CHAMPIONS Lore Primer

A guide to the

setting and role-playing in it.

“We must shut down ALL the beacons” — Defender TABLE OF CONTENTS

One: Introduction 5 Official Sources 5 Two: Champions Universe Timeline 8 Three: The Superhuman World 16 Current Events 16 Law and Government 16 PRIMUS and UNTIL 17 PRIMUS 17 UNTIL 17 UNITY 18 Superhuman Media 18 Hot Spots 19 Club Caprice 19 Grand Cienelago Island 19 Sports 19 Corporations 20 Security Agencies 22 Scientific Agencies 23 Mystical Agencies 24 Four: Who’s Who 25 Major Setting NPC Heroes 25 Major Setting Villains 27 Major Setting Villainous Organizations 29 Significant Canon Characters From Around the World 30 Heroes and Villains Through the Ages 33 Five: What’s What 3 6 Materials 3 6 Mutagens 3 6 Super Soldier Projects 36 Six: Where’s Where 3 7 Arcadia 37 Atlantis 37 Beast Mountain 37 Force Station Steelhead and the Lynx’s Fold 38 Hudson City 38 Lemuria 39 Millennium City 40 Monster Island 41 Niikwan 41 Shambalah/Agharti 41 Sunday Pond, Maine 41 Thaar 41

CO Lore Primer: • Table of Contents •  Vibora Bay 42 Yeng-Tao Temple 42 Seven: Aliens 43 Dendrians 43 Elder Worms 43 Ergons/Thorgons 43 Fassai 44 Gadroon 43 Hzeel 44 Malvans 44 Mandaarians 45 Mon’dabi 45 Perseids 46 Qularr 46 Roin’esh 46 Selenites 46 Siriians 47 Vayathurians 47 The Star*Guard 48 The Galaxars 48 Chrono 48 The Progenitors 48 Eight: Other Dimensions 49 The Assaiah 49 Yetzirah 49 Briah 49 Atziluth 50 Qliphoth 50 The ban 50 Nine: The Mullet’s Guide to RP 52 Index 62

CO Lore Primer: • Table of Contents •  I: Introduction

This is a quick introduction to the Champions When Steve Long and DOJ, Inc. took over Cham- Online universe. It’s excerpts on issues of importance pions in 2002, Steve consolidated a lot of work done to Champions Online role-players and people who by freelancers over the years, threw much of it out want to work with the background of this universe to (goodbye CLOWN), and added much of his own build characters. If you need, say, a corporate sponsor (mostly excellent) material. When Cryptic bought the or an alien race as part of your background, this book IP in 2008, they added their own significant contribu- will suggest ones that exist in canon that you can use. tions. This is based on existing works in the Champions WARNING: Champions PnP supplements use a paper and pencil game line. It only scratches the much different system than Champions Online, so eagerest surface of the setting, so it’s strongly recom- don’t expect to see characters written up as Champi- mended that you pick up these books -- and they are ons Online builds or with their powers as direct cor- commercial works and not freeware -- to get the full relations of CO powers. However, they are an invalu- story. But this excerpt will give you a taste, an idea for able source of lore. If you are interested in the setting, a cool origin and might even settle an argument or please support Hero Games. Yes, RPG supplements two. are pricy, which is understandable given the small In a few cases, I’m adding my interpretation or RP profit margins of the industry. However, the Hero folks advice; I’ll note the places where this occurs: they’ll be do a terrific job. If you can afford it, please make an marked as Opinion Corner. Feel free to ignore it. investment in some of the lore books. And if you find This document is not meant to shove canon down anything that I’ve gotten wrong in this document, let the throats of unwilling RPers and I hope it doesn’t get me know! Thanks! used for that. However, people who are interested in the setting can use it as an introduction and a way of OFFICIAL SOURCES getting to know the world. Recommended commercial products, with links for It should go without saying that this document PDF to the site where they can be purchased, contains SPOILERS. I’m saying it here anyways. If you If you have to get ONE book, get Champions don’t want to know, then no further go! Universe (6th edition). In fact, this primer is only a taste of that book. If you enjoy this primer and find it AND NOW HERE’S SOMETHING WE HOPE YOU’LL useful, please pick up a copy of this book. REALLY LIKE.... If you can afford three books, get Champions Uni- Champions is based on an intellectual property verse, Champions Beyond (6th edition), and the Mystic created for the HERO System, a paper and pencil World (5th edition). This gives you a comprehensive role-playing game that was first published in 1981 by overview of major parts of the setting. Hero Games. Much of the universe was built on the If you can afford more than three books, get those work created primarily by George MacDonald, but also three and then look over this list and find a book on by Bruce Harlick, Steve Peterson, and Glenn Thain. whatever subject most interests you. In 1996, Hero joined forces with R. Talosorian Games and created Champions: The New Millennium, with a revamp of the setting by Eric Burnham. Most of Eric’s setting work was excellent, unfortunately the system was not very well-received.

CO Lore Primer: • Introduction •  (by Steven Long) CHAMPIONS VILLAINS Vol 1, 2, 3. (by Steven The life (and toy catalog) of Albert Zerstoiten, the Long) deadliest man in the history of the human race, better The most current up to date source on major known as Dr. Destroyer. And some jackass calling Champions villains. himself Shadow Destroyer too. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=250189 htm?itemID=232563 https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=252375 BOOK OF THE EMPRESS (by Steven Long) https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. A book on Istvatha V’Han, Empress of a Billion htm?itemID=251488 Dimensions, also featuring additional material on Champions cosmology from a non-mystical perspec- CHAMPIONS OF THE NORTH (by Scott Bennie) tive. The Canada sourcebook, with background on many of the characters found around Force Station Steel- https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. head. htm?itemID=262911 https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. CHAMPIONS BEYOND (by Steve Long) htm?itemID=227526 The highly anticipated, definitive sourcebook on aliens in the setting. Currently available in PDF. DEMON: SERVANTS OF DARKNESS (by Allen Thomas) https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. An excellent guide to the villains of the second htm?itemID=255418 Adventure Pack.

CHAMPIONS UNIVERSE (by Steven Long and Dar- https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. ren Watts) htm?itemID=201768 An overview of the universe. This is the most com- plete overview of the Champions Online world, as it HIDDEN LANDS (by Darren Watts and Allen has been approved by Cryptic Studios and is the most Thomas) recently written work on the setting. Because it is the A book covering places like Atlantis, Lemuria, latest work, this document considers this book to be Arcadia, and much more. definitive when contradictions exist with previous works. Highly recommended. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=194632 https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=247924 MILLENNIUM CITY (by Darren Watts) The guide to the most important city in the Cham- pions Universe.

https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=220731

CO Lore Primer: • Introduction •  MONSTER ISLAND (by Steve Long) VIBORA BAY (by Darren Watts, Derek Hiemforth, A sourcebook dedicated to the most monstrous Jason Walters, and Steve Long) place on Earth (insert Disneyland joke here). Florida’s favorite supernatural metropolis. Predates CO by a considerable margin, and thus has gaps, but it https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. still has value as a sourcebook. htm?itemID=232564 https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. THE MYSTIC WORLD (by Dean Shomshak) htm?itemID=220391 The definitive source on the mystical cosmology of the Champions Online universe. VIPER: COILS OF THE SERPENT (by Steve Long and Scott Bennie) https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. They’re mean and green and their goals are htm?itemID=208418 obscene. Meet VIPER, a ruthless terrorist organization dedicated to ruling the world. UNTIL: DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM (by Darren Watts and Steve Long) https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. These are the good guys, their history, their htm?itemID=220393 people, their toys. A bit dated. BE A HERO! Support HERO Games! https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=208417 All art in this document comes from the Champi- ons Online website authoring kit, provided by Cryptic Studios.

CO Lore Primer: • Introduction •  II: Timeline

This is a Champions Universe timeline that’s based on the one in Champions Universe (6th edition) but hewing a little closer to the Champions Online time- line, with references to most characters who aren’t in the game omitted. For more detail, consult Champions Universe. c. 2,000,000 BC The Progenitors seed the ancestors of the human race and jumpstart its evolution. c. 500,000 BC The Progenitors’ experiments result in the creation of the Empyreans, a superhuman race.

267,584 BC c17,698 BC Battle of the Coreward Fields turns the Malvan-Elder Lemurian sorcerers create the Bronze King to turn the Worm war in the favor of the Malvans. Some Elder tide in a Lemurian civil war. Worms make their way to Earth. c12,000 BC c. 70,000 BC In the Lynx’s Fold of what’s now Northern Canada, the Birth of Evil. Kul-Tarak, who later becomes Tako- spirit of the Land, aided by human shamans, defeats fanes, is born. the spirit of the Ice. The Ice Age ends, bringing in the start of the modern age. The Inuit god Kigatilik, who 37,523 BC sided with Ice over Land, is cast out of that pantheon. Lemuria founded by a scientist-sorcerer. He becomes an agent of the Ice, seeking vengeance on the shamans who opposed them. 36,964 BC The Lemurians attack the Empyreans with the Man- c. 520 AD dragalore, a powerful magical weapon. It backfires Sir Giles de Morphant, a black knight in the days of and Lemuria sinks. King Arthur, is slain by Lancelot. He is later revived as the supervillain Black Paladin. c. 35,000 BC The snake-god Nama is born in West Africa. c. 1000 AD Viperia is born in Africa. At the behest of local tribes, Rise of Atlantis. Nama places her in suspended animation to avoid the destruction of the continent. c. 30,598 BC Sharna-Gorak the Destroyer causes the destruction of c. 30 AD Atlantis. The Ban is Set. The death of the prophet Yeshua seals the Ban on divine and demonic supernatural intervention. CO Lore Primer: • Timeline •  1459 AD 1937 AD Vlad Tepes is transformed by magic into Dracula. After the murder of her father, Princess Mara becomes rightful queen of Atlantis. Unable to get her throne, 1772 AD she establishes herself as the mystery woman Sea The first Black Mask appears. He is the first costumed Hawk. hero in recorded history. 1938 AD 1783 AD May 1. Birth of Modern Superhumans. A Nazi The Circle of the Scarlet Moon is founded by decadent ritual attempts to endow a German cult with mystical French nobles. powers. Instead, it unlocks the ambient magical pow- ers of earth, greatly increasing the influence of magic, 1800 AD increasing links to the imaginal realms that essentially The Empyrean Arvad leads a rebellion against King allows for a second, contradictory law of physics to co- Hazor, but is defeated and exiled. exist with the laws of the physical world -- the laws of metahuman -- making superpowers possible. The first c. 1800 AD superhumans appear: Der Sturmvogel in Germany, The Trismegistus Council is founded to serve as guard- Captain Patriot in America. ians of white magic. The Sirians, an alien race, invades New Jersey. Four 1838 AD superhumans respond. After their victory over the An American secret society, the Patriot Lodges, who aliens, the heroes found the Defenders of Justice, the have vowed to overthrow British influence in North world’s first superteam. America, launch an invasion in Canada. They’re defeated, but not before swearing a mystical oath 1940 AD that their descendents would not abandon the cause Pulp adventurer and scoundrel, Edgar Lancelyn Essec of republicanism. falls under the spell of Nama while exploring a cave in West Africa. 1864 AD Arvad uses his mental powers to seize control of 1941 AD Lemuria. In the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack, American su- perhumans volunteer for war, The Defenders of Justice 1865 AD are among the first volunteers. The US Army sets up The Unholy Order of the Grand Reptile, the predeces- a secret supersoldier project in Haynesville Kansas, sor of VIPER, is founded in London. where Captain Patriot was created.

1908 AD 1942 AD The Circle of the Scarlet Moon kills earth’s Archmage. Lemuria joins the Axis side in the war. They attempt to The earth goes without a major protector against invade California, but are repulsed by a new team of occult threats for over a century. heroes who call themselves the Justice Squadron.

1917 AD 1943 AD Birth of Albert Zerstoiten, the future Doctor Destroyer. The Defenders of Justice help Mara recapture the throne of Atlantis. 1925 AD DEMON is founded, committing the “Dog Day Mur- 1944 AD ders” in New York City. Albert Zerstoiten betrays the Nazis and flees to South

CO Lore Primer: • Timeline •  America. 1967 AD A second Sirian invasion is thwarted by superheroes. 1945 AD Sturmvogel is killed in the dying days of the war. *China founds the Tiger Squad as its official hero team. 1948 AD The Haynesville Project is closed. The Defenders of 1968 AD Justice disband. VIPER’s second major scheme of conquest, Operation Coil, is thwarted. 1954 AD Brought together by Nama, thirty men and women, DEMON makes its first modern appearance, steal- survivors and sympathizers of the Axis cause and the ing the Basilisk Orb and performing a ritual on the Unholy Order of the Grand Reptile, found VIPER (Ven- Carolina Islands. They are stopped by UNTIL. omous Imperial Party of the Eternal Reptile), swearing an oath on the Serpent Lantern. *The Star*Guard, a group of galactic police, build a base on Europa and send a representative to Earth. 1959 AD First appearance of Vanguard, the world’s most pow- *The Soviet Union founds the People’s Legion as its erful superhero. superhero team. They remain active until 1989.

1962 AD Mega-Terak leaves Monster Island and rampages August 22. “Green Monday”. VIPER makes its first through Tokyo for the first time. public appearance, performing numerous targeted as- sassinations around the globe. The United Nations sets 1969 AD up a tribunal on international law as a response. First appearance of the All-American, a super-soldier created by the Perseus Project, an offshoot of the 1964 AD research done by the Haynesville Project in WW2. *The supervillain Revenger conquers the Selenites, the Moon people, and uses them as tools in his plan to 1970 AD conquer humanity. Superheroes defeat the Revenger and frees the Sel- enites from his control. Revenger dies in a cave-in. Kigatilik, imprisoned centuries ago by the Inuit gods, is freed. The Land empowers four people, the Mighty 1971 AD Canadians, in response (Celestar, Kivioq, Timberline, Lewis Frey, aka Masquerade I, is captured by Black and Bonne Vivian). Mask. He spends the next fourteen years in prison.

1965 AD 1973 AD The first Qularr invasion nearly destroys Tokyo. First visit of the Mandaarians, seemingly benign aliens, to earth. UNTIL is founded. The US refuses to recognize them or let them operate on American soil. 1975 AD Destroyer Walks the Earth. First appearance of Dr. 1966 AD Destroyer, as his attempted conquest of California is Another Lemurian invasion of the surface world is barely defeated. foiled. The Mighty Canadians’ final battle. They seal Kigatilik

CO Lore Primer: •Timeline • 10 in the Frost Tomb, but all of their members except eastern nation of Awad. Celestar are sealed with them. *Disaffected Danish politician Danar Nicole quits the 1977 AD European parliament, eventually founding the villain Battle for the Planet. The first Gadroon invasion team Eurostar. escalates into the worst conflict between humans and extraterrestrials in this planet’s history. After over a 1984 AD month of fighting around the globe and in orbit, with March 30- June 24: Reign of the Destroyer. Using many majo cities badly damaged, the intervention of mind control satellites, Doctor. Destroyer seizes Doctor Destroyer turns the tide. Destroyer ruthlessly control of the globe. He is defeated by Vanguard and annihilates the Gadroon fleet, and advocates pursuing his island base, Destruga I, is destroyed. the fleet and utterly destroying them. To his disgust, the Justice Squadron and Vanguard nix his suggestion. Perhaps inspired by Destroyer, Sebastian Poe founds PSI. 1978 AD Stronghold is built in the American southwest. A second Gadroon invasion is defeated.

Ooops. An accident involving a “delta bomb” trans- 1985 AD forms White Sands New Mexico into Burning Sands. The Machine Starts. First appearance of Mechanon.

First appearance of Dark Seraph. Dr. Silverback is rescued from the clutches of Moreau.

1979 AD Mega-Terak attacks Osaka. Dr. Destroyer allies with VIPER, but it’s a ruse to allow Destroyer to get control of the Serpent Lantern. In the 1986 AD end, both sides lose the Lantern. PRIMUS is founded, with Golden Avenger Robert Kauffman as its first leader. First appearance of the Slug. Stronghold institutes “hot sleep”. 1980 AD ARGENT is founded. A lab accident inadvertently creates Grond.

Prompted by the deprivations of Doctor Destroyer, the The Demonflame Incident. Luther Black raises United States passes the first superhuman registration a tower in Boston in an attempt to summon and act. absorb the power of Sharna-Gorak the Destroyer. He is defeated by superheroes, and by VIPER, who 1982 AD are instructed by Nama to defend humanity against Death of Captain Patriot. Sharna-Gorak.

*The Institute for Human Advancement (IHA), an anti- The French government passes a law requiring the mutant organization is founded. registration of superhumans.

1983 AD *Thomas Cassidy founds SNN, the Super News ARGENT is exposed as a criminal organization. Their Network. lawyers keep them in business, but their leaders flee the country, eventually relocating in the middle The United States creates the Department of Superhu-

CO Lore Primer: • Timeline • 11 man and Paranormal Affairs (DOSPA), a cabinet level powerful villain team (who’ve yet to appear in Cham- agency to regulate supers. pions).

1987 *First appearance of the supervillain known as the Dr. Silverback wins British citizenship rights, becom- Monster. ing the first known non-human citizen of a terrestrial country. Jack Tiptree becomes the latest All-American.

First modern appearance of Takofanes in Oklahoma. 1990 He raises an undead army and marches for the east First Human Star*Guard. Star*Guard Brin Rei Tarn coast, but is stopped by superheroes in Kentucky. is slain by Mordace. He is replaced by the first human Several heroes are killed in the process. Star*Guard, Andre Almena.

Day of the Destroyer. Doctor Destroyer threatens to William Carl Eckhardt succeeds Juan Martinez as eliminate 90% of humanity with death-ray satellites, Secretary-Marshall of UNTIL. but is eventually defeated by an alliance of superhero teams. 1991 Dr. Destroyer raises his second island base, Destruga UNTIL founds its own official superteam, UNITY. II, and attempts to gain statehood. He is rebuffed, and Destruga is destroyed by superheroes. *Eurostar first appears, releasing its Eurostar Mani- festo as a statement of intent. Eurostar, Europe’s most 1992 powerful villain team, is born. July 23 The “Battle of Detroit”: Dr. Destroyer is killed battling Earth’s superheroes, but activates 1989 a device that destroys most of Detroit. Vanguard is Binder and Blackstar form the Ultimates, another

CO Lore Primer: •Timeline • 12 killed defending the earth from Destroyer’s asteroid 1996 weapon. Fourteen other superheroes are killed, UNTIL completes construction of its Gateway space fighting various monsters summoned by Destroyer or station. Destroyer himself. VIPER goes to war with Eurostar to control Europe’s The American government, several major corporations criminal networks (and conquer the continent in (including ACI and Harmon Enterprises), and numer- general). ous charitable foundations form the Millennium Project to rebuild the city. 1997 Robert Johnson succeeds Robert Kauffman as Golden Seeing that VIPER needs guidance, Nama wakes Edgar Avenger of PRIMUS. Kauffman doesn’t retire, and Lancelyn Essec from slumber and christens him as eventually takes a position to clean up the mess at VIPER’s Supreme Serpent. Project Greenskin.

1993 1998 The United States signs the Tribunal treaty, allowing The Northern Guard disbands. Mark Derringer, former- UNTIL to operate on American soil. ly Avenger of SUNDER, becomes leader of the RCMP’s superhuman response division, the Steelheads. Force Eurostar hires Teleios to clone them an army, which Station Steelhead is constructed to keep an eye on the they use in an unsuccessful invasion of Poland. Teleios Lynx’s Fold. becomes known to the general public. Istvatha V’Han, so-called Empress of a Billion Dimen- *First modern appearance of Black Paladin. sions, launches her first invasion of Earth.

”My Name is Foxbat and this is my Master Plan!” In her first modern appearance, VIPER unleashes Vi- First appearance of Foxbat, who tries to steal the peria against Eurostar, forcing that group to withdraw Empire State building. and ending the VIPER-Eurostar war.

*The Warlord appears and tries to conquer Vietnam. 1999 Construction on Millennium City is completed. JTF-2 is founded in Canada. JTF-X (Excalibur) is added as its superhuman branch. Grand Cienelago Island, a secret resort for superhe- roes, opens in the Caribbean. 1994 The Gadroon invade northern Canada. Forceknight III 2000 founds the third Northern Guard to stop them. He’s *Russkiye Zashchitniki (“The Russian Defenders”), an soon joined by Justiciar, who’s rescued from cryosleep informal superhero team, forms in Moscow. in the lab of a cybernetic villain. *First appearance of the supervillainess Gravitar, Project Sunburst takes place. fighting Mechanon.

First appearance of Black Mask X. UNTIL completes Moonbase Serenity.

1995 Celestar and Forceknight III found StarForce, Toronto’s Lewis Frey, the retired (and allegedly reformed) villain official superhero team. Masquerade I, opens Club Caprice in Millennium City.

CO Lore Primer: • Timeline • 13 2001 2007 Defender founds the Champions, according to some The Constable joins StarForce. “the world’s most powerful superteam”. The original team is Defender, Nighthawk, and Sapphire; Ironclad 2008 (who arrives on earth early in the year) and Witchcraft The Gadroon invade Canada and create a beachhead join soon afterwards. not far from Force Station Steelhead.

Firewing comes to earth, challenging any worthy 2009 superhuman to trial by combat. August 28: Crisis in Millennium City! (start of CO). The Qularr invade Earth. A plucky hero helps the 2002 Champions shut down all of the beacons to prevent *First appearance of the time travelling villain Captain Shadow Destroyer’s signal from driving the Qularr Chromos. crazy. Ironclad launches himself at the Qularr mother- ship, sinking it in the Detroit River. First appearance of Shadow Destroyer, widely believed to be Albert Zerstoiten returned from the grave. (He Takofanes causes the Bloodmoon to rise over Millen- isn’t.) nium City, and brings 13 of the 15 heroes who died in the Battle of Detroit to a mockery of life. Local heroes *Software billionaire Horatio Goodman founds the eventually lay them to rest. Goodman Institute, a privately-funded organization that provides scientific assistance to superheroes. Stronghold Breakout. Menton escapes from hot sleep, triggering a breakout in Stronghold. 2003 Justiciar becomes leader of StarForce, joined by Dust Mordace attacks CONTROL, nearly crippling the Devil, Argosy, and Prism Girl. Star*Guard.

A faction of Lemurians reject Arvad’s authority and Canadian Crisis! At the behest of Shadow Destroyer, revive the cult of the Bleak Ones. They use a magic Rakshasa frees Kigatilik from the Frost Tomb. ritual to transform their shape into something that can survive on the surface and seize control of the 2010 ancient Lemurian temple of Andrith on Monster Vibora Bay Apocalypse! In a confusing episode Island. Arvad, who’s been a brutal tyrant and a villain involving time travel, the fallen angel Therakiel at- for most of his life, experiences a change of heart at tempts to conquer heaven and hell, but is thwarted by seeing his people in danger. He attempts to reconcile Juryrig, Robert Caliburn, and a group of superheroes. with the heroes of the surface world, not an easy pro- Caliburn becomes the new Archmage of Earth. cess after decades of being “the menace from beneath the waters”. The Serpent Lantern. The Supreme Serpent attempts to use the Serpent Lantern to unite quar- 2004 relling factions in VIPER, but UNTIL, aided by a plucky Descendents of the Hunter-Patriots, perform a magic superhero, destroys the Lantern before he can do so. ritual to gain powers and become active in the mod- ern world. The Fall of Black. Luther Black imprisons five of the Kings of Edom in an attempt to elevate himself to 2006 godhood. He is foiled by Witchcraft, Project Hermes, Nighthawk leaves the Champions, replaced by Kinetik. and a brave superhero, who enters the Qlipthotic to free the Kings.

CO Lore Primer: •Timeline • 14 2011 Takofanes perfects the Bloodmoon ritual, making it appear frequently over Millennium City.

Foxbat defaces signs around Millennium City on April Fool’s Day.

Resistance. Heroes defeat Shadow Destroyer in Mul- tifaria, though they’re forced to free the long missing Albert Zerstoiten to do so.

Aftermath. UNTIL forces mysteriously vanish near Camp Lantern in Africa, eventually leading to a show- down with weakened avatars of the Kings of Edom.

Whiteout. Working for a mysterious patron, a Roin’esh shìp is shot down by the Star*Guard and crashes in Canada. The Roin’esh attempt to steal an artifact secured in Force Station Steelhead, but are foiled.

2012 Red Winter takes over America’s nuclear arsenal, but 2013 are foiled by a collection of supeheroes in a big brawl Le,murian invaders flood parts of Millennium City that takes place in the southwest desert. and summon the Great Leviathan to cement their conquest. They are driven back by an army of heroes. Questionite laced meteors fall to earth. Numerous heroes and villains attempt to collect them, with The presence of a Malvan gladiatorial arena on the ARGENT being especially aggressive in their pursuit of moon is revealed to earth’s heroes, and a team partici- the rare mineral. pates in the games. They manage to withstand Firew- ing long enough that the great gladiatot retreats, Gravitar wrecks a section of Millennium City. impressing the Malvans.

Nighthawk appears to become a villain, attacking the * This entry indicates a team, individual, or organiza- Stone Labs subsidiary of ACI. Eventually, the former tion that presently exists in the Champions Universe, Champion is exnerated, and Franklin Stone is indicted. but has yet to appear in Champions Online (though they may do so in future.) Hi Pan’s attempt to gain the blessing of a celestial dragon goes awry.

Doctor Destroyer returns and lays siege to Champions HQ with a new, advanced generation of Mega-De- stroyers.

CO Lore Primer: • Timeline • 15 III: Current Events

Current Events America’s version, the American Superhuman and One of the rules of the Champions Universe is... Paranormal Registration Act (ASPRA) was passed in it’s exactly like our world. except when the excep- 1980. This law requires superhumans to register their tions are noted. There was a 9/11, there is a war in abilities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Afghanistan, there is an economic downturn when Firearms. The superhuman registration laws are not the economy goes bad, etc. This may be a little hard heavily enforced. to swallow, but it gives people common reference points with which to work. DOSPA In the United States, there is a cabinet level agency Do You Believe In Magic? that oversees superhuman affairs, DOSPA (the Depart- Despite obvious evidence to the contrary, such ment of Superhuman Affairs). It is led by Andrew as the Bloodmoon, vampire supervillains, etc. most Rochester, formerly a Major with Desert Storm. people in the Champions Universe do NOT believe in Rochester is viewed as sympathetic to most superhu- magic, explaining it away with scientific explanations man issues, and friend to many of the most prominent such as odd mutations and superhumans adopting superheroes in the country, including the Champions. supernatural motifs in order to frighten people. It is the nature of magic that ordinary people will reject it Secret Identities until they have no other choice but to accept. People Secret identities are not protected under the law. in places where magic is frequently encountered, like Vibora Bay (and to a lesser extent Millennium City) are probably far less skeptical, and the govern- Opinion Corner: ment has made laws about some aspects of it, such Undead rights: 5e vs. as undead rights (which skeptics may find highly confusing). 6e (In fact, it’s advised that if an RP group ignores this This is controversial, as Champions Universe 6th edition prohibition, you should play along with it.) repeats much of the 5th edition text, contradicting other 5th edition writing which states that undead and demons have no rights and can be killed with immunity to the LAW AND GOVERNMENT law. As 6th edition works supersede previous canon, the reversion back to “Congress has passed limited rights to all Superhuman Registration sapients” is considered the guiding principle. Most western countries, including the United States, require registration with a government If you’re playing with a heavily horror centered group and you’re using the Van Helsing Act and other earlier material authority. These databases, built with the help of as canon, just be aware that everyone may not be playing superhuman geniuses, are some of the most secure on the same page as you, lorewise. On the other hand, computer networks ever assembled. Whether they that material is much more detailed than current canon can continue to hold up against cybervillains like and may be seen as preferable for that reason. Restraint Interface --or Mechanon-- remains to be seen, and and negotiation in the event of lore disputes is highly recommended. Don’t use lore as a club or be their security is a continuing concern to many super- a “lore Nazi”. Knowing more lore does not make you humans who refuse to register with them. a better RPer.

CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 16 Non-Human Rights The issue of non-human rights is an ongoing one, MMOS, Repeating particularly when players take the roles of vampires, Events, and RP. demons, extradimensionals, clones, extraterrestrials Because everyone goes through the Stronghold scenario and robots. at some point, there’s a strong tendency on the part of At present, the 14th Amendment’s guarantees of some role-players to see Stronghold as a sieve and use due process and equal protection apply to humans that as a justification for ruthless vigilantism. In canon, and individuals whose genetic material (clones, however, there have only been two breakouts, one in mutates and mutants) are derived from humans. They 1990 and 2009. The security of the institution should be respected, and the continuous stream of player missions do not apply to extradimensionals, extraterrestrials, to Stronghold should be handwaved. constructs, and creatures who have been pronounced as legally dead (i.e. undead). According to Champions In fact, there’s a general rule about MMO events and RP: Universe (6e): “Congress has, however, passed laws ignore the repetition. Don’t worry that your nemesis is granting at least limited rights to all “independent, building a death ray for the thousandth time. Change it to a mind control ray, or ignore that part of the plot entirely free-willed, sentient entities” in American territory” and state your nemesis is doing something else. Running Presumably, this includes the basic right to not be Serpent Lantern again? It can be set in any jungle-torn killed on sight, and probably the right to hold prop- part of the world and involve a completely different erty and seek legitimate employment, but not the McGuffin. The game is limited in its scenarios, but you right to vote. don’t have to be. Be creative. Golden Avenger. Stronghold PRIMUS deals with threats that normal police can’t The world’s most secure prison system is Strong- handle. They’re also responsible for maintaining and hold. Using advanced technology, this prison is built protecting the ASPRA database, and assisting the with customizable force field enclosures designed to federal Bureau of Prisons by transporting superhuman keep the most powerful supervillains from escaping. prisoners for incarceration. PRIMUS’s current Golden The first and best known Stronghold is in New Mexico, Avenge is Daniel (“DJ”) Johnson. not far from Burning Sands. It is not a trivial process to Note: PRIMUS has had several sourcebooks, but get a criminal transferred to Stronghold; you need to all are at this point obsolete. A PDF book written by be able to demonstrate in court that no other type of Shelley McTyre in the late 1990s is the most current, incarceration will safely hold the prisoner. but even that contains information that’s greatly For major threats, the most extreme method of at variance with Champions Online canon (such as containment is Hot Sleep. This is an induced coma former Golden Avenger Kauffman being deceased). designed to keep the most dangerous prisoners unconscious permanently. UNTIL UNTIL (United Nations Tribunal on International Law) PRIMUS and UNTIL is a United Nations organization dedicated to protecting PRIMUS (Paranormal Research and Investiga- humanity from superhuman, global-scale threats, or as tion Mission of the United States) is an UNTIL-like a police force in areas with no national jurisdiction like agency that works as a branch of the US Department Monster Island. They operate in most nations around of Justice. They’re the response of the United States the world, except for rogue states like Awad, Chiquador government to superhuman crime, often assuming a and Lugendu. They have only operated in the United paramilitary role. Their field agents are enhanced by States since 1993, and it took the Detroit tragedy to an experimental super soldier serum (effective in only finally force the US to allow them entry. a small number of test subjects but effective with only The Secretary-Marshall is William Eckhardt, who mild addictive side effects); local leaders are called took over for the original UNTIL commander, Juan Silver Avengers, while the top agent is known as the Martinez. The chief field commander is Field Mar- CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 17 shall David Ben-Israel. They have a number Opinion Corner: They’re of special projects: Project Snakecharmer is the good guys, folks! their anti-VIPER task force, Project Hermes is their mysticism division (largely dedicated to PRIMUS and UNTIL are both meant to be “good guy” organizations. They do fighting DEMON), and Project Shiva is their operate in a political world, and don’t always make the most morally correct long-standing anti-Dr. Destroyer task force. choice, however, they do try to play things ethically, are honest with people, support superhumans in good faith, play by the rules and operate in the UNTIL generally confines its operations to open. They have intelligence divisions (so an UNTIL spy is an appropriate global or international threats, but has been character concept) but are not likely to have secret assassination squads or known to interfere in local jurisdictions from use black ops teams for anything except intelligence gathering. If “realpolitik” time to time. Naturally, conflicts occur. tactics are employed, it would be on a case by case basis.

Now they aren’t the boy scouts. They are paramilitary organizations, and UNITY missions are often specify “capture if you can, kill if you must” orders. UNITY is the superhero team that’s attached They do employ lethal force when appropriate -- but they do so openly, to UNTIL. It is led by Quasar, an energy being like the cops or the army, not in secret. who was a technician who once served Dr. Destroyer. Other members include Myrmidon, There’s still plenty of room for conflict. Both agencies can be overbear- ing and abusive of their authority. Sometimes corrupt elements will Dr. White and Dr. Black, Psiclops, and El Picaro. infiltrate them and cause problems. In general, however, the heroes can Mentiac is a former member and frequent advi- count on them for support. (If they couldn’t, a lot of the mission chains sor. In Champions Online, they have a sponsor- and adventure packs wouldn’t make much sense.) ship program for extremely capable superhu- mans, sending them out to global hotspots to If you wish to fun a storyline involving The “Evil government black ops conspiracy”, which is a staple of some character back- combat numerous threats like VIPER and the grounds, you can still do it. Just don’t turn the main UNTIL folks into Iron Qularr. Age heart of stone badasses, or borderline badguys: the conspiracy can originate from other areas of government (especially the ever popular “black box project”). Or UNTIL and PRIMUS have “rogue elements” that SUPERHUMAN MEDIA can be identified, opposed and eliminated. Entertainment in the Champions Online universe is much the same as ours. Superheroes That’s Not American! are a celebrity class and receive a lot of media The question often arises on why UNTIL is allowed to operate on Ameri- attention. can soil and what they are allowed to do here. UNTIL is essentially SHIELD meets THUNDER. It reflects a much more Television positive, Silver Age view of the United Nations, where they are competent, SNN, the Super News Network, is the capable, and reasonable. Their existence is easier to justify in a world which principle source of superhero news. Shows such has experienced six significant alien invasions, and sorties from interna- as Behind the Mask (in-depth interviews with tional conquerors and villains like Destroyer or the Warlord who have the military might of a rogue state. Mankind faces many more external threats superhumans whose identities are publicly than it does on our world, prompting a more unified defense. Even with known), Super History (a historical analysis of this, the United States is a reluctant participant superhuman events) and Gadgets! (a show on superhuman tech) are particularly popular. The signatory treaty, as ratified by all participating countries (including Superheroes make appearances on regular the US) defines UNTIL’s jurisdiction as the following: crimes committed by superhumans, crimes involving superhuman technology, crimes committed TV shows and one popular soap opera, To Save by aliens and extradimensionals, crimes committed by non-human terrestrial Tomorrow, focuses on the struggles of the species, and crimes committed in international waters or territories. fictitious Justice Force Omega team, where battles with superhumans are often sidelined The first two categories often leads to conflict with PEIMUS and the FBI. for paternity tests, evil twins, and amnesia, and In practise, UNTIL defers to local authorities and coordinates their action and investigations with the locals, including PRIMUS. This does not no one is a child superhero for very long. prevent them from butting heads or being friendly rivals.

CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 18 Print Media Super-World Magazine is the most prominent print Grand Cienelago Island magazine dedicated to supers. Running since 1972, Victor Putnam, the retired 60s superhero Silver it also periodically publishes Uncaped, which features Shield, built a secret Caribbean resort for superhe- naked or half-naked superheroines posing Playboy roes to relax. Its true nature concealed by advanced style. technology, only proven superheroes are invited to Behind the celebrity, however. is fear. Many su- vacation here. perheroes are targeted by the media (in many cases, This does not yet exist in Champions Online, justly so) for their excesses. Tabloid stories are filled though parts of Monster Island might substitute for it. with wild allegations; in the mainstream media, the Adair Publishing group (which owns the Millennium SPORTS City Free Press) goes out of its way to criticize the People with superhuman abilities are barred from Champions and other superhumans. Adair columnist most sports. Though naturally gifted athletes have and news personality (who hosts a show on Millenni- become superheroes, it’s considered unethical for um City’s right wing TV station WTFL) Curt Curruthers people with powers to exploit them over normals. has a particularly strong hatred for the Champions Superhumans, of course, engage in friendly competi- (especially Witchcraft, whom he believes is corrupting tion with each other, and (of course) there are charity children by presenting the occult in a positive light). boxing and wrestling matches. It’s known that VIPER has an ongoing campaign to infiltrate the media and smear superheroes. The Arena One area that flourishes is fighting. There’s an Comic Books underground fighting circuit called the Arena that Comic books are popular in the Champions operates in many major American cities; duels to the Universe. The market is divided into: (a) fictional (and death are rare, but not unknown. (The Arena is not embellished non-fiction) titles about real life superhe- mentioned by name (yet) in Champions Online, how- roes; (b) fictional titles about fictional superheroes; ever they are the ones behind the Fight Club scenario and (c) titles about non-superheroes. (Superhero in Millennium City: Black Mace is a well-known Arena comics are less predominant than in our world, but combatant. still have a heavy presence in the campaign world.) The Hero Games HOT SPOTS In Millennium, City, the tamer (but still brutal) Hero Games allows superhumans to safely compete Club Caprice with each other in various simulated arenas. The premiere social hotspot in the superhuman Note that the Hero Games does not exist in PnP world is Millennium City’s Club Caprice. Founded in canon and might not be recognized as an actual in- 1995 by retired (and now reformed) supervillain Lewis game organization by some RPers. (Masquerade I) Frey, who was a superhuman thief active in the 50s and 60s, this club has several floors The Tournament of the Dragon designated “for superhumans only”. For those seeking the ultimate superhuman sport- Despite a slightly sleazy, “anything goes” reputa- ing prize, there’s the Tournament of the Dragon. This tion, the club is extremely well-protected; the bounc- is a martial arts tournament held every sixty years ers are mostly superhuman and its security system to decide which superhuman fighter will protect the was designed by Dr. Silverback himself. Criminals world from the evil of the Death Dragon. This does not have infiltrated the club on occasion, and though Frey yet exist in game. enjoys the notoriety, he doesn’t like it when the police and vigilantes like Nighthawk put pressure on him.

CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 19 CORPORATIONS One area where Champions Online deviates heavily Opinion Corner: from the real world is in its corporate environment. Argent Real world companies like Microsoft and Google exist Champions Online and the Champions PnP have somewhat alongside companies like: different views on ARGENT. In the pen and paper, they’re more subtle (they don’t patrol buildings with guns and ACI. shoot people on sight out in theopen) and yet more (Advanced Concepts Industries): Founded in 1973 discredited (they tend to hide behind dummy corporations by the extremely formidable Franklin Stone, this rather than operating openly). In the MMO, however, they have their own buildings, armed guards openly patrol industrial conglomerate owns everything from oil sidewalks with heavy armament, and they even operate firms to NarcCola and Ace Burgers. Stone is proud gas stations, but can be blatant about their crimes. Some of his “take no prisoners” attitude and dismissal of players like treating them as VIPER goons with another business ethics. While he’s often been suspected of set of longjohns, while others want them to be seen as a criminal wrongdoing, no one has ever managed to legitimate business and being an ARGENT superhero is a perfectly reasonable career choice. make a charge stick against Stone, though Nighthawk recently uncovered enough evidence that charges This is probably going to be a long-term conflict with no were laid against him. real solution. My suggestion is that: (a) ARGENT is not ACI are major rivals of ARGENT, but while their perceived publically as a “more corporate oriented version methods are similar, ACI is capable of extraordinary of VIPER”, (b) that their public reputation is suspect, par- ticularly to those who are hostile to large corporations, but subtlety and knows when not to push its luck -- and they’re not seen as criminal (and they’re often defended as has its criminal interests hidden behind several layers good caoitalists), and (c) veteran heroes can know they’re of dummy corporations. rotten to the core, but ARGENT lawyers will come down on them if they speak out publicly, so most major superheroes ARGENT are circumspect enough to keep their anti-ARGENT state- ments tend to remain behind closed doors. (Advanced Research Group ENTerprises) is a cor- poration/criminal group. Founded in 1980, they were by scandal when the Champions revealed one of its exposed in 1983 for selling military secrets to the top executives was a DEMON Morbane. The board of Soviets, Chinese, VIPER and Dr. Destroyer. Their board directors was eventually cleared of suspicion -- the of directors fled the country and settled in Awad, corporation is legitimate. however good lawyers kept the company in business. Binary Corporation fields an official superhero, In 2003, the Champions captured the supervillain Binary Man. He has not yet appeared in Champions Interface, who implicated ARGENT in numerous Online. crimes. Again, good lawyers kept them from being shut down, and only now has ARGENT recovered from Cambridge Biotechnical commercial losses caused by the scandal. A leading biochemical research firm, and (more ARGENT is known for their brutally effective famously) the company that employs Doctor Silver- agents, and their utter disdain for local laws and the back. environment. ARGENT is also expanding into space. They’re Drake-Victoria behind Roger Corwin’s SkyProspect project to mine Drake-Victoria is a defense contracting firm re- the asteroid belt. sponsible for many of the systems used in Stronghold. Arthur Drake IV is the CEO. Based in Ames-Iowa, its Binary Corporation: second largest office is in Millennium City. Drake-Vic- A conglomerate whose primary interests are in toria has not yet appeared in Champions Online. computers and biotechnology, genetic engineering, and plasma weapon systems. In 2001, it was rocked

CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 20 Duchess Industries form part of the background of characters (or serve This powerful German corporation is headed by as part-time or full-time employers). The two most the beautiful, charming (and possibly immortal) famous ones are: Duchess Henrietta Van Drotte. Seemingly an old money corporation involved mostly in heavy industry Bastion Alpha and manufacturing, what the general public don’t A freelance security firm founded by the retired realize is that Duchess Industries is the industrial arm superhero Anderson “Titan” Powell, Bastion Alpha of VIPER, and the Duchess is a member of the Council mutates its employees into low level superhumans via of Thirty, perhaps the member who’s most loyal to the the highly secret “Bastion process”. There have been Supreme Serpent. They have not appeared in Champi- numerous (unproven) allegations that the firm hires its ons Online. employees out to work as thugs for supervillains, and several employees have mysteriously vanished in the Dynamic Technologies Research Group last few years, leading to some dark speculations about This corporation is actually a front company for the safety of the Bastion process. This agency has been ARGENT in Millennium City. It is run by Dr. Victor mentioned in game, but has not made an appearance. Hopewell, with the assistance of his gifted adminis- trator, Lucinda Sadler. Executive Control Sanctions Founded in 1993 by three ex-UNTIL agents, this FutureScope security agency is well known for its bounty hunter A computer company responsible for the creation teams, who use state of the art gear to pursue super- of SOCRATES. humans. This agency has not appeared in game.

Harmon Industries SCIENTIFIC AGENCIES Harmon Industries is a defense and aerospace company with a heavy presence in Millennium City. It’s Angelstone Laboratories well-known for its philanthropy and the playboy ways Founded in 1938 at the start of the superhuman of its ne’er do well CEO, James Harmon IV. (Harmon is, of age, this company specializes in the study of superhu- course, secretly Defender of the Champions). mans and superhuman technologies. It has (argu- ably) the most extensive database of superhumans Ironwood Industrial Technologies in the world. They’re extremely helpful, but they are A rival of Harmon Industries, this aerospace firm a “for profit” organization and their services can be built UNTIL’s Gateway space station and helped expensive. They have not appeared (yet) in Champions design the V-Jet. Its CEO, James J. Roswell, is a rival Online. of Harmon’s for the title of Millennium City’s most eligible bachelor. This has yet to appear in Champions The Goodman Institute Online. Do you need a team of scientists to accompany you on a mission? Do you need to send a mysterious Pharos Industries artifact somewhere for analysis? These are the guys Pharos ranks behind ACI as one of the world’s you want. Founded by Horatio Goodman and led great corporations, though infrastructure and medical by retired hero Peter (Amazing Man II) Renton, this cybernetics are its two big areas of expertise. Its CEO agency actively seeks to assist superheroes. It does is the very outgoing philanthropist, Linda McCormack. not charge for services, however, if there’s money to This has not yet appeared in game. be made from something found on a mission, the In- stitute takes the profits (and converts it into operating SECURITY AGENCIES capital). There are a number of private security firms that can

CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 21 L’Institut Thoth performed by the scientists has uncovered remnants A European based offshoot of UNTIL, who resented of a civilization that once lived on the planet over a being used by “right wing militarists”, this research lab billion years ago. There is also an abandoned Sirian specializes in the study of superhumans, in helping base on Mars, but (prompted by the warnings of supers understand the nature of their superpowers, various superheroes and Captain Chronos) it remains and providing medical treatment when they become untouched by any systematic examination. dangerous or get out of control. They will work with Man’s most concerted efforts stop at Mars (for villains -- healing people and helping folks master now). There are some companies, including Germa- dangerous superpowers is humanitarian work -- but ny’s SkyProspect (an ARGENT front) making the first not actively help them commit crimes. They also take tentative steps at surveying and mining the asteroid in a limited number of students to teach them the belt, and Dr. Destroyer has a base on one of the aster- science of “paraphysics”, as they refer to it. oids (Zertorenstern). NASA has one superhero on its payroll -- Victory. SPACE This air force officer performs many duties for the US Earth’s space programs are far more advanced in air force (most recently in Afghanistan), but prefers the Champions Universe, thanks to idealistic super- her NASA duties. She’s explored most of the worlds of science, superhumans capable of travelling in space the outer solar system , being the first human to step and contact with alien species. Mankind has made a foot on many of the moons of Saturn, Uranus, and number of remarkable advances, including: Neptune.

GATEWAY. MYSTICAL AGENCIES UNTIL’s space station is the nerve center of There are several player-friendly magical agencies mankind’s presence in space. Established in 1996 and in the Champions Universe. commanded by Commander Rodney Currie of Canada, over 200 people man the most impressive of Earth’s Trismegistus Council orbital structures. GATEWAY is the heart of Earth’s Headquartered in Scotland’s Mackenzie House, the early warning system against potential alien attack Council is the preeminent known order of white magic and the vanguard of its space defense. on Earth, this was founded in the early 19th century to counter the Circle of the Scarlet Moon. Generally Moonbase Serenity known only to those who deal with the mystic side of Constructed by UNTIL in 2000, this lunar facility is Champions. Mostly working in a support role for ad- man’s foothold on earth’s satellite. Over forty scien- venturers, the group’s primary goals are to encourage tists and military personnel are stationed here. mages to responsibly use magic and safeguard the world from threats from other dimensions. They are The VSO enemies of DEMON and the Circle of the Scarlet Moon. The Venus Scientific Outpost. Launched in 2004, the VSO is an eight man permanent space station in The Archmage orbit around Venus, whose mission is primarily scien- The preeminent magical protector of Earth is the tific examination of Earth’s hothouse sister planet. It is Archmage. The current Archmage is Robert Caliburn, commanded by Lt. Colonel Aaron Vee. who ascended to that role in the battle against Ther- akiel after a century of vacancy. Marsbase. Established in 2008, humanity established the first man settlement on Mars, Ares I. Commanded by Colo- nel John Schad, a dozen scientists live at permanent domes stationed on Utopia Planitia . The research CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 22 CO Lore Primer: • The Superhuman World • 23 IV: Who’s Who

There are a lot of names in Champions Online, most a good martial artist, Black Mask has spent fifteen of which are explained (at best) in passing. Here’s a years in the role of heiress to the world’s longest lived quick overview of some of the heroes and villains in crimefighting family. the game. More information of some of these may be found at CO-Wiki. Celestar Lonnie Lawrence was given vast cosmic powers MAJOR SETTING NPC by the great Land Spirit of North America, which he HEROES used as a member of the Mighty Canadians superhero team. In 1975, all but Celestar were trapped in the Amphibian Frost Tomb while engaged in a final battle with Kigati- Geoff Lamb was a mutant who was taken under lik. Lonnie tried repeatedly to free them, but failed. He the wing of the superhero Sea King. For while, he abandoned earth for several years, and on his return, served as the hero’s sidekick, but eventually became tried to fight crime in the Windsor/Detroit crime dissatisfied with that lifestyle; believing the seas region, but was denied by American officials after a needed more aggressive protection, he joined various scandal. Because of this, he was not able to intervene environmental groups, gradually drifting toward in the Battle of Detroit, a failure which resulted in a ecoterrorism. When his activities led to the exposure complete nervous breakdown. Lonnie eventually over- of his (and Sea King’s) identity, it led to a bout of came his psychological conditions and co-founded alcoholism, He eventually broke out of the addiction, StarForce, along with Forceknight III. Having handed only to suffer two blows: the death of his mentor, the team over to Justiciar, he spends his time assisting and betrayal by the woman he loved, the Atlantean in Force Station Steelhead. princess Stingray. Defender Arvad Leader of the Champions, James Harmon is consid- Long one of earth’s most hated supervillains, ered a ne’er do well playboy, but he comes from a long this rogue Empyrean seized control of Lemuria two line of heroes and the destruction of Detroit in 1992 hundred years ago and used it as a war machine in steeled his resolve to make a difference in the world. numerous attempts to conquer the surface world. In Clad in sturdy power armor, Defender leads the Cham- recent years, the rebellion of the Bleak Ones priest- pions, considered by some to be the most powerful hood has led to two startling conclusions: first, that he superhero team in the world. loves his people and wants to do right by them, and second, that he needed the surface world’s help if he Doctor Ka was to protect them. A mystical hero whose family was chosen by the In recent years, he’s won acceptance as a changed Egyptian god Osiris to oppose his enemy Set, Dr. Ka man, though not everyone believes that he’s sincere in became a superhero after studying at the feet of his his desire for redemption. famous uncle, Dr. Scarab. The death of Dr. Scarab led Ka to repudiate his service to Osiris, and now opposes Black Mask the meddling of any deity who circumvents the Ban to Tenth in the line of crimefighters dating back bring misery to humanity. to the American Revolution, Jennifer Ward is the protectorix of Vibora Bay. Capable with a gun and Doctor Silverback A Millennium City based hero and superscientist.

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 24 Ironclad Opinion Corner: Alien gladiator, born on Dorvala, and kidnapped to Defender fight in the arenas of the decadent planet Malva. Fol- lowed the example of the Malvan champion Firewing A lot of folks interpret Defender as a jerk. He’s not, but the and came to earth, but sought comradeship instead of meme’s become pretty entrenched -- also because the battle. Member of the Champions. game’s AI is lacking, Defender has a reputation among the player base for incompetence. It’s fairer and more respectful to the character to ignore it, but gamers are not always Juryrig fair, especially to authority figures or “dev pet NPCs”. (There Damon Armstrong, aka Juryrig, is a brilliant if seem to be a lot fewer dev pets in Champions Online than highly eccentric engineer from Vibora Bay. He devel- in City of Heroes or World of Warcraft, from which much of oped his costumed persona to combat VIPER, whose the animosity originated). thefts of his inventions deeply irritated him. Based Also, don’t pretend it’s common knowledge --- wink, wink from an unassuming garage in downtown Vibora -- that James Harmon and Defender are one and the same, Bay, Juryrig lends his expertise to any hero stalwart when he goes to the some lengths to protect his secret enough to combat the occult threats of that city. ID. That’s another symptom of player godmoding to laud themselves over prominent NPCs to make themselves look good. Justiciar David Burrell is the CEO of Burrell Industries, who was badly injured thirty years ago in a mountaineer- Originally an ordinary Rwandan mountain gorilla, ing accident. Against his wishes, he was kept alive and Silverback was captured by Moreau and brought to given cybernetic limbs by the supervillain Cyberlord. his Ukrainian base, Beast Mountain, where he was Burrell was placed in suspended animation to serve mutated into a superintelligent creature. Escaping as Cyberlord’s puppet, but was freed by the Northern Moreau’s clutches, he eventually emigrated to Britain Guard, a Canadian superhero team. Dubbing himself and then to America, where he serves as advisor and Justiciar, Burrell joined the Guard and served with reserve member of the Champions. distinction; he’s currently leader of Canada’s most prominent superhero team, StarForce. Justiciar is also Gadget Boy one of the few known gay superheroes, though he Sasuki Katsoru is a child prodigy who first came tends to keep this private. to prominence when he helped Japan’s greatest superhero, Tetsuronin, defeat the giant monster Draja. Kinetik Now stationed on Monster Island, young Sasuki assists Superhero speedster who obtained his powers in a UNTIL in dealing with assorted threats, from Mega- lab accident. Member of the Champions, who joined Terak to the Qularr.

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 25 the team after the departure of Nighthawk. ly Robert Cole, an American soldier in Vietnam. Stum- bling into an ancient Vietnamese temple, he came Kodiak into possession of the Flame Gem, which granted him John Cowens, Minnesota-born mutant FBI agent great magical power -- and which was destined to be assigned to fight the gangs on the west side of Millen- used in the final battle against Therakiel. nium City. Ally of the Champions. Sapphire Mark Derringer Mutant pop sensation who uses her energy control Head of the RCMP Steelhead division, a century old powers as a member of the Champions. mutant who was active as a pulp adventurer in the 1920s and 1930s, and was a member of Vancouver’s Witchcraft SUNDER team in the 1980s. Mark comes across as a Bethany Dusquene was a young sorceress who no-nonsense army commander type. rejected the evil ways of her parents, who belonged to the Circle of the Scarlet Moon. Unlike her twin sister, Nighthawk Talisman, Bethany chose to use her knowledge to A vigilante named Mark Whittaker, whose disfig- protect people. Bethany is the girlfriend of James Har- urement by VIPER served as a wake up call. An early mon, current member of the Champions and ally of member of the Champions, Nighthawk came to blows the Trismegistus Council. Witchcraft was once believed with Defender over the use of force against criminals to be a prime candidate for Archmage. and left the team. He serves as a patron to vigilantes active in the West Side of Millennium City and oc- MAJOR SETTING VILLAINS casionally aids the Champions in investigations. He has no powers, but is close to maximum human levels Black Harlequin in strength, toughness and agility, and is bolstered Psychotic who hides his love of killing by calling by numerous gadgets; he also flies the Hawkwing, an them “escapades” and using murderous attack toys to advanced jet. carry out his wishes.

Ravenspeaker Crowns of Krim Billy Edenshaw, descendent of Haida spirit elders A group of villains who wear mystic crowns of and an Anglican missionary who was determined to power crafted tens of millennia ago by the demon- save the Haida from the deprivations of European set- god Krim. Active since 1993, this team is led by tlers, was a resident of the Haida village of Niikwan, Dark Seraph, a bored English aristocrat who was which had been hidden centuries ago by Raven. transformed into a mockery of angels and whose Edenshaw broke a village taboo when he accidentally Iron Crown, in addition to a command of vast mystic killed a white raven, and was punished -- or rewarded power, guarantees the team’s loyalty to him. Other - by the Haida god by being given the tongue and members include: Bloodstone (who wears the Blood eyes of Raven. He became involved in the battle to Crown), Eclipse (who wears the Shadow Crown), protect Niikwan from Raven’s archenemy, the Haida Force (who wears the Golden Crown), Phoenix (who death god Tax’et. After defeating the death god, wears the Shining Crown), and Temblor (who wears Ravenspeaker, as Billy was now dubbed, became the the Earth Crown).The crowns are subordinate to the mystic protector of Canada and a true superhero. dragon crown of Takofanes, though the archlich is their deadly enemy. They are allies of Black Paladin, Robert Caliburn and Dark Seraph was a mentor of Talisman. The so-called “Magnum Mage” (for his habit of mixing pistols with sorcery), recently revealed as the The Death Dragon new Archmage of Earth, Robert Caliburn was original- An evil entity, possibly the embodiment of all

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 26 human evil (or one of its prime servants) who escapes Eurostar from imprisonment once every sixty years, requiring Widely considered to be the most powerful a human champion (winner of the Tournament of the supervillain group in the world, Eurostar desires to Dragon) to beat him back. The Cult of the Red Banner, unite all of Europe under its iron fist and bring it to active in China and in Chinatowns throughout North world prominence, doing things that the political America, are his servants. compromises of the EU cannot achieve. The team was founded in 1988 and has waged numerous acts Doctor Destroyer of terror and assassination. They also waged a well Born Albert Zerstoiten, son of a dollmaker, Albert publicized war against VIPER in the 1990s, was a renegade Nazi weapons engineer who also Its members are Fiacho, Durak, Feuermacher, aided in experiments on superheroes. He escaped Mentalla (the sister of Menton), Pantera, Scorpia, Ul- the fall of the Nazis and, inspired by the superheroes trasonique, and der Westgote. It has not yet appeared and villains of the 1960s, became a master villain in in Champions Online. March 1975, making a major impact in an attempted conquest of California that was barely stopped by a Firewing coalition of heroes. Born Ariax Thone, this Malvan supergladiator with He became the world’s preeminent supervillain immense fire control abilities arrived on Earth in 2001 for the next seventeen years: his foiled plots include: to seek battle against Earth’s greatest heroes. most using Menton and Mentalla to mind control an army famously in a 2002 battle against the British hero Hy- of villains in an attempt to conquer Washington DC perion that devastated much of London. Firewing lives in 1980; attempting to freeze the planet in 1981, for battle, styling himself as an honorable combatant, conquering the world with a mind control satellite to but capable of great pettiness. conquer the world for three months in 1984; nearly wiping out nine-tenths of the world’s population in Foxbat 1988, and finally, in 1992, destroying Detroit after Insane but crafty villain who uses gadgets, martial students from the Ravenswood Academy discovered arts and a “ping pong ball” gun, Foxbat is secretly his Detroit base. Frederick Foswell, playboy from a once prominent Destroyer also aided the earth against the Gadroon family who used its fortune to amass himself resourc- in 1977 and was responsible for VIPER losing the es for a series of “master plans”. Foxbat first appeared Serpent Lantern in 1979. in 1993, when he attempted to steal the Empire State Zerstoiten wants to elevate humanity to a utopian Building, and his plans have only gotten sillier since state, with himself as its ruler. “Destroyer” is a pun then. on his last name (“Zerstoiten” comes from the same German root world as “destruction”), and he does see Gravitar himself as a “destroyer” in the sense that destruction Enormously powerful French villainess who wishes must be a precursor of renewal. His resources are vast to be acknowledged “mistress of earth”. While she and spread across the planet and the solar system, showed signs of tactical inexperience and petulance and his scientific expertise is matched only by a few early in her career, more recent battles have shown a specialist in their fields, and no one is even close to his much more poised and intelligent combatant. Rarely league as a generalist. Over the years, he’s developed employs minions or allies (though she’s worked with a fanatical distrust of magic and sorcery, which sets two other master villains against the IHA). him at odds with many of earth’s heroes and villains. His servants, the Destroyers, include the villains Istvatha V’Han Gigaton, Rakshasa, and Black Talon, and Destroyer’s “Empress of a billion dimensions”, this interdimen- engineering genius has produced fleets of Destroid sional conqueror rules an unimaginably vast empire and Mega-Destroid robots. and has her sights set on this one. She’s attacked earth

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 27 several times, using her D-soldiers, but her schemes of 2009 (that’s the basis for the Stronghold scenario in have always been thwarted by earth’s superheroes. game). Most recently, she appeared to the Gadroon fleet and offered an ultimatum: become her subjects, or face Necrull genocide. Choosing to make her their sovereign, the A centuries old Egyptian scientist whose grisly ex- Gadroon are now her vanguard in the conquest of this periments have turned him into a quasi-undead state, dimension, though she employs subtler methods as Necrull uses science as a bizarre form of necromancy well, willing to offer the carrot as well as the stick, as he seeks the secret of eternal life -- in a parasitic and she likes to style herself as a benevolent despot. form that few would want. Necrull is responsible for Compared to some of her dimensional rivals, such as the deaths of many Canadian superheroes. Tyrannon, this description is not inaccurate. She is mentioned, but has yet to appear in game. Shadow Destroyer James Harmon IV from the dimension of Multifar- Kigatilik ia, who combined science and sorcery to gain power, “The slayer of shamans”, an outcast member of the only to fall prey to Qlipothic influences. Inspired by Inuit pantheon who’s an enemy of all of the northern our world’s Dr. Destroyer, he crossed into our world gods (The Norse know him as Aeskaldr, the “Cold and claimed to be Destroyer-reborn after his death. Lord”, the god to whom no one prayed) and those Possessing vast powers of magic and science, in 2011, who serve them. Imprisoned long ago in a basalt Shadow Destroyer was cast into the Qlipothic realm prison, Kigatilik was released in 1964, prompting the by Dr. Destroyer and some uneasy allies, the heroes of powers of the north to create the Mighty Canadians in our earth, in the Resistance adventure pack. 1964 to battle him. Sealed in the Frost Tomb in 1975, Kigatilik was released by Rakshasa in 2009 at Shadow Stingray Destroyer’s behest. He now plots against all the heroes Princess Thalassa of Atlantis, who was often ne- of Canada, especially Ravenspeaker and Celestar. glected by her parents in favor of her brother, Prince Marus. Turning to the study of forbidden magicks to Mechanon occupy her time, her activities were discovered by Robotic entity from the distant future who was a court advisor, whom she murdered to protect her sent back in time to save humanity, but whose programming went awry. Mechanon now seeks the extermination of all life on Earth. He has many bases, including factories which reproduce a new, upgraded Mechanon model after every defeat. He has yet to appear in game, but is rumored to be making an ap- pearance at some point in the near future.

Menton Born Alejandro Medina, this Spanish telepath was raised to serve Dr. Destroyer alongside his sister Isa- bella, first aiding Destroyer in 1980 when, aged 10, he took mental control of an army of supervillains. After Destroyer’s seeming death in 1992, Medina, calling himself Menton, became a master villain in his own right and soon established himself as the world’s most dangerous telepath. Captured and placed in Strong- hold, he was responsible for the Stronghold breakout

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 28 secret. This act seemed to break her sanity, and she Luther Black, the power of the Kings of Edom, fled Atlantis and quickly established herself as one of powerful Qliphothic entities. Founded in the 1920s, the aquatic world’s most dangerous villains. DEMON uses summoned creatures and sorcerers called Morbanes in an attempt to enforce Black’s will. Takofanes In 2010, Black created the Gateway Between Known as the Undying, Takofanes was originally Worlds, a habitable zone in the Qliphothic, and a Turakian necromancer named Kul-Turak who ruled managed to surprise the Kings of Edom and take much of the world seventy thousand years ago. After them prisoner. His attempt to wrest their power was his death, he returned as a lich, and the world joined thwarted by UNTI’s Operation Hermes, Witchcraft, and forces to seal him in a tomb, hopefully for eternity. an allied superhero. The Kings imprisoned Black, but Oil drilling released him from slumber in Oklahoma later Demoiselle Nocturne destroyed Black’s body to in 1987; his attempted advance to the populated free him from that prison, placing his mind within her centers of the eastern United States was halted, but nightmares. six superheroes were killed in the process. In 2009, DEMON’s current status is unknown. Takofanes caused a Bloodmoon to rise over Millen- nium City, summoning the ghosts of thirteen of the The Hunter-Patriots fifteen heroes who died fighting Dr. Destroyer in A Western Canadian separatist group, descended 1992. The Bloodmoon has reappeared with greater from American Patriot lodge members whose invasion frequency, becoming a major thorn in the sides of the of Canada was defeated in 1838. Members of this cities’ heroes. Takofanes’s master of sorcery is incred- secret society swore a sacred oath to continue their ible, aided by two artifacts: the Dragon Crown of Krim, struggle until all traces of the British crown were and the Sceptre of the Undying. thrown out of North America. To ensure their oath would not falter, they performed a magical ritual to Teleios bind them -- and their descendents -- to keep to their Born Jakob Stroessen, this master scientist is the purpose until it was achieved. world’s foremost criminal geneticist. A consummate In the 1980s, descendents of the original Hunter- planner, he’s always been one step of his enemies, Patriots founded an organization that fostered which includes most of the greatest superheroes Western Canadian separatism in the 1980s, but was on the planet. Obsessed with his belief that he’s the defeated by the superhero team SUNDER. SUNDER embodiment of perfection in human form, Stroessen didn’t completely destroy the organization; traces -- has taken the name “Teleios” (Greek for Perfection). including the Frontiersman supersoldier project -- lay Among his credible feats of science are the recreation hidden in various enclaves across Canada. of dinosaurs, which he’s named “teliosaurs” and the In the early 2000s, an unknown individual reacti- creation of an army of clones. vated the ancient mystic pact of the 1838 Hunter-Pa- triots, binding the descendents of the original H-Ps to Therakiel the Cause. They used a combination of experimental Vibora Bay-based villain, leader of the High Apos- technology (some of which was developed by their tolic Church. A fallen angel who was also barred from 1980s predecessors), stolen UNTIL tech, Frontiersman Hell, Therakiel plans to use humanity as an apocalyp- Project mutants, and a telepathic link triggered by tic army to wage war on both of his mystic enemies. the pact, to advance their agenda, pushing for the overthrow of the Canadian government. MAJOR SETTING VILLAIN- The Hunter-Patriot’s leader is Clyde Von Schoutz. OUS ORGANIZATIONS The Institute for Human Advancement (IHA) DEMON Anti-paranormal group, focusing on mutants, with A mystical brotherhood designed to give its founder, a legitimate political arm (Senator Phillip Glassman CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 29 of Wyoming is their most highly-placed mouthpiece) and a terrorist wing. Some IHA members are decent folks with legitimate concerns about superhumans: many however, are not. The most extreme elements of the IHA would like to either exterminate mutants or consign them to work camps; they’re considered a fringe movement, but they gain support after major paranormal-caused disasters.

VIPER A modern terrorist group dedicated to world domination. Its roots are descended from the amoral African snake god Nama and the pulp era secret society “The Unholy Order of the Grand Reptile”, After WW2, a group of 30 industrialists and politicians met to develop a plan for post-war world domination, developing an army to seize control of the world. Christening themselves VIPER (“Venomous Imperial Party of the Eternal Reptile”: most modern nests prefer the less anachronistic “Victory In Perpetuity through Eternal Resolve”), they struck suddenly in 1962 with a concerted campaign of world conquest that almost succeeded. VIPER is primarily a technology-based organiza- VIPER was originally led by the shadowy Council tion, however will employ whatever methods gains of Thirty. In the early 1990s, after a string of defeats, them power; in Africa and parts of Asia, VIPER deploys Nama appointed the mysterious Supreme Serpent Serpent-Mages to assist their cause, however they are to lead the group. The Supreme Serpent is actually rarely (if ever) seen Stateside. pulp era British adventurer Edgar Lancelyn Essec, VIPEr’s goals are a mix of the noble and the base. who’s been described (rather aptly), as “Cecil Rhodes Most VIPER agents just want wealth and power, a few as supervillain”. VIPER continuously develops new however, view those as the means to an end, that a strategies and plans. Fielding an army of well trained world built on VIPER philosophy will ultimately be a agents with advanced weapons, VIPER is active over better place. Their philosophy is not especially condu- most of the planet. They also have numerous supervil- sive to most superheroes: they have a “survival of the lains in their employ (“Dragon Branch”). fittest” ethos. In their literature, they describe them- Within Dragon Branch, VIPER’s primary opera- selves as “predators” who combat the scavengers of the tive in game is VIPER-X, a fallen Silver Avenger who’s human race that would drag it down to mediocrity. regarded as an agent’s agent; he’s also one of the few The Serpent Lantern is an artifact created by VIPER operatives who posesses a modicum of honor Nama, containing the essence of one of his children, and will actually negotiate with heroes. Other VIPERs the Serpent of the Lantern. The Lantern was used to of note in game include the frozen scientist Freon, the enforce a pact between the Founders: they would scheming nest leaders Draconis, Redstone, and Mecha- receive immortality, but the holder of the Lantern niste, and the mad scientist Dr. Demogaard. More would have the power of life and death over the indi- impressive are the monstrous Ripper, a brick who vidual who swore the oath. Because it could bestow rivals Grond in strength, and Viperia, a demi-goddess immortality, it was coveted by Dr. Destroyer, who tried who’s Nama’s obscenely powerful psychotic offspring to seize control of it. In the ensuing battle, the Lantern that’s often deployed as a VIPER WMD. was lost. It resurfaced in 2010, when Essec attempted

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 30 to seize it and use it quell conflicts within the Council Solo Heroes: None. of Thirty, however a superhero seemingly killed the Serpent in the Lantern, negating its power. Chicago Nama is not VIPER’s leader and plays no roles in Team: The Peacekeepers (Dwarfstar, Arc, Inframan, its day-to-day affairs or strategic plans; he’s merely Jack Flash, Zenith). the patron of the group. Nama has intervened on only Solo Heroes: None. four occasions since the founding of VIPER, and two of those interventions were to use VIPER to help man- Cincinnati kind against DEMON (firstly in the 1986 Demonflame Team: None. incident, and secondly in the Aftershock comic series, Solo Heroes: Thunderhead. where he provided protection for Essec and the Ser- pent Mages against the Kings of Edom in an attempt Denver to deny them access to new avatars). The Serpent’s Team: The Alliance (Captain Glory, Contact, Crossbow, identity is unknown, even to Nest Leaders. VIPER’s Impetus, Mandala, Silver Scorpion), main base is hidden deep within Mbang Mountain in Solo Heroes: None. Cameroon, this (of course) is a carefully guarded se- cret (that NO player character, even ex-VIPERs, should Houston know about). Team: The Hero Corps (La Bruma, Green Knight, Paradox, Sparrowhawk, White Lynx). SIGNIFICANT CANON Solo Heroes: The Messenger. CHARACTERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Kansas City Team: None. Sometimes it’s useful to know the names of major Solo Heroes: Roundhouse heroes who reside outside Millennium City, if only as references for characters who come from those places. Los Angeles/Southern California Team: The California Patrol (Downshift, Firewall, The United States Faultline, MeteorMan III, Sequoia, the Silicon Kid, and In Champions Online, Defender refers to the Cham- the Zodiac Man.) pions as the “world’s most powerful superteam.” PnP Solo Heroes: White Shroud (San Diego) lore, however, begs to disagree. Even in the United States, the Justice Squadron and Sentinels are older Miami and probably more powerful than the Champions, and Team: The Watch (Arsenic, Corsair, Jetstream, Mage, there are plenty of others who take a run at the title. Voltage). Major American heroes include: Solo Heroes: None. Atlanta New York City Team: None. Team: The Justice Squadron (Brawler, Blink, Drift, Solo Heroes: Surge. Flashover, Superstar, Tomahawk), the Sentinels (Black Rose, Diamond, Bravo, Diadem, Dr. Vox, Proteus), Nova Baltimore (Decibelle, Arcane). Team: None. Solo Heroes: Electrotitan, the Brooklyn Avenger, Solo Heroes: Straight Arrow. Shadowman, Magneton. Boston New Orleans Team: The New Paladins (Dr. Eclipse, Bodyguard, Lux, Team: None. Python, Tandem). CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 31 Solo Heroes: Voodoo Doll. Chain Gang.

Philadelphia China Team: The Liberty League (The Mechanic, Atlas, Blue Major Solo Heroes: Jín Lóng Quán (“Golden Dragon Flame, Oak, Streamline, Vortex). Fist”), Bai Hou (“White Monkey”), Dīshēng Long Solo Heroes: None. (“Whispering Dragon”). Major Hero Teams: The Tiger Squad (Boxer, Daughter Phoenix of the Moon, Dragonfly,Earthquake Fist, Eight-Ways Team: None. Lightning, Gossamer Storm, GraniteMan, Heart of the Solo Heroes: Fallout People, Immensely Strong One, Immortal Philosopher, Iron Horse, Lady of a Thousand Fires, Leafmaster, San Francisco Mighty Hammer, Peach Blossom Spirit, Phantom Team: Bay Guardians (Eldritch, Blacklight, Druid, Soldier, Phoenix, Quicksilver, Red Bullet, Shaolin Five, Hannibal Grey, Stigma, Totem); the Freedom Patrol Shining Dawn, Soothing Touch, Steel-Shattering Fist, (Condor, Windshear, Retrograde). Summer Cloud, Swarmlord, Technocrat, Winter Dragon.) Solo Heroes: None. Agencies: None Villains: Dr, Yin Wu, Li Chun the Destroyer, Lam Kuei Seattle (“Blue-Faced Demon”),Ying, the Overlord. Team: Sea-Tac Sentinels. Solo Heroes: Cascade. Egypt Major Solo Heroes: Maat, Pharos. Washington DC Major Hero Teams: None. Team: Capital Patrol (American Avenger, FalconMan, Agencies: None Pentagram, Monument, the Insider). Villains: Anubis, The Living Sphinx. Solo Heroes: The All-American. England/Wales THE WORLD Major Solo Heroes: Hyperion, Albion, Major Hero Teams: New Knights of the Round Table, Australia The London Watch (Blazon, Yeoman, Swift Swallow, Major Solo Heroes: Walkabout, Harrier, Brigade. Repulse), the Night Watch (Shade, Drune, Rhiannon, Major Hero Teams: None Talisen). Agencies: None. Agencies: Ministry of Superhuman Affairs (between Villains: Taipan. 1953 and 1966 it was “Bureau S”). Villains: Crusher, the Cat, Samhain, Thrash, Clock- Canada work. Major Solo Heroes: Ravenspeaker, Celestar, Forcek- night. France Major Hero Teams: Starforce (Toronto-based team Major Solo Heroes: Seine, Autour, Bastille. founded in 2000 by Celestar and Forceknight: the cur- Major Hero Teams: The Sixteenth Bureau (Tricolor, rent team is: Justiciar (leader), The Constable, Argosy, Volt, the Musketeer, Valere Noyer, Siffleur) Prism Girl, Dust Devil); L’esprits Guardiens (Montreal- Agencies: None. based team. it’s led by Le Fort, other members include: Villains: Venin Vert, Obeliske, Bonc. Surcheval, Voyageur, La Chatelaine); COMET. Agencies: RCMP Steelhead Division. Germany Villains: Borealis, Augury, the Landsman, Teleios, Major Solo Heroes: Mondfeuer, Geschwindigkeit, der Baron Nihil, Necrull, Kigatilik, Tilingkoot, Mechaniste, Bogenschutze, Zeitgeist.

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 32 Major Hero Teams: No major teams. Teikei (“Trapezoid”), Tetsuryu (“Iron Dragon”). Agencies: None. Villains: Panzer, Der Scwarz Tode, Neutron. Russia Major Solo Heroes: Vulnapyezdka (“Waverider”), India Gyeroy Vedun (“Hero Wizard”) Major Solo Heroes: The Mongoose, Pantheon, Spark. Major Hero Teams: Russkiye Zashchitniki (“The Major Hero Teams: The Superhero Division (military Russian Defenders”): Stalnoy Volk (“Steel Wolf”), Zem- team of 18 heroes, including Rashindar, Ushas, Teja pletpyasenee (“Quake”), Syeryebro (“Silver”), Mamont Vayu (“Swift Wind”), Chakram, Suryabala (“Sun- (“Mammoth”), Kapitan Ukrayina (“Captain Ukraine”), child”), Daktara Upaya (“Dr. Gadget”), Lohe Sainika Agencies: None. (“Iron Warrior”), Saba Devatao, (“Anvil” ); Mumbai Villains: Slun (“the Bishop”), Molnya (“Lightning”), Santari (“the Mumbai Sentinels”, which includes: Technyik (“the Technician”), Beek (“the Ox”). Chamakana Dhala (“Shining Shield”), Bhutatodana (“Demonbreaker,”), Tapalahara (“Heatwave”), Surkha Saudi Arabia Khamba (“the Ruby Monolith”), Badhana (“Stretch”). Major Solo Heroes: Caracal (“Desert Cat”), A’asifa Agencies: Ministry of Superhuman Affairs. Rumlia (“the Sandstorm”). Villains: Dr. Destroyer, Black Tiger, Monsoon, the Lord Major Hero Teams: None. of Rats, Survalesh. Agencies: None. Villains: The Ifrit. Iran Major Solo Heroes: The Fist of Allah. Scandinavia Major Hero Teams: None. Major Solo Heroes: Potenstorm (Sweden), Beowulf Agencies: None. (Denmark), Villains: None. Major Hero Teams: None. Agencies: None. Ireland Villains: None. Major Solo Heroes: Cuchullain, Dweomer. Major Hero Teams: None. South Africa Agencies: None. Major Solo Heroes: The Boer (retired), Blaze, the Villains: Redcap. Gazelle. Major Hero Teams: None, Israel Agencies: None. Major Solo Heroes: The Liberator (Palestinian) Villains: Ironhorn. Major Hero Teams: Sayeret-19 (Ballistic, the Adept, Ha’Pele (“the Wonder”), Ambush). Turkey Agencies: None. Major Solo Heroes: None. Villains: None.

Japan “Get off Our Lawn, Major Solo Heroes: Tetsuronin, Akumashibaru, Charm ur... Axis!” Girl, Shōnen no Kufū (Gadget Boy). Major Hero Teams: Tokyo Super Squad (Tō (“Tower,”), Thanks to the sorcery of Totenkopf and Iron Father, Allied Kiku (“Chrysanthemum,”), Fidobakku (“Feedback”), superhumans in the Golden Age could not enter Axis terri- Kōdōtai (“Zodiac”). tory without losing their powers and eventually falling prey Agencies: None. to a wasting sickness. Costumed normals were unaffected. Villains: Kagamishoki, Kazeronin, Kazan (“Volcano”),

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 33 Major Hero Teams: The Children of Ataturk (Gune- The Justice Squadron: (Vanguard, Ocelot, Drifter, talev (“Sunfire”), Cekic (“Hammer”), Gizli (“Occult”), Skygirl, Brawler II, Tomahawk, Rowan, Starburst.) Yorunge (“Orbit”) The Sentinels (MeteorMan, Rocketman, Microman, Dr. Agencies: None. Phantom, and Beowulf) Villains: None. Mexico: El Spectro Canada: Red Ensign II, Forceknight I, Le Fort. HEROS AND VILLAINS The Mighty Canadians (Celestar, Timberline, Bonne THROUGH THE AGES Vivian, and Kivioq).

Golden Age Heroes: Silver Age Villains (US): Captain Patriot, The Defenders of Justice (Opti- US: (50s): The Gargoyle, Dr. Macabre, Rockslide, mus, Dr. Twilight, Sea Hawk, Cowboy; they were soon Bookworm, Humbug, and Cyrax the Conqueror. joined by MeteorMan and Captain Patriot, and later (60s): Revenger, Ultivac, VIPER-X (original), Mas- morphed into two teams: querade I, Fatalla, Serpentine, the Guru, Plague I, The (Defenders [Homeguard]) : MeteorMan, Dr. Twilight, Mocker, Jack Flash, Typhoon. Streak, American Eagle, Sergeant Battle); Lady Mystery. (70s): Professor Morlak. (Freedom Battalion [Europe]): Optimus, Scarlet Canada: Kigatilik, Atomica, Claire De Lune, Cana- Archer, Nightengale, Bulletproof, Liberator (originally doom (group). Cowboy). (Canada): Princess Aureole, Red Ensign I, Rex Sterling Bronze Age (mid 70s to late 80s) Heroes (Hound of Tomorrow), The Human Pistol, Deuce US (later 70s): Draco, Dart, Streak II, Diamond. LaRoche, Tommy Canada, Ace Hellion, Ace Helena and Canada: Loupe Garou, Canadian Ghost, Laurentian, the Hellcat Squadron, Dr. Cerebro. Beacon, and Mariner. (UK): Lady Lightning. Scarlet Archer I. (Russia): General Winter. Bronze Age Villains US (later 70s): Archimago, Leviathan, the Slug, Golden Age Villains Buzzsaw, Rictus, Scirocco, and the Griffin. (US): The Liquidator, Sub-Zero, The Mink, the Black Legion (fifth columnist spies and saboteurs). The In Memorium (Prominent Society of Evil (villain team). Superhero Deaths) (Canada): King Vultok. Killed by Dr. Destroyer (1975): Kid Chameleon, (Germany) Der Totenkopf, Sturmvogel, Arlequin, Ocelot. Loge, Moorbrand, and Nordwind. Killed by Takofanes (1987): Archangel, Hardball, (Japan): Iron Father. Delphi, the Hyperkinetic Man, Tightwire, Flechette I, (Attlantis) Dargon, Steel Shark. and Goldfire. (Lemuria) Arvad. Killed by Borealis (1991): Forceknight II. Killed in the Battle of Detroit (1992): Vanguard, Silver Age Heroes (1950s-70s) Amazing Grace, Crusher, Eclipse, Firefight, Flechette US: Vanguard, Hornet, Dr. Scarab, Mountain, II, Goblin, Icestar, Johnny Hercules, Nimbus, Radion, Dreamsinger, Black Power, Black Mask IX, Scarlet Shadowboxer, Swashbuckler II, Tiger, Vigil. Archer II, Sea King, Masquerade II. Killed by Dark Seraph (2000) in Paris: Skydragon. The Fabulous Five (Amazing Man, Siren, Streak II, Killed by Baron Nihil (2007): Red Ensign III. Diamond, and Kid Chameleon) Killed by Necrull (2007): Vanguard (Vancouver based team), Forceknight IV.

CO Lore Primer: • Who’s Who • 34 V: What’s What

SUPER-MATERIALS of the population. Some of the most unique materials in the Champi- ons Universe are: Draysha Mutagen developed by VIPER. The Draysha process Destreum greatly augments the physical characteristics of the A powerful metal created by Dr. Destroyer and agent, making them considerably stronger, quicker, used in the construction of his destroids and his and more resilient than a normal human, and the incredible battle armor. process is only fatal in 7% of its cases! However, even successful candidates have a good chance of develop- Fordite ing terminal leukemia within a year and even in a A very powerful concentrated explosive. best case scenario, are unlikely to survive more than five years. It also causes the user to shed all of his/her Kendrium body hair. A form of steel invented by Professor Kendrick, substantially stronger than steel, and not much SUPER SOLDIER heavier. PROJECTS So you’re playing a super-soldier? And you’re Neutronium wondering what super-soldier projects are in canon, The strongest known metal, allegedly the rather than reinventing the wheel for the thousandth remnants of a neutron star (though some scientists time? Well, there have been many super-soldier pro- dispute this). Extremely heavy. grams over the years, most of which were spectacular failures (suitable for PC backgrounds). Orichalcum Mystical metal, originally from Atlantis, this metal World War 2 holds magical charges extremely well and is used by The Haynesville Project: An examination of super- Atlanteans in their technology. Orichalcum is brown- humans in their American birthplace, Haynesville orange in color and closely resembles copper. Kansas, Its data was a cornerstone of many later projects. Questionite Project Achilles: Produced two successful superhu- Amazingly durable (and rare) metal known for be- mans, Achilles and the Comet. ing able to keep an extremely sharp edge indefinitely. Project Ascension: Considered a failure. Not commonly found (despite it being a currency in-game.) There were numerous Axis projects, some of which involved Dr. Albert Zerstoiten. DRUGS The 1960s Cyberline Project Perseus, Produced the original All-Ameri- Mutagen developed by PRIMUS. All Silver Avengers can in 1969. as well as the Golden Avenger experience this treat- ment. Cyberline augments human strength, resil- The 1970s iency, and dexterity to near human levels without side Project Yeoman. Produced the original Ameriforce effects, however it only works on a small percentage CO Lore Primer: • What’s What • 35 superteam. (Low level superstrength, toughness, and speed). Several Unnamed Projects. It’s mentioned that Project Perseus had other offshoots , names, subjects, and successes unknown.

The 1990s Project Sunburst. The most infamous superhuman soldier project saw the US army expose 200 soldiers to a radioactive burst in an attempt to see what super- powers emerged. Most died, and the few who didn’t: Sunburst, Gigaton, and Armadillo. Several of the individuals responsible for Sunburst remain in the US military. Project Onslaught. This late 90s genetic modifica- tion project produced the military superhero Janissary and the supervillain Onslaught.

CO Lore Primer: • What’s What • 36 VI: Where’s Where

Arcadia the supervillain Steel Shark usurped the throne. Mara (Not yet in game); Also known as the City of Gold, is very friendly to the surface world: her son Marus home to the Empyreans, this hidden land is located attended Ravenswood Academy and serves as a part in a hidden Antarctic valley, concealed by advanced time member of the New York-based Sentinels team as technology from the world. The Empyreans were the well as Atlantis’s unofficial representative at the United world’s first superhumans, the descendents of the Nations, Her daughter Thalassa, however, has embarked twelve Empyreans who were mutated by the Progeni- on a darker path — she’s the supervillainess Stingray. tors 500,000 years ago. Atlantis is a walled city on the ocean floor (at a Within the climate controlled comfort of their depth of about 800 feet) located about eight hundred hidden valley, the Empyreans live in seclusion, miles west of Cape Verde, 100 miles north of the interrupted only by periodic wars with Lemuria (the Equator, in the middle of the Atlantic. The city itself Lemurians built the Mandragalore as a weapon is a ring of concentric walls, the largest of which is against the Empyreans) and the occasional evil three miles in radius. The city has a population of rebel leader like Ogurn, When humanity ascended over 100,000. There are also several outlying barbar- to modern civilization, some Empyreans decided to ian tribes, most of whom are friendly to Queen Mara leave Arcadia and interact with these new, interesting (with the notable exception of the Krosk, a barbar- creatures. Their king, King Hazor, has given them leave ian tribe located several hundred miles northeast of to do so, provided they kept their powers a secret, and Atlantis, ruled by the fierce chieftain Gundhar. never reveal Arcadia’s existence to the outside world. Atlanteans are green skinned humanoids with Arcadia was discovered by the Fabulous Five in 1966, fins on the wrists, elbows, ankles and upper back and while the Empyreans have managed to keep a lid and webbed fingers and toes. They have a lifespan of on their secret, Hazor knows it’s only a matter of time about two hundred years. before it becomes known to the rest of the world. Atlantean civilization generally uses magic instead Arcadia is sustained by Progenitor super-technol- of technology and alchemy in place of industry. ogy as well as the psionic powers of the inhabitants. The key to their civilization is the red-orange metal Orichalcum, which the Atlanteans jealously guard; Atlantis because of its ability to store magical charges. Atlan- A great undersea kingdom, Atlantis was a teans venerate the god Poseidon, and a Greco-theme continent that sunk in a cataclysm 32,000 years ago, is found in a lot of their buildings and art. Atlanteans when, during a terrible civil war, a mage sacrificed love their queen, but are less welcoming to “Landers” his soul to the Kings of Edom to become Sharna-Gorak than their sovereign. the Destroyer. The god Poseidon preserved a few of the Atlanteans, and gave them the ability to breathe Beast Mountain water. Over the course of millennia, they rebuilt their Prior to his move to Monster Island, Dr. Phillipe civilization beneath the waves. Moreau’s base was here, a mountain stronghold in the In 1937, a villain usurped control of the kingdom Ukraine. It was here that Dr. Silverback was created and the rightful ruler, Queen Mara, fled to the surface in 1984, along with many other manimals. Moreau world. She made friends among the Defenders of was driven out of Beast Mountain by a team of British Justice superhero team, and helped fight Hitler in World superheroes and the manimals have lived a peaceful War 2. In 1943, with the help of the DOJ, she regained existence there ever since (though their leader, Father control of the throne and has ruled Atlantis ever since Elk, left to help the manimals of Monster Island in (with the exception of a brief period in 1968 when 2008. CO Lore Primer: • Where’s Where • 37 Force Station Steelhead Opinion Corner: and the Lynx’s Fold Brrrr! In North America, four great spirits once domi- nated the world, four great spirits who abide (with Canada is not permanently cold, not even in the northern- one exception) in extra-dimensional realms: the Land, most parts. It frequently gets up to 70 degrees F/21 degrees spirit of the earth and the natural world, in the Happy C at the North Pole in July and August. Hunting Grounds; the Sea, spirit of the vast oceans, in My explanation for the cold around Force Station Steelhead the Great Water; the Ice, spirit of the pitiless northern is the tear that let Kigatilik into our world also created a winter, in the Frost Tomb, and the Sky, which dwells in slight dimensional tear that lets in a continuous supply of our realm. In ancient times, at the end of the Ice Age, supernatural cold from the Frost Tomb. This isn’t canon, mankind gave its allegiance to the Land instead of the however, and you’re welcome to use it or ignore it as you Ice, and that was the tipping point. The Great Winter see fit. ended, and the Ice lost its dominant grip over the world. In this struggle, there was a place where the tribes to Gadroon to Necrull) have converged on the Spirits met with Man. That place, in Northern Canada, area, making it one of the most strategically impor- came to be known as the Lynx’s Fold, or Cat’s Cradle. tant control points in North America. There’s no canon information on when or why Force Station Steelhead was constructed. It was Hudson City probably built after the dissolution of the second A large, gritty city in New Jersey, noted for cor- Northern Guard in 1998, when the RCMP and Mark ruption, vigilantism, and a hostile attitude toward Derringer became aware of the strategic importance traditional costumed superheroes. of the area in the fight against superhumans, and the Hudson City, the Urban Abyss is the setting for the discovery of questionite deposits in the region drew a Dark Champions RPG of vigilante justice. It is however, lot of attention there: Argent, the Hunter-Patriots, and part of the Champions IP and Cryptic does have the VIPER would probably not be in the area without the right to use it in Champions Online if they so choose. presence of Questionite. It does seem that for a variety . of reasons, a lot of individual groups (from sasquatch

CO Lore Primer: • Where’s Where • 38 Lemuria unexpected feelings for his subjects. Arvad’s villainous The older of the two undersea kingdoms, Lemuria nature softened enough that UNTIL even sent a diplo- was founded by a race of reptile men about 40,000 matic mission to Lemuria: unfortunately, neither they years ago. They originally worshipped Qliphothic enti- nor Arvad counted on the return of the Bleak Ones: ties called the Bleak Ones. The magic of the sorcerer- rebels who reverted back to the Lemurians’ original king Faltrah Lem stripped them of their shape-chang- form. Now Arvad, the man who made the Bronze King ing powers and transformed them into a human-like kneel, the man who has been the surface world’s most appearance. A war against the Empyreans led to persistent enemy for seven decades, finds himself in the creation of a great engine of destruction, the Man- common cause with the surface-dwellers. dragalore, but it backfired, sinking Lemuria beneath Lemuria itself is located in four domes, located the waves of the Indian Ocean. The surviving Lemuri- about two miles beneath the surface about seven ans dwelt in undersea communities and became ruled hundred miles south of the Maldives, The main dome by a construct called the Bronze King. is a mile high and ten miles in diameter. In 1800, King Hazor’s brother Arvad fled from Lemurians employ magic and slave-power in Arcadia after attempting to usurp the throne and took place of technology and shun the mechanisms of the control of Lemuria. After consolidating control over surface world, which they view as crude and inferior. Lemuria, he began to plot the conquest of the surface Lemurians are divided into noble and Mole Men world. He was a key Nazi subterranean ally during (slave) castes. Lemurian nobles typically belong to World War 2, and launched numerous attacks during one of twelve noble house, and are sub-divided into subsequent decades. However, the decades wore warrior, sorcerer and decadent castes. They have dark away at Arvad’s defiance and he found himself with hair and extremely pale skin, and have a lifespan of

CO Lore Primer: • Where’s Where • 39 about three hundred years. The Battle of Detroit

Millennium City On July 23, 1992, Dr. Destroyer, angered by a defeat which Formerly Detroit, this “city of the future” was had cost him his island base Destruga, put into motion a rebuilt after Dr. Destroyer destroyed it in 1992 (see plan to use tractor beams to draw asteroids to earth, hop- Sidebar). The city became a high tech Mecca: many ing to cause a catastrophe that would destroy civilization and give him a chance to rebuild it according to his designs. companies flocked here, and many others have major Students from the Ravenswood Academy accidentally branch offices here. Since the 2009 Qularr invasion, stumbled onto his base, forcing Zerstoiten to set his plans many superheroes have descended on this city, the into motion. Realizing what Destroyer was about to do, a greatest of whom (at least according to the media) are small army of superheroes divided into two teams to stop the Champions. him: one team would go into space and stop the asteroids directly, the second would remain in Detroit to confront Millennium City was rebuilt (completed in late Destroyer directly. 1999) with advanced technology such as moving walkways and a fully automated transit system. In The first wave of asteroids was stopped by Vanguard, Millennium City, you don’t drive cars — cars drive who gave him life by plowing full speed into the largest you! planetoid. The heroine Electron managed to reverse the meteor-tractor beam and repelled the asteroids, while the North of Millennium City is the city of Windsor, in remaining heroes fought Destroyer to the death. Zerstoiten Canada. Although spared most of the damage, those killed several of the heroes, but on the verge of defeat, he rebuilt sections of the city are dubbed “Memorial City”. bowed and triggered an orbital weapons platform. The area Ravenswood Academy: Located in the suburb around Destroyer for several blocks was immediately dis- of Orchardsville, this prestigious private school has integrated, and the beam cut a swath of destruction across the city. Destroyer was believed dead, but the only thing been the premier (if secret) institutions for young found was his cracked helmet. It turned out he actually supers since the early 1980s. Run by the Headmistress teleported away, He was later captured by his imperson- Headmaster Kristina Pelvanen (secretly the retired ator, Shadow Destroyer, and imprisoned in Multifaria until superheroine Rowan), numerous young superheroes his escape in 2011. have graduated from its ranks. 60,000 people and fifteen superheroes lost their lives in the The West Side Gangs: There are five gangs in holocaust. Westside that have periodically caused trouble. The New Purple Gang is a resurgence of an infamous politically ambitious and does have plans to run fot Prohibition Gang of the 1920s. The Cobra Lords are a office at both the state (probably as governor) and biker gang noted for the drug trade and involvement federal level. He is strongly pro-traditional costumed in an underground metahuman fighting circuit, the superhero, though less thrilled by those of a more Arena, that has chapters across the United States. The vigilante nature. Undercutting his reputation as an Maniacs is a gang of anarchists who proudly display adroit political thinker is his long list of malapropisms sociopathic tendencies, The Black Aces is a gang with Biselle is honest, but not everyone at City Hall a playing card motif. These four battle for control of shares this quality. One member of the city council, the Westside with the Red Banners. Phillip McCaullife, is a VIPER stooge who’s also being Officials: Millennium City’s mayor is Calvin Biselle, worked by Medusa. Another member, Vincent Dooley, a charismatic African-American who relishes his celeb- is firmly entrenched in the pocket of Franklin Stone. rity status: its police chief is James Surhoff. Biselle’s The Media: Millennium City’s major newspapers biggest political rival is Leonard Berman, a conserva- are the Adair owned Millennium City Free Press and tive The city’s chief prosecutor is George Krugar. the more conservative Millennium City News. The for- (Biselle’s mayoral tenure should have ended in 2012, mer carries a relatively balanced of views that is often however Cryptic ignored his term limit. This was not a offset by Adair Syndicate anti-metahuman colum- surprise (a lot of in-game art, voice work and missions nists. The latter includes a superhuman news/gossip would have needed to have been redone.) Biselle is Christine Hewitt, who can often be seen hobnobbing CO Lore Primer: • Where’s Where • 40 wuith heroes in Club Caprice’s VIP lounge. the Canadian West Coast. To protect the Haida people, Millennium’s major television stations include the god Raven removed one village from the world, WCOC, home of some of Millennium City’s most be- perfectly preserved, except for one small Anglican loved broadcast team. More controversial is the Adair- church, built by the missionary who warned Niikwan owned WTFL, whose “news personalities” include the against the ravages of the Europeans and who con- previously mentioned anti-metahuman columnist vinced them to accept Raven’s offer of protection. Curt Curruthers. Niikwan has been visited occasionally by heroes Homestead and SOCRATES. One of the most and pulp adventurers. It is coveted by Tax’et, the God prominent landmarks in Millennium City is Home- of Violent Death in the Haida pantheon, who was stead, home base of the Champions. Here the famed denied the pleasure of ravaging it with the smallpox superteam keeps watch on the city, assisted by one epidemics of the 19th Century. of the world’s most advanced AIs, SOCRATES. Despite the masculine name, SOCRATES projects a feminine Project Greenskin persona at her info kiosks, which are scattered A huge army base in the New Mexico desert, built throughout Millennium City. near the site of the Delta Bomb incident which irradi- ated much of the area in 1978. Greenskin was built in Monster Island 1995 as a forward base for the United States’ program In 1965, the Qularr landed on a large volcanic to contain Grond. It is headed by General Robert island located one hundred miles off the east coast Kauffman, the original Golden Avenger of PRIMUS. Its of Japan and used it as a breeding ground for giant mission is to study the effects of radiation on the area monsters. The Qularr were defeated, but the giant and its peoples (chiefly the Irradiate mutants) but it’s monsters were not quite as easy to beat. and so Kaiju primary mission is to hunt down and contain the super- Island (as it’s known in Japan) is a natural preserve of humanly radioactive monster Grond and keep him from the most terrifying creatures on Earth. doing damage. The base’s head of research, Dr. Nelson Dupree, was crippled in Grond’s initial attack, and has Niikwan developed an obsession about helping the creature, us- Near the turn of the 19th Century, European explor- ing advanced science and neurology to calm him down. ers made contact with the local First Nations tribes on The presence of so many monstrosities has at-

CO Lore Primer: • Where’s Where • 41 tracted a number of interested parties to the area, (Note: There are hints that Thaar will be used in an particular the Qularr and VIPER. It is also uncomfort- upcoming mini-series in Champions Online, but may ably close to the site of Stronghold. have its location changed to a more Arctic location. There is a giant statue of Grond stationed at the We’ll update this document at the appropriate time.) base; this is (presumably) the same statue that was, originally built by the Irradiates so they could wor- Vibora Bay ship him. No one’s quite sure why the army keeps it, A city in the Florida panhandle known as the perhaps Kauffman needs a reminder of why Greenskin Queen City, Vibora Bay is the center of the mystic exists in the first place. Or perhaps disposing of it world in America. It is a stronghold for mystical heroes would involve too much paperwork. like Dr. Ka, as well as the magnum mage Robert Cali- burn and a large chapter of the Trismegistus Council. Shamballah/Agharti The city is currently plagued by a number of In a cavern under the Himalayas, not far from predatory occult-oriented gangs: the Dogz (a gang of Mount Everest, lies the hidden city of Shamballah. werewolves led by Black Fang), the Sovereign Sons (a Led by nine immortal monks, white magic martial voodoo oriented gang), the New Shadows (a coven of arts techniques are taught to those who manage to vampires led by Vladic Dracul, father of the legendary navigate the shadowy maze that guards the city and Dracula; and the Trey Kings, a group of twisted abomi- prove themselves worthy. Every fighting technique on nations. Another plague on the city is the gangster the planet is taught here: except for those exclusive to Guy Sweetland, a rival of Black Fang. the Yengtao Temple and Agharti. Vibora Bay is the center of the High Apostolic Shamballah’s evil opposite number, also located Church, a religion that is a front for the fallen angel under the Himalayas, is the city off Agharti. The two Therakiel. 11% of the city’s three million residents are cities are locked in a continuous war. devotees of this faith, a voodoo religion with Christian trappings. Sunday Pond, Maine The mayor of the city is: Richenda Barker. Located in the woods of central Maine is the sleepy Outside of the city is San Sebastien swamp, home town of Sunday Pond, center of much strangeness of the legendary Skunk-Ape. To some, the Skunk-Ape and occult activity. Sunday Pond is a nexus, where the is a myth, to others, a rampaging monster, and to still connections between the worlds is at its weakest, and others, the protector of the swamp and its mysteries monsters from other dimensions enter our world. One (the Skunk-Ape has yet to make it into Champions man stands as a vanguard against these horrors: the Online). Witness, who helps unwary travellers find their way home, and who puts monsters in their place (usually Yengtao Temple the ground). In a hidden valley in China lies the Yengtao Temple, where for generations, those who achieved unity of Thaar mind and body could study the exclusive martial arts Twelve thousand years ago, aliens mutated a of the Temple. Many of the world’s greatest fighters birds (probably a species of falcons) into a species studied here, however very recently, it seems that of winged humanoids, who settled on a mountain the Temple was destroyed, probably by the supervil- peak in the southern Indian Ocean. This island, Thaar, lain Jade Phoenix at the behest of the Death Dragon, became a sanctum for the bird-people. It is ruled who sought to prevent their techniques from being by Queen Kea, and is an official protectorate of the disseminated to those who would fight in the Tourna- United Nations. Few bird-people have ever visited ment of the Dragon. the outside world, except for Klee (the captain of the Queen’s Guard) and the now deceased supervillain Gyrfalcon. CO Lore Primer: • Where’s Where • 42 VIi: Aliens

MAJOR RACES ruled half the galaxy in the name of their Qlipothic There are numerous intelligent species in the galaxy, gods, for whom they were prepared to sacrifice the as well as cosmic entities that predate even them. The galaxy. A half million years ago, the Malvans and ones best known to earth include: the Star*Guard went to war against them and won, destroying their homeworld. For many millennia, the DENDRIANS Elder Worms wandered the universe looking for bases Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. to rebuild their species -- they found one on Earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. Now, aided by their foul telepathic powers, they seek Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (low level to corrupt and transform humanity into becoming the FTL) seeds of a new elder worm race. Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Medical Tech Level: Advanced ERGONS/THORGONS Computer Tech Level: Advanced Location: Relatively close to earth. Physical Description: Average (1.6 - 1.9 meters tall) Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. purple skinned humanoids with blue to black hair and Propulsion Tech Level: Advanced. five fingers and toes. Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Homeworld: Dendris Medical Tech Level: Advanced Government Type: Planetary congress. Computer Tech Level: Advanced Physical Description: Short (probably 1.2 - 1.5 me- Located a mere 58 Light Years from Earth, Dendris is ters tall) humanoids with pale skin (with red stripes), a peaceful if conservative planet that keeps to itself and translucent, pupilless red eyes. Thorgons ae taller and does not wage war on its neighbors nor seek to (probably 1.6-1.8 m. tall) with darker skin. build galactic empires. Nonetheless, Dendrians are Homeworld: Ergath renowned as engineers, and those who seek adven- Government Type: Unknown ture or altruistic service often join the Star*Guard. Andre Almena’s predecessor in the Star*Guard, Brin Rei Tarn, was a Dendrian, as is Almena’s assistant Kala Tah Breval.

ELDER WORMS Location: Extra-galactic. Intentions Toward Humanity: Hostile. Propulsion Tech Level: Advanced. Military Tech Level: Advanced Medical Tech Level: Advanced Computer Tech Level: Advanced Physical Description: Average (1.6 - 1.9 meters tall), ochre-colored annelidoids Homeworld: Shug’hla-Wthelg Government Type: Supreme Monarchy

Once the terror of the galaxy, the Elder Worms CO Lore Primer: • Aliens • 43 One of the most contentious species in known and toes. space are the Ergons, the bad tempered natives of Homeworld: None. Ergath, have created clones called the Thorgons to Government Type: Absolute monarchy in the service do their dirty workfor them. Dirty work includes of Istvatha V’Han. space exploration, which brings them in contact with other species. Bred to be cold and pitiless brutes, the Perhaps the greatest current extraterrestrial threat Thorgons do not usually make a good impression on to Earth are the Gadroon, The Gadroon have launched those they encounter. three major invasions of Earth, with the ultimate goal of transforming it into a new homeworld follow- FASSAI ing the destruction of their homeworld Gadro. The Location: Milky Way Galaxy, other side of the galaxy Gadroon are a nomadic species, however recently the from earth extradimensional conqueror Istvatha V’Han forced Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. the Gadroon fleet to bow to her rule, giving V’Han a Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (low level foothold in our universe. FTL) Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (blaster The Gadroon are currently at war with the Qularr. weapons) Humanity has numerous samples of their technology, Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced but to this day it’s defied analysis, even from the most Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced brilliant human minds. Physical Description: Average (1.6 - 1.9 meters tall) dark-skinned (grey to black) humanoids with ridges HZEEL instead of hair and five fingers and toes. Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. Homeworld: Kadrigar Intentions Toward Humanity: Hostile Government Type: Council of representatives. from Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level the Hundred Houses, the ruling families of the planet. FTL) Military Tech Level: Advanced (beam weapons and A member species of the Veldarian Confederacy, a force fields) trade federation from the other side of the galaxy, the Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Fassai would be completely unknown to Earth except Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced for the presence of the superhuman Herculan. The Physical Description: Short (1.2 meter tall) blue-grey Fassai are an oddly feudal race, divided into a hundred skinned humanoid with red eyes and four fingers and major families that control most of their planet. They toes. are currently embroiled in a great civil war against Homeworld: Zeel. other states of the Confederacy. Government Type: Corrupt plutocracy.

GADROON The nearest hostile empire to Earth is the Hzeel (or Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. Blue Boys). Currently at war with the Dorvalans, they’re Intentions Toward Humanity: Hostile looking at acquiring earth as a beachhead to stage a Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level major offensive, and are studying Qularr and Gadroon FTL) attempts to conquer the planet. The Hzeel are clever Military Tech Level: Advanced (gravitic weapons and and adaptable, but their unified government encourag- force fields) es corruption and its leaders would be considered crime Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced bosses on Earth. (Think of them as a cross between the Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Ferengi and Classic Trek’s Ioatians (the gangster planet) Physical Description: Short (1.2 - 1.4 meters tall and you’d probably not be too far off.) green skinned brachiad humanoid with four fingers

CO Lore Primer: • Aliens • 44 MALVANS with the Star*Guard to protect the galaxy, but those Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. days, it seems, are long past. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral, with some exceptions. MANDAARIANS Propulsion Tech Level: Highly Advanced (able to cross Location: Milky Way Galaxy, location unknown. the Milky Way in a week) Intentions Toward Humanity: Friendly. Military Tech Level: Highly Advanced (able to shift Propulsion Tech Level: Highly Advanced (able to cross planets out of orbit) the Milky Way in a week) Medical Tech Level: Highly Advanced (extended Military Tech Level: Unknown. lifespans into millennia) Medical Tech Level: Highly Advanced (extended Computer Tech Level: Highly Advanced lifespans into millennia) Physical Description: Tall (1.9 meter tall) dark bronze Computer Tech Level: Highly Advanced to light gold skinned humanoid with large eyes, red or Physical Description: Average (1.6 - 1.9 meters violet eyes, and large feathery eyebrows. tall) light-skinned humanoids (almost identical to Homeworld: Malva. Caucasian humans with gold and silver cat-like eyes, Government Type: Monarchy. slightly pointed ears, and five fingers and toes. Homeworld: Mandaar The most advanced civilization known to man, Government Type: Meritocracy council of the 144 Malva is infamous for two reasons: its gladiatorial finest intellects. circuit kidnaps terrestrial superhumans and forces them to compete in their games, and the supervillain Perhaps the friendliest species to encounter human- Firewing, one of the most brutal and powerful villains ity are the Mandaarians, a very human-like race of ever seen. In reality, Malva is a great galactic power, telepaths. Living in a near-utopia, the Mandaarians who once saved the universe from the Elder Worms, live lives of peace tranquility, pursuing intellectual but who have now declined into decadence and and aesthetic pleasures. Their social scientists have indolence. Slaves to endless fashion fads, the Malvan visited earth several times and expressed an apprecia- aristocracy has one constant -- they enjoy gladiatorial tion of human culture and have shared some of their games, and while they have the technology to pro- art (though none of their technology) with humanity. duce superhumans on demand, they prefer naturally bred and trained competitors. MON’DABI Malva wasn’t always decadent, and there was a Location: Milky Way Galaxy, location unknown. time that their Golden Hunters worked hand in hand Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral.

CO Lore Primer: • Aliens • 45 Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (FTL crustacean hybrids with two fingers and a thumb. capable). Homeworld: Reqaat Military Tech Level: Equal to Earth technology. Government Type: Caste-driven oligarchic Republic. Medical Tech Level: Unknown, probably equal to earth technology The most recent significant alien invasion was Computer Tech Level: Unknown, probably equal to launched by the Qularr, an insectoid-crustacean earth technology. species that occupies a small empire beyond Perseid Physical Description: Tall (1.9 meters tall) reptilian space. Seeing on earth numerous specimens of Giant humanoids with scaly skin, a long thick tail, a face Monsters and superhumans, the Qularr invaded the resembling a gila monster, and four fingers and toes. planet hoping to unlock the secret of paranormal abili- Homeworld: Mon’da ties, and collect giant monsters to fight against their Government Type: Unknown. enemies. Their initial 1965 invasion was centered on Monster Island and was rebuffed, but the sting of the A race of aggressive reptiloid men whose path has defeat lingered, and when Shadow Destroyer triggered not yet crossed Earth. a special beacon (an okay signal from their scouts to invade), the Qularr launched a second invasion world- PERSEIDS wide. This invasion was also defeated, however the Location: Milky Way Galaxy, 2300 LY from earth. Qularr maintained a presence on Monster Island. Intentions Toward Humanity: Friendly The Qularr are currently at war with the Gadroon, Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level which has accelerated the need for biological weap- FTL) ons (i.e. monsters) and their study of superhumans. Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (beam weap- ons and force fields) ROIN’ESH Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Location: Milky Way Galaxy, distant from Earth. Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Intentions Toward Humanity: Unknown. Physical Description: Tall (2 meter tall) black skinned Propulsion Tech Level: Advanced (capable of inter- humanoid with bony forehead and shoulder ridges. stellar travel) Homeworld: Dorvala. Military Tech Level: Unknown. Government Type: Unified, type unspecified. Medical Tech Level: Unknown. Computer Tech Level: Unknown. Dorvalans, or Perseids, are Ironclad’s race, a tall Physical Description: Average sized (1.6 meter tall) rigidly structured society that lives on a hostile humanoid with brownish-grey skin, and vertical fur- planet. It’s a society where the strong are expected to rows on their foreheads -- but are capable of shape- dominate the weak -- the infirm are routinely forced changing. to commit ritual suicide by their teen years Homeworld: Taroindar. Government Type: Unknown QULAAR Location: Milky Way Galaxy, 2300 LY from earth. The Roin’esh are a slave species of the Malvans, Intentions Toward Humanity: Friendly who find their shape changing abilities amusing. The Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level Roin’esh chafe at their bondage, and scheme to break FTL) free of their masters and become a galactic power. Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (beam weap- ons and large scale force fields) SELENITES Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Location: Selenus, Earth’s Moon. Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral, with hostile Physical Description: Man-sized (1.8 m tall) insect/ factions.

CO Lore Primer: • Aliens • 46 Opinion Corner: Do it Propulsion Tech Level: Unknown. yourself! Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (stolen supervillain tech). So, you don’t see anything in the canon races that fits your Medical Tech Level: Unknown. concept? Fine! Create your own. Space is big and the alien Computer Tech Level: Unknown. race selection in Champions Beyond was never meant to be Physical Description: Short (1.2 to 1.5 meter tall) complete. humanoids with a broad upper skull and a pointed Please, however, avoid the “biggest and baddest” chin. Grey-skinned Sirians are shorter than Green- syndrome. Your alien race can be ancient, but don’t make skinned. They have almond shaped eyes, that are pitch them “the most ancient race that ever was”. Your race can black in color. rule a big chunk of the galaxy, but don’t make them “the Homeworld: Siria. dominant race in the galaxy”. You can be located near Government Type: Dictatorship. earth (relatively speaking), but you’re not the closest major threat. That’s the Hzeel. The first race encountered by mankind, the Sirian There are canon races and other players’ aliens in the invasion of earth in 1938 were foiled by the military sandbox. Don’t put them down to lift your race up. You and the world’s first superhumans. Desperate to save can still create serious threats to the players wthout it. their world from imminent destruction, the Sirians Also, other galaxies, with the exception of Andromeda, are largely undocumented. Feel free to give your race a big role recklessly launched an attack on Malva in 1985. The in one of those. attack was effortlessly rebuffed and their counterat- tack nearly completely destroyed the Sirian species. Propulsion Tech Level: None Today a few hundred Sirian survivors in a small flotilla Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (stolen of ships attempt to keep their race from extinction by supervillain tech). any means possible. Medical Tech Level: Advanced, but lacking the tech- nical expertise to fully employ it VAYATHURANS Computer Tech Level: Advanced, but lacking the Location: 3500 LY from Earth. technical expertise to fully employ it Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. Physical Description: Short (0.9 meter tall) insect- Propulsion Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. like siliconoid creature with a long narrow face, a Military Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. beetle-like purple-grey shell, and ten limbs, two Medical Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. forelimbs and eight hind limbs. Computer Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. Homeworld: The moon (city of Selenus) Physical Description: Average (1.6 to 1.6 meter tall) Government Type: Ruling council. humanoids with gold skin and large blue or green eyes. The natives of the moon, the Selenites awoke Homeworld: The moon of Mogar. from millennia of slumber in 1938. They were used Government Type: Clan/guild hybrid. as slave labor by the supervillain Revenger. In the 1980s, the dictator Grishl attempted to use stockpiles Because of the 1999 arrival of a teleporting explorer, of Revenger’s weapons to launch an attack on the Far-Strider, humanity knows a great deal about the earth, but was foiled by MeteorMan. Since then, the Vayathuran civilization, Located many light years Selenites have pursued an isolationist policy, though away, the Vayathurans are also beginning to emerge some factions still dream of attacking the earth again. and explore outer space. They are a hedonistic, poly- androus species, famed for their culture (Far-Strider SIRIANS brought with him histories, novels, and other cultural Location: Near to Earth. artifacts to trade with humans), pleasures and lack of Intentions Toward Humanity: Hostile. clothing.

CO Lore Primer: • Aliens • 47 THE STAR*GUARD champion. They travel from world to world, in search A discussion of the Champions Online cosmos has of things -- or events , or individuals -- that interest to include its greatest force for justice. Founded about them, rarely hesitating to impose their will on the a million years ago by Gloran the Great of Ostrugar. peoples they encounter. Based on Ostrugar, governed by CONTROL, the most Known Galaxars include: the Examiner, the powerful AI in the known universe, the Star*Guard Lawbringer, the Shaper, Geon, the Recorder and the (also known in Champions Online as “Star Guard- Warmonger. ians”) serve as a police force on lawless planets and diplomats who help bring emergent civilizations into Chrono the galactic community. They’ve had their eye on In our dimension, the orderly flow of time is earth for decades, which they watch on a hidden base governed by one incredibly powerful being: Chrono. on Europa, Jupiter’s moon, The Star*Guard assigned Very little is known about him, except that he’s to earth is Andre Almena, a former Spanish police- intervened twice in known history, once during the man. His Marshals (assistants) are Kala Tah Breyel, a Secret Crisis of 1985 (which brought together most of Dendrian woman; Pete Langford, an expert human the superheroes who have ever had or ever will live, mechanic, and Tor’Tagla, one of the few survivors of though most have forgotten it) and the Reality Storm the Anthari race (which was destroyed by Valak). of 2004, which involved a version of Dr. Destroyer and Star*Guard wield Star*Staffs, a weapon whose a similar conqueror from another dimension joining telekinetic fields give a Star*Guard many options in forces). Chrono does not intervene directly in conflict, a fight. They ride in StarJets (an interstellar vehicle but sends his servant Lord Entropus as a proxy. capable of seating 11 people and flying at 1 LY/min- Chrono doesn’t seem to guard against alterations ute. There are specialty divisions within the Guard: of the timestream, only those that would have a StarAvengers (the heavy weapons squad of the destructive effect on time. Star*Guard), StarKnights (who specialize in defense and protection, especially of innocent bystanders), StarScouts (for missions that require speed, diploma- The Progenitors Perhaps the most important aliens of all are the cy, and reconnaissance), and Anodynes (who engage Progenitors. They’re certainly the most mysterious. in disaster relief and medical missions), Two million years ago, the Progenitors discovered The Star*Guard have enemies, of course. Chief earth and began to play with human biology, aiding among them is the rogue Star*Guard Mordace, a man in its development and giving the species the ability who would become a brutal galactic tyrant. Mordace’s to develop superhuman traits. 500,000 years ago they 2009 attack on CONTROL, employing an army of galactic returned, and elevated twelve members of the human mercenaries, greatly weakened the Star*Guard. Another race into the Empyreans, the world’s first superhu- noteworthy tyrant, Valak, was defeated on earth by a mans, who went on to found Arcadia. platoon of Star*Guard and New York’s Sentinels super- The earth is not the only world where the Progeni- team in 2006 and imprisoned. Unfortunately, Valak tors interacted. The interacted on a world known as escaped in Menton’s 2009 Stronghold breakout and has Phytia, an earth-like planet in the asteroid belt that vowed revenge on the Star*Guard. Perhaps the most was the home of botanical life, but which destroyed threatening of them all is the insane mutant scientist itself when it developed civilized life. The destruction Xarriel, “prince of the cosmic fires” whose power to of Phytia has seeded Progenitor technology in the reshape reality rivals even the Galaxars themselves. asteroid belt for those who are willing to look. The Galaxars Among the most powerful beings in the known universe are the Galaxars, cosmic entities who have an obsession with a particular theme, which they

CO Lore Primer: • Aliens • 48 VIII: Other Dimensions

The Champions Universe uses a quasi-Kaballistic The Left Handed World hierarchy to describe its cosmology. The scheme is A “mirror” universe world where 90% of the people known to mystics, but relatively unknown to most on Earth are left-handed and heroes on that world are superhumans and not really known or accepted to villains, and villains are heroes. Similar in some ways the general public. These are known to mystics as the to how the game portrays Multifaria, which is actually Four Worlds. They are commonly envisioned as tiers or rather different in the PnP incarnation (see below). branches on the Great Tree of Life, the Sephirot. Though the Champions cosmology is based on the Multifaria Sephirot, it is advisable not to draw too heavily from A world where time and place are mingled. which the Kabballah, as Champions downplays and omits gives us scenarios where William Shakespeare is now many of the spiritual elements (such as the placement opening his new play in London’s theater district, of angelic hierarchy). to be critiqued by Churchill, Boadicea, and Charles The cosmology of the mystic world is not common II in the royal box, while the Beatles played for King knowledge. Most of these elements are unknown to William V. anyone outside the mystical community and veteran superheroes. The Yetzirah Above the Material world is the Yetzirah, the The Assiah Formative or Astral worlds. These realms, or Parterres, The Material Plane, the plane of substances. This are formed out of the Astral by human belief, legend, includes our universe, and its many parallel universe. and subconscious experiences. Here magical laws hold Natural law rules the planes of the Assiah, though sway. They include “The Land of Legends” (also known magical forces from the higher worlds may leak into as Faerie; this includes the various realms of mythic some of these universes, allowing for small pockets creatures, such as Avalon, that do not involve heaven where magic and natural laws coexist (such as on the or hell), Elysium, (the various mythological heavens), earth of the Champions Universe). the Netherworld (various mythological Hells), and Babylon, the City of Man, a city built and dominated Parallel Worlds by man’s spirit of ingenuity and greed and where The Assiah is home to an infinite number of parallel outside forces (such as magic and gods) play little universes. Notable ones include: to no part. These realms are connected by the Astral Plane. A barrier called the Veil separates the Yetzirah Cabotia from the higher realms. A world where Britain suppressed the American Other notable worlds in the Yetzirah include: Revolution, and a united America/Canada went on to The Blood Tide: The imaginal realm of animals, a aggressively conquer North and Central America and realm that’s alien -- and hostile -- to human thought. dominate the world. The Dream Time: The astral dimension of dreams. Laurentia The Frost Tomb: A realm of elemental supernat- World where the worship of Cybele superseded ural cold ruled by the Ice, one of the ancient spirits of Christianity, and a Quebec Catholic nun discovered an North America (where three of the Mighty Canadians alien artifact that allowed French Canada to convert are imprisoned). the world to their religion and dominate it politically. The Even Wilder West: This is the Old West of movies, legends, and tall campfire stories, wrapped CO Lore Primer: • Other Dimensions • 49 into one package. There are other types of imaginary realms, listed Opinion Corner: ones include the Spooky, Empty House, the High Don’t Overuse School Where You’re Naked, and the Sky Where You Qliphoth Fly. More specific places, like Gothic Metroplex and Windyburg, resemble stylized versions of actual places The original concept for “the Q” is that it’s pretty much a on Earth. no-go for people on this plane: mages like Kul-Turak can draw on its power, but characters can enter it and survive in The Briah it only under the most special circumstances. The Briah, the Creative Realm, is where all traces Demonflame and Aftershock took place in “the Gateway of the material fade, and the realms are pure states Between Worlds”. It’s strongly implied this was a safe zone of consciousness. It’s the home of Prime Avatars, of coexistence that took Luther Black, one of the greatest whose characteristics are drawn on by the gods of the sorcerous minds in history, decades to construct, and at best, bordered on the unfathomable realm. Lands of Legends. It is also the home of the four Zoas, elemental beings who are prime archetypes. Cryptic, however, has had other ideas, and many mystical player characters have followed suit, to the extent where Urizen, Prince of Light and Prime Avatar of Order. the risks of Q-exposure have become trivialized. The Luvah: Avatar of Chaos and Emotion. genie can’t be put back into the bottle, however if you’re considering a power source for your character and origins Urthona, Prime Avatar of Art and Artifice. for your villains/occult anti-hero, please consider alternate Tharmas: Prime Avatar of Nature. planar sources to the Q. There’s sources like the darker parts of Faerie, the Netherworld, the Briah, and the Atziluth. Other places in the Briah include the Garden of Earthly Delights (a place of sumptuous pleasures If you want to run a mage character with the “one who heroically struggles against the corruption of and comforts), the Plane of Numbers (heaven for the dark magic that gives him power” theme, then use mathematically inclined, hell for those who are not), the netherworld, or black magic dimensions within the and Death’s Dominion (which appears different to Astral, Faerie or even the Briah. You don’t need the Q to each visitor, depending on their ideas about death). successfully employ this theme. It’s easy to get confused between the second and third worlds. If a place or creature comes directly out The apex of the realm is Kether, the Crown, where of mythology (such as Zeus, Thor, or Olympus), it be- time, space, power and reality dissolve into a unity longs to the Yetzirah. If it’s a Jungian concept begind that is, for all intents and purposes, God. many myths (such as the Triple Goddess, Death, or the Trickster) it belongs to the Briah. Briahtic concepts are Qliphoth far more powerful than mythological deities, and may The realm of anti-life, anti-creation. This dimen- even use the gods in the Yetzirah in a manner similar sion is the shadow of the Sephirothic Tree of Life, i.e. to gods using avatars in the physical world; as vessels Creation’s shadow. “The Shining Darkness” is a place to extend power and influence into the lower worlds. that absolutely corrupts all living things it touches. Many of the most vile mages throughout human his- The Atziluth tory have drawn on it as a power source, at great cost The highest realm, the Archetypal realm, is the to the world and to themselves. Atziluth.It’s almost as difficult to reach as it is to de- The true Qliphoth is beyond the ability of anything scribe; Here everything breaks down into abstractions. from creation to survive, however some creatures Here we have fundamental forces of Creation, Form, within Qlipthoth, such as the Kings of Edom, have and the Abyss, a realm of irrevocable destruction attempted to extend their influence into our world. which is the end of all things. It’s all but unheard of for Recently Luther Black, after decades of work, created anyone to successfully cross the Abyss. a realm within the Qliphothic where Creation and CO Lore Primer: • Other Dimensions • 50 anti-Creation could co-exist. The Gateway Between Some gods, such as Nama, are native to the world Worlds was destroyed when Black’s body was ab- and exist here because of that reason. Of course, sorbed into dreams by Demoiselle Nocturne. anyone can call themselves a god, but that doesn’t There are countless denizens of the Qliphotic and put them on par with actual deities in their home many kings of Edom , including Vulshoth, the Eye dimension. of the Void, who’s been trapped for billions of years in a pocket dimension called the Black Maze, and Deizzhorath the Dissolver, whose body has been divided into countless fragments scattered through time and space.

THE BAN Since the development of “ethical” religions, such as Buddhism and Christianity, which places as much of an importance of proper behavior as worship, access to earth has become more difficult for deities and mythic powers of every pantheon, including demon lords (sorry Club Caprice occult RP godmodders). The advent of the age of superpowers in 1938 soft- ened it slightly, however deities and powers cannot enter our plane at full strength. They need to employ the following methods Avatars: Avatars of a deity are weakened versions of the god, capable of existing for long periods of time on the Assiah. These are generally comparable in strength to some of the most powerful terrestrial superhumans. Demigods: A deity can impregnate a mortal (or be impregnated by a mortal): the offspring are a natural part of our world and may dwell here without penalty. Of course, these demi-gods are also comparable in strength to superhumans. Mystical Objects/Relics: Some mystical artifacts were crafted before the Ban, and remain in our world as conduits for divine power at its most puissant. Nexus Points: There are natural nexus points be- tween our plane and the realms of gods and demons, Within immediate proximity of these nexus points, deities can function at their full power. Sacrificial Ceremonies:Magical rituals can, for a short time, allow access by a deity to this plane at his full power. This requires the destruction of powerful magical artifacts, the deaths of many humans, or a superhuman.

Note

CO Lore Primer: • Other Dimensions • 51 Ix: The Mullet’s Guide to RP

What is RP? drama and conflict, or is it less serious and more RP is pretending to be a character and taking him (or interested in social interaction than story? her) through an experience. It’s essentially a version Dramatic, largely (or totally) in-character RP is of “Let’s Pretend” or “Cowboys and Indians” for older called “heavy RP”. Social, frequently out of character people. Some also compare it to improvisational RP is called “light RP”. “Medium RP” falls somewhere theater. in the middle of the two extremes. RP began as a game activity via the tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons, which was invented Character Theme is simply the type of comic book by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. In 1981, George or movie that you’re trying to emulate. Champions MacDonald and Steve Peterson invented the tabletop Online’s RP communities tend to embrace a wide vari- version of this game, Champions. The license for ety of themes. Some want to play traditional heroes; Champions was purchased by Cryptic Studios in 2008 others want to play hardboiled mercs, others want to and the MMO was released in September 2009. play monsters or supernatural creatures.

What’s the Appeal of RP in Champions? What are comic book “ages” that I keep hearing For fans of comic books and comic book movies, about? Golden Age, Silver Age, etc.? Champions gives you a chance to create a character It’s a common categorization scheme. Golden Age in a genre you love, interact with friends, and follow is meant to emulate the comics of WW2 (mostly your hero on adventures. It’s creative, social, and can low-power, ranging from camp to gritty pulp in tone). be a lot of fun with the right group of players and the Silver Age is inspired by the comics of the 50s and 60s right mix of characters. On the other hand, if the idea (widely varying power levels, often with a camp or of pretending to be a comic book character doesn’t fanciful tone, mostly aimed at kids), Bronze Age draws appeal to you, chances are that you’re not really going on the comics of the 70s and 80s (a more realistic to enjoy RP. That’s okay -- no single activity appeals to and more adult focused version of Silver Age com- everyone. ics, unafraid to tackle social themes shunned by the Silver Age, often with more character-focused serial What’s the Difference Between RP and Just stories). Iron Age resembles the comics of the 1990s Pretending While You’re Playing the Game? (a grimmer and more realistic tone that strongly It’s much the same as the difference between solo reacted against Silver Age tropes). Modern Age is lthe play and team play. You’re interacting with other age of current comics, something of a retreat back people. to the Bronze Age, but with a greater willingness to change the status quo, and some Iron Age and Silver What Types of RP Are There? Age tropes mixed in. RP groups usually define themselves in three ways: Immersion, Character Theme, and Environment. Here’s And Environment? where we start to get into the details. Environment is whether you stick to a central location. Some RP tends to center around a team base. or a Immersion is generally judged by two things: (a) common area where RPers can frequent. The latter are you pretending to be the character all of the time, is called “tavern-based” RP, stemming to its origins or do you to take breaks to crack jokes and act “out in fantasy MMOs. Other RP likes to go out into the of character”, and (b) does the session involve heavy world and use in-game missions as a backdrop. You

CO Lore Primer: •The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 52 and another player go through a mission together the last social instances added to the game. Hideouts, and interact as your characters would. Or, one player personalized bases that can hold a maximum of 11 might serve as a Gamemaster (aka a “GM”) and create players, are the other major RP locale. an event, describing a situation and calling on other Alerts with full teams of five, especially Grab alerts player to pretend to be their characters and resolve it. where you are not pressed for time, are also great places for RP, but much harder to access as a locale at Where Do I Find RP? a moment’s notice. RP can be found in all corners of the game world. Going to central hubs is one way of finding it. In Champions I Played Tabletop RP. Caprice doesn’t remind me Online, Club Caprice in Millennium City’s Ren Center is of that at all! the primary spot for that, with Sherrera’s and Carl’s Gym Tavern-style RP owes more to LARP (Live Action RP) in Westside, City Hall, Champions HQ, and the ACI blimp than it does to tabletop. in Millennium City and the Minefield in Vibora and vari- If you come from a tabletop background, you ous Powerhouse Theaters (usually the ones away from might find hub-based RP does not appeal to you Millennium City) as secondary hubs. (more on that later), but there’s a lot more to RP than Less prominent places include Belle Starr’s (a Caprice. Additionally, you can find groups that don’t saloon in the ravine just north of the theme park use these locations, but who adventure throughout entrance in the Desert zone, and the SS Bayou Queen the game world. One of these is CORP (Champion (the steamboat) in Vibora. Popular outdoor spots Online Role-Players), an alliance of role-players in include the exterior of Mercy Hospital, the Ren Center this game who have been present since launch. If this fountain, Sakura Park, and Darren’s Pizza in Millen- does not appeal to you, you can find role-players on nium City. Some players save mission locales such as the Supergroup Recruitment Station section of the the Dog Pound and the Crimson Lounge in Vibora and Champions Online forums. RP Groups that have been the ARGENT Hunting Lodge in Mionster Island, though around for a long time include the Silver Age Senti- those have the handicap of only allowing five players. nels, the Ultimate Guardians, the Silver Guard, the More RP locales, the interior of WCOC, the old Mu- Sentinel Squadron, and the Blackwatch Defenders. Or nitions trainer located just south of Carl’s Gym, the old take the initiative and start up your own! Arcana trainer (now located near Witchcraft in down- town Millennium City) and the old Inventions trainer How do I differentiate between OOC and IC com- located just northeast of Dynamix Technologies, were ments? added in a recent patch. Hopefully these will not be This can sometimes be done by context, however the

CO Lore Primer: •The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 53 most common (and sensible) method is to mark OOC find if you get involved in RPing with a stranger. Some comments. Some groups surround them in two closed RPers don’t take defeat well, have inflated views of their brackets ((like this)), others precede their comment character and refuse to lose at all, let alone gracefully. with the designation [OOC]. Use whatever you feel Good RP combat is like pro wrestling. Winning isn’t comfortable with. the object: the object is to work together to tell an entertaining story. Some people use emoticons while RPing. LOL! PVP is a fairer method, however it depends on the The general convention of the RP community is to strength of the character builds, not the strength of avoid emoticons and write in full sentences. As usual, the concept. In a comic book, for example, the Punisher though, abide by the conventions that best fits your wouldn’t be able to beat Superman without an edge like group’s comfort zones. kryptonite bullets. In Champions Online, however, there are fewer ties between power level and traditional char- What about grammar and spelling mistakes? acter themes, so a Punisher-type character could easily Do your best to be grammatically correct. However, beat a Superman, or a Thor, or a Hulk, without resorting especially when you’re writing on the fly, typos and to the tricks that would make such a mismatch believ- other mistakes frequently happen. Try not to get too able in a narrative. Note that it should be possible: see upset when they occur. No one’s paying you to be an my comments below on coexisting. However, the game’s English teacher or an editor in this game. If you see powers systems don’t always respect the same priority a consistent habit in another person’s writing that schemes as the milieu it’s trying to emulate, for reasons bothers you, quietly and politely point it out after an that (somewhat) make sense from a gaming perspective. RP when your characters are not busy. There are other methods. One that I like (but which is seldom used) is what I call non-competitive duel- I want people to know details about my charac- ing. This is when people work together in a duel, but ter. How can I do that? give themselves breaks to make quips, set each other There is space in the Info tab to write a brief descrip- up for dramatic looking moves, or take advantage tion. By right clicking on someone’s character portrait of some of the more interesting things that might and scrolling down to “Info”, you can read whatever happen in PVP combat. The outcome may be prede- they’ve written about their character. termined, or players may just go with the flow. It’s a For more detailed descriptions, there’s the Primus fun way to enjoy the action part of the game while Database. http://primusdatabase.com/index. still RPing, but most gamers don’t use this method. php?title=Main_Page In the end, all MMO conflict resolution boils down to trust. Treat people with respect, communicate How can I insert paragraph breaks into my Info? calmly and clearly, and have fun. Info uses a limited amount of HTML code. Use

at the end of your paragraph to insert a paragraph break. I’m a Level 40, and he’s a Level 10. I should win in Click on your portrait and use the command /Target_ an RP text fight, right, regardless of their concept? info to proof your Info as other players will see it. Not in all circumstances. If a GM needs a villain for an event, they have to have the liberty to be able to come How do you resolve a conflict between players up with a character on the fly. In that case, level never in an RP? matters. An event villain needs to be as powerful as There are two common methods. One is using text- the GM wishes them to be to provide a challenge to based combat, where two players type out their orders the group. and attempt to come to a consensus about how the Against another player, there are a number of fight would turn out. The other is by PVP. Neither factors that influences the combat: the power level method is optimal: text-based combat requires trust of the concept, the power level of the character, on the basis of all participants, and that’s not easy to the player’s standing in the local RP group or com-

CO Lore Primer: • The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 54 munity (walking into a long-established RP group RPing as a social activity by making the other person’s and expecting to beat a veteran player is much like a actions useless. When you describe your action try to new character appearing in a comic book filled wuith avoid using phrases like “I punch X in the face repeat- veteran characters; if you don’t properly establish that edly.” Instead, use phrases like “I attempt to punch the character is a legitimate threat, readers will rebel. X in the face repeatedly”, even if it’s obvious that X They won’t marvel at the power of the newcomer, is helpless and can’t defend himself. Give the other they’ll wonder why our heroes were such wimps. RP player the power to advance his story. requires a similar laying of groundwork. You earn your Personal drama is the second biggest pitfall. stripes through good RP, a friendly attitude, and your Drama is a word that’s become debased: character natural charisma, not by flashing a number at people. drama between two mature players who know how There’s a tendency in some quarters to dismiss to separate in-character and out-of-character drama low-level characters in RP conflicts as godmodders is great! That is the stuff of good storytelling. Personal, who are lazy to play the actual game. In some cases out of character drama that is overblown egos and (particularly the stereotypical L6 Club Caprice “god”), raging hormones, however, isn’t so great. this is a really easy attitude to adopt. However, ulti- RPing is a dramatic activity that sometimes draws mately RP combat boils down not to numbers, or even in those who are narcissistic and prone to overblown concept, though both are important factors: winning reactions. They want to be the center of attention, but and losing is a matter of communication between don’t react well to adversity. They want to turn all RP players, a sense of good storytelling, and respect. into a spotlight on them, and can be very unpleasant Every comic book concept is not covered by the game to game with. Everyone gets a little self-centered engine; sometimes you need to extrapolate beyond and loss perspective once in awhile, so when conflicts the game. Be careful, however, that your attempt to arise, try to be understanding. However, if someone model the character concept isn’t seen as a power is making a habit of it and will not respond favorably grab, or you will lose the respect of the people you to your attempts to communicate with them (do try play with. to communicate first and get them to recognize their problem), it is best to avoid them, either by removing I have friends who believe it’s suboptimal or yourself from the group, or by removing them if you’re even downright impossible to RP in an MMO. in a position of authority. I’ve done tabletop RP for 37 years. I know RP when I Metagaming is the third major area of conflict. experience it. There are differences in the mediums, It’s another mark of an inexperienced player (or in my but there is nothing in the computer MMOs that case, when I’m really tired): using information that inhibits rewarding and satisfying RP. A little suspen- your character shouldn’t know and bringing it into sion of disbelief is required, but that’s part of any the story. If you’ve met a person for the first time, experience of the fantastic. If tabletop RPers don’t and they’re not publicly known, you do not know believe this, I have some transcripts of RP sessions I their name or supergroup affiliation just because can show them. I defy them to argue that what we it’s written above their head! That information isn’t did wasn’t RP. present in the game world! Similarly, a character may have information written in their bio that clearly isn’t What are some of the pitfalls of RP? meant to be public knowledge. There are some doozies that can make RP a less than Metagaming can sometimes happen by accident. pleasant experience. I’ll mention the five big ones that When you do it, politely apologize, and ask the other can really blow up in your face. players to “rewind the scene” and “retcon”. When other Godmoding is a big one. This is very common to players do it, politely bring it up, and suggest that new RPers, it’s simply stating that something happens they do things over. to another player without giving them a chance to Conversely, there’s anti-Metagaming, which is react, or ignoring their actions entirely. It negates refusing to accept elements of a character’s back-

CO Lore Primer: •The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 55 ground. Has someone decided he or she is a famous and are entitled to them! A lot of us are geeks, and superhero? Ignore that, even though their bio says geeks can be opinionated, and discussions can be they’re a household name! You don’t like that some- interesting. But don’t be a jerk about it, and don’t one is playing a particular role? Refuse to give them drive your opinions into the ground. There is no One any acknowledgement for it! While some bios are so True Way of anything under the sun. uber or poorly written that they invite this reaction, in Rolemongering is another source of conflict. This general, this is pretty rude. Respect people’s concepts is another hallmark of young players who want to in the same way you want them to respect yours. be as cool as possible, so their ninja is “the great- Theme Conflict is the fourth major source of est ninja in the world” or their brickhouse is “the conflict between players. There’s a lot of themes in strongest dude in the world”. More subtly, there are comic books, each theme appeals to a different fan- people who treat character resources (be it by giving base and not all of them are compatible. When your themselves an extremely wealthy character or great “code vs. killing” hero meets up with “Bloody Massacre magical powers or being so smart or experienced that McGuns”, expect there to be trouble, big trouble. You they instantly have the solution to everything) as a a may find it difficult to co-exist. Look for players and device to handwave conflict and/or make themselves groups who closely align with your sensibilities. If you invincible. Don’t play invulnerable characters who can join the Silver Age Legionnaires, and you’re playing a do everything: they tend to annoy people. Respect 90s style anti-hero who thinks that wearing tights are other people in the same niche. sexually dubious, you’re in the wrong group. Some people want to play the poor struggling hero Beware playing characters who are Instant Con- (a la Peter Parker in the Amazing Spider-Man). Don’t flict Magnets. The most common of these include have your Daddy Warbucks guy go up to him and strip the Jerk who Ticks Everyone Off, the Goody-Two-Shoes him of his preferred character background -- I appreciate Who’s Always Wanting to Smite Evil, the Guy Who’s that you want to play a philanthropist, but give them a Alweays Getting Demonically Possessed, and the way out. Even more obnoxiously, don’t treat magic or Homicidal Mad Dog Who Really Needs to be Put Down superintelligence or high-power levels as a trump card. For Everyone’s Sake. Similarly, please avoid the Robot This is a comic book genre, mages and many supers Who Calls All Organics Meatbags, the Glib Badass Who are very powerful. However, no one’s invulnerable, and Can’t Take Anything Seriously (note that one or two no one has the solution to every problem at the drop in a group is fine, but a preponderance of these in a of a hat. Uber-characters are boring. It’s okay to play a group generally kills drama), and the Immortal Who heavyweight, but make sure that your character has Sneers at “Puny Mortals”. It’s okay to play toned down some way of reasonably not mopping the floor with versions of these -- intercharacter drama is a good and everyone. necessary thing that keeps a game from getting dull There are also no inherently superior powers. -- but the most extreme and overblown of these com- Magic does not automatically trump non-magic, mon character types are just asking for OOC conflict psionics does not automatically turn a non-telepath’s that can kill an RP group. brain into tapioca, etc. Conflict should be saved for dramatic moments; it While I didn’t put it in the top five, I need to shouldn’t be the status quo for a group. include Logistics as another major concern. RP is a Also, be tolerant of stylistic differences and prefer- commitment, especially non-Light RP. You can join ences. You may think Superman, Punisher, Wolverine, a large RP group and find it’s dragging or you’re just Lobo, etc. is a bad character or dislike a particular era standing around doing nothing. If a long scenario is of comics or a particular creator or storyline. These tempting you to shift your attention away from the may seem like out of game issues, but these factors group. try to keep an eye on things every few minutes extend to our attitude to character types and story- and be ready with your orders as quickly as you can lines in game. Be aware that there are other people give them. Sometimes RP is an exercise in patience. of taste and intelligence who have different opinions, If you’re GMing... well, that’s a separate article on

CO Lore Primer: • The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 56 its own. First, run with other good GMs as a player, bad that they’re a turnoff to other players, or balance and steal liberally from their methods of keeping a them with qualities that will make your very flawed game running smoothly. Try to make sure there’s a character interesting to others. challenge for everyone, that everyone who wants one Second, be communicative, especially out of gets at least One Moment of Cool. Don’t be overpro- character. This is very hard for you if you’re a hardcore tective of your villains -- they are NOT your children immersionist and heavy RPer, because you don’t like -- and be mindful that your job is to challenge the breaking character. I understand. But do it anyways. heroes and make them earn a triumph in a fun way. People need to get to know you and feel comfort- If someone has to leave a game early, don’t get able around you. They also need to discover that the mad. Real life happens, and it’s more important than persona that you project isn’t necessarily yours. You our RP. Try to avoid doing anything with other people’s should also, at comfortable moments, be willing to characters while they’re away unless they’ve given canvass people about your RP, particularly if you have you permission -- if necessary, handwave them out of a feeling you’ve unintentionally bothered someone. the scenario. Third, be proactive. Find a community of people with similar RP interests. Don’t expect people to cater I want to RP but I just can’t seem to connect to your RP needs. Are you bored? Turn a mission or an with anyone! Why is RP so damn hard? Alert into a mini-event. This is a big problem for many, including myself. At its Fourth, be attentive. Keep an eye out for people core, RP is social interaction, and if you suck at social who are offering RP opportunities. If most of the good interaction, chances are, you won’t be very good at RP, stuff is posted ahead of times on forums, don’t huff at least at the start. “I never do game forums” and get pissed off because You should view RP as a skill to be developed, not the “cliques” or the SG Illuminati are RPing without as an attribute that you naturally possess that never you. Instead, get on those forums and pay attention to changes. Social skills, like any skill, takes practise to event listings and threads. You don’t have to partici- develop. For those with psychological conditions like pate in the forum culture. Asperger’s or ADHD, it is doubly hard to develop this Fifth, be patient. You should be proactive, but do skill, because you’re lacking the emotional toolset remember you’re dealing with human beings and not or the attention span to make good RP work, and automatons. If you ask if anyone’s RPing and no one ironically, RP often attracts people with those condi- answers, chances are it’s not about you. People don’t tions. At its worst, it can lead to constant rejection hate you, they’re busy with other things or not paying that feed feelings of self-loathing and contributes to attention to whatever channel you’re using, or you’ve depression. There are people who shouldn’t RP, just as caught them at a bad time. If you’ve asked twice there are out-of-shape people with hernias shouldn’t and no one’s volunteered to run a lair with you, don’t practise the shot put. They’re just not socially or emo- ragequit. Yes, you’re trying to be proactive, and that’s tionally cut out for it. If you’re constantly miserable great! But cut people some slack, even when it seems or frustrated when you RP, consider doing something obvious they’re jerking you around. else with your time. There’s no shame in walking Sixth, be positive, especially out of character. Yes, away. However, if you don’t occupy that extreme and there are things in the game which suck. There are you still have trouble connecting, here’s some basic people in the game who are not good RPers. There are advice. many bad bios to mock. There are lots of things you First, RP characters who are interesting (boring is could complain about and be absolutely correct in ev- a turnoff) and sociable (don;t be surprised if no one erything you say... but constant negativity frequently wants to be around your psychotic or incredibly rude produces a toxic social environment and that’s going character). This can require a lot of practise to find the to repel people. Again, your social skills can mitigate right balance. A perfect character is dull; your char- this somewhat, even so, it’s better to appreciate the acter needs to have flaws. But the flaws cannot be so good things you have than to focus on the bad stuff.

CO Lore Primer: •The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 57 There’s some really good people and RP in this game, The general consensus is that it’s problematic, and and they deserve your attention a heckuva lot more many RPers came from World of Warcraft, where char- than some minor bitch of the moment. Avoid the acters who were closely related to canon characters impulse to mock people (except when it’s good-hu- were not well received, and left a bad taste in many mored and you know they don’t mind) or vent about players’ mouths. However, characters with connec- people, regardless of how good it may make you feel tions to canon organizations such as PRIMUS and in the moment. Argue only when necessary, and pick UNTIL are common and widely accepted. your battles carefully. Some things can’t be unsaid, so don’t say them at all. Is it okey to play characters from comic books, such as Conner Kent or Mark Grayson? Do you have advice for writing my orders? The game prohibits clones, direct copies of characters Keep things simple. If your descriptions frequently from comic books. for legal reasons. RPers, along with require more than two paragraph blocks, you’re everyone else, should abide by the restrictions of the probably writing too much. Avoid the “wall of text” game and honor their agreement to abide by the syndrome. Terms of Service, which we did before we first ran the game. Additionally, many RPers look down on clones, How important is continuity to the Champions or people who chose to directly import elements RP community? from other media into Champions Online RP, such as It varies from group to group. Many don’t know the Saiyans, for their lack of creativity. However, quite a lore that well, and abide by their own. This can make few groups have, particularly those who play urban for some conflicts between groups, but Champions fantasy/occult games, imported large amounts of the lore is very flexible, and accommodating to a wide va- original World of Darkness setting from White Wolf riety of concepts. Group continuity is more important into the game, and a few others have brought the than universe continuity than world continuity. The grim darkness of Warhammer 40K into Champions On- lore in this document is an attempt to help people in line. The convention varies from group to group, most part of the RP community get on the same page, but people prefer that you create an original character. (again) avoid lore arguments when you can. That sounds kind of elitest! What if I don’t like the lore? RPers have certainly been accused of that, but elitism Most poople are critical of some aspects of the lore can be found in any segment of a game population. and/or its interpretation in game. Champions’ original Snobbery and cliquishness do happen, and it can be PnP creators were heavily influenced by Bronze unfortunate, however many RPers have at least a few Age Marvel Comics and made no apologies about good reasons for their standards. It’s okay to have creating homages. Because I was weaned on those standards, but it’s bad to be so exclusionist that you same books, I like that, but many with more Iron Age unnecessarily shoo away good RPers from your game. sensibilities do not. Additionally, much of the game As with many things in life, work toward finding a was originally written with a light/camp tone that good balance. isn’t appealing to a more serious roleplaying perspec- tive and it can grate (though the game’s tone has So how compatible is Champions Online to evolved as time has gone by). You should, however, be World of Darkness? able to find some elements of lore with which you can More than you might expect; Dean Shomshak, who connect your character, or a group that exists mostly wrote much of the mystic lore for the setting, also outside game lore if you still don’t like it. wrote for White Wolf. However, players do bring some problems with them. Is it okay to play canon characters, or someone There isn’t much vampire lore in Champions, just who’s related to a canon character? as there isn’t much superhero lore in World of Dark-

CO Lore Primer: • The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 58 ness; the two games are not trying to do the same people are treating the end of the game as a catastro- thing. The first known vampire in lore is Vlad Tepes, phe from which heroes and villains are fleeing. Others however he’s not stated as the first of his kind (in fact, are ignoring the end of the game. This is something no one is). that should be decided by individual groups and play- If you bring World of Darkness lore into Champions ers should try to roll with differing explanations as Online, please abide by two recommended restric- they encounter them. tions. First, keep the edition wars to yourself. I don’t Champions Online players should be respectful to care how much you may think NWoD sucked, espe- players who’ve come from Paragon; similarly, City of cially Mage, just as you don’t need to hear me argue Heroes players shouldn’t come into the game only to with a Champions grognard on whether or not the 4th rag on the lore and the gameplay. Champions Online edition group CLOWN deserves to be in the setting. wouldn’t exist without the trailblazing efforts of City Edition wars are tedious. Secondly, please note that of Heroes; similarly, the original CoH background was vampires and WoD characters are on an event footing developed in a Champions PnP RPG. The two games with everyone other player character. Some WoD play- share a common link. It’s okay to have preferences, ers like to act as if their characters are at the top of the but try to be positive and respectful. food chain. The truth is, in this world, you’re not more special than the other characters of the setting. Acting I was in Caprice, and I saw a group calling them- as though you are merely gives urban fantasy players selves Caprice Inc., and they didn’t know the a bad reputation in the game. lore! Should I go up to them and tell them that they’re doing it wrong? Can I create my own supernatural race? Um, only if you can do it really diplomatically and be In the words of the apostle Paul, all things are per- willing to accept that they may not be playing along. missable, but all things are not beneficial. Champions Not everyone knows the lore of this game -- much of can (and should) reward creativity, however, be it is not readily available -- and some people just want careful not to get so wrapped up in the cool things to play a role like “club owner” without anyone spoiling your race can do that it’s seen as a power grab. That their fun. If they’re good players who are fun to role- said, as you saw from the section on dimensions, the play with, it’s better to forgive a few lore violations than universe is pretty open. Players should be encouraged become a hardcase and act like a jerk. You are not the to be creative. lore police. I wrote a bit of the lore, and I’m not the lore police either! Trust me, you don’t want the job. What about my City of Heroes character? Can I bring her into Champions Online RP? What’s up with Caprice anyway? It’s supposed to be Many people chose to continue the story of their a superhero club, yet all I saw were demon/vampire characters from City of Heroes, and others chose to halfbreed lesbians and furry creatures! make “parallel universe” versions for the Champions Caprice does attract a particular crowd that loudly ad- IP. Some players frown on the former, especially if the vertises its fetishes. You’re welcome to not like them and characters jump back and forth freely between the ignore them. Please don’t go into the place to tell them two settings (Please note that I don’t have a problem how morally wrong they are. Odds are they won’t listen. with this at all, but others do). However, there are Caprice has a stigma, like many MMO RP hubs, for many good characters who started in City of Heroes the extreme personalities and character types it at- and the RP community would be poorer without tracts. As a RP locus, it also attracts people who are new them. to RP who are still in the process of learning it, so there With Ciity of Heroes’ unfortunate recent closure, is a lot of bad RP to found there. This can color one’s there’s been a very welcome influx of good RPers inro impressions of this game’s RP and even RP in general. Champions Online. There is, however, no uniiversally But.. agreed on resolution of the events of City Of... Some There are good RPers to be found there too, even

CO Lore Primer: •The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 59 among some of the folks playing characters you might the place wouldn’t be allowed to exist over the long initially dismiss as “ERP toons”. Be open to looking term if murders were taking place daily there. They for them. Don’t let a few bad experiences color your aren’t interesred in playing classic heroes: they’re impressions of every member of that community heavily influenced by the urban fantasy and Iron age and don’t smear it as a whole, either on channels or genres, and they want an “anything goes” place for RP, privately. because to them, a social instance without frequent conflict is boring, and any barrier (such as contradict- What’s ERP? ing lore) that gets in the way of their fun should be Erotic role-play. Essentially using RP as a combination ignored with extreme prejudice. of phone sex and porn writing to experience sexual In essence, Caprice is two RP communitiees activity between players. coexisting side by side. One community shuns conflict, If you chose to ERP, please abide by two restrictions. willi ignore it when it happens, and will resist being First, keep it private. You don’t need to broadcast the drawn into it. The other thrives on it, pulling out volume of your super-orgasm or the size of your super weapons and threatening people at the drop of a hat. manhood for all the world to hear. Second, keep it legal So who’s right? and consensual. If you’re an adult player, please do Lorewise, I side with the first group. Bouncers your best to make sure that none of the other players should be stopping fights, the security system should involved are minors. Avoid rape RP, and avoid ERP with be recording troublemakers who should, at the very grossly underage characters (and yes, the 500 year old least, be barred from the club. People should recog- vampire who looks like a kid still counts). On its own, nize it as a superhero club and be circumspect about like it or not, ERP already stigmatizes the RP community starting trouble. of any MMO. However its more extreme and “deviant” But RP isn’t about lore, it’s about character adop- areas really hurt our reputation. Please respect the tion and having a good time interacting with people other members of the RP community by avoiding them. socially. Much of the Club Caprice community likes the club as an “anything goes” zone, and it’s not really my Ew! place to tell people they’re doing it wrong. In a game with a broad community though, things If you choose to shun conflict, and it breaks out will happen that you or I may not approve of. Try to around you, try to avoid snarky comments and let be reasonable and respectful of other people’s tastes them have their fun, even if it seeems ridiculous to and sensibilities. There are a few areas, such as the you. If you’re initiating a combat, don’t draw in unwill- aforementioned types of ERP, where I draw the line, ing people and don’t get upset if some people ignore however it’s good to draw lines only when necessary. you. The RP ideal is that everyone has a good time, and one person’s idea of a good time isn’t necessarily Someone told me Caprice was neutral ground, yours. Try to respect this, even if you disagree with it. while another person said it was for villains! Lorewise, it’s neither. No American law enforce- So, when I see an evil character in Caprice, my ment agency would allow such a high profile location hero should arrest him? to be a haven for wanted supercriminals. Millennium In my experience, this is a recipe for OOC trouble. RP City clearly states that. although Lewis Frey likes the conflict requires cooperation and trust. and most hint of scandal, he has stayed on the straight and players who play “evil” in Caprice aren’t willing to give narrow since 1985. Furhermore, the authorities (and it unless you’ve earned it through extensive RP with Nighthawk) watch him pretty carefully. It’s not a vil- their group. lain club, nor neutral ground. I know it’s hard to play a classic hero when five feet However... away from you, a group of demons is committing an Much of the community doesn’t know this lore, unspeakable atrocity. However, you’re not coming out of and wouldn’t care even if they did. They don’t care if the situation as a winner, regardless of what you do.

CO Lore Primer: • The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 60 if you’re well integrated into the Caprice RP sub reason the genre exists in the first place. We have noth- community, then you can probably be involved in ing to be ashamed of, and anyone who tries to make you conflicts without OOC drama and enjoy them. How- feel ashamed of being an RPer is an idiot. ever, don’t expect to get away with this until you’ve built up a rapport with your fellow players and don’t What should I do if someone harasses me for impose your playstyle on people who aren’t willing to RPing? go along with you. Harassing, or Griefing, as it’s sometimes called, is shal- Also, if you are RPing a law enforcement charac- low and stupid and a mark of immaturity on the part ter, please remember that hearsay is no grounds for of the bully who’s doing it. RPers are seen as excessively arrest. A person in Caprice can boast about being a dramatic and therefore attracts bullies in the same way serial killer and doing thousands of evil acts. Without that the small nerdy kid on the playground attracts evidence, it’s just a jerk mouthing off, and won’t hold them. Sometimes you can shame the bullies by giving up in court. However, if you’re playing a detective, back worse than you get, but I’ve found the best thing you might use their remarks as a starting point for an to do is to use your Ignore List immediately. They’re investigation (pending cooperation from the other interested in provoking a response from you, don’t give player). them one, and they’ll usually move on. If it’s really egregious, report them, but leave that as a last resort. I saw a child character in Caprice. Are children Please note, however, that it’s easy to mistake a really allowed in nightclubs? silly character who’s being a minor nuisance in their In the real world, there are clubs in Michigan where RP for a griefer. If they don’t break down the fourth minors are allowed; some limit it to early evening hours wall or go OOC, don’t put them on Ignore. Try not to and require adult supervision in the bar area. There is no get so defensive about griefers that you lose your lore on any restrictions of this nature in Caprice, but it’s sense of humor. reasonable to extrapolate that such restrictions would exist. There’s a lot of negatives here. Are you sure RP Again, this is one of those situations where arguing is fun? about it isn’t worth the hassle. At the very least, PM the Any serious analysis tends to focus on negatives, player first before initiating a conflict over the issue, be and human beings are often wired so that pain has polite. and don’t be offended if they get defensive. a greater and more lasting impact than pleasure. However, when an RP goes well, and you really do I was in Caprice and there were people there feel like you’ve stepped into a comic book or a great who were clearly not role-playing. Should they adventure movie, it’s an incredibly cool experience, have been there at all? and well worth dealing with a lot of crap to enjoy. Caprice is a social instance. It’s for everyone, not just Furthermore, there are a ton of great people in game, RPers. Don’t assume everyone there is an RPer. We and RP is a wonderful medium to get to know them don’t own the place, we all need to coexist. and forge long, lasting, and enjoyable friendships. So, have fun, and give to the community with gusto! How should RPers interact With Non-RPers? You get out of this hobby only what you put into it! As courteously and reasonably as possible. Avoid RP in very crowded areas of the game world, such as the Pow- erhouse. Don’t RP in Zone chat. Don’t use RP conventions (such as double bracketing out of character remarks) while teaming with non-RPers. Don’t act in any way that suggests you’re evangelizing RP or forcing it down the throats of non-RPers. Aside from that, do it proudly and enjoy it. MMOs are an outgrowth of PnP RPGs. We’re the

CO Lore Primer: •The Mullet’s Guide to RP • 61 X: Index

A Blaze 33 A’asifa Rumlia 33 Atomica 34 Blazon 32 Abyss, the 38, 50 Atziluth, the 4, 50 Bleak Ones 14, 24, 39 Ace Burgers 20 Augury 32 Bleak Ones, the 24 Ace Helena 34 Autour 32 Blink 31 Ace Hellion 34 Avalon 49 Bloodmoon 16 Achilles 35 Awad 11, 17, 20 Bloodstone 26 ACI 12, 15, 20, 21, 53 Blood Tide, the 49 Adair Publishing group 19 B Blue Boys 44 Adept, the 33 Babylon 49 Blue Flame 32 Aeskaldr 28 Badhana 33 Bodyguard 31 Afghanistan 16, 22 Bai Hou 32 Boer, the 33 Africa 8, 9, 15, 30, 33 Baker, Richenda 42 Bogenschutze, der 32 Agharti 42 Ballistic 33 Bonc 32 Akumashibaru 33 Baltimore 31 Bonne Vivian 10, 34 Albion 32 Ban, the 8, 50 Book of the Destroyer 6 All-American 10, 12, 32, 35 Baron Nihil 32 Book of the Empress 6 All-American, the 10, 12, 32, 35 Bastille 32 Bookworm 34 Alliance 31 Bastion Alpha 21 Boston 11, 31 Alliance, the 31 Battle of Detroit 12, 14, 24, 34, 40 Boxer 32 Almena, Andre 12, 43, 48 Bay Guardians 32 Bravo 31 Amazing Grace 34 Beacon 34 Brawler 31, 34 Amazing Man 34 Beast Mountain 25, 37 Brawler II 34 Amazing Man II 22 Beatles, the 49 Briah, the 4, 50 Ambush 33 Beek 33 Brigade 32 American Avenger 32 Behind the Mask 18 Brin Rei Tarn 12, 43 American Eagle 34 Bennie, Scott 6, 7 Bronze King, the 8, 39 Amphibian 24 Beowulf 33 Brooklyn Avenger, the 31 Angelstone Laboratories 21 Beowulf (silver age) 34 Bulletproof 34 Anodynes 48 Berman, Leonard 40 Bureau S 32 Anthari 48 Bhutatodana 33 Burnham, Eric 5 Arc 31 Binder 12 Burning Sands 11, 17 Arcane 31 Biselle, Calvin 40 Burrell, David (see Justiciar) Archangel 34 Black, Luther 11 Buzzsaw 34 Archimago 34 Black, Luther (see Luther Black) Archmage 9, 14, 23, 26 Black Aces, the 40 C Archmage, the 9, 14, 23, 26 Black Fang 42 Ares 22 Black Harlequin 26 Cabotia 49 ARGENT 11, 15, 20, 21, 22, 53 Black Legion, the 34 Caliburn, Robert 14, 23, 26, 42 Argosy 14, 32 Blacklight 32 California 9, 10, 27, 31 Ariax Thone (see Firewing) Black Mace 19 California Patrol, the 31 Arlequin 34 Black Mask 9, 10, 13, 24, 34 Cameroon 31 Armadillo 36 Black Mask IX 34 Camp Lantern 15 Armstrong, Damon (see Juryrig) Black Maze, the 50 Canada 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 22, 25, 26, 28, Arsenic 31 Black Paladin 8, 13, 26 29, 32, 34, 38, 40, 49 Arvad 9, 14, 24, 34, 39 Black Power 34 Canadian Ghost 34 Assiah, the 49, 50 Black Rose 31 Canadoom 34 Astral Plane, the 49 Blackstar 12 Cape Verde 37 Atlanta 31 Black Talon 27 Capital Patrol 32 Atlantis 6, 8, 9, 28, 29, 35, 37 Black Tiger 33 Captain Chronos 22 Atlas 32 Captain Glory 31 CO Lore Primer: • Index • 62 Captain Patriot 9, 11, 34 D Drake-Victoria 21 Caracal 33 Drake IV, Arthur 21 Carolina Islands 10 Daktara Upaya 33 Draysha 35 Cascade 32 Dargon 34 Dreamsinger 34 Cassidy, thomas 11 Dark Seraph 11, 26, 34 Dream Time, the 49 Cat’s Cradle (see Lynx’ Fold) Dart 34 Drift 31 Cekic 34 Daughter of the Moon 32 Drifter 34 Celestar 10, 11, 13, 24, 28, 32, 34 Death Dragon, the 20, 26, 42 Druid 32 Chakram 33 Decibelle 31 Drune 32 Chamakana Dhala 33 Defender 3, 13, 14, 21, 24, 25, 26, 31, 6, 9, Duchess Industries 21 Champions 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 10, 18, 20, 22, 29, 31 Dupree, Dr. Nelson 41 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, Defenders of Justice, the 9, 10, 34, 37 Durak 27 31, 35, 38, 40, 42, 47, 48, 49, 52, Deizzhorath the Dissolver 50 Dusquene, Bethany (see Witchcraft) 53, 54, 56, 57, 58 DEMON (organization) 6, 9, 10, 18, 20, 22, Dust Devil 32 Champions, the 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 29, 31 Dwarfstar 31 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 31, 35, DEMON: Servants of Darkness 6 Dweomer 33 38, 40, 48, 49, 53, 56, 58 Demonflame Incident, the 11 Dynamic Technologies 21 Champions: The New Millennium 5 Dendrians 43 Champions Beyond 5, 47 Dendris 43 E Champions of the North 6 Denver 31 Earthquake Fist 32 Champions Online 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 17, 18, 19, Derringer, Mark 13, 26, 38 Eckhardt, William Carl 12 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 31, 38, 42, 48, Der Scwarz Tode 33 Eclipse 26, 31, 34 52, 53, 54, 57, 58 Destreum 35 Eclipse *hero) 34 Champions Villains 6 Destroid 27 Edenshaw, Billy (see Ravenspeaker) Charm Girl 33 Destruga 11, 12, 40 Egypt 32 Chatelaine, La 32 Detroit 12, 14, 17, 24, 27, 34, 40 Eight-Ways Lightning 32 Chicago 31 Deuce LaRoche 34 Elder Worm 8 Children of Ataturk 34 Diadem 31 Elder Worms, the 43 Children of Ataturk, the 34 Diamond 31, 34 Eldritch 32 China 10, 27, 32, 42 Dīshēng Long 32 Electrotitan 31 Chiquador 17 Doctor Destroyer 9, 12, 27 El Picaro 18 Chrono 48 Dogz, the 42 El Spectro 34 Cincinnati 31 Dooley, Vincent 40 Elysium 49 Circle of the Scarlet Moon 9, 22, 26 Dorvala 25, 46 Empire State Building 27 Claire De Lune 34 Dorvalans 44, 46 Empyreans, the 8, 37, 39, 48 Clockwork 32 Dorvalans, the 44, 46 England 32 CLOWN 5 DOSPA 11, 16 Ergath 43, 44 Club Caprice 3, 13, 19, 41, 50, 53 Downshift 31 Ergons, the 44 Cobra Lords, the 40 Dr. Black 18 Essec, Edgar Lancelyn 9, 13, 30 COMET 32 Dr. Cerebro 34 Europa 10, 48 Condor 32 Dr. Demogaard 30 Eurostar 11, 12, 13, 27 Constable 14, 32 Dr. Eclipse 31 Even Wilder West, the 49 Constable, the 32 Dr. Ka 24, 42 Examiner, the 48 Contact 31 Dr. Macabre 34 Executive Control Sanctions 21 CONTROL 14, 48 Dr. Phantom 34 Dr. Scarab 24, 34 Corsair 31 F Cowboy 34 Dr. Silverback 11, 19, 37 Crossbow 31 Dr. Twilight 34 Fabulous Five, the 34, 37 Crowns of Krim 26 Dr. Vox 31 Faerie 49, 50 Crusher (British villain) 32 Dr. White 18 FalconMan 32 Crusher (hero) 34 Draco 34 Fallout 32 Cryptic 5, 6, 7, 38, 40, 50, 52 Draconis 30 Faltrah Lem 39 Cuchullain 33 Dracul, Vladic 42 Far-Strider 47 Currie, Rodney 22 Dracula (Vlad Tepes) 9, 42 Fassai, the 44 Cybele 49 Dragon Branch 30 Fatalla 34 Cyberline 35 Dragon Crown of Krim 29 Father Elk 37 Cyberlord 25 Dragonfly 32 Faultline 31 Cyrax the Conqueror 34 Draja 25 Feuermacher 27

CO Lore Primer: •Index • 63 Fiacho 27 Gravitar 13, 15, 27 Ifrit, the 33 Fidobakku 33 Green Knight 31 IHA 11, 27, 29, 30 Firefight 34 Green Monday 10 Immensely Strong One 32 Firewall 31 Griffi, the 34 Immortal Philosopher 32 Firewing 14, 25, 27, 45 Grishl 47 Impetus 31 Fist of Allah, the 33 Grond 13, 30, 41 India 33 Flame Gem 26 Gundhar 37 Inframan 31 Flashover 31 Gunetalev 34 Insider, the 32 Flechette I 34 Guru, the 34 Iowa 21 Flechette II 34 Guy Sweetland 42 Ironclad 14, 25, 46 Force 26 Gyeroy Vedun 33 Iron Horse 32 Forceknight II 34 Gyrfalcon 42 Ironwood Industrial Technologies 21 Forceknight III 13, 24 Irradiates, the 41 Forceknight IV 34 H Istvatha V’Han 6, 13, 27, 44 Force Station Steelhead 6, 13, 14, 15, 24, 38 Ha’Pele 33 J Fordite 35 hampions Universe *book) 5 Foxbat 13, 15, 27 Hannibal Grey 32 Jack Flash 31, 34 France 32 Hardball 34 Jade Phoenix 42 Freedom Battalion 34 Harlick, Bruce 5 Jakob Stroessen, Jakob (se Teleios) 29 Freedom Patrol 32 Harmon, James 21, 24, 25, 26, 28 James J. Roswell 21 Freedom Patrol, the 32 Harmon Enterprises 12 Janissary 36 Freon 30 Harmon Industries 21 Japan 25, 33, 34, 41 Frey, Lewis 10, 13, 19 Harrier 32 Jetstream 31 Frontiersman Project 29 Haynesville 9, 10, 35 Jín Lóng Quán 32 Frost Tomb, the 11, 14, 24, 28, 38, 49 Haynesville Project 10, 35 Johnny Hercules 34 FutureScope 21 Haynesville Project, the 10, 35 John Schad 22 Hazor 9, 37, 39 Johnson, Robert 13 G Heart of the People 32 JTF-X 13 Gadget Boy 25, 33 Hellcat Squadron, the 34 Juryrig 14, 25 Gadgets! 18 Herculan 44 Justice Force Omega 18 Gadro 44 Hero Corps, the 31 Justice Squadron 9, 31, 34 Gadroon 11, 13, 14, 27, 28, 38, 44, 46 Hero Games (company) 5 Justiciar 13, 14, 24, 25, 32 Galaxars, the 48 Hero Games, the (televised combat) 19 Gargoyle, the 34 HERO System 5 K Hewitt, Christine 40 Gateway 13, 21, 29, 50 Kadrigar 44 Hidden Lands (sourcebook) 6 Gateway (UNTIL space station) 21 Kagamishoki 33 Hiemforth, Derek 7 Gateway Between Worlds 29, 50 Kala Tah Breval 43 High Apostolic Church 29, 42 Gateway Between Worlds, the 29, 50 Kansas 9, 31, 35 High School Where You’re Naked, the 49 Gazelle, the 33 Kansas City 31 Himalayas 42 General Winter 34 Kapitan Ukrayina 33 Himalayas, the 42 Geon 48 Kauffman, Robert 11, 13, 41 Hi Pan 15 Germany 32 Kazan 33 Hitler, Adolph 37 Geschwindigkeit 32 Kazeronin 33 Hopewell, Dr. Victor 21 Gigaton 27, 36 Kea, Queen 42 Hot Sleep 17 Gizli 34 Kendrium 35 Houston 31 Glassman, Phillip 29 Kentucky 12 Hudson City 38 Gloran 48 Kid Chameleon 34 Human Pistol, the 34 Goblin 34 Kigatilik 8, 10, 14, 24, 28, 32, 34, 38 Humbug 34 Golden Avenger 11, 13, 17, 35, 41 Kiku 33 Hunter-Patriots, the 14, 29, 38 Golden Hunters 45 Kinetik 14, 25 Hyperion 27, 32 Golden Hunters, the 45 King Arthur 8 Hyperkinetic Man, the 34 Goldfire 34 Kings of Edom 14, 15, 29, 31, 37, 50 Hzeel, the 44, 47 Goodman, Horatio 14, 22 King Vultok 34 Gossamer Storm 32 I Kivioq 10, 34 Gothic Metroplex 49 Klee 42 Grand Cienelago Island 3, 13, 19 Ice, the 38 Kodiak 26 GraniteMan 32 Icestar 34 Kōdōtai 33

CO Lore Primer: • Index • 64 Krim 26, 29 Mandaarians, the 10, 45 Musketeer, the 32 Krosk, the 37 Mandala 31 Myrmidon 18 Krugar, George 40 Mandragalore, the 8, 37, 39 Mystic World, the 5 Kul-Tarak (see Takofanes) Maniacs, the 40 Mara 9, 37 N L Mariner 34 Mars 22 Nama 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 30, 31, 51 L’esprits Guardiens 32 Martinez, Juan 12, 17 NarcCola 20 L’Institut Thoth 22 Marus 28, 37 NASA 22 La Bruma 31 Masquerade I (see Frey, Lewis) Necrull 28, 32, 34, 38 Lady Lightning 34 Masquerade II 34 Netherworld, the 49, 50 Lady Mystery 34 Mbang Mountain 31 Neutron 33 Lady of a Thousand Fire 32 McCaullife, Phillip 40 Neutronium 35 Lamb, Geoff (see Amphibian) McCormack, Linda 21 New Knights of the Round Table 32 Lam Kuei 32 McTyre, Shelley 17 New Mexico 11, 17, 41 Lancelot 8 Mechanic, the 32 New Orleans 31 Land of Legends, the 49 Mechaniste 30, 32 New Paladins, the 31 Landsman, the 32 Mechanon 11, 13, 16, 28 New Purple Gang, the 40 Langford, Pete 48 Medina, Alejandro (see Menton) New Shadows, the 42 Laurentia 49 Mega-Destroid 27 New York City 31 Laurentian 34 Mega-Terak 10, 11, 25 Nightengale 34 Lawbringer, the 48 Memorial City 40 Nighthawk 14, 15, 19, 20, 26 Lawrence, Lonnie (see Celestar) Mentalla 27 Night Watch,the 32 Leafmaster 32 Menton 14, 27, 28, 48 Niikwan 26, 41 Le Fort 32 Messenger, the 31 Nimbus 34 Left Handed World, the 49 MeteorMan 31, 34, 47 Nocturne 29, 50 Lemuria 6, 8, 9, 24, 34, 37, 39 MeteorMan III 31 Nordwind 34 Leviathan 34 Miami 31 Northern Guard, the 13, 25, 38 Liberator 34 Microman 34 North Pole 38 Liberator, the 33 Mighty Canadians, the 10, 24, 28, 34, 49 Nova 31 Liberty League, the 32 Mighty Hammer 32 Li Chun the Destroyer 32 Millennium City 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 24, O Liquidator, the 34 26, 29, 31, 40, 41, 53 Living Sphinx,the 32 Oak 32 Millennium City (sourcebook) 6 Loge 34 Obeliske 32 Millennium City Free Press 19, 40 Lohe Sainika 33 Ocelot 34 Millennium City News 40 London Watch, the 32 Ogurn 37 Millennium Project, the 13 Long, Steve 5, 6, 7 Oklahoma 12, 29 Ministry of Superhuman Affairs 32, 33 Lord of Rats, the 33 Onslaught 36 Ministry of Superhuman Affairs (india) 33 Loupe Garou 34 Operation Coil 10 Mink, the 34 Lt. Colonel Aaron Vee 22 Operation Hermes 29 Mocker, the 34 Lugendu 17 Optimus 34 Mogar 47 Luther Black 11, 14, 29, 50 Orchardsville 40 Mole Men 39 Luvah 50 Orichalcum 35, 37 Molnya 33 Lux 31 Osaka 11 Mon’dabi 45 Lynx’s Fold 8, 13, 38 Osiris 24 Mon’da 46 Ostrugar 48 M Mondfeuer 32 Overlord, the 32 Mongoose, the 33 Maat 32 Monsoon 33 P MacDonald, George 5, 52 Monster Island (sourcebook) 7 Mackenzie House 22 Monument 32 Pantera 27 Mage 31 Moonbase Serenity 13, 22 Pantheon 33 Magneton 31 Moorbrand 34 Panzer 33 Maine 42 Mordace 12, 14, 48 Paradox 31 Malva 45 Moreau, Dr. Phillipe 11, 25, 37 Peacekeepers, the 31 Mamont 33 Mountain 34 Peach Blossom Spirit 32 Mandaar 45 Multifaria 15, 28, 40, 49 Pentagram 32 Mandaarians 10, 45 Mumbai Santari 33 People’s Legion 10

CO Lore Primer: •Index • 65 Perseids 46 Revenger 10, 34, 47 Sharna-Gorak (the Destroyer) 8, 11, 37 Perseus Project 10 Rex Sterling 34 Shining Darkness, the 50 Peterson, Steve 5, 52 Rhiannon 32 Shining Dawn 32 Phantom Soldier 32 Rictus 34 Shomshak, Dean 7 Pharos (Egyptian hero) 32 Ripper 30 Shug’hla-Wthelg 43 Pharos Industries 21 Rocketman 34 Siffleur 32 Philadelphia 32 Rockslide 34 Silicon Kid, the 31 Phoenix 26, 32 Roin’esh 15, 46 Silver Avengers 17, 35 Phytia 48 Roswell, James J. 21 Silver Scorpion 31 Plague I 34 Roundhouse 31 Silver Shield 19 Poe, Sebastian 11 Rowan 34 Siren 34 Poseidon 37 Russkiye Zashchitniki 13, 33 Siria 47 Potenstorm 33 Sirians, the 9, 47 PRIMUS 3, 11, 13, 17, 18, 35, 41, 57 S Skunk-Ape 42 Princess Aureole 34 Sky, the 38 Prism Girl 32 Saba Devatao 33 Skydragon 34 Professor Morlak 34 Sadler, Lucinda 21 Skygirl 34 Progenitors, the 8, 37, 48 Samhain 32 SkyProspect 20, 22 Project Achilles 35 San Diego 31 Sky Where You Fly, the 49 Project Ascension 35 San Francisco 32 Slug, the 11, 34 Project Greenskin 13, 41 San Sebastien 42 Slun 33 Project Onslaught 36 Sapphire 14, 26 SNN 11, 18 Project Perseus 35, 36 sasquatch 38 Society of Evil, the 34 Project Sunburst 13, 36 Sasuki Katsoru 25 SOCRATES 21 Project Yeoman 35 Sasuki Katsoru (see Gadget Boy) Soothing Touch 32 Proteus 31 Sayeret-19 33 Sovereign Sons, the 42 PSI 11 Scarlet Archer (golden age) 34 Soviet Union, the 10 Psiclops 18 Scarlet Archer I 34 Spark 33 Putnam, Victor 19 Scarlet Archer II 34 Sparrowhawk 31 Pwell, Anderson (Titan) 21 Sceptre of the Undying 29 Spooky, Empty House, the 49 Schad, Col. John 22 Stalnoy Volk 33 Q Scirocco 34 Star*Guard, the 10, 12, 14, 15, 43, 45, 48 Scorpia 27 Star*Staffs 48 Qliphothic 29, 39, 50 Scotland 22 StarAvengers 48 Questionite 15, 35, 38 Sea, the 38 Starburst 34 Quicksilver 32 Sea-Tac Sentinels 32 StarForce 13, 14, 24, 25 Qularr 10, 14, 18, 25, 40, 41, 44, 46 Sea Hawk 9, 34 Star Guardians (see Star*Guard) Sea King 24, 34 R StarJets 48 Secret Crisis, the 48 StarKnights 48 R. Talosorian Games 5 Seine 32 Steel-Shattering Fist 32 Radion 34 Selenites 10, 47 Steelheads, the 13 Rakshasa 14, 27, 28 Selenites, the 10, 47 Steel Shark 34 Rashindar 33 Selenus 46, 47 Stigma 32 Raven (Haida trickster god) 26, 41 Sentinels 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 48, 53 Stingray 24, 28, 37 Ravenspeaker 26, 28, 32 Sentinels, the 31 Stone, Franklin 20, 40 Ravenswood Academy 27, 37, 40 Sephirot, the 49 Stone Labs 15 Reality Storm, the 48 Sequoia 31 Straight Arrow 31 Recorder, the 48 Sergeant Battle 34 Streak 34 Red Banners, the 40 Serpent-Mages 30 Streak II 34 Red Bullet 32 Serpentine 34 Streamline 32 Redcap 33 Serpent Lantern 10, 11, 14, 17, 27, 30 Stronghold 11, 14, 17, 21, 28, 41, 48 Red Ensign I 34 Shade 32 Sturmvogel 9, 10, 34 Red Ensign III 34 Shadowboxer 34 Sturmvogel, der 9, 10, 34 Redstone 30 Shadow Destroyer 6, 14, 15, 28, 40, 46 Sub-Zero 34 Red Winter 15 Shadowman 31 Summer Cloud 32 Renton, Peter (see Amazing Man II) Shamballah 42 Sunburst 36 Repulse 32 Shaolin Five 32 Sunday Pond 42 Retrograde 32 Shaper, the 48 SUNDER 13, 26, 29

CO Lore Primer: • Index • 66 Super-World Magazine 19 Totem 32 Voyageur 32 Superhero Division, the 33 Totenkopf, der 34 Vulnapyezdka 33 Super History 18 Trey Kings, the 42 Vulshoth 50 Superstar 31 Tribunal treaty, the 13 Supreme Serpent 13, 14, 21, 30 Tricolor 32 W Surcheval 32 Trismegistus Council 9, 22, 26, 42 Waed, Jennifer (Black Mask X) 24 Surge 31 Trismegistus Council, the 9, 22, 26, 42 Wales 32 Surhoff, James 40 Typhoon 34 Walkabout 32 Surkha Khamba 33 Tyrannon 28 Walters, Jason 7 Survalesh 33 Warlord, the 13 Suryabala 33 U Warmonger, the 48 Swarmlord 32 Washington DC 27, 32 Swashbuckler II 34 Ultimates, the 12 Watch, the 31 Swift Swallow 32 Ultivac 34 Watts, Darren 6, 7 Syeryebro 33 Ultrasonique 27 Uncaped 19 WCOC 41, 53 T Unholy Order of the Grand Reptile, the 9, Westgote, der 27 10, 30 White Lynx 31 Taipan 32 United Nations 10, 17, 18, 37, 42 White Sands 11 Takofanes 8, 12, 14, 26, 29, 34 United States, the 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 29, White Shroud 31 Talisen 32 31, 40, 41 Whittaker, Mark (see Nighthawk) Talisman 26 UNITY 3, 12, 18 Windshear 32 Tapalahara 33 UNTIL: Defenders of Freedom 7 Windsor 24, 40 Taroindar 46 Urizen 50 Windyburg 49 Tax’et 26, 41 Urthona 50 Winter Dragon 32 Technocrat 32 Ushas 33 Witchcraft 14, 19, 26, 29 Technyik 33 Witness, the 42 Teikei 33 V WTFL 19, 41 Teja Vayu 33 Teleios 13, 29, 32 Valere Noyer 32 X Temblor 26 Van Drotte, Henrietta 21 Xarriel 48 Tetsuronin 25, 33 Vanguard 10, 11, 12, 34, 40 Vanguard (Vancouver based team) 34 Tetsuryu 33 Y Thaar 42 Van Helsing Act, the 16 Thain, Glenn 5 Vayathurans, the 47 Yengtao Temple 42 Thalassa 28 Vee, Lt. Colonel Aaron 22 Yeoman 32 Tharmas 50 Veil, the 49 Yetzirah, the 4, 49 The Arena 19 Veldarian Confederacy 44 Ying 32 the Cat 32 Veldarian Confederacy, the 44 Yin Wu, Dr. 32 The Goodman Institute 21 Venin Vert 32 Yorunge 34 Therakiel 14, 23, 26, 29, 42 Venus Scientific Outpost 22 The Sixteenth Bureau 32 Venus Scientific Outpost (VSO) 22 Z The Tournament of the Dragon, the 20 Vibora Bay 14, 16, 24, 25, 29, 42 Zeel 44 Thomas, Allen 6 Vibora Bay (sourcebook) 7 Zeitgeist 32 Thorgons, the 43, 44 Victory (superheroine) 22 Zempletpyasenee 33 Thrash 32 Vigil 34 Zenith 31 Thunderhead 31 VIPER 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, Zerstoiten, Albert (see Doctor Destroyer) Tiger 34 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41 Zertorenstern 22 Tiger Squad, the 10, 32 VIPER-Eurostar War, the 13 Zoas, Four 50 Tightwire 34 VIPER-X 30, 34 Zodiac Man, the 31 Tilingkoot 32 VIPER-X (original) 34 Timberline 10, 34 VIPER: Coils of the Serpent (sourcebook) 7 Tō 33 Viperia 8, 13, 30 Tokyo 10, 33 Vladic Dracul 42 Tokyo Super Squad 33 Volt 32 Tomahawk 31, 34 Voltage 31 Tommy Canada 34 Von Schoutz, Clyde 29 Tor’Tagla 48 Voodoo Doll 32 To Save Tomorrow 18 Vortex 32 CO Lore Primer: •Index • 67