Modern DC Setting (Stats included!)

[Beleriphon]

That's a very solid take on Gotham City Beleriphon; will you be giving the other Cities of Adventure across the United States of Detective Comics a write-up?

By the way, thank you for answering my earlier query.

Oh, I'll be looking at the other cities, next will be Metropolis. After that probably Fawcett or Keystone. As for queries, I live for feed back and will always be happy to answer questions. Often your queries prompt me to think of different aspects of what I'm trying to do. For example your BB&B question prompted me to include Dimm and Tini as architects.

[Beleriphon]

Metropolis

Metropolis is Gotham's glowing twin. Where Gotham is dark and foreboding Metropolis is open and bright. Located directly across Delware Bay from Gotham City the home of Superman is a bright modern city fully of life and hope for the future. Home to seven million residents Metropolis' already low crime rate as dropped to well below the national average in the last few years, largely due to the appearance of Superman, although violent crime rate seems to have become a larger portion of what little crime does exist.

The city it itself is in Delware and built up on the mainland and two smaller islands. The city is largely new construction, most of it having only started in earnest int he 1970s, and as such most of the skyscrapers are towering facades of polished glass with sleek modern architecture.The largest buildings in Metropolis' expanding skyscraper filled district of New Troy are owned by a variety of companies although the most distinct by far is LexCorp's headquarters. Located at 1940 Shuster Avenue the building is a ninety-six story L-shaped edifice made of green tinted glass and chromed steel. The other particularly notable feature is the Daily Planet building, located at the corner of Fifth Street and Concord Lane, topped by its famous rotating bronzed globe. The rest of the city is divided into districts and include: Midvale, a residential suburb and home to the Midvale Orphage; Bakerline which is a located on the same island as New Troy, although on the north end, and filled with small businesses and lowrise apartments; Suicide Slum is the lowest income part of Metropolis and often rumoured to be the place Lex Luthor once called home; Queensland Park Zoo is home of a wide variety of animals, including a herd of red kangaroos (the park is named after the Australian state, and original home of the kangaroos); finally, Metrodale and Parkridge are two areas of post-war areas suburban sprawl located on the mainland part of the city.

Metropolis' police are quick to act on any reported crime, with dozens of detachments, stations and community interaction posts scattered throughout the city. This accompanied with a modern and efficient fire department and ambulance service means any citizen needing aid can get expect help within three minutes from the civilian authorities. The Metropolis Fired Department has friendly rivalry with the Man of Steel, they take a great deal of pride in getting trucks to a fire before Superman can arrive.

The Daily Planet is a long standing institution in the Metropolis. Known for its liberal views, and dislike of Lex Luthor, its current editor-in-chief is Perry White. Other high profile staff members include Lois Lane the Planet's investigative journalist, Ron Troupe who writes a weekly politics column, Steve Lombard is the Planet's lead sports columnist, Cat Grant covering entertainment, and Jimmy Olsen the gopher/photographer (when no one else can go)/intern/Perry's whipping boy who has been working at the Planet for less than a year but already taken some award nominated photos.

LexCorp is nominally Metropolis' largest employer, outside of the city itself, with nearly ten thousand direct employees. Many of these work at the headquarters building or managing varying properties around the city. LexCorp is conglomerate and has a half dozen major sectors it operates in, as well as owning a dozen subsidiary companies. LexCorp's primary field is arms manufacture and sale handled through the LexArm division; they produce nearly everything from small arms to attack aircraft, with a focus on advanced technologies such as coil guns or directed energy weapons. Currently LexCorp has working prototypes for vehicle mounted elecrtomagnetic weapons (rail guns and coil guns), as well as an energy weapon test bed that requires its own large scale nuclear power plant to operate. Neither of these are currently located in Metropolis, although Lex Luthor is rumoured to have personally created a down scaled man portable coil gun and keeps it in his office a person defense weapon. Other divisions include LexBio which is currently focusing on enhancing soldiers through biochemical means as well as advanced prostethis for injured soldiers, LexReal which operates the company's real estate hodlings (many in Metropolis work for this division, given how much of the city LexCorp owns), LexChar which is the philanthropic and chartiy division of LexCorp, and LexBank which operates a international banking enterprise. The company has other opreations in mundane enterprises such as mining and chemical production although these fall under the banner of LexCorp rather than a separate division.

Crime in Metropolis is largely limited to small street gangs in Suicide Slum and corporate crime. That being said there is a growing link between the two and nascent organized criminal enterprises are beginning to grow quickly. The largest of these growing criminal enterprises seems to be driven by international backers from a variety of countries linked only by their greed. The organization does't seem to have a formal name, and the MPD have taken to calling it the International Gang or InterGang. InterGang members often have access to weapons that aren't normally found in the hands street thugs, modern assualt rifles and grenades are used when other gangs have pistols and home made Molotov cocktails. The exact origin of the weapons InterGang uses are unclear since they originate from a variety of NATO contries, as well old Warsaw Pact nations. The exact number of street gangs that have joined or been foricbly recruited into InterGang is unclear but currently is seems like a relatively small number.

[Libra]

A very nice take on the City of Tomorrow; with that sobriquet having just tapped out from under the tip of my fingers, it seems appropriate to suggest here an idea that recently occurred to me - what if Metropolis earned the title 'City of Tomorrow' by virtue of the fact that as a relatively small town which was making the transition to a major city at just the right time (with all the major problems that involves only just starting to develop) for a wide selection of scientistific corporations to see it as the perfect test-bed in which to test and implement technologies which would help solve problems which had beset civilisation since Humankind decided that a city was the epitome of community.

It's thanks to these technologies, as well as some careful urban planning and development (not to mention the Man of Steel, God help us perhaps even thanks to Lex Luthor or at least Lexcorp) that Metropolis is as nice (and as Futuristic) as it is.

Very little of which pleases most Gotham Citizens, since the Dark Deco city had also been considered as the first beneficiary/guinea pig of these technologies, but had been written off owing to the threat posed by all the crooks and the perception that replacing the pre-existing infrastructure of the city would make the whole project too expensive leaving the city to stew in it's own juices a little longer.

Now that you can CERTAINLY thank Lex Luthor for (admittedly amongst a number of others).

[Beleriphon]

A very nice take on the City of Tomorrow; with that sobriquet having just tapped out from under the tip of my fingers, it seems appropriate to suggest here an idea that recently occurred to me - what if Metropolis earned the title 'City of Tomorrow' by virtue of the fact that as a relatively small town which was making the transition to a major city at just the right time (with all the major problems that involves only just starting to develop) for a wide selection of scientistific corporations to see it as the perfect test-bed in which to test and implement technologies which would help solve problems which had beset civilisation since Humankind decided that a city was the epitome of community.

I very much take the same view. Metropolis was a relatively small city with a pretty decent industrial base to start with, but during the 50s and 60s an industrial boom happened, by the 70s the city was truly massive and growing. That combined with a ludicrously lax corporate laws (seriously here, some absurdly high number of US corporations are incorporated in Delware with little more than a PO Box and an answering machine) made Metropolis THE place to go for science research.

Add to that STAR Labs was already in the area with a good number of bright minds and it pushes Metropolis to a level that is generally unheard of throughout the rest of the world. The kind of look that I want to get is like modern Hong Kong where all of the big buildings were basically constructed since 1970 and just towering faces of gleaming glass and steel.

It's thanks to these technologies, as well as some careful urban planning and development (not to mention the Man of Steel, God help us perhaps even thanks to Lex Luthor or at least Lexcorp) that Metropolis is as nice (and as Futuristic) as it is.

Oh, its definitely thanks to Lex Luthor. He owns most of the buildings that sport the high tech look, he helped build the city's LRT system, and certainly has a hand in the advanced power grid systems. The big thing to remember with Lex is that he see's himself as pushing humanity to the next level, he likes the idea of transhumanism and wants to be the herald of a better tomorrow. The problem is that he doesn't have the moral system to go with a better tomorrow, he sees individual people as pawns despite the fact that he adores humanity aboce all else (since he sees himelf as the eptimoe of humanity).

I guess in many ways Lex Luthor and Black Adam aren't all that different. They help people because in doing so they expect loyalty and adoration in return. That's probably part of the reason Luthor hates Superman so much, Luthor worked his butt off for humanity (maybe sacrificing a his own in the process) and Superman gets accolades for being an alien invader!

[Libra]

This sounds good to me - I'm actually giving serious thought to posting some more elaborate ideas of my own regarding this setting, although I confess that getting around to that point could (probably WILL) take some time owing to my being caught up in a bit of a rest/laze around period.

[Beleriphon]

This sounds good to me - I'm actually giving serious thought to posting some more elaborate ideas of my own regarding this setting, although I confess that getting around to that point could (probably WILL) take some time owing to my being caught up in a bit of a rest/laze around period.

Feel free, I'd very much enjoy your anything you might like to share.

[Beleriphon]

Wonder Woman

Diana Prince worked as nurse during World War 2 on a small British hospital ship when it was struck by a torpedo near the Canary Islands. Of the 300 crew and medical staff only 17 survived and Diana Prince was not among them. Diana Prince was near death and she was cast adrift to finally wash ashore up on an uncharted island: Themyscira.

Diana Prince was tended to by the native women of the island, the long descendants of the ancient Amazons. Gifted with great knowledge and advanced technology from millenia of study the Amazon's queen Hippolyta (named after the ancient queen of myth). Despite the best care they could provide the Diana Prince died two weeks after near constant ministrations. Diana's dying words thanked the Amazon's for trying their best, but it wasn't meant to be. Hippolyta in a rare moment of sorrow took the Diana's DNA created new life from the deceased nurse. She combined her own Amazonian DNA with Diana's and bore the child as her own. She raised the reborn, quite literally, Diana as her own child and princess of the Amazons.

Diana is kind and caring as a person, although her air of haughtiness and superiority bleeds through more often than naught. She is after all princess, raised in one of the most advanced civilizations to have ever graced the Earth. She genuninely cares about people, is altruistic and wants the best for the world but she can be aristocratic and uncomprimising given her station and general upbringing.

[Libra]

Interesting background Beleriphon, but might I ask what this world's version of Wonder Woman is actually LIKE as a person and a superhero?(I'm curious as to how much room for Magic and Mythology there is in what so far seems to be a fairly grounded take on the DC Universe, per your influences from the Nolan movies).

[Beleriphon]

Interesting background Beleriphon, but might I ask what this world's version of Wonder Woman is actually LIKE as a person and a superhero?(I'm curious as to how much room for Magic and Mythology there is in what so far seems to be a fairly grounded take on the DC Universe, per your influences from the Nolan movies).

There will be, but its more akin to sufficiently advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic. Superman still comes from Kryton in a space ship, and looks like a human. There's only so much one can keep grounded when dealing with the likes of Superman and Green Lantern. I mean the Flash is still powered by chemicals and lightning, he just has some drawbacks associated with his powers so the only grounding is really done in terms of tone, and the assumption there isn't a 70 year history of heroes wandering around in spandex and capes.

So, the Nolan influence is really more one of visual style, rather than one that informs the setting and characters. Wonder Woman is still driven by Greek mythology, but the implication is the Amazon's are products of ancient astronauts maquerading as gods, maybe they were even Kryptonians that liked being treated like gods. I think that works nicely to help inform General Zod and his attitudes as well.

[Beleriphon]

Martian Manhunter

The Martians were an ancient specieis living on their arid red world. They possessed a genetic memory they could recall the lives of their ancestors in incredible detail. At their peak millenia ago they built a towering civilization that would rival anything on modern Earth. Today the Martians are an extinct people, blasted from the surface of their world along with its atmosphere in a terrible civil war. The atmosphere or Mars burned and with it every evidence of life.

Millenia later the Radovednost probe landed, grabbed a soil sample and launched the sample back to Earth. Examining the sample scientists found what they thought impossible, evidence of life, a damaged cellular structure. Using science right out of Jurassic Park the cells were cloned. Dangerously, foolishly a military science team had created a living Martian.

J'onn Jonn'z was confused, terrified and had every memory of his ancestors in his mind. He could remember the horrors of civil war, his family, his ancestors but he couldn't remember how he came to where he was. Terrified the Martian ran, using his immense strength and his ability to shapesift he fled the facility. Taking refuge in cities all over the United States in the form of the homeless that so were so easily ignored by society. There he found kindred spirits, the lost, the scared, the forgotten, the alone. He protected those homeless people that he found. J'onn moved from city to city he finally he stopped running in Chicago. He shadowed police detective John Jones for months, occassionally interacting with the man in the guise of a homeless person each time. J'onn was drawn to the man, he was as lost as the Martian, and he had a sense of right and wrong that J'onn respected.

J'onn finally revealed himself to the human he'd followed for months. The detective was surprised but not scared. The two became fast friend, and J'onn picked up his human friend's love of the Oreo cookie. During his time woth Jones J'onn learned the fate of his world, it was dead and his people were gone. John Jones died at a convenience store, killed in by during a theft when he was buying J'onn a bag of cookies. The Martian found his friend bleeding out, and the detective made him promise to keep his sense of justice.

J'onn took the Detective's form, and has kept his promise to his friend. Fighting injustice every day since as the Martian Manhunter.

[Libra]

That's an interesting take on the Martian Manhunter, oh Beleriphon.

Keep up the good work.

[Beleriphon]

Batman - PL 10

Strength 4, Stamina 3, Agility 4, Dexterity 5, Fighting 10, Intellect 4, Awareness 2, Presence 4

Advantages
Assessment, Benefit, Wealth 5 (billionaire), Equipment 12, Hide in Plain Sight, Languages 1, Power Attack, Skill Mastery: Stealth, Startle, Takedown 2

Skills
Athletics 6 (+10), Close Combat: Weighted Gauntlets 4 (+14), Expertise: Criminology 6 (+10), Intimidation 12 (+16), Investigation 8 (+12), Ranged Combat: Shuriken 10 (+15), Stealth 14 (+18)

Equipment

Batsuit
Radio Communication 1 (Radio Communicator)
Gliding Flight 4
Kevlar Weave: Protection 5
Weighted Gauntlets: Strength-based Damage 2 (DC 21)

Batmobile
Strength 5, Defense -2, Toughness 8, Size Large
Features: Navigation System 1, Remote Control
Speed 5

The Batcave
Toughness 14, Size Huge
Features: Communications, Computer, Concealed 3, Defense System, Garage, Grounds, Holding Cells, Isolated, Laboratory, Library, Living Space, Power System, Security System 2

Utility Belt: Bolos, Flashlight, Gas Mask, Grapple Gun [Movement 1, Swinging], Multi-tool, Night Vision Goggles, Shuriken

Offense
Initiative +4
Bolos, +5 (DC Dog 13)
Grab, +10
Shuriken, +15 (DC 16)
Unarmed, +10 (DC 19)
Weighted Gauntlets, +14 (DC 21)

Complications
Identity:
Motivation: Justice
Motivation: Responsibility

Languages
English, Japanese

Defense
Dodge 12, Parry 12, Fortitude 10, Toughness 8, Will 8

Power Points
Abilities 72 + Powers 0 + Advantages 25 + Skills 30 (60 ranks) + Defenses 23 = 150


Hero Lab® and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com
Mutants & Masterminds, Third Edition is ©2010-2011 Green Ronin Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

[Beleriphon]

Superman - PL 10

Strength 12, Stamina 12, Agility 0, Dexterity 2, Fighting 4, Intellect 2, Awareness 2, Presence 2

Advantages
Accurate Attack, Languages 1, Move-by Action

Skills
Close Combat: Unarmed 4 (+8), Expertise: Farming 2 (+4), Expertise: Journalism 6 (+8), Perception 6 (+8), Ranged Combat: Eye Beams 4 (+6)

Powers
Eye Beams: Damage 8 (DC 23; Extras: Accurate 3: +6, Increased Range: ranged; Flaws: Diminished Range)

Alt- Senses 12 (Extended: Hearing 4: x10k, Extended: Vision 3: x1k, Penetrates Concealment: Vision, Ultra-hearing)

Flight 6 (Dynamic)

Alt - Super-speed: Quickness 6 (Perform routine tasks in -6 time ranks), Speed 6 (Speed: 120 miles/hour, 1800 feet/round)
Dynamic Alt -Super-strength: Strength 12 Limited to lifting

Impervious Toughness 12

Offense
Initiative +0
Eye Beams: Damage 8, +12 (DC 23)
Grab, +4 (DC Spec 22)
Throw, +2 (DC 27)
Unarmed, +8 (DC 27)

Complications
Identity: Superman maintains the secret identity of Clark Kent.
Motivation: Doing Good
Weakness: Exposure to Kryptonite causes Superman to weaken over time, long exposure can even kill him

Languages
English, Kryptonian

Defense
Dodge 7, Parry 8, Fortitude 12, Toughness 12, Will 8

Power Points
Abilities 72 + Powers 47 + Advantages 3 + Skills 11 (22 ranks) + Defenses 17 = 150


Hero Lab® and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com
Mutants & Masterminds, Third Edition is ©2010-2011 Green Ronin Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

[Beleriphon]

Green Arrow - PL 10

Strength 3, Stamina 2, Agility 4, Dexterity 8, Fighting 4, Intellect 2, Awareness 2, Presence 5

Advantages
All-out Attack, Benefit, Wealth 4 (multimillionare), Daze (Deception), Defensive Attack, Defensive Roll 2, Equipment 10, Fascinate (Deception), Improved Aim, Improved Critical 2: Bows, Power Attack, Precise Attack (Ranged, Cover), Quick Draw, Takedown 2, Taunt, Ultimate Effort: Aim

Skills
Athletics 8 (+11), Close Combat: Unarmed 8 (+12), Deception 12 (+17), Expertise: Business 8 (+10), Perception 10 (+12), Ranged Combat: Bows 4 (+12), Stealth 6 (+10)

Equipment
Crime-fighting Gear: (Binoculars, Flash Goggles, Flashlight, Lock Release Gun, Multi-tool, Night Vision Goggles, Restraints, Stun Gun)
Green Arrow's Bow (Bow, Laser Sight, Stun Ammo)
Motorcycle
Undercover Shirt
Queen Industries Penthouse

Queen Industries Penthouse
Toughness 10, Size Large
Features:
Communications, Computer, Defense System, Fire Prevention System, Garage, Gym, Hangar, Infirmary, Laboratory, Library, Living Space, Power System, Security System 1, Workshop

Offense
Initiative +4
Grab, +4 (DC Spec 13)
Green Arrow's Bow, +14 (DC 21)
Stun Gun, +4 (DC Fort 15)
Throw, +8 (DC 18)
Unarmed, +12 (DC 18)

Complications
Motivation: Justice
Prejudice: Green Arrow is considered a criminal by the authorities.
Secret Identity: Green Arrow is millionaire playboy Oliver Queen.

Languages
English

Defense
Dodge 14, Parry 10, Fortitude 10, Toughness 6/2, Will 10

Power Points
Abilities 60 + Powers 0 + Advantages 30 + Skills 28 (56 ranks) + Defenses 32 = 150


Hero Lab® and the Hero Lab logo are Registered Trademarks of LWD Technology, Inc. Free download at http://www.wolflair.com
Mutants & Masterminds, Third Edition is ©2010-2011 Green Ronin Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

[Arthur Eld]

Cool stuff, Beleriphon.

Minor note about Superman-Impervious rounds up, so Impervious 11 functions as Impervious 12. You might want to knock Supe's Impervious down the one pip to free up an extra point for something else.