COGWELL SPARKFUSE
GnomesElectrical Pioneer
"Steam is yesterday's power. Lightning is tomorrow's! The future belongs to those brave enough to reach up and grab it—preferably with insulated gloves.""
Identity
- Residence
- The Lightning Quarter, Gearhaven
- Civilization
- Gnomes
Appearance
• Clothing: He wears a rubberized leather suit with grounding straps, heavy gloves insulated against high voltage, and boots with ceramic soles. His coat has Faraday cage lining and pockets full of electrical components. • Distinguishing Marks: A Lichtenberg figure scar on his chest from a near-fatal lightning strike (that he survived and learned from), permanently singed eyebrows, and a pendant containing his first successful battery.
Relationships
- Family - Estranged (they worry constantly), a nephew who assists him despite family objections
- Allies - Fellow electrical pioneers, a few adventurous investors, the Lightning Research Society
- Rivals - Traditional steam engineers who see electricity as dangerous and impractical, competitors in the electrical field
Personality
- Traits: Fearlessly experimental, dismissive of safety concerns (for himself), genuinely excited about discovery, surprisingly generous with his knowledge
- Mannerisms: Produces small electrical arcs when excited, his hair rises higher when he's thinking hard, speaks in electrical metaphors
- Voice: Crackles slightly from vocal cord damage, with sudden jumps to high excitement
Backstory
Cogwell was a traditional steam engineer until he witnessed a lightning strike power a device of his own creation. He's since dedicated his life to harnessing electrical energy, developing batteries, capacitors, and early electrical devices. His work is considered dangerous and controversial by traditionalists but represents the future of gnomish engineering.
Daily Life
His days are spent in his lightning laboratory, conducting experiments with ever-larger electrical sources. He maintains detailed records of every test and frequently works through the night when pursuing a promising lead. His meals are irregular and often interrupted by interesting electrical phenomena.
Secret
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Story Hooks
- 1 Cogwell needs help retrieving a rare mineral essential for his energy storage device from a dangerous location.
- 2 Someone has learned about his discovery and is trying to steal or destroy his research; he needs protection while deciding what to do with the knowledge.