C.A.P.E.

(Central Authority on Preternormal Endeavors)

CAPE was created in 1965 by the federal government. Jack Rogers, formerly the Sentinel of the Freedom Brigade, was appointed its first (and so far only) Director. CAPE exists as the federal government's special law enforcement agency dedicated to addressing crimes committed by super powered beings. CAPE is also responsible for handling threats to national security beyond the realm of conventional law-enforcement agencies to handle, such as extraterrestrials and advanced terrorist organizations like MEDUSA.

CAPE frequently works in conjunction with other federal agencies such as the FBI and the DEA. Typically, the FBI handles inter-jurisdictional crime but CAPE specializes in super-crime, which is where the FBI draws the line. What sets CAPE apart from other federal agencies is extensive training and high-tech equipment.

CAPE can also be called in to advise and assist with local law enforcement investigations at their request. CAPE is an emergency responder -- 911 dispatch operators will contact the agency when superhumans are reported or suspected to be involved.

The organization has regional offices in several cities (including Boston, New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Chicago, Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles), and smaller offices in others. It maintains a force of approximately 12,000 field agents, and has been instrumental in ending numerous superhuman threats to the people and security of the United States.

CAPE agents often work with superheroes, though their reactions to costumed crimefighters are mixed. On the one hand, many agents owe their lives to superheroes, and have a healthy respect for their abilities, bravery, and heroism. On the other hand, many agents regard superheroes, at least in part, as “renegades” and “unprofessional”– people who hinder CAPE’s mission as much as help it in many cases.

Notable NPC’s

Jack Rogers, Director of CAPE
Jack Rogers was formerly the patriotic-themed superhero known as the Sentinel active in the Golden Age of heroes, prior to being offered the Directorship of CAPE. His lifespan and vitality have been extended due to powers. He is the uncle of the super heroine, Americana, who gained powers after she received an emergency blood transfusion from him.

Officially, superheroes are considered vigilantes unless sanctioned by local or federal authorities but Rogers turns a blind eye to this fact and has been criticized by detractors for doing so. He is realistic enough to know that CAPE and the few sanctioned heroes in the world cannot stand against the raw power possessed by many of the metahuman threats present in the world today. Like it or not, the world needs super heroes to effectively deal with super criminals and he does his best to keep relations amicable between CAPE and superheroes (sanctioned or not). He draws the line at those so-called heroes who view themselves as judge, jury, and executioner. He believes firmly in due process and the spirit, if not always the letter, of the law.