Marcus is the totally blind first child born to Richard and Evelyn Rison. A case of severe Retinitis Pigmentosa, or Hemeralopia as it is diagnosed has robbed him of the RGB receptors in both of his retinas. This has left him unable to render light into any kind of image, but still allows him to identify the presence of light. He is totally blind as a result.

Upon entering school, it was obvious that life would be quite a hassle for young Marcus. Wellwyn, the town in which he lives has loose social classes dictated on your field of work, your physical / intellectual ability, and your political orientation. Marcus was indeed toward the bottom of the pyramid. His mother was a secretary for the political center of the town, which is quite noble, but his father was a factory worker and custodian. On top of that, the family has abstained from politics altogether, which leaves them under constant pressure, and repeated ridicule.