squadron-of-damned:

Okay, so I have lately quite often encounetred the problem that not much is actually said about Downey in the books. And while L-space Wiki and Discworld Wiki are great things, they, like all Wikis, tend to leave out information (for the sake of spoilers or just because people aren’t always entirely dedicated). So here goes: Men at Arms His first appearance in books.

He hadn’t scored full marks in his post-graduate course.



He is second-in-charge, also deputy of the Guild (so in case Cruses is missing, he is in command).



Cruces office is different than Downey’s office described in the Hogfather.



He is a member of the Guild Council.



He is referred to as Mr. Downey.



In the only interaction he has with Dr. Cruces, Dr. Cruces scolds and belittles him as much as possible.



He is white haired.



According to Gaspode, he would done Dr. Cruces in for a handful of beechnuts.



Gaspode also claims he is almost as good as Dr. Cruces when it comes to poisons.



You can usually get a mint bonbon from him if he is in the right mood.



He’s poisoned 15 already this year



He knows Gaspode.



His first reaction to seeing Angua in wolf form is saying hi and pet her head.



So he either can’t tell a wolf from a Ramtop wolfhound, or he has the “canine = friend” instinct. Possibly both.



When he goes to check on really angry Vimes and Carrot who have just killed Cruces,the first thing he does is that he shows he is unarmed with his hands raised.



every time he knocks on the door, he does so very carefully.



He doesn’t want people to see dead Cruces and wants to keep the whole thing low.

Feet of Clay He is head of the guild, and referred to as a Doctor.



It is implied that young Assassins are sent after Vimes and Vetinari as form of punishment.

He is sarcastic without making faces.



He is wanted to be the first to speak on the city council meeting, and address the elephant in the room.



He wants to have power and keep it.



He thinks kings are not a much of a good idea.



But not so bad idea if he was the one (or at least one of the people) to tell the king what to do. That is, kindly advise ans subtly suggest, of course.



He is suspicious of other people.



He doesn’t want Vetinari dead.



Maybe retired, yes. Not dead.



He knows Nobby Noobs.



He isn’t exactly fond of Vimes.



He is the one to come up with the ideas on how to execute a plan.



When he gets an echo that Vimes has a packet of arsene in his office, he jumps after the oportunisty to… Do… stuff? And he doesn’t even question it. Not much at least.



He doesn’t expect to be hit by a drunk man.



But he doesn’t whine about a nosebleed.



He doesn’t acknowledge that sugar is potentially dangerous.



He can admit when he is wrong.

Hogfather: He is referred to as a Lord Downey.



He is doing paperwork late into night.



He needs to catch up with the paperwork.



He believes in money.



And also in the Rules.



He has good well worn furniture in his office. And a carpet.



He has at least two big fluffy dogs.



He is analytical of the sutiation he happens to be in.



Seeing Death wouldn’t surprise him.



His teeth are in an excellent condition.



He has musical hearing and can hold a tune.



He doesn’t deny the existence of various supernatural beings.



He is not scared easily.



He likes answers.



But he believes more in three millions than he believes in answers.



He offers his clients a drink.



Awkward jokes to lighten up the mood.



He knows pure gold when he sees it.



And magic metal when he sees it.



He knows who is good for what kind of… commision.



He hasn’t got any real morals, only norms.



He detests Teatime.



He likes to arrange win-win situations for himself.



He likes to impress people.



He forgets about the chimney system.



He’s never thought about killing Death, nor how to do it.



He used to collect butterflies.



On Hogswatch Eve he waits to hear the sleigh-bells.

Nobody got anywhere by obeying the rules and getting caught at it. Jingo He says a lot of things by not talking about them at all.



He is aware of the potential danger coming from Klatchian Assassins, but he doesn’t say it outright.



Fuck subtlety. But not as hard as Vimes fucks it.



He goes for the “Don’t we pay our taxes?” despite he knows the Guild doesn’t pay taxes.



But he has it legally covered, though.



He is very well aware, however, they should be paid. He isn’t keen on that idea.



The whole time, he addresses Vetinari by neither name, nor title. Even when he talks directly to him.



Given the Lordship status not so long ago.



Vimes calls him a friend of Rust.



He got his Lordship title from the Patrician.



He signed the arrest Warrant on Vetinari along with the most of the Guild Heads.



The whole time he lowkey gives the wibe of a man who is 20 mugs of coffee behind his schedule. Assassins’ Yearbook (though, I have seen only snippets) He teaches advanced poisoning for sixth-formers.



His wife holds afternoon teas on Thursday for the sixth-formers, which are very educational.



That means he is married.



He can get lost when writing an official text (which is supposed to be revised before printing).



In the same official texts, he makes jokes and points them out.



The Rules are Very Important.



He opened the Assassins’ Academy for girls and trolls (and possibly other sentient races), despite the number of concerns on this matter. Progress is Very Important



He knows there were undercover girls.



His door/window is always opened to the pupils.



Surprisingly clear and clean signature:

Bonus: In Czech his name is Odkraglli, which would sound more like Killerelli turned back to English.

More to come tomorrow, because I am dead tired.

Wow, this really got way more notes than I expected. Here are more books Downey is in:

The Truth

He Voted Mr. Scrope to become the new Patrician.



He is sensitive to social/conversational/power changes.

The Last Hero

He thought an Assassin should have been on the board of Kite to deal with the Silver Horde.



Night Watch

He had Vimes taken off the List.



Although the Guild can hunt killers and murderers without Assassin’s Licence, no known actions are taken against Carcer.



He used to be a prefect.



At the time of the Glorious Revolution he was already over 18 years old, approximately the same age as Havelock Vetinari and Johan “Ludo” Ludorum at the time.



He thought Winder a scag.



Alright, he thought (and maybe still thinks) everyone a scag.



He notices lack of movement and still things



He can throw an apple across a hall.



He lacked (maybe still lacks) wit.



He called Vetinari Dog-botherer when they were younger.



He was easy to anger.



Most of his fellows did as he told.



He was big, rich, and sometimes embarrassing to have around.



He has zero respect towards books.



Although, a Guild book, that he wouldn’t harm.



He even checks whether it is a Guild book or not.



He burned Vetinari’s book about mimicry, without reading it.



It is hinted he might had (and maybe still has) problems reading long words.



When searching an area, he checks the ceiling too.

Conclusion: He is very cautious. Even drunk.

He has a dagger at his waist.



He can draw weapons very quickly even drunk.

He drinks a lot.



And mainly brandy.



There was that Tiger Incident.



He doesn’t connect Vetinari to the Tiger Incident.

The Art of Discworld

He is more refined and gentler gentleman than Dr. Cruces.



He is a very skilled poisoner.



However, no body Downey was handling bear any trace of any kind of poison.



Perhaps he is not only experienced and skilled, but also exceptionally excellent poisoner.



Bonus

My conclusion: Downey and Vetinari have been married for the past 25 years, and what they present at the City council meetings is traditional married couple bickering.



Vetinari is the wife serving the Thursday afternoon tea for sixth-formers

In case I have left out any book, ping me, I’ll add it.

I admit this isn’t much information about him, but it is still far more then I expected. Cheers.