The Superlatives

Lead a superpowered team of "Superlatives" to defend 19th-century Victorian London! Battle a Martian warship, clockwork monsters, and nefarious inventors.

"The Superlatives: Aetherfall" is a 260,000-word interactive novel by Alice Ripley. It’s entirely text-based, without graphics or sound effects, and fueled by the vast, unstoppable power of your imagination.

The prestigious Society for the Advancement of Individuals of Superlative Talent and the Protection of the Queen has invited you to become their newest member! But on the very day the Society plans to initiate you, unknown Villains destroy the Society headquarters and kidnap your colleagues! As the sole remaining full member of the Superlative Society, you must initiate new recruits to investigate the abduction.

Meet your team: Nimble—faster than lightning; Wailer—a "banshee" with sharp blades and sonic shriek attacks; Arturek—the gruff Martian warrior; Tua—a Venusian who commands the power of plants; and Black Orchid—a strangely familiar new recruit. Your efforts are bolstered by your faithful Clockwork assistant, Gatsby, and your always-butting-in rival, Hallow.

Will your gain your team’s trust and convince them to work together, or will they fall apart under the pressure? Will you cut a deal with London’s Villains, or even turn the Society into Villains yourself? Will you trust the mysterious Dusk and Mr. Ink, who offer you help, or will you uncover their many secrets?

• Play as male, female, or nonbinary; gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, or aromantic

• Draw power from your preternatural nature, alien heritage, or genius gadgets

• Protect the Earth from torrential aetherfalls

• Keep your identity secret from your nosy landlady, Mrs. Rathbone

• Negotiate with minute Mercurian monarchs (Mercurians stand only four inches tall)

• Push your teammates to transcend their origins or pursue their destiny

• Foil the Nefarious Clockwork Contraptions of Dr. Eisengeist and discover his origins

Don your mask, take to the skies, and God save the Queen!

The Superlatives is a tabletop role-playing game focused on playing as superheroes in a world reminiscent of the Golden Age of comics, particularly the 1930s and 40s. The core concept revolves around larger-than-life characters with extraordinary abilities facing off against equally outlandish villains and threats. The game emphasizes pulp adventure, daring heroics, and a sense of optimism, even amidst danger.

The system utilizes a dice pool mechanic based on attributes and skills, where players roll a number of dice equal to the combined value and count successes to determine the outcome of actions. Character creation involves selecting origins, powers, and motivations, which heavily influence their abilities and playstyle. The setting is generally a stylized version of Earth, but with the addition of metahumans and advanced technology alongside more grounded, historical elements.

Combat is designed to be dynamic and cinematic, encouraging players to use their powers creatively and work together to overcome challenges. The game master (GM) plays a crucial role in creating compelling narratives, designing engaging encounters, and managing the overall pacing of the story. The Superlatives aims to capture the spirit of classic superhero comics, offering a blend of action, intrigue, and moral dilemmas for players to explore.