Charlie grew up in Chicago, Illinois, but moved to Newford to begin what he hoped would be a new career opportunity. He is currently employed as the manager of a local restaurant, and hates it. He aspires to much more, but realizes his lack of education is holding him back. Although he has no formal education after high school, he has managed to become in fairly high demand due to his skill base.

Both of his parents died when Charlie was 13, and so his older brother, Phil, raised him. Phil is now 29. He has, understandably, a very close relationship with his brother but is not comfortable divulging the secret of his Fae identity to him. Charlie is predominantly asexual, preferring clearness of mind to focus on things historical, particularly military matter, and on maintaining the emotional shield which saved him from the intense grief which resulted from the death of his parents. Fascinated with his fae seeming, although still somewhat skeptical, he is considered a capable leader and able combatant.

He has few friends, and often prefers his own company. He is not an unlikeable person, but people tend to find him a frustrating enigma, eventually giving up rather than persisting in trying to fathom his nature. He prefers action movies to all others, feeling a rapour with the heroes of these movies, however cheesy.

His sword is a manifestation of a pendant given to him by his father for his Ninth birthday, a small circle with an eagle in it. It has been revealed that this sword contains a female Sentience that can communicate with Charlie.

For reward of his diligence in the face of near defeat, Tamlin gave Charlie the Stone Leaf from the Great Hall of High Castle as his Gift.