001: Group Introductions - TEXT

[tarnishedavenger]

[During a lull in the party, Armstrong taps out a quick message to the network. Not that private one, he doesn't trust it. They can answer whenever they like, so long as he gets an answer. The trick would be wording it.]

So, we're all in this for now. You've had your welcome cake, but you can't meet everyone in a party, no matter how hard you try. But, since we've all been encouraged to sign up with Jorgmund, I figured now would be a good time to get some introductions done. Talk about any specialties we might have.

Share information that we feel comfortable sharing. This isn't to pressure anyone or to force out any dark secrets.

[Not where watchful eyes can see, at least.]

Besides, I prefer doing this to making a cute information sharing game.

So, please, make your own threads within this post to keep everything organized.

Comments

[walkingballpit]

A. What's a Silver Avenger? Are they doing squad colors like the X-Men now, because I can't keep track if they start doing that.

B. Define cop for superheroes.

[tarnishedavenger]

Well, that's simple enough.

The organization I used to work for, PRIMUS, recruits agents into the Avenger program based on their compatibility with a... super soldier serum is probably the best non-technical term to go for it. They call it Cyberline. The agent who shows the most compatibility with it is the Golden Avenger and gets to be in charge, everyone else is a Silver Avenger.

I should have phrased it 'superhumans'. It was clumsy phrasing on my part. Either way, normal police can't handle superhumans or reliably back up superheroes without being injured, so that's when the Silver Avengers and other PRIMUS forces get involved. Officially, they're also supposed to detain vigilantes and other non-registered superhumans, but most of them never bother following the rules to that extent. There are better things to do than make enemies of people who're only trying to help.

[walkingballpit]

Okay, so you’re not the Avengers Avengers.

And that sounds pretty standard.

[ It sounds like the Thunderbolts, and Robbie’s not sure how he feels about this guy. But, benefit of the doubt, beggars can’t be choosers, yada yada, he doesn’t want to cause any undue issues. ]

[tarnishedavenger]

They're not. I broke away from them after Detroit. If that didn't happen for you, then we'll just say I quit in '92.

I work for better people now.

[walkingballpit]

I think it's more than just one you turned left, we turned right. I've never heard of any Primus, and I'm not sure anyone on Earth manages to be a better squad than the Avengers.

That's not always saying much, but they're not bad once you get past how often they have their heads up their collective @$$.

[tarnishedavenger]

I understand. I've handled my share of multiversal parties. Usually there's some commonalities, but it sounds like those are just coincidences in this case. Which is a shame, because finding similarities can at least pass the time.

If you've never had PRIMUS, then I'm guessing you never dealt with Mechanon. Genocidal robot, very charming. Who are your heroes registered with, then? Still the BATF?

[walkingballpit]

The multiverse is definitely fond of reusing the same tropes. Bipedal and quadrupedal carbon life, teams named the Avengers, genocidal robots. There’s at least three, more if you count individual Sentinels. I’m not sure if MODOK counts, but I also can’t sleep at night if I have to believe he’s a living, breathing sentient.

What’s BATF? Like the ATF, but with bureau in the acronym? They weren’t in charge of registration - not even the government would be willing to give the program to them. Equating heroes to guns and things is bad PR. Anyway, registration’s done. They’re not stupid enough to try that again, not enough voter turnout once the Skrull invasion pretty much apexed on the Washington mall.

[tarnishedavenger]

Sounds like some folks I could name.

Yes, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The US made a different group to handle it, though. Somehow, the BATF didn't inspire trust.

It's not just heroes, all superhumans. Civilians, criminals, and crimefighters. The whole thing got kicked off- Well, the history's probably not worth getting into, but the Act's been around since the 80s. I don't see it going away any time soon. Not when it works out as well as it does for the people in Washington.

[walkingballpit]

Yeah, the timeline's more than 30 years off. It didn't work out so well when they had heroes dying in the streets while they allowed supervillains to register and be "reformed".

Then, they let the reformed supervillains be in charge of the heroes and trainees, eventually the pile of dead heroes, teen heroes, and "reformed" supervillains going crazy became too much for people to ignore. I think it might've been when Sentry went rogue that they called it, but I wasn't in a position to remember.

[tarnishedavenger]

Sounds like your America went a little harder on things than mine did. Even in the early days, we didn't enforce it that heavily. All the government had to do was refuse to sanction a hero or provide government assistance until the heroes registered. Some went full vigilante and started tying people to lamp posts more often, some signed up and got themselves police powers and responsibilities out of it.

'Allowing' villains to register is an interesting choice. Any time we arrested someone, we just pulled the mask, got a solid ID, got their powers, and registered them ASAP.

[walkingballpit]

They were freaking idiots with that. You can say it. Registration came with amnesty - or maybe just for some? They definitely let villains be on staff with no real oversight, but some of them were kept on a tight leash. Not sure who made the call.