It's the year 2025, and mankind is discovering something. There are always consequences to actions taken. All through the latter half of the twentieth century, various countries were testing nuclear bombs to get the most powerful possible. They usually tested them underground, to prevent nuclear contamination of the atmosphere, and damage. It was considered "safe". Over the years, however, the multiple tests changed the mantle and core of the earth. The mantle thinned, and the core grew hotter. Geothermic energy became a main energy source for many places, and despite the doom and gloom prophesies about "global warming", only small portions of the coasts were lost to raised sea levels - and the change in the temperate regions to more tropical combined with the increase in rain in formerly desert regions of the earth, more than made up for it in most people's eyes. Very few deaths occurred because of the warming, because it was slow enough to keep up with.
Then, things began to change. Cancer, which had been nearly conquered, began to come back in greater amounts. Deformities and birth defects thought eliminated from gene plasm showed up again. And then, there were ... other changes. Gifts or curses, children began to be born who showed various abilities. These changes were investigated, and it was discovered that along with the increase in heat, there had been an increase in overall radiation. Mutants were appearing all over the globe. In some places, they are seen as treasures to be cherished; in others, as monsters to be destroyed. And, of course, there is the usual gamut of personalities amongst them all.
Here in the US, in the city of Rampart, the sentiment is mixed. Those with obvious physical changes are often looked at with loathing and fear; but many agencies which have sprung up fear the psychic mutants the most - for they are undetectable, except by special equipment. Some of the mutants (and a few non-mutants) have teamed up to protect both mutants and non-mutants alike, in order to promote peace and harmony. Together they fight crime, prejudice, and terrorist style attacks to keep the city of Rampart safe against the forces of evil. They are ... VIGIL !
Rampart is a coastal city, originally built where a major river joins into the sea. It is thus an older city, steeped in tradition and history. It hosts a major parade every New Year's holiday, and its Independence Day fireworks displays are televised and seen around the nation. People come from many countries during this time just for the pomp and circumstance. Over the centuries, it has spread along the coast and inland along the river, gradually absorbing outlying communities.
There are many districts, and they even tend to cluster into "boroughs" with their own names and characters. Due to the age of the city, and its haphazard growth, you can have Museums and walled million dollar estates two blocks from areas that look like war zones.
There is a military base there (naval), much manufacturing, and a great shipyard that extends for miles. The international airport is a hub for much traffic, and the city has recently been working to build up its reputation as a service hub, and as a technology center. Its historic district is extensive, and well traveled. There are two major universities that make their home within the bounds of Rampart, and several smaller colleges.
Genocide: This organization is rumored to exist, but little evidence is there to prove it. What is there seems to imply an association of various hate groups; and that they want the elimination of all mutants.
Project Safeguard: Originally a project of one of the branches of the NSA, its purpose was to determine the effects and extent of paranormals in society today. After problems with the Minutemen robots, the program was officially shutdown. Some sources have indicated that it quietly continues, but no proof has been given for these allegations.
Pure Earth Society: Originally well known as a powerful and often effective environmentalist group, they have recently moved into lobbying for mutant/ paranormal registration and control acts; and have been unofficially linked with some anti-mutant extremist attacks and movements.
Known Pro-Mutant/Hero groupsIFAM (Institute for the Advancement of Man): This extensive organization is known world-wide for its promotion of mutants and ANY improvement to mankind. Their motto is "We work towards the day when every person will be a god." "Ordinary" geniuses are as celebrated, and the group has provided so many technological and medical advances as gifts to the world, that it maintains its good PR despite the current dismal view of mutants and paranormals in general.
PSI: Known as a school for gifted students. There have been rumors of darker things, but nothing has been proven.
Project Lifeline: This is a rumored organization that has set up a sort of underground railroad for mutants to escape persecution and start new lives if possible.
Sanctuary: This organization isn't so much pro-hero, as totally neutral. As the name suggests, anyone can stay at Sanctuary, and may not be attacked, extradited, etc. Of course, once you leave ...
Known Hero/Governmental GroupsPRIMUS (Silver Avengers): A paramilitary group around since 1964 that are all deputized as Federal Agents as well.
Sentinels (Canadian): This is a Canadian group of paranormals who are mutants, and supported by their government as an organization.
UNTIL: United Nations Tribunal on International Law. A UN paramilitary force existing to fight international terrorism and superhuman world threats.
Known Villain GroupsIMAGE (Immanent Mutant Ascension and Global Evolution): A group that has recently come out of secrecy, it is seen by some as a group of "avenging mutants"; but they have declared their intent to dominate the world.
Catastrophe: A group of mutants making their name better known every day, they are lunatics who relish destruction and have literally brought down whole cities.
VIPER: An international organization of high tech villainy and terror.
Back in the late twentieth century, there was a well known superhero group in what was then the town of Pennsyldelphia -- before the floods hit and the coast line was changed. In that city was a super group known as The Guardians. Led by a man with no face who used specialized martial arts and later seemed to gain time related powers, the group sported several heroes and other oddities. One was an alien being or machine (no one knew for certain) who called himself "Painkiller"; but he usually brought much pain to those who stepped astray of the law with his monofilament sword like an avenging angel of doom. Another was a true alien who took a female form and had light or star based powers; she went by the name Prismatica. The last long-term member was a mutant who absorbed the characteristics of whatever he touched and who kept his ID a closely guarded secret.
Other characters were associated with the group at times, and then left, disappeared, or died. Such were the magician Presto; the mind master Unreal; the mutant hunk named Flex; the fiery girl of flame named "Flare"; the tragic figure of the electric powers based Morituri named "Overload"; and finally the enigmatic figure known only as "Bing".
No one knows what has happened to all of them, though it is fairly certain that the Morituri, the nameless mutant, and the woman named Flare are dead. Stories tell of how the magician is another dimension, guarding a priceless magic treasure as she studies its powers and nature, but there is no way to check that out. Prismatica left the earth finally as the group broke up, and it is said that Painkiller went back to his planet of origin to deal with a group of renegades. Someday, though, they may return.
In the town that once was Detroit, Millennium City once held the group the Champions; but they have now disappeared. One of the first and best known of the super groups, the world has waited with growing dismay for signs of their re-emergence.