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.
"I think I'll make it somehow. Turned in almost everything and now I'm just waiting on the grade. You wanna break into the professors' offices with me and get a sneak peek? I'd be much obliged..."
Neena made an attempt to not look interested in such a task. It wouldn't be difficult at all, actually, though she could be sure that Ghost was joking.
"ooooor I could just wait like everyone else."
She nodded solemnly, keeping her inner amusement bottled.
"You mean you? Why would I want to join you and the Xmen?" Ghost corrected the African teacher.
Neena nodded slightly, mentally filing away the young woman's reaction to her wording. She was one of the few that made any comment on her supposed slip of the tongue. Though she had no specific reasoning behind her wording, Neena found it interesting that such a detail would stand out to her friend, and in turn began wondering if she had a reason for correcting her.
"Because change doesn't happen without people to make it happen."
One corner of Neena's mouth curled upward in a small smile.
" 'You must be the change you wish to see in the world.' That's a lofty goal, m'friend. And one not likely to make very many friends, especially in this world's present climate."
She paused, and stuck her pinkie nail in her mouth for a brief moment, almost as a token movement.
"Apologies in advance if this strikes you wrong, no offense meant. But...." She frowned thoughtfully, then continued. "Is this your decision? You're not doing this for Garrett or anyone else?"
Neena highly doubted Ghost would allow herself to be influenced simply by someone else's opinions or actions; she didn't come across as that shallow or malleable. But she wanted to be sure, to hear the young woman say it herself. She just hoped it wouldn't strike a sour note with Ghost, because it wasn't intended as an accusation.
As usual, Neena found herself running late to her meeting with Tricity. Jonathon had announced her arrival by bolting out of the Danger Room at top speed with loud, "Finally!" The white-eyed teacher would have loved to follow, but she'd been tied up in an exercise. Literally. The rest of the kids were excited as well, so class ended early anyway. After disentangling herself from several hundred yards of ivy vines, she'd headed out the door, all intentions set on greeting the Headmistress at the front door.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Fifteen minutes later found her skidding to a halt in front of the War Room door instead. Still dressed in her 'training outfit' of black jogging sweats, and hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, she paused just inside the door to catch her breath.
"Sorry!" she apologized. "I was headed to say hi, got stopped umpteen times!" She took a deep breath and let it out in a deep whoosh!.
Not on the verge of passing out now, she walked further into the room, holding her arms out for a tight hug.
"Welcome home!" she exclaimed. "Do you have any idea how much you've been missed, m'friend? Did you get any rest at all? Or did this little bugger keep ya hoppin' the whole time?"
She turned to the little boy playing on the table, and leaned down to eye-level. Pushing her glasses onto her head, and probably not out of grabbing range, she winked at the tiny tot, then crossed her eyes and stuck the tip of her tongue out comically.
The older woman nodded. "Yep, that's him. Nice guy."
"I've been running across several rather gifted people at work. Hope you didn't mind me passing out invitations. Just that I like this place and... err..."
"Not at all. Invite away!" Neena smiled widely.
She enjoyed having Ghost in residence, and she knew a good chunk of the students, teachers and other residents greatly enjoyed her company, one more than most.
"Ehm. Midterms...." was the explanation for the random facial palming. Neena grimaced slightly.
"Ick. Are they brutal? Need any support?"
"....but actually I'm glad you stopped by. I was going to seek you out later to ask you about the X-men..."
She wondered if Garrett had tracked his close friend down, and told her of his own link up with the group.
".....or rather, ask if I could maybe sign up as a trainee."
Neena tilted her head. Given past exercises in the Danger Room, such a request struck the dark-skinned teacher as unexpected. She didn't seem the type to be comfortable with fighting someone else, but rather someone who would seek a more peaceful reconciliation.
Hmm.... come to think of it, a persona of that nature would be, not only a boon to the team, but an excellent counter to some of the more volatile attitudes already present. And that didn't count in an ability to be reckoned with.....
As was her habit, however, Neena didn't allow her inner thoughts to come through. Instead she simply asked,
"The Xmen? Why would you want to join them?"
She wasn't trying to get Ghost to second guess herself, or even trying to discourage her. She was simply curious as to what brought on such a request.
"I was on patrol in my hunting clothes and saw a young man busting a window and sneaking into a house."
Hunting clothes? Busting into a house? Neena blinked, and focused completely on Luke's story.
"I figured he wasn't supposed to be there so I parked my motorcycle and slipped into the house."
So his sonar would allow him to drive? Neene found herself slightly jealous, and completely fascinated.
"It looked like he was burglarizing the place so I attacked him. There was a struggle and after a few minutes he transformed into at tiger.
She sighed, and shook her head. Calley.... Oh, Calley....
"there was no way I could fight him then so I slipped out and then doubled back around to meet him coming down the stairs with that sick dog in his arms."
She turned slightly, her gaze landing on the stairs. The Doc hadn't called her yet. That could be a good thing or a bad thing. She found herself hoping it was a good thing.
"After... talking for several minutes I realized his intentions were a little more noble than I had previously thought so I let him go."
Calley sure knew how to make some interesting friends.....
"He talked about the mansion, which I had heard about from a few other people so I asked if I could come with him. Anyhow... a quick change of clothes later and I was riding along with him on my way here," Luke finished cheerily. Weren't oddly-timed, light-hearted expressions supposed to be her job?
"And apparently you're the night owl that normally meets people arriving at this hour."
Neena rubbed at the side of her head, shaking it slightly, and chuckled.
"Well, no one ever accused the New York City nightlife of being dull." She inhaled, then let it out slowly. "Yep, I guess I am the 'Night Owl', or so I've been told. Not very many arrive at this time of the night, though. Again, thank you for seeing Calley back."
She paused for a moment, then apparently couldn't help herself.
The little girl's voice hadn't yet faded, before a ways down the hall a dark head peeked out from the kitchen doorway. It tilted towards the trio in the foyer, but didn't turn completely in their direction.
"Helooo! And who be you?"
Neena smiled and blinked several times. Through infrared she could see that there were three people in the foyer, but she already had a headache from an earlier class, and wasn't quite ready to strain her eyes to see who had arrived. She didn't recognize the little girl's voice, though it was cheerful and happy enough to enthuse anyone.
Several girls passed by with waves and 'Hi's, before Neena heard the footsteps she was seeking. She watched in curiosity as the white-haired youth approach slowly. Now why was she holding her hand over her face like that? Her mind must have been elsewhere, possibly somewhere depressing. Because she moved too slowly to trip, Neena didn't move out of the way as Ghost approached. When her foot made contact with the older woman's knee, Neena tilted her head.
"Oh! Neena. To what do I owe the honor?"
The African woman hopped to her feet with a soft, unh!
"I dunno about honor, but I just had a quickie message for ya. A Luke Jacobs stopped by the other night for a chat. He mentioned someone named Vega, and passed on hellos. I've been meaning to tell you all day, but I seemed to be chasing your tailwind. Not that couldn't have waited to tell you after work, but...." She smiled, and shrugged her shoulders dramatically.
"It seemed a good idea at the time."
She paused and tilted her head forward, to look at Ghost over the top rim of her glasses.
"Are you all right, m'friend? You look a bit preoccupied."
From her first day on campus, Neena had tried to set a routine for herself to help out in ways other than teaching, especially when it came to the more mundane needs of the the Mansion; food, supplies, upkeep both indoors and out, cleaning, other such tasks.
And then she was reminded that 'mundane' did not apply to mutants, let alone mutant kids. Nourishment intake didn't always include 'food', nor did water always quench thirst. Supplies seemed to vanish quite rapidly, usually dependent on the current state of disrepair of the property, and that 'state' varied daily. Cleaning was about the only task considered normal, and the one most often needing to be done.
Needless to say, Neena's original plan of routine eventually devolved into a very, very simple plan: take each day one at a time. It had its flaws, but it worked. Today's task? A bit more complicated than most, as it consisted of two parts: collect a 'needed supplies' list from the teachers, and tell Ghost that Luke had said hello. Both parts should have been quite easy, if it weren't for one teeny, tiny, itty-bitty little detail.
Almost every common room in the Mansion consisted of two or more doors. Library, dining room, Kitchen, some classrooms, foyer.... All of them provided more than one entrance-slash-exit. At the end of three hours, the chocolate-skinned teacher had managed to track down everyone.
Everyone except the elusive air elemental. It was the expression 'chasing the wind in vain' in action. Expressions of, "She was here a minute ago," or , "I saw her headed toward the Library," or "I thought she was on her way to the Danger Room," led the Assistant Headmistress all over the estate. Her favorite was, "She flew out the window when Gillian sneezed." Considering Gillian was a pyromancer, and Ghost's body had a high oxygen content, Neena could easily believe it, not to mention see it in her mind's eye.
Finally, Neena decided there was one sure-fire way to run into the young woman. Eventually, anyway. She sat her rear down on the hallway floor, right next to Ghost's bedroom door. If she remembered correctly, the girl worked at the bookstore in the afternoon, and would possibly need to change before leaving, so she'd need to return to her room.
Hopefully she wouldn't slip in through the window from the outside....
Luke's soft voice seemed to echo a bit in the silent of the night. Nights at the Mansion were quite the opposite of the bustling days. It made listening to him very easy. She nodded as he shared some of his own experience; she'd heard similar stories many times before, and even gone through her own version.
She smiled when he expressed his view that mutation was a gift, because she'd said something almost identical to someone recently.
"I agree with you wholeheartedly, m'friend. It all depends on how its used, whether it will be a gift or a curse."
She snorted quietly when he remarked, "It may seem silly or even stupid to some but it's what I know and so it's what I do."
"If it does, then this world needs more 'silly' people walking the streets."
She paused for a moment, considering the direction their conversation had taken, and the way Luke had ended up following Calley to the Mansion's doorstep.
"If you don't mind me being nosy, how exactly did you run across Calley?"
She was curious to know if he'd mentioned the Xmen to Luke.
" A date? Hmm, if you were agreeable to it, then yes. If not, then no I am not."
She chuckled slightly at that all-covering answer. Another crack in the polished exterior quickly filled in.
"Nehanda, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. That's all there is to it. The idea of merely leaving the grounds without a chance to see your face again just doesn't rub right with me."
She highly doubted that, but she would accept the compliment graciously. It felt good to hear, whether it was true or not.
She watched him inch closer without moving.
" I am a man of means so anything is possible as far as activities. I think it would do you a world of good to be pampered and treated like a queen for a while, rather than having to hustle and bustle all over the place. You name it and it is done."
His claim of being well-off didn't really impress her. But then again, she was quite content in life, and hard to enthuse. Being 'pampered' really didn't appeal to her much.
"Perhaps I am bold. You don't get to where I am in life without making some bold moves and taking risks. Especially when there is something, or someone I should say, who is more than worth it."
His forwardness intrigued her a bit more, as well as amused her. She doubted he realized what he was getting himself into.
"Does it sound like something you might be interested in?"
She cocked her head in the opposite direction and considered his offer for a moment, as she held his gaze without blinking. She hadn't been out of the Mansion for a while; things had been busy. She'd been considering making one of her usual nightly excursions in the upcoming week. She wasn't sure if Jordan's idea of a date would be quite as absorbing, but it would be a change of pace.
"I think your expectations of me might be a tad high, Jordan," she started, using his first name for the first time. "But routines do get old after awhile, and I could use a change in mine. I'd be delighted to spend an evening with you. On one condition."
She smiled, and recovered her eyes. "I don't really care what we do, as long as it doesn't include any of that pampering you mentioned." She grimaced a bit, indicating her distaste for the very idea.
"Now then, should we continue the tour? The grounds are pretty extensive, and there is a lot that your daughter might be interested in hearing about.."
"Yes, where shall we start exploring to find a mutually beneficial shared experience?""
Idly Neena wondered how a tour with a prospective student's father had turned into a proposition?
"Perhaps I could accompany you on one of your late night outings?"
On one of her usual outings? Yet again, not a good idea. On a less questionable endeavor? That might not be such a bad idea.
"Pardon my bluntness this time, Mr. Hornbuckle. But are you asking me out on a date? I've only just met you." Then she tilted her head, and added, "What did you have in mind?"
She showed no hint of embarrassment at either his inquiry nor her reply. Instead, a one-sided grin had taken over her mouth.
¨ey that is awful , you are trying to make me feel guilty for the family , right? thats a dirty trick ...."
Neena crossed her arms and gave him a neutral look. "It's called taking responsibility, kiddo."
"and where i could found info about that man ? i never ask him about his name , and i cant go into the police office and ask hey mr police man , i killed a man last night and i dont know his name ... i want to send flowers to the widow, could you give me a little info about his family ? ¨
She shrugged. "You'll find a way."
¨ sorry Neena , forget what i said ... you are trying to do your job and give me a lesson about the life and the real justice you talked about ... i am not sure where i can start , but i promise you to give me best and found info about his family ... i dont want to let a family in the streets just because i was making justice because that will be a paradox of injustice ...¨
She didn't reply; there was no need. He'd answered himself quite nicely.
¨hey Neena , dont kill me with the training in the Danger Room . i am a little wounded for a hard trainning ...¨
"Oh, I won't kill you." The grin on her face indicated she was not going to make it easy for him either. Far from it. He'd managed to take on an entire gang on an adrenaline rush. Going easy was no longer an option.
"I'll see you tomorrow evening, kiddo. Midnight, sharp." With a sharp nod, she turned and strode back out the door.
"No, I don't work with her. She's employed at the Full Circle Bookstore and I happened to go in to pick up an audio book. It turned out that since she's an air elemental she can get very distracted and nervous because of my sonar. I think she said it vibrates the air molecules so much that it gets to her or something like that."
"Ah! I can imagine it would when you are that plugged into your element." Neena nodded in understanding.
"I'll come back during the day some time to say hi. She helped me realize there was more work to be done with my sonar... kind of inspired me I guess you could say."
She smiled widely. "She has a gift for that. I can't think of too many that aren't glad to have her here." Now if only there was a way to bring out a bit of the young woman's confidence....
"But on a more serious note..." Neena tilted her head to listen. "I would like to know what kind of stand the school takes on different world events."
She listened patiently, grimacing slightly when she heard that Luke had run across Iron Mouth in his travels.
"Do you run into those kinds of problems with your students or do you agree with and teach that kind of thinking?"
"Fausto has a lot of baggage to deal with, and unfortunately we can only help him deal with part of it. And.... a lot of kids come from similar backgrounds, or even worse." Neena sighed, since she could feel for the troubled teen.
"The school is just like any other, really. We want the kids to learn skills that will help them succeed in the world. It's difficult when you're a mutant, as you undoubtably know. Getting humans to trust us is an uphill battle, made harder by the rampaging psycopaths of the mutant world.
"Xavier has always wanted humans and mutants to be able to live together on equal, and peaceful terms. We honor that desire, and try our best to teach it to the kids. It rough, but.... That's what we signed on for."
She shrugged, and smiled. "How 'bout you, m'friend? What's your view on the situation?"
Neena resisted the urge to flick Garrett on the back of the head, when he slid easily into the task that had caused her so much grief.
" Yeah this is no problem at all. Perhaps you want to try sitting on the other side? Tell Mr. Wills your problems?"
"Jealousy," she replied with a good-natured snort, indicating his quick typing. While he filled in the blank spots on the lifeless monitor, she took the completed files to the cabinet, and stuck them in their proper places. Idly she considered the possibility of installing electronic locks on the drawers as well.
Neena grimaced dramatically. " 'Mom'? Bleh! That's worse than Miss."
She politely listened to the DocProf's report. He reworded things a bit differently than the conversation she'd 'overheard', but the gist was the same. There also seemed to be no immediate danger of an explosive repeat. She smiled at Chris, and saw him staring back at her with, if she had to guess, unease.
"So all we have to do is make sure you don't bleed in any way shape or form," Ali spoke up. Neena nodded.
"That oughta be easy enough, as long as you're not a self-mutilator." She nodded at the youth.
"Hey Doc, what do we do if he does end up bleeding? I don't think anyone here can handle radiation. I mean I might be able to train myself to help a little bit, but that's not going to happen anytime in the immediate future."
It was a valid question, that the DocProf answered, in his typical no-nonsense way, quite efficiently. "Stop the bleeding, and call me immediately. In that order."
"Naturally," Neena replied easily, and moved to the young man's side and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "So then, we'll have to keep you away from sharp objects and the power tools. And possibly the Woodshop teacher. Think that sounds fair, m'friend?"
" Thanks, Neena. So, Tricity's returning? That's quite a boost indeed."
I'm hoping so," she replied eagerly. "The longer-termed students have missed her, I know. And I'm sure they're ready to have me off of their case."
"I look forward to meeting everyone officially and getting on with things. Perhaps I could start now? I'd be happy to get started on those files for you, if you like. Or perhaps you have some tasks for me? I enjoy having tasks to fulfill and I know you have plenty to do before Tricity arrives."
A grimace wormed its way onto her face. With her current attire, she slipped back into the 'procrastinating student' persona.
"Unfortunately. Never was one for homework...." she grumbled.
"But, if you're offering, I'm not going to say no. Messing with this box of bolts may be the one thing that makes me feel my age." She glared at the lifeless screen, then waved Garrett over.
"It's an exercise in redundancy. The student files need to be entered into the computer database. A simple task made annoying by something not even alive. Mankind's crowning glory." She shook her head, and stood up for him to take her place.
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