the year is 1945. the second world war, perhaps the most horrible war in human history, is over. and with it, an age is over, and another one begins. and in this tumulus time new heroes arise, with powers above and beyond what we thought possible.
join us as the first superhero to emerge in the world of post WWII, when you will face many enemies from racism to crime to supervillains, and perhaps make this age a tad more hopeful than the ones before. or, perhaps, not.
1945, the year when everything changed. it began rather well. the war that devastated the world for six years finally ended, and for a change, peace seemed to rule. there was trouble at wars, tensions were brewing between west and east, and lands that were called colonies for hundreds of years began to call for independence. but for the little folk, those were minor problems.
of course, they were still problems. the devastations of the war caused crime to rise just as its aftermath caused tensions between nations. racism and nationalism were still around, and some among the losing side would not accept defeat so easily. but still, after years of living in fear of bombardments and invasions, the soldiers coming was enough to make us forget all about it.
but then things started to happen. perhaps it was only natural. the reaction of humankind to such disasters, to so much fear and tension, to the lurking suspicion that it is not over anymore that it was over in 1918. rumors started spreading, about occurrences not of this world, about powers that men should not wield. and in one day of October 1945, those were not rumors anymore.
[]London, the United kingdom
of all of the countries of western Europe, small Britain stood against the Nazi terror. and it is no surprise, for small Britain is a land of great wealth and power. despite the turmoils of the last decades the empire still stands strong, and his majesty's royal navy still stands undefeated. yet now the empire is shaking. the war had a heavy cost, in money and in men, and the foundations our empire stands upon are now shaking. the war left London in ruins and it's people in poverty. crime is rising, and we find ourselves relying more and more on allies across the Atlantic. radical elements still call back to our glory days, while our colonies demand freedom more and more loudly, and some among us seem to support their cause. the days of the empire are numbered I fear, and we will need a hero to make sure the kingdom doesn't fall with it.
[]Berlin, divided Germany.
the ruin Germany brought upon the world awhole did not pass her herself. the war our nation waged has been lost, and the vengeance of the people we attacked had been swift and severe. Germany is now divided, half of us conquered by the Soviets and half held by the Americans, and the city you live at is now divided to two as the nation became a pawn in the great war between west and east. perhaps this is justice, perhaps it is a righteous punishment for the terror you inflicted on the world. but there is still no rest for the people of Germany. many of the former Nazis are still in high office, and war criminals desperately try to either escape their punishments or return themselves to power. many radicals still call for throwing away the tyrants and returning to Hitler's vile Reich, and their loss only made them more determined, willing to use the most desperate measures to achieve their goals. and war, of course, had left its marks. devastation, poverty, and hate for the foreigners are here in plenty. such times call for a hero.
[]Casablanca, Morocco
Morocco suffered greatly in recent decades. it was the ground to numerous campaigns in both world wars, in addition to great civil unrest, internal fighting, and oppression by colonial powers. while the turmoils of war are gone, for now, Casablanca is far from quiet, the people are clamoring for independence from France, and although this might be a righteous cause, the unrest and hate it causes are far from noble. many choose violent methods to fight oppression and only wait for the day when they can lay their own oppressive grasp on anyone different from them. only a hero can save this land from surrendering to violence and hate.
[]Jerusalem, Palestine
Of all the colonies of the British empire, the situation in Palestine is perhaps the most complicated. instead of just one people clamoring for independence, Palestine is the ground for a fight for two opposing groups who demand independence in this land. on one side stand the Palestinian Arabs, the group who lived here for centuries and now demands it's own control of this holy place of their forefathers. on the Other side are the Jewish, for whom this land is their ancestral home and the place they prayed to return to for 2,000 years, want to found their own state here. each side has it's just cause, and the situation between them is unstable, to say the least. the land escaped relatively unharmed by the war, but now both sides rise to demand their land, and some factions within them intend to use whatever means necessary. even as some voices call for peace, the presence of fanatics makes bloodshed between the Palestinians, the Jewish, and the British inevitable. only a hero can prevent this from turning into generations of violence and hate.
and actually, what kind of hero you are?
(choose your archetype. the archetypes give the general lines for what kind of superhero you are, but your actual character and superpowers will be determined in the next update. the archetype is just the loose general concept)
[]champion- you are a powerful champion of your cause, blessed with strength, speed and durability far above human, superhuman fighting ability, and possibly with other powers as well
-[]supernatural warrior(you have powers granted by supernatural power, such as ki or magic, either innate or learnt)
-[]inhuman heritage(you are either an inhuman creature or carry the heritage of such creature by blood or otherwise. this includes anything from elves to aliens)
-[]enchanced human(you were once a human, but you were... improved, either by an experiment, accident, or due to some inborn mutation manifesting now)
-[]divine champion(you have been granted great powers by divine power, or are a divine power yourself)
[]blessed with powers- you are young, but you have superhuman powers emerging in you and allowing you to do incredible things. those can be psionic powers, magic, energy, or many others
-[]emerging psychic(you have great psionic talent, granting you abilities such as telekinesis, telepathy and precognition, and possibly more exotic powers as well)
-[]elemental prowess(you have control over some kind of element or energy, from the classic earth, water, fire, and air to things like electricity or light)
-[]exotic powers( you have exotic mutant powers, from control of biological bodies to powers like Wolverine or Spiderman )
-[]forgotten heritage(you are the reemergence of a forgotten heritage of your family, such as sorcerous powers. this could also come from an unknown parent)
-[]modified power
master of forgotten secrets- you have training in arts long forgotten from the greater world, giving you unique and powerful abilities
-[]mystic of the old sort(you learned the mysticism of the old traditions of your people, such as shamanism, spirit speaking and various traditions dependent on your choice of country- i.e druids in Britain, or a rune caster in Germany)
-[]student of sorcerous teachings(you are a sorcerer, or at least a student or parcitioner of sorcery. you have the ability to use magic in various forms, whether spells and rituals or other ways)
-[]disciple of the universal might(you have powers originating from forces of the universe, such as the elements or celestial objects, or possibly otherworldly forces and different dimensions)
-[]master of esoteric arts(you have mastered various esoteric and forgotten arts, such as monastic, Buddhist traditions, ninjutsu, or other various supernatural techniques and understandings granting unique powers)
[]write in(write in a general concept, not a specific hero. subject to QM veto)
Hello, and welcome to heroes arise, a new superhero quest inspiring by Oshha's dawn of heroes, and follows the first superhero of the world as he emerges past world war two.
I am coming back to this now after six month of not writing, wanting to return. I tried to tackle similiar concepts before, now I think is the time to do it. I have greatly changed the the plans that guided me before, giving it more independence from previous works of the sort, and making a tad stricter char gen to generate ideas that will fit my writing better. the quest will be more freestyle than before as well.
for now, you will need to choose a country and archetype. the choice of a country, obviously, will be a major shaper of the quest, determining the types of enemies and major themes of the quest, going from the cold war and decolonization to simple crime and racism. depending on the archetype chosen it might also affect the character
the choice of an archetype will give a general guideline for what type of hero you are. this is only a loose concept and not a clear definition, and they are open to different interpretations. in the next update you will have the ability to define the character more clearly both in terms of it's identity and superpowers.
I think those archetypes should cover most things, but if there is something you want that isn't included there feel free to put it as write in
that said I will veto options not in line with my ideas and plans when it comes to charge. this shouldn't happen a lot though, so don't worry about it too much. it is just to preserve both the quest and my writing motivation
Ashley Pendragon
PL 10 superhero
human, knight, and sorceress
born at the legendary castle of Camelot at the beginning of the 10th century, Anwen Pendragon was the daughter of the great king Arthur, the princess of Camelot, and both a great knight and a powerful sorceress. during an attack on Camelot, Anwen was sent on a mission whose details she can not remember, and was mysteriously cast out of the normal time and space
now, a thousand years later, Anwen wakes up to a vastly different world, to a strange city, and to a past lost forever
Powers
sorcery: Ashley is a powerful sorceress, combining the teachings of Merlin with magic generated of her own Draconic blood
arcane sorcery(magic-arcane): a 20 point array with 5 alternate affects. requires dc 13 magic expertise check to use -magical strike(magic-arcane): ranged damage 8, variable descriptor 2(magical strikes), accurate, extended range. Anwen uses one of the vast array of attack spells in her arsenal, calling the elements and the forces of magic to strike her opponent. possible attacks include lightning strikes, blasts of fire, or bolts of pure magical force -summon familiar(magic-arcane- dimensional summon): active summon 6, continuous, mental link, full round action. Anwen summons her familiar to do tasks for her. due to the nature of the familiar, he will stay until killed or dismissed, regardless of other spells cast in the meantime. -fog(magic- arcane- weather control)-Anwen calls for a great cloud of fog to envelop the area, obscuring vision -scrying mirror(magic-arcane- far seeing): remote senses 10, simultaneous, medium(mirrors). Anwen casts a spell on a nearby mirror, letting her see into far places through it -force constructs(magic-arcane): create 6, movable, subtle 2- Anwen shapes magic into physical form, creating invisible object which she can shape and move as she wishes -flesh to stone(magic-arcane): proggresive affliction 8(hindered, stunned, transformed to stone), resisted by will, full round action, incurable, , accurate, reversible, triggered(happens at next sunrise). Anwen can cast a powerful curse that turns it's target to stone. such a curse takes time to cast and requires physical touch, but only rare and powerful healing can reverse it after it takes effect, unless the caster intervenes and breaks it.
draconic magic(magic-draconic)- a 20 point array with 5 alternate affects -dragon breath(magic-draconic-fire breath): cone area damage 10. Anwen can channel her draconic magic to breath fire like a dragon -dragon wings(magic-draconic- physical transformation): winged flight 10, affects others, activation 1(move) - Anwen can can cast a spell to sprout the wings of a dragon. she can cast the spell on others as well -fear aura(magic-draconic-fear): sustained, selective burst area affliction 5(impaired, disabled, paralyzed), instant recovery- Anwen can channel her draconic magic to cast a powerful aura of fear around herself, paralyzing enemies -fire blade(magic-draconic): secondary effect 10, affects others, variable descriptor 1(weapon attacks), activation 1(move action)- Anwen can imbue a weapon imbues a weapon with draconic fire, turning it's next attack devastating
-draconic scales(magic-draconic-physical transformation): partial immunity 20(physical attacks), affects others, noticeable- Anwen can cast a spell granting herself or a nearby other draconic scales, protecting from physical attacks
-draconic transformation: growth 6, strength based close damage 6(claws), cone area damage 10(fire breath), winged flight 6, enhanced strength 6, impervious toughness 8, regeneration 3, tiring 3(incapacitating)- Anwen's most powerful spell and her secret trump card, this spell allows her to invoke her blood and turn herself into a half dragon, but at an immense cost to her body and mind
minor spells(magic-arcane)- a 4 point array with 3 alternate effects.
speak language(magic-arcane):comprehend language 2, affects others, activation 2(standard). Anwen can cast a spell to allow herself and others understand any language
minor telekinesis(magic-arcane)- move object 1, precise, subtle 1- Anwencan use her magic to move small objects
fast hands(magic-arcane): quickness 2, ranged affects others, activation 2(standard)- Anwen can cast spell to enhance speed for her and others, accomplishing tasks faster
minor healing- healing 2- a minor healing spell Anwen picked along the way, it is nonetheless useful to heal minor injuries and provide treatment
offense-
initiative 7
sword strike: +10 to hit, damage 10
magical strike: +12 to hit, 8 damage split 1 extended range 1
flesh to stone: +12 to hit, affliction 8, reversible, incurable, triggered
fire breath: cone area damage 10
fear aura: sustained burst area affliction 5
advantages
sorceress: ritualist, artificer
unarmed fighter:improved grab, improved trip
team fighter: interpose, teamwork, set up
knight of Camelot: improved intiative, power attack, defensive attack, agile feint, improved crit(swords)
equipment 1, attractive 2
devices and equipment:
devices:
enchanted knight's plate: protection 7, removable- a suit of plate armor, enchanted by Anwen to withstand any attack while staying easy to move at
sword of dragon's flames: damage 5, variable descriptor 1(flames), easily removable- Anwen's sword, forged by Merlin himself, is a powerful weapon that can burst into flames at his wielder's will
[X] Plan: The Coming of a Savior
-[X] Ebenezer Hoffman
-[X] Male
-[X] Jerusalem, Palestine
-[X] Champion
--[X] Inhuman Heritage(You are either an inhuman creature or carry the heritage of such creature by blood or otherwise. This includes anything from elves to aliens.)
[X] The Learned
-[X] Jia Qi (Nickname Jackie)
-[X] Male
-[X] Heibei, China
-[X]Master of Forgotten Secrets
--[X]Master of Esoteric Arts
-[X] He's not really a hero persee. He just follows the Buddhist beliefs quite loosely. Helping those in need, Defeating evil whenever possible, etc. However, he has his own belief of self, where he'll help if he's free. Selfish, yes. However, he knows how dumb it is to selflessly serve a society that, if it comes up, doesn't appreciate heroes.
So, is other countries just not included or what? If so...
Can I convince anyone in Ebenezer Hoffman, a literal Golem who has to perform a precarious balancing act in an area where everyone is literally trying to kill everyone else? The intrigue, the story, the insanity behind it all!
[X] The Learned
-[X] Jia Qi (Nickname Jackie)
-[X] Male
-[X] Heibei, China
-[X]Master of Forgotten Secrets
--[X]Master of Esoteric Arts
-[X] He's not really a hero persee. He just follows the Buddhist beliefs quite loosely. Helping those in need, Defeating evil whenever possible, etc. However, he has his own belief of self, where he'll help if he's free. Selfish, yes. However, he knows how dumb it is to selflessly serve a society that, if it comes up, doesn't appreciate heroes.
So, is other countries just not included or what? If so...
Sorry, the country vote is limited to those options. I took the countries that seemed interesting and that I knew enough about and built the threats and possible plotlines in them, and I don't really have options for other countries. You can change the city if you want, but I just don't know enough about 20th century China
Also, please don't put the actual character here as vote, the vote here is just about the general concept. You are more than welcome to include it as your plan for the character and offer it as the second part though
Sorry, the country vote is limited to those options. I took the countries that seemed interesting and that I knew enough about and built the threats and possible plotlines in them, and I don't really have options for other countries. You can change the city if you want, but I just don't know enough about 20th century China
Also, please don't put the actual character here as vote, the vote here is just about the general concept. You are more than welcome to include it as your plan for the character and offer it as the second part though
[X] Plan: The Coming of a Savior
-[X] Ebenezer Hoffman
-[X] Male
-[X] Jerusalem, Palestine
-[X] Champion
--[X] Inhuman Heritage(You are either an inhuman creature or carry the heritage of such creature by blood or otherwise. This includes anything from elves to aliens.)
[X] The Learned
-[X] Jia Qi (Nickname Jackie)
-[X] Male
-[X] Heibei, China
-[X]Master of Forgotten Secrets
--[X]Master of Esoteric Arts
-[X] He's not really a hero persee. He just follows the Buddhist beliefs quite loosely. Helping those in need, Defeating evil whenever possible, etc. However, he has his own belief of self, where he'll help if he's free. Selfish, yes. However, he knows how dumb it is to selflessly serve a society that, if it comes up, doesn't appreciate heroes.
-[X]London, the United kingdom
[X] Plan: The Coming of a Savior
-[X] Ebenezer Hoffman
-[X] Male
-[X] Jerusalem, Palestine
-[X] Champion
--[X] Inhuman Heritage(You are either an inhuman creature or carry the heritage of such creature by blood or otherwise. This includes anything from elves to aliens.)
[X] The Learned
-[X] Jia Qi (Nickname Jackie)
-[X] Male
-[X] Heibei, China
-[X]Master of Forgotten Secrets
--[X]Master of Esoteric Arts
-[X] He's not really a hero persee. He just follows the Buddhist beliefs quite loosely. Helping those in need, Defeating evil whenever possible, etc. However, he has his own belief of self, where he'll help if he's free. Selfish, yes. However, he knows how dumb it is to selflessly serve a society that, if it comes up, doesn't appreciate heroes.
-[X]London, the United kingdom
You breathe, in and out, as you dream. the entire world spreads out below you. so much pain, so much tragedy. the war left so many alone, so much destruction, and so much more awaits. few in the world expect what will happen next, how exactly the world will change following the war.
the world goes dark, and then you feel nothing. nothing but your own mind. something is beginning, it is beginning with you. something will change soon.
you are Ashley Pendragon. soon, you will emerge as the first in millennia to display capabilities beyond human, but before you can change the world, you need to look at yourself.
What are you? how did you get here? where is here?
who are you Ashley Pendragon?
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character creation
here you can create the actual character of Ashley Pendragon, shaped from the supernatural warrior archetype.
like in former iterations of the quest, you will be able to write in your ideas for the character. those will have two separate parts. the first is the character itself, your identity, background, and source of your powers. the second is the powers themselves. in addition, you may write in goals and motives the character might have, and I will incorporate them into the quest. the quest will be mechanically based on the Mutants and Masterminds system.
I will also give you some optional ideas the character and the powers. you may use those, modify and combine them, make your own options, or whatever else you want. they are just to help you foster ideas and shape your character.
[character]you have been but a normal teenager when the war started, but both of your parents were killed in a bombardment. after they died, you were taken in by a mentor/order that helped foster your innate magical abilities, shaping you into a terrifying magical warrior.
[character]you were once the daughter of King Arthur, a powerful knight on your own. you were frozen in time for a thousand years, and now, a strange accident released you into the strange modern london
[character] you had been raised in isolation in a secret place, trained from birth in secret magical techniques and modified with magic for an unknown purpose., now you have been released to the world
[character] you are a lowly urchin, living on the stereets since your childhood, both of your parents died from a disease. now strange supernatural power manifest in you, and you swear you will use it to make sure no one ever suffers the same fate
[character] you were a patriotic soldier, just now back from this terrible war. on your way back, you found a strange blade, and as you touched it, it connected with you and granted you magical power. now you swear to champion your beloved country's cause, cause this land needs a champion
[]you have been grievously hurt by something in your country, and have sought either revenge or to fix that injustice. luckily, you have found a source for ancient secret teqcniques. armed with them you intend t achieve your goal
[]during a crisis in your life, you had an encounter with an ancient sorcerer, demon, or similiar being, who had empowered you with great powers
[X] [character]you were once the daughter of King Arthur, a powerful knight on your own. you were frozen in time for a thousand years, and now, a strange accident released you into the strange modern london
This seems very interesting. Basically Captain America but far more ancient and British.
[X] [character]you were once the daughter of King Arthur, a powerful knight on your own. you were frozen in time for a thousand years, and now, a strange accident released you into the strange modern london
[X] [character]you were once the daughter of King Arthur, a powerful knight on your own. you were frozen in time for a thousand years, and now, a strange accident released you into the strange modern london
This seems like it would be pretty cool. The question then becomes is Ashley a correct name from that time period? Also how strong are we thinking this character is going to be? Like Fate series Servant level or something closer to like a slightly enhanced human? Also do we need to vote on powers and whatnot in this vote?
[X] [character]you were once the daughter of King Arthur, a powerful knight on your own. you were frozen in time for a thousand years, and now, a strange accident released you into the strange modern london
This seems very interesting. Basically Captain America but far more ancient and British.
This seems like it would be pretty cool. The question then becomes is Ashley a correct name from that time period? Also how strong are we thinking this character is going to be? Like Fate series Servant level or something closer to like a slightly enhanced human? Also do we need to vote on powers and whatnot in this vote?
this quest is based on the Mutants and Masterminds system, and your character will be roughly power level 10. which is the average superhero level, not the highest tiers but nothing to scoff at. that said you will have the chance to get stronger.
you do need to vote for powers, which would be a write in. you might also want to make a write in to modify and expand this option- it was mostly meant as a prompt to give ideas.
edit- the name Ashley will be the name you take for your modern identity, you will be able to vote on your ancient name on the next update
[X] [character]you were once the daughter of King Arthur, a powerful knight on your own. you were frozen in time for a thousand years, and now, a strange accident released you into the strange modern London
I don't know how, but this is definitely Merlin's fault.
As for powers, given that she's a Pendragon, something like a dragon bloodline-themed powers would be appropriate, I guess? Plus, it will literally make Ashley a dragon princess knight!
This probably includes things like supernatural strength, speed and damage resistance. Perhaps supernatural charisma and a fiery aura? Partial transformation?
The ability to find "treasures"? I'm not sure how it might work, but it has potential.
[character] you were a patriotic soldier, just now back from this terrible war. on your way back, you found a strange blade, and as you touched it, it connected with you and granted you magical power. now you swear to champion your beloved country's cause, cause this land needs a champion
actually I checked for the previous iteration of this quest, and there were female soldiers at WWI, albeit only a few. I am going to assume that if that if that existed in the first world war it would be a thing in the second.
As for powers, given that she's a Pendragon, something like a dragon bloodline-themed powers would be appropriate, I guess? Plus, it will literally make Ashley a dragon princess knight!
This probably includes things like supernatural strength, speed and damage resistance. Perhaps supernatural charisma and a fiery aura? Partial transformation?
The ability to find "treasures"? I'm not sure how it might work, but it has potential.
[X] [character]you were once the daughter of King Arthur, a powerful knight on your own. you were frozen in time for a thousand years, and now, a strange accident released you into the strange modern London
