manhattan after the fact

• Citizenship: Active Players are expected to GM Contracts from time to time. If you have played as a Contractor in your most recent six Contracts, you are barred from playing in The Illumination again until you GM.
• Supernatural Powers: All non-mastery, non-concealed Powers must be obviously supernatural when activated or grant a mutation that marks the wielder as supernatural or bizarre if discovered.

In 1945, new york saw a flash, the next second, they saw nothing at all

The year was 1942. New york was bustling as normal, the government had their secrets, new yorkers walked the streets, and criminals shot up italian restaurants with tommy guns. The streets lacked more than the usual excitement. Then the world blew up around them.

A broken plate of pasta survived, it's chef a shape on the wall, and it's server a pile of dust. A family of four huddled in their apartment under the table, as their faces started to melt. A man from michigan saw the blast, falling to his knees in awe as he took a photo.

Each second after the blast brought a new wave of death and raw energy. Peoples lives ended in milliseconds, with almost no hope of survival. Sleepy hollow started to arm themselves with pitchforks and shotguns. Hunting and shooting anyone who came out of the irradiated hold. The world started to change, as those who escaped were sentenced to death. Irradiation spread throughout the surrounding states. A fearful group of people built a wall to surround all of new york. The bizzare roam the streets, and fill the air with bumps in the night.

nightmare nightmare nightmare nightmare 

Yet, some people still survive. Some people still thrive even, in the perfect arena, the cleared spaces where tents lie on previously irradiated ground. Where some see monsters, some see people, and others see opportunity. If a ghoul walked around in front of you, why not slay it? What else is there to do in this walled off state.

The blast was so mighty the gods came back. 

Long have the gods tainted this world. Their roots run deeply through humanity’s oldest religions and governments. Machinations are challenged, and sleeping dangers awaken. New york has changed. And the gods finally came back. The big apple of the earth has caught the attention of the powers up above. And the first time in hundreds of years, Harbingers approach worthy individuals with an offer they won't refuse.

The Games have returned, and a new generation of Contractors are being forged.