Criminal Faction
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Nemesis, The Prussian Prince of Automatons (Archvillain) 
Technological genius and megalomaniacal madman, Nemesis has been working to conquer the world since the 19th century. Never one to follow the lead of lesser men, Nemesis developed his own technology based on steam power and analog computing devices long ago and has never looked back. In spite of the archaic principles they are based on, Nemesis' weapons and robots have been continually refined for more than a century and are just as dangerous as their conventional electronic counterparts. Nemesis is a patient schemer whose many interconnected plots often take decades to unfold. He is never without a fallback position and defeating one of his plans often advances another. Even so, Nemesis is best known for his more spectacular exploits. In 1932, when heroes uncovered his web of influence in Paragon City, Nemesis unleashed hundreds of steam-powered killing machines in an all-out attack the press later dubbed "Brass Monday". In 1946 Nemesis' forces successfully occupied Washington DC and took the nation hostage with caches of nerve gas planted in several large cities. The plot was narrowly foiled by the combined efforts of many of America's greatest heroes. No one alive has seen the face of Nemesis himself, as he always appears in an ornate suit of steam-powered armor. The suits of armor themselves are robots capable of acting independently and carrying out complex instructions. Nemesis troops are often led by these so-called "Fake Nemeses" which act in his name. In spite of his use of robot doubles, Nemesis himself has been reported killed more than once. In each case, however, his organization goes on with no break in leadership. It is possible that today's Nemesis is not the original, who would be nearly 200 years old. Nemesis himself, or his Fakes, seem to admit this possibility. 
A Fake Nemesis addresses the troops on Peregrin Island. Nemesis' private army
is relatively small but is structured like a much larger force, complete with
a bewildering assortment of ranks and corps which can be differentiated by the
color and decoration of the troops' uniforms. Nemesis troops are some of the
best trained and most disciplined in the world. They are no-doubt ready to
accomodate much larger numbers of recruits once their master conquers the
world. [Portal Corp has cataloged worlds in which Nemesis has
successfully conquered the Earth. Fortunately, these alternate Nemeses seem to
consider each other dangerous rivals, never allies.]
A Nemesis Army Colonel and Jaeger automaton rush to repel intruders from a
Nemesis operation on Peregrin Island. The Colonel is carrying a Nemesis Lance,
a long-ranged rifle that fires explosive shells. The intricately engraved
axe-like blade is not purely decorative either. Jaegers are combat automatons
that attack with concealed built-in weaponry (both ranged and melee). Nemesis
is capable of building much more advanced machines than can actually pass as
Human to casual inspection.
A Warhulk and Fake Nemesis on the attack. Warhulks are the heavy weapons platforms in the Nemesis Army and each one carries a heavy cannon and flamethrower. Close combat with a Warhulk is ill-advised, both because of the rotating bladed claw, and the fact that their boilers often explode when they suffer catastrophic damage. Fake Nemeses can project force fields around
themselves and their troops. They are also armed with staves capable of
firing force bolts long distances. Exactly how Nemesis force devices work is imperfectly understood by mainsteam science.
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(Left) The Nemesis equivalent to a 20th Century automatic rifle is the Storm
Rifle. It normally fires in short bursts at relatively close range. Like the
Lance, it can be used as a melee weapon in emergencies.
(Right) The Gatling Gun used by Nemesis Dragoons is a true contraption. Although it lacks the blades found on most Nemesis weapons, it has a small underslung flame thrower for close quarters fighting. 
Heroes battle Nemesis troops and automatons in Paragon City.
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