мутантград (moot-AHnt-grad)
Mutantgrad – Origins
The origins of the township known by its nickname, Mutantgrad, date back to the Great Terror in the old Soviet Union. During the Terror, when Stalin’s paranoia reached its peak, a special Gulag was constructed on a fork in the Jana river just north of Batagaj in Siberia. Actual and suspected metahumans were sent to the camp run by the People’s Commissariat for the Interior (NKVD). During the ‘Great Patriotic War’ (1941-1945), Stalin allowed a number of the metahumans to enlist in the armed forces, for use against Germany.
The second round of purges saw the gulag filled again, as Stalin’s paranoia went back into full swing. Nikita Kruschev, six years after Stalin’s death, began revealing the nature and extent of his crimes. New restrictions for metahumans were created outside of the gulag, and the gulag itself converted into a town. These restrictions, ostensibly for public protection, at least allow some chance at survival.
With the fall of Mikhail Gorbechav, the town has gained some political rights. As an act of defiance, the town’s residence itself created a private airport that serves mainly the residents of the town. Built in the 1960s and maintained as a matter of pride, they were never allowed to use it until 1992.
Mutantgrad - Layout
Heavy stonework with a gothic influence tends to be the atmosphere that is pitched by the structures found within Mutantgrad.
The land that Mutantgrad’s rule spans out to is about a 50km radius from the towns city centre, also known as Stahreiy Gorad (this was the original site of the detention centre before it was opened up and expanded. To live within this portion of the city would mean you‘re of a great influence or importance) that sits on a fork in the river. The city itself, as a result of it’s population, is rather constrained in size. That’s not to say however that it’s not up to date with the rest of the worlds technology and resources. Trade, communications, retail and restaurants are very active within the city’s walls.
It also seems to forever to be developing with new constructions going up every day.
Special residencies had been built to originally occupy all of Mutantgrad’s citizens, but there is now also multiple buildings that have been created by and for individuals to their own tastes and specifications.
Mutantgrad – Government
Officially a special mayor of the town is appointed by the Russian President or in the Old Soviet Union, by the General Secretary of the Communist Party. Dmitri Edmundovich Gorzenyi, the first such mayor appointed by Kruschev, created a council to handle many of the tasks of administration. This council first contained metahumans and regulars, though its executive actions and laws must be approved by the mayor.
The new democratic Russia allows slightly greater autonomy – the current mayor lets the town regulate itself to a large extent, though keeps some oversight in an attempt to avoid yet another breakaway Republic. While the council is divided between resentment, tolerance, and acceptance for non-metahumans, the current one does agree that breaking away is not exactly a wise move.
Mutantgrad – Culture
Part of Stalin’s legacy is a bit of . . . bigotry left towards the metahumans, and nice history of discrimination. The result is that there exist between regulars and metas in Russia a sort of mutual distrust which feeds off itself to ensure that the culture will change only with great difficulty: there is a certain resentment from the older generations passed on to the younger because of the restrictions, which in turn fed some of the dislike from the ‘regular’ population (both within and without the city), and this in turn strengthened the resentment felt by metas. There are roughly four classes of people in Mutantgrad.
Meta-Residents – Either the originals sent to the gulag/town, or their descendants. In general, the older a metahuman from the town itself is, the more hostile they are to outsiders. Older generations have views raging from outright hatred to extreme cynicism, even some who are tolerant of regulars (if barely). Most of the older generation prefer not to travel.
Younger generations are more willing to leave, and some even take the position that it’s possible for metas and regulars to live together in peace.
Meta-Outsiders – Those metahumans who either chose to move to the town from outside Russia, or those who visit from outside. Views by the Meta-Residents range from comradery to hostility as some consider them “foreigners.”
Gulaged Regulars – One of the smaller classes, but which have a strange comradery with the older generation. Mostly those regulars mistakenly sent to the “special” NKVD camp and forgotten, they are regarded by the older metas with a certain fondness. Many of them – and their descendents – don’t bother leaving the town, and view themselves as “betrayed” by their fellow humans. They regard metahumans as more human than their fellow man, and their views follow the same thought process as the Meta-Residents.
Younger generations cite their town as evidence that metas and regulars can live together in harmony. Older cynics point out that this is only so because they have a shared history of injustice binding them together.
Other Regulars – Generally viewed with distrust or suspicion is everyone else, and a good deal of resentment. Most avoid mutantgrad; most who do come are only ‘tolerated’ by the residents. Staying in the town is not regarded as a pleasant experience by them, even with a more tolerant younger generation.
The other three classes regard with a special contempt regulars who regard metas as “cool.” These are mostly teenagers at present. They also get annoyed by journalists and sociologist who study the town.
Mutantgrad - Dress
Still keeping close to the outside Russia, the dress of Mutantgrad is sustained on a conservative level, however, black has been the main recognised element of their dress code.
Some of the younger generations and outside Meta’s have been know to have strips of colour worked into the traditional black garments. However, when invited as a guest to a dinner, it is considered rude to wear such clothing as it can make the hosts feel jealous and resentful of their affluence.
Modesty isn’t a matter worth questioning. The weather conditions of Mutantgrad have been recognised as likely to be the coldest place on earth with a living city. Come January the hours of daylight equal butt close to zero with average temperatures ranging from a minimum of -53, maximum -48 degrees celcius. The hottest part of their year is also the wettest in July, with 8 hours of daylight average temps range from a minimum 8, to a maximum of 19 degrees celcius. So it can get rather warm.
Registration - Russia
All meta’s, no matter how slight, must be registered upon entering Russia. Standard blood tests are taken at all the surrounding borders. The test had been specially developed over the years through a special research program that had taken place and been improved since the early 20th century.
Upon registration and entering Russian grounds, other than Mutantgrad, Meta’s are required to wear a specially developed identification collar that indicates what they are.
These collars are comfortable to wear and barely noticeable by the Meta who’s wearing it. They had been designed to be simple and conservative, and most importantly, non imposing. Their purpose is to inform the public of who they are. If a Meta chooses to wear a scarf or turtle neck (as is the case with most,. Not in order to cover it up, but to block out the cold) the collar has a simple electronic pulse that is easily picked up when scanned by those who care to check (scanning usually only happens in buildings and not on the street).
Occasionally, a random check will be performed by the local authorities. If you’re suspect of being a Meta and are not registered, they can perform blood tests on you then and there. They have the right to hold you in contempt if you are caught.
Any Meta that has apparent differences about their anatomy to that of regular people, such as a tail, this must be covered up from sight, as best as possible, when openly wandering around any part of Russia that isn’t Mutantgard.
Although rights between the Meta’s and regulars are supposed to be of an equal balance, it’s no secret that the Meta’s are regarded with a lot more suspicion and closer watches are put on them.
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Place: Mutantgrad
Who's Who in Mutantgrad
Power(s): Immune to Extreme Cold
Bio: Regarded as the best stand-up comic in Mutantgrad, Dmitri rarely leaves the city. Best known for his 'press office' routine, in which he takes the role of a press secretary and gives a conference that becomes increasingly far from reality. Nobody is safe from being skewered by Dmitri - he makes fun of everyone with equal zeal, including himself.
He once ran for President of Russia, a highly amusing campaign which went nowhere. "I am eminently qualified: I do not require a winter wardrobe," was a typical campaign remark.
Dmitri is either the biggest cynic in the city, or the biggest nut. Nobody really wants to know which.
Dmitri is played by former Iraqi Information Minister Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahat
Powers: Vibration Control - Increase or decrease vibrations, controlling earthquakes. Other power stunts such as distorting voices, cripple gyroscopes, and adjust the vibrations of his own atoms permitting him to phase.
BIO: Born 1st July, 1946. Valentino Vrushka, the wealthiest and most well respected Meta in all of Mutantgrad and highly regarded within Russia. He is also well known of around the rest of the world for who he is, and the position he sits in.
Vrushka is the HC (High Councillor (possibly change this later if we can think of a better term)) of Mutantgrad, with charge of all final decisions and concerns made in regard to the society. He is also on occasion called upon to impart some of his own judgments amongst other world leading councils, namely Russia, but on odd occasion he’ll be requested elsewhere.
He’s your genuine idealist. A kind, jovial man who believes in fairness for all individuals and dreams of a unity between Metas and regulars.
Vrushka is played by John Goodman
Powers: Alter frequency of voice to induce specific emotions in whoever hears.
BIO: Born in 1944, Leonid Ustrashkin, with both parents dead at a very young age, grew up as an orphan in a very deprived environment. Suffering from the worst of condemnation by his ‘fellow man’, Ustrashkin was all but exiled to what is now known as Mutantgrad where, at the time, much of his hatred and discontentment towards outsiders was nurtured and enhanced by those who had taken him in.
Over time, Ustrashkin had slowly with focused determination worked his was up in life till he became Second on the Mutantgrad Council.
Ustrashkin has a much more reserved and cynical view of the outside world in great contrast to that of his predecessor, Vrushka. However, Leonid will still sit grudgingly beside him and endure his predecessors optimistic views and ‘stomach turning’ heartiness.
Leonid is played by Geoffry Rush
Place: Mutantgrad
(Note: As Amanda and I work on Mutantgrad, we will be updating both above post and this one)
Master List of Mutantgrad Actors
Dmitri Grezyanov ---------- Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahat
Valentino Vrushka ---------- John Goodman
Leonid Ustrashkin ---------- Geoffry Rush
Mutantgrad Council Sitters
Mutantgrad Council Sitters
The Council of Mutantgrad is made up of 20 different sitters: 10 male, 10 female. Gradually ALL of the Sitters BIOs shall appear here...but so far there are only 3: two of which are already up and i shant bother to repeat (Valentino Vrushka, and Leonid Ustrashkin)
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Ogrufena Sokolov
Power: Her saliva is a unique venom that can have varied effects that she has the ability to control, ranging anywhere from: causing someone’s arm to numb, to being an instantly fatal poison.
BIO: Ogrufena Sokolov was born to a wealthy family in 1963, Moscow. From a very young age she displayed impressive diplomatic skills and an ability to negotiate situations to the best advantage for both herself and anyone else whom she saw fit to benefit from it.
Her family was very proud of their daughter, and Sokolov loved and admired them deeply. Recognising her natural talent, they encouraged and helped develop her skills to their best possible achievements. They raised her with the upmost precision, introducing her to the finer things in life of which she now has a great love and appreciation for.
When her mutant gift was discovered, her family saw it as just that: a gift, and one that was worthy of her. However, some unease was prominently displayed amongst some of their Russian acquaintances, as well as some of the more common public.
Taking no chances towards one of their family members well-being, they decided it best for her to be moved to Mutantgrad where her money and persuasive influence gradually earned her a position on the current Council. She is the youngest sitter, to date.
She has earned the nickname/code name: Black Widow. A result of both her delicate, yet powerful influence that was likened to that of a spider, as well as the sudden, unexpected passing of her late husband.
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Listed Sitters:
Valentino Vrushka
Leonid Ustrashkin
Ogrufena Sokolov