AVATARS OF JUSTICE

By Carl L. Congdon (carlcong@nni.com)

Prelude

The first question I always ask myself, as I'm getting into my costume, is why. Why not just get out there and fight? Why risk my neck at all? Don't the Machine Heads have special troops for things like this? Why not just dial 911? But as the screams get louder, I realize: I do it to keep hope alive. I do it because no one else will. I do it...because. A moment to pause, to become one with my fancy suit, and I'm ready to take care of the Thing those bastards summoned. Hopefully, no one's been seriously hurt....

Description

There have always been heroes. From the avatars of India to the demigods of Greece, there have always been those mere mortals who went one step beyond the ordinary in their efforts to bring peace, justice, and beneficience to those who could not do for themselves. Although many consider the modern world bereft of heroes, and even the need of them, those who follow this Path know that to be blindness.

There will always be heroes, and all the Technocratic advances and cheap nihilism in the world won't change that. The need for a hero is beyond reason and beyond destruction. Those who follow this Path know that, no matter how ridiculous their costumes seem, no matter how easy it is to feel like a joke, no matter how dangerous it can get, their work has to be done. There is no choice in the matter; no room to argue. The rights and dignity of every human being are constantly imperiled, and wishy-washiness won't save the day.

They take many guises. Some as shadow-dwelling vigilantes, some dress as garish, four-color comicbook heroes, some as Sorcerors Arcane, some as martial artists, some as visitors from other realms. No matter what persona they assume, they do it because they know that the spectacle is almost as important as the mission. They do it because it must be done. They do it because it's who they are.

And it works! Sometimes even the most vulgar of magicks seem acceptable to the Sleepers if it comes from someone wearing a weird-ass costume and spouting cheesy comic-book rhetoric. Somehow, the self-proclaimed Avatars of Justice have tapped into something that the Council Mages have forgotten, the Technocracy can't tap into, and the Marauders and Nephandi can't hope to extinguish. None can say why, and this enigma unnerves them to no end. But the Avatars endure suspicions of Marauder-hood (and less kind slurs) with a shrug, and go back to fighting for Truth, Justice, and a Better World.

Origins

Where did they come from? No one knows for sure. Many think that, after World War 2, they came together from the Traditions and Technocracy (and maybe a few from the Marauders) because they were disillusioned with the so-called "Ascension War" and wanted to get back to the basics of helping the so-called "Sleepers." Maybe their fancy get-ups, weird weapons, and high-flown purple prose help them push back an ever-graying, ever-dying reality. Maybe they saw a void, and rushed to fill it. Or maybe they are all Marauders. No one seems to know, and if they do, they aren't telling.

Philosophy

We aren't gods; we aren't willworkers; we are heroes. That is the beginning and end of why we do it. We do it for the people; we do it for ourselves; we do it because everyone has to relearn that what they do matters. Yeah, we're flashy and come close to being suicidal. Yeah, the pay sucks, the hours are long, and there's no such thing as retirement benefits. But it goes beyond us and our petty concerns. There are other things to worry about, and we care about them, a lot.

Tools/Style

The wind at our backs, the enemy in front of us, with only the power of righteousness and the will to make it happen, that's what makes us what we are. The capes, gadgets, rhetoric, and foolish stunts are all gaudy wrapping; we know it, and so does everyone else. What matters is that we separate ourselves from the mundane, and in so doing rise above it. But we protect those who can't help themselves, and that's where our power comes from: our purpose.

Organization

The new recruits are looked upon with respect and hope, while the veteran heroes are prized for their experience and savvy. On the whole, everything is decided in a democratic manner.

Initiation

Many "solos" who have Awakened are picked up and taught a few things that every mage should know. Joining is voluntary; ironically, the numbers of this Craft are growing at a remarkable rate. The initiate plans his persona (costume, catch-phrase, mock-history, and special "powers") and announces them to his mentors. After a couple of missions, the initiate is accepted, either as a full member, or as a contact.

Avatar

Usually appears as the ghost of a lost relative, a comic-book hero, an alien contact, or a enigmatic mentor.

Followers

Family, fan-boys and fan-girls, sci-fi nuts, true believers, ex-convicts on the straight and narrow.

Concepts

Pick up a comic book and figure it out!

Stereotypes

Council Of Nine: If you're not helping The People, you're not doing what you're supposed to! F*** your pointless Ascension War!

Technocracy: Ends do not justify means. Ends become means and soon means become ends in themselves. You had your chance, but you became what you sought to overthrow.

Nephandi: The Antithesis of us. Ask for no quarter, and if necessary, give none. I wish there was a better way, but sometimes there simply isn't.

Marauders: As dangerous as the Nephandi. Pity them, but keep them away from the innocent, first and foremost.

Orphans: They'll come around.

Notes

The Superhero Effect (what allows them to pull of their kewl stunts and sooperpowers) is allowed by a Charisma + Blatancy roll, difficulty 8-10. Also, their Arcane can fluctuate depending on whether or not they're wearing their costumes or not.