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 Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
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 fun to learn new things about his date. Javier had no idea Booker had perfect memory; he knew he remembered many things he had read and seen, but he had just chalked it up to his endless curiosity. He tried to imagine what it would be like to live with perfect memory - apparently, just like any mutant power, it also had a downside. The look on Booker's face said there was more to the story.
>>”You can say that. In college, how I discovered what I am was...pretty traumatic too.”
Javier stopped, feeling Booker squeeze his hand as he got ready to tell the story. He was not going to push if he changed his mind... but words came out anyway. So Javier listened, standing close enough to make Booker feel heard.
>>”I had a boyfriend in college. He was a mutant but...I never believed him because his powers never worked whenever he was around me. College was stressful for the both of us, but even more for him because he was such a perfectionist. I went to this party, alone. We had some stupid fight and we were both stressed from finals. But he just...cracked… He went to the party...thought I was cheating on him...and...he let loose. I didn’t know this but he could charge things with energy, cause them to explode. And...he just...lost control.”
Javier's face took on an expression of pain and empathy as he filled in the rest. If a mutant lost control and caused an explosion, the only place safe enough would be inside an adapted's aura. Everyone else would be fully within the blast range. Which meant...
>>”I...I was the only one to walk out of there unscathed. Going through trauma is one thing...but remembering it in picture clarity, every day, the rest of your life? That’s...hard to live with.”
It had to be. Javier had a hard enough time dealing with memories that were unreliable or hazy; he could not even imagine what his anxiety would do with perfect clarity. He would probably be a weeping mess in a corner somewhere. He knew. He knew how hard it had to be for Booker to live with that, and how hard it had to be to talk about it. Not having anything comforting to say, Javier let out a small sigh, and wrapped his arms around Booker in a comforting gesture. He hoped it was not too forward to do so.
Javier was curious what Booker would tell him next. He wanted to know more about his date; they had spent a lot of time together already, but part of that was spent with cosplay things, and part with a con being attacked by mutant, and part just... finding the right time to say the right things. There was a lot to larn about each other yet. And Javier really wanted to know.
>>”Umm...well...this one is kind of weird...but… I have an eidetic memory... I can recall everything. And...I mean everything. For example, I remember in perfect clarity what you were wearing when we met, what stands were sitting in front of us, and precisely how long we chatted.”
Javier blinked in surprised, and he tilted his head at Booker. He knew what eidetic memory was... but he had never met someone who actually had it. It sounded like a superpower itself. Booker apparently recalled things in vivid detail, even details that others might not have observed in the first place.
"No wonder you remember everything you read..."
>>”It’s an interesting ‘ability’, I use that term loosely, to have, but… It isn’t always the best thing to remember everything that ever happened to you.”
"That's how it works with most superpowers." Javier smiled softly, and squeezed his hand. He knew that Booker wanted actual mutant powers, but remembering things like that... that was rare too. Except, not always in a good way. Javier, whose brain held on to the smallest details to torment him with the memories years later, knew that more than others. He could not even imagine what it would be like to also have perfect memory. The way Booker said, it, Javier also felt like he had things in the past that he wished he did not have to remember. "I know that feeling" he added "Your brain holding on to things you'd rather forget?"
Jack's mutation was definitely spectacular. Javier was used to it, having known her for a while and having seen... pretty much all of her, but he was aware that someone seeing her for the first time might need a moment to get used to the idea.
>>"Dude. I foresee... a lot of stretch-knit tops..."
"I'm hoping to make something more dapper than that" Javier smirked. He had some ideas. And Jack did look good in a vest.
It was clear that Gina's enthusiasm for mutant fashion was genuine. Given that she herself probably needed alterations, it was not a giant leap of logic to assume she made some of her own clothes too.
>>"Sometimes. Mostly I just modify them though... all I really need is tail-holes and wing-holes, and adequate snaps to support said holes..."
"That sounds complicated" Javier noted. For moving parts like that, where one had to be able to get in and out of clothes, but also hold them in place while they were on, a lot of creativity was needed. Especially for the added bonus of also looking good. "Do they work well while you move?"
>>”I’m not perfect… ...but I’m having a perfect time with you.”
They held hands, both blushing, like a couple of teenagers, really. The place was perfect, with the flowers and the lights. Javier felt his heart speed up as he looked around, and looked at the man next to him. Booker was blushing furiously, and seemed to be dealing with emotions that he might not have expected. Javier knew that the words that slipped out of his mouth were unexpected (even to him) - but he meant them, embarrassment be damned. He had never met a person quite like Booker before.
>>”Let’s check out the garden. I promise I we won’t get lost.”
They started walking. There were not enough people around to make Javier feel uncomfortable; as they walked on the garden paths, at times they were completely alone. He smiled softly, breathing in the cool air, as they walked. It really was a place where he could relax. Booker had been right.
"It's your turn" he said after a while, remembering their conversation over dinner "Tell me something I don't know about you."
The awkward moment passed, to be stored for later in Javier's brain. For now, he was determined to enjoy the date. They were not going somewhere crowded or confusing, that was already for sure, and he was grateful for Booker's planning.
>>”Oh yeah. It should be quite a sight. I’ve never been here before either. But I’m already liking it.”
They walked out of the elevator together, and down the hallway to the garden door. The moment they stepped out, Javier's senses were flooded with the cool night air, the scent of flowers, and the play of small lights well hidden in the garden. They were not completely alone, and yet the place was quiet and felt private, like a little pocket of a fairyland.
>>”Welcome to the rooftop gardens. The best and the quietest in the city.”
Booker had chosen the perfect place. It was not crowded, it was beautiful, and it was creative. It showed that the librarian had put thought into all of this, and that he really cared. Javier smiled softly at his date.
"It's perfect." he admitted, moving his hand to hold Booker's. The rest just slipped out. "You're perfect." He really was, though.
Javier wanted to kick himself. Of course Booker would not have meant... anything else. He was goofy and enthusiastic, but he would have not made... hotel plans, without consulting Javier. And yet, his anxiety-riddled mind jumped straight to that conclusion somehow. Javier was both relieved that Booker did not notice his panicked reaction, and also angry at himself for even going there. They were going to the roof.
>>”I hope you don’t mind. If you have any trouble, just let me know and we can head out. Okay?”
"No, it... sounds nice." Javier sighed with a smile. Rooftop, that he could handle. He was afraid of many things, but not heights, not unless he was standing on the edge of something, which he never really did. "I have never... been in this hotel before. So... definitely a surprise."
Javier did trust Booker. He knew that the librarian knew him enough to plan accordingly; and he was too sweet and too creative to come up with a bad prank or some awkward situation to bring his date into. Which was why Javi was a little surprised when they pulled up to a hotel, but didn't immediately jump to the worst conclusions. Maybe there was an event inside?...
>>”Oh yeah. I mean, I couldn’t imagine anywhere else perfect for us.”
Javier got out of the car and followed Booker inside. The librarian looked like he belonged in the fancy hotel; dashing, and knowing exactly where he was going. He didn't even stop at the front desk. Javier's mind was still trying to grasp why they were here. Did Booker really... what, get a room?
They made it all the way to the elevators without any light being shed on the impending mystery.
>>”Trust me. You’ll love it. Its quite a sight to behold, if I do say so myself. You don’t mind being on top, right?”
Javier stared at Booker for an embarrassingly long moment. His mind latched on to the question and went to the most awkward place possible; as a result, the tailor turned bright red. And then Booker hit the top button, one that said ROOF, and Javier let out a breath he did not know he had been holding.
"Oh." now it was just embarrassing "That. The roof. We are going to the roof? Cool. I mean, yes. Good."
"Are you sure about that?" Javier chuckled. He was not usually a flatterer, but he liked to give compliments where they were due, and sometimes, they did get him somewhere. Jack knew that.
There was still work to do, though. Shirts had to be a certain quality to survive being ripped and put back together in a way that both looked good and fit Jack's figure. Unless someone made them from scratch.
>>"What'cha nean?"
"I mean... I could design you some" he suggested a little sheepishly "Some things that are not... altered from other things. Nothing flashy! You don't... really need flashy. But at this point, it might be easier than trying to do all the alterations?..."
Dinner concluded as a success. Javier relaxed into the conversation, and Booker, of course, was charming and funny and endearing as ever. And the food was great. They both agreed it had been a good idea.
And the date was not over just yet. Javier did not know what else Booker had planned, but he was sure that it was going to be surprising. The librarian had a very creative mind when it came to taking Javier to unexpected places. In fact, this whole... relationship?... between them was an unexpected place. Not a bad one, though. They got into an Unter once again.
>> ”I hope you don’t mind all the secrecy. I tend to like surprising people whenever I take someone out... Not that I do that...a lot...right now…”
Every once in a while, even Booker's smooth charm tripped up. It made him all the more human. Javier chuckled as he glanced out the window, wondering where they were headed.
"I like surprises. From people that I trust." he noted truthfully. Some surprises, like jump-scare ghost stories around campfires, were definitely bad. But Javier knew that Booker knew better than to plan something that would set off his anxiety. He was still a little nervous, but also genuinely curious. The librarian was gifted with great imagination.
The Unter came to a halt, and Javier peered out the window.
"A hotel?" he arched an eyebrow at Booker. That was... a little forward? He had made a joke about going back to Javier's place earlier, but the tailor doubted that Booker would just... get a room... right?
Spoken out loud, the thoughts of anxiety always sounded silly. Or even crazy, depending on how deep down the rabbit hole someone ventured. Javier really liked Booker, and he did not want to scare him away just yet with actually working through the way his brain worked. He tried his best, anyway.
>>”You can’t predict the future, Javi. Nor should you try. Trust me, I know... If you keep planning for every outcome, time will just pass you by. You got a gift, hun. When you’re ready, you should embrace that.”
Booker held his hand, and Javier smiled at him. He really was a good person, maybe even too good, for someone like Javi. He tried to encourage and help and support him, which gave the tailor a warm feeling inside. Of course, knowing logically that the future was unpredictable was not the problem. Anxiety was not logical. It wanted complete reassurance, which was not attainable. But for tonight, Javier was willing to push that aside. Booker deserved to know that his words helped, even if they did not solve anything on the long run.
"You are right. We should enjoy tonight." he nodded.
Booker was a great guy. Having a dinner date with him was fun, and did not put Javier on edge the way a date with most other people would have. The food was great, the conversation was real and pleasant. So far, so good. Was this what normal dates felt like? Between non-awkward people?
"Thank you for this, Booker" Javier smiled as their plates were cleared away "This was really a great idea... The restaurant, I mean." he chuckled "Also, the date. That too."
Saying plans out loud like that always made them sound less awesome than they seemed. It was the moment of truth: If whoever was listening had a forced smile and a nod, then the idea was as good as dead, in Javi's mind. There was no reason to work on something that only he found actually valuable.
>>”But it’s not silly at all. If that is what you want then do it.”
Javi sighed a little in relief. If only it had been that easy. Just... doing things, because he wanted to do them. Booker made it sound so simple.
>>”You clearly have a talent for what you do. And, from what I see, heroes like the X-Men could definitely use your talents. Like that old detective guy that runs around with them from time to time. When’s he finally going to get a costume? Maybe you could make one for him.”
Javier looked down at his plate at the mention of the X-men. He was already working for one of them, but he was determined to keep that as confidential. After all, even with their public profile, they were still... vigilante superheroes, right? He wished, really wished, that he could tell Booker, though. It would have been so nice.
"That would be pretty great, yes" he agreed with a small smile "Although it also makes me think... you know, their uniforms, it's not just fashion. They have to... work. In all kinds of situations. And what happens if something goes wrong?..." he trailed off. Again, it sounded silly said out loud, but he did not want the responsibility of someone actually getting hurt because of his work.
She took the papers with visible excitement. Javier watched her face as she took a look at the sketches. At first she looked surprised, and it took him a moment to realize that it was not that design that was throwing her off.
>>"Is this a stylized sketch?"
"No" Javier chuckled, shaking his head "That's actually more or less what she looks like. She has a physical mutation. Kind of like... a giant mantis shrimp."
Jack was beautiful in a unique way - and in a way the fashion industry was definitely not prepared for.
>>"I haven't really done anything except for myself,"
"You make your own clothes?" Javier asked curiously, just noticing the tail.
It made sense not to wear the costume under one's normal outfit. For one, it would actually be pretty hard to hide properly, and easy to run into trouble if it got exposed. No secret vigilante wanted that. Not to mention the extra heat of wearing extra layers. But if not worn until needed, then the outfit needed to face another challenge: Being put on at a moment's notice.
>>"Yes. Absolutely. I mean, the current one isn't great for that, but it's been years so I guess I just got used to contorting around and squeezing in."
"That's the thing with body suits" Javier nodded "There is no easy way to put them on; it's either the contorting, or a whole bunch of zippers and buttons no one needs... and if it's not one piece, things slide up and down while... um, physical activity." he thought about it for a moment, tapping his lips with the pen "Okay, so pants, something easy to get into, no heels. How do you feel about belts?"
it was kind of embarrassing to admit that he did not have control over his powers. One would have thought that strength was the easiest one to manage; hold back when needed, bust out when it was necessary. Except, Javier did not need to hold back at all, because his powers seemed to never be on in the first place. He sighed as he admitted that, and returned to the delicious shrimp.
>>”Maybe just not yet. I’ve heard of mutant abilities changing over time. Who knows, maybe you’ll get a better handle on them. And, if you don’t, that’s no problem. You’ll figure out your place in the universe. I know you will.”
Javier smiled as he looked up at Booker. He was such an eternal ray of sunshine. There was no doubt in his voice, where about 99% of Javier's brain functions seemed to be doubt and nothing else. It was refreshing, and more than a little baffling, to talk to someone who did not share that.
"You know, I never liked the whole vigilante idea" he admitted, drinking some water to clear his throat "I think maybe a little bit because I felt like that is what is expected of someone like me. But... recently... I mean, working on your cosplay, but also some other new clients... I think I could be good at it. Not the... superhero thing. But, doing what I do. Making actual outfits for them..." he blushed a little "Sounds a little stupid when I say it out loud."
The food was absolutely delicious. Javier hummed in approved as he took the first few bites; he would have gladly devoured it all in one go, if he had been alone. Booker seemed to enjoy his own portion just as much. He really had not been lying about the capabilities of the restaurant. To pick up the conversation after enjoying a few mouthfuls of his food, Javier brought up the question of favorite superpowers.
>>”God, why not just ask me my favorite book?... Well, when I was younger I always wanted to be super strong. Of course maybe I was just into the muscles...”
Javier blushed a little, and looked down at his plate. He was not in bad shape, really, but he was definitely not the body type most people would associate with super strength. And he definitely did not have Booker's spectacular physique.
>>”I never wanted mental powers. I mean, always seemed like such a burden. But...if I had to boil it down to one...flight. I mean...imagine how much gas and public transportation money I’d save,”
"Flight's a good one" Javier smiled. Somehow, he could imagine Booker being able to fly. He knew he would make the most of it, too. See everything, go everywhere, and not worry about accidentally colliding with a pidgeon...
>>”Would you rather you weren’t one? Not a judgment, but, you never seem excited talking about what you can do.”
Javier sighed.
"I'd rather I knew what to do with it." he admitted "See, with the anxiety, and being an introvert... I was never cut out to be a superhero. And then I manifest a power that is an all-time classic, and can do tons of things... except, it is not really working properly." he chuckled and shook his head "I can hold up the ceiling of a building, except I can't really do it on cue."
