[recruiting] Marvel's "THE DEFENDERS" PbP

[kevperrine]

Hey folks!

In this thread - it came to my attention that (in trying to offer a new PbP game to start) some folks might want straight up supers with no twisty theme or different era.
I wanted to post and ask.....

If I were to offer a new PbP - what type of game/setting would YOU wanna play??


Here are the ideas I tossed out earlier....

Hello HEROES!!
With the excitement of the new printing of BASH! UE and the upcoming "Golden Age" era play-by-post game that Harrigan is starting I was considering offering one of three potential PbP of my own.
I am considering (with some help) which one I'll do. Any thoughts would be fun to hear.

Here are the simple pitches:

Marvel Comics
p r e s e n t s
SECRET WARS ANIMATED

Using the 1980s version of the classic 12 issue mini-series as the base for the PbP, players would take the roles of 1-3 characters (depending on the size of the response) for the main characters (that I will list). This "update" of that story will be set in a Marvel Universe similar to the new "AVENGERS Earth's Mightiest Heroes" animated series - in that it will have it's own new base continuity, with the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-men, and heroes/villains such as Spider-Man and Daredevil established as heroes in the world within the last 6-24 months (roughly in the same chronology as the original origins in Marvel Comics). The game will open in NYC with "Issue #0" and move fairly quickly into "Issue #1" to the BEYONDER'S "Battle Planet"!!

MegaVerse
p r e s e n t s
MEGA-BREAKOUT
aka. The Uncanny Escape

This would be a playtest for one of my ideas for a "Story Arc" for gathering a new 'Avengers-like' team of PC-Heroes as an intro for the Megapolis setting (which I call the "MegaVerse") to open up to other cities/locations for the core BASH! universe built by BASHMAN....
Beginning with some minor "milk runs" to get familiar with some of the setting, set up some new villains and foreshadow the core of the adventure...
The story would begin in a 'new' city for your Megapolis Universe setting - my own "CENTROPOLIS" (in the dead center of the USA) that you may be familiar with from my friend and co-creator for the city Karl.
The second and primary part of the story is the first true Megapolis Prison Break. (NOTE: I am checking with BASHMAN to see if this is an okay option for using his Megapolis setting)...
The adventure basically mimics the events of Bendis' Marvel Comics telling of the "New Avengers" story for getting the new team together - of the same name "BREAKOUT". With my idea being to publish the adventure for new groups of the BASH! game as a fun campaign intro that actually helps FORM their home game! Complete with a new "Loki-like" godling villain that fills that role.

Lastly... My (much smaller scaled and non-setting specific) idea:

UNCANNY ENTERTAINMENT
p r e s e n t s
STOMPING GROUNDS
aka. Adventures in Asphalt Block, Centropolis, KA

This PbP would be a Daredevil, Nightwing, street level gauged campaign focusing on heroes looking to protect their limited turf.
Set in ... CENTROPOLIS, the shining beacon of the modern USA. Rising up from the geographical center of the "lower 48" states. A fictional metropolis set on the site of the real world Lebanon, Kansas. Centropolis is a newborn city, cementing herself as the city of tomorrow. But even the shining lights and recently relocated World-Class heroic team can't root out all her scum. Deep in the bowels of the city lurks her 'Red District' the ugly step son of Centropolis' districts... And darker still the worst of the worst a neighborhood the mayor wants to call Kurtzberg (aka. "the Kurtz") but that's not what the good, bad and ugly call their stomping grounds - they know her as "Asphalt Block".

Thoughts, questions, anecdotes?
-kev-

=========================

I tossed out a few ideas for a PbP I'd like to run. Didn't get much reply. I think they were too focused on set settings, etc... Anyway.
The thought HIT ME... I love love love comic superheroes, but I've also always loved satirical and parody of the tropes of the genre I love. From the Tick, Mystery Men, Justice League Europe, Nextwave and many many more... I just love those "C-Tier" characters, the "morts" of the comic universes.


"We're not your classic heroes. We're the other guys."
- The Shoveler, "Mystery Men"

I also know BASHMAN has spoken of a future supplement for BASH! called "ZeroeS" that would focus on this sort of game play. I myself have Narrated nearly a dozen games of my own in this type setting for my home group and have always had a blast coming up with bizarre crooks, heaping on odd crimes, and seeing if the player's sometimes comical, sometimes over-the-top true-blue hero, and sometimes just crappy power sets! How they can deal with the threats that, while bizarre and sometimes funny can be just as deadly or dangerous to the world at large!!

The theme is to be second string, c-team super-heroes (and villains). Inspirations for the setting include Justice League International, Super Buddies, NextWave, Great Lake Avengers, and the Venture Bros.

The Pitch:
Not everyone can be as powerful as Ultiman, as brilliant as Dr. Itty-Bitty, as beautiful as HAWT!! or as slick as Fish-Head. No offense, but you guys certainly aren't. That's why they are The Exemplars of Justice after all.

Hey, being you ain't so bad. I mean you can do that thing right? Like beams or gadgets or something? You even stopped that crime once and got your name in the paper. I bet your mom thinks you're a catch.

Well now it's your turn, your team, your rules. So what if the EoJ won't return your calls? You're going to make a big difference your way!

Welcome to the ACCEPTABLES!!
(Admittedly the name could use work.)

Submission Requirements:
Character Point Level could be anything from very very low to near cosmic!! (BASH! rules balance that well). Just because you're a C-Tier hero doesn't mean you can't be powerful. But then you'd have to ask, WHY are you not competent enough to be on the A-list?? On the other side - having little powers, or out-of-control powers, bizarre powers, etc... All on the same team... That's part of the fun.

The team will be 5-6 players giving me some wiggle room. If a player cannot create a funny submission they will be expected to at least make their character a loser with personality flaws.

I will choose three submissions to be the founding members of the team. The rest of the characters will be heroes who recently tried out for the newly formed team.

A secret lair (and a team vehicle!) will be provided for you so don't worry about it. But feel free to have your own Super Vehicle, HQ, sidekicks, super-pets, etc...


If jazzed, start asking questions and/or tossing out character ideas!

anyone?
thoughts?
-kev-

[kevperrine]

ahhhh..... METRO CITY ... the grand shining jewel in the crown of truth, justice and the American way, a thriving metropolis that is home to some of the greatest heroes this world has ever known. The Order of Exemplars looks down from its mighty "eye-in-the-sky" Star Station in geosynchronous orbit directly above the downtown area, keeping the City safe from evildoers, and occasionally inviting the best and brightest of the next generation of heroes to join its ranks and fight crime alongside the likes of Übermensch, Arachnoid and Foxtrot.

But that's not our story...

BRICK CITY is about 30 minutes west.
Formerly known for her high-quality building materials.
Now known for the majority of the world's low-grade supers. Heroes who are really good at heroing await the day they receive the coveted "golden envelope" - the ticket to the big leagues in Metro City!

For the rest of you ... well, that's why you have day jobs.
But HEY... We can't all be Exemplars.
Heck... Hero stuff is hard.
Super-villains get all the time to plot, plan, and manipulate.
THEN... when they pull back the curtain on their big caper, and folks expect you to trash it in 59 seconds or KA-BLOOIE?!!?!!

But anyway...
So if Count Killcrazy wants revenge on Brick City, he'll get his chance.
And you'll be waiting...

You're not classic superheroes.

You're not the favorites.
You're not super-cool.
You're the other guys.
The guys nobody bets on.

No Saturday morning cartoons, mighty morphin-action figures or breakfast cereals about you.
No high-profile sponsorship deals or primo-endorsements.

Face it... You're barely acceptable.
But yer a hero by design or default.

It don't matter...
That's the life.
That's what you do.

ACCEPTABLES! MATRICULATE!!

[kevperrine]

oops, double post...

[kevperrine]

bummer......
No takers (again)... Either, everyone's busy with other PbPs. Or the ideas I've tossed aren't interesting to others. Or maybe I just suck at recruiting...

LOL

No one?
-kev-

[Harrigan]

I'd potentially be interested, but I want to focus on getting my Golden Age game off the ground, to be honest. I like satirical games -- had a character called Rubber Maid in one once that was pretty funny. Think Salma Hayek in a French Maid outfit. With stretching / rubber powers... and who'd had a "history" with just about every villain the team came in contact with.

[kevperrine]

I'd potentially be interested, but I want to focus on getting my Golden Age game off the ground, to be honest. I like satirical games -- had a character called Rubber Maid in one once that was pretty funny. Think Salma Hayek in a French Maid outfit. With stretching / rubber powers... and who'd had a "history" with just about every villain the team came in contact with.

Understandable. That's likely what the majority of folks 'round these parts are doing. Strangely, there's a small sort of echo-chamber of the more outspoken (or interested) BASH! forum fans here... and most of them are IN your PbP starting up. heheh

It'd be cool if others wanna try this one though. I'll be waiting to hear.

I think your character idea sounds excellent, btw. Submit her up if you get the inclination and chance! LOL
-kev-

[Nestor]

The main problem for me is that I've been dealing with games that go all these off-the-beaten-path routes: the cosmic avengers, the street-level gritty heroes, teen heroes, C-list heroes, et.c

What I would love to play in is a decent mainstream Silver/Bronze Age game where the heroes are HEROES; men and women who, despite any faults, are willing to put themselves on the line, perhaps not necessarily for the noblest of purposes, but at least for the right reasons. And most importantly, where such attitudes are not dismissed or ridiculed by either the setting or the players.

[kevperrine]

The main problem for me is that I've been dealing with games that go all these off-the-beaten-path routes: the cosmic avengers, the street-level gritty heroes, teen heroes, C-list heroes, et.c

What I would love to play in is a decent mainstream Silver/Bronze Age game where the heroes are HEROES; men and women who, despite any faults, are willing to put themselves on the line, perhaps not necessarily for the noblest of purposes, but at least for the right reasons. And most importantly, where such attitudes are not dismissed or ridiculed by either the setting or the players.

Huh... Anyone else feel that way? I was thinking (maybe incorrectly as it seems) that folks were looking for good HOOKS on *different* genres/eras.

I could totally do a straight up, no *twist* PbP.

Nestor. I'm better with getting the "feel" of things if I have an example. Could you give me a solid 2-3 examples of comics (or animated series, or movies) that do that for you. It'll make me think and come back with a potential idea to hook myself. What power level and what-not...

I do think I'd like to use BASHMAN's MegaVerse setting, with my own "Centropolis" addition as the core city. But I'm not stuck on that.

-kev-

[Harrigan]

I actually usual prefer and run "straight-up" supers games, but I've currently got one of those underway (if stalled) on another site in another system. Very much the modern super-team, maybe a little post-modern, but definitely with some Silver, Bronze and even Iron Age overtones. (Like many of us, my campaign world 'maps' to the style & reality that evolved along with comics throughout the decades.)

I've heard this complaint from more than one person in more than one place, though -- that there are actually precious few "standard" supers games. I won't put words in Nestor's mouth here, but I bet what he's looking for is more along the lines of JLA, Avengers, Justice League Unlimited Animated series and so on. Classic team stuff.

Speaking of current DC shows, I really should stat up the current Young Justice characters. My son would *love* that...

[capmarvel]

I can't speak for others, but this time of year is busy with trying to get everything we wanted to accomplish in Summer done, and getting kids ready for school, etc.

My lack of response to your ideas (ALL of which I liked) had nothing to do with the ideas themselves.

[Nestor]

Examples are easy to come up with:

Busiek's Astro City
Any of the DC Animated series
Any titles published during the 70's

I'm not looking for the full four-color "Holy Plot Device, Batman" level, but it's just that the last three superhero PbP games I've been in have all been the street-level "only way to tell the heroes from the villains is that it's their name on the cover" type and I'm frankly burnt out on that.

I miss the "good ol' days"...

[Nestor]

I've heard this complaint from more than one person in more than one place, though -- that there are actually precious few "standard" supers games. I won't put words in Nestor's mouth here, but I bet what he's looking for is more along the lines of JLA, Avengers, Justice League Unlimited Animated series and so on. Classic team stuff.

I posted before catching your response, but yeah, what you said.

Speaking of current DC shows, I really should stat up the current Young Justice characters. My son would *love* that...

I heard about the show, but haven't had a chance to check it out. I caught a bit of "The Brave and The Bold" and it made me a bit gun-shy about checking any other shows out (a bit too four-color for me).

[kevperrine]

Yes! I completely LOVE the newer "Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes" series and "Young Justice".
Those would be perfect "styles" for a basic superhero setup. I'd dig doing that in BASHMAN's "MegaVerse" setting alot actually.

Or HECK!.... another fun/cool idea would be to set a game concurrently in the "Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes" animated universe (with all the same continuity) for perhaps my FAVORITE idea setting a game in a "known" universe like Marvels)...
A team-group game - with one of the awesome things I always loved being "assembled" at times of need, by the likes of Gaea and Uatu at different times!

MARVEL FEATURE
p r e s e n t s
"THE DEFENDERS"
Thrown together by various circumstance, to protect Earth from otherworldly, supernatural and devastating attacks... Standing up as individuals coming together as a team, they would call themselves The Defenders.


WHO?
Players would take their choice of any Marvel Universe character of power and individuality - hero, rogue or even reformed villain (not on another major team, without approval). Any past/present Defender in Marvel continuity would be welcome, along with ideas for other Marvel characters...
This campaign (like the Avengers animated series) would be building a new "iconic" continuity for the Defenders set in the same concurrent setting as the Avengers series. (so those heroes HAVE been "introduced" in the Marvel timeline).

WHAT?
Many members of the team aren't particularly fond of their teammates, with fights frequently breaking out and many labeling the group as a "non-team" for the way they act.
Unlike other super-teams, these Defenders had no charter or by-laws, no permanent headquarters, no fixed roster, and little affection for each other. Although often at each other's throats, the Defenders continue to band together whenever dark forces conspire to threaten reality.
Self-described as a "non-team" of individualistic "outsiders," each known for following their own agendas. The team has battled and fended off many mystic and supernatural threats.
Due to the group's unofficial nature, any individual who assisted them could be considered a member, but only a select few fit the two major criteria of true membership:
- they must consider themselves Defenders
- they are accepted by the continuing core group as Defenders (Dr. Strange, Hulk & Sub-Mariner

POWER LEVEL?
The Defenders are typically some of Marvel's toughest heroes, come to defend against major threats. But as BASH! does so well, any character of power level would be a welcome addition. Characters such as Hawkeye & Daredevil have both been members in the past...

Thoughts?
-kev-

[kevperrine]

For fun... I 'BASHED-UP!' a cover teaser for the first "Story Arc" idea I have for a "DEFENDERS" PbP game.

Interested?

[Nestor]

Nice. I doff my hat in admiration.

If I was going to name any favorite Marvel character (after Cap, of course), it would be Luke Cage, Power Man (and I mean the original, with the yellow disco shirt and chain belt, not the current gangsta rap persona).

The fact that he was, indeed, at one point a Defender would be just icing on the cake.