Freedom City PBP

WELCOME TO THE FREEDOM CITY PBP!!!

This is the in-character game thread for the Freedom City PBP game.

OOC Thread
Rogues' Gallery

Here are the various and sundry media outlets in Freedom City:

Media Outlets - Periodicals:
The Daily Herald: Known as the most conservative paper in Freedom City, the Herald is a morning daily. It focuses on business and political news and its editorials support one right-wing cause after another. Due to its frequent hard-line editorial stances on crime and other issues, the Herald building and its presses and staff are favorite targets of some supervillains.
The Daily Word: One of Freedom’s smaller daily newspapers, this tabloid-format morning daily comes out of Hanover. The Daily Word carries stories relating to Freedom society and entertainment. It has an excellent arts and entertainment section as well as a number of juicy gossip columns. Some dismiss the paper as superficial fluff, but many take their reviews of local restaurants and attractions quite seriously. The paper also delights in digging up dirt on Freedom’s celebrities, including its superheroes.
The Freedom Ledger: The Ledger is Freedom City’s oldest daily newspaper, started in 1847 by Henry Beaumont. It has run morning and evening editions for more than 150 years through wars, disasters, strikes, and more. Even alien invasions and cosmic calamities have failed to delay its publication, though they did reduce it to a single daily edition during the Terminus Invasion. The paper’s motto is “All That You Need to Know,” and they take it very seriously.
The Riverside Review: A small weekly paper published in Riverside, the Review focuses on the artistic community of Freedom City along with a number of news items and editorials of interest to their readership. Promoting a strong liberal slant, the paper is aimed at hip, young readers, and contains a substantial arts section, covering everything from gallery openings to theatre, television, and movies. It has a large classified and personal ad section as well as a special section that rotates among four features: the arts, local music, the club scene, and gay & lesbian. It also delves into pop culture and local items of interest. People often compare and contrast the Riverside Review with the Daily Word.
Wading Way Bulletin: This daily publication caters to professionals along Wading Way, particularly those in the financial industry. The Bulletin covers the latest financial news, stock market reports, activities of major businesses, and so forth, with a sharp focus on the Freedom City area. The paper has also become popular with businesspeople in other cities interested in keeping an eye on both the fiscal and fantastic happenings in Freedom.
World Magazine: World Magazine, one of America’s foremost newsmagazines, is published by New Horizon Media. Each weekly issue contains stories on major news events, politics, economics, social trends, and other topics of interest to the informed reader. The magazine relies on sensationalism no more than it has to in order to boost sales, and features serious journalism along with award-winning photography.

Media Outlets – Radio:
WLSH 93.9FM: NPR (National Public Radio), news and information.
WFAN “The Fan” 101.1FM: Sports, Top 40.
WHIT “Hit Radio” 102.4FM: Hanover college station.
WSAR 1240AM: News and talk.
WNLL 1460AM: Sports talk.
WXLL 1380 AM: News and talk.
WXRB 1550AM: Talk, oldies radio dramas, big band.

Media Outlets – TV:
WJAC Channel 2: Public broadcasting.
WNTW Channel 3: GBN affiliate.
WBAL Channel 4: NBN affiliate.
WXAD Channel 5: ABN affiliate.
WCZA Channel 7: CBN affiliate.
WNRQ Channel 25: FNA affiliate.

Media Outlets – Super-Vision:
New Horizon Media’s latest venture is Super-Vision, multimedia devoted to supers of all stripes. It includes a cable channel, website, and glossy monthly magazine. Programming includes documentaries, biographies, news, and the popular reality show POV. Super-Vision Magazine features historical retrospectives, interviews, and profiles of famous supers; articles on super-powers and the science of super-powers; news and gossip, and pretty much anything else its readers want to know about their favorite superhumans. There’s been some controversy over the coverage Super-Vision gives to super-criminals as well as costumed heroes; New Horizon is quick to point out they have in no way “glorified” criminals or made their activities out to be acceptable.

Chapter 0: The Prelude

February 14
Note: this is about two weeks after all of the characters met in defense of the research labs.

Bastion, Nanite, and Mnemonic
John Tyler (Nanite) was sent by his bosses at MediTech to Freedom City University to participate in a medical study. According to the people at MediTech, this study was specifically to determine whether nanotech introduced into the human body could be controlled by a remote device, and what the implications of such control would be.

At the university, Tyler ran into someone he recognized as Mnemonic, having lunch with another person of John's acquaintence, Sebastian Neumann (Bastion). John knew that Neumann worked at the university, though he wasn't entirely certain of Mnemonic's involvement.

With a break in his schedule, Tyler sat down with Mnemonic and Neumann for a chat about their recent defense of the research labs and current events.

Neumann and Mnemonic had been working together for some time at the university, and were quite curious about Tyler's nanotech abilities. The conversation eventually turned to future plans, and how best the three might be able to work together, using their powers to defend Freedom City and thwart evil.

Century Girl and the Entrapper
The Freedom League held a public ceremony to commemorate the death of Centurion and the end of the Terminus Invasion in 1993, and to dedicate a new statue to Centurion, their former leader and friend. The prior statue had been damaged in an attack on the Lighthouse, Freedom League's HQ.

Thinking Century Girl might make an appearance, Alexander MacIntyre (the Entrapper) decided to attend the ceremony. He had wanted to reunite with Century Girl following the events of the attack on the research lab a few weeks back, but with no way to contact her, MacIntyre was almost out of hope.

Sure enough, MacIntyre found Century Girl lurking on the edge of the assembled media covering the event. The pair spoke for a few minutes, and it seemed both were interested in discussing a future of working together, using their powers to fight crime. Both were inexperienced, of course, but were enthusiatic about the enterprise nonetheless.

At lunch later, Century Girl and MacIntyre spoke about current events that sparked their interest. MacIntyre recalled that one of the supers they worked with to defend the research labs worked at the university. Perhaps they could all meet up again.

Glory
Ben Bradford (Glory) was finishing up a midterm exam when he noticed a group of otherwise normal-looking men and women following him. He thought it was nothing at first, but they kept following and following. Bradford ducked behind a stairwell, but the men and women followed him in.

It turned out the people were druids, and their leader, Alti, explained that he had sensed some sort of power within Bradford, and the druids were drawn to this power. Alti told Bradford that the druids had a secret cabal on campus, and that he was invited to join them that evening.

After the strange encounter, Bradford was walking across campus near the cafeteria when he spotted some recent acquaintences, supers with whom Bradford, as Glory, had defended the research labs.

WHAT NEXT?
In the next few posts, you will find somewhat random samples of some media reports from around Freedom City. We'll be using a loose timeline of events, so what I'll do first is post the media reports up to the morning/afternoon of 2/14. More will come later, after your characters have taken a few actions.

Your turn to post!

FEB 11

WXAD Channel 5 (ABN): Nightbeat News.
Freedom City police tonight are meeting with the FBI to determine whether a new spate of gang-related shootings are the work of local gangs or those who may have come into our city from somewhere else. Almost one month ago today, Capt. Danielle Brackens, of the FCPD Gang Unit, orchestrated a truce between the Brotherhood, the Malanti, and the Southside Cs. Now that new violence has erupted, is the truce dead? Capt. Brackens has assured Mayor O’Connor that the truce is still in place. If you recall, one of Mayor O’Connor’s election-day promises was to rid Freedom City of gang violence.

FEB 12

WCZA Channel 7 (CBN): Eyewitness News at Six.
Robbery detectives with the FCPD are receiving reports tonight that an unknown and possibly new super using cold-based powers foiled a robbery at a downtown bank during the drive time hours. Detectives have hinted that this super may have stopped another robbery two weeks ago. Specialists are currently trying to determine whether the two events are related. Eyewitnesses report that the super wore some sort of sports jersey and a ski mask, prompting speculation that this is a very new super indeed. More details on tomorrow’s morning edition, Eyewitness Morning News.

Super-Vision: Classifieds section.
WANTED: 3 live chickens or sheep, 2 dz. Black candles, 2 garlands of lilies and roses, preserved bull testes, 3 jars of pickled fingers, and 2 oz. crushed ruby powder. Please reply box 1332.

FEB 13

The Daily Herald:
Famed sculptor Raul Diaz, recently the artist responsible for the major refurbishments at Freedom Hall, is asking for help. His daughter, Emily, was with her school group at Freedom City Zoo yesterday, and everyone except Emily Diaz returned to the bus. Zoo officials are currently reviewing data from the security cameras in hopes of finding out what happened to Emily. Mr. Diaz has filed a missing persons report with FCPD, and is asking for the public’s help in locating his daughter.

WXRB 1550AM: Radio ad, runs during the overnight.
Trenton Cobblery, your one-stop shop for all footwear needs! We carry all major brands of men’s and ladies’ footwear, including Nike, Adidas, Skechers, New Balance, and many more! Running shoes, professional wear, hiking boots, all styles. Power footwear worn by your favorite heroes such as Mnemonic, Glory, and Century Girl! 1422 Ditko Street, downtown, right next to Easy Al’s.

The Daily Word:
Word comes today that the infamous supervillain, Synistor, has lost his long battle with lung cancer. Synistor, real name Arnold Mercuris, was imprisoned for more than 20 years for a string of super-powered crimes in Freedom City committed during the 1970s and early 1980s. Mercuris inherited a vast fortune from his father, the late Donald Mercuris, and used this wealth to build several advanced devices used to fuel his crime sprees. Following his release from prison, Mercuris was a shut-in, keeping out of the public eye. He had been battling cancer for more than three years. Though Mercuris left a substantial estate, it is unknown whether the supervillain is survived by any relatives.

FEB 14

WCZA Channel 7 (CBN): Eyewitness News at Noon.
Strange sight at Freedom Aquarium in North Bay this morning. In what may be nothing more than a Valentine’s Day prank, a man claiming to be the rightful Prince of Atlantis appeared at the aquarium and demanded to speak with Siren, member of the Freedom League. Upon Siren’s arrival, the man, who according to witnesses may have been intoxicated, professed his great love for Siren and then leapt into the water. Siren, fearing the man might drown, gave chase, but could not located the unnamed man. Police have dismissed the incident as a harmless prank.

WXRB 1550AM: Radio ad, runs during the day.
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry to the going out of business sale at Trenton Cobblery. After 37 years, Trenton Cobblery is going out of business. James Trenton, owner, says sell it all! 30% off, 40% off, 50% off, even 60% off! Open extra hours, this week only, 8AM to 9PM. 1422 Ditko Street, downtown, right next to Easy Al’s.

Century Girl and the Entrapper
Entrapper hunches down a bit further in the back of the run-down diner near the memorial site. Signed pictures of famous actors, singers and more than a few superheroes line the walls but most are old and faded.
His white fedora and ratty looking trenchcoat don’t do much to camouflage him but the middle-aged lady took your order with studied nonchalance and nary a comment.

“So I, uh, I went out to Lantern Hill again and sat around. But no dice. Didn’t even get a spooky feeling. Since things went so well during the lab attack last week I was thinking that would be the best place to follow up. With those guys I mean. For forming a team.”

A little blue whorl surrounds the Entrappers mouth as he pushes the straw through his suit and takes a sip of his vanilla coke.

“Do you listen to the radio?”

Insight said:

Super-Vision: Classifieds section.
WANTED: 3 live chickens or sheep, 2 dz. Black candles, 2 garlands of lilies and roses, preserved bull testes, 3 jars of pickled fingers, and 2 oz. crushed ruby powder. Please reply box 1332.

Click to expand...

"Some times this city is just too weird" Sebastian grinned bemusedly as Mnemonic joined him at the table and he put the magazine aside.

"I sent an article in to them last week and was just checking to see if it had been printed" he explained "it was a consideration of 'Magic' as a fifth fundamental force and the basis of Inter-Dimensional Stabilisation.

I find magic fascinating" he continued "of course there are purist who would refuse to relegate it to the realms of mere science, but I'm sure that at a quantum level it is just another force which some how the psychic mind is able to manipulate, like these folks with their rituals and potions..."

Century Girl

Century Girl had attended the memorial re-dedication ceremony for her father with tears in her eyes as she sat on a tree branch above the crowd. While his death was almost 14 years ago, to her it was a fresh wound that hadn't yet had time to heal. He was her father, her only real connection to their people, a people that she understood were all dead and gone killed by the same person that had killed her father. The blonde girl looked rather small and deflated, like a kid playing dress up, when she touched her hand to the statue's chest and then her own. Sighing the young superhero flew off to collect herself before going to meet with Entrapper for lunch, she didn't care that her personal moment woud probably end up in some tabloid asking if she was what she claimed.

The blonde teen arrived late for lunch still wearing her blue and gold long sleeve top and gold pleated short skirt, figuring that it made more sense for Century Girl to eat with Entrapper then college co-ed Makenzie Leeds. "Hey, I overheard something at the ceremony, something a reporter was saying. The daughter of the Sculptor who created the Statue of my dad and was redoing the Lighthouse disappeared on a field trip. I want to help, my senses are better then most everyone's but I don't know much about missing persons cases or anything."

Bradford goes to a nearby bathroom-one of the really nasty ones that no one ever uses, and goes into a stall, making sure no one is watching. He puts on his amulet and turns into Glory.

Stepping out of the building he changed in, he walks over to Bastion, Mnemonic, and Nanite and says, "Hello friends. What are we talking about today? Any further information on that attack we dealt with a fortnight ago?"

Glory pulls up a chair and sits down.

Century Girl and the Entrapper
“Yeah. Of course. Today being today and all... it must be... you must have a lot on your mind...”

Entrapper moves to pat CG’s hand, stops-midway and winds up awkwardly fiddling with the salt shaker.

“OK. So why don’t we head out to the zoo?” Entrapper tries to sound buoyant and uplifting. “They said they were still going over the security tapes in the paper. With your senses maybe you can pick out something they missed. Or hear the kid if she’s trapped in a well. Or something.”
Entrapper shoves his hat back on his head. The matte black surface of the suit would be impenetrable to most people but with her vision CG can easily see his best effort at a comforting smile. “If it turns out to be a mystery I’ll be there. I’ve dealt with a few of those.”

Nanite

Nanite fidgets in his seat a little as Bastion tosses aside the magazine. It felt odd to be sitting on campus in his hero guise. The nanites form him a costume of course, redesigning his clothing on the fly. A neat trick, and they were doing a great job of keeping his face hidden, but he always worried that someone would recognize him as a student.

He nods his greetings to the newly arrived Glory when the walking god joins them.

"No update on the attack. I've been keeping an eye out for anything interesting. A few reports of gang violence, a missing person report and. . ."

He pauses as his nanites quickly assemble a radio receiver inside his head. A small antenae grows out from behind one ear and he cocks his head for a second, scanning the air waves for any late breaking news.

" . . . Trenton Cobblery is going out of business. Nice sales though."

He shrugs slightly.

"No super human activity of note, other than a new hero on the block. Nothing requiring us there, he seems to have a handle on it."