Birthmark

(( Birthmark started off as a simple name holder. A Lion King reference to Scar led to the name's mention, followed by a light bulb going off and me scampering to save it. I had a number of ideas for him that I wasn't really pleased with, but I couldn't get away from the "Destined One" cliche. Eventually I decided to stop fighting, putting a spin on it and ran. The concept quickly snowballed from a simple name into something I was thoroughly enjoying and the rest is history. ))

The Sect, a simple name for an old and once powerful group of mystics set on taking over Praetoria. Their order has long been waiting for their chosen one to bring them into power and out of the shadows. After several generations of disappointment, their numbers had dwindled to only the most faithful few, but as fate would have it, their loyalty would be rewarded. On the foretold day, their final surrogate died giving birth to a child, a boy, bearing the mark they had spent their lives waiting to see.

From birth he was raised to be perfect. Trained to by physical strong and agile, yet have a mind that was sharp and filled with wisdom. However, the fact remained that, in their eyes, this was not some child to be loved, but a tool to be forged. Their order had predicted his birth would eventually lead to the destruction of Marcus Cole, and their own rise to power.

As such, he was never given a name, as name’s often ease the process of attachment. He was cared for, but only in the strictest sense of survival, his health maintained, and his diet consisting entirely of nutrient packs to ensure his system had the exact fuel it needed. Most notably in his growth was the lack of socialization. While he may have memorized the works of intelligent men and in turn has an elevated IQ, his knowledge of social trends and general culture was always lacking, especially when he fled to his new world.

As the generations began to dwindle, so did the Sect’s magic. No longer able to shift the laws of physics to their will, all they could do was imbue Birth with the last of their energy. His training began all over again as they taught him to use his new power in synch with his physical prowess. He learned quickly, but sadly it wasn’t until he overheard their inevitable plan that he realized what he was being bred for.

His whole life had been with purpose, he’d known this since birth, but it took him his entire life up until that point to realize what that purpose was. They had raised him to be a weapon, as a tool to overthrow one tyrant so he could be replaced with others. The night before his destiny was to be fulfilled, Birth rebelled. He would have no part of such violence, just to further oppression. So, using the very energy they gave him, he lashed out at his guardians, who found themselves at a distinct disadvantage. They had put everything into him, and now were powerless to stop him from choosing his own path.

That night, he was free. However, he still knew the threat was present, so long as he was within reach of the Sect, he feared they would one day find a way of destroying what they had spent their lives creating. Or worse, find a way to bend him to their will once more. Fortunately, Praetoria is a land of contrast. It’s a simple matter to discern the drones from the autonomous. He followed one such autonomous person into the underground, where he was unknowingly led to a Resistance portal to an unknown, to him, world. Although none to pleased with the intrusion, the Resistance could do little to actually stop him from going through the portal, and thus his new life began.

Birth arrived in Primal Atlas Park in something of a daze. The portal he’d gone through hadn’t been fully calibrated yet when he rushed through it, and the trip was more than a little jarring. Fortunately, Paragon City is the ideal place to hide in plain sight, which he quickly learned as the men in white and red gave him slightly disapproving stares before continuing their patrol. Knowing the danger had far from passed, he found a secluded spot and began his meditation. Erecting a cocoon of energy around himself, he spent the next 48 hours recovering from his escape and fashion a device to keep him hidden, even if he used his powers.

He spent a good deal of time living in Atlas Park, surviving on nothing but the minimal food and water he could scrounge and the energy itself, even going so far as to fashion a simple outfit that would allow him to blend in all the more. Fate, it would seem, smiled on him in this new life, and before long he found himself before a lovely women at the Talos Boardwalk. Star’s generosity and kindness seemed to know no bounds, seeing the confused man, she never hesitated to offer him help, home and even real food. Reluctant to take her offer at first, he eventually gave in and accepted her charity, joining her in her home. Unfortunately, it seems as though it wasn’t to last, and after a few short weeks with her, she seemed to become far too occupied and he couldn’t bring himself to impose any longer.

Mystic Charge - Endowed with the remaining, collective energy of the Sect that raised him, he has impressive personal energy stores. This energy on it’s own isn’t strong enough to be used for casting, rituals or most forms of active magical use, lending itself primarily to boosting his own abilities. Utilizing the energy, he can harden his skin, increase his strength and natural regeneration, etc. This does have it’s limits and if he doesn’t use it with moderation, it’s all too easy for him to temporarily exhaust himself.

Lifeforce - Upon reaching Primal Earth, Birth quickly noticed that he could siphon energy from the natural leylines moving across the city, as well as the Qi, or life force, of living things. While he would never drain someone’s life force entirely, he can use his own energy to manipulate the energy around him to various degrees, extending his ability to boost his abilities to others.

Energy Projection - Given the additional energy he’s now privy to, he can now increase his natural energy stores enough to lash out with the energy itself, without fear of immediate exhaustion. At present, this is limited to wrapping his attacks in the energy for added effectiveness, as well as forming simple concentrated bursts that he can fire with concussive force.

Star - The first person he was lucky enough to get close to in this dimension. Her generosity and kindness seem limitless, giving him his first glimpse of how wonderful this world can be. Unfortunately, her absence lately has created some obvious distance between them.
Racoon-Girl - A beautiful young woman that he has been fortunate to meet. Despite his lack of social knowledge, he has already noticed the emotional scars she carries and it hurts him as well to see her suffer. With any sense of fortune, maybe he will be able to help her.