Seamus Archer

Character Snapshot

Occupation: Antiquarian

Drive: In the Blood

It's always been this way with me.

I see something unusual; out of the ordinary, and I'm suffused with this desire I cannot even be sure I can put into words. I just know that I find myself...well, "possessed" to acquire it.

I remember when I was 13, when I went into the Ward Bookshop, and found myself in amongst towering bookshelves, the scent of aging, moldering books filling my nose with that peculiar tickle that only an old tome can lend to one's sense of smell. It was there, in that back corner of the shop -- that oh so *peculiar* book. A crumbling leathery cover (was it leather? I rather think it was some exotic creature whose skin was divested from its body. Or...?). Inlaid metallic bindings. Oh, and that creaking when I only barely lifted the cover...!

Old Man Ward found me back there, just...reveling in the book, though I'd yet to even open it. He demanded me to leave the back corner -- "there's nothing for a *boy* like you," he rasped, pointing at me with his cane. Oh, but there was, and meekly walked from the corner to the other side of the bookstore as he rumbled and muttered about the foolishness of youth.

I had to see that book again. Had to; looking back on it, I'm rather surprised at what I did, pushing with all of my might against one of the bookshelves, causing it to topple to the next one, and then another, like great wooden dominoes. I feigned a shriek of pain -- "Oh! Help, I am trapped, please!!"

And as Ward, alarmed, came stomping over to the toppled bookshelves, I snuck from my spot between two bookshelves (themselves threatening to undo my plan by toppling on me), rushed as quiet as possible to that back corner, grasped that book, and made for the door with all haste.

If Old Man Ward ever knew I had taken the book, he never said. He never could -- for as he reached the spot where I supposedly was buried under the shelves, the bookshelves where I had hidden fell on top of him. They said he died immediately.

But I had the book. My first of many curiosities.....

Connection to Thomas Fell: Mr. Fell and I share a similar interest in the acquisition of various rare and unique items. I am convinced that he has several things that would help to complete several collections that I am actively working to complete. He suspects the same things of me, I am certain. Do I? That would be telling, wouldn't it?

Current Status: Alive, Sane

Pillars of Sanity

• The depth and exquisiteness of the object d'art.
• TBD

Sources of Stability

• Mrs. Agatha Warren Pickman, philanthropist.
• Rose Kransky, cleaning lady

Abilities

Investigative

Academic: Archaeology 2, Art History 4, History 4, Languages 2, Library Use 4, Occult 1

Interpersonal: Bargain 2, Cop Talk 1, Credit Rating 4, Reassurance 4

Technical: Evidence Collection 2

General

Conceal 10, Disguise 10, Filch 15, Firearms 2, Fleeing 6, Health 8, Sanity 7, Stability 8, Scuffling 4, Sense Trouble 2, Weapons 2