Duncan MacLeod

**Duncan MacLeod** was the second Immortal to originate in Clan MacLeod. He was well-traveled, and generally considered a tremendous champion of good.

## History

### Early Life

Duncan was found as a newborn infant on December 21, 1592 CE near Glenfinnan, Scotland. He was brought to Ian MacLeod and his wife Mary who, unbeknownst to the rest of the clan, had just had a stillborn child. They chose to raise Duncan as their own, with Ian preparing him to become the next chieftain of the clan.

As a child, Duncan formed a fast friendship with Robert MacLeod. In 1606 CE, the two went into the Donan Wood to hunt a wolf. When they encountered the creature, Robert fled -- leaving Duncan to fend for himself. Soon he happened upon an isolated cottage wherein lived the Witch of Donan Wood, Cassandra. She protected him from an early death at the hands of Roland Kantos, and then safely returned him to his father.

In 1618 CE, tragedy struck Duncan's life. He fell in love with Debra Campbell, but she was betrothed to Robert. When Duncan could not get the Campbells or his father to call off the engagement, he mournfully gave her a bracelet as a parting gift. When Robert learned of the gift, he angrily challenged Duncan to a duel. They battled, and Duncan was forced to kill his best friend. Overcome with guilt at what he had done, he then refused to marry Debra. She fled from the village, intending to jump from a cliff to her death. Though Duncan managed to dissuade her from suicide, the cliff crumbled under her feet and she fell to her death all the same. Her death was declared a suicide, and she was buried in unconsecrated grave.

With no marriage to seal an alliance, the Campbells and the MacLeods soon found themselves enemies. In 1622 CE, Duncan was struck down while in battle against these friends-turned-foes. He was carried back to his home, where he died in front of his parents. His father went to rally his warriors, and nearly as soon as he had stepped away Duncan revived -- fully healed from his wounds. Ian declared this to be the work of demons, and disowned Duncan -- casting him out of the village.

### Early Immortality

Dejected and depressed, Duncan wandered Scotland for a time. He encountered his father once more on the road. He attempted to reconcile with him, but Ian rejected him -- explaining that he was not, in fact, a MacLeod. Though Duncan loudly proclaimed that he was, this rattled his sense of self to its very core.

Two years later, Vikings attacked Clan MacLeod and Ian was slain by Kanwulf. Duncan returned to his home to pay his respects, and did reconcile with his mother. Then he set out to avenge Ian's death. He killed the Viking bandits -- and then felt the Buzz for the first time. He battled Kanwulf, and emerged victorious -- however, not knowing what Kanwulf was, he did not behead him. When Kanwulf revived, he discovered Duncan had taken his axe. Duncan had buried the weapon in his father's grave.

The next time Duncan felt the Buzz, he followed it and arrived at a cave inhabited by the hermit Timothy of Gilliam. Timothy prophesied that Duncan had been chosen to be a champion. He foresaw Duncan's meeting with Connor MacLeod, and a battle with a terrible and ancient evil. Then, he took Duncan's sword and beheaded himself -- giving Duncan his first Quickening. The event was so traumatic that Duncan would go on to only remember pieces of it.

Shortly thereafter, Duncan was found by Connor MacLeod. He took his fellow clansmen in and taught him about the rules of the Game, how to kill an Immortal, and everything else he needed to know for his survival. He taught Duncan all the finest swordsmanship he could, enrolled him dueling schools, and instilled in his pupil a desire to constantly improve himself. Though they had traveled Europe, they parted ways when they returned to Scotland. Shortly afterwards, Martin Hyde found Duncan while hunting for Connor -- but refused to duel the young Immortal in his mentor's stead.

### Immortal Traveler

Duncan began traveling the world on his own, making both enemies and friends among the Immortals of the world. He developed lasting and close friendships with Amanda and with Hugh Fitzcairn. He also sought out the tutelage of many great Immortals, including Hamza el Kahir and Graham Ashe. After watching both of those mentors be killed, Duncan took a respite from the Game -- following his friend Peter Hale to holy ground at the Monastery of St. Christopher in 1658 CE. There, he befriended Brother Timon who helped him learn to read and lent him a book. When Timon left the monastery, Duncan witnessed his betrayal and defeat at the hands of Antonius Kalas -- which Duncan reported immediately to Brother Paul. Kalas was banished from the monastery, and became a nemesis of Duncan's.

Over the course of his travels, Duncan never forgot his Scottish roots. When the Bonnie Prince Charles issued a call to arms in 1745 CE, Duncan answered. Along with Warren Cochrane, Duncan fought against the English until they were forced to smuggle the prince to France, dressing him as a woman with the help of Ceirdwyn. Duncan went on a rampage out of anger at Scotland's defeat -- a dark time ultimately only brought to an end with Ceirdwyn's help. Duncan left Scotland and began exploring the rest of the world beyond Europe.

After shipwrecking off the coast of Japan, Duncan was found by Hideo Koto. Koto trained Duncan in the ways of the samurai and the two became fast friends. Harboring a foreigner was a crime punishable death by the local shogun, however. Despite Duncan's efforts to help, Koto accepted his fate and gifted Duncan his sword. Duncan vowed to protect Koto's family should they ever need it, and proceeded to use the katana as his personal weapon from then on. Some time after that, Duncan was sent to train under May-Ling Shen by Kiem Sun. She taught him a great deal about combat, and then chose to become his lover. They remained together for several years, before Duncan returned to Europe.

Towards the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Duncan met the Immortal Darius and became a follower of his. However, Duncan was a warrior at heart and could not completely give up violence. He and Darius soon parted ways, although they remained good friends. Duncan participated in several others wars, including the American Civil War during which time he fought for the Union army and worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad. He later served as a medic on the front lines during World War I, as a journalist during the Spanish Civil War, and joined the French Resistance during World War II.

In the middle of the 20th century, Duncan discovered the city of Seacouver. It became a place he frequently visited, as did Paris. While fleeing from an Immortal in Paris in 1980 CE, Duncan happened upon a human woman named Tessa Noel. The two fell in love, and Duncan revealed his immortality to her. They eventually moved in together at Duncan's antique shop in Seacouver.

## Source

Duncan MacLeod is derived from *Highlander*.