Paths to power
Parahumans: Though the word Para is often used as a catchall term to describe anyone with powers. The technical definition of a Parahuman is one with superhuman abilities caused by a unique gene that lays dormant until activated.
It is possible to live one's entire life with the gene dormant, and there are also those that carry the gene recessively, who can pass on the gene but it lays permanently dormant.
The gene is usually triggered by either a near death experience or severe emotional trauma. Dangerous or extremely stressful events will force the gene to activate causing the powers to manifest.
Magic: Magic varies greatly from user to user, from traditional spellcasters of myth (who also vary greatly in style and discipline) to those with specific mystical abilities (i.e. regular superpowers with a different source). It is generally defined as the tapping into and manipulation of certain as of yet unclassified energies.
There are three possible ways to gain magic. The naturals, who are born with the capacity to control mystical energies. The Pactmakers, who make deals with extradimensional entities in exchange for power. And the learned, those who through training and force of will learn to tap into these energies.
Additionally, one could also posses a magical item which bestows power unto its wielder.
Chi manipulation: There are certain forms of martial arts that unlock the practitioner's hidden potential and allow them to manipulate their own life force. Allowing them to perform physical feats and possess supernatural abilities normally associated with parahumans, and fight much like a kung fu film. These styles are difficult to find and even more difficult to learn and master, but through years of hard work and intense training a 'normal human' can obtain superhuman abilities.
Training and Technology: The combination of combat training and near super tech can allow someone with no paranormal abilities to stand toe to toe with those that have them. Normal humans are also capable of using super tech but the only ones capable of producing it are para-inventors.
Supersoldiers: There have been several cases of normal humans being altered in order to gain superhuman abilities. However the successes of such programs are rare and have produced at most a handful of successful candidates per experiment, with no discernible reason for why it worked on them and not countless others.
The most notable success of creating super-soldiers are Mr. Hurt and his son The Hunter. Mr. Hurt does not posses the parahuman gene, and Don does so recessively, but both posses enhanced abilities beyond what a normal human is capable of.
Immortals: A separate subspecies of humanity from parahumans, immortals are born with accelerated regenerative ability, a 'niche' or 'archetype' making them naturally talented in a particular set of skills, and a nigh infinite lifespan.
"Immortal" is a bit of a misnomer, though they are immune to nearly all poisons and diseases, old age, and extremely difficult to kill, it is possible. There is a method for killing an immortal, but very few people know just what this method is.
Immortals also reproduce very infrequently, many only having one or two in centuries or millennia of life, most never having children at all.
GMs note: Immortals are primarily NPCs, I would need a REALLY good rtj to consider an immortal player
Unique: Sometimes unique circumstances that do not fall into other categories can result in powers, such as Excelsior being chosen and empowered by the earth, or Machinesmith being changed by the Atlantean artifact. These are taken on a case by case basis and are subject to refusal if the GMs feel they do not fit.
Aliens: Aliens are possible PCs at this point but again on a case by case basis as they are still rare on earth. There is an outer space storyline going on currently so please get an update from GMs before you create character. You may use one of our canon races or make up your own.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:02, Sun 23 June 2019.