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CR MEME & FEBRUARY EVENT PREVIEW AND PLOTTING
PLOT WORKSHOP
Anti-Meta sentiments are only heating up across Meta. In the last week, multiple protests against metahumans potentially moving to their cities have broken out across the United States. Some cities have tabled legislature that would make it illegal for metahumans to live within their borders. Excelsior is leading the charge, politicians are looking to ban any metahuman whose abilities are not technical in origin from living there.
Meanwhile, across the country, Sunset Falls is in a state of change. Mayor West finally has candidates willing to take the position of Mayor from him. This shift in the city's attention prevents anyone from paying much mind to the odd and potent energies rising across the city. Sure, there are strange occurances happening. A young woman walks by the school and immediately forgets her name, her job, and where she lives. Others report a strange feeling of being watched. Those sensitive to it may feel something otherworldly and strange hanging in the air. Bearing down on them with oppressive force.
It's worse for those who were not born in this world. Regardless of which city you live in, the change is unpleasant. Something feels smothering. Forcing you to conform and fit in in a way that has nothing to do with hiding your powers, and presenting yourself as a baseline human - and everything to do with the fact that you feel like you need to integrate into this world. Cast aside who and what you were and bury yourself in your new life here.
On February 13th, things hit a boiling point. The bubbling anxiety in both cities seem to converge at the same time. There is no flash, no sign that anything is changing. But when your eyes open the next day, they have. You have.
You are of this world. You were born here, you were raised here, and as far as you know, you'll probably die here. Whether it is as a hero or a villain, that is up to you. Are you a card carrying member of the Guardian Alliance, or do you operate in the shadows with the Society of Villainous Reformation? Or are you a vigilante - something that, unlike in the main world, has not been outlawed? In fact one of the biggest heroes in all the world is a vigilante named Starfall, formerly Starstruck. He was one of the first heroes to enroll in the government's War Hero project, which has now become a mandatory military service for all young metahumans upon reaching 18.
For there was no Godfall Incident in this version of 2023. No Godfall Protocols needed to be enacted. The metahuman population is booming and nearly everyone has powers, powerful ones. And - many of the painful things that may have happened to you in another one did not happen here. In fact, it feels like you're living your idealized life. It's happy, and stable, and you are happy and stable, even if you feel a strange knowing that this is wrong and not the life you had before.
The only concern is the Battlements of the Shining God, a cult which has been gone since the 1980s, seems to be re-emerging. The dominant religion, the Dreamers of the Willow Maiden, seem to be taking up arms and preparing for a war. Some of you may hear the Lady herself whispering to you, though you believe it cannot be her - for the lady would not tell you to reject your perfect life, would she? She would not want you to suffer.
But isn't it easier to have always been here? There’s so much pain in missing home - what’s the point when you can’t stay? Something urges you to gently give in, to accept your new reality as it takes hold. You have everything you need in this reality, don’t you? Friends, new loved ones - it’s all here.
This is an idealized version of your life. Say you were crushing on someone during the White Hearts festival - congrats, you're together! Maybe you're married, maybe some of your fellow Starfallen are even your children! The world doesn't quite know how to fit you into it, so it takes all of your hidden desires and manifests them into this temporary reality.
Those close to the borders of it will have a better chance of clinging onto their memories. Holding fast to what makes you who you were, pushing back against this perfect reality but finding yourself craving it. You need a spark to remember, to hold onto. And you will not find it by yourself.
OPTIONS: As this is an AU event, you are welcome to rewrite your character's entire history and personality to fit how you think they would have been if they were born in the world of Metaheroes - albeit a version where the Godfall Protocols were never enacted. This means that there is no limit on how much power your character could have amassed, what positions they hold, etc.
Some things to note: rather than joining a Guild upon reaching the age of maturity, many metahumans have to enroll in mandatory military service. The Guilds are the exception to this, as joining them is almost declaring amnesty and may earn the scorn of other metahumans. The guilds also hold much less power than the government does.
OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE
It becomes fairly obvious that some large reality bending event is happening. Communications go down within the affected area, leaving the guild to quickly mobilize and try to quarantine it. Leaving the affected area is near impossible.
Central City residents will be closest to the event border, with Society, Guild and Unaligned heroes using their combined efforts to keep the energy spreading outwards any further.
They need heroes to go in, though. There is no shortage of volunteers.
People with connections, to remind friends and foes that they have a life outside of of the bubble - outside of Meta. Characters who step inside to offer aid will have a short window of 48 hours before their own memories begin to warp and change. Venturing in with a companion extends the timeframe, as does convincing others that they are living a falsehood. Those that they reach may be reluctant to accept that this isn’t their life, but the more you convince, the weaker the illusion seems to get.
Act fast, heroes. The longer you spend inside and the fewer you snap out of, the stronger it gets.
COME BACK TO REALITY
The event will run from February 13th to February 20th. There is an option to extend the event out for a week if players would prefer it.
To snap your fellow metahumans out of this illusion, you will need to remind them what is most true to them. Friendship, family, greed - whatever it is. This is a CR Driven Event and curing characters will involve needing to reconnect with them and wake them up to reality. In some cases, affected Characters may be able to snap themselves out of this false reality if an event occurs that mirrors their reality.
There is plenty of room for characters to explore this what-if world and use it to deepen their investigation into their own in-game mysteries.
TL;DR
- This is an AU event. A good portion of the United States is affected by a sudden reality bending event which stretches from Washington to Massachusetts. This reality bending event that makes characters believe they were born in the Metaheroes setting.
- This new life doesn't have to be perfect, though. Your character is welcome to still have struggles! Their 'idealized' reality can be based upon what they want most. Your character also does not have to be a good guy! This is a version of them untied to their canon. All that matters is that there are some core beliefs or needs that are fulfilled in this world, that are not in their own.
- This version of the Metaheroes world did not have the Godfall Event. While the guilds were formed, they are not as all-encompassing as they are in the mainstream canon of the game. Instead, the United States government has a heavy hand in meta affairs. Metahumans are expected to serve in the military upon reaching the age of maturity for a minimum of two years.
- If you have any worldbuilding questions, or need some help deciding where your character belongs in this new world, comment here and the Mod Team will be happy to assist!
GUIDELINES
In lieu of a CR meme, Metaheroes will be holding bi-monthly plot workshops. These memes are designed to help players brainstorm, develop, and shape their character arcs and personal plots into something that engages them. (If players feel that this meme is not serving the function of a traditional CR meme and would like to see the inclusion of a more traditional CR meme in the future, please reach out to us!)
Players with player plot and character arc ideas — no matter how pie in the sky or early in development — should post top levels to this entry using the form below. These posts will include character hooks and motivations, general plot ideas, and potential roles in others' plots.
Your ideas can be as specific or as general as you want — e.g., "I want my character to start pursuing politics" or "I want to run a plot where Spider-Man takes down a serial bank robber who's funding meta-drug experiments on children." This is not the place to censor yourself! Put it all out there!
What we do want to impress is more specific posts will make plotting smoother. Try to avoid 'down for anything' posts and comments — if you do not feel you have specific ideas to throw out, we encourage you to simply tag around and collaborate with others. This meme can't succeed without both posts and replies!
In addition to player replies, the mods will have two top levels.
The first, MOD QUESTIONS, is a space for players to ask clarifying questions about things like player plot tier of certain ideas and the ability to impact aspects of the setting or world in substantial ways, or event related questions and sign-ups. We can provide quicker approvals on these memes to help get things rolling to a player plot submission.
The second, SETTING IMPACT, will have a form for players to pitch larger-scale plots (including those that they may not want to run themselves, or that they don't have a character who can spearhead). This section is for players to brainstorm and collaborate on big ways to engage and alter the setting. We encourage players to think creatively! We will also offer our two cents where possible, but if you feel something needs our attention, feel free to drop a direct link to the comment in the 'mod questions' header too.
Players with player plot and character arc ideas — no matter how pie in the sky or early in development — should post top levels to this entry using the form below. These posts will include character hooks and motivations, general plot ideas, and potential roles in others' plots.
Your ideas can be as specific or as general as you want — e.g., "I want my character to start pursuing politics" or "I want to run a plot where Spider-Man takes down a serial bank robber who's funding meta-drug experiments on children." This is not the place to censor yourself! Put it all out there!
What we do want to impress is more specific posts will make plotting smoother. Try to avoid 'down for anything' posts and comments — if you do not feel you have specific ideas to throw out, we encourage you to simply tag around and collaborate with others. This meme can't succeed without both posts and replies!
In addition to player replies, the mods will have two top levels.
The first, MOD QUESTIONS, is a space for players to ask clarifying questions about things like player plot tier of certain ideas and the ability to impact aspects of the setting or world in substantial ways, or event related questions and sign-ups. We can provide quicker approvals on these memes to help get things rolling to a player plot submission.
The second, SETTING IMPACT, will have a form for players to pitch larger-scale plots (including those that they may not want to run themselves, or that they don't have a character who can spearhead). This section is for players to brainstorm and collaborate on big ways to engage and alter the setting. We encourage players to think creatively! We will also offer our two cents where possible, but if you feel something needs our attention, feel free to drop a direct link to the comment in the 'mod questions' header too.
EVENT PREVIEW
Anti-Meta sentiments are only heating up across Meta. In the last week, multiple protests against metahumans potentially moving to their cities have broken out across the United States. Some cities have tabled legislature that would make it illegal for metahumans to live within their borders. Excelsior is leading the charge, politicians are looking to ban any metahuman whose abilities are not technical in origin from living there.
Meanwhile, across the country, Sunset Falls is in a state of change. Mayor West finally has candidates willing to take the position of Mayor from him. This shift in the city's attention prevents anyone from paying much mind to the odd and potent energies rising across the city. Sure, there are strange occurances happening. A young woman walks by the school and immediately forgets her name, her job, and where she lives. Others report a strange feeling of being watched. Those sensitive to it may feel something otherworldly and strange hanging in the air. Bearing down on them with oppressive force.
It's worse for those who were not born in this world. Regardless of which city you live in, the change is unpleasant. Something feels smothering. Forcing you to conform and fit in in a way that has nothing to do with hiding your powers, and presenting yourself as a baseline human - and everything to do with the fact that you feel like you need to integrate into this world. Cast aside who and what you were and bury yourself in your new life here.
On February 13th, things hit a boiling point. The bubbling anxiety in both cities seem to converge at the same time. There is no flash, no sign that anything is changing. But when your eyes open the next day, they have. You have.
You are of this world. You were born here, you were raised here, and as far as you know, you'll probably die here. Whether it is as a hero or a villain, that is up to you. Are you a card carrying member of the Guardian Alliance, or do you operate in the shadows with the Society of Villainous Reformation? Or are you a vigilante - something that, unlike in the main world, has not been outlawed? In fact one of the biggest heroes in all the world is a vigilante named Starfall, formerly Starstruck. He was one of the first heroes to enroll in the government's War Hero project, which has now become a mandatory military service for all young metahumans upon reaching 18.
For there was no Godfall Incident in this version of 2023. No Godfall Protocols needed to be enacted. The metahuman population is booming and nearly everyone has powers, powerful ones. And - many of the painful things that may have happened to you in another one did not happen here. In fact, it feels like you're living your idealized life. It's happy, and stable, and you are happy and stable, even if you feel a strange knowing that this is wrong and not the life you had before.
The only concern is the Battlements of the Shining God, a cult which has been gone since the 1980s, seems to be re-emerging. The dominant religion, the Dreamers of the Willow Maiden, seem to be taking up arms and preparing for a war. Some of you may hear the Lady herself whispering to you, though you believe it cannot be her - for the lady would not tell you to reject your perfect life, would she? She would not want you to suffer.
But isn't it easier to have always been here? There’s so much pain in missing home - what’s the point when you can’t stay? Something urges you to gently give in, to accept your new reality as it takes hold. You have everything you need in this reality, don’t you? Friends, new loved ones - it’s all here.
This is an idealized version of your life. Say you were crushing on someone during the White Hearts festival - congrats, you're together! Maybe you're married, maybe some of your fellow Starfallen are even your children! The world doesn't quite know how to fit you into it, so it takes all of your hidden desires and manifests them into this temporary reality.
Those close to the borders of it will have a better chance of clinging onto their memories. Holding fast to what makes you who you were, pushing back against this perfect reality but finding yourself craving it. You need a spark to remember, to hold onto. And you will not find it by yourself.
OPTIONS: As this is an AU event, you are welcome to rewrite your character's entire history and personality to fit how you think they would have been if they were born in the world of Metaheroes - albeit a version where the Godfall Protocols were never enacted. This means that there is no limit on how much power your character could have amassed, what positions they hold, etc.
Some things to note: rather than joining a Guild upon reaching the age of maturity, many metahumans have to enroll in mandatory military service. The Guilds are the exception to this, as joining them is almost declaring amnesty and may earn the scorn of other metahumans. The guilds also hold much less power than the government does.
OUTSIDE THE BUBBLE
It becomes fairly obvious that some large reality bending event is happening. Communications go down within the affected area, leaving the guild to quickly mobilize and try to quarantine it. Leaving the affected area is near impossible.
Central City residents will be closest to the event border, with Society, Guild and Unaligned heroes using their combined efforts to keep the energy spreading outwards any further.
They need heroes to go in, though. There is no shortage of volunteers.
People with connections, to remind friends and foes that they have a life outside of of the bubble - outside of Meta. Characters who step inside to offer aid will have a short window of 48 hours before their own memories begin to warp and change. Venturing in with a companion extends the timeframe, as does convincing others that they are living a falsehood. Those that they reach may be reluctant to accept that this isn’t their life, but the more you convince, the weaker the illusion seems to get.
Act fast, heroes. The longer you spend inside and the fewer you snap out of, the stronger it gets.
COME BACK TO REALITY
The event will run from February 13th to February 20th. There is an option to extend the event out for a week if players would prefer it.
To snap your fellow metahumans out of this illusion, you will need to remind them what is most true to them. Friendship, family, greed - whatever it is. This is a CR Driven Event and curing characters will involve needing to reconnect with them and wake them up to reality. In some cases, affected Characters may be able to snap themselves out of this false reality if an event occurs that mirrors their reality.
There is plenty of room for characters to explore this what-if world and use it to deepen their investigation into their own in-game mysteries.
TL;DR
- This is an AU event. A good portion of the United States is affected by a sudden reality bending event which stretches from Washington to Massachusetts. This reality bending event that makes characters believe they were born in the Metaheroes setting.
- This new life doesn't have to be perfect, though. Your character is welcome to still have struggles! Their 'idealized' reality can be based upon what they want most. Your character also does not have to be a good guy! This is a version of them untied to their canon. All that matters is that there are some core beliefs or needs that are fulfilled in this world, that are not in their own.
- This version of the Metaheroes world did not have the Godfall Event. While the guilds were formed, they are not as all-encompassing as they are in the mainstream canon of the game. Instead, the United States government has a heavy hand in meta affairs. Metahumans are expected to serve in the military upon reaching the age of maturity for a minimum of two years.
- If you have any worldbuilding questions, or need some help deciding where your character belongs in this new world, comment here and the Mod Team will be happy to assist!
FORM
Please use the form below to pitch your character-specific plots and ideas.
Player Name & Pronouns:
Preferred Communication: Plurk, Discord, DM, etc.
Character Name & Journal:
Guild Affiliation:
Plot/CR Hooks: What kinds of things does your character get up to that might throw them in the path of someone else's plot, or that you would like other players to engage with?
Character Motivations: What does your character want? You can list short term and long term goals, but also emotional needs that aren't being fulfilled.
Potential Roles: What role does your character play in their canon plot? What role might they play in others' plots, and what would it take to get their attention? Are they an antagonist, a researcher, a tech whiz?
Plot Ideas: What plots do you specifically want to run with your character in them?
Roles Needed: What kind of CR and skills do you need in order to make that plot happen?
Event Plans: What are you interested in doing with the event?
Player Name & Pronouns:
Preferred Communication: Plurk, Discord, DM, etc.
Character Name & Journal:
Guild Affiliation:
Plot/CR Hooks: What kinds of things does your character get up to that might throw them in the path of someone else's plot, or that you would like other players to engage with?
Character Motivations: What does your character want? You can list short term and long term goals, but also emotional needs that aren't being fulfilled.
Potential Roles: What role does your character play in their canon plot? What role might they play in others' plots, and what would it take to get their attention? Are they an antagonist, a researcher, a tech whiz?
Plot Ideas: What plots do you specifically want to run with your character in them?
Roles Needed: What kind of CR and skills do you need in order to make that plot happen?
Event Plans: What are you interested in doing with the event?
Locations | Teams | The Guilds | Plotting Post | Mission Board | Mod Contact
NETWORK COMM | LOG COMM | OOC COMM
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