About to start a new game with fresh players. 2 of them think superheroes are lame but they only know the generic marvel cinema stuff. I want to surprise them with a more nuanced and dark cape setting.
I have a few questions and i would really like some feedback for my ideas.
First i am going to present my modified world "inspired" (shamelessly copying) by worm and then i will present my basic plot outline.
1) Setting
a) There is no cosmic level shit shit going on like in worm (i try to avoid spoilers i think everyone who has read it knows what i am talking about).
b) Similar to Steelheart (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Reckoners) the authority of the state collapses in some areas. Its not as bad but there are Areas ruled by Epics/Capes where the state has no influence. What remains of the USA still control a large chunk of the country (control isn't as tight as in our world though) but resources (and capes who are loyal to the government) are spread thin trying to protect areas, reconquer others and rebuild destroyed cities.
There is open military warfare between some rogue states/territories and the central government but for most it is more of a cold war situation.
c) The first awakening of powers happens in a wave and affects random people. After that powers can manifest in individuals in a situation of great stress. In the first wave three categories of epics manifest. After that its overwhelmingly Class A powers that manifest.
Class A: Street level powers. People with guns still pose a threat. This is were the players start. Unlike in Worm Epics can develop new powers and expand on their old ones with experience. Class A epics are the weakest but they have a healthy mind. Class A Epics are the only category of Epics that don't develop severe mental illness when they awake. They can still reach Class B and C powers but their mind can adapt to the new powers so they can reach higher power levels without becoming mentally ill.
>I want to surprise them with a more nuanced and dark cape setting. I hope you don't mean this as in session 1 'surprise you thought you were in generic marvel cinema stuff but you're in wormtown'
Getting players on the same page for genre expectations ad power levels before the game starts is incredibly important for super games. If you have someone trying to be squirrel girl and someone trying to be punisher and someone trying to be Silver Surfer, one or all of them are going to end up disappointed
Mason Hall
>a more nuanced and...cape setting >Worm Hahahahahahahaha.
Grayson Johnson
Nah. They will work out a normal human with background and family and then we will work out powers together in the first session.
Inspired. Worm is not that bad if you cut out the cringe inducing shit.
Class B: Epics who awaken at Level B are considerably stronger but develop at least one mental illness when they awake. This mental illnesses can range from Paranoia too full blown anti-social personal disorder. Most Class B's tend to become Villains due to this but some strive to be heroic despite the inner demons that plague them.
Strong Class B's can go toe to toe with military units and even win in the right circumstances.
Class C: High Level Epics. Superman shit right there. The sudden influence of so much power without any time to adjust completely shatters their mind. These guys don't have a singular mental illness. They are stuck in their own autistic mind. Normal humans and lower class epics are unable to communicate with them. Its not clear if they communicate with each other but at least they tend to flock together into small teams.
They show erratic behavior. Short and intense city destroying outbursts of violence and long periods of being stuck in their own mind unable to really interact with the outside world (except when they are physically threatened).
These guys are my S-Level threats, my Godzilla. The looming threat in the Dark.
Dominic Parker
2) My basic story outline.
a) Players start as ordinary human beings in the first wave of the awakening. They discover they have powers. Unfortunately a group of Class C's awakens in their city or near to it.
( I am not sure if i should start with a longer period where everything is somewhat normal or if the Class C's should start leveling the city right at the start).
The Class C's start destroying the city and the players have to hide in a secure spot or get the fuck out of the city. ( Eventually they will try and save their family or loot or whatever)
(At some point the military steps in and is able to push them back with heavy losses, destroying the city even more with the big guns. This happens all over the USA explaining why the Epics have success in taking over some cities)
Once the C's are gone i hope the players will return to the destroyed cities (or go elsewhere, completely fucking up my idea).
b) Surviving in the ruined city is the next step. Public infrastructure is completely fucked up including Law Enforcement. Gangs form and i plan to create a Sandbox for my players. Here they can decide if they wan't to go more Hero or Villain or do their own thing.
c) The military reestablishes contact and brings in first supplies. For the players a bigger stage should slowly open where they are able to support the old order or establish their own.
d). After that maybe they start hunting C's or whatever. This will depend on the story that has unfolded up until this point.
Brody Ramirez
Have you played Infamous? If not you might want to look into it. 1 and 2 have similar themes to what you're going with and might have some good inspiration.
Brayden Richardson
My TV is fucking broke but once i get a new one that is on my list. Is the gameplay actually good?
Questions:
1) I was thinking about using Wild Talents. Is the rule system actually able to portray the power scale i want to achieve (basically Jessica Jones to Superman).
2) Are there better systems ?
3) I would be very happy about feedback, ideas and general input.
Wyatt Ross
i found that Worm games only work when everyone knows its a Worm game
then its some of the greatest shit
Logan Walker
>Jessica Jones Which one. Comic's wise, she is a flying brick with really good strength.
The MCU one is leagues bellow.
Michael Flores
The MCU one. I am not really fond of the show and stopped looking soon but the impression i got of her was street level and thats what i am aiming for at the start.
