Omlevex
Encyclopedia
Omlevex is a superhero
role-playing game
supplement published by Z-Man Games
and Spectrum Games
. The game mechanics are compatible with Champions
, Silver Age Sentinels
, and Mutants & Masterminds.
Omlevex is set on the fictional Atlantic islands of Metazon. The game presents itself as the proprietary universe of a Silver Age comic book publishing company, complete with fictional authors, first appearance dates, and full page issue covers.
In late 2009, a decision was made by Cynthia Celeste Miller of Spectrum Games to completely reboot and revise Omlevex as a separate superhero roleplaying game. Barak Blackburn was brought on board to write the rulebook. Omlevex as a standalone game will not use a fictional version of the 1960s as a default anymore, but rather the year 2010 as a starting point. The core rules are based loosely on the d12-based rules from Cartoon Action Hour
: Season 2. The new game was playtested from late 2009 to the summer of 2010 by Blackburn and several volunteers.
On August 19th, 2010, Spectrum Games issued a short facebook message that said the new rules system was now going to be developed under the name Capes, Cowls and Villains Foul (CC&VF for short), actually using a much older working title for one of Cynthia Celeste Miller's earlier games. The message on facebook also stated that "[t]he game will not be tied to a specific setting," but the new Omlevex was scheduled as a setting sourcebook for the forthcoming CC&VF system.
A public designer's blog for the CC&VF system was started by Blackburn soon after, on September 21st, 2010. The same month, a free PDF quickstart version of the rules along with a short scenario and four ready-to-play characters was released under the name of CC&VF: Quickstart Preview.
As of the end of 2010, no mention of the Omlevex property or setting was made in any official source, but the plan is still to eventually release Omlevex as one of several optional settings for the game.
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
role-playing game
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
supplement published by Z-Man Games
Z-Man Games
thumbZ-Man Games is a company incorporated in 1999 in the USA to produce games. The headquarters is in Mahopac, New York, near New York City. It is named after its proprietor, Zev Shlasinger...
and Spectrum Games
Spectrum Games
Spectrum Games is the trading name of a small company that designs role-playing games .It was founded in 2000 by Cynthia Celeste Miller and Sabrina Belle . In 2002, Eddy Webb was brought into the fold and soon became vice-president...
. The game mechanics are compatible with Champions
Champions (role-playing game)
Champions is a role-playing game published by Hero Games that is designed to simulate and function in a four-color superhero comic book world. It was created by George MacDonald, Steve Peterson, Bruce Harlick, and Ray Greer....
, Silver Age Sentinels
Silver Age Sentinels
Silver Age Sentinels is a superhero role-playing game published in 2002 by Guardians of Order, creators of Big Eyes, Small Mouth, an anime-themed RPG....
, and Mutants & Masterminds.
Omlevex is set on the fictional Atlantic islands of Metazon. The game presents itself as the proprietary universe of a Silver Age comic book publishing company, complete with fictional authors, first appearance dates, and full page issue covers.
Heroes of Omlevex
The major heroes of the Omlevex universe consist of:- Drake Einstein - An actor who became a superhero to get movie roles
- The American Gargoyle - A patriotic mutant who resembles a gargoyle
- Cliffhanger - A former spy turned superhero
- Lacie Delmont - A heroine who fights the supernatural
- Freedom's Trio - A superhero team that banded together to protect the universe
The Future of Omlevex
After the Z-Man Games book officially went out of print due to Z-Man Games retreating from the pen & paper RPG sector, the Omlevex setting and its characters lay dormant for several years.In late 2009, a decision was made by Cynthia Celeste Miller of Spectrum Games to completely reboot and revise Omlevex as a separate superhero roleplaying game. Barak Blackburn was brought on board to write the rulebook. Omlevex as a standalone game will not use a fictional version of the 1960s as a default anymore, but rather the year 2010 as a starting point. The core rules are based loosely on the d12-based rules from Cartoon Action Hour
Cartoon Action Hour
Cartoon Action Hour is a role-playing game designed to emulate classic action-adventure cartoons, such as ThunderCats, He-Man, Transformers, G.I...
: Season 2. The new game was playtested from late 2009 to the summer of 2010 by Blackburn and several volunteers.
On August 19th, 2010, Spectrum Games issued a short facebook message that said the new rules system was now going to be developed under the name Capes, Cowls and Villains Foul (CC&VF for short), actually using a much older working title for one of Cynthia Celeste Miller's earlier games. The message on facebook also stated that "[t]he game will not be tied to a specific setting," but the new Omlevex was scheduled as a setting sourcebook for the forthcoming CC&VF system.
A public designer's blog for the CC&VF system was started by Blackburn soon after, on September 21st, 2010. The same month, a free PDF quickstart version of the rules along with a short scenario and four ready-to-play characters was released under the name of CC&VF: Quickstart Preview.
As of the end of 2010, no mention of the Omlevex property or setting was made in any official source, but the plan is still to eventually release Omlevex as one of several optional settings for the game.
External Links
- Capes, Cowls and Villains Foul webpagehttp://spectrum-games.com/CCVF.aspx
- Capes, Cowls and Villains Foul blogspothttp://capescowlsandvillainsfoul.blogspot.com