Editing Los Angeles (section)

== Inhabitants ==

=== Government and heroic organizations ===

==== PRT ====
Los Angeles houses PRT Department 2,<ref>The largest 65 cities in the United States host individual departments as of 2012.  They are numbered accordingly, in order of decreasing size.<br/><br/>[...]<br/><br/>2 LA - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hqJy4YEDqpKLwbatFVBLXnhs7dDTNykSYtDUCiR9ZBo/edit#heading=h.u6vofcq51y8q PRT Master Reference]</ref> which is the second largest [[PRT]] department.<ref name="branding">Los Angeles is Alexandria's city, and is the second largest department. It features the largest branding department of the PRT, and serves/administrates countless other branding departments and offices across the country. For just about half of the towns and cities in the US that don't have their own branding department, the LA office will get the photos, notes on powers, names and other details and will have teams handle the costume and projection of the individual. There's a constant stream of people coming and people going just for the seminars and classes and rehabilitation on the branding front. LA is a machine on this front. - [https://redd.it/50g7x6/ reddit comment] by Wildbow.</ref> It's headed by Director Knox.<ref name="Knox_Flambe">'''Director Knox, Note:'''<br/>Auroch’s grades are slipping, necessitating that I send staff to the school, and oversight is starting to take note. Psych sessions are not helping as much as I hoped. We had an incident with a patrol, where Auroch second guessed her initial orders and agreed to move forward with an aggressive play as Flambé was arguing for. To say this is an error in judgement is putting it lightly; Flambé’s reckless tendencies and peculiar mental state are so well known that even the nine year old on our team would ignore his advice. Nobody was hurt, but I’ve suspended Auroch from her position as leader of the second LA Wards’ team. - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Swjz8BZZNE4bq6lTkHanTK4sJ-K_xVlFudxA16mYjH4/edit#heading=h.6574z2ncst8z PRT Quest (Anchorage)]</ref>

As one the top departments, it has a dedicated role: it's responsible for branding.<ref>The PRT is big, and being big, it has an awful lot of places to stow the more problematic capes. The top departments have individualized roles where they focus on a specific dimension of PRT activities, whether it's overall administration (New York), branding (LA), or training (Houston). - [https://www.reddit.com/r/Parahumans/comments/45tbrf/wormpossible_spoilersdoes_the_protectorate_ever/d0171sf/?context=3 reddit comment] by Wildbow.</ref> Not only does Los Angeles have the largest branding department, it also serves and administrates countless other branding departments and offices across the [[United States]]. For about half of the towns and cities in the US that don't have a branding department, Los Angeles will get the photos, notes on powers, names and other details and will have teams handle the costume and projection of the individual. There's a constant stream of people coming going for the seminars, classes and rehabilitation on the branding front.<ref name="branding" />

==== The Protectorate ====
The second-largest [[Protectorate]] team in [[America]],<ref name="Rime" /> large enough to have several teams covering different areas of the city, all administrated in a general sense by Alexandria.<ref>It's large enough that it has several Protectorate teams to cover different areas of the city, all administrated in a general sense by Alexandria. - [https://redd.it/50g7x6/ Reddit comment] by Wildbow.</ref>

{|class="mw-collapsible article-table" style="width:100%"
!style="width: 18%; vertical-align: top;"|Name
!style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top;"|Description
|-
|[[Alexandria]]
|Leader of the Los Angeles team and member of [[the Triumvirate]], while also second in command of the Protectorate as a whole. Has enhanced strength and durability, flight, and eidetic memory.<ref>'''Alexandria''' – Second in command of the Protectorate.  Flies and has enhanced strength, a virtually invincible body, eidetic memory, and senses emotions.  The triad of flight, strength and invincibility recurs often enough, in enough variations, that it’s often referred to as ‘the Alexandria package’. Runs the team based in Los Angeles.  Member of the now-disbanded Triumvirate. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/cast-spoiler-free/cast/ Cast (In Depth)]</ref> She was treated for cancer as Rebecca Costa-Brown in Los Angeles, where she was approached by [[Doctor Mother]],<ref>Tears had been harder to come by since the chemo had started.  Most days, her eyes were red and itchy, her vision blurry, too dry to cry.  But it seemed this occasion deserved them.  For a long time, she lay on her side, staring out the window at the cityscape of Los Angeles, tears running sideways down her face, across the bridge of her nose and down to her ear, soaking her pillow.<br/><br/>There was a sign that caught her eye, because it was so bright a yellow against its immediate background of blues and dusky purples.  The classic logo of a fast food restaurant. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/interlude-15-donation-bonus-3/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 15.z]]</ref> she became active as an independent hero in Los Angeles afterward.<ref name="Strongarm_Mongler">“She’s also one of my best yet,” the Doctor said.<br/><br/>“I’ve heard of her,” Hero said.  “Los Angeles?”<br/><br/>Alexandria nodded.<br/><br/>“You took down Strongarm and Mongler.  It was impressive,” he said.<br/><br/>“Thank you.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/interlude-15-donation-bonus-3/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 15.z]]</ref>
|-
|[[Rime]]
|Appointed leader after the [[Echidna]] incident. Previously worked under [[Chevalier]].<ref name="Rime">“Rime, team leader of Los Angeles,” Defiant said.<br/><br/>''Taking over for Alexandria'', I thought.  A cape with black hair in a blue skin-tight costume with fur.  I recognized her from the Echidna event, the cape who made ice crystals.  I remembered how she’d been following Chevalier’s orders.  His second in command?  It made sense he’d promote someone he knew to the second largest team in America. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/drone-23-1/ Excerpt] from [[Drone 23.1]]</ref> Can create compressed ice fractals that can curve in air and exploded into glaciers on impact.<ref>Rime '''Created compressed ice fractals that could curve in air. Fractals exploded into glaciers on impact.''' - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pgn9rgYutpBqJg1lSBP3NHnq9WK4ToLq9K4ys_I4cRc/htmlview parahumanList], bolded edit by Wildbow.</ref> Killed in the battle against [[Behemoth]].<ref>Chevalier focused his power on his blade, making it as large as he could.  He continued marching forward.  There was no indication Usher was okay.  Rime was dead, and he had little idea about the state of the supporting forces who’d been intended to help him attack, who’d trained to assist him. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/interlude-24/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 24.x]]</ref>
|-
|[[Arbiter]]
|Has a social danger sense, forcefield, and sonic beam,<ref>“Arbiter,” I responded.  One of Rime’s underlings.  The one with the social danger sense, forcefield and sonic beam.  I supposed her forcefield wasn’t quite large enough or versatile enough to offer a bridge down to the ground.  “I’ve got other stuff I need to pay attention to.  Don’t suppose you speak French?  Or Spanish?”<br/><br/>“Portuguese,” she said.  “And no, but give me a moment.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/crushed-24-3/ Excerpt] from [[Crushed 24.3]]</ref> while also having enhanced language skills.<ref>“Speak to me,” Arbiter said to the Portuguese capes.<br/><br/>The one with the spiral costume chattered out something I couldn’t even guess at.  Arbiter nodded.  In very broken Portuguese, she asked a question.  The spiral man looked at the one with him, gesturing.<br/><br/>In less broken Portuguese, she spoke again.<br/><br/>That prompted another burst of explanation, or what I took to be exclamation.  They sounded desperate, afraid.<br/><br/>When she responded, she spoke just as quickly and flawlessly as the two native speakers.  She’d picked up the language in a matter of three exchanges. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/crushed-24-3/ Excerpt] from [[Crushed 24.3]]</ref> Accompanied Rime to Las Vegas.<ref name="underlings"/> Former Ward under Alexandria.<ref>“Alexandria was always hard on us,” Arbiter said.  Her voice had a strange tone to it, oddly melodic, “Getting us to focus on grades, extracurricular stuff, on top of what we did as a part of the team.”<br/><br/>“We were challenged to be better than the other teams in everything, academics included,” Vantage said.  “But we were the only team with a leader who cared about it.”<br/><br/>“Except the capes in Fresno,” Arbiter said.  “I was still a Ward, then.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/drone-23-2/ Excerpt] from [[Drone 23.2]]</ref>
|-
|[[Usher]]
|Can grant protection against powers to one individual.<ref>Usher '''Provided single-target power immunity to others.''' - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pgn9rgYutpBqJg1lSBP3NHnq9WK4ToLq9K4ys_I4cRc/htmlview parahumanList], bolded edit by Wildbow.</ref> Accompanied Rime to Las Vegas.<ref name="underlings"/> Empowers [[Chevalier]] during his battle with Behemoth.<ref>Chevalier could feel a sensation crawling through his body, an energy.  It didn’t invigorate, not on its own, but he could feel a kind of relief.<br/><br/>Usher was alive, and Usher’s power coursed through him.  With luck, he’d be immune to Behemoth’s power, or at least partially immune.  Nobody had received the benefit of Usher’s ability and been brave enough to venture into Behemoth’s kill range. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/interlude-24/ Excerpt] from [[Interlude 24.x]]</ref>
|}

==== The Wards ====
Not much is known about the Los Angeles Wards, but they have at least two teams.<ref name="Knox_Flambe"/>
{|class="mw-collapsible article-table" style="width:100%"
!style="width: 18%; vertical-align: top;"|Name
!style="width: 82%; vertical-align: top;"|Description
|-
|[[Vantage]]
|Team captain.<ref>“You may recognize some of the captains of the respective Wards teams.  Jouster from New York, Vantage from Los Angeles, Tecton from Chicago and Hoyden from Austin.  You know Clockblocker.” - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/drone-23-1/ Excerpt] from [[Drone 23.1]]</ref> Has enhanced strength and reflexes that scale with the number of opponents he faces, with diminishing returns. Can use teleportation with a two or three feet range.<ref>Vantage had super strength, but his strength and reflexes scaled up as the number of opponents rose, with diminishing returns.  He wasn’t especially durable, but he packed short-range teleports.  Very short-range – a matter of two or three feet, at best.  He teleported to help close the gap to Swoop and slammed one hand into the man’s collarbone.  The woman scrambled for cover. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/drone-23-1/ Excerpt] from [[Drone 23.1]]</ref>
|-
|[[Auroch]]
|Leader of the second Los Angeles Wards team until problems occurred with her judgement.<ref name="Knox_Flambe"/> Has an aura that manipulates inertia around herself, with a positive bias for how it interacts with herself.<ref>Auroch '''Aura effect manipulates inertia in radius around herself, with positive bias for herself.''' - [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pgn9rgYutpBqJg1lSBP3NHnq9WK4ToLq9K4ys_I4cRc/htmlview parahumanList], bolded edit by Wildbow.</ref> Transfers to [[Anchorage]].<ref>A second generation cape, Auroch was briefly a member of the Los Angeles team before the attacks in 2011 saw her father and many of her old and new teammates die.  She continued her work until a sudden, unprovoked nervous breakdown.  The NY office surveyed the case and decided that her leadership abilities and her defensive powers were too great an asset to give up, electing to move her to Anchorage.  Thus far she has continued to show her recommended leadership abilities, and was instrumental in inviting a damaged individual to custody. - [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Swjz8BZZNE4bq6lTkHanTK4sJ-K_xVlFudxA16mYjH4/edit# PRT Quest (Anchorage)]</ref>
|-
|'''Flambé'''
|Known for his reckless tendencies and peculiar mental state.<ref name="Knox_Flambe"/>
|-
|[[Leister]]
|A teenager in lightweight silver armor with blue cloth underneath, with wave-like designs.<ref name="trident">Leister was a teenager in lightweight silver armor with the edges molded into wave-like forms.  Beneath the armor was blue cloth with a similar wave-like design embroidered on it.  He held a trident, as ornate as his armor.  As lightweight and sprightly as Prefab was a veritable tank. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/drone-23-2/ Excerpt] from [[Drone 23.2]]</ref> Wields an ornate trident,<ref name="trident"/> which he can stretch using his power.<ref>The others were helpless to assist me, due to the peculiarities of the Prince’s power, but they could direct their focus to Bambina and Starlet.  Leister thrust out his trident, and it distorted, stretching the distance between himself and the two kid villains on the wall.  He struck Starlet in the face with the shaft of the trident. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/drone-23-2/ Excerpt] from [[Drone 23.2]]</ref> Accompanied Vantage to Las Vegas.<ref name="underlings">“Counting coup?” Leister asked.  He was the sole subordinate that Vantage had brought along.  Rime, by contrast, had brought Usher and Arbiter from her team.  Prefab from San Diego had shown up as well. - [https://parahumans.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/drone-23-2/ Excerpt] from [[Drone 23.2]]</ref>
|-
|Unnamed nine year old
|Mentioned by Knox to be smart enough to disregard Flambé's advice.<ref name="Knox_Flambe"/>
|}

=== Villains ===

==== The Elite ====
{{main|The Elite}}
Active in Los Angeles, keeping little room for local villains,<ref name="itinerant"/> although their exact methods are unknown.<ref>Being on the West Coast, LA is caught up with the Elite, which is the second largest cape group in the US and the largest villain group, though it's villainy is ambiguous. I won't say much more, but they appear in brief in Worm. Long story short is that they snap up all of the rogues (ie. if Brockton Bay were on the west coast, Parian would be leveraged into joining one of the Elite's subsidiaries) and they control a lot of corporate 'hero' teams from behind the scenes. They're organized crime with an emphasis on organized and a varying emphasis on crime, depending on the city. - [https://redd.it/50g7x6/ reddit comment] by Wildbow.</ref>

==== Bambina ====
{{main|Bambina}}
Spends less than five percent of her time in Los Angeles, but is rooted in the villain ratings game.<ref name="itinerant"/> She tries to grab ratings and rankings on top villain lists by taking action and showing off in other cities, and leverages the notability for back-alley sponsorship deals and merchandising.<ref name="bambina"/> She returns to Los Angeles in between her episodes, spending her money on training, counseling, and living a life of luxury.<ref name="bambina">Bambina is an example of an itinerant: she hits other cities to make a splash, she shows off, and she tries to grab ratings and rankings on top villain lists that she can then leverage into back-alley sponsorship deals and merchandising. Between her episodes, she returns to LA, lives a life of luxury, and gets spends good money on training and counseling in (villain) branding and kicking ass. - [https://redd.it/50g7x6/ reddit comment] by Wildbow.</ref>

==== Strongarm and Mongler ====
Two individuals taken down by [[Alexandria]] while she was still an independent hero.<ref name="Strongarm_Mongler"/>