Worlds of Freedom Design Journal #1

In the seminal story “Flash of Two Worlds” (The Flash, vol. 1, #123), writer Gardener Fox and editor Julius Schwartz firmly embedded the idea of “parallel worlds” in comic books: different Earths, occupying the same space, but with different “vibrational frequencies” and differences in history — some slight, others more significant. Since then, comic book “multiverses” have been commonplace. Entire series, like What If? from Marvel and massive crossovers like DC Comics’ Crisis on Infinite Earths, as well as their more recent Infinite Crisis and 52 series, have focused on them.

Parallel worlds afford excellent story opportunities and the chance to play games of “what if?” with an existing world or setting. What if this particular hero hadn’t died? What if aliens did conquer the world? What if there were no superheroes, only supervillains? The possibilities are virtually endless. More importantly, a parallel world is a kind of “safe zone” for experimentation. No matter what happens, the “real” (main-line) world remains essentially unaffected.

Worlds of Freedom provides information on parallel Earths and different time periods for the World of Freedom setting detailed in the Freedom City sourcebook. The concepts can be applied to other superhero settings, using Freedom City as an example and Gamemasters should feel free, as always, to modify the material found in this book to suit their own individual games. After all, if the theory of the omniverse is true, each Mutants & Masterminds game occupies its own unique parallel world!

Chapter 1: Infinite Worlds looks at the concept of parallel worlds, the omniverse, and dimensional- and time-travel in general and in the Freedom Omniverse. It provides the context for the rest of the book and the tools for creating world-hopping adventures and even a whole series.

Chapter 2: Wars for Freedom goes back in time to the early years of Freedom, looking at the American Revolution and the American Civil War in the setting, including the unique events and characters involved. This chapter can form the basis of time-travel adventures to those eras, entire series set there, or even the start of alternate worlds where the outcome of those conflicts remains uncertain, and the actions of the heroes may decide the future!

Chapter 3: Freedom by Gaslight looks at the late 19th century World of Freedom, from the gas-lit streets of the city itself to what is happening across the ocean in Europe, on the Dark Continent of Africa, or among the mesas and frontier towns of the Wild West. It also describes some of the extraordinary ladies and gentlemen of the time.

Chapter 4: Paragons of Freedom goes “sideways,” from the past into an alternate present for Freedom City. What if the World of Freedom was based, not on decades of four-color comics, but on post-modern comic book styles? This chapter provides an answer and an all-new way to use the Freedom City setting, as an alternate world for the Paragons setting sourcebook!

Chapter 5: Erde: The Fight for Freedom likewise takes us on a side-step in time to an alternate present day, where the Axis powers won World War II and a group of forgotten heroes from the Golden Age struggle to free the world from tyranny.

Chapter 6: Future Freedom gives us a look at a Freedom City that might be, a generation or two in the future. Heroes still fight for justice in a city that seems to have forgotten the “golden age” of adventurers. Who will be the new heroes of a future Freedom?

Chapter 7: Galactic Freedom is set in the far future, when Freedom City is at the center of the peaceful Galactic Confederation. Still, even in the 26th century, there remain threats to peace, justice, and freedom across the known galaxy. Fortunately, the Confederation can call upon the aid of the legendary Freedom Legion!

Chapter 8: Worlds Beyond Worlds is a grab-bag of other realities known to the inhabitants of Freedom City’s Earth, including the devastated After-Earth, the mirror world of Anti-Earth, the animal zaniness of Ani-Earth and Earth-Ape, and the swords and sorcery of both Fantasy Freedom and Freeport, the City of Adventure.

Chapter 9: The Terminus covers the ultimate threat to all worlds: The dimension-devouring domain of Omega, nihilistic cosmic overlord who seeks to destroy all creation so he can rule over the remains!