doctor Who psychic paper and make people see whatever credentials he needs them to; developing illusion powers deeper to be able to mess with people's mental perception such as making them believe they are somewhere else or planting false memories)
If I want Balthier to get a new power, can I just update my app + have an in game way he does that? (Ex: at a confluence, as a side effect of an event, something awakens it, etc.)?
no subject
And yes, if you'd like to have him develop a new power you submit a request the same way we handle canon updates. Just reply to the acceptance comment with the requested updates.
Crime lord antics?
To him, becoming a crime lord will also double as an attempt to control some of Central City's crime rate, just like what he tried to do in Gotham. One of his biggest rules as a crime lord is that no children should be involved in any capacity, be it as customers or otherwise. He would also not allow human trafficking of any kind. Canonically, he has no problems with killing his own people if he feels they're of no use to him anymore or if they break any of his rules. However, if that's too much, I'm willing to scale back to something like him just being very good at threats.
1) I would like to know more details about the two small gangs and Backbreakers. I'm also open to something else if there's a better approach!
2) Would it be possible for him to have a rotation of safehouses to live in instead of living in one location? It would be one of his ways to make it harder for people to track him.
3) What's the extent of the arsenal could he steal/buy from the underworld?
4) What's the extent of the surveillance equipment could he steal/buy from the underworld?
5) Would anything about this endeavor attract the attention of either guild?
I would like to use this IC endeavor as a way for him and his CRs (current and future) to play tug-of-war with his humanity versus his darker desires. There's certainly no shortage of people who'll want to stop Jason and try to steer him away from the darkness by appealing to his humanity.
My apologies if any of this is nebulous and scattered or should be redirected somewhere else. This would basically be another way to explore the dynamics in his CRs in a different angle and I would like to hash out IC logistics and possible consequences.
no subject
1. The two small gangs aren't of much note. They don't have proper names and their loyalty to each other has to do with the fact that most of them are family. They are all baseline humans with significant distrust of metahumans. Their loyalty will be hard to win, but there are more of them - though they'll be quick to betray Jason if he harms one of them.
The Backbreakers are metahumans. They're not terribly bright and their leader is only in charge because he is the most powerful - and even then, he's not as strong as Gotham's usual brand of criminal. It would be relatively easy to beat him down or take him out, and then have the gang agree to follow Jason instead.
2. Yes. This is very possible! Central City has no shortage of empty units and abandoned houses that are begging to be turned into something more useful.
3. Stealing would immediately put him on the wrong people's radar, but if he wanted to try it, he could make off with some heavy artillery from the D'Amico Family. This would make moving in Central City very hard, though. If he wants to buy, there are a number of money-motivated merchants from The Society that will sell him the finest advanced military technology for a reasonable price. So long as he's willing to do an undisclosed favor down the line.
4. He could purchase most everything he needs if he visits Excelsior. However, Jason may be better off purchasing his own equipment online - as the tech being passed around on the streets is full of back doors that allow for outside access.
5. The Society will eventually make note of Jason's activities. As he begins to gain power, they will reach out to him and request that he join them. He's clearly skilled and they'd rather have him on their side, controlling crime, than against them. He also seems to follow their Code.
If he does align with them, he'll be aligning with people who participate in the very thing he's trying to stop. But they will give him all the resources he could ever need, and they'll gladly assist him in pursuing his vengeance. Jason will be able to post missions asking for other player characters to aid him in hunting the clown, and he'll have immunity from most consequences should his family get wise to what he's doing and try to stop him.
The Alliance will not approve of anything he's doing. They're willing to turn a blind eye until it starts involving Metahumans, and then they have to get involved as there are protocols. This could result in player characters or NPCs being directed to follow Jason, or try to bring him in.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Influencer Shenanigans (so sorry for the tldr)
So! Jaskier has been using his two months in the hotel to the max. The credit card was burned with shopping for clothes, jewelry, fine dining, and most importantly, instruments. Including a fucking piano. He's discovered his powers, which caused minor shenanigans in karaoke bars as you saw in the comment I submitted to Rue, and read as much as possible about the music scene and the guilds. This bard now has a plan! He will do the two identity thing (which luckily I had already decided before today's news haha) and he wants to join the Alliance if they agree to his limits. Both these things are influencer-related so let's break them down.
Civilian: Jaskier the musician
He'll do gigs in local bars, and he's already opened a youtube channel. He'll upload simple videos of him playing covers and his own songs, but his main attraction is streams, which he's already tried a couple of times. Once a week, he'll go live and ask people to make requests, wanting to prove there is no song under the sun he doesn't know. Obviously he is using his power for this, but he'll play it off as being very knowledgable about music - I think this gimmick could give him a good amount of views because the internet will take the challenge of trying to prove him wrong. While Jaskier will stick to this being his civilian identity, he'll sometimes tease the audience about the idea of powers, trying to play a is he or isn't he game to keep discussion and rumors going. This is part of him wanting to normalize metas and improve their reputation, more of that below. Jaskier posts quite a bit on Instagram, and it's not hard to get him to argue with people on Twitter.
Sidekick: The Sandpiper
Jaskier does want to join the Alliance, but only if they aren't too annoying about it - he'll show up at headquarters and discuss his ideas before signing up for good to avoid surprises. The goal is to improve metas' reputations. To achieve that, his main idea is to be The Sandpiper, a sidekick for heroes, since all his spells are for support. He'll have a second youtube channel where he uploads his adventures to show everyone how metas save people, maybe include a little interview at the end. He knows how to manipulate information so if something goes wrong, welp - in the early days, he won't upload the video at all, later on, once he learns to edit he'll edit accordingly (one idea for the future is asking for a drone or a spell that makes the camera follow him around). The Alliance can have his phone number and call him when a hero is in action so he can come over to boost them up. When I make his youtube page, I'll include his work being handwaved with a bunch of NPC heroes to get him going, but of course, I'll add threads with other players as they happen. This channel will also have songs written about these adventures and praising metas (Jaskier will encourage everyone to make covers), and a video where he introduces the spell that allows him to summon a bird illusion to send messages - people can hire the bird to surprise loved ones with love songs or happy birthdays, or send "you suck" messages to their enemies. Because the Alliance pays for heroing and Jaskier also has his civilian youtube channel, those two things should allow him to rent his own place and live comfortably, therefore Jaskier will donate all the earnings of his hero channel to charity. He'll do that thing on youtube where you click on a video and you have the charity information next to it, you guys familiar with that? Well, every video on this channel will have it. To finish the "improve metas' reputation plan", there's the teasing I mentioned above, and sending tons of nice stories to Rue to spread.
Now, what are the "limits" Jaskier wants to discuss with the guild? Here is the thing: Jaskier is an independent man that lives in the moment. He's willing to help, but he doesn't want to be the guild's puppet, and he definitely doesn't want a manager that controls his schedule and drags him around (basically, the answer Hibiki got haha). He wants to do his own thing - so the Alliance may call him one morning and tell him "hey we have a free spot on this tv show today" and Jaskier may accept to go, but he doesn't want it to be an obligation and it must work with his own schedule (sometimes you wake up with a hangover and two other people in bed and that requires action, okay?). Basically, he wants to be guild-aligned but still a freelancer that can say no if he doesn't feel like taking a job that day or dislikes the host/reporter. He also wants the freedom to record with members of the society and the unaligned, and to speak shit about the government if he ever sees a reason to. If the Alliance agrees to this, he'll gladly join and print a bunch of business cards that the guild can give out to their heroes.
In summary~
1) Is everything I described above approved? If you need me to answer more questions about how the discussion between Jaskier and the Alliance went before deciding, let me know.
2) If everything is alright, let me know how this will affect his life from now on. He'll be living in Sunset Falls, if that's important, and his castmate Yennefer will, later on, come live with him. I don't know if she'll be with a guild or unaligned, but let me know if this is something I need to update you on because of reputation issues.
3) A plan for the future is to create player plots that are charity events centered around metas, from casino nights to carwash. How long should I wait for Jaskier to be important enough to start working on that? Aka, when should I check in again.
4) As you've already seen, Jaskier submitted a bunch of things to Rue, and he'll continue to do so in the future. Now, is Rue an NPC avalaible for player plots? If so, how should I plan such a thing?
Sorry again for the tldr and thank you for all your work and the chances for players to fool around with the setting!
no subject
The Alliance stuff is also approved. It would be a relatively quick conversation. As long as he's willing to play ball by their rules, they're content to let him run around relatively unsupervised. Jaskier can get set up with one of the more meta-friendly managers who will be very happy to allow him to set his own hours and schedule. He'll be encouraged to film his encounters by the PR & Media teams, however other metahumans will be uneasy - especially if it threatens their identities or he whips a camera out when they're on personal time. However, if he begins to speak badly about the government he'll find less heroes want to work with him, especially as tensions begin to rise.
2. The Sandpiper will definitely quickly gain a lot of popularity very quickly, especially if he teams up with any of the established NPCs. Fantastic will be very happy to have him along on a few missions, as he has built his own little social media empire and taking newbies under his wing looks good. Jaskier himself, when out of costume, won't be instantly recognized on the streets but he will steadily gain an online following. After signing with the guilds, they're also content to push him in the algorithms and so he should have found his niche by the end of the month. He won't be making enough money to live lavishly, but he will be making enough to live comfortably.
3. You should be good to start with plots like this around mid-September. Metas gain popularity very quickly! However the backlash from anti-metahuman sentiment will be very strong in certain cities. Sunset Falls is the most welcoming one, with Excelsior being the most hostile.
4. If you'd like to plan a player plot with Rue, then the best bet would be to use the plotting post for the month and outline exactly what you need her to do. Rue will not be available until the start of September due to offline mod obligations.
(no subject)
Re: QUESTIONS & GUIDANCE
1) I want to tie in the kid who I mentioned was missing in one of Tim’s logs in the summer and their disappearance was the. somewhat used by the Joker to lure Tim into a trap to the Rue Moore rumour about disappearances from a few months ago. Tim would’ve been looking into those, but I’ve been drawing a blank for how big or small or tangled it would need to be. I don’t have the time to run an player plot, but would use this for a series of posts and logs. I’ve said that he checks in on spots where runaways gather, if that helps.
2) I’ve been saying for months Tim hates Fantastic. If he combs through Fantastic’s online presence, which he has done, would he find anything concrete to back up that initial disgust for him being Booster Gold x10? Not necessarily a crime, just - if he’s the Logan Paul, then he has some real questionable content. What is there to point at as evidence of poor moral fiber? Would he find anything on a more exhaustive background check? Due to his social media presence, I’m assuming Fantastic has the most information out there.
3) If I want Tim to hack his way or attempt to hack his way into a selection of local government agencies, including the Central City police, and hospitals, does that go on the plotting post? To clear, he’d identify if there was a way in and periodically check to see it’s still there. He wouldn’t clone the database at first or lock anyone out. Does it have be an exhaustive list? What’s the national government bureau that oversees the guilds?
Re: QUESTIONS & GUIDANCE
no subject
2. Fantastic's PR team does a good job of keeping his less than stellar behavior either under wraps, or well spun. Tim wouldn't have that hard of a time digging up on dirt on him, though. Talk to any servers at a restaurant he's been at, they'll describe his poor manners and dirt bag behavior. The best bet may be to see if he can track down anyone from Fantastic's graduating class at Lofty Heights.
3. Yes, that would go to the plotting post. We'd like as much detail as possible so we can provide it in turn. The department of Metahuman Affairs is the one that oversees both guilds. However, some poking around on Tim's part may uncover connections to the department of National Defense.
no subject
As he’s not a huge researcher, he might go for Starstuck. Would this even be possible, and if so, what would be needed from me to do it?
no subject
Though contacting Starstruck's spirit is possible, Little Love is a little too far removed to draw it close. Attempting to make contact would most likely just give them a massive, mind-rending headache as even from a distance the intensity of the emotions he felt at the time of his death are overwhelming.
Nico is welcome to try to connect with other people of historical importance. If he did feel inclined, he would find the names of number of scientists who were present (and killed) at the first confluence. Their information is... less than helpful. Their appearances somewhat... ghoulish. And their souls feel corrupted. Not quiet right, or properly bound to any realm.
It's not recommended to keep them around for long. They're unsettling at best, and violently envious of the living at worst.
(no subject)
no subject
Would it be possible for Hibiki to find a safe private residence in Central City with at least five bedrooms? Assuming that all of the work as both a famous hero and famous singer has left her with more than enough in the way of funds to pull this off.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Eggbaby Assignment at Lofty Heights
Some other players and I were thinking that some of the high schoolers could get the "You're parents now! Care for this doll for a week!" assignment, with a meta twist.
Either way, "reach out to your guild" is supposed to be the most "correct" answer this assignment has. The intended takeaway is "When you're an adult with superpowered babies of your own, joining a guild is the best thing for you and your child."
Does anything about this seem objectionable? Should I do a proper Plotting Post comment for it?
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
Towards the end of his stay he'll look at joining a guild, most likely the Society because their rules align very well with his own morals and standards, because he's in dire need of that supercomputer upgrade to have more/better access to his power. He'll also tentatively be looking for housing, though that one depends on whether he's close enough to any other characters by the end of April to ask for help.
Anyways!! The supercomputer is the big one. Since this is the Society and there were mentions of it being unethical, I am guessing/hoping for strings to be attached? I don't think he should join a guild and get such huge assistance and not have to offer anything in return. The processing power he'd need for an upgrade (I'm thinking 50-75% of his power pre-brain injury + 15min extension so esper mode lasts 30mins total) would probably be absurdly expensive, since it'd also need to either be compact enough for his choker. That's assuming it isn't just a big ol' supercomputer in a research facility somewhere and the choker connects him wirelessly, which would also not be cheap. This shit should not be free either way.
Accelerator himself would fully expect that this would be some kind of transaction. I think him providing medical information on esper physiology and neurology, which he'd probably have to do regardless in order for them to program the supercomputer to read his brainwave patterns and whatnot, plus doing jobs for them could be really interesting? Though it definitely depends on what limits the Society has on their kid members. His own moral code has him willing to do illegal stuff, including threaten/maim/kill villains (adults and children). His only real line in the sand is hurting innocent people, which lines up with the Society's rules anyways. It's all up to what they'd be willing to let a kid who is basically a walking nuke do. Also he should be required to go to school. LOL I'm guessing even the Society would push for that one.
If it helps, later in canon he receives an upgrade: his 15mins of esper time is extended to 30mins, and the shady organization that provides this also has backdoor privileges to lock the choker to normal mode if Accelerator is going to use his powers for something they don't like. He circumvents this later with more tech but blah blah blah that isn't the important thing right now. Not sure if the Society would do something similar, but I thought I'd throw out what canon does in case it helps with brainstorming.
That's basically what I've come up with after a little bit of thinking, I'm happy to hear other suggestions or refine things as needed.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Dylan's Large Inheritance
When Diana inherited the company, she and the rest of the household (Eddie, Dylan, Sleeper, Ripley) all moved to a luxury apartment in Central City. We were all kind of dragging our feet getting plans for it solidified, but technically it happened while Eddie was still in-game. I will double check with Bugly and Timmy on the details of the apartment & put the info up on the housing page ASAP.
Anyway, regarding the assets: Dylan now has a trust fund that owns the apartment he lives in, his shares of Tony Stark's company (he is primary shareholder now) and any other assets that he inherited. The trust is giving him a hefty monthly allowance, as well as taking care of living expenses (and emergencies), but he is otherwise not allowed to touch it until he's 18.
Control of the company was turned over to its employees until Dylan comes of age, as well. My questions are:
Please, he's just a child, he would like to be literally ANYTHING but the Dildo Millionaire.(no subject)
sneaking off the sky high bus
If, say, a Tim Drake and a Nico di Angelo wanted to break out of the Sky High school bus using Nico's shadow powers, is that doable or is there something in place on the buses themselves that would prevent them from jailbreaking themselves out?
(no subject)
Right journal this time.
Are there any hurdles to jump through to obtain the position? Any curses associated with it? Duties that a Parks & Rec department in a normal town wouldn't have to perform?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
He wants to help out Kaz but he doesn't want the Society to get suspicious on why scary crime lord Red Hood is looking up on these seemingly random people as it might lead the Society to his civilian identity.
(no subject)
school questions!
Sky HighLofty Heights handling some of their students being on a villain-induced lockdown? Are they providing long-distance learning, or...?2. For Tim specifically, he basically buckled down and started attending school a few weeks before the lockdown happened, so like... at most he'll have managed under two months of school, depending on when Lofty Heights' last day is and if he's still doing school under the lockdown. He's a smart cookie and a perfectionist
and fears bad grades, so he's probably doing about as well as possible under the circumstances, but would that be enough? Or would they want him in some kind of summer school program before letting him through to the next grade?(no subject)
Re: QUESTIONS & GUIDANCE
Would the creation of this need to be approved as a plot?
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
(no subject)
no subject
Is it safe to assume there are street races (or street racing gangs even) that take place throughout various cities? Bruce used to do street racing back in his youth lol and it would be a good way for him to make some money while going under a different name/persona for it. Just wondering how much free reign I could potentially have with this in terms of where they are, how frequent they are, any minor npc's involved, etc. Nothing beyond the first fast and the furious movie tbh. We don't need tanks or anything here.
Thank you for any insight! c:
(no subject)