Allies in M.A.S.Q.U.E.S.

The year is 1942. Three years ago, on October 31, 1939, a team of Nazi occultists known as W.O.T.A.N. attempted contact with REDACTED, an ELDRITCH ENTITY, who responded by sundering the secret mystic veil surrounding Earth. REDACTED has since remained silent.

However, REDACTED's actions resulted in a MYSTIC SURGE washing over the planet, randomly imbuing 1 percent of Earth’s population with superhuman abilities. While the public knows nothing of REDACTED, they are aware of the existence of Powered Individuals (P.I.s); although, the topic is rarely discussed because of unfounded rumors that P.I.s are secret Nazi (or Axis) sympathizers.

The Surge imparted (or reawakened) mystical powers within ancient artifacts around the globe, making them Surge-Touched Artifacts of Notoriety (S.T.A.N.s), sometimes giving the objects a will of their own (or the influence of REDACTED). Unlike the general public, the secret ranks of the Axis and the Allies are aware of S.T.A.N.s’ existence and that their mystic energy — unlike those within P.I.s — can be permanently quarantined behind a ward created by a MYSTIC RITUAL, thereby extinguishing the S.T.A.N.

You are an agent of M.A.S.Q.U.E.S. (the Military-Adjacent Secret Quarantining Unit for the Extinguishment of S.T.A.N.s), a clandestine Allied agency tasked with preventing Nazis from acquiring and using S.T.A.N.s. While agents may be tempted to destroy or steal S.T.A.N.s, the agency advocates for extinguishment to avoid blowback from local governments and the potential influence of REDACTED. Because the Nazis also seek out these artifacts, your missions will encounter Nazi P.I.s, agents of W.O.T.A.N., and/or individuals under the influence of REDACTED.