A Round-Robin Fanfic Universe
based on Television's best SF Shows

What is Unlikely Heroes?

Well, I guess you could say it's a cross between a Role-playing game, a Round-Robin, and a Fanfic mailing list.  Or, like I said above, "a Round-Robin fanfic universe"?

Well, *that* cleared things up.  What do you mean?

Unlikely Heroes is a mailing list for people who like the concepts of a variety of TV shows, including "The Sentinel," "Highlander," "Forever Knight," "Strange Luck," etc, and want to play in those universes.  Each member creates an original character based on one of these concepts, giving that character the "gift" associated with that particular show.  For instance, we have an Immortal and a Watcher, a vampire, a Sentinel and a Guide, a lucky person, etc.  All of these original characters will be members of an exclusive secret society called "Unlikely Heroes," organized to allow people with these special gifts to use them to help others more easily.

Whoah.  Whatever possessed you to come up with such a wacky idea?

I first had the idea when I was in junior high school, but didn't have the resources to implement it.  Now I do, thanks to the Internet.  <g>  Back then I called it "The Secret Society of Supernaturally Endowed Minors Organized for the Good of Normal People" (SSoSEMOftGoNP).  Now, don't look at me like that!  I was a very naive teenager and meant it in the most innocent possible way!  However, the difference between SSoS...etc. and Unlikely Heroes is that the original concept used actual characters from the various shows and books I followed.  Shows like "My Secret Identity," and "Out of this World" and books like The Secret Life of Dilly McBean and The Girl With the Silver Eyes.  For the purpose of this project, though, it works better to create original characters, although the characters from the show can--and do--make appearances in the stories.

Why does it work better to have original characters?

Because that way each participant isn't restricted by the show characters' pasts or personalities as portrayed on the show.  Your only limit is your imagination, your interpretation of your gift, and your collaboration with any other representatives of your show.

Okay, I'm intrigued, but still wary.  What are the rules?

  1. There can only be one character of each type in the game (no pun on HL intended).  Only one Immortal, one Watcher, one FK vampire, one Sentinel, etc.  Others can be introduced as minor characters, but can't become members of the society unless one of the main characters "dies" or otherwise withdraws from the project.
  2. Each person *must* write on any story where their character is involved, and no one can write a story with characters from a show other than theirs without consulting that show's representative.
  3. No relationships between actual show characters are allowed other than what is/was shown on the series.  Original characters can have whatever relationships they want with other original characters, provided all the involved parties agree, but cannot have a long-term sexual/romantic relationship with any of the actual show characters.  A fling is ok, if that's in character for your character and the show character (for example, a female Sentinel *could* sleep with Jim Ellison since it would be hard to stop them if what happened in "Sentinel Too" is to be taken as a rule), but nothing long-term.  Also, original characters can have familial and/or friendship relationships with show characters (both from their own show and others).  The sexual/romantic thing is mainly to prevent members from fighting over mutual favorites.  <g>
  4. Original characters *must be good guys*.  Anyone desperately wanting to be evil can contact me about creating an "Unlikely Villains" society if they want.  <g>
  5. No person can have more than one representative character.  Since there are a limited number of concepts, it wouldn't be fair for one person to take more than one of them.  So, you have to pick your favorite.
  6. Show characters cannot be killed, even by their show's representative.  Oh, and I'm a devoted member of Clan Denial, so Richie is alive and well.  Thankfully, the HL representatives agree with me--I might have to get dictatorial if they didn't.  <g>
  7. Only SF/Fantasy show concepts allowed.  Sorry, but this is about people with *extraordinary* abilities.
  8. Only shows set in the present allowed.  Space dramas are too likely to totally contradict each other's concepts, even if that concept can be integrated into the present.  Also, no VR shows allowed, as much as I would love to include Harsh Realm, for pretty much the same reason--it would unequally influence all the other concepts.  Again, sorry.
  9. The Immortal and the Watcher will be partners, and the Sentinel and the Guide will be partners, regardless of whether their players know each other.  So, if you want to work with someone you know, better get a friend to join too.  :-)  Any and all characters based on a particular show must work together in deciding how their show's concepts will be interpreted.  They can, however, write separate stories.
  10. No movie or book concepts allowed unless they are also a TV show.  I think we have plenty of variety without those.  :-)
Sounds great.  How do I know which concepts are claimed and which are available?

You check this list right here:

And if there's any concept I forgot that you can work in, e-mail me and tell me about it.  :-)

When will the first of these stories be posted?

The first six stories already have been posted, and you can read them here to get an idea of what's going on. Since I'm the founding member, I have created a character ("Giver") who brings all these other characters together (in addition to my portrayal of "Vi") but this character will not be based on any shows and will be a minor player in most pieces except for the recruitment stories.  Each character will be required to appear in a "recruitment" story, wherein Giver contacts them to become part of UH.  However, this does not have to be the first story featuring a particular character. Either a story introducing that character, or anything where two characters meet before they are recruited is more than welcome before the recruitment story. Basically, players can begin writing their own stories, independently or jointly, whenever they want.

So, how do I join?

Copy and fill out this survey about your character, then e-mail it to me:

Character name:
Nickname(s):
Show represented:
Concept represented:  [Immie or Watcher, Sentinel or Guide, Leaper or Observer, etc?]
Played by:
Gender:
Age:
Race/Ethnicity:
Appearance:  [height, weight, eye color, hair color, distinguising marks (scars, deformities and/or birthmarks), shape of face, nose, build, muscle tone, shoe size, whatever.]
Marital Status:
Sexual Orientation:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Place of Residence:
Occupation:
Income:
Religion:
Family:
Education:
Gift: [the specifics, if necessary]
Skills: [Other than their "gift"]
Hobbies and interests:
Basic backstory:  [How long have they had their gift, when and how did they acquire it, how did they come to accept it, how did others in their life react to it, how, when and under what circumstances do you think they would be recruited for UH, etc.]
Personal "scent": [optional--you'll only need to know this if you ever write with our FK character]
Spirit animal: [again, optional--you'll only need to know this if you work with our Sentinel characters, and maybe not even then.  :-)]
Casting choice:  [If you can find one, the actor that most closely resembles your character]
Feel free to also include any pertinent information you can think of that isn't covered by this.  I'll notify you if your first choice is still free or if it's been taken since my last update of this page.  If it's not free, you can submit a second character concept or choose not to participate.  Once you're in, I'll subscribe you to the mailing list for the project and you can introduce yourself and your character to everyone else.  IMPORTANT NOTE: if you do not want to join the mailing list, DO NOT join UH--the list is the only way for our players to get to know each other and post their stories.

And that's it?

Yep.  For now anyway.  Hope you'll decide to join me!