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The truth about superpowers: Do you know how 'quantum' changes our view of superhumans?
In 1998, a role-playing game called "Aberrant" debuted. This game created a world similar to the real world but full of superpowers. In this game, players take on the role of characters with special abilities, called "Novas," whose appearance completely changes the face of society. How does this game reinterpret the concept of superpowers from the perspective of quantum science and influence our view of Superman?
Set background
The story background of "Aberrant" is set in 2008, 90 years after "Adventure!", and is a prequel work of the future "Trinity/Aeon". The game not only depicts how superpowers adapt to daily life, but also explores how ordinary people react when faced with these "extraordinary people."
Aberrant is the only game in White Wolf's game series that does not set a specific character class or profession.
The source of superpowers
In the world of "Aberrant", the source of superpowers is the character's energy manipulation at the "quantum" level. While these characters have an imperfect understanding of quantum mechanics and their abilities are often limited by their subconscious minds, each Novas' abilities are closely tied to the subject they focus on. For example, the character Anteus focuses on nature and can teleport through trees and even create new flora and fauna.
The price of pollution
As a Nova's abilities grow, they will begin to experience a phenomenon known as "Taint." This is a side effect of manipulating quantum energy, often manifesting as physical or psychological impairments. These defects can take many forms and may include strange physical characteristics or mental illness.
In Trinity Continuum: Aberrant, Taint is replaced by Transcendence, a new mechanic that measures Nova's detachment from humanity.
Main forces
There are several major factions in Aberrant, and the interactions between the various organizations and their Nova agents form the core of the game. They include:
- Project Utopia: An organization claiming to promote cooperation between Novas and humans, backed by the United Nations.
- Project Proteus: An organization dedicated to handling the "dirty work" associated with Nova.
- Teragen: A group of Nova who subscribe to the biological superiority conferred by evolution.
Game system
"Aberrant" uses a modified version of the Narrator system, where players' abilities are compared to their base attributes and a ten-sided die is rolled to make a test. Whenever a certain number of successes are achieved, the corresponding task can be completed. Compared with ordinary characters or skills, Nova has special super attributes, which makes the game's combat and puzzle solving full of variety.
The successful doubling calculation method makes the performance of super attributes a key element in the game, allowing each player to enjoy a unique gameplay experience.
Related books and extended content
Aberrant has released several expansion books, which contain in-depth discussions of super attributes and other settings. Although the original series ended in 2002, it will return again in 2021 with the "Trinity Continuum: Aberrant" version, bringing a new perspective and system updates.
Readers’ thoughts
From Aberrant's setting to every aspect of role-playing, we can see how quantum mechanics affects this imaginative world. Facing a world where superpowers may appear at any time, do you think our understanding of morality, power, and human nature should also change?
