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TEST DRIVE MEME: MARCH EDITION
TEST DRIVE MEME
A Confluence, capitalized, is the converging of one or more supernatural forces.
Excelsior, Washington is a city full of a lot of rain. But just like the little ditty "it's raining men," today it's raining Starfallen. Their arrival is an omen for what's to come in Excelsior this early spring, as rain is most definitely on the docket. Thankfully, Excelsior's technological landscape means that it's more than prepared for green-splattered individuals to fall from the sky. Wait, green? Well, there might be a splash of it. Regardless, once the natives help them down from the large, metal and extremely advanced marvels, they'll be free to go their way.
March's arrival brings a strange rumor around the world: put a little bowl of (real dairy, no substitutes) milk outside your door, and save yourself a lot of trouble. As you'll come to see, this is very good advice to follow! Don't worry about smell of stinky milk outside your doors for long–it will get snatched up sooner rather than later. By time March winds down, you can go back to oatmilk if you wish.
Excelsior, Washington is a city full of a lot of rain. But just like the little ditty "it's raining men," today it's raining Starfallen. Their arrival is an omen for what's to come in Excelsior this early spring, as rain is most definitely on the docket. Thankfully, Excelsior's technological landscape means that it's more than prepared for green-splattered individuals to fall from the sky. Wait, green? Well, there might be a splash of it. Regardless, once the natives help them down from the large, metal and extremely advanced marvels, they'll be free to go their way.
March's arrival brings a strange rumor around the world: put a little bowl of (real dairy, no substitutes) milk outside your door, and save yourself a lot of trouble. As you'll come to see, this is very good advice to follow! Don't worry about smell of stinky milk outside your doors for long–it will get snatched up sooner rather than later. By time March winds down, you can go back to oatmilk if you wish.
CENTRAL CITY
Compared to just about anywhere else that a meta can land, Central City isn't exactly the nicest place in the world. Always cast in shadows, sunny days are few and far between as a dark cloud always seems to settle over the beautifully constructed architectural marvels throughout the city. These marvels do little to hide the very real income disparities throughout the city, worsened because of the thriving criminal enterprises that serve as its backbone.
Central City is everything a modern city never wants to become: half the city is boarded up and forgotten, with the properties slowly being carved away to make way for the overpriced urban sprawl. A lack of safety feels artificially created by the atmosphere; couldn't someone have prevented it from getting this bad? But just across the city, over these abandoned houses, are large monuments to technological ingenuity. The rest will be helped and taken care of–it just takes time. Besides, the sparkling new shopping district a few blocks over is where anyone would want to spend their time anyway.
Wander too far from the shopping district and you'll find yourself thick into territory controlled by the local non-meta crime syndicate... but maybe that's where you want to be. Maybe you're here to see just what this world is dealing with. If you're going to be stuck here you might as well make yourself useful, right?
Or perhaps you're NOT the heroic type. Maybe this is simply scoping out the competition.
Regardless, it won't take long for TROUBLE to find you. Test out your new powers, do a little thieving, stop a few muggings–this is your time to use as you see fit.
Elsewhere in the alleyways and hidden passages of the city, a small bearded man stands waiting for someone–anyone–to pass him by. Sometimes he'll lure someone over to give him the time of day, and other times he'll plant an idea in someone's head (telepathically, empathically, or otherwise) to cause a little trouble. This little bearded guy's goal is simple: sow some chaos throughout the city, and see how much can change while he's visible to everyone. If anyone catches wind of what he's doing, they might be able to use it to their advantage. It's up to them if they would like to partner up with a very real-seeming Leprechaun.
By time the last hour of March tolls, the bearded man will be gone, but the trouble he's caused will remain.
On flag poles throughout the city, advertisements for a conference (not a convention) go up. Surprisingly enough, it's a small scale affair that focuses on the ethics behind being a superhero. There are no clues as to who's choosing to hold this conference, and pinning that down might be important before you decide to participate. But you don't have to–no one's making you!
Central City is everything a modern city never wants to become: half the city is boarded up and forgotten, with the properties slowly being carved away to make way for the overpriced urban sprawl. A lack of safety feels artificially created by the atmosphere; couldn't someone have prevented it from getting this bad? But just across the city, over these abandoned houses, are large monuments to technological ingenuity. The rest will be helped and taken care of–it just takes time. Besides, the sparkling new shopping district a few blocks over is where anyone would want to spend their time anyway.
Wander too far from the shopping district and you'll find yourself thick into territory controlled by the local non-meta crime syndicate... but maybe that's where you want to be. Maybe you're here to see just what this world is dealing with. If you're going to be stuck here you might as well make yourself useful, right?
Or perhaps you're NOT the heroic type. Maybe this is simply scoping out the competition.
Regardless, it won't take long for TROUBLE to find you. Test out your new powers, do a little thieving, stop a few muggings–this is your time to use as you see fit.
Elsewhere in the alleyways and hidden passages of the city, a small bearded man stands waiting for someone–anyone–to pass him by. Sometimes he'll lure someone over to give him the time of day, and other times he'll plant an idea in someone's head (telepathically, empathically, or otherwise) to cause a little trouble. This little bearded guy's goal is simple: sow some chaos throughout the city, and see how much can change while he's visible to everyone. If anyone catches wind of what he's doing, they might be able to use it to their advantage. It's up to them if they would like to partner up with a very real-seeming Leprechaun.
By time the last hour of March tolls, the bearded man will be gone, but the trouble he's caused will remain.
On flag poles throughout the city, advertisements for a conference (not a convention) go up. Surprisingly enough, it's a small scale affair that focuses on the ethics behind being a superhero. There are no clues as to who's choosing to hold this conference, and pinning that down might be important before you decide to participate. But you don't have to–no one's making you!
DIADEM HOTEL
Whether you've survived the chaos, or arrived after the trouble's over, you're not going home anytime soon. After exiting from Excelsior, you're given the proverbial keys to a pretty lavish location. Hopefully, the LUXURY HOTEL they've put you up in will ease that sting.
The DIADEM HOTEL is usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings for just a small taste. But given the circumstances, the Guilds feel its the least they can do to aid your transition into this world. EVERYTHING is complimentary, and everyone gets an ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back... though if they catch you abusing it, their accountant will be coming for your head.
There's a shopping center immediately across the street. It has an impressive array of outlet shops that cater to your every need. Food, clothing... and swords? If you can think of it, it's for sale. Although anything clearly supernatural or metahuman seems to be at a minimum and offered under the table. You can grab clothing made to withstand any superpower and a surprisingly mediocre Taco Bell order while you're at it. There's a Super Cinema in the shopping complex across the street that's showing the Director's Cut of SAMUEL HAMES: IMMORTAL DETECTIVE, in which Hames struggles with his lifelong immortality, monstrous need to drink blood, and long-held attraction to his very, very mortal partner, Jason Waites. Having long been on the trail of the Illuminati, Hames has to make a choice: stop this disastrous organization from taking over the world, or profess his love to Waites and chance turning him into a monster like himself.
The DIADEM HOTEL is usually reserved for the obscenely wealthy. Its rooms are enormous, the beds quite literally enchanted to offer the perfect night's sleep, and the food would usually cost your life savings for just a small taste. But given the circumstances, the Guilds feel its the least they can do to aid your transition into this world. EVERYTHING is complimentary, and everyone gets an ALLIANCE CREDIT CARD to spend on entertainment, clothing, and whatever other necessities they might need. The cards have an obscenely high limit and there doesn't seem to be an expectation for you to pay it back... though if they catch you abusing it, their accountant will be coming for your head.
There's a shopping center immediately across the street. It has an impressive array of outlet shops that cater to your every need. Food, clothing... and swords? If you can think of it, it's for sale. Although anything clearly supernatural or metahuman seems to be at a minimum and offered under the table. You can grab clothing made to withstand any superpower and a surprisingly mediocre Taco Bell order while you're at it. There's a Super Cinema in the shopping complex across the street that's showing the Director's Cut of SAMUEL HAMES: IMMORTAL DETECTIVE, in which Hames struggles with his lifelong immortality, monstrous need to drink blood, and long-held attraction to his very, very mortal partner, Jason Waites. Having long been on the trail of the Illuminati, Hames has to make a choice: stop this disastrous organization from taking over the world, or profess his love to Waites and chance turning him into a monster like himself.
LITTLE LOVE, KANSAS.
Little Love is a simple place–a quiet place above all else. This is a small town that doesn't want any trouble, and appears to do all the right things to avoid it. Seen scary glowing eyes in the woods? It's probably just someone's cat that got out. Or maybe the cat's meant to be there. Don't you worry your little head about that. Anything creepy or truly unsettling about this rural location is based on its simplicity: Little Love has rejected all potential urbanization projects, and its most ambitious citizens have partnered up with large corporations to provide them with the corn they need. They're not doing half bad.
At its core, Little Love prides itself on its history. Rather than expanding, changing, or adding new buildings, the local historical society does everything in its power to help promote what they already have. Anyone hoping for a quieter life can start their own farm with many acres of land, and even renovate anything that hasn't already been renovated already. Just keep in mind that anything that clashes with Little Love won't be welcomed, but it'll be a quiet sort of judgment that might grow into acceptance. Well, as long as the clash itself is ultimately quiet at its core.
Every March, Little Love has a small parade where numerous citizens work hard on humble parade floats. The local high school marching band comes out to play, and there is a small festival where everyone can have a good time–heck, there's even a Ferris wheel for everyone to enjoy themselves!
This year's parade has two very unusual things occurring. First, throughout the parade there are numerous beautiful people that stand out alongside the plainly dressed citizens of the town. They're eyecatching in the best way. Approach them for their number or just to stare in awe and they'll make an offer to you: do one truly selfless thing today, and we will grant you one wish. Within reason. No one can be selfless and ask for the world to end. Then again, can someone ever truly be selfless when a wish is on the line?
Secondly, a few of the parade's floats seem … more advanced than usual. These advancements make more sense when a few of the floats come to life, and then start causing chaos! Who could have created these mechanical beasts, and for what purpose? Stopping their lopsided (they had to fit in, after all) reign of terror should be priority number one.
Eventually, the mysterious beautiful people and the evil parade floats go away, swept away by barely visible bits of trouble. That's right, folks: it's pollen season. The typically mild-mannered citizens of Little Love start stocking up on allergy medication, leading to a shortage. What comes next when you can't get your much-needed Benedryl? Strange bouts of fear, hysteria, and an urge to dance–maybe all at the same time. It might be time for a sinus rinse or three.
At its core, Little Love prides itself on its history. Rather than expanding, changing, or adding new buildings, the local historical society does everything in its power to help promote what they already have. Anyone hoping for a quieter life can start their own farm with many acres of land, and even renovate anything that hasn't already been renovated already. Just keep in mind that anything that clashes with Little Love won't be welcomed, but it'll be a quiet sort of judgment that might grow into acceptance. Well, as long as the clash itself is ultimately quiet at its core.
Every March, Little Love has a small parade where numerous citizens work hard on humble parade floats. The local high school marching band comes out to play, and there is a small festival where everyone can have a good time–heck, there's even a Ferris wheel for everyone to enjoy themselves!
This year's parade has two very unusual things occurring. First, throughout the parade there are numerous beautiful people that stand out alongside the plainly dressed citizens of the town. They're eyecatching in the best way. Approach them for their number or just to stare in awe and they'll make an offer to you: do one truly selfless thing today, and we will grant you one wish. Within reason. No one can be selfless and ask for the world to end. Then again, can someone ever truly be selfless when a wish is on the line?
Secondly, a few of the parade's floats seem … more advanced than usual. These advancements make more sense when a few of the floats come to life, and then start causing chaos! Who could have created these mechanical beasts, and for what purpose? Stopping their lopsided (they had to fit in, after all) reign of terror should be priority number one.
Eventually, the mysterious beautiful people and the evil parade floats go away, swept away by barely visible bits of trouble. That's right, folks: it's pollen season. The typically mild-mannered citizens of Little Love start stocking up on allergy medication, leading to a shortage. What comes next when you can't get your much-needed Benedryl? Strange bouts of fear, hysteria, and an urge to dance–maybe all at the same time. It might be time for a sinus rinse or three.
EXCELSIOR, WASHINGTON
Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should–unless you've found yourself in Excelsior, that is. This is the city full of possibilities. Have a wild idea that you could never get funding for back home? Excelsior is the place to go. Just be ready with your Shark Tank-like presentation and it'll be underway. Haven't considered the negative ramifications on society? Don't sweat it–Excelsior loves any and all kinds of chaos brought on by technology. Despite its welcoming nature toward any and all types of technology, its citizens often give the cold shoulder toward any metas. So, maybe try not to brag about that part of your identity, all right?
Everything in Excelsior reeks of technological excess. Large skyscrapers touch the clouds, each one built to be better and more advanced than the one that came before. Excess is the name of the game here, so long as it's along the same lines of harder, better, faster, stronger. Just keep in mind that these principles go along the lines of technology, not morality.
Originally foreshadowed by the arrival of the Starfallen, trouble comes to this city that's high on its own farts when a strange green rain begins to fall from the sky. Initially dismissed by the citizens of Excelsior–with the sole few exceptions who see this as an opportunity for a great new project–their mindsets change when it's apparent that this emerald rain is more than an unwanted eyesore. Brought on by repeated exposure to the rain, the citizens of Excelsior will turn from pretentious to … well, pretentiously self-righteous. This self-righteousness will start off with annoying moral outrage and "well, actually" statements thrown all over and eventually evolve into something far, far darker. What if someone is so self-righteous that they're driven mad by it, almost turned into a berserker, and unwilling to give up? Depending on the person, it'll look a little different.
Washing someone clean of the effects–and knocking them out so they shut up in the meantime, but be careful about any concussions–is the way to make this problem go away.
The meteorological phenomenon don't come to an end once the green rain goes away. In its place, strange meatballs start to fall from the sky–and these meatballs are READY TO RUMBLE (all caps very necessary, thank you!). Why is that? They're bent on revenge. Did some green rain get into their meaty mixes, or are they the rightfully angry results of someone's experiments? Stopping them from causing chaos should be step number one–unless you're sympathizing with the little guys. They could probably use some allies.
Everything in Excelsior reeks of technological excess. Large skyscrapers touch the clouds, each one built to be better and more advanced than the one that came before. Excess is the name of the game here, so long as it's along the same lines of harder, better, faster, stronger. Just keep in mind that these principles go along the lines of technology, not morality.
Originally foreshadowed by the arrival of the Starfallen, trouble comes to this city that's high on its own farts when a strange green rain begins to fall from the sky. Initially dismissed by the citizens of Excelsior–with the sole few exceptions who see this as an opportunity for a great new project–their mindsets change when it's apparent that this emerald rain is more than an unwanted eyesore. Brought on by repeated exposure to the rain, the citizens of Excelsior will turn from pretentious to … well, pretentiously self-righteous. This self-righteousness will start off with annoying moral outrage and "well, actually" statements thrown all over and eventually evolve into something far, far darker. What if someone is so self-righteous that they're driven mad by it, almost turned into a berserker, and unwilling to give up? Depending on the person, it'll look a little different.
Washing someone clean of the effects–and knocking them out so they shut up in the meantime, but be careful about any concussions–is the way to make this problem go away.
The meteorological phenomenon don't come to an end once the green rain goes away. In its place, strange meatballs start to fall from the sky–and these meatballs are READY TO RUMBLE (all caps very necessary, thank you!). Why is that? They're bent on revenge. Did some green rain get into their meaty mixes, or are they the rightfully angry results of someone's experiments? Stopping them from causing chaos should be step number one–unless you're sympathizing with the little guys. They could probably use some allies.
SUNSET FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS
Further east is Sunset Falls, a quirky little town that doesn't stand out in any particular way. At first. Many of the people here dress a bit strangely and go on about their crystals and tarot cards, but they aren't out to hurt anyone. There's just one simple … suggestion around these parts: try to keep indoors once the sun sets. After that occurs, everything turns even stranger than the rainbow-colored plaid pants the fudge store owner was wearing.
After dark, Sunset Falls is hit by any number of strange things, making it so that a newly strange thing would barely begin to stand out. Want to see yourself as a ghost? Or slip through time to another era? Sunset Falls is the place to make that happen. The problem is, you might not make it back to where you started if you're not careful.
Since this town is no stranger to weirdness, every native citizen leaves milk outside their door at night during March–and some other parts of the year. Anyone caught without milk will find themselves exposed to a strange feline condition. The condition is simple: people all around town are turning into cats. The key to turn them back is to give them milk, so let's hope no one's too lactose intolerant. While turned into a cat, the person themselves will still be able to speak with their very human voice. Weird, huh? There's one warning that spreads around Sunset Falls: don't be turned into a cat nine times or you'll be stuck that way.
After everyone's whiskers come and go–assuming that they have gone–the local cats have a bone to pick with everyone and have picked up on being as evasive and out of reach as possible. That's right. All of the local cats have bolted and taken up a rebellion in the trees. No one ever asked to be the hero who gets cats out of trees, but it's a fine place to start.
After dark, Sunset Falls is hit by any number of strange things, making it so that a newly strange thing would barely begin to stand out. Want to see yourself as a ghost? Or slip through time to another era? Sunset Falls is the place to make that happen. The problem is, you might not make it back to where you started if you're not careful.
Since this town is no stranger to weirdness, every native citizen leaves milk outside their door at night during March–and some other parts of the year. Anyone caught without milk will find themselves exposed to a strange feline condition. The condition is simple: people all around town are turning into cats. The key to turn them back is to give them milk, so let's hope no one's too lactose intolerant. While turned into a cat, the person themselves will still be able to speak with their very human voice. Weird, huh? There's one warning that spreads around Sunset Falls: don't be turned into a cat nine times or you'll be stuck that way.
After everyone's whiskers come and go–assuming that they have gone–the local cats have a bone to pick with everyone and have picked up on being as evasive and out of reach as possible. That's right. All of the local cats have bolted and taken up a rebellion in the trees. No one ever asked to be the hero who gets cats out of trees, but it's a fine place to start.
CLIFF NOTES.
➢ New arrivals will be appearing in Excelsior. Their arrival will be expected and handled by a number of odd pieces of technology that help them as they fall from the sky itself. None of locals will be too keen to see the arrivals, and will promptly return to their work when they don't have to manually man any pieces of tech themselves. Sorry, it's just the Excelsior Freeze folks.
➢ Current Players are welcome to treat this as a bonus event. These events are canonically happening within the game but can be largely ignored if you'd prefer to use the month for personal plots. You can tag into the TDM, reference these prompts in network posts, or use them in your own logs.
WILDCARD.
Metaheroes takes inspiration from all walks of comics. Take a look at the CITIES to get an idea as to what day to day life is like in the other cities. Perhaps you've encountered a supervillain (or hero) who needs to be thwarted, or a metahuman with unusual powers creating bizarre effects. You can also take a look at the MISSION BOARD to get your start as a professional hero, villain, or vigilante.