(Art by
Happy-Mutt)
Name: Jacob "Jake" Shepard Jr.
Nickname: He doesn't have one, and nobody's seen fit to give him one.
Age: 25
Personality: A dejected college student when the outbreak occurred, Jake Shepard has found a new sense of self-worth in the apocalypse. Whereas before Jake had no sense of direction in life, he has taken pride in his ability to adapt to a world where corpses walk amongst the living. In particular, Jake believes in tearing down society in order to rebuild it, which many would dismiss as an armchair philosopher's ramblings. At least until Jake saves their life when they run out of gas in their lighter and don't know how to start a damn fire and cook a rabbit. While he dismisses the claims entirely, some have begun to whisper that Jake actually
enjoys his current situation. Though he has his secrets like any survivor, he has become surprisingly attached to his new-found companions, though he'll never say it to their face. The biggest thing to Jake is that he finally feels useful.
Brief Bio: Born in western suburban Pennsylvania, Jacob Shepard had your average life's story; middle class parents, steady B-C student, (with an occasional A in American and World History) medium sized social circle, drove a beat up old Chevrolet cavalier. What was different about Jake was his distinct lack of purpose. Though his stay at home mother and fireman father tried there best to motivate their young son, Jacob Sr. going so far as to get Jake to volunteer at the station, Jake continued through life like any young adult would; not knowing what the hell he was going to do with his life. He enrolled at Slippery Rock University to help find his way. For those who care to know, his major was Ancient History with a minor in Cinema Studies. As could be expected from a Pennsylvanian, Jake is a fan of hunting and skinning game, which was one of few pastimes he partook in with his father.
During his time in college, Jacob would rarely spend his time at parties or socializing in general, absorbing himself in his studies and the general nightmare that is university. With few friends outside of his study group and dorm mates, Jake to this day doesn't quite recall how he met Amanda Stevens. The two shared a class in classic history (Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and the like.) and bumped into each other a few times at the campus library. One thing led to another, and by their sophomore year, Jake and Mandy were in a healthy, stable relationship, and life continued as normal. At least, until the dead decided they didn't want to be dead anymore.
The initial outbreak was a massive exercise in chaos and futility for Jake, his girlfriend, and his family. At the request of his mother, Jake had all but abandoned the school at a moment's notice, gathering only the bare essentials and convincing Amanda to come with him. In the fray that ensued, Jake ended up with his own parents, Amanda, her father, and the family dog. Initially they decided to hold up in the Shepard family residence, but that didn't last long as they began to run out of stockpiled food. Though the men of the group routinely made rounds into town to scavenge and barter for supplies, Pennsylvania wasn't getting any better anytime soon. Eventually, Amanda's father took a turn for the worst after a bite to his wrist, and Jake didn't want to wait around to see the result.
After all but begging his parents and Amanda to put the man out of his misery and spare them the possibility of a walker in their own home, Jake was essentially told to either deal with it or leave. The internal debate racked in his head for days before Jacob finally offered to take first watch, packed a bag, got some food from the pantries (it sickened him to be doing this to his own parents, but they'd made their choice, and he wasn't going to let himself be dragged down.) took his father's axe, and made for his cavalier. He was confronted by Mandy just after he'd finished loading everything in the trunk and back seat. Jake was nothing if not persistent, and he made one last attempt to convince her to join him. Refusing to leave her father, Amanda all but cut Jake's heart out with a hard slap across the face. Jake responded by getting his car, revving the engine, and turning onto the road. She was three months pregnant.
Jake wasn't a fool, he knew in order to have any chance at survival he'd have to head where there'd be far less dead people walking around and where there could potentially be some farmers holding out with sustainable resources. That meant he had one direction to go: Southwest.
Weapon of Choice: He uses his father's old fireman's axe as his go-to while scavenging, though he has begun teaching himself archery with a self-made bow and arrows. (Note: He sucks at it)
How did you find the Group: Jake began to travel south after abandoning his girlfriend, thinking the less populated areas would be safer to hide-out in. He also figured there'd be more than a few farmers and such in confederate territory. (Shit, don't know what I'm supposed to say outside of "stumbled across them". I'm not clear on just how long zombies have been around or where exactly we're at, so I just assume we're somewhere in the southern U.S. judging by character sheets)
Other: Don't call him Shep, he hates it. (Or say it so much that he just gives up.) Though the artwork shows someone that's packing very cold-weather oriented outfits, Jake keeps it simple with a leather jacket, blue jeans, and a pair of boots.
