[Rowan Taylor]

Rowan Jay Taylor
FACE CLAIM: Kodi Smit-McPhee

♦ THE BASICS ♦

AGE: 14
GENDER: Male
ORIENTATION: Heterosexual
POSITION: Student at Bellefonte

♦ THE ABILITY ♦

POWER: Shadow Manipulation
Rowan can, to an extent, manipulate the shadows cast by objects. This manipulation varies from simple shapes and forms on the surface of the existing shadow to bending the shadows around him causing him to seem invisible.

Shadows are explained to be the absence of light, there must be a light source and an object for a shadow to exist. To explain turning invisible, science (and magical science) has explained shadows as the following: “Shadows and darkness are not a form of energy, and rather the absence of light (an object obstructing the reach of the light source), one could position themselves and in theory one could manipulate the shadows, taking advantage of the absence of light (obstructed reach of light source) to cast the illusion of being invisible (as opposed to manipulating the light to mirror the surroundings).” Rowan is not aware of this science fact as the invisibility only happens when he is upset or angry, using it subconsciously as a defence mechanism.

LIMITATIONS:
Science has also explained the possible limitations of turning invisible with shadow manipulation. “However, discovering this illusion is rather simple, if one knows the location of the hidden wearer and focuses really hard, they will spot who is hiding. Alternatively, light is a natural enemy to darkness, and as such, it acts accordingly, flash a light in the direction of the one who is hiding, and it’ll cut through the illusion, revealing the one who is trying to avoid being seen, it will appear as if they’re hiding behind a screen of light grey smoke. However, simply looking in the direction at random or scanning the area around the location, it will appear as though nothing is there. The duration of this invisibility, depends on the users own skills.” Rowan’s defence mechanism only lasts about 20 minutes. This cover also only works if Rowan stays absolutely still for the period of time he is hiding. Limitations to manipulating shadows on the wall include a 1 meter radius in all directions, and the bigger the shadow, the more focus and strength it requires. Both skills in his power also work better at night/in dark places.

SIDE-EFFECTS:
Science has concluded that side effects may include physical and mental exhaustion and dizziness (from focus), paranoia and fear of the dark (feeling of constantly being watched), changes in personality from time to time and dissociative withdrawal.

♦ THE FREEFORM ♦

I like music, the sound from my earphones, blocked out the noise of people. I like art; it was one thing I was good at. I like to be surrounded by silence, I was invisible and I liked the peace. However being invisible meant no one cared, it meant no one looked at you. I was always found sitting by myself at school, usually in the library. I liked the quiet there. I liked being surrounded by the greats of literature; Shakespeare, Edgar Allen Poe, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemmingway... And the greats of music! Chopin, Mozart, Beethoven, there’s also the greatest minds in history and art! Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Einstein... Being surrounded by the greats brought peace to my mind, allowed me to escape into a world of ages past. I dare to dream of attending a royal ball in the middle ages, I envision standing upon a stage acting out a scene from a play, and I hope... that one day, my own art can become something of a masterpiece. But my world is invisible, my dreams unreachable, and my very person unseeable. I don’t stand out, I don’t have very defining features, my eyes are blue and I have dorky round glasses, and wavy yet flat dark hair. I wear jeans and hooded jackets, plaid shirts, vests, I keep my head down, and I don’t look back. My grades are average, and I’m not talented, I’m completely normal. Not that I mind, it means people stay away from me. Though sometimes my peace is short-lived, even the invisible get bullied.

“Hey, freak! Have you gotten anywhere with your art? Oh right, your art hasn’t been accepted anywhere, because you’re a loser.” One of the boys from my class taunted. Yeah, he’s seen me draw and knows I want to be an artist, he hasn’t let me live it down... always saying I won’t get anywhere and stuff like that. Usually I ignore him, but....
“L-l-leave me a-a-alone!” I glared.
“Oh so he does have a voice.” He taunted picking me up by the collar. Yeah, I don’t talk much.
“P-p-p-put me down!” Usually... And thus began the physical violence, thrown into the hallway, a I got to my feet and ran, I didn’t even notice the shadows moving and drawing my closer until my bully ran straight passed me and skidded to a halt. I had no idea what was happening but for some odd reason he couldn’t see me.

A day later at home was when I got an explanation. People in important looking uniforms showed up at our door. They called themselves ‘Recruiters’ people who sought out others who have manifested a power of some sort, and that manifestation usually happened between the ages 11 and 15. I was told I had the ability to control shadows, and that if I didn’t learn to control them and become stronger, bad things could happen, especially that I'm 14 and in the age range. They handed my parents brochures for a school called Bellefonte Academy. Some sort of boarding school to help people like me. I didn’t fully understand what any of this meant, but my parents had agreed to enrol me at this school for gifted teens. So... my world of invisibility had restarted at a new school with new people.

♦ THE PLAYER ♦

USERNAME: I usually go by some variant of Derp_Detective, but most end up calling me Derp or DD
AGE GROUP: 20
EXPERIENCE: Awhile
WHERE DID YOU FIND US? I followed the yellow brick road.

[★ MEL]

ACCEPTED! ►
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BY EDWARD OF GS