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♦️ GM: @ErsatzEmpress ♦️ Genre: Comic/Superhero ♦️ Level Casual/Advanced ♦️

A C T I V E R O S T E R :

H A V O K | @Master EffeX
H O W A R D T H E D U C K | @Byrd Man
I R O N M A N | @Supermaxx
L O K I | @udonoodles
P O L A R I S | @TGM
P U N I S H E R | @thatguy
S P I D E R - M A N | @mattmanganon
T H E F A N T A S T I C F O U R | @Stern Algorithm
T H E X - M E N | @ErsatzEmpress

A P P L I C A T I O N ( S ) U N D E R R E V I E W:


C H A R A C T E R P U R G A T O R Y:

D O C T O R S T R A N G E | @Bork Lazer

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ErsatzEmpress Polemically Sent

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T H E X - M E N
T H E X - M E N

"Protecting a world that hates and fears us since 2014."

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C Y C L O P S
C Y C L O P S
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Cyclops | Scott Summers | 25
American | Mutant | Leader of The X-Men
Westchester | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Cyclops (Scott Summers) is the leader of the X-Men and has the ability to shoot powerful concussive blasts from his eyes. He is a skilled strategist and fighter and is dedicated to Xavier's causes. Like all of the current roster, he was a student at the Xavier Institute before becoming an X-Man. In this continuity, Scott's brother Alex joined Magneto's mutant extremist group "The Acolytes", something Cyclops has never forgiven him for, even after he returned to their side at M-Day.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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M A R V E L G I R L
M A R V E L G I R L
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Marvel Girl | Jean Grey | 25
American | Mutant | Member of The X-Men / Doctor
Westchester | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Marvel Girl (Jean Grey) is a powerful telepath and telekinetic with a compassionate and empathetic nature. She is often a voice of reason and diplomacy within the X-Men team and has a close romantic relationship with Cyclops. The main departure from canon with Jean is the lack of phoenix force in her past, present or future. As iconic as some storylines have been that have included it, I hate how often adaptions of her character reach straight for it like a crutch, especially when Marvel Girl/Jean Grey is a compelling enough character without it.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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S T O R M
S T O R M
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Storm | Ororo Munroe | 24
Kenyan-American | Mutant | Member of The X-Men / Member of The Morlocks
Westchester | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Storm (Ororo Munroe) is a mutant with the ability to control the weather, making her an incredibly powerful force in battle. She is a fierce warrior and a wise leader. Growing up an orphan in the Morlock tunnels beneath NYC, under the thumb of the Shadow King taught her how to look after herself. I want to delve into her history and interactions with fellow morlocks.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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B E A S T
B E A S T
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Beast | Henry "Hank" McCoy | 35
American | Mutant | Member of The X-Men / Scientist
Westchester | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Beast (Hank McCoy) is a genius-level intellect with a blue, furry, and cat-like appearance. He possesses incredible strength and agility, and his intelligence makes him an invaluable member of the X-Men team, both in the field and in the lab. His insecurity around his appearance has led to multiple attempts at developing a mutant cure. He is the only original member of the team on the roster.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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N I G H T C R A W L E R
N I G H T C R A W L E R
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Nightcrawler | Kurt Wagner | 22
German | Mutant | Member of The X-Men
Westchester | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner) is a blue-skinned, pointy-tailed mutant with the ability to teleport. He is a deeply spiritual and compassionate person, and his acrobatic skills and teleportation powers make him a formidable fighter and a valuable member of the X-Men team. I will be deviating slightly from canon by having him discover that Rogue, Mystique's daughter and member of her Brotherhood is his half sister.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C O L O S S U S
C O L O S S U S
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Colossus | Piotr Rasputin | 19
Russian | Mutant | Member of The X-Men / Student
Westchester | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Colossus (Piotr Rasputin) has the ability to transform his body into organic steel, granting him incredible strength and durability. He is a gentle giant and often serves as the heart of the X-Men team, always striving to protect the innocent and do what is right. He and Shadowcat have a budding relationship.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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S H A D O W C A T
S H A D O W C A T
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Shadowcat | Katherine "Kitty" Pryde | 18
American | Mutant | Member of The X-Men / Student
Westchester | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde) has the ability to phase through solid objects, allowing her to pass through walls and even people. She is a quick thinker in battle, often using her phasing abilities to outmaneuver her enemies. However, as the youngest member of the team she is also the least experienced, and has a lot she feels she needs to prove.
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
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K E Y E V E N T S
K E Y E V E N T S
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P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
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Anyone who's spoke to me for longer than five minutes will probably be aware of the fact that I am obsessed with the X-Men. That love runs deep. I like to think these characters will be in safe hands. I'm passionate about honoring the decades of rich history that this team has, while also adding my own unique twist to the mythos. My goal is to create a compelling narrative that captures the essence of what makes the X-Men so special and beloved.

I plan to cover a lot of ground, with my first planned arc centring around the anti Mutant Militia The Purifiers and Trask Industries, and Storm's return to The Morlocks, a breakout at the Raft, and the long awaited return of Magneto.

I am particularly interested in exploring Storm's history with the Morlocks and the lingering influence that Shadow King still holds over her. Another story arc that I'm excited to explore is Nightcrawler's reunion with his estranged mother, Mystique, and the revelation of his long-lost sister, Rogue.

In addition to these personal character developments, I'm eager to develop the budding romance between Piotr and Kitty, while also delving deeper into the team's collective history. I want to reveal more details about pivotal moments in their past and how they have shaped the X-Men into the team we know today.

One storyline that I'm especially keen on exploring is the aftermath of M-Day and its devastating impact on the mutant population. I also want to delve into the fallout and the political climate surrounding the "mutant menace". With any luck, half of it might actually make interesting reading.
S A M P L E P O S T
S A M P L E P O S T
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T H E X - M E N
T H E X - M E N

"Protecting a world that hates and fears us since 2014."
The ROXXON Corporation nuclear facility
Staten Island, NY
16th February 2018


"My fellow mutants. We stand here together at a crossroads. We have come to this place today, My Acolytes and I, to take a stand. Against the oppression of our kind. Against all of the cruelty and all of the violence. Against God's imperfect creature known as Homo sapiens."

Magneto raises a hand, motioning to the power station at his flank. Its monolithic smoke stack poisons the air around it with a thick, unwavering smog like a cancer. The mutant is joined by his Acolytes, his most dedicated followers, committed as he is to a world free of human persecution. Alex Summers, an ex pupil of Xavier's, now Havok, his most prized lieutenant. Thomas Moreau, the geokinetic mutant known as Zealot. The towering Mammomax; the loyal Exodus; the ellusive Senyaka. Brothers all.

"The nuclear testing facility that looms behind us is a testament to the inhumanity of humanity. But it is also a symbol of their weakness. With all their time as custodians of their planet, this is the final limit of their capability. The extent of their abilities. The death rattle of their dying light. What they cannot achieve on their own they seek to take from us. They cannot hope to match our power so they steal it for themselves."

Erik meets the eyes of each X-Man that Charles has sent to oppose him. Cyclops. Marvel Girl. Beast. Sunfire. Banshee. His own daughter, Polaris, stands against him. He needs them to see what he sees. He needs them to understand.

"My friends, inside this facility is a man. No, more importantly, a mutant. Perhaps only slightly older than my own daughter Lorna, who has graciously chosen to stand against us today."

He motions to Polaris as he speaks, standing across from him and his followers with the rest of the X-Men, She can barely hide her shame for the man her father has revealed himself to be.

"This, you see, is not a nuclear reactor," he begins, magnanimous: "This is a prison."

"A prison, designed by the ROXXON Corporation and approved by our esteemed elected representatives to contain and exploit its only living resident: Kuan-Yin Xorn.

"Does that name sound familiar to you? It should. After all, his brother Shen Xorn was one of your original "X-Men", wasn't he Charles?"
He smiles, looking up at the familiar silhouette of the X-men's jet black jet.

"Yes, I know you're here, in that Blackbird of yours," he continues, "hovering in the skies like an insect because you know that you're too weak to face me!" He snarls, losing composure for only a second.

"How does his brother feel about this, I wonder? Did you order him to stay at your school, lest he join me as well?"

He places a proud hand on Havok's shoulder. Xavier's students were not beyond hope. There would always be a place by his side for mutants of vision, even those who laboured still under a false prophet.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Erik." Charles urges, telepathically using Zealot as a mouthpiece.

"Your words no longer matter, Charles. Your dream no longer matters. It is dead. Bury it."

Magneto turns to face the facility before looking back at his assembled enemies.

"The story of Kuan-Yin Xorn applies to us all. He was born with extraordinary powers, to a world that fears his gifts. Perhaps he knows this truth more than most. For Xorn was born with a star in his head. That is the beauty of our race. A living star, among men. His light could burn brighter than any of ours, yet here he dwells. His light extinguished. In Xorn I see a man with dreams. With aspirations. A brother. And what do these neanderthals see? With their characteristic enlightenment and with their grace? A battery. A resource. To power their cars. Their homes."

He pays extra attention to the news copters now circling above.

"Their televisions."

"They saw a way to exploit our power for their own gain, and seized it without hesitation. They take what they want without a thought for the lives they destroy in the process. But hear us when we say we will stand for it no longer. We are not their slaves, their tools, their batteries. We are a proud and powerful people, and we will not be silenced."

"Their world is over. It's been over for sometime but they have been to consumed with the minutiae of their own death throws to see it. Their time has come and gone. It is time for our people to rise above this dying species and take our place in the light. It is time for Genosha."

"Genosha is a thought experiment no longer. It is not a fairy tale. It's certainly not a place, not yet. It is a promise. A social contract made with the mutant people, by the mutant people, for the mutant people. For a Brotherhood of OUR kind. For a world free from persecution. For too long, we have languished in the dark, afraid to show our light for fear of blinding those who choose not to see. But it is our light. Our future. And humanity no longer has a place in it."

He casts a hand to one of the helicopters above.

"We owe nothing to these lesser creatures, these humans who would see us enslaved and oppressed. We have the power to create a world of our own, a world where mutants are free to live and thrive without fear of persecution. Humanity has presided over their world and reaped the benefits, milking this Earth for all she could give. We asked only for a small piece of it. Now we take it all. Atop the ashes of this monument to humanity's failure we will build the Just City."

"Our mutant nation."

"We will make Genosha here on Earth."
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Hidden 12 mos ago Post by udonoodles
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udonoodles the adults are talking

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L O K I
L O K I

"Can't keep a good god down."
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Loki | Loki Laufeyson
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Asgardian | Frost Giant | God of Mischief, Professional Agitator
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Salem | Oregon | USA

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
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K E Y E V E N T S
K E Y E V E N T S
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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A principal agitator in the annals of human history, Loki has always stirred the pot and heralded chaos. With their powers of sorcery and illusion, they change their shape and distort reality to confuse and disguise the truth. Across the Nine Realms, Loki was a name that roused fear and spite in the hearts of the mightiest.
The god's legacy of deceit came with an inevitable comeuppance, however, as after attempting to spark a civil war, they were executed by the Storm Giants for their incessant meddling. Not content to die like any normal person, however, Loki tricked Hel into letting their soul go free—with the necessary caveat that they would be banished from Asgard forever. Should they step foot again in their homeland, their body would immediately wither, and their soul would be taken into the underworld.

Now reincarnated trapped on Earth, Loki is forced to face their actions through a human lens of morality. Having been on the side of chaos for so long, Loki is forced to ponder if mischief is truly inseparable from evil. To experiment, they have elected to, as they see it, join the side of "good": Protecting humanity from the forces they once gleefully catalysed. After all, if this planet is destroyed, where are they going to live?
Despite being known primarily as a villain, this incarnation draws from their appearances in Young Avengers and Agent of Asgard, in which they're considerably more heroically inclined. Loki's presence in the story will hopefully serve as a catalyst for introspection, both on their end and the end of other characters. I want them to be a sort of devil's advocate, second-guessing motives and actions.

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )

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Loki appeals to me primarily because of their distinctly non-human element: I've always found a character "on the outside looking in", so to speak, interesting. I think one of those outsider characters—someone who's only interaction with the human world has been like an ant farm, staring at it through a thick pane of glass and occasionally giving it a shake—would be a fascinating perspective to introduce into the world. They're learning its conventions and rules in real time, and thus can call into question the objectionable aspects most people have grown numb to. Their propensity for shapeshifting and trickery also allows them to take on a variety of identities and aliases through which they can further inhabit the world, in their own crafty way.

On a personal level, the character is also forced to confront themselves within this frighteningly mortal framework. Loki is no longer above this world: They have to learn how they fit into it, what their purpose is now, if human morality is truly worth upholding. In the words of Loki comic writer Kieron Gillen, "Can people change? Can bad people get better?"
They need others not just for the sake of connections and relationships, but also to inform their own view of this new society and to illuminate the parts of the world often unseen. They have a proactive, overruling drive to explore the world and to meet new people, which I think is a boon to have in any living world, especially one with so much to see.

Ultimately, Loki's arc is one of learning and discovery, catalysing self-reflection in others and in themselves. Despite being a godly being, I hope to introduce a distinctly human element into the world with them. OOC, they will hopefully encourage collaboration and multi-player stories.
S A M P L E P O S T
S A M P L E P O S T
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“Darren?”
“Yes, my lord?”
“What did I—” Loki swung their sceptre through the air, the trail of blue it left behind catching Darren’s attention before the cold metal against his chest. Darren grimaced, nervously slicking back his combover and pushing up his bifocals. “What did I tell you about “my lord”?”
“It’s…Stuffy and overzealous?”
“Yes!” The Sceptre swung back, Loki catching the end in their other palm. “Do I look old enough to be a lord to you?" Loki turned the staff over in their hands, peering at their warped reflection in its crowning jewel. "I’d like to think I have a few centuries left.”

Darren, in his defence, was trying his best.
He had always tried his best. He was an excellent dad—allegedly. I don’t know, I wasn’t there. His only proof is a “World’s Best Dad” mug, and the rim is chipped, so obviously the title doesn’t mean very much to him. But all it took was the beguiling of one Ms Sandra, 27, local single in your area, and suddenly his wife was serving him a petition for divorce, and his kids start beggingg to go to Wendy’s every Friday after school, since mom always lets them do what they want.
Don’t ask me who Wendy is. He’s never elaborated.

In any case, human lives are frightfully short, and Darren had already lived half of it. All that he had amassed in that half had disappeared in a few years. Really, you’d forgive him for just curling into a ball and staying there. But, instead, he managed to find glorious purpose serving me, or the made up version of me these people have in their heads, as leader of my cult.
He’s not very good at it. Ordinarily, I’d atomise him, but I’m trying to do better.


“Well, regardless. I want you to gather the others. There’s something I would like to tell them.” Loki shuffled up to their altar, kicking up into the air. They swung their sceptre around, leaning back on it and stopping midair. “Chop chop, now. It’s urgent.”
With a hasty nod, Darren scurried away, towards the nearby log cabin. They looked quite pleased with themselves, lazily reclining back on thin air. And they were quite pleased with themselves. Today was the beginning of a new chapter of Loki’s reign of chaos and terror, sans the chaos and terror.

It wasn’t long before their cult had gathered around the altar in a circle—all nine of them.
“Hang on,” Loki mused, doing a quick headcount. “Where’s Mairead?”

“She has to pick her kids up from softball,” a shrill voiced, portly man in brown khakis and a red polo shirt explained.

“Ah, right. Well…Someone fill her in. Text her, or whatever it is you people do.”

The portly man nodded, already taking out his phone in preparation to transcribe.

“People of the cult of Loki!” Loki called out, arms raised. “Aren’t you just the greatest? Your service over these past years has not gone unappreciated. I truly will never forget the sacrifices, metaphorical and literal, you have made for me while I’ve recovered my strength.”

“I LOVE YOU, LOKI!” a woman with frizzy orange hair and thick framed black glasses shrieked from the back.

“And I love you…!” Loki bit their lip, casting a glance towards Darren. He mouthed a name, silently, and Loki’s eyes darted back up. “Rachel! Which is why I am filled with remorse to announce to you that the cult of Loki…” Dramatic pause. Ever the showperson. “...Is officially disbanding.”

Shock, gasps. Someone fainting. That was what Loki was expecting.
Mostly, though, it was just a collection of sighs and shrugs. A groan of disappointment from Rachel.

“...You seem remarkably well composed.”
This was definitely not the reaction they were hoping for.

Darren rolled his shoulders. “I dunno. Was something fun to do on the weekends, I guess.”

“Don’t you want an explanation?”

“I mean, I don’t really mind. You gotta do what you gotta do, y’know?”

Loki furrowed their brow, casting a glance throughout the crowd.

“...Really? No one is going to throw themselves at my feet, or…?” Pursing their lips, Loki clambered down from the sceptre, heels touching off the altar. “Gods, alright,” They muttered, lazily hopping down onto the dirt below. They had said this as a joke before, several centuries ago, and the head shaman died from a shock-induced heart attack.
Esoteric cults had really lost their oomph.

In retrospect, it was only fair. This was probably how they would have reacted if the cult had disbanded of its own accord. Some of them were definitely just here to kill time.

“Well, you can go, I suppose,” Loki halfheartedly waved the group off with their sceptre. Several of them, save for Darren, were gripped by a shimmering blue light, responding to a pulsating glow from the sceptre’s gem. They were dragged backwards, leaving behind a starlight trail as each cult member flew backwards through the air and over towards the edge of the woods. “I need the cabin, though. The lease is still under your name, isn’t it?”

Darren nodded, hastily.

“Excellent. The landlady is still enchanted, but if you get anything about overdue rent, just let me know, and I’ll…” Loki poked the side of their head, hissing with their tongue. “...You know.”

Loki waved their sceptre, and that blue light overtook Darren.
They paused, jaw clenched.
“...Goodbye, Darren. Good luck out there. Thank you.”

“No sweat, boss. Hey, can I put you down on my resume? Just as a reference, cuz y’know…”

Loki smiled, sadly. “But of course. Just give me a good alias.”

Darren nodded, more carefully this time. “Max Power.”

"That will do, Darren. That will do.”

And with a wave of Loki’s sceptre, Darren was gone.

Now began the next chapter.
With a whirl of their cape, Loki was enveloped in a pulsating, feathery blackness. There was a dismal cawing, and out from the mass flew a mighty raven, the wind on its wings and mischief on its mind.

Maybe they would stop a bank robbery. Maybe they would uncover a political conspiracy to take control of the world. Maybe they would peck at a housecat’s window and irritate the living daylights out of it.
The possibilities were endless for the new God of Mischief.


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Hidden 11 mos ago Post by mattmanganon
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mattmanganon Your friendly neighbourhood tyranical dicator

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Spider-Man
Spider-Man

"With technology like that, you could cure Cancer!"
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Spider-Man | Peter Parker
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American | Human (Radioactive Spider-Blood | CEO of Parker Industries
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Queens | New York | United States of America

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
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K E Y E V E N T S
K E Y E V E N T S
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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This version of events is about an older Spider-Man who has been through all of the trauma trying to deal with the loss of his best friend, the sudden adoption of a new foster-son, the incorporation of a multi-billion dollar company. There will be a few major ongoing stories, including:
*Peter and Mary Jane trying to keep the spark in their romance alive while running said conglomerate
*May-Day and Normie trying to become Superheroes while not getting caught by Peter and MJ
*Peter pushing through the trauma of Harry's death right in front of him.
*The former Villains that work for Peter trying to get along when most of them really do not like each other
*Norman Osborn running for President of the United States of America in 2024.

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
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I want to explore the next phase of Spider-Man's story if his story was actually allowed to progress. Marvel has this idea in their minds that Spider-Man is only allowed to suffer and be an ignorant teenager. I want to show how he actually handles being a man with his own responisbilities and with a happy family, but obviously, Pete isn't done being lifes whipping boy just yet. His plight has just evolved and he has evolved with it.
S A M P L E P O S T
S A M P L E P O S T
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This... This isn't happening...

Spider-Man stood, bloody, bruised, but... Victorious... If you could call what he saw a victory. Green Goblin's purple tunic quickly turning red as the blood poured from the blades piercing his body, he let out a laugh as he looked into Spider-Man's eyes. He then collapsed, falling backwards and landing with a loud thud on the metal on the stone atop one of the pillons of the Brooklyn Bridge. His Spider-Senses weren't flaring, this wasn't a trick, this wasn't a joke, this was... Real... He slowly stumbled over to Goblin's body.

"N... Norman..." He called. "Norman, speak to me..." He pulled his mask from his face, no quips, no energenic calls, no words of annoyance, Peter was as serious as anyone had ever heard him. "Norm... Don't..." He quickly rushed over and felt the pulse. He was Super-Powered, this might not kill him. "Norm, stay with me." He pulled the Goblins mask from his face and saw the Osborn family red and black striped hair... No... That hair wasn't red... And the face. "HARRY!!!!" Peter screamed. "HARRY WHY- WHAT- I DON'T- WHAT?!" Harry reached to a button on his wrist and pushed it, the gliders blades retreating and the glider fell atop him, the fins preventing it from crushing him at all, but now the blood flowed unimpeded "NO, HARRY, STOP, YOU'RE GONNA DIE!!!" He quickly pressed his hands across Harry's chest, but with 4 blades and only 2 hands, there was nothing he could do. "WHY!?!?!?!" He cried as tears streamed down his face. "HOW COULD YOU!?!?!"

"How could i not?" Harry smiled as he coughed up a tremendous amount of blood. "The goblin... I could feel it... It was taking over..."

"HOW COULD YOU? THINK OF NORMIE! THINK OF LIZ! THINK OF-" Harry grabbed Peter's collar with one hand and tried to push Peter's hands away, but he was so weak that he was completely unable to do so.

"Liz is gone... Cancer... Normie... Deserves better..."

"BUT WHY THIS? WHY THE GOBLIN, WHY THE-"

"I couldn't save her, Pete... I couldn't save anyone... Anyone but..."

"Norman..." Peter came to the sudden realization. "This... ALL OF THIS... Was to save Norman?" He asked.

"Dad... Dad isn't evil... The Goblin is... But dad isn't... With this... The goblin dies... And i can be with Liz again..." At this point, he coughed hard as Peter punched his chest.

"SELFISH BASTARD!!! WHAT ABOUT NORMIE! HE'S ALL ALONE NOW! HE'S..." It was happening again. This was the third person he loved that was dying in his arms... And the second that was taken directly because of Norman Osborn. "You're leaving me and MJ..." He then laughed "Who's gonna be our Queen of Spain now?"

"Pete... I've only got minutes... Listen carefully..." He coughed as Peter crawled closer.

****
2 Days Later, Oscorp HQ, New York
****

The door opened to Normans office as Peter slowly walked in. The door closed behind him. Peter took out a small keyfob and pressed a button on it. "Don't worry, Gobby... This is a little mic scrambler. Means that nothing we say can leave this room." Norman didn't say anything, he simply stared daggers at Peter. "Norman, i know we have been at each others throats for 20 years now... But the one thing we both shared was that we loved Harry. You as a son and me as a Brother... And neither of us wanted it to end like this..." Norman continued to say nothing. Peters Spider-Senses were slowly ticking over. Norman was a snake that could strike at any second, but he wanted to believe he wouldn't. "Norman... Say something..."

"You killed my boy you wall crawling son of a bitch..." Norman spat.

"And you killed my first love you pumpkin slinging piece of trash-" Pete managed to squeeze between Normans words.

"And i will make you rue the day you did it."

"Harry killed himself... For you. That Goblin in his head was starting to take over. He didn't trust himself around Normie anymore. He couldn't save Liz, but he saw a way to save you. The cops have always been looking around you. You being the Goblin was the worst kept secret in the world. But Harry has given you an out. He has taken the full rap of everything the Goblin has ever done. He gave his life to save your soul."

"I don't want my soul, i want my SON!" He roared.

"AND I WANT HIM TOO!!!" Peter bit back. "But... We find ourselves in this situation... One where our wants and needs are not what we can get. Harry has made a sacrifice and I will NOT let it be in vain. The Goblin is dead... Let your sons last act on this planet be of your redemption. My uncle once said to me that with great power comes great responsibility. You have been given the greatest of powers. The power of a second chance and you have the responsibility to see that you use it to its fullest extent." The room sat quiet for a few minutes. Norman sniffed loudly, before getting up and looking out of his large window.

"Then the Goblin is dead... I will have to rededicate my life to... Raising my grandson." Peter slowly got up.

"That's not going to happen either..." Norman slowly turned to Peter and Peter could swear his Spider-Senses were trying to leap out through his skull and run away from just the sheer entropic power of Normans Glare. Peter reached into his suits breast pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "A copy of Harry's Last Will and Testiment. Signed and recognized by his lawyer the day before... It gives me custody of Normie."

"What could you possibly offer Normie? I have a 100 BILLION dollar company! I have summer homes in the Algarve, i can pay for his medical bills, his education and still not even remotely make a DENT in my ability to support him. You can barely make ends meet with your daughter. How can you even HOPE to support Normie, no i'm going to fight this, i'm going to hire the BEST lawyers in the land and when i'm done with you, you'll be lucky to have your web spinners-" Peter put his hand up to motion silence.

"Harry also left some things for us to take care of Normie with. Most notably... A controlling stake in Oscorp..." He put a piece of paper on the desk and slid it over. "Now, Oscorp is a publicly traded company and i can sell these shares to whoever i want, but i know you love Oscorp and i know Harry would never want me to jeopardize your company. As such, i'm offering the shares to you first. At current market value, his shares are equal to 34.82 Billion Dollars. That amount of clout guarantees you will control Oscorp for the rest of your natural life." Norman sneered with every word from Peter's lips

"And you'll... What, frittle it away on some-" Peter interrupted him.

"I plan to invest in a company of my own. And when Normie turns 18, he will be given an amount in that company equivalent to that. In shares or Money, whichever he requests. I will stay out of Oscorps way, no weapons or military contracts. No Pharmaceuticals in the same fields that Oscorp is working in. I would like very much to draw a line under our relationship and move forwards from here. In Harry's memory and for Normie's sake." Norman continued to stare daggers at him. But slowly reached over to his intercomm. "Felicia, I need the legal team to draft some papers on a stock purchase." He ordered.

****
8 Days Later, The Raft, New York
****

"It is good to see you, my dear boy." Otto said, greeting his old student in his strong German accent. "Allow me to once again give my condolences on Harry's passing, you and him were always so close."

"Thanks Otto." Peter replied, before patting him on the shoulder. Otto's 4 tentacles were completely inactive and dragging along the floor behind him as he walked over to the visitation desk. "Look, Otto, i have... Well, i have some clout now. A few friends in S.H.I.E.L.D. and some moolah to throw around in the pursuit of a dream i have."

"Money and a dream? Now that is a VERY dangerous combination for a young genius such as yourself." Otto laughed. "Tell me all about it."

"I can get you out of here and into the ground level of a project i am working on. With the right words here and there i can get your sentence commuted to Community Service in the most high-tech lab you have ever seen." Peter smiled.

"Say no more. The Doctor is in!" Otto laughed as he shook hands with Peter.

"Cue the montage" Peter smiled.

****
1 hour later, The Raft, New York
****

"And give me one good reason i should take you up on this, Parker? Maybe if you give me your buddy Spider-Man, i'll consider it." Toomes replied to Peter's offer.

"What is even your problem with him? It's not like you were innocent in the matter." Peter replied.

"Even so, i hold grudges." Toomes smiled.

"Well, is a grudge worth more to you than a leadership position with a brand new Aeronautics division at a multi-billion dollar conglomerate?" Pete snikered.

"Keep talkin'..." Toomes replied.

****
6 hours later, Hells Kitchen, New York.
****
"Neogenics is VERY dangerous." Morbius shook his head. "Look what it did to me."

Peter looked Michael up and down. "It saved your life, if nothing else. And i believe it can be used to save other lives too. We might be able to even change you back."

"A way out of the blood dependence... And a guarantee that my research will go EXACTLY where it needs to?" He asked.

"I mean, i'm not running a charity, but so long as we are saving lives and keeping our bottom line good, complete and total autonomy. So, is it Morbin' time?"

"I ALWAYS hated when you said that." Michael scowled, before grabbing Peter's hand and shaking it.

****
3 days later, Favela, Brazil
****
Peter slowly walked through a rudimentary hospital in the shanty town as people waited in line. "I have an appointment with Dr Smythe" He said to the receptionist, who showed him through to the office where the 6'7 spike-covered man stood inspecting a small child.

"-looking good, the swelling has gone down, just keep him on the antibiotics and i'll see him in a week." Alistair looked up and saw Peter walk in. "Excuse me, but you are?" Of course, Peter and Smythe had not really talked, he was more familiar with Spider-Man.

"Peter Parker, i'm friends with Spider-Man, i used to take pictures of him." Smythe seemed to pretend to recognize him, but Peter could tell otherwise.

"Ah yes, for the Bugle, well, what brings you to my part of the world?" He asked. Peter smiled, before handing him a business card.

"I represent Parker Industries and i need a Neogenics expert." Smythe looked at it.

"No thanks, i am wanted by FAR too many agencies in the US." He handed Peter back the card. Peter presented the card again.

"I have some clout and so long as you are willing to work on the level and maybe play give some super-powered help to the Feds and we can definitely get you back into the country as a free man. I can even provide money to hire on some more doctors for this little clinic of yours?" Peter threw in. Smythe looked at the rusted walls of the shanty hospital, before reaching a hand over to Peter. Peter shook it.

****
1 day later, Brooklyn, New York
****

"So what you're saying is that if i give myself up to the cops, then you'll pay for me a load of money?" Electro asked. Peter sighed with a palm on his face.

"I will give you the opportunity to redeem yourself in the eyes of the public. To make Electro not just some two-bit criminal with a penchant for stealing, but a respected member of the New York elite." He watched Electro think for a second.

"Yeah, that's nice and all, but there is money in it?" Electro reiterated. Peter handed him a piece of paper. Electro's eyes widened as his pupils started to glow with electricity "Is... Is that after Tax?" Peter laughed. This is why he knew that Max was definitely not beyond redemption. A simple man motivated by simple means such as large piles of cash.

"Sure, buddy. But you gotta stay on the level." Peter slapped him on the back.

"Oh definitely, you've got absolutely NOTHING to worry about." Peter felt a twinge from his Spider-Senses. Mex was lying... Maybe it was a mistake, but was it better to leave him as a definite threat, or maybe he could sway him over to the good side.

****
1 year later, Brooklyn, New York
****

"When i was young, my uncle Ben used to tell me that with great power comes great responsibility. Well, i say that with great power comes a greater speed, storage and battery life." Peter smiled to the press circus in front of him. "Parker Industries is proud to announce the new Spyder Phone. Unbeatable performance, a crisp and clear display and all at a price that leaves some of our..." He laughed a little "Competitors... in the dust." He then picked up a small wrist-mounted device and attached it. "It also comes with something very near and dear to my heart. You see, my Aunt May suffered from a Heart Attack which killed her. If emergency services were able to get to her, she could have been saved. As such, this vitals monitor will come as standard with every device. You can set it to monitor vitals and it will automatically call emergency services in case it picks up irregularities. So far, it recognizes Heart Attacks, Strokes and Aerythmia's with regular updates that will add more monitors. And of course, if you're the picture of perfect health and don't want it? Simply bring it to your local Spyder provider to trade in for store credit. Parker Industries has come onto the scene for one reason and one reason alone. To provide quality products and life-changing technologies at a competative price. With this being the first in our Spyder products, we hope to provide you with more as we go forward."


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mattmanganon Your friendly neighbourhood tyranical dicator

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Hidden 11 mos ago Post by Master EffeX
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Master EffeX Generally a stick figure writer, it seems.

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H A V O K
H A V O K

"Scott's not the only one who knows how to blast it."
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Havok | Alexander Summers
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American | Mutant | Current prisoner of The Raft
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Westchester | New York | USA

C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
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K E Y E V E N T S
K E Y E V E N T S
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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In this iteration, Alex's foster father was a cop. During what was supposed to be a brief, nothing-exciting-to-report ride along, they found themselves in the middle of a turf war. Alex watched as his foster father's partner went down. Bullets shattering the windows, Alex ran from the car, hearing what he thought was his foster father going down next. This event is what prompted the first manifestation of his powers -- and his foster father to use him as a tool from that day forward; placing Alex in dangerous situations because even criminals might hesitate when a kid is in their face, right? And if they don't, word gets around pretty fast of how they're gonna' get burned.

Alex couldn't control his blasts at this point in his life, but they would reliably come out when he felt intense fear or pressure. A fact his foster father heavily exploited after confirming suspicions of such by placing Alex in another traumatic situation some time after the first. Neighborhoods were secured -and his foster father's career soared (nobody who could've spoke out, and the full details of his "busts" were kept from the papers)- while Alex's sense of security crashed.

Alex has not shared the extent of these experiences with his brother, though Scott did learn not long after they reunited that Alex was abused in this way.

From this and his subsequent time at Xavier's, Alex acutely feels the difference between being used for your powers, and using your powers for something; Alex is trying to figure out what he wants that "something" to be.

Alex's path here will lead him back to young mutants or powered youth in general, looking out for those who are otherwise overlooked. Looking out for them like he wishes someone had for him when he was a new mutant.

While he doesn't know exactly what he wants to do yet, Alex knows that he doesn't want to spend the rest of his life playing "follow the leader".

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
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Alex is motivated by a desire to make something out of his life, not have it dictated by one thing or somebody. Many will compare him against his brother. What satisfaction he might get from one-upping Scott, though, wouldn't be so good as that of proving himself against himself. Not the better Summers, but the better Alex Summers. I'd like to bring Alex into his own spotlight. Doesn't have to be the brightest, just his; a legacy beyond his last name.

I envision this as Alex perhaps starting as a counselor of sorts at Xavier's, eventually moving on to establishing his own outreach centre for powered youth, and/or maybe heading up his own X-Men team specifically looking out for the wellbeing of "voiceless" young people, powered or not. A sort of "youth guardians" team, if you will.

Maybe in bringing security to other "gifted youngsters", Alex can move past the vulnerability he still carries from his childhood.

Given his life so far, Alex also has multiple perspectives from which to view the world (even if he doesn't know quite what he's looing at) -he's been powered-yet-powerless as a kid, empowered as an adult, known false family and real, authority figures both harmful and helpful, been on the side of the "good guys" and most recently the side of the "bad guys"- I'd like to mine that as well.

This feels like a rather engaging, immersive and thought-out RP, and I just vibe with the Summers (and their sense of humour), so...enter Havok.

S A M P L E P O S T
S A M P L E P O S T
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'You ever wonder how Xavier picks his students? It's not as simple as the young mutants whose X-genes have just activated or who need extra help coping with that, for their sake or mankind's or whoever's. We've fought with a good share of other mutants, we've seen others in and around and underneath the city, for God's sake. What about them? Other mutants who, you know, look like maybe they could benefit from having a mansion-sized roof over their heads. Did Xavier just miss them? Did he decide they're just fine where they are? Or is it they don't fit into some grand plan of his? You ever wonder about that? That I didn't fit --but that's just fine, because now you're the one who's the pawn! You ever think about any of that? Would you allow yourself to?'
Alex Summers A.K.A. Havok was passing some of his incarceration time on The Raft playing conversations out in his head he would like to have in person.

They varied in sense (jail will do that to ya').

This one was a conversation he felt he'd like to have with his brother. But he knew he couldn't. It wouldn't be a conversation. For all Cyclops' flexible thinking on the battlefield, in Havok's opinion he suited his name when it came to other matters: having a rather myopic view of things. Plus...Alex was grasping with that whole "pawn" bit... 'Why had it only been him?'
Some place in the back of his mind, he'd kind of thought of himself and his brother as a packaged deal. Of course that fell apart fairly soon after life-as-they'd-first-known-it had fallen apart....But that had been wrong, hadn't it? It wasn't meant to be "one and done with the other".
'Maybe I'm what's wrong....Why had it only not been me? -Huh, Professor X? You never gave me a clear answer before. Didn't think I could manage that either?'

Alex sighed. Much of these conversations were ones he doubted he'd actually have. Though maybe if he shouted, he could have one with a certain other individual kickin' around in his mind. He wasn't sure exactly where Magneto's cell was in this place, only that it wasn't right by his.

There were further things he entertained with Magneto, but that would definitely not be happening now, what with these power dampening collars on.

"Heh," Alex grinned. Magneto was locked up because of him. It wasn't the X-Men who did that.

But his smile was short lived.
He was in here because of himself, too.

It seemed to Alex like pretty much his whole life was a series of things either just happening to him or being forced on him. The accident....the foster care situation....Xavier's....his relationship with Polaris.
Here, Alex had to pause. It didn't feel right to think of his relationship in the same breath as the other stuff. Still, it fit the category of things just happening. Like one day he and Polaris were there, and the next day they were there together.

And then.....he supposed whatever they were now was his doing..
..accidentally.

What'd felt like the first choice he'd made in his life -not like running away from his foster home, which felt like something he had to do; no actual choice- the first real choice he'd made for himself -joining Magneto's acolytes, had been the wrong one. He'd failed at taking the reins of his own life the first time he tried.

That was why he wasn't about to let Scott, or Lorna, steer him off the second -I guess third- course he'd corrected to; dealing with the consequences of his actions.

Maybe atoning here could be his start on the path to...."right".

Hidden 11 mos ago Post by Supermaxx
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Supermaxx dumbass

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I R O N M A N
I R O N M A N

"I have two suits: a sixty dollar three-piece from the Thrift Closet, and, well..."
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Iron Man | Anthony "Tony" Stark
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American | Human | Unemployed
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New York City | New York | USA

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Tony Stark used to have it all. Born the son of billionaire Howard Stark and his wife Maria, he never wanted for anything physically. He was provided the best education money could buy and all the toys he could ever want. All he lacked for was his parents' attention. Driven to prove his worth to a neglectful father, Tony had a doctorate before he was old enough to drink. His parents died a week after the graduation ceremony they did not attend. Tony would go on to succeed Howard as CEO of Stark Industries.

His genius intellect brought the company to new heights. Stark developed weapons that made the Manhattan project look like a baking soda volcano by comparison. Young, arrogant and ignorant of the consequences, Tony sold his designs to governments the world over to fund his hedonistic lifestyle. His perspective fundamentally changed after his kidnapping during a visit to Sokovia. Rebels from the Sokovská Nacionalistická Fronta (SNF) attacked Stark's convoy, killed most of his escort and ferried him away to an isolated compound in the mountains. Stark nearly died from his wounds if not for the creative intervention of a local doctor: an electromagnet was placed in Tony's chest to prevent micro-shrapnel from entering his heart. Drawing on designs his father originally drew up, Tony developed a prototype arc reactor to keep himself alive in captivity. The SNF demanded he build weapons for them.

Instead, Tony spent his year in captivity discreetly building his first Iron Man suit. Donning the armor, he tore through the SNF and escaped. He would return to the States a changed man, having seen the results of his ‘genius’ firsthand. He shifted Stark Industries’ focus to humanitarian causes. In particular, he hoped to create a full-sized version of his arc reactor to revolutionize clean energy. Tony invested much of his personal wealth into the program's development and shifted his attention to another project: the Iron Man suit.

For the next seven years Tony Stark donned improved versions of the armor to fight the battles no one else could. Tony saw saving lives as a chance to redeem himself for the part he played in the global war machine. He threw himself into his alternate identity fully, leaving the running of his company up to his longtime mentor and business partner, Obadiah Stane.

Obadiah found Tony's change of heart vexing. The company's market share suffered horrendously with its shift away from weapons development. Mass layoff after mass layoff nearly broke Stark Industries. Despite Stane's best efforts he couldn't convince Stark to return to sanity. His frustration at its boiling point, Obadiah chose to act: he leaked Tony’s identity as Iron Man to the public, alongside an avalanche of suppressed scandals from Tony's past. Stane drowned Stark in lawsuits and bad press until he had nothing left.

Betrayed by his oldest friend and penniless, Tony shipped what equipment he could- and his latest version of the suit- to a storage locker under an alias. Now he find himself planning his revenge from James Rhodes' couch.

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
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This is sort of a pseudo year one for Tony. He has history as a superhero to ground him in the wider world and allow me to easily backfill relationships with other characters, but for the purposes of resources and reputation he’s at rock bottom.

I want to explore a couple different storylines with Stark this go around: his lingering guilt- both personal and generational- from the death and destruction the Stark name wrought in the pursuit of riches and power; Tony’s fight against Stane and the broader Military Industrial Complex to take his company back; and finally Tony coping with the loss of his former place of privilege.

I’m excited to explore Stark’s thematically rich story and rogues gallery. There’ll be a lot of opportunities to examine corporate cutthroat culture, how celebrity behavior warps under public scrutiny, and the heavy responsibility that comes with power.
S A M P L E P O S T
S A M P L E P O S T
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MARVEL REIMAGINED: Iron Man
ISSUE #1: Fragile Heart

New York City New York

"Run it again, JARVIS." Tony Stark splayed across the couch like a lion on its rock. He was the king of a concrete jungle: a billionaire, a genius engineer, and a world-class superhero. Untouchable. Unassailable. He tore a chunk from his latest successful hunt- a greasy cheeseburger from the joint down the street. He'd lost count of how many Kwikkee Meal Deals he'd eaten ever since moving into Rhodey's apartment.

Tony was unbelievably broke.

A series of simulations flashed across the television, the laptop plugged into whirring angrily as it tried to process the experiment's thousands of unique variables. A full-sized arc reactor popped open on the screen to reveal its internals: hundreds of individual plates placed so close together the human eye couldn't discern the gap between them. The plates rotated around the core at murderously high speeds, driven only by the Casimir effect. The vacuum in the chamber allowed the reactor to maintain its current energy production indefinitely...theoretically.

One of the plates in the simulator began to flash red. "Error in plate one hundred and four," JARVIS warned in a cheery English accent. "Sheering along the joint will cause it to break off after thirty-seven years, six months and twelve days of use." As JARVIS spoke all the surrounding plates began to flash as well. "Catastrophic failure follows shortly after."

Tony ran a hand through his hair in irritation. It was long, wild, and about as greasy as the burger. His beard wasn't much better. He stood from the couch to get a better view and began to pace. Increasing the size of the arc reactor had only made the design's flaws more apparent. No modern metal alloy could hold together under that much pressure for long. Even the gold-titanium his suit used proved insufficient. A carbon fiber mesh would be tougher, of course, but making a mesh that large was difficult and expensive. And making a hundred and twenty-eight meshes? Not viable.

"How much energy do we lose if we add thrust in the opposite direction to maintain a sustainable speed?" Tony asked, stopping to spin the television remote on the coffee table.

"Those calculations may take some time, sir."

"Do it." Tony nodded, despite talking to a computer program that couldn’t see it. "And give me my messages while you’re at it. Filter for job offers and anything from the lawyers."

This time Tony’s cellphone buzzed in response as JARVIS left the laptop to its diagnosis and scrolled through Stark’s email. "You have thirty seven job related messages."

Stark’s expression lit up. "Any takers?"

"I'm afraid not, sir. All thirty seven are rejection letters."

His expression fell like a pile of bricks. Well, at least they’d been polite enough to actually respond, Stark mused. In his previous batch of applications half the agencies saw his last name on the resume and blocked his number. Obadiah Stane- Tony's former friend, mentor, and current enemy for life- had done his damnedest to ensure Stark would never work in any relevant industry again. Maybe Kwikkee needed a new burger flipper.

Tony dropped back into his couch and pulled the phone out himself to check his bank account. There was a distinct lack of zeroes behind the prime numbers. Not unexpected, but still concerning. His reserves were running dangerously low. If he couldn’t find work soon…

He flipped to James Rhodes’ main account. Not something he was supposed to have access to, technically, but curiosity and a guilty conscience didn’t mix well. Rhodey was Tony’s oldest friend and one of the best men he’d ever known- he was also prone to taking on more than he could handle. It wouldn’t be long before Stark’s problems caught up with Rhodey.

Tony paused. He closed his eyes and took a series of deep breaths. He couldn’t drag Rhodey down with him. Wasn’t happening.

“JARVIS, do I have anything from that Pentagon rep?”

There was a moment’s pause as the machine ran through Tony’s emails once again. “Yes sir. I moved all of Major Talbot’s messages to spam as you requested. You have sixteen unopened emails from his address.”

“Alright, let’s set up a meeting. I’m grabbing a scotch.”

Hidden 11 mos ago Post by mickilennial
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mickilennial is trying to survive

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P O L A R I S
P O L A R I S

“Tried it Dad's way. Tried it Xavier's way. Think I'm trying it my way this time.”
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Lorna Dane
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Teacher (Xavier Institute) | 24 | Acolytes, X-Men, X-Factor
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Westchester | New York | United States of America

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C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
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T I M E L I N E
T I M E L I N E
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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When Lorna Dane turned against her father, she thought it was the right move. She was a teenager and Charles Xavier just knew how to appeal to the sense of good inside her, assuring her that her father - whom she had just reconnected with - did not have her best interests at heart.

Translation: He was really good at manipulating her.

And for years, she listened to the telepath’s advice. Attended Mutant High School. Even served on the X-Men for awhile. That is, until the elder mutant realized how Lorna was struggling with her own thoughts. The longer her father sat under watch at The Raft the more she doubted herself. Eventually, Charles suggested some time away from the team to get her bearings and focus on leading the younger students and to lead by example.

Translation: She no longer was needed to play in Erik and Charles’ sordid little chess match.

She obviously didn’t take it well.

For the past few months Lorna has taken the role of a teacher at the Xavier Institute as well as one of the rotating Danger Room instructors. Since her time as an active member of the X-Men has ended she has continued to act independently when needed, though generally she’s starting to think as the world is getting more dangerous for her kind that Xavier’s going to need to greenlight other teams. This led her to the idea of proposing a team of her own, not only to give her autonomy but so she doesn’t feel like she’s sitting on her thumbs all the time.

Unbeknownst to her, she’s even more right than she realizes.

P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
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With this game focusing heavily on the mutant conflicts what I want to do here is tap into that. With a few friends asking me to make a mutant-oriented character to help bounce off of them, I’ve also taken a long look at the mutant lore presented as well as other active characters. I think Polaris is the right fit for me here. If I can coordinate with the Havok player there’s some personalized stuff to handle, but I can also engage with the active X-Men team in scenes where both of us are present, so there’s that.

Overall, this is more of a reactive character than a solo character – but I do have plans for forming X-Factor, coming to blows with The Purifiers, the Brotherhood of Mutants, and other antagonists. I won’t just be waiting to see what is happening. If the RP is lively, I can collaborate and contribute.

That’s my pitch.



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ALIAS: THE PUNISHER

"Gratta ad Bellum" Latin meaning "Welcome to War"

Real Name: Frank Castle

Nationality: Second Generation Italian American

Species: Supernaturally Enhanced Human

Occuption: Retired United States Marine/Retired Police Officer/Current One Man Army

Place Of Living: New York City, New York, USA

Character Notes:
- Thanks to an experience from a battle with the Super Soldier Johnny Nightmare in the war in Afghanistan, there is a supernatural force preventing Frank from staying dead
- He has all the skills one would learn while going all in on the United States Marine Corps
- He is one of the best, if not incredibly brutal battlefield interrogators in the armed forces
- A little bit of trivia, his favorite gun is the M60 Machine Gun
- The Characters that i'll be using are, but aren't limited to:
--Amy Bendix: A young woman down on her luck who is currently couch surfing until she comes across a situation that makes her run for her life
--Andy Lorimer: A Police officer who used to work with Frank on the force, but he is now on the trail of a murder spree while looking into his father's death
--Big Jesus: A small potatoes criminal who loans himself out for jobs in order to send money to his brother in prison
--Charlie Schitti: A low level employee of Fisk Industries, he sees everything and knows a great many of Wilson Fisk's business practises

KEY EVENTS

1980- Frank Castle is born to Louisa and Mario Castle, itailian immigrants to America
1981- Frank begins watching the news even as a baby about criminal proceedings and high profile situations
1990- Mario Castle is called into service of the armed forces for the Gulf War, inspiring his son to one day be a hero like his father
Mid 1990- Service members notify Frank of his father's death, and not long after Louisa reveals she has cancer
2000- After a long hard battle, Frank says his goodbyes to his mother along with his pregnant fiance Maria
Mid 2000- Frank joins the police force, secretly hoping to take a chunk out of the criminal element. Here he meets Andy Lorimer, and is partnered with Bruce Greenwood
2001- For several days Frank is among many first responders dealing with the effects of 9/11, and after a long conversation with his now wife he enlists in the United States Marine Corps
2002- Frank comes to Afghanistan with his unit and partners up with Billy Russo, Steve Goodwin, and his commanding officer Cleve Gorman
Several Months Into The Year- Frank and his unit are sent to fortify a town from the enemy are immediately set up for three days straight until only Billy, Steve, and Frank are left. All this violence has pushed Frank to the edge of his humanity and the Punisher peeks out. On the fourth day, a Super Soldier known as Johnny Nighmare arrives and the three men experience the worst possibilities of their lives. Frank has to kill him, but in so doing, births The Punisher.
2003- Frank's superior officers send him to a blacksite to get intel of several high value targets, this is where he learns the art of "enhanced interrogation" his skills rivaling that of a mercenary for hire, Baraccuda who is rumored to be a cannibal.
2004- Frank is relieved of service and returns home a completely changed man, Maria notices immediately and does not like it
A Few Months Into The Year- In an attempt to reconcile with his family, Frank takes them to Central Park, and in a series of events seconds before Maria is about to serve him divorce papers, a gang war erupts killing everybody including Frank
2023- Frank awakens from a nearly 2 decade coma and after learning of the death of his family, he vows to wage a war of vengeance.

CHARACTER CONCEPT

My version of the Punisher combines several aspects of the different iterations and given my own little flair, from Punisher: Born, Punisher: Purgatory, Punisher: Max amongst others. Thanks to an interaction with Johnny Nightmare (a super soldier deployed in Afghanistan) Frank cannot permanently die, when he’s brought back he heals just enough to keep moving forward. He is a literal unstoppable one man army. I will explore his past as a marine vet while also exploring his war on crime and the other characters involved, particularly developing the many mafia families in the Punisher comics.

PLOTS AND GOALS

I want to play Punisher and his supporting characters because for as long as I've remembered, I've enjoyed reading Punisher comics, I actually own the first half of the first volume of stories, which numbers I believe in the low 100’s. Another reason is that while Punisher Purgatory gets a bad rap, I love the idea of Punisher as a supernatural force. As for a direction I want to go, I don’t want to spoil anything, but I have an idea where I drag Frank through mud, blood, and bullets of the world and push him to his limits until I finally ask him at the end, after everything he’s done: does he deserve to be with his family? Who knows, you’ll have to find out.

SAMPLE POST

VOL 1: PARA

ISSUE 1: THIS NEW WORLD

FRANK CASTLE

FROM THE WAR JOURNAL OF FRANK CASTLE, MONDAY

To those find my journals, this is not an admission of guilt of criminal wrongdoing or the manifesto of someone who is politically charged, I, Frank Castle solemnly swear that my actions are made with a sound mind and a clear conscious.

Frank paused his writing to take a drink of his stale, bitter black coffee as he tried to get comfortable in his booth at Joan’s Diner, he looked around to make sure nobody paid the baseball cap wearing, sunglasses indoors, leather jacket wear man who was built like an Ox any mind, but there was nary anybody inside save for a couple of patrons in the corner keeping to themselves. “Back at it,” he whispered, halfheartedly whispering to the sounds of the light rain drizzle against the window pane.

This Journal holds the following accounts of my actions as I see them, unapologetically so. This is my war, I'm behind enemy lines with no possible ex-fil, no allies, and little to no tools of the trade save for my Dan Wesson DWX, it’s time to stock up and get to work. Entry from War Journal #1, page 1.

Frank took his wallet out of his pocket and noted that thanks to his hospital bills that he was running on a thousand dollars, which apparently today meant very little. He laid a ten dollar bill on the table before getting up and walking out the door. The rain did very little to wash the carbon dioxide from his nostrils as he started to walk down the sidewalk, noting how on this side of Bronx that graffiti was rampant and there was seldom a lonesome woman out in public. He thought about hailing a cab to get to his family home, but something nagged at him to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

In the distance he couldn’t tell the direction, but a police siren could be heard and it was moving away. Frank scowled to nobody in particular, but there was all this stimuli just begging him to react, and for a few blocks he was adrift in his own thoughts until the feeling that kept him going had a reason to be. A man ran out of a store holding a big bag and ran down an alley across the street, Frank looked back at the door he came from and a clerk peered out, exclaiming that he was a thief, and what did Frank do? He smiled, he jogged across the street, passing people who knew better than to get involved and slipped his hand into his left shoulder holster under his big black leather jacket and stepped into the alleyway, where he saw the crook dumping his bag of cash into the back of his getaway car.

“Step away from the vehicle!” Frank announced loudly, making the already excited thief jump in place, he pulled out his gun and pointed it head level at the man.

“Who the- who are you bro?” the guy dropped the bag and pulled out his own gun, aiming it sideways like he thought he was in the movies.

Frank raised an eyebrow, but otherwise didn’t flinch. “You’ve never fired that thing, have you?”

“Man, shut the- shut up!” the thief exclaimed nervously, Frank watched his hand holding the gun was getting shakey, “who even are you?”

“Me?” Frank asked, and pulled his jacket to the side, revealing a bulletproof vest that he spray painted white in a way to look like a giant skull on his chest. “I’m the Punisher.”

The thief started to say the word, “who?” but as his mouth opened, Frank fired a round and watched unfazed as the lifeless body fell to the ground, blood and cash pooling on the asphalt.

AMY BENDIX



THE LEXINGTON HOTEL, NEW YORK CITY

The kitchen was moving like a well oiled machine, nobody made a peep as the head chef barked about orders to everyone, including the young nineteen year old Amy Bendix who was hired out as a server from her friend’s catering company, tonight was all about the mayoral race for a new up coming politician, but Amy being a little air headed knew not his name. She just really needed the money after being let go from the mailroom of The Daily Bugle, and now she was couch surfing with her friend and serving hors d'oeuvres to some of the most powerful people in New York, so with her large gold plated tray of small finger food she walked out into the large gathering and began making her rounds. She managed a coy smile every once in awhile, but not a single person said thank you, nor made eye contact with the servant woman, as she finished with her unknown number of platters and gathered drinks, she joined several other waiters and waitresses who aligned the ivory walls and looked up upon the banners displaying the man of the hour: Wilson Fisk.

The boss of the catering event came over to the group of waiters and watresses, and rather rudely told them that their jobs were far from over, so Amy got right back into the monotony, hearing whispers about the things that Fisk plans to do for the city via the elegantly dressed butt kissers and brown nosers. One couple discussed how Fist had invested into a new community outreach program called FEAST, but that was putting it politely instead of the snobby rich person talk like they were beneath those who struggled. The man of the hour himself had yet to arrive to his own campaign party, instead one of his organizers, a man in a dark blue suit with smoothed back raven black hair and a disarming smile was in his stead, shaking hands and doing photo ops with WHIH reporters amongst others.

“Would you like another?” Another Amy asked a patron who would quickly guzzled down a glass of wine, but was shooed away so she decided to make her way over to Fisk’s organizer, “Hello sir, I saw you haven’t had anything to drink for awhile, can I interest you in a beverage?”

“Oh, thank you,” The organizer spoke in a dismissive manner before returning to his boss’s patrons, “As I was saying, Mr. Fisk has been in a very giving mood as of late, he just donated an incredible amount of money towards the F.E.A.S.T Foundation, and has also partnered up with several other prominent men and women of the city to help usher in new era after that horrific time we all had with M-Day.” He paused and looked about the room where many of them shook their heads.

Amy head murmurs of “Damn mutants” and “Good on Mr. Fisk” amongst the crowd as she continued to do her job, halfheartedly listening to the Organizer’s crowd work.

“In fact,” Continued the Organizer, “Not many of you here know that Mr. Fisk’s father once ran for a seat in our fair city council, so you could say that good will is in Mr. Fisk’s DNA.”

Amy stole a glance over at the press pool where the likes of Allsworth Tonight, WHIH World News, and CNCB News were eating away at his every word.

“Just in case you all are tiring of me talking, Mr. Fisk should be arriving within the hour, and you can hear about his multi-layered plan to bring about great, prosperous change for each and every one of you here tonight.”

It was then, in a quick moment between words that Amy started to hear the sounds of protesters coming from outside. Were they always there? She wondered to herself, or was she too getting swept up in the moment?

ANDY LORIMER



Andy watched the rain fall down his father’s tombstone, and bent down to place the bouquet of flowers he had bought on the way here, it was the second anniversary of his father’s murder and Andy was pissed that the man responsible was walking free on a series of technicalities. Andy himself was a police officer and he knew from firsthand experience that a lot of the criminals today were slipping through the justice system in favor of catching the big fish, the so called super villains. As he quietly paid his father his respects, his police walkie crackled to life, “Any units in the area? I got a call about a 10-54 out near Joan’s Diner in kzzt district, any available cars, please respond.”

Andy picked up his radio and began heading back to his cruiser, “this is Cruiser number 1610, headed to location now.” He looked down at the cold cup of coffee that sat in his cup holder and shrugged before taking a swig. “Are there any 10-66's I should be aware of?” He asked as he pulled out of the cemetery and out onto the road.

“Civilian who called reported seeing a man walking the sidewalk in a bulky black trench coat, and sporting a buzzcut. Otherwise you’re as in the dark as the rest of us, Cruiser 1610.”

“Understood,” Andy reported in as he drove through the city, he could tell as he passed the homeless encampments and the gated-up businesses that this area was in desperate need of some help, but from who and from where he had no idea. It was a twenty-minute car ride he arrived at the alleyway and got out of his car with his investigative notepad, and approached a nervous looking man who seemed like he was the one to call it in.

“Sir, did you call the police?” Andy asked calmly,

“Yea-yeah,” the man nervously bobbed his head and looked behind him and gulped before returning his attention to Andy, “the gunshot came over here I-I think.”

“Okay, and when did you hear it before reporting?” Andy asked, ready to write down on his pad, he took a look around and noticed not many people had been fazed by a gunshot.

“On-Only a few minutes,” the man nodded once again.

“Okay, I need you say here while I go check it out.” Andy pocketed his notepad and began to approach the possible crime scene...

BIG JESUS



Robert “Big Jesus” Jessup knew who he was and the world he lived in he knew his place, he was a hired gun, small potatoes who worked at the kiddie table of the criminal underworld of New York and he preferred it that way. He never knew more than what his job was, and that way he figured if he even thought of snitching then he couldn’t, one of the officers interrogating him one time told him that was called plausible deniability, but it wasn’t just the name of the for him. Big Jesus’ brother found himself in the hot seat over at Ryker’s so now here he was acting as muscle in a parking garage that had poor as hell lightning for some big wig businessman who was making a deal with a new up and comer.

Unfortunately this up and comer was late, despite his boys guarding the meeting spot, but as his boss was getting antsy a Cadillac Escalade that was shiny as Hell pulled up just long enough for a middle aged man with a shiny balding head and a frightened, nervous look about him. Handcuffed to his hand was a black briefcase, “Hello,” the man nodded at Big Jesus’s boss,

His boss, Alberto Bernedetti who was of siciliano descent didn’t speak, instead he grabbed his walking cane and managed a couple steps towards this man and looked him in the eye. “I thought I was dealing with Fisk?” he grumpled, who the Hell are you?”

“Me?” The nervous man motioned at himself, “My name, it doesn’t matter. Mr. Fisk sent me to make arrangements with you for a profitable business venture. His words, I attest.”

“What do you mean, arrangements? What kind of venture would I be interested in that Mr. Future Mayor is too busy to come to me directly?” Bernedetti spoke with an angry tone.

The man making the arrangements fished in his pocket for a key to unlock his handcuff to the briefcase, “Mr. Fisk regretted being unable to attend this meeting, but with the contents of this case, with a partnership between Fisk Industries and Bernedetti Construction he has plans to make this city a benefit for people,” he paused and added the last bit with a wink, “such as yourself.”

“What are you-” Alberto stopped talking as once the man got the briefcase open, he was staring directly at plates of gold...

CHARLIE SCHITTI



Charlie was a nervous man in everything he did in life, but as he rode the Elevator up to his boss’s penthouse suit at Four Seasons in Tribeca he was sweating more than normal, and that was not a good look to be paired with his boss’s temper when he was interrupted at home. The elevator dinged and he was met once the doors opened by a two man team, one patted him down, but didn’t find any weapons. “Like I'd be stupid to bring them here.” Charlie said offhandeded, but the man ignored him, and the other made him sign a visitor log before motioning to make him look at the cameras positioned above the door in the hallway. After they finished, Charlie gulped, never ready for his boss’s wrath and knocked raptly several times, he looked back at the security team who were stoic as ever then he heard a beep noise two times, which meant the door electronically unlocked.

Charlie walked inside and was met by a very homely scent of vanilla, which momentarily disarmed him as he walked into the open floor plan and was met by a beautiful Italian woman dressed in tight formal wear, her dark brown hair down to her neck and she looked at him dismissively. “He’s not going to be happy.”

Charlie straightened up and looked abashedly down at his feet, “Apologizes Ma’am, I meant no disrespect to you or your husband I was just-” he started to try and explain himself but she interrupted him like an upset mother would to a child.

“First off, never call me Ma’m, it’s Mrs. Fisk. Secondly,” she paused and walked towards Charlie until she was an arm’s length away, “My husband’s men know the rules and never to come here, especially during the day! Thirdly, who even are you?”

“I’m-” Charlie could barely get a word out before she walked away ignoring him,

“Wilson,” Mrs. Fisk called out, “you have a visitor”
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T H E F U T U R E F O U N D A T I O N
T H E F U T U R E F O U N D A T I O N

"Some say my late husband was an idealist, that his dream was a 'fantasy'. Maybe this world needs something 'fantastic'."

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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M R S. F A N T A S T I C
M R S. F A N T A S T I C
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Mrs. Fantastic | Susan Richards née Storm | 46
American | Mutated Human | Leader of The Future Foundation
Manhattan | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Mrs. Fantastic (Sue Richards) is the leader of the Future Foundation and has the ability to turn herself and other nearby objects invisible, as well as project invisible force fields of any shape. She is a charismatic leader though decades of fighting crime, battling otherworldly forces, and dealing with international politics have left her grizzled and slightly jaded. Sue obtained her powers when she was bombarded with cosmic rays during a freak spaceflight accident. In this continuity, Sue's late husband, Reed Richards, sacrificed himself during the space mission so that the other crew members could return to Earth safely, leaving Sue to become the leader of the Fantastic Four along with the other founding members: her brother Johnny, Reed's best friend Ben, and Reed's close colleague Victor. A lot of her major canonical conflicts center around her 'womanhood' especially when it comes to her pregnancies and raising her and Reed's overpowered and unstable son, Franklin. I wanted to write a Sue who is allowed to step out of Reed's shadow and become a leader in her own right, unburdened by the existence of her children.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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T H E T H I N G
T H E T H I N G
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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The Thing | Benjamin Jacob Grimm | 48
American | Mutated Human | Member of The Future Foundation / Pilot
Manhattan | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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The Thing (Ben Grimm) is a member of the Future Foundation and their pilot. He was onboard the spaceship during the cosmic ray incident which mutated him into a rock-like humanoid with incredible strength and endurance. Ben is tough, friendly, and the stable foundation for the team. Canonically, due to his transformation warping his appearance, Ben saw his powers as a curse, so I wanted to play with the idea that, due to Reed's sacrifice, Ben sees his power instead as a gift and a responsibility, and throws himself wholeheartedly into superhero work. As someone who's 'stuck' looking the way he does, Ben has become a strong advocate for mutant rights.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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T H E H U M A N T O R C H
T H E H U M A N T O R C H
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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The Human Torch | Jonathan Lowell Spencer Storm | 41
American | Mutated Human | Member of The Future Foundation
Manhattan | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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The Human Torch (Johnny Storm) has the ability to wreath his entire body in fire, fly, and shoot flames from himself. Johnny was present on the mission that gave Sue and Ben their powers, and obtained his own powers similarly. Canonically, Johnny is a bit of a cocksure diva and his youth and immaturity were always front and center in his personality and conflicts, so I wanted to write a Johnny Storm who was somewhat humbled and matured by the untimely death and sacrifice of Reed, his brother-in-law, while being given the opportunity to age up a bit, becoming more responsible, and even starting a healthy family as Reed and Sue never had the opportunity to start theirs.
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T
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C R Y S T A L
C R Y S T A L
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C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
C H A R A C T E R S U M M A R Y
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Crystal | Crystalia Amaquelin-Storm | 39
House of Agon | Inhuman | Member of The Future Foundation / Princess of the Inhuman Royal Family
Manhattan | New York | USA
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C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
C H A R A C T E R C O N C E P T
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Crystal (Crystalia Storm) is a member of the Inhuman Royal Family (also known as the House of Agon) who was exposed to terrigen mist at a young age and developed elemental powers, able to control and manipulate water, fire, earth, and air. The Inhuman Royal Family started out as enemies of the Fantastic Four, but after discovering an internal, inhuman plot to pit the royal family against the Fantastic Four and seize power, the Fantastic Four helped the Royal Family foil this plot, and have been close allies ever since. Canonically, Crystal and Johnny have had a relationship, and Crystal has been a temporary member of the Fantastic Four. In this reimagining, Johnny and Crystal are married and Crystal is a permanent member, replacing Dr. Doom.
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
C H A R A C T E R N O T E S
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K E Y E V E N T S
K E Y E V E N T S
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P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
P L O T ( S ) & G O A L ( S )
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As one of marvel's oldest IPs, The Fantastic Four are burdened with a lot of outdated story tropes that are difficult to resolve in the modern age, part of why it's been so difficult to create a good Fantastic Four movie. Reed Richards has always been the 'main character' whose genius and importance overshadow the others. So I wanted to reimagine a Fantastic Four without a Mr. Fantastic, giving the other members the chance to shine in his absence.

I noticed an unusual throughline with The Fantastic Four and the threats they faced. Their enemies are often political entities. Namor is a king, Doom is a dictator, The Inhumans are royalty, and the Skrull are a space empire. it makes sense for Captain America to fight the Red Skull, but the Fantastic Four are not themselves seen as a political entity, so I wanted to imagine what it would be like if they got more involved with changing the world not just through fighting but through activism and altruism. Such activities would create an additional sort of drama as they start to aggravate existing power structures. Canonically, Reed Richards did found the Future Foundation to explore ways in which science can benefit all of humanity, so this idea isn't completely out of left field.

Due to the rising tension with mutants which seems to be the current major plot point in this RP, I would like to set up the Future Foundation as a place to which young, superpowered individuals, mutant and non-mutant alike, can apply to become affiliate members. Sue believes that mutants need non-mutant allies to stand up for them and provide them with opportunities or else the divide will only widen.

I am also reimagining a world in which the relationship between Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom had become one of friendship instead of rivalry. I feel that a touch of empathy and love might be enough to turn Doom's trajectory completely around. However, Doom still becomes dictator of Latveria, and is labeled a threat to global peace by NATO, who consider his methods counter to "Democracy", ie. capitalism. Doom still supports the Future Foundation under the table with his considerable resources and knowledge, but on paper, the Future Foundation has been forced to disavow Doom to maintain their public image. Given that my theme is to make things 'political', the continuing secret relationship between the Future Foundation and Latveria could jeopardize the Future Foundation's legitimacy in the eyes of Western Nations.
S A M P L E P O S T
S A M P L E P O S T
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T H E F F
T H E F F
Location: A bar in Manhattan
Post #1: A toast to the future



"A superhero and a supervillain walk into a bar..."

The beginning of a joke Johnny had told her passed through Sue's mind. Of course, that was the whole joke; there was no punchline. It was simply a statement made in jest at this little ritual that she participated in every year of the anniversary of the accident. She sat down at the bar next to a man in a trench coat, a hat, and a scar on his face.

"A 'Storm' approaches," the man says, chuckling quietly to himself.

"Very funny, 'Vic'," Sue shot back, gesturing to the barkeep, who knew the usual and began preparing her drink.

"Ugh, I hate that shorthand, it lacks...gravitas."

"Would you prefer Dr. V.D.? Sorry, Johnny came up with that," Sue smirked.

Dr. Victor Von Doom spat out some of his drink, choking in laughter, "Tell your brother to never change!"

Sue smiled wistfully. Whenever Victor was on television making some announcement related to his country, his thick Latverian accent was always front and center, but he could speak in a perfectly good American accent if he wanted to. He only did the accent out of solidarity with his countrymen, who were understandably wary of American interventionism. Similarly, he always appeared in public with his iron mask. But while most superheroes and supervillains wore masks to hide their true selves, 'Victor' was the persona, and Dr. Doom was who he really was. He was a man robed in deception, but Sue knew that beneath the layers of lies was a man who was dramatically and bombastically sincere with himself.

"How's Cynthia?" Victor asked about his god-daughter, and Sue's niece.

"She's healthy. No powers yet, so here's hoping it stays that way," Sue replied. Johnny just wanted their daughter to live a normal life, fearful that if she developed powers, she would be labeled a mutant and persecuted. Of course, Crystal was a bit more open-minded about it, offering to raise Cynthia with her family should Cynthia reveal her abilities.

"How's Namor?"

"Victor, please..." Sue rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Her drink arrived so she took a sip; the bartender left without another word.

"I'm serious," Victor insisted, "Despite his repeated, unwanted advances, the king is intelligent, handsome, wealthy... you could do worse."

"I could do better."

"But think about it, between you and Johnny, you would have Atlantis in one hand, and Attilan in the other," Doom gestured dramatically, as if embracing the sun.

"You're doing it again," Sue teased, referring to Victor's unfortunate penchant towards megalomania. "He doesn't respect me, Victor. And if you think he's such a catch, maybe you should marry him."

"Maybe... maybe..." Victor swished his drink around wistfully reminiscing about the past, and a future that was never meant to be. A silence fell between them as the topic inevitably arrived at Sue's late husband, Reed Richards.

"We're opening up the FF affiliates program to mutants," Sue declared, avoiding the subject, "Bring some young mutants under the FF banner, train them up as superheroes, garner some public respect and support... Sure, it's basically the same thing Dr. Xavier is doing at his school, but it's not enough if it's just mutants helping mutants, right? Us non-mutants need to step up and show solidarity. Show the world that cooperation and coexistence is not only possible, but also beneficial."

Victor nodded, "Latveria will also be granting our mutants full citizenship and protection under the law. Additionally, our embassies the world over will be offering political asylum to mutants who are not known supervillains."

"It could be dangerous. The Brotherhood might try to infiltrate your country."

"Let them come, and face the might of Doom!"

Sue looked at Victor and admired his honesty and single-minded dedication. "How long can we keep doing this?" she asked in a moment of vulnerability.

"As long as it takes," Victor replied with an uncharacteristic gentleness, "It's what Reed would have wanted."

Sue looked at her drink, then lifted it up, "To Reed."

"To... the future."
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