The Union
Commanded since 1872 by General Ulysses S. Grant. While they have long proclaimed dominion over all the land they once claimed in the recent past, following the election of Eric Michele as Head of the CSA, they have been forced to come to terms with the divided world that we all live in. They have claim to much of the Northern Half of the United States, with the exception of Utah and chunks of Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and Dakota, as well as the Disputed Lands.

The Confederate States of America
The CSA elections of 1878 would see Jefferson Davis reelected and then assassinated and the front-runner against him in the election Robert E. Lee would fall victim to an accidental rail car explosion. The President of the CSA elected in the aftermath of these events, Eric Michele, has since kept a tenuous peace with Union President Ulysses S. Grant. They have claim to much of the Southern Half of the United States, with the exception of California, and part of Oklahoma, as well as the Disputed Lands.

The Disputed Lands
Kansas, Colorado, California, most of Oklahoma, and some would argue Utah, make up The Disputed Lands. These are lands without any significant presence from the Union, CSA, or the two predominant Indian groups of the land. Utah is claimed by The Republic of Deseret but often not recognized.

The Republic of Deseret
A land for the followers of Brigham Young, ruled by Mormon law. At it's center a factory city, Salt Lake City, reborn as The City of Gloom. It is also the site of Junkyard, squeezed between Salt Lake City and Indian lands it is the site for a number of large factories owned by one of the richest men in the West.

The Sioux Nations
Ruled by Indian Chief Sitting Bull, after Ghost Rock was discovered in the sacred Black Hills of the Dakotas the Sioux first fought to expel the miners, prospectors, and other such greedy fools who would trample their lands. In time they compromised, allowing the mining of the Black Hills so long as they do not venture beyond them, mining the hills and staying within the city of Deadwood. George Armstrong Custer, once defeated by Sitting Bull himself now court-martialed from the Union Army remains on the outskirts of the Sioux Nations, trying to claim his revenge on the Sioux and bring the lands back into the hands of the Union. This is much to the chagrin of the Union who have largely found a peace with the Sioux.

The Coyote Confederacy
Inspired by the Sioux Nations many tribes of the South banded together to stake their own claim. They are ruled by a mysterious man (or perhaps woman) known as The Coyote and seem to have some agreement with the CSA as they do not conduct raids on CSA lands, with the exception of Oklahoma.

Name:

Stats - All Start at 4, you have 5 points to distribute
Agility: 4
Smarts: 4
Spirit: 4
Strength: 4
Vigor: 4

Skills - I'll provide a list below. For this test run they're mostly just for flavor. You can skip this if you'd like. You've got 15 points to distribute.


Gear - Keep it reasonable. Western themed weapons, you can have Gatling Weapons (Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, or Mounted) if you want but they're quite costly and flashy.

Background -

Worst Nightmare -

Agility- 5
Smarts: 6
Spirit: 5
Strength: 4
Vigor: 5

Fighting- 1
Gambling -2
Investigation - 3
Knowledge- 3
Lockpicking- 1
Persuasion - 3
Shooting -1

Born into a working class family John's prospect's changed when his father was given an Battlefield promotion during Crimean War. Instead of joining the Grunts like his father and grandfather had done, John attended Military school and gained an lieutenant commission in the Indian Army were he fought in the Abyssinia Expedition.

Shortly after the expedition John was promoted to captain but despite John's skill he was shunned by the officers and men alike for being of working class origin. It got so bad that John was about to leave the Army when he was approached by a member of the Directorate of Military Intelligence and offered an role in the growing organisation. John accepted and for the next ten years worked for Military Intelligence, Helping the Birtish Empire from the Shadows.

The Directorate of Military Intelligence has know about the dead and various other monsters appearing on earth for several years now, with John himself being one of the first members of the directorate to witness it first hand at the battle of sedan.

Posing as "birtish advisor" to French John was actual there to eliminate a French colonel and acquire the documents he carried but with the Frogs losing so badly John was dragged into the fighting before he could escape.

With the help of an Franz, an member of the Austrian expeditionary force and a French solider named Constantin John was able to hold of the Prussian and was about flee when the unthinkable happened: the corpses of the fallen rose up. Soon they were surrounded as undead Prussians, French, and Austrians lashed out from all sides.

They where almost overwhelmed but managed escape though an Prussian Artillery Barrage and fled into the Night. Resting in a nearby forest it was discovered that Constantin had been hit in the chest with artillery shrapnel.

Despite Constantin's Plees and John's suggestion he die instead of "forever be embarrassed that bloody Prussians beat them." Franz couldn't bring himself to abandon a fellow soldier. He pulled the shrapnel out piece by piece and bandaged the wound, saving Constantin from death His screams.

"Tough French Bastard isn't he?"

Hiking back to Paris they arrived just in time for the coronation of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Helping Franz (And Constantin) get their compensation and release from service the group went their own separate ways although before they did, they exchanged contact details... Franz and Constantin were talented soldiers and could been of use to the Directorate.. or to John himself.

Returning to England John continued to work for the Directorate but was now tasked to find out more about the dead and various other monsters appearing that people had long considers to be fairtale stories.

By 1879 this investigation had led john to American. The civil war has recently "ended" with a peacefire and despite some rumours and hostile Indian tribes people flocked to American west to get their hands on "Ghost Rock" a new resource than burns Five Times Hotter and 100 Times Longer than Coal.

By chance Franz, now a member of the Imperial Society and the Frenchman from sedan where also heading to American. claiming to now be an moderate successful Businessman John joined them, claiming to be interested in ghost rock for a factory he part owned.

The group took a ship together across the pond. arriving in American Franz acquired a coach and the small band of old European soldiers is on their way to Selina, Kansas.

Attributes: Agility 6, Smarts 6, Spirit 6, Strength 6, Vigor 6
Skills: Climbing, Fighting, Guts, Healing, Notice, Riding, Shooting, Stealth, Streetwise, Survival, Swimming, Tracking
Gear: Unarmed Strike
Hindrances:
•Big Mouth: Can't keep secrets; Discloses plans and info
•Habit (Tobacco): Annoying and constant habit
•Overconfident: Believes he can do anything; Accepts all challenges
Edges:
•Knack: Seventh Son: Any time a Fate Chip is used in his presence, he can discard a like-colored chip to negate its effect.
•Scout: You are expert at avoiding or detecting hazards.

Attributes: Agility 6, Smarts 8, Spirit 8, Strength 4, Vigor 6
Skills: Fighting, Gambling, Guts, Notice, Persuasion, Riding, Shooting, Spellcasting (Arcane)
Gear: Unarmed Strike, Derringer, Brass Knuckles
Hindrances:
•Bad Eyes (minor): -2 to shoot or notice distant targets w/o glasses
•Cautious: Plot things out in detail before any action
•Lame: -2 Pace; Roll d4 for running
Edges:
•Arcane Magic: Gain the Magic arcane background
•Card Sharp: Only get's caught cheatin' when he rolls snake eyes; people are at -2 to notice Huckster.
•Dealer's Choice: Spend Fate Chip to redraw a card.
•True Grit: +1 Grit

Attributes: Agility 8, Smarts 4, Spirit 6, Strength 8, Vigor 8
Skills: Climbing, Fighting, Guts, Healing, Intimidation, Notice, Riding, Shooting, Stealth, Survival, Tracking

Gear: Unarmed Strike, Bow, Bladed War Club, Twin Tomahawks
Hindrances:
•Bloodthirsty: Never take prisoners; -4 Charisma if known
•Lyin' Eyes: -2 to Intimidation and Persuasion when he lies; -2 to Gamblin' when Bluffin'
•Stubborn: Always wants his way; Never admits he's wrong
Edges:
•Fleet-Footed: +2 Pace; Roll d10 when running
•Steady Hands: Ignore penalty for firing from moving platform

Attributes: Agility 8, Smarts 6, Spirit 6, Strength 6, Vigor 6
Skills: Fighting, Guts, Notice, Riding, Shooting, Stealth, Streetwise, Survival
Gear: Unarmed Strike, Twin Colt Peacemakers, Brass Knuckles, Boots, Clothing (Normal), Quick-Draw Holster, Stetson
Hindrances:
•Cautious: Plot things out in detail before any action
•Code of Honor: Honor is key; Keeps word, won't abuse/kill prisoners, etc.
•Doubting Thomas: Rationalizes all weird or supernatural events
Edges:
•Danger Sense: Notice roll at -2 to sense an imminent surprise
•Knack: Born on Christmas: See text.
•Quick: Redraw initiative cards of 5 or lower
•Quick Draw: Ignore -2 penalty to attack after drawing; +2 on draw

Attributes: Agility 8, Smarts 6, Spirit 6, Strength 6, Vigor 8
Skills: Climbing, Fighting, Gambling, Guts, Healing, Intimidation, Notice, Riding, Shooting, Streetwise, Survival
Gear: Colt Army, Unarmed Strike, Winchester '73, Knife, Bedroll, Canteen
Hindrances:
•Code of Honor: Honor is key; Keeps word, won't abuse/kill prisoners, etc.
•Loyal: Will never leave a man behind
•Vow (Minor: Follow orders): Vow causes problems
Edges:
•Command: Allies +1 on Spirit rolls to recover from Shaken
•Nerves of Steel: Ignore 1 point of wound penalties
•Soldier (NCO): You are a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army.

Agility: 6
Smarts: 6
Spirit: 4
Strength: 5
Vigor: 4

Franz is relatively average physically. He’s 5’10”, with an average stature. He has a fair and lightly freckled complexion. He has short light brown hair and a full beard.

His outfit contains a long grey coat, white shirt, tough blue trousers from his military days, blue vest, old army boots, and something like a grey Homburg hat: https://www.hats-plus.com/images/Product/large/2662.jpg

An automatic gatling rifle built in his shop https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f1/93/77/f19377f809ba47b81e09eb79a8d0d191.png

His modified Gasser M1870 he used to survive during the Battle of Sedan. This pistol was used by officers and cavalry, and Franz has cared for it meticulously and updated some of it’s mechanisms. It has high stopping power, with it’s carbine chamber of 11.25x36mm.
https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/battlefield/images/8/81/Gasser_M1870_IRL.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160912171936

Franz has also brought his tools for reloading ammo and gun maintenance.

Franz Kaufmann was born to Josef Kaufmann and Marie Kaufmann in poor worker tenements in Vienna in 1848. The chaos caused by the year’s revolutions caused his parents much misfortune, so they named their son after the new Hapsburg monarch, Franz Joseph, who ascended to the throne that year to return stability to the Empire. The family lived an impoverished existence, working hard early industrial jobs in Vienna. Josef and Marie were unable to conceive again, so further strain was put on Franz to work hard for the family. The young man knew his duty, but truly desired to seek fame and fortune from adventure, like so many others. When he was 18, he enlisted in the army for the Austro-Prussian War, much to his parent’s chagrin. The adventure was short-lived when the war ended in quick defeat for the Austrians, but he distinguished himself and received extra payment for his service. With the money, his family was able to rise out of the worst of it’s problems. The experience of a lost war changed him forever, but he ultimately considered it worthwhile to serve his Empire and family. He stayed on in the army and started to rise in ranks.

In 1870, the Prussians turned on Napoleon III’s French Empire. The Austrians didn’t join the war, but the French paid for an expeditionary force to aid them. He joined it eagerly, knowing it would set him up for life if he used his pay wisely. The force found its way to France just in time before the Battle of Sedan, where it fought well with another division of French men. In the chaos of the battlefield, he, a British advisor named John, and a Frenchman named Constantin depended on each other to make sure their guns kept firing. They barely managed to fend off every Prussian advance on their position, unaware that the battle as a whole was deteriorating. As they kept firing to keep the Prussians from braving a full assault, the unthinkable happened: the corpses of the fallen rose up. Soon they were surrounded as undead Prussians, French, and Austrians lashed out from all sides. A living man was worth 10 of the flesh gnashers, but the dead always outnumbered the living. Under the moonlight, they were almost overwhelmed. Then Prussian artillery started shelling the growing horde, allowing them an escape route. As they fled into night, it became apparent that the Frenchman had been hit in the chest with artillery shrapnel. Even though the three knew none of each other’s language, they all knew what had to be done. Despite Constantin's plees to leave him behind, Franz couldn't bring himself to abandon a fellow soldier. He pulled the shrapnel out piece by piece and bandaged the wound, saving Constantin from death. His screams and twisted flesh would haunt Franz whenever he remembered Sedan.

After resting a few hours, the three hiked back to Paris, arriving in time for the coronation of Kaiser Wilhelm I. They managed to strong-arm an army bureaucrat into giving Franz and Constantin their rightful compensation and release from service. Before they went their separate ways, they exchanged contact details, so the three men could correspond later. Franz went back to Vienna, secured an honorable discharge, and decided to settle down. He’d lost his taste for adventure and soldiering after the horrors of Sedan, or so he thought.

Utilizing his carefully saved army money, Franz was able to open a business as a gunsmith in Vienna. He quickly saw success by getting out in front of the newer innovations and was able to set his aging parents up well in his new home. The working class soldier suddenly found himself thrust into Vienna’s new wave of Bourgeoisie. While it was a culture shock at first, he soon became invested in efforts to help modernize Vienna and prepare for the coming age of technology and magic. He joined the state funded Imperial Society of Science and Magic to tell his stories of the horrors of Sedan and his experiences with the new wave of gatling firearms. It helped him to share his experience in a productive way. He also found love in a professor's daughter named Amelia, marrying her and establishing a family.

Franz was happy and successful, while raising his toddler daughter Sophia, but his old taste for adventure started to reawaken. Things in America were getting worse and the Emperor wanted somebody from the Imperial Society to go abroad and investigate more. Franz somewhat reluctantly volunteered. He didn’t want to leave his family and business, but he also couldn’t deny his desire to discover the happenings of the American West. He urged his friends from Sedan in letters to join him. While the Frenchman was reluctant, John agreed readily. The group took a ship together across the pond. Franz acquired a coach and the small band of old European soldiers is on their way to Selina, Kansas.

Getting eaten alive at Sedan.

Coach Driving: 1
Fighting: 1
Investigation: 2
Knowledge: 2
Repair: 3
Riding: 1
Shooting: 4
Streetwise: 1

Constantin Hector Leblanc was born in a small village in the Normandie, France. His mother, Maria Leblanc, was a young peasant daughter, while his father was a false wandering preacher, abusing the deep religious devotion of the rural population, for his personal gain and would vanish quickly, as Maria´s pregnancy was noticed. Raised in his grandparents house, Constantin learned quickly what it meant to be an bastard, and both his family and his fellow children would not miss a chance, to torment him because of his birth. Yet Constantin was blessed with a grim temper and a strong physic, and before long, not a single child in his village, dared to call him a bastard, in fear of losing their teeth. The simple beauty of violent solutions was among the first lessons Constantin would learn in his life. Moving out of his grandparents house, as his mother hunted a local huntsman, Constantin would learn a second lesson, that would mark his life.
His new step-father, whom Constantin took an early liking to, took the boy with him, and would teach him how to load and fire a rifle, as soon as he was old enough to hold it. Enjoying both the thrill of the hunt, as well as the ability to help his new father to feed his family, fate took a turn for the worse, when his step-father, would die in a tragic hunting accident.
Widowed, Constantin, barley fourteen at the time, took up the rifle his step-father left him, and took to poaching, to provide for his sickly mother, who would pass away from a fever a years later. Orphaned, Constantin continued his poaching for three more years, until he was caught red handed, and arrested. Facing a deportation into the prison colonies, the Franco-Mexican war broke out, and Constantin was drafted into it.
Shipped into a conflict on the other side of the world, which ended in an disaster, would turn out to be a stroke of luck for Constantin. Able to distinguish himself as an capable soldier, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and remained in service, even after the humiliating defeat, that saw the installed emperor shot like an common criminal. Still, he returned to France with full pockets, a secure income and a reputation as more then just a bastard. For single, blissful year, Constantin enjoyed a trouble-free time in Paris where he was garrisoned, before the Franco-German War broke out.

Joining up, like any proper soldier would, Constantin would met an Austrian, whom he would develop a friendship with, and a sneering Englishman, whom he would develop a mutual rivalry with. Then Sedan came, and the dead rose from the ground to feed on the living. With Chaos all around them, and no help in sight, the three were on their own, as they tried their best to escape the nightmare around them. It was in this chaos, that a shrapnel would hit his chest, grievously wounding him. Expecting to be left behind, and even cursing Franz Kaufmann to leave him behind and save himself, the Austrian took his remove the shrapnel, and bandage his wound, saving his life from certain death in the ruins of Sedan. Hiking to Paris, the three were able to get their just pay, even through Constantin almost had to break a mans arm for it. Released from his duty, Constantin saw his homeland crumble into chaos and disgusted by the new republic, would leave for the colonies, to make a living on his own. He invited the Austrian to join him on his travels [...]

The next seven years, Constantin would cut a bloody path through the world. In Africa he would break bread with slavers and petty officals, willing to fight for the colonial powers against the natives, now strengthen by new allies from beyond for the right price, until he beat up an Belgian gentleman in Congo, for calling him a bastard, earning himself a bounty and a reason to leave the continent. In south america, he would happily crush uprisings of local workers, while earning a pay from the local plantation owners, before also being forced to leave, after earning himself the hate of an influential Cattle-Baron, after being caught in bed with his wife. Leaving for Asia, Constantin fought both in the Dutch East Indies as well in the Taiping Rebellion. Once more caught in an argument with an Taiping Officer, this time over a prostitute, Constantin drunkenly beheaded the rebel, before switching sides, and taking Quing coins as payment. Joining the "Ever Victorious Army", he took part in multiple lootings of ancient temples, and, after being denied payment, would sack a local palace, before deciding, that with a bag filled with golden trinkets, it was time to return home.

Paying for a passage back into France, and buying a small plot of land in the champagne, Constantin was, while far from wealthy, alive, which was more then most mercenaries could say. He began to court a local widow, with plans set to marriage, before a familiar Austrian would enter his home, talking him into one last adventure...

Stats -
Agility: 5
Smarts: 6
Spirit: 4
Strength: 5
Vigor: 5

Skills –
Fighting - 5
Riding - 5
Shooting - 5


Gear – Carries standard issue Springfield model 1873 rifle along with two Colt M1878 handguns. When not in uniform, he wears black trouser and vest over a shirt. Typically wears a tan trench coat that is ragged on the edges, and a dark brown Stetson.

Background – Lived in NYC, but enlisted at age 16, lying to recruiters about his age. They didn’t really care as the army was always in short supply of fresh meat. During training, one of the horses went crazy but he managed to calm the horse down. A cavalry officer was present, and gave him a shot to try out for the cavalry. He proved to have a knack for riding, and was as good a shot on the ground as he was horseback at full gallop.

He has spent most of his time out west, patrolling the border and fighting the occasional skirmish with CSA patrols. For a while the goal was to keep the Indians and CSA in check but the recent peace deal has made things slow and boring. He has started a few fights with CSA patrols, though has made sure to cover his tracks by making sure they were all dead and leaving no survivors.

After serving in the cavalry for 8 years, he was about to leave the service, however the same officer that recruited him to Cavalry, offered him the chance at a commission to be an officer. He would’ve been a fool to pass it up and took on the chance. Compared to the other officers he felt out of place as he had been a poor boy from New York, but wasn’t going to let it bother him.

What he’ll never forget was his first mission as an officer, leading a group into the badlands of the disputed lands. He’ll never forget the second night. They had just stopped a large group of outlaws that had slaughtered an Indian village. They had killed most of the m, but had managed to capture the boss and a few henchmen. As they camped out, rustling sound could be heard followed by eerie gnarling sound and shuffling. Rick stood immediately grabbing his pistols as the rest of his mean stood to their feet, wary of the situation. Without warning they were set upon, by what seemed living dead. One of the same men that he had personally killed, was on his feet trying to kill him, despite a gaping hole in its chest.

The bodies of the dead Indians were also among them, and they attacked without care. He watched as the dead killed and tore apart some of the arrested outlaws and some of the horses. He rallied his men as they shot and pushed off the attackers. Soon out of bullets they took to hand to hand combat, fighting them off with whatever was at hand. His saber proved useful, as did bashing in the creatures heads with the butts of rifles. Before long, the battle had been over, and he had lost half his men.

He loaded the bodies of his fallen men, on a wagon they found in the village, and they set the remaining bodies on fire. When they arrived back to their outpost, he and his men were taken and isolated in a barrack. It was here he was reassigned. He was to join military intelligence, and work under the officer that had shown interest in his career all these years. What he had seen and experience, he would keep a secret. The populace was not ready to find out about those the things that lurk out there. His men, were also reassigned to a special company that dealt with such creatures, after all they had proven their worth in fighting them off.

Taking on his new role, he would ensure, knowledge of these creatures remain a secret and take care of anyone that would divulge such knowledge.

Worst Nightmare – Being eaten alive

https://imgur.com/a/hZ9WkgQ

Name: Aveline, last name unknown.
Blessed



Stats -
Agility: 5
Smarts: 7
Spirit: 5
Strength: 4
Vigor: 4

Skills -


Gear - Aveline despises violence, even shooting a gun near her makes her jumpy and nervous. And while she has been taught how to shoot, by a lawman who didn't want her to be taken advantage of, she really doesn't like carrying a weapon.

Background - Aveline know very little about who she is, or was, and where she came from. The woman has amnesia, caused by a traumatic brain injury she suffered. A gunshot wound to the head, the scar still visible on her left temple. The furthest back Aveline can remember is suddenly waking up, strapped to an operating table, a doctor picking pieces of lead bullet out of her skull, the pain slightly numbed with the taste of whiskey in her mouth. Her body had been dumped near a river, where it was found by a local minister. He was able to get her to a doctor before she expired, her survival being seen as a miracle.

When she finally came to, her emergency surgery a success, Aveline found herself struggling to answer the questions asked by the priest, the doctors, and the local law. Not only could she remember almost nothing, she could barely communicate. She had to strain to speak, but even then her words would be slurred and stuttered, the doctors assumed this was caused by the area of the brain struck with the bullet. She had to resort to communicating through written words, where she revealed everything she could remember. A ranch, a home, an argument. A Gunshot. Her name.

As she recovered she tried to recall who she was. Maybe an escort who angered a customer, or a rancher who's competition took matters into their own hands. Maybe she was a criminal, or just a victim of a random attack. But without any identifying documents, or anyone coming forward to claim the confused woman, her true background continued to be a mystery. All the doctors could piece together was that she did not come from Selina, unless her family was keeping away on purpose. And yet Aveline carried herself with a air of politeness, and knew how to read and write, which pointed her towards a past of civilization.

And a civilized past indeed. Aveline does not know, but I know because I am an omnipotent narrator. Aveline belongs to the Amcotte family, affluent plantation owners from the southern states. However, with the continuation of the war, as well as the rumors of the dead rising, the plantation began to suffer, following the death of the patriarch of the family, Aveline's father. Aveline, the youngest of her siblings, was left a comfortable sum in the Will, which angered her eldest sister, who had received the failing farm after the death of their father. Aveline's sister went on a rampage, murdering each remaining member of the Amcotte family, to gain the entire inheritance for herself. Too bad Aveline survived.

Today, Aveline still struggles. Although she has been practicing with speaking, her words are still soft and slurred, and she has a pretty prominent stutter. She fears that people only see her as an anomaly in town, or that her slow speech makes her unappealing. But her life is not all misery, and she is not entirely helpless. She considers herself quite lucky, despite her lingering disability. She can still communicate through speech, even if it is slow and stuttered, and she can write out what she wants to say. Her brush with death, as well as the care she received from both the local priests and doctors as she recovered, has inspired her. As she recovered she began to learn about the art of healing, both medicinal and miracle based. Her mentors and teachers would remark that she learns quickly, especially for a woman who had been shot in the head. She would much rather patch up a wound than cause one, but saying that she would much rather stay inside and read than face off against gunslingers.

Other: Aveline has been practicing, and improving, her speech, but it is still very ineffective for communication. She carries with her a chalkboard and chalk, gifted to her, when she really needs to get a point across, but this can be a problem when trying to 'talk' to someone who can't read. Her newest, and most useless, form of communication is Sign Language. She finally get to start learning signs when the books she ordered arrived from the developed cities in the North. Sign Language has been around since the early 1800s, but isn't very widespread or learned. Still, Aveline, likes learning.

Worst Nightmare - Losing her mind.