Newton Foster
From DevilshireWiki
| Newton Trevan Foster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Percy Daggs III as Newton Trevan Foster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Newton Trevan Foster is a senior at DevU, majoring in Paraphysics (Physics and Occult Studies dual-major). Having just taken a semester off to intern at the Derleth Research Institute, Newton is back in Devilshire to complete his degree and graduate. He might be up to a bit more than just that, but he certainly isn't telling.
Contents |
History
Let Newton Be…
Newton Trevan Foster was born on November 15, 1990 to William Barret Foster and Leonna Isaacs-Foster. His father, Dr. William Barrett Foster DSc, PhD was a biochemist. Having grown up poor in the Watts district of LA, William Foster eventually became director of a prestigious research lab. It was here that he met his wife, Leonna. The pair, both having come from difficult backgrounds, wanted to raise a family free from the ravages of poverty, inferior education and social injustice. Unfortunately, after multiple attempts it seemed that the couple were destined not to have children. Foster, not content with this outcome used his skills, contacts and resources to investigate a number of fertility options. After a year of trials, the couple was finally blessed with a child that they named Newton Trevan.
Newton's early life was fairly regular. His family lived just outside of LA and he enjoyed a good upbringing given his parents professions. More nurture than nature, his father tried to instill a love of education and science in the child, which Newton did not immediately take too. Despite the wishes of his parents, particularly his father, Newton appeared to be just a normal child. While well read, he was into the typical things children his age were into: toys, video games, TV. Then one day Newton, age 6 at the time, was watching reruns of a PBS science biography on his namesake, Sir Isaac Newton, in his father’s study. The documentary explored the occult leanings of the scientist, outlining his study of the ancient art of alchemy. He watch dispassionately as the program went on to explain Isaac Newton’s theory that there was a secret divine law that controlled everything in the universe and that if one could learn it, they could become like God.
Epiphany
An internal bulb suddenly lit in the boy’s head. Like a man possessed, he started pulling books from his father’s collection, frantically searching through them. After about an hour, he had an odd collection of scholarly journals, text books, fictional works and RPG material assembled before him. Isaac Newton was right! There was a hidden law of the universe. In every book that he looked in, in all the source material, the boy could see threads of this. Hidden subtly beneath the text, it was there: pointers to the Universal Law. No, he had not discovered what this Law was, but only that it did indeed exist. Newton Trevan could not believe his eyes. What had he uncovered? What would it mean? He had to discover more.
From that time forward, Newton’s interest in science, particularly Physics, increased 100 fold. He would spend hours upon hours reading, researching and watching. He also found that with his peaked interest, his retention exploded as well. Perhaps he had always had a photographic memory but just not realized it. Now it seemed to be functioning in overdrive. Everything he read or watch was indelibly imprinted in his memory. And as his interest grew, so too did his understanding; the more he studied, the more he understood. Needless to say, his parents were overjoyed. They wholly supported his endeavors by giving him access to as much research material as possible including limited access to the resources of their research lab. Newt (as he was called by his parents) did not waste the opportunity given to him. He wholeheartedly threw himself into his studies. He was a constant presence at his father’s research facility, poking his nose into every facet of research and investigation that he could get involved with. He would spend all his free time talking to the researchers, learning about their fields of speciality, finding out about their experiments, pushing the boundaries of his knowledge. And having a father who was a directory of an RnD firm gave the youth ready access to lab equipment and materials as well as ample opportunity to test his theorems.
With Great Power…
Thus began his grand quest to discover the Secrets of the Universe <tm>. If Newt was consumed before by his studies, he was now possessed by them. It was not long before his more esoteric leanings began to become evident in his studies and in the research and experiments he carried out. In fact, he drew some unwanted attention to himself when he argued the existence of parallel realities and travel between them using Newtonian physics and the string theory for his grade school science fair project. Needless to say his presentation was deemed controversial, but his critics could not deny his obvious brilliance and insight. In deference to his father’s position, Newt reigned in his more outrageous ideas and experiments, keeping them for his private study and contemplation. On the surface, he cultivated a veneer of acceptable geekdom. He began dressing in typical geek chic fashion, even to the point of wearing thick rimmed glasses (which he doesn’t need). He also began frequently online RPGs and reading comic books; all in an attempt to look and act the “part”. Already prone to be reclusive, he limited the majority of his social interactions to online friends and other misfits and nerds. He continued to compete and win a variety of science fairs nationally but he never submitted anything as earth shattering as his first project. To all onlookers, he was your typical genius science nerd.
Behind the scenes, out of the sight of prying eyes, he continued his search for the ultimate Law of the Universe <tm>. He believed that if he could find this secret, he could change the world for the better. Life on Earth could be come a paradise. To that end, he continued to study and research all the known Laws, factual and fictional; everything from the Newton’s laws, to the Prime Directive to the Wiccan Rule. He kept a record of his discoveries and theories in a tome he came to name “Newton’s Codex”. To further his aims, Newt threw himself into his studies, spending much of his summers doing extra credit, double honour science courses. He managed to jump 2 grades ahead. True to plan, Newt was ready to graduate High School by age 16. While this surprised his parents’ surprise, they were nonetheless pleased with their son’s efforts. To their further surprise, Newt forwent applying to typical schools like MIT or Caltech and instead applied and was accepted to Devilshire University in Massachusetts. Newt argued that DevU was an overlooked institution that had specialized programs of study which would allow him to pursue multiple disciplinary fields concurrently. This was the truth. His parents simply did not know what fields he planned to study.
And so the story goes
Newton sought solace in the arms of a few different fair maidens around Devilshire. If he couldn’t have the life of an adventurer, he’d settle for love and happiness. Sadly, none of the damsels who turned Newt’s head and stole his heart returned his affections. So the young scientist was left with love unrequited. Each one sided relationship was harder than the last, hardening more and more of Newt’s heart until he was left stony and numb. As a result Newton retreated further and further into his studies. Not that anyone seemed to notice as his few remaining friends were drowning in their own problems, too busy to notice him alienating himself. Thankfully, one person did: Newton’s Mother. She could sense the change in her child. Worried, she encouraged his Father to bring their son back home. Already having more than enough credits to graduate, Newton left the environs of Massachusetts in the early 2010. He went back home and took an internship at his father’s workplace, the Derleth Research Institute. He was apprenticed to work with a multidisciplinary scientist named Dexter Mandark. To put it bluntly, Professor Mandark was crazy. The good Doctor had some very outlandish ideas about the practical application of physics and was known for conducting wild experiments. However, despite his mania and eccentricities, he was a brilliant theorist and marvelous inventor. His discoveries and devices proved to be a huge cash cow for the institute. Discovering Newton to receptive (if not supportive) of his zany ideas, Mandark shared his secret ideas and hidden experiments with the Afro Genius. Newton was awestruck. The things Mandark could do were simply magical. The pair sent the next six months working together in seclusion, the older teacher passing on his knowledge to his young protégé. However, time soon came for Newton to return to his DevU. He had yet to officially graduate and he had post-grad degrees to consider.
Back with a Vengeance
So reluctantly Newton has packed up his Bunsen burners, test tubes and charts. However the Newton who is returning is far different than the Newton who left. He’s no longer the naive, lovable sap that he was. He’s a lot more private and secretive. Always a hard worker, he’s now very driven to the point of excess. No longer seeking the society of others, it’s all about the pursuit of knowledge. The Universe had many secrets to unfold and Newton won’t rest until he unravels them all.
Personality
Newton is your stereotypical geek. He's good at science, bad with girls. He knows way around a lab or library but good luck to him trying to navigate a date or social outing. Just what one would expect: a super genius who coincidentally wants to take over the world.
While at DevU, Newton began to display a darker, more intense side of his personality. Always a hard worker, Our Boy Genius became almost relentless in the pursuit of his goals, risking his health and well-being in order to achieve his objectives. He displayed a sense of loyalty that went beyond fierce to frightening. Further, he showed the early signs of potential drug addiction (to amphetamines).
Since his time back home, Newton has returned a much changed young man. He’s lost the innocence and naivety that so many others found endearing about him. He’s gotten a lot more guarded and does not let others get to close to himself or his secrets. He is driven in his pursuits, past the point of reason and safety. He’s also become a lot more withdrawn, finding it harder and harder to relate to the mundane people around him.
Powers and Abilities
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- Intelligence: If the old adage that says Knowledge is Power is true, then Newton has a fair amount power at his disposal. He's not called the Afro Genius for nothing. The kid is smart, perhaps a little bit too smart.
- Memory: There are some things you want to remember forever. There are other mental images that make you want to scrub your brain with bleach. (Un)fortunately Newton's think box doesn't distinguish between the two. His mind is always on record and save. The delete button doesn't work.
- Science: For most people, science is something they force you to take in school. If you are lucky, it becomes a useful tool to help you get a job. If you are Newton, science is a super-power.
- Super-Science: This is the stuff man was not meant to know <tm>. This is the blurred line where science and sorcery become indistinguishable. Load the photon torpedoes and prepare to jump to warp.
Friends & Family
The Parental Units
Bill Foster aka Dad is Newton's major male role model. Newton shares many of his father's traits. Both are intelligent, driven, loyal and hardworking. Neither will let anything stand in their way and both are relentless in their pursuits. Newton and his Dad are ridiculously close. Newton is his "only begotten son" and he loves the boy intensely and fiercely. Newton is his heart.
If Newton is his Dad’s heart then he is his Mother’s soul. The two connect on a spiritual level that is deep and abiding. Told that she could never bear a child, Newton was indeed a godsend. She knows he is a gift and treats him as such. He is more precious to her than life. Without saying, Newton feels the same about his Mom. She is that tender embrace and soothing whisper that holds and comforts the Boy Genius in his roughest times. Because of his Dad, he is smart and driven and creative. Because of his Mom, he is loving and gentle and kind.
Recent Unfoldings
May 2010
- Newt returns to Devilshire after a semester's long hiatus in California working at his Dad's R&D firm. Much has changed with the young man.
External Links
Lex Libri - Newton's Livejournal
