Tom Swift Sr (TOM SWIFT)

A Gentleman Adventurer/ Inventor

Thomas Edison Swift, Sr. (a.k.a. Tom)

Born into a small town in New York, Thomas Edison Swift was a prodigious inventor from childhood. Raised by a mechanically inclined father and inspired by the innovations of his time, Tom built his first functioning telegraph at age 10 and was submitting patents by his mid-teens. While his inventions made waves in newspapers and scientific journals, Tom remained famously grounded—preferring his workshop in Shopton to high society. By his early twenties, Tom had developed experimental airships, submarines, and early radio systems. These achievements, while celebrated in dime novels and public exhibits, often masked the complexity of his designs and the philosophical debates he quietly entertained: What role should invention play in war? Should every brilliant idea be brought into the world? Before joining the League, Tom had already begun distancing himself from public acclaim. He turned his attention toward theoretical physics and energy manipulation, dabbling in transdimensional theory and non-Euclidean geometry. He built a reputation as both a technological wunderkind and a reclusive philosopher-inventor.

League Member Note
Dates Active in League: 1915-1930
Tom was recruited to the League in 1915 after the theft of a prototype energy cannon he'd designed as a deterrent, not a weapon. The theft led to a chain of events that nearly triggered a conflict between League-aligned and rogue scientific factions. Though hesitant to join, Tom recognized that his work required a broader moral framework—and the League offered it. In the League, Tom became the go-to technologist for transportation, containment, and communications. His inventions—ranging from a silent dirigible to a coded transatlantic communicator—saved countless lives. Yet his presence wasn’t only mechanical; his analytical mind often solved metaphysical puzzles that baffled even the League’s mystics. He left in 1930 after a deepening obsession with dimensional energy fields. Reports say he disappeared during a solo experiment involving gravitational fold-mapping. Though declared dead in 1937, some members believed he succeeded in breaching a higher plane—his final note to the League was a single word: “Threshold.”
****END NOTE****

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Lean and wiry, Tom had the build of someone more accustomed to fiddling with tools than engaging in sport. However, constant fieldwork and hands-on invention gave him above-average stamina and dexterity.

Facial Features

Youthful into his 30s, Tom had sharp, intelligent eyes and often kept a slight smirk of amusement. Grease smudges on his cheek were more common than formal grooming.

Special abilities

Exceptionally high IQ and near-instantaneous mechanical cognition. Could mentally deconstruct complex machines after a brief glance. Had mild synesthesia that allowed him to "visualize" harmonic energy patterns.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

A self-taught genius educated through hands-on experimentation. His childhood was filled with both explosions and accolades. Lost his mother early, which perhaps explains his emotional reserve and obsession with legacy.

Sexuality

Asexual or possibly demiromantic; emotionally intimate relationships over physical ones. Known to be deeply affectionate toward a close companion, but ambiguous.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Driven by the belief that knowledge, when shared responsibly, could solve humanity’s greatest challenges. Feared his inventions would outpace human morality.

Likes & Dislikes

Loved: Tools, silence, lightning storms, and clever arguments.
Disliked: Fame, bureaucracy, untested theory, and war profiteering.

Virtues & Personality perks

Curious, kind-hearted, intensely loyal once trust is earned. Will drop everything to help someone solve a technical challenge, no matter how small.

Vices & Personality flaws

Can be emotionally distant, obsessively focused, and prone to disappearing without notice when in pursuit of an idea. Hates being wrong, especially when people are at risk.

Representation & Legacy

Tom became a mythic figure after his disappearance. Some future inventors claimed visions or dreams of him offering advice. The League honors him not only as a genius but as a reminder of invention’s moral weight.

Social

Social Aptitude

Awkward in formal settings but thrives in brainstorming or small-team environments. Can seem arrogant until others realize he’s just mentally moving at full tilt.

Speech

Precise, clipped, and prone to tangents. Loves analogies and metaphors—often mechanical or electrical in theme.

Realm

The Mortal Realm

Date of Birth

January 1, 1892

Date of Death

Unknown

Life

1892 CE 1937 CE 45 years old

Circumstances of Death

Vanished during a solo transdimensional experiment. Declared legally dead in 1937, though rumors persist in scientific circles.

Birthplace

Shopton, New York, USA

Place of Death

Unknown (Disappeared)

Children

Sex

Male

Sexuality

Asexual

Eyes

Deep blue

Hair

Chestnut brown

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Slightly tanned

Height

5'10"

Weight

154 lbs

Quotes & Catchphrases

Well, there’s only one way to find out—build it.

Aligned Organization

The League

Character Prototype

Aries
Inventive, fearless, impatient.