Laurence Abbott

Laurence Abbott is the archivist at Downing .Hill Public Library. He is the focus of the Old Bindings Live Show and the season one Atheneaums bonus episodes.

## Personality

Laurence cares about his job and keeps his space well organized. He dislikes visitors to Downing Hill, as he is expected to clean up after them. He also dislikes the danger visitors are in due to the nature of the library, and the threat they pose to the organization and safety of the books and artifacts. He is concerned about the lack of proper warning labels in the library and by Dare To Know he has put up correct and thorough labels. He also cares about restoring and preserving the books and their knowledge. . He talks to himself, and feels better about it when it’s to a tape recorder. He leaves shiny objects out for The Omen. He incredibly determined to find out anything about himself and his past. He likes knowledge both for the security and to make it easier for him to talk to people and is too curious for Downing Hill’s taste. He drinks dangerous amounts of coffee rather than taking more time to sleep,

## Description

Laurence has no description besides the tattoos he starts out with, most of which disappear by the end of Old Bindings. His tattoos that don’t stay are of a scarab with outstretched wings. Intricate details mark the shell and wings. They remind him of indescribable depictions. Down his arms are symbols in an ancient language he cannot read.

The tattoos that stay are ones Amelia gave him. They are not described except for the one he gets after Old Bindings, a little scarab to commemorate the events and secure the memory.

## History

Laurence grew up in Pennsylvania with his parents and sister Amelia in a double decker bus. When the black rain started, they moved to Canada. Soon after, Amelia went to the library with no sign of where she went or what happened to her. After several months of looking and waiting for Amelia, his parents were desperate to have her back. They took Laurence to The Church of the Hallowed Name to bring Amelia back to life by bonding her spirit inside of Laurence’s body. Because Amelia was still alive, the binding failed and something else came through. Laurence ended up as a vessel for Tiberius Laevinus, Prophet of the Black Eternity, Father of the Hallowed Name, who was bound inside Laurence by Laurence’s tattoos. Amelia gave up her position in the library to ensure they would care for him and keep Tiberius at bay. He woke up on the steps of Downing Hill with a library card and no memory of the binding and muddled memories of his life before. During his time at Downing Hill Tiberius worked to escape, tell Laurence of his presence, and turn Laurence against the library. The Director would remove the memories each time, storing them as paintings. As Laurence figured it out and he and Tiberius got far enough along without being stopped Tiberius escaped. The Director trapped him in a painting of one of her memories. Laurence still works as the archivist at Downing Hill, with full memories of Tiberius, a renewed relationship with Amelia, and a break from work.

## Known Abilities

* Can read a dozen ancient languages fluently (2)

## Relationships

### Amelia Abbot

His sister. They were close before she disappeared, and she gave him all his not evil tattoos. After reuniting they have had more of a relationship again, but still lead strongly independent lives,

### Parents

His parents are never named. He was close with them before, though he disapproves of their decision to move North, likely because it indirectly led to Amelia’s disappearance. He hasn’t seen them since The Church of The Hallowed Name.

## Trivia

* One of his favorite paintings is “Watchers in the Window” by Windrow Thornsbury. It’s known to draw people into staring contests. They then frequently die, often by combustion. (Fictional painting and painter) (3)
* He gives safety lectures at Downing Hill.