Verse, the Doomed

[Eternal]

CALVIN ZHENG AKA "Verse"

THE DOOMED

HERO NAME: Verse
REAL NAME: Calvin Zheng
LOOK: Male, Asian, steely eyes, casual clothing, cheap costume.
ABILITIES: Superhuman strength & speed, vitality absorption, memory manipulation.

NEMESIS

Earworm, a being trapped in an unsung song that slipped through the Tangee timequake. 

LABELS

DANGER	FREAK	SAVIOR	SUPERIOR	MUNDANE
+1	+2	+1	-1	0

CONDITIONS

	AFRAID	-2 to Directly Engage a Threat
	ANGRY	-2 to Comfort or Support or Pierce the Mask
	GUILTY	-2 to Provoke Someone or Assess the Situation
	HOPELESS	-2 to Unleash Your Powers
	INSECURE	-2 to Defend Someone or Reject Others' Influence

 

BACKSTORY

• When did you first learn of your doom?

Ever had a song stuck in your head? It's kinda like that... if the song was a supernova. You wanna scream the words as loud as you can before your brain explodes. Except you don't, cause you'd probably die while releasing some cosmic horror into the world. Yeah. It's kinda like that. I call it Earworm because it will not stop wiggling around in there.

Look. I don't like talking about this because it sounds so dumb, like some X-Files episode from the 1800's, okay? I was just a normal kid. I snuck out of my bedroom after curfew one Thursday night because I needed a break from school. My parents wanted me to be a doctor, or a lawyer, but I just wanted to make manga. I was on my way to hang out with my friends, Luke and Rina, at the 24-hour diner. Next thing I know, I see an object in the sky, a bright light, and then I'm surrounded by Beaks.

They must have got the wrong guy. I was just a normie. I didn't have any stupid powers. I barely got straight A's in school! If my mom found out about that one A-, she'd flip. I don't remember what they did, or if they even did anything. Hell, maybe I did something. All the sudden, I was back on the street, alone. I went to the diner. Everything was fine. Except, I started to understand things on a whole new level.

These words just kept coming to me. I would see them everywhere, in everything. I couldn't stop thinking about them. One day, I was bored, I said one out loud... and that was a big mistake.

Long story short: I think I was accidentally abducted and experimented on by Beaks. Now, I can understand things no one in their right mind should know. Earworm talks to me, keeps me safe, and makes me jacked with superpowers. I realize now that Earworm is probably just making sure I'm strong enough to say this damn song out loud in this horrible language. It feels like reality is coming undone in my mouth just thinking about it.

• Where did you get your sanctuary?

Earworm told me about it. I know, I know! I shouldn't listen to something I just told you was dangerous. You think it's so easy? Try it! Lemme know how that works out. Anyway... Earworm led me to a graveyard. Guess it crawled straight outta hell, huh? It's not like the city graveyard, it's some rando place in the woods. Filled with junk. It honestly looks like my room, if I was a crusty, old, zombie wizard. Books, scrolls, maps... Paper everywhere. All these weird offerings and artifacts in-between the tombstones. Sometimes inside of the graves. There's even a crypt that I haven't fully explored yet. I'm not that stupid.

• Why do you oppose your nemesis?

Oh, I dunno. Guess I don't want to DIE? Sorry, not sorry to disappoint, if you're a hater. Besides, who likes being told what to do? Not about that life. I'm not about to sing and dance just because I can't get a song out of my head. These are hard times, y'know? I don't wanna be the guy that couldn't keep it together. I don't wanna start the timequake, destroy everything and everyone I know. I mean, yeah, I'd die first, but I don't need that kinda grief. That's why I went to the sanctuary.

It's like Weiss Ophidius, the main character of my manga, Gentle Darkening. Everything that ever happens in Duskveil is cursed. Every person, object, and place has at least one curse on them. Some people learn to use to use their advantage. I just gotta find a way to do that with mine. Otherwise, I'd just be a villain, right? Feels bad, man! I never asked for this crap.

• Who, outside of the team, is crucial to defeating your nemesis?

So, the sanctuary isn't all bad. I got my own Maiden in Gray! Y'know, like in those super hard Devil's Spirits games? She's my personal occult guide, power-up station, and guardian type. That's what I tell myself, anyway. She's bound to the sanctuary and knows everything about it and Earworm. I think she's some immortal crypt keeper who was supposed keep these dangerous toys buried... but here I am. Now, she helps me master my powers without getting too many black scrawls over my body. See? This one covers my left leg.

Sometimes, I feel so powerful, like I could legit do anything! I tried it once when I was stupid, and this happened to me after. Gray says I gotta be more careful. This is like some binding contract that slowly gives control of my body to Earworm. Whoops! A few more of these, and I'm done for. My bad. Gray is usually monotone, but sometimes, I think she'd kill me for being dumb if she could get away with not triggering Earworm's endgame. She'll warm up to me, though. They always do.

It's cool, though. With Gray being my Samwise Gamgee, I'll find a way to throw Earworm into Mount Doom. Wait... Do you think Gray's helping me because she wants to help Earworm instead!? Oh man... Now I gotta re-think my whole life!

• Why does the team matter to you?

Gotta justify everything I do now, huh? Gotta make sure I'm a good guy with good feelings? Whatever. I care about the team because they don't ask dumb questions. Just cause something evil is hitching a ride in my body, doesn't mean I'm evil, too. Of course I care about the team. They're my friends... they're the only ones who know what I'm going through. It's not like Luke and Rina. They're normies. I can't tell them about Earworm or get them wrapped up in super stuff. If I can't hang with a team... I gotta do this all on my own. I don't think I can.

WHEN OUR TEAM FIRST CAME TOGETHER...

We paid a high cost for victory. When we fought Vultros, Calvin unleashed his first Doomsign (whether intentionally or not) and became wounded in a Doomed fit. The team helped him recover from an otherwise dangerous situation, but Vultros and the Beaks attempted to capture Calvin in his weakened state. Having witnessed Earworm's potential first hand, Max, the team's strongman, made a snap decision to prevent that from happening by sacrificing his vitality and getting captured instead. Calvin has survivors remorse.

 

RELATIONSHIPS:
You told Ben all about your doom and the trouble you're in.

Calvin sees a kindred spirit in Ben because they both have evil stigmas attached to their image (Calvin for Earworm, Ben for his dad). He opened up to Ben to make him know that he's not alone, and get some advice from him about how he deals with the bad rap.

You'd love to kiss Temperance before your doom comes.

Both Temperance and Calvin seem like geeks; they like video / card games. Neither of them asked for the responsibility of a hero, but they accepted it. They both have to deal with the loss of ancient societies (Noctis / The Grays). Calvin hopes they can go on a PG-13 date before he maybe sorta dies.

INFLUENCE:
These people matter for what you need to do. Give Influence to two of your Teammates: (Temperance and Charlie)

Verse has Influence over...

• Charlie
• Temperance (2)

Verse is Influenced by...

• Temperance
• Charlie

DOOMED

You're doomed. Your powers may be killing you, or maybe you're hunted ruthlessly, or maybe you embody an apocalypse. But one way or another, your future is grim. What brings you closer to your doom?

• Talking about it openly.
• Facing danger alone.

Whenever you bring your doom closer, mark one box on your doom track. 

 

DOOM TRACK: ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜

When your doom track fills, clear it and take one of your doomsigns.

 

DOOMSIGNS

◼️ Dark Visions: Mark your doom track to have a vision about the situation at hand. Afterward, ask the GM a question: they will answer it honestly.
⬜ Infinite Powers: Mark your doom track to use any ability from any playbook, one time.
⬜ Portal: Mark your doom track to appear in a scene with anyone you want.
⬜ Burning Bright: Mark your doom track to ignore one of the GM's requirements when you call upon the resources of your sanctuary.
⬜ Bolstered: Mark your doom track to use an Adult Move one time.
⬜ Your Doom Arrives: confront it and perish.

 

SANCTUARY

You have a place where you can rest, recover, and reflect upon your powers. Choose three features:

◼️ A library of valuable tomes.
◼️ A scattering of ancient relics.
◼️ An assistant or aide.

Choose two downsides of your sanctuary:

◼️ Draws dangerous attention.
◼️ Tied intricately to your doom.

When you call upon the resources of your sanctuary to solve a problem, say what you want to do. The GM will give you one to four conditions you must fulfill to complete your solution:

 ⬜ First you must ____________.
 ⬜ You'll need help from ____________.
 ⬜ You and your team will risk danger from ____________.
 ⬜ You'll have to obtain ____________.
 ⬜ The best you can do is a lesser version, unreliable and limited.
 ⬜ You'll need to mark one box on your doom track.

PLAYER QUESTIONS

• What kind of player are you?

I'm a collaborator that tries to make sure everyone feels psychologically safe and empowered to have fun and tell great stories. I like a mix of intrigue, action, and drama.

• Why are you excited for this game?

I love the Powered by the Apocalypse system and most of the games under its umbrella. For MASKS specifically, I enjoy the idea of young heroes coming-of-age together. The Doomed playbook enables me to explore the "power at a price" theme. It's more about the consequences of having and wanting to use power, rather than being powerful in and of itself. How far are you willing to go to do what needs to be done? How much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for others?

• What are your expectations for this game?

To be challenged and confronted with choices that don't always lead to a happy outcome. Leaving the drama to the characters rather than the players. Teamwork in and out of the game. A good post cadence with understanding that life happens (and communication if it does).

• Why do you think you would be a good fit for the game?

I'm easy going, empathic, insightful, and creative. I'm invested in the narrative and everyone's well-being. I like to share the spotlight.

Edited March 27, 2023 by Eternal (see edit history)

[Morphling]

Some things that I wouldn't mind seeing developed further:

What is Verse's heroic drive? Is he primarily out to save themselves (for now) or is freeing the city from the Tangee more important (for now)? Does being a hero give him a rush, or does he dream of living a normal life when everything is done?

How does Earworm play into Verse's life? What made him decide to stop trusting Earworm? Does he have a plan to defeat it? What can Earworm do to threaten him before their destined confrontation?

Why does Verse think talking about their doom openly will bring them closer to it? Why does Verse think confronting danger alone brings him towards his doom?

What kind of hero does Gray want Verse to be? What does she do to push him toward that ideal?

(You can throw something in about an NPC like their family or someone else outside the team who knows about their powers, but this is already getting a little long so consider that strictly optional)

All in all, solid effort. I would like to see what more you can come up with.

Edited March 3, 2023 by Morphling (see edit history)

[Eternal]

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS

• What is Verse's Heroic Drive? Does being a hero give him a rush, or does he dream of living a normal life when everything is done? Does being a hero give him a rush, or does he dream of living a normal life when everything is done?

Despite having an expiration date, Verse loves being a hero. It's nice to know that he can make a real difference in the city, rather than spend his life taking orders from adults and Beaks. Right now, he's more concerned with helping others because it distracts him from the reality of his situation. He may be doomed, but he doesn't have to spend his life in doom and gloom, if he can help it.

Besides, Verse has three pillars of support: the team, Gray, and the fact that he only has one doomsign so far. He falls apart when he's alone, or when he can't escape / distract himself from his impending responsibilities.

As for returning to normal: I think Calvin realizes that this is likely the only way for him to survive, if it's even possible. Given no other choice, he would sacrifice his powers in the end. Whether or not he would be able to live with himself after being de-powered is another story. When all of his supernatural strength is gone, that's when he'd get melancholic. That's when he'd start to question whether or not he, as Calvin, will ever amount to anything more than a normal guy in a 9 to 5 job.

• How does Earworm play into Verse's life? What made him decide to stop trusting Earworm? Does he have a plan to defeat it? What can Earworm do to threaten him before their destined confrontation?

Earworm is the literal voice inside Verse's head. It's always there. It makes him and breaks him, temping him with dangerously awesome power at the cost of his doom. It offers skewed commentary and advice about himself and the world around him. It's part evil genie, part conscience, and part jinchuriki from Naruto, threatening to take him over at any given moment. Right now, all Earworm can do is talk to Verse, but as the game progresses, it gains more control over his body.

Verse's current plan to defeat is to distract himself with noise and try his best not to listen. This is very difficult because it's like having a record on repeat. Even when Earworm isn't communicating with Verse directly, that same old song is stuck in his head. Once he sings the whole song out loud, the binding is undone. Earworm is free. Otherwise, he's heavily banking on Gray to help him find a sustainable solution.

Verse stopped listening to Earworm because when he finally did something big, he got his first doomsign. At first, Verse openly told his friends, Luke and Rina, about everything that happened to him. They combined their knowledge of video games, manga, and pop culture in an effort to solve this puzzle on their own. This led Verse to opening his mind to the Song (Dark Visions doomsign), scanning the lyrics for anything about how to stop Earworm without dying. The release of energy sent out a shockwave that destroyed Rina's room, severely injuring her and Luke. No one remembers anything because memory manipulation is one of Verse's superpowers.

In the aftermath, Verse realized that his Dark Vision did show him something after all. Maybe he could use his memory manipulation on himself to forget all about the Song and Earworm. Now the questions is: How can he do this without erasing everything else about himself in the process? It would be the same as if he'd died because he technically wouldn't exist anymore.

• Why does Verse think talking about their doom openly will bring them closer to it? Why does Verse think confronting danger alone brings him towards his doom?

Verse's doom is audible. The Song wants to be sung and Earworm is always talking to him. Verse is afraid that talking about it openly might trigger it somehow, or otherwise give Earworm and edge. It's like that Depeche Mode song, Enjoy the Silence. Words bring pain.

Song Lyrics

Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me
Can't you understand
Oh, my little girl

All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm

Vows are spoken
To be broken
Feelings are intense
Words are trivial
Pleasures remain
So does the pain
Words are meaningless
And forgettable

All I ever wanted
All I ever needed
Is here in my arms
Words are very unnecessary
They can only do harm.

Confronting danger alone makes Verse nervous because he doesn't have anyone to distract him or keep himself in check. He would be alone with his thoughts, alone with the Song and with Earworm. He might slip, get desperate, and unleash another doomsign. 

• What kind of hero does Gray want Verse to be? What does she do to push him toward that ideal?

I imagine Gray to be like Galadriel from Lord of the Rings when she's in her dark mode, fighting back Sauron with Elrond and Saruman. She was once a kind and powerful being whose majesty faded after millennia of unrest. The last of the Grays sacrificed themselves to bind Earworm to the center of their gravesite. Gray herself was also bound as an eternal caretaker, but somehow, Earworm wriggled away from her grasp. She remains bound, and has become very world-weary, but she unshakably upholds her duty with the last ounces of her strength.

Gray wants Verse to grow up. She expects him to be mature, responsible, and of impeccable moral fiber. She pushes him toward her ideal by being a strict teacher and mentor. She puts him through training exercises to make him strong, gives him lessons to make him wise, and otherwise guides him on best practices for honing his dark powers.

• Optional NPC info?

Luke Mitchell: Former bully, one of Calvin's best friends. Luke was an all-star jock that liked to pick on Calvin for being nerdy. He lost the use of his legs in a football game. Luke still loves sprots, but it's not as fun watching his former friends play while he sets on the sidelines in a wheelchair. He found himself gravitating more toward people like Calvin, who introduced him to nerdy culture. Luke has really warmed up to him and tries to make up for years of mistreatment. Even though he's in a wheelchair, he's still as strong as ever, and does what he can to protect his new friends.

Rina Kokonoe: Best friend since childhood. Rina is a nerd just like Calvin, but she's also much more of a tomboy than he is. Her father owns a tai chi dojo. She wants to follow in his footsteps to give normies a way to protect themselves without needing superpowers. Rina and Calvin briefly tried dating before they realized that they were better off as friends. They've been through almost everything together and are as close as two people can be without being creepy.

Yuxi Zheng: Calvin's older sister. Yuxi is a holistic doctor with a kind, patient, and curious heart. She wants to advance healthcare by studying alternative medicine. She operates her own clinic and provides services such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage, homeopathy, and naturopathy. Yuxi knows as much as Calvin knows about Earworm. She tries to help him without drawing too much attention to herself.

Edited March 4, 2023 by Eternal (see edit history)