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 MainDisasterEspionageExplorationMysteryRescue/RecoveryRevenge |
When the Earth shakes, when a train derails or a tower topples or snow seals the exits shut -- when disasters happen, the true hero finds his calling. Like rescues, disaster intervention allows a superhero to put his skills to higher use than beating people into the ground. Perhaps the character is directly involved in the mishap, or even causes it and must make amends. Or maybe some unscrupulous character triggers a disaster to distract the heroes while he makes his getaway or frames a third party. In any case, the disaster story gives characters a chance to improve their standing in the eyes of the public and their peers, as well as to help people. Such tasks can lead to great renown -- or get them killed.
This kind of story takes the heroes beyond the realms of simple heroics and into the realm of high drama. Disaster stories feature dangerous traps -- falling debris, explosions, rising flood waters, etc. -- and high levels of suspense. The clock is always ticking during a disaster; The players should be aware that every second counts!
Plus, he saw Batman and Robin. Twice.
Whether it's flooding in the Mississippi valley, a hurricane in Florida, or earthquakes battering California, the world offers plenty of opportunities for superhumans to help their fellow man. Just about any power(s) can be useful in these situations -- Telekinesis to rescue people caught in floodwaters, Supernatural Strength to support a bridge for a few minutes more, and even Control Radiation to burn firebreaks with incredible speed. Give the characters a personal reason to involve themselves, be it coincidence, excellent PR, family members in trouble, patriotism, loyalty to an ideal, or what have you.
Now this is a guy who knows about disasters! He's repeatedly tried to "cleanse" the Earth by eliminating all human life, most notably by using the legendary Wheel of Plagues to instrument an outbreak of the Ebola virus in Gotham City, killing thousands.
(To throw in a monkeywrench, what if a new superhuman spontaneously manifests his powers in the middle of the confusion -- how will the players contain him as well as the disaster, and what do they do with him afterwards?)
A "hero" stages a disaster in order to make himself look good. Do the players catch on? If so, how, and what do they do about it? Much of the public will not believe that their favorite hero could do such a thing, and may be really upset if someone tries to tell them otherwise...
The team awakens to heavy clouds of smoke and shrieking people. The building is ablaze, and neither the alarms nor the emergency fire hoses are working! Not only must the characters escape, they must help the other patrons trapped by the fire. This story is best set in a high-rise hotel or apartment building, or a real fleabag loaded with criminal activity. Who started the fire, and why didn't the alarms work? Was it insurance-motivated arson, vengeance, or an attempt on the characters' lives?
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