ASHO

The American Super Hero Organization was created in 1982 by an executive order from President Ronald Regan. It's purpose is to help Superheroes and the government work together to more effectively fight crime and protect the public. The current director of ASHO is General Shepherd. The State of Alabama has it's own regional director, Mr. Argent, who works very closely with The Vulcan's Heroes and Team Gold.

ASHO hires superheroes, provides them with some equipment and pays them to do assigned tasks which usually consist of patrolling high crime areas, assisting in disaster relief, investigating paranormal events and arresting super villains, but can include other jobs such as public relations work, interrogating suspects and even undercover work. ASHO has worked with other law enforcement and intelligence organizations, including international agencies such as Interpol and the Order of Merlin, but it does not send heroes into combat during wars because the use of Super Soldiers is banned by the U.N. An exception has been made for situations where the Earth is threatened by aliens.

ASHO also gives grants to local authorities who create their own Superhero Groups, like the Vulcan's Heroes. These local groups are not always subject to the same rules as ASHO for example the Vulcan's Heroes work for the City of Birmingham and it has been mentioned that they can hire people who are not U.S. Citizens. ASHO still oversees these groups but usually does not call on them for assignments outside their own local area.

## Superheroes and the Law

In the Paladin Universe, being a Superhero is a constitutionally protected right, in the United States safeguarded by the X Amendment (I don't want to give it a number) which was passed in 1955. Superheroes are deputized to investigate crimes, and use necessary and reasonable force to protect the public and arrest super villains. Superheroes are not normally required to appear in court.

A superhero is defined by law as a person with extraordinary ability who chooses to act as a superhero and follows the legal guidelines for superheroes.

## Vigilantes

Vigilantes are not superheroes. they are people who take the law into their own hands or flagrantly disregard the law, by using excessive force, unnecessary deadly force, or by committing any crimes not considered to be "In the line of duty" for superheroes.

## Extortion

Superheroes are not allowed to accept payment for their services from anyone, unless lawfully employed, and salaried. This allows superheroes to work for ASHO and other law enforcement agencies and to work as private security guards or investigators, but prevents them from running all but the most elaborate protection rackets.

## SECRET I.D.s

Superheroes have a long standing tradition of hiding their faces, and using dramatic sounding obviously fake names, while doing superhero work. This tradition is now a right, protected by ASHO regulations. Although Superheroes must reveal their identity to ASHO in order to be employed by ASHO, the information is kept confidential. Superheroes who do not work for ASHO are also allowed to keep their identities secret. This protection of their I.D.s is legally forfeited if they become vigilantes or villains.