SETTING BOOK

A TABLETOP ROLEPLAYING GAME

OF COMIC BOOK HEROES
 THE BASICS
Before playing your first issue, fill out the information on these two pages
to lay out the basic nature of your setting. You should answer as many CITY NAME:
questions as you can, but if you cannot come up with a suitable answer, it’s
okay to wait until later and fill it in when it matters. See p. 60 for more about
using this book.
CITY NICKNAME:
All Spectaculars settings begin with a city that serves as the heart of
the setting. Each of the series pads begins in this city, and the majority of Districts, Boroughs,
the action takes place there. Though your heroic adventures may take you and Neighborhoods
to distant nations, alternate dimensions, and far-flung worlds, the setting In the spaces below, fill in the names of some regions in the city.
revolves around this city and the heroes and villains within it.
Bad Neighborhood:
IN WHAT DECADE DOES THE STORY BEGIN?
ˆˆ 1950s ˆˆ 1980s ˆˆ 2010s
Commercial Center:
ˆˆ 1960s ˆˆ 1990s ˆˆ 2020s
Financial District:
ˆˆ 1970s ˆˆ 2000s ˆˆ 2100s
Old Part of Town:
IN WHAT CITY DOES THE STORY PRIMARILY TAKE PLACE?
ˆˆ Real. The stories take place in a real-world city that has been changed Quiet Suburb:
by the presence of superhumans. (Decide which city and write it at the
top of the page. Then record any major differences between the real Trendy Neighborhood:
city and the city in this setting in the Truths box.)
ˆˆ Fictional. The stories take place in a purely fictional city. (Name your Other:
city and describe where it is located in the Truths box.)
Other:
WHAT MAKES THIS CITY DIFFERENT FROM EVERY OTHER CITY?
Other:
ˆˆ Advanced Technology. The city’s infrastructure, economy, and
citizenry has flourished under technology beyond contemporary
expectations. Fill out SE02: The Super Science Lab as the source of Landmarks
the city’s technology. In the spaces below, fill in the names of some landmarks in the city.
ˆˆ Dimensional Rift. The city is built on a nexus between mystical
realms, resulting in a strong presence of magic and mysticism. Government Building:
Fill out SE06: The Nether Realm as the dimension to which the
Historic Building:
rift is connected.
ˆˆ Organized Crime. The city is home to a vast network of organized Iconic Skyline Feature:
crime syndicates, who have exceptional influence over the city’s
citizenry, economy, and authorities. Fill out SE14: The Crime Sports Arena:
Syndicate as the most prominent syndicate.
ˆˆ Pariah Ghetto. One of the city’s districts or boroughs is home to a Tallest Building in the City:
large population of people who have superpowers and are feared for
it. Fill out SE19: The Pariahs as the population of that district. Tourist Attraction:
ˆˆ Scarred by Disaster. The city suffered some catastrophe within the
last 10 years, and the scars from that event are prominent throughout Other:
the city. Fill out SE27: The Catastrophe as that disaster.
Other:
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
Other:
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PICK TWO/THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE HOW THE CITY FEELS HOW DOES THE MEDIA PORTRAY POWERED HEROES?
ˆˆ Anachronistic ˆˆ Dreary ˆˆ Run-down ˆˆ Celebrities. Newspapers and the nightly news are filled with coverage
ˆˆ Bustling ˆˆ Dystopian ˆˆ Sprawling of the heroes’ exploits. Tabloids run stories filled with gossip about
ˆˆ Cutting edge ˆˆ Idyllic ˆˆ Towering costumed hero relationships. (All teams adjust their starting Media
ˆˆ Dangerous ˆˆ Oppressive ˆˆ Verdant Reputation track by +2.)
ˆˆ Diverse ˆˆ Overcrowded ˆˆ Wealthy ˆˆ Centers of Controversy. Powered heroes are a hot-button
topic. News channels air debates about vigilantism, with
HOW COMMON ARE POWERED HEROES? pundits on both sides.
ˆˆ They’re Everywhere. On a daily basis, the average citizen might see ˆˆ Fear-Mongering. Sensationalized news reports chase ratings by
one or two costumed heroes going about their business in the city. stoking the fears of the average citizen that they are likely to be the
ˆˆ You Cross Paths from Time to Time. Though not an everyday next casualty of a superpowered conflict. (All teams adjust their
occurrence, a hero sighting isn’t that unusual for most people. starting Media Reputation track by –2.)
ˆˆ I Saw One, Once. Most folks know that costumed heroes exist in the ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
city, but few have any contact with them.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box). HOW OFTEN DO SUPERHEROES DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY?
ˆˆ Rarely, if Ever. Costumed heroes might hang up their capes from
HOW OFTEN DO SUPERPOWERED VILLAINS MENACE THE CITY? time to time, but almost none have been casualties of their mission.
ˆˆ Villains of the Week. Every other day, you hear about a powered ˆˆ It Happens Every Now and Then. Being a hero is a dangerous
menace engaging in criminal activity, and the average person may business, and there have been a few fatalities among the
have even been a bystander in such an event. powered heroes.
ˆˆ They Show Up Every Few Months. On a day-to-day basis most ˆˆ All the Time. Supervillains show no mercy, and to be a hero is to be a
people have nothing to fear from powered villains. soldier on the front lines of battle; death is a constant peril of the job.
ˆˆ A Rare Appearance. Superpowered villains are a threat that seems ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
distant to most people, and getting caught up in one of their schemes TRUTHS
or attacks is something that happens to other people, in other cities.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DOES THE GENERAL PUBLIC FEEL ABOUT POWERED HEROES?

ˆˆ They’re Great! Costumed heroes are role models to be admired. They
protect the city, doing what the authorities can’t. (All teams adjust
their starting Public Reputation track by +2.)
ˆˆ Respected, but Warily. Powered heroes do good things, but they are
also dangerous. What gives them the right to work outside the law?
ˆˆ These So-Called Heroes are a Menace. All powered individuals
are dangerous, and the “heroes” cause as much damage as
they supposedly prevent. (All teams adjust their starting Public
Reputation track by –2.)
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DO THE AUTHORITIES FEEL ABOUT POWERED HEROES?

ˆˆ They Render a Noble Service. There’s no way that the average first
responder can handle powered villains, and the costumed heroes
help keep the citizens of the city out of harm’s way. (All teams adjust
their starting Government Reputation track by +2.)
ˆˆ They are Loose Cannons. They may have done good deeds,
but they operate outside the due process of law and aren’t
accountable to anyone.
ˆˆ They are All Criminals. Vigilantism is a crime. These powered
individuals answer to no one, and the heroes are just as guilty as
the villains. They should all be locked up, for the good of the city. (All
teams adjust their starting Government Reputation track by –2.)
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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 SE01: THE POWERFUL ARTIFACT
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s powerful artifact, an WHAT IS THE ARTIFACT’S MOST OBVIOUS POWER?
ancient and arcane device beyond all human understanding. This artifact
ˆˆ Infinite Energy Source: The artifact is a source of limitless energy,
will be sought after by many, both good and evil, for it contains within it
acting as a battery that can draw enough power to fuel the sun, and
great power and the key to unlocking the secrets of the cosmos. Examples
maybe even more. The limits of its energy generation are unknown.
from popular comics include the Cosmic Cube™ and the Ultimate Nullifer™
ˆˆ Warping Reality: The artifact warps the very nature of reality, creating
(Marvel), and Mother Box™ and the Helmet of Fate™ (DC).
wormholes, altering the physical properties of matter, and conjuring
or destroying objects when properly controlled.
NAME: ˆˆ Genetic Alteration: The artifact rewrites the genetic structure
of creatures instantaneously, transforming living beings in the
FIRST APPEARANCE: blink of an eye.
ˆˆ Time Manipulation. The artifact controls the flow of time and can
WHAT ARE THE ARTIFACT’S PHYSICAL PROPERTIES? slow down, speed up, or stop time, as well as propel a wielder forward
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the into the future or back in time (or even to alternate timelines).
Truths box below. ˆˆ Gravity Control. The artifact allows for limitless control over the
ˆˆ A glowing... ˆˆ ...orb... ˆˆ ...that hums loudly forces of gravity, including strengthening or weakening the pull of
ˆˆ A pulsing... ˆˆ ...cube... ˆˆ ...that sparks gravity on an object, even as far as creating black holes.
ˆˆ A shimmering... ˆˆ ...dodecahedron... ˆˆ ...with bright cracks ˆˆ Psychic Domination. The artifact possesses great psychic power,
ˆˆ A chrome... ˆˆ ...talisman... ˆˆ ...that hovers granting a skilled wielder telepathic and telekinetic power; the artifact
ˆˆ A stone... ˆˆ ...egg... ˆˆ ...that smolders also exerts incredible psychic influence on those around it.
ˆˆ A golden... ˆˆ ...shard... ˆˆ ...that shifts color ˆˆ Antimatter/Dark Matter Containment. The artifact is a containment
unit for antimatter, dark matter, or another theoretical type of matter.
WHAT MAKES THE ARTIFACT DANGEROUS TO BE AROUND OR HOLD? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Emits Strong Radiation. The artifact emits high levels of radiation.
TRUTHS
Anyone in close proximity to it risks radiation poisoning.
ˆˆ Intense Heat. The artifact gives off incredible heat at all times and
can be physically manipulated only with protective gear.
ˆˆ Disrupts Brainwaves. The artifact disrupts the brainwaves of anyone
near it, slowly rendering them catatonic after too much exposure.
ˆˆ Causes Mutation. The artifact alters the genetic structure of anyone
exposed to it, unraveling or restructuring their genetic makeup.
ˆˆ Rapidly Ages Organic Matter. The artifact causes any living matter in
its proximity to age rapidly unless it is kept in a protective environment.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT MAKES THE ARTIFACT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL AND CONTAIN?

ˆˆ Requires a Rare Element. The artifact requires a constant supply of a
rare element, which it consumes rapidly.
ˆˆ Capricious. The artifact displays a seemingly random and completely
unpredictable set of behaviors and properties. Traditional scientific
methods yield no useful results.
ˆˆ Perpetual Target. Powerful beings and villains constantly seek to
get their hands on the artifact, requiring around-the-clock defense
and monitoring.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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SE02: THE SUPER SCIENCE LAB
Use this page to define your setting’s primary source of super science
WHAT KINDS OF TECHNOLOGY MOST OFTEN COME OUT OF THE LAB?
research and development, a laboratory that specializes in the technology
that many heroes rely on for their powers. Examples from popular comics ˆˆ Weapons. Guns. Rockets. Lasers. Power armor. Energy swords. Ice
include Stark Industries® (Marvel) and S.T.A.R. Labs™ (DC). beams. Genetic destabilizers. Drones.
ˆˆ Industrial. Anti-gravity freight lifters. Cryogenic preservers. Ultrasteel
alloys. Neochemical research. Genetically modified flora.
NAME: ˆˆ Information. Computers and networking. Machine learning software.
ˆˆ Medical. Bioengineering. Advanced prosthetics. Designer drugs.
ˆˆ Theoretical. Dimensional portal generators. Deep space transceivers.
FIRST APPEARANCE: Interstellar vehicles. Subatomic transmuters. Genome resequencers.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHAT KIND OF ORGANIZATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE LAB?
ˆˆ Benevolent Corporation: This lab is a division of a private company HOW DOES THE LAB PRIMARILY INTERACT WITH PEOPLE WITH POWERS?
(for-profit, or otherwise) working within the bounds of the law. ˆˆ Research Subjects. Superhumans are studied in the lab.
ˆˆ Malicious Corporation: This research lab is a part of a corporation ˆˆ Employer/Sponsor. The lab either provides direct support to powered
that flouts both law and ethics. individuals or passes along their findings in secret.
ˆˆ Government Office: This lab is a part of a government office, either ˆˆ Field Testing. The lab uses powered individuals to test
local or national, and functions under that government’s oversight. their discoveries.
ˆˆ Front for an Outside Force: Despite a legitimate veneer, ˆˆ Cleaning Up Messes. The lab is responsible for cleaning up after
some powerful outside group (aliens, cultists, or other superpowered conflicts.
interest) backs the lab. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box). TRUTHS
HOW MUCH DOES THE LAB BROADCAST ITS EXISTENCE?
ˆˆ Branded Consumer Goods: There’s a good chance that the average
citizen has one of this lab’s products in their home or office.
ˆˆ Government Contractor: The lab works purely at the government’s
direction, for the government’s benefit. Some people may have heard
of it, but only in the context of other government dealings.
ˆˆ Think Tank: The lab does not frequently produce things that are
usable and may be known only to government and media insiders.
ˆˆ Secret Lab: The existence of the lab and everything that takes place
within it is a heavily guarded secret, even within the organization
that operates it.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHERE IS THE LABORATORY PHYSICALLY LOCATED?

ˆˆ Skyscraper. The lab occupies several floors of a towering structure
right in the middle of the setting’s most important city.
ˆˆ Secure Facility. The lab is hidden in a dedicated, secure compound in
a remote area outside the setting’s most important city.
ˆˆ Another Country. The lab’s main facility is in a foreign nation, though
its representatives and technology make their way to the city.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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 SE03: THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s government agency
tasked with policing superpowered individuals. This agency may be friend or WHERE IS THE ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERED?
foe to most heroes, and it represents the strongest government presence in ˆˆ Massive Standalone Compound. A skyscraper towering over
the daily lives of most super teams. Examples from popular comics include the city. An air base miles away from anywhere. A bunker built
S.H.I.E.L.D.® (Marvel) and Checkmate™ (DC). into a mountain.
ˆˆ Cutting-Edge Mobile Facility. A flying aircraft carrier. A submarine
the size of a small city. A caravan of ground vehicles that
NAME: combine together.
ˆˆ Inaccessibly Remote Base. An orbital platform. An undersea base. A
polar outpost deep in the Arctic.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Discrete Urban Offices. A nondescript office building that deters
snooping thanks to its boring exterior.
WHAT IS THE ORGANIZATION’S CORE MISSION? ˆˆ Decentralized Cells. No central headquarters. Members operate
ˆˆ Assist Heroes in Securing Villains. The agency is tasked with out of safe houses and temporary bases of operations, acting as
curtailing threats to national security, and allies with powered heroes independent cells with little hierarchal oversight.
when supervillains are involved. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Monitor all Superhuman Activity. The agency’s mandate
is to observe, record, and analyze, but not interfere with, WHAT IS THE ORGANIZATION’S MOST NOTABLE ADVANTAGE?
superpowered activity. ˆˆ Far-Reaching Surveillance. They have an extensive surveillance
ˆˆ Tamp Down on All Powered Individuals. The agency focuses on network that includes wiretaps and satellite imaging.
suppressing all powered people, heroes and villains alike, to keep ˆˆ Military Mobilization. They can commandeer and command national
them out of the public eye. military forces, both personnel and matériel.
ˆˆ Enforce Registration of Superhumans. The agency is tasked with ˆˆ Hyper-Advanced Technology. They repurpose and utilize captured
creating and maintaining a registry of superpowered individuals. super-science devices, turning them into standard-issue gear.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box). ˆˆ Network of Deep Cover Agents. Literally anyone could be
an agency member.
HOW DO THE AGENTS DRESS FOR FIELD WORK? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Black Suits and Shades. The iconic image of the government spook. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Fatigues and Body Armor. Outfitted with military gear, they look
prepared to enter a combat zone.
ˆˆ Jumpsuits and Utility Belts. Specialists who focus on utility and
comfort over flashy style.
ˆˆ Military Dress Uniforms. They project an appearance of
both authority and competence, without looking like they are
going into battle.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

UNDER WHAT AUTHORITY DOES THIS AGENCY OPERATE?

ˆˆ National. The agency is an arm of the national government.
ˆˆ International. The agency is authorized by an international body, such
as the United Nations.
ˆˆ Private Funding, Government Charter. The agency is privately
owned and maintained, but with government approval.
ˆˆ Off the Books. They operate outside of the law, in secret.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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SE04: THE BAD NEIGHBORHOOD
This page is where you will create the details of your city’s bad
neighborhood, where street-level heroes fight against crime, corruption, and HOW DO THE CITY’S AUTHORITIES TREAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD?
gang violence. Examples from popular comics include Hell’s Kitchen in New ˆˆ Avoidance. There is minimal police presence in the neighborhood.
York (Marvel) and the East End District of Gotham City® (DC). The city government has effectively washed its hands of the
neighborhood, leaving the citizens to fend for themselves.
ˆˆ Corruption. The police officers assigned to the neighborhood are just
NAME: as corrupt as the criminals they supposedly police. They take bribes
and shake down law-abiding citizens on a regular basis.
ˆˆ Over-Policing. The city government is in an arms race with
FIRST APPEARANCE: the criminals of the neighborhood, resulting in over-policing
that makes the authorities as much of a threat to law-abiding
WHAT IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD’S HISTORY? citizens as criminals.
ˆˆ Once Prosperous, Fallen from Grace. In the old days, this part of the ˆˆ Present but Powerless. The police have a presence in the
city was bustling and full people and wealth. As the city grew, people neighborhood, but they are often powerless to affect real change due
moved to other areas, leaving behind only the poor and the desperate. to bureaucratic orders from politicians on the take from criminals.
ˆˆ Immigrant Neighborhood. The neighborhood began as a place ˆˆ Private Contractors. The government has outsourced policing in the
where immigrants of a common background congregated, like New neighborhood to a private security company and invested them with
York’s Little Italy or San Francisco’s Chinatown. the authority to make arrests. Not answerable to taxpayers, these
ˆˆ Industrial Collapse. The neighborhood once had a bustling industrial contractors’ methods are often shocking and brutal.
presence, with workers from factories living in the neighborhood. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
When that industry collapsed, the neighborhood did too. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Rotting from the Inside. The neighborhood is old and venerable, and
to those who don’t live there it looks like a slightly run-down historic
neighborhood. This is merely a facade hiding the neighborhood’s slow
decay due to corruption.
ˆˆ Pariah Ghetto. The neighborhood is home to a large portion of the
city’s pariah population (SE19: The Pariahs). The population is already
downtrodden and outcast, and the neighborhood reflects that.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF CRIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?

ˆˆ Gang Violence. Gangs of youths cruise the neighborhood’s streets,
fighting over turf and gunning for their enemies. The impoverished
members are recruited at a young age into gangs as a part of a
vicious cycle of poverty and prison.
ˆˆ Organized Crime. A large crime syndicate is the dominant force in
the neighborhood, using it as a base of operations. This syndicate is
highly organized, far wealthier than the residents, and its members
consider themselves a cut above the average criminal.
ˆˆ Superpowered Criminals. Most of the crime in the neighborhood
is the result of superpowered criminals running amok. The
ineffectiveness of the police makes the neighborhood a target.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

7
 SE05: THE SUPER PRISON
This page is where you will create the details of your setting’s prison for
holding powered villains. Though not all, or even most, of the prisoners have WHAT ARE THE PRISON’S OPEN SECRETS? (PICK TWO)
superpowers, the prison is prepared to house the city’s most dangerous ˆˆ The Warden is Corrupt. The warden of the prison is known to be in
convicts. Examples from popular comics include the Raft™ and Ryker’s the pocket of a criminal organization, or at least so susceptible to
Island™ (Marvel), and Arkham Asylum™ and Blackgate Prison™ (DC). bribery that anyone can get what they want out of the prison if they
put down enough cash.
NAME: ˆˆ The Inmates Have Reach. Security at the prison is porous, at least as
far as communication goes. Crime bosses and other inmates have the
ability to affect the outside world almost as much as if they were free.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ The Prison Makes Prisoners Worse. People are not rehabilitated
at this prison. Instead, minor criminals come out hardened,
WHAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL NATURE OF THE PRISON? and dangerous criminals emerge from the prison more
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the psychopathic than ever.
Truths box below. ˆˆ The Prisoners are Test Subjects. Some outside entity uses the
ˆˆ A hi-tech... ˆˆ ...fortress... ˆˆ ...with robot guards. prisoner population as test subjects for experimentation and under-
ˆˆ An underwater... ˆˆ ...complex... ˆˆ ...found on no map. the-table science and technology testing.
ˆˆ An underground... ˆˆ ...city... ˆˆ ...run by villains. ˆˆ Downtrodden Populace. A significant portion of the population of
ˆˆ An island... ˆˆ ...asylum... ˆˆ ...full of lunatics. the prison is there not because they have committed crimes worthy of
ˆˆ A gothic... ˆˆ ...research facility... ˆˆ ...on neutral land. the prison, but because they have unfairly been classified as a major
ˆˆ A decrepit... ˆˆ ...labor camp... ˆˆ ...displaced in time. threat to the safety of the city by politicians with an agenda.
ˆˆ Haunted. The prison is known to be haunted by spirits of prisoners
WHERE IS THE PRISON LOCATED? who died while in custody there, and inmates regularly see them.
ˆˆ Inside the City. The prison is located somewhere within the city, if ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
isolated by natural landmarks. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Near the City. The prison is located on the outskirts of the city, within
a few hours’ drive or boat ride.
ˆˆ In Another City. The prison is located in another city entirely, possibly
in another country or region.
ˆˆ In a Remote Area. The prison is in a remote, isolated area, far from
any urban centers.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DOES THE PRISON CONTROL ITS POPULACE?

ˆˆ Unbreakable Cells. The cells of the prison are made of impossibly
tough materials and reinforced with many redundant systems.
ˆˆ Control Collars. Each prisoner wears a collar that allows the guards
to stun the wearer and/or suppresses superpowers.
ˆˆ Sedation. The prisoners are kept heavily sedated at all times through
a rigorous dosing regimen.
ˆˆ Extreme Violence. The warden gives the guards a long leash when
it comes to the amount of violence they are allowed to use when
quelling prisoner resistance.
ˆˆ Stasis. The prisoners are kept in some kind of stasis, such as
cryogenic freezing or time dilation fields.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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SE06: THE NETHER REALM
This page is where you will create the details of your world’s nether realm, a
dangerous plane of existence filled with magic, monsters, and impossible, OTHER THAN DEMONS, WHAT CREATURES INHABIT THIS REALM?
reality-defying spectacles. Examples from popular comics include Limbo ˆˆ Near-Humans. The plane is a true alternate reality, and human-like
(Marvel) and Hell (DC). beings (elves or dwarves, fey creatures, or others) live here.
ˆˆ Monsters. This plane is where many of humanity’s mythical monsters
are born, and it is filled with terrifying creatures.
NAME: ˆˆ The Restless Dead. The plane is the realm of the dead, and unquiet
spirits, shambling corpses, and malicious undead haunt it.
ˆˆ Dreaming Humans. The plane is a construct of the human
FIRST APPEARANCE: unconscious, and the astral bodies of normal humans come to this
realm when dreaming deeply.
WHAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL NATURE OF THE NETHER REALM? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the
Truths box below. WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT MAGIC IN THE NETHER REALM?
ˆˆ A desolate... ˆˆ ...hellscape... ˆˆ ...filled with ruins. ˆˆ Far More Powerful. Magic on this plane is far more potent than on
ˆˆ A fiery... ˆˆ ...wasteland... ˆˆ ...of inhuman scale. Earth, with greater destructive potential and longer-lasting effects.
ˆˆ A frozen... ˆˆ ...island... ˆˆ ...of torment. ˆˆ Dangerously Unpredictable. When one calls upon magic, the true
ˆˆ A jagged... ˆˆ ...mirror world... ˆˆ ...far underground. nature of the effect is unpredictable, often in a harmful way.
ˆˆ An apocalyptic... ˆˆ ...labyrinth... ˆˆ ...of eternal night. ˆˆ Corrupting. The use of magic on this plane corrupts the users,
ˆˆ A surreal... ˆˆ ...jungle... ˆˆ ...full of ghosts. transforming their bodies, minds, or souls in some poisonous way.
ˆˆ Steep Price. To use magic, one must make great sacrifices, such as
WHAT FEELS STRANGEST TO HUMANS WHO GO TO THIS REALM? their own sanity, health, valuables, or even other lives.
ˆˆ Escher-esque Geography. The realm is full of impossible objects, ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
terrain, and architecture, bending concepts of time, space, and gravity TRUTHS
to create dizzying places that would be impossible on Earth.
ˆˆ Willpower Bends Reality. While in the nether realm, strong-willed
individuals can warp reality with their very thoughts, conjuring things
or changing the rules of physics through intense concentration.
ˆˆ Surreality. The nether realm is filled with instances of surreal
creatures, objects, and locations, all of which combine to make the
plane feel like it is drawn from the dreams of a madman losing his
grip on reality.
ˆˆ Impermanence. The nether realm is a place of constant change;
objects and structures constantly shift their position and shape.
ˆˆ Resistant to Change. Changes rarely last long in the nether realm;
reality constantly attempts to “correct” any changes made by an
individual, reverting things back to the way they were before.
ˆˆ Dimensional Crossroads. This dimension is a crossroads for
many planes of existence, playing host to creatures from different
dimensions and realities.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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 SE07: THE STAR EMPIRE
This page is where you will create the details of your setting’s star empire,
a sector- or even galaxy-spanning government that rules over dozens of WHAT IS THE EMPIRE’S GREATEST STRENGTH?
worlds. Far more advanced than humanity, the star empire is composed ˆˆ Space Navy. The empire has multiple star armadas capable of
of many alien species, working together to heed the tyrannical will of its blockading, invading, and destroying entire star systems.
leaders. Examples from popular comics include the Shi’ar™ (Marvel). ˆˆ Powerful Warriors. Among the servants of the empire are a cadre of
elite warriors who travel the galaxy confronting the empire’s enemies.
NAME: ˆˆ Gate Network. The empire makes use of a network of wormhole-
generating gates, allowing near-instantaneous travel for spacefaring
vessels to almost any system under the empire’s control.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Superweapon. The empire possesses a weapon of incredible power,
capable of destroying worlds or causing stars to go supernova.
WHO RULES THE EMPIRE? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Monarchy. A king, queen, emperor, empress, or other supreme
monarch sits on some distant throne. WHAT IS THE EMPIRE’S GREATEST WEAKNESS?
ˆˆ Military Dictator. The empire trembles under the iron fist of a ˆˆ Stretched Thin. The empire has expanded well beyond the bounds of
powerful military leader who achieved their position by conquest. what it can reasonably rule and struggles to maintain control.
ˆˆ Council of Rulers. The highest governors of the empire are a council ˆˆ Cutthroat Hierarchy. The leaders constantly compete for power, with
drawn from chosen bureaucrats, priests, or regional leaders. assassination and sabotage common among them.
ˆˆ Cosmic Force. The empire falls under the dominion of some ˆˆ Species Clashes. The eclectic makeup of the empire’s subjects
unknowable and inscrutable cosmic force, which passes down its causes friction as cultures clash and old grudges resurface.
commands with oracular mystery. ˆˆ Sedition. Rot and rebellion grows in the heart of the empire, and its
ˆˆ Space God. At the heart of the empire is a being so powerful it can rulers must constantly be wary of the next plot to overthrow them.
only be described as a god, handing down edicts to a priesthood that ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
rules in its stead. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT DOES THE LEADERSHIP OF THE EMPIRE SEEK?

ˆˆ Total Conquest. The empire will settle for nothing less than the
conquest of every civilization in the universe. They believe that it is
their right and responsibility to rule even those who do not wish it.
ˆˆ Order at All Costs. Chaos is the true enemy of the empire, and it seeks
to impose order on its subjects with tyrannical might. Violations of the
law all carry severe punishments.
ˆˆ Enslavement of Lesser Beings. The empire seeks to enslave
all lesser life forms, which includes every life form outside of a
select few species within the empire. Much of the empire is an
enslaved populace.
ˆˆ Religious Conversion. The empire wants to forcibly spread its
religion to the rest of the galaxy. It sees its conquests as part of a
divine mission.
ˆˆ Sustenance and Resources. The empire expands purely out of
greed, taking over unwilling star systems and plundering them for
natural resources and food.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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SE08: THE WAR-TORN NATION
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s fictional war-torn
nation, the site of a perpetual conflict that shows no sign of ever abating. WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF THE NATION’S CONFLICT?
Other nation, factions, and even secret cabals use the unrest in this nation ˆˆ Strategic Resources. One faction in the conflict is in possession of
as a way to wage proxy battles against one another, provide cover for strategic resources, such as oil, valuable mineral deposits, valuable
clandestine operations, and even make money off of the conflict. territory, or even simply food or other natural resources. They maintain
a tight grip over it, hoarding any new sources of that resource they
NAME: discover, and the opposing faction seeks to obtain it.
ˆˆ Revolution. The conflict is between a powerful government and a
population that is no longer content to let that government rule. The
FIRST APPEARANCE: citizens work to tear down the government.
ˆˆ Cultural or Religious Strife. There is some irreconcilable religious or
IN WHAT REGION IS THIS NATION FOUND? cultural difference between the two factions.
ˆˆ Mediterranean ˆˆ South Asia ˆˆ North America ˆˆ Proxy War. The factions involved in the conflict are merely puppets
ˆˆ Eastern Europe ˆˆ North Africa ˆˆ Central America for other, more powerful groups outside the nation. These groups
ˆˆ Western Europe ˆˆ Sub-Saharan Africa ˆˆ South America could be governments, secret societies, or even powered individuals.
ˆˆ East Asia ˆˆ Middle East ˆˆ Pacific Islands ˆˆ Territorial Dispute. The two factions disagree about who owns a
particular stretch of land or natural resource, and much of the conflict
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THIS NATION? centers on redrawing lines on a map.
Choose one from each column and describe the nation in greater detail in the ˆˆ Targeted Population. One of the factions is entirely composed of
Truths box below. a single population (for example, all members of a particular race,
ˆˆ An isolated... ˆˆ ...desert... ˆˆ ...monarchy. religion, or even SE19: The Pariahs) that the other faction seeks to
ˆˆ A collapsing... ˆˆ ...tropical... ˆˆ ...oligarchy. eradicate or enslave.
ˆˆ An anarchic... ˆˆ ...jungle... ˆˆ ...dictatorship. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ A devastated... ˆˆ ...urban... ˆˆ ...theocracy. TRUTHS
ˆˆ An oppressed... ˆˆ ...mountainous... ˆˆ ...republic.
ˆˆ An impoverished... ˆˆ ...frozen... ˆˆ ...confederation.

WHAT KIND OF WAR IS IT?

ˆˆ Civil War. The factions engaged in the fighting come from within the
nation. Families are torn apart as members are pulled into the fighting
on both sides, and the once-unified nation is continually torn asunder
by internal strife, insurrection, or revolution.
ˆˆ Invasion. The nation is either defending itself against invasion by a
neighbor or some distant nation, or is itself attempting to invade and
annex one or more other nations. Write the nature of the enemy the
nation is defending against or invading in the Truths box.
ˆˆ Cold War. The nation’s enemies do not use conventional military
tactics, instead relying on sabotage, espionage, and proxy warfare.
Despite this, violence often erupts, and the nation suffers.
ˆˆ Terrorist Conflict. A terrorist faction of significant size, resources,
and influence challenges the nation’s government and military on
a regular basis. Though they may not operate out in the open, this
terrorist organization is responsible for almost daily attacks. Write the
nature of the terrorist group in the Truths box.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
11
 SE09: THE LOST CIVILIZATION
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s lost civilization,
consisting of both a forgotten land and the population that inhabits it. This WHAT ARE THE INHABITANTS LIKE?
civilization has been isolated from the rest of the world for many years, and ˆˆ Alien Species. The inhabitants are from another planet and settled on
much of the world has no idea it still exists until it comes into contact with Earth in the distant past in this isolated place. These aliens could hail
the world during modern times. Examples from popular comics include from SE22: The Distant World, or they could be from one of the alien
Atlantis™ and Wakanda® (Marvel), and Atlantis™ and Themyscria™ (DC). races encompassed by SE07: The Star Empire.
ˆˆ Lost Human Culture. The inhabitants are members of an ancient
NAME: human culture, a preserved society with traditions, language,
technology, and worldviews more fitting of the ancient world. These
inhabitants could be from the same culture as that which constructed
FIRST APPEARANCE: SE12: The Forgotten City.
ˆˆ Offshoot of Humanity. The inhabitants were once human, but they
WHAT ISOLATES THE CIVILIZATION? have since evolved into something else. Like their physiological
ˆˆ Impassable Mountains. The civilization is nestled in a hidden valley evolution, they also changed culturally in a way that makes them
within mountains so treacherous that even approaching by air is a seem alien to other humans, even if they share common ancestry.
risky proposition due to unpredictable weather patterns. These inhabitants could be members of SE19: The Pariahs if this
ˆˆ Deep Underwater. The civilization is nautical, and its populace dwells fits their nature.
deep underwater. Entire cities rest undiscovered by the rest of the ˆˆ Monstrous Species. The inhabitants are monsters of some kind,
world in the deepest recesses of the oceans. possibly even the inspiration for some legend or piece of folklore, like
ˆˆ Subterranean Realm. The civilization dwells in the darkness werewolves, mermaids, yetis, and so forth.
beneath the Earth’s surface, hidden away in the world’s subterranean ˆˆ Advanced Civilization. Due to their isolation or other resources, the
depths. Massive caverns house cities connected to each other inhabitants are far more technologically and culturally advanced than
by tunnels, and reaching the civilization requires drilling down to the rest of the world.
unimaginable depths. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Antarctic Oasis. In the most treacherous, frozen wastes of the TRUTHS
Antarctic, so close to the poles that even satellite imaging is
unreliable, this civilization makes its home in defiance of the
inhospitable landscape.
ˆˆ Desert Oasis. In the driest heart of the desert, this civilization
is shielded from the outside world by its sheer distance from
inhabitable terrain.
ˆˆ Intentional Camouflage. The civilization is in a place that could
conceivably be found, but the civilization takes great pains to isolate
itself through camouflage and deception.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHY DOES THE CIVILIZATION STAY DISCONNECTED?

ˆˆ Civilization in Hiding. The civilization has decided to stay hidden to
protect itself against the dangers of the outside world.
ˆˆ Extreme Xenophobia. Its people fear or hate outsiders.
ˆˆ Culture Out of Time. The civilization has seen few advancements in
culture and technology, and it is an anachronism in the modern world.
ˆˆ Magical Barrier. A magical barrier prevents people from entering or
leaving the civilization at will.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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SE10: THE EVIL DICTATORSHIP
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s evil dictatorship, a
fictional nation ruled over by a tyrant who is also a supervillain. This nation’s WHY HAVEN’T THE INHABITANTS REBELLED?
population is oppressed, suffering under the whims of its ruling dictator. The ˆˆ Cult of Personality. The nation’s ruler has constructed an
nation is closed off from the rest of the world, remaining in cultural isolation. encompassing aura of propaganda and self-promotion, and the
Examples from popular comics include Latveria™ (Marvel). people of the state love their leader even as they are oppressed.
ˆˆ Brutal Tyranny. The nation’s leader holds a brutally tight grip on the
NAME: people, and the populace lives a constant state of fear that stymies
any thoughts of rebellion.
ˆˆ Mental Enslavement. The nation’s populace is mentally enslaved
FIRST APPEARANCE: through magic, psychic force, or chemical brainwashing.
ˆˆ Prosperity. Despite the unforgiving laws and ever-present eye of their
IN WHAT REGION IS THIS NATION FOUND? tyrant leader, the people of the nation prosper and have access to
ˆˆ Mediterranean ˆˆ South Asia ˆˆ North America security and amenities they do not want to give up.
ˆˆ Eastern Europe ˆˆ North Africa ˆˆ Central America ˆˆ Complicit Ruling Class. An elite class of people assist the nation’s
ˆˆ Western Europe ˆˆ Sub-Saharan Africa ˆˆ South America tyrant in maintaining the status quo, suppressing any rebellion
ˆˆ East Asia ˆˆ Middle East ˆˆ Pacific Islands underneath them as they collaborate with their leader.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
THREE PART ANSWER QUESTION?
Choose one from each column and describe the nation in greater detail in the WHAT IS THIS NATION’S SOURCE OF STRENGTH?
Truths box below. ˆˆ Economic Stranglehold. The nation possesses some control over the
ˆˆ A medieval... ˆˆ ...desert... ˆˆ ...archipelago. global economy and could cause financial chaos at a whim.
ˆˆ A first-world... ˆˆ ...jungle... ˆˆ ...city-state. ˆˆ Strategic Arsenal. The nation possesses a powerful military or
ˆˆ A devout... ˆˆ ...tropical... ˆˆ ...terrorist haven. arsenal of deadly weapons that they can use to threaten force.
ˆˆ A very wealthy... ˆˆ ...urban... ˆˆ ...feudal state. ˆˆ Powered Agents of the State. The nation possesses many state-
ˆˆ A xenophobic... ˆˆ ...mountainous... ˆˆ ...federation. controlled superpowered individuals who constitute a living arsenal.
ˆˆ A fortified... ˆˆ ...frozen... ˆˆ ...theocracy. ˆˆ Advanced Technology. The nation possesses advanced technology
compared to that possessed by the rest of the world, and wields that
HOW DO OTHER NATIONS DEAL WITH THIS NATION? advantage like a cudgel.
ˆˆ Unrecognized State. The rest of the world doesn’t even recognize this ˆˆ Exclusive Resource. The nation controls some natural resource that
nation as a state; world maps do not draw its borders as the nation’s cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
ruler sees it. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Cold War. The rest of the world is engaged in a diplomatic standoff TRUTHS
with this nation. Agents from both sides wage a war of espionage and
subversion, but do not engage in open conflict.
ˆˆ Uneasy Alliance. Though they recognize that it is an oppressed
state, the other nations engage in normal diplomacy with this nation,
treating the nation’s ruler as a legitimate sovereign, even as they put
pressure on the dictatorship to reform.
ˆˆ Open War. Hostilities abound between this nation and the rest of
the world, resulting in a never-ending chain of armed conflicts. The
dictatorship has repelled attempts to destroy it, relying on its ruler’s
inherent power for protection.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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 SE11: THE PARALLEL DIMENSION
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s parallel dimension.
Unlike other dimensions and realities, which are more like separate WHAT IS THE DANGER OF THIS DIMENSION?
inhabitable worlds, this parallel dimension is merely a different facet of the ˆˆ Getting Trapped. Once one enters this dimension it is difficult to
physical universe, normally inaccessible to humans but reachable through escape; either the technology used to access the dimension does not
advanced science. Examples from popular comics include the Negative survive transit or the dimension clings to everything inside it.
Zone™ and the Quantum Realm™ (Marvel), and the Phantom Zone™ (DC). ˆˆ Eroded Humanity. Spending too much time in a dimension not meant
for things from our reality causes one’s humanity to slowly dissolve, or
NAME: results in permanent insanity or other mental damage.
ˆˆ Parasites. Native inhabitants or forces from this realm often latch
on to things from the outside, seeking to escape the dimension by
FIRST APPEARANCE: hitchhiking with the outsider.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE REALM?
ˆˆ Shadowy Reflection. This dimension appears to be identical to the HOW DOES ONE ACCESS THIS DIMENSION?
real world, but wreathed in shadows or washed-out in color. It is a dark ˆˆ Portals. Sufficiently advanced technology can open
reflection of the real world, a place where darkness and light meet and semistable portals, allowing one to pass through to the other
inhabited only by creatures of unimaginable biology. dimension physically.
ˆˆ Microscopic Realm. This dimension is found in subatomic space and ˆˆ Transformation. Anything wishing to enter the dimension
can only be accessed by shrinking down to a size smaller than the must be transformed in some way (shrunken, made ethereal, or
tiniest particles. What lies inside the particles that make up our reality otherwise changed).
could be an alien, unrecognizable chaosscape, or simply another ˆˆ High-Energy Events. Moments when extreme energy or natural
reality with its own inhabitants, civilizations, and realms to explore. forces occur open the way to this dimension: the point of an atomic
ˆˆ Abstract Space. The dimension is a place where abstract concepts explosion, the heart of a black hole, or the site of a lightning strike.
become tangible forces. Itself an abstract landscape with no true ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
sense of up or down, in this dimension everything from colors to TRUTHS
emotions to societal constructs have avatars that drift in the space
this dimension occupies.
ˆˆ Uninhabited Mirror World. The dimension appears to be truly
identical to our world, but entirely devoid of life. Nonliving objects in
the real world are perfectly reflected in this world, but those that move
(or are moved by human interaction) seem to flicker from one place to
the next almost instantly.
ˆˆ Macroscopic Realm. This realm is the space beyond space, a
dimension that exists outside of, and encompasses, our reality.
It is a higher plane of existence where four-dimensional beings
dwell, and traversing this realm requires the ability to navigate time
as well as space.
ˆˆ Ghost Dimension. This dimension is an abstract, ethereal plane, but
one so close to the physical world that the boundary often thins to the
point where one can see through to the real world, and even touch it.
This realm is inhabited by spirits, both those of the dead and those of
a more monstrous origin.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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SE12: THE FORGOTTEN CITY
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s forgotten city, an
archaeological site lost for centuries and forgotten in the mists of time. This WHAT HIDDEN DANGER LURKS IN THE CITY?
city was once home to thousands—if not millions—of people, but it was ˆˆ Radiation. The city is filled with latent radiation from some ancient
abandoned when the civilization that built it collapsed. The city has lain in disaster; remaining there too long results in radiation poisoning.
waiting for many long years, its secrets and mysteries intact. ˆˆ Disease. The city’s inhabitants were wiped out by a disease, one that
has lain dormant but awakens in the presence of life.
NAME: ˆˆ Monsters. Its inhabitants gone, the city has been taken over by
monsters that claim the city as their habitat.
ˆˆ Degenerate Inhabitants. The descendants of the original inhabitants
FIRST APPEARANCE: still dwell here, but they have become degenerate subhumans in their
long centuries of isolation.
WHAT WAS THE CITY LIKE IN ITS PRIME? ˆˆ Traps and Natural Hazards. When the inhabitants abandoned the
ˆˆ Apex of Ancient Civilization. This city was once the greatest city of all city, they rigged it with traps to keep outsiders from plundering the
those built by an ancient civilization, the pinnacle of that civilization’s city, and many natural hazards abound.
cultural, engineering, and technological accomplishments. At your ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
option, this could be a lost city that once belonged to SE09: The Lost
Civilization, or it could belong to another ancient civilization that you WHAT SECRETS CAN BE PLUNDERED FROM THE CITY?
describe in the Truths box. ˆˆ Advanced Technology. The city’s inhabitants left behind incredible
ˆˆ Ahead of its Time. This city was far more advanced than the other technologies that are advanced beyond even modern standards.
cities of its time, possessing technology or magic beyond that wielded ˆˆ Artifacts of Magic. The inhabitants created and used objects of
by its contemporary civilizations. arcane power, and many remain undisturbed within the city.
ˆˆ Magical Center. The city was a hub for magical activity, lying at the ˆˆ Wealth or Resources. The city possessed great wealth (in the form of
convergence of subtle magical forces (at the intersection of ley lines, coins, gems, and other treasures) or some valuable natural resource
or at a place where the gap between reality and SE06: The Nether in abundance, which can still be found in the abandoned city.
Realm or SE11: The Parallel Dimension is thin). The city may have ˆˆ Forbidden Lore. Some great knowledge, either occult or scientific,
been a holy site or a mecca of occult or sorcerous power. remains within the city, stored away in forbidden texts or inscribed on
ˆˆ Industrial Anachronism. This city was built on technology that clearly tablets kept in secure or holy sites.
diverged from that of the rest of its time. For example, the city could ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
be a city from antiquity that uses aqueducts, pulleys, and levers to TRUTHS
create an incredible transportation system, or a city from the industrial
revolution with incredible technology built on clockwork and steam
power, or something else you describe in the Truths box.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT STATE IS THE CITY IN NOW?

ˆˆ Dangerous Ruins. The city has collapsed into ruins during its long
abandonment and is dangerous to explore due to its crumbling
infrastructure.
ˆˆ Pristine but Abandoned. The city is remarkably well-preserved and
looks as though its inhabitants dwelled here only yesterday.
ˆˆ Preserved by Disaster. The city is preserved, but only because
a natural disaster shielded it from the ravages of time: a volcanic
eruption that sealed it off from the rest of the world, or a flood that
submersed the city entirely and only recently receded.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
15
 SE13: THE MYSTIC ORDER
This page is where you will create the details of your world’s mystic order,
a group that has extensive knowledge about magic and the occult and that FROM WHERE DOES THE ORDER OPERATE?
can be called upon for aid by the heroes. Examples from popular comics ˆˆ Hidden City. The order is hidden away in a secret city, located in a
include the Masters of the Mystic Arts™ and the Iron Fists® (Marvel). remote part of the world.
ˆˆ Urban Sanctuary. The order lives in the same city as the heroes but
has a hidden sanctuary from which it operates.
NAME: ˆˆ Remote Temple. The order dwells in a lone temple in an
isolated locale.
ˆˆ Pocket Dimension. The order has a sanctuary in a small, magic-
FIRST APPEARANCE: made dimension, where they can operate undisturbed.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHAT FORM DOES THE ORDER TAKE?
ˆˆ Monastic Order. The order is composed of monks who have pledged WHAT IS THE ORDER’S MOST VALUABLE ASSET?
themselves to the order’s cause, forsaking all other bonds and many ˆˆ Great Library. The order possesses a wealth of books, scrolls,
earthly pleasures. parchments, and other collections of arcane and occult knowledge
ˆˆ Warrior Tribe. The order’s members adhere to a warrior tradition, that contain the answers to almost any magical question.
banding together and handing down knowledge to those adopted ˆˆ Vault of Artifacts. The order protects a large number of magical
into their tribe. artifacts drawn from throughout history, which they occasionally use
ˆˆ Blessed Family. The order is composed of members of a true for benevolent purposes.
hereditary family, bound by blood ties and united in their goals as a ˆˆ Nexus of Power. The order’s home is built upon a ley line, dimensional
family tradition. rift, or some other conduit to a deep well of magical energy.
ˆˆ Secret Religion. The order is more of a religion than a fraternal ˆˆ Superior Leader. The order’s leader is a sorcerer or occultist
organization, and its members are devoted to their cause as a matter of unsurpassed power, knowledge, wisdom, experience, or any
of religious practice. combination of those traits.
ˆˆ Scholarly Tradition The order is made up of scholars and academics, ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
united in their fascination and expertise in matters of magic. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THE SACRED MISSION OF THE MYSTIC ORDER?

ˆˆ Preservation of Knowledge. The order dedicates itself to
the collection, preservation, and perpetuation of arcane and
occult knowledge.
ˆˆ Guarding Secrets. There are powerful magical secrets that must be
maintained, yet kept from those who would abuse them.
ˆˆ Training for Conflict. The order believes a great conflict to be on the
horizon and trains its members in preparation for that day.
ˆˆ Sorcerous Sentinels. The order’s members are guardians against
magical invasion and subjugation, and they work behind the scenes to
make sure that Earth and humanity are protected from occult threats.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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SE14: THE CRIME SYNDICATE
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s major crime syndicate,
a criminal organization whose reach spreads beyond the confines of the HOW OPENLY DOES THE SYNDICATE OPERATE?
setting’s main city. The crime syndicate focuses on traditional crimes, rarely ˆˆ Complete Secrecy. The syndicate does not want other criminals to
involving itself in superpowered villainy. Examples from popular comics know of its existence, much less citizens and law enforcement.
include the Maggia™ and the Hand™ (Marvel), and the 100™ (DC). ˆˆ Open Secret. Authorities may have heard of the syndicate, but the
syndicate does not act openly, and the organization’s size, reach, and
NAME: the resources at its disposal are largely unknown.
ˆˆ Acts with Impunity. The syndicate is powerful enough that they act
openly and care little if average citizens know they exist. They are in an
FIRST APPEARANCE: open war with the lawful authorities.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
HOW ARE THEY VISUALLY IDENTIFIED?
ˆˆ Expensive Clothing. Members of the syndicate wear expensive, well- WHAT MAKES THE SYNDICATE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER GANGS?
tailored outfits that mesh with current fashion trends. They stand out ˆˆ Advanced Technology. The syndicate traffics in technology on the
in a crowd for how well-dressed they are. cutting edge of super science, using it for criminal acts.
ˆˆ Unique Tattoos. Members of the syndicate decorate themselves with ˆˆ Backed by a Hostile Nation. A hostile foreign power (perhaps SE08:
specific tattoos that identify them as syndicate members. The War-Torn Nation, SE10: The Evil Dictatorship, or SE23: The
ˆˆ Themed Masks/Costumes. The syndicate has chosen an aesthetic, Lawless City) provides financial backing, intelligence, and resources
possibly themed after some element from their culture or mythology, that the syndicate would not otherwise have access to.
and its members wear costumes that reflect that aesthetic. ˆˆ Otherworldly. The members of the syndicate are all aliens, demons,
ˆˆ They Aren’t. The syndicate is insidious precisely because anyone or some other kind of supernatural creature (or humans with a strong
could be a member; you never know if the person you are interacting supernatural aspect).
with is a member of the syndicate until it is too late. ˆˆ Corporate Front. The syndicate has a seemingly legitimate wing
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box). acting under the auspices of a corporation, and their illegal activities
are covered up by legions of corporate lawyers.
DOES THE SYNDICATE HAVE POWERED MEMBERS? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ None. The syndicate goes out of its way to only recruit nonpowered TRUTHS
individuals out of fear, superstition, or a pragmatic desire to keep
everyone in their organization at the same level of innate power.
ˆˆ Few. A small number of the syndicate’s members have superpowers.
These members may have been recruited for their powers, or they
may have gained their powers after joining the syndicate (possibly an
intentional or incidental result of one of the syndicate’s schemes).
ˆˆ Many. The syndicate counts many powered individuals among its
members. They may have a common origin story, or perhaps they are
simply recruited by the syndicate seeking to increase the number of
superpowers at its disposal.
ˆˆ Hired Contractors. While the syndicate does not have any powered
individuals among its permanent members, the syndicate does hire
superpowered villains as independent contractors for individual jobs
(or, on occasion, for long-term contracts aimed at achieving a very
specific goal).
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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 SE15: THE MEGACORPORATION
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s powerful and sinister
megacorporation. This corporation is a powerful player in the setting, HOW DOES THE COMPANY AVOID PROSECUTION & DISBANDING?
wielding influence and resources comparable with some governments. ˆˆ Government Contracts. The corporation’s contracts with the
Examples from popular comics include Alchemax™, Hammer Industries™, government offer them a certain degree of legal immunity.
Oscorp™, and Roxxon™ (Marvel), and Ace Chemicals™, LexCorp™, and ˆˆ High-Powered Legal Teams. The corporation possesses a legal team
Wayne-Powers™ (DC). at its disposal that can crush any opposition in a courtroom.
ˆˆ Bribery of Authority Figures. The company deals in under-the-table
NAME: payments to prosecutors and attorneys general to avoid litigation.
ˆˆ Blackmail of Influential People. The corporation has collected
blackmail material on influential citizens and threatens to release it
FIRST APPEARANCE: should they come under fire from the government.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHAT IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF THIS COMPANY’S INCOME?
ˆˆ Chemicals. The company produces industrial chemicals and WHAT IS THE COMPANY’S SECURITY FORCE LIKE?
chemical compounds; its factories are filled with volatile chemicals. ˆˆ Paramilitary Enforcers. The corporation employs a mercenary force
ˆˆ Weapons. The corporation produces weapons and defense systems, capable of engaging in low-level military operations.
using cutting-edge tech to make dealing out death more efficient. ˆˆ Agents in Black Suits. The company employs discreet, suit-clad
ˆˆ Computers. The company produces computer hardware and agents who blend into the background in a corporate setting.
software, and/or has a significant interest in data brokering. ˆˆ Robotic Drones. The company uses automated drones in the form of
ˆˆ Biotech. The company produces pharmaceuticals and medical humanoid robots in lieu of human security personnel.
technology, often of a dangerous or unethical nature. ˆˆ Powered/Enhanced Guards. The company has a cadre of
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box). superpowered agents who act as troubleshooters in security matters.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHAT UNETHICAL PRACTICES DOES THE COMPANY ROUTINELY EMPLOY? TRUTHS
Choose two of the following options.
ˆˆ Pollution. The corporation cares little for the environment and
frequently dumps waste and emits toxic gases from its facilities.
ˆˆ Human Experimentation. The company’s R&D departments test
experimental products on humans, often causing permanent damage.
ˆˆ Illegal Sales. The company sells its good illegally, often to criminal
organizations or nations under heavy international sanctions.
ˆˆ Employee Exploitation/Disregard. The corporation treats its
employees as disposable and does little to protect their safety or
livelihoods, often ruining employees live in pursuit of profit.
ˆˆ Unethical Invention. The corporation’s R&D departments pursue
inventions and discoveries that violate laws and ethical standards.
ˆˆ Corporate Espionage. The corporation routinely spies on, and steals
from, their competitors, governments, and individuals as a matter of
routine company operations.
ˆˆ Foreign Coups. The corporation leverages its resources and influence
to support coups in foreign countries, seeking to install governments
more friendly to the company’s business needs. This company could
be the cause of the conflict in SE08: The War-Torn Nation.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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SE16: THE ALTERNATE REALITY
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s alternate reality, a
parallel universe similar to the prime reality but with a divergent history. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCES IN THIS REALITY?
Though many individual characters are present in this alternate reality, their Choose two of the following options to be true about this reality.
histories are radically different. Examples from popular comics include the ˆˆ Tyrannical Villain Overlord. A powerful villain rules over much of the
House of M® and the Age of Apocalypse™ (Marvel), and Earth-2™ (DC). world, enforcing their tyrannical control and suppressing dissent.
ˆˆ Heroes Hunted to Extinction. Powered heroes have been outlawed,
NAME: and possession of superpowers is punishable by death.
ˆˆ Villains Have the Upper Hand. The balance of power is shifted in
favor of evil, with powered villains far outnumbering the beleaguered
FIRST APPEARANCE: heroes who fight as underdogs in an uphill battle against criminals.
ˆˆ Post-Apocalyptic World. The landscape and civilizations have been
HEROES AND VILLAINS ravaged by a series of apocalyptic events, leaving the world a savage,
In the box below, write the names of three heroes from your setting who are dangerous, and degenerate place.
villains in this alternate reality. Then, write the names of three villains from the ˆˆ Embroiled in Ongoing World War. A war between two or more
setting who are heroes in this alternate reality. Include alternate hero and villain factions ravages the world, perpetual conflict on a global scale.
monikers for each where appropriate. ˆˆ Conquered by Outside Invaders. Aliens, demons, time travelers, or
beings from another dimension or time have invaded the world and
wholly or partially conquered it.
ˆˆ New World Order. The political landscape is completely different from
the prime reality’s, with wholly different nations and leaders in power.
ˆˆ Same Heroes/Villains, Different Identities. Many of the same
heroes and villains exist in this reality, but their civilian identities are
totally different; only the heroic mantles remain the same.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
TRUTHS

AT WHAT POINT DID THIS DIVERGE FROM REALITY?

ˆˆ Death of a Hero. An important hero was killed prematurely, and
therefore was unable to prevent some future event from happening
that radically changed the timeline.
ˆˆ A Villain’s Plan Succeeded. A particular villain’s evil plan was not
foiled by heroes and came to fruition, leading to a different history
where that villain got what they wanted and the world suffered for it.
ˆˆ A World Event Turned Out Differently. Some world event, such as
a major war or the rise or fall of a political movement, turned out
differently, through no fault of any individual that can be pinpointed.
ˆˆ Otherworldly Intervention. Aliens, demons, angels, time travelers, or
dimensional travelers intervened at some earlier point in the timeline,
reshaping the course of events due to outside meddling.
ˆˆ Catastrophic Event. A major catastrophe such as a natural disaster,
a global pandemic, or a continental famine reshaped the political
boundaries and power structures of the world at some pivotal point.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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 SE17: THE HERO ACADEMY
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s hero academy, a school
or training facility where powered individuals go to learn more about their WHAT KIND OF STUDENTS ARE CHOSEN TO ATTEND THE ACADEMY?
powers and train in their use. Academy graduates go on to become heroes, ˆˆ Targeted Youths. The academy recruits youths with powers, training
or at least to use their powers responsibly. Examples from popular comics them and educating them at the same time.
include the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters™ and Avengers Academy® ˆˆ Troubled Individuals. The academy seeks out individuals with
(Marvel), the Legion Academy™ (DC), and the Seminary ™(Wildstorm/DC). powers who are flirting with villainy, hoping to reform them into heroes
before they can turn completely evil.
NAME: ˆˆ The Best of the Best. The academy recruits individuals who are
already active heroes, turning them into an all-star team composed of
heroes already at the top of their field.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Unpowered People. The academy accepts people who do not have
powers and gives them their powers over the course of their training.
WHAT IS THE ACADEMY’S FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL NATURE? ˆˆ People with Particular Powers/Origins. The academy only recruits
Choose one from each column and describe the academy in greater detail in the individuals who have a particular set of powers, or who have gained
Truths box below. their powers from a particular source.
ˆˆ A secret... ˆˆ ...mansion... ˆˆ ...in a rural area. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ A nondescript... ˆˆ ...campus... ˆˆ ...in the city’s heart.
ˆˆ A state-of-the-art... ˆˆ ...bunker... ˆˆ ...in the mountains. WHAT IS THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE ACADEMY’S EXISTENCE?
ˆˆ A decrepit... ˆˆ ...skyscraper... ˆˆ ...on an island. ˆˆ A Vengeful Villain. One of the academy’s former students is a
ˆˆ A mysterious... ˆˆ ...military base... ˆˆ ...in the suburbs. powerful villain who has sworn vengeance on those who operate it.
ˆˆ A stately... ˆˆ ...warehouse... ˆˆ ...underground. ˆˆ Public Awareness. The academy is a secret; if the public found out,
the academy would shut down due to outcry or danger to its students.
WHO SPONSORS THE ACADEMY? ˆˆ Cut Funding. The academy cannot operate without its funding source,
ˆˆ A Powered Mentor. A person with powers who is not a hero (perhaps which keeps the struggling institution afloat.
NC04: The Team Mentor, or another character you create for this ˆˆ Government Crackdown. The government does not look favorably on
role) runs the academy. the academy and threatens to shut it down from time to time.
ˆˆ The Government. The academy is part of a government training ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
program and its instructors are government agents, perhaps provided TRUTHS
to the academy by SE03: The Government Agency.
ˆˆ A Former Hero. A former hero is the head of the academy; choose a
hero who has retired (by choosing a retirement story reward) or create
a new hero, and write their name and description in the Truths box.
ˆˆ A Reformed Villain. A former villain, now reformed, oversees the
training of the students of the academy. Choose an existing villain or
create a new one, and write their name and a description of how they
came to be the head of the academy in the Truths box.
ˆˆ A Corporate Backer. A wealthy corporation provides financial
backing to the academy and has appointed instructors to operate the
academy on behalf of the company’s board of directors.
ˆˆ Another Hero Team. An existing hero team sponsors the hero
academy and treats the academy like a farm system for training
recruits up until they become full members of the team. Write the
name of the hero team that operates the academy in the Truths box.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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SE18: THE TERRORIST GROUP
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s primary terrorist group,
a global organization that works behind the scenes to subvert nations and WHAT ARE THEIR FOOT SOLDIERS LIKE?
enact a scheme to further their secret goals. Examples from popular comics ˆˆ Ninjas. The group’s penchant for stealth and distraction leads them to
include A.I.M™., H.Y.D.R.A®. and the Serpent Society™ (Marvel), and H.I.V.E.™, dress in dark clothing that covers them from head to toe, giving them
Kobra™, and the League of Assassins™ (DC). the appearance of ninjas.
ˆˆ Jumpsuit-Clad Soldiers. The group has a uniform worn by its foot
NAME: soldiers, consisting of a jumpsuit bearing the group’s logo.
ˆˆ Themed Gear. The group’s aesthetic is reflected in the elaborate
costumes worn by the group’s legions. These costumes resemble
FIRST APPEARANCE: those worn by powered villains and usually appear to be a play on the
group’s name and mission.
WHAT IS THE ORGANIZATION’S MISSION? ˆˆ Clones/Genetically Engineered. The group’s foot soldiers aren’t
ˆˆ World Domination. The group seeks to become the rulers of the recruits, but instead are clones or genetically engineered individuals
world, with all nations and people subservient to their command. whose sole purpose in life is to serve the group. They could be mostly
ˆˆ Resurrect/Empower a Higher Entity. The group honors some human, human/animal hybrids, or something more monstrous.
higher entity, such as a forgotten god, a powerful cosmic force, or an ˆˆ Robots/Androids/Cyborgs. The group’s foot soldiers are robotic in
interdimensional despot. The group seeks to bring that entity’s power nature. They might look human (or even be part-human cyborgs), but
into the world, establishing the entity as the supreme authority. they are largely technological.
ˆˆ Political Upheaval. The group seeks not to rule, but simply to ˆˆ Paramilitary Group. The group’s foot soldiers wear military gear
tear down a specific government or political body. They foment (perhaps in the colors of or emblazoned with the logo of the group).
insurrection, treason, and strife, all in pursuit of political destruction. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Destroy the World. The group seeks to end human civilization, driven TRUTHS
by zealous belief: that humanity is too wicked to continue, that a better
world awaits beyond the doors of death, or that humanity must be
punished for its crimes against the planet.
ˆˆ End of the Powered Hero Era. The group seeks to bring an end to the
age of heroes and will not be satisfied until all superpowered heroes
are dead, exiled, or depowered.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT METHODS DOES THE GROUP USE?

ˆˆ Military Operations. The group engages in traditional military
operations, waging conventional warfare against its enemies.
ˆˆ Information Warfare. The group focuses on influencing the world
through primarily psychological and informational means. They deal
heavily in propaganda, brainwashing, misinformation campaigns,
cyberattacks, and online recruiting.
ˆˆ Random Acts of Violence. The group commits seemingly random
acts of senseless violence to instill fear into the population.
ˆˆ Infiltration/Subverting Governments. The group uses espionage
tactics to infiltrate governments and foment chaos from the inside.
ˆˆ Targeted Assassinations. The group selectively targets important
individuals who work against their agenda and have those targets
killed to end their influence on the world.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
21
 SE19: THE PARIAHS
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s pariahs, a group of
people who possess superpowers but are shunned or discriminated against WHY DO BASELINE HUMANS FEAR THEM?
by society at large. The pariahs are much like an ethnic group and share ˆˆ Being Replaced. Many humans fear that they will soon be
the same origin for their powers (even if the individual powers vary widely). outnumbered by pariahs, and that the pariahs will become the
Examples from popular comics include mutants and Inhumans® (Marvel) dominant ethnic group in the nation or world.
and the homo magi™ (DC). ˆˆ Uncontrolled Powers. Pariahs are dangerous; since they innately
possess their abilities, many have deadly powers at their disposal
NAME: before they can learn to control them, and incidents of out-of-control
powers have spooked the population.
ˆˆ Subjugation. Some humans believe that the powers possessed
FIRST APPEARANCE: inherently by the pariahs puts them in a position to become dominant
over humanity. These humans fear becoming subservient to a
WHAT UNIFYING NATURE DO ALL PARIAHS SHARE? powerful, unified pariah culture.
ˆˆ Genetic Mutation. A specific gene causes the members of this group ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
to manifest superpowers naturally.
ˆˆ Androids. The pariahs are all androids, constructed to appear WHAT LEVEL OF PREJUDICE DO PARIAHS FACE?
relatively human but in possession of exceptional powers. ˆˆ Casual Bigotry. Though they face no legal troubles, pariahs are
ˆˆ Aliens. The pariahs are not from Earth, but from some other planet constantly subjected to bigotry from average citizens.
or dimension. Though similar to humans in many ways, they possess ˆˆ Shunned/Segregated. The pariahs are a different legal class or caste
superpowers as a natural part of their biology. They could be refugees and are segregated from the rest of the population by law.
from SE07: The Star Empire or SE22: The Distant World. ˆˆ Persecution. The pariahs face constant oppression by citizens,
ˆˆ Supernatural Ancestry. The pariahs have some supernatural businesses, and the government. They are not just second-class
element to their bloodline and exhibit powers as a result. They could citizens—they are given almost no rights at all.
be the descendants of angels or demons, refugees from SE06: The ˆˆ Outlawed. Pariahs are an outlawed group, subject to arrest and
Nether Realm, the descendants of the inhabitants of SE12: The deportation simply for existing.
Forgotten City, or exiles from SE09: The Lost Civilization. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Specific Power(s). The pariahs are all individuals who manifest the TRUTHS
same power or set of powers. If you select this option, in the Truths
box write which power or powers are shared by all pariahs, and the
shared cause for gaining these powers.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DO SOME PARIAHS BLEND INTO HUMANITY?

ˆˆ Some Just Look Human. Many or most pariahs are indistinguishable
from normal human beings. Some, however, look visibly different, and
are usually exiled or face constant persecution.
ˆˆ Shapeshifting. Some of the pariahs can shapeshift, making them
look just like humans. Only when they are in their natural form can they
be identified as pariahs.
ˆˆ Disguise/Deception. Some pariahs can disguise themselves to
look close enough to pass for human. These disguises are often
conspicuous in brightly lit public places, forcing pariahs to stick to the
shadows or less densely populated areas.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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SE20: THE SPACE POLICE FORCE
Use this page to define your setting’s space police force, an interstellar law
enforcement organization responsible for dealing with criminals and threats WHAT IS THE FORCE’S BADGE OF OFFICE THAT BESTOWS THEIR POWER?
whose reach spans the stars. Examples from popular comics include the ˆˆ Jewelry or Accessory. Each member of the force carries with them
Nova Corps™ (Marvel) and the Green Lantern Corps® (DC). a piece of jewelry (a ring, necklace, or bracelet) or an accessory (a
badge, belt, or tattoo) that imbues them with their powers.
ˆˆ Armor. The armor that the members of the force wear is a standard
NAME: uniform that also acts as the source of their powers.
ˆˆ Weapon. The members of the force carry a distinctive weapon that is
the standard issue for the force.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT KINDS OF BEINGS MAKE UP THE SPACE POLICE FORCE? WHO DOES THE POLICE FORCE ANSWER TO?
ˆˆ Aliens From a Thousand Worlds: The force draws its members from ˆˆ A Single Planet’s Government. The force answers to a planetary
across the galaxy, and its membership is an eclectic mix of aliens of government and the politicians and bureaucrats that maintain it.
every size, shape, and biology. Many of its members are so different ˆˆ A Council of Overseers. A group of appointed leaders manages the
from humans that they are almost incomprehensible. force’s activities and administrates its membership.
ˆˆ Representatives of a Single World: The force was founded on ˆˆ The Star Empire. The space police force is a part of SE07: The Star
a single world, even though it polices large swathes of space. Empire and answers to its leaders as their ultimate authority.
The officers on the force are natives of that world, all members of ˆˆ A Cosmic Entity. A single, powerful cosmic being, such as a space
the same species. god or an incorporeal intelligence, commands the force.
ˆˆ Artificially Engineered Beings: The members of the force are not ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
naturally occurring beings, but rather were created for the task. They TRUTHS
might be genetically engineered humanoids or some kind of android,
programmed to adhere to the force’s methods and tenets.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE FORCE LIKE?

ˆˆ Police Professionals: The members of the force are professionals
with standards of conduct, procedural norms, extensive training, and
an efficient manner. They often work in pairs and call for backup when
the situation requires it.
ˆˆ Lone Space Rangers: Each member of the force is a skilled and
resourceful enforcer, capable of facing down incredible odds without
any hope of reinforcement. They adhere to a paramilitary style and are
seen more as problem-solvers than peacekeepers.
ˆˆ Knights Errant: The members of the force are wandering nomads of
the stars, drifting from one system to the next and offering to lend aid
where they can. Their bureaucracy is almost nonexistent and their
procedures are informal, yet they adhere strictly to a code of their own.
ˆˆ Undercover Agents: The members of the force do not go around
the galaxy advertising who they are. Instead, they travel undercover,
infiltrating the populations of other worlds and getting an inside view
of the situation before acting.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

23
 SE21: THE STARPORT
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s major starport, a hub
of interstellar trade and transit where aliens from dozens, if not hundreds, WHO RUNS THE STARPORT?
or worlds come together. This starport is a crossroads where a motley ˆˆ A Space Corporation. An interstellar conglomerate owns and
collection of beings, some upstanding and some shady, congregate to operates the spaceport for a profit.
live, do business, and take some downtime between interstellar journeys. ˆˆ A Crime Lord. An individual crime lord and their spacefaring crime
Examples from popular comics include Knowhere™ (Marvel). syndicate call the starport their base of operations.
ˆˆ A Council. An elected or appointed council issues proclamations and
NAME: determines the laws in a semibenevolent (or at least benign) way.
ˆˆ No One. Though there is a tentative peace on the station, nobody is in
charge, and the inhabitants have an unspoken agreement.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Hyperintelligent AI. A computer of immense power and complexity
administrates the starport according to some inscrutable algorithm.
WHERE IS THIS STARPORT? ˆˆ Indigenous Aliens. An alien species native to the space near the
ˆˆ A Chunk of a Destroyed Planet. The spaceport was built into starport runs the place as an extension of their civilization.
the remains of a planet that was devastated in some long-ago ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
catastrophe. The spaceport’s infrastructure might be built into the
remains of a chunk of planetary rock, or could be built in the ruins of WHAT IS THE INTERIOR OF THE STARPORT LIKE?
one of the planet’s cities. ˆˆ Gleaming Haven. The starport is a clean, technologically advanced
ˆˆ On the Edge of a Black Hole. The spaceport is a space station that place, seeming more like a shining utopia than a starport.
orbits around a black hole, never approaching close enough to the ˆˆ Truck Stop. The starport is dirty, corroded, and in ill repair, but it
event horizon to get sucked in, but drifting on the edge of the beautiful maintains enough services and civilization to be a valuable stopover.
and terrible stellar phenomenon. ˆˆ Verdant Arcology. The interior of the starport is filled with plant life
ˆˆ Inside a Defunct Superweapon. The spaceport is inside a structure and other simulated natural splendor, giving it a terrestrial feel.
that formerly housed some terrible and destructive superweapon. ˆˆ Soulless Commercial Hub. The interior of the starport more closely
Though much of the superweapon’s dormant machinery has been resembles a shopping mall than a space station, with shops and stalls
stripped, scavenged, and sold, the remnants of the weapon’s everywhere and little in the way of culture or amenities.
superstructure are visible everywhere in the spaceport. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ On the Hide of a Space Monster. The spaceport is built on the skin, TRUTHS
scales, or shell of some massive space-dwelling creature, which
either knows of the spaceport and allows it to remain, or is oblivious to
the tiny civilization dwelling on its hide.
ˆˆ Asteroid Field/Comet. The spaceport is nestled within an asteroid
field or on the surface of a comet hurtling through space. Accessing
the spaceport requires a deft hand at the controls of any ship
approaching it, sheltering the station from casual visitors.
ˆˆ Stellar Flotsam. The spaceport is built into or onto some piece of
debris that is drifting through space. The debris might be the blaster
hulk of a long-ago-destroyed space cruiser, the crumbling hull of
a space station set adrift eons ago, or simply a dead hunk of rock
drifting through the stars.
ˆˆ A Dead Sun. The starport orbits the dark remnant of a sun that
has burned itself out, leaving behind only the embers of a once-
bright stellar body.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

24
SE22: THE DISTANT WORLD
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s distant world, a place
from which some heroes hail and where others go for adventure. Besides WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE POPULATION?
Earth, this is one of the few worlds in the galaxy that exerts greater influence ˆˆ Inhuman. The population of this world is so different from humanity
than its size accounts for. Examples from popular comics include Asgard™ that it is difficult for humans to recognize them as thinking beings.
and Xandar™ (Marvel), and Thanagar™ and Oa™ (DC). ˆˆ Gigantic. The inhabitants of this world are much larger than the
average human, towering above them like giants.
NAME: ˆˆ Robotic. The world is populated almost entirely by robots, albeit ones
who have independence and sentience.
ˆˆ Powered. The inhabitants possess innate powers that seem
FIRST APPEARANCE: supernatural compared to an average human.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHAT FORM DOES THIS WORLD TAKE?
ˆˆ Alien Planet. This world is an alien planet capable of supporting WHAT IS THE WORLD’S RELATIONSHIP TO SE07: THE STAR EMPIRE?
carbon-based life and has many Earth-like qualities. ˆˆ Willing Member or Ally. The world is either a part of the empire or
ˆˆ Divine Realm. This world is the source of legends resulting from maintains a positive diplomatic relationship with it.
some ancient inhabitants of this world visiting Earth; ancient cultures ˆˆ Resisting Assimilation. The world wishes to maintain its
could only describe this world as a place where gods dwell, and it may independence from the empire and struggles to resist assimilation.
not resemble a planet at all. ˆˆ Occupied Territory. The empire occupies the world against its
ˆˆ Battle Station. This world is a massive, artificial space station, one inhabitants’ wishes, and rebellion is a constant threat.
crafted with conflict in mind. ˆˆ In Hiding. The world fears being conquered by the empire and tries to
ˆˆ Flotilla. This world is not a single object, but rather a collection of conceal its existence from its potential invaders.
ships that travel the cosmos in close proximity to one another. These ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ships contain terrestrial environments capable of supporting an TRUTHS
entire civilization.
ˆˆ Alien Superstructure. This world is an alien structure only theorized
in science fiction, like a Dyson sphere or a ringworld.
ˆˆ Neutral Zone. This world is a string of small, inhabitable planetoids,
which exist in a neutral place in space not claimed by any
stellar faction.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THE ENVIRONMENT LIKE?

ˆˆ Idyllic Paradise. The world has been cultivated to be a paradise,
a pleasant world where the environment is tranquil, the structures
aesthetically pleasing, and the fauna beautiful and domesticated.
ˆˆ Populated Urban Center. The world is largely covered by a densely
populated cityscape, an urban metropolis on a planetary scale.
ˆˆ Monolithic Environment. The world is composed of largely a single
environment, such as a desert, jungle, or frozen tundra.
ˆˆ Resource-Rich. The world is rich in desirable resources, and its
inhabitants and off-world buyers plunder it for financial gain.
ˆˆ In-Progress Terraforming. The world is not yet complete; it is
currently in the middle of the terraforming process, inhabitable but far
from comfortable.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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 SE23: THE LAWLESS CITY
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s lawless city, a place
where unscrupulous characters, refugees on the run from the law, and the WHAT CRIME IS THIS CITY KNOWN FOR?
truly desperate live outside the confines of modern law. Though some would ˆˆ Narcotics. The city has a bustling drug trade and is a major exporter
describe the city as a hive of scum and villainy, others see it as a place of of narcotics to the first-world countries of the world.
opportunity free of the meddling of governments. Examples from popular ˆˆ Gambling. The city is home to numerous casinos, where high-stakes
comics include Madripoor™ (Marvel). gambling is often a cover for money laundering by foreign criminals.
ˆˆ Prostitution. The entire city is one big red-light district, where the sex
NAME: trade dominates the vice economy.
ˆˆ Arms Trade. Illegal weapons and military hardware flow freely
through this city’s marginally discreet markets.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Illegal Augmentation. People come here to be enhanced in some
way: by illegal cybernetics, forbidden sorcery, or by other means.
IN WHAT REGION IS THIS CITY FOUND? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Mediterranean ˆˆ South Asia ˆˆ North America
ˆˆ Eastern Europe ˆˆ North Africa ˆˆ Central America WHAT IS THE MOST VISIBLE SIGN OF CORRUPTION?
ˆˆ Western Europe ˆˆ Sub-Saharan Africa ˆˆ South America ˆˆ Vast Economic Disparity. The rich in the city live fat lives of pleasure
ˆˆ East Asia ˆˆ Middle East ˆˆ Pacific Islands and relaxation; the poor, in far greater numbers, scrape just to survive.
ˆˆ Police Indifference to Crime. Crime is rampant, but the police don’t
THREE PART ANSWER QUESTION? care; crimes that happen in their line of sight are often ignored.
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the ˆˆ Expectation of Bribery. Almost no one does anything for free, and
Truths box below. everyone who works in the city demands bribes for their assistance.
ˆˆ A poor... ˆˆ ...island... ˆˆ ...pleasure den. ˆˆ Gang Warfare. Rival gangs operate openly, claiming turf, exploiting
ˆˆ A hi-tech... ˆˆ ...port city... ˆˆ ...place to hide. the people who live there, and fighting their rivals, all unopposed by
ˆˆ An off-the-grid... ˆˆ ...city of lights... ˆˆ ...manufactory. any authorities.
ˆˆ An overpopulated... ˆˆ ...desert oasis... ˆˆ ...tourist haven. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ An ancient... ˆˆ ...offshore rig... ˆˆ ...littered with ruins. TRUTHS
ˆˆ A well-guarded... ˆˆ ...underground... ˆˆ ...pirate refuge.

JUST HOW LAWLESS IS IT?

ˆˆ Hedonistic but Controlled. Though hedonism is encouraged (and
many things that would be illegal elsewhere are legal here) there is
still some force in charge, keeping things from going too far. There are
simply far fewer laws here than in most of the civilized world.
ˆˆ Deeply Corrupt. There are laws, but you can break them if you have
enough money and can find the right people to bribe. Police, security
personnel, EMS, and even the military all take bribes openly.
ˆˆ Toothless Authority. The government exists, but it has no strength to
back up the laws. Criminals walk the street with impunity, and the true
authority in the city lies with the various crime lords and organized
crime syndicates that run the city’s street trade.
ˆˆ True Anarchy. No one is in charge. There is no governing body,
and gangs engage in open warfare in the streets. Only by virtue of a
common desire to make money do the inhabitants of the city keep
from dissolving into utter chaos.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
26
SE24: PARIAH EXPERIMENTS
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s pariah experiments, a
lengthy and unethical program in which members of SE19: The Pariahs are WHAT KIND OF EXPERIMENTS DID THEY DO?
experimented upon. These experiments are horrific, leaving its survivors ˆˆ Genetic Manipulation. The experiments alter the genetic code of its
scarred both physically and mentally. Examples from popular comics subjects to produce the sought-after results.
include the Weapon X® program (Marvel) and the Everyman Project™ (DC). ˆˆ Cybernetic Enhancements. The subjects have their bodies
augmented by cybernetics and artificial organs.
NAME: ˆˆ Radiation/Chemical Exposure. The experiments expose the
subjects to chemicals and radiation that alter them in some way.
ˆˆ Magical Exposure. Spells and magic rituals alter the subjects in
FIRST APPEARANCE: pursuit of the project’s goals.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHO RUNS THE PROGRAM?
ˆˆ The Government. The experiments are a part of a government WHAT DID PROGRAM SURVIVORS GAIN?
program, likely one with top secret security or off the books entirely. ˆˆ Specific Powers. Those who survive the program always emerge
ˆˆ Rogue Scientists. A group of independent scientists, part of a think with one or two specific powers; describe which powers survivors
tank or a secret branch of SE02: The Super Science Lab, conducts gain in the Truths box.
these experiments away from the prying eyes of ethical supervision. ˆˆ Extended Lifespan. The subjects have a far longer natural lifespan.
ˆˆ Spiritual/Self-Help Org. The subjects are lured to laboratories under ˆˆ Augmented Physique. The survivors are physically superior to their
the auspices of giving them spiritual, physiological, or psychological state before the experiments and to other pariahs.
therapy, and then forced into the experiments. ˆˆ Combat Training. The survivors have deeply ingrained combat
ˆˆ A Corrupt Corporation. A powerful corporation with a large R&D training and reflexes, commensurate with those possessed by career
department (perhaps SE15: The Megacorporation) conducts these special operations soldiers.
experiments in clandestine laboratories. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ The Evil Group. An independent, evil organization (perhaps SE14: TRUTHS
The Crime Syndicate, SE18: The Terrorist Group, or SE25: The
Secret Society) conducts these experiments as a part of its
evil machinations.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM’S GOAL?

ˆˆ Produce Super Soldiers. The program aims to transform pariahs into
deadly soldiers completely under the program’s thrall.
ˆˆ Steal/Bestow Powers. The program seeks to either steal powers
from pariahs and transfer them to someone else, or to enhance the
powers of—or grant additional powers to—pariah subjects.
ˆˆ Brainwashing. The program does not alter the subjects’ bodies in any
way, instead focusing on advanced mind control techniques to make
the pariahs into the program’s perfect pawns.
ˆˆ Unscrupulous Scientific Understanding. The program seeks only
knowledge about the pariahs, but does so in an unethical way.
ˆˆ Cloning/Replication. The program seeks to mass produce identical
copies of subjects that it deems valuable, producing strike teams, or
an entire army, of powered individuals at their command.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

27
 SE25: THE SECRET SOCIETY
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s secret society, an
organization that works behind the scenes to further their goals without WHAT DO MEMBERS GET OUT OF THE GROUP?
being known to the world at large. This secret society might be nefarious, or ˆˆ Hedonism/Vice. Being a member of the society grants access to a
it may merely be selfish, hedonistic, or zealously devoted to some ancient wide variety of sensory and carnal delights. Gatherings of the society
creed. Examples from popular comics include the Hellfire Club™ (Marvel) are inevitably inebriated affairs that often descend into narcotics
and the Black Glove™, the Court of Owls™, and the Order of St. Dumas™ (DC). binges or hedonistic displays that can last for days at a time.
ˆˆ Political Influence. Members of the group wield significant influence
NAME: in the political arena thanks to their membership. The society
influences elections, promotes or discourages policy decisions, and
makes or ruins politicians across the political spectrum.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Access to Powers. Members join the society to gain access to one
or more specific powers, which they gain as a result of some asset
WHAT KIND OF GROUP MAKES UP THE SOCIETY? possessed by or process known to the society. If you choose this
ˆˆ Wealthy Social Club. The society is a secret, members-only social option, in the Truths box describe which specific powers the members
club, with its members largely drawn from the wealthiest upper of this society gain.
echelons of society. ˆˆ Material Gain. Membership in the society results in significant
ˆˆ Political/Cultural Vigilantes. The society consists of a loosely financial improvement. The society has vast resources at its disposal
affiliated group of like-minded individuals from all walks of life who and frequently engages in money laundering and other financial
attempt to forcibly reshape society to fit their twisted vision for the crimes on behalf of its members.
world, forming their own insulated community. ˆˆ Living Above the Law. Members of the society do not have to
ˆˆ Conspirators. The society is united by some conspiracy that all its fear the repercussions of breaking the law the way most people
members are privy to (which you describe in the Truths box). The do. The society has enough lawyers and judges in its pocket to
group’s goal is to maintain the secrecy of that conspiracy while also ensure that any crime committed by a member simply goes without
ensuring that the conspiracy continues to be effective. being punished.
ˆˆ Fraternal Order. The society is an organization with a particular, ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
highly specific goal it pursues, such as protecting something or TRUTHS
passing on specific knowledge. The society is old, dating back well
before the presumed lifespans of its current members.
ˆˆ Religious Order. The society was founded with a spiritual purpose,
either as an extension of a particular church or as a splinter group in
rebellion against the doctrines of its time.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DOES ONE JOIN THE SOCIETY?

ˆˆ Birthright Membership. All the society’s members had family
members in the society and gained entry by virtue of their blood.
ˆˆ Exclusive Invitation. New members are invited to join the
organization by invitations extended from current members.
ˆˆ Prove Yourself Worthy. New members can apply to join the society,
but must prove themselves worthy in some dangerous or violent way.
ˆˆ Blackmail. No one is a member of the society by choice; all members
are forced into the society as a result of blackmail by other members.
ˆˆ Major Financial Commitment. Members buy into the society with a
large monetary donation, using wealth to prove their worth.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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SE26: THE SUPERHUMAN EDICT
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s superhuman edict, a law
that that seriously impacts powered heroes. Examples from popular comics WHAT UNEXPECTED SIDE EFFECT IS THERE TO THE EDICT?
include the Mutant Control Act, the Superhero Registration Act™, and the ˆˆ Civilian Oppression. Those who enforce the edict often abuse
50 States Initiative™ (Marvel), the Keene Act™ (DC), and the Superhero their power to impose authoritarian rule over otherwise law-abiding
Relocation Program™ (Incredibles, Pixar/Disney). civilians, or frequently put civilians in harm’s way during enforcement.
ˆˆ Civilian Discontent. Much of the public believes that the edict is
NAME: unjust or in violation of their nation’s principles, and ongoing civilian
protests occur on a daily basis. Increase the Public Reputation track
for all teams in violation of the edict by +3.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Rise in Crime. With powered heroes on a tighter leash, criminals and
powered villains run amok and act with impunity.
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE EDICT? ˆˆ Hero vs. Hero Conflict. The edict created an ideological divide in the
Choose two options. From this point on, have each team decide if they are hero community, and many heroes now fight openly with one another.
compliant or in violation of this edict and write that decision in the team roster’s ˆˆ Agency Rebellion. The members of SE03: The Government Agency
Truths box. If they are compliant, increase their Government Reputation track by rebel against the edict, believing that it undoes all the hard work they
+3, and if they are in violation reduce their Government Reputation track by –3. have put in to observe and regulate superpowered activity. Write
ˆˆ Force Some or All Powered Individuals to Register. Individuals “No longer affiliated with the government” in the Truths box on the
possessing superhuman powers must register personal information agency’s setting element page.
with the government: either all heroes, or a subset (for example, ˆˆ Data Breach. The database containing the identities and personal
individuals with certain powers, or all of SE19: The Pariahs) information of powered individuals was compromised and is now in
ˆˆ Requires Heroes to be on Government Teams. To freely use their the hands of a particular villain or villainous organization (such as
powers, heroes must be on government-sponsored teams. SE14: The Crime Syndicate, SE18: The Terrorist Group, or SE25: The
� Restrict Powered Hero Jurisdiction. Powered individuals can use Secret Society).
their powers only in certain specified locations; alternatively, there are ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
numerous “power-free zones” where using powers is against the law. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Ban Vigilantism Entirely. Powered heroes may not fight crime or
villains of their own accord; doing so is prosecuted harshly.
ˆˆ Force Powered Individuals into Internment. Powered individuals
must relocate to government-operated internment camps, where they
live as prisoners under constant observation.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHO ENFORCES THE EDICT?

ˆˆ Government Agencies. Some official agency, such as the FBI or
SE03: The Government Agency, handles the edict’s enforcement.
ˆˆ The Military. Violations of the edict provoke and armed military
response commensurate with the power level of the violator.
ˆˆ Complicit Heroes. Heroes who have chosen to submit to the edict’s
restrictions are expected to bring those who do not into custody.
ˆˆ Pardoned Villains. The government pardoned a group of villains and
gave them official sanction to begin enforcing the edict.
ˆˆ A New Group/Program: Create a new type of minions or a new villain
or group of minor villains to represent the dedicated agents of this
group or program.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
29
 SE27: THE CATASTROPHE
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s major catastrophe,
something that happened in the recent past that reshaped the physical WHAT IS THE POLITICAL FALLOUT FROM THE CATASTROPHE?
and societal landscape of the city. Examples from popular comics include Choose two of the following options.
the flooding of New York City by the Atlanteans and the destruction of ˆˆ Martial Law/Police State. In the wake of the catastrophe, the city’s
Stamford, CT (Marvel), and the earthquake that forced the evacuation of mayor declared a state of emergency. The city’s police force was
Gotham City® (DC). granted emergency powers, and the military was called in to provide
enforcement for supposedly temporary authoritarian policies.
NOTE: Unlike other entries in this Setting Book, you do not create this entry ˆˆ Near-Anarchy. The government was hobbled by the catastrophe, and
whenever you encounter your first reference to it. Instead, create this entry now the police and emergency services can barely do their jobs. The
only if something specifically directs you to do so. If you create this entry city struggles to maintain order, and crime is rampant.
at any time other than during the initial creation of “The Basics” section, it ˆˆ Harsh Legislation. In the wake of the catastrophe, the government
reflects the fallout from the events in a particular issue. introduced harsh new laws (possibly including SE26: The Superhero
Edict if you have not already defined that setting element).
NAME: ˆˆ Civilian Unrest. The city’s population is deprived of sufficient food,
clean water, and medical services in the wake of the catastrophe, and
protests, riots, and acts of anti-government sentiment are common.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Torches & Pitchforks. Powered heroes are either blamed for the
catastrophe, or blamed for not preventing it. In “The Basics” section
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THIS CATASTROPHE? of this book, change the answer of the question “How Does the
ˆˆ Natural Disaster. A flood, typhoon, earthquake, or some other natural General Public Feel About Powered Heroes?” to “These So-Called
phenomenon wreaked untold damage with a massive death toll. Heroes are a Menace.”
ˆˆ Villainous Plot Come to Fruition. A villain’s master plan succeeded, ˆˆ Quarantine. Travel in to and out of the city is severely restricted, with
and the consequences of heroes’ failure to stop it were devastating. security checkpoints at every point of entry and many roads shut
ˆˆ Uncontrolled Powers. A powered individual (hero, villain, or down and barricaded.
otherwise) lost control of their powers with destructive results. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Large-Scale Laboratory Accident. An experiment or technological TRUTHS
demonstration went wrong, causing massive damage to the facility
and the surrounding environs.
ˆˆ Magical/Cosmic Incursion. A powerful being, group of beings,
phenomenon, or force from another world or another plane of
existence intruded on the world, leaving devastation in its wake.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THE MOST OBVIOUS LASTING DAMAGE?

ˆˆ A Major Landmark Destroyed. A recognizable building or landmark
you choose was completely destroyed by the catastrophe.
ˆˆ Massive Civilian Casualties. Hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians
perished in the catastrophe. Many essential city services still struggle
to function properly with a reduced worker count.
ˆˆ A Scarred Populace. Some percentage of the populace was
scarred or transformed in some way (this catastrophe could also be
responsible for creating SE19: The Pariahs).
ˆˆ A Devastated Borough. An entire borough or district of the city was
almost completely leveled by the catastrophe.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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SE28: THE DYSTOPIAN FUTURE
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s dystopian future, a
dark future timeline where the world has descended into oppression and WHAT IS THE DOMINANT OPPRESSING FORCE IN THE WORLD?
barbarism and where those who would be heroes are powerless to make ˆˆ Villainous Dictator. A specific villain rose to power and now acts as a
the world better. Examples from popular comics include 2099™ and the dictator whose command keeps the downtrodden under their heel.
future of Days of Future Past® (Marvel). ˆˆ Megacorporate Overlords. Money is power, and massive
corporations exert the only semblance of control in a decaying world.
YEAR: ˆˆ Inhuman Conquerors. Some group from outside humanity, such as
aliens, robots, demons, or monsters, keeps humanity from knowing
peace and prosperity through oppression and violence.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Hateful Government. A powerful government, founded upon hateful
principles, suppresses freedom and dissent with the force of arms.
WHAT IS THIS FUTURE LIKE? ˆˆ Evil Paramilitary Force. A powerful force of mercenaries and soldiers
ˆˆ Post-Apocalyptic. Civilization collapsed and the world is devastated. with global reach abuse their authority and strength.
What society remains is in tatters, scattered across a hostile globe. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Run-Down. Urban decay has largely claimed most of the world’s
major cities, and much of the world has descended into poverty. WHERE ARE THE WORLD’S HEROES?
ˆˆ Misleading Utopia. On the surface, this future looks bright and ˆˆ Dead. Most of the heroes known in the modern era died in the events
prosperous, but it hides a darker side where much of the world’s that led to this future, or in attempts to right it.
population is oppressed and forced to live in hiding. ˆˆ In Hiding. Powered heroes have been forced to go underground, as
ˆˆ Extreme Stratification. The rich live like kings, surrounded by the oppressing force in the world has issued kill-on-sight edicts.
opulence, privilege, and power. The poor struggle just to survive, living ˆˆ In Concentration Camps. The authorities have placed powered
in filth and decrepitude. There is no one in the middle. heroes in jails and concentration camps to prevent them from
ˆˆ A World at War. Constant war ravages the world, a global conflict that meddling in the state of the world.
has raged for decades with no end in sight. ˆˆ In Exile. Following the tragic events of the past, the surviving heroes
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box). were forced to flee the civilized world, going into exile (perhaps fleeing
to SE06: The Nether Realm, SE11: The Parallel Dimension, or SE22:
WHAT EVENT MOST DIRECTLY LED TO THIS FUTURE? The Distant World) to avoid being hunted down.
ˆˆ Assassination of a World Leader. An influential world leader died at ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
the hands of an assassin, triggering a catastrophic chain of events. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Superpowered Catastrophe. A powered individual used their power
in an irresponsible way, causing a tragedy of untold proportions.
ˆˆ Unchecked War. An escalating series of conflicts snowballed into a
full-scale war, including the use of weapons of mass destruction.
ˆˆ Ecological Disaster. A climate-related disaster, such as worldwide
droughts, rising sea levels, large-scale earthquakes, or a never-ending
chain of hurricanes plunged the world into its tragic state.
ˆˆ Technology Run Amok. Some piece of new technology went haywire,
breaking free of its creators’ control and causing devastation.
ˆˆ Pandemic. A global pandemic ravaged the Earth, leaving population
numbers so low that entire nations and regions collapsed.
ˆˆ Invasion. Outside invaders (aliens, demons, or others) attacked the
Earth and staged an invasion that put the world in its new state.
ˆˆ Political Act. The implementation of some law or policy (such as
SE26: The Superhuman Edict) triggered rapid global decline.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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 SE29: THE GOLDEN AGE
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s Golden Age of Heroes, a
time surrounding World War II (roughly 1935–1949) when costumed heroes WHAT SECRET SHAME OF THIS ERA GETS GLOSSED OVER OFTEN?
were first rising to prominence and the nations of the world embraced them ˆˆ Villain Humiliation. With most powered villains of the era associated
as paragons of truth, justice, and freedom. Though society’s ills were not with a enemy nation, jingoism drives the home populace to trot
solved overnight, the presence of heroes in this era made people feel as captured villains in humiliating parades before their execution.
though the world was in safe hands. ˆˆ Heroes of Mass Destruction. Though heroes are lauded for their
efforts to save lives, during a small number of recorded incidents
the government prompted heroes to use their power offensively,
FIRST APPEARANCE: causing death and destruction comparable to the detonation
of an atom bomb.
WHAT ROLE DO POWERED INDIVIDUALS PLAY IN THE WAR? ˆˆ Defector Super Science. Much of the super science employed by the
ˆˆ Enlisted Soldiers. Many powered individuals were drafted for the war Allies during the war came not from their own scientists, but from Axis
effort and served alongside regular soldiers, receiving no preferential supervillains who defected to the other side and were pardoned for
treatment from the military. their atrocities (and often given new identities and hero monikers).
ˆˆ Special Military Assets. Powered soldiers were cordoned off into ˆˆ Human Experimentation. In their drive to increase the number of
their own special units, deployed surgically for missions calling for the superpowered individuals fighting on their respective sides, the
use of their powers. factions frequently engaged in experimentation on humans with
ˆˆ Independent Actors. The government never officially allowed the express purpose of bestowing powers on them. The failed
powered heroes to join the war effort, but took no pains to deter them experiments left their subjects dead or maimed.
from intervening in the conflict of their own accord. ˆˆ Hero Propaganda. Many heroes willingly took part in the creation
ˆˆ Defenders of the Homefront. Most powered heroes were kept in their of propaganda, from radio broadcasts to rallies to posters with their
home countries, acting as a deterrent against attacks by other forces. faces on them, that promoted jingoism, racism, or other attitudes that
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box). run counter to the principles that their modern country stands for.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
WHAT FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED THE WAR? TRUTHS
ˆˆ Early Super Science. The earliest days of the super science
revolution began during the Golden Age. Though none of the
technologies of the era approach the advances of super science in
the modern world, technological advancement drastically changed
the course of the war, and not always for the better.
ˆˆ Unexpected Factions. The participation of nations or factions such
as SE09: The Lost Civilization, SE10: The Evil Dictatorship, or SE18:
The Terrorist Group radically altered the outcome of the war. Choose
one and describe how that faction changed the war in the Truths box.
ˆˆ Supernatural or Alien Intervention. Outside forces hailing from
beyond our world or reality, such as SE07: The Star Empire, SE13:
The Mystic Order, or SE20: The Space Police Force, took part in the
conflict, either directly or indirectly.
ˆˆ Abundant Super-Soldiers. Both sides of the conflict succeeded in
creating large numbers of power-enhanced soldiers. As a result, the
conflict became more violent and more far-reaching than it would
have without the introduction of those soldiers.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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SE30: THE SACRED SITE
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s sacred site, a place of
mystic power and significance to the magic-using beings in your world. WHAT OBJECT OF POWER CAN BE FOUND HERE?
This site can be as large as a city or as small as a single building, and it is ˆˆ The World Tree. A great tree stands at the center of the sacred site,
watched over by SE13: The Mystic Order. Examples from popular comics an avatar of Nature itself. The tree exudes an aura of tranquility and
include K’un-Lun™ (Marvel), and ‘Eth Alth’eban™ and Nanda Parbat™ (DC). vitality and is directly connected to the spirit of the natural world.
ˆˆ The Fountain of Youth. A fountain at the heart of the site bubbles with
NAME: water that, when consumed, guarantees eternal life and youthfulness.
ˆˆ An Oracle. A prophetic being or force inhabits the city and can provide
knowledge or visions of the future to those who seek it out.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ A Stable Portal. The site contains a stable portal to another location
on Earth, planet, or plane of existence.
THREE PART ANSWER QUESTION? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the
Truths box below. WHAT QUIRK DOES THE SITE POSSESS?
ˆˆ A tranquil... ˆˆ ...temple... ˆˆ ...on an island. ˆˆ It is One of Many. There are multiple such sacred sites scattered
ˆˆ A haunted... ˆˆ ...fortress... ˆˆ ...in the mountains. throughout the world, each slightly different than the others.
ˆˆ A storm-wracked... ˆˆ ...monastery... ˆˆ ...on a cliffside. ˆˆ It is Displaced in Time. Time does not flow inside the site, and it is
ˆˆ An ancient... ˆˆ ...ruin... ˆˆ ...in a forest. connected to all moments in time; visitors to the site may see other
ˆˆ A fog-shrouded... ˆˆ ...castle... ˆˆ ...on a ley line. visitors from bygone or future eras.
ˆˆ A flooded... ˆˆ ...city... ˆˆ ...near a volcano. ˆˆ A Powerful Monster Lives Here. An incredibly ancient creature of
myth, such as a dragon or a sphinx, lives in the sacred site.
HOW DOES THE SITE STAY HIDDEN FROM THE WORLD? ˆˆ Its Inhabitants Aren’t Human. The inhabitants of the sacred site are
ˆˆ Infrequent Passages. Accessing the site is as much about timing of a nonhuman species, such as elves, dwarves, or snake-people.
as it is finding the way there. The path to the sacred site is completely ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
impassable except at certain times or on certain dates. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Magical Barrier. A magical shield protects the sacred site; any
attempt to reach it is automatically repelled, and there is no way to
pierce the barrier unless you possess the magical means of doing so.
ˆˆ Shrouded by Illusion. The sacred site is covered by illusions that
make it invisible or camouflage it with the surrounding landscape. The
outside world likely does not even know of its existence.
ˆˆ In Another World. The sacred site isn’t on Earth, but is in fact located
in SE06: The Nether Realm. The site is in a remote location of that
plane of existence, leaving it largely ignored by the plane’s inhabitants,
but while at the sacred site you are clearly in another realm.
ˆˆ A Powerful Curse. A magical curse protects the sacred site, deterring
anyone who seeks to enter without permission. Describe the nature of
this curse in the Truths box. Suggestions include a curse that causes
those who enter without permission to grow sick and die quickly,
a curse that negates all human technology, or a curse that causes
anyone who visits the site without permission to forget everything
about the site (including its very existence).
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

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 NC01: THE MEDIA PERSONALITY
Use this page to create the details of one of your setting’s important media
personalities. Their presence in the media has an impact on the heroes, HOW DO THEY COVER HEROES IN THEIR WORK?
and their work can affect the way both the media and the public feel about ˆˆ Claim Heroes are a Menace. All their efforts are put toward
powered heroes. Examples from popular comics include J. Jonah Jameson, portraying powered heroes as no different than the villains they fight.
Ben Urich™, and Phil Sheldon™ (Marvel), and Lois Lane® and Cat Grant™ (DC). They are constantly on the attack, targeting specific powered heroes.
ˆˆ Exploitative Superhero Gossip. They spread rumors and tabloid
NAME: gossip, profiting from the salacious and often untrue reporting.
ˆˆ Political Maneuvering. Their coverage of heroes always has
an angle, using details of heroic efforts to support or oppose a
FIRST APPEARANCE: political argument.
ˆˆ Manipulating Heroes. Their work is targeted not at the consuming
WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? public, but at the heroes; they often hold heroes’ reputations hostage
Choose one from each column and describe the media personality in greater in exchange for exclusive interviews or more overt favors.
detail in the Truths box below. ˆˆ Opportunistic Coverage. Their work touches on heroes as just
ˆˆ A spunky... ˆˆ ...controversial... ˆˆ ...reporter. another source of news, no more exceptional than coverage of
ˆˆ A bitter... ˆˆ ...rising star... ˆˆ ...editor. politics, sports, or entertainment news.
ˆˆ An ambitious... ˆˆ ...rookie... ˆˆ ...researcher. ˆˆ Stoking the Controversy. They see the controversies surrounding
ˆˆ A corrupt... ˆˆ ...largely invisible... ˆˆ ...pundit. heroes and villains purely in terms of their cash value and often stir up
ˆˆ A relentless... ˆˆ ...veteran... ˆˆ ...photographer. trouble in their media outlet just to turn a profit.
ˆˆ A surly... ˆˆ ...spotlight-hog... ˆˆ ...media executive. ˆˆ Breathless Adulation. They offer the most favorable coverage
heroes could hope for, to the point where the consuming public takes
WHAT KIND OF MEDIA OUTLET DO THEY WORK FOR? everything that they produce regarding heroes with a grain of salt.
After answering this question, write the name of the media outlet in the box at the ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
bottom of this question, and a brief description in the Truths box below. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Print. The media outlet produces newspapers or magazines.
ˆˆ Radio. The media outlet controls one or more radio frequencies, or
broadcasts syndicated radio shows.
ˆˆ Television. The media outlet is a TV station or a group of stations,
each focused on news, entertainment, sports, or other topics.
ˆˆ Internet Media. The outlet is a website or social media network.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THEIR GREATEST BIAS?

ˆˆ A Past Encounter. This person had a past run-in with a powered
individual that left them scarred or in awe of people with powers.
ˆˆ Religious Upbringing. This person was brought up in a strongly
religious household, and their beliefs shape their reporting.
ˆˆ Missed Opportunities. They were passed over for promotion and still
seek a “big break,” sensationalizing stories for a bigger audience.
ˆˆ A Shameful Mistake. They were caught up in a scandal and suffered
negative publicity. They blame one or more heroes for their troubles.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
34
NC02: THE CELEBRITY BIGOT
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s celebrity bigot, someone
who occupies the spotlight and uses their fame to promote a crass, hateful, WHAT SHADY DEALINGS IS THE BIGOT INVOLVED IN?
or reckless agenda that puts the lives of powered heroes at risk. They ˆˆ Transactions with Shady Organizations. Rumors constantly swirl
use their celebrity status to spread a message of ignorance to the public around this person’s finances. Accusations of receiving payments
Examples from popular comics include Reverend William Stryker™ (Marvel). from foreign governments and supervillains are common but have yet
to bring this person down.
NAME: ˆˆ Scams. In addition to spreading their message of bigotry, this person
uses their platform to sell their followers on a variety of scams, from
snake oil products to investments that never pan out.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Funding Extremists. This person is frequently accused of funneling
money to extremists and terrorist groups that support their agenda.
WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? They deny such accusations, yet have a significant financial interest in
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the a number of shell companies whose books are clearly cooked.
Truths box below. ˆˆ Bribery and Blackmail. This person regularly exerts their influence
ˆˆ A sermonizing... ˆˆ ...devout... ˆˆ ...media pundit. through bribery, blackmail, and other forms of illegal and unethical
ˆˆ An eloquent... ˆˆ ...filthy rich... ˆˆ ...activist. coercion. They often threaten to turn their cult of personality against
ˆˆ A ranting... ˆˆ ...elderly... ˆˆ ...religious leader. any politicians or celebrities that dare to stand up to them.
ˆˆ A provocative... ˆˆ ...foul-mouthed... ˆˆ ...writer. ˆˆ Past Crimes. This person was accused of, and acquitted of,
ˆˆ A hyperbolic... ˆˆ ...lecherous... ˆˆ ...actor. committing heinous crimes in the past. The details surrounding
ˆˆ A smug... ˆˆ ...demagogic... ˆˆ ...conspiracy theorist. those events and the subsequent trial still hang like a shadow over
this person’s life.
WHO, SPECIFICALLY, DOES THIS BIGOT HATE? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ All Powered Heroes. This person believes that all powered heroes are TRUTHS
just as unnatural and to blame for society’s ills as powered villains.
ˆˆ Nonhumans. This person has a strong prejudice against nonhumans
(including aliens, sentient robots, and magical creatures).
ˆˆ People with Specific Powers/Power Sources. This person is
bigoted against people who possess a specific power or set of
powers, or who derive their powers from the same source (magic,
super-science, genetics).
ˆˆ Pariahs. This person has a prejudice against SE19: The Pariahs and
speaks out against their very existence at every opportunity.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DOES THE BIGOT EXPRESS THEIR HATE?

ˆˆ TV/Radio/Internet Show. This person hosts their own media
program on a daily or weekly basis.
ˆˆ Regular Media Appearances. This person makes regular
appearances on the news and on political debate programs.
ˆˆ Rallies and Speaking Engagements. This person is a frequent
speaker at rallies, protests, marches, conferences, and other events.
ˆˆ Protest Stunts. This person, with the help of their followers, engages
in provocative and disruptive protests stunts that draw media
attention for their extremism and outlandishness.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
35
 NC03: THE HATEFUL AUTHORITY
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s hateful authority figure,
someone in a position of power and influence who has a bottomless well WHAT DOES THIS PERSON DO TO ADVANCE THEIR AGENDA?
of hate for a particular group of powered individuals. This person uses their ˆˆ Propose and Support Legislation. This person seeks to create,
position to influence laws and policies, fund research, and make life harder promote, and seek the votes to pass legislation that forwards
for the targets of their hate. Examples from popular comics include Senator their hateful agenda, aiming to change the law of the land to
Robert Kelly™, Bolivar Trask™, and Henry Peter Gyrich™ (Marvel). match their vision.
ˆˆ Fund Dangerous Research. This person believes that private industry
NAME: has the solution to the “problem” that the subjects of their hate have
caused. They fund research into weapons and technologies that can
be used against the hated group.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Seek Expanded Police Powers. This person seeks to grant
authoritarian powers to the police and military, at least when it comes
WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? to dealing with the hated group.
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the ˆˆ Whip Supporters into a Frenzy. This person cares little for protocol
Truths box below. and process, and instead focuses on riling up their support base
ˆˆ A charismatic... ˆˆ ...young... ˆˆ ...politician. to the point where supporters are ready to take matters into
ˆˆ An intimidating... ˆˆ ...world-famous... ˆˆ ...police chief. their own hands.
ˆˆ A respected... ˆˆ ...genius... ˆˆ ...military officer. ˆˆ Secret Operations. This person financially supports secret
ˆˆ A disgraced... ˆˆ ...media darling... ˆˆ ...executive. operations by off-the-books organizations whose missions are aimed
ˆˆ A boorish... ˆˆ ...senior... ˆˆ ...religious leader. at harming the hated group.
ˆˆ A stoic... ˆˆ ...very wealthy... ˆˆ ...militia leader. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
TRUTHS
WHO, SPECIFICALLY, DOES THIS AUTHORITY FIGURE HATE?
ˆˆ All Powered Heroes. This person believes that all powered heroes are
just as unnatural and to blame for society’s ills as powered villains.
ˆˆ Nonhumans. This person has a strong prejudice against nonhumans
(including aliens, sentient robots, and magical creatures).
ˆˆ People with Specific Powers/Power Sources. This person is
bigoted against people who possess a specific power or set of
powers, or who derive their powers from the same source (magic,
super-science, genetics).
ˆˆ Pariahs. This person has a prejudice against SE19: The Pariahs and
speaks out against their very existence at every opportunity.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DO THIS PERSON’S PEERS AND COLLEAGUES FEEL ABOUT THEM?

ˆˆ Afraid to Oppose. Contemporaries of this person frequently show
deference or at least a lack of opposition, and they are clearly wary of
getting on this person’s bad side.
ˆˆ Frequent Collaborator. This person has earned enough trust and
respect from their peers that they frequently form coalitions.
ˆˆ Unpredictable Rogue. This person is considered to be a loose
cannon by their peers, who can never predict this person’s next move.
ˆˆ Sidelined. This person is frequently ignored by their colleagues.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
36
NC04: THE TEAM MENTOR
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s team mentor, someone
who is not an active hero but instead provides education, training, and WHAT IS THE MENTOR’S TRAINING STYLE?
guidance to a particular team. Examples from popular comics include ˆˆ Drill to Precision. The mentor has their charges practice relentlessly,
Professor Charles Xavier® (Marvel), Lord Emp™ (Wildstorm/DC), and Master accepting only the perfection that comes with repetition.
Splinter® (Mirage). ˆˆ Academic Approach. The mentor focuses as much on mental
training as physical, taking an educational approach to training.
NAME: ˆˆ Tear Down, Build Up. The mentor takes the same approach as many
militaries, putting so much strain on their charges that they collapse
(mentally or physically), allowing the mentor to rebuild them.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? WHAT IS THIS MENTOR’S BLIND SPOT?
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the ˆˆ Hopeless Optimism. The mentor has a firm belief that everything is
Truths box below. going to turn out all right in the end, leaving their plans vulnerable to
ˆˆ An idealistic... ˆˆ ...veteran... ˆˆ ...teacher. unforeseen complications.
ˆˆ A grim... ˆˆ ...reluctant... ˆˆ ...former hero. ˆˆ Benefit of the Doubt. The mentor believes that no one is beyond
ˆˆ A charming... ˆˆ ...bad-ass... ˆˆ ...military officer. redemption, which exposes the team to deception and betrayal.
ˆˆ A hard-ass... ˆˆ ...visionary... ˆˆ ...fighting master. ˆˆ Relentless Idealism. The mentor believes in pursuing idealistic goals,
ˆˆ A cynical... ˆˆ ...traumatized... ˆˆ ...scientist. even when there are safer or more practical courses of action.
ˆˆ A nurturing... ˆˆ ...iconoclast... ˆˆ ...coach. ˆˆ Lack of Empathy. The mentor is remote and lacks empathy for their
students; the mentor often puts their charges in harm’s way with little
WHAT POWERS DOES THIS MENTOR POSSESS? regard for their physical or emotional health.
ˆˆ None. The mentor possesses no powers of their own. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ One or More. Draw one, two, or three powers from the Deck of Powers TRUTHS
and write the power names below as the mentor’s powers.

WHY ISN’T THE MENTOR AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE TEAM?

ˆˆ Physical Disability. The mentor suffers from some physiological
condition that makes it impractical for them to be an active hero.
ˆˆ Too Old. The mentor has reached the age where their physical state
would be a liability during field work.
ˆˆ Powers More Suited to Leadership. The mentor’s particular power
set is more practical for use in leadership and training situations.
ˆˆ Personal Pacifism. Though the mentor trains their charges to be
prepared for combat, the mentor prefers to take a nonconfrontational
role in the fight against villainy.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
37
 NC05: THE MYSTIC SAGE
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s mystic sage, an
individual with powerful magic and ancient wisdom at their disposal. This WHAT DOES THE SAGE OFFER TO HEROES?
person is often a mentor and a source of knowledge about matters arcane, ˆˆ Knowledge. The sage is a constant source of information about a
providing the heroes with much-needed information about obscure and variety of historical, arcane, and occult topics.
occult topics. Examples from popular comics include the Ancient One™ ˆˆ Warnings. The sage monitors dangers to the world and issues
(Marvel) and the Spectre™ (DC). warnings to the heroes, hoping to prevent crises from occurring.
ˆˆ Armor and Weapons. The sage bestows weapons, armor, spells, and
NAME: other resources on heroes who seek out the sage.
ˆˆ Training. The sage offers tutelage and training to anyone who comes
seeking it and proves themselves worthy of the sage’s knowledge.
FIRST APPEARANCE: ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? WHAT DOES THE SAGE DEMAND IN RETURN?
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the ˆˆ Secrecy. The sage wishes to keep their existence a secret,
Truths box below. and anyone who seeks out the sage must swear not to tell of
ˆˆ A cryptic... ˆˆ ...beautiful... ˆˆ ...fighting master. their encounters.
ˆˆ An unsettling... ˆˆ ...near-human... ˆˆ ...scholar. ˆˆ Favors. Everything the sage offers comes with a price: a favor to be
ˆˆ A grandiose... ˆˆ ...disheveled... ˆˆ ...philosopher. claimed later. Greater aid from the sage demands bigger favors.
ˆˆ A drunken... ˆˆ ...scarred... ˆˆ ...hero of legend. ˆˆ Obedience. The sage provides assistance to heroes, but only if they
ˆˆ A tranquil... ˆˆ ...elderly... ˆˆ ...religious leader. agree to heed the sage’s wishes on what is done with that assistance.
ˆˆ A cruel... ˆˆ ...monstrous... ˆˆ ...oracle. ˆˆ Servitude. When someone seeks out the sage for aid, the sage
demands that the seeker pledge to serve (or, at least, study under) the
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THE SAGE’S GREAT WISDOM? sage for some extended period of time to gain that aid.
ˆˆ Immortality. The sage has already lived more lifetimes than any ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
human and has the wisdom that comes with having seen the events TRUTHS
of centuries pass by.
ˆˆ Higher Consciousness. The sage has reached a level of
enlightenment that opened their consciousness up to new ways of
perceiving the world.
ˆˆ Prophetic Visions. The sage has visions of the future, giving them
insight into the decisions of the present and knowledge of how the
events of the past affected the outcome in the future.
ˆˆ Intense Scholarship. The sage is extremely studious and has made
increasing their knowledge and skill the most important thing in their
life. Their diligence has resulted in true mastery.
ˆˆ Spiritual Possession. The sage is possessed by a powerful spirit.
This spirit bestows upon the sage both knowledge and power, making
them more than human but less than a god.
ˆˆ Mastery of Magic. The sage is a true master of the magical arts. They
can use their magic to perform research, gaze into the mists of time,
and scry on distant people and places.
ˆˆ Otherworldly Heritage. The sage is not (fully) human, and in fact
is descended from beings from another plane of existence. Their
heritage grants them knowledge and vision beyond that of mortals.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
38
NC06: THE AGENCY CHIEF
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s agency chief, the person
in your setting who runs SE03: The Government Agency. This person acts WHY DO HEROES DOUBT THIS PERSON’S INTENTIONS?
as the head of the agency and is also the member of the organization most ˆˆ Stingy with Information. The chief operates on a strictly need-to-
likely to deal directly with powerful heroes. Examples from popular comics know basis, and almost never feels that the heroes they are dealing
include Nick Fury® and Maria Hill™ (Marvel) and Amanda Waller™ (DC). with need to know. The chief often conceals information that would
otherwise been of value to the heroes.
NAME: ˆˆ Contingency Plans. The chief has multiple contingency plans in
place designed for one purpose: to take down a powered hero who
goes rogue. These plans are tailored to specific heroes, intended to
FIRST APPEARANCE: target their weaknesses and blunt their strengths.
ˆˆ Ends Justify the Means. The agency chief has no qualms about
WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? using unorthodox tactics if it means accomplishing their goal. If this
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the means putting some civilians at risk or making use of dangerous
Truths box below. technologies, so be it.
ˆˆ A sarcastic... ˆˆ ...respected... ˆˆ ...former agent. ˆˆ Political Meddling. The agency chief frequently meddles in the
ˆˆ An unflappable... ˆˆ ...zealous... ˆˆ ...career politician. politics both of their own government and those of other nations.
ˆˆ A suspicious... ˆˆ ...trigger-happy... ˆˆ ...diplomat. There are persistent rumors that the chief is responsible for coups in
ˆˆ An unfriendly... ˆˆ ...disabled... ˆˆ ...officer of the law. third-world countries and uprisings in unfriendly nations.
ˆˆ A cunning... ˆˆ ...loyal... ˆˆ ...soldier. ˆˆ Maximum Security. The agency chief always appears with an
ˆˆ An angry... ˆˆ ...risk-averse... ˆˆ ...former hero. impressive security escort, including agents who are clearly specially
trained and armed to deal with powered individuals.
WHAT VISIBLE SIGN OF PAST BATTLES DOES THIS PERSON BEAR? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Missing Body Parts. The agency chief is missing an eye, a hand, both TRUTHS
legs below the knee, or some other obvious lost body part.
ˆˆ Cybernetic/Prosthetic Replacements. The agency chief has visible
cybernetics or prosthetics, replacing lost body parts with technology.
ˆˆ Serious Scarring. The chief is visibly scarred, with the skin on their
face, hands, or other exposed areas showing signs of past trauma.
ˆˆ Tattoos. The agency chief has multiple visible tattoos, each one of
which tells a story from one of the chief’s past battles.
ˆˆ Decorated Uniform. The chief’s uniform is formal and decorated with
medals, patches, and bars indicating past missions and accolades.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT IS THE AGENCY CHIEF’S ATTITUDE TOWARD POWERED HEROES?

ˆˆ Wary Cooperation. The chief recognizes the value of their agency
collaborating with heroes, though the chief is not convinced that the
heroes aren’t more trouble than they are worth.
ˆˆ Disinterest. The chief cares little for the desires and goals of the
heroes. The agency’s mission is paramount, and the chief has no
issue arresting or attacking any hero who gets in their way.
ˆˆ Weary Resignation. The chief knows that they have no choice but
to accommodate the presence of powered heroes, but feels that the
agency wastes too much time cleaning up heroes’ messes.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
39
 NC07: POLICE REPRESENTATIVE
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s police representative,
someone who works for the city’s police department but has frequent WHO HAS IT OUT FOR THIS PERSON?
dealings with powered heroes, even against their bosses’ wishes. Examples ˆˆ Other Police Officers. Other people on the police force do not
from popular comics include Detective James Gordon™ and Renee appreciate this person’s coziness with powered heroes and make
Montoya™ (DC), Deena Pilgrim™ and Christian Walker™ (Image), and Captain veiled (and not-so-veiled) threats from time to time.
George Stacy™ and Detective Martin Soap™ (Marvel). ˆˆ A Powerful Group. This person has made enemies in SE14: The
Crime Syndicate or SE25: The Secret Society, and they work to
NAME: make life hard for this person.
ˆˆ City Government. People higher up in the government, such as those
in the mayor’s office, suspect this person of dealing with heroes
FIRST APPEARANCE: outside of protocol and have made problems for this person.
ˆˆ A Particular Villain. A specific villain or group of minor villains (who
WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? you should choose when you select this option, and write their name
Choose one from each column and describe the police representative in greater in the Truths box) has a grudge against this person for some role this
detail in the Truths box below. person played in the villain’s origin or incarceration.
ˆˆ A jaded... ˆˆ ...long-suffering... ˆˆ ...detective. ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ An idealistic... ˆˆ ...hard-drinking... ˆˆ ...patrol officer.
ˆˆ A desperate... ˆˆ ...religious... ˆˆ ...sergeant. WHAT DOES THIS PERSON MOST FEAR TO LOSE?
ˆˆ A calculating... ˆˆ ...anger-prone... ˆˆ ...chief of police. ˆˆ Family. Threats have been made against this person’s family, and this
ˆˆ A sarcastic... ˆˆ ...gluttonous... ˆˆ ...liaison. person fears that their family could come to harm.
ˆˆ A feisty... ˆˆ ...maverick... ˆˆ ...police scientist. ˆˆ Career. This person’s career is always on the line, and those who have
it out for this person frequently make moves to end it.
WHY DOES THIS PERSON TRY TO HELP HEROES? ˆˆ Life. Threats have been made on this person’s life, and they are
ˆˆ Frustration. This person is frustrated with the ineffectiveness of the constantly worried about their personal safety.
police force in dealing with powered villains and aids the heroes in the ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
hopes of helping to bring criminals to justice. TRUTHS
ˆˆ Obligation. This person was saved or aided by a powered hero at one
point in their career and helps other heroes as a form of repayment.
ˆˆ Avoiding Corruption. This person knows that much of the police
department is corrupt, and they aid the heroes since they believe
other police officers actively stymie efforts to catch criminals.
ˆˆ Protecting Coworkers. This person knows that the police are often
woefully outclassed by powered villains, and they aid powered heroes
in the hopes of keeping their fellow officers out of danger.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

WHAT KIND OF AID DOES THIS PERSON PROVIDE TO HEROES?

ˆˆ Tips and Intel. This person frequently funnels information to the
heroes that would otherwise be known only to the police.
ˆˆ Diversion and Distraction. When the heroes need to avoid police
interference, this person delays or diverts their fellow officers to keep
them out of the heroes’ way.
ˆˆ Prosecutorial Immunity. This person uses their position to make any
police or legal trouble the heroes might have go away.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
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NC08: COSMIC LIAISON
Use this page to create the details of your setting’s cosmic liaison, someone
who is responsible for monitoring the events and civilizations of the galaxy WHAT RESOURCES DOES THE LIAISON HAVE AT THEIR DISPOSAL?
and identifying threats to Earth. The cosmic liaison works with heroes to Choose two of the following resources to be major assets of the liaison.
prevent cosmic dangers from ever reaching the planet. Examples from ˆˆ Subsidiary Organization. The liaison is the head of an extensive
popular comics include Abigail Brand™ (Marvel). organization that is a branch or subsidiary of another major
organization (such as SE02: The Super Science Lab, SE03: The
NAME: Government Agency, or SE20: The Space Police Force), possessing
many of the same resources as the parent organization.
ˆˆ Orbital Space Platform. The liaison operates out of a space station
FIRST APPEARANCE: orbiting around the Earth (or another body in the solar system).
ˆˆ Starfaring Vessels. The liaison has access to starships equipped
WHAT IS THIS PERSON FUNDAMENTALLY LIKE? with faster-than-light travel capabilities.
Choose one from each column and describe the object in greater detail in the ˆˆ Deep Space Sensors. The liaison has access to data from an
Truths box below. extensive network of sensor arrays scattered throughout the galaxy.
ˆˆ A weary... ˆˆ ...conscripted... ˆˆ ...powered hero. ˆˆ Alien Technology. The liaison has collected an extensive and eclectic
ˆˆ A stoic... ˆˆ ...alien... ˆˆ ...politician. selection of alien technologies, including weapons and defense
ˆˆ A scarred... ˆˆ ...retired... ˆˆ ...military officer. systems, and uses them routinely in their work.
ˆˆ A reluctant... ˆˆ ...traumatized... ˆˆ ...scientist. ˆˆ AI Assistant. The liaison relies on the assistance of a highly advanced
ˆˆ An overwhelmed... ˆˆ ...young... ˆˆ ...astronaut. artificial intelligence, which acts as the liaison’s personal aide. The AI
ˆˆ A grim... ˆˆ ...sidelined... ˆˆ ...diplomat. assistant might manifest only as a voice, hologram, or images on a
computer screen, or could inhabit a robot body.
WHO DOES THIS PERSON ANSWER TO? ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
ˆˆ Planetary Government. The liaison is an agent of a particular TRUTHS
planetary government (or possibly SE03: The Government Agency).
ˆˆ Private Backers. The liaison is employed by a private citizen, group, or
corporation to keep an eye on the skies, looking for trouble.
ˆˆ Aliens. The liaison was chosen by, or sent to Earth by, an alien race
that believes humanity needs someone to watch for danger.
ˆˆ A Team of Heroes. A specific team of powered heroes charged the
liaison with being their lookout, providing the liaison with resources.
ˆˆ No One. The liaison took the initiative to monitor the galaxy for threats,
and does so using their own resources.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).

HOW DOES THIS PERSON LEARN ABOUT COSMIC EVENTS?

ˆˆ Cosmic Diplomacy. The liaison has friendly contacts among many
starfaring civilizations and maintains pacts of mutual aid with them.
ˆˆ Stellar Espionage. The liaison operates like a cosmic spy, using
stealth and subterfuge to identify threats to the Earth.
ˆˆ Scientific Resources. The liaison makes use of extensive scientific
and technological resources, such as sensors and space telescopes,
to monitor the ongoing galactic situation.
ˆˆ Intelligence Network. The liaison has a network of space travelers
who pass along rumors, news, and other vital information.
ˆˆ Other (fill in your answer in the Truths box).
41
 MINOR CHARACTERS
Over the course of playing through the series included with this game, you will
frequently create minor characters to flesh out the details of a scene. When you
do, you can record those characters’ names and relevant information about them
in one of the entries in this section.
In future issues, both hero players and the Narrator can reference this section
when creating or detailing a scene, bringing minor characters from those
previous issues back into the story. This is a good way to create continuity in your
world, especially when minor characters created for issues in one series appear
while playing through an entirely different series.
If a minor character dies, you can simply note their death in the Important Info
section below; the same goes for any changes to a minor character as a result of
heroes choosing story rewards. Additionally, when creating one of the Narrator
characters from the previous section, instead of creating a brand-new character
you always have the option of picking an existing minor character and promoting
them to a more important role in your setting. When you do, simply make a note
in the Important Info section for that character, referencing the specific Narrator
Character entry.

Name Name Name

Important Info Important Info Important Info

42
 Name Name Name

Important Info Important Info Important Info

Name Name Name

Important Info Important Info Important Info

43
 Name Name Name

Important Info Important Info Important Info

Name Name Name

Important Info Important Info Important Info

44
 Name Name Name

Important Info Important Info Important Info

Name Name Name

Important Info Important Info Important Info

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 PUBLICATION HISTORY
Given the potential sweeping scope of your setting and the possibility of You should also take care to note important events and ongoing storylines
playing through multiple series relatively simultaneously, it can be easy to lose that come out of the heroes’ aspiration and turmoil interludes, since they benefit
track of what happened during the issues you play through. This is especially greatly from continued development and recurrence.
relevant if you alternate who takes the role of the Narrator, or if certain players In the section labeled Back Issue Notes, you can record any references that
miss certain sessions but show up later. To keep track of what happens during players made to fictional back issues during play. You may also wish to record the
your play sessions, this section includes blank entries for you to take notes on title and issue number of the back issue the players create so that in the future,
the events that occurred while playing through each issue included with the the players can reference other issues in that same theoretical series.
Spectaculars game. When you are the Narrator for a session, if you have a few extra moments at the
Each time you play through an issue, write the series name and issue number start of the session, it may be worthwhile to flip to this section and recap for the
in the top box. Generally, you should record information about issues in the order entire group the events of the last few recorded issues. This way, both you and
that you play through them. If you skip around between series, tracking them in the hero players can remember any relevant or interesting events that happened
the order you play them will keep all information in chronological order. recently, which will often help you come up with ways to tie the current issue
During play, you can make note of important events in the box below that. This better into the ongoing storylines of the series.
is a good place to track events that lead to changes in reputation tracks, which If you make up your own issues or series, you can also record those events
heroes gain lasting repercussions, the introduction or status changes of minor here, though if you do so and play through every issues of the included series you
characters, and the outcome of the issue, including what happens to any villains may find yourself running out of room. Additional Publication History sheets can
that the heroes encounter. be downloaded for free at http://scratchpadpublishing.com/spectaculars/

Series & Issue Series & Issue

Important Events Important Events

Back Issue Notes Back Issue Notes

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 Series & Issue Series & Issue

Important Events Important Events

Back Issue Notes Back Issue Notes

Series & Issue Series & Issue

Important Events Important Events

Back Issue Notes Back Issue Notes

47
 Series & Issue Series & Issue

Important Events Important Events

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 USING THE SETTING BOOK
This Setting Book includes pages covering many topics and characters, Reference Pages on your Own
each of which represents a major, iconic element of the setting that you Some of the setting elements and major characters are referenced
create when you play Spectaculars. Though there are many setting more often than others in the issues included with the game. You should
elements and characters in this book, don’t worry; you don’t create them all absolutely feel free to reference these pages on your own when creating
at once. Instead, you flesh out the details of these major parts of the setting scenes (particularly interlude scenes) or when creating back issues or
as you go along, creating them at the time that you need them. retcons using continuity tokens. This setting is yours to use as you see
fit, including focusing on setting elements and major characters that are
Before your first session
otherwise not highlighted during the included series.
The first few pages, labeled “The Basics,” define the fundamental elements
of the setting you build as you play through the game. Before you start your Character & Event Tracking
first session, you and your players should go through “The Basics” pages The back sections of this book include places where you can easily track
and answer the questions therein. the existence and details of minor characters, as well as a chronological log
where you record notes about what happens during play. Don’t feel like you
Setting Element entries
always need to keep everything that has happened in your mind at once,
As you play through the issues in the series pads, they occasionally
and use these notes to help you.
reference pages in the Setting Book (the title will be in bold with the entry’s
identifier next to it, such as SE01: The Powerful Artifact). Additionally, you
might find references to setting elements in other game mechanics, such as
Credits
Spectaculars Created By: Rodney Thompson
the story rewards. The first time you encounter a reference to a page in your
Narrative Design: Logan Bonner, Daniel Helmick, Rodney Thompson
Setting Book, all the players (including the Narrator) should collaborate to
Rules Development: Peter Lee, Rodney Thompson
answer the questions on that page. When, in a future session, another issue
Editing: Michele Carter
references that page, use that setting element as you have defined it. As you
Graphic Design: Daniel Gelon, Brigette Indelicato
play through the series pads, over time you define more and more elements
Character Art: Danny Araya, David Lojaya, Des Taylor
of your universe.
Environment Art: Jordan Grimmer
Narrator Character Entries Cover Art: David Lojaya
Much like the setting element entries, many issues will contain references Tray Design: Noah Adelman
to major Narrator characters listed in this book (the title will be in bold with Playtesting and Special Thanks: Jose Adams, Cam Banks, Eric Benson,
the entry’s identifier next to it, such as NC01: Media Personality). The first Bluejay, Lauren Bond, Erik Scott de Bie, Cori Dickinson, Rob Donoghue,
time you encounter a reference to one of these characters, all the players Mike Fehlauer, Dale Friesen, Elyssa Grant, Gavin Greco, Derek Guder,
(including the Narrator) should collaborate to answer the questions on that Caitlin Hodgins, Jerry Holkins, Ian Horner, Mark Hulmes, Steve Kenson,
page. When, in a future session, another issue references that page, use Nacime Khemis, Trevor Kidd, Adam Koebel, Tom Lommel, Aditi Mangla,
that character as you have defined them. As you play through the series Seanan McGuire, Alanna Mitchell, Mark Morrison, Jessica Randall, Tifa
pads, over time you define more and more major Narrator characters. Robles, John Rogers, Adam Savidan, Stephen Selego, Graham Stark, Nelly
Steiner, Alexander Theoharis, Tara Theoharis, Tammie Thompson, Sophie
Changing Your Answers Torri, Eric Trautmann, Chris Tulach, Keri Wiker, Dom Zook.
Over time, the initial decisions you made for one of these setting elements
or major characters may no longer reflect the evolved nature of that element Spectaculars™, its original characters and distinctive likenesses are
or character. While each page includes its own Truths box wherein you can the property of Scratchpad Publishing. This material is protected under
write important details about those entries, if a setting element or character the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or
changes too far away from your original choices, you should absolutely feel unauthorized use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited
free to go back through the page and change your answers to reflect the without the express written permission of Scratchpad Publishing.
new nature of that element or character. For this reason, it is recommended © 2019 Scratchpad Publishing
that you write your answers in pencil, so that they can be easily erased in the
future. This book is a tool to help you and your fellow players keep track of All other character names, locations, organizations, and objects are
your setting, and you should feel free to use it in whatever way best fits the property of their respective owners, and their use does not imply an
needs of your group. endorsement of or a relationship with Scratchpad Publishing LLC.
60