Appearance

Physical Description

Fairly wiry in build, but in what would be considered somewhat above average shape at the time. Height lends him leverage.

Facial Features

Clean shaven, with blue eyes and light brown hair, just a *little* prematurely grey that contrasts his otherwise youthful features.

Identifying Characteristics

Usually untidy hair, eyes often appear tired.

Physical quirks

Scratches neck when nervous or panicked, licks lips when deep in though or work.

Apparel & Accessories

Tries to dress nice, but clothing is often untidy/askew. Big into tweed jackets, wears grandfather's Clan Macleod badge to formal occasions. Keeps newspaper clippings of excavations in Egypt and Pompeii from childhood in his dorm room. Taken to keeping a medium-sized kitchen knife with him.

Mentality

Personal history

A second-generation American, Alan grew up in a modest Boston home with his parents, James and Molly Macleod, his younger sister Marion and his paternal grandfather Duncan (who immigrated to Massachusetts from the Isle of Skye in 1882). His parents operated the butcher shop that Duncan had opened after coming to America, and wanted Alan to eventually take over the family business. Alan, however, had a deep interest in history and was fascinated by the discoveries that would be published in the paper - like the excavations in Pompeii, the Burgess Shale in Canada, Maccu Piccu in South America, and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Though his parents were somewhat disapproving, especially when Alan was late in enlisting for the first world war and never saw active duty as a result. His grandfather encouraged his interest, and eventually brought his parents around to the idea of Alan as an archaeologist.
 
Ironically, Alan's sister Marion actually had interest in taking over the business, but his parents' fairly-typical-for-the-time beliefs meant they largely ignored her. She still lives with the the family, who disapprove of her flapper lifestyle - she frequents the city's nightclubs and has recently become something of a Bolshevik activist. Her loud and outgoing personality tend to embarrass Alan when the two are together, but he still holds he very dear and considers her one of his best friends. When America was drawn in the first world war, Alan was in no hurry to enlist before he came of age - much to his parents' dissapointment. Eventually, though, he did join up with the 26th division and fought in France at the close of the war. He only ever killed one person, a German perhaps only a year older than Alan himself at the time who surprised him in a trench. Almost on instinct, Alan shot the boy in the belly and was immediately stricken with horror at what he had done. Alan remained with the young man until he died some 35 minutes later. To this day, Alan looks upon his time in France with shame and terror.
 
Alan was drawn to Miskatonic when the war ended, as its professor of Archaeology, Arthur Evans (initially of Oxford, coming to Miskatonic after his harsh criticism of British involvement in Crete) was famous for his discovery of the Palace of Knossos. Alan ingratiated himself with the professor, hoping that working with the great man would allow him to share the fame for his next discovery. He is highly ambitious regarding fame within the scientific community, hoping to live up to his parents' expectations and his grandfather's support (and his own past influence, as Duncan was an important member of the Clan Macleod before leaving Scotland for reasons undisclosed).
 
These days, Alan has little contact with his family save for when he visits occasionally on school holiday. He dislikes coming home, as his parents' support is distinctly grudging. He isn't especially close with his sister, though he does sympathize with her struggles with their parents. Duncan is nice to see, though the old man is starting to become a little senile.

Education

Alan did very well in school, though math was something of a weakness - even at Miskatonic, the chemistry classes that were part of his major were the bane of his existence. Alan plans to enter graduate classes and work full-time as Professor Evans' assistant.

Employment

Currently, Alan splits his time between schoolwork, assisting the professor, and putting in a little bit of work as a clerk at the local post office to make some extra cash.

Accomplishments & Achievements

The fact that he has gotten close to and works with Professor Evans is a huge victory for Alan, though he sees it as just the first step towards his ambitions.

Failures & Embarrassments

Embarrassed by his lacking participation in the war and present failure to measure up to his father and grandfather.

Mental Trauma

Incessant need to prove himself in his field, especially to Professor Evans (though he still hopes that working with the professor will help him achieve academic fame, he has begun to worry about being overshadowed by his mentor). Alan carries an immense amount of shame for what he did in France, and for what he did during the events of the clocktower.

Intellectual Characteristics

Frequently gets lost in thought, highly curious and constantly seeks answers.

Morality & Philosophy

If Alan can't gain influence through money, he'll gain influence through discovery and science. He has a passing interest in the occult as a novelty.

person.sexuality

Alan has very little awareness of romantic or sexual matters - he's had a fling or two in the past, but nothing especially involved. Most of his energy in that direction goes into academics.

person.gender_identity

Male.

Taboos

Though Alan certainly wouldn't be unwilling to break the law if he thought it would further his career, violent crime (an violence in general) is something he finds objectionable.

Known Languages

English, gaelic, ancient greek

Personality

Motivation

• Make my name in the field of archaeology through a discovery I can call my own, thus living up to my family's expectations and legacy in my own way.


• Someday, I would like to see my family's old home in Skye.


• Learn more about the creatures that attacked us at Miskatonic.


• Improve my accuracy with firearms.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Adept understanding of history and anthropology, poor math skills, socially cunning.

Likes & Dislikes

Likes: reading, writing, poetry, history, boxing, fond of a stiff drink
Dislikes: Cramped spaces, chemistry/mathematical aspects of science, hot weather

Virtues & Personality perks

Bold, inquisitive, open-minded, driven

Vices & Personality flaws

Ambitious, foolhardy, prone to melancholy, poor liar

Personality Quirks

When Alan is under stress or in a situation where he needs to appear confident, he often unconsciously adopts a facsimile of his grandfather's thick Scottish brogue in an attempt to emulate the man he so admires.

Hygiene

Generally unkempt hair and untidy clothes, but does his best to keep himself clean.

Social

Birthplace

Boston, MA

Current Residence

Miskatonic U.

Contacts & Relations

Arthur Evans - Professor of Archaeology, Mentor
Clay Torrens - Roommate and best friend
Dorian Qian-Pendleton - The bane of Alan's existence
Sergio Marchesi - RIP Sergio
Rina Seer - The other bane of Alan's existence
Mosca - wench with a wrench
Bonnie Hollister - the most important member of the group by virtue of not being absolutely insane
Wallace Mouseeay - A friend! Fun to be around
Loretta Simons - Probably the coolest person Alan knows

Wealth & Financial state

Not especially wealthy, around average for a student at the time

Family Ties

James Macleod - father, owns Mack's Meats, grudgingly supportive of choice to pursue education
Molly Macleod (maiden name Dempsey)- mother, more supportive than father but not by much
Marion Macleod - sister, younger by 2 years, disaster flapper
Duncan Macleod - grandfather, early 80s, once a man of influence in the clan Macleod before coming to America

Religious Views

Not especially religious, lip-service Anglican

Social Aptitude

Somewhat introverted, but not awkward