This information is available to anyone who reads the papers and watches the news. If you take an appropriate
Knowledge Skill you'll know more.
| The Champions |
| An experienced superhero team based in New York City. Founded in 1989, the group has
been widely publicised and has cordial relations with both PRIUMS and local government officials.
Team composition has been remarkably steady with no change to the origional roster, though there
have been occasional intra-team arguements and 'vacations'. |
|
|
|
| Genocide |
| Background |
Back in the 50's when the McCarthy paranoia spread to include metahumans, it was the
'100% American' requirement that caught some people's attention, as well as estimates that within 250
years, 51% of the world's population would carry the metagene. Genocide was origionaly founded in 1951
as a secret government program to study the long-term effects of the rising metahuman population. Dr.
Jonathan Brooks, a biologist and known anti-metahuman advocate, was appointed to lead the study. For
the next six years the budget was continually expanded, mainly due to Dr. Brooks' impassioned speeches
to Congress about the "rising mutant menace."
In 1957 a memo was leaked to The Washington Post, indicating that the 'mutant menace' wasn't
as much of a threat as they wanted it to be, and they needed more evidence to justify another budget
increase. The memo suggested instigating highly public crimes and laying the blame on mutant villains,
then using the crimes to generate support for the proposed mutant registration bills currently before
Congress.
The resulting investigation exposed massive cost overruns, equipment shortages, false contractors
and falsified results. All this would have generated no more than a few month's scandal, except for
evidence that linked the program to fourteen kidnappings and murders listed as 'acquisition of research
material.' This turned the audit into a criminal investigation. Brooks was arrested and put on
trial, where his defense amounted to "I'm trying to save the human race." He was found guilty of
conspiracy to commit murder and about to be executed when he was rescued by three agents in power
armor. They made a short speech about never leaving the human race undefended by allowing the mutant
scum to commit genocide, and left.
Genocide resurfaced more than ten years later when evidence in the Martin Luthor King, Jr. murder
investigation was linked to the origional government program. Since then, Genocide agents have
appeared across the country, fighting for the survival of humanity. |
|---|
| Purpose & Goals |
Genocide is dedicated to removing mutants from the planet. They seek to turn public
opinion against metahumans, and many of the anti-mutant publicity campaigns, hate crimes and mutant
registration bills receive support by GENOCIDE. This can take many forms, from donations to threatening
opponents to eliminating key people. Perhaps the most frightening thing about GENOCIDE agents is their
dedication: they truely believe that they are working to save humanity from genocide and are utterly
ruthless in attaining their goals. |
|---|
| Organization |
No on really knows. They've got lots of money, cutting-edge technology and agents that
border on the edge of religious zealotry, and the U.S. government would very much like to find out where
it all comes from. |
|---|
| Resources |
Unsuprisingly, Genocide employs only pure strain, intelligent, ruthless, supremicist
humans. It's known that they receive support from individuals who agree with them, but that doesn't
begin to pay for the stuff they have. Their technology matches that from several government think
tanks but multiple sweeps, traps and investigations have found no links.
Late in 1998, SENTINELS appeared. These are 9-foot tall battlesuits designed to kill mutants in open
combat. They have all the standard technological restrictions, but
appear in groups of three, usually have on-site concealed survailence and spotters and are almost always
custom-built for their target. |
|---|
| Relationships |
No one likes Genocide except VIPER and other racial supremicist groups. Their goals may
sometimes coincide, but there are no known instances of Genocide cooperating with other organizations. |
|---|
| Uniforms & Colors |
There is no standard uniform; most agents operate covertly. Assault armor and SENTINEL
colors are grey with variously colored boots and helmets, indicating rank and capabilities. |
|---|
|
|
| Eurostar |
| First appearing in 1992, Eurostar rapidly became known as one of the most effective, powerful
and expensive mercenary teams in Europe. While the team will occasionally undertake a mission of mercy,
the majority of their appearances involve chaos, destruction and high body counts. They obviously have
highly placed intelligence operatives and usually have agents in place to support the mission, combat or
escape. |
|
|
|
| Freespace |
| An international organization that promotes space exploration and technology. It has
both private and corporate backing, extensive research programs and tries to stay out of political
issues. Freespace is opposed to Nicaragua's public plans to terraform and colonize Venus, while at
the same time working jointly on several research projects. |
|
| Guardians of Liberty and Justice |
| The only official superteam of the United States Government. Their official duty is to
protect the United States from metahuman threats, and much of their time is spent assisting other
law enforcement agencies across the country. The team is occasionally lent to foreign agencies to
assist in the war against international terrorism, drug trafficking and criminal organizations,
nominally under UN jurisdiction when they're off U.S. territory. The government maintains member's
secret identities, but a high enough security clearance will reveal their true names (members don't
have either a Secret or Public ID). Captain America has refused membership, preferring to remain a
private citizen. |
|
|
|
| PRIMUS |
| Background |
It wasn't until World War II that the U.S. government acknowledged the danger and potential
that metahumans (then known as "mystery men") could pose when gathered into organized teams. The first
government-backed group, The Avengers, served as a reliable counter to metahuman threats during and
immediately after WWII, but soon proved unable to cope with the rising number of metahumans across the country.
In 1949 the Joint Chiefs decided to establish Special American Tactics as a branch of the military designed
to counter metahuman threats within the U.S.
SAT worked well for almost 16 years, until it came into conflict with the newly-formed UNTIL metahuman
forces. UNTIL forces claimed jurisdiction in all member nations and a great many politicians disliked
the way that UNTIL charged about the U.S. as if the country were "just another two-bit banana republic."
This, plus the UN request for the disbanding of all national and government-backed superteams and allegations
that the Pentagon was using SAT forces abroad for espionage missions, caused Congress to call for the
dissolution of SAT. The last straw was a three-way clash between VIPER, UNTIL and SAT that left sixteen
agents and three metahumans dead. SAT activities were suspended, scrutinized by Congress, and terminated.
In 1976 SAT resources were reformed as a civilian organization, PRIMUS. The organization was structured to
maintain a high level of readiness, but lack the size or resources to sustained covert operations. It was
also prepared to integrate civilian metahumans into their tactical responce, allowing superheroes to
train, fight and testify without revealing their real identities. The acceptance of civilian aid has
caused controversy over the years, but has greatly increased the organizations effectiveness. |
|---|
| Purpose & Goals |
This is the government's answer to the need for a fast-responce force ready to face metahuman
threats on equal terms. Agents are trained to uphold the law, eliminate threats and protect civilians, in that
order. |
|---|
| Organization |
While technically a civilian agency PRIMUS is organized very much like a military unit.
The civilian elements make the chain of command somewhat less efficient than it might be, but allow
slightly greater flexability. PRIMUS is only U.S. military force that sees combat on a regular basis
and has learned to enjoy that flexability. |
|---|
| Resources |
PRIMUS has cutting-edge power armor, fast air transport and access to the best technology and
heavy weapons in the country. Their immediate manpower resources are low, but PRIMUS agents have the authority
to requisition equipment and backup from any military branch or government agency up to and including tactical
air strikes. |
|---|
| Relationships |
PRIMUS is caught between the local law-enforcement agencies (who dislike 'the feds' taking
charge) and UNTIL (who considers the U.S. within their jurisdiction). PRIMUS has an unofficial agreement with
UNTIL to 'loan' them any agents who operate outside U.S. territory. Other military agencies see PRIMUS's
inclusion of civilian metahumans as unprofessional. Despite this antagonism PRIMUS is a respected organization,
partly for it's effectiveness and partly for the number of metahumans it can call up. |
|---|
| Uniforms & Colors |
Most combat armor is grey with a blue "P" over the heart. Dress uniforms are black with gold
highlights. |
|---|
|
|
| The Rapture |
| Formed in 1988 by the Vatican, the team is composed primarily of magic-based and noticably
non-human mutants who have embraced God. The initial years of the Rome-based team were extremely
rough, given the fallout from the Southampton incident. All members publicly embrace the true
faith, attend church regularly, reveal their true identities and have taken public vows dedicating their
lives to God. Over the past decade they have been recognized as one of the most professional and reliable
superteam in the world. Members are highly trained, highly motivated and given the best equipment available. |
|
|
|
| Raven |
| Background |
The first events linked to Raven were in the aftermath of World War II Europe. A loose
confederation of ultra-conservative politicians and businessmen formed, intend on the political and
ecomonic domination of Europe. They encountered setbacks in the post-war atmosphere of freedom, but
during the 50's and 60's they spread across the globe, feeding the cold war rivalries and student
anarchies. They supported Communist aggression just as much as they did the U.S.-supported democracies.
As the 60's ended and the detente of the 70's got underway, the leaders of Raven saw their power bases
slipping away. African and South American nations nationalized their industries and natural resources,
denying Raven their profits. The organization underwent a transformation and the majority of public
activities ceased.
It wasn't until the early 90's that UNTIL discovered that many of the high-tech crimes and industrial
espionage incident could be laid at Raven's door. The organization had forseen that information was the
new path to power and changed it's focus from political power to technological. Raven has emerged as
one of the best-rained, best-equipped and most-secretive criminal organizations on the planet. |
|---|
| Purpose & Goals |
Raven's ultimate goals are unknown. Their activities tend toward gathering information,
acquiring technology and securing economic control rather than overt political motivations. Their methods
cover most illegal methods, from extortion and blackmail to theft and murder. Their agents rarely make a
public appearance but are absolutely ruthless when they do. |
|---|
| Organization |
Raven is led by the Supreme Raven and a circle of Administrators. Each Administrator
controls a separate base, with no direct link between any of them. Their resources are owned by layer
upon layer of dummy and shell corporations thick enough to prevent tracing true ownership. UNTIL is
concerned about their failure to infiltrate Raven and learn more about the organization. |
|---|
| Resources |
In a word: lots of everything but people. Equipment, training, high-technology, money
and raw materials on the order of hundreds of billions of dollars are available. Since the organization
stresses secrecy, intelligence and competancy, they are always needing more people. Despite this need,
their screening processes are good enough to prevent infiltration. Agent equipment is always of highest
quality and technology, and usually untraceable. |
|---|
| Relationships |
Raven is supremly insular. They do not hire outside personnel; if they have need of a
specific skill they will kidnap, blackmail and murder whoever they need. Their goals have brought them
into contact with many multinational corporations, most of whom do not know they are facing Raven.
This secrecy prevents infiltration, but increases the chance that bases may compete for the same
resources. Given the resources and long-term goals of the organization, it seems an adequite trade-off. |
|---|
| Uniforms & Colors |
There is no standard Raven uniform or insignia, except for the black, styilized image of
a raven in flight. On the rare occasions when a base is raided or agents make an assault, they wear grey
camouflage fatigues, grey body armor and close-fitting helmets. |
|---|
|
|
| Sanctuary |
| History of Sanctuary |
The Gilbert Islands were granted self-rule by the United Kingdom in 1971 and
complete independence in 1979 under the new name Kiribati. It is a democratic nation with the
capitol at Tarawa, and joined the UN in 1981. Also in 1979, the U.S. relinquished all claims
to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Island groups, including the island of Kiritimati
(Christmas Island) located 1,300 miles south of Hawaii. |
|---|
The island is approximately 575 square kilometers (the size of D.C.) and is 75% tropical rainforest
surrounded by sandy beaches and extensive coral reefs. Phosphate mining had been the only significant
economic activity since 1919, but in December 1980 the Australian Government closed the majority of
the mines on the island. In 1983 a $34 million casino opened but could not show a profit and closed
in 1989. The facilities were sold to the U.S.-based Sanctuary, Inc. and, with the cooperation of the
Kiribati government, turned into a vacation resort for metahumans.
| Santuary Today |
Sancuary is one of the few places in the world where metahumans can display
their powers without scaring the mundanes or disrupting everyday life. It is also a place for
new metahumans to explore and develop their powers with much less fear of discovery or mass
destruction. Discreet transport to Santuary can be obtained in Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti and other
popular vacation spots for the ease of maintaining secret identities. The majority of normal
vacationers are thrill- or fan-seekers, but recient advertising campaigns are increasing the
number of newlywed couples. |
|---|
Kiribati has agreed to an UNTIL naval base on the island, as both protection for and against
any metahuman violence. Competition for permanent assigned to Port Haven is fierce, though
all assault agents are run through the joint UNTIL-Santuary training grounds. In addition to
the UNTIL forces, most metahumans have a vested interest in maintaining a stable and peaceful
environment and will likely oppose any violent or internationally illegal activities. Kiribati
has established extradition treaties with the UN and most major nations and is not a haven
for metahuman criminals.
A joint project initiated by Japan, Kiribati and Nicaragua calls for the construction of a
multi-billion dollar spaceport and research center on the island. Sanctuary members have been
strongly encouraged to join in the construction aspects of the project, scheduled to begin
in early summer 1999.
|
|
| UNTIL |
| Background |
After World War II the UN wrestles with the question of allowing individual nations to
have nuclear weapons. The United States was willing to give up its monopoly if all other countries would
abandon their development programs, but the U.S.S.R. was unwilling to give control to the UN, which had
no military or security force. UNTIL was developed to assume responsibility for mankind's deadliest
weapons when the U.S.S.R. detonated its first atomic bomb, ending the possibility of UN control.
The UN found itself with a major paramilitary organization and while bureaucratic inertia kept it
alive for several more years, it wasn't until the Korean War that UNTIL proved to be more than an
effective intelligence force. During the Korean War metahumans were evaluated as strategic assets
and UNTIL proposed that, instead of nuclear weapons, it take charge of the world's metahumans.
The proposal generated immense debate in the General Assembly and it wasn't until the late
1950's that UNTIL was assigned a small force of metahumans from member countries, led by Major
Juan Martinez. Over the next 15 years he developed the UNTIL metahuman force into a respected,
capable and highly-trained force capable of responding to hot spots around the globe. In 1974 the
UN proposed that all member nations give all military metahuman to UNTIL on permanent loan. The
measure was voted down, but many nations assigned their official superteams to UNTIL. Very few
countries have government-sponsored superteams, the U.S. being among them.
Currently, UNTIL and UN troops are deployed on peacekeeping missions all over the world. UNTIL
acts as the fast-responce and assault arm of the UN military, being the first to enter a situation
and confront unknown or metahuman threats. UNTIL also acts to unify global law enforcement, having
the ability to cross boarders with small, very capable teams. |
|---|
| Purpose & Goals |
Officially, UNTIL exists to: 1) Fight international terrorism, 2) Act as a fast-response
force to metahuman emergencies in member countries, 3) Provide intelligence to the UN and member nations,
and 4) Promote international cooperation between governments and law enforcement agencies. Agents are
taught that their job is to protect civilians, uphold international and local laws, and capture criminals
- in that order. While UNTIL agents are recruited from all over the world, their primary loyalty is
supposed to be to the UN. Maturally, this varies from person to person. |
|---|
| Organization |
UNTIL began as a paramilitary organization and remains organized in a military mannor.
Agents are divided into squads, platoons and companies, etc. and UNTIL military rank is recognized by
all member nations. UNTIL metahumans are assigned to squads or into all-metahuman teams, depending on
their abilities and the current needs. All agents are highly trained, metahuman or not, in tactics,
diplomacy and international law. |
|---|
| Resources |
UNTIL has good, but not lavish, funding. Superiors are upset if equipment is lost or
damaged, but it gets replaced quickly. Like any other bureaucracy, there's a lot of paperwork involved.
Standard-issue equipment is servicable and reliable and not assault-level; agents in the field are not
intended to confront metahumans; they are meant to keep the peace and they don't need heavy weapons as
standard issue. On the other hand, if UNTIL knows it's facing heavy opposition it will issue heavy weapons
and cutting-edge technology to the troops and deploy dozens of front-line metahumans. |
|---|
| Relationships |
UNTIL maintains excellent working relations with law-enforcement agencies all over
the world; relations with the associated governments tend to be slightly less enthusiastic. UNTIL
and PRIMUS often clash over juristiction in the U.S. and as a result UNTIL does not maintain a large
American presence outside of New York City (UN headquarters). UNTIL also works at developing good
relations with known metahumans in member nations, and actively tries to recruit them. |
|---|
| Uniforms & Colors |
Standard active-duty wear is an olive-green jumpsuit worn under brown body armor and
a light brown helmet with UN insignia. Rank insignia is worn on the shoulders. Cultural and religious
factions have led to some variations on the basic pattern. For example, Sikhs wear turbans rather
than helmets, and their weapons belt are modified to carry their ceremonial daggers. |
|---|
|
|
| VIPER |
| Background |
It is still not known if the name VIPER is an acronym, a code-word for their true
motivations, or if the founders simply liked snakes. The VIPER symbol first emerged during World War I
as a society of assassins serving the Turks. It vanished after the war and reappeared in Nazi Germany
in the 30's as one of the groups hired to spread terror and disruption throughout eastern Europe. They
succeeded and became infamous throughout Europe and the Middle East. After the war the organization
broke up into dozens of separate groups, each claiming the name.
It wasn't until the late 1950's that the various leaders reunited under one name and obliterated
all pretenders. Resources were reorganized into the three-level system and used more efficiently. The
combat arm, then consisting of hoodlums and thugs, was trained and shaped into an efficient military
force. Contacts were made with various terrorist groups and arms suppliers throughout the world. It
is unknown what the motivating force behind VIPER was, but it worked.
VIPER is behind much of the world's terrorist activity, social disruption, political assassination and
other violent crimes. They suffer from a lack of espionage capability but their raw manpower and
material resources make up for much of that; if VIPER has to lose three squads instead of one, that's
fine as long as the goal is accomplished. VIPER agents are not suicidal, but their bosses are quite
willing to have them lay down their lives.
|
|---|
| Purpose & Goals |
VIPER seeks power through disrupting the current social order and replacing it with
their own. They actively support gang violence, civil disorder, terrorism, political blackmail and
sabotage. They seem to draw the line at political assassination but will conduct a smear campaign that
makes a bullet look merciful. If people die needlessly and violently, there's a chance that VIPER is
behind it, just waiting for a chance to profit from the disaster.
|
|---|
| Organization |
The secret masters of VIPER have separated the organization into three layers. At the
top is VIPER One and the Nest Leaders. They maintain control of the majority of VIPER resources and
research departments. They maintain communication through secure channels, exchanging resources through
public mediums like the stock market. The second layer is VIPER agents and undercover operatives in a
Nest, who know of but are unable to directly contact other Nests, and usually have limited resources
or production facilities available. Those Nests that control important resources or have active R&D
laboratories are forbidden from sending out agents. The third is expendible agents, gangs and
supervillains hired for a specific job. VIPER believes in the survival of the fittest and expects high
casualty rates; those who survive will be rewarded.
|
|---|
| Resources |
Lots of people willing to commit violence for money, lots of illegal drugs and weapons,
a few high-tech scientists who find people willing to fund their research, and more than their fair share
of supervillains willing to destroy things for a buck. What they make up for in finesse and technique,
they make up for in numbers and brute force. The number of Nests and ease of creating new ones makes the
organization nearly impossible to stamp out.
|
|---|
| Relationships |
VIPER is on good terms with most terrorist and revolutionary splinter groups, tolerable
terms with criminal organizations (Yakuza, Tong, Mob, etc.) and dimetrically opposed to UNTIL and most
law-enforcement agencies.
|
|---|
| Uniforms & Colors |
Yellow and green are the primary colors; VIPER doesn't care if their third-level thugs
are identified and it gives the punks something to be proud of. Second-level agents wear green-and-gold
jumpsuits and armor, with red helmet visors and the VIPER symbol over the heart. Some Nests implant an
explosive charge in the symbol, guaranteed to prevent prisoners.
|
|---|
|
|
