HYDRA

HYDRA was formed and helmed by [[[Johann Schmidt]]] in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. It was created as a military research division for bioweapons and force enhancement.

HYDRA had broad authority to conduct research on a variety of topics. Alien artifacts, high-energy weapons, [[[metagene]]] research, even investigation into the magic and occult. Anything that gave the Reich an advantage in combat, no matter how far-fetched, was considered. They were shaped substantially by the [[[Purifiers|Purifier]]] ideology of trying to 'enhance' humanity by any means necessary, and largely functioned as an extension of the will of [[[Vandal Savage]]].

After the war, HYDRA went underground and largely became a shadowy ideology in post-war corporate Europe. Titans of industry were often covertly scouted and approached to see if they shared HYDRA's views. Many powerful men and women became part of this conspiracy, funneling cash, equipment, and research to advance HYDRA's ambitions.

A major offshoot of HYDRA was [[[AIM|Advanced Idea Mechanics]]], a technology-oriented research group that focused exclusively on tech and machinery.