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.
Mariusz tilted his head slightly to the side at the mention of street smarts. He had heard the term before, but in truth did not really understand practically what it meant. He was also a little surprised that Tses had a somewhat limited knowledge of her homeland, but he supposed that made sense as America was a considerably larger country than his own native Czech Republic. He also took a slight offense at the mention of dropping the chivalry thing. "Tses, chivalry is not an act. In fact, I daresay that the world would be a better place if there were more chivalrous people in it..." The feathered mutant was winding up for a bit of a rant on the topic when he abruptly remembered that she had mentioned that less was more in New York and shut his mouth almost mid-sentence. He also realized that she had started to move off through the crowd, leading him who knew where, so he lowered his offered arm to his side.
"I have not had the need of a driver in some time," Mariusz replied, following the woman through the crowd and noting the way that they moved out of her way. Whether they were moving out of the way because she was coming or because she was in the company of someone that was obviously a mutant he was somewhat less sure of. "If you find the crowds and public transit to be a bit much I would be happy to fly us. I am sure I can carry you quite easily, so long as it is not too far, and you would be amazed at how the crowds disappear when you are six meters above the ground," Mariusz offered, continuing to follow the woman through the crowd though he ruffled the feathers on his wings a little bit to help make his point. "After all, what are wings for if not to avoid the crush of humanity?"
OOC: I'm fine with this being open, but please check with Mirror before adding anything.
Mariusz had spent most of the morning checking out the area of the Mansion where the offices were located, looking for someone affiliated with the X-Men that could help him with trying to become a part of that team. He had spent what seemed like forever waiting and wandering around before he had finally run into someone that had pointed him in the direction of a place called the Danger Room. That same person had also suggested that he dress for a workout and had given him directions to find the room. After returning to his room and changing into a t-shirt suitable for exercise and a pair of basketball shorts in the colors of the Czech flag and grabbing his compound bow, hip quiver, and a pair of goggles that doubled as both safety and flight goggles Mariusz set off in the direction of the Danger Room, following the directions he had been given.
Standing before the doors marked 'Danger Room' Mariusz paused for a moment. Leaning the bow against the wall next to the doors the feathered mutant pulled his goggles onto his head and situated them so they were on his forehead for the time being. Next he took a moment to strap on his hip quiver which was full of arrows. He was not altogether sure whether or not there was an archery range in the Danger Room or not, however it stood to reason that there might be given that it was called the Danger Room and he was keen to get in some practice as it had been a few days since he had been able to properly exercise his skills with the bow. Feeling fully prepared he picked up the bow in his left hand and raised his right hand and knocked on the doors as that seemed the polite thing to do in case someone was already inside.
Mariusz laughed easily at Tses' mentioning that she did not know what a 'Czech Ambassador' was. "My father is the Ambassador to the United States from the Czech Republic," Mariusz said, trying to explain. "It's a country in Central Europe, located right between Germany and Poland. I am from near Harrachov, near the Polish border up in the Krkonose Mountain range. Beautiful place year round, though a bit of a tourist trap in the winter."
"I have traveled to several places in Europe, but I am afraid I am really not familiar with the locations of most American cities, beyond New York," he paused for a moment to gesture to the city around himself, "and Washington D.C." He shrugged his shoulders slightly. He tilted his head slightly to the side at the mention of something called street food. Truthfully, Mariusz had no idea what street food was, still he latched onto it as an idea for being able to make up for having bowled Tses over a moment ago.
"When it comes to culture there are many different kinds. Can anyone truly lay claim to the fact that their culture is superior to that of another? Too many wars and conflicts have been started for cultural reasons," the Czech mutant said in a serious tone. "In some ways Europe is still recovering from the affects of some of those wars, likely there will always be scars of a sort that will never fully heal but serve as a reminder of past atrocities. The former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz comes to mind in that regard."
The feathered mutant's stomach took that moment to growl and interrupt a rather profound philosophical moment to Mariusz's way of thinking. It was his body's way of reminding him that he had made a long flight this morning already and that he had yet to refuel, in a manner of speaking. "You mentioned something about street food, ano," he asked, slipping accidentally into the Czech language for a moment, "I confess to being unfamiliar with street food, but I am keen for the culinary adventure," he continued with a smile. "As your knowledge of street food here is far superior to my own, perhaps you would be so good as to lead the way and tell me a little about Chicago or New York as we walk," he asked, offering the blonde woman his arm should she wish to take it. "You may have a knack for finding trouble, but I hope you have not found any in our meeting."
"Now that you bring it up I do not think I have ever seen a tiger with green stripes," Mariusz responded. "Of course, I also tend to try to avoid cats for purely physiological reasons," he continued with a straight face. "Though I must confess I do not understand why a cat would need a healing factor, I thought all cats had nine lives," he continued in a wry tone. He continued to follow Regan as she turned down a different hallway and continued to lead him along and listened as she explained a little bit about the school for mutants that was located within the confines of the property.
"That seems pretty reasonable to me. Obviously, mutants need to be well versed in all the basic areas of knowledge as well as understanding their abilities and how to control them," Mariusz allowed, nodding his head. "While I do not have any abilities that are inherently dangerous I can certainly understand that there are others with abilities that would require they learn control in order to avoid being a danger to themselves and others."
Mariusz fell silent for a moment and thought over his next words before speaking. "Are you a student here at the school? I confess your age is somewhat difficult to guess at since I have no idea how to guess the age of a feline. Also, do you know if the school happens to have a teacher for religious studies and Renaissance and Reformation Europe? I did not really set out to come here to be a teacher, but it would be wrong of me to not do something to pull my own weight."
"You can call me Mari," the Czech mutant said in response to Tses' question about what she could call him. He assumed that more than a few people would have trouble with his name here in America and he had decided that shortening his name to Mari would be the easiest. "I am also afraid that I do need to make amends. My manners and upbringing demand nothing less. You get used to such things growing up in the home I was brought up in," the feathered mutant continued, shrugging his shoulders.
"I feel a bit overdressed," he continued stepping slightly to the side to get out of the flow of the foot traffic. "I am a bit of a tourist, and also a bit of a new resident. Still, I find with my appearance that being well dressed can help to make a better first impression on people. It is hard to see someone as being unscrupulous when they are very well dressed," he finished for a moment, ruffling the feathers on his wings.
"As for what I am doing here," he said in an amiable tone, fully intent on answering all of Tses' questions. "I came here with my mother and father, my father was just named as the Czech Ambassador to the United States," he said, gesturing vaguely with his hands as he spoke. "I had also heard about a haven for those who are mutants, as I am. It is located in the upstate area, so I sought it out and have been accepted there for now. Unfortunately, I was not able to bring everything with me that I wanted and needed with me on the flight from the Czech Republic and then from Pennsylvania, so I made the trip down to New York today to pick up the rest of the items I need. I was also considering taking in some of the sites and maybe a Broadway show later this evening, depending on time."
The feathered mutant noticed the looks he was getting from some people as they went past. He had become used to them while in college and chose to ignore the fact that he was receiving them. He was unique looking and knew it and understood that people would naturally be curious just as he had often been curious when his father had brought home people from foreign and exotic places that he had not visited. "So, are you a born and bred New Yorker and will you permit me to do something to make amends for my rather abominable rudeness in bowling you over earlier?"
Mariusz shrugged and put his hand back at his side as Tses refused it and got to her feet on her own. The Czech mutant arched an eyebrow somewhat quizzically at Tses when she shot him a glare. Yes, he was at fault for knocking her down, he had admitted as much and apologized for it. Apparently, something more in the way of an apology was going to be required. Typical of the Americans, he supposed. Still, protocol would seem to dictate that he not leave her feeling in anyway cross towards him.
"I can assure you Tses, I am not looking for a quarrel. Though I am not without my own abilities of fight or flight, quite literally," Mariusz said, holding up his hands in what he hoped was a placating manner and ruffling his wings slightly. "I am Mariusz Kasparek," he continued, introducing himself in what he was sure would likely be a bit of an odd manner given his slight English accent and a name that was anything but British. He offered her a hand to shake, if she so desired. "Perhaps you would be so good as to permit me to make amends for knocking you down just now? Perhaps lunch, on me," he asked in a friendly manner, more than willing to do anything that seemed reasonable to make up for his accidentally knocking Tses over. After all, to his way of thinking, that was the right thing to do.
"Quite right," the feathered mutant replied, removing a pair of leather gloves from his hands and stuffing them unceremoniously into a pocket on his jacket and returning the friendly smile of the catgirl. "Though my mutations are not quite as directly related to a single animal as are yours. I do not really know of any bird that has quite my coloration, though I confess I have truly not made an in depth study of the subject. I am no orithologist, the ology I chose to study and now devote myself to is theology," he continued, chuckling slightly. "I hope you will forgive my little pun."
"As for my particular mutations, I am sure you have noticed some of them. The feathers, for example, and the feet," Mariusz paused for a moment to wiggle his toes, being careful to make sure the talons on his toes did not do any damage to the flooring. "Similarly, the wings are rather obvious, so I can fly. I also have heightened vision, eagle eyes if you will, and retractable talons in each of my fingers," Mariusz continued, finishing his list of mutations.
"I think I have heard that this place is also a school for mutants, is this true," the winged man asked.
Mariusz arched an eyebrow, ever so slightly, at Regan's mentioning that she did not have a last name. He found it slightly odd that she had no surname, but after a moments reflection he considered it no more odd to his way of thinking than was the practice in some other nations of placing the surname before the given name. The Czech mutant also noted the way she stepped over and around the small puddles of melted snow that he had caused in the entryway, just like the normal cats she resembled Regan apparently hated water. He made a mental note of that fact so as to avoid the potential for causing her offense regarding water in the future.
"Thank you again for the hospitality," the feathered mutant said, adjusting the straps on the bag he had with him so it hung more comfortably between his wings as he moved to comply with Regan's instructions to follow her. Small talk with others his own age, or younger, had never been one of his strong suits. Judging from the book Regan had picked up, Patricia Briggs' Moon Called, which looked to be in the vein of contemporary fantasy Mariusz was not sure that discussing literature with Regan would be all that good of an idea.
Truthfully, he was not completely sure they would have all that much in common. Still, polite manners dictated that he should engage in some kind of small talk with her as a means of passing the time while she led him to where he needed to be within the Mansion. As the only thing he could be certain they had in common was physical mutation the Czech mutant decided that might be the best topic of conversation to pursue. "Of course, I cannot help but notice that you have a physical mutation, similar to me. Am I correct in guessing it is feline in nature," he asked.
Mariusz hovered in midair at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 57th Street, his steel grey wings flapping somewhat faster than normal to keep him airborne. It was a brisk winter day in downtown New York, with bright though hardly warm sunshine, a very slight breeze, and happily no snow. That had made it a perfect day for the Czech mutant to make the flight from the Mansion that he now called home to downtown New York to do a little bit of light shopping. While he had been able to get his most important belongings packed into the bag for the flight from Pennsylvania to the Mansion there were a few things he had been forced to leave behind that he now wished to procure, and if he happened to do some sightseeing along the way, so much the better.
The feathered mutant was dressed much nicer than he might normally be, wearing a brown three-piece suit which had been specially tailored to accommodate his mutant physiology. The suit came complete with specially made shoes for his bird-like feet. With a father that worked in the Czech Foreign Ministry and who, from time to time, had to host parties which Mariusz was expected to attend regardless of the fact that he was a mutant. Given that the U.S. was still a little behind Europe in the area of mutant rights and that he knew he was going to be shopping in one of the most upscale shopping districts in the world, Mariusz had opted to dress as nicely as possible to hopefully avoid any backlash from the population for being a mutant.
Spotting the first of the shops that he wanted to enter Mariusz fluttered down and gently landed on the sidewalk at the northeast corner of 5th Avenue and 57th Street and furled his wings close to his back. Turning to head off in the direction of the shop the feathered mutant slammed headlong into a blonde woman that he was easily a half foot taller than, inadvertently knocking the woman to the ground. "Dreadfully sorry," he said in an apologetic tone with and ever so slight English accent. "Might I offer you a hand Miss," he asked, extending a brown leather gloved hand to the woman on the ground and waiting for her to supply her name so he could offer a proper apology.
OOC: Anyone that would care to is, of course, welcome to jump in on this thread at any point.
"Thank you," Mariusz said, folding up his wings and stepping inside the entryway of the Mansion. He pulled his bag inside and set it down on the ground next to him just inside the entryway, taking a moment to close the door behind him. "I believe I have been remiss in my manners," Mariusz said, pulling gloves from his hands and putting the gloves into the pockets of the coat he was wearing. While the weather was such that others would have been wearing a heavy winter coat Mariusz was wearing what could, at best, be called a heavy jacket.
"I am Mariusz Kasparek," he said, bowing slightly at the waist. "I do not suppose I could impose on you further to help me to find the admitting desk," the feathered mutant continued, dusting the snow from his bag before picking it up and shouldering it once more. "If you would be so good as to lead the way," he asked.
Mariusz ruffled his feathers and shook his wings, clearing a slight dusting of snow from them. "Would it be too much of an imposition to request admittance," the Czech mutant asked, streams of frosty breath shooting out with every word as he spoke. Most polite people would have offered immediately to allow him in given the weather outside. Snow had been falling steadily for the last half and hour that he had been flying and it was showing no signs of relenting as he stood on the doorstep of the Mansion. The one nice thing that could be said about the snow was that, at least, it was falling almost straight down with very little in the way of wind. Wind would have made the flight much more difficult and strenuous, especially in a blowing snow.
"Obviously, I have found the right place," the feathered man continued, speaking with a slight British accent despite being Czech and having been raised in the Czech Republic. A side affect of having had a private tutor for most of his life teaching him English who was British. "I am seeking the haven for those like me, and I wish to join the team that is here as well," he continued, swinging the heavy bag down off of his shoulder as he spoke. "Who is it that I will need to speak with," he finished in a direct tone.
Mariusz grunted and shifted the weight of the heavy military surplus duffel bag on his back. Of course, he could have afforded something a lot nicer, but for long trips on the wing the surplus back was best for comfort and not moving around. His wings and shoulders were starting to ache a little bit from the length of the flight from North Wales, PA to the Mansion's location wasn't really all that long of a flight. Still, it was a bit longer of a flight than Mariusz had made in some time and that, coupled with the heavy bag on his back, was starting to tire him out. He'd passed over a town not too long ago and he knew from having checked a map ahead of time that the town wasn't all that far from the Mansion's location. Narrowing his golden eyes he gazed out into the distance and just spotted what he assumed had to be the right place, it was the only thing he could see that looked like it could be described as a mansion though he was still too far off to really know for sure.
A few minutes longer and the feathered mutant was certain he had seen the right location. Adjusting the heavy bag once more Mariusz cinched up the shoulder straps a little bit tighter to make sure that the bag was secured to his back. The last thing he wanted was for the heavy bag to bounce or jostle when he landed. If it did that it might come down wrong one one of his wing joints and dislocate a wing. He knew from past experience that a dislocated wing was not a fun time and he was in no hurry to repeat it.
Seeing what he assumed to be the front door of the place he was intending to reach he flew in that direction, gradually decreasing his altitude until he was just a few feet off of the ground. With a few powerful downbeats of his broad wings he came to a stop in the air and fluttered down to alight on the doorstep. Glancing around the door and the property he turned a small circle to better take everything in with a quick glance before returning his attention to the door and reaching out with his right hand to rap sharply one the heavy wooden door three times.
