e
The Council
Cryptic Studios, Inc.
Revision 6
Authors
Sean Fish
Jane Kalmes
The Council
1 Revision History
Rev # Date Who Description
1 12 July 2004 Sean Fish Initial Revision
2 16 July 2004 Sean Fish Added more Council Villains
3 23 July 2004 Sean Fish Adjusted Villain levels
4 24 August Sean Fish Changed some villain names
2004
5 03 September Jane Kalmes Changed name of “Vertex” villains to “Ascendants”
2004
6 01 October Jane Kalmes Tweaked background to clarify that the Coucnil is allied
2004 only with the Nictus, not the Kheldian Peacebringers
7 16 December Jane Kalmes Added list of tasks to doc
2004
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 2/12
The Council
2 Table of Contents
1 Revision History.......................................................................................................................................2
2 Table of Contents......................................................................................................................................3
3 The Council..............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Design Goal......................................................................................................................................4
3.2 Success Criteria.................................................................................................................................4
3.3 Risks.................................................................................................................................................4
4 Overview..................................................................................................................................................5
4.1 Background.......................................................................................................................................5
4.2 The Legions of the Council...............................................................................................................6
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 3/12
The Council
3 The Council
3.1 Design Goal
To create a villain group that can replace the 5 th Column as smoothly as possible as well as tying into the
latest Prestige Archetype: the Kheldian.
3.2 Success Criteria
This villain group must fit most of the basic function that the 5 th Column fulfills and help introduce the
new Prestige Archetype. The Council should also begin to introduce the back story for SPIDER as a
precursor to City of Villains
3.3 Risks
The most difficult aspect of creating the Council is the need to replace all the 5 th Column content. Most of
the villain models will have to undergo at least a color swap and insignia change. The mission maps and
content will have to be altered as well.
DN: The symbol of the Council should be a stylized letter C that appears to cast a shadow. The primary
colors of the Council should be khaki, dark grey and olive drab.
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 4/12
The Council
4 Overview
4.1 Background
4.1.1 Fragments of the Web
In the final days of Benito Mussolini’s days of power in Italy, the criminal organization known as
Arachnos became factionalized. Conflicts in ideology split this powerhouse of terror into multiple
fragments. The remnants of Arachnos were all arrested or killed when Mussolini was taken in. Some of
the remaining agents moved on to form SPIDER. Another group of forward thinking individuals split off
to form a shadowy brain trust known only as The Council.
4.1.2 Chariots of the Kheldian
The Council had several aces up their sleeve when they first broke off from Arachnos. The first was the
fact that they had set up several bases of operation all over the globe in preparation for such an
eventuality. The second advantage the Council had was a secret alliance they formed with the Nictus, a
faction of the Kheldians race - powerful beings from another galaxy.
The Nictus came to our world long ago, fleeing from the Peacebringers, another faction of the Kheldian
race. The Nictus set up a small base in Ravenna, Italy, and kept mostly to themselves, converting only a
few “appropriate” humans for fusion with members of their race. In the 1920’s, they converted Ridolfo
Uzzano, the man who would henceforth be known as Requiem. The Nictus became a part of the 5 th
Column, in the form of converted War Wolves.
At the same time, another Nictus was at work elsewhere in Italy. Her name was Arakhn, and she had
found allies in the shadowy group known as Arachnos. When the Council split off from Arachnos,
Arakhn sensed an opportunity for power. She went with the Council, and has been a critical part of its
sinister plans ever since.
The Kheldian Peacebringers did not arrive on Earth until much later. They have come in pursuit of the
Nictus, their ancient enemies.
Arakhn and the Center have an uneasy alliance, though they realize each is beneficial to the other. Each is
withholding key information from the other, but for now the balance is holding. The Center is able to
place Nictus fused with humans in key positions of power throughout the globe. Using their native talents
and with the backing of the Council, they are furthering the Center’s goals.
4.1.3 Striga Isle
The primary Council base is currently located on Striga Isle. The most obvious landmark on the island is
Port Noble, a haven for assorted cutthroats and grey market traders. This is just the beginning of the
danger on Striga Isle, however. The tree covered area to the North of the port is called the Bonney
Morass. It is rumored to hold monsters that will tear the flesh from a man’s bones.
DN: The monsters in the Bonny Morass will be Warwolves
The other major landmark on the island is Mount Richardson. Within this towering volcano lies the
deepest secret of the island, the Council’s largest headquarters.
4.1.4 A note on Nictus and how they work:
Like Kheldians, Nictus must merge with a willing host to sustain their lives. They prefer to find
hosts whose attitudes match their own, usually meaning someone of surpassing evil.
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 5/12
The Council
Nictus can not force a permanent merger with an unwilling host. They can merge with a host
against that host's will, but the Nictus will eventually be forced out. How long they can sustain the forced
merger depends on the strength of will of the victim and the power of the Nictus. This can lead to a
downspiral for a weakened Nictus, as it has to jump from unwilling host to host unwilling host, each jump
becoming shorter and shorter as it loses strength and becomes easier for the host to eject.
A Nictus that finds itself merged with an unwilling host will usually try to mentally seduce the
host to it's way of thinking. It will promise unending life and power, magnify slights and present
opportunities to use it's powers for vengeance. It will constantly tempt the host to do bad things and break
down the host's identity until the host is no longer an unwilling victim, but a partner in the union. At that
point, the merger becomes a willing one, and the Nictus is no longer in danger of being ejected.
Nictus are working on methods to force a merger on even an unwilling host. Early experiments
with Fragments from dissipated Nictus have resulted in successes like the War Wolves and Void Hunters,
who can even be created using an unwilling host. (Maybe they need a new process for every new species
they find?) They still prefer to make War Wolves and Void Hunters out of willing subjects, though, as
that helps them retain control.
There are a few spots where the Nictus have found natural formations or created special
conditions where they can stay in their natural forms without deteriorating. They can even set up ways to
travel from one of these places to another through a kind of wormhole gate. A number of Nictus can even
work together to form a "cyst", transforming themselves into a kind of shadow-matter that won't degrade
over time, but is insensate to all but the most potent energies or the working of another Nictus. (This is to
explain locations like Ravenna, and the events of the Shadow Seed Arc
4.2 The Legions of the Council
4.2.1 The Outer Bands
• Nebula
Description: This band of the Council is comprised of former 5th Column Fog/Nebel Soldiers.
• Penumbra
Description: This band of the Council is comprised of former 5th Column Nacht/Night Soldiers.
• Vortex
Description: This band of the Council is comprised of former 5th Column Raserei/Fury Soldiers.
• Zenith
Description: This band of the Council is comprised of former 5th Column Mek Men and Hoverbots.
• Equinox
Description: This band of the Council is comprised of former 5th Column Vampyri.
• Eclipse
Description: This band of the Council is comprised of former 5th Column Nightwolves.
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 6/12
The Council
4.2.2 The Inner Bands
• Helix
• Rank: Minion, Lt., Boss
• Levels: 20-50
Powers: Repeating Sonic Rifle, Rifle Strike, Sonic Rifle AOE knockdown burst, Sonic Beam attack
• AI:
Description: Overall the Council does not have many frontline troops. The Helix Band provides the bulk
of them. They are all equipped with a Sonic Rifle that was developed by Council scientists using
Maestro’s abilities as a template.
They wear military style jumpsuits in the colors of the Council.
• Galaxy
• Rank: Minion, Lt., Boss
• Levels: 20-50
Powers: They should draw from powers the Warshade Kheldians have.
• AI:
Description: The Galaxy Band of the Council has been trained by Arakhn in stealth and infiltration. They
have also been conditioned by Kheldian mind control techniques to be loyal to her above all others.
The Galaxy wear tight charcoal body suits with stylized fangs on their masks, similar to Arakhn’s
costume.
The carry their short swords on their back underneath a quiver full of arrows.
• Ascendants
• Rank: Minion, Lt., Boss
• Levels: 30-50
Powers: Healing, Shield Self, Shield Others, Energy Blast, HTH Attacks
• AI:
Description: The personal guard of the Center, these crack soldiers are highly trained for protection and
defense. Their equipment is geared toward healing and shielding their charge.
The Vertex wear khaki and charcoal suits of power armor.
4.2.3 The Outer Chamber
• Requiem, Nosferatu, and Vandal will fall within this group
4.2.4 The Inner Chamber
• Maestro
• Rank: Arch-villain
• Levels: 20-24
Powers: Sonic Cage, Sonic Blast, Sonic Servant, Sonic Barrier, Flight, Sonic Stun
• AI:
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 7/12
The Council
Description: Vincenzo Alferi loved music even before he was born. When he was still in his mother’s
womb she played music of all types for him. Classical symphonies, jazz improvisations and big band
blasts all caused Vincenzo to kick and squirm. While he was growing up Vincenzo continued his
absorption of music and musical theory. He had a brilliant mind and seemed destined for greatness. He
dreamed of a career as a composer but a car accident left him with minor brain damage and tone deafness.
He could no longer fully appreciate music and trying to compose was extremely difficult.
His family visited many doctors and he had several surgeries to try and correct the problem but nothing
worked. Vincenzo became despondent and increasingly desperate. That is when his family was contacted
by an agent of the Council and offered the chance to try a radical experimental process. The Alferi’s were
hesitant but Vincenzo overruled them. He would try anything to return things to the way they were.
Using a combination of sonic stimulation and laser surgery the procedure was supposed to restore
Vincenzo to the way he was before. Things did not go according to plan however. An attack on the
facility by SPIDER during the surgery resulted in a power surge at the worst possible moment. Instead of
restoring him to the way he was, the resulting explosion created a permanent resonance in Vincenzo’s
body. The blast also killed both his parents. Vincenzo agreed to join the Council if they would give him
the opportunity for vengeance against SPIDER.
Maestro wears a green and midnight blue costume with a stylized representation of a sound wave on the
chest.
• Arakhn
• Rank: Arch-villain
• Levels: 25-30
Powers: Warshade powers
• AI:
Description: Very little is known about the mysterious figure known as Arakhn. She is a deadly assassin
and is the last thing seen by many enemies of the Council. What most of the Council is unaware of is that
Arakhn is a member of the Nictus Kheldians.
Arakhn wears a skin tight brown bodysuit with black lines running from the torso out the arms and legs.
She also wears a face mask with stylized fangs.
4.2.5 The Center
• Rank: Arch-villain
• Levels: 48-50
Powers: Mesmerize, Levitate, Mass Hypnosis, Transfusion, Siphon Power, Siphon Speed, Personal
Force Field
• AI:
Description: Paolo Tirelli’s parents doted on him throughout his childhood. He was told from an early
age that he would be something special. In retrospect it is difficult to determine if Paolo’s powers were
already at work or if the encouragement he received as a child caused them to manifest in the manner that
they did. Simply put Paolo was a very powerful mutant telepath. As he grew into his powers it became
clear to him that he was destined for greatness. In his late teens he took a position as an aide to a minor
politician and began puppet mastering him. It was a few years later, after Paolo had maneuvered his
“superior” to a place of power and prestige within the Italian government that Arachnos first entered his
life.
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 8/12
The Council
Il Recluse, who at that time was recruiting for Arachnos, spotted Paolo as the real power behind
this rising politico. He offered the young man the chance to continue his activities but with the weight of
Arachnos behind him. Sensing the opportunity he had been looking for, Paolo accepted. It wasn’t long
before the young man was put in charge of his own group within Arachnos.
Paolo primarily operated behind the scenes in Arachnos. He advised Il Recluse and investigated
ways to increase their power base. It was during this time that he first encountered the Kheldians. Paolo
had always been fascinated with Astronomy and detected a Kheldian observation team on one of their
visits to Earth. He decided to make first contact. Once again fate had stepped in; he was speaking to the
rogue Kheldian known as Takar. Takar was part of the Kheldian group that felt humans should not be left
to their own devices. Sensing a mutual opportunity the two made a dark pact. Paolo would open up key
positions throughout the world for Keldians from the rogue faction to occupy. This would slowly build a
power base for the Kheldians. In return Paolo asked for the Kheldians to boost his already significant
mental powers. All of this, Paolo kept to himself.
As things began to look dire for Arachnos in the early 1940’s, Paolo advised Il Recluse to change
courses but the old man stubbornly clung to his support of Mussolini. Paolo subtly began to pull his group
out of Arachnos’ operations at that time. When Mussolini fell most of the Council, as Paolo’s group had
become known as, were already elsewhere.
By this time Paolo had sequestered himself on a small island in the Atlantic, called Striga Isle. He
was known only as the Center. The last person that could connect him to Paolo Tirelli, Il Recluse, was
dead. Everything was in place for the Council to begin its new agenda...subsuming other villain groups
and becoming the dominant force on the earth. The first step in this plan is for the Council to absorb the
5th Column. They have agents, both human and Kheldian scattered throughout the Column’s forces. Their
key advantage is that Requiem of the 5th Column is one of those agents. Unbeknownst to the Council,
however, Requiem is also working as an agent of SPIDER.
The Center wears a charcoal grey suit in the style of Blofeld from the James Bond films. The high collar
should have a pin on it bearing the Councils symbol.
Intro Tasks
ELITE_Intro.1 Find missing people who were being recruited by the Council
ELITE_Intro.1 (GC) Find missing people who were being recruited by the Council
Stature Level 1 Missions
L1_P_Council_Compound1.1 Stop Council from stealing a painting rumored to obscure a map
to a load of treasure
L1_P_Council_Compound2.1 Stop Council from getting their hands on an artifact
L1_P_Council_Compound1-GC Find file of Council ciphers
L1_P_Council_Compound2-GC Recover stolen weapons from Council
Stature Level 2.5 Missions
SL2_Council_Mission1.1 Shut down recruiting center.
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 9/12
The Council
SL2_Council_Mission2.1 Shut down Council cell that planned bombing
SL2_Council_Mission3.1 Rescue kidnapped physicist. The Council had him working on
some sort of small power source.
SL2_Council_Errand1.1 Killtask to use Cryoprojection Bracers on Council
SL2_Council_Errand2.1 Killtask to stop recruiting
SL2_Council_Errand3 Killtask to stop sabotage of tech businesses
SL2_Council_Mission4.1 Break up Council cell and find leads to other cells
Stature Level 3 Missions
SL3_Council_Mission1.1 Find Council terrorist before he flees the country. Also find the
Council’s extraction plan
SL3_Council_Mission2 Save citizens held for re-education
REEVEALED: The Council has very effective brainwashing
techniques
SL3_Council_Errand1 Killtask to learn about Council’s targets
SL3_Council_Errand2 Killtask to recover new ciphers
SL3_Council_Errand3 Killtask to stop destructive training exercises
Stature Level 4 Missions
SL4_Council_Mission1 Break up cell and gain data on other training facilities
SL4_Council_Mission2 Save kidnapped scientists and their deadly explosive compound
from Council
SL4_Council_Errand1 General killtask
SL4_Council_Errand2 Killtask to stop fighting between villain groups
SL4_Council_Errand3 Killtask to stop recruiting
Stature Level 5 Missions
SL5_Council_Mission1 Save politician from attempted assassination
SL5_Council_Mission2 Stop Council and Sky Raiders from stealing Rikti tech from a lab
SL5_Council_Compound1 Find and destroy secret research base developing new Cor Leonis
SL5_Council_Errand1 General killtask
SL5_Council_Errand2 Killtask to stop Council fighting Family
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 10/12
The Council
SL5_Council_Errand3 Killtask to forestall gang war
Stature Level 5 Story Arc: The Mysterious Ubelmann
Stop a time traveler from the 40’s from collecting data and returning to his time to change the outcome of
WWII. You’re led along the way by an anonymous informant who turns out to be none other than
Requiem
REVEALED: Requiem is plotting to overthrow the Center
Stature Level 5 Task Force Story Arc: Bastion’s Children
Stop production of new Mechs developed from Bastion’s technology
Stature Level 6 Missions
SL6_Council_Mission1 Collect robot parts for analysis
SL6_Council_Mission2 Stop Council from purchasing illegal weapons from Crey
REVEALED: Crey will sell weapons to Council
SL6_Council_Mission3 Prevent Council from accessing Council Empire’s dimension
SL6_Council_Compound1 Rescue a Council defector before he's converted into a vampyr
SL6_Council_Compound2 Several Council robots have become self-aware. Ascertain their
motives (Replace humanity).
SL6_Council_Errand1 Killtask to scare new Council recruits
SL6_Council_Errand2 General killtask
SL6_Council_Errand3 Killtask to provide distraction so some other heroes can hit a base
Stature Level 6 Story Arc: The Mysterious Ubelmann
Stop Council from producing a new Vampyr that can breed true
Stature Level 7 Missions
SL7_Council_Mission1 Stop Council from reanimating dead Council leaders
SL7_Council_Mission2 Save newspaper office from Council strike after an unflattering
article
SL7_Council_Mission3 Stop Council from destroying art that depicts the Center
SL7_Council_Mission4 Rescue district attorney after he refuses to prosecute a Council
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 11/12
The Council
defector on trumped up charges
SL7_Council_Compound1 Go after a Rikti base that’s developing a paralyzing toxin to infect
all the city. Find the Council already there. It turns out they are
trying to replicate the toxin
SL7_Council_Compound2 Rescue sons of Council members who underwent genetic
alteration to make their children good candidates for fusion with
the Nictus fragments that produce War Wolves.
SL7_Council_Errand1 Killtask to stop harassment of Zig guards
SL7_Council_Errand2 Killtask to discourage folks from aiding the Council
SL7_Council_Errand3 Killtask to prevent the Council from targeting you
Stature Level 7 Story Arc: A Path into Darkness
Stop Council from planting a Shadow Seed that would begin a new Path of the Dark in Paragon City.
REVEALED: The Nightwolves are created by the Path of the Dark
REVEALED: Requiem got his powers by fusing with a Nictus
Confidential 16-Dec-04 Page 12/12
