VIPER, a name to be feared. Led by an insane megalomaniac, it plans to conquer the world using its military might.

Oh, wait. That’s Cobra from GI Joe.

VIPER was originally started with thirty individuals. These thirty were some of the richest and more powerful people in the world. VIPER, the real organization, never wanted to rule the world, just control as much of its wealth as possible. Tanks, robot armies, and colorfully clad megalomaniacs were never part of the plan. However, one member got it in his head to do everything mentioned, and tried to kill the original thirty members. They went into hiding, as they watched the madman inspire the GI Joe cartoon villains.

After his ultimate destruction at the start of the Rift event, the heirs to the original VIPER got back together. Adopting a much different philosophy, VIPER has gone back to its roots. Gone are the tanks, planes, and other war accompaniments. VIPER was concerned once again with acquiring and controlling wealth.

However, it has become a contest amongst the VIPER heirs. It has literally become he who dies with the most toys, wins. When New Market was proposed, VIPER saw the opportunities involved and quietly backed the project. More than one member of VIPER has moved assets into the city, hoping to gain a great profit.

Every member of VIPER is rich, and most have public personas. Their affiliation with the organization is unknown by the general public. Some are even members of other organizations, but none are interested in their capacity with VIPER in trying to take over the world. They saw the results of the last attempt and plan not to do that ever again.

VIPER can be seen as evil, because of the enterprises put up by many of their number in order to get more money. It is more they are amoral, not caring where their funding comes from just there is funding to be had. Some heroes are members of VIPER as well, since it has moved to a more social club atmosphere.