In his scholar days, Downey was quite unpleasant occurrence, often boasting and showing off, calling everyone a scag and mistreating younger students, notably young Havelock Vetinari (whom he mockingly nicknamed Dog-Botherer). The status of their relationship in unknown but one might assume it's strained. Downey, as cunning as he is, became second Assassin to Dr. Cruces and inherits the Guild's Head position shortly after his death.