Marko-87

Marko hardly remembers much of his life before coming to Reach. He remembers briefly images of his Father, a strong man, descended of the great Norsemen of ancient times. However, his life didn't really begin until age 6 when he was chosen to participate in the Spartan II project. He developed an especially close bond with Chief Mendez. Not long before he reached age 14 and underwent the procedures to augment his natural abilities, Marko asked Chief Mendez of the norse culture and mythology. Mendez was reluctant to instill such religious values into someone within the Spartan II program, but realizing the potential effect it could have on the will of young Marko finally caused him to cave.

The pains and rigors of the biological augmentation truly was a test for Marko. Although Marko had only just began his personal studies in the ways of the Asatru, he found solace in his beliefs and the faith that it wasn't his fate to die during these procedures. The Carbide Ceramic Ossification procedure proved to be especially heinous on Marko's already above-average physique. As he began to grow to his peak he experienced severe cramps and discomfort from the way his muscles reacted to the metal upon his bones. Per the suggestion of Dr. Halsey, Marko took up various physical hobbies to try and readjust his muscles without the need for further procedures or medications. Gymnastics, of all his hobbies, proved to be the most effective in alleviating his muscle pain y allowing him to develop more of the lesser muscle groups along with the major groups. This also gave Marko an extra edge, control. Many people can lift weights and hold heavy devices, but Marko used his knowledge of gymnastics to learn how to use his muscles just right to accomplish various tasks.

By the time he left his teenage years behind, Marko had already earned himself the nickname Ragnarok amongst his squadmates. They explained the reason for the nickname as his appearance on the battlefield only spelled the end for any of his enemies regardless of the odds. Perhaps more than most Spartans, Marko understood the significance of Mjolnir, and took the name to heart. After all, give an Asatru a suit of armor named after the legendary hammer used by the god of thunder and you're asking for him to go out into battle and give his all. Marko spent a lot of his time in combat training, learning various weapons and techniques, while still keeping himself close to his roots. To remember his roots as a descendant of the norse, he took pride in learning the ins and outs of using an axe, as well as the martial arts style known as pancratiun (a martial art that relies on any and all means to incapacitate a foe) [Odin I hope I spelled that correctly].

In his late twenties, Marko was sent to defend a military installation from Covenant attack. Here he met his first real challenge on the battlefield, the brutes. Brutes provided an interesting challenge as well as a contrast to the covenant forces he had heard about in mission briefings. They carried heavy and savage weapons, and when they came down to life or death they went into an animalistic rage. This excited the viking warrior deep within Marko and he took great joy in his first confrontation with a Brute Chieftan. However, Marko was unprepared for the secret weapon said Chieftan wielded, the Gravity Hammer. With a devastating swing the creature hit Marko with a shot that would have destroyed a lesser man. The squad that Marko was supporting began to retreat at the sight of this strange weapon, but Marko wouldn't be stopped. It was here that Marko learned the value of his viking heritage as he ran in his own "blood rage" and fought the Brute hand-to-hand, using his knowledge to steal the brute's weapon, and turn it against him. With one solid swing he turned a Brute Chieftan into a rag doll, shattering every bone in its body. Unfortunately, in his rage Marko failed to notice the covenant drop ship, or the covenant who slashed him with one of their plasma sabres. Again, a wound that would have fallen a lesser man. When the extraction ship finally arrived, all the covenant were broken, brutes lay dead, and half-dead sitting against the bunker he swore to protect was Marko. He didn't lose a soul in the defense.

After extreme medical attention and a crazy physical rehabilitation program Marko was back up and running. After the battle, Marko decided he was going to embrace another tradition of his people, the tattoo. From that day, whenever given an opportunity, Marko would go to a shop, and get another tattoo done. Even though some of the aspects of his appearance are far from standard marine qualities, Mendez supported Marko's decisions to grow a beard and to get tattoos because of his heritage, as well as the effect these allowances had on the Spartan's morale. It wasn't long before Marko was trained as a shock trooper, sent on extreme missions as ground support or sometimes as a one-man defense.

Marko is a very creative person, but at the same time has a level of discipline that makes said creativity seem paradoxical. Marko believes that his body is perhaps the best weapon he could rely on, so it is not odd in his downtime to see Marko doing some sort of physical activity, be it running, lifting, sparring, or just running combat drills in his head. Marko takes great care of the only weapon he demands to always take into battle with him, a specially crafted axe that was a gift from Chief Mendez upon his becoming a Spartan. Marko is a very level headed but at times displays a sense of humor that one wouldn't expect from someone who seems to serious all the time. At times, people may complain of his humor, but are also amazed at the level of understanding he displays towards his fellows on and off the battlefield.

Marko is very fatalistic in the fact that (like all Asatru) he knows his death is already written. With this knowledge though, he lives everyday to its fullest and runs into battle with his all, knowing if he dies it won't be lying down and he won't go easy. Valhalla may await after death, but if he dies chances are Marko's squad won't make it, and that is something Marko won't allow. Marko is very protective of his squadmates, often being the first one to volunteer for the rear-guard or to take up defensive positions. It is this genuine concern for the survival of his squad that has lead Marko to so many successes on the field.

Strengths:
*Fights with the fury of a norse god.
*Possesses knowledge of most combat methods, giving him capabilities in most situations.
*Has a ton of first-hand experience with the Covenant secret weapon, The Brutes.
*Is as skilled with vehicles and mounted weapons as he is with infantry-style weapons

Weaknesses:
*A strong focus in battle left his knowledge a bit lacking.
*His willingness to defend his allies often opens him up for unnecessary danger.
*Sometimes loses himself in battle, forgetting to scan for additional threats.
*Is anything but subtle.

Not long after becoming a Spartan, Marko made the decision to grow a mohawk and a beard (it took a lot of convincing to get his C.O. to approve said appearance change). Marko grew the mohawk to an acceptable length but still keeps it regulation length so that the rear of the "blade" doesn't touch the collar of his dress uniform. While on the field Marko keeps his goatee long, often braiding it to remind him of his viking ancestors, but during formal occasions he will trim it down to the acceptable length. Like a norse god, Marko's body is generally large. He is broad shouldered, barrel chested, and strong-armed. His hair is always blond at the length, but when shorn to the roots it is always a more auburn tone, lightening as it grows longer. Almost every inch of skin on Marko's body is tattooed, generally with images of war and weaponry since this is the life Marko knows and the story he wants the ink to tell. The tan of his skin is an adaptation from the snowy region he grew up on at home to the desert where most of his firearm training took place.

Crunch

[b]Build Points: 440
Attributes: 220
Qualities: 35
Negative Qualities: 35
Skills: 220

Attributes

Attribute: Value/Max/Cost

• Body: 4/6 (30)
• Agility: 5/6 (40)
• Reaction: 5/6 (40)
• Strength: 5/7 (40)
• Charisma: 3/6 (20)
• Intuition: 3/6 (20)
• Logic: 2/6 10
• Willpower: 3/6 (20)

Initiative:8
Edge:2
Essence:6.0

Qualities

• Genetic Heritage (Strength) (Free)
• Ambidextrous (5)
• Toughness (10)
• Quick Healer (10)
• Guts (5)
• Hawk Eye (5)

Negative Qualities

• Incompetent (Computer) (-5)
• Incompetent (Demolitions) (-5)
• Incompetent (Infiltration) (-5)
• Incompetent (Palming) (-5)
• Simsense Vertigo (-10)
• Poor Self Control (-5)

Skillgroups

• Athletic Group (3) (30)

Active Skills

• Longarms 3 (12)
• Automatics 4 (16)
• Pistols 2 Specialization: Heavy Pistols +2 (10)
• Heavy Weapons 6 (24)
• Blades 4 Specialization: Axes +2 (18)
• Unarmed Combat 4 Specialization: Pancratiun +2 (18)
• Throwing Weapons 3 Specialization: Grenades +2 (14)
• Dodge 4 (16)
• Gunnery 4 (16)
• Exotic Melee Weapon (Gravity Hammer) 2 (8)
• Exotic Ranged Weapon (Mauler) 3 (12)
• Survival 3 Specialization: Severe Cold +2 (14)
• Pilot Ground Craft 2 (8)
• Pilot Aircraft 2 (8)

Knowledge Skills

• Academic: Tactics (Brutes) 3
• Academic: Tactics (Covenant) 1
• Profession: Military (NavSpecWar) 1
• Academic: Anatomy (Brutes) 1
• Academic: Religion (Asatru Heathenism) 2
• Academics: Tactics (NavSpecWar) 1

Languages

• English - N (Native)
• Spartan Sign 4
• Finnish 2

Spartan Augmentations

TBA

Wishlist Equipment

An axe, preferably made to be used single-handed.