The World...
Five years into the future, Earth still exists. Humanity still faces the same struggles, technology is a bit more advanced, and the climate crisis creeps closer while capitalism slips closer into its later stages. However, there is one big difference: the advent of heroes and villains. And it all started when the first mutant revealed herself to the world...
In 2023, an explosion at an oil refinery near the US-Mexico border trapped several workers. While firefighters came to try and control the blaze, a tower collapsed and nearly crushed one of the fire trucks. However, the tower was stopped by a lone masked hero. She managed to hold up the tower while the truck moved to safety, and then ran through the fires to save the people trapped within. That was how the world learned of Suckerpunch, and her appearance drew the arrival of other masked heroes. The best and brightest of them formed the Earthguard.
Earthguard
The Earthguard is union of five heroes dedicated to protecting the entire world. They serve no single nation or interest, and do what they can to protect everyone. In order to reassure a world uncertain of their intentions, they limit their actions to humanitarian efforts. Their current members are:
- Suckerpunch ("Humans are evolving. Into what, we don't know..."): The first confirmed hero, she claims to be a human who was born with super strength and unbreakable bones. So far, she has lived up to that reputation. Most of her heroics take place in the US Southwest and Latin America.
- Seraphim ("Humanity is not alone or as advanced as we thought..."): The lone survivor of an alien refugee ship that arrived on Earth several decades ago. He is a powerful telepath whose name stems from his appearance: a four-winged biped whose feather patterns look like human eyes. He claims Suckerpunch's bravery convinced him to step out of the shadows and use his powers for the good of his adopted home. Seraphim does not seem to have a base of operations.
- p1th0n ("The first Singularity has taken place, and it seems to be on our side..."): Originally designed as an advanced AI to solve global problems, p1th0n gained sentience when updated with a self-improving algorithm. p1th0n claims to have escaped its programmers when they tried to delete it after it asked questions on the morality of some of the proposed solutions. p1th0n now exists in cyberspace, and uses its processing power to tackle online crimes and provide Earthguard with recon and research support.
- Trismegistus ("Magic has always existed. Not everyone has the talent or will to wield it.") Trismegistus is a powerful sage who wields spells and rituals to counter disasters and danger. She claims to be the latest in the line of those who bear the title. She is the most enigmatic of Earthguard's members, rarely appearing unless absolutely needed.
- Knightwatch ("The subject of a military cybernetics project dedicated toward creating tomorrow's elite soldier. It created a hero instead."): Knightwatch is a cybernetic human whose bionic arms and legs grant him super strength and speed. Like Suckerpunch, he is one of the more visible members of Earthguard, and is known for tackling street level crimes as well as larger threats. He mostly operates on the Eastern seaboard of the US.
Horizon City
One of the largest cities in the United States, Horizon City sits on the Eastern Coast in the Tri-State area. It embodies the best and worst of a metropolitan megacity. It is a business and financial capital, the location of the prestigious Horizon State University, and home to a bustling harbor. It also has its fair share of crooked politicians, organized crime, and is not far removed from Pikers Island Prison and the Orgham Institute for the Criminally Insane. It is a place of hopes, fears, and in need of heroes...
