Nowhere Man
“Zero-to-hero” — that more or less sums up Dwayne Geyer. Ish.
Dwayne Geyer was a nobody. He was born and raised in Gotham City, the only child of his parents, and lived a relatively cosy life throughout his childhood and adolescence. He was smart enough, good-looking enough to avoid being a ‘loser’ in the eyes of his peers, he had a girlfriend (Evelyn Longfellow), and after high school he attended college and became a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) — but, for all his looks or his wits, he never managed to really… stand out.
And he really wanted to stand out. He was good-looking, a fitness-freak, martial artist… so why did no one seem to notice him? His sorry, "Oh woe is me!" demeanour might have had something to do with it… He was a bit of a sourpuss.
Things took a dramatic turn for the worse when he accepted his first job — book-keeping for a pharmaceutical company called “Chem-Max Compounds”. Chem-Max had… a very bad reputation — and some very good lawyers. Chem-Max was the sort of company that attracted swaths of protestors, for issues ranging from chemical-waste dumps, to experimentation on animals, and so on. Unfortunately for the protestors, Chem-Max had air-tight legal documentation, which only incited the public more.
Due to Geyer’s willingness to ‘do the Devil’s book-keeping’, his girlfriend left him — as did most of his friends. He ended up taking the night-shift at the office (partly for the pay-rise, and partly to just avoid people), and gradually retreated from the ‘social scene’ almost altogether.
That is what put him in harm’s way.
Touched… by an Alien
When the Judgement of the Spectre ended in early 2010, aliens (of myriad worlds, races and moral values) turned their eyes and other assorted sensory organs toward Earth… including an entire brood of parasites. These creatures - shapeshifters all of them - infiltrated cities all over the world. One such parasite (a leader among them, named Pritor) made Gotham his hunting ground. On one fateful night (at approximately 02:00), as Dwayne was walking to his car from the office, Pritor fell upon him and bit Geyer in an attempt drain him of his spinal fluid. But the bite had a side-effect: it introduced a pathogen into Geyer's bloodstream, a pathogen that altered his DNA. The parasite might have drained his victim dry had it not been for the timely intervention of some of Gotham's superhero protectors. Pritor was forced to flee, leaving his prey for dead.
Geyer awoke in an alley much later the following evening, with no memory of what had happened to him since he had left the office the night before. When he stepped out into the street, though… he turned completely invisible. Several passers-by ran in fear from the ‘talking ghost’. Geyer ran out into the street, only to be blinded by the street-lights and head-lights of passing cars — but he discovered he could see perfectly well in the dark. He also discovered he was stronger, faster - but more importantly: anything touching his skin could be turned invisible as well (even other people). He sprinted the whole way home, keeping to back-alleys and shadows.
Once home, he called in sick.
Over the next few days Geyer tested his newfound abilities, and concluded that, if he wanted answers, he would have to track them down himself. To preserve his identity he picked out a costume and called himself ‘Geist - the Twilight Man’ — then he went out on the streets. Geist’s efforts attracted the attention of both heroes and villains alike - including Pritor, who could smell Geyer's blood - leading to an all-out ‘life-and-death’ match with the alien. Geist was successful in destroying Pritor, and learned at the same time that he had not been the only victim of the parasites. Others had been bitten. Most died. A few - like Geyer - lived, granted various powers.
Geist found some of these other "gifted" (or cursed) individuals, and teamed up to track down (and kill) more of the aliens.
It felt… good. Really good.
Greatest American Hero
Realising he could never go back to his old life (even if he had wanted to), Geist left the identity of ‘Dwayne Geyer’ completely behind him, and took up the life of vigilante crime-fighter full-time. He loved it. The pay sucked, though. One good thing did come of his efforts in the end, and six months later, Geist was approached by a television company to star in a new ‘reality show’ called ‘The Blood Pack’ — with real superheroes, with real powers… fighting ‘staged’ crime.
Reality-TV.
Go figure.
The show was a hit. A huge hit - understandable since superpowers were now "back". Ratings were through the roof. The story was great; the action was great — the combat training alone turned Geyer into a fighting machine. The stealth training made him the show's "resident sneak". The producers (strangely well-funded) outfitted all the show's cast members with impressive gear - so many "toys", because viewers loved "toys" to go with their heroes. Geist was a ‘fan favourite’ — depending on which fans one asked — and now he had a job he loved, a real use for his powers, and some real friends on top of it. It all seemed… too good to be true.
It was.
Nearing the end of the first season (late 2011), Geist stumbled onto a recording taken by one of the remote cameras used in the show. It revealed one of the security guards MURDERING Geist’s friend and co-star: Loria. He showed the rest of the cast (but not the crew), and this kicked off a daring investigation into serious corruption amongst the show’s producers and sponsors — experimentation on metahumans, super-soldier programs, stolen alien technologies, global domination, and… terraforming?! Geist and his friends were successful in exposing one of the most horrific conspiracies in television history.
They were heroes.
HE was a hero.
Then he found out he was only ON the show due to a clerical error… so he quit.
++On the Road Again…
Geyer/Geist became… something of a ‘has-been’ after he left the TV-show. Even after new producers took up ‘The Blood Pack’ and asked him to return, he refused (clerical error or no clerical error). Geist made a living out of ‘guest appearances’ on talk-shows, children’s parties, or at conventions — signing autographs, standing for photos… He also had the money he’d earned as a star (his severance package was… very generous), but he wanted to be a ‘positive influence’ any way that he could. In the meantime, he fought crime — but, once again, his life seemed to be going nowhere.
Geist found himself seriously torn — between trying to do something good with himself, and trying to just "get by". In his one year of television fame, he had earned a lot of money - and with his skills as an accountant, he had used it well. But even so… it was hard to "walk the straight and narrow" when it pays so little… So he indulged in petty crimes as well (taking some inspiration from Robin Hood - "steal from the rich/give to the poor"… namely, himself. Sometimes. Sometimes, others). It did not go smoothly either - mistakes were made; lives were endangered. Some lives were (apparently) lost.
And soon afterward, Geist - the "Mostly Invisible Man" - was caught. By the government. "Men in Black".
He was given a choice: pay for his crimes (which would surely mean life in prison at the least), or… he could sign on with this "covert division" as an operative.
Well of course he said yes.
And just like that, any records connecting "Dwayne Geyer" to "Geist" were destroyed, and Geist became a full-time agent of Checkmate. His training began almost immediately, as did his field work. Given his powers of stealth, he was assigned to the "Black" court - Operations - and by 2014 he had well-earned the rank of Knight. Whilst he was permitted to continue his previous, post-TV star life style - guest appearances, autograph signings etc - Geist was sent around the world on small missions of retrieval, sabotage, and like. He was outfitted with an experimental 'suppressor' device that allowed him to walk 'in the light' without disappearing - however it required frequent recharging.
But at least he got to pretend to be normal again. He could pretend to be "Dwayne Geyer" again - even if only for a short time, now and again…
…Even if a shady spy-organisation had him by the short 'n curlies.
Discontent
Geist would tell you he was ‘born into a mediocre life’ when he wanted to be ‘extraordinary’. And after getting his powers and his ‘new life’ he would tell you to ‘be careful what you wish for.’
Fitness Junkie
Staying healthy is very important to Geist. He regularly exercises, and now supplements this with rigorous combat training thanks to Checkmate. Still, he used his fitness regime to avoid people, rather than connect - a mistake he is learning to correct.
Heroic Aspirations
The desire to be a hero is still very strong in Geist's heart - he became a criminal out of "necessity" (he deemed it necessary, even though it might not have been quite so…) Some of the things Checkmate require from him do not make him proud, but then… he has made other mistakes.
Show-Off
He is a talented actor, and he knows it… and thus likes to remind people of it.
Motivation
Geist does what he does partly because he wants to be a hero, as well as "get by" (i.e. make enough money to live comfortably). He wants to be noticed - and lastly, because Checkmate has him cornered (so he has to do what he's told, go where he's told, etc….)
Goals
Become a "real" hero (not just a TV celebrity). Make a fortune. Prestige. Atone for his mistakes. Get out from under Amanda Waller's thumb.
Invisibility
There are two aspects to Geist's invisibility powers: Passive and Active.
Passive Invisibility: Also "Involuntary". Whenever light falls on Geyer's body (any kind of light, on any part of his body), he turns invisible. Should a flashlight shine on his hand, his hand would disappear - but everything else would remain more or less visible, if in shadow. Geyer cannot control this. Anything touching Geyer's body alsoturns invisible (i.e. his clothing).
Active: Also "Voluntary". With deliberate concentration, Geyer can cause something (or someone) else to also turn invisible if he touches them. This requires physical contact at all times, but is relatively easy for him to maintain. He could, theoretically, turn a number of people invisible providing they all maintained contact with each other - and with him. Contact does not have to be 'skin on skin'. It will work through clothes. Of course, this only works if 'the lights are on'.
Note: Geyer's body doesn't just bend light around him. Light passes straight through him (and anything touching him), including ultraviolet light. When invisible, Geist is only detectable in the infrared spectrum (although his suit can dampen his heat-output for a limited time).
Enhanced Eyesight
The parasite's 'gift' also had another aspect to it: super-nightvision. In shadow, or in total darkness, Geyer can see as clearly as day. He is, however, susceptible to bright flashes of light.
Enhanced Physique
The parasite's bite actually strengthens its victim so that it can take its time draining the victim of spinal fluid (the food the parasite requires). Those who survive such a bite find themselves much stronger, faster and more durable than an average human. Combined with the rigorous training necessary for his TV show - The Blood Pack - and his missions for Checkmate, Geist's strength, agility, reflexes and stamina remain at peak efficiency.
Checkmate
As a Black Knight of Checkmate, Geist has access to the resources (equipment, vehicles, personnel etc) of the shadowy organisation. There are safe-houses for agents the world over, and always means of communicating with HQ or other agents.
- Black-Suit: Geist's outfit is a lightly-armoured polymer capable of coping with small-calibre arms fire, knives and blunt weapons without damaging the wearer (too much). It is also designed to absorb ambient light when in shadow, and muffle sound.
- Goggles: vision when invisible (otherwise he'd be blind), HUD.
- Mask: rebreather (basic defense against airborne toxins), comm-unit, and voice-distortion feature.
- Sidearm: standard issue pulse pistol with stun setting.
- Gauntlets: equipped with fingerprint scanners, and immobiliser charge (stun on contact - effective against normal, and some super-powered individuals).
- Belt: equipped with surveillance devices, grapple-line and holster.
- Power Suppression Generator: This gadget creates a field around Geist that dampens his natural, unconscious reaction to light (i.e. going invisible). Thus, he is afforded a bit of normalcy in his usually-strange lifestyle. The device runs out of power within about an hour or so, and then has to recharge.
TV Celebrity
Geist's severance package from 'The Blood Pack' was generous, leaving him with more than enough funds to "get by" (if not "live richly"). He makes appearances in talk-shows, conventions etc… and occasionally stars (as himself) in other sci-fi shows and films. He has done voice-acting as well.
Stealth
While Geist's stealth-skills are not exactly the equal of masters such as Batman or Nightwing, he has been trained since first joining the cast of Blood Pack to move unseen, and unheard. Geist's powers merely augment this further. He can usually avoid detection, even when in darkness (since he is invisible in light), and this involves being unheard as well as unseen — still, there is always more to learn.
Athletics
Since childhood, Geist has kept himself very fit, and he only intensified this when he became an action-star (to the point of obsession). He keeps his body in peak efficiency as best he knows how, and is more than capable of 'doing his own stunts' (such as Parkour), both on and off the screen.
Hand-to-Hand
Geist originally took up martial arts (Judo) as part of his fitness routine. After signing on to Blood Pack, he was given a personal instructor in Wing Chun - to better complement his invisibility/vision powers with fast strikes in close-quarters combat. He is a very proficient fighter now, and an effective field-agent. His training includes blind-fighting, in case he should lose his protective goggles (which enable him to see whilst invisible).
Acting
Geist is a prime example of an 'action-star'. For a super-hero who spends most of his time invisible, he managed to earn a respectable fan-base (with a few nut-cases thrown in). His aptitude for voice-acting is equally high - such as mimicking other people, or "throwing one's voice" as a distraction.
Accounting
Despite the fact that he doesn't it very much (organising other people's money), Geyer is a fully qualified CPA.
Marksman
Geist is a decent shot, but nothing spectacular. He can use a sidearm competently but prefers to get in close (for hand-to-hand), or rather avoid combat altogether.
Unsure of Himself
Despite the fact that Geist is willing to jump head-first into a problem, he still doesn't see just how much worth he really has. His attitude cost him plenty of friends to begin with, and now he still craves the spotlight as though to prove something. In the end, he made a number of mistakes that have brought him to where he is now - and he is trying to make up for them.
Dwayne Geyer is Dead
After Geyer became Geist, he had to rather leave his old self behind… indefinitely. He could not switch his powers off, and so it became hard to interact with people - as a "normal" person himself. Since being drafted into Checkmate, they have given him back a "piece" of that life - in the form of a power-suppression device that enables Geist to "walk in the light" for a short time each day (without disappearing). The device has limited power and requires constant recharging.
To See or Not To See
When Geist turns invisible, light does not just bend around him; it passes straight through him - including his eyes (meaning there is nothing for the light to reflect off). If Geist's face turns invisible, he becomes blind. Geist defeats this drawback by wearing his Checkmate-issue goggles, or similarly designed sunglasses at the least. Very bright lights also cause him great pain.
Leashed and Hunted
Imagine Geist's fear when he realised that the government had been watching him throughout his sad, first-attempt at being a vigilante… which ended with his being a petty criminal. Imagine his fear deepening when told his "bigger mistakes" (i.e. accidently getting two people killed in a botched heist) were "caught on camera". Add to this the fact that Geist's actions during the first season of 'The Blood Pack' helped bring down a consortium of corrupt businessmen… some of whom escaped justice.
Checkmate has Geist well and truly on a leash. They say "Jump." He says "How high?"
Geist has "ghosts" haunting his conscience, "skeletons" lying in his closet, and enemies lurking in the shadows… who wouldn't be disturbed?
"The Blood Pack"
The "Blood Pack" is a superhero, reality-TV show, that ran for one glorious season before a massive incident involving the show's producers, secrets, alien technology and terrorism forced the channel to cancel it. Geist was one of the cast-members - known for his invisibility powers - and for his role (with his friends) in helping bring down the conspiracy behind the show. Since the show's cancellation, Geist has made a name for himself as an independent actor (no longer with the Blood Pack), starring on several programs as himself.
Checkmate
There are other agencies around the world (government and independent) that have heard of - or had dealings with - Checkmate. They would know that this particular covert-op organisation is meant to stand for "protecting the American way of life", and is highly effective. They would also know that Checkmate is not to be trusted.
No one but Geist's handlers knows that he is an agent of this organisation.
