July QnA

Has Daniel ever flirted with villains on the job? Are there any villains in LD that he wouldn't kick out of bed? Since he's been a bit pearl-clutchy about Argent kissing Sidestep's helmet: how does he react when the press pairs him up with villains for publicity stunts? 

The Daniel in my head is blushing fiercely now. He has, so far, not flirted with any villains on the job, but some have flirted with him. And there has been villains he thought were attractive, but sadly, not the ones who flirted with him. The whole thing feels a bit weird to him. Like they aren't taking things seriously. Thinking of things is one thing, acting on them is quite another. He always vehemently speaks out about being connected to villains that way by the press. 

What's Bo's relationship with his ex-wife like? What about with his daughter?

Not exactly close. It's not like they are enemies, but she has a new guy, and that whole thing is just awkward as hell. He pays his part of his daughter's upbringing, so there's no economic squabbles there. He does meet with his daughter regularly, but it's always a bit tense since he's not living with her. He's doing his best though.

During the destroy your past path at the gala, what was going through herald’s mind when he saw the villain destroying the sidestep exhibit?  especially if there weren’t any civilians there to worry about?

Anger. It felt personal to him, though he didn't make the leap to connect it to that it might be personal for the villain too. He saw it was just a place to start, and would have expected the villain to continue to the other exhibits if he hadn't interfered. He doesn't have a conspiracy board like Ortega does.

Has herald ever spoken in interviews about sidestep being his hero growing up?

I think he has mentioned it a few times, but it hasn't been picked up as a big thing or anything. If the new villain was named Sidestep too, there definitely was some questions about that, and a minor rant from Herald on the subject.

In interviews are the rangers often asked what inspired them/led them to becoming a hero?  How close to truthfully do they answer?  Are they free to answer as they like or are there media team preprepared preferred answers?

It is a classic question, every hero has got it, many more than once. Whether they are telling the truth or not depends. In general, they are free to answer as they like. It's seen as an important step in establishing a genuine persona.

Were the Void's telepathic planes situated in their mind (so, now that they're dead, they don't exist anymore), or could they somehow still exist / are they still accessible, for example by ingesting Void's blood? And if they still do, could anything still be trapped there?

That is a very interesting question, and not one that someone has a clear answer to yet. The Cult of the Green Sky claims that the "green skies" as they call the other planes still exists, and also claims to have means to reach them. However, they can't be trusted to tell the truth. If they truly do remain, it might be possible to reach them by ingesting Void blood, or perhaps by other means if they have figured out how to duplicate the effect. As to whether anything could be trapped in there... let's hope not. It's doubtful anybody would have survived that experience.

Does the Void have a Ljungstrand classification?

No.

What was Mia doing at the time Vernon was investigating Hollow Ground? She mentions her "past" with Vernon to the puppet: was she already working with him, did she have access to some of his info? Does she know some of his sources? Is Hollow Ground aware of her and her "past"?

She was an intern! She did proper journalism, and weren't privy to Vernon's special projects until they had already gone off the rails.

How is the Farm facility set up? Is there an above-ground façade and underground labs and such? Or anything else about the structure that helps with security/ secrecy?

There is an above-ground facade, where most of the administration is housed. But the real site lies underground. On the surface it is an agricultural research facility in order to produce resilient and higher-yielding crops. It is surrounded by vast fields of various recombinant-gene crops, growing lushly despite the otherwise barren landscape. It is fenced in and guarded, perhaps more securely than people might think is necessary. But, patent-theft and similar is always a threat, so nobody would care too much.  

Are there any mysteries/plots/incidents unrelated to Hollow Ground that Ortega is trying to unravel? If there are, have they ever used "taking down Hollow Ground" as a cover-up for their other activities (whenever they're asked what they've been up to)? 

Hehehe you'd have to ask Ortega about that, but all signs points to yes.

Was Ortega aware of Locus and Porphyry's plans to root out Hollow Ground? Would Ortega have wanted to get involved, if they knew? How would Ortega react if Locus and Porphyry successfully caught Hollow Ground?

Ortega was not aware, but if they had known, they would have wanted in. If Locus and Porphyry had succeeded Ortega would have been happy, but also miffed that they didn't get there first. Also, Locus would never have involved Ortega because they were unreadable and could not be trusted.

After meeting Sidestep again, how did the conversation between Ortega and Steel about Sidestep being back go? How did Steel react? Did they decide to look further into it (even if Steel knows more than he lets on), or to drop it? 

I might be planning to write about this soon, so no answer for now.

Does Ortega suspect Sidestep to be the one who possessed Argent? Did they from the get-go? 

That depends on the Sidestep and the point in the story. But I would say definitely not from the start. Sidestep never showed any talents in that direction, there would be no reason to suspect. But if the new villains goes around obviously forcing people to do their bidding, and if Ortega suspects the new villain might be their old friend Sidestep, then you can bet that thought has crossed their mind.

In one of the catastrofiend flashback it mentions the energy caster is stolen.  Where/who did step get it from?

From a minor villain called "Highwayman". However, he did not make it, and where he bought it from is unknown. It doesn't look like it was military issue, but there are several people dealing in the more esoteric arms.

Does Jackrabbit call people “sugar” and may I be a sugar? 

Of course she does, and you can if you're sweet enough.

One hot guy (gn) down, so round 2—Blaze v Pyroclast: who’s hotter?

Hotness is in the eye of the beholder. Blaze certainly considers himself hotter.

Based on how Dave's powers work, would it be also possible to echo other humans, like boosts? If yes, could they for example echo Sidestep's bodysnatching? 

Can Dave echo a boost and use their powers? 

He can't echo humans, at least not yet.

Might we have a little telepathic interaction with Mister Mitchell and get access to his files?

Mitchell might be a thing in some paths, yeah. Both as an ally if you align yourself with HG, and as a source if you manage to find out who he is.

With Angie's shrimp vision, what does she think of Danny's art if she's been shown any?

Argent thinks Danny's art is good, but not her thing. She's more into watercolors. Probably has a Monet print or two in her flat.

If Dave likes to stay away from populated areas because he can sense life forms… does he know a very busy spot in the Nevada desert that shouldn’t be there? 

Sounds like it would be hard to miss

Was ortega at joes when mortum takes the puppet out for drinks in rebirth?

No.

What would the rough “stats” on Mortum and the rangers be? (daring, ruthless etc)

In order from most ruthless to least: Mortum, Ortega, Argent, Steel, Herald.

In order from most daring to least: Ortega/Argent (very close), Herald, Steel, Mortum.

Is Pyroclast capable of raising his internal temperature without going into his loose form or are those, as of now, tied together?

They are tied together, but he can also do it him his more solid ashy form. But he needs to transform to do it.

Was the Green Sky interested in boosting Ortega for random reasons (good hair, hot smile, legendary resilience), or was there more to it? Did they know anything we don't about their mods? Or was there some mysticism to it (considering their cult Name and Ortega's lightning-adjacent powers?) 

Oh, and... by any chance... Has the Green Sky boosted one of their subjects twice?

Oh this is interesting. Let me see what I can tell. There were many reasons for the cult to want to boost Ortega. Some of those were the reasons you mentioned, but at heart I think it came down to one thing. A central tenet of the cult is that boosts is the next (and superior) step of humanity. And if they think that, anybody who is powerful enough stand against them is a threat to those believes. Thus the solution is to take the people that seems to challenge their view of things and boost them. Either they die, and problem is solved. Or they get boosted, and thus prove them right. Ortega was a very visible and admired subject, so of course they would go for them.

And yes, double boosting has been attempted on many occasions. At times it even works.

Is being a laser dolphin genetic?

Like most boosts, procreation is problematic after you get boosted. No baby dolphins.

Is Void’s blood the only blood that can briefly lend boost powers when consumed or ease the boosting process, or is it all boosts?

So far, Void is the only documented case.

Furthermore: could any telepath ease the boosting process?

They could possibly help, yes. Keeping somebody calm and not panicking would at least lessen the chances of catastrophic power eruption. 

What is Resolution 32? 🙂

The joint resolution that enabled the creation of the Free Western territories.

Did Ortega already notice the similarities between a mirror image puppet and Sidestep before they finally arranged an “accidental meeting?” How did they feel about the mirror image then, if at all?  

The similarities were noted, but deemed not important. At that point, it wasn't the first ghost that Ortega had seen. Maybe, in a way, it felt good to scratch that old wound.

With the advanced biotech of FHR universe, how long could one expect to be alive if they could use every available medical means prolong their lifespan? Are there any well known figures in LD who are extremely old?

So far, the current record for oldest human in the FHR universe is 132 years old. And yes, it is indeed a rich old bastard able to pay for everything the medical research system could offer. So far, there are no extremely old people on the west coast, the environment is too volatile for them. They are old money and prefer the comforts of their homes.

Is Mortum modded? Or have they been in the past?

Nothing major. They tend to prefer gadgets, that way they can tinker with them.

I know Fallen Hero already has a crap ton of variables, but would you ever consider adding "secret crush" variables for the ROs (other than Ortega) in the future? 

Maybe for book three.

What were the favourite fan theories during sidestep era about how step’s “sidestepping” boost actually worked?  Did anyone theorise correctly?

The top 3 were: Mystical martial arts, danger sense and luck. The danger sense one was pretty close considering. Telepathy was very low on the list, Sidestep didn't fit the preconception of a telepath.

Who was Elyise? What was she like before her death? Was she an associate of the Rangers or an unaffiliated vigilante helping out? 

Elyise was a vigilante helping out. She hadn't worked directly with the Rangers, but Ortega knew her. 

How would the Catastrofiend romance someone?

It has no interest in that sort of thing.

Who is/was the Armada? Any information on them?

He was just a mod using military armor to rob banks and do minor mercenary work. Not a massively weird threat, but a minigun is dangerous!

Do mortum and argent already know each other?

No.

Did the Rangers and/or Sidestep ever fight against Five Pennies? How did that go? 

No, they were on the same side.

What in the heck of it is going on with Five Pennies weird range of powers?

Good question. 

Are those pennies still around? Do the pennies even matter?

Those pennies are still around, or at least they were... They were in the Museum that Sidestep attacked in Rebirth. Their fate depends on the damage done there. Five Pennies certainly seemed to be dependent on them.

Five Pennies' powers seem to be telepathic to some extent, but also rooted in the body / physical contact... If one of the pennies attached to Ortega, would they be hurt / controlled, or are they also immune? 

Oh Ortega would certainly be hurt.

Can the Catastrofiend be killed? And if so, will we have an opportunity to root around in there and see what’s going on, or what we can take inspiration from?

So far, nothing has been able to destroy the Catastrofiend. Good luck trying.

How many years ago did HG meet with the Catastrofiend?  Has HG had occasion to use their services?

Oh, back when the Catastrofiend was more... normal, HG hired it on occasion to get rid of rivals. But eventually, the risk outweighed the usefulness. HG doesn't like things they can't control.

And on that topic, what on earth services does the catastrofiend offer?

Death. Quick or slow, clean or messy.

Who taught Herald to shoot?  When did he learn?

Steel taught him soon after he joined.

How did Anathema discover what their boost powers were?

The invulnerability took a while, and the extent of it took even longer. The acid was pretty much of an immediate thing.

How much genetic variation is there in a single batch of regenes (changes caused by the boost drug not withstanding)?  Would it create regenes like identical/non-identical twins or is there a large amount of variation between individuals in there?

Extremely high variation. Think of it this way. If you have a box of numbers from 1-9, and pulls three of them, how likely would it be to pull the same numbers in the same order twice? And this is even more complex.

Does Owl know how Hollow Ground look? Did she meet them? Any personal story/connection? 

Owl does not know how Hollow Ground looks. As far as she knows they've never met. 

Did Steel actually want Sidestep on the Rangers? I would’ve thought that the team was doing fine, considering heroes like Sentinel, Anathema, and Sunstream were on board. 

Steel wouldn't have minded Sidestep on the team, IF he felt he could trust them. It wasn't for the powers, it was for the synergy.

What does Steel see in Sidestep that makes him think they’d be a good team member?

Steel always thought Sidestep made good tactical choices, and worked to make sure others could use their skills to the best advantage. 

What are the Void's pronouns?

You don't know. 

Why does Sidestep lie to Ortega that they "don't swim"?

Because that is the simplest explanation to get out of awkward situations. Not that they can't. Just that they don't.

We know about the rest of the rangers more or less and have an idea of their style, by when it comes to clothes-shopping how expensive does Argent shop? How about doctor Mortum? Do they have a specific style they gravitate toward, or is anything a full outfit as long as it includes the labcoat?

I think Argent is moderately expensive, but she is focused more on style than on brand. She quite possibly owes more expensive items of clothing than Ortega, even if her wardrobe as a whole is cheaper. Mortum is actually more of a clothes snob than they come off. Much of their clothes is tailor made and bespoke. No off the rack here.

Does Nazar mind being called 'Dusty' (affectionate) or would he prefer another nickname / no nickname?

Big nope to the Dusty. Other nicknames might work.

You've said the Void is definitely dead. Did you mean body, mind, or both?

Bodies die. Does minds?

Are the members of the Green Sky aware of that, or do they believe The Void is still among them somehow?

To admit that The Void could die would be to undermine the cult.

If we asked Mortum to help us "push" our telepathy, would they accept?

Depends on your relationship with them.

HB, the Catastrofiend and Sidestep all seem to share an uncanny ability to "leak" and "stick" to minds that touches theirs. Could that be related to their ingesting Void blood? Does the Void's blood develop specific abilities in psi-sensitive subjects? 

I am trying to figure out how to answer this without massive spoilers, but I can't. Just saying you might be on to something, but it is not as simple as that.

Okay............ and just for indulgence's sake. Will we meet Heartbreak again in game beyond the HB's incident elucidations, whether as a dream or as a real presence?

I don't know yet. It is possible, but I can't guarantee it.

Does Mortum know about the Core project? 

No.

Did the Rangers + Step ever run into / fight Arsenaux back in the day? Do the Rangers know she's still active?

Yes they did, but she noped out before she could be captured. And yes, the Rangers knows she's still around, but she's keeping her distance.

This is a ridiculous question but if/when a bug lands on Ortega can they just zap it like an electric fly swatter?

Yes.

Does Chen have a preference for who gets Spoon if something were to happen to him?

Tia Elena.

What made Locus to start investigating HG back when she was part of the long beach heroes?

Maybe you'll get to ask her.

What would Hood think of the current Ranger team and how Ortega and Chen have both done as marshals?  What would he have made of Sidestep?

There is no world in which Hood wouldn't be proud as hell of the work both of them has done. And I think he would have been patiently amused by Sidestep, if a little worried about the telepathy.

Has Mortum ever worked for the Rangers? Would they be amenable to it in the future, if the price is right?

No Rangers work, it would be too much of a risk even for a lot of money.

And if that was not directly bought/asked from Mortum, then how did the Rangers get their hands on the Nanosurge's mysterious emitters?

Well, friends of friends of friends.

Neither Daniel nor Hollow Ground is a fighter, so I'm wondering who's the better combatant of the two? 

Daniel, hands down.

And while we're on the topic, how are/were Pyroclast, Sentinel, Sunstream, Hood, and Nocturne's fighting skills (with and without their powers)? Are any of them proficient with any weapons? 

Without powers, good to bad: Hood, Sentinel, Pyroclast, Sunstream, Nocturne.

With powers, good to bad: Sentinel, Pyroclast, Hood, Sunstream, Nocturne.

We know that we can sway the Rangers into joining the dark side, but what about our villainous allies? Will there be the future option of redeeming them to join the heroes? (Mortum, Bo/Rosie, the Mob Boss crew?)

I think you can imagine the answer would be yesish, at least to the grayish side. They all have reasons they do what they do, the definition of what a hero is might not appeal to them.

What were some things Themmy enjoyed doing outside work? Any activities or hobbies?

Movies. Clubs. Cafes. Museums. Libraries. Watching sport. Just being out in the city.

Hypothetically, if Psychopathor could choose a way to die, how would he go out? Blaze of glory? Something calmer? 

Blaze of fucking glory!

On the flip side, how would he not want to die?

As a failure.

What’s Catastrofiend’s favourite ice cream flavour?

Chunkey Monkey.

Does Psychopathor have a favourite exhibit at the aquarium?

Stingrays.

Has Mortum ever interacted with the laser dolphins? Even by proxy?

Yes.

Did Arsenaux have a Thing (crush, relationship, etc) for/with Void?

No, more like deep, almost fanatical admiration.

Did Heartbreak ever have a birthday that was celebrated?

Yes, several.

What’s Pyroclast’s favourite food?

Tacos.

Is Owl ever going to apologise? What if I tell her that punch is my villain origin story?

She'd tell you she was right all along, and to get over it. Apologizing is not for her.

What would the rangers count as the best and worst adverts/products they’ve had to be involved with?

Worst: Argent: Shower lotion. In the end they did cgi. Herald: traffic safety. He doesn't even drive. Ortega: Probably the one where the director was an asshole, otherwise they are down to clown. Steel: Artificial limbs. He felt very self-conscious.

Best: Argent: Clothes. She loves clothes ads. Herald: Serious ads, he once had one where he was talking about depresson and it was great. Ortega: Whiskey. Always a good vibe. Chen: There are no good ones.

Just how bad were Daniel’s Kinetik ads? 

Think nineties pepsi ads bad.

do any of the RO's have a bucket list? do any of them have completed bucket lists?

Bucket lists is yet another thing I don't understand and doesn't make sense, so I am gonna say no. I know what it is, but the concept just comes off as weird to me.

actually, to go along with that: do any of them have specific wishes for the kind of funeral / memorial they'd want, or what would be done with their remains?

I don't think any of them have any specific wishes. It would be too much like inviting it to happen. Ortega has probably spoken about it at length when drunk and depressed though. Many variants.

Is Sidestep’s body in any way adapted to process sugars/carbs differently than most people, whether it’s artificially augmented or natural? How much sugar can they safely ingest? Can their body store and process it better than most? 

Well, better than most. But people do metabolize things very differently. Some people can eat anything and never gain weight, while others eat very healthily and still is what society would consider overweight. Sidestep's mind does consume a lot more carbs than the average mind tho. If a normal brain consumes 20-25% of calories eaten (carbs preferred), Sidesteps consumes around 60-75%.

Do Catastrofiends dream of electric sheep or organic ones?

It would gladly eat them both.

Overtly, what was Hood and Anathema's relationship like? How did Anathema react to Hood's death? Did Anathema work on Hollow Ground with Ortega?

Hood and Anathema got along great. They had a few things in common, and Anathema saw Hood as a big brother or uncle figure. Anathema did work with Ortega on Hollow Ground, though not very actively. They weren't built for stealth and intrigue, but Ortega was very happy to have someone to vent to. 

What do Blaze and Zephyr find attractive in a prospective partner? Physically and otherwise?

Blaze is torn. On one side he's very sensitive to what others see in his partner, so he wants them pretty and representative. On the other hand, he's drawn to strong personalities.

Zephyr has been too focused on work to have more than short flings, they get bored fast so partners that are interesting and innovative is preferred. 

At the start of Rebirth, did the Farm / Special Directive think Step was dead? 

It was seen as likely.

what would have been ortega's reaction if someone else was calling the shots during HB? Would they blame them (secretly or not) for sidestep's death and themmy's? Would they hold a grudge? Or would they "understand" the situation and believe they'd have done the same?

They would 100% blame who it was and probably never forgive them.

What did The Rangers' superiors think of Sidestep back them and them working closely with the team? What were their opinions of Ortega and Step being involved romantically? Whether they knew about it or just heard about the rumours, that couldn't have been good for the image they wanted for the marshal no? Or was the direction back then a lot more "lenient"? 

The direction back then was rather lenient, mostly because Ortega was surfing on a wave of popularity. Sidestep was seen as just another vigilante, and if Ortega was rumored to be involved romantically it was nothing anybody expected to last for long.

You've hinted that Ortega's birthday party will be a big moment in Book 3, with a bunch of moving parts. Are you willing to share any plot details? A teeny crumb? Just a taste?

I have not planned it yet! Right now all the detains I have is "Ortega's birthday party" and "too small a cake for all those candles." 

Has Ortega always (since childhood) had epilepsy and seizures? (It was so dangerous to do extreme sports: mountain climbing etc, no?) Or has Ortega got it only after being modded? Or did the trauma after the incident cause it? 

It is a relatively recent thing, the first seizures came after modding, but it might also have been a result of the fall, even if it didn't manifest until then.

ok this is mostly self-indulgent but  would Ortega ever admit out loud to step that they're the love of their life? 

100%, and in the most sappy way possible.

Do you have any contingency/back up plans for FHR/other projects so they can still move forward and be finished, even if something happens to you? (You’re okay, right?? How have you been doing recently?) 

I am okay! I have been having health issues since 2020, but that is mostly burnout and stomach problems due to me doing way too many things at once and being unable to carry the load. A lot of people around me has suffered a lot, and real life has been making big demands on me. I am back working full time since May, and it seems to be working alright. Real life is a mess for everybody these days I think. I have no backup plans, this is all in my head, I have no team. But, I am also stubborn and finishes projects I start, so no need to worry about me.

Was Hood aware of HG’s family/family name as a crime family in LD before they became Hollow Ground?

Yes, somewhat. But only one among many.

What exactly did Hood do to piss off Hollow Ground? Did he mess with their organization? Was he partially responsible for Hollow Ground's siblings' encounters with law enforcement tw death  (and subsequent deaths)?

Hood was dangerous because he threatened Hollow Ground's livelihood in a way most other heroes didn't.

How old is Regina? What does she look like? Does she have any family? Any extra information about her?

Regina is loosely based on an old RP character of mine. I always saw her with dark, straight, shortish hair in a bob or something, but not really any other details. I am very bad with faces. She has no close family, you might say that she is married to her work. 

What was Dr. Mortum and Vitruvian's relationship like before their falling out? Did they work well together? What was their opinion of each other? 

They worked very well together, which was the reason they stuck together for so long. Their skillsets were complimentary, though they clashed on the personal side now and then. Mortum saw Vitruvian as a bit of a close-minded bigot, and Vitruvian thought Mortum was not taking things seriously enough.

What makes Mitchell start a file on a hero/vigilante/villain?  What qualifies someone to go from nobody to noteworthy? 

If he's interested in them.

What’re the cast’s stats in the classic Sidestep stat sheet?

That is for you to put in. I don't give such details about people, just your impression of them.

Have Mitchell and Mortum ever hung out or exchanged information?

...possibly.

Was any villain discovered to be tied to the Nanosurge (as in, helping to release the nanovores)? And conversely, did any villain help with the effort against it?

No villain was tied to it, and the official explanation is that they died in the release. This might very well be true, there would be no way to know. The ocean is big, and there wouldn't be many remains. There were villains helping, and there would probably have been more if it had proceeded. Some enemies are too big to worry about sides.

Could I bribe Pyroclast into [light] villainy with kaolin clay ice cream and cookies? 

No. He's serious about his job.

Was anyone blamed or prosecuted for the Nanosurge? (negligence, etc) 

No.

Is it in any way legal to access footage or reports about the event? Were there security systems in place to handle witnesses and footage?

There was a lot of footage, there were security cameras in some business close to the beach. The footage has been confiscated and deemed too disturbing to release to the public.

How would Pyroclast react upon discovering Step had a crush on him? Would his reaction differ depending on how obvious Step was?

Probably feel a bit awkward, he's not the smoothest. 

What did the nanovores from the Nanosurge “sound” like to Sidestep?

Crayfish in a bucket.

We’ve seen a glimpse of that with Herald’s mind if Sidestep leans into the rush, but I’m wondering: with a non-psi mind that’s loud / strong / focused enough to do so, could Sidesteo be “manipulated” by their own telepathy feedback? Could they be lead to react or think like the other person? In effect, another kind of possession, this time not by invasion but by reflection? 

Oh yes. That is a danger, especially to low force Sidesteps.

Hopping in with an angst-related one: what were some of the worst injuries Sidestep had to patch up on their own, back in their Sidestep days?

Dislocated shoulder. Stab through hand. Anything on the back, or in awkward places to reach. The pain-gate and additional painkillers stopped the worst pain, the difficulty was being able to treat them.

Getting on the Nanosurge bandwagon, what would have happened if Step would have ended up getting infected by the swarm or became a casualty of it like so many others? How would it have effected Ortega if they'd lost Step then and not during HB? 

Ortega would be dead too, and quite possibly a lot of the frontline. It's touch and go whether others would have managed to contain/destroy, or whether they would have firebombed the city.

Are the individual Rangers more aware of the secrets other members are keeping from them than the others are aware of?

That is: would sharing truths tear them apart more than we think? Or less than we think?

Both. It depends on the secret. I think in general they other Rangers are more aware than their friends give them credit for.

How different is the new HQ run from the old one? Is there more security now? Better location? Did they also have receptionists?

Newer. Better security. Larger quarters. And yes, they had receptionists there too.

What would happen to the Rangers/Dr.Mortum/others of main cast if they had never met Sidestep. Please, share if you have any ideas. 

It is too early to tell yet whether Sidestep will have a good or a bad influence on their lives. 

Just a random curiosity I have: malin do you have experience with marital arts? If so what type(s)? Just read the herald training scene for the first time and the way sidestep explains that he needs to lower his center of gravity is super similar to some training I’ve received. If you’ve thought about it, what form of martial arts does each character favor?

I did a bit of jiu jitsu during university. Can't say I was very good, except during the wrestling bits. My feet couldn't handle it in the long run, the skin fell off.

Aside from talodine, numbers, and dampeners, is there anything else that can interfere with telepathy? Do any of those random "telepathic protection devices" mentioned in the June QnA actually work?

Those three are the big ones. It is doubtful if any of the others work.

If Ortega is oblivious of a Steelstep romance, is it possible to go through the entire series without them realizing Chen and Step are dating?

No. Chen is not that good an actor.

A timeline related one: what happened during the 2004 human rights abuses in Panama?

Just look at what Russia is doing in Ukraine today. I won't go into details, but it sure ain't good.

Has the treatment of Orcas changed over the years, and has HG an opinion on it?

Since the pacific coastline is no longer a commercial hub, the population of Orcas has grown. They are no longer kept in captivity. HG has no particular views on this matter.

What does Green Sky cult do to their captives? Do they have a boosting process for victim they decided are worthy?

All captives will eventually be subjected to boosting, if they survive the trials. And yes, they do have a boosting regiments for the worthy ones, and in fact, it has as much success as the Farm methods.

Will poly relationships where Sidestep isn't the hinge be possible in game? Such as getting M!Ortega and Chen together while romancing Ortega ourself?

Oh yes, there is already a variable for that in the game.

Who were the Long Beach Heroes? What happened to their teams? How many teams did they have? Who ran the organizations? and who funded them? It sounded like they were on good terms with the LD Rangers. Were they? 

The Long Beach Heroes were a group of local vigilantes that banded together after a joint sponsorship from the local business association. The members of the team were Blaze, Zephyr, Porphyry, and the baby of the team, Locus. They weren't the big league, mostly due to lack of money. They had a base, and an admin, but no big infrastructure. It was very much a neighborhood team. But, they were capable as individuals, and would probably have been outgrowing their funding if the team had not broken up. It all started when Locus got the wind of some things and started her own investigation together with Porphyry. It culminated with the attack on HG's current base, and in the fallout after that, the team split up.

Besides Ortega, have other heroes, teams or sponsors tried to recruit Sidestep? How would/did Ortega react?

I think a few have tried, but that's like trying to hold a cat that wants to get down. All you get are scratches. Ortega found it most amusing.

How would Ortega react to realising that Step was planning to break up with them back in the glory days, but never got to due to HB? Especially if they knew that Step was still in love with them? 

I don't know. How do you react to something like that? I think it would depend on the circumstances in which it was learned, and how their current relationship was.

What about them learning that Step felt so betrayed and enraged over them apparently abandoning their friend/partner to die for 5+ years, that Step seriously considered killing them when they were hospitalised after their debut?

Oh that would be a combination of shock, guilt and regret, quickly followed by "but I thought you were dead."

Would Ortega be put-off by a quiet Step that’s *very* inexpressive? (E.g. Not even smiling when they’re happy/jubilant, seething rage under a calm veneer, etc.) Or would they see it as more of a challenge to get them to express themselves more often? Do you think they’d be better at reading this sort of Step due to paying closer attention to them and the (very) limited cues they have? Or would they be worse at it than reading the standard Step?

Ortega got to know (and start crushing on in certain instances) Sidestep back when they wore a full face mask. Hard to get less expressions than that. Ortega would just see it as part of the Sidestep package, and would be very good at reading them. Ortega pays much more attention to Sidestep than Sidestep notices. I think at the start, there would have been a brief period of trying to get Sidestep to "loosen up", but Ortega would quickly have realized that was just how they were.

How would the Rangers + affiliates react when they realise Sidestep always carried an L-Pill around during their hero days? Just in case something *cough* the Farm coming for them *cough* happened, and they wanted to spare themselves a fate worse than death? Would any of them have considered carrying something similar under the right circumstances?

I think most of them would have been surprised (not Chen), it is one of the things that would have driven home the seriousness of the situation. I don't think anybody has realized exactly how bad things were yet.

Why does Ortega like caustic people so much?? Some might say they’re difficult people to deal with. 

But they are also honest and predictable in their own way. Since Ortega is rather secure in who they are (apart from certain sexuality bits), they don't feel threatened easily. And, compared to the kind of fake smiles and compliments they are surrounded by daily, an asshole is a breath of fresh air. It also lets Ortega let out their own inner asshole, and feel that they don't have to pretend for the camera. I also think Ortega feels like people who behave like that doesn't want anything from them, and thus are safer to be around. Not to mention it is a bit funny watching them be an asshole to others, who can't take it very well.

Couldn’t Argent have asked the cameras who pinned the front page on the fridge if she kisses Step?

She could have, but at the moment she was too pissed to think of it. She jumped to conclusions instead, and acted without thinking. Why bother checking if you "knew" who must have done it.

Would Ortega do their best to stop flirting if a romanced!Step has an issue with it?

Yes. 100%. The big issue here is that there might be a mismatch between what Ortega sees as normal, polite and pleasant behavior, and what Sidestep sees as flirting. Sidestep unfortunately has the ability to hear what the people who are subjected to that "polite and charming" smile reacts. And they might definitely take that wink as flirting, while Ortega was in reality just blinking.

Considering the existence of mods, is it still possible for untreatable disabilities to exist? E.g. Complete blindness/deafness/etc?

Oh yes. Mods are not a magic solution. First of all, they are expensive. Very few people have access to them, and many requires regular upkeep which costs more money. Second, some might not want to use mods. It is an invasion of your body, with their own sets of side effects. Third, some people might not see their disabilities as something that needs fixing. They might live full lives with it, and the inconveniences they encounter they might see as something that should be fixed in society instead of trying to change them to fit in. And fourth, not all things are fixable by mods. You might get something that helps you function better in regular society, but it's not the real thing.

Just think of hearing aids today. It is a common mod, which can help/fix a wide range of hearing related issues. But not everybody with a hearing issue use them. They might think they look clumsy and would designate them as old, or disabled. They might not afford it. They might dislike the sound they get through it. There are many reasons.

The previous posts got me thinking… what’s Blaze’s relationship to his sexuality? How does his feelings about women differ from how he feels about men? Does he want to keep quiet about his sexuality, or be more open about it? Is there anything he’s insecure about?

Blaze and sexuality is a complicated thing. He is bisexual, yes, but he's not very comfortable with his attraction to men. At least not openly. He is currently keeping it under wraps, and while he has had male lovers, he always makes sure they know that this can't be something they are open with. This has made longer relationships hard. Women are easier, there it has mostly been his work (and his bedroom secrets) that has kept him from having a steady relationship. It is safer to date, that also fits the successful persona he has built. He is rather insecure, and is worried that he might be seen as "less of a man" if he came out.

How would you describe Owl’s personality? What was her childhood like?

Owl's personality is intense, focused, and abrasive. She grew up rough, and feels that she's had to fight for who she is her whole life. Thus she defaults to taking things as attacks, and is prone to overreacting. Even as a vigilante she didn't work well with people, the ones that are close to her are the ones that can accept her as she is. She's not going to change, she would rather force the world to change around her.

Are there any mods for completely blind people that isn’t directly related to sight? E.g. Boosting reflexes/‘awareness’ of their surroundings? 

Yes. There is a mod that is available for purchase that has been thoroughly tested. It is a combination hearing, sound emitting mod packages which works in a similar way that bats navigate. There are also variants of this that translates the sound signals to sensory skin input, mostly on the hands or face. There are also experiments going on with a tremor sense which picks up on minute vibrations of the ground and air, but that has the drawback of being hindered by shoes or clothing. 

Can Dave echo the powers of other Boosts? What’s his personality like? 

No echoing of humans so far. But who knows if things got bad, boosted powers can evolve. He's carefree and mellow, hates routine and orders. He comes across as rather harmless, but that's mostly because he keeps his own council. He would not be a Marshal if he couldn't do the job. Just don't ask him to wear a tie.

What was Cavalier’s motivation for blowing up the Pentagon?

Classified. People have been killed looking for that nugget of information.

What’re the fighting styles of the Guardians? Which ones are the fighters/tacticians?

I am still deciding that! So no answer yet.

What does Mortum find physically attractive in a partner?

Physical attraction is weird. I honestly don't know. I think the mental bit is a lot more important for them.

Are there any individuals that the Special Directive is afraid of? Like a boost or mod that even they think “nope, we’re not messing with that.”

OH yes. Some things just wouldn't be cost effective.

If there is, my bets are on Catastrofiend, or Cavalier if he’s still alive.

That would definitely be two of them, and I would add The Void (while alive).

What would Anathema think of Herald and Lady Argent if they were still alive and part of the Rangers?

They'd love Herald like a little brother (and mess with him a little), and have a healthy respect for Argent. They might become very close friends, or annoy the hell out of each other. There would be no middle ground.

Do the Rangers get a lot of holidays off, since they’re employed by the government?

Yes, and they have very good benefits.

What’s the West’s general opinion on superheroes in the East? What’s the East’s general opinion on superheroes in the West? Do the Rangers have any opinions on East coast superheroes?

The east coast thinks the west coast heroes are exotic and cool, but wouldn't want to have them in their neighborhood. A bit like it's nice watching lions in the zoo, but not stalking the local forest. Dangerous.

The west coast thinks the east coast heroes are government stooges or military staff. Controlled and very dangerous. The Rangers thinks the same.

Did Ortega get along with any of the other Marshals back when they were one? Does Chen get along with any of them now?

I think Ortega had a very volatile relationship with the other Marshals. A bit like tossing a bunch of cats in a room together, there's bound to be yowling. Chen gets  along better, but I don't think any of them are close. 

What are the Rangers typical reactions when they get recognized out in public? I assume this has happened at least once for all of them?

Ortega smiles and writes autographs and poses for pictures. Herald does the same, but a bit more shyly. Argent it depends on her mood, but since she can't hide as well, she often stares them down until they leave unless she likes them for some reason. Little girls always gets autographs and attention. Chen just deadpans and says that they must be mistaken. He's very good at it.

In Rebirth, one of the default names you can give a female puppet is Yasmin, like the doll. What doll? Is this a movie reference? Or did I miss something?

It is a reference to the Bratz line of dolls. My friend's daughter was obsessed with them when she was little, so that stuck.

Can we please have some more facts about Bumblebee? How old is she? How many years did she work as a vigilante? What hero teams has she worked with? How long has she been in Los Diablos? What’s her suit look like?

At this point, Bumblebee is in her early thirties. She was working as a vigilante since her late teens, but she was never one of the risk takers, so she avoided major injuries despite her relatively weak powers. She can fly, and lift heavy things, but she's not fast, even though she is maneuverable. During her vigilante days her weapon of choice was her stingers, which started out as a taser, but was upgraded into proper multi-use weapons as she got more contacts. She was always friendly, and worked with many teams or other vigilantes, but was never a member of any groups until she got the offer to join the Guardians. She leapt at that. She was originally from El Paso, but has lived in Los Diablos since childhood. Her suit is black with yellow accents, and her trademark fuzzy bumblebee hat. She has no mask, but a pair of big goggles.

What would Harold and Ortega say is the coolest thing Sidestep has done among their various feats? Either something they have done in the past or in the games if they found out about them?

Ortega: Taking on the Catastrofiend. That was WILD.

Herald: He played the clip of Sidestep fighting Swordmaster again and again. Yep, he had it recorded. It wasn't an important fight, but it looked very cool, and it was actually recorded almost in its entirety.

Say Ortega finds out Sidestep has turned villain and done horrible things. Would they have preferred Sidestep actually had died and preserved their heroic legacy or do they consider Sidestep back a blessing even with some dirty complications?

The latter. Ortega has lost enough people.

In your personal opinion, what is the coolest thing Sidestep can do in the first two books?

It is utterly silly, but it is this one: #"Marshal," I tip my imaginary hat.

Is the WFZ televisied or shown / talked much outside of the west? Does the rest of the country try to quietly forget it exists? How is it depicted (romanticized, etc.)?

Basically, the Free Western Territories is dealt with in three ways:

1: Let's try to forget. What happened on the west coast was a massive trauma both for the populace and the country's self-image. While it changed the US, perhaps permanently, it also is difficult to deal with. While the memorials and ceremonies were huge in the first few years, many tried to move on as soon as possible. This is how the current political climate is treating it.

2: We are all one country. Sure, the WFZ is their own deal, but so was Costa Rica once upon a time. We're still one country, right? These people see the WFZ as a temporary inconvenience, a bit like when a road is blocked because it is being repaired. Soon they will be one country once more, just like back in the old days. Often, these people don't want to see exactly how much has changed, or that the WFZ might not want to go back. Some politicians are very vocal about this.

3: Live-action Disneyland! Many (especially in the media) sees the WFZ as a combination of a live-action Disneyland and the Wild West. It is exoticised in news and television shows, and an exotic background for many movies and novels. Think of how Berlin was the focus of so much Cold War drama. Los Diablos is the same. Even though Los Diablos is not the largest or most influential city in the west, it is the most famous one. Partly because of the old Hollywoood glamour, partly because the new name makes it so evocative.

Is it normal to gain additional or 'support' powers after being boosted? If I remember correctly, Herald also has enhanced durability as well as flight, right? 

Often powers come in packages, yeah. While nobody has figured out exactly how these things work, enhanced endurance, durability, strength or healing are common in combination with more flashy boosts. It is theorized that these changes to the human body makes it possible to deal with the demands the other boosted powers put on it. One of the main reasons for the high mortality rates for boost users is that the body can't handle the strain, and it makes sense that the ones who would survive would be the ones where the body has adapted to that.

What’re the cast’s relationships to their respective ethnicities + cultures? 

And this is where I, as a Swede, falls short. While I have done my best to research, and talk to relevant people, I will not go very much into depth on that regard. The short answer would be: It's complicated. 

While I feel that it is important to show a Los Diablos that is as diverse as Los Angeles is today, I also feel that I am not the right person to write in depth about these things. In part, this is because every person in the main cast has taken steps to divorce themselves from the person they feel they were meant to grow up to be. This is a story about misfits of various sorts, people leaving their past behind to try to make something new, something that belongs to them only. And this is doubly true for Sidestep.

So, while I will make nods to where people come from, and what attitudes and traditions that helped formed who they are today, that is not the main story I am telling. Perhaps it is revealing that Sidestep is as unmoored from the various cultures of humanity as I sometimes feel. I feel more at home writing about alienation, gender, sexuality and mental issues, so that is what I will focus on. Ethnicity, culture and religion will only be briefly touched on, I leave much of that to people's headcanons. 

What’s Mountain Man’s powers/abilities? What about his weaknesses? 

Rather basic, heightened strength, endurance and durability. However, he also grew to a height of 8 feet, so that became the most easily recognizable part of the package. Also, he sported a massive beard, and his weapon of choice was a high-tech axe. His weakness was his commitment to the bit, his lack of ranged weaponry and transport left him a bit open.

Does the Heartbreak incident have a canonical date?

Not yet, we are working on a rough timeline, but it would be around Valentine's day.

did themmy have much of a routine back in the day, besides ranger-ing and volunteering? were they particularly close with anyone? how much did chen trust them, given themmy’s lack of history and despite passing the vetting process? 

Themmy was always on the move. They seemed determined to fit as much as possible in their days, but the word routine never really seemed to fit them. They would often go with their whims. Themmy liked everyone, but was very close to Hood, who was also the one who had been responsible for their vetting. Chen did not distrust them since they had passed, he did not personally need to see the papers. He trusted the system.

how close to hood was chen? does he ever wonder what he might think of the state of the rangers now? 

Chen and Hood weren't as close as Hood and Ortega, or Hood and Anathema or Sentinel. There was respect there, but at that point in life, Chen tended to treat Hood more like their military commander than as a friend. In retrospect, Chen regrets not letting his guard down more, and he often wishes he could have had a long talk with Hood about what leading a team really does to people.

ortega pulling out a gun at the gala seems a little out of left field, is it common for them to react that way? is it a desperation move? 

Ortega uses the tools available to get the job done. Yes, it was a bit of a desperation move, they weren't at their best without their skinsuit. Ortega is a decent shot, it's not the first time they used a gun, but they are not very fond of them. Clashes with their self-image.

What sort of things might we expect from trying to bond with hollow ground, as in how would they attempt to get to know us? casual or formal setting? that kind of thing! 

That depends on what impression they have of their Sidestep. In some cases it might be a more formal "villains working together" thing, while in others they might let you under their skin and be more casual.

Why does everyone who live with Ortega tend not to like her so much? In this book we got a taste of how the characters seem to clearly perceive their problems, except for the blind Sidestep, in the future can we have a frank conversation with Ortega? that it's not just the Sidestep that's broken?

I think such a conversation has been building for a while. It will be at the start of the next book (Revelations) for at least some paths more focused on Ortega. 

Has there been any heroes (or villains) that have retired from active life and became actors? 

The most well know one is based in Seattle, and is a former vigilante that used to go by the name "Hellhound." These days he goes by his real (?) name, Sam Beaulieu and stars in a series of action/adventure movies loosely based on his own (very embellished) career.

Is there many, if any, enhanced actors? do they use their powers or mods during filming?

Just like some professional athletes takes the step to become an actor, the same goes for some boosts or mods. The problem with becoming a big star is that there are strict rules for boosted or modded individuals in the main US, so they tend to be restricted to moviemaking on the west coast. And yes, of course they use their boosts or mods in the movies, in many cases that is their biggest selling point. 

Which is the longest Ortega has been in a steady relationship and with whom? Has there ever been a significant other for any of the other Rangers (or Dr. Mortum)?

Discounting Sidestep (since that might vary) I think Ortega's longest relationship was about two years, up to right before their accident. Steady is not really part of the Ortega package. Dr. Mortum was in several relationships before they became a villain, but none after. They would have seen at least one of them as very significant, but it did not end well. Chen was deeply in love with his boyfriend, who was killed in action. Since then he has not had anybody serious, though he has had several relationships who lasted from a few months to up to a year. But his heart was not in it. Argent has never had a relationship to speak of, and while Herald has had several girlfriends, they have been more into him than the other way around. It's been nice and pleasant but not exactly passionate.

Would Ortega rather see Hollow Ground arrested for their crimes or killed off as revenge for Hood's death? May we influence how Ortega might choose if given the chance?

I honestly think that at this point Ortega doesn't know either. If they ever got the opportunity to end this threat once and for all, I don't know what they'd do. If Sidestep is around when that time comes, you bet that they would be a big influence.

Can we recruit other Heroes or Villains to our cause in the future?

That is planned, yes.

Can Steel still fly helicopters? could he fly a plane?

Steel has licenses to fly both helicopters, and various military aircrafts. However, he hasn't flown a fighter jet in years, and would not consider himself proficient. He does occasionally fly small propeller planes and helicopters since he thinks it's important to keep up the flight hours. He considers it a valuable skill for the team, and he likes it.