Here's an over view of the basic set up for the the Series - with character updates, and episode
summaries for the 1st season.
Basics: The term Ultimate - in this case doesn't mean the same as it does in the Marvel Ultimate series. Instead "Ultimate" for
Buffy/Angel 'verse basically means the dictionary definition - which is "the maximum, highest possible, or greatest extreme". While no one in the
Ultimate 'verse is perfect - by a long shot. The 'verse as a whole is more intense, or extreme. The heroes while very heroic are still a bit tarnished.
Also - if a human is a supernatural menace to innocent people, it's within the Heroes ethic to eliminate them by what even means are possible & needed.
The Ultimate 'verse while similar to Joss Whedon's Buffy/Angel 'verse in key ways - this 'verse is a much tougher, darker, and edger place
Setting: This version of Sunnydale, California, is located near Santa Barbara(as the Whedon 'verse series is), Basically about a 2
hour's drive nouth of Los Angeles on hwy 101. This Sunnydale is also a much larger city(roughly 3 times the size) with a population of about
110,000-120,000 people. This Sunnydale covers an area of about 20 sq.miles -has 15 schools (6 elementary, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools, & 2 Private
schools). Is the home of several high-tech businesses. And has a Zoo, a couple of Museums, a couple of major Universities, a Marina & a couple major
Beaches, all very close to the city. It also has a couple of Military Bases with less than a hour's drive.
Watchers: While the watchers created an organization into to help track down, watch over and train the Slayer. They are high organized, with
agents in virtually every major government & civilization in the past 5,000 years. Officially the Council believes they have the power, and are at war with
the forces of darkness - the slayer is just the instrument they use (thus the slayer is expendable). Secretly however, their power is the wealth, resources,
& political power they wield. While this kind of power is very useful - the problem is it's also the same type of power wielded by various evil
organizations such as Wolfram, & Hart. Presently the headquarters of the Council is in London, England.
Slayers:
While it known that slayer was created by the Shadow-men, when they put the spirit
of a "Demon" in a young woman. Exact which "demon" isn't known at this time. After a Slayers death - the next one is chosen from
thousands of potential around the world. At present only the Watcher's Council knows exactly how a find potential slayer. In some cultures, potential
slayers are handed over to be raised and cared for by watchers - as the parents often consider it a great honor that their child be chosen for such a noble
task. However in most major countries of the world, the watchers may simply act as a teacher or instructor to a potential slayer. As the child is suppose to be
raised by her parents. Upon calling a Slayer often feels a sudden rush of strength and power, although she may not exactly realize what has happen (unless she
been trained). Even a Newly called slayer usually has a minimum of 6 in all
physical attributes.
Vampires: The exact origins of the vampire line is not known (or not revealed). Although the most common belief is that the
first vampire was either Lilith or Cane. There are in fact at least 3(possible 4) different kinds of vampires. As for the reasoning behind why vampire turn to
dust. Since Vampires are in essence a demon-possessed corpse - at the moment of final death - the demon spirit leaves the host body - at which time the host
body turns to dust. While the most common type of vampire may look, and act human - only showing their "demon" face when ready to attack their prey.
Also there is at least one offshoot of the vampires. The Turok-han is feral primal cousin that never looks human, but is monstrous, and more demonic in
appearance. Even newly sired Vampires will have no less than a 5 in any physical attribute.
Lycanthropes: Were-beasts come in many different forms - although typically the Werewolf is the most common and well known. Were-beasts
aren't demons - but normal humans infected with a primal animal spirit. Usually for 3 nights per month(tied to lunar cycle) the beast takes control - at
which time the human rarely remembers anything of that night. When the beast is in control - it's can rarely tell a friend from an enemy. But can seem to
tell a potential "prey" from a Supernatural Predator. However in some cases it's possible for the human to learn how to control the beast within
(at least partial).
Demons: There are hundreds of species of Demons - some good, some neutral, and some evil. Some are pure bloods (usually evil), some are
half-breeds (mixed with humans). Naturally pure Demons tend to be larger than normal humans. Half-breeds & Demon taints tend to be the size of most humans.
Some demons are even smaller than humans. Also there as Half demons which can look human, and will even have a human soul to be good. But most demons are
either neutral or evil.
Ghosts: Ghosts are restless spirits. They range for harmless chain rattlers to angry spirits to down right evil spirits that wish to spread
& inflect their pain, & anger on humans. Ghosts can usually be stopped -if the original problem that was the original reason of their manifestation can
be solved. If not other means of "Ghost Busting" may have to be called on. Ghosts rarely have physical attributes unless the manifest in physical
form or possess a human host.
Undead: Typically are reanimated corpses, usually thru mystical means. Although there are cases of corpses being successfully reanimated thru
scientific means. Either way like Ghosts - most undead usually aren't demons. Although there are a few types of demons that inhabit human corpses - like
Vampires.
