The Mutant Crisis

June 9th, 2111

DECEMBER 24TH, 2011: A number of extraordinary individuals scattered among the populations of Earth each discover the ability to manifest a variety of supernatural powers. Examples of such powers include mind control, super strength, teleportation, time travel, extrasensory perception, and various others without limit in imagination. The "originals" attempt to keep their powers concealed, but eventually others catch on.   The numerous societies of Earth erupt in chaos, and after a period of substantial social turbulence, the "event" which saw the manifestation of these powers becomes known as the "Mutant Crisis", or later the "Super Crisis".   The authoritarian governments of the world quickly seek out and attempt to subjugate all supernaturals, or "supers", within their reach, while more tolerant countries, such as the United States in some areas, seek to cooperate with supers. It is rumored that some state powers regularly experiment on supers in order to reverse-engineer genetic data, presumably to attain replication.   Supernatural citizens living in the U.S. have increased regulation, the bureaucratic state, and corporate interests to contend with, and yet, supers are not institutionally hunted there, such as in other societies of Earth. Los Angeles, the home of our story, is more progressive than some other areas of the United States in terms of its treatment of supers, but the city can also be a precarious place to live in due to its high supernatural population.   100 years later, following civil movements, riots, bloodshed, and legislation, the US government commences the framework for licensing and regulating superteams. Common activities of superteams include combating rogue supernaturals and terrorist organizations. Select states begin licensing supers following these guidelines, though obtaining a license is not easy. Regardless, unlicensed supernaturals continue to sell the service of their prodigious powers to the highest bidders - a practice which the state hunts down and stamps out at every opportunity. Rumors arise of supernaturals working for the state as agents.   Will humans and supernaturals come to fall into cooperation or conflict in Los Angeles, and who will seize power? Find out next time on...the Mutant Crisis.   System: Mutants & Masterminds 3E.