I’m not the best at shouting out what I’m working on. Lifted: Indomitable is the biggest RPG project to date for me, and I’m excited, terrified, and giddy about it. I’ll do design inspirations, game vs. story, and how this Lifted differs from my Champions Now zine later (🤫 System Matters!). Let’s start from the top. Five years on since the first superpowered being manifested. Beings we today call the ‘Lifted.
» Left out are A.H. family—the second kid that was with him, or his wife and in-laws. Fifteen other manifestations also occurred during the Liberty Island tragedy. Presumably, subjects under duress. Unreported.
“Nations. Governments, federal and local struggle with Lifted matters. From violent conflicts when one suddenly manifests under duress or legal questions. Can you detain or imprison someone because they are Lifted but otherwise committed no crime? Often law enforcement agents worldwide are overwhelmed by the sheer power one Lifted can wield. Look at the Liberty Island tragedy as a reference point. At least four other people manifested destructive powers during that conflict, where New York brought its elite assault squads to bear on the problem and came up with a costly draw. It seems private organizations have found funds and resources to fill the gap of what governments cannot humanely, yet do.”
Wilma Varden, CFO of Mjollnir Labs.
“It is not a coincidence that Westguard happened to be testing its Compass systems in the area when the first manifestation occurred. The world’s first manifestation of power was the world’s look at the destructive capacity of the Lifted phenomena. This, the first human manifestation, had demonstrated a lack of control. A spokesperson at Westguard spoke to the press: "Westguard is going to take these Lifted folks, and we are going to tame them. We are going to help these souls find the right path. We have been working in the dark for a bit, and now it is time to show the world what we can do."
Daniel Winter, DNN
»Hernandez was not the first Lifted to manifest.
"Look, I'm the same guy still. I'm a hard worker. Trying to pay my bills, save a little. Show my lady something nice. I didn't ask for these powers. They happened to me when I was minding my own business. You think I'd be big and famous or something. Instead, I lose my gig, strangers riding past my place, looky-loos, and what-not. Even my family is scared of me now."
—"Peaty" Calvone
Indomitable
The world has changed. Five years ago, ordinary people began to manifest extraordinary powers. We coined them the Lifted, a term coined from the word "uplift," which in science fiction refers to transforming beings into intelligent beings by other intelligent beings. But in the case of the Lifted, the source of their powers is a mystery, and their intentions, if they exist, are unknown.
Some Lifted have come forward, eager to use their abilities to help humanity, while others keep their powers hidden, fearing the consequences of exposure. Governments and private industries are scrambling to understand and control these superhumans, unsure if they can be weaponized or if they pose a threat to human society.
There are no established pro-Lifted organizations, no Professor Xavier or Jacob Marlowe to guide these new beings on their path. The Lifted are on their own, figuring out how to navigate a world that is suddenly hostile to them.
But who are the Lifted? They are people who have undergone a life-changing event that triggered their powers. Some experienced traumatic events, such as a car accident or an act of violence, while others simply woke up one day with a newfound ability. Their powers vary wildly, from manipulating time and space to controlling the elements or even resurrecting the dead.
Frankie Wells has bent time to escape danger on a construction site. Helena Sawyer teleported to save her kids from a multi-car pile-up on a highway. Maggie the Knife overpowered her jailers with her newfound strength and walked away from incarceration. Lifted come from all walks of life, from the homeless to the wealthy, from the teacher to the criminal. They exist all over the globe, from the streets of Hoboken to the savannahs of Africa and the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.
The world is struggling to come to terms with the existence of the Lifted. Some see them as heroes, others as freaks or even monsters. The fear of the unknown drives humans to extremes, and the Lifted are caught in the middle.
What Can I Do?
This is where you come in. As a player in the Lifted RPG, you will take on the role of a Lifted or someone connected to the Lifted in some way. You will navigate a world that is both familiar and fundamentally different. You will be challenged to use your powers for good or to struggle against your darker impulses.
You will encounter factions seeking to use the Lifted for their own purposes and individuals who fear and hate Lifted folk. You may be embroiled in the conflict between these groups or choose to remain neutral and forge your own path.
The emergence of the Lifted has brought about a wave of fear and uncertainty worldwide. Governments and private corporations alike have scrambled to find ways to control or exploit these individuals, while others have sought to understand and protect them.
You can explore this world and its many mysteries in the Lifted RPG. Will you use your powers to become a hero, or will you succumb to the darker aspects of your nature? The choice is yours, and all will feel the consequences.
Amid all this chaos, the Lifted themselves must navigate their new reality. Many struggle to come to terms with their newfound powers and the responsibilities that come with them. Some seek to use their abilities for good, while others are drawn to darker paths.
The Lifted setting is one of high-stakes action and drama, where the fate of the world rests in the hands of a few powerful individuals. It is a world of complex moral choices where the line between good and evil is often blurred. And it is a world of endless possibilities, where your character's choices and actions will shape the course of history. It's up to you to decide which path you will take and what kind of legacy you will leave behind. The choice is yours.
» We’ll be watching you.
