2018 A.D. - 0000 O.S. The first mass empowering event occurs. While there is panic and confusion worldwide, the civilizational status quo endures through a combination of global infrastructure robustness and civilian apprehensiveness. Many emergent powers during this event are triggered by economic hardships, resulting in powers that create food, heal injury and sickness, or have the potential to generate economic wealth. The bloated militaries of the time period prove fortuitous, as they have little difficulty putting down bad triggers, proto-cowls, and the relatively inconsequential amount of aberrant wildlife that emerges. Countries with large populations and/or stable economies benefit immensely in the following years, most notably China, India, and the U.S.A. The casual acceptance of superhero media, primarily in the U.S.A. and Japan, becomes a cultural explosion after numerous high-profile incidents of masked vigilantes foiling crimes perpetrated by newly powered criminals, and 'mask mania' soon spreads worldwide. Combined with the ensuing economic growth caused by "the Odd Summer," the following years are later dubbed "The Golden Age" after comic book nomenclature.0003 O.S.A second Odd Summer occurs three years after the first. Civilian triggers during this event are notably more varied, likely due to the greater cultural awareness of the concept of 'superheroes' caused by mask mania. Supers that emerge during this event are, on average, more combat capable than their predecessors, and super activity tends to focus on clout seeking rather (...)