The Posse
Caleb Roarke (played by Tim Wilbanks)Background:Caleb's father is the owner of a riverboat casino, travelling up and down the Mississippi. His parents spent most of their time in social gatherings, leaving Caleb with the Haitian servant assigned to watch over him. She told him tales of mysticism and Voodoo, until the day when she was finally dismissed from service. When Caleb was twelve, he noticed an old, eccentric gambler doing real well at the tables. After seeing cards appear in the gambler's hand while it was under a table, and the old man then winning a crucial hand of poker, he felt certain that the man was using some form of magic to cheat. Caleb confronted the man, who dodged the issue for several days before finally admitting to using magic. The man's name was Old Willie, and he was a huckster of considerable skill. Willie saw that Caleb had a knack for the arcane, and agreed to teach him. However, Willie was also a bit addled from his advanced age, and didn't realize the possible consequences of this. A man confronted Old Willie one day, but backed off when Willie summoned up a hand of cards. Things were quiet for a few weeks, and then there was a black period in Caleb's memory. He does remember that Old Willie died somehow, and that he overheard a conversation afterward between the man who confronted Willie before, and another man known as Mathais Thorn. Caleb's father took more of an interest in Caleb after that incident, and began to take up Caleb's free time with learning the family business. Caleb, seeing his chances to become a true huckster diminishing with each passing day, ran away and headed out west. He knew from Old Willie that a lot of strange things were in the west. Another huckster willing to train him was bound to be out there somewhere.
Marshal Stuff:The reason Caleb doesn't remember Old Willie's death is because of Mathais Thorn. Willie died when Mathais passed by him while Willie was at a poker table. Mathais casually brushed his hand against Willie's back, and cast Touch o' Death on him. The resulting heart attack looked perfectly natural to everyone who witnessed it...except Caleb. Before Mathais left the boat, he cast Forget on Caleb, surpressing the memories of the incident.
ProfileCorporeal: D:1d8, N:1d10, S:4d4, Q:4d8, V:3d6 Mental: C:2d12, K:1d8, M:3d6, Sm:1d12, Sp:4d12 Wind: 18 Grit: 3 Edges: Arcane Background: Huckster (3), Arcane Prodigy (3), Child of the Reckoning (5), Purty (1), Voice - Soothing (1). Hinderances: Enemy - Pinkerton (1), Kid (2), Night Terrors (5), Pacifist (3) Tricks: Bandage, Coffin Varnish, Likker Up, Will O' Wisp. Hexes: Achilles' Heel, Bodyguard, Helpin' Hands, Phantom Fingers, Ride the Rails, Sandman, Shadow Man, Shadow Walk, Soul Blast. Gear: Hoyle's Book of Games (1820 edition), playing cards, harmonica, slingshot, bag of marbles, family photo in silver frame, spare set of clothes.
Design Notes:Caleb was given fifteen extra points to spend on Aptitudes and Edges, since the game only has two players. This makes him a well-rounded character, and a true progedy despite his age. He put his 4d12 in Spirit to aid certain hexes and to better handle certain Backlash effects (such as Total Corruption). He placed his 4d4 in Strength since he's only twelve, and will get stronger as he gets older. Child of the Reckoning in combination with Arcane Progedy and a d12 Spirit makes Caleb a Huckster to be reckoned with. This is why he knows so many hexes at such a young age. With time and Bounty points, he can become a legend in the Weird West.
Update:Caroline has been encouraging Caleb to find a profession besides being a huckster. Caleb has sent a story to the Tombstone Epitaph in hopes of it being published, and Moses has begun to teach Caleb how to use a gun. Furthermore, Caleb has discovered a series of notes about the true nature of Mad Science, written by R. Percy Sitgreaves.
Caroline Penn (played by Kathy McGirt)Background:Caroline was born in a small Puritan community located in Pennsylvania. She was raised in a strict environment focusing on hard work and stern morality. Luxury and pleasure were things to be avoided, and magic was a tool of the Devil. Caroline was twelve years old when something happened that would change her life forever. She was returning home from evening services with her family and two of their neighbors, when the sounds of hoofbeats could be heard in the distance. Her father slowed the wagon, but no rider could be seen behind them. As they continued, the hoofbeats grew louder. Just as Caroline's father sped up the horses, a macabre figure on horseback appeared over a small rise behind them. The rider had no head, but was holding a jack-o-lantern seemingly burning with the fires of Hell. Caroline's father prodded the horses to a breakneck pace, while one of the two neighbors on horseback turned to face the ghastly apparition. Intent on catching the wagon, the headless horseman casually threw its pumpkin head at the man, who perished in an explosion of flame. The horseman got closer, and closer, until it was within a few feet of the wagon. Caroline, petrified with fear, held her hands out as if to ward off the supernatural horror. Dark energies began to crackle around her hands and arms, and then a massive blast shot forth. The headless horseman was blown completely out of his saddle, and thrown to the ground. Caroline's other neighbor had the presence of mind to shoot at the fallen figure with his rifle, and the being did not rise again. Caroline's hands were still crackling with residual energy, and she accidently injured her mother and sister. Horrified, and believing she was some sort of witch, she took a horse and ran off. That was four years ago. Caroline had the good fortune to be taken in by a female trapper named Bess. Bess was an irreverant sort, prone to swearing and many other things that were taboo in the Puritan community. Still, she proved to be a good friend to Caroline, teaching her how to survive and make a living out West. Though Caroline never adopted Bess' habits, she became tolerant of her mentor's swearing and frequent drinking. The pair eventually parted ways on good terms. Now, Caroline frequents the mountains of Colorado, making a living by trapping and other honest work. Though she doesn't make much money, her simple lifestyle is well within her means.
ProfileCorporeal: D:1d10, N:1d10, S:2d6, Q:3d10, V:4d8 Mental: C:4d6, K:3d8, M:1d8, Sm:2d8, Sp:4d12 Wind: 20 Grit: 3 Edges: Arcane Background: Blessed (3), Brave (2), Keen (3), Tempest: Black Lightnin' (5). Hinderances: Cautious (3), Heroic (3), Oath: 'Simplicity' (1), Pacifist (3). Miracles: Chastise, Protection, Lay on Hands, Mercy. Gifts: Insight, Pious, Prophecy. Gear: Winchester '66 rifle, Bowie knife, horse, trapping equipment, camping gear, first aid kit, wagon with medical gear (+3 to Medicine: Surgery roll).
Design Notes:The player (Kathy) expressed interest in being a Blessed, but her first concept didn't sit too well with the other member of the group (a 'Fire and Brimstone' preacher). Like Caleb, she was given fifteen extra points, with the condition that the Marshal could choose how some of them were spent. So, when her next concept had a religious background, I decided to withhold a few points, and turn her into a Blessed. Her character isn't aware of her miracles and gifts, though they will be discovered in time. She chose a 4d12 Spirit because it's useful for both her Blessed and Tempest powers. With d10's in Deftness, Nimbleness, and Quickness, she is the combat character for the posse (despite her Pacifism). Her Oath is basically her Puritan values - a simple life, based on hard work, and refraining from traditional vices (drinking, smoking, premarital sex, etc). With a 4d12 Guts roll, and both Brave and Pious, Catherine will make her Guts checks against all but the most terrifying of abominations. Furthermore, it's possible for her to buy the Lion-Hearted Gift in the future, making her nearly unshakable. Combined with Caleb's Child of the Reckoning ability to negate a failed Terror check with a Red chip, the posse is well-suited to facing the supernatural.
Update:Caroline has been slowly discovering her connection with the Almighty. Her faith has been tested, and remained strong. Now that she is aware of her God- given powers, she will continue to grow in strength.
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