Brick City

Scenic downtown Brick City. Can't you just smell that river?

"We're not your classic heroes.
We're the other guys."

- The Shoveler, "Mystery Men"

METRO CITY is a 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 space 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, Arachno-Man and Firefox.

And BRICK CITY, about 30 minutes to the west, is ... one of METRO CITY's neighbors. Perhaps due to the numerous toxic waste dumps dotting the landscapes nearby, BRICK CITY has in recent decades grown from a town known for its high-quality building materials to a town known for its low-to-medium-quality superheroes. Approximately one in seven people born here possesses some sort of power. And while the practical usefulness of the vast majority of these powers are another story entirely, many of these extraordinary citizens have taken on the mantle of heroes, feeling that it is their duty to use their gifts to better the lot of their fellow man.

Or, even better, make a buck or get a cereal endorsement or something.

CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW

In Brick City, about 15% of the population has some sort of super-power. The vast majority of these powers are minor and essentially useless ... the ability to remove and re-attach one's thumb, perhaps, or uncanny skill at correctly guessing how many jellybeans are in a jar. A small minority, however, have some real power: the ability to fly, command the elements or read minds. Those who are really good at it may someday receive the coveted golden envelope that means an interview with the Exemplars in Metro City. For those who aren't, or at least aren't yet ... well, that's why most superheroes in Brick City have day jobs. And no, freelancing as a reporter and expecting a steady paycheck for taking pictures of yourself in costume doesn't fly around here.

PCs in this campaign start out at power level 6, with 90 pp to spend. Just about any character concept is workable, although I'd recommend that you stick to one basic 'signature power' and branch off from there, if you like. Don't feel like you necessarily have to max anything out, either ... if you were really that powerful, you wouldn't still be in Brick City ... but you can still be really good at what you do, whatever that may be. If your average superhero is the best of the best, think of yourself as somewhere in the top 10% of the bottom 5% of the best.