The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Welldrinker Cult
A shadowy group is gaining power, drawing in people who are curious, vulnerable, or malicious, and turning them into Mystics. They are recruiting people into their ranks to spread the influence of magic in the world, but for what end goal?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
It was rather large, as mansions went. Not a rival for Xavier's, but clearly trying to be. It was the home of a man who wished to let his possession speak for him. Somehow, it did not surprise the teenager.
Slate reached out a hand, and rang the doorbell of Roland Turpit.
For the past few weeks, the Mona Lisa had been accounted for in its proper location, but the Kabal's employee had not. These were troubling developments. Though he was a recent hire, Roland had been nothing but professional and reliable; now however, in his first mission under the Kabal's new leader, he had not only failed: he had disappeared. The man was not responding to summons. Slate was here to try a less technological approach to contacting the man. A jeep idling in the driveway, just a few feet away, held his back-up; the Triforce were within easy reach, should the man be home, and should he have decided to terminate his contract without notification. He was at the back door; that is where the drive way led, and he presumed that any door was as good. Particularly when he might not wish to be casually linked back to this establishment. He had no real idea at how famous--or infamous--Roland had been making himself, while he was off the Kabal's radar.
Slate jiggled the door handle. Locked, as expected of someone with even the standard levels of precaution. He gave a glance back to the jeep, then slid a key into the lock. Doctor Ingram's omni-key, to be precise. It had been made for Calley, almost two years ago. This was its first time in actual use.
The door opened, as expected.
"Hello?" Slate called into the interior. "Mr. Turpit, are you home?"
Nearly endless training sessions. Constant physical and mental tests. Roland had treated Nika like a pet yet also like a student. Anytime the feline girl accomplished a task she was rewarded in some way. Though they were never very big rewards. Her capture made sure to keep the girl at his mercy, and so Nika was always returned to her cage.
Nika's sleep was interrupted when her accute hearing picked up the sound of the door bell. She knew it wasn't Roland. Why would he ring his own door bell. She hadn't seen or heard from the man in quite some time. He didn't say anything to the girl as to what he was up to. Now it seems someone was seeking him out. Nika heard a voice call out. It sounded like a young male. She remained silent for the time being.
((ooc: If I remember, your cage was on the main floor in front of the stairs, right? If I have to change that location, just let me know!))
There was no reply.
Slowly, Slate slipped inside of the doorway. He hand felt along the wall by the door, seeking the light switch. He found a row of three switches, and flipped them all. Tastefully rich ceiling lights came to life.
The illuminated the floor below, and a very strange scene.
Slate did not know the young woman in the cage. When he and Calley splintered up their memories, Calley had taken the ones of her with him. She, perhaps, might remember him, however. Slate looked precisely like his brother--like the brown haired Italian teenager who, about two years ago in Central Park, accidentally kicked her in the head during a confrontation with three men. More recently, Calley and she had attended the X-Men try outs together. The eighteen year old blinked as he took a step forwards.
White cat ears and a tail.
Ice blue eyes.
And a slight twisting in the pit of his stomach as he recognized her face not from experience, but from footage. This was Nika of the X-Men.
Roland Turpit would have some explaining to do, when he was found. The Kabal's new leader had ordered no such thing.
"Are you all right?" He asked, taking another step closer. "What are you doing here, Miss?"
With the flick of a few switches the lights came on. Nika was in full view of the figure now. Her recent training suppressed her instinct to react. Instead Nika kept a calm posture.
The figure approached and even called out to the girl. She immediately recognized the scent followed by the voice. Calley had found her, but how was that possible? Did Calley know Roland and had kept it a secret?
Her eyes were not puffy from tears; her voice was not rough from shouts of help. She stood almost at military ease as he approached. He reply came with the greatest of composure.
>> "Yes, I'm fine Calley. What are you doing here?"
Baby blue eyes blinked, trying to put together what had happened here. And, to be honest, why her first words were not a cry for her freedom. It was as if they had bumped into each other in a mall; 'What are you doing here?', 'Oh, just buying a new pair of shoes. You see, Miss Evans shredded my last ones.'
"I had come in an attempt to track down an errant employee of mine," Slate replied slowly. "Is Roland Turpit at home?" He asked the woman in the cage, to continue with the surreal serenity of this conversation.
"My name is Slate, actually. Slate Swartz. Calley is my brother. Are you a Mansion student as well, then? I..." One eyebrow twitched. "Would you like to get out of there?" He finally inquired.
Roland was his employee? When did Cal...no...he just said his name is Slate. Calley has a twin brother? How can this not be Calley though, he smells and sound exactly like Calley. Although, Slate here doesn't have that hyper activity Nika remembered seeing in Calley. This boy is more calm and collect.
"No, Roland isn't here. I have no idea where he is. He left quite some time ago."
She paused for a moment as she took in the information.
"Yes, I'm from the mansion."
Nika looked Slate over very carefully as if trying to find some other way to tell him apart from Calley. The boy soon offered to let Nika out. That was the best thing she'd heard in awhile.
Her continued composure was quickly becoming a source of great curiosity to the Kabal's young leader. This was no normal young woman. They could have been having this discussion over tea, for all that her circumstances showed in her face, and in her voice.
>> "No, Roland isn't here. I have no idea where he is. He left quite some time ago. ...Yes, I'm from the mansion."
It seemed to him that she took a moment to measure him up; he wondered, disconcertingly, how he weighed in on her mental scales.
>> "Yes, I would like to be let out."
If the idea of restoring her freedom was a source of delight, she did not let it show. Slate's blue eyes watched her curiously as he slowly approached. Again, the omni-key was brought to bear: though the cage's real key was no doubt somewhere nearby, searching for it would be silly when he had the power to unlock the cage already in his hand. He swung the door open wide and offered her a hand, as if to escort her out.
"What is your name?" He asked. Yes, he knew the answer already; no, it did not profit him to flaunt that fact. "What was he doing with you?"
He wished to drive the implications of that last point home, just a bit less subtly: "Please rest assured that I knew nothing of this, nor did I order it. I had hired Mr. Turpit to make an art acquisition, but I had not heard from him in some time. I came here to try and find him. You have no idea where he has gone, then?"
Nika watched the male walk towards the cage. He had something in his hand. Was it a key or was it a weapon? Her question was answered when the cage unlocked and Slate swung open the door. Did everyone have a key to this contraption? If so then where was hers?
Cautiously stepping out of the cage Nika's mind raced. Maybe this was yet another test controlled by Roland. Was she supposed to attack Slate to get the key he so handily had in hand? Should she try to make a run for it? No. Something was telling her none of those were right.
Slate's questions brought Nika back into focus.
"My name is Nika Taylor and I have been the subject of some very intense torture."
Ok so maybe that wasn't totally correct but she wanted to see the reaction from Slate. If he really was Roland's employer then why would he not know about her being here? Would he become infurriated? He went on about what he hired Roland for, but that didn't make any sense as to why Roland was at the mansion. There wasn't really any high value art kept there.
No, I'm sorry but I honestly have no Idea where he went. I've been locked up in here for awhile now. Roland never gave me too much information about anything to begin with so it doesn't surprise me that he didn't mention leaving."
While she spoke Nika carefully looked around just using her eyes. She noted a shovel and a rake just off to the side of the stairs. She also noted Slate was alone. At least he was alone in this part of the house. The urge to fight and run was still swelling inside of her, yet she refrained from such actions. What was wrong with her?
>> "My name is Nika Taylor and I have been the subject of some very intense torture."
Slate's expression washed to blank. Ah. Torture.
This was bad. This was very bad.
No where in this stage of his plans was there room for X-Men interference; if they thought he was behind this, there would be no dislodging of the idea from their heads. The X's rigidity in the face of new information--or simple common sense, for that matter--was part of the reason he was the Kabal leader, and not an X-Men himself. He supported the bettering of human-mutant relations. He also supported taking a critical look at what one's actions were actually accomplishing, and fixing the cause of a disease, rather than banging together heads because of its symptoms.
He had not even met with the Mansion's leaders yet, and now he would walk in with this shadowing him. The fact that he was honestly innocent was unimportant; he had to convince both Nika and her comrades of that fact. Slowly, his face darkened.
"When I find Mr. Turpit," the Kabal's leader stated with icy precision, "he will have considerable explaining to do." The man could have ruined everything. Everything. What had he been thinking?
>> "No, I'm sorry but I honestly have no idea where he went. I've been locked up in here for awhile now. Roland never gave me too much information about anything to begin with so it doesn't surprise me that he didn't mention leaving."
He noted the caution with which the cat-eared girl moved, and attempted to give her space; after she declined his offered hand, he let it drop, and took a simple step back as she stepped forwards. "How long has he had you like this?" Distaste warred with horror in his words.
This was horrifying. Horrifyingly ill-planned, ill-reasoned, and short sighted. Honestly, had the man been thinking at all? If he had wanted a cat, he should have gone to the pound.
Slate backed off to give Nika some room to step out of the cage. Once she was out and away from the hated contraption Nika started casually stretching. All the while keeping and eye and ears on Slate.
"I've been in there for almost a week I think. He never told me what day it was."
It was at that moment that Nika's statement was affirmed when she felt the over whelming feeling of hunger. She almost felt sick to her stomach. Her right hand clutched her stomach while her left supported her against a work bench.
Having lived with a cat--as a cat--for quite some time, Slate was in a position to notice the feline mutant's body language. From the way she stretched with all the lack of care in the world, to the way her ears remained trained on him, even to the set of her tail; it all painted an impression of casual nonchalance that warned Slate to tread cautiously.
>> "I've been in there for almost a week I think. He never told me what day it was."
"What is the last date you remember?" Slate asked. "Where you there for the Mansion brawl that the Order picked--how long after that did he take you?" The Mansion brawl had been several weeks ago; if she could remember how much time had passed between the brawl and her kidnapping, they could pinpoint how long she had been a captive.
As the cat girl clutched at her stomach and grasped a work bench for support, Slate took one instinctive step forward before restraining himself back to a standstill.
"Perhaps we should get you back to the Mansion." It was more of a gentle order than a suggestion. "I have a car outside. We could also call someone at the Mansion to come for you, if you would be more comfortable with that option," he offered gently. If the young woman did not particularly wish to get into a car with himself and three body guards, none of whom she knew, he could certainly understand it.
((ooc: Permission to God Mod us to the Mansion, if you wish, using either of those options. We can also keep playing here for a bit, if you wish. )
Regaining her composure, at least for the moment, Nika noticed that Slate initiated an approach but quickly halted. Maybe he did know what Roland had done to the girl. No, he said he had no idea though.
Slate continued with his quarry about the interaction between Nika and Roland. He asked about the battle at the mansion. Suddenly images slammed into Nika's mind of her friends fighting the Order. Various broken scenes bombarded her mind's eye. Streak fighting a woman with bone weapons, Raina unleashing her power, an aerial battle between Seraph and another male...etc. Nika closed her eyes tightly as she tried to shake the images from her head.
Then her body relaxed. Her tail dropped back to it's casual relaxed sway. Nika took half of a deep breath and slowly exhaled while opening her eyes and focusing back on Slate.
"He was there at the mansion fight. I spotted him away form the action as he was getting ready to leave. I then follwoed him here to his house. I made the mistake of underestimating him though I thought I was being cautious enough. His trap sprung up around me before I could react. For the following weeks he made his plaything. Forcing me to learn weapons, tactics, espionage and assassination."
Nika walked around the other side of the table while casually brandishing her right arm as she spoke.
"I don't know why he made me learn all those things. Perhaps he wanted someone to do his dirty work for him? Maybe he was lonely or sick? Or could it be that I was to be some sort of prize possession. I'm not really sure on any of it, but I do know that skills like those aren't for collecting art pieces. What's his real job that you employ him for?"
The feline woman looked at Slate with a half cocked head but with a very serious expression. She hoped she would get the full story now. The missing pieces to the puzzle that was Roland.
"As to your questions about me going to the mansion or calling for someone to come get me. I don't think that's a good idea right now. I'm a little mixed up inside."
The cat girl tensed; Slate attempted to hold himself even more still. The trigger seemed to be his mention of the Mansion fight. He supposed that was a ‘yes’, then, to her having been there. The moment passed; she relaxed. It was not the sort of relaxation that went more than skin-deep, he suspected.
>> "He was there at the mansion fight. I spotted him away form the action as he was getting ready to leave. I then followed him here to his house. I made the mistake of underestimating him though I thought I was being cautious enough. His trap sprung up around me before I could react. For the following weeks he made his plaything. Forcing me to learn weapons, tactics, espionage and assassination."
Slate was well aware that Roland had been at that fight; the man’s surveillance from that day had been quite good. The camera had been turned off before the end, however. And that is where Nika came in.
The brown haired teenager’s eyebrows furrowed as the young woman continued to speak.
>> "I don't know why he made me learn all those things. Perhaps he wanted someone to do his dirty work for him? Maybe he was lonely or sick? Or could it be that I was to be some sort of prize possession. I'm not really sure on any of it, but I do know that skills like those aren't for collecting art pieces. What's his real job that you employ him for?"
A difficult question. Especially since, by her own admittance, she was not feeling entirely balanced at the moment. Slate took a deep breath, and let it out. He had always known that he would have to deal with the baggage that the former Kabal Leader’s policies had left him. Apparently this was to be the first time. Of many, no doubt. The truth was that Roland had not been under Slate’s employee when he had captured Nika; Slate had been perfectly willing to contract with the man, though, and was well aware that his personality… was dubious, at best.
He looked around, innocuously keeping the girl in the periphery of his vision. “Is there anywhere here that we can speak in safety? Otherwise… I do not know how comfortable you would feel about it, but I could bring you back to Mondragon Labs. If you are not up to returning to the Mansion yet, then it may be a viable alternative. We have rooms for guests, and a medical facility, should you need one. We will also be free to speak there. I am afraid that the answer to your question is a bit long. And this house,” he looked at the cage in which he had found her, “may not be the safest location in which to talk.”
If she did not agree, then they could stay here, or go to another location; he was open to the suggestion. If she did agree, then the jeep outside could easily take them to the Labs.
Slate offered to get Nika out of Roland's house again. Nika's stomach was more than willing to get somewhere there might be food available. Besides that Roland might have the house bugged and be listening and/or watching everything.
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