Make A Difference

You see it all the time on the News.

People dying. People hurting people. People who are helpless.

War, Crime, Cruelty and Oppression.

You feel helpless.

Sometimes you even think.

"What if I could do something about it?"

What if one day you woke up and found you had something nobody else did?

What if you had power?

How would you make a difference?

The year is 20XX. Maybe it's 2018 or 2019, whatever the case the world is much like our own. Things aren't going well. The first world is divided, the third world is suffering and the planet is changing. Those who wish to oppress others have gained power. And hateful people across the world are inspired.

But there's a difference in this world.

Things used to be different. In this world there were once heroes. People who had the power to change the world.

But public opinion turned against them. People lost faith in heroes.

Heroes disappeared.

But now? It's time for them to come back.

General Notes:
-The premise of Make A Difference is what if superheroes were around in today's political climate? Think stories like Watchmen but there's still a bit of fantasy there. Because of this Make A Difference is set in the real world concurrent to the modern day.

-Superheros are controversial in this world. They are known to exist but they live and work from the shadows after public opinion turned against them. But in this age of chaos, many new heroes are appearing and taking a strike at being vigilantes.

-Feel free to contribute a character or idea.

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Name: ????
Identity: Saurian
Age: Late 40s/Early 50s
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2"
Appearance: Saurian is never seen without his silver mask that has the shape of what could be considered a Theropod Dinosaur, the eyes are tinted-red and glow at night or in dimly lit areas, and the 'jaw' has the outlines of sharp teeth across them. The mask is also not smooth, having faux scales outlined across it. Beyond the mask, Saurian wears a black trench coat over what looks to be militaristic black bulletproof armor that covers his entire torso and arms. Over his hands and upper arms, Saurian wears silver colored gauntlets that end in large claws on all five of the digits. On his bottom half, Saurian has tightly fit black pants and boots.

Powers and Abilities: Saurian seems to have no powers, however he has what seems to be a mastery of a unique fighting style that combines many different styles such as Karate, Jujitsu, Taekwondo, and even boxing. Saurian's analytical abilities are also very high, being able to spot differences and subtle alterations very quickly. Saurian seems to also be a master at engineering, with the technology he uses seeming to be of his own making. Saurian's intellect is also incredibly high though he tends to not show it off too much. Saurian also has lots of connections to the magical underground of society that he tends to be very secretive about.
Equipment: Saurian's mask is equipped with various filters that lets him breath in air that would be toxic to others, it also has sensors in the eyes that are connected to various networks that can also display various things such as radio frequencies and police databases. Saurian's claws on his gauntlet can launch themselves, either tied to a high powered rope that can be pulled forward or back quickly, or without the rope that can be manually reattached later. Saurian also has a large armored car that could even be considered more like a tank that he uses for chases, it can be called to him remotely.

Personality: Saurian is very much a mysterious man, never saying more then what needs to be said and never giving up too much information about himself. Saurian tends to be more paranoid and concerned then others, often approaching a level that could be considered cynical. Despite this however, Saurian is very dedicated to justice and helping others, being willing to sacrifice as much as is needed of himself for the cause. Saurian is also not unfriendly despite his somewhat chilly disposition and quiet nature, being quite willing to converse with people who he's known for a while and always being willing to help them if they ask for it. This extends to anyone who he helps, with him often displaying what would be considered by some to be a surprising level of kindness.

Despite this though, Saurian's anger can be on display if he feels a line has been crossed and he can be considered to be very violent, often showing no mercy to those he feels doesn't deserve it. This has caused him to be considered somewhat controversial. Saurian also is incredibly willing to believe in things other might consider to be outlandish because of his own personal experiences. Beyond these traits, some more minor quirks of Saurian include his knowledge of fiction, science, and history that will emerge at unexpected times.

Bio: Saurian's first confirmed appearance was in 1992 in New York City where he worked to combat minor street level crimes, though there are rumors that he had been in action earlier then this. Saurian proceeded to make quite a name for himself and was considered to be one of the beginning parts of the 90s Superhero Boom. It was not long after this that he was approached by Gravity to begin to work together. Saurian begrudgingly accepted and not long after they were joined by Three and Stealth with the team only growing from there. After a decade of a large team that grew to be known as the Protectors. However after the events of 9/11/2001 and their failure to avert the tragedy, the place of the Protectors began to be doubted. After several more high profile failures and controversies, the Protectors began to slowly disassemble until getting a devastating blow in the form of a law outlawing superheroes, which became the death knell for the team. Since then Saurian's operated alone in NYC, avoiding law enforcement and continuing to break the law forbidding his actions.

Name: Mark Wiggins
Identity: Stealth
Age: 48
Gender: Male
Height: 6'4"
Appearance: Mark Wiggins is a tall muscular man of African-American descent. With cut short black hair with fade, brown eyes and has several scars on his body. As Stealth he is known for his trademark dark outfit resembling the shinobi shōzoku. The primary difference is that Stealth wears a chain mail-like armor beneath the clothing, wears a pair of armor gauntlets and has plating over his thighs and upper feet and his face is further obscured by a hood and a google like mask over his eyes.

Powers & Abilities: Trained by the Kaimon Ryoshi shinobi clan, Stealth displays superhuman strength, speed and reflexes able to move at extremely highspeeds in a matter of moments. He also possesses high endurance and is capable of superhuman maneuverability able to jump high distances and climb up surfaces regardless of their material. He is highly skilled in martial arts such as Ninjutsu, Karate and Jujutsu. Stealth also displays supernatural powers able to utilize Kuji-kiri to release supernatural abilities such as manipulating the elements, turning invisible, disguise/replace himself with objects, shapeshift, the ability to split himself into temporary copies and even maintain limited flight.

Equipment: He carries a number of equipment such as a Ninjato forged from a rare durable metal. Also carries a Kusarigama and a pair of Tanbo as back up weapons and several sets of Kunai, Shuriken and Chakrams. He carries a set of stun and smoke grenades to confuse and disorient opponents. Lastly his main method of transport is a large kite which allows him to fly great distances by manipulating wind.

Personality: Enigmatic and constantly on the move, Mark Wiggins is a difficult man to read. He maintains a level of distance which can make it difficult to know his full outlook on something. But what is known is that he has an unwavering sense of justice. Mark has little tolerance for injustice and evil acts, he will intervene without hesitation even if it means going against those in authority. But he maintains discipline and always meditates and reflects on what he is fighting for.


Bio: Something of a mystery, Mark Wiggins is a name known only to those who know him personally. While an American citizen there is little history besides a former membership in the US Military. At some point in his life, Mark Wiggins was taken in by a shinobi clan known as the Kaimon Ryoshi, a group of warriors who dedicate their lives to protecting the world and opposing deadly threats both mortal and supernatural. After completing his training and spending a brief time working in Japan, he returned to the United States operating as a vigilante known as Stealth. He quickly made a name for himself as a famous ninja and was recruited by the Protectors during the 90s superhero boom. And while highly active he was often known to go off by himself and appear in interventions overseas. Criticism of his lack of recognition for borders along with the many controversies led to Stealth becoming a major figure in the debate revolving around the legality of superheroes. When the ban was put into place, he opposed it furiously and disappeared from the public eye continuing to operate as a rogue vigilante even opposing the US government.

Name: ???
Identity: Flagg
Age: 50
Gender: Male
Height: 5'11
Appearance: Flagg's appearance varies, he has been seen as a man in his 30's with black hair, and a five o'clock shadow, wearing a green trenchcoat and a button down flannel shirt with blues and whites. He's been seen wearing a number of different ties, all of them animated. On his finger are three rings, one clear wedding ring, and the other a ring with a garnet gem in it. He's also been seen looking like an old man with a long beard that reaches down to his chest and long wavy hair. When he appears as an old man he walks around with walking stick which appears to be a piece of driftwood which twists at the top into the form of a claw, there a crystal is in place.

Powers & Abilities: Flagg has become an accomplished sorcerer, using the arcane arts to his full advantage, especially in his wizzened age. Though he prefers to keep his magic subtle and rely on his wits and planning. He is also the host of as many as 12 curses, all of which constant vy for control over Flagg's fate, fueling his magic with even more power. He is also a capable alchemist.

Equipment: Flagg has a number of magical artifacts that he keeps on him, many of which are in the tower before the bridge, his private sanctum. Though mainly what he carries on him are a ring that gives him power over fire, as it contains the spirit of a volcano. His staff is his main catalyst now, helping him in funneling and controlling many spells. The ties that he wears are used to cast spells, as they are actually spells contained in cloth that he swipes to bring out. He has two familiars, Nimbus and Smoke. Nimbus is a thunderbird that he rides on to get to far away places as quickly as he can. Smoke is a phoenix that has been slowing his aging process and works well as a combat familiar.

Flagg's base of operations is the Tower Before The Bridge, a tower made out of stone that he had built to watch vigil, across from it is an old treehouse that was built when Flagg was a child along with the other children who were the original gatewatchers.

Personality: Once young and arrogant, believing that power was the only way through victory, Flagg has mellowed out, still a cranky old man with a venomous snark, he thinks there's enough cruelty in the world as is to add more. He is harsh in his truths, but does not use it to hurt people. He has become reclusive, the only people he sees regularly are Stealth and Saurian, whom he has accepted as his comrades.
Bio: Not much is known about Flagg or whomever he actually is. His journey into magic first started when he was a young boy on halloween night when he and a group of friends crossed a bridge in the forest into Otherworld, where they found a being known as The Black King was trying to make his way into the modern world. They repelled him back and delayed him, before promising to stand guard over the bridge to stop evil from coming through. However, many of the friends of Flagg moved away and as they moved the magic faded from them and they forgot all about Otherworld. The only one who stayed behind was Flagg, who learned more and more magic.

He became involved in the magical world later in his life, he became a magic consultant and private investigator that worked on the supernatural until he got picked up by Saurian in '94 with the formation of The Protectors, becoming an on and off superhero that helped mainly as a consultant to magical situations. It was here that he met and married Astral, a superheroine that did her work in the same area.

He was notorious for making morally ambiguous decisions, which is why Saurian mainly kept him as a consultant.

However, when the Superhero ban hit, his wife almost shut down completely, before disappearing. Flagg has spent more than a decade looking for her, and has since become far more reclusive, he now does his work in a more superhero fashion, no longer for money. He works regularly with vigilantes who need a consultant on magical problems. He is ever looking for his replacement, a new guardian to guard over the bridge to Otherworld, but has not found an apprentice yet.

Name: Adam Hook
Identity: Overman
Age: 40
Gender: Male
Height: 6'0
Appearance: A white male with a shaven head, his costume is a high tech riot suit, the helmet having an emblazoned skull of a theropod dinosaur. An image stolen from Saurian.
Powers & Abilities: Overman has incredible superhuman feats, with super strength, speed and endurance, though he seems to come up with new powers all of the time. It's rumored his true power is the ability to steal the powers of others.
Equipment: Overman's equipment is all top notch, though it's been said numerous times that a lot of his equipment seems to be "inspired" by other former superhero's equipment. He works a lot with guns, though his favorite weapon is an electrical police baton that he uses to beat his enemies with.
Bio: Not much is known about Hook other than the fact that he became more prevalent when the new administration rose to power. He became a state sanctioned "hero" and went to work. Most of his exploits, involve nonwhite criminals of whom are killed or beaten to near death, a number of them were reported to not commit any crimes, though information on this is scarce, photos, camera footage and witnesses usually disappear or are threatened. He is adamant about defending the United States from foreign threats, mainly immigrant "criminals" as he calls them. He works heavily with the ICE.

Overman has a lot of defenders that come to his aid whenever there is a demand that he be held accountable for his brutality and zealous behavior, saying that he has more valor and was defending himself against monstrous criminals. Overman has alos bee involved in a number of cases where Officers will shoot unarmed black people, always siding with the officers and the law, usually scaring witnesses and confiscating evidence.

Name: Anne Roosevelt
Identity: Paladin
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Height: 5'9"
Appearance: An African-American woman with an athletic build. She has long black hair tied into dreadlocks, brown eyes and has a singular large scar descending down her face. As Paladin wears white armor reminiscent of a Medieval Knight.
Powers & Abilities: Not known to have any over superhuman abilities. Incredibly strong, fast and durable through physical training and discipline, Paladin is familiar with mixed martial arts and was trained by the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program. Has a high pain tolerance due to a past injury, which while not making her stronger, she has harness to make herself numb to pain and keep fighting. Claims to have an ability to "Sense the hearts of others" and can determine whether someone has the capability for good or evil. But no one can be sure if this is a true ability or simply a claim to justify her actions.

Equipment: While her armor looks ancient it is anything but equipped with air filtration, magnifying scopes in the visor and even tactical displays. It is padded with modern protective gear and armor that renders it nigh bulletproof to all but the heavier calibers of firearm and explosives. Carries a heavy shield and a longsword made from modern materials as her main weaponry but she isn't above using firearms like pistols, shotguns, submachine guns and even assault and sniper rifles.

Personality: Anne Roosevelt is a strict believer in the ideal of justice, she believes that there is good and evil in this world and that the evil has been allowed to fester for too long. Unwavering in her resolve, she carries herself with a calm focus and determination having the nobility and dedication of an ancient knight. Withdrawn and somewhat socially stunted, little is known about her personal life it would seem she has fully dedicated herself to following the path of Paladin.

Bio: Anne Roosevelt was born in the city of Chicago in the year 1983 and was a child during the age of the superhero boom. She grew up watching the news and following the tales of heroic superheroes. But as she got older the world began to change and the blissful years of childhood were replaced by a harsh wake up call. But Anne remained hopeful and despite the outlawing of superheroes attempted to follow their example by serving her country. But war did not make her like her heroes and instead she found herself wounded and sent back to the United States. She returned home changed, burdened by her experiences and angered by the atrocities occurring in her own home. One day in the summer of 2014 when malpractice by a genetic company led to a dispersal of led to the appearance of a new generation of superpowered humans which led to incidents across the country. Anne felt a calling and decided the time had come to take action.

Paladin is a recent figure in the vigilante world. Violent, ruthless against criminals and even those who were seemingly innocent. Paladin is both feared and respected as a protector and a hunter, striking the wicked and declaring herself the judge, jury and executioner. One of America's most wanted few can seem to get close to capturing this wandering warrior.

Name: Thomas Martins
Identity: Tyrannus
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 6'7"
Appearance: Tyrannus is a Caucasian man with short dark blonde hair and blue eyes. In his supervillain identity he wears what looks like an upscaled and more home made version of Saurian's outfit, with a larger yet still silver mask that looks more similar to a Tyrannosaurus then anything except it's eyes are white and gauntlets that look more like powerloaders, that are connected to a power box on his back.
Powers & Abilities: Tyrannus is well trained in hand to hand fighting and in how to wield firearms, having been trained as a police officer in the NYPD.
Equipment: Tyrannus' mask is a much lower quality version of Saurian's, missing the filters and also all the abilities that Saurian's mask's eyes have, however his gauntlets are extremely high powered and are able to punch through steel.
Personality: Tyrannus is very vindictive and vengeful, having initially posed as Saurian to try to 'help' him clean up New York City's crime. Tyrannus is incredibly violent, having killed many criminals under both identities as a Fake Saurian and also as Tyrannus, since having been found out however he has taken to working with criminals in various jobs.
Bio: Born and raised in New York City, Tyrannus grew up in a working class household. However as he grew up his anger problems manifested in various ways, including an incident where he nearly beat someone to death in High School. Figuring the NYPD would be an easy way to channel it, Tyrannus joined up and quickly became enraptured by Saurian's deeds and methods. Figuring two Saurians would make it easier, Tyrannus made a false suit and mask like Saurian's and quickly began to kill. It didn't take long for Saurian to notice and to Tyrannus' dismay and pleas, Saurian told him he was nothing like him and sent him to prison. Tyrannus however was able to get by on technicality and was freed soon after and quickly set to work to get revenge on Saurian. Since then they have tangled numerous times with Tyrannus currently being locked up in Ryker's Island.

Name: ???
Identity: Primordial
Age: ???
Gender: Varies
Height: Varies
Appearance:

Powers & Abilities: Primordial has a number of powers, though his most prevalent one is his ability to shapeshift into extinct animals, and stays in those forms most out of any of them, the form that he takes to move around and use items is that of an extinct hominid with a canine skull mask. He seems to draw his power from nature and call certain nature spirits to him, giving him supernatural powers over it.
Equipment: n/a
Personality: Primordial is a very cynical creature, whatever it is. It seems to hold the current state of the world in contempt, though he doesn't hate humans. He simply believes that the Earth cannot sustain them and allow for life to continue on, therefore, the forest must be burnt for new growth. He considers himself Nature and by extension, God's wrath incarnate.

He is actually rather polite and courteous to those he meets. Whether or not he kills or simply maims his foes depends on his mood but he simply thinks it cruel to steal away what little time they have before he inevitably initiates their extinction.
Bio: Primordial first appeared in 1989, coming through the Bridge he became an on and off nemesis of Flagg and many other superheroes. He has constantly put either humanity or civilization in peril with far reaching plans to destroy both. Attempts to hold him in prisons have usually been ineffective, though in 1999, in his final battle against Flagg when he called in the Protectors for help, when Primordial was able to take the reigns of an ancient spirit of some long forgotten titan creature. He's right now in a prison in an undisclosed area, this prison was specifically made to contain him.

Name: James
Identity: Blackhole
Age: Unknown
Gender: Male
Height: 6'2"
Appearance: Blackhole is permanently bounded to a black leather costume that covers his entire body, it is form fitting but has what seems to be the shape of claws at the end of the fingers. It has eye holes but no opening for his mouth or nose, making how he breathes unknown, as well as what sustenance he takes to survive. Blackhole's eyes are pure black, something he claims is a side effect of his powers.
Powers & Abilities: Blackhole can run faster then the speed of light, though he tends to move as quick or slow as he wants. However no matter his speed, Blackhole leaves after images of himself that fade away quickly but can be used to track him. If Blackhole breaks the light barrier, a hole in space-time that resembles a black hole is left in his wake.
Equipment: N/A
Personality: Blackhole is psychotic, frequently changing the story of how he got his powers beyond his homicidal tendencies, killing at random. Blackhole considered the Protectors his greatest foes, though he began to focus solely on Saurian. Blackhole also claims to see all of time and attempts to speak prophecies to any who might listen.
Bio: Blackhole began a random killing spree around America in the 90s, something that alerted the Protectors to his existence despite their initial disbelief that superspeed could even exist. What caused Blackhole to gain his powers is unknown with his version of events changing frequently. Since this initial encounter where Saurian was the main factor in his defeat, Blackhole has maintained a special interest in Saurian especially. He is currently locked up in a maximum security facility.

Name: Obberon Der Erlking
Identity: The Hill King
Age: 5000
Gender: Male
Height: 6'3
Appearance:

Powers & Abilities: The Hill King is a powerful lord of Fae, he has the power to put others under spells, making them forget who they were and making them into new people, to twist time itself in his own realm, to beguile and entrance others into following him.
He is also an accomplished sorcerer and swordsmen capable of defying almost every law of physics. He can create changelings at will, create human substitutes out of wood that die within a week. He has an army of elves at his beck and call. He rides atop a unicorn that can fly through the wind.
Equipment: ???
Personality: The Hill King is a creature of revelry, he throws parties in the middle of the woods, or in his halls. He is whimsical and condescending, a trickster that seeks to find ways to twist you.
Bio: The Hill King is an ancient fae that has been laying siege to the mortal world for decades now, since the early superhero boom. He intends to make humanity a slave race to the elves as they were in olden days. He sends his elves and those he's already enslaved to kidnap humans, and is responsible for many different trafficking rings. He is normally an enemy of Flagg, though he has brought his operations into different parts of the world, and other superheroes have to try and fight off this underground criminal syndicate.

Since the superhero ban he has been quietly continuing his business, undeterred by the government though foiled occasionally by the vigilantes of today.

Name: Cassandra Forest
Identity: Astral
Age: 51
Gender: Female
Height: 5'9
Appearance: Astral has red hair which pools out from her mask which is a crescent moon shape, she wears a spandex suit of black with many white stars, with white accents around the suit, her cape is a dark blue color.
Powers & Abilities: Astral has the power to fly, and while it would be justifiable to say that she has super strength, this is wrong. She has the ability to manipulate kinetic energy that she comes into contact with, nullifying what should be a tough hit onto her self, mitigating it, or making a hit or a shove from her have much more kinetic energy than should be possible.
Equipment: N/A
Personality: To Astral, being a superhero is everything. To hear the praises of others and to be a person to look up to, she needs the attention, feeling that it's the only thing that keeps people from abandoning her. Though she isn't in it entirely for herself, she was a rather upstanding superhero, held in high regard for her moral compass, she was always worried about how others viewed her.
Bio: Astral started out as Cassandra Smith, a young girl who was sold by her parents to a company who was testing to create psionic super soldiers. During the testing process Cassandra went into a near death state, deemed too unfit to be a test subject any longer her body was dumped before it came back, imbued with new powers. She ran away and later met a group of friends and was brought into their group, becoming friends with him they eventually discovered a bridge to Otherworld and with her help repelled back an incursion from Otherworld by an entity known as the Black King. Afterwards, she became one of the guardians before she drifted off, being adopted into a foster home and for the most part living out a normal life until the superhero boom.

There she was inspired to put her powers to use and became known as Astral, a rather popular superhero amongst the public. Eventually she remet one of her companions from when she went to Otherworld, and the two got married, and for a while, their marriage seemed happy. Until the superhero ban, when Astral found that the one skill she valued above all others couldn't be put to use anymore. She became retracted, growing distant, until a year later she simply disappeared.