Gravitational Force
Dark Lord of Creativity
"For all of Human history the magic's always been there, but in the last few decades the masquerade's been broken and it's hit the streets.
Before the number of practitioners was always limited and it took years of practice to master even the simplest spells. Then the Hellmouth opened in 1985 (sure then-President Ronald Reagan blamed it on the 'godless' Reds, but it's still unknown who did it and why). A gargantuan portal opened up over the Northeast US and disgorged a storm of magical energy that blanketed the Earth before dissipating in a flash of viridian light. Afterwards magic became something every snot-nosed kid and his cousin knew about as magical talent blossomed across the nation.
Of course since these are Humans we're talking about things didn't go well. It turns out that giving most of the world's population what amount to easily abused super powers leads to bad shit going down. The only reason wars didn't break out was because everyone in the countries was too busy fucking up their next door neighbors to worry about the folks across the border. After what was likely a highly cathartic if incredibly dark few years things managed to settle down. By which I mean a new status quo was created which everyone a generation older than you claims was how things always were.
Since magic really wasn't that useful compared to technology in those areas of capitalist enterprise that remained legal (President Gore did sign legislation legalizing and regulating marijuana into law, so there's that) the use of magic tended to be used for private enjoyment. Or illegal gain. Because let's face it, when Humans find a new resource they're going to try to get high off it. It makes life liveable.
Now when you've got magical gangsters, hoods, gang-bangers, and street pushers going up against those without it things tend to favor those with magic. Technology may have the edge (especially when it comes to weapons and communication) but for the most part any criminal outfit worth its clothing has magical heavy hitters. The cops are either on the dole, are the criminals, or are entirely ineffective and it's usually the first two. So any given city's usually got two groups running it. The gangs and the government. The 1%ers ended up losing most of their numbers to angry 99%s. No loss and more fun for the rest of us.
And all that leads us to the unfair city we call home. Now I know it says 'Respite City' on the official documents but I think we all understand that the reality is more in line with how the person who removed the 'Re' understood it. This is Spite City and it's fucked up. You can't walk a block without running into several unpleasant individuals who pose a risk to your health and wealth if they feel disrespected. And most often the latter even if not.
There are 5 main gangs:
The Orcs: These mean, green, tusked fellows tend to prefer to let their fists do the talking. They've altered themselves to look like the toughest mother-cluckers around and they don't give a shit if you think they look ugly. Or more accurately they'll give you shit. They're dosed up on the latest bulk up drugs and as a result of the side effects the only thing lower than the baseline for their tempers is their IQs. Their leader's High Chief Grank. Don't worry he's not really that mean, he's just feeling Granky. Alright, I'll stop the puns.
The Elves: These pointy-eared pieces of shit are what happens when you mix white supremacy with magic. They've decided to go the extra racist mile by adding some extra whiteness and a whole lot more sharpness to their ears. Give them a punch for me if you see one. Or don't, because they're a vindictive bunch and they've got some nasty weaponry. Actually do, just get out safe if you can. They sunburn easily so they tend to stay indoors or in the shade during the day. Also because they're cowardly and everyone else hates them. Jo'longar-anel Ba'ronis is their leader. Fuck if I know why they name themselves that way, I think they just like being pretentious and smug. Or maybe their name guy had a stroke. Hehe.
The Horrors: Classic monster movies gave the inspiration for these hilarious SOBs. Honestly I can't dislike them, they're too much fun. They're more of a social group than a gang, but they protect their turf and everyone living on it. They're the most diverse of the gangs and neutral to all except the Elves. I've got a great clip of a Fishman beating the crap out of an Elf if you want. No? Fine. They're run by Lord Translyvester. Her real name's Justine Gates, but you didn't hear it from me. Also don't call her that to her face, it drives her batty. Hey, what can I say? I'm a punny guy!
The Suits: Creepypasta meets Corporate. You won't get more white-collar even with all the bloodstains. Hardly anybody knows anything about them, but that's what you've got me for. They've got two divisions:
The Slashers are the muscle. You don't see them until it's too late. The Trappers are the people moving the goods around. Whether it's the stock market, people in stocks, or telling the slashers who to stalk, they're the ones running the show. Their leader is unknown, but I've got suspicions. None of which I'm telling, I'm a fan of myself being around.
And then there's my outfit. Yeah, I realize it's a pretentious name but I've defended it against all comers. I'm Leviathan, the leader of the Hellmouth gang. If you want information you come to one of us. We look like everyone else except when we don't. We've got people everywhere. And I'm the one running the show. And let me tell you, I'm tired of this circus of suckage. It's time to shake things up. So I'm giving you the chance to make a difference. To be something big. If you're not doing it for yourself, then do it for Spite."
-The voice on the phone.
Before the number of practitioners was always limited and it took years of practice to master even the simplest spells. Then the Hellmouth opened in 1985 (sure then-President Ronald Reagan blamed it on the 'godless' Reds, but it's still unknown who did it and why). A gargantuan portal opened up over the Northeast US and disgorged a storm of magical energy that blanketed the Earth before dissipating in a flash of viridian light. Afterwards magic became something every snot-nosed kid and his cousin knew about as magical talent blossomed across the nation.
Of course since these are Humans we're talking about things didn't go well. It turns out that giving most of the world's population what amount to easily abused super powers leads to bad shit going down. The only reason wars didn't break out was because everyone in the countries was too busy fucking up their next door neighbors to worry about the folks across the border. After what was likely a highly cathartic if incredibly dark few years things managed to settle down. By which I mean a new status quo was created which everyone a generation older than you claims was how things always were.
Since magic really wasn't that useful compared to technology in those areas of capitalist enterprise that remained legal (President Gore did sign legislation legalizing and regulating marijuana into law, so there's that) the use of magic tended to be used for private enjoyment. Or illegal gain. Because let's face it, when Humans find a new resource they're going to try to get high off it. It makes life liveable.
Now when you've got magical gangsters, hoods, gang-bangers, and street pushers going up against those without it things tend to favor those with magic. Technology may have the edge (especially when it comes to weapons and communication) but for the most part any criminal outfit worth its clothing has magical heavy hitters. The cops are either on the dole, are the criminals, or are entirely ineffective and it's usually the first two. So any given city's usually got two groups running it. The gangs and the government. The 1%ers ended up losing most of their numbers to angry 99%s. No loss and more fun for the rest of us.
And all that leads us to the unfair city we call home. Now I know it says 'Respite City' on the official documents but I think we all understand that the reality is more in line with how the person who removed the 'Re' understood it. This is Spite City and it's fucked up. You can't walk a block without running into several unpleasant individuals who pose a risk to your health and wealth if they feel disrespected. And most often the latter even if not.
There are 5 main gangs:
The Orcs: These mean, green, tusked fellows tend to prefer to let their fists do the talking. They've altered themselves to look like the toughest mother-cluckers around and they don't give a shit if you think they look ugly. Or more accurately they'll give you shit. They're dosed up on the latest bulk up drugs and as a result of the side effects the only thing lower than the baseline for their tempers is their IQs. Their leader's High Chief Grank. Don't worry he's not really that mean, he's just feeling Granky. Alright, I'll stop the puns.
The Elves: These pointy-eared pieces of shit are what happens when you mix white supremacy with magic. They've decided to go the extra racist mile by adding some extra whiteness and a whole lot more sharpness to their ears. Give them a punch for me if you see one. Or don't, because they're a vindictive bunch and they've got some nasty weaponry. Actually do, just get out safe if you can. They sunburn easily so they tend to stay indoors or in the shade during the day. Also because they're cowardly and everyone else hates them. Jo'longar-anel Ba'ronis is their leader. Fuck if I know why they name themselves that way, I think they just like being pretentious and smug. Or maybe their name guy had a stroke. Hehe.
The Horrors: Classic monster movies gave the inspiration for these hilarious SOBs. Honestly I can't dislike them, they're too much fun. They're more of a social group than a gang, but they protect their turf and everyone living on it. They're the most diverse of the gangs and neutral to all except the Elves. I've got a great clip of a Fishman beating the crap out of an Elf if you want. No? Fine. They're run by Lord Translyvester. Her real name's Justine Gates, but you didn't hear it from me. Also don't call her that to her face, it drives her batty. Hey, what can I say? I'm a punny guy!
The Suits: Creepypasta meets Corporate. You won't get more white-collar even with all the bloodstains. Hardly anybody knows anything about them, but that's what you've got me for. They've got two divisions:
The Slashers are the muscle. You don't see them until it's too late. The Trappers are the people moving the goods around. Whether it's the stock market, people in stocks, or telling the slashers who to stalk, they're the ones running the show. Their leader is unknown, but I've got suspicions. None of which I'm telling, I'm a fan of myself being around.
And then there's my outfit. Yeah, I realize it's a pretentious name but I've defended it against all comers. I'm Leviathan, the leader of the Hellmouth gang. If you want information you come to one of us. We look like everyone else except when we don't. We've got people everywhere. And I'm the one running the show. And let me tell you, I'm tired of this circus of suckage. It's time to shake things up. So I'm giving you the chance to make a difference. To be something big. If you're not doing it for yourself, then do it for Spite."
-The voice on the phone.
