The Exceptionals is set in Earth-78, a relection of the real world as seen through 1980s and early 90s TV and movies. The adventure begins in March of 1984, and follows two people who awoke in a secret laboratory, both of whom are exceptional people at or beyond the peak of human capability. They have no memory, and they have nowhere to go… except everywhere.

E-3

She was raised rapidly in a tube, tube 3. Treated with gene therapy, chemical science and all the advanced bio science the Doctor could devise and learn. She became Exceptional, a peak of human-kinds achievement, smart, good looking, strong and quick, an inspirational leader for America’s future.

Wholesome and as-yet uncomprehending of the way people use language loosely, she has exceptional Strength, and enjoys competition and combat.

First Appearance: Episode 1

I feel the player should add something here, but. I wanted two exceptionals, one player picked a chick, the strong one. So E-3 here got the muscular density and development boost. Lucky! Capable of eating anything she wants without putting on weight, so long as she leads and active lifestyle. It’s entirely possible that being exposed to women like this in comic books caused my personal preferences to develop the way they have.

E-4

He was raised rapidly in a tube, tube 4. Treated with gene therapy, chemical science and all the advanced bio science the Doctor could devise and learn. He became Exceptional, a peak of human-kinds achievement, smart, good looking, strong and quick, an inspirational leader for America’s future.

Fleet of foot, exceptionally so, he can outrun a car, for about three seconds.

First Appearance: Episode 1

I feel the player should put something here, but fo my part, Player 2 wanted a charming faceman guy, a loveable roguelike persona, he also drew the FAST card, so maybe it ties in, fast acting, fast talking? We’ll see.

David Hinkley

The Creator of the Exceptionals, Missing, Gone, Unknown. Very Sad. Available only in fragmented memories. Recovered torn and burnt Lab notes indicate he was trying to create exceptional people, to act as real life heroes and inspirations for the American people. They also indicate he was struggling with the morality of what he was doing.

Yeah, I’m not telling you anything yet.

Lou

The landlord of the building the Exceptionals Laboratory is under, and the residential building in the front of it. Got into real estate to make a buck, but gangs, crime and low tenancy of his run-down building is pulling him under. Encountered the Exceptionals thanks to a default payment on the rent and power the Lab owes him.

Has been paying protection money to the Venus 8 gang, but thanks to the lack of rent from the missing Scientist David Hinkley, he has not been able to keep up the payments.

First Appearance: Episode 1

I wanted a Superintendant Landlord, a fat, lazy type who wasn’t an out-and-out villain, a Mario, if you will. Lou is an obstacle for the players to overcome, and maybe also a source, who can say what will happen.

Eddie Kline

Eddie is a pretentious author, trying to write the next Great American Novel, he has tried again and again to begin his story of Black Oppression, but keeps running into a lack of inspiration. To make ends meet, he has taken a job at a local paper, but he is not pleased with having to waste his talents writing about local church bake sales and such, when he could be documenting great events.

First Appearance: Episode 1

I knew the Exceptionals would be moving about a bit, and so would NOT be having every little NPC on the website. But I also knew they would be coming back to the lab often, at least three times in the first seasons, so I wanted a cast of characters that would be familiar there. Hence Eddie Kline, named after a Half Life Character, sort of. I wanted him to be a microcosm of an 80s Stereotype, a struggling author who has overlooked opportunity because it wasn’t perfect. In a lot of ways this represents a failing I have had all my life, that I never did the things I thought of, dismissing them as impractical or something.

“Chainsaw”

Chainsaw is a local circuit champion wrestler, for the promotion World Class Wrestling League (WCWL) a Rinky-Dink promotion getting by by ripping off more successful brands.
Unable to make it big, this is the best he can aspire to, a black imitation of the Macho Man.

First Appearance: Episode 1

I wanted there to be a Bonesaw reference in somewhere, and it turned out it was the pilot. Chainsaw and the gang will be back, in an episode I have drafted based on an episode of the Incredible Hulk.

Maria “Rover” Rodriguez

Maria is a single mother who lives in Lou’s Apartment building, she works as a waitress in a local struggling Diner “Joey’s Diner” she used to wear a dog costume as a part of a failed childrens education programme that toured local schools, hence her derogatory nickname. SHe struggles to raise her son Tommy, alone.

First Appearance: Episode 1 Part 2

Michael Knight needs a single mother in every location to mack on. Sadly Maria is left on the shelf by E4, she works two jobs to keep food on the table for her neglected son, it;s sad, but she just can’t keep their head above water any other way. Which is odd, because normally an attractive woman like her could try her hand at modelling or something, acting maybe. But working at a waitress and a cleaner is how she’s doing it. She’s tired all the time, and very worried about her son, who is becoming estranged from her.

Tommy Rodriguez

Tommy lives with his mother in Lou’s run down apartment building, in the middle of Ghost Town, Oakwood, Venice, LA. Fatherless, he fixated on the comic book character of Captain America as a thin substitute for a male role model. He is not popular at school and is not happy at home. He wishes he was bigger and stronger so he could help his mother out, but does nothing to get that way.

First Appearance: Episode 1 Part 2

Every Single Mother needs a kid, otherwise they’re just a single.

Harlan Thompson “The Colonel”

Old Hank lives in the back upstairs room of Lou’s apartment building, has done since it opened, the area used to be nicer, full of families in modest but tidy bungalows and small homes in Oakwood, but that changed slowly as he aged. Hank keeps to himself mostly now, spending sunny days on the roof, on his deck chair with is portable radio. Hank was a veteran of the War, World War 2 that is, in the pacific theater. His life is nearing its end, and he knows it. A lonely, sad old man.

First Appearance: Episode 1 Part 2

I wanted the Colonel to be a broken defeated old man, all the bright warm days behind him. I think it’s inevitable, isn’t it, that we realise one day the best days are in the past, all the aches and pains build up, can’t get around so easily, can’t do the things you once did. No miracle 80s show magic to save you. Just you and your diminishing memories of brighter more colourful days.

Mister Chou

An immigrant fleeing the cultural revolution in ‘76, he arrived and began working, along with his wife and children, he now owns a Drugstore near Lou’s Apartment, he speaks some English, of course, and has no desire to return to Mainland China. Mister Chou is not his name, but what everyone calls him. Because of his past with the communist party of China, he distrusts government and law enforcement.

First Appearance: Episode 2

I wanted a Chinese stereotype store owner, they were such a part of 80s TV, movies. I also wanted him to be a counter-message to the Hollywood communist agenda that they secretly wove into all these old shows. So far he hasn’t done anything much.