The year is 2022, and the world keeps on forever turning. There have been ups and downs, struggles and successes, but everything seems normal...

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Or so people think.

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For all the strange things going on in the world, no-one knows that there are people hiding amongst them who aren't really 'human'. These people, these.... mutants, have been hiding in plain sight for decades. Those that have been seen have been reasoned away as actors, figments of the imagination, tricks or camera wizardry... but they are there.

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You would know. You are one of them.

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Many mutants live their lives in hiding, masquerading as 'normal' and while there will always be those that use their powers in questionable ways, most are happy just trying to lead a good life without drawing attention to themselves. Perhaps you were one of those who blended into society. Perhaps your mutation has left it a little harder to slip under the radar. Perhaps society is your enemy and you've happily used your mutation to teach it a lesson from time to time...

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All you know is that all changed the day you received The Calling. Mutants across the country heard the message of The Calling directly into their minds:

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You are not alone.

We have a place of safety for you, if you wish for it.

If you want to find us, you will know where to go.

Be safe, my friend.

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Some instantly dismissed it, not wanting any part of the strange telepathic message. Others allowed curiosity to lead them.

 

And lead them it did. Those with the desire to seek out the origin of the message found their feet leading them to their cars, or a bus stop, or a taxi rank. They knew where to go, as if they had travelled this path countless times before yet they all knew this journey was entirely new to them. 

 

You are one of them. You pull up to the location you somehow knew but never knew, and you are certain this is the right place. A sign stands before you, reading words you expected but have never seen before:

 

Welcome to The Institute

 

About the world of Alternate Universe

We are running this game with real-world history up until the date of our first event. From that point, history diverges. It is possible things have happened in the history of AU that differ from that of real life, but these can be discovered and learned about in-play. Below are a few details you will want to keep in mind when coming up with your character background:

 

- Mutants are largely hidden. There are no mutant gangs, clubs, schools or organisations (that you know of...)

- Most mutants will only ever know a few others of their kind in their lifetime. Most will never meet another person like them. You would likely only ever encounter another mutant if one were within your family or was a very close friend.

- When a mutant does 'out' themselves, they tend to quickly disappear. Maybe you know someone this has happened to, however it has never happened to you.

- Those with very obvious physical mutations tend to either conceal these differences or hide away from the world. Life is hardest for those who cannot masquerade as human. As such, it is entirely likely that these 'inhuman' looking mutants are plentiful in answering The Calling.

 

What does a Mutant look like?

Most of them look reasonably human-like. They may have slightly odd coloured eyes or hair, or perhaps they change in some way when their powers are in use... but for the most part, they fit in well with the world in regards to their physical appearance. Others are not so fortunate...

Inhuman skin colours, animal-like mutations, inorganic body parts, extra appendages... these are just a few of the things that can manifest in a mutant.

 

However, there are a few things that never occur in a mutant:

- Flight-enabling wings (flightless wings are possible)

- Solid black skin (to avoid OOC blackfacing)

- A wholly inorganic form (i.e. androids, robots etc)