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.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Aug 28, 2008 23:26:45 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
" Well, you have to want to be free of it, first."
<"No problem there,"> Iris thought to herself. <"None whatsoever....">
"Perhaps your worries and anxiety have been a kind of security for you, keeping you in check."
A thoughtful expression crossed her face. Security? She agreed that she felt her constant worrying had kept her mutation from going crazy lately, so that would result in security for around her. But a security for her?
Come to think of it though, the few times she'd managed to relax enough to enjoy the world around her, it felt.... off. Like something was missing....
"To release it may be liberating yet also frightening as it would require a new perspective."
That didn't sound promising....
" First things, first, though. You should probably return your horse there. We might need some time to meditate and the horse would be a distraction. I can wait for you here in the meantime."
Iris turned to look at the gray mare. Niv lifted her head and shook out her mane, then nudged Iris's shoulder. She could sense her rider's unease; it radiated from the woman like heat. She extended her large head over the fence, toward Garrett. He had no hair to sniff at, so she huffed, blowing apple-scented air across in his direction, before losing interest.
Iris continued to stroke the horse's neck for a few more moments. She trusted Niv's instincts more than her own, and the mare didn't seem nervous or uneasy at all.
You’ve got to learn to trust. Easy for someone with no fear to say....
Iris bit her lip again. "You really think it'll help?" she asked quietly.
Garrett could tell that Iris was considering it. He felt proud of her for pushing so far through her apparent fear but he wanted to continue to push her, so she might actually be able to be free of it. Fear is a healthy response at times. Sometimes it could even be a matter of survival, as it was originally intended. But fear of self, though incredibly widespread, was also completely unnecessary and severely restricting. She wanted to trust him, but had no reason to. He would have to supply such a reason.
Iris bit her lip again. "You really think it'll help?" she asked quietly.
" I know it will help you, Iris. I also understand your apprehension. You barely know me and yet we have already found common ground and respect. This is an excellent start. But now, we must find trust, so we can continue the journey together."
He took his watch from his pocket. He found it clunky and weighty while he meditated or had practiced Tai Chi. He looked at it and then held it face out to her. " It's almost exactly 4 P.M. now. Tomorrow, we can meet here. At this very spot. This way I can go on home and relax and you can finish your ride and think on what we have spoken of today. If I am not here, then your initial instincts not to trust me were correct. If I am here, then I will ask you to trust me enough to give it a try. "
He reached up and pet the horse's head, smiling into its eyes. " Four." He turned and walked away. As he started up the path out to the street, he turned to see her mounted. He smiled and waved.
---------------------------------------------- Four P.M., the next day
Garrett had a productive day at the shop, becoming acquainted with the clients, reassuring them that he was there to stay. Tarin and Lee both came and went and seemed friendly enough, perhaps reassuring them of the same. He had had to walk at a brisk pace to make it on time, but arrived at the same fence post on time. At first, he was concerned as he hadn't seen her. He frowned a bit, hoping she hadn't succumbed to her doubts and fears. His faith was renewed however, as he spotted her watching from a nearby bench. He waved at her and smiled, holding up his four fingers.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Aug 30, 2008 15:48:28 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
" I know it will help you, Iris. I also understand your apprehension. You barely know me and yet we have already found common ground and respect. This is an excellent start. But now, we must find trust, so we can continue the journey together."
She certainly didn't feel the same conviction he seemed to, and it showed on her face. She tensed momentarily as he reached into his pocket, then relaxed seeing he simply held a watch.
" It's almost exactly 4 P.M. now. Tomorrow, we can meet here. At this very spot. This way I can go on home and relax and you can finish your ride and think on what we have spoken of today. If I am not here, then your initial instincts not to trust me were correct. If I am here, then I will ask you to trust me enough to give it a try. "
She held his gaze, an uneasy frown on her face. Niv leaned into Garrett's slight caress, and snuffled contentedly. She obviously didn't share her rider's discomfort.
" Four."
She covered a noncommittal nod by remounting quickly. He seemed content with that answer and began to walk away. She returned the wave awkwardly, and continued on her ride at a brisk pace. She continued thinking on the brief meeting for the remaining duration of her outing.
She could think of innumerable reasons not to trust this man she'd met for only a few minutes. It didn't take much effort to justify distrusting a stranger. And really, what did she know about him? His name, which may or may not have belonged to the same person the Mansion's Assistant Headmistress spoke about? He claimed to be a mutant, but with a mutation that required her trust to prove. He practiced Tai Chi, as did at least nineteen others that she'd seen, and more now that she paid attention to other groups gathered around the park.
"Ugh, you're being ridiculous, Iris," she remarked aloud, though no one but Niv heard her. "At this rate everyone will be out to kill you...."
Once she returned Niv to the Equestrian Center, she finally did one smart thing. She pulled out her cellphone, called the Mansion, and asked for Miss Jenkins.
--------------------------------------------
Iris arrived the next day only a few minutes before four. Usually she preferred to be at least five to fifteen minutes early for appointments. But if she did that today, she'd have likely left before Garrett arrived. This way, she didn't have enough time to talk herself out of this whole idea.
Indeed, only a minute or two after she'd sat down, she spotted him coming from the other direction at a brisk pace. When he held up his hand, she replied with a quick head bob, and stood. Before he could say anything, she held up her hands.
"Look, Garrett, I appreciate what you're trying to do, and I'm willing to try. But it's only fair to warn you, my mutation is.... complicated. And maybe dangerous, and there's not much I can do to control it, so I need you to promise me something. If you see my hair change color at any point during this whole thing, please don't stick around and try to figure out what's going on. Promise me you'll leave, right away. Please, just.... trust me on this."
She paused to catch her breath after the rushed plea, and her face was hot pink with embarrassment. But she wasn't going any farther, not until she could be sure that his good intentions wouldn't end up getting him hurt by accident.
As Garrett approached Iris, she seemed to be more conducive to him in her eyes, but she was quickly approaching him. She came up to him and explained about her mutation and its danger. She was still on the threshold. This was definitely the most terrifying place for someone. It could also turn into a fulcrum and swing them away into their fear if not handled properly. He listened to her, nodding and keeping a face of stoic concern. He didn't want to smile now, as she might take it as a flippant disregard for her warnings. He definitely noted the hair color change.
" Let's walk." He began walking down the path, feeling her reluctantly follow. " There's no reason to rush, Iris. Today I was going to speak about some basic principles that may help you. Breathing. It is essential to our survival yet can also help with meditation. In fact, it is just as crucial to meditation. Try to slow down a bit. As we walk. Instead of waiting for another moment in time to come, you rush towards them, expecting and thereby prophesying the event as a difficult one, as you have made it so. In the same fashion, you can as easily relax and wait for the day to come to you. It will come. They come and go everyday. It is a constant. You are the catalyst to your experience here."
He had hoped it wasn't too much to throw at her, but this was the best way to get her talking and not focusing on her fear.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Aug 30, 2008 19:19:08 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
Garrett kept his expression unconcerned and simply nodded, and Iris had a feeling that was the best she would receive.
" Let's walk." She sighed, and fell into step beside him, hands hidden in her pockets.
" There's no reason to rush, Iris. Today I was going to speak about some basic principles that may help you. Breathing. It is essential to our survival yet can also help with meditation. In fact, it is just as crucial to meditation. Try to slow down a bit. As we walk. Instead of waiting for another moment in time to come, you rush towards them, expecting and thereby prophesying the event as a difficult one, as you have made it so. In the same fashion, you can as easily relax and wait for the day to come to you. It will come. They come and go everyday. It is a constant. You are the catalyst to your experience here."
"You have no idea," she replied ruefully to his last statement. She shook her head, staring at the ground as they walked. "I seem to be a catalyst for everything lately, good or bad. Most of it bad."
She did slow down, but only because she unconsciously felt the need to keep pace with him.
Garrett stopped abruptly, choosing a nearby park bench to sit at. They had walked away from most of the general foot traffic, so it was as good a time as any to try to understand more about Iris. He motioned to the bench for her to sit, concern sitting surely on his features. Once seated, he joined her there, giving as much space as was possible while turning to speak to her." Iris, i hate to do this. The show-and-tell game for mutants is old hat but could you possibly tell me a bit about your mutation? Outside of the warning you gave me about your hair color changing, I'm not sure of much else. It will help me understand how to help you better."
He could tell that she clearly did not wish to talk about it, but he had to know what he was dealing with here. It would also facilitate her opening up to him some more, something that would be vital to their success together.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Sept 1, 2008 17:52:39 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
Garrett's stop startled her, and she looked up in surprise, expecting something to have happened. She took his expression as worry, and quickly sat down when he indicated. But her feet kept twitching nervously.
Iris, i hate to do this. The show-and-tell game for mutants is old hat but could you possibly tell me a bit about your mutation? Outside of the warning you gave me about your hair color changing, I'm not sure of much else. It will help me understand how to help you better."
She gulped and flinched. She'd known that question would come up eventually. It always did. She'd hoped it would take a little longer though....
You’ve got to learn to trust.
Iris took a deep breath, and bit her lip. All right.... Trust. Trust.
.....
"In order of possible danger and lack of control? Sight in bright light, sight in the dark, shadow form, liquid manipulation, ice creation and manipulation, sound manipulation and...." She paused to catch her breath after the rush, then added, ".... all of the above. The hair thing is, kind of, a side effect." She took another deep breath.
"My- ..... my Father," she paused slightly before getting that word out, "dabbles in genetics."
She looked sorrowfully at him and shrugged, as if to say, 'I'm sorry, but you asked.'
A cornucopia of abilities. Apparently, the deck was stacked prior to conception by her father, or perhaps it had occurred later. Either way, there was no wonder that she seemed so anxious. She was probably carrying the abilities of several people in one body. He wanted to reassure her." There's no reason to feel guilty, Iris. It seems like you have more going on than most would, so it thereby makes sense that you would also be more anxious. Tell me, where is your favorite place to be? Is there a place that you have been to or imagined yourself in where you feel relaxed and free of worry or fear?"
Choosing a landscape or special place was always the first step in his meditation technique. In some cases, it was best to be random or accept the first one that came to you, as it might be appearing in your mind for a reason. But in this case, he felt it was best for her to concentrate on a place that meant the most to her. Garrett felt that it was surely possible to help her. The hows would come naturally , as did everything else.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Sept 1, 2008 19:02:01 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
" There's no reason to feel guilty, Iris. It seems like you have more going on than most would, so it thereby makes sense that you would also be more anxious."
She snorted. That's what she'd been trying to tell everyone, but no one seemed to believe her.....
"Tell me, where is your favorite place to be? Is there a place that you have been to or imagined yourself in where you feel relaxed and free of worry or fear?"
Iris's gaze moved left, toward the park. The first place that popped into her head she'd told Virote about, a lake near her home. Naturally, that option was out. Next was the Botanic Gardens, especially the bridge over the duck pond, in the Japanese gardens. She hesitated, though, not sure she wanted to share that spot either, though Virote, again, had found her there several times already.
Her eye caught a twinkle nearby; the sun glinting off of the waters of a fountain.
"Anywhere near water," she heard herself say. "Or water gardens."
She nodded, as if assuring herself that such a place would suffice. 'Away from people' would have been a nice addition, but she didn't want to admit that. He probably could tell anyway, just from her reactiveness.
He saw her look around in her mind prior to looking around the park. It didn't take a telepath to see that. Just an observer who had been in her shoes. He assumed she was taking him literally, since most people do the first time they were asked such a question. Garrett attempted to clarify." I saw you look away at something and hesitate before saying something. Was there somewhere else you were thinking of? We can go anywhere you like. It doesn't have to be here in the Park or even in the state. It can be anywhere. Wherever we go, we aren't leaving this bench, in fact."
He waited for the look of confusion and prepared to explain further if necessary.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Sept 1, 2008 22:03:47 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
." I saw you look away at something and hesitate before saying something."
She blushed guiltily. It seemed the expression 'Wearing your emotions on your sleeves' applied to her quite readily.
"Was there somewhere else you were thinking of? We can go anywhere you like. It doesn't have to be here in the Park or even in the state. It can be anywhere. Wherever we go, we aren't leaving this bench, in fact."
Iris blinked, confusion writ all over her face. "Pardon?" Was he some kind of dream walker, or astral projector, as well? Or a telepath? She wasn't sure if she wanted him rummaging around in her mind. It might be dangerous in there....
Iris turned a deep red at the mention of her initial glance. It wasn't his intention, but embarrassment was still better than fear. Just a slightly different shade, though. She definitely seemed to be gauging him at his mention of traveling. These sorts of things couldn't be explained in a short, concise, reader-friendly fashion. This was also the reason that he had always scoffed at the bulk of 'New Age' material. Anyone who believed most of that garbage was willing to make believe anyway.
He smiled at her and put his hand out, palm up. " I am sorry about being cryptic. I suppose it has something to do with out different perspectives. I wanted you to envision a place in your mind that made you feel safe and secure, free of fear and worry. Take my hand. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. With your abilities, I should be more concerned, right? When I mentioned not leaving this bench, I simply meant that we will be taking a trip in your mind to this place of solace. It is not a supernatural or mutant ability. The true magic is that you or anyone else can accomplish this task at any time, to dispel fear and its counterparts."
He smiled again, projecting his lack of fear and faith in her ability to relax, palm still open.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Sept 2, 2008 18:25:54 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
" I am sorry about being cryptic. I suppose it has something to do with out different perspectives. I wanted you to envision a place in your mind that made you feel safe and secure, free of fear and worry."
"Oooo.... Okay." Now that he'd explained, Iris felt silly for taking Garrett literally.
"Take my hand. Don't worry, I won't hurt you. With your abilities, I should be more concerned, right?"
She shrugged and nodded. It was true; if he did hurt her, she had a feeling he'd be in more trouble than she would.
"When I mentioned not leaving this bench, I simply meant that we will be taking a trip in your mind to this place of solace. It is not a supernatural or mutant ability. The true magic is that you or anyone else can accomplish this task at any time, to dispel fear and its counterparts."
She inhaled deeply, and let it out in a resigned whoosh!
"Well, I suppose it's worth a shot...." She hesitated, almost out of reflex, but placed her palm over his.
Okay..... some place safe. Somewhere free of worry..... She closed her eyes, and it didn't take much for such a place to take shape in her mind's eye.
Her lake, her favorite hideaway in the forests behind her home in the mountains. Only a few feet at its deepest, it was actually more like the wide part of a stream, where the waters had chewed away at the banks over time, and formed an elongated pool. You could wade across without wetting your ears, though doing so without shoes or socks would likely result in some painful slips or falls. Tiny minnows played hide and seek with the bullfrogs around the shallows, and at its mouth and delta the clear liquid bubbled as a number of rocks, just below the surface, ruffled its path.
Yellow bushes dotted the shores on both side, in such thick clusters that you couldn't tell where one ended and another began. The flowers seemed to move with the breeze, until a closer look revealed myriads of orange-and-black winged butterflies, vying with the bees for space among the petals. Iris could almost feel her nose tickle, threatening to sneeze from the over abundance of pollen.
Outwardly, she relaxed just a bit, and a smile tugged at her lips.
Garrett was relieved and happy to see her begin to trust him a little. His explanation had clarified her mind as he had intended.She placed her hand on his and he also closed his eyes, preparing to guide her meditation while also beginning to map her neural pathways. He would start slowly, beginning with the hand that was placed on his. It was now serving as a neural link between them.
" I can see by your expression and posture that you have arrived at this place. You needn't tell me about it. Keep it safe and secure inside your vision. Since you mentioned water, I will assume it is some type of body of water. Imagine yourself walking out into the center of this water. You can't sink, you only glide and float across, free of weight, free of worry."
As he waited for her to arrive at the spot, he saw ,in his own mind's eye, her forearm and hand, nothing else. There as no background or foreground , no color even. Only a chaotically ordered set of nerves. They started to wind themselves in his mind, sketching farther up her arm towards her elbow. The map was drawing itself.
" Once you have arrived at the spot, look at your surroundings carefully. The sky and its weather, the areas around you. Look for anything foreign and if something pops up let me know. If nothing does, let me know that as well. I will wait a moment to continue as you search your surroundings."
The neural blueprint was speeding in its own creation now, passing the elbow and moving up the upper arm.
Posted by Iris/Rayne on Sept 2, 2008 19:56:23 GMT -6
Mutant God
1,558
0
Nov 20, 2008 23:33:20 GMT -6
" I can see by your expression and posture that you have arrived at this place. You needn't tell me about it. Keep it safe and secure inside your vision. Since you mentioned water, I will assume it is some type of body of water. Imagine yourself walking out into the center of this water. You can't sink, you only glide and float across, free of weight, free of worry."
That was easy enough. Iris waded out to the center of the stream, arms spread to keep her balance. She could almost feel the chill from the snowmelt, and shivered. She lowered herself in the water, until she sat. At first she sunk, but forced herself to remember this wasn't reality. Once she had that back in mind, she easily remained above them waters, though her arms remained spread to hold her balance.
"Once you have arrived at the spot, look at your surroundings carefully."
She did so, once more reveling in the calm scenery.
"The sky and its weather, the areas around you."
She looked up; gray clouds moved in from the west, in the first signs of a storm brewing. There would be a rainstorm later. She loved rainstorms.
"Look for anything foreign and if something pops up let me know. If nothing does, let me know that as well. I will wait a moment to continue as you search your surroundings."
Anything foreign? So.... something that didn't belong? She frowned slightly in confusion. Why would Garrett want her to intentionally find something wrong with this picture? Odd.
But she obeyed, and began scanning the area. But no, everything seemed in place, peacefully, unmarred. Quite different from the lake and shore in her nightmares.
Her nightmare. Hmm.... she'd had that horrible dream numerous time since the Registration Camps began, though it had dulled in ferocity. Possibly because she understood it now, understood where that awful howling had come from. And who's eyes had been staring at her from the lake. Eyes that she had thought were cold and uncaring, eyes she realized had been sad.
Eyes that were still looking at her from below this lake's surface. Where had those come from?
He said to tell him of something foreign, right? Well she couldn't say they didn't belong but....
"I see eyes reflecting in the water," she replied quietly. "Mine, but.... not mine...."