SHR - Lore background.

Superhumans is a modern term for people who were a part of our culture since the beginning of humanity. They exist in our legends, mythology and fairy tales as heroes and villains, creating a link between mortal and divine existence.

From Hercules in Greece to Yamato Takeru in Japan - heroes had strength that could rival gods'.
Superhumans were however, a very rare occurrence. Once every few generations one gifted child lived long enough for it's powers to manifest, and even then the superhuman might be nothing more than a local attraction at best, or a proof of demonic influence at worst...

Things begun to change in the late XIX century. With population boom caused by industrial revolution and slowly improving healthcare, more superhumans reached adulthood discovering their full potential.

First obscure information of organisations focused on exploring metahuman nature come from Victorian England. It wasn't until World War I however, when the idea of superhumans taking a role in shaping of the world became prominent for the first time.
In early summer 1916 First Marshal Herbert Kitchener left to Russia, where he planned to present the Tsar Nicolas II with first, combat-ready group of so called "Men Of The Crown". With their help, Russian armies were to achieve advantage on the Eastern Front, and save the tumbling down monarchy.

HMS Hampshire, with Kitchener and his special unit on board never reached the Tsar - the cruiser was sunk, presumably by a U-Boat soon after departing Scotland.
Truth of the events on board Hampshire was never discovered, but a name of German spy, Frederick Joubert Duqesne was linked with Kitchener's death since the event.

Friderick himself would eventually be caught in early 1940s in States, operating as a leader of the Nazi spyring. He was rumoured to be a metahuman himself, with limited physical, but extensive mental powers. He was kept in prison for over a decade, during which his body was studied by American scientists.

Important chapter of Superhuman development takes us however back to the Nazi Germany. Before and during the Second World War, Third Reich performed extensive examination of suparhuman cases.
Results were impossible to accept by the Nazi regime - it seemed that metahuman abilities manifested themselves in people of all nations and racial background.

Studies conducted by the German scientists were the foundation of later, more humane, experiments conducted on both sides of the Iron Curtain.
However to this day, the Mächtig Scale, developed a nazi physician Josef Mengele is used to measure scale of superhuman abilities.
M Scale, identifies six levels of metahuman potential.

• M0 - Lack of any supernatural powers manifested on conscious or subconscious level.

• M1 - Minor subconscious abilities, manifesting only in very specific conditions that vary from patient to patient. No secondary superhuman characteristics are present. It is estimated that 0.47% of human population qualifies as M1 cases (almost 5 children per 1000).

• M2 - Narrow, limited skills that require years of training to fully manifest. Minor secondary characteristics are present, often limited to abnormal pigmentation of eye's iris and skin. M2 aren't considered suitable candidates for superhuman training, and often receive sub-dermal inhibitors, reducing a chance of random violent manifestations. It is estimated that one child per 270.000 births is a M2

• M3 - Extensive skills with high breakdown threshold. Primary subjects for superhuman training, M3 cases use their superpowers at will but require specific, personalised training to fully control their potential. Most secondary characteristics are present - including increased speed, resilience, strength and endurance - as body develops beyond normal limits to accommodate superhuman capabilities. One every 32 million children are born M3

• M4 - Powerful, natural skills that require very little training to fully develop, but can be highly unstable and difficult to control, leading to breakdowns where subject cannot control the power stored in his body. M4 are often considered dangerous for themselves and the environment. If they cannot learn to control their power, they are being implanted with sub-dermal inhibitors. It is estimated that one per 140 million children is born with M4 potential.

• M5 - Unstable and highly dangerous to themselves and their surrounding. M5 cases are mandatory implanted with the sub-dermal inhibitors, often supplemented with pharmacological supplements reducing emotional tension. M5 cases show various, extensive superpower manifestations that are often difficult to fully comprehend. Training of M5 subjects is ill-advised, as their power is too unstable to use, even in training situations. One child per 300 million is born with M5 potential.

Superhuman abilities rarely manifest in children, normally the potential surfaces itself between 14 and 23 birthday. 

Supernatural training is focused on developing full control over the potential of the subject.

Most M3 and above develop strong secondary characteristics - augmenting their physical capabilities unrelated to the superpower potential.

It it theorised that body reacts to developing power by increasing it's own capabilities to "catch up" with the supernatural potential it inherited.

Superheroes became iconic figures in Western society in decades following Second World War. They became celebrities not unlike movie-stars, musicians, sportsmen and politicians.

It is estimated that currently there are around 250-300 M3 and higher superhuman.

Their training is conducted in few locations in the world, mostly in secret from the public.