The Characters
Lead:
Chris Larabee:
*Origin: New Mexico
*Once-employed: Army Ranger
*Class: None
*Distinguishing Features: Dresses all in black
*Weapons: Twin Army issue M9 Berettas
*Skills: Marksmanship (handguns), First Aid (combat trauma), Leadership, Attack Strategy
*Important History: Friend of Buck Wilmington's since at least middle school age where he often lead Buck into mischief, part of and eventual leader of Buck's Ranger unit, took four bullets (three in the vest and one in the flesh) meant for his best friend while out in the field, had something dark happen not long before he and his unit were deployed to fight infected that had a major effect on his character
*Character Notes: Has made it his personal mission to keep Dr. Nathan Jackson alive while the doc is working on creating a vaccine against the virus. Is the silently recognized leader of the team who tends to think ahead and work through issues with a cool demeanor, though can come off as a little gruff at times. Has a knack for reading the value in a person's skillset, and is capable of pushing aside prejudices in regards to a person's past or personality when he identifies a skill as an asset. Can be a little intimidating at times and is a man that unconsciously demands respect, but he also has a wicked sense of humor that peeks out here and there when the mood strikes. Is very respectful of his team's privacy and will not micromanage them or ask questions that he feels aren't imperative to their survival. As long as they have his back when it matters he'll have theirs.
Buck Wilmington:
*Origin: New Mexico
*Once-employed: Army Ranger
*Class: None
*Distinguishing Features: Thick mustache
*Weapons: Army issue M9 Beretta, M4 carbine rifle
*Skills: Marksmanship (handguns, decent with the rifle), First Aid (combat trauma), Winning Over Women (self-proclaimed), Cooking (can make full feasts out of virtually nothing)
*Important History: Chris's best friend since middle school and once part of his Ranger unit, grew up poor where his mother taught him how to best utilize what was already in his possession ("taught him how to survive")
*Character Notes: Tends to be pretty care-free and generally jovial, but can get very serious when the situation calls for it. Will protect the people he cares about with frightening intensity when trouble arises. Likens himself to be a ladies man by nature, and seems to have gotten himself into trouble on more than one occasion with his promiscuous ways. Is equal parts respectfully fascinated and immaturely amused by JD, whose youth and style of dress are at odds with his skillset in Buck's eyes. Enjoys being helpful to the team and will willingly take on duties such as cleaning, cooking, and just watching over "the flock."
Vin Tanner:
*Origin: Texas
*Once-employed: SWAT Sniper
*Class: None
*Distinguishing Features: Long, dirty-blond hair generally tied back
*Weapons: .357 Sig, Tango-51 precision rifle
*Skills: Marksmanship (all guns, specializes in long range)
*Important History: Grew up on "the wrong side of the tracks." His entire SWAT team was killed post-infection (unknown whether they fell to the virus or to other means). Had a tight relationship with his late captain.
*Character Notes: Generally quiet and laid back. Has a sort of water-off-a-duck personality and a clever sense of humor always riding just below the surface. Has a knack for being able to read people's personality types and potential hidden motives, complimenting Chris's ability to read a person's value. Feels a connection to Chris possibly due to the fact that Larabee reminds him of his late SWAT captain. Has a deep hatred for Poachers, believing that the Diseased are not animals to be hunted down like prize game. Kills only out of necessity and will not shoot a man in the back unless it is absolutely called for. Is capable of very quickly weighing all the options and coming to reasonable conclusions when confronted with conflict. Has very good natural instincts.
John Dunne (JD) aka the Toymaker:
*Origin: Unknown except "back east"
*Once-employed: Student
*Class: Scavenger (though Vin argues against that)
*Distinguishing Features: Steampunk (wears Victorian era clothing by choice). Tends to sport a pair of brass, tinted-lensed goggles on his head. Youngest member of the team.
*Weapons: Twin 1877 Colt Lightening revolvers, Weena, myriad of other homemade weapons designed by himself that are all Steampunk in nature (see toy list)
*Skills: Marksmanship (revolvers, remote weapons), Engineering (mechanical and electrical)
*Important History: Has had damaging run-ins with both Pirates and Poachers. Has been commissioned by Josiah Sanchez for a few years to build weapons. Was taken in by elderly couple Hank and Ruthie following the death of his mother (whom he was forced to shoot after she turned), but the couple was murdered by looters. His antique pistols once belonged to the old man and had been stolen by the looters, which JD was able to retrieve (it is unknown how he accomplished this). Began building weapons as a means to help other people protect themselves against the same fate.
*Character Notes: Full of youthful energy and exuberance despite having been on his own in such a tragic setting. Highly intelligent, quick-witted, and extremely independent. Is incredibly jaded by incidents from his past, but has a kind heart and an unconscious desire to be a part of a family. Loves Weena more than anything else he owns, almost treating her as more of a companion than a vehicle. Has a violent hatred of Pirates, but readily accepted Ezra Standish into the fold after seeing the man help save their lives and upon hearing the reasons for his having ridden with a Pirate crew. Has a certain naïve desire to trust those that have earned it in his eyes.
Nathan Jackson aka Doc:
*Origin: Shreveport, Louisiana
*Once-employed: Higher Hopes Foundation - research scientist
*Class: None
*Distinguishing Features: Dark skin. Generally has a lab coat with him or on him.
*Weapons: Twin retractable blades that he wears on his forearms, courtesy of Toymaker
*Skills: Blades, Biology and Chemical Engineering, First Aid (though prefers not to have to be a trauma surgeon if he doesn't have to be)
*Important History: Was on the original team of doctors working on the HIV vaccine, and now is the only one remaining. Has been working to design a cure for the mutated virus created by the Rising Corporation. Was friends with Josiah Sanchez for years prior to the fall of civilization.
*Character Notes: Incredibly passionate about his cause to the point of being stubborn. Has a kind heart and a desire to help others in need. Like JD, also has a highly independent streak that may have a penchant for getting him into trouble. Doesn't seem to understand his own value to the fate of humanity and can put himself into reckless situations at times when he doesn't need to. Is a little less trusting of people than some of the others on his team, but will point out his reasons in a logical way, acting as a precautionary, intelligent balance to simple gut instinct. Adapts an almost impish quality when introduced to a new scientific challenge or when getting to play with Josiah's "toys." Is flustered by and takes a little bit of blame for the vaccine having been stolen from Higher Hopes, allowing him to recognize that the fault didn't solely lie with Rising. This enables him to be able to see past some of his insecurities in regards to Ezra and prompts him to try to use the man for his knowledge instead of fighting with him.
Josiah Sanchez:
*Origin: Shreveport, Louisiana
*Once-employed: Preacher
*Class: None
*Distinguishing Features: Greying hair and beard. Large, muscular build. Oldest member of the team.
*Weapons: The Archangels (see toy list)
*Skills: Music (piano), Knowledge (worldly cultures and religious beliefs), Combat (specialty weapons)
*Important History: Friends with Nate for years prior to the fall of civilization. Has been commissioning JD to build weapons for him for a long time, and is one of the few people who was privy to JD's identity on a personal level. Ex-preacher whose parishioners all died off long ago.
*Character Notes: Is considered to be "a little off his rocker" due to the events of the fall of society. Has a tendency to speak in what are almost riddles to outsiders, but it's not intentional on his part. Has a general joy of life and seems to just want to be involved in whatever isn't boring at the time. Strongly believes in a man's word, so will accept anyone into his fold that his friends will vouch for. Wants to see the good in everyone, but will readily fight against those he believes to be innately evil in nature. Likes to observe and inwardly speculate about people as a means of trying to understand them, but often keeps those speculations to himself. Enjoys a good fight, a good drink, a good story, and a good woman if there is one. Coined the term "Hellhounds" (see creature list). Has an almost fatherly need to look out for JD.
Ezra Standish:
*Origin: Resides in Denver, Colorado. Accent places him originally as a Southerner, possibly Georgia or South Carolina
*Once-employed: The Rising Corporation - "advanced security detail"
*Class: Pirate (by force, now defunct)
*Distinguishing Features: Southern accent with an odd speech pattern, red leather jacket, gold tooth
*Weapons: Double barreled, black pocket pistol often hidden in his boot (DoubleTap .45 ACP convertible to a 9mm) , Quick tongue (as some would say)
*Skills: Slight of hand. Persuasion. Acrobatics (motorbikes)
*Important History: Like Vin, also had a rough childhood where he was forced to fend for himself. Mother taught him how to steal, and presumably how to lie. Was captured by Pirates in Colorado Springs while on a supply run, then rode with them for around two months where he was known as Mercury (stole the name from the man known to have lead the band of thieves responsible for stealing the vaccine-turned-virus from Higher Hopes). Seems to have run into quite a bit of trouble due to his association with the Rising Corporation where his job being to keep experts from breaking into the building.
*Character Notes: Cunning, secretive, and distrusting of pretty much everyone. Is incredibly difficult to figure out, making it hard for others to trust him in return, but he can turn almost any situation to his advantage regardless of that. Prefers to be on his own and gets agitated and a little short-tempered when forced to spend too much time in the company of others. Tends to put off the vibe that he only wishes to look out for himself, but continues to prove that image as being wrong when he puts himself in danger to help others. Clearly feels a deep sense of guilt for his involvement in the spread of the disease, and though he fears it, he'll submit to any punishment that others wish to dole out against him, turning himself into the proverbial scapegoat for Rising's misdeeds. He does not tolerate anyone who harms children. Has a mystery supplier who can probably get him a new leather jacket ("amongst other things") that Ezra seems to have a bit of a dislike for.
Supporting:
Unknown