What Rose from the Ashes

Characters will have the standard 80 V & V points for their powers. For this first session, anybody bringing in an M & M character will use the M & M points of a power as its V & V points, since they have the same limit (20). All players should pick or roll for an Origin Type, changing Scientific to Medical (and read on). Most V & V tables are available for inspiration, but you only get one roll on the Birthplace table. If you roll an alien or anachronism I'll probably make you a gray or saurian (or monster, if you prefer), and if you don't like your result you can be a human from anywhere in North America. Some powers may alter your species, but do not choose an alien or tech construct.

The Singularity happened long ago, and left the psyche of humanity scarred (it's 2175). Scientists were linked to the destruction of Earth's multiverse, and attitudes flipped: science is now a dark art practiced by villains, while the paranormal is seen as a force for good. (Substitute psychic or farmer for science on the Professions table.) If you play a scientist it will be your secret identity, while the abilities you evince to fight crime must have some plausible explanation. Gadgeteers are O…K…just make your inventions magical. (At one point late in third edition D & D you could stop and eat a kind of cookie to power up in the middle of battle!) Telepaths are highly prized by the city-states, which interferes with their libarty to practice self=determination. Such abilities restrict you to secrecy or government employment. Furthermore, a telepath with silent mind control would be on call to protect the city from giant monsters, and required to direct monster traffic under normal circumstances. Thus if you desire this particular combination of abilities, you will most likely be an exile from another city-state, and use your powers most discreetly.

Peace is the default state of North America. Antennas are blamed for the devastation of civilization, and with their destruction diplomacy has returned to the leisurely pace of state visits. There is still a federal government of sorts: the Pentagon, originally called NORAD. It is rumored to have an AI, but that doesn't stop cities with military bases from seeking its advice. The end of the 21st century was marked by strife between militias and traditional military, but in the end Americans found unity in their common culture. Only a few very old, very reclusive billionaires remember what actually collapsed hyperspace, inundating reality with every cryptid and mythological being ever known, and they are heavily invested in the status quo. (Santa exists, and don't ask to play him.) Very wealthy characters take pains to avoid publicity, and any such player character will undoubtedly have a secret identity, and most likely professional skill as an executive or middle manager.

There are still influencers: phones disappeared long ago, but home computers (called consoles) are networked in each city (primarily for civil defense purposes), and the most popular shows of each city-state are shared with nearby cities using a single powerful visible light emitter. Few heroes will be content creators: the scene looks like a 1980's Flintstones cartoon as reporters run about with conspicuous cameras, rich commuters in climate-controlled compartments fly overhead on the backs of giant pterodactyls, heroes protect the masses, and the celebrities rush to bring these images from a broadcast studio to their faithful audiences. It is not a culture without freedom, but the emphasis has turned to local loyalty. If you burn to right its civil injustices or restore science to its former respectability, that would make an interesting motivation to change the system from inside. Roleplaying a direct assault on society's core beliefs would not be productive.… Have fun combating vile technocrats, for in the world of the future they are objectively evil!