This series draws from supers campaign I put together almost
ten years ago, "Bloodlines." That focused on inherited super-powers
limited to certain bloodlines around the globe. I'd originally pitched the
group that they would be a moving superteam, hired to patrol the Midwest. That
changed in mid-briefing when the Zero Moment occurred. This is some of the
background I gave players before the game and a quick summary of the ZM. You can see the first post here which lays out the general
concept. You may spot names and groups adapted from other sources, including Bill Coffin's Century Station.
Part Two: Bloodlines 1
Part Three: Bloodlines 2
Part Two: Bloodlines 1
Part Three: Bloodlines 2
Public Perception and Terminology
One of the real difficulties for parahumans, Bloodliners,
supers, whatever you wish to call them has been the pendulum-like response to
them by the public, the media, and the government. At times they've been seen
as superstars and at others as genetic freaks that pose a potential threat to
real humans. The last decade has seen a fragmentation and polarization of these
attitudes.
There are many theories for why this is. The polarization of
America following 9/11. The glut of superhuman movies and TV shows during the
late 70's early 80's that are now being viewed nostalgically. An increased
awareness of the implications of genetic research and the patent tensions
between nations. The rise of the internet and the ability for information to be
widely disseminated and responded to quickly.
In any case, parahumans today typically fall into one of
several groups, at least in the US.
Government: there is and will always be a great deal
of suspicion about the involvement of parahumans in the government,
particularly as officers in law enforcement and information gathering
capacities. The existence of the Parahuman Civil Service program has done
little to alleviate these concerns in the public.
Political: some cross the line between government and
celebrity to run as active politicians. Though there numbers are few, they are
important. Most generally downplay their Bloodline status.
Celebrity: Probably the most accepted category of
Bloodliner. It is also the most exposed and subject to the ups and downs of
fame. However over the last two decades celebrity bloodliners have become more
vocal about the private beliefs and politics, in some cases causing significant
negative reactions.
Corporate: Many corporations actively seek out
Bloodliners as employees and for projects. The response to these hires depends
on the image of the corporation itself. Recently Microsoft spun off its own
super division, Vision, in order to avoid further negative publicity. Family:
In the case of some of the tighter Bloodlines, such as Braddock and Syzmanski,
the Bloodlines work towards the development of the family company. Again here
the reaction depends on the image of the family.
Private: Sometimes referred to wrongly as diaspora.
These are people, in smaller positions, usually keeping their powers and
abilities secret.
Super: Persons involved in private law enforcement
and vigilante activity. The response to these groups and persons varies from
area to area. There has been a rise in Bloodliners choosing these roles in the
last five years, in part a response to a generation exposed to the ideas coming
of age and in part and response to the political climate.
Anarch: Bloodliners who use their abilities for
criminal ends.
Midwest Cities and Supers
Detroit: A town notable for a high crime level and as
a cross road for gang members in the region. The Foundry is said to operate out
of here. In the past, the racial situation here has created some problems. The
Sentrymen had one of their last bases in this city. Also a border point with
Canada which of course has looser restrictions on certain goods.
Indianapolis: One of the smaller of the Midwestern
bumper towns. It is however in the center of some of the larger meth production
areas. The presence of a variety of corporate HQs for smaller and mid-sized
companies has meant that it has drawn White Collar crime. Redact is the most
Anarch team that most recently hit the city.
Chicago: The most feared of Midwestern cities for
both corruption and anarch presence. Most superteams avoid the area and it is
believed that at least one government sponsored team that went in quietly was
completely eliminated. Ravage and Synistry operate out of the city, and Chimera
and the Shadow Margin have as well in the past. It also has become the place
for lone anarchs to congregate to. Operations will not take place here.
Cleveland: A city of troubled inner-city
neighborhoods and development at the edges in the wealthier areas. Cleveland
has been notable as a gathering place for low-level diaspora with minor
abilities who have floated into gangs or other pretty criminal organizations. Not
really a site of major Anarch teams, but it does have a fairly competent police
force trained to deal with Bloodliners.
St. Louis: The " Gateway City", the
population of has been declining since the 1950s, as many have moved to the
many suburbs in Saint Louis County , or to other parts of the metropolitan
area. Like nearby Kansas City, St. Louis has a suprising number of corporate
HQs. While no Anarch group is said to be based in St. Louis, a number have
carried out attacks there and it possesses a largish number of independent
heroes. For this reason it seems to have drawn the attention of Black Dawn who
have made a series of attacks there in the last several months.
Kansas City: A widely spread out city that sits on
the Kansas/Missouri border. It has a couple of major corporate HQ's there. The
area includes a significant below-ground set of neighborhoods built into old
mines and understructures. Team Tomorrow has a facility there which is said to
be more for research than anything else. Pantheon may operate from the area. In
the past they have hit the city three times in major events.
Milwaukee: A city living in the shadow of Chicago,
Milwaukee has suffered a number of superhuman attacks from Chicago groups
ranging outside and looking for ripe targets. The Milwaukee Art Museum was hit
by Overrun a few months ago in a fairly spectacular raid that ended up in a
running battle with a group of local independent heroes.
Minneapolis: In the 1990s, the murder rate and
incidence of gang violence climbed in this city, almost entirely in poorer
neighborhoods. The Phillips Community was particularly hard-hit. After reaching
a record 97 homicides in 1995, the city gained an unpleasant nickname because
of the violence: "Murderapolis." The term gained widespread use after
The New York Times used it when reporting that Minneapolis had surpassed the
per capita homicide rate of New York City. The murder rate retreated in the
following years, but area residents often grow concerned that the nickname may
make a comeback whenever there is an uptick in violence in the city. There are
a number of fairly well-known independent Anarchs operating in the city as well
as a potent local hero, Turing.
Cincinnati: Bordering three states, Cincinnati is
said to be home to a number of low-key smuggling operations, including as
certain human trafficking operations.
(I should note for those reading this that this was all a
smokescreen to get them nervous about Chicago and misdirect them from the plot
of the game.)
The Zero Moment
It remains unclear what caused the explosion that claimed
the lives of dozens of superheroes. When the Anarch teams Ravage and the
Sinistry, with a large group of independent agents attempted to gain entry to
the main Lockdown facility in SD, they were met in force by Frontline, Vision and
their own gathering of independent heroes. At some point during their
confrontation and explosion of undetermined source and energy ripped through
them, killing everyone in the area. An EMP shockwave soon after disrupted
sensors and left officials with few clues. The deaths of so many prominent
Bloodliners has left chaos in its wake.
GM's Comment: The Zero Moment was the
kicker/starter for the campaign. Essentially the group was recruited and had
been planning to be a kind of freelance Midwestern team. However, even as they
were in their interview with the recruiter, news started to come over the wire
about a titanic battle between several super-villain and super-hero teams,
resulting the deaths of nearly all involved. This led them to head to Chicago which
had previously been a dangerous super-villain stronghold in an attempt to
finally restore order there. Eventually, the plot would wrap up at the end of
the campaign when they discovered why the incident had happened.
