Hero-Friendly
"Hero-Friendly" is a concept that provides special accomodations for registered heroes that either support their activities or to help protect their secret identity. This is a concept that spans multiple universes.
City of Heroes MMO
History
The term "hero-friendly" originated as a slur used by police officers, politicians, and attorneys, all of whom had negative impressions on the superhero community in the 1930's. Even with the passage of the Citizen Crime Fighting Act in 1937, there were still plenty of people that had a distrust of masked avengers and considered them vigilantes. They held equal disgust of those businesses that would help out the heroes.
Police officers that hated heroes would often take longer to respond to calls to businsses and civilians that were known to support heroes. Code enforcers would go after any business or institution that they knew were helping out registered heroes and cite them for any infraction no matter how minor. Prosecutors would automatically drop the charges on any case that had hero involvement, even after the passage of the CCFA.
The distrust of heroes ended, though, with the sacrifice of Atlas in 1941 against the Nazi invasion of Paragon City. The visible sacrifice of one hero after standing up to the might of the Fifth Column caused many people to re-think the importance of heroes in their community.
The term "hero-friendly" began to be used again in the 1960's, only this time in reference to the various ways the private community would assist heroes.
Applications
Businesses
"Hero-Friendly" businesses often refer to the businesses that cater to registered heroes and accept the "influence" credit system. These include the Vault Reserve, Future Dynamics, and Exarch Industries.
Architecture
"Hero-Friendly" architecture refers to either architectual designs or changes to established buildings to accomodate hiding a hero's secret identity. This can be either setting up a "secret room", a false-wall for closets, or even secret escape routes.
Helios Towers on Talos Island is probably the best example of "Hero-Friendly" architecture.
Services
All hospitals in Paragon City are considered "Hero-Friendly" in that they provide emergency teleporters for registered heroes.
Likewise, the Paragon Transit Authority provide free rail and ferry travel for any registered hero in active service.
Champions Online MMO
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History
Heroes in the world of the Champions have enjoyed an off-and-on relationship with the community over the years. While mostly positive, especially after the Battle of Detroit, there is still a certain level of mistrust with certain heroes, especially Nighthawk.
As such, ideas like providing specific facilities in support of heroes vary. Most banks and insurance companies consider heroism a liability and will not offer their services to heroes. Special services had to be provided for certain hero groups, often backed by local, state, or federal government support.
Applications
Businesses
Businesses in Millennium City enjoy a "separate but equal" status when it comes to heroes. They enjoy exclusive businesses within the Renaissance Center which include specialized trade, crafting, vehicle maintenance, tailor services, and banking. Special "store" merchants are available through the city for basic re-sale of equipment.
All other businesses in the city deal with the same cash-or-credit system as the rest of the nation.
Architecture
"Hero-Friendly" facilities are available primarily in Millennium City but not they are not publicly advertised. The fear is constantly there that these buildings would be stalked by villains and villain groups, not to mention stalked by the many fans dying to get the latest scoop.
Services
The most noteworthy services for heroes are in the various "Powerhouse" centers. These are whole facilities for training and tailor service that exist in pocket dimensions.
Related Information
Hero-friendly environments have been mentioned numerous times in "The Guardian Powers", "Furia and the Guardians", and "Future's Guardian".
