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The Awakened 'The Awakened' is a blanket term the supernatural community have used to describe humans who are either aware of the supernatural community or those who have developed minor abilities of their own. The later throughout history has often been very rare. Recently though, pockets of humans have been popping up with increasing outlandish gifts. Some know of the darker undercurrents of the world, and some remain ignorant, but in either case, they are a topic of anxious discussion among much of the hidden world. Primarily because most of these humans have come out loud and proud with their powers, potentially risking exposing the rest of the community, even if unwittingly. The epicenter of this sudden explosion of gifted individuals seems to have started in a city in New Jersey known as Wick about fifty or sixty years ago. No one is entirely sure yet what the cause is, but the existence of these Awakened roared onto the center stage of the supernatural community when some of the first of these individuals declared themselves heroes and began fighting crime with their newfound abilities. The problem remained in this city for some time, but recently these powerful Awakened have also popped up in two other cities. One of them is a small city run by the Awakened themselves-- Justice, Arizona. The other is a cluster of 'heroes and villains' budding over in San Francisco. Needless to say, no one's quite sure what to do about the problem yet, or if anything should even be done at all, but it's an issue on everybody's mind. Some of these new Awakened migrate elsewhere after being born within these cities, but most feel an almost innate urge to stay and protect (or control) the place they were born into. The rest of the supernatural community has opted to stay secret for now, and anyone who is suspected of being a threat to that secret is typically very swiftly and very quietly dealt with. |
 The Supernatural Every human that is aware of the supernatural community is called an Awakened, whether they have powers or not. Not every Awakened is aware of the hidden world around them, however. This is also a title that is given to humans who have extraordinary abilities who are not otherwise within the community. Some develop these gifts and go their whole lives remaining ignorant of their remarkable 'neighbors'. The moment one of these gifted individuals starts to become aware that they are not quite alone as they thought, they are typically tracked and assessed as friend or foe. Those a danger to the community, whether directly or through loose lips, are dealt with quickly. Unless someone is an unmanageable threat, methods aren't typically as extreme as death, but there may be threats and attempts to strong arm controllable individuals. Others may find their memories wiped-- sometimes repeatedly. OOC Note: This game operates on the fuck around and find out principle. There are realistic consequences for dumb actions. If you don't want your character memory wiped, geased, or threatened, don't poke bears that you or they are not ready for. The supernatural community is very serious about its secrecy. |
Powers & Weaknesses
Psychics
(+) These Awakened are typically born with their abilities, and are usually the run of the mill types that the supernatural community are used to. They are telepaths, empaths, mediums, pyrokinetics and so on. Their abilities come from an adaptation in the human brain and in their natural energy field that allows them to work their abilities. They usually come into their powers sometime around puberty.
The low level psychics have been around for a long time. Recently though, those with more powerful gifts have been born over the last 50-60 years in one of the three cities famous for the Awakened.
(-) Psychics burn their body's energy while using their abilities. The more strenuous the work, the more it takes a toll on their physical and mental health. Those who use their powers often, even unconsciously, often find themselves constantly hungry. Many often have cravings for high calorie, high sugar foods.
Overusing one's powers without rest can result in burnout. Those who reach this stage may find themselves exhausted all the time and unable to use their abilities. Sometimes it only lasts a few days. Sometimes it's forever.
Mutates
(+) Mutates are Awakened whose abilities are activated by an outside force. Sometimes things that would kill other humans cause strange changes in them instead. A lethal dose of radiation, a bite from a lab experiment, a chemical spill... Something in them adapts instead, giving them new and unexpected abilities.
(-) The downside is that they often lose something in return. That dose of radiation may have given them super strength, but it may also have twisted their body and made all their hair fall out. The bite from the lab experiment may have given them spider-like abilities, but they will also continue to become more and more spider-like over the course of their life. The chemical spill may have given them a super charged sense of smell and hearing, but it also robbed them forever of their sight.
The Mutates are some of the most powerful of the Awakened, but in some cases, they are also the most tragic, and occasionally, the most dangerous.
Arcane
(+) Some Awakened come across their connection to magic honestly. They are introduced to the hidden world via one of the supernatural community, and they find themselves taking up study of magic in order to better fit into their new reality. Usually they have an older member of the community to tutor them.
Others luck into that knowledge-- stumbling across some forgotten tome or artifact. Many of these do not come into the knowledge of the hidden world until well into their studies. Those who cannot keep this secret are usually destroyed.
And then there are a stranger breed-- those who seem to have been born with magic in their blood. From birth they can work what seem to be miracles, casting spells made from home made incantations and kitchen implements. Their's is also the greatest price, though.
(-) Magic is a living force that needs to be fed in order to work properly. Those who study the arcane arts typically make use of sacrifices, both literal and symbolic, depending on what type of magic they work with. Some operate through leylines and natural magic, which often require that energy taken is promptly replaced. Others work in connection to spirits and deities, each which may have their own requirements for the favors asked of them.
Those born into magic seem to have skipped that step altogether. Some theorize that their spirits were bonded to the forgotten remnants of spirits and little gods, as each of these individuals magic always seems to revolve around some theme or another. Where one may have abilities that revolve around stage magic and show business, others may feel more drawn to nature. There was even one notable individual whose magic was drawn from the silver screen.
But these individuals too must pay what is demanded. The stage magician cannot work her miracles without a loving audience. The health and strength of the nature arcane may be tied to a specific tree. Our silver screen example, a woman who could step in and out of old black and white films, found herself tied so deeply to them, that if she didn't return to her place inside the television periodically, that she would begin to deteriorate.
Magic always has a price. Always. For some, that price is higher than others.
Questions & Answers
Have a question? Ask it! I don't bite. 🩸
Have a question? Ask it! I don't bite. 🩸
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❂ Can Awakened come from outside the three cities?
Only psychics, and only the lower levels of those psychics. Something is happening specifically in these cities to cause more powerful Awakened.
❂ Is every Awakened a superhero or villain?
Nope! There are plenty of folks who have normal lives too! It's just human nature sometimes to use their power to protect, and unfortunately, destroy. Many of the Awakened who were born outside of these cities tend to stay out of that mess and keep their heads low. Before recently, bad things happened to Awakened who drew attention to themselves.
❂ Someone called my human an Awakened, but they don't have powers!
Awakened is also a name the supernatural community uses for those humans who are aware of them. Many of those humans would pick up a little magic or develop psychic abilities over time with increased exposure to the supernatural, which is why it stuck when humans, both those aware and unaware of the hidden world, began developing even crazier abilities.
❂ Can Awakened come from outside the three cities?
Only psychics, and only the lower levels of those psychics. Something is happening specifically in these cities to cause more powerful Awakened.
❂ Is every Awakened a superhero or villain?
Nope! There are plenty of folks who have normal lives too! It's just human nature sometimes to use their power to protect, and unfortunately, destroy. Many of the Awakened who were born outside of these cities tend to stay out of that mess and keep their heads low. Before recently, bad things happened to Awakened who drew attention to themselves.
❂ Someone called my human an Awakened, but they don't have powers!
Awakened is also a name the supernatural community uses for those humans who are aware of them. Many of those humans would pick up a little magic or develop psychic abilities over time with increased exposure to the supernatural, which is why it stuck when humans, both those aware and unaware of the hidden world, began developing even crazier abilities.
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