A view of the Meacham Spire

Photoshopped into the New York skyline...

Archetypes

Players are encouraged to create their own archetypes, but the Source Meta-Qualities are limited to Construct, Cyborg, Driven, Genetic, Life Force, Psi, and Technological. Any of the Permission and Intrinsic Meta-Qualities are allowed.

The ready made Archetypes which are allowed include: Adept, Artificial, Human+, Mutant, and Super-Normal.

In Play Classifications

Freak Archetype - virtually anyone who includes the Inhuman Intrinsic Meta-Quality is labeled as a Freak by the populace at large. Although recognized as a derogatory epithet, many Mutants actively ‘take-back’ the term by using it in normal speech and self-identifying as such.

Feral Archetype - any character described as having animal characteristics, whether they include the Inhuman Intrinsic or not, can be classified as Feral. Many who can be classified this way self-segregate in remote communities or isolated neighborhoods.

Bot Archetype - any character who includes the Construct Source Meta-Quality, and is self aware enough to make the choice, often self-segregates as Ferals do.

Hyper[X] - shorthand for anyone whose Talent manifests as an ordinary human ability or skill taken to extreme levels. i.e. Hyperbrains, Hyperbody, or even Hyperacrobat.

The Four Universal Axes

Red: 3, Gold: 2, Blue: 2, Black: 3

Historical Inertia - Red: 3

Changing History is hard, even for a Talent. Especially for a Talent, since so many people (including other Talents) are watching them - but it’s not impossible. Manufacturable foci are rare, but they do exist especially in military hardware or industrial work.

Talent Inertia - Gold: 2

In general, society pigeonholes Talents the same way it does every social group: Accountants are boring, Irishmen are pugnacious, young girls like horses, Talents are flamboyant and dangerous. But not everyone thinks that way, and individual Talents can and do easily overcome such stereotypes, which hardly have the weight of prejudice.

Talents are somewhat more likely to change than normal people; in this they resemble celebrities or professional wrestlers. Talents may have retired, gotten hugely fat, died, converted, become corrupt, run for office, or slacked off and wasted their potential.

The Lovely and the Pointless - Blue: 2

The acceptable borders of pseudo-science are a little loose, but society takes no notice. The world is one of low-level oddness, and self-policing strangeness. Covert exploration of the unknown and uncovering the hidden truth of the universe may reveal a ‘secret history’ of the world.

Moral Clarity - Black: 3

The world is sufficiently clear that good and evil are evident, but far from overwhelmingly obvious. People of good will can still differ on both the means as well as the ultimate ends - some questions of morality and ethics have no ‘right answer’ although the concept of a ‘right answer’ is theoretically imaginable. Good people do not kill outside a clear moral framework such as war or vengeance.

Source Point

Talents began to appear just prior to World War II. The original Talents were purely psionic in nature, as indicated by their ability to interfere with each others use of their powers. What caused the shift in the human psyche which allowed some people to access their Talent nature is still a matter of debate and one of the primary focuses of the Meacham Institute. Evidence indicates that one of the primary causes of these ‘natural’ Talents is some level of trauma, either physical or emotional distress, but this is not the only factor as many Talents are unable to point to any such trauma.

Since the late 1970’s there has been a significant surge in Wild Talents across the developed countries of the world. This is due to many modern Talents status as mutants, as well as the many technologically based Talents.

The Meacham Institute has chosen to breakdown the Talent population into the following categories:

Natural Talents - Although no longer able to interfere with each others powers, this category includes those Talents whose abilities derive from the power of their minds. A housewife with the ability to lift a truck, or a banker who can propel himself through the air by sheer force of will would both fall into this category. (Game sources include Psi, Driven, or Life-Force)

Mutants - Whether at birth or through the influence of super-science or other Talents, the individuals in this category have an altered genetic structure allowing them to surpass the recognized bounds of human potential. (Game sources include Genetic)

Technologists - This category includes all those individuals who’s ability to circumvent the natural limitations of humanity come from super-science. It is controversial to include these beings as Talents, but the Meacham Institute points out that the abilities afforded to these individuals are unique and not reproducible by any ordinary means. It is also a point of controversy to include purely artificial creations. Many contend only those originally human should be included in discussions of Talents. (Game sources include Construct, Cyborg, and Technological)

Wish you were here...

Aurora City Map

From an alternate Wikipedia (update)

Aurora City - Talent City

The Unified Municipality of Aurora City

History

Officially incorporated in 1890, the present city of Aurora City traces its origins back to a series of trading posts and temporary forts at and near the mouth of the Aurora River, where it joins the Mississippi. As far back as the 1670’s French fur traders used the relative safety of Stolze Island to conduct business and export their product eastward. After the War of 1812 the U.S. Army established Fort Aurora on the island. A reconstruction of this fort stands today in Battery Park, though the historical fort stood on the southern tip of the island.

1920’s

After World War I the Aurora City National Guard Armory was established. Currently the Armory is second only to St Louis as the largest training and staging area for National Guard units in three states. The U.S. A

rmy currently bases three of its Talent Combat Teams here.

1950’s

Following World War II Aurora City was selected to become the nation’s repository for its burgeoning Talent population. After challenges equated the forced resettlement of Talents with the worst excesses of Native American resettlement, the internment of Japanese Americans during the war and Nazi concentration camps; the plan was diluted to merely encourage Talents to relocate to Aurora City. Still thousands of Talent veterans were enticed to move to Aurora City by tax credits and subsidized housing. When the Meacham Institute (see below) was founded in 1956, jobs and greater opportunities solidified the first Talent influx to the city.

1970’s

By 1973 Aurora City was already unofficially known as ‘Talent City’ and a second influx of migration, both of Talents and those interested in them brought the cities total population above two million for the first time. Aurora City also accounted for nearly 40% of the total national Talent population. During this period David ‘Hind-Sight” Banner was the first Talent to run for Mayor of a major American

city. Although he was defeated, the current mayor credits Mr. Banner as his chief inspiration, and for paving the way for his administration.

Industry

Early in the twentieth century Aurora City became a transportation hub, linking river, rail, and later road freight hauling. River traffic, two rail yards, trucking, and now an international airport make Aurora City an industrial transportation center even today. Aurora City also maintains a base of light manufacturing and component assembly industry. Other businesses also make Aurora City their headquarters, from investment firms and publishing houses to pharmaceutical and electronic development companies. The highest profile ‘industry’ in Aurora City is, of course, the Meacham Institute, with facilities doting the map both within Aurora City proper as well as the surrounding countryside. (see Meacham Institute, below)

City Services

Many American cities have incorporated Talents into the various service departments; Aurora City is nearly dominated by them. The police have a standing policy of recruiting Talents with obvious enforcement capabilities. There are no less than a dozen officers permanently assigned to the S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons And Talents) units. Less obvious roles in detective bureaus forensic laboratories, and even evidence control and record keeping are also filled by Talents. Current Law defines telepathy and psychic acquisition of evidence hearsay and inadmissible in court proceedings, the police restrict employment of such Talents to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Additionally Aurora City hosts Ivey State Prison, the largest incarceration facility for Talent criminals in the nation, and they can never get enough guards with Talent suppression or containment abilities.

The Fire Department also employs a wide range of Talents; from those who are immune to or even control flame and heat, to flyers and force projectors for rescue operations. Telepaths are also invaluable in finding victims in structural fires and locating missing persons.

Even public works employ

many Talents. A plumber with the ability to squeeze through a five inch pipe saves a lot of time avoiding exploratory digging looking for the leak. And the park service can always find work for anyone who can talk to plants and animals!

The Meacham Institute

The Meacham Institute was established in 1956 by Aurora City native Dr. Henry Meacham. Dr. Meacham was originally a medical doctor and was briefly attached to the Manhattan Project during the war. In 1946 he was transferred to Washington and assigned to the Talent Operations Command. Fascinated by the seeming impossibility of many of the Talent powers displayed and the lack of an obvious source point for many of the manifestations, Dr. Meacham dedicated his life to discov

ering and categorizing the true origins of Talent manifestations. When Government policy and social pressures created the first Talent influx to Aurora City, he decided to return home and establish what later became the single greatest think-tank for, by and about Talents.

Headquartered in the 80 story Meacham Spire on Stolze Island, and comprising 32 other sites throughout the city and county of Aurora City, as well as offices across the nation and around the world, the Meacham Institute is today at the forefront of Talent research, both as individuals and as a community and phenomenon.

Climate

Aurora has moderate, seasonal weather, but storms can occur at any time of the year. July and August are the hottest and most humid months of the year, and January and February are cold, usually with snow. Winter temperatures range from below 32°F to 55°F (0°C to 13°C), while summers have daily temperatures of between 57°F to 90°F (14°C to 32°C).

Aurora	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rainfall (inches)	2.0	2.1	3.3	3.8	3.9	4.1	3.6	3.0	2.9	2.8	3.1	2.5
Min Temp (°F)	21	25	35	46	56	66	70	68	60	48	38	26
Max Temp (°F)	38	42	54	67	76	85	89	87	80	68	55	41

Demographics

Like other large American cities, Aurora experienced a large population shift to the suburbs in the twentieth century; first because of increased demand for new housing following the Second World War, and later in response to demographic changes, namely white flight, whether real or perceived, in existing neighborhoods. The long standing population decline of the city has begun to reverse itself in recent years. Although recent census reports show population growth, Aurora has had a long history of population decline.

As of the census of 2000, there were 563,189 people, 247,076 households, and 186,920 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city of Aurora was 51.20% African American, 43.85% White, 1.98% Asian, 0.27% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other ethnic groups, and 1.88% of two or more ethnicities. Hispanic or Latino of any ethnic group were 2.02% of the population. Historically, South Aurora City has been primarily African American and North Aurora City has been primarily European American. It is estimated that approximately 2.1% of the population has a measurable Talent power; which accounts for nearly 40% of the Talent population nationwide.

There are 247,076 households, out of which 25.4% have children younger than 18 living with them, 26.2% were married couples living together, 21.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.7% were non-families. 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.7% younger than 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 19.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and older, there were 84.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,156, and the median income for a family was $32,585. Males had a median income of $31,106 versus $26,987 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,108.

Sports

The City of Aurora is host to several sports franchises including the MLB’s Sunray’s, and the NFL expansion team The Rivermen.

Talent Entertainment Network (TEN)

Aurora is also the home of the TEN which holds competitions of amateur Talents in a variety of traditional physical and mental contests, as well as the very popular televised ‘Combat Simulation Tournaments’. Although rigorously monitored and regulated to minimize injuries, these contests are essentially elaborate ‘no-holds-barred’ games of capture the flag or ‘tag’. At present there are two teams from Aurora as well as six other teams fielded by cities across America, Canada, and Europe.

Education

The Aurora City unified school district provides education K-12 in some of the nations top rated elementary and high schools. Unfortunately, as in many American cities, poorer areas of the city are home to several substandard public schools. Private schools, particularly Catholic high schools are also quite numerous in the city.

Aurora City hosts a number of prestigious organizations of higher education. Chief among these institutions is Hite University. Named for Kenneth ‘Gehirn’ Hite, one of the first American Hyperbrain Talents. The University hosts more Hyperbrains on its faculty than any other school of its size. The school also has one of the highest transfer rates from its engineering and sciences curriculums. Talent professors are notoriously unsympathetic to students who ‘fall behind’, but many prospective students still apply to have a chance at a ‘Talent degree’.

Notable City Locations

The Meacham Institute: located in the Meacham Spire at 5555 Greenwich Ave, on Stolze Island.

Battery Park: Historic Park dedicated to the military heritage of Aurora City. A monument to all the Talents who served in the armed forces during World War II is the centerpiece of the main plaza. There is also a re-creation of Fort Aurora, and cannon recovered from the river after the destruction of the eponymous city defenses.

Coast Guard Station: Adjacent to Battery Park the Coast Guard maintains a weather station as well as fueling and maintenance docks for its river patrol boats.

Detwiller Bridge: Connecting Stolze Island to the far shore of the Mississippi this massive bridge was designed and constructed in less than 12 months. The designer, a graduate of Hite University School of engineering, as well as the entire construction crew were Talents. Nicknamed the Hyper-Causeway, the bridge is actually a six lane (three in each direction) suspension bridge with a span of over 6000 ft.

National Guard Armory: Originally constructed in 1919 and expanded several times since, this is the home base of the U.S. Army’s Talent Combat Teams 1, 3, and 8, although they are often away on deployments.

This Just In...

Breach

The dim light provided by the hanging glow sticks illumed a sheen of condensation throughout the room. Despite the cool humidity the expected odor of mustiness and mold was absent. The only sounds came from the shuffling of the other techs crouched behind the hastily erected barriers.

Standing apart from the others, exposed from the waist up, was the Chief Technician. Eyes bright in the green glow of a data pad, his voice broke into the quiet.

“Thermal charges in place…

Shaping shields aligned and active…

Detonation in 3... 2… 1!”

There was no roar. There was only the soft whoosh of air being displaced by thermal expansion, more felt than heard; accompanied by a literally blinding light as the thermal charges sliced through more than a meter of reinforced blast door and several more of stone and earth.

Double checking the sensor displays the Chief was pleased by what he saw. “We’re through! Report to the Colonel that we have breached the outer tomb!” In his excitement he nearly shouted into his comlink.

He then motioned the binary load lifters forward. As the twin droids set to their task, the Chief settled in to wait…

“Now, the hard part” he thought.

Set up

This is a place for me to put all my geeky gamer information. Anything I feel is approprate to my gaming life will end up here...

There probably wont be much in the way of continuity so bear with me...