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.
Steph was not about to tattoo a magenta, purple, and blue heart on her wrist, but she was comfortably open with her sexuality. She was learning that 2020 was a more accommodating place, even if it was not perfect. She could be more out and proud, which was important, because evidently she did not give off enough gay vibes on sight for girls to make assumptions. The pains of being a femme, she supposed.
Photography was originally a hobby that complimented her late-night career, but she was glad she picked it up as a day job. She loved photography, potentially as much as slipping in and out of secure buildings to steal their treasures. It was affirming to know she was appreciated for her efforts. "Thank you for the vote of confidence," she said while snapping additional photos and making minor adjustments. "I like to think I have an eye for beauty. It helps when I'm working with beautiful subjects." These gemstones were beautiful. As for Alexandra... well, if she ever needed headshots, Steph could be all over that job.
This young woman was still an introvert, so Stephanie was not going to break her in one day. She hoped the bi thing was not making Alexandra uncomfortable, but if it was, it might be for the best if they did not hang out apart from business. "Of course. I know how helpful it is to have a friend to go out and about with."
Stephanie finished up final photos with the remaining offerings, giving her the chance to review the photos and clean up. She offered the preview screen of her camera. "There's still likely some postwork I want to do, but all in all, I think I'm proud with what we did today if you'd like to take a look."
No longer than an hour earlier, Stephanie was an anxious mess and Malia was miserably sick. Now, the young child was medicated and pleasantly drifting off into her dreams. As for the mother, she was at ease, content, and alone with a woman she knew had some kind of effect over her. They had clear guidelines, so she had to be careful, but it was hard to think about that after Raine single-handedly saved her evening.
They were friends before things took a... sexually charged turn at the club. Just because hooking up was a terrible idea did not mean they could not be friendly.
Stephanie raised her glass in response, hoping the soft clink did not pierce the veil of Malia's rest. "To sleeping babies. And thank you. I'm hoping we both get some actual sleep tonight. But," she sat on the armrest of her couch, "not just yet. It's been a while since I've gotten to spend time with my friend."
Sipping her wine, Stephanie's eyes fixated on the ukulele, still surprised that was somehow the instrument holding sway over her. "You know, I knew you had an amazing voice, but I guess I didn't realize how much I needed that tonight. I know Malia is asleep already, but, well." Was it weird to ask this? She was soft-spoken in her request. "Would you mind if we kept going? Maybe another song or two for an overstressed friend?"
It was easy to see why Malia adored Raine. Truly, the kind-hearted blonde was easy to adore. The song entranced her, letting her abandon her concerns and misgivings. Without those, it was so easy to see. Nights singing lullabies to Malia, sending her to a restful sleep. Sitting close on the couch, entwined with one another, wrapping up a long day. Nowhere to go but their bed; maybe that was the kind of life worth living smart for. No secondary personas. Maybe Shelby could take the mantle of Silhouette and leave Steph with a simple life.
It was nice to envision, and for one song, Steph could allow herself that.
The soft music and warm words had their intended effect, lulling Malia into a deep sleep her mother only hoped would last. Quietly, she led them toward Malia's crib. The infant was set gently on her pillow, and Stephanie double-checked the baby monitor.
After taking a moment to watch her daughter rest, she silently led them back out to the living room. There was still a sense of... something in the air after the final chords faded. Stephanie took her wine glass and finally broke the silence. "You're something special, Raine Faust."
The song was playful and clean, like many of Quick’s songs, so it was safe to sing around Malia. Playful, however, was apparently not safe around Stephanie, whose eyes betrayed her at every turn. She remembered how things went at the club. (Ugh, how could she forget?) More importantly, she remembered Raine pushing for space, which was fair. They were friends and that was where things would stay.
And for that reason, she really needed to control her winking. Sure, it could have been a friendly, cheeky gesture, but it was too close to the borderline of flirting.
Fortunately, the next song was very pretty and not nearly as playful. Steph did not know this one, so she rocked her daughter gently to the swaying song and listened to Raine’s beautifully sung words.
”When you kiss me, heaven sighs And though I close my eyes I see "La vie en rose"
Malia drifted into a peaceful sleep in Stephanie’s arms, and the mother could not blame her; she felt at ease listening to the melodious serenade. It was just like at the piano bar. Raine’s voice disarmed her. Without even realizing it or considering the romantic weight of the words, Steph was smiling, her gaze locked on Raine.
If Raine was missing or changing words, Stephanie would be oblivious. She only barely knew this song, as much as Tyler Quick was life. The lyrics were hard not to focus on, though. Cherry lips, stolen kisses. It was hard not to inadvertently notice Raine’s mouth as she sang. Her lips looked soft.
Song. Baby. Singing. Focusing!
Still, it was funny; “A Nightmare Dressed Like a Daydream.” That felt oddly fitting for Steph. Sure, it was not her jealousy that caused problems, but anyone who wanted to entertain the idea of getting close to her would realize it eventually. She was a very pretty, very tragic trainwreck, while Raine was this amazing, kindhearted paragon rocking the casual art chick look without trying. She was the daydream.
By the first half of the chorus, she could tell Malia was starting to drift into sleep. Grinning at the success of an unconventional ukulele lullaby, she jumped into the next part of the chorus.
”'Cause we're young and we're reckless We'll take this way too far It'll leave you breathless Or with a nasty scar Got a long list of ex-lovers They'll tell you I'm insane But I've got a blank space baby,”
She had no clue what compelled her to do it, but she winked at Raine when the clicking pen sound would typically come in.
Look at that face, indeed. Steph kept doing just that, stealing glances at Raine as they sang together. Malia loved the fun chords and pretty singing, but she was blissfully unaware of the undertones of the lyrics.
They were certainly powering through, ignoring the inexplicable warmth Steph suddenly felt. Maybe, if she was really lucky, she was just catching what Malia had. Despite the implications she wanted to avoid, she did fight a grin at the line about bad boys. She might have to tease Zero with that line next chance she got.
For now, she had another friendly and equally appealing blonde to spend her time with. At least choruses were the easiest part of a song.
”So it's gonna be forever or it's gonna go down in flames. You can tell me when it's over if the high was worth the pain. Got a long list of ex-lovers; they'll tell you I'm insane. 'Cause you know I love the players and you love the game!” Stephanie focused on rocking her smiling, yawning baby. Malia was definitely the focus here and okay maybe she looked back up at Raine. The briefest moment of eye contact and she would retreat to the safety of watching Malia.
Steph graciously accepted the hand offered to her, pulling herself closer to Shelby, softly bumping into her before settling at a comfortable arm’s length.
Given how things began, it was nice seeing Shelby’s mood turning around. Being yourself with someone and knowing they would support your genuine self was freeing. Steph could see it in the way Shelby smiled.
The smile only faded when something perplexed the artist. Odd… she was the one who made this world, right? Could your own creation surprise you? Maybe that was symbolic of the creative process.
According to the helpful explanation Shelby offered, the frame they came from was also their door out. The power was already impressive, but it evidently did not usually come with more than one frame.
In a weird way, the many frames made her think of that split-second moment when she entered a shadow. She wondered… but she held her tongue for the time being. ”Are you kidding? Let’s check out this cool new quirk of your power!” Enthusiastic mutants supporting mutants.
After some perusing through the most surreal art gallery, one caught Shelby’s eye. ”Your painting?” And then it hit her. ”Oh! THE painting! The one being held hostage.” After such an impressive power reveal, Steph almost forgot about the bigot curator.
Based on the logic Shelby offered, if the last frame was the way out of her locket, then this painting should be…
The art thief grinned, wrapping an arm around Shelby’s shoulder. ”Well, if it’s never happened before, I think if you want to figure things out, the first step is leaping through the rabbit hole.”
Stephanie was good at making conscious choices in conversations. The things you said and did not say each conveyed messages. When she mentioned Malia’s father was not in the picture, it meant she was fine with the person she was talking to knowing she might be single. Plenty of creeps never got that key detail; she did not want to use her daughter as a deterrent, but some sleezebags were deterred nonetheless and she would not complain about that.
”Then you should get out there occasionally. Meet people. You know, with a can of mace.” Just in case. ”I haven’t dated many men lately, admittedly. Not to generalize, but the creeps per capita in the gay female community tends to trend lower than when I chat up guys.”
Two of the rings offered to her had gorgeous red stones matched with diamonds, one as a focal point and one using smaller diamonds for accenting. Curious, she took both rings, setting one within an open ring box and the other on the cloth base. Both together might make for a good shot, contrasting the bands unique coloration. ”I can respect someone who values her work. I’d like to think you and I have that in common.”
Stephanie snapped a few photos, then adjusted the placements, taking a shot of each ring separately to compare her options. ”But you definitely deserve the occasional reprieve. If you ever need someone to take you out on the town so you can meet people, you have my number,” Stephanie suggested playfully.
It was funny to see Raine double and triple check if it was alright for her to play music for Malia. Even when this girl scout of a woman was doing Steph favor after favor, she still had to go out of her way to ensure she was being courteous. Stephanie could not help but chuckle. ”Sure, intruding with your life-saving gifts and supernatural ability to make my daughter smile. Yes, Raine, I think we both wouldn’t mind a little music.”
Staying over the tile was the cautious plan, but it had been a long night; a little comfort was sorely needed. ”Two drinks coming up.” As she unsealed the bottle and poured drinks for the adults of the apartment, Stephanie noticed how the plucky twangs of the ukulele already garnered her daughter’s attention.
After some prep on both their parts, they relocated to the living room and Steph rocked her daughter gently, not wanting to upset her. Steph had started letting her music shuffle in the past weeks, hoping to learn some songs from the decade-plus she missed. When Raine said she might know the song, Steph silently hoped she was right there.
And when the strumming started and the first line kicked in, Stephanie grinned, because she absolutely knew this song. She looked to Raine and joined in, quietly singing along with her friend. ”Magic, madness, heaven sin, saw you there and I thought…”
Stephanie allowed herself a moment to beam with pride at the praise for her daughter’s name. ”Thank you. It’s easier to pick a pretty name when there’s no father in the picture to suggest something weird.” There were certainly names she would have fought against if she had to, so maybe it was best the one-night stand that gave her Malia did not enter the picture after that one night.
Delivering quality was a value Stephanie could respect as a photographer and a thief-for-hire, though in both those situations, she was her own one-woman operation. Alexandria must have bought into the philosophy of her employer, which made her a valuable asset to a team. Clearly, she believed in the craft, or else Stephanie was missing something.
The plot only thickened when Alexandria talked about the zen of work. That was not just someone who worked in marketing, right? She was losing herself in word, losing herself in it. And Steph noticed the way Alexandria looked at the jewelry.
She tucked that away for the moment to return to the dating topic. ”Oh, a date can relieve plenty of stress when done right. A casual date with someone you know isn’t a creep,” she clarified. A date like that was the opposite of stress-relief. ”I took a girl on a date recently; just some good dinner and conversation.” And heated, passionate sex, but hey, why kiss and tell? ”It was a nice break from work, and we’re still friendly. It’s totally doable.”
As Steph continued to snap a few angles to determine what worked best, she casually tossed a guess out she had been hanging onto. ”So does your boss have you working with the jewelry, too? You seem a little more invested than the typical marketing girl.”
”Yes, but my birthday was a whole five days ago, so only seven-hundred-and-twenty-five days.” She smirked, continuing to dote on Malia as she looked over her shoulder at Raine. ”Time’s already flying.” A little less than two years to continue messing with her wonderfully straight-laced friend.
Malia accepted the medicine, though a face was certainly made. At least she did not spit it out. Having Raine there helped things feel manageable, and it was good to know she did not pull Raine away from anything important or time-sensitive.
Raine’s plans for the night did pique Steph’s interest. Through memories of an ill-advised hookup with Zero and even more ill-advised grinding on the dancefloor with one of her only friends, Steph did remember Raine singing. It was one of the clearest memories she had from that night, because it caught her so off guard.
And of course this actual ball of sunshine played the ukulele. Steph smiled brightly, rocking her baby as she turned back to Raine. ”Performing is about knowing your audience, and you clearly do.”
Having an idea, unaware that she was not the first to have said idea, Steph looked down at the child cradled in her arms. ”Malia, is Miss Raine your favorite musician? Are you developing your first musical tastes at that daycare?”
Steph kissed the warm forehead of her daughter. ”You know, maybe such a good little girl who drank down all her medicine deserves a bedtime concert?” Steph looked up at Raine and shrugged a shoulder. ”What do you say? A little show for your biggest fan?”
Shelby understood well enough that the world was full of jerks. It was the truth, even if it was a shame. That mentality helped Steph with her criminal mindset. She was not busting up small businesses; she was stealing from rich bastards who could not be ethical at their level of wealth or museums and art galleries that stole from cultures or mistreated artists. If you dealt with people who had an unhealthy amount of privilege, they deserved what they got.
It was the least she could do, because she did sadly doubt their just god had clogged that moron’s throat with an appetizer.
Shelby was a long way from Seattle, but the discrimination was hardly better. Maybe quieter. She contemplated that before her next sip of liquor was interrupted by her hand being taken. Curious, the thief let herself get pulled along, wondering what Shelby planned to show her.
She was not expecting what came next.
Before she realized what was happening, she felt disoriented, with the world warping and fading away around her. When she starting getting her bearings, the first thing she noticed: she was floating.
That was new and, to her knowledge, not tied to her mutation. This was Shelby’s doing, but it was more than that. They were in a space world, but one where the textures reminded her of… well, paint.
Shelby explained, and Steph looked at the place with renewed wonder. Carefully, she let go of Shelby’s hand and felt herself drift every so slowly away, noticing how the way she moved swayed where she went little by little. ”Woah, Shelby. This is… just wow. This is extraordinary.” She turned herself back to face Shelby. ”Seriously, you’re marvel--oop!”
She continued spinning away from Shelby. When she stabilized, she laughed at herself, continuing, ”Marvelous. You’re marvelous.”
It was honestly endearing how good a person Raine was, and how little Stephanie held it against her. She clearly tried not to judge, but Raine was not going to enable Stephanie’s bad girl tendencies; she certainly proved as much on the dancefloor. Steph was certain if Raine brought her alcohol, it was one-hundred percent an accident made while rushing to be there for a friend.
”My birthday was a few days ago, actually,” she admitted, smirking. ”You’re looking at a bonafide nineteen-year-old. I’ll leave it up to you if I should hang onto this bottle for another year and three-hundred-sixty days.” Not that Steph believed Raine would stop her now that the bottle was given as a gift.
It was amazing. Three minutes earlier, Stephanie was a basketcase. Now, she was downgraded to a nervous mess, but she was smiling and laughing again. ”Your treasure trove of snacks is welcome, Rainy,” she assured the blonde, casually slipping a nickname in their conversation to test it out. ”It made my night, and I’m sure Malia’s thankful too, right baby?” She rocked Malia as she spoke to the girl, finishing filling a small plastic cup with purple liquid.
As Stephanie did her best to convince her fussy daughter to accept the medicine she needed, she thought about Raine’s view of her own future. It was unexpected that she did not see herself as a mother, because it was the easiest thing in the world for Steph to see. Still, everyone had their reasons, and if Raine did not see it because she did not want kids, that was valid. ”Well, you have a knack for them. Powers or no powers, Malia lights up around you. You’re just special like that.” That was something Steph could say genuinely and whole-heartedly.
This wonderful friend went out of her way to help Steph and Malia, not questioning the loss of her night. ”I was so dramatic over the phone, I didn’t think to ask, but I hope you didn’t cancel any plans to come over tonight?”
The pink-haired artist was not looking her best, though that was still saying something since she was still cute as a button. It was just sad seeing someone visibly upset, particularly when she was clearly the one in the right. Every situation had two sides, but Steph saw firsthand that the other side here was an asshat.
Whoever this woman was, she had no qualms accepting a bottle of stolen liquor. That was good; the gallery owner deserved to be robbed, and the artist should see that more than anyone else. The last thing Steph wanted to hear was some moral justification trying to take the high ground.
Steph’s new drinking partner pounded the drink back, which did not go well. That was the coughing of an inexperienced drinker, and the thief stifled her own laugh as she accepted the bottle back and took her own swig. It was classy stuff, which meant it was smooth enough to drink more, but still alcoholic enough to burn going down.
The alcohol loosened up Shelby’s anger at the indignation of her evening. She was trying to be friendly in spite of it, which was sweet. ”I’m Stephanie. It’s nice to meet you, even if it’s because of… yeah.”
Shelby lamented not being able to raid the gallery for her art. Steph made a mental note, because her trip into the gallery could accommodate one more piece of art, right? Silhouette did not always get to be the Robin Hood, stealing things to give them to the people who deserved them. It could be nice.
But that was for later. ”People can be awful, especially to mutants. If there’s any justice, he’s choking on a canapé right now,” she suggested, trying to share a consoling smile.
”Being out as a mutant is impressive, even on this side of the Rift.” She changed the subject from her sneaky plans, hoping to focus on making a new friend and brightening Shelby’s evening. ”Mind if I ask what you can do? Or is that too personal?” Steph would feel defensive answering a question like that, but her powers and mutant identity were dangerously linked to a masked art thief.
Stephanie saw plenty of Raine over the weeks, though they mostly kept that to their twice-a-day interactions at the daycare. She always had a way with kids, and Malia clearly adored her. Steph could relate. Seeing her, arms full of supplies at the door, the young blonde might as well have been an angel sent to save Stephanie from herself. Raine even said as much, reassuring Stephanie she was a better mom than she gave herself credit.
That reassurance was immediately enough to release some of the tension in Steph's shoulders, even if she still held a healthy amount of anxiety in her chest. It helped more when Malia smiled at Raine's appearance. "Of course, come in. Malia's obviously excited to have a visit from her favorite, Miss Raine."
Stephanie was glad she kept the apartment orderly now that she was having impromptu company. When she spent time in the apartment, she was there playing with and tending to Malia, so more of her toys and items were in the living room than anything. As tempting as it would be to keep one stolen piece of fine art on her walls, Steph was not about to be one of those thieves busted for her hubris, so she stuck with photos framed from her personal collection.
When medicine was offered, Malia was impartial, which both women noticed was out of the ordinary. "In Malia's defense, fake grape is not super grab-worthy."
The second bottle produced made Stephanie smile, particularly when Stephanie hesitated. "That's the grape flavor I'm here for," she asssured Raine, "and I genuinely appreciate it. You were willing to buy booze for an underaged drinker just to make me feel better." She had a recent birthday, but she was still firmly nineteen and had to tease her good and proper friend.
Stephanie accepted the medicine and used the counter in an effort to open and pour it while holding Malia in her other arm. While she did, she watched Raine unload enough supplies to genuinely warm her heart. "God, you'd make an amazing mom, Raine. Thank you. I feel almost silly calling you over like this." Normally, Steph was a level-headed planner, but with Malia, she was so easily paralyzed by the worry that she would do something wrong.