Sonic Superhero
Ollie, codename Mockingbird, is a superhero with the ability to control sound waves. This ability is versatile in nature, from the creation of more traditional sonic blasts to perfect sound mimicry and even subliminal sonic suggestion. Uncertain about the circumstances behind getting powers due to a short period of amnesia in his life, he is a musician most of the time and a superhero whenever circumstances call for it. And even with super powers at his command... he's still playing gigs at bars. Go figure, no level of power will get you discovered. At least his secret identity is safe, right?
Background
Oliver, nicknamed Ollie by his friends, was born to a normal middle-class family and had a relatively normal childhood. Nothing spectacular or noteworthy happened in his life apart from the birth of his younger sister, Monica. He grew up, made it through school on sheer willpower since he was never the best student, and began attending community college because it was a thing to do. At some point, something did take place though. He woke up in a hospital, with no memory of how he got to be there. Waking up came with an even bigger shock as he had somehow sprouted a pair of large, white wings. His sister, who had been by his side since he was brought in, told him that he went out on a yacht with some people he had just met. She had no idea what happened between his departure and his arrival at the hospital and no one else seemed to know either. Left with a mystery and no leads with which to solve it, Ollie tried to move on with his life.
Along with the new wings, Ollie discovered he had suddenly developed the power to control sound. So, naturally, he did what anyone in his position would do -- he went into the music industry. Not anything on a large scale, but rather he started a band as the lead vocalist. He might have cheated a little bit by using his powers, just a bit. Whereas he could sing decently before, his voice had changed overnight and so had his skill. It wasn't easy to go into music with absolutely no background, so he didn't make it very far. But he stuck with it, because it was better than community college -- at least to him.
Invited to move to Metropolis by an agent he met in a bar during a gig, he immediately lost track of the agent when the man got himself kidnapped by the mafia. That, or perhaps went into witness protection with that as his cover. It's hard to say which, really. Now in Metropolis, with no band behind him anymore as they had elected not to move, he's still singing at bars when he can. At least he's got the superhero thing going for him now. How did he fall into that, you ask? Well first he got a costume made (thanks to the connections of a nice former stage actor named Edward Honeycutt, who Ollie rescued from a mugging), then he decided on a codename (Mockingbird, because it made the most sense), and finally he started flying around fighting crime and doing hero things, as one does.
SIGNATURE ABILITY
Song of the Odyssey
In times of great need or distress, Ollie can use his power of subliminal sonic suggestion to affect an entire area around him, much like the infamous Sirens of Homer's Odyssey. Suggestions can include getting out of immediate danger by moving in a certain direction, calming agitated people around him, or presenting an alternate version of events to what actually took place that takes root in their minds. It is a heightened version of his gift and is nigh impossible to resist, except by individuals with special mental resistance against such abilities. The use of this power requires an immense amount of focus and takes its toll on his voice and body. Although it does not leave him completely defenseless or unable to use his gifts, they are diminished after this maneuver. For that reason, he is very careful and particular about when he uses this ability.
SKILLS
Athletics - Competent Level
Feats of strength come easily to him, with stamina that is beyond human norm and a dexterity he demonstrates with each movement.
Awareness - Competent Level
His eyes are sharp enough to pick out danger and his sonic abilities give him hypersensitive hearing.
Charisma - Competent Level
In a world of cynicism and self-absorption, his personality is friendly without being naive and many people flock to him.
Combat - Combat Level
Shunning the use of traditional weapons, his body alone is a weapon -- from buffeting villains with his wings to flying up and landing a punch squarely in their faces, he's not afraid to get into the thick of things.
Focus - Competent Level
Although not the most knowledgeable individual, he has excellent focus when he needs to pay attention to something and has common sense about the best course of action in a certain situation.
Musicality - Expert Level
It's only natural for someone with total control over sound to lean into the easiest instrument available, his voice. With perfect pitch and the ability to imitate any sound, whether human or instrument, he's practically a one-man orchestra.
ABILITIES
Power: Control Immunity - Supreme Level
One of the benefits of being able to cause suggestion in others with one's own voice is building a resistance to having it done to you. He's immune to hypnosis, mind control or compulsion of any kind and can immediately detect when it's attempted against him.
Power: Flight - Enhanced Level
With a huge wingspan, he can take to the skies with the only preparation being releasing his wings. He's able to maneuver deftly in any situation, having mastered this particular gift quickly.
Power: Physique - Enhanced Level
His body has been altered by his powers, granting him enhanced strength, stamina and dexterity. In addition, his wings are strong enough to be used as weapons in their own right and are flexible enough to be compressed and concealed beneath normal clothing. He's even capable of carrying two people, one in each arm, when flying.
Power: Sonar - Enhanced Level
His ears can pick up sounds impossible for normal humans to hear, not only giving him hyper hearing but also permitting him to use a form of sonar by creating sound waves and listening for them to bounce back. In this manner he can locate hidden or invisible things by using spatial awareness.
Power: Sound Control - Supreme Level
With absolute control over sound waves, he can perform a wide variety of maneuvers with his primary ability. From piercing sonic blasts, to creating actual force with sound waves that has versatile uses, the vibrations of the air itself are at his command. He can also mimic any sound or combination of sounds with his voice, flawlessly.
Power: Suggestion - Enhanced Level
With the ability to deliver subliminal messages using his sonics, he can influence the minds of others. At its most powerful, this is akin to a form of hypnotic mind control as he can compel people to take actions that would not occur to them naturally. Although it cannot truly force an individual to take an action that goes against their core values, he can even tamper with their memories by planting alternate options in their minds.
ADVANTAGES
Miss Wu
His costume is specially made to be particularly aerodynamic, lightweight and skintight which allows him to wear it underneath most of his daily wear. Wu Xiu, a tailor he was introduced to by Mister Honeycutt, also makes all of his clothing free (as part of the Help Heroes Hero program) so that it can be designed to accommodate his wings when they are folded in.
Mister Honeycutt
Edward Honeycutt is an acquaintance Ollie made early on in Metropolis. A former stage actor, he has a lot of connections to individuals in Metropolis in a variety of industries and is always ready to lend a hand in any way he can. He is one of the few people that knows Ollie's secret identity.
Secret Identity
Since he isn't a household name in the music scene (yet), his alter ego is unknown. Keeping his face covered with a domino mask, there aren't any celebrity photos to compare him to and identify him. Perhaps that's exactly why he hasn't made it big yet. It's totally on purpose, right?
WEAKNESSES
Amnesia
His amnesia comes in the form of not remembering the events surrounding how he got his powers. When he sprouted his wings, when his voice changed, all of it happened in a void for him. To this day he wonders how and why this happened, but more importantly who could have been involved.
Lifestyle
He does not have much in the way of resources, his mundane life consisting of singing gigs at bars and just getting by. Although his voice is excellent, it can be hard to get gigs when you're unknown, and he has refused to participate in the greater music industry due to ethical concerns. As a result, he has very few financial resources.
Sister
He has a younger sister he adores and his superhero persona could put her at risk should anyone ever make the connection. Were anything to happen to her, he would most likely lose all composure.
