Earth-2020

Earth-2020 is one of the primary earths from which characters draw their collective histories.

Background

Earth-2020 shares much of its history with Earth-Prime. One of the most distinguishing characteristics of Earth-2020 is the potential for genetic mutation, which can result in superhuman abilities. This is much more rare than in other Earths, such as Earth-1330, but due to the development of Aetherium by private industry, even non-metahumans can potentially develop superhuman abilities. Technologically speaking, Earth-2020 would be considered only average as far as those Earths observed in the collective multiverse.

During the late 20th century, Earth-2020 saw much political upheaval due to the fight for metahuman rights. However, due to Aetherium's impact, the acceptance of metahumans and those with abilities gave way to sound political legislation, including the development of the first metahuman/superpowered team fully sanctioned by the United States federal government.

Governance Structure

Sovereign states, such as the United States, Canada, Germany, Frances, and so forth govern their own citizens independently. The United Nations exists in an effort to promote international cooperation and resource-sharing, but does not enforce laws of its own accord. All sovereign states aligned must, however, abide by its charter and principles.

Organizations of Note

• Protectorate - The first metahuman/superpowered team sanctioned by the United States federal government operating under the auspice of the Department of Homeland Security. Officially, the Protectorate focuses on domestic threats and counterintelligence operations, but may lend its services to other clandestine departments or components as approved by DHS liaison, Katrina Carmichael. Due to interests in international cooperation, Canada also lends Agents to the program from time to time as well. As of recent, the Canadian Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness is seen as a dual partner as part of a North American Protectorate endeavor. Protectorate agents are publicly known as part of a transparency initiative intended to debunk many of the rumors and conspiracy theories concerning prior usage of metahumans by the government. All Protectorate agents have undergone extensive training in armed and unarmed combat, weapons, and espionage/spycraft.

State of the Union

Aetherium, a synthetic mutagen, has leveled the international landscape. What was once the purview of the genetically gifted has given way to a new generation of superhumans. Aetherium was originally developed in an attempt to stabilize some violent and unpredictable forms of genetic mutations. What was found, on the contrary, was that it had no effect on metahumans themselves, but rather the individuals who previously had no abilities whatsoever. Instead, the mutagen invokes a full cascade of genetic mutation in the blink of an eye, often causing the violent, unpredictable abilities it was supposed to arrest.

As the first wave of Aethers, slang term of individuals granted abilities Aetherium, began to emerge, the synthetic compound was removed from circulation. The damage, however, had already been done. This led to wide-ranging metahuman and Aetherium-induced begrudging acceptance. While 1st generation Aethers have been primarily found to be wildly unpredictable with power sets and the intensity of those powers, 2nd generation Aethers have a tendency to be both powerful and stable. While some 3rd generation Aethers do exist, most are pre-teen or adolescent in age; therefore the reliability of that data is not open to useful speculation.

The adoption of the Protectorate by North American countries United States of America and Canada have reinforced this by focusing on beneficial use of abilities for the good of mankind while stopping those who would not. Many prominent historians have stated that the Protectorate and the public acknowledgement of metahumans and superpowered individuals working at the behest of the government was one of the most dynamic shifts of the 21st century.

Taking a page from the government's book, several foreign governments and organized crime cells have also begun looking into recruiting these types of individuals as well, the trend is now rising for superability-enabled crimes.