Bard

Marcus Bard is one of many Metahumans in the city. He has powers granted to him by his partial alien heritage.

Description
A Handsome man just out of his teens. his face is unblemished and his skin is slightly tanned. A bronze god. He is part alien, which can be noted in the fact his brown hair moves whenever he experiences extreme emotion, typically standing in a bunch of small spikes like a member of boy band. He has hazel eyes, and his body seems very well toned, as if he spends time getting lean muscle. He is almost always wearing a green shirt and blue jeans and a gray fedora. He is almost always seen with an instrument. He has shoes that have thick soles perfect for hiding things in though there are no visible compartments. He stands 5'9" tall (1.753 meters) His weight is his own little secret.

Powers
Marcus Bard is one-fourth Phylxian, a species of alien who have psionic powers. Bard can tap into this power, but only through the power of music which allows him to clear his mind enough to visualize what he needs. He can only manifest his powers in the form of Healing, images and a wave of sonic energy that damages things, though is learning more ways to manipulate his powers. As part alien Marcus can resist some blows that most would consider fatal, like small knives. Marcus can only use his powers while he is playing music with any kind of instrument. The instrument could be something as simple as drums or something more refined like a violin. Marcus is proficient with nearly every instrument save for the Tuba which he deems too bulky and there for never learned how to play. His most common instruments are a mandolin and a guitar. Due to his Alien heritage his physical limits far exceed that of a normal human, especially in the aspects of his presence and good looks.

Bards powers have become more refined as of lately, even becoming more resistant to damage.

Skills
Marcus Bard can be described as good at many things. A jack of many trades, Bard has shown that he is highly dexterous, and once won Gold in a youth gymnastics tournament. Living in Colonial Bay City, he has found that brains not brawn, along with a lot of smooth talking, can get most anyone out of most anything. He has taken several classes in public speaking and a few more in how the body responds based on emotions or surprise. As a street performer with his eyes and ears open, Marcus has seen where the criminals in the city go, and at one time allowed himself to be dragged into the gang scene. Here he worked as a petty thief, making sure no one recognized him, picking locks, being one with the shadows and even pick-pocketing and sleight of hand to distract people with magic tricks while someone else pick-pocketed them. Fortunately he's now on the good guys' side.

Disadvantages
After being part of the mafia, and leaving it to do what he believes is a higher calling, a news crew caught him aiding another Meta called Captain Smash, who unfortunately died after the fight from too much strain on his heart, in a fight against several Mafia agents, Bard was interviewed, and unfortunately the Don was watching the news. Bard now has a price on his head set at $500,000 but has the adoration of some, who praise him for being a hero. His family was never one for sports other than gymnastics, so Marcus grew up surrounded by the arts. Known to stop and admire statues and even get in the way of attacks that would harm art in any fashion (though not all the time). Having taken down the Mafia's agents like he did with the help of only one other Meta, and having extraordinary skills, Marcus can get in a little too deep, but always keeps his cool. He's very likely to take a challenge without thinking if he could handle it first. Marcus watched his family members die in a car bombing, so he knows what it's like to loose loved ones, and because of this he never wishes to make another go through that pain. what sets Marcus apart is both a blessing and a curse. His great beauty makes him noticed, but it often makes people think he is a mindless pretty boy. Still a hopeless romantic, Marcus is likely to follow orders or listen to extraordinarily attractive women, though his luck in most everything seems to prevent him from having stable relations or keep his footing in battle.

Character origin
Former Mafia thief Marcus Bard had a change of heart when his mother found out. He didn't want to hurt her and left the crime family, much to their disliking. This resulted in the death of his family, so Marcus was left alone. In his solitude he grew to realize he was given powers when he played his music. He could make illusions at first, then later he could heal his bleeding finger tips by thinking about it. Eventually he got to the point that with one note he could blast a wave sound to hurt foes. He began looking for someone to help him take down a Mafia hot spot, and while on his way found that his Phylxian blood made him less susceptible to what could normally be lethal attacks. Not feeling any need to hide himself he and the hero Captain Smash attacked the hot spot. After many death threats and a near death encounter Bard went into hiding for the past two years, only to reemerge and try to bring justice to the city again.

Personality
Marcus Bard is a strange character. He has the gift of oration, but would rather listen. He likes to ask questions and receive answers, and will occasionally go too far doing so. Marcus is prone to performing whenever possible and may go for the simple, yet dangerous solution to problems. Don't let these things fool you, since he can think outside of the box, something he regularly does since he is lacking in the offensive department. Bard is prone to asking people to do things for him. A very funny thing happens when a beautiful woman enters the picture: he becomes a flirt, and can't hold his thoughts together as well. He's charming when he needs to be.

Life History
Born to Jacob Bard and Martha Quiollak the Half-Phylxian (a race of psionic aliens), Marcus Bard was raised surrounded by music and art. He participated in gymnastics at a young age and even won a championship, before he was thrown out of the Colonial Bay Gymnastics team due to getting in a fight. In his early years he proved to be a genius in terms of music, quickly learning and showing great skill in every instrument he played, other than the tuba. He can also sing like it's nobody's business. In his spare time he read literature, namely romantic period books. As the years passed, Marcus started to take his musical talent to the streets, playing for the love of it instead of the fame, turning down several potential contracts to become a recorded artist. Keeping his eyes and ears open, and taking a few seedy gigs here and there, Marcus was introduced to the mafia, and eventually allowed himself to be absorbed into a petty thief for them. After one particular lecture from his mother he realized he had been hurting his family with his mob related actions. At the age of 16 he left the mafia, only to watch as his parents and two sisters were murdered in a car bombing. At the age of 17, with the help of another Meta by the hero name of Captain Smash, he attacked a Mafia hangout, getting over 20 arrests for illegal weapons and possession of illegal substances. Here he received his first death threat, and a year later, after such a threat nearly being successful Bard went into hiding. Now 20 years old he finally comes back to the surface, trying to right the wrongs he committed.

Social Interactions
Bard has met a series of Meta's in the city, such as Lorelei, Flyne, Imaginary Girl, The Twins (Jessica and Jennifer), Halo, Aura, Sable, Michelle, Eva, Riot, Mystique and many more. Bard is currently in a relationship with the Hero Phoenix. Bard has 1 steady gig for his music and that's at the St. Augustine's church where Eva's father offered him a job in the church band, his motives for joining are not fully known.

As of recenlty Bard seems to be calming down from his instant hit on it attitude, but is still attractive. He is, according to Asanna, getting a very good fan base now he is back, and occasionally offers Asanna private sessions so she'll have recordings of him that no one else has. He is debating becoming a professional musician as to "Open the eyes of people to -real- Music."

He still is romantically confused, but is staying with Diane (Phoenix) for the time being.

In Combat
Bard's combat style has changed drastically since his 'reawakening' as his mind is now a weapon and he can strike much harder. He still tends to try to talk people out of combat but if blows arrive he'll beat you down with his voice, his snapping or even an instrument.

He has also gained a tendancy to bring things to close range. When he can strike harder, he will stay to range, but when hitting becomes more important he will charge the opponent with with his fists or sonic blades.

Recent Developments
Bard Recently has been learning Mandarin Chinese, partially with the aid of Phoenix. He still proves to be slightly stubborn. He is becoming slightly more confusable, and is prone to what he calls "Headaches" which he describes as " brain Re-wiring." This is a burst of psionic power coursing through him at random times. It seems to unlock basic powers he has possessed but been thoroughly unaware of. One such thing is the Phylxian language.

Bard's power continue to expand. As they do he's amplified his sonic fist into sonic blades. His powers show no sign of stopping or slowing.

In other news he's become more romantically confused. while his heart and loyalties lie with Phoenix, things get confusing at times, such as Phoenix's burst of rage after he beat her in a spar. Her calling him a civillian (while correct) does partily make him doubt her faith in him. He continues to be with her though.

--Bard 11:10, 20 December 2009 (EST)