Sometimes it's difficult. There are always interruptions, lack of supplies, lack of decent help - but mostly a lack of quiet. The family just doesn't leave you alone enough to study properly. Can't they see the importance of a good book, a decent microscope and a pinch of radium?

You are 48 years old, having been born on the 17th of August 1838. Your parents ensured that you had a proper education in all things a young man should know. There never seemed to be much to do around the house, so you started making friends at a very early age. People your parents never approved of and perhaps they did lead you astray somewhat. Father was a lot more understanding of you need to have fun, whilst Mother was very strict. It was a terrible shame when Father died out on the Moors, accidentally shooting himself. Your liberties have been quite restricted under the dictatorial reign of your Mother.

Whilst having fun throughout the village, manor and surrounds, you seem to have inadvertantly (and unexpectedly) become a father at an age younger than you wished. In fact, one could almost say you were a father many times over. Your family would of course be scandalised if they found out, not to mention the damage to your own reputation. You'd have great difficulty flirting with the ladies if they knew how many others were expecting a baby Aleister in the near future.

• Evelyn
  • She's one of those lovely cheerful, carefree spirits you often find in the village. Her head is always in the clouds reciting poetry. She's got as much common sense as a newt. She'd be ideal as one of your conquests if she wasn't your step sister GÇô and if she wasn't so single mindedly obsessed with Lionel. The only reason your mother adopted her was because she was good friends of her parents up until their tragic death.
• Lionel
  • Some posh git. He seems to be very sensible and businesslike all the time. But despite all that, he still sees something in Evelyn. He's a gentleman with lands and money, but never seems to smile. Possibly he doesn't know the meaning of the word GÇ£funGÇ¥.
• Ortensia
  • You've only ever heard Mother refer to Ortensia, not having met her in person before. A young lady of ambition and modern in her attitudes. Possibly not as much a waste as the rest of the family. She's the daughter of your oldest sister (Felicity)- who died mysteriously with her husband quite recently. Ortensia will be staying with you until she's old enough to look after herself. .
• Aleister
  • Although you've lived in the same manor with Uncle Victor for years, you rarely saw him up until recently. He stays in his underground laboratory for hours or days at a time. He's very caring towards you, but you sometimes feel a bit too much like one of his experiments.
• Melancolia
  • If you could have any sister (adoptive or otherwise) in the world - it wouldn't be her. She's too smart for her own good and far, far too dreary and boring. You have often thought she was your exact opposite as anyone can be. You're the life of the party GÇô she's the death.
• Sister Gwynneth
  • You've seen sister Gwynneth come by occasionally - she seems very nice and talkative, but often wants to chat privately with Mother. Not a bad looker, but you've had problems with the clergy before.
• Cain
  • A farmhand who has far too much leisure time it seems to you - he's always hanging about the manor. Especially below the terrace gardens. A very rough peasant type. Simple and crude.
• Jeeves
  • He's the butler. He's always been there. He apparently has no life of his own and always appears to be working as efficiently as possible. You've only ever had (albeit very good) professional interactions with him.

It's Science!

Personality: A nice, avuncular man who likes to invent things in the cellar.

Reference: Doctor Victor Frankenstein with a Doc Brown twist.

Costuming suggestions: Well worn old fashioned suit, preferably with elbow patches. Some kind of dust or lab coat.