NeoTerra | Superhero RPG | Open World

Canon Setting

History: In the year 2050, the first ‘metahuman’ was born with a superpower. Since then, metas have appeared regularly throughout the world. Approximately one in ten thousand people are metahumans, or 0.01%. After their emergence, society propelled in technology and other major advancements. The first government recognition of metas came in the 2060s, when laws were established to regulate their activity and protect civilians. By the late 21st century, dedicated schools and agencies for young metas were formed to train them in either public service or private contracts. The world is now known as NeoTerra.

World: The current year is 20XX. The world is significantly technologically advanced, reaching the level of hovercars, holograms, and advanced AI. Schools teach far more disciplines than in the past, with traditional studies expanded to include modern-day fields such as cybernetics, space navigation, and psionics. Metahumans typically become superheroes or supervillains, though some live peacefully as neither. Public opinion is divided: some admire metas as humanity’s next step, while others fear their power and influence. Villain syndicates regularly aim to corrupt young metas, while governments and hero agencies compete to recruit them.

• Frontier City: A major city that exists in the Northeastern United States. Considered the most futuristic city in the world. Headquarters Vanguard Initiative, Apex Industries and seats the major government bodies regarding metahumans. The neighborhoods range, from luxury high end neighborhoods to forgotten slums rampant with drugs and crime. The center of the city, known as 'Metropolis Square', bustles with activity. Students at all three major metahuman schools can access their respective campuses. People traveling to work at major corporations travel through Metro Square. It's the most surveilled part of the city.

Power System: Metahuman powers are typically very strong but vary in scope and application. There are no “useless” or “random” powers—they are evolutions of the human body, and exist solely to be strong. Powers are widely believed to stem from dormant genetic factors activated after 2050, though advanced biotech has since blurred the line between natural and artificial abilities. Metahumans can fall into multiple of the major categories. Six major classifications are widely accepted:

• Emitters: Project or emit energy, forces or matter from the body. Example: fire blasts
• Enhancers: Enhance physiological abilities. Example: super strength
• Controllers: Control or shape the surrounding environment or systems. Example: weather control
• Transformers: Self-modifiers who can change their own body, form or structure. Example: steel skin.
• Mentalists: Mental abilities that affect cognition, communication or perception. Example: telepaths
• Special/Exotic: Unclassified abilities. Not necessarily more powerful, just difficult to classify.

Ranking System: There is no formal ranking system in NeoTerra. It is considered to be a vote of 'popular opinion' or consensus. Typically, a major news outlet will provide a ranking and that will be accepted as that Hero's ranking. If there's disagreement, then both are considered their rank until more evidence comes out. When a Hero has a 'rank', it means a news outlet (likely a major one) has reported their rank as that before. Otherwise, it is up for debate.

• S-Rank: Most powerful Heroes, very famous and have high-scaling powers. Only a handful of Heroes in this debate. Usually needs 10+ years of experience.
• A-Rank: Very powerful Heroes, could be assigned their own districts to watch or manage. Typically obtained with power AND tenure, not just raw strength
• B-Rank: Above average Heroes. Could perform solo missions or solo saves. Enough raw power makes becoming a B-Rank easy. Usually requires one big "feat" to be recognized by the media.
• C-Rank: Perfectly average Heroes. Can usually prevent or handle a minor crime. Considered to be support Heroes for the most part. Great as side-kicks.
• D-Rank: Weaker, aspiring Heroes. Usually have an ability on the weaker side, lack of experience and/or a lack of talent. Poor instincts, etc.
• F-Rank: Wannabes. Usually only assigned to make fun of someone for a mistake or poor showing. Considered the lowest of the low.

Hero Types: Not strictly formalized either. Online discussions have coined these terms. Best way to describe a Hero's capabilities

• Offensive: Great at attacking and combat. Can disengage, re-engage and deal with enemies. Better for handling villains.
• Defensive: Great at shielding themselves and others. Perfect in non-villain situations, such as a major fire or bombing.
• Support: Provides some sort of buff, benefit or control in a situation. Healers, strength enhancers and 'Controller' types are great in Support roles.
• Reconnaissance: Typically non-combat Heroes. Amazing for scouting ahead, searching or even studying information/logistics. Could be a major underpinning for a mission.
• Infiltration: Great at sneaking in and planting themselves in the battlefield. Good for scrambling communications or sneaking up on enemies or villains.
• Strategic/Command: In a team of Heroes typically. Likely has a 'Mentalist' ability and can link communications or take control of people's actions. The leaders

Government & Public Institutions:

Department of Defense — Metahuman Division (DOD-MD)

• The U.S. superhero division: standardizes codenames, gear, training, logistics, and media via its Public Image Bureau. Branches: Support Ops, Strategic Deployment, Public Affairs. Security and resources in exchange for bureaucracy and oversight.

Board for Metahuman Oversight (BMO)

• Senate board with 10 senators + 10 metahuman appointees (lottery). Maintains birth-time registry, enforces power-use rules, can subpoena, strip licenses, and enjoin usage. Nicknamed “The Guillotine” by metas; civilians see it as necessary.

Washington School for Metahumans (WSM)

• Free government school. 14–18: control + ethics. 18–22: Superhero Training Program (STP) with tracks in Combat, Rescue/Support, Strategy/Command, Public Relations. Produces polished heroes; critics say “government loyalists.” Competitive campus; ~80% graduation; dropouts tempt vigilante or syndicate paths.

Key Figures (government):

• Director Vane (human, one-eyed veteran): Master of metahuman logistics/tactics; no powers, commands respect through discipline and alliances. Publicly grizzled and concise; privately prizes precise planning over bravado.
• Aegis Ranger (Emitter): Localized explosive force to accelerate projectiles (walking HV gun platform). Calm, rules-driven, prefers clean shots to spectacle. A-Tier.
• Senator Frost (Transformer—elasticity), BMO Chair: Ex-Vanguard hero; sharp, kind but exacting; holds metas to higher standards; will don the suit in emergencies. Former A-tier.
• Dean Victoria Kane (human, PhD metahuman physics): Stern in class, warm off-duty. Goal: help students grasp power/ethics so they choose heroism—or at least reject villainy.

WSM Students:

• Maya Trent (Emitter—cutaneous lightning): Queen Bee; respects power; decisive and competitive.
• Eli Rivers (Mentalist—telepathy): Socially isolated; information broker; sardonic, leverage-minded.
• Zoe Calder (Controller—earth): Protective; secretly aids the Iron Saints; clashes with rigid protocol when civilians are at risk.
• Jax Monroe (Enhancer—sub-5ms reflex surge): Irreverent playboy QB; dead serious when time “slows.”
• Lila Hart (Emitter—short-range pheromones): Socially agile, playful; strict consent boundaries despite seductive ability.

Private Institutions: Vanguard Initiative (accredited)

• Strict code, team deployments, accountability over fame. Symbol: silver shield. Reputation: dependable pros; detractors say “indoctrinated.”
• President Marcus Sterling (human ex-military): Discipline first; will reprimand heroes even on air; reputation < doing good.
• Paladin (Transformer): Skin material shifts (carbon fiber ↔ reinforced diamond). Laconic; executes with precision. Active A-Tier

Vanguard Metahuman Academy: Military-style uniforms; 14–20 discipline/ethics; 20–24 STP. Graduates shine; dropouts struggle with looser orgs; sometimes produces harsh villains by accident.

• Headmaster Frank Sterling (human): Balances joy and rigor; maximizes happiness and discipline.
• Marcus Hale (Enhancer—gravity anchoring): Model student; humble, steadfast, “teacher’s pet.”
• Reina Cross (Emitter—sonic): Surgical pitch/volume control; reserved; harsh on rule-breakers; quietly self-doubting.
• Dorian Pike (Mentalist—eidetic recall): Tactician; rigid; secretly aids the Architects of Order with perfect memory.

Apex Industries (accredited)

• Wealthy, ends-justify-means vibe; biggest tech, facilities, and marketing; graduates become famous and rich—sometimes distrusted by peers.
• CEO Lennox Vale (human billionaire): PR-savvy power broker; touches every major org openly or in secret.
• Solaris Prime (Emitter—solar energy): Celebrity hero; beams, flares, barriers; sleek exosuit; charismatic showman. S-Tier Hero
• Dr. Adrian Kessler (human, Research Lead): Biotech/cybernetics prodigy; stabilization serums; visionary to media, rumored unethical experiments.

Apex Polytechnic Institution (humans + metas): Push the boundaries; human and metahuman tracks, heavy re-recruitment into Apex.

• Provost Felix Renard (double PhD): Gentle face, always “playing the game”; designs pipelines back to Apex.
• Selene Voss (Transformer—liquefaction, mercury-like): Infiltration/assassination-style training; fame-obsessed.
• Caleb Rourke (human—exosuits/drones): Arrogant; poster child for “humans can keep up.”
• Nyah Storme (Controller—localized weather): Golden girl; reckless party ragers with wind/lightning.
• Victor Glass (human—biotech self-mods): Brilliant, unhinged; self-experimenter, legality questionable.
• Aria Locke (Enhancer—charisma/voice control): Not mind control; powerful persuasion; negotiator and singer.

Vigilantes: Anti-Metahuman Coalition: Broad “Humanity First” movement; from peaceful activists to secretive extremists with black-market weaponry.

Crimson Jury: Shadowy meta vigilantes; proactive assassinations; no survivors once judged; calling card: Joker card with scales in blood.

• Noose (Controller—air density): Kills by densifying air at the neck if he traps a target; claims several hero/villain kills.

Iron Saints: Loose network with defensive/protective powers; shield civilians during large-scale fights; symbol: spray-painted iron halo; accused of reckless interference.

• Sentinel (Emitter—liquid steel): Creates/solidifies metal for bubbles and shields; rejects institutions but protects innocents.

Villains: Wraith Syndicate: Anti-modern terror network (humans/metas); glorifies primitive strength; coordinated assassinations and institution demolition.

• Mara Vey, the Ash Widow (Emitter—corrosive black resin → blades/webs): Ritualistic executioner-prophet in archaic widow’s garb.
• Gideon “Ironfang” Marr (Enhancer—bone/jaw densification): Feral recruiter; hunts tech-reliant metas.

Architects of Order: Metahuman supremacists; genocidal “order through strength”; strict hierarchy by raw power.

• Lucian Crown (Mentalist—Absolute Commands vs. weaker wills): Immaculate suits; chilling statesman on broadcast hijacks.
• Selene Marrow (Transformer—crystalline bone weapons/armor): “Ivory Regent”; serene battlefield purges framed as refinement.

Ashfall Cartel: Pyramid cartel fusing organized crime with metas; black flame insignia; street chapters feeding elite bosses.

• Diego “Black Ember” Navarro (Emitter—burning black flame): Charismatic, cruel; public executions as propaganda.
• Marisol Vega (human—finance/logistics): Bribes, laundering, smuggling; rumored to fund meta experiments.