Marcus

As seen in

(a.k.a. The Steadfast Barkeep)

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Marcus possesses a sturdy, well-built frame from years of hauling barrels, kegs, and supplies around the tavern. While he wasn’t trained as a soldier, his strength and natural endurance have made him an invaluable fighter in Guardian Solace. He carries a few bruises and scrapes from recent skirmishes but brushes them off with his usual resilience.

Body Features

Broad-shouldered and muscular, with large, capable hands. His left hand has a small burn scar from a tavern accident.

Facial Features

A strong square jaw, stubbled chin, and a slightly crooked nose from a long-ago bar fight. His smile is easy but slightly lopsided, and his brows have a tendency to furrow deeply when he’s concentrating or worried.

Identifying Characteristics

The burn scar on his left hand and his easy-going, sturdy posture make him instantly recognizable.

Physical quirks

Cracks his knuckles absentmindedly. Tends to cross his arms when thinking, leaning slightly back on one foot.

Special abilities

While not formally trained, Marcus is deceptively skilled with a makeshift weapon—be it a broken chair leg or a tavern knife. He also has an almost uncanny ability to defuse tense situations with humor or a well-timed observation.

Apparel & Accessories

Clothing Style: Marcus wears practical clothing suited for combat and hard labor—simple shirts, sturdy leather vests, trousers reinforced with extra stitching, and thick-soled boots. His belt usually holds a sheathed dagger and a pouch of basic supplies.

Accessories: A worn leather bracelet given to him by his younger sister before she passed. A small iron key hangs from a thin cord around his neck, its purpose known only to him.

Specialized Equipment

Tavern Knife: A sturdy, well-used blade he brought with him from Whitewell.

Improvised Club: Often carries a reinforced wooden club, repurposed from a broken tavern chair leg.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Marcus grew up in Whitewell, a modest farming village. His family ran the local tavern, and from a young age, Marcus helped his parents serve drinks, cook meals, and settle disputes among rowdy patrons. When his parents passed away, Marcus took over the tavern, becoming both its keeper and its unofficial peacekeeper.

During the early chaos of the apocalypse, Marcus fought fiercely to protect the tavern and the frightened villagers who sought shelter there. However, as Eaters descended upon Whitewell, he realized the village was lost. He and other survivors holed up in the tavern. He was stubborn and suspicious of Josiah but with Grisolda's help, they joined up and Marcus became one of Josiah's best fighters.

Despite the loss of his home and community, Marcus remains a steady presence in Guardian Solace. He’s drawn to Keturah, admiring her strength and resilience, though he keeps his feelings close to his chest for now.

Gender Identity

Marcus identifies as a man and embodies traditional Aurelian masculine ideals—strong, protective, and dependable.

Sexuality

Heterosexual. Marcus is quietly romantic but hesitant to express deeper feelings, fearing rejection or the burden of loss in such uncertain times.

Education

Marcus received a basic education in Whitewell, enough to read, write, and manage accounts for the tavern. Most of his knowledge comes from life experience, observing people, and handling difficult situations behind the bar.

Employment

Tavern Barkeep (Whitewell): Managed the tavern inherited from his family, balancing bookkeeping, customer service, and conflict resolution.

Fighter and Defender (Guardian Solace): After arriving at Guardian Solace, Marcus became one of Josiah’s fighters. While initially unfamiliar with formal combat, he quickly adapted and now serves as a reliable protector.

Accomplishments & Achievements

  • Led a small group of survivors safely from Whitewell to Guardian Solace.
  • Successfully fought off Eaters in close combat using improvised weapons.
  • Became a trusted member of Josiah Ward’s defensive force.

Failures & Embarrassments

  • Blames himself for being unable to save everyone in Whitewell.
  • Once froze in battle when he first encountered an Eater up close.

Mental Trauma

Marcus carries survivor’s guilt from the fall of Whitewell and the deaths he couldn’t prevent. He occasionally struggles with intrusive memories of those harrowing days.

Intellectual Characteristics

Marcus is street-smart and emotionally intelligent. He has a keen sense for reading people and situations, which made him an excellent barkeep and now a steady presence among Guardian Solace’s defenders.

Morality & Philosophy

Marcus believes in protecting those who can’t protect themselves and doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. He values loyalty and integrity above all else and despises cowardice and betrayal.

Taboos

Turning his back on someone in need.

Breaking his word or going back on a promise.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Marcus carries survivor’s guilt from the fall of Whitewell and the deaths he couldn’t prevent. He occasionally struggles with intrusive memories of those harrowing days.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Savvies: Hand-to-hand combat, reading people, brewing (a skill from his barkeep days).

Ineptitudes: Long-range combat, formal diplomacy, reading complex texts.

Likes & Dislikes

Likes: Warm ale, campfires, laughter among friends, Keturah’s quiet determination.

Dislikes: Cowardice, unnecessary bloodshed, being underestimated.

Virtues & Personality perks

Loyal, courageous, dependable.

Vices & Personality flaws

Stubborn, prone to bottling up emotions, overly self-sacrificing.

Personality Quirks

Tends to polish his dagger when deep in thought.

Social

Mannerisms

Marcus maintains a calm, grounded presence, even under pressure. He often rests his hand on the hilt of his knife when standing still and speaks with deliberate care.

Speech

His voice is deep and slightly gravelly, carrying a rural Aurelian accent. He speaks plainly but has a knack for delivering sharp-witted remarks at the perfect moment.

Wealth & Financial state

Before the apocalypse, Marcus was moderately comfortable as the owner of Whitewell’s tavern. Now, wealth holds little value to him—his focus is on survival and protecting his newfound community.

Table of Contents

Current Status
Helping Josiah Ward
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Date of Birth
19 Frostember, 2972 Apocalypse Shadows
Year of Birth
2972 28 Years old
Birthplace
Children
Pronouns
He/Him
Sex
Male
Gender
Man
Presentation
Masculine
Eyes
Warm brown with amber flecks, expressive and often twinkling with humor or steely resolve
Hair
Dark brown, slightly curly, cropped short but often tousled. A few strands of gray at his temples hint at early stress rather than age
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Weathered olive skin, lightly tanned from years spent outdoors working around the tavern
Height
6'
Weight
180 lbs
Belief/Deity
Aligned Organization
Related Plots
Marcus is a stubborn man, but he's a good one and a good fighter. I'm glad to have him on our side. I wonder when him and Keturah will stop dancing around and hook up? Just because I will probably never do so doesn't mean others shouldn't hook up.


Cover image: by Lady Wynter
Character Portrait image: by Lady Wynter by way of NightCafe

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