Barnaby Finch

Name: Barnaby Finch. Age: 47 years old. Height: 175 centimeters (5'9"). Role: Arcane Researcher / Professionally Inconvenienced Mage. Nickname: The Hay-Fever Hedge-Wizard ​The Essence of the Allergic Scholar ​Barnaby is a master of arcane theory who possesses a unique, cruel biological condition: he is physically allergic to the very energy he spends his life studying. Every time he attempts to manipulate mana, his body reacts as if it were inhaling a cloud of concentrated pollen. He is a brilliant scholar who could rewrite the history of spellcasting, yet he lives his life in a constant state of nasal congestion and watery eyes, desperate to solve the mystery of his own condition before he sneezes himself into early retirement. ​Personality: Pedantic, Grumpy, and Resigned ​Barnaby is a classic academic—he loves order, quiet, and well-organized scrolls. He is deeply frustrated by his "condition," often coming across as a grumpy, fastidious man who just wants to study in peace. Despite his misery, he is surprisingly compassionate, often using his knowledge to help others cast spells safely, simply so they don't have to experience the same violent, congested fate he does. ​Key Traits: ​The "Sneezecast" Hazard: His spells are unpredictable. A simple defensive ward might become a localized sonic boom simply because he couldn't stop his nose from twitching mid-chant. ​The Apothecary’s Best Friend: He carries more handkerchiefs and herbal decongestants than he does spell components. ​Academic Martyrdom: He refuses to give up magic, believing that if he studies hard enough, he can "de-sensitize" himself to the arcane, despite all evidence to the contrary.

Appearance: Barnaby looks perpetually exhausted. He has thinning, salt-and-pepper hair that is always slightly disheveled and faded, warm brown eyes that look perpetually irritated. He is usually dressed in heavy, multi-layered tweed robes that are covered in pockets full of various tinctures and tissues. He wears thick, circular glasses that are often crooked from his frequent sneezing, and his hands are usually stained with ink or herbal tea.