August McDowell

Name/Nicknames: August McDowell.

Alias:  Faust.

Ethnicity:  American.

Status:  Warlock.

Pronouns:  He/him/his.

Age:  46.

Occupation:  As much of a 'head' of The Row as one exists.

Date of Birth:  June 27, 1950.

Place of Birth:  Kenwood, Ohio.

Education:  Extensive. He has multiple PhDs (mostly in physics), and reads often.

Significant Relations:  It's assumed he has some kind of connection with the head of the Aegis Network, but he's never confirmed it. Ruby is a close friend. The Ohio McDowells are still very much alive, as well as a number of MacDowells back in Scotland.

Appearance:  A lanky 6'3", with a mop of slightly curly dark hair that has a fair amount of grey running through it, and pale skin prone to burning in the sun. He has a long face with a somewhat broad nose that has definitely been broken at some point in the past, and his brows are prone to furrowing. He has a perpetual five o'clock shadow, his smiles seem uncomfortably forced, and his clothing while clean is never neat, usually rumpled.

A few odd scars litter his person, but nothing too big.

Personality:  August is...tense. Not grouchy necessarily, but not always a joy to be around, either. He is a textbook workaholic and takes his duties 'running' The Row very seriously. He spends most of his time when not out on assignment researching, whether to find new solutions to old problems or new problems for which to find solutions.

There is a sarcastic streak in him that gets worse when he's irritated or stressed. He doesn't socialize much, but not for lack of trying - it's more that he's very aware of his responsibility to this establishment and it makes it awkward trying to turn the 'friendly' on. Sometimes he does try, though. It usually backfires.

He is extremely risk averse with the lives of others, and tries to avoid putting anyone into unnecessary danger. This often means ensuring people use the buddy system, and being a bit of a buzzkill on occasion, but hey. At least most of the time people come back alive and in one piece.

With his own person, he's far less... concerned. A fact that becomes clearer whenever someone learns how his family came about their magic.

Strengths:  August has a very good head on his shoulders, and is a solid strategist. He treats pro-con analyses like a sport and one he is exceptional at. He is intelligent, broadly knowledgeable, and usually well-prepared before entering into most situations.

He is also very tall. And a helper! He very much believes in the goals and heart of The Aegis Network, and has fully devoted himself to it.

He is relatively capable with a few basic firearms, and knows which end of the knife goes into the other person.

And, of course, there's the magic. Not of the throwing-fireballs variety as much as the carving spells into the bones of their houses to cause people's gazes to slip off them as they pass by on their daily walks. It's the kind of magic that takes time and effort to weave, protection magic first and foremost. Some of it, though, has quite deadly consequences for those who run afoul of it.

Weaknesses:  August struggles with a lot of interpersonal interaction. He's inflexible about his own ideas and has a difficult time accepting advice that isn't his own. He doesn't understand the meaning of the words "work-life balance."

He is very risk-averse with the lives and well-being of those in his charge, but doesn't take care of himself half as well. Also, for those able to see that kind of thing, his soul is conspicuously absent.

His magic requires setup. It isn't the kind of thing he can usually whip out in the middle of a fight, although with enough preparation it can look that way.

At the end of the day, he is a squishy human and takes damage the same as almost anyone else.

Other Skills, Hobbies, and Interests:  He collects and pins a wide variety of insects, and presses flowers and plants into a series of field guides. He also reads for fun! And considers research reading to be fun.

Living Situation:  One of the few lucky bastards with his own room, which includes a bathroom (and tub).

History: 

The MacDowells have been writing their names in The Book for countless generations. Since before they joined the Aegis Network, before they came to the Americas even, any new MacDowells brought into the family and trusted with its secrets has been allowed to take on that greatest of responsibilities, should they so choose. None have been pressed or coerced, at least not that any have said - but the offer of power rarely takes much convincing.

When August's parents came to the United States, they brought that tradition with them. Even if they lost a vowel from their name in the process.

And when he was born, they raised him in their tradition. Sure, he went to school like every other little boy his age, brightly consuming every bit of information about the world around him he could get his hands on... But they also taught him at home. He learned about fantastical creatures that stalked the woods, and the beings beyond the Veil. They showed him what magic really was, how it could be used to rewrite the rules of the universe. Most of all, they taught him his place in that universe.

He was raised in Aegis, brought up knowing what it was to have a responsibility to the people around him. Humanity, sure, but more specifically the supernatural beings that had to rely on each other The McDowells' home served as a link in a ring of protection circling Cincinnati - it still is, to this day - and his parents were, and remain, a vital part of that region's safeguarding along with a couple of other families. So when it came time for him to write his name down, August didn't think twice.

Certainly, he wasn't thinking about the consequences of signing his soul away in exchange for access to magic. It seemed a simple exchange at the time, and truly, there aren't many moments he's regretted it since. He was, after all, always an awkward boy - despite whispers that his occasionally odd behavior was somehow owed to the deal he struck.

The next few years were spent juggling. He was determined to keep his grades up, but he also had an entirely different curriculum to learn, now, and free time was a thing of the past. August's few friends faded out of his life, and he took the opportunity to focus harder on his studies. He quickly became proficient with the basics, and eagerly took on every new challenge he faced...

Including college. It meant moving away for a little while, but he promised his parents that he would return when his degree was completed.

Except that once he'd finished those first four years, what was another few? If it meant putting a doctorate under his belt - especially in something he thought might better his understanding of magic and how to use it - wasn't that worth it? After all, Cincinnati was safe. It didn't need him yet.

Six years after he left home, August returned as he promised... and his parents were glad to see him. They swore they were. Only... Well. They did have everything in hand around there, and wouldn't his talents be better utilized elsewhere? Rather than consolidating their power, they wanted to share it.

Admittedly, they had also grown quite fond of having a little space to themselves.

But he understood the wisdom in their words, and that was how he wound up in Chicago. They needed someone with magic, someone who could ward their houses and help them with some other protection spells. So he packed up, headed out, and found The Row. He's been there for about twenty years now, though he does occasionally return to Cincinnati to see his parents. He also ventures out to help other locations shore up their warding from time to time, and has earned a few other degrees since - he is even currently enrolled in an online program.

Over time, although it's certainly not anything he's ever intended to happen, August has become by nature of seniority if nothing else, the person many in The Row look to as an authority figure. He's still not sure how to handle that.

Model:  Hamish Linklater.

Anything Else:  He often walks with a cane due to an old injury. His hair is graying a little faster than he would like it to be. He is extremely superstitious.

Timeline:

1950 - born
1963 - signed The Book
1968 - first left home for college
1972 - completed his bachelor's, decided to stay for his PhD
1974 - completed his PhD, returned to Cincinnati, got sent off to Chicago
1996 - present day

Player:  Silv.