Post by Argyll McAlastair on Mar 13, 2011 18:08:16 GMT -5
<Argyll McAlastair>
Full Name- Senator Argyll McAlastair
Gender- Male
Age- 65
Date of Birth- 26/01/1946
Sexual Orientation- Heterosexual
Location- Carson City, Nevada
Celebrity Claim- McShane, Ian
What should we call you?- Oogie
Play anyone else?- Oscar O’Grady, Jack Daniels, Isaac Kazmiruk
Have You Read the Rules?- Lesbians?! \o/ But I don’t like women!! DDDDD:
Personality-
Since he was a kid, Argyll has been determined to change the world. He is able to see the best in people, most people anyway, and endeavours to encourage that out of them. He is a motivator, and is good at getting people as enthused as he is about big issues. If all else fails, he is opposed to using his ability to prompt a response from people instead.
He loathes ignorance and intolerance with a passion and has been a major advocate of equal rights throughout his political career. That said, he is also very much for free speech and won’t be seen to be silencing the intolerant, however much he disagrees with their opinions.
Given his age, it is not surprising to discover that Argyll isn’t a fan of public displays of affection. He lives by the mantra that “There is a time and a place for all things.” He places a high value on playing things traditionally, believing that a couple should ‘court’ before ‘getting together.’ He ensured that his now son-in-law came to him to ask permission to propose to Laura, his daughter.
Argyll enjoys his job, though regrets the necessity to ‘bend the truth’ that comes as part of it. One day, he hopes to retire and open a small zoo.
Likes-
- Success
- Fine cigars
- Good books
- Animal conservation
- National Parks
Dislikes-
- Bigotry
- Wasting time
- Pollution
- Deforestation
- Stew, especially lamb.
Strengths-
- Good speaker
- Good liar
- Good under pressure
- Decisive
- Generous
Weaknesses-
- Old age
- Struggles to switch off from work.
- Impatient
- Stubborn
- Tone deaf.
Skills-
- Able to count cards
- Fluent in French, Spanish and Japanese
- Can pilot small planes.
Flaws-
- Pride
- Lactose intolerant
- Allergic to nuts.
Abilities/Powers/Skills-
Telepathy - Argyll’s ability allows him to, for lack of a better phrase, read minds. He is able to perceive the thoughts of others and project his own thoughts into the minds of those around him within a mile radius. Through planting thoughts, he is able to, on a variety of levels, influence the actions of others. He is also capable of sending out ‘mental bolts’, like a telepathic scream, to stun or incapacitate enemies.
His ability also allows him to delve into the memories of individuals within that radius, searching out past knowledge, experiences and all other manners of information. He can also plant false memories, or put mental blocks in place, preventing individuals from accessing certain memories. By reading various parts of the brain, Argyll has picked up a number of small skills, though this is a very time consuming process. For example, by reading the language center of someone fluent in it, Argyll has learnt to speak French fluently.
Finally, Argyll has, on occasion, been able to temporarily tap into the mind of another and, through using his mental blocks, take a minor level of control of them.
Limits-
As Argyll focuses his ability on more individuals, the concentration required increases. Argyll still has difficulty focusing on the thoughts of more than four or five individuals at once, and after five, the clarity of the thoughts he hears, and projects, decreases. He is also unable to hear the thoughts of those outside his one mile radius, excluding the few with which he shares a mental link. It is also nigh-on impossible for him to penetrate the minds of those who also have telepathic powers, or abilities of a similar nature.
The other facets of his ability are a lot less accessible. In order to learn a ‘skill’ from someone, he must spend a large amount of time in their company, preferably with them willingly letting him learn from them. The more people resist, the trickier it can be to absorb any information whatsoever.
If Argyll makes any attempt to truly control an individual they must remain in his sight. As soon as his view of them is broken, he loses control. This is one of the trickiest aspects of his ability. He is only limited to basic speech and movement when controlling them and the connection can not last any more than five minutes.
Appearance-
His stony face is weathered with age; his features once chiselled and sharp are now softer and less ruthless. His hair is dark and still retains the thickness of his youth though, to the highly observant, it may be clear that it is regularly dyed. His facial hair, when he sports it, which is fairly frequently, is equally dark and well trimmed.
He is in relatively good shape for a man of his age, finding time for long walks with his dogs amongst his busy schedule. He is no athlete, that much is certain but he’s definitely not looking at Zimmer-frames or wheelchairs any time soon.
As someone in the public figure, there is a pressure on Argyll to look good, presentable at least, so it is not uncommon to see him in a suit and tie, especially for public appearances. It is not often that he is not on the job, so casual wear is a rarity.
Faction- Ark Industries/Hero
Birthplace- Sacramento, California
Mother- Miriam McAlastair, deceased, precognition.
Father- Roger McAlastair, deceased, civilian.
Spouse / Partner- Miranda McAlastair, 60, housewife, civilian.
Children- Anthony McAlastair, 33, doctor, civilian.
Laura Jones (Maiden name – McAlastair), 29, housewife, civilian.
History-
With his background, and two of the pushiest parents possible, it was almost a dead cert that Argyll was set for great things. Born to a wealthy doctor and his wife, Argyll had a good upbringing. His parents were kind and gave him a lot of their time, nurturing him into the clever, conscientious young man he was at school. When he was a child, his mother told him of a dream she had had about him. She told him he was destined for greatness and that it was his job to make sure this dream came true. He had to work very hard if it was going to. Since then, Argyll had always been driven to ensuring her dream would come to fruition.
A model student, Argyll impressed in most classes through high school and enjoyed success as Class President and, eventually, valedictorian. Upon graduating with a 4.0 GPA, he was whisked away, prompted by his parents to UCSD , to study law. It was whilst he was at college that he first felt his power manifest. Despite desperate confusion at what was happening to him, he struggled through and managed to graduate near the top of his class.
When home from college, and feeling like he had nowhere else to turn, he confronted his mother about his ability. Imagine his horror when she just smiled and explained that she had been waiting for this conversation for some time. She explained that she, too, had an ability and that it was something to be thankful for. Once she had calmed his concerns, he realised how much of a blessing this truly was. Being able to read minds… in law? Ho, boy, he’d hit the jackpot!
After leaving college, it didn’t take long before he landed a job at a well-reputed law firm. He had a fairly good run, winning a few low-profile cases, with handy use of his power but a sense of guilt soon began to creep in. There was something just not right about using his ability in court. It didn’t feel right. Perhaps it was because he felt like he was cheating. Whatever it was, he decided to make a career move. He wanted to do something in which breaking the rules would be acceptable… so he became a politician.
After failing to be elected as Mayor of his hometown, he took a couple of years out to write a book, before returning to politics. Eventually, he won his first election and was elected a councilman for his town. It was while serving this role that he met Miranda. They courted for some time, married and had two kids. Slowly he moved up the political rankings until he was given a huge push and put forwards as the party representative for Governor of Nevada.
Following a successful campaign, backed by a supportive family, McAlastair was elected into his first major political position and adapted well to the pressure. There was a slight strain initially on his family life but soon they all learned to cope with his new lifestyle. Nearly a decade passed and, having served two terms after a successful re-election, time came for Argyll to step down. He was very proud that his party maintained state control upon his resignation.
A couple of years later, Argyll was, following a pricey campaign, elected Senator for Nevada. As a member of the Senate, he became part of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations and, subsequently, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, a role he has maintained until today.
Anything else?- No. Fuck off. This bio has been a fecking nightmare. <3 And it still sucks. ;(
Sample RP-
Argyll smiled as he approached the podium, listening to the crowd's murmur fizzle out. They'd been waiting to hear him for some time now. He ran his tongue along his teeth, top and bottom and took a short, sharp breath in. Right, he was ready.
His pristine suit almost shone in the light, so pure was the fabric. Only the best for Argyll McAlastair. He'd gotten a bit of a reputation for being well-dressed and it was something he intended to maintain. His shoes were well-polished and his tie perfectly straight. His cuff-links were picked especially for this moment.
He climbed the last few steps onto the platform and placed himself behind the podium, ready to address the public. The speech he had memorised. He knew where the cameras were and the gestures that were needed. It was ready. He was going to bring the house down. He swallowed, his mouth a little dry, as always. It was hard not to get nervous before these things but, when you'd been doing it as long as he had, you get used to it.
"Ladies and gentlemen... good afternoon and thank you for joining me here today."
