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: Whos 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: Whats What 36 Materials 36 Mutagens 36 Super Soldier Projects 36 Six: Wheres Where 37 Arcadia 37 Atlantis 37 Beast Mountain 37 Force Station Steelhead and the Lynxs 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 3

 Vibora Bay Yeng-Tao Temple Seven: Aliens Dendrians Elder Worms Ergons/Thorgons Fassai Gadroon Hzeel Malvans Mandaarians Mondabi Perseids Qularr Roinesh Selenites Siriians Vayathurians The Star*Guard The Galaxars Chrono The Progenitors Eight: Other Dimensions The Assaiah Yetzirah Briah Atziluth Qliphoth The ban Nine: The Mullets Guide to RP Index

42 42 43 43 43 43 44 43 44 44 45 45 46 46 46 46 47 47 48 48 48 48 49 49 49 49 50 50 50 52 62

CO Lore Primer: Table of Contents 

I: Introduction

This is a quick introduction to the Champions Online universe. Its excerpts on issues of importance to Champions Online role-players and people who want to work with the background of this universe to build characters. If you need, say, a corporate sponsor or an alien race as part of your background, this book will suggest ones that exist in canon that you can use. This is based on existing works in the Champions paper and pencil game line. It only scratches the eagerest surface of the setting, so its strongly recommended that you pick up these books -- and they are commercial works and not freeware -- to get the full story. But this excerpt will give you a taste, an idea for a cool origin and might even settle an argument or two. In a few cases, Im adding my interpretation or RP advice; Ill note the places where this occurs: theyll be marked as Opinion Corner. Feel free to ignore it. This document is not meant to shove canon down the throats of unwilling RPers and I hope it doesnt get used for that. However, people who are interested in the setting can use it as an introduction and a way of getting to know the world. It should go without saying that this document contains SPOILERS. Im saying it here anyways. If you dont want to know, then no further go! AND NOW HERES SOMETHING WE HOPE YOULL REALLY LIKE.... Champions is based on an intellectual property created for the HERO System, a paper and pencil role-playing game that was first published in 1981 by Hero Games. Much of the universe was built on the work created primarily by George MacDonald, but also by Bruce Harlick, Steve Peterson, and Glenn Thain. 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 Erics setting work was excellent, unfortunately the system was not very well-received.

When Steve Long and DOJ, Inc. took over Champions in 2002, Steve consolidated a lot of work done by freelancers over the years, threw much of it out (goodbye CLOWN), and added much of his own (mostly excellent) material. When Cryptic bought the IP in 2008, they added their own significant contributions. WARNING: Champions PnP supplements use a much different system than Champions Online, so dont expect to see characters written up as Champions Online builds or with their powers as direct correlations of CO powers. However, they are an invaluable source of lore. If you are interested in the setting, please support Hero Games. Yes, RPG supplements are pricy, which is understandable given the small profit margins of the industry. However, the Hero folks do a terrific job. If you can afford it, please make an investment in some of the lore books. And if you find anything that Ive gotten wrong in this document, let me know! Thanks! OFFICIAL SOURCES Recommended commercial products, with links for PDF to the site where they can be purchased, If you have to get ONE book, get Champions Universe (6th edition). In fact, this primer is only a taste of that book. If you enjoy this primer and find it useful, please pick up a copy of this book. If you can afford three books, get Champions Universe, Champions Beyond (6th edition), and the Mystic World (5th edition). This gives you a comprehensive overview of major parts of the setting. If you can afford more than three books, get those three and then look over this list and find a book on whatever subject most interests you.

CO Lore Primer: Introduction 

(by Steven Long) The life (and toy catalog) of Albert Zerstoiten, the deadliest man in the history of the human race, better known as Dr. Destroyer. And some jackass calling himself Shadow Destroyer too. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=232563 BOOK OF THE EMPRESS (by Steven Long) A book on Istvatha VHan, Empress of a Billion Dimensions, also featuring additional material on Champions cosmology from a non-mystical perspective. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=262911 CHAMPIONS BEYOND (by Steve Long) The highly anticipated, definitive sourcebook on aliens in the setting. Currently available in PDF. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=255418 CHAMPIONS UNIVERSE (by Steven Long and Darren Watts) An overview of the universe. This is the most complete overview of the Champions Online world, as it has been approved by Cryptic Studios and is the most recently written work on the setting. Because it is the latest work, this document considers this book to be definitive when contradictions exist with previous works. Highly recommended. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=247924

CHAMPIONS VILLAINS Vol 1, 2, 3. (by Steven Long) The most current up to date source on major Champions villains. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=250189 https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=252375 https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=251488 CHAMPIONS OF THE NORTH (by Scott Bennie) The Canada sourcebook, with background on many of the characters found around Force Station Steelhead. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=227526 DEMON: SERVANTS OF DARKNESS (by Allen Thomas) An excellent guide to the villains of the second Adventure Pack. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=201768 HIDDEN LANDS (by Darren Watts and Allen Thomas) A book covering places like Atlantis, Lemuria, Arcadia, and much more. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=194632 MILLENNIUM CITY (by Darren Watts) The guide to the most important city in the Champions Universe. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=220731

CO Lore Primer: Introduction 

MONSTER ISLAND (by Steve Long) A sourcebook dedicated to the most monstrous place on Earth (insert Disneyland joke here). https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=232564 THE MYSTIC WORLD (by Dean Shomshak) The definitive source on the mystical cosmology of the Champions Online universe. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=208418 UNTIL: DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM (by Darren Watts and Steve Long) These are the good guys, their history, their people, their toys. A bit dated. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=208417

VIBORA BAY (by Darren Watts, Derek Hiemforth, Jason Walters, and Steve Long) Floridas favorite supernatural metropolis. Predates CO by a considerable margin, and thus has gaps, but it still has value as a sourcebook. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=220391 VIPER: COILS OF THE SERPENT (by Steve Long and Scott Bennie) Theyre mean and green and their goals are obscene. Meet VIPER, a ruthless terrorist organization dedicated to ruling the world. https://www.herogames.com/viewItem. htm?itemID=220393 BE A HERO! Support HERO Games! All art in this document comes from the Champions Online website authoring kit, provided by Cryptic Studios.

CO Lore Primer: Introduction 

II: Timeline
This is a Champions Universe timeline thats based on the one in Champions Universe (6th edition) but hewing a little closer to the Champions Online timeline, with references to most characters who arent 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 Battle of the Coreward Fields turns the Malvan-Elder Worm war in the favor of the Malvans. Some Elder Worms make their way to Earth. c. 70,000 BC Birth of Evil. Kul-Tarak, who later becomes Takofanes, is born. 37,523 BC Lemuria founded by a scientist-sorcerer. 36,964 BC The Lemurians attack the Empyreans with the Mandragalore, a powerful magical weapon. It backfires and Lemuria sinks. c. 35,000 BC The snake-god Nama is born in West Africa. Rise of Atlantis. c. 30,598 BC Sharna-Gorak the Destroyer causes the destruction of Atlantis. c17,698 BC Lemurian sorcerers create the Bronze King to turn the tide in a Lemurian civil war. c12,000 BC In the Lynxs Fold of whats now Northern Canada, the spirit of the Land, aided by human shamans, defeats the spirit of the Ice. The Ice Age ends, bringing in the start of the modern age. The Inuit god Kigatilik, who sided with Ice over Land, is cast out of that pantheon. He becomes an agent of the Ice, seeking vengeance on the shamans who opposed them. c. 520 AD Sir Giles de Morphant, a black knight in the days of King Arthur, is slain by Lancelot. He is later revived as the supervillain Black Paladin. c. 1000 AD Viperia is born in Africa. At the behest of local tribes, Nama places her in suspended animation to avoid the destruction of the continent. c. 30 AD 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 Vlad Tepes is transformed by magic into Dracula. 1772 AD The first Black Mask appears. He is the first costumed hero in recorded history. 1783 AD The Circle of the Scarlet Moon is founded by decadent French nobles. 1800 AD The Empyrean Arvad leads a rebellion against King Hazor, but is defeated and exiled. c. 1800 AD The Trismegistus Council is founded to serve as guardians of white magic. 1838 AD An American secret society, the Patriot Lodges, who have vowed to overthrow British influence in North America, launch an invasion in Canada. Theyre defeated, but not before swearing a mystical oath that their descendents would not abandon the cause of republicanism. 1864 AD Arvad uses his mental powers to seize control of Lemuria. 1865 AD The Unholy Order of the Grand Reptile, the predecessor of VIPER, is founded in London. 1908 AD The Circle of the Scarlet Moon kills earths Archmage. The earth goes without a major protector against occult threats for over a century. 1917 AD Birth of Albert Zerstoiten, the future Doctor Destroyer. 1925 AD DEMON is founded, committing the Dog Day Murders in New York City.

1937 AD After the murder of her father, Princess Mara becomes rightful queen of Atlantis. Unable to get her throne, she establishes herself as the mystery woman Sea Hawk. 1938 AD May 1. Birth of Modern Superhumans. A Nazi ritual attempts to endow a German cult with mystical powers. Instead, it unlocks the ambient magical powers of earth, greatly increasing the influence of magic, increasing links to the imaginal realms that essentially allows for a second, contradictory law of physics to coexist with the laws of the physical world -- the laws of metahuman -- making superpowers possible. The first superhumans appear: Der Sturmvogel in Germany, Captain Patriot in America. The Sirians, an alien race, invades New Jersey. Four superhumans respond. After their victory over the aliens, the heroes found the Defenders of Justice, the worlds first superteam. 1940 AD Pulp adventurer and scoundrel, Edgar Lancelyn Essec falls under the spell of Nama while exploring a cave in West Africa. 1941 AD In the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack, American superhumans volunteer for war, The Defenders of Justice are among the first volunteers. The US Army sets up a secret supersoldier project in Haynesville Kansas, where Captain Patriot was created. 1942 AD Lemuria joins the Axis side in the war. They attempt to invade California, but are repulsed by a new team of heroes who call themselves the Justice Squadron. 1943 AD The Defenders of Justice help Mara recapture the throne of Atlantis. 1944 AD Albert Zerstoiten betrays the Nazis and flees to South CO Lore Primer: Timeline 

America. 1945 AD Sturmvogel is killed in the dying days of the war. 1948 AD The Haynesville Project is closed. The Defenders of Justice disband. 1954 AD Brought together by Nama, thirty men and women, survivors and sympathizers of the Axis cause and the Unholy Order of the Grand Reptile, found VIPER (Venomous Imperial Party of the Eternal Reptile), swearing an oath on the Serpent Lantern. 1959 AD First appearance of Vanguard, the worlds most powerful superhero. 1962 AD August 22. Green Monday. VIPER makes its first public appearance, performing numerous targeted assassinations around the globe. The United Nations sets up a tribunal on international law as a response. 1964 AD *The supervillain Revenger conquers the Selenites, the Moon people, and uses them as tools in his plan to conquer humanity. Kigatilik, imprisoned centuries ago by the Inuit gods, is freed. The Land empowers four people, the Mighty Canadians, in response (Celestar, Kivioq, Timberline, and Bonne Vivian). 1965 AD The first Qularr invasion nearly destroys Tokyo. UNTIL is founded. The US refuses to recognize them or let them operate on American soil. 1966 AD Another Lemurian invasion of the surface world is foiled. CO Lore Primer: Timeline 10

1967 AD A second Sirian invasion is thwarted by superheroes. *China founds the Tiger Squad as its official hero team. 1968 AD VIPERs second major scheme of conquest, Operation Coil, is thwarted. DEMON makes its first modern appearance, stealing the Basilisk Orb and performing a ritual on the Carolina Islands. They are stopped by UNTIL. *The Star*Guard, a group of galactic police, build a base on Europa and send a representative to Earth. *The Soviet Union founds the Peoples Legion as its superhero team. They remain active until 1989. Mega-Terak leaves Monster Island and rampages through Tokyo for the first time. 1969 AD First appearance of the All-American, a super-soldier created by the Perseus Project, an offshoot of the research done by the Haynesville Project in WW2. 1970 AD Superheroes defeat the Revenger and frees the Selenites from his control. Revenger dies in a cave-in. 1971 AD Lewis Frey, aka Masquerade I, is captured by Black Mask. He spends the next fourteen years in prison. 1973 AD First visit of the Mandaarians, seemingly benign aliens, to earth. 1975 AD Destroyer Walks the Earth. First appearance of Dr. Destroyer, as his attempted conquest of California is barely defeated. The Mighty Canadians final battle. They seal Kigatilik

in the Frost Tomb, but all of their members except Celestar are sealed with them. 1977 AD Battle for the Planet. The first Gadroon invasion escalates into the worst conflict between humans and extraterrestrials in this planets history. After over a month of fighting around the globe and in orbit, with many majo cities badly damaged, the intervention of Doctor Destroyer turns the tide. Destroyer ruthlessly annihilates the Gadroon fleet, and advocates pursuing the fleet and utterly destroying them. To his disgust, the Justice Squadron and Vanguard nix his suggestion. 1978 AD Stronghold is built in the American southwest. Ooops. An accident involving a delta bomb transforms White Sands New Mexico into Burning Sands. First appearance of Dark Seraph. 1979 AD Dr. Destroyer allies with VIPER, but its a ruse to allow Destroyer to get control of the Serpent Lantern. In the end, both sides lose the Lantern. First appearance of the Slug. 1980 AD ARGENT is founded. Prompted by the deprivations of Doctor Destroyer, the United States passes the first superhuman registration act. 1982 AD Death of Captain Patriot. *The Institute for Human Advancement (IHA), an antimutant organization is founded. 1983 AD ARGENT is exposed as a criminal organization. Their lawyers keep them in business, but their leaders flee the country, eventually relocating in the middle

eastern nation of Awad. *Disaffected Danish politician Danar Nicole quits the European parliament, eventually founding the villain team Eurostar. 1984 AD March 30- June 24: Reign of the Destroyer. Using mind control satellites, Doctor. Destroyer seizes control of the globe. He is defeated by Vanguard and his island base, Destruga I, is destroyed. Perhaps inspired by Destroyer, Sebastian Poe founds PSI. A second Gadroon invasion is defeated. 1985 AD The Machine Starts. First appearance of Mechanon. Dr. Silverback is rescued from the clutches of Moreau. Mega-Terak attacks Osaka. 1986 AD PRIMUS is founded, with Golden Avenger Robert Kauffman as its first leader. Stronghold institutes hot sleep. A lab accident inadvertently creates Grond. The Demonflame Incident. Luther Black raises a tower in Boston in an attempt to summon and absorb the power of Sharna-Gorak the Destroyer. He is defeated by superheroes, and by VIPER, who are instructed by Nama to defend humanity against Sharna-Gorak. The French government passes a law requiring the registration of superhumans. *Thomas Cassidy founds SNN, the Super News Network. The United States creates the Department of SuperhuCO Lore Primer: Timeline 11

man and Paranormal Affairs (DOSPA), a cabinet level agency to regulate supers. 1987 Dr. Silverback wins British citizenship rights, becoming the first known non-human citizen of a terrestrial country. First modern appearance of Takofanes in Oklahoma. He raises an undead army and marches for the east coast, but is stopped by superheroes in Kentucky. Several heroes are killed in the process. Day of the Destroyer. Doctor Destroyer threatens to eliminate 90% of humanity with death-ray satellites, but is eventually defeated by an alliance of superhero teams. UNTIL founds its own official superteam, UNITY. *Eurostar first appears, releasing its Eurostar Manifesto as a statement of intent. Eurostar, Europes most powerful villain team, is born. 1989 Binder and Blackstar form the Ultimates, another

powerful villain team (whove yet to appear in Champions). *First appearance of the supervillain known as the Monster. Jack Tiptree becomes the latest All-American. 1990 First Human Star*Guard. Star*Guard Brin Rei Tarn is slain by Mordace. He is replaced by the first human Star*Guard, Andre Almena. William Carl Eckhardt succeeds Juan Martinez as Secretary-Marshall of UNTIL. 1991 Dr. Destroyer raises his second island base, Destruga II, and attempts to gain statehood. He is rebuffed, and Destruga is destroyed by superheroes. 1992 July 23 The Battle of Detroit: Dr. Destroyer is killed battling Earths superheroes, but activates a device that destroys most of Detroit. Vanguard is

CO Lore Primer: Timeline 12

killed defending the earth from Destroyers asteroid weapon. Fourteen other superheroes are killed, fighting various monsters summoned by Destroyer or Destroyer himself. The American government, several major corporations (including ACI and Harmon Enterprises), and numerous charitable foundations form the Millennium Project to rebuild the city. Seeing that VIPER needs guidance, Nama wakes Edgar Lancelyn Essec from slumber and christens him as VIPERs Supreme Serpent. 1993 The United States signs the Tribunal treaty, allowing UNTIL to operate on American soil. Eurostar hires Teleios to clone them an army, which they use in an unsuccessful invasion of Poland. Teleios becomes known to the general public. *First modern appearance of Black Paladin. My Name is Foxbat and this is my Master Plan! First appearance of Foxbat, who tries to steal the Empire State building. *The Warlord appears and tries to conquer Vietnam. JTF-2 is founded in Canada. JTF-X (Excalibur) is added as its superhuman branch. 1994 The Gadroon invade northern Canada. Forceknight III founds the third Northern Guard to stop them. Hes soon joined by Justiciar, whos rescued from cryosleep in the lab of a cybernetic villain. Project Sunburst takes place. First appearance of Black Mask X. 1995 Lewis Frey, the retired (and allegedly reformed) villain Masquerade I, opens Club Caprice in Millennium City.

1996 UNTIL completes construction of its Gateway space station. VIPER goes to war with Eurostar to control Europes criminal networks (and conquer the continent in general). 1997 Robert Johnson succeeds Robert Kauffman as Golden Avenger of PRIMUS. Kauffman doesnt retire, and eventually takes a position to clean up the mess at Project Greenskin. 1998 The Northern Guard disbands. Mark Derringer, formerly Avenger of SUNDER, becomes leader of the RCMPs superhuman response division, the Steelheads. Force Station Steelhead is constructed to keep an eye on the Lynxs Fold. Istvatha VHan, so-called Empress of a Billion Dimensions, launches her first invasion of Earth. In her first modern appearance, VIPER unleashes Viperia against Eurostar, forcing that group to withdraw and ending the VIPER-Eurostar war. 1999 Construction on Millennium City is completed. Grand Cienelago Island, a secret resort for superheroes, opens in the Caribbean. 2000 *Russkiye Zashchitniki (The Russian Defenders), an informal superhero team, forms in Moscow. *First appearance of the supervillainess Gravitar, fighting Mechanon. UNTIL completes Moonbase Serenity. Celestar and Forceknight III found StarForce, Torontos official superhero team. CO Lore Primer: Timeline 13

2001 Defender founds the Champions, according to some the worlds most powerful superteam. The original team is Defender, Nighthawk, and Sapphire; Ironclad (who arrives on earth early in the year) and Witchcraft join soon afterwards. Firewing comes to earth, challenging any worthy superhuman to trial by combat. 2002 *First appearance of the time travelling villain Captain Chromos.

2007 The Constable joins StarForce. 2008 The Gadroon invade Canada and create a beachhead not far from Force Station Steelhead. 2009 August 28: Crisis in Millennium City! (start of CO). The Qularr invade Earth. A plucky hero helps the Champions shut down all of the beacons to prevent Shadow Destroyers signal from driving the Qularr crazy. Ironclad launches himself at the Qularr mothership, 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 Millenisnt.) 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 Arvads authority and revive the cult of the Bleak Ones. They use a magic ritual to transform their shape into something that can survive on the surface and seize control of the ancient Lemurian temple of Andrith on Monster Island. Arvad, whos been a brutal tyrant and a villain for most of his life, experiences a change of heart at seeing his people in danger. He attempts to reconcile with the heroes of the surface world, not an easy process after decades of being the menace from beneath the waters. 2004 Descendents of the Hunter-Patriots, perform a magic ritual to gain powers and become active in the modern world. 2006 Nighthawk leaves the Champions, replaced by Kinetik. CO Lore Primer: Timeline 14 Canadian Crisis! At the behest of Shadow Destroyer, Rakshasa frees Kigatilik from the Frost Tomb. 2010 Vibora Bay Apocalypse! In a confusing episode involving time travel, the fallen angel Therakiel attempts to conquer heaven and hell, but is thwarted by Juryrig, Robert Caliburn, and a group of superheroes. Caliburn becomes the new Archmage of Earth. The Serpent Lantern. The Supreme Serpent attempts to use the Serpent Lantern to unite quarrelling factions in VIPER, but UNTIL, aided by a plucky superhero, destroys the Lantern before he can do so. The Fall of Black. Luther Black imprisons five of the Kings of Edom in an attempt to elevate himself to godhood. He is foiled by Witchcraft, Project Hermes, and a brave superhero, who enters the Qlipthotic to free the Kings.

2011 Takofanes perfects the Bloodmoon ritual, making it appear frequently over Millennium City. Foxbat defaces signs around Millennium City on April Fools Day. Resistance. Heroes defeat Shadow Destroyer in Multifaria, though theyre 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 showdown with weakened avatars of the Kings of Edom. Whiteout. Working for a mysterious patron, a Roinesh shp is shot down by the Star*Guard and crashes in Canada. The Roinesh attempt to steal an artifact secured in Force Station Steelhead, but are foiled. 2012 Red Winter takes over Americas nuclear arsenal, but are foiled by a collection of supeheroes in a big brawl that takes place in the southwest desert. Questionite laced meteors fall to earth. Numerous heroes and villains attempt to collect them, with ARGENT being especially aggressive in their pursuit of the rare mineral. Gravitar wrecks a section of Millennium City. Nighthawk appears to become a villain, attacking the Stone Labs subsidiary of ACI. Eventually, the former Champion is exnerated, and Franklin Stone is indicted. Hi Pans 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-Destroyers.

2013 Le,murian invaders flood parts of Millennium City and summon the Great Leviathan to cement their conquest. They are driven back by an army of heroes. The presence of a Malvan gladiatorial arena on the moon is revealed to earths heroes, and a team participates in the games. They manage to withstand Firewing long enough that the great gladiatot retreats, impressing the Malvans. * This entry indicates a team, individual, or organization that presently exists in the Champions Universe, but has yet to appear in Champions Online (though they may do so in future.)

CO Lore Primer: Timeline 15

III: Current Events

Current Events One of the rules of the Champions Universe is... its exactly like our world. except when the exceptions are noted. There was a 9/11, there is a war in Afghanistan, there is an economic downturn when the economy goes bad, etc. This may be a little hard to swallow, but it gives people common reference points with which to work. Do You Believe In Magic? Despite obvious evidence to the contrary, such as the Bloodmoon, vampire supervillains, etc. most people in the Champions Universe do NOT believe in magic, explaining it away with scientific explanations such as odd mutations and superhumans adopting supernatural motifs in order to frighten people. It is the nature of magic that ordinary people will reject it until they have no other choice but to accept. People in places where magic is frequently encountered, like Vibora Bay (and to a lesser extent Millennium City) are probably far less skeptical, and the government has made laws about some aspects of it, such as undead rights (which skeptics may find highly confusing). (In fact, its advised that if an RP group ignores this prohibition, you should play along with it.)

Americas version, the American Superhuman and Paranormal Registration Act (ASPRA) was passed in 1980. This law requires superhumans to register their abilities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The superhuman registration laws are not heavily enforced. DOSPA In the United States, there is a cabinet level agency that oversees superhuman affairs, DOSPA (the Department of Superhuman Affairs). It is led by Andrew Rochester, formerly a Major with Desert Storm. Rochester is viewed as sympathetic to most superhuman issues, and friend to many of the most prominent superheroes in the country, including the Champions. Secret Identities Secret identities are not protected under the law.

Opinion Corner: Undead rights: 5e vs. 6e

This is controversial, as Champions Universe 6th edition 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. As 6th edition works supersede previous canon, the reversion back to Congress has passed limited rights to all sapients is considered the guiding principle. If youre playing with a heavily horror centered group and youre using the Van Helsing Act and other earlier material as canon, just be aware that everyone may not be playing on the same page as you, lorewise. On the other hand, that material is much more detailed than current canon and may be seen as preferable for that reason. Restraint and negotiation in the event of lore disputes is highly recommended. Dont use lore as a club or be a lore Nazi. Knowing more lore does not make you a better RPer.

LAW AND GOVERNMENT

Superhuman Registration Most western countries, including the United States, require registration with a government authority. These databases, built with the help of superhuman geniuses, are some of the most secure computer networks ever assembled. Whether they can continue to hold up against cybervillains like Interface --or Mechanon-- remains to be seen, and their security is a continuing concern to many superhumans who refuse to register with them.

CO Lore Primer: The Superhuman World 16

Non-Human Rights The issue of non-human rights is an ongoing one, particularly when players take the roles of vampires, demons, extradimensionals, clones, extraterrestrials and robots. At present, the 14th Amendments guarantees of due process and equal protection apply to humans and individuals whose genetic material (clones, mutates and mutants) are derived from humans. They do not apply to extradimensionals, extraterrestrials, constructs, and creatures who have been pronounced as legally dead (i.e. undead). According to Champions Universe (6e): Congress has, however, passed laws granting at least limited rights to all independent, free-willed, sentient entities in American territory Presumably, this includes the basic right to not be killed on sight, and probably the right to hold property and seek legitimate employment, but not the right to vote. Stronghold The worlds most secure prison system is Stronghold. Using advanced technology, this prison is built with customizable force field enclosures designed to keep the most powerful supervillains from escaping. The first and best known Stronghold is in New Mexico, not far from Burning Sands. It is not a trivial process to get a criminal transferred to Stronghold; you need to be able to demonstrate in court that no other type of incarceration will safely hold the prisoner. For major threats, the most extreme method of containment is Hot Sleep. This is an induced coma designed to keep the most dangerous prisoners unconscious permanently. PRIMUS and UNTIL PRIMUS (Paranormal Research and Investigation Mission of the United States) is an UNTIL-like agency that works as a branch of the US Department of Justice. Theyre the response of the United States government to superhuman crime, often assuming a paramilitary role. Their field agents are enhanced by an experimental super soldier serum (effective in only a small number of test subjects but effective with only mild addictive side effects); local leaders are called Silver Avengers, while the top agent is known as the

MMOS, Repeating Events, and RP.

Because everyone goes through the Stronghold scenario at some point, theres a strong tendency on the part of some role-players to see Stronghold as a sieve and use that as a justification for ruthless vigilantism. In canon, however, there have only been two breakouts, one in 1990 and 2009. The security of the institution should be respected, and the continuous stream of player missions to Stronghold should be handwaved. In fact, theres a general rule about MMO events and RP: ignore the repetition. Dont worry that your nemesis is building a death ray for the thousandth time. Change it to a mind control ray, or ignore that part of the plot entirely and state your nemesis is doing something else. Running Serpent Lantern again? It can be set in any jungle-torn part of the world and involve a completely different McGuffin. The game is limited in its scenarios, but you dont have to be. Be creative.

Golden Avenger. PRIMUS deals with threats that normal police cant handle. Theyre also responsible for maintaining and protecting the ASPRA database, and assisting the federal Bureau of Prisons by transporting superhuman prisoners for incarceration. PRIMUSs current Golden Avenge is Daniel (DJ) Johnson. Note: PRIMUS has had several sourcebooks, but all are at this point obsolete. A PDF book written by Shelley McTyre in the late 1990s is the most current, but even that contains information thats greatly at variance with Champions Online canon (such as former Golden Avenger Kauffman being deceased). UNTIL UNTIL (United Nations Tribunal on International Law) is a United Nations organization dedicated to protecting humanity from superhuman, global-scale threats, or as a police force in areas with no national jurisdiction like Monster Island. They operate in most nations around the world, except for rogue states like Awad, Chiquador and Lugendu. They have only operated in the United States since 1993, and it took the Detroit tragedy to finally force the US to allow them entry. The Secretary-Marshall is William Eckhardt, who took over for the original UNTIL commander, Juan Martinez. The chief field commander is Field MarCO Lore Primer: The Superhuman World 17

shall David Ben-Israel. They have a number of special projects: Project Snakecharmer is their anti-VIPER task force, Project Hermes is their mysticism division (largely dedicated to fighting DEMON), and Project Shiva is their long-standing anti-Dr. Destroyer task force. UNTIL generally confines its operations to global or international threats, but has been known to interfere in local jurisdictions from time to time. Naturally, conflicts occur. UNITY UNITY is the superhero team thats attached to UNTIL. It is led by Quasar, an energy being who was a technician who once served Dr. Destroyer. Other members include Myrmidon, Dr. White and Dr. Black, Psiclops, and El Picaro. Mentiac is a former member and frequent advisor. In Champions Online, they have a sponsorship program for extremely capable superhumans, sending them out to global hotspots to combat numerous threats like VIPER and the Qularr.

Opinion Corner: Theyre the good guys, folks!

PRIMUS and UNTIL are both meant to be good guy organizations. They do operate in a political world, and dont always make the most morally correct 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 open. They have intelligence divisions (so an UNTIL spy is an appropriate character concept) but are not likely to have secret assassination squads or use black ops teams for anything except intelligence gathering. If realpolitik tactics are employed, it would be on a case by case basis. Now they arent the boy scouts. They are paramilitary organizations, and missions are often specify capture if you can, kill if you must orders. They do employ lethal force when appropriate -- but they do so openly, like the cops or the army, not in secret. Theres still plenty of room for conflict. Both agencies can be overbearing and abusive of their authority. Sometimes corrupt elements will infiltrate them and cause problems. In general, however, the heroes can count on them for support. (If they couldnt, a lot of the mission chains and adventure packs wouldnt make much sense.) If you wish to fun a storyline involving The Evil government black ops conspiracy, which is a staple of some character backgrounds, you can still do it. Just dont turn the main UNTIL folks into Iron 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 can be identified, opposed and eliminated. Thats Not American! The question often arises on why UNTIL is allowed to operate on American soil and what they are allowed to do here. UNTIL is essentially SHIELD meets THUNDER. It reflects a much more positive, Silver Age view of the United Nations, where they are competent, capable, and reasonable. Their existence is easier to justify in a world which has experienced six significant alien invasions, and sorties from international conquerors and villains like Destroyer or the Warlord who have the military might of a rogue state. Mankind faces many more external threats than it does on our world, prompting a more unified defense. Even with this, the United States is a reluctant participant The signatory treaty, as ratified by all participating countries (including the US) defines UNTILs jurisdiction as the following: crimes committed by superhumans, crimes involving superhuman technology, crimes committed by aliens and extradimensionals, crimes committed by non-human terrestrial species, and crimes committed in international waters or territories. The first two categories often leads to conflict with PEIMUS and the FBI. In practise, UNTIL defers to local authorities and coordinates their action and investigations with the locals, including PRIMUS. This does not prevent them from butting heads or being friendly rivals.

SUPERHUMAN MEDIA

Entertainment in the Champions Online universe is much the same as ours. Superheroes are a celebrity class and receive a lot of media attention. Television SNN, the Super News Network, is the principle source of superhero news. Shows such as Behind the Mask (in-depth interviews with superhumans whose identities are publicly known), Super History (a historical analysis of superhuman events) and Gadgets! (a show on superhuman tech) are particularly popular. Superheroes make appearances on regular TV shows and one popular soap opera, To Save Tomorrow, focuses on the struggles of the fictitious Justice Force Omega team, where battles with superhumans are often sidelined for paternity tests, evil twins, and amnesia, and no one is a child superhero for very long. CO Lore Primer: The Superhuman World 18

Print Media Super-World Magazine is the most prominent print magazine dedicated to supers. Running since 1972, it also periodically publishes Uncaped, which features naked or half-naked superheroines posing Playboy style. Behind the celebrity, however. is fear. Many superheroes are targeted by the media (in many cases, justly so) for their excesses. Tabloid stories are filled with wild allegations; in the mainstream media, the Adair Publishing group (which owns the Millennium City Free Press) goes out of its way to criticize the Champions and other superhumans. Adair columnist and news personality (who hosts a show on Millennium Citys right wing TV station WTFL) Curt Curruthers has a particularly strong hatred for the Champions (especially Witchcraft, whom he believes is corrupting children by presenting the occult in a positive light). Its known that VIPER has an ongoing campaign to infiltrate the media and smear superheroes.

Grand Cienelago Island Victor Putnam, the retired 60s superhero Silver Shield, built a secret Caribbean resort for superheroes to relax. Its true nature concealed by advanced technology, only proven superheroes are invited to vacation here. This does not yet exist in Champions Online, though parts of Monster Island might substitute for it.

SPORTS

People with superhuman abilities are barred from most sports. Though naturally gifted athletes have become superheroes, its considered unethical for people with powers to exploit them over normals. Superhumans, of course, engage in friendly competition with each other, and (of course) there are charity boxing and wrestling matches.

The Arena One area that flourishes is fighting. Theres 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, howroes; (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 Citys Club Caprice. Founded in canon and might not be recognized as an actual in1995 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 sportDespite a slightly sleazy, anything goes reputaing prize, theres 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 doesnt 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 from the real world is in its corporate environment. Real world companies like Microsoft and Google exist alongside companies like: ACI. (Advanced Concepts Industries): Founded in 1973 by the extremely formidable Franklin Stone, this industrial conglomerate owns everything from oil firms to NarcCola and Ace Burgers. Stone is proud of his take no prisoners attitude and dismissal of business ethics. While hes often been suspected of criminal wrongdoing, no one has ever managed to make a charge stick against Stone, though Nighthawk recently uncovered enough evidence that charges were laid against him. ACI are major rivals of ARGENT, but while their methods are similar, ACI is capable of extraordinary subtlety and knows when not to push its luck -- and has its criminal interests hidden behind several layers of dummy corporations. ARGENT (Advanced Research Group ENTerprises) is a corporation/criminal group. Founded in 1980, they were exposed in 1983 for selling military secrets to the Soviets, Chinese, VIPER and Dr. Destroyer. Their board of directors fled the country and settled in Awad, however good lawyers kept the company in business. In 2003, the Champions captured the supervillain Interface, who implicated ARGENT in numerous crimes. Again, good lawyers kept them from being shut down, and only now has ARGENT recovered from commercial losses caused by the scandal. ARGENT is known for their brutally effective agents, and their utter disdain for local laws and the environment. ARGENT is also expanding into space. Theyre behind Roger Corwins SkyProspect project to mine the asteroid belt. Binary Corporation: A conglomerate whose primary interests are in computers and biotechnology, genetic engineering, and plasma weapon systems. In 2001, it was rocked CO Lore Primer: The Superhuman World 20

Opinion Corner: Argent

Champions Online and the Champions PnP have somewhat different views on ARGENT. In the pen and paper, theyre more subtle (they dont patrol buildings with guns and shoot people on sight out in theopen) and yet more discredited (they tend to hide behind dummy corporations rather than operating openly). In the MMO, however, they have their own buildings, armed guards openly patrol sidewalks with heavy armament, and they even operate gas stations, but can be blatant about their crimes. Some players like treating them as VIPER goons with another set of longjohns, while others want them to be seen as a legitimate business and being an ARGENT superhero is a perfectly reasonable career choice. This is probably going to be a long-term conflict with no real solution. My suggestion is that: (a) ARGENT is not perceived publically as a more corporate oriented version of VIPER, (b) that their public reputation is suspect, particularly to those who are hostile to large corporations, but theyre not seen as criminal (and theyre often defended as good caoitalists), and (c) veteran heroes can know theyre rotten to the core, but ARGENT lawyers will come down on them if they speak out publicly, so most major superheroes are circumspect enough to keep their anti-ARGENT statements tend to remain behind closed doors.

by scandal when the Champions revealed one of its top executives was a DEMON Morbane. The board of directors was eventually cleared of suspicion -- the corporation is legitimate. Binary Corporation fields an official superhero, Binary Man. He has not yet appeared in Champions Online. Cambridge Biotechnical A leading biochemical research firm, and (more famously) the company that employs Doctor Silverback. Drake-Victoria Drake-Victoria is a defense contracting firm responsible for many of the systems used in Stronghold. Arthur Drake IV is the CEO. Based in Ames-Iowa, its second largest office is in Millennium City. Drake-Victoria has not yet appeared in Champions Online.

Duchess Industries This powerful German corporation is headed by the beautiful, charming (and possibly immortal) Duchess Henrietta Van Drotte. Seemingly an old money corporation involved mostly in heavy industry and manufacturing, what the general public dont realize is that Duchess Industries is the industrial arm of VIPER, and the Duchess is a member of the Council of Thirty, perhaps the member whos most loyal to the Supreme Serpent. They have not appeared in Champions Online. Dynamic Technologies Research Group This corporation is actually a front company for ARGENT in Millennium City. It is run by Dr. Victor Hopewell, with the assistance of his gifted administrator, Lucinda Sadler. FutureScope A computer company responsible for the creation of SOCRATES. Harmon Industries Harmon Industries is a defense and aerospace company with a heavy presence in Millennium City. Its well-known for its philanthropy and the playboy ways of its neer do well CEO, James Harmon IV. (Harmon is, of course, secretly Defender of the Champions). Ironwood Industrial Technologies A rival of Harmon Industries, this aerospace firm built UNTILs Gateway space station and helped design the V-Jet. Its CEO, James J. Roswell, is a rival of Harmons for the title of Millennium Citys most eligible bachelor. This has yet to appear in Champions Online. Pharos Industries Pharos ranks behind ACI as one of the worlds great corporations, though infrastructure and medical cybernetics are its two big areas of expertise. Its CEO is the very outgoing philanthropist, Linda McCormack. This has not yet appeared in game.

form part of the background of characters (or serve as part-time or full-time employers). The two most famous ones are: Bastion Alpha A freelance security firm founded by the retired superhero Anderson Titan Powell, Bastion Alpha mutates its employees into low level superhumans via the highly secret Bastion process. There have been numerous (unproven) allegations that the firm hires its employees out to work as thugs for supervillains, and several employees have mysteriously vanished in the last few years, leading to some dark speculations about the safety of the Bastion process. This agency has been mentioned in game, but has not made an appearance. Executive Control Sanctions Founded in 1993 by three ex-UNTIL agents, this security agency is well known for its bounty hunter teams, who use state of the art gear to pursue superhumans. This agency has not appeared in game.

SCIENTIFIC AGENCIES
Angelstone Laboratories Founded in 1938 at the start of the superhuman age, this company specializes in the study of superhumans and superhuman technologies. It has (arguably) the most extensive database of superhumans in the world. Theyre extremely helpful, but they are a for profit organization and their services can be expensive. They have not appeared (yet) in Champions Online. The Goodman Institute Do you need a team of scientists to accompany you on a mission? Do you need to send a mysterious artifact somewhere for analysis? These are the guys you want. Founded by Horatio Goodman and led by retired hero Peter (Amazing Man II) Renton, this agency actively seeks to assist superheroes. It does not charge for services, however, if theres money to be made from something found on a mission, the Institute takes the profits (and converts it into operating capital). CO Lore Primer: The Superhuman World 21

SECURITY AGENCIES

There are a number of private security firms that can

LInstitut Thoth A European based offshoot of UNTIL, who resented being used by right wing militarists, this research lab specializes in the study of superhumans, in helping supers understand the nature of their superpowers, and providing medical treatment when they become dangerous or get out of control. They will work with villains -- healing people and helping folks master dangerous superpowers is humanitarian work -- but not actively help them commit crimes. They also take in a limited number of students to teach them the science of paraphysics, as they refer to it.

SPACE
Earths space programs are far more advanced in the Champions Universe, thanks to idealistic superscience, superhumans capable of travelling in space and contact with alien species. Mankind has made a number of remarkable advances, including: GATEWAY. UNTILs space station is the nerve center of mankinds presence in space. Established in 1996 and commanded by Commander Rodney Currie of Canada, over 200 people man the most impressive of Earths orbital structures. GATEWAY is the heart of Earths early warning system against potential alien attack and the vanguard of its space defense. Moonbase Serenity Constructed by UNTIL in 2000, this lunar facility is mans foothold on earths satellite. Over forty scientists and military personnel are stationed here. The VSO The Venus Scientific Outpost. Launched in 2004, the VSO is an eight man permanent space station in orbit around Venus, whose mission is primarily scientific examination of Earths hothouse sister planet. It is commanded by Lt. Colonel Aaron Vee. Marsbase. Established in 2008, humanity established the first man settlement on Mars, Ares I. Commanded by Colonel John Schad, a dozen scientists live at permanent domes stationed on Utopia Planitia . The research CO Lore Primer: The Superhuman World 22

performed by the scientists has uncovered remnants of a civilization that once lived on the planet over a billion years ago. There is also an abandoned Sirian base on Mars, but (prompted by the warnings of various superheroes and Captain Chronos) it remains untouched by any systematic examination. Mans most concerted efforts stop at Mars (for now). There are some companies, including Germanys SkyProspect (an ARGENT front) making the first tentative steps at surveying and mining the asteroid belt, and Dr. Destroyer has a base on one of the asteroids (Zertorenstern). NASA has one superhero on its payroll -- Victory. This air force officer performs many duties for the US air force (most recently in Afghanistan), but prefers her NASA duties. Shes explored most of the worlds of the outer solar system , being the first human to step foot on many of the moons of Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

MYSTICAL AGENCIES

There are several player-friendly magical agencies in the Champions Universe. Trismegistus Council Headquartered in Scotlands Mackenzie House, the Council is the preeminent known order of white magic on Earth, this was founded in the early 19th century to counter the Circle of the Scarlet Moon. Generally known only to those who deal with the mystic side of Champions. Mostly working in a support role for adventurers, the groups primary goals are to encourage mages to responsibly use magic and safeguard the world from threats from other dimensions. They are enemies of DEMON and the Circle of the Scarlet Moon. The Archmage The preeminent magical protector of Earth is the Archmage. The current Archmage is Robert Caliburn, who ascended to that role in the battle against Therakiel after a century of vacancy.

CO Lore Primer: The Superhuman World 23

IV: Whos Who

There are a lot of names in Champions Online, most of which are explained (at best) in passing. Heres a quick overview of some of the heroes and villains in the game. More information of some of these may be found at CO-Wiki. a good martial artist, Black Mask has spent fifteen years in the role of heiress to the worlds longest lived crimefighting family. Celestar Lonnie Lawrence was given vast cosmic powers by the great Land Spirit of North America, which he used as a member of the Mighty Canadians superhero team. In 1975, all but Celestar were trapped in the Frost Tomb while engaged in a final battle with Kigatilik. Lonnie tried repeatedly to free them, but failed. He abandoned earth for several years, and on his return, tried to fight crime in the Windsor/Detroit crime region, but was denied by American officials after a scandal. Because of this, he was not able to intervene in the Battle of Detroit, a failure which resulted in a complete nervous breakdown. Lonnie eventually overcame his psychological conditions and co-founded StarForce, along with Forceknight III. Having handed the team over to Justiciar, he spends his time assisting in Force Station Steelhead. Defender Leader of the Champions, James Harmon is considered a neer do well playboy, but he comes from a long line of heroes and the destruction of Detroit in 1992 steeled his resolve to make a difference in the world. Clad in sturdy power armor, Defender leads the Champions, considered by some to be the most powerful superhero team in the world. Doctor Ka A mystical hero whose family was chosen by the Egyptian god Osiris to oppose his enemy Set, Dr. Ka became a superhero after studying at the feet of his famous uncle, Dr. Scarab. The death of Dr. Scarab led Ka to repudiate his service to Osiris, and now opposes the meddling of any deity who circumvents the Ban to bring misery to humanity. Doctor Silverback A Millennium City based hero and superscientist. CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 24

MAJOR SETTING NPC HEROES

Amphibian Geoff Lamb was a mutant who was taken under the wing of the superhero Sea King. For while, he served as the heros sidekick, but eventually became dissatisfied with that lifestyle; believing the seas needed more aggressive protection, he joined various environmental groups, gradually drifting toward ecoterrorism. When his activities led to the exposure of his (and Sea Kings) identity, it led to a bout of alcoholism, He eventually broke out of the addiction, only to suffer two blows: the death of his mentor, and betrayal by the woman he loved, the Atlantean princess Stingray. Arvad Long one of earths most hated supervillains, this rogue Empyrean seized control of Lemuria two hundred years ago and used it as a war machine in numerous attempts to conquer the surface world. In recent years, the rebellion of the Bleak Ones priesthood has led to two startling conclusions: first, that he loves his people and wants to do right by them, and second, that he needed the surface worlds help if he was to protect them. In recent years, hes won acceptance as a changed man, though not everyone believes that hes sincere in his desire for redemption. Black Mask Tenth in the line of crimefighters dating back to the American Revolution, Jennifer Ward is the protectorix of Vibora Bay. Capable with a gun and

Opinion Corner: Defender

A lot of folks interpret Defender as a jerk. Hes not, but the memes become pretty entrenched -- also because the games AI is lacking, Defender has a reputation among the player base for incompetence. Its fairer and more respectful to the character to ignore it, but gamers are not always fair, especially to authority figures or dev pet NPCs. (There seem to be a lot fewer dev pets in Champions Online than in City of Heroes or World of Warcraft, from which much of the animosity originated). Also, dont pretend its common knowledge --- wink, wink -- that James Harmon and Defender are one and the same, when he goes to the some lengths to protect his secret ID. Thats another symptom of player godmoding to laud themselves over prominent NPCs to make themselves look good.

Ironclad Alien gladiator, born on Dorvala, and kidnapped to fight in the arenas of the decadent planet Malva. Followed the example of the Malvan champion Firewing and came to earth, but sought comradeship instead of battle. Member of the Champions. Juryrig Damon Armstrong, aka Juryrig, is a brilliant if highly eccentric engineer from Vibora Bay. He developed his costumed persona to combat VIPER, whose thefts of his inventions deeply irritated him. Based from an unassuming garage in downtown Vibora Bay, Juryrig lends his expertise to any hero stalwart enough to combat the occult threats of that city. Justiciar David Burrell is the CEO of Burrell Industries, who was badly injured thirty years ago in a mountaineering accident. Against his wishes, he was kept alive and given cybernetic limbs by the supervillain Cyberlord. Burrell was placed in suspended animation to serve as Cyberlords puppet, but was freed by the Northern Guard, a Canadian superhero team. Dubbing himself Justiciar, Burrell joined the Guard and served with distinction; hes currently leader of Canadas most prominent superhero team, StarForce. Justiciar is also one of the few known gay superheroes, though he tends to keep this private. Kinetik Superhero speedster who obtained his powers in a lab accident. Member of the Champions, who joined

Originally an ordinary Rwandan mountain gorilla, Silverback was captured by Moreau and brought to his Ukrainian base, Beast Mountain, where he was mutated into a superintelligent creature. Escaping Moreaus clutches, he eventually emigrated to Britain and then to America, where he serves as advisor and reserve member of the Champions. Gadget Boy Sasuki Katsoru is a child prodigy who first came to prominence when he helped Japans greatest superhero, Tetsuronin, defeat the giant monster Draja. Now stationed on Monster Island, young Sasuki assists UNTIL in dealing with assorted threats, from MegaTerak to the Qularr.

CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 25

the team after the departure of Nighthawk. Kodiak John Cowens, Minnesota-born mutant FBI agent assigned to fight the gangs on the west side of Millennium City. Ally of the Champions. Mark Derringer Head of the RCMP Steelhead division, a century old mutant who was active as a pulp adventurer in the 1920s and 1930s, and was a member of Vancouvers SUNDER team in the 1980s. Mark comes across as a no-nonsense army commander type. Nighthawk A vigilante named Mark Whittaker, whose disfigurement by VIPER served as a wake up call. An early member of the Champions, Nighthawk came to blows with Defender over the use of force against criminals and left the team. He serves as a patron to vigilantes active in the West Side of Millennium City and occasionally aids the Champions in investigations. He has no powers, but is close to maximum human levels in strength, toughness and agility, and is bolstered by numerous gadgets; he also flies the Hawkwing, an advanced jet. Ravenspeaker Billy Edenshaw, descendent of Haida spirit elders and an Anglican missionary who was determined to save the Haida from the deprivations of European settlers, was a resident of the Haida village of Niikwan, which had been hidden centuries ago by Raven. Edenshaw broke a village taboo when he accidentally killed a white raven, and was punished -- or rewarded - by the Haida god by being given the tongue and eyes of Raven. He became involved in the battle to protect Niikwan from Ravens archenemy, the Haida death god Taxet. After defeating the death god, Ravenspeaker, as Billy was now dubbed, became the mystic protector of Canada and a true superhero. Robert Caliburn The so-called Magnum Mage (for his habit of mixing pistols with sorcery), recently revealed as the new Archmage of Earth, Robert Caliburn was originalCO Lore Primer: Whos Who 26

ly Robert Cole, an American soldier in Vietnam. Stumbling into an ancient Vietnamese temple, he came into possession of the Flame Gem, which granted him great magical power -- and which was destined to be used in the final battle against Therakiel. Sapphire Mutant pop sensation who uses her energy control powers as a member of the Champions. Witchcraft Bethany Dusquene was a young sorceress who rejected the evil ways of her parents, who belonged to the Circle of the Scarlet Moon. Unlike her twin sister, Talisman, Bethany chose to use her knowledge to protect people. Bethany is the girlfriend of James Harmon, current member of the Champions and ally of the Trismegistus Council. Witchcraft was once believed to be a prime candidate for Archmage.

MAJOR SETTING VILLAINS

Black Harlequin Psychotic who hides his love of killing by calling them escapades and using murderous attack toys to carry out his wishes. Crowns of Krim A group of villains who wear mystic crowns of power crafted tens of millennia ago by the demongod Krim. Active since 1993, this team is led by Dark Seraph, a bored English aristocrat who was transformed into a mockery of angels and whose Iron Crown, in addition to a command of vast mystic power, guarantees the teams loyalty to him. Other members include: Bloodstone (who wears the Blood Crown), Eclipse (who wears the Shadow Crown), Force (who wears the Golden Crown), Phoenix (who wears the Shining Crown), and Temblor (who wears the Earth Crown).The crowns are subordinate to the dragon crown of Takofanes, though the archlich is their deadly enemy. They are allies of Black Paladin, and Dark Seraph was a mentor of Talisman. The Death Dragon An evil entity, possibly the embodiment of all

human evil (or one of its prime servants) who escapes from imprisonment once every sixty years, requiring a human champion (winner of the Tournament of the Dragon) to beat him back. The Cult of the Red Banner, active in China and in Chinatowns throughout North America, are his servants. Doctor Destroyer Born Albert Zerstoiten, son of a dollmaker, Albert was a renegade Nazi weapons engineer who also aided in experiments on superheroes. He escaped the fall of the Nazis and, inspired by the superheroes and villains of the 1960s, became a master villain in March 1975, making a major impact in an attempted conquest of California that was barely stopped by a coalition of heroes. He became the worlds preeminent supervillain for the next seventeen years: his foiled plots include: using Menton and Mentalla to mind control an army of villains in an attempt to conquer Washington DC in 1980; attempting to freeze the planet in 1981, conquering the world with a mind control satellite to conquer the world for three months in 1984; nearly wiping out nine-tenths of the worlds population in 1988, and finally, in 1992, destroying Detroit after students from the Ravenswood Academy discovered his Detroit base. Destroyer also aided the earth against the Gadroon in 1977 and was responsible for VIPER losing the Serpent Lantern in 1979. Zerstoiten wants to elevate humanity to a utopian state, with himself as its ruler. Destroyer is a pun on his last name (Zerstoiten comes from the same German root world as destruction), and he does see himself as a destroyer in the sense that destruction must be a precursor of renewal. His resources are vast and spread across the planet and the solar system, and his scientific expertise is matched only by a few specialist in their fields, and no one is even close to his league as a generalist. Over the years, hes developed a fanatical distrust of magic and sorcery, which sets him at odds with many of earths heroes and villains. His servants, the Destroyers, include the villains Gigaton, Rakshasa, and Black Talon, and Destroyers engineering genius has produced fleets of Destroid and Mega-Destroid robots.

Eurostar Widely considered to be the most powerful supervillain group in the world, Eurostar desires to unite all of Europe under its iron fist and bring it to world prominence, doing things that the political compromises of the EU cannot achieve. The team was founded in 1988 and has waged numerous acts of terror and assassination. They also waged a well publicized war against VIPER in the 1990s, Its members are Fiacho, Durak, Feuermacher, Mentalla (the sister of Menton), Pantera, Scorpia, Ultrasonique, and der Westgote. It has not yet appeared in Champions Online. Firewing Born Ariax Thone, this Malvan supergladiator with immense fire control abilities arrived on Earth in 2001 to seek battle against Earths greatest heroes. most famously in a 2002 battle against the British hero Hyperion that devastated much of London. Firewing lives for battle, styling himself as an honorable combatant, but capable of great pettiness. Foxbat Insane but crafty villain who uses gadgets, martial arts and a ping pong ball gun, Foxbat is secretly Frederick Foswell, playboy from a once prominent family who used its fortune to amass himself resources for a series of master plans. Foxbat first appeared in 1993, when he attempted to steal the Empire State Building, and his plans have only gotten sillier since then. Gravitar Enormously powerful French villainess who wishes to be acknowledged mistress of earth. While she showed signs of tactical inexperience and petulance early in her career, more recent battles have shown a much more poised and intelligent combatant. Rarely employs minions or allies (though shes worked with two other master villains against the IHA). Istvatha VHan Empress of a billion dimensions, this interdimensional conqueror rules an unimaginably vast empire and has her sights set on this one. Shes attacked earth CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 27

several times, using her D-soldiers, but her schemes have always been thwarted by earths superheroes. Most recently, she appeared to the Gadroon fleet and offered an ultimatum: become her subjects, or face genocide. Choosing to make her their sovereign, the Gadroon are now her vanguard in the conquest of this dimension, though she employs subtler methods as well, willing to offer the carrot as well as the stick, and she likes to style herself as a benevolent despot. Compared to some of her dimensional rivals, such as Tyrannon, this description is not inaccurate. She is mentioned, but has yet to appear in game. Kigatilik The slayer of shamans, an outcast member of the Inuit pantheon whos an enemy of all of the northern gods (The Norse know him as Aeskaldr, the Cold Lord, the god to whom no one prayed) and those who serve them. Imprisoned long ago in a basalt prison, Kigatilik was released in 1964, prompting the powers of the north to create the Mighty Canadians in 1964 to battle him. Sealed in the Frost Tomb in 1975, Kigatilik was released by Rakshasa in 2009 at Shadow Destroyers behest. He now plots against all the heroes of Canada, especially Ravenspeaker and Celestar. Mechanon Robotic entity from the distant future who was 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 appearance at some point in the near future. Menton Born Alejandro Medina, this Spanish telepath was raised to serve Dr. Destroyer alongside his sister Isabella, first aiding Destroyer in 1980 when, aged 10, he took mental control of an army of supervillains. After Destroyers seeming death in 1992, Medina, calling himself Menton, became a master villain in his own right and soon established himself as the worlds most dangerous telepath. Captured and placed in Stronghold, he was responsible for the Stronghold breakout CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 28

of 2009 (thats the basis for the Stronghold scenario in game). Necrull A centuries old Egyptian scientist whose grisly experiments have turned him into a quasi-undead state, Necrull uses science as a bizarre form of necromancy as he seeks the secret of eternal life -- in a parasitic form that few would want. Necrull is responsible for the deaths of many Canadian superheroes. Shadow Destroyer James Harmon IV from the dimension of Multifaria, who combined science and sorcery to gain power, only to fall prey to Qlipothic influences. Inspired by our worlds Dr. Destroyer, he crossed into our world and claimed to be Destroyer-reborn after his death. Possessing vast powers of magic and science, in 2011, Shadow Destroyer was cast into the Qlipothic realm by Dr. Destroyer and some uneasy allies, the heroes of our earth, in the Resistance adventure pack. Stingray Princess Thalassa of Atlantis, who was often neglected by her parents in favor of her brother, Prince Marus. Turning to the study of forbidden magicks to occupy her time, her activities were discovered by a court advisor, whom she murdered to protect her

secret. This act seemed to break her sanity, and she fled Atlantis and quickly established herself as one of the aquatic worlds most dangerous villains. Takofanes Known as the Undying, Takofanes was originally a Turakian necromancer named Kul-Turak who ruled much of the world seventy thousand years ago. After his death, he returned as a lich, and the world joined forces to seal him in a tomb, hopefully for eternity. Oil drilling released him from slumber in Oklahoma in 1987; his attempted advance to the populated centers of the eastern United States was halted, but six superheroes were killed in the process. In 2009, Takofanes caused a Bloodmoon to rise over Millennium City, summoning the ghosts of thirteen of the fifteen heroes who died fighting Dr. Destroyer in 1992. The Bloodmoon has reappeared with greater frequency, becoming a major thorn in the sides of the cities heroes. Takofaness master of sorcery is incredible, aided by two artifacts: the Dragon Crown of Krim, and the Sceptre of the Undying. Teleios Born Jakob Stroessen, this master scientist is the worlds foremost criminal geneticist. A consummate planner, hes always been one step of his enemies, which includes most of the greatest superheroes on the planet. Obsessed with his belief that hes the embodiment of perfection in human form, Stroessen has taken the name Teleios (Greek for Perfection). Among his credible feats of science are the recreation of dinosaurs, which hes named teliosaurs and the creation of an army of clones. Therakiel Vibora Bay-based villain, leader of the High Apostolic Church. A fallen angel who was also barred from Hell, Therakiel plans to use humanity as an apocalyptic army to wage war on both of his mystic enemies.

Luther Black, the power of the Kings of Edom, powerful Qliphothic entities. Founded in the 1920s, DEMON uses summoned creatures and sorcerers called Morbanes in an attempt to enforce Blacks will. In 2010, Black created the Gateway Between Worlds, a habitable zone in the Qliphothic, and managed to surprise the Kings of Edom and take them prisoner. His attempt to wrest their power was thwarted by UNTIs Operation Hermes, Witchcraft, and an allied superhero. The Kings imprisoned Black, but later Demoiselle Nocturne destroyed Blacks body to free him from that prison, placing his mind within her nightmares. DEMONs current status is unknown. The Hunter-Patriots A Western Canadian separatist group, descended from American Patriot lodge members whose invasion of Canada was defeated in 1838. Members of this secret society swore a sacred oath to continue their struggle until all traces of the British crown were thrown out of North America. To ensure their oath would not falter, they performed a magical ritual to bind them -- and their descendents -- to keep to their purpose until it was achieved. In the 1980s, descendents of the original HunterPatriots founded an organization that fostered Western Canadian separatism in the 1980s, but was defeated by the superhero team SUNDER. SUNDER didnt completely destroy the organization; traces -including the Frontiersman supersoldier project -- lay hidden in various enclaves across Canada. In the early 2000s, an unknown individual reactivated the ancient mystic pact of the 1838 Hunter-Patriots, binding the descendents of the original H-Ps to the Cause. They used a combination of experimental technology (some of which was developed by their 1980s predecessors), stolen UNTIL tech, Frontiersman Project mutants, and a telepathic link triggered by the pact, to advance their agenda, pushing for the overthrow of the Canadian government. The Hunter-Patriots leader is Clyde Von Schoutz. The Institute for Human Advancement (IHA) Anti-paranormal group, focusing on mutants, with a legitimate political arm (Senator Phillip Glassman CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 29

MAJOR SETTING VILLAINOUS ORGANIZATIONS

DEMON A mystical brotherhood designed to give its founder,

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; theyre 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 was originally led by the shadowy Council of Thirty. In the early 1990s, after a string of defeats, Nama appointed the mysterious Supreme Serpent to lead the group. The Supreme Serpent is actually pulp era British adventurer Edgar Lancelyn Essec, whos been described (rather aptly), as Cecil Rhodes as supervillain. VIPER continuously develops new strategies and plans. Fielding an army of well trained agents with advanced weapons, VIPER is active over most of the planet. They also have numerous supervillains in their employ (Dragon Branch). Within Dragon Branch, VIPERs primary operative in game is VIPER-X, a fallen Silver Avenger whos regarded as an agents agent; hes also one of the few VIPER operatives who posesses a modicum of honor and will actually negotiate with heroes. Other VIPERs of note in game include the frozen scientist Freon, the scheming nest leaders Draconis, Redstone, and Mechaniste, and the mad scientist Dr. Demogaard. More impressive are the monstrous Ripper, a brick who rivals Grond in strength, and Viperia, a demi-goddess whos Namas obscenely powerful psychotic offspring thats often deployed as a VIPER WMD. CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 30

VIPER is primarily a technology-based organization, however will employ whatever methods gains them power; in Africa and parts of Asia, VIPER deploys Serpent-Mages to assist their cause, however they are rarely (if ever) seen Stateside. VIPErs goals are a mix of the noble and the base. Most VIPER agents just want wealth and power, a few however, view those as the means to an end, that a world built on VIPER philosophy will ultimately be a better place. Their philosophy is not especially condusive to most superheroes: they have a survival of the fittest ethos. In their literature, they describe themselves as predators who combat the scavengers of the human race that would drag it down to mediocrity. The Serpent Lantern is an artifact created by Nama, containing the essence of one of his children, the Serpent of the Lantern. The Lantern was used to enforce a pact between the Founders: they would receive immortality, but the holder of the Lantern would have the power of life and death over the individual who swore the oath. Because it could bestow immortality, it was coveted by Dr. Destroyer, who tried to seize control of it. In the ensuing battle, the Lantern was lost. It resurfaced in 2010, when Essec attempted

to seize it and use it quell conflicts within the Council of Thirty, however a superhero seemingly killed the Serpent in the Lantern, negating its power. Nama is not VIPERs leader and plays no roles in its day-to-day affairs or strategic plans; hes merely the patron of the group. Nama has intervened on only four occasions since the founding of VIPER, and two of those interventions were to use VIPER to help mankind against DEMON (firstly in the 1986 Demonflame incident, and secondly in the Aftershock comic series, where he provided protection for Essec and the Serpent Mages against the Kings of Edom in an attempt to deny them access to new avatars). The Serpents identity is unknown, even to Nest Leaders. VIPERs main base is hidden deep within Mbang Mountain in Cameroon, this (of course) is a carefully guarded secret (that NO player character, even ex-VIPERs, should know about).

Solo Heroes: None. Chicago Team: The Peacekeepers (Dwarfstar, Arc, Inframan, Jack Flash, Zenith). Solo Heroes: None. Cincinnati Team: None. Solo Heroes: Thunderhead. Denver Team: The Alliance (Captain Glory, Contact, Crossbow, Impetus, Mandala, Silver Scorpion), Solo Heroes: None. Houston Team: The Hero Corps (La Bruma, Green Knight, Paradox, Sparrowhawk, White Lynx). Solo Heroes: The Messenger. Kansas City Team: None. Solo Heroes: Roundhouse Los Angeles/Southern California Team: The California Patrol (Downshift, Firewall, Faultline, MeteorMan III, Sequoia, the Silicon Kid, and the Zodiac Man.) Solo Heroes: White Shroud (San Diego) Miami Team: The Watch (Arsenic, Corsair, Jetstream, Mage, Voltage). Solo Heroes: None. New York City Team: The Justice Squadron (Brawler, Blink, Drift, Flashover, Superstar, Tomahawk), the Sentinels (Black Rose, Diamond, Bravo, Diadem, Dr. Vox, Proteus), Nova (Decibelle, Arcane). Solo Heroes: Electrotitan, the Brooklyn Avenger, Shadowman, Magneton. New Orleans Team: None. CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 31

SIGNIFICANT CANON CHARACTERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Sometimes its useful to know the names of major heroes who reside outside Millennium City, if only as references for characters who come from those places. The United States In Champions Online, Defender refers to the Champions as the worlds most powerful superteam. PnP lore, however, begs to disagree. Even in the United States, the Justice Squadron and Sentinels are older and probably more powerful than the Champions, and there are plenty of others who take a run at the title. Major American heroes include: Atlanta Team: None. Solo Heroes: Surge. Baltimore Team: None. Solo Heroes: Straight Arrow. Boston Team: The New Paladins (Dr. Eclipse, Bodyguard, Lux, Python, Tandem).

Solo Heroes: Voodoo Doll. Philadelphia Team: The Liberty League (The Mechanic, Atlas, Blue Flame, Oak, Streamline, Vortex). Solo Heroes: None. Phoenix Team: None. Solo Heroes: Fallout San Francisco Team: Bay Guardians (Eldritch, Blacklight, Druid, Hannibal Grey, Stigma, Totem); the Freedom Patrol (Condor, Windshear, Retrograde). Solo Heroes: None. Seattle Team: Sea-Tac Sentinels. Solo Heroes: Cascade. Washington DC Team: Capital Patrol (American Avenger, FalconMan, Pentagram, Monument, the Insider). Solo Heroes: The All-American.

Chain Gang. China Major Solo Heroes: Jn Lng Qun (Golden Dragon Fist), Bai Hou (White Monkey), Dshng Long (Whispering Dragon). Major Hero Teams: The Tiger Squad (Boxer, Daughter of the Moon, Dragonfly, Earthquake Fist, Eight-Ways Lightning, Gossamer Storm, GraniteMan, Heart of the People, Immensely Strong One, Immortal Philosopher, Iron Horse, Lady of a Thousand Fires, Leafmaster, Mighty Hammer, Peach Blossom Spirit, Phantom Soldier, Phoenix, Quicksilver, Red Bullet, Shaolin Five, Shining Dawn, Soothing Touch, Steel-Shattering Fist, Summer Cloud, Swarmlord, Technocrat, Winter Dragon.) Agencies: None Villains: Dr, Yin Wu, Li Chun the Destroyer, Lam Kuei (Blue-Faced Demon),Ying, the Overlord. Egypt Major Solo Heroes: Maat, Pharos. Major Hero Teams: None. Agencies: None Villains: Anubis, The Living Sphinx. England/Wales Major Solo Heroes: Hyperion, Albion, Major Hero Teams: New Knights of the Round Table, The London Watch (Blazon, Yeoman, Swift Swallow, Repulse), the Night Watch (Shade, Drune, Rhiannon, Talisen). Agencies: Ministry of Superhuman Affairs (between 1953 and 1966 it was Bureau S). Villains: Crusher, the Cat, Samhain, Thrash, Clockwork. France Major Solo Heroes: Seine, Autour, Bastille. Major Hero Teams: The Sixteenth Bureau (Tricolor, Volt, the Musketeer, Valere Noyer, Siffleur) Agencies: None. Villains: Venin Vert, Obeliske, Bonc. Germany Major Solo Heroes: Mondfeuer, Geschwindigkeit, der Bogenschutze, Zeitgeist.

THE WORLD
Australia Major Solo Heroes: Walkabout, Harrier, Brigade. Major Hero Teams: None Agencies: None. Villains: Taipan. Canada Major Solo Heroes: Ravenspeaker, Celestar, Forceknight. Major Hero Teams: Starforce (Toronto-based team founded in 2000 by Celestar and Forceknight: the current team is: Justiciar (leader), The Constable, Argosy, Prism Girl, Dust Devil); Lesprits Guardiens (Montrealbased team. its led by Le Fort, other members include: Surcheval, Voyageur, La Chatelaine); COMET. Agencies: RCMP Steelhead Division. Villains: Borealis, Augury, the Landsman, Teleios, Baron Nihil, Necrull, Kigatilik, Tilingkoot, Mechaniste, CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 32

Major Hero Teams: No major teams. Agencies: None. Villains: Panzer, Der Scwarz Tode, Neutron. India Major Solo Heroes: The Mongoose, Pantheon, Spark. Major Hero Teams: The Superhero Division (military team of 18 heroes, including Rashindar, Ushas, Teja Vayu (Swift Wind), Chakram, Suryabala (Sunchild), Daktara Upaya (Dr. Gadget), Lohe Sainika (Iron Warrior), Saba Devatao, (Anvil ); Mumbai Santari (the Mumbai Sentinels, which includes: Chamakana Dhala (Shining Shield), Bhutatodana (Demonbreaker,), Tapalahara (Heatwave), Surkha Khamba (the Ruby Monolith), Badhana (Stretch). Agencies: Ministry of Superhuman Affairs. Villains: Dr. Destroyer, Black Tiger, Monsoon, the Lord of Rats, Survalesh. Iran Major Solo Heroes: The Fist of Allah. Major Hero Teams: None. Agencies: None. Villains: None. Ireland Major Solo Heroes: Cuchullain, Dweomer. Major Hero Teams: None. Agencies: None. Villains: Redcap. Israel Major Solo Heroes: The Liberator (Palestinian) Major Hero Teams: Sayeret-19 (Ballistic, the Adept, HaPele (the Wonder), Ambush). Agencies: None. Villains: None. Japan Major Solo Heroes: Tetsuronin, Akumashibaru, Charm Girl, Shnen no Kuf (Gadget Boy). Major Hero Teams: Tokyo Super Squad (T (Tower,), Kiku (Chrysanthemum,), Fidobakku (Feedback), Kdtai (Zodiac). Agencies: None. Villains: Kagamishoki, Kazeronin, Kazan (Volcano),

Teikei (Trapezoid), Tetsuryu (Iron Dragon). Russia Major Solo Heroes: Vulnapyezdka (Waverider), Gyeroy Vedun (Hero Wizard) Major Hero Teams: Russkiye Zashchitniki (The Russian Defenders): Stalnoy Volk (Steel Wolf), Zempletpyasenee (Quake), Syeryebro (Silver), Mamont (Mammoth), Kapitan Ukrayina (Captain Ukraine), Agencies: None. Villains: Slun (the Bishop), Molnya (Lightning), Technyik (the Technician), Beek (the Ox). Saudi Arabia Major Solo Heroes: Caracal (Desert Cat), Aasifa Rumlia (the Sandstorm). Major Hero Teams: None. Agencies: None. Villains: The Ifrit. Scandinavia Major Solo Heroes: Potenstorm (Sweden), Beowulf (Denmark), Major Hero Teams: None. Agencies: None. Villains: None. South Africa Major Solo Heroes: The Boer (retired), Blaze, the Gazelle. Major Hero Teams: None, Agencies: None. Villains: Ironhorn. Turkey Major Solo Heroes: None.

Get off Our Lawn, ur... Axis!

Thanks to the sorcery of Totenkopf and Iron Father, Allied superhumans in the Golden Age could not enter Axis territory without losing their powers and eventually falling prey to a wasting sickness. Costumed normals were unaffected.

CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 33

Major Hero Teams: The Children of Ataturk (Gunetalev (Sunfire), Cekic (Hammer), Gizli (Occult), Yorunge (Orbit) Agencies: None. Villains: None.

HEROS AND VILLAINS THROUGH THE AGES

Golden Age Heroes: (US): Captain Patriot, The Defenders of Justice (Optimus, Dr. Twilight, Sea Hawk, Cowboy; they were soon joined by MeteorMan and Captain Patriot, and later morphed into two teams: (Defenders [Homeguard]) : MeteorMan, Dr. Twilight, Streak, American Eagle, Sergeant Battle); Lady Mystery. (Freedom Battalion [Europe]): Optimus, Scarlet Archer, Nightengale, Bulletproof, Liberator (originally Cowboy). (Canada): Princess Aureole, Red Ensign I, Rex Sterling (Hound of Tomorrow), The Human Pistol, Deuce LaRoche, Tommy Canada, Ace Hellion, Ace Helena and the Hellcat Squadron, Dr. Cerebro. (UK): Lady Lightning. Scarlet Archer I. (Russia): General Winter. Golden Age Villains (US): The Liquidator, Sub-Zero, The Mink, the Black Legion (fifth columnist spies and saboteurs). The Society of Evil (villain team). (Canada): King Vultok. (Germany) Der Totenkopf, Sturmvogel, Arlequin, Loge, Moorbrand, and Nordwind. (Japan): Iron Father. (Attlantis) Dargon, Steel Shark. (Lemuria) Arvad. Silver Age Heroes (1950s-70s) US: Vanguard, Hornet, Dr. Scarab, Mountain, Dreamsinger, Black Power, Black Mask IX, Scarlet Archer II, Sea King, Masquerade II. The Fabulous Five (Amazing Man, Siren, Streak II, Diamond, and Kid Chameleon)

The Justice Squadron: (Vanguard, Ocelot, Drifter, Skygirl, Brawler II, Tomahawk, Rowan, Starburst.) The Sentinels (MeteorMan, Rocketman, Microman, Dr. Phantom, and Beowulf) Mexico: El Spectro Canada: Red Ensign II, Forceknight I, Le Fort. The Mighty Canadians (Celestar, Timberline, Bonne Vivian, and Kivioq). Silver Age Villains US: (50s): The Gargoyle, Dr. Macabre, Rockslide, Bookworm, Humbug, and Cyrax the Conqueror. (60s): Revenger, Ultivac, VIPER-X (original), Masquerade I, Fatalla, Serpentine, the Guru, Plague I, The Mocker, Jack Flash, Typhoon. (70s): Professor Morlak. Canada: Kigatilik, Atomica, Claire De Lune, Canadoom (group). Bronze Age (mid 70s to late 80s) Heroes US (later 70s): Draco, Dart, Streak II, Diamond. Canada: Loupe Garou, Canadian Ghost, Laurentian, Beacon, and Mariner. Bronze Age Villains US (later 70s): Archimago, Leviathan, the Slug, Buzzsaw, Rictus, Scirocco, and the Griffin.

In Memorium (Prominent Superhero Deaths)

Killed by Dr. Destroyer (1975): Kid Chameleon, Ocelot. Killed by Takofanes (1987): Archangel, Hardball, Delphi, the Hyperkinetic Man, Tightwire, Flechette I, and Goldfire. Killed by Borealis (1991): Forceknight II. Killed in the Battle of Detroit (1992): Vanguard, Amazing Grace, Crusher, Eclipse, Firefight, Flechette II, Goblin, Icestar, Johnny Hercules, Nimbus, Radion, Shadowboxer, Swashbuckler II, Tiger, Vigil. Killed by Dark Seraph (2000) in Paris: Skydragon. Killed by Baron Nihil (2007): Red Ensign III. Killed by Necrull (2007): Vanguard (Vancouver based team), Forceknight IV.

CO Lore Primer: Whos Who 34

V: Whats What
SUPER-MATERIALS
of the population. Draysha Mutagen developed by VIPER. The Draysha process greatly augments the physical characteristics of the agent, making them considerably stronger, quicker, and more resilient than a normal human, and the process is only fatal in 7% of its cases! However, even successful candidates have a good chance of developing terminal leukemia within a year and even in a best case scenario, are unlikely to survive more than five years. It also causes the user to shed all of his/her body hair. Some of the most unique materials in the Champions Universe are: Destreum A powerful metal created by Dr. Destroyer and used in the construction of his destroids and his incredible battle armor. Fordite A very powerful concentrated explosive. Kendrium A form of steel invented by Professor Kendrick, substantially stronger than steel, and not much heavier. Neutronium The strongest known metal, allegedly the remnants of a neutron star (though some scientists dispute this). Extremely heavy. Orichalcum Mystical metal, originally from Atlantis, this metal holds magical charges extremely well and is used by Atlanteans in their technology. Orichalcum is brownorange in color and closely resembles copper. Questionite Amazingly durable (and rare) metal known for being able to keep an extremely sharp edge indefinitely. Not commonly found (despite it being a currency in-game.)

SUPER SOLDIER PROJECTS

So youre playing a super-soldier? And youre wondering what super-soldier projects are in canon, rather than reinventing the wheel for the thousandth time? Well, there have been many super-soldier programs over the years, most of which were spectacular failures (suitable for PC backgrounds). World War 2 The Haynesville Project: An examination of superhumans in their American birthplace, Haynesville Kansas, Its data was a cornerstone of many later projects. Project Achilles: Produced two successful superhumans, Achilles and the Comet. Project Ascension: Considered a failure. There were numerous Axis projects, some of which involved Dr. Albert Zerstoiten. The 1960s Project Perseus, Produced the original All-American in 1969. The 1970s Project Yeoman. Produced the original Ameriforce CO Lore Primer: Whats What 35

DRUGS
Cyberline Mutagen developed by PRIMUS. All Silver Avengers as well as the Golden Avenger experience this treatment. Cyberline augments human strength, resiliency, and dexterity to near human levels without side effects, however it only works on a small percentage

superteam. (Low level superstrength, toughness, and speed). Several Unnamed Projects. Its 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 superpowers emerged. Most died, and the few who didnt: Sunburst, Gigaton, and Armadillo. Several of the individuals responsible for Sunburst remain in the US military. Project Onslaught. This late 90s genetic modification project produced the military superhero Janissary and the supervillain Onslaught.

CO Lore Primer: Whats What 36

VI: Wheres Where

Arcadia
(Not yet in game); Also known as the City of Gold, home to the Empyreans, this hidden land is located in a hidden Antarctic valley, concealed by advanced technology from the world. The Empyreans were the worlds first superhumans, the descendents of the twelve Empyreans who were mutated by the Progenitors 500,000 years ago. Within the climate controlled comfort of their hidden valley, the Empyreans live in seclusion, interrupted only by periodic wars with Lemuria (the Lemurians built the Mandragalore as a weapon against the Empyreans) and the occasional evil rebel leader like Ogurn, When humanity ascended to modern civilization, some Empyreans decided to leave Arcadia and interact with these new, interesting creatures. Their king, King Hazor, has given them leave to do so, provided they kept their powers a secret, and never reveal Arcadias existence to the outside world. Arcadia was discovered by the Fabulous Five in 1966, and while the Empyreans have managed to keep a lid on their secret, Hazor knows its only a matter of time before it becomes known to the rest of the world. Arcadia is sustained by Progenitor super-technology as well as the psionic powers of the inhabitants. the supervillain Steel Shark usurped the throne. Mara is very friendly to the surface world: her son Marus attended Ravenswood Academy and serves as a part time member of the New York-based Sentinels team as well as Atlantiss unofficial representative at the United Nations, Her daughter Thalassa, however, has embarked on a darker path shes the supervillainess Stingray. Atlantis is a walled city on the ocean floor (at a depth of about 800 feet) located about eight hundred miles west of Cape Verde, 100 miles north of the Equator, in the middle of the Atlantic. The city itself is a ring of concentric walls, the largest of which is three miles in radius. The city has a population of over 100,000. There are also several outlying barbarian tribes, most of whom are friendly to Queen Mara (with the notable exception of the Krosk, a barbarian tribe located several hundred miles northeast of Atlantis, ruled by the fierce chieftain Gundhar. Atlanteans are green skinned humanoids with fins on the wrists, elbows, ankles and upper back and webbed fingers and toes. They have a lifespan of about two hundred years. Atlantean civilization generally uses magic instead of technology and alchemy in place of industry. The key to their civilization is the red-orange metal Orichalcum, which the Atlanteans jealously guard; because of its ability to store magical charges. Atlanteans venerate the god Poseidon, and a Greco-theme is found in a lot of their buildings and art. Atlanteans love their queen, but are less welcoming to Landers than their sovereign.

Atlantis

A great undersea kingdom, Atlantis was a continent that sunk in a cataclysm 32,000 years ago, when, during a terrible civil war, a mage sacrificed his soul to the Kings of Edom to become Sharna-Gorak the Destroyer. The god Poseidon preserved a few of the Atlanteans, and gave them the ability to breathe water. Over the course of millennia, they rebuilt their civilization beneath the waves. In 1937, a villain usurped control of the kingdom and the rightful ruler, Queen Mara, fled to the surface world. She made friends among the Defenders of Justice superhero team, and helped fight Hitler in World War 2. In 1943, with the help of the DOJ, she regained control of the throne and has ruled Atlantis ever since (with the exception of a brief period in 1968 when

Beast Mountain

Prior to his move to Monster Island, Dr. Phillipe Moreaus base was here, a mountain stronghold in the Ukraine. It was here that Dr. Silverback was created in 1984, along with many other manimals. Moreau was driven out of Beast Mountain by a team of British superheroes and the manimals have lived a peaceful existence there ever since (though their leader, Father Elk, left to help the manimals of Monster Island in 2008. CO Lore Primer: Wheres Where 37

Force Station Steelhead and the Lynxs Fold

In North America, four great spirits once dominated the world, four great spirits who abide (with one exception) in extra-dimensional realms: the Land, spirit of the earth and the natural world, in the Happy Hunting Grounds; the Sea, spirit of the vast oceans, in the Great Water; the Ice, spirit of the pitiless northern winter, in the Frost Tomb, and the Sky, which dwells in our realm. In ancient times, at the end of the Ice Age, mankind gave its allegiance to the Land instead of the Ice, and that was the tipping point. The Great Winter ended, and the Ice lost its dominant grip over the world. In this struggle, there was a place where the Spirits met with Man. That place, in Northern Canada, came to be known as the Lynxs Fold, or Cats Cradle. Theres no canon information on when or why Force Station Steelhead was constructed. It was probably built after the dissolution of the second Northern Guard in 1998, when the RCMP and Mark Derringer became aware of the strategic importance of the area in the fight against superhumans, and the discovery of questionite deposits in the region drew a lot of attention there: Argent, the Hunter-Patriots, and VIPER would probably not be in the area without the presence of Questionite. It does seem that for a variety of reasons, a lot of individual groups (from sasquatch

Opinion Corner: Brrrr!

Canada is not permanently cold, not even in the northernmost parts. It frequently gets up to 70 degrees F/21 degrees C at the North Pole in July and August. My explanation for the cold around Force Station Steelhead is the tear that let Kigatilik into our world also created a slight dimensional tear that lets in a continuous supply of supernatural cold from the Frost Tomb. This isnt canon, however, and youre welcome to use it or ignore it as you see fit.

tribes to Gadroon to Necrull) have converged on the area, making it one of the most strategically important control points in North America.

Hudson City

A large, gritty city in New Jersey, noted for corruption, vigilantism, and a hostile attitude toward traditional costumed superheroes. Hudson City, the Urban Abyss is the setting for the Dark Champions RPG of vigilante justice. It is however, part of the Champions IP and Cryptic does have the right to use it in Champions Online if they so choose. .

CO Lore Primer: Wheres Where 38

Lemuria

The older of the two undersea kingdoms, Lemuria was founded by a race of reptile men about 40,000 years ago. They originally worshipped Qliphothic entities called the Bleak Ones. The magic of the sorcererking Faltrah Lem stripped them of their shape-changing powers and transformed them into a human-like appearance. A war against the Empyreans led to the creation of a great engine of destruction, the Mandragalore, but it backfired, sinking Lemuria beneath the waves of the Indian Ocean. The surviving Lemurians dwelt in undersea communities and became ruled by a construct called the Bronze King. In 1800, King Hazors brother Arvad fled from Arcadia after attempting to usurp the throne and took control of Lemuria. After consolidating control over Lemuria, he began to plot the conquest of the surface world. He was a key Nazi subterranean ally during World War 2, and launched numerous attacks during subsequent decades. However, the decades wore away at Arvads defiance and he found himself with

unexpected feelings for his subjects. Arvads villainous nature softened enough that UNTIL even sent a diplomatic mission to Lemuria: unfortunately, neither they nor Arvad counted on the return of the Bleak Ones: rebels who reverted back to the Lemurians original form. Now Arvad, the man who made the Bronze King kneel, the man who has been the surface worlds most persistent enemy for seven decades, finds himself in common cause with the surface-dwellers. Lemuria itself is located in four domes, located about two miles beneath the surface about seven hundred miles south of the Maldives, The main dome is a mile high and ten miles in diameter. Lemurians employ magic and slave-power in place of technology and shun the mechanisms of the surface world, which they view as crude and inferior. Lemurians are divided into noble and Mole Men (slave) castes. Lemurian nobles typically belong to one of twelve noble house, and are sub-divided into warrior, sorcerer and decadent castes. They have dark hair and extremely pale skin, and have a lifespan of

CO Lore Primer: Wheres Where 39

about three hundred years.

The Battle of Detroit

On July 23, 1992, Dr. Destroyer, angered by a defeat which had cost him his island base Destruga, put into motion a plan to use tractor beams to draw asteroids to earth, hoping to cause a catastrophe that would destroy civilization and give him a chance to rebuild it according to his designs. Students from the Ravenswood Academy accidentally stumbled onto his base, forcing Zerstoiten to set his plans into motion. Realizing what Destroyer was about to do, a small army of superheroes divided into two teams to stop him: one team would go into space and stop the asteroids directly, the second would remain in Detroit to confront Destroyer directly. The first wave of asteroids was stopped by Vanguard, who gave him life by plowing full speed into the largest planetoid. The heroine Electron managed to reverse the meteor-tractor beam and repelled the asteroids, while the remaining heroes fought Destroyer to the death. Zerstoiten killed several of the heroes, but on the verge of defeat, he bowed and triggered an orbital weapons platform. The area around Destroyer for several blocks was immediately disintegrated, and the beam cut a swath of destruction across the city. Destroyer was believed dead, but the only thing found was his cracked helmet. It turned out he actually teleported away, He was later captured by his impersonator, Shadow Destroyer, and imprisoned in Multifaria until his escape in 2011. 60,000 people and fifteen superheroes lost their lives in the holocaust.

Millennium City

Formerly Detroit, this city of the future was rebuilt after Dr. Destroyer destroyed it in 1992 (see Sidebar). The city became a high tech Mecca: many companies flocked here, and many others have major branch offices here. Since the 2009 Qularr invasion, many superheroes have descended on this city, the greatest of whom (at least according to the media) are the Champions. Millennium City was rebuilt (completed in late 1999) with advanced technology such as moving walkways and a fully automated transit system. In Millennium City, you dont drive cars cars drive you! North of Millennium City is the city of Windsor, in Canada. Although spared most of the damage, those rebuilt sections of the city are dubbed Memorial City. Ravenswood Academy: Located in the suburb of Orchardsville, this prestigious private school has been the premier (if secret) institutions for young supers since the early 1980s. Run by the Headmistress Headmaster Kristina Pelvanen (secretly the retired superheroine Rowan), numerous young superheroes have graduated from its ranks. The West Side Gangs: There are five gangs in Westside that have periodically caused trouble. The New Purple Gang is a resurgence of an infamous Prohibition Gang of the 1920s. The Cobra Lords are a biker gang noted for the drug trade and involvement in an underground metahuman fighting circuit, the Arena, that has chapters across the United States. The Maniacs is a gang of anarchists who proudly display sociopathic tendencies, The Black Aces is a gang with a playing card motif. These four battle for control of the Westside with the Red Banners. Officials: Millennium Citys mayor is Calvin Biselle, a charismatic African-American who relishes his celebrity status: its police chief is James Surhoff. Biselles biggest political rival is Leonard Berman, a conservative The citys chief prosecutor is George Krugar. (Biselles mayoral tenure should have ended in 2012, however Cryptic ignored his term limit. This was not a surprise (a lot of in-game art, voice work and missions would have needed to have been redone.) Biselle is CO Lore Primer: Wheres Where 40

politically ambitious and does have plans to run fot office at both the state (probably as governor) and federal level. He is strongly pro-traditional costumed superhero, though less thrilled by those of a more vigilante nature. Undercutting his reputation as an adroit political thinker is his long list of malapropisms Biselle is honest, but not everyone at City Hall shares this quality. One member of the city council, Phillip McCaullife, is a VIPER stooge whos also being worked by Medusa. Another member, Vincent Dooley, is firmly entrenched in the pocket of Franklin Stone. The Media: Millennium Citys major newspapers are the Adair owned Millennium City Free Press and the more conservative Millennium City News. The former carries a relatively balanced of views that is often offset by Adair Syndicate anti-metahuman columnists. The latter includes a superhuman news/gossip Christine Hewitt, who can often be seen hobnobbing

wuith heroes in Club Caprices VIP lounge. Millenniums major television stations include WCOC, home of some of Millennium Citys most beloved broadcast team. More controversial is the Adairowned WTFL, whose news personalities include the previously mentioned anti-metahuman columnist Curt Curruthers. Homestead and SOCRATES. One of the most prominent landmarks in Millennium City is Homestead, home base of the Champions. Here the famed superteam keeps watch on the city, assisted by one of the worlds most advanced AIs, SOCRATES. Despite the masculine name, SOCRATES projects a feminine persona at her info kiosks, which are scattered throughout Millennium City.

the Canadian West Coast. To protect the Haida people, the god Raven removed one village from the world, perfectly preserved, except for one small Anglican church, built by the missionary who warned Niikwan against the ravages of the Europeans and who convinced them to accept Ravens offer of protection. Niikwan has been visited occasionally by heroes and pulp adventurers. It is coveted by Taxet, the God of Violent Death in the Haida pantheon, who was denied the pleasure of ravaging it with the smallpox epidemics of the 19th Century.

Project Greenskin

Monster Island

In 1965, the Qularr landed on a large volcanic island located one hundred miles off the east coast of Japan and used it as a breeding ground for giant monsters. The Qularr were defeated, but the giant monsters were not quite as easy to beat. and so Kaiju Island (as its known in Japan) is a natural preserve of the most terrifying creatures on Earth.

Niikwan

Near the turn of the 19th Century, European explorers made contact with the local First Nations tribes on

A huge army base in the New Mexico desert, built near the site of the Delta Bomb incident which irradiated much of the area in 1978. Greenskin was built in 1995 as a forward base for the United States program to contain Grond. It is headed by General Robert Kauffman, the original Golden Avenger of PRIMUS. Its mission is to study the effects of radiation on the area and its peoples (chiefly the Irradiate mutants) but its primary mission is to hunt down and contain the superhumanly radioactive monster Grond and keep him from doing damage. The bases head of research, Dr. Nelson Dupree, was crippled in Gronds initial attack, and has developed an obsession about helping the creature, using advanced science and neurology to calm him down. The presence of so many monstrosities has at-

CO Lore Primer: Wheres Where 41

tracted a number of interested parties to the area, particular the Qularr and VIPER. It is also uncomfortably close to the site of Stronghold. There is a giant statue of Grond stationed at the base; this is (presumably) the same statue that was, originally built by the Irradiates so they could worship him. No ones quite sure why the army keeps it, perhaps Kauffman needs a reminder of why Greenskin exists in the first place. Or perhaps disposing of it would involve too much paperwork.

(Note: There are hints that Thaar will be used in an upcoming mini-series in Champions Online, but may have its location changed to a more Arctic location. Well update this document at the appropriate time.)

Vibora Bay

Shamballah/Agharti

In a cavern under the Himalayas, not far from Mount Everest, lies the hidden city of Shamballah. Led by nine immortal monks, white magic martial arts techniques are taught to those who manage to navigate the shadowy maze that guards the city and prove themselves worthy. Every fighting technique on the planet is taught here: except for those exclusive to the Yengtao Temple and Agharti. Shamballahs evil opposite number, also located under the Himalayas, is the city off Agharti. The two cities are locked in a continuous war.

Sunday Pond, Maine

Located in the woods of central Maine is the sleepy town of Sunday Pond, center of much strangeness and occult activity. Sunday Pond is a nexus, where the connections between the worlds is at its weakest, and monsters from other dimensions enter our world. One man stands as a vanguard against these horrors: the Witness, who helps unwary travellers find their way home, and who puts monsters in their place (usually the ground).

A city in the Florida panhandle known as the Queen City, Vibora Bay is the center of the mystic world in America. It is a stronghold for mystical heroes like Dr. Ka, as well as the magnum mage Robert Caliburn and a large chapter of the Trismegistus Council. The city is currently plagued by a number of predatory occult-oriented gangs: the Dogz (a gang of werewolves led by Black Fang), the Sovereign Sons (a voodoo oriented gang), the New Shadows (a coven of vampires led by Vladic Dracul, father of the legendary Dracula; and the Trey Kings, a group of twisted abominations. Another plague on the city is the gangster Guy Sweetland, a rival of Black Fang. Vibora Bay is the center of the High Apostolic Church, a religion that is a front for the fallen angel Therakiel. 11% of the citys three million residents are devotees of this faith, a voodoo religion with Christian trappings. The mayor of the city is: Richenda Barker. Outside of the city is San Sebastien swamp, home of the legendary Skunk-Ape. To some, the Skunk-Ape is a myth, to others, a rampaging monster, and to still others, the protector of the swamp and its mysteries (the Skunk-Ape has yet to make it into Champions Online).

Yengtao Temple

Thaar

Twelve thousand years ago, aliens mutated a birds (probably a species of falcons) into a species of winged humanoids, who settled on a mountain peak in the southern Indian Ocean. This island, Thaar, became a sanctum for the bird-people. It is ruled by Queen Kea, and is an official protectorate of the United Nations. Few bird-people have ever visited the outside world, except for Klee (the captain of the Queens Guard) and the now deceased supervillain Gyrfalcon. CO Lore Primer: Wheres Where 42

In a hidden valley in China lies the Yengtao Temple, where for generations, those who achieved unity of mind and body could study the exclusive martial arts of the Temple. Many of the worlds greatest fighters studied here, however very recently, it seems that the Temple was destroyed, probably by the supervillain Jade Phoenix at the behest of the Death Dragon, who sought to prevent their techniques from being disseminated to those who would fight in the Tournament of the Dragon.

VIi: Aliens
MAJOR RACES
There are numerous intelligent species in the galaxy, as well as cosmic entities that predate even them. The ones best known to earth include: DENDRIANS Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (low level FTL) Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Medical Tech Level: Advanced Computer Tech Level: Advanced Physical Description: Average (1.6 - 1.9 meters tall) purple skinned humanoids with blue to black hair and five fingers and toes. Homeworld: Dendris Government Type: Planetary congress. Located a mere 58 Light Years from Earth, Dendris is a peaceful if conservative planet that keeps to itself and does not wage war on its neighbors nor seek to build galactic empires. Nonetheless, Dendrians are renowned as engineers, and those who seek adventure or altruistic service often join the Star*Guard. Andre Almenas predecessor in the Star*Guard, Brin Rei Tarn, was a Dendrian, as is Almenas 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: Shughla-Wthelg Government Type: Supreme Monarchy Once the terror of the galaxy, the Elder Worms CO Lore Primer: Aliens 43 ruled half the galaxy in the name of their Qlipothic gods, for whom they were prepared to sacrifice the galaxy. A half million years ago, the Malvans and the Star*Guard went to war against them and won, destroying their homeworld. For many millennia, the Elder Worms wandered the universe looking for bases to rebuild their species -- they found one on Earth. Now, aided by their foul telepathic powers, they seek to corrupt and transform humanity into becoming the seeds of a new elder worm race. ERGONS/THORGONS Location: Relatively close to earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. Propulsion Tech Level: Advanced. Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Medical Tech Level: Advanced Computer Tech Level: Advanced Physical Description: Short (probably 1.2 - 1.5 meters tall) humanoids with pale skin (with red stripes), and translucent, pupilless red eyes. Thorgons ae taller (probably 1.6-1.8 m. tall) with darker skin. Homeworld: Ergath Government Type: Unknown

One of the most contentious species in known space are the Ergons, the bad tempered natives of Ergath, have created clones called the Thorgons to do their dirty workfor them. Dirty work includes space exploration, which brings them in contact with other species. Bred to be cold and pitiless brutes, the Thorgons do not usually make a good impression on those they encounter. FASSAI Location: Milky Way Galaxy, other side of the galaxy from earth Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (low level FTL) Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (blaster weapons) Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Physical Description: Average (1.6 - 1.9 meters tall) dark-skinned (grey to black) humanoids with ridges instead of hair and five fingers and toes. Homeworld: Kadrigar Government Type: Council of representatives. from the Hundred Houses, the ruling families of the planet. A member species of the Veldarian Confederacy, a trade federation from the other side of the galaxy, the Fassai would be completely unknown to Earth except for the presence of the superhuman Herculan. The Fassai are an oddly feudal race, divided into a hundred major families that control most of their planet. They are currently embroiled in a great civil war against other states of the Confederacy. GADROON Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Hostile Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level FTL) Military Tech Level: Advanced (gravitic weapons and force fields) Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Physical Description: Short (1.2 - 1.4 meters tall green skinned brachiad humanoid with four fingers CO Lore Primer: Aliens 44

and toes. Homeworld: None. Government Type: Absolute monarchy in the service of Istvatha VHan. Perhaps the greatest current extraterrestrial threat to Earth are the Gadroon, The Gadroon have launched three major invasions of Earth, with the ultimate goal of transforming it into a new homeworld following the destruction of their homeworld Gadro. The Gadroon are a nomadic species, however recently the extradimensional conqueror Istvatha VHan forced the Gadroon fleet to bow to her rule, giving VHan a foothold in our universe. The Gadroon are currently at war with the Qularr. Humanity has numerous samples of their technology, but to this day its defied analysis, even from the most brilliant human minds. HZEEL Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Hostile Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level FTL) Military Tech Level: Advanced (beam weapons and force fields) Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Physical Description: Short (1.2 meter tall) blue-grey skinned humanoid with red eyes and four fingers and toes. Homeworld: Zeel. Government Type: Corrupt plutocracy. The nearest hostile empire to Earth is the Hzeel (or Blue Boys). Currently at war with the Dorvalans, theyre looking at acquiring earth as a beachhead to stage a major offensive, and are studying Qularr and Gadroon attempts to conquer the planet. The Hzeel are clever and adaptable, but their unified government encourages corruption and its leaders would be considered crime bosses on Earth. (Think of them as a cross between the Ferengi and Classic Treks Ioatians (the gangster planet) and youd probably not be too far off.)

MALVANS Location: Milky Way Galaxy, close to earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral, with some exceptions. Propulsion Tech Level: Highly Advanced (able to cross the Milky Way in a week) Military Tech Level: Highly Advanced (able to shift planets out of orbit) Medical Tech Level: Highly Advanced (extended lifespans into millennia) Computer Tech Level: Highly Advanced Physical Description: Tall (1.9 meter tall) dark bronze to light gold skinned humanoid with large eyes, red or violet eyes, and large feathery eyebrows. Homeworld: Malva. Government Type: Monarchy. The most advanced civilization known to man, Malva is infamous for two reasons: its gladiatorial circuit kidnaps terrestrial superhumans and forces them to compete in their games, and the supervillain Firewing, one of the most brutal and powerful villains ever seen. In reality, Malva is a great galactic power, who once saved the universe from the Elder Worms, but who have now declined into decadence and indolence. Slaves to endless fashion fads, the Malvan aristocracy has one constant -- they enjoy gladiatorial games, and while they have the technology to produce superhumans on demand, they prefer naturally bred and trained competitors. Malva wasnt always decadent, and there was a time that their Golden Hunters worked hand in hand

with the Star*Guard to protect the galaxy, but those days, it seems, are long past. MANDAARIANS Location: Milky Way Galaxy, location unknown. Intentions Toward Humanity: Friendly. Propulsion Tech Level: Highly Advanced (able to cross the Milky Way in a week) Military Tech Level: Unknown. Medical Tech Level: Highly Advanced (extended lifespans into millennia) Computer Tech Level: Highly Advanced Physical Description: Average (1.6 - 1.9 meters tall) light-skinned humanoids (almost identical to Caucasian humans with gold and silver cat-like eyes, slightly pointed ears, and five fingers and toes. Homeworld: Mandaar Government Type: Meritocracy council of the 144 finest intellects. Perhaps the friendliest species to encounter humanity are the Mandaarians, a very human-like race of telepaths. Living in a near-utopia, the Mandaarians live lives of peace tranquility, pursuing intellectual and aesthetic pleasures. Their social scientists have visited earth several times and expressed an appreciation of human culture and have shared some of their art (though none of their technology) with humanity. MONDABI Location: Milky Way Galaxy, location unknown. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral.

CO Lore Primer: Aliens 45

Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (FTL capable). Military Tech Level: Equal to Earth technology. Medical Tech Level: Unknown, probably equal to earth technology Computer Tech Level: Unknown, probably equal to earth technology. Physical Description: Tall (1.9 meters tall) reptilian humanoids with scaly skin, a long thick tail, a face resembling a gila monster, and four fingers and toes. Homeworld: Monda Government Type: Unknown. A race of aggressive reptiloid men whose path has not yet crossed Earth. PERSEIDS Location: Milky Way Galaxy, 2300 LY from earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Friendly Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level FTL) Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (beam weapons and force fields) Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Physical Description: Tall (2 meter tall) black skinned humanoid with bony forehead and shoulder ridges. Homeworld: Dorvala. Government Type: Unified, type unspecified. Dorvalans, or Perseids, are Ironclads race, a tall rigidly structured society that lives on a hostile planet. Its a society where the strong are expected to dominate the weak -- the infirm are routinely forced to commit ritual suicide by their teen years QULAAR Location: Milky Way Galaxy, 2300 LY from earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Friendly Propulsion Tech Level: Slightly advanced (low level FTL) Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (beam weapons and large scale force fields) Medical Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Computer Tech Level: Slightly Advanced Physical Description: Man-sized (1.8 m tall) insect/ CO Lore Primer: Aliens 46

crustacean hybrids with two fingers and a thumb. Homeworld: Reqaat Government Type: Caste-driven oligarchic Republic. The most recent significant alien invasion was launched by the Qularr, an insectoid-crustacean species that occupies a small empire beyond Perseid space. Seeing on earth numerous specimens of Giant Monsters and superhumans, the Qularr invaded the planet hoping to unlock the secret of paranormal abilities, and collect giant monsters to fight against their enemies. Their initial 1965 invasion was centered on Monster Island and was rebuffed, but the sting of the defeat lingered, and when Shadow Destroyer triggered a special beacon (an okay signal from their scouts to invade), the Qularr launched a second invasion worldwide. This invasion was also defeated, however the Qularr maintained a presence on Monster Island. The Qularr are currently at war with the Gadroon, which has accelerated the need for biological weapons (i.e. monsters) and their study of superhumans. ROINESH Location: Milky Way Galaxy, distant from Earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Unknown. Propulsion Tech Level: Advanced (capable of interstellar travel) Military Tech Level: Unknown. Medical Tech Level: Unknown. Computer Tech Level: Unknown. Physical Description: Average sized (1.6 meter tall) humanoid with brownish-grey skin, and vertical furrows on their foreheads -- but are capable of shapechanging. Homeworld: Taroindar. Government Type: Unknown The Roinesh are a slave species of the Malvans, who find their shape changing abilities amusing. The Roinesh chafe at their bondage, and scheme to break free of their masters and become a galactic power. SELENITES Location: Selenus, Earths Moon. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral, with hostile factions.

Opinion Corner: Do it yourself!

So, you dont see anything in the canon races that fits your concept? Fine! Create your own. Space is big and the alien race selection in Champions Beyond was never meant to be complete. Please, however, avoid the biggest and baddest syndrome. Your alien race can be ancient, but dont make them the most ancient race that ever was. Your race can rule a big chunk of the galaxy, but dont make them the dominant race in the galaxy. You can be located near earth (relatively speaking), but youre not the closest major threat. Thats the Hzeel. There are canon races and other players aliens in the sandbox. Dont put them down to lift your race up. You can still create serious threats to the players wthout it. Also, other galaxies, with the exception of Andromeda, are largely undocumented. Feel free to give your race a big role in one of those.

Propulsion Tech Level: Unknown. Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (stolen supervillain tech). Medical Tech Level: Unknown. Computer Tech Level: Unknown. Physical Description: Short (1.2 to 1.5 meter tall) humanoids with a broad upper skull and a pointed chin. Grey-skinned Sirians are shorter than Greenskinned. They have almond shaped eyes, that are pitch black in color. Homeworld: Siria. Government Type: Dictatorship. The first race encountered by mankind, the Sirian invasion of earth in 1938 were foiled by the military and the worlds first superhumans. Desperate to save their world from imminent destruction, the Sirians recklessly launched an attack on Malva in 1985. The attack was effortlessly rebuffed and their counterattack nearly completely destroyed the Sirian species. Today a few hundred Sirian survivors in a small flotilla of ships attempt to keep their race from extinction by any means possible. VAYATHURANS Location: 3500 LY from Earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Neutral. Propulsion Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. Military Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. Medical Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. Computer Tech Level: Equivalent to Earth. Physical Description: Average (1.6 to 1.6 meter tall) humanoids with gold skin and large blue or green eyes. Homeworld: The moon of Mogar. Government Type: Clan/guild hybrid. Because of the 1999 arrival of a teleporting explorer, Far-Strider, humanity knows a great deal about the Vayathuran civilization, Located many light years away, the Vayathurans are also beginning to emerge and explore outer space. They are a hedonistic, polyandrous species, famed for their culture (Far-Strider brought with him histories, novels, and other cultural artifacts to trade with humans), pleasures and lack of clothing. CO Lore Primer: Aliens 47

Propulsion Tech Level: None Military Tech Level: Slightly Advanced (stolen supervillain tech). Medical Tech Level: Advanced, but lacking the technical expertise to fully employ it Computer Tech Level: Advanced, but lacking the technical expertise to fully employ it Physical Description: Short (0.9 meter tall) insectlike siliconoid creature with a long narrow face, a beetle-like purple-grey shell, and ten limbs, two forelimbs and eight hind limbs. Homeworld: The moon (city of Selenus) Government Type: Ruling council. The natives of the moon, the Selenites awoke from millennia of slumber in 1938. They were used as slave labor by the supervillain Revenger. In the 1980s, the dictator Grishl attempted to use stockpiles of Revengers weapons to launch an attack on the earth, but was foiled by MeteorMan. Since then, the Selenites have pursued an isolationist policy, though some factions still dream of attacking the earth again. SIRIANS Location: Near to Earth. Intentions Toward Humanity: Hostile.

THE STAR*GUARD

A discussion of the Champions Online cosmos has to include its greatest force for justice. Founded about a million years ago by Gloran the Great of Ostrugar. Based on Ostrugar, governed by CONTROL, the most powerful AI in the known universe, the Star*Guard (also known in Champions Online as Star Guardians) serve as a police force on lawless planets and diplomats who help bring emergent civilizations into the galactic community. Theyve had their eye on earth for decades, which they watch on a hidden base on Europa, Jupiters moon, The Star*Guard assigned to earth is Andre Almena, a former Spanish policeman. His Marshals (assistants) are Kala Tah Breyel, a Dendrian woman; Pete Langford, an expert human mechanic, and TorTagla, one of the few survivors of the Anthari race (which was destroyed by Valak). Star*Guard wield Star*Staffs, a weapon whose telekinetic fields give a Star*Guard many options in a fight. They ride in StarJets (an interstellar vehicle capable of seating 11 people and flying at 1 LY/minute. There are specialty divisions within the Guard: StarAvengers (the heavy weapons squad of the Star*Guard), StarKnights (who specialize in defense and protection, especially of innocent bystanders), StarScouts (for missions that require speed, diplomacy, and reconnaissance), and Anodynes (who engage in disaster relief and medical missions), The Star*Guard have enemies, of course. Chief among them is the rogue Star*Guard Mordace, a man who would become a brutal galactic tyrant. Mordaces 2009 attack on CONTROL, employing an army of galactic mercenaries, greatly weakened the Star*Guard. Another noteworthy tyrant, Valak, was defeated on earth by a platoon of Star*Guard and New Yorks Sentinels superteam in 2006 and imprisoned. Unfortunately, Valak escaped in Mentons 2009 Stronghold breakout and has vowed revenge on the Star*Guard. Perhaps the most threatening of them all is the insane mutant scientist Xarriel, prince of the cosmic fires whose power to reshape reality rivals even the Galaxars themselves.

champion. They travel from world to world, in search of things -- or events , or individuals -- that interest them, rarely hesitating to impose their will on the peoples they encounter. Known Galaxars include: the Examiner, the Lawbringer, the Shaper, Geon, the Recorder and the Warmonger.

Chrono
In our dimension, the orderly flow of time is governed by one incredibly powerful being: Chrono. Very little is known about him, except that hes intervened twice in known history, once during the Secret Crisis of 1985 (which brought together most of the superheroes who have ever had or ever will live, though most have forgotten it) and the Reality Storm of 2004, which involved a version of Dr. Destroyer and a similar conqueror from another dimension joining forces). Chrono does not intervene directly in conflict, but sends his servant Lord Entropus as a proxy. Chrono doesnt seem to guard against alterations of the timestream, only those that would have a destructive effect on time.

The Progenitors

Perhaps the most important aliens of all are the Progenitors. Theyre certainly the most mysterious. Two million years ago, the Progenitors discovered earth and began to play with human biology, aiding in its development and giving the species the ability to develop superhuman traits. 500,000 years ago they returned, and elevated twelve members of the human race into the Empyreans, the worlds first superhumans, who went on to found Arcadia. The earth is not the only world where the Progenitors interacted. The interacted on a world known as Phytia, an earth-like planet in the asteroid belt that was the home of botanical life, but which destroyed itself when it developed civilized life. The destruction of Phytia has seeded Progenitor technology in the 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 hierarchy to describe its cosmology. The scheme is known to mystics, but relatively unknown to most superhumans and not really known or accepted to the general public. These are known to mystics as the Four Worlds. They are commonly envisioned as tiers or branches on the Great Tree of Life, the Sephirot. Though the Champions cosmology is based on the Sephirot, it is advisable not to draw too heavily from the Kabballah, as Champions downplays and omits many of the spiritual elements (such as the placement of angelic hierarchy). The cosmology of the mystic world is not common knowledge. Most of these elements are unknown to anyone outside the mystical community and veteran superheroes. The Left Handed World A mirror universe world where 90% of the people on Earth are left-handed and heroes on that world are villains, and villains are heroes. Similar in some ways to how the game portrays Multifaria, which is actually rather different in the PnP incarnation (see below). Multifaria A world where time and place are mingled. which gives us scenarios where William Shakespeare is now opening his new play in Londons theater district, to be critiqued by Churchill, Boadicea, and Charles II in the royal box, while the Beatles played for King William V.

The Yetzirah

The Assiah

The Material Plane, the plane of substances. This includes our universe, and its many parallel universe. Natural law rules the planes of the Assiah, though magical forces from the higher worlds may leak into some of these universes, allowing for small pockets where magic and natural laws coexist (such as on the earth of the Champions Universe). Parallel Worlds The Assiah is home to an infinite number of parallel universes. Notable ones include: Cabotia A world where Britain suppressed the American Revolution, and a united America/Canada went on to aggressively conquer North and Central America and dominate the world. Laurentia World where the worship of Cybele superseded Christianity, and a Quebec Catholic nun discovered an alien artifact that allowed French Canada to convert the world to their religion and dominate it politically.

Above the Material world is the Yetzirah, the Formative or Astral worlds. These realms, or Parterres, are formed out of the Astral by human belief, legend, and subconscious experiences. Here magical laws hold sway. They include The Land of Legends (also known as Faerie; this includes the various realms of mythic creatures, such as Avalon, that do not involve heaven or hell), Elysium, (the various mythological heavens), the Netherworld (various mythological Hells), and Babylon, the City of Man, a city built and dominated by mans spirit of ingenuity and greed and where outside forces (such as magic and gods) play little to no part. These realms are connected by the Astral Plane. A barrier called the Veil separates the Yetzirah from the higher realms. Other notable worlds in the Yetzirah include: The Blood Tide: The imaginal realm of animals, a realm thats alien -- and hostile -- to human thought. The Dream Time: The astral dimension of dreams. The Frost Tomb: A realm of elemental supernatural cold ruled by the Ice, one of the ancient spirits of North America (where three of the Mighty Canadians are imprisoned). 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 ones include the Spooky, Empty House, the High School Where Youre Naked, and the Sky Where You Fly. More specific places, like Gothic Metroplex and Windyburg, resemble stylized versions of actual places on Earth.

Opinion Corner: Dont Overuse Qliphoth

The original concept for the Q is that its pretty much a no-go for people on this plane: mages like Kul-Turak can draw on its power, but characters can enter it and survive in it only under the most special circumstances. Demonflame and Aftershock took place in the Gateway Between Worlds. Its strongly implied this was a safe zone of coexistence that took Luther Black, one of the greatest sorcerous minds in history, decades to construct, and at best, bordered on the unfathomable realm. Cryptic, however, has had other ideas, and many mystical player characters have followed suit, to the extent where the risks of Q-exposure have become trivialized. The genie cant be put back into the bottle, however if youre considering a power source for your character and origins for your villains/occult anti-hero, please consider alternate planar sources to the Q. Theres sources like the darker parts of Faerie, the Netherworld, the Briah, and the Atziluth. If you want to run a mage character with the one who heroically struggles against the corruption of dark magic that gives him power theme, then use the netherworld, or black magic dimensions within the Astral, Faerie or even the Briah. You dont need the Q to successfully employ this theme.

The Briah

The Briah, the Creative Realm, is where all traces of the material fade, and the realms are pure states of consciousness. Its the home of Prime Avatars, whose characteristics are drawn on by the gods of the Lands of Legends. It is also the home of the four Zoas, elemental beings who are prime archetypes. Urizen, Prince of Light and Prime Avatar of Order. Luvah: Avatar of Chaos and Emotion. Urthona, Prime Avatar of Art and Artifice. Tharmas: Prime Avatar of Nature. Other places in the Briah include the Garden of Earthly Delights (a place of sumptuous pleasures and comforts), the Plane of Numbers (heaven for the mathematically inclined, hell for those who are not), and Deaths Dominion (which appears different to each visitor, depending on their ideas about death). Its easy to get confused between the second and third worlds. If a place or creature comes directly out of mythology (such as Zeus, Thor, or Olympus), it belongs to the Yetzirah. If its a Jungian concept begind many myths (such as the Triple Goddess, Death, or the Trickster) it belongs to the Briah. Briahtic concepts are far more powerful than mythological deities, and may even use the gods in the Yetzirah in a manner similar to gods using avatars in the physical world; as vessels to extend power and influence into the lower worlds.

The apex of the realm is Kether, the Crown, where time, space, power and reality dissolve into a unity that is, for all intents and purposes, God.

Qliphoth

The Atziluth

The highest realm, the Archetypal realm, is the Atziluth.Its almost as difficult to reach as it is to describe; Here everything breaks down into abstractions. Here we have fundamental forces of Creation, Form, and the Abyss, a realm of irrevocable destruction which is the end of all things. Its all but unheard of for anyone to successfully cross the Abyss. CO Lore Primer: Other Dimensions 50

The realm of anti-life, anti-creation. This dimension is the shadow of the Sephirothic Tree of Life, i.e. Creations shadow. The Shining Darkness is a place that absolutely corrupts all living things it touches. Many of the most vile mages throughout human history have drawn on it as a power source, at great cost to the world and to themselves. The true Qliphoth is beyond the ability of anything from creation to survive, however some creatures within Qlipthoth, such as the Kings of Edom, have attempted to extend their influence into our world. Recently Luther Black, after decades of work, created a realm within the Qliphothic where Creation and

anti-Creation could co-exist. The Gateway Between Worlds was destroyed when Blacks body was absorbed into dreams by Demoiselle Nocturne. There are countless denizens of the Qliphotic and many kings of Edom , including Vulshoth, the Eye of the Void, whos 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.

Some gods, such as Nama, are native to the world and exist here because of that reason. Of course, anyone can call themselves a god, but that doesnt put them on par with actual deities in their home dimension.

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 softened 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 between 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 Mullets Guide to RP

What is RP? RP is pretending to be a character and taking him (or her) through an experience. Its essentially a version of Lets Pretend or Cowboys and Indians for older people. Some also compare it to improvisational theater. RP began as a game activity via the tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons, which was invented by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. In 1981, George MacDonald and Steve Peterson invented the tabletop version of this game, Champions. The license for Champions was purchased by Cryptic Studios in 2008 and the MMO was released in September 2009. Whats the Appeal of RP in Champions? For fans of comic books and comic book movies, Champions gives you a chance to create a character in a genre you love, interact with friends, and follow your hero on adventures. Its creative, social, and can be a lot of fun with the right group of players and the right mix of characters. On the other hand, if the idea of pretending to be a comic book character doesnt appeal to you, chances are that youre not really going to enjoy RP. Thats okay -- no single activity appeals to everyone. Whats the Difference Between RP and Just Pretending While Youre Playing the Game? Its much the same as the difference between solo play and team play. Youre interacting with other people. What Types of RP Are There? RP groups usually define themselves in three ways: Immersion, Character Theme, and Environment. Heres where we start to get into the details. Immersion is generally judged by two things: (a) are you pretending to be the character all of the time, or do you to take breaks to crack jokes and act out of character, and (b) does the session involve heavy drama and conflict, or is it less serious and more interested in social interaction than story? Dramatic, largely (or totally) in-character RP is called heavy RP. Social, frequently out of character RP is called light RP. Medium RP falls somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. Character Theme is simply the type of comic book or movie that youre trying to emulate. Champions Onlines RP communities tend to embrace a wide variety of themes. Some want to play traditional heroes; others want to play hardboiled mercs, others want to play monsters or supernatural creatures. What are comic book ages that I keep hearing about? Golden Age, Silver Age, etc.? Its a common categorization scheme. Golden Age is meant to emulate the comics of WW2 (mostly low-power, ranging from camp to gritty pulp in tone). Silver Age is inspired by the comics of the 50s and 60s (widely varying power levels, often with a camp or fanciful tone, mostly aimed at kids), Bronze Age draws on the comics of the 70s and 80s (a more realistic and more adult focused version of Silver Age comics, unafraid to tackle social themes shunned by the Silver Age, often with more character-focused serial stories). Iron Age resembles the comics of the 1990s (a grimmer and more realistic tone that strongly reacted against Silver Age tropes). Modern Age is lthe age of current comics, something of a retreat back to the Bronze Age, but with a greater willingness to change the status quo, and some Iron Age and Silver Age tropes mixed in. And Environment? Environment is whether you stick to a central location. Some RP tends to center around a team base. or a common area where RPers can frequent. The latter is called tavern-based RP, stemming to its origins in fantasy MMOs. Other RP likes to go out into the world and use in-game missions as a backdrop. You CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 52

and another player go through a mission together and interact as your characters would. Or, one player might serve as a Gamemaster (aka a GM) and create an event, describing a situation and calling on other player to pretend to be their characters and resolve it. Where Do I Find RP? RP can be found in all corners of the game world. Going to central hubs is one way of finding it. In Champions Online, Club Caprice in Millennium Citys Ren Center is the primary spot for that, with Sherreras and Carls Gym in Westside, City Hall, Champions HQ, and the ACI blimp in Millennium City and the Minefield in Vibora and various Powerhouse Theaters (usually the ones away from Millennium City) as secondary hubs. Less prominent places include Belle Starrs (a saloon in the ravine just north of the theme park entrance in the Desert zone, and the SS Bayou Queen (the steamboat) in Vibora. Popular outdoor spots include the exterior of Mercy Hospital, the Ren Center fountain, Sakura Park, and Darrens Pizza in Millennium City. Some players save mission locales such as the Dog Pound and the Crimson Lounge in Vibora and the ARGENT Hunting Lodge in Mionster Island, though those have the handicap of only allowing five players. More RP locales, the interior of WCOC, the old Munitions trainer located just south of Carls Gym, the old Arcana trainer (now located near Witchcraft in downtown Millennium City) and the old Inventions trainer located just northeast of Dynamix Technologies, were added in a recent patch. Hopefully these will not be

the last social instances added to the game. Hideouts, personalized bases that can hold a maximum of 11 players, are the other major RP locale. Alerts with full teams of five, especially Grab alerts where you are not pressed for time, are also great places for RP, but much harder to access as a locale at a moments notice. I Played Tabletop RP. Caprice doesnt remind me of that at all! Tavern-style RP owes more to LARP (Live Action RP) than it does to tabletop. If you come from a tabletop background, you might find hub-based RP does not appeal to you (more on that later), but theres a lot more to RP than Caprice. Additionally, you can find groups that dont use these locations, but who adventure throughout the game world. One of these is CORP (Champion Online Role-Players), an alliance of role-players in this game who have been present since launch. If this does not appeal to you, you can find role-players on the Supergroup Recruitment Station section of the Champions Online forums. RP Groups that have been around for a long time include the Silver Age Sentinels, the Ultimate Guardians, the Silver Guard, the Sentinel Squadron, and the Blackwatch Defenders. Or take the initiative and start up your own! How do I differentiate between OOC and IC comments? This can sometimes be done by context, however the

CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 53

most common (and sensible) method is to mark OOC comments. Some groups surround them in two closed brackets ((like this)), others precede their comment with the designation [OOC]. Use whatever you feel comfortable with. Some people use emoticons while RPing. LOL! The general convention of the RP community is to avoid emoticons and write in full sentences. As usual, though, abide by the conventions that best fits your groups comfort zones. What about grammar and spelling mistakes? Do your best to be grammatically correct. However, especially when youre writing on the fly, typos and other mistakes frequently happen. Try not to get too upset when they occur. No ones paying you to be an English teacher or an editor in this game. If you see a consistent habit in another persons writing that bothers you, quietly and politely point it out after an RP when your characters are not busy. I want people to know details about my character. How can I do that? There is space in the Info tab to write a brief description. By right clicking on someones character portrait and scrolling down to Info, you can read whatever theyve written about their character. For more detailed descriptions, theres the Primus Database. http://primusdatabase.com/index. php?title=Main_Page How can I insert paragraph breaks into my Info? Info uses a limited amount of HTML code. Use </p> at the end of your paragraph to insert a paragraph break. Click on your portrait and use the command /Target_ info to proof your Info as other players will see it. How do you resolve a conflict between players in an RP? There are two common methods. One is using textbased combat, where two players type out their orders and attempt to come to a consensus about how the fight would turn out. The other is by PVP. Neither method is optimal: text-based combat requires trust on the basis of all participants, and thats not easy to CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 54

find if you get involved in RPing with a stranger. Some RPers dont take defeat well, have inflated views of their character and refuse to lose at all, let alone gracefully. Good RP combat is like pro wrestling. Winning isnt the object: the object is to work together to tell an entertaining story. PVP is a fairer method, however it depends on the strength of the character builds, not the strength of the concept. In a comic book, for example, the Punisher wouldnt be able to beat Superman without an edge like kryptonite bullets. In Champions Online, however, there are fewer ties between power level and traditional character themes, so a Punisher-type character could easily beat a Superman, or a Thor, or a Hulk, without resorting to the tricks that would make such a mismatch believable in a narrative. Note that it should be possible: see my comments below on coexisting. However, the games powers systems dont always respect the same priority schemes as the milieu its trying to emulate, for reasons that (somewhat) make sense from a gaming perspective. There are other methods. One that I like (but which is seldom used) is what I call non-competitive dueling. This is when people work together in a duel, but give themselves breaks to make quips, set each other up for dramatic looking moves, or take advantage of some of the more interesting things that might happen in PVP combat. The outcome may be predetermined, or players may just go with the flow. Its a fun way to enjoy the action part of the game while still RPing, but most gamers dont use this method. In the end, all MMO conflict resolution boils down to trust. Treat people with respect, communicate calmly and clearly, and have fun. Im a Level 40, and hes a Level 10. I should win in an RP text fight, right, regardless of their concept? Not in all circumstances. If a GM needs a villain for an event, they have to have the liberty to be able to come up with a character on the fly. In that case, level never matters. An event villain needs to be as powerful as the GM wishes them to be to provide a challenge to the group. Against another player, there are a number of factors that influences the combat: the power level of the concept, the power level of the character, the players standing in the local RP group or com-

munity (walking into a long-established RP group and expecting to beat a veteran player is much like a new character appearing in a comic book filled wuith veteran characters; if you dont properly establish that the character is a legitimate threat, readers will rebel. They wont marvel at the power of the newcomer, theyll wonder why our heroes were such wimps. RP requires a similar laying of groundwork. You earn your stripes through good RP, a friendly attitude, and your natural charisma, not by flashing a number at people. Theres a tendency in some quarters to dismiss low-level characters in RP conflicts as godmodders who are lazy to play the actual game. In some cases (particularly the stereotypical L6 Club Caprice god), this is a really easy attitude to adopt. However, ultimately RP combat boils down not to numbers, or even concept, though both are important factors: winning and losing is a matter of communication between players, a sense of good storytelling, and respect. Every comic book concept is not covered by the game engine; sometimes you need to extrapolate beyond the game. Be careful, however, that your attempt to model the character concept isnt seen as a power grab, or you will lose the respect of the people you play with. I have friends who believe its suboptimal or even downright impossible to RP in an MMO. Ive done tabletop RP for 37 years. I know RP when I experience it. There are differences in the mediums, but there is nothing in the computer MMOs that inhibits rewarding and satisfying RP. A little suspension of disbelief is required, but thats part of any experience of the fantastic. If tabletop RPers dont believe this, I have some transcripts of RP sessions I can show them. I defy them to argue that what we did wasnt RP. What are some of the pitfalls of RP? There are some doozies that can make RP a less than pleasant experience. Ill mention the five big ones that can really blow up in your face. Godmoding is a big one. This is very common to new RPers, its simply stating that something happens to another player without giving them a chance to react, or ignoring their actions entirely. It negates

RPing as a social activity by making the other persons actions useless. When you describe your action try to avoid using phrases like I punch X in the face repeatedly. Instead, use phrases like I attempt to punch X in the face repeatedly, even if its obvious that X is helpless and cant defend himself. Give the other player the power to advance his story. Personal drama is the second biggest pitfall. Drama is a word thats become debased: character drama between two mature players who know how to separate in-character and out-of-character drama is great! That is the stuff of good storytelling. Personal, out of character drama that is overblown egos and raging hormones, however, isnt so great. RPing is a dramatic activity that sometimes draws in those who are narcissistic and prone to overblown reactions. They want to be the center of attention, but dont react well to adversity. They want to turn all RP into a spotlight on them, and can be very unpleasant to game with. Everyone gets a little self-centered and loss perspective once in awhile, so when conflicts arise, try to be understanding. However, if someone is making a habit of it and will not respond favorably to your attempts to communicate with them (do try to communicate first and get them to recognize their problem), it is best to avoid them, either by removing yourself from the group, or by removing them if youre in a position of authority. Metagaming is the third major area of conflict. Its another mark of an inexperienced player (or in my case, when Im really tired): using information that your character shouldnt know and bringing it into the story. If youve met a person for the first time, and theyre not publicly known, you do not know their name or supergroup affiliation just because its written above their head! That information isnt present in the game world! Similarly, a character may have information written in their bio that clearly isnt meant to be public knowledge. Metagaming can sometimes happen by accident. When you do it, politely apologize, and ask the other players to rewind the scene and retcon. When other players do it, politely bring it up, and suggest that they do things over. Conversely, theres anti-Metagaming, which is refusing to accept elements of a characters backCO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 55

ground. Has someone decided he or she is a famous superhero? Ignore that, even though their bio says theyre a household name! You dont like that someone is playing a particular role? Refuse to give them any acknowledgement for it! While some bios are so uber or poorly written that they invite this reaction, in general, this is pretty rude. Respect peoples concepts in the same way you want them to respect yours. Theme Conflict is the fourth major source of conflict between players. Theres a lot of themes in comic books, each theme appeals to a different fanbase and not all of them are compatible. When your code vs. killing hero meets up with Bloody Massacre McGuns, expect there to be trouble, big trouble. You may find it difficult to co-exist. Look for players and groups who closely align with your sensibilities. If you join the Silver Age Legionnaires, and youre playing a 90s style anti-hero who thinks that wearing tights are sexually dubious, youre in the wrong group. Beware playing characters who are Instant Conflict Magnets. The most common of these include the Jerk who Ticks Everyone Off, the Goody-Two-Shoes Whos Always Wanting to Smite Evil, the Guy Whos Alweays Getting Demonically Possessed, and the Homicidal Mad Dog Who Really Needs to be Put Down For Everyones Sake. Similarly, please avoid the Robot Who Calls All Organics Meatbags, the Glib Badass Who Cant Take Anything Seriously (note that one or two in a group is fine, but a preponderance of these in a group generally kills drama), and the Immortal Who Sneers at Puny Mortals. Its okay to play toned down versions of these -- intercharacter drama is a good and necessary thing that keeps a game from getting dull -- but the most extreme and overblown of these common character types are just asking for OOC conflict that can kill an RP group. Conflict should be saved for dramatic moments; it shouldnt be the status quo for a group. Also, be tolerant of stylistic differences and preferences. You may think Superman, Punisher, Wolverine, Lobo, etc. is a bad character or dislike a particular era of comics or a particular creator or storyline. These may seem like out of game issues, but these factors extend to our attitude to character types and storylines in game. Be aware that there are other people of taste and intelligence who have different opinions, CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 56

and are entitled to them! A lot of us are geeks, and geeks can be opinionated, and discussions can be interesting. But dont be a jerk about it, and dont drive your opinions into the ground. There is no One True Way of anything under the sun. Rolemongering is another source of conflict. This is another hallmark of young players who want to be as cool as possible, so their ninja is the greatest ninja in the world or their brickhouse is the strongest dude in the world. More subtly, there are people who treat character resources (be it by giving themselves an extremely wealthy character or great magical powers or being so smart or experienced that they instantly have the solution to everything) as a a device to handwave conflict and/or make themselves invincible. Dont play invulnerable characters who can do everything: they tend to annoy people. Respect other people in the same niche. Some people want to play the poor struggling hero (a la Peter Parker in the Amazing Spider-Man). Dont have your Daddy Warbucks guy go up to him and strip him of his preferred character background -- I appreciate that you want to play a philanthropist, but give them a way out. Even more obnoxiously, dont treat magic or superintelligence or high-power levels as a trump card. This is a comic book genre, mages and many supers are very powerful. However, no ones invulnerable, and no one has the solution to every problem at the drop of a hat. Uber-characters are boring. Its okay to play a heavyweight, but make sure that your character has some way of reasonably not mopping the floor with everyone. There are also no inherently superior powers. Magic does not automatically trump non-magic, psionics does not automatically turn a non-telepaths brain into tapioca, etc. While I didnt put it in the top five, I need to include Logistics as another major concern. RP is a commitment, especially non-Light RP. You can join a large RP group and find its dragging or youre just standing around doing nothing. If a long scenario is tempting you to shift your attention away from the group. try to keep an eye on things every few minutes and be ready with your orders as quickly as you can give them. Sometimes RP is an exercise in patience. If youre GMing... well, thats a separate article on

its own. First, run with other good GMs as a player, and steal liberally from their methods of keeping a game running smoothly. Try to make sure theres a challenge for everyone, that everyone who wants one gets at least One Moment of Cool. Dont be overprotective of your villains -- they are NOT your children -- and be mindful that your job is to challenge the heroes and make them earn a triumph in a fun way. If someone has to leave a game early, dont get mad. Real life happens, and its more important than our RP. Try to avoid doing anything with other peoples characters while theyre away unless theyve given you permission -- if necessary, handwave them out of the scenario. I want to RP but I just cant seem to connect with anyone! Why is RP so damn hard? This is a big problem for many, including myself. At its core, RP is social interaction, and if you suck at social interaction, chances are, you wont be very good at RP, at least at the start. You should view RP as a skill to be developed, not as an attribute that you naturally possess that never changes. Social skills, like any skill, takes practise to develop. For those with psychological conditions like Aspergers or ADHD, it is doubly hard to develop this skill, because youre lacking the emotional toolset or the attention span to make good RP work, and ironically, RP often attracts people with those conditions. At its worst, it can lead to constant rejection that feed feelings of self-loathing and contributes to depression. There are people who shouldnt RP, just as there are out-of-shape people with hernias shouldnt practise the shot put. Theyre just not socially or emotionally cut out for it. If youre constantly miserable or frustrated when you RP, consider doing something else with your time. Theres no shame in walking away. However, if you dont occupy that extreme and you still have trouble connecting, heres some basic advice. First, RP characters who are interesting (boring is a turnoff) and sociable (don;t be surprised if no one wants to be around your psychotic or incredibly rude character). This can require a lot of practise to find the right balance. A perfect character is dull; your character needs to have flaws. But the flaws cannot be so

bad that theyre a turnoff to other players, or balance them with qualities that will make your very flawed character interesting to others. Second, be communicative, especially out of character. This is very hard for you if youre a hardcore immersionist and heavy RPer, because you dont like breaking character. I understand. But do it anyways. People need to get to know you and feel comfortable around you. They also need to discover that the persona that you project isnt necessarily yours. You should also, at comfortable moments, be willing to canvass people about your RP, particularly if you have a feeling youve unintentionally bothered someone. Third, be proactive. Find a community of people with similar RP interests. Dont expect people to cater to your RP needs. Are you bored? Turn a mission or an Alert into a mini-event. Fourth, be attentive. Keep an eye out for people who are offering RP opportunities. If most of the good stuff is posted ahead of times on forums, dont huff I never do game forums and get pissed off because the cliques or the SG Illuminati are RPing without you. Instead, get on those forums and pay attention to event listings and threads. You dont have to participate in the forum culture. Fifth, be patient. You should be proactive, but do remember youre dealing with human beings and not automatons. If you ask if anyones RPing and no one answers, chances are its not about you. People dont hate you, theyre busy with other things or not paying attention to whatever channel youre using, or youve caught them at a bad time. If youve asked twice and no ones volunteered to run a lair with you, dont ragequit. Yes, youre trying to be proactive, and thats great! But cut people some slack, even when it seems obvious theyre jerking you around. Sixth, be positive, especially out of character. Yes, there are things in the game which suck. There are people in the game who are not good RPers. There are many bad bios to mock. There are lots of things you could complain about and be absolutely correct in everything you say... but constant negativity frequently produces a toxic social environment and thats going to repel people. Again, your social skills can mitigate this somewhat, even so, its better to appreciate the good things you have than to focus on the bad stuff. CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 57

Theres some really good people and RP in this game, and they deserve your attention a heckuva lot more than some minor bitch of the moment. Avoid the impulse to mock people (except when its good-humored and you know they dont mind) or vent about people, regardless of how good it may make you feel in the moment. Argue only when necessary, and pick your battles carefully. Some things cant be unsaid, so dont say them at all. Do you have advice for writing my orders? Keep things simple. If your descriptions frequently require more than two paragraph blocks, youre probably writing too much. Avoid the wall of text syndrome. How important is continuity to the Champions RP community? It varies from group to group. Many dont know the lore that well, and abide by their own. This can make for some conflicts between groups, but Champions lore is very flexible, and accommodating to a wide variety of concepts. Group continuity is more important than universe continuity than world continuity. The lore in this document is an attempt to help people in part of the RP community get on the same page, but (again) avoid lore arguments when you can. What if I dont like the lore? Most poople are critical of some aspects of the lore and/or its interpretation in game. Champions original PnP creators were heavily influenced by Bronze Age Marvel Comics and made no apologies about creating homages. Because I was weaned on those same books, I like that, but many with more Iron Age sensibilities do not. Additionally, much of the game was originally written with a light/camp tone that isnt appealing to a more serious roleplaying perspective and it can grate (though the games tone has evolved as time has gone by). You should, however, be able to find some elements of lore with which you can connect your character, or a group that exists mostly outside game lore if you still dont like it. Is it okay to play canon characters, or someone whos related to a canon character? CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 58

The general consensus is that its problematic, and many RPers came from World of Warcraft, where characters who were closely related to canon characters were not well received, and left a bad taste in many players mouths. However, characters with connections to canon organizations such as PRIMUS and UNTIL are common and widely accepted. Is it okey to play characters from comic books, such as Conner Kent or Mark Grayson? The game prohibits clones, direct copies of characters from comic books. for legal reasons. RPers, along with everyone else, should abide by the restrictions of the game and honor their agreement to abide by the Terms of Service, which we did before we first ran the game. Additionally, many RPers look down on clones, or people who chose to directly import elements from other media into Champions Online RP, such as Saiyans, for their lack of creativity. However, quite a few groups have, particularly those who play urban fantasy/occult games, imported large amounts of the original World of Darkness setting from White Wolf into the game, and a few others have brought the grim darkness of Warhammer 40K into Champions Online. The convention varies from group to group, most people prefer that you create an original character. That sounds kind of elitest! RPers have certainly been accused of that, but elitism can be found in any segment of a game population. Snobbery and cliquishness do happen, and it can be unfortunate, however many RPers have at least a few good reasons for their standards. Its okay to have standards, but its bad to be so exclusionist that you unnecessarily shoo away good RPers from your game. As with many things in life, work toward finding a good balance. So how compatible is Champions Online to World of Darkness? More than you might expect; Dean Shomshak, who wrote much of the mystic lore for the setting, also wrote for White Wolf. However, players do bring some problems with them. There isnt much vampire lore in Champions, just as there isnt much superhero lore in World of Dark-

ness; the two games are not trying to do the same thing. The first known vampire in lore is Vlad Tepes, however hes not stated as the first of his kind (in fact, no one is). If you bring World of Darkness lore into Champions Online, please abide by two recommended restrictions. First, keep the edition wars to yourself. I dont care how much you may think NWoD sucked, especially Mage, just as you dont need to hear me argue with a Champions grognard on whether or not the 4th edition group CLOWN deserves to be in the setting. Edition wars are tedious. Secondly, please note that vampires and WoD characters are on an event footing with everyone other player character. Some WoD players like to act as if their characters are at the top of the food chain. The truth is, in this world, youre not more special than the other characters of the setting. Acting as though you are merely gives urban fantasy players a bad reputation in the game. Can I create my own supernatural race? In the words of the apostle Paul, all things are permissable, but all things are not beneficial. Champions can (and should) reward creativity, however, be careful not to get so wrapped up in the cool things your race can do that its seen as a power grab. That said, as you saw from the section on dimensions, the universe is pretty open. Players should be encouraged to be creative. What about my City of Heroes character? Can I bring her into Champions Online RP? Many people chose to continue the story of their characters from City of Heroes, and others chose to make parallel universe versions for the Champions IP. Some players frown on the former, especially if the characters jump back and forth freely between the two settings (Please note that I dont have a problem with this at all, but others do). However, there are many good characters who started in City of Heroes and the RP community would be poorer without them. With Ciity of Heroes unfortunate recent closure, theres been a very welcome influx of good RPers inro Champions Online. There is, however, no uniiversally agreed on resolution of the events of City Of... Some

people are treating the end of the game as a catastrophe from which heroes and villains are fleeing. Others are ignoring the end of the game. This is something that should be decided by individual groups and players should try to roll with differing explanations as they encounter them. Champions Online players should be respectful to players whove come from Paragon; similarly, City of Heroes players shouldnt come into the game only to rag on the lore and the gameplay. Champions Online wouldnt exist without the trailblazing efforts of City of Heroes; similarly, the original CoH background was developed in a Champions PnP RPG. The two games share a common link. Its okay to have preferences, but try to be positive and respectful. I was in Caprice, and I saw a group calling themselves Caprice Inc., and they didnt know the lore! Should I go up to them and tell them that theyre doing it wrong? Um, only if you can do it really diplomatically and be willing to accept that they may not be playing along. Not everyone knows the lore of this game -- much of it is not readily available -- and some people just want to play a role like club owner without anyone spoiling their fun. If theyre good players who are fun to roleplay with, its better to forgive a few lore violations than become a hardcase and act like a jerk. You are not the lore police. I wrote a bit of the lore, and Im not the lore police either! Trust me, you dont want the job.
Whats up with Caprice anyway? Its supposed to be a superhero club, yet all I saw were demon/vampire halfbreed lesbians and furry creatures!

Caprice does attract a particular crowd that loudly advertises its fetishes. Youre welcome to not like them and ignore them. Please dont go into the place to tell them how morally wrong they are. Odds are they wont listen. Caprice has a stigma, like many MMO RP hubs, for the extreme personalities and character types it attracts. As a RP locus, it also attracts people who are new to RP who are still in the process of learning it, so there is a lot of bad RP to found there. This can color ones impressions of this games RP and even RP in general. But.. There are good RPers to be found there too, even CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 59

among some of the folks playing characters you might initially dismiss as ERP toons. Be open to looking for them. Dont let a few bad experiences color your impressions of every member of that community and dont smear it as a whole, either on channels or privately. Whats ERP? Erotic role-play. Essentially using RP as a combination of phone sex and porn writing to experience sexual activity between players. If you chose to ERP, please abide by two restrictions. First, keep it private. You dont need to broadcast the volume of your super-orgasm or the size of your super manhood for all the world to hear. Second, keep it legal and consensual. If youre an adult player, please do your best to make sure that none of the other players involved are minors. Avoid rape RP, and avoid ERP with grossly underage characters (and yes, the 500 year old vampire who looks like a kid still counts). On its own, like it or not, ERP already stigmatizes the RP community of any MMO. However its more extreme and deviant areas really hurt our reputation. Please respect the other members of the RP community by avoiding them. Ew! In a game with a broad community though, things will happen that you or I may not approve of. Try to be reasonable and respectful of other peoples tastes and sensibilities. There are a few areas, such as the aforementioned types of ERP, where I draw the line, however its good to draw lines only when necessary. Someone told me Caprice was neutral ground, while another person said it was for villains! Lorewise, its neither. No American law enforcement agency would allow such a high profile location to be a haven for wanted supercriminals. Millennium City clearly states that. although Lewis Frey likes the hint of scandal, he has stayed on the straight and narrow since 1985. Furhermore, the authorities (and Nighthawk) watch him pretty carefully. Its not a villain club, nor neutral ground. However... Much of the community doesnt know this lore, and wouldnt care even if they did. They dont care if CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 60

the place wouldnt be allowed to exist over the long term if murders were taking place daily there. They arent interesred in playing classic heroes: theyre heavily influenced by the urban fantasy and Iron age genres, and they want an anything goes place for RP, because to them, a social instance without frequent conflict is boring, and any barrier (such as contradicting lore) that gets in the way of their fun should be ignored with extreme prejudice. In essence, Caprice is two RP communitiees coexisting side by side. One community shuns conflict, willi ignore it when it happens, and will resist being drawn into it. The other thrives on it, pulling out weapons and threatening people at the drop of a hat. So whos right? Lorewise, I side with the first group. Bouncers should be stopping fights, the security system should be recording troublemakers who should, at the very least, be barred from the club. People should recognize it as a superhero club and be circumspect about starting trouble. But RP isnt about lore, its about character adoption and having a good time interacting with people socially. Much of the Club Caprice community likes the club as an anything goes zone, and its not really my place to tell people theyre doing it wrong. If you choose to shun conflict, and it breaks out around you, try to avoid snarky comments and let them have their fun, even if it seeems ridiculous to you. If youre initiating a combat, dont draw in unwilling people and dont get upset if some people ignore you. The RP ideal is that everyone has a good time, and one persons idea of a good time isnt necessarily yours. Try to respect this, even if you disagree with it. So, when I see an evil character in Caprice, my hero should arrest him? In my experience, this is a recipe for OOC trouble. RP conflict requires cooperation and trust. and most players who play evil in Caprice arent willing to give it unless youve earned it through extensive RP with their group. I know its hard to play a classic hero when five feet away from you, a group of demons is committing an unspeakable atrocity. However, youre not coming out of the situation as a winner, regardless of what you do.

if youre well integrated into the Caprice RP sub community, then you can probably be involved in conflicts without OOC drama and enjoy them. However, dont expect to get away with this until youve built up a rapport with your fellow players and dont impose your playstyle on people who arent willing to go along with you. Also, if you are RPing a law enforcement character, please remember that hearsay is no grounds for arrest. A person in Caprice can boast about being a serial killer and doing thousands of evil acts. Without evidence, its just a jerk mouthing off, and wont hold up in court. However, if youre playing a detective, you might use their remarks as a starting point for an investigation (pending cooperation from the other player). I saw a child character in Caprice. Are children really allowed in nightclubs? In the real world, there are clubs in Michigan where minors are allowed; some limit it to early evening hours and require adult supervision in the bar area. There is no lore on any restrictions of this nature in Caprice, but its reasonable to extrapolate that such restrictions would exist. Again, this is one of those situations where arguing about it isnt worth the hassle. At the very least, PM the player first before initiating a conflict over the issue, be polite. and dont be offended if they get defensive. I was in Caprice and there were people there who were clearly not role-playing. Should they have been there at all? Caprice is a social instance. Its for everyone, not just RPers. Dont assume everyone there is an RPer. We dont own the place, we all need to coexist. How should RPers interact With Non-RPers? As courteously and reasonably as possible. Avoid RP in very crowded areas of the game world, such as the Powerhouse. Dont RP in Zone chat. Dont use RP conventions (such as double bracketing out of character remarks) while teaming with non-RPers. Dont act in any way that suggests youre 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. Were the

reason the genre exists in the first place. We have nothing to be ashamed of, and anyone who tries to make you feel ashamed of being an RPer is an idiot. What should I do if someone harasses me for RPing? Harassing, or Griefing, as its sometimes called, is shallow and stupid and a mark of immaturity on the part of the bully whos doing it. RPers are seen as excessively dramatic and therefore attracts bullies in the same way that the small nerdy kid on the playground attracts them. Sometimes you can shame the bullies by giving back worse than you get, but Ive found the best thing to do is to use your Ignore List immediately. Theyre interested in provoking a response from you, dont give them one, and theyll usually move on. If its really egregious, report them, but leave that as a last resort. Please note, however, that its easy to mistake a silly character whos being a minor nuisance in their RP for a griefer. If they dont break down the fourth wall or go OOC, dont put them on Ignore. Try not to get so defensive about griefers that you lose your sense of humor. Theres a lot of negatives here. Are you sure RP is fun? Any serious analysis tends to focus on negatives, and human beings are often wired so that pain has a greater and more lasting impact than pleasure. However, when an RP goes well, and you really do feel like youve stepped into a comic book or a great adventure movie, its an incredibly cool experience, and well worth dealing with a lot of crap to enjoy. Furthermore, there are a ton of great people in game, and RP is a wonderful medium to get to know them and forge long, lasting, and enjoyable friendships. So, have fun, and give to the community with gusto! You get out of this hobby only what you put into it!

CO Lore Primer: The Mullets Guide to RP 61

X: Index
A
Aasifa Rumlia 33 Abyss, the 38, 50 Ace Burgers 20 Ace Helena 34 Ace Hellion 34 Achilles 35 ACI 12, 15, 20, 21, 53 Adair Publishing group 19 Adept, the 33 Aeskaldr 28 Afghanistan 16, 22 Africa 8, 9, 15, 30, 33 Agharti 42 Akumashibaru 33 Albion 32 All-American 10, 12, 32, 35 All-American, the 10, 12, 32, 35 Alliance 31 Alliance, the 31 Almena, Andre 12, 43, 48 Amazing Grace 34 Amazing Man 34 Amazing Man II 22 Ambush 33 American Avenger 32 American Eagle 34 Amphibian 24 Angelstone Laboratories 21 Anodynes 48 Anthari 48 Arc 31 Arcane 31 Archangel 34 Archimago 34 Archmage 9, 14, 23, 26 Archmage, the 9, 14, 23, 26 Ares 22 ARGENT 11, 15, 20, 21, 22, 53 Argosy 14, 32 Ariax Thone (see Firewing) Arlequin 34 Armadillo 36 Armstrong, Damon (see Juryrig) Arsenic 31 Arvad 9, 14, 24, 34, 39 Assiah, the 49, 50 Astral Plane, the 49 Atlanta 31 Atlantis 6, 8, 9, 28, 29, 35, 37 Atlas 32 Atomica 34 Atziluth, the 4, 50 Augury 32 Autour 32 Avalon 49 Awad 11, 17, 20

B
Babylon 49 Badhana 33 Bai Hou 32 Baker, Richenda 42 Ballistic 33 Baltimore 31 Ban, the 8, 50 Baron Nihil 32 Bastille 32 Bastion Alpha 21 Battle of Detroit 12, 14, 24, 34, 40 Bay Guardians 32 Beacon 34 Beast Mountain 25, 37 Beatles, the 49 Beek 33 Behind the Mask 18 Bennie, Scott 6, 7 Beowulf 33 Beowulf (silver age) 34 Berman, Leonard 40 Bhutatodana 33 Binder 12 Biselle, Calvin 40 Black, Luther 11 Black, Luther (see Luther Black) Black Aces, the 40 Black Fang 42 Black Harlequin 26 Black Legion, the 34 Blacklight 32 Black Mace 19 Black Mask 9, 10, 13, 24, 34 Black Mask IX 34 Black Maze, the 50 Black Paladin 8, 13, 26 Black Power 34 Black Rose 31 Blackstar 12 Black Talon 27 Black Tiger 33

Blaze 33 Blazon 32 Bleak Ones 14, 24, 39 Bleak Ones, the 24 Blink 31 Bloodmoon 16 Bloodstone 26 Blood Tide, the 49 Blue Boys 44 Blue Flame 32 Bodyguard 31 Boer, the 33 Bogenschutze, der 32 Bonc 32 Bonne Vivian 10, 34 Book of the Destroyer 6 Book of the Empress 6 Bookworm 34 Boston 11, 31 Boxer 32 Bravo 31 Brawler 31, 34 Brawler II 34 Briah, the 4, 50 Brigade 32 Brin Rei Tarn 12, 43 Bronze King, the 8, 39 Brooklyn Avenger, the 31 Bulletproof 34 Bureau S 32 Burnham, Eric 5 Burning Sands 11, 17 Burrell, David (see Justiciar) Buzzsaw 34

C
Cabotia 49 Caliburn, Robert 14, 23, 26, 42 California 9, 10, 27, 31 California Patrol, the 31 Cameroon 31 Camp Lantern 15 Canada 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 22, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 40, 49 Canadian Ghost 34 Canadoom 34 Cape Verde 37 Capital Patrol 32 Captain Chronos 22 Captain Glory 31

CO Lore Primer: Index 62

Captain Patriot 9, 11, 34 Caracal 33 Carolina Islands 10 Cascade 32 Cassidy, thomas 11 Cats Cradle (see Lynx Fold) Cekic 34 Celestar 10, 11, 13, 24, 28, 32, 34 Chakram 33 Chamakana Dhala 33 Champions 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, 35, 38, 40, 42, 47, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58 Champions, the 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 31, 35, 38, 40, 48, 49, 53, 56, 58 Champions: The New Millennium 5 Champions Beyond 5, 47 Champions of the North 6 Champions Online 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 31, 38, 42, 48, 52, 53, 54, 57, 58 Champions Villains 6 Charm Girl 33 Chatelaine, La 32 Chicago 31 Children of Ataturk 34 Children of Ataturk, the 34 China 10, 27, 32, 42 Chiquador 17 Chrono 48 Cincinnati 31 Circle of the Scarlet Moon 9, 22, 26 Claire De Lune 34 Clockwork 32 CLOWN 5 Club Caprice 3, 13, 19, 41, 50, 53 Cobra Lords, the 40 COMET 32 Condor 32 Constable 14, 32 Constable, the 32 Contact 31 CONTROL 14, 48 Corsair 31 Cowboy 34 Crossbow 31 Crowns of Krim 26 Crusher (British villain) 32 Crusher (hero) 34 Cryptic 5, 6, 7, 38, 40, 50, 52 Cuchullain 33 Currie, Rodney 22 Cybele 49 Cyberline 35 Cyberlord 25 Cyrax the Conqueror 34

D
Daktara Upaya 33 Dargon 34 Dark Seraph 11, 26, 34 Dart 34 Daughter of the Moon 32 Death Dragon, the 20, 26, 42 Decibelle 31 Defender 3, 13, 14, 21, 24, 25, 26, 31, 6, 9, 10, 18, 20, 22, 29, 31 Defenders of Justice, the 9, 10, 34, 37 Deizzhorath the Dissolver 50 DEMON (organization) 6, 9, 10, 18, 20, 22, 29, 31 DEMON: Servants of Darkness 6 Demonflame Incident, the 11 Dendrians 43 Dendris 43 Denver 31 Derringer, Mark 13, 26, 38 Der Scwarz Tode 33 Destreum 35 Destroid 27 Destruga 11, 12, 40 Detroit 12, 14, 17, 24, 27, 34, 40 Deuce LaRoche 34 Diadem 31 Diamond 31, 34 Dshng Long 32 Doctor Destroyer 9, 12, 27 Dogz, the 42 Dooley, Vincent 40 Dorvala 25, 46 Dorvalans 44, 46 Dorvalans, the 44, 46 DOSPA 11, 16 Downshift 31 Dr. Black 18 Dr. Cerebro 34 Dr. Demogaard 30 Dr. Eclipse 31 Dr. Ka 24, 42 Dr. Macabre 34 Dr. Phantom 34 Dr. Scarab 24, 34 Dr. Silverback 11, 19, 37 Dr. Twilight 34 Dr. Vox 31 Dr. White 18 Draco 34 Draconis 30 Dracul, Vladic 42 Dracula (Vlad Tepes) 9, 42 Dragon Branch 30 Dragon Crown of Krim 29 Dragonfly 32 Draja 25

Drake-Victoria 21 Drake IV, Arthur 21 Draysha 35 Dreamsinger 34 Dream Time, the 49 Drift 31 Drifter 34 Druid 32 Drune 32 Duchess Industries 21 Dupree, Dr. Nelson 41 Durak 27 Dusquene, Bethany (see Witchcraft) Dust Devil 32 Dwarfstar 31 Dweomer 33 Dynamic Technologies 21

E
Earthquake Fist 32 Eckhardt, William Carl 12 Eclipse 26, 31, 34 Eclipse *hero) 34 Edenshaw, Billy (see Ravenspeaker) Egypt 32 Eight-Ways Lightning 32 Elder Worm 8 Elder Worms, the 43 Eldritch 32 Electrotitan 31 El Picaro 18 El Spectro 34 Elysium 49 Empire State Building 27 Empyreans, the 8, 37, 39, 48 England 32 Ergath 43, 44 Ergons, the 44 Essec, Edgar Lancelyn 9, 13, 30 Europa 10, 48 Eurostar 11, 12, 13, 27 Even Wilder West, the 49 Examiner, the 48 Executive Control Sanctions 21

F
Fabulous Five, the 34, 37 Faerie 49, 50 FalconMan 32 Fallout 32 Faltrah Lem 39 Far-Strider 47 Fassai, the 44 Fatalla 34 Father Elk 37 Faultline 31 Feuermacher 27

CO Lore Primer: Index 63

Fiacho 27 Fidobakku 33 Firefight 34 Firewall 31 Firewing 14, 25, 27, 45 Fist of Allah, the 33 Flame Gem 26 Flashover 31 Flechette I 34 Flechette II 34 Force 26 Forceknight II 34 Forceknight III 13, 24 Forceknight IV 34 Force Station Steelhead 6, 13, 14, 15, 24, 38 Fordite 35 Foxbat 13, 15, 27 France 32 Freedom Battalion 34 Freedom Patrol 32 Freedom Patrol, the 32 Freon 30 Frey, Lewis 10, 13, 19 Frontiersman Project 29 Frost Tomb, the 11, 14, 24, 28, 38, 49 FutureScope 21

Gravitar 13, 15, 27 Green Knight 31 Green Monday 10 Griffi, the 34 Grishl 47 Grond 13, 30, 41 Gundhar 37 Gunetalev 34 Guru, the 34 Guy Sweetland 42 Gyeroy Vedun 33 Gyrfalcon 42

H
HaPele 33 hampions Universe *book) 5 Hannibal Grey 32 Hardball 34 Harlick, Bruce 5 Harmon, James 21, 24, 25, 26, 28 Harmon Enterprises 12 Harmon Industries 21 Harrier 32 Haynesville 9, 10, 35 Haynesville Project 10, 35 Haynesville Project, the 10, 35 Hazor 9, 37, 39 Heart of the People 32 Hellcat Squadron, the 34 Herculan 44 Hero Corps, the 31 Hero Games (company) 5 Hero Games, the (televised combat) 19 HERO System 5 Hewitt, Christine 40 Hidden Lands (sourcebook) 6 Hiemforth, Derek 7 High Apostolic Church 29, 42 High School Where Youre Naked, the 49 Himalayas 42 Himalayas, the 42 Hi Pan 15 Hitler, Adolph 37 Hopewell, Dr. Victor 21 Hot Sleep 17 Houston 31 Hudson City 38 Human Pistol, the 34 Humbug 34 Hunter-Patriots, the 14, 29, 38 Hyperion 27, 32 Hyperkinetic Man, the 34 Hzeel, the 44, 47

Ifrit, the 33 IHA 11, 27, 29, 30 Immensely Strong One 32 Immortal Philosopher 32 Impetus 31 India 33 Inframan 31 Insider, the 32 Iowa 21 Ironclad 14, 25, 46 Iron Horse 32 Ironwood Industrial Technologies 21 Irradiates, the 41 Istvatha VHan 6, 13, 27, 44

J
Jack Flash 31, 34 Jade Phoenix 42 Jakob Stroessen, Jakob (se Teleios) 29 James J. Roswell 21 Janissary 36 Japan 25, 33, 34, 41 Jetstream 31 Jn Lng Qun 32 Johnny Hercules 34 John Schad 22 Johnson, Robert 13 JTF-X 13 Juryrig 14, 25 Justice Force Omega 18 Justice Squadron 9, 31, 34 Justiciar 13, 14, 24, 25, 32

G
Gadget Boy 25, 33 Gadgets! 18 Gadro 44 Gadroon 11, 13, 14, 27, 28, 38, 44, 46 Galaxars, the 48 Gargoyle, the 34 Gateway 13, 21, 29, 50 Gateway (UNTIL space station) 21 Gateway Between Worlds 29, 50 Gateway Between Worlds, the 29, 50 Gazelle, the 33 General Winter 34 Geon 48 Germany 32 Geschwindigkeit 32 Gigaton 27, 36 Gizli 34 Glassman, Phillip 29 Gloran 48 Goblin 34 Golden Avenger 11, 13, 17, 35, 41 Golden Hunters 45 Golden Hunters, the 45 Goldfire 34 Goodman, Horatio 14, 22 Gossamer Storm 32 Gothic Metroplex 49 Grand Cienelago Island 3, 13, 19 GraniteMan 32

K
Kadrigar 44 Kagamishoki 33 Kala Tah Breval 43 Kansas 9, 31, 35 Kansas City 31 Kapitan Ukrayina 33 Kauffman, Robert 11, 13, 41 Kazan 33 Kazeronin 33 Kea, Queen 42 Kendrium 35 Kentucky 12 Kid Chameleon 34 Kigatilik 8, 10, 14, 24, 28, 32, 34, 38 Kiku 33 Kinetik 14, 25 King Arthur 8 Kings of Edom 14, 15, 29, 31, 37, 50 King Vultok 34 Kivioq 10, 34 Klee 42 Kodiak 26 Kdtai 33

I
Ice, the 38 Icestar 34

CO Lore Primer: Index 64

Krim 26, 29 Krosk, the 37 Krugar, George 40 Kul-Tarak (see Takofanes)

L
Lesprits Guardiens 32 LInstitut Thoth 22 La Bruma 31 Lady Lightning 34 Lady Mystery 34 Lady of a Thousand Fire 32 Lamb, Geoff (see Amphibian) Lam Kuei 32 Lancelot 8 Land of Legends, the 49 Landsman, the 32 Langford, Pete 48 Laurentia 49 Laurentian 34 Lawbringer, the 48 Lawrence, Lonnie (see Celestar) Leafmaster 32 Le Fort 32 Left Handed World, the 49 Lemuria 6, 8, 9, 24, 34, 37, 39 Leviathan 34 Liberator 34 Liberator, the 33 Liberty League, the 32 Li Chun the Destroyer 32 Liquidator, the 34 Living Sphinx,the 32 Loge 34 Lohe Sainika 33 London Watch, the 32 Long, Steve 5, 6, 7 Lord of Rats, the 33 Loupe Garou 34 Lt. Colonel Aaron Vee 22 Lugendu 17 Luther Black 11, 14, 29, 50 Luvah 50 Lux 31 Lynxs Fold 8, 13, 38

M
Maat 32 MacDonald, George 5, 52 Mackenzie House 22 Mage 31 Magneton 31 Maine 42 Malva 45 Mamont 33 Mandaar 45 Mandaarians 10, 45

Mandaarians, the 10, 45 Mandala 31 Mandragalore, the 8, 37, 39 Maniacs, the 40 Mara 9, 37 Mariner 34 Mars 22 Martinez, Juan 12, 17 Marus 28, 37 Masquerade I (see Frey, Lewis) Masquerade II 34 Mbang Mountain 31 McCaullife, Phillip 40 McCormack, Linda 21 McTyre, Shelley 17 Mechanic, the 32 Mechaniste 30, 32 Mechanon 11, 13, 16, 28 Medina, Alejandro (see Menton) Mega-Destroid 27 Mega-Terak 10, 11, 25 Memorial City 40 Mentalla 27 Menton 14, 27, 28, 48 Messenger, the 31 MeteorMan 31, 34, 47 MeteorMan III 31 Miami 31 Microman 34 Mighty Canadians, the 10, 24, 28, 34, 49 Mighty Hammer 32 Millennium City 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 24, 26, 29, 31, 40, 41, 53 Millennium City (sourcebook) 6 Millennium City Free Press 19, 40 Millennium City News 40 Millennium Project, the 13 Ministry of Superhuman Affairs 32, 33 Ministry of Superhuman Affairs (india) 33 Mink, the 34 Mocker, the 34 Mogar 47 Mole Men 39 Molnya 33 Mondabi 45 Monda 46 Mondfeuer 32 Mongoose, the 33 Monsoon 33 Monster Island (sourcebook) 7 Monument 32 Moonbase Serenity 13, 22 Moorbrand 34 Mordace 12, 14, 48 Moreau, Dr. Phillipe 11, 25, 37 Mountain 34 Multifaria 15, 28, 40, 49 Mumbai Santari 33

Musketeer, the 32 Myrmidon 18 Mystic World, the 5

N
Nama 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 30, 31, 51 NarcCola 20 NASA 22 Necrull 28, 32, 34, 38 Netherworld, the 49, 50 Neutron 33 Neutronium 35 New Knights of the Round Table 32 New Mexico 11, 17, 41 New Orleans 31 New Paladins, the 31 New Purple Gang, the 40 New Shadows, the 42 New York City 31 Nightengale 34 Nighthawk 14, 15, 19, 20, 26 Night Watch,the 32 Niikwan 26, 41 Nimbus 34 Nocturne 29, 50 Nordwind 34 Northern Guard, the 13, 25, 38 North Pole 38 Nova 31

O
Oak 32 Obeliske 32 Ocelot 34 Ogurn 37 Oklahoma 12, 29 Onslaught 36 Operation Coil 10 Operation Hermes 29 Optimus 34 Orchardsville 40 Orichalcum 35, 37 Osaka 11 Osiris 24 Ostrugar 48 Overlord, the 32

P
Pantera 27 Pantheon 33 Panzer 33 Paradox 31 Peacekeepers, the 31 Peach Blossom Spirit 32 Pentagram 32 Peoples Legion 10

CO Lore Primer: Index 65

Perseids 46 Perseus Project 10 Peterson, Steve 5, 52 Phantom Soldier 32 Pharos (Egyptian hero) 32 Pharos Industries 21 Philadelphia 32 Phoenix 26, 32 Phytia 48 Plague I 34 Poe, Sebastian 11 Poseidon 37 Potenstorm 33 PRIMUS 3, 11, 13, 17, 18, 35, 41, 57 Princess Aureole 34 Prism Girl 32 Professor Morlak 34 Progenitors, the 8, 37, 48 Project Achilles 35 Project Ascension 35 Project Greenskin 13, 41 Project Onslaught 36 Project Perseus 35, 36 Project Sunburst 13, 36 Project Yeoman 35 Proteus 31 PSI 11 Psiclops 18 Putnam, Victor 19 Pwell, Anderson (Titan) 21

Revenger 10, 34, 47 Rex Sterling 34 Rhiannon 32 Rictus 34 Ripper 30 Rocketman 34 Rockslide 34 Roinesh 15, 46 Roswell, James J. 21 Roundhouse 31 Rowan 34 Russkiye Zashchitniki 13, 33

S
Saba Devatao 33 Sadler, Lucinda 21 Samhain 32 San Diego 31 San Francisco 32 San Sebastien 42 Sapphire 14, 26 sasquatch 38 Sasuki Katsoru 25 Sasuki Katsoru (see Gadget Boy) Sayeret-19 33 Scarlet Archer (golden age) 34 Scarlet Archer I 34 Scarlet Archer II 34 Sceptre of the Undying 29 Schad, Col. John 22 Scirocco 34 Scorpia 27 Scotland 22 Sea, the 38 Sea-Tac Sentinels 32 Sea Hawk 9, 34 Sea King 24, 34 Secret Crisis, the 48 Seine 32 Selenites 10, 47 Selenites, the 10, 47 Selenus 46, 47 Sentinels 31, 32, 33, 34, 37, 48, 53 Sentinels, the 31 Sephirot, the 49 Sequoia 31 Sergeant Battle 34 Serpent-Mages 30 Serpentine 34 Serpent Lantern 10, 11, 14, 17, 27, 30 Shade 32 Shadowboxer 34 Shadow Destroyer 6, 14, 15, 28, 40, 46 Shadowman 31 Shamballah 42 Shaolin Five 32 Shaper, the 48

Q
Qliphothic 29, 39, 50 Questionite 15, 35, 38 Quicksilver 32 Qularr 10, 14, 18, 25, 40, 41, 44, 46

R
R. Talosorian Games 5 Radion 34 Rakshasa 14, 27, 28 Rashindar 33 Raven (Haida trickster god) 26, 41 Ravenspeaker 26, 28, 32 Ravenswood Academy 27, 37, 40 Reality Storm, the 48 Recorder, the 48 Red Banners, the 40 Red Bullet 32 Redcap 33 Red Ensign I 34 Red Ensign III 34 Redstone 30 Red Winter 15 Renton, Peter (see Amazing Man II) Repulse 32 Retrograde 32

Sharna-Gorak (the Destroyer) 8, 11, 37 Shining Darkness, the 50 Shining Dawn 32 Shomshak, Dean 7 Shughla-Wthelg 43 Siffleur 32 Silicon Kid, the 31 Silver Avengers 17, 35 Silver Scorpion 31 Silver Shield 19 Siren 34 Siria 47 Sirians, the 9, 47 Skunk-Ape 42 Sky, the 38 Skydragon 34 Skygirl 34 SkyProspect 20, 22 Sky Where You Fly, the 49 Slug, the 11, 34 Slun 33 SNN 11, 18 Society of Evil, the 34 SOCRATES 21 Soothing Touch 32 Sovereign Sons, the 42 Soviet Union, the 10 Spark 33 Sparrowhawk 31 Spooky, Empty House, the 49 Stalnoy Volk 33 Star*Guard, the 10, 12, 14, 15, 43, 45, 48 Star*Staffs 48 StarAvengers 48 Starburst 34 StarForce 13, 14, 24, 25 Star Guardians (see Star*Guard) StarJets 48 StarKnights 48 Steel-Shattering Fist 32 Steelheads, the 13 Steel Shark 34 Stigma 32 Stingray 24, 28, 37 Stone, Franklin 20, 40 Stone Labs 15 Straight Arrow 31 Streak 34 Streak II 34 Streamline 32 Stronghold 11, 14, 17, 21, 28, 41, 48 Sturmvogel 9, 10, 34 Sturmvogel, der 9, 10, 34 Sub-Zero 34 Summer Cloud 32 Sunburst 36 Sunday Pond 42 SUNDER 13, 26, 29

CO Lore Primer: Index 66

Super-World Magazine 19 Superhero Division, the 33 Super History 18 Superstar 31 Supreme Serpent 13, 14, 21, 30 Surcheval 32 Surge 31 Surhoff, James 40 Surkha Khamba 33 Survalesh 33 Suryabala 33 Swarmlord 32 Swashbuckler II 34 Swift Swallow 32 Syeryebro 33

Totem 32 Totenkopf, der 34 Trey Kings, the 42 Tribunal treaty, the 13 Tricolor 32 Trismegistus Council 9, 22, 26, 42 Trismegistus Council, the 9, 22, 26, 42 Typhoon 34 Tyrannon 28

Voyageur 32 Vulnapyezdka 33 Vulshoth 50

W
Waed, Jennifer (Black Mask X) 24 Wales 32 Walkabout 32 Walters, Jason 7 Warlord, the 13 Warmonger, the 48 Washington DC 27, 32 Watch, the 31 Watts, Darren 6, 7 WCOC 41, 53 Westgote, der 27 White Lynx 31 White Sands 11 White Shroud 31 Whittaker, Mark (see Nighthawk) Windshear 32 Windsor 24, 40 Windyburg 49 Winter Dragon 32 Witchcraft 14, 19, 26, 29 Witness, the 42 WTFL 19, 41

U
Ultimates, the 12 Ultivac 34 Ultrasonique 27 Uncaped 19 Unholy Order of the Grand Reptile, the 9, 10, 30 United Nations 10, 17, 18, 37, 42 United States, the 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 29, 31, 40, 41 UNITY 3, 12, 18 UNTIL: Defenders of Freedom 7 Urizen 50 Urthona 50 Ushas 33

T
Taipan 32 Takofanes 8, 12, 14, 26, 29, 34 Talisen 32 Talisman 26 Tapalahara 33 Taroindar 46 Taxet 26, 41 Technocrat 32 Technyik 33 Teikei 33 Teja Vayu 33 Teleios 13, 29, 32 Temblor 26 Tetsuronin 25, 33 Tetsuryu 33 Thaar 42 Thain, Glenn 5 Thalassa 28 Tharmas 50 The Arena 19 the Cat 32 The Goodman Institute 21 Therakiel 14, 23, 26, 29, 42 The Sixteenth Bureau 32 The Tournament of the Dragon, the 20 Thomas, Allen 6 Thorgons, the 43, 44 Thrash 32 Thunderhead 31 Tiger 34 Tiger Squad, the 10, 32 Tightwire 34 Tilingkoot 32 Timberline 10, 34 T 33 Tokyo 10, 33 Tokyo Super Squad 33 Tomahawk 31, 34 Tommy Canada 34 TorTagla 48 To Save Tomorrow 18

V
Valere Noyer 32 Van Drotte, Henrietta 21 Vanguard 10, 11, 12, 34, 40 Vanguard (Vancouver based team) 34 Van Helsing Act, the 16 Vayathurans, the 47 Vee, Lt. Colonel Aaron 22 Veil, the 49 Veldarian Confederacy 44 Veldarian Confederacy, the 44 Venin Vert 32 Venus Scientific Outpost 22 Venus Scientific Outpost (VSO) 22 Vibora Bay 14, 16, 24, 25, 29, 42 Vibora Bay (sourcebook) 7 Victory (superheroine) 22 Vigil 34 VIPER 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41 VIPER-Eurostar War, the 13 VIPER-X 30, 34 VIPER-X (original) 34 VIPER: Coils of the Serpent (sourcebook) 7 Viperia 8, 13, 30 Vladic Dracul 42 Volt 32 Voltage 31 Von Schoutz, Clyde 29 Voodoo Doll 32 Vortex 32

X
Xarriel 48

Y
Yengtao Temple 42 Yeoman 32 Yetzirah, the 4, 49 Ying 32 Yin Wu, Dr. 32 Yorunge 34

Z
Zeel 44 Zeitgeist 32 Zempletpyasenee 33 Zenith 31 Zerstoiten, Albert (see Doctor Destroyer) Zertorenstern 22 Zoas, Four 50 Zodiac Man, the 31

CO Lore Primer: Index 67