Real name: Paul Yarist
Occupation: Travel Nurse
Identity: Secret
Legal status:
Other aliases:
Place of birth: Mesa, AZ
Place of death:
Marital status: single
Known relatives: Mother, Sister
Group affiliation: none
Base of operations: Mostly the United States, sometimes his job takes him overseas to third world nations.
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175 lbs
Eyes:
Hair:
Unusual features:
Strength level: average human
Known superhuman powers: When Placebo is near individuals who are sick, injured, or dying their malady is arrested until he is no longer present. He cannot cure or heal, only stop the progression of the conditions people are in.
Weapons: none
History: Paul was unaware of his ability throughout his entire childhood. He grew up in a single parent home with his baby sister, Emily. Emily was born with a genetic illness that was diagnosed to end her life by the time she was five years old. Emily lived much longer than that to the joy of her family and friends and due unknowingly to the frequent presence of her brother. Paul and Emily were very close and he was dedicated to making Emily's life as rich as he could, often to the extent that Paul had very few friends or hobbies other than reading to Emily when she was bed-ridden of countries and places around the world they dreamed of visiting some day.
Paul attended the local community college for his nursing degree, living at home during the time. He'd been offered scholarships at universities away from home, but turned them down so he could help his mother in the care of Emily who was gradually getting worse. He took a job at the local hospital and quickly discovered he was very good at his work and enjoyed his colleagues. He took advantage of as many learning opportunities as he could and began to be recognized for his skill and dedication. As he became more involved with his career, he was spending less and less time at home with Emily, but at the same time better able to provide more income. On the day of his graduation from an online four year degree Emily passed away.
Paul took a leave of absence from his position in order to grieve and spend time with his mother. It was during a late night conversation about Emily's dreams for her life that Paul's mother encouraged him to do what he and Emily had always wanted to do; travel and see the world. She told him she would be ok. He had done so much to care for both her and Emily that it was time for him to care about himself. The next day he began the application process of joining the United States Peace Corps.
It was during his two year service in Southeast Asia that Paul began to realize that he had an affect on people's health in ways that defied medical science. Fatally injured individuals would stop bleeding out when he was near and die later once he'd left the room. People in withdrawal from horrible substances would relax and regain clarity for brief periods when he was helping them eat and re-hydrate. It was one incident that opened his eyes to his ability and pointed him in the direction his life would take. A young girl had been terribly injured during a battle between two super powered people that had collapsed a tenement building. Her body had been nearly severed in two and she was dying quickly. As Paul held her hand she looked him in the eyes in wonder and was able to speak to her family who had gathered for one last time. She eventually did pass, but it was that experience that convinced Paul of his gift and set him on the path he now walks.
Paul is a Travel Nurse. He works in short-term positions for hospitals and care centers that are in need of staff. His positions and care areas change frequently and he gets to interact and help many different people in many different ways. Paul frequently spends time in Palliative and Hospice care facilities hoping to give dying people more time with their loved ones, just as he was able to do with his sister Emily.
There have been times when what Paul can do has been discovered. He has been offered money, has been kidnapped, and has had to deal with many difficult situations as a result.