Campaign Chronicles

SECTION 4-B ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT Established: 1943 Formalized: 1947 Current Authority: National Security Act classified amendments      The Section 4-B protocols were initially developed in 1943 under the direction of Brigadier General Nathaniel Adams as a wartime measure to identify, coordinate, and retain access to personnel possessing unique operational capabilities not addressed by existing military classification systems.      The rapid expansion of global conflict resulted in encounters with: experimental weapons systems; unconventional enemy capabilities; unidentified biological phenomena; irregular warfare environments; personnel exhibiting exceptional effectiveness under extraordinary conditions.      Existing military personnel classifications proved inadequate for the management of such individuals and units.      Section 4-B was established to ensure continued access to personnel resources possessing dem...

Stamford, CT - the New Warriors, while filming an episode for their reality-TV show, attempt to apprehend a group of supervillains. A battle erupts and one of those villains, Nitro, uses his self-detonation power and blows himself up. The blast ignites a gas main and several city blocks are destroyed. 612 civilians, including 60 children in an elementary school are killed. This event leads to the creation of the Superhuman Registration Act and the subsequent creation of the 50-State Initiative - a program where each state would be assigned a team of state-sponsored superheroes. While the SRA was eventually repealed, the Initiative teams are gradually being activated. Note #1: In Marvel Comics (Earth-616) canon, the Spaceknights are the Initiative team for Illinois. They have no "on-screen" appearances. It is implied that they are related to the Galad orian Spaceknights when the hero Spinner stated during the Skrull Invasion, " Man,  Do  they hate shape-changing al...

As Dungeon Masters, we want our players to feel like the world their characters operate comes across as "lived in", like they are part of something larger than just the campaign they are participating in. This can be accomplished via "tavern talk" where they hear about the exploits of various NPCs in your setting or in a modern setting by what they see or hear on television or the radio. Commercials and news stories that are playing in the background can add depth to a world and even provide an opportunity to drop in little Easter Eggs , referencing bits of pop culture pulled from a variety of sources. On Earth-218 , these ads and stories could include: • This evening's news is brought to you by our sponsor, U2 Moving Crew, We Move in Mysterious Ways. • This evening's news is brought to you by our sponsor, Chonky 's, Home of the Big Chungus! If you're hungry, Chonky's has what you need! • We will return to the "New Adventures of Mermaid Ma...

Ünderland is located on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, straddling the Porcupine Mountains. It was the location of a battle fought between Colonel Venture and Nikola Tesla for control of a device known as the Orb in 1896. The entire area was scarred and left nearly barren so a wall was built around the ruined land with the losers trapped inside. Following the arrest and subsequent exile of Baron Werner Ünderbheit, Girl Hitler, a former advisor and resistance, became the small nation's first democratically elected president.   Capital:  Ünderland Castle Population:  Unrevealed, although due to its long-standing policy of forced euthanasia at age 38, the population is small, estimated to be around 29,000 people. Government:  former Dictatorship, currently Democracy led by Girl Hitler Religion:  No state sanctioned religions Imports:  Unrevealed but foodstuffs are likely given the sere, blasted landscape)  Exports:  Mined Ores (until recently gathere...

On Earth-218 , S.H.I.E.L.D. has been exterminating birds and replacing them with highly sophisticated robots for decades . These robots are nearly indistinguishable from actual birds and are used to secretly conduct surveillance on the country's citizens. These drones are modelled after the most prevalent bird found in the area where they are to be deployed - most often pigeons in urban areas. Government Spy Drone (a.k.a. Pigeon-bot) CR: 1/2     Tiny Construct     HD: 1d10     Hp: 5 Init +2     Spd: 10', fly 40' (ave)     AC: 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex), t: 14, ff: 12 BAB +0/Grap -13; +4 Claws: 1d2-5 SA: - - SQ: Construct traits, Self-Destruct Align: N     Saves: Fort +0, Ref +2, Will +2 Str: 1, Dex: 15, Con: - -, Int: - -, Wis: 14, Cha: 6 Skills: Disguise +8 (to appear as a normal bird), Listen +6, Spot...

I was at work this morning and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a “thank you” card hanging on one of the bulletin boards.   From where I was standing, I could make out the words, “Thank you, The Chamber…”   That was all I could see but I laughed to myself as my mind substituted words and arrived at the abovementioned title.   I started thinking about what the Chamber of Commerce could be in a classic or modern fantasy RPG and I would like to present two of the options below.   Enjoy!   Chamber NOUN chambers (plural noun) a large room used for formal or public events. synonyms: assembly room, hall,  auditorium (archaic) a private room, especially a bedroom. synonyms: bedroom, bedchamber, boudoir, room, bower   Commerce N OUN the activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale. synonyms: trade, trading, buying and selling, business A chamber of commerce (or board of trade ) is a form of busin...

While watching YouTube the other day, I stumbled across another video that got me to thinking…  With that in mind, I have been putting some thought into these Red Reverends and how I could incorporate them into the  Old West chapter of  my campaign . This sect of the Catholic Church splintered off from the Ordo Malleus after the Salem Witch Hunts.   The founders insist that they did not go “too far”, rather that they didn’t go far enough and that if they had found all of the witches that they would have been hailed as heroes and champions of the faith rather than having their power diminished because of failure. Members of the Order use self-flagellation to purify themselves and their bodies are covered with layer upon layer of scars resulting from this practice.   They also wear red to symbolize the blood Jesus shed during the Crucifixion. The Red Reverends are fanatically devoted to their sect and almost slavishly follow the dictat...

Before I begin, I would like to say that this post is intended to be a humorous take on a conspiracy theory/urban legend and isn't meant to make fun of anyone's religion or beliefs.  Thank you and please, enjoy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- For years, urban legends and conspiracy theories about Vatican-sponsored “Hit Squads” have been a staple of popular culture.   Whenever the Catholic Church needs an enemy eliminated, one of these clandestine operatives is deployed to make sure that whatever threat is posed is neutralized.   Vatican Assassins tend to be, but are not always, women as they are often culturally underestimated.   Their weapons are often structurally reinforced versions of religious icons a member of the church would normally be expected to carry and range from Rosaries that can double as garrotes to simple weapons that can be hidden in the concealed pockets or pouches inside of religious clothing. ...