Origin: Frazer College, India
Frazer College is a boarding school in Mayali, in northern India; nestling in the cool, green hills that crowd around the feet of the Himalayas. It was founded, in the colonial era, with the intention of providing a British-public-school-style education to the children of wealthy natives. And in the modern India, its alumni are notable in politics, the arts, commerce, and all other worthwhile fields of endeavour. But not all of Frazer College’s pupils go on to success and happiness.
Conformity and ‘normality’ are prized in the school’s society – anyone who differs is targeted. And is made to fit in…
Chandra, Singh, and Wadia were friends before they became Marked. Even then, the other students had found something odd, something unusual, about them: and victimisation had drawn them together. When Wadia’s powers became apparent, it seemed like a gift – now no-one dare hurt them, for fear of their powers. Chandra negotiated peace and tolerance with the rest of the school, while still keeping hatred in their heart. Singh’s ability to shape thoughts, which they had been using for some time before even realising it was a power, was helpful in maintaining the truce.
But then two more Marked emerged at Frazer College, younger. The bullying started again, more intense this time. Woodley and Khan came into their powers at the same time, while tied together and being dunked in the school fountain. The result was a massive feedback-amplified gravity shock which levelled Frazer College as efficiently as any earthquake.
Chandra, Singh, and Wadia escaped the carnage together, and made it to Mistry Academy – finally among their own kind. And the two younger Marked have themselves just now arrived here.
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Power: Fear
The youngest child of a large extended family of businesspeople, Chandra at first saw Frazer College as an escape from the worries and pressures of home. Soon, though, they realised that the same anxieties and conflicts could be found there. When Chandra’s Mark arrived, they found they could do something about this: they could control fear, calming others and taking their worries away. What better role to play, in a conflict, than the one who spreads peace and harmony? Quickly, people started looking to Chandra as a leader. Yet, under the guise of the peacemaker, Chandra has a secret. They can increase fear as well as reduce it, stirring up people’s anxieties, playing on the things that lurk deep in their mind. And they know that, if war comes, the dark side of their power may be the weapon they need to win.
07: J. Chandra // Diplo Read More »
Power: Absorb and Re-emit Energy
Khan was a mathematical prodigy – born into a poor community in the city, fortunate to find a teacher who believed in their talent. Or maybe not so fortunate: they were awarded a scholarship to Frazer College, and taken away from everyone who they knew and who cared about them, into a new world of privilege, with fresh and unknown monsters hiding in plain sight. Khan has been easily led – passively doing what they were told, wanting only to escape into the world of thought, where everything makes sense and behaves as it should. The bullying they experienced was as incomprehensible as it was unfair: all Khan ever wanted to do was to be helpful and inconspicuous. They were horrified that the first exercise of their powers caused the destruction of the school. But if all they can do is reflect and feed back what others around them are feeling, can they really be held responsible for the effects?
Content warning: Bullying
17: D. Khan Read More »
Power: Psychic Suggestion
Singh came from a senior army family: their parents were posted to a series of camps and garrisons all around India. It meant never putting down roots; and, when they were old enough, being sent to boarding school. This seemed like a welcome stability, and the chance to make real friends for the first time. Singh measured and understood the way that Frazer College society worked: the hierarchies and alliances. Singh and their Marked friends were near the bottom, but that was OK, it could be fixed. It turned out that people would still make concessions, grant favours, and remit punishments, when Singh really wanted that to happen. It was only after some time that they realized this was actually the exercise of their powers. This brought a crisis of conscience. Was it right to benefit from the powers by manipulating people in this way?
27: H. Singh // Whisper Read More »
Power: Age Others
Wadia was being groomed for a political career. Their family are a famous dynasty: sometimes loved, sometimes feared, always in power. Wadia had accepted this destiny and duty: what other option was there? Frazer College, with its mix of students and its complex social landscape to negotiate, was intended to be an important step in their political education. But then Wadia’s Mark came, followed by terrible powers. First, touching a friend, and seeing the awful ageing effects; then, realizing it was their fault; then, being persuaded to use the power as a threat, to ward off harassment. The destruction of the school meant a new start, but what has really changed? – how is life at Mistry Academy any better? Wadia feels like a monster: no more caresses, no more hugs. No chance of love.
37: F. Wadia // Fade Read More »
Power: Gravity Control
Woodley’s family comes from the UK, but the family was too compromised by the corruptions and luxuries of the colonial era to want to return there after India’s independence. Woodley was brought up to believe that they were better – smarter, sharper – than native Indians, although they never admit this belief publicly. At Frazer College, for the first time meeting people who they could trust, Woodley realized the lies – the false picture of the world – that they had been fed. Now, they have a thirst for justice, a burning anger, and a desire to shake the foundations. Realizing that they were Marked changed everything – made everything possible. Including the destruction of Frazer College.
Content warning: Racial prejudice
47: K. Woodley Read More »
