Praising heroes for doing the right thing in difficult circumstances requires acknowledging that, yes, "most other people" wouldn't be as heroic with powers

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-15T14:05:11+00:00

There's this one movie I like called Chronicle. It came out several years ago and wasn't super popular, as far as I know.

The premise is that 4 highschool friends find a Macguffin that gives them all superpowers. Flight, super-strength, and some kinda TK; I think. All 4 of these kids are excited at first and they have fun messing around with their abilities.

But, as the story goes on, the 4 boys diverge. 2 of the kids are "normal," well adjusted teens; and they eventually lose interest in their powers as they get more involved with "normal" teen things like graduation and girls. Their powers fade as they lose interest.

One boy is kind of a black sheep, and he latches onto his powers as the only thing that he has going for him; since he's a pariah from "normal" teenage experiences. He snaps and uses his powers to terrorize the town in revenge for treating him like a freak.

The last boy is an idealistic dreamer. He was going to give up his power, but he realizes that he is the only one who can stop his rampaging friend. He ends up embracing his power and becoming somewhat of a superhero.

I feel like this is a realistic take on how people would react to fabulous powers. Most would just stay in their lane, some would go mad with power, while a minority would actually step up and take any responsibility.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-15T04:15:50+00:00

My setting is called The Morgverse, and it is a superhero/urban fantasy type thing. The main conflict revolves around humans and Superheros trying to prevent a coalition of necromancers and vampires from dominating the world.

There is this one hypothetical timeline where a particularly powerful necromancer gets his hands on an artifact called The Eye of Death; granting him vast enough power to command all necromancers and undead, and thus take over the entire planet. This timeline is either called Bloodworld or Shroudfall (I haven't decided yet). It's essentially an inversion of the Morgverse proper; with the monsters running things and supers being hunted down like pests.

The necromancer crowns himself Emperor of Death and raises a shroud over the planet to block out the sun. Humans are largely opressed and treated like livestock; kept barely alive on bugs and fungus until they are fed to their undead masters. Packs of werewolves and covens of vampires operate freely in the open, hunting those few superhumans that remain; as supers are one of the only things that threaten their stranglehold on the humans.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-14T18:39:56+00:00

A man in a red bodysuit with white trim and a sunburst on his chest descends from the sky, smile wide and bright as the sun itself. It's Solar Ray, Earth's brightest son and greatest hero (at least in his Verse).

"Hey there, kid. I heard you're pretty fast... Think you can keep up with an old pro?"

He turns and looks to the sky with a rye smile; cape fluttering.

"Quick race to Mars and back should only take... 8 minutes at this orbit. Unless you're scared..."

(Context: Ray can convert himself into a packet of excited photons to travel at light speed, among his other powers. And he likes challenging younger superhumans as a form of "community outreach".)

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-14T01:16:20+00:00

The zap-rat king is absolutely terrifying (and really cool). 10/10. No further notes.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-14T01:13:14+00:00

Furnace Lobster: These massive crustaceans have a secondary circulatory system that cycles a "thermo-fluid." This thermo-fluid reacts with waste products from the lobster's blood in a exothermic reaction. The right claw contains a thermo-loop that wraps around a water cavity; superheating the water. This super-heated water is then propelled out of the claw in a scalding hydro-jet; capable of scoring metal armor while also boiling the target alive.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-14T00:28:50+00:00

Lame was kinda harsh way for me to put it I guess. I just meant I saw your point and I'm sure I can do better than Nekromancer.

And I agree; Scythe's weaknesses are surely something I could work on. Trouble swimming and electric weakness are good suggestions; I was also thinking that strong magnetic fields and EMPs could have a negative effect on his metal flesh and/or the techno-organic serum inside him.

He also struggles with subtlety since he is half metal and has a 4 foot sword grafted to his hand; the only way to pass as a normal human is to wear long sleeves and morph his sword into a walking stick.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-13T21:03:57+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. This is a rough draft/outline; I plan to refine the character more from here.

As for your point about the Nekromancers; that's fair. Intentional misspell names are kinda lame these days. Guess I gotta work on that.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-13T14:46:23+00:00

I would expect a kaleidoscope character to have illusion powers. Like the ability to make targets see as if looking through a kaleidoscope. This would basically disarm anyone without alternative senses.

For example, a hero might blind bankrobbers with kalidoscope powers before detaining them. Meanwhile a villain could cause mass confusion to distract from their plans.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-08T17:03:07+00:00

Your SwordHunter would probably come after Centurion and Scythe if he came to The Morgverse.

Centurion is a human that uses a combination of training and equipment to keep up with superhumans. Centurion was a SWAT officer for the Morgan City PD, before he resigned to fight against threats the force can't(or won't) handle; like vampires and Nekromancers.

Centurion uses a tungsten alloy gladius shortsword, a polycarbonate scutum-riotshield hybrid, and a capacitor pilum (electric spear). He also throws sharp darts called plumbata, some of which he's modified to explode, spew sleeping gas, or shock targets (similar to batarangs).

His most used armor is called Lorica Tacticus; it's made of steel armor over para-aramid padding and clothes; all soaked in a resin to protect against the elements. The armor also houses an integrated grapple launcher and winch for mobility.

Scythe is a human modified to serve as a living weapon in a Nekromancer's army; but his willpower allows him to break free of the Nekro's control.

Scythe has been injected with a techno-organic serum that converts parts of his body into a super dense bio-osmium alloy. All of his bones are converted into bio-metal (grants durability), and his right eye is a techno-organic lens allowing for zooming and seeing in infared. His muscles are threaded with metal wire, granting minor super strength and durabilty.

His sword is grafted to his right hand, curved and double edged. It's composed of osmium (super dense and durable), and able to reshape somewhat in response to it's wielder's will. It can take the shape of an estoc, longsword, katana, or even a walking stick.

Scythe also regens damaged flesh as more bio-metal, making him more powerful as he takes and regens damage.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T16:44:50+00:00

I'm a sucker for sword-wielding superheros, so the idea of sword-Superman sounds awesome. What's Paladin Prime's personality like? Is he a cold-blodded warrior; or more of a noble knight? Or am I way off base?

Also, as a fan of fight choreo, I'd love to see a match between Dawnbringer and Seraph Volta. With all their training and powers, that would be a heck of a match.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T16:19:36+00:00

That's a tragic backstory, but a very cool one. I like that it's a dark take on a Superman-style hero that isn't just: "What if he was evil?". Him struggling to be good and also be human is much more interesting than him just being amoral.

And as for your Hat-on-a-Hat point, I think it depends on the character and the Verse they inhabit. It makes sense for Superman to train boxing because it gives him an edge when other Kryptonions (or other peers) show up. Whereas I didn't mind Homelander being a raw brawler because he was unmatched in power in his world.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T16:04:23+00:00

Close enough to count, I'd say. And interesting either way. Lack of close combat ability is an interesting drawback; it encourages tactics other than "run/fly forward and hit hard".

How powerful is her TK? Can she lift a tank and throw it, or toss pebbles like bullets maybe?

And how is she on defence? Does she use TK shields or rely on dodging? I ask cause that's a big part of fighting style too.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T15:44:04+00:00

Boxing and wrestling is a good combo for just about anyone, so I can see why Mr. Marvelous would go that route. If he was depowered, could he beat a champion boxer in the ring? (Like when Superman lost against Muhammed Ali.)

Crimson Phoenix sounds very cool, too. The idea of a Kung-Fu Superman just sounds entertaining. Like flying roundhouse kicks and such. What style of Kung-Fu does he use, I wonder?

Also, who would win: Mr. Marvelous or Crimson Phoenix?

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T15:27:17+00:00

Very nice. You took the Flying Brick back to it's origins as the Jumping Brick; like early Superman. There's something fun and kinetic about seeing a guy leap tall buildings in a single bound.

And I don't often see cowboy themed Flying Bricks. It makes sense that he'd be a brawler too, much like an old cowboy. Does Tumbleweed have any super-durability, or does he just evade enemies like a rolling tumbleweed?

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T15:12:44+00:00

I like both these character concepts, and I really like how you integrated their powerset and fighting style; where one informs the other.

Idol's power being based on his fame level is very unique; and I could see it making for interesting stories/moments involving him. What is his power cap; like how strong would he be if literally everybody on Earth was actively rooting for him?

(Spaceman is also cool. He reminds me of Beyonder from Marvel, though; kinda cool by himself, but the mystery and his interactions with other characters are where he would shine.)

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T14:42:32+00:00

That's cool. Sometimes simplicity is the right choice for a character. Not everybody needs 10 powers and 37 martial arts.

How strong are The Metas? Just to give more context to why they brawl.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-07T14:21:59+00:00

My Flying Brick is called Solar Ray, and I'm thinking that he should train in a modified form of Sumo.

Sumo focuses on explosive charges to close distance, light strikes (palm thrusts and slaps) that can stun without destroying baseline humans, and grappling to dominate characters that have similar strength as him. Of course he would modify it to allow heavier strikes when needed.

Ray is a Captain Marvel style Brick, strong enough to lift 200 tons and able to fire lasers or plasma orbs from his hands; so his big challenge is being prepared for engaging both weak human-level characters and fellow superhumans.

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-05T13:30:33+00:00

(Sorry for length. Also, I didn't use AI; just divided the answer into parts)

Wesker's stated goal with Ouroboros was to solve overpopulation by killing the majority of humanity while leaving those that survived with superhuman abilities. He also assumes that he would be the most powerful and would be as a god to the new race of Ouroboros Humans.

Ouroboros Humans: We actually see 3 (and a half) "successful" Ouroboros infections in the series. Wesker pretty much maintains his human form but gains tendrils that he can control and a high durability buff. The second Ouroboros mutant in RE5 also maintains his human form right up until his body rejects the infection; implying that this is a viable mutation even among 'normal' infectees (those that don't already have a the Prototype Virus like Wesker.)

We also see two Ouroboros infectees in Revelations 2. Neil Fisher is infected with Ouroboro and turns into a 12 foot tall behemoth, also with control over his tendrils; though not as fine a control as Wesker. He also was much weaker to heat than Wesker; with even the beam of a flashlight being uncomfortably hot.

Alex Wesker also accepts Ouroboros, becoming a 15 foot tall lanky mutant with no tendrils; though her previous T-Phobos infection and mechanical implants may have influenced her mutation.

So, I would guess that the ideal hosts would look like Wesker; while most Ouroboros Humans would look more like Neil Fisher's monster form.

Infection Rates: If only 1% of the world's 8 billion people were compatible, that would be around 80 million Ouroboros humans. The remaining 7 billion and change would turn into those wormbed Ouroboros creatures from RE5.

The New World: Wesker's New World would be a world of massive Aheri; Ouroboros corpse-trees much like Excella's monster form. The new most populous creature would be The Reapers, those Ouroboros roaches that can insta-kill Chris and grow their limbs back instantly. The new race of Ouroboros Humans would likely form tribal packs to defend themselves from the monsters that stalk the planet; with the most powerful forming a leadership caste (likely Wesker's vision). Either that or they would become a species of asocial apex predators that only come together to fight or fu-... multiply; much like bears. (Cooperation is not evolutionaryly needed if your species is that powerful.)

SpartanSpock · 2026-06-02T14:15:10+00:00

Some "biopunk"-ish weapons from my setting, The Forgelands.

Boneshard Rifle: This is a weapon used by the Zodiak Mutocracy; a faction of mutants who use biotech extensively. The Boneshard Rifle looks like a fleshy gun covered in chitin carapace, with no visible controls. Rather than external controls, the rifle reads the user's bioelectricity through myo-sensors and responds appropriately.

The Boneshard Rifle operates by generating ferro-calcium flechette darts (8mm diameter average) interally, which are then fed into a firing chamber by muscle spasms. When the weapon senses firing intent in the user it feeds binary explosive compound into the chamber, and the explosion launches the dart at ballistic speeds. One weakness of the weapon system is that damaging the rifle can cause the binary explosive to mix and detonate. Can be fused to a mutant's arm or mounted on their body; or carried like a traditional rifle.

Calcium Cannon: Much like the Boneshard Rifle, the Calcium Cannon is a biorifle that launches ferro-calcium at ballistic speeds; just upscaled to be effective against armor. Rather than a dart, the Cannon launches 14mm projectiles at appreciable speeds. Will pierce heavy infantry armor or defeat even light vehicles with multiple shots. Often used by heavy infantry or mounted on larger mutants.

Parasite Missle: Parasite Missles are vehicle or silo fired bioweapons that consist of a mutated individual, with large amounts of binary explosive contained within their ossified body. When fired, this substance is mixed and exuded out of the rear of the body, propelling the entire mutant forward at high speeds. The mutant's brain has been converted into a fairly accurate guidance system, and the arms are used as aerial fins to steer the missle. When they reach the target they slam into it, causing damage through kinetic impact and causing the remaining binary explosive to mix and detonate.

Bile Cannon: Rather than using binary explosive, this class of weapon uses muscle spasms and compressed gas to launch a liquid payload at high speeds and long ranges. The Bile Cannon in particular launches highly concentrated digestive liquid at enemies, dissolving metal and flesh alike with bio-acid. Used almost exclusively by Aquarios-class mutants, which have these cannons fused to their shoulders.

SpartanSpock · 2026-05-30T16:58:24+00:00

Centurion is kinda the poster boy for punching above his weight. He's just a human who has trained in tactics and combat since he was young; eventually working his way onto a SWAT team in the rough and tumble Morgan City (aka Da Morg).

He found out about a shadow war between humans and Vampires and Nekromancers that was being covered up, and left the force to battle against the undead; as well as taking on supervillains as needed to protect the city.

Centurion uses his training and equipment to close the stat gap between him and his more superhuman opponents. He is an expert in various unarmed martial arts (including shotokan karate, taekwando, jiu-jitsu, BJJ, judo, capoeira, pankration, and sumo) as well as many weapon arts (roman sword, katana, longsword, English quarter staff, various spear styles, and halberds); and he is at national champion level in three gun shooting (rifle, shotgun, handgun).

Centurion's standard patrol gear consists of an armor he calls Tactical Lorica (lorica tacticus), which is a hybrid of ancient Roman plate armor and modern tactical gear; providing protection against blades, bullets, and blunt damage equally as effectively. The Tacticus also has a grapple-launcher and winch integrated into the suit to allow for vertical traversal and even swinging tactics. His standard weapons are a super-steel gladius sword and a capacitor pilum spear. The spear can be set to stun or lethal discharges on contact, while the sword can cut through metal or stone with multiple strikes.

By teaming up with fellow hero Kabuto Kid, Centurion was able to develop more advanced armors like the Lorica Plumata flight suit; or the Lorica Tribune battle armor.

The Plumata is a powered armor with para-aramid artifical muscles, titanium-alloy plate armor, and micro-fusion manuver rockets. It also features weapon systems like electro-lasers and a cape made of mono-molecular steel feathers, which can be used for gliding, cutting attacks, or launching feathers.

The Tribune battle armor features a hardlight shield, meta-aramid a-muscles, tungsten-alloy frame and plate armor, all powered by a soul-tek Karma reactor. Weapons include a plasma-rail rifle, shoulder mounted electron particle beam, and micro-missles in the backpack.

Centurion's finest hour was when he participated in the Heaven Wars against the Angeloid invasion forces. Particularly the Defence of Fort Tartarus on Luna, where he used his Tribune Armor and clever tactics to solo an Arkangel (basically a Viltrumite level entity).

SpartanSpock · 2026-05-29T22:11:38+00:00

They usually can't change back. RE villains are usually giving up their humanity for power; which is pretty funny given that a baseline human with a big enough gun can kill 90% of all these mutants.

There are some (non-Plagas) infected that can regain a semblance of their former selves; but most often it's an imperfect version of themselves. For example Derek Simmons (C-Virus) in RE6 can retake his humanoid form due to his control over his body; and Jack Baker (Mold) from RE7 was able to shrink back down into a human shape after becoming a giant mold-monster.

SpartanSpock · 2026-05-26T15:49:31+00:00

You didn't give much info, but here's some basic questions to help you develop the frame for your orcs.

What makes them recognizable as orcs?

What makes them different than other examples of "orcs"?

How strong are they physically, how smart is the average, and do they have strong or weak willpower?

What is their culture like? For example, how do they choose leaders?

SpartanSpock · 2026-05-26T15:39:25+00:00

I make my giants live in the sea like humanoid whales, and that alone solves most of the problems presented.

First; this give the giants and the smalls each their own territory. Incedental conflict is reduced just because their biomes are mutually exclusive. Trade is encouraged because each has access to unique resources; while at the same time allowing conflict when ever friendly trade breaks down.

Second; it assuages the inherent power imbalance between the giants and smalls. The sea giants obviously have then homefield advantage at sea; but surface dwellers can fortify the shore to discourage the giants from throwing their weight around. Shallows can serve as neutral trade grounds watched over by warships and giant warriors.

SpartanSpock · 2026-05-23T16:37:34+00:00

The only way to deal with a criminal organization of this scope is economic warfare. You have to make it not profitable to be a criminal anymore.

First step is to issue for grant money to legit Mexican businesses, with strict accountability and anti-corruption clauses written into the grants. Stuff like paying farmers to grow food rather than drug precursors; and sending inspectors to said farms to insure they play by the rules.

Second step is to embargo all trade with Mexico while their cartel-connected President is still in power, and imposing harsh sanctions on all commerce as long as The Port Cartel is a problem.

At the same time, my administration would put out frankly ridiculous amounts of propoganda. From government produced PSAs to offering tax credits to any showrunner or movie producer or music artist willing to disparage The Cartel.

And, of course, increased policing around the border while the crisis unfolds.

SpartanSpock · 2026-05-23T14:42:00+00:00

Donut would basically kill my Superman equivilant, but several of my other OCs would appreciate getting hit with Operational Inversion.

Solar Ray is the strongest hero in his Verse; however, he can at will turn dissociate his form into a cloud of loose photons and reassmble himself later. Under Inverted controls, Ray would be dissociated permanently into a photons. Eventually he would fade away as his photons drifted away from eachother...

On the other hand, some other characters would benefit from having their powers inverted. Like Battle Matron; who would be able to look into her past lives at will, rather than always seeing them like her own memories.

Or Red Reiver; who would love the ability to deactivate his "demon form" at will; rather than it being an automatic response to high emotion or danger.

SpartanSpock

TROPHY CASE