Skelm

♤ THE CURSÈD WEST ♤

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" W E L C O M E Y E L O S T S O U L "
" W E L C O M E Y E L O S T S O U L "

" P R E A C H E R R O S S "
" P R E A C H E R R O S S "

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_____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ " Y I E L D Y E R N A M E ? " " Y I E L D Y E R N A M E ? " ORIN JAMES ROSS _____________________________________________________ " S O W H E R E Y E F R O M ? " " S O W H E R E Y E F R O M ? " PARADISE, PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA _____________________________________________________ " Y E C A N F I L L O U T T H E R E S T " " Y E C A N F I L L O U T T H E R E S T " ★ Age? 43 ★ Birthdate? October 16th, 1845 ★ Height? 6’2” ★ Weight? 182 pounds ★ Ethnicity? Dutch and English descent ★ Gender?? Male

______________________________________________________________________________________________ " T E L L M E ' B O U T Y E R S E L F " " T E L L M E ' B O U T Y E R S E L F " A devout man of his faith, Ross exhibits a kind and generous personality to his congregation; he is not easily startled and has a real penchant for helping others in need. As a result, he almost always has an ear to the ground for any random happenings that may occur throughout his journeys. It is a way to stay informed and apply himself to where he is needed most. However, it is best not to cross Ross in a negative way; he has a real mean streak that some may consider unbecoming for a man of God. He tends to become obsessive or radical, especially for a cause he firmly believes in. In addition, Ross is both well-versed and wise in his knowledge of the Scriptures. He is very open and accommodating to those around him, which helps him to relate with people on a more personal level; they can easily talk to him, and he will listen and offer advice. As a priest, he is also quite the orator. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ " D E S C R I B E Y E R S E L F F O R M E , Y E A H ? " " D E S C R I B E Y E R S E L F F O R M E , Y E A H ? " With his tall frame and piercing gaze, Ross exudes an air of confidence. He has a youthful disposition characterized by an impish smirk that often plays over his features and zeal reflecting in his blue-gray eyes. Several days’ worth of stubble often adorns his cheeks and his mop of dark hair, bleached by the sun, is unkempt and seemingly unorthodox for a man of faith; someone who typically should command a ‘respectable’ appearance. A few wings of silver around his temples are the only evidence of age catching up with him, but at this stage, it makes him look more distinguished. His attire is the typical conservative dress of a clergyman—dark pants, vest, and black duster with a white clerical collar. He occasionally wears a black hat as an extra layer of protection against the elements. A silver chain also hangs around his neck, brandishing a crucifix as a safeguard against evil forces. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ " S O W H E R E Y E B E E N , W H A T S Y E R P A S T ? " " S O W H E R E Y E B E E N , W H A T S Y E R P A S T ? " Orin was born in 1845 in Paradise, Pennsylvania, a rural farming community located in the southwestern part of the state. His father, a farmer and saddlemaker, took pride in tending the land and the simple life it afforded him. Naturally, he wanted to pass on this knowledge to his son, hoping he would one day assume the responsibilities of maintaining the family homestead. However, Paradise was hardly a utopia. Young Orin couldn’t help but recognize the contradictory nature of the town’s name. It was a barren plain, the land scarred by the furrows of time. There was no future here except the monotonous toil that led to poverty. It was a lonely life, which helped him eventually find inspiration in the work of the traveling minister who arrived one day on the family’s doorstep. When the residents of his little town crowded inside the single schoolhouse to hear the minister’s sermon, there was a spirit of awe and reverence about it all. Orin had found his calling. Several years later, he left home at the age of eighteen to attend the theological seminary in Philadelphia to become a Presbyterian minister. Ross was an intuitive and enthusiastic student who also displayed a rare talent for connecting with his peers on a higher level. He could empathize with them in an esoteric sense, almost as if he could perceive their spiritual essence, an instinct that helped him forge a relationship with God, excel at his studies, and graduate with honors. He became ordained in 1867 and was awarded a congregation in the nearby town of Ardmore a short time later. While settling into his new home, he married the love of his life, Edith Conlan, an Irish immigrant who served as the town’s school teacher. However, after a fruitful introduction and over a decade of blessings, Ross’s time in Ardmore turned tragic. The aftermath of the Civil War took a toll on the local economy. This resulted in a wage dispute when the town council informed Ross they could no longer afford to pay his salary. While he continued to work for several months under these conditions, honoring the Word of God over money, the conflict reached a critical point when his wife suddenly died from dysentery. He did not have the money to pay for the expenses, and out of desperation and grief, he resorted to ‘borrowing’ from the town’s coffers and the same people who refused to compensate him. He fled the area and headed West before he could face the consequences of his actions. Ross arrived in Texas a disgraced man, reeling from Edith’s death and riddled with guilt over the nature of his sinful ways. As a result of his despair, he wandered aimlessly through the desolate landscape, adopting the role of a circuit preacher. He routinely stopped to preach the Good Word in fields, barns, and private homes, always grateful for the hospitality. Oftentimes, saloons or dance halls were the only buildings large enough to hold a worship service. If nothing else, these ‘dens of inequities’ assured good attendance. Nevertheless, Ross failed to find fulfillment through his efforts. He was still lost and seeking answers to validate his faith—but more importantly, he needed to atone for his sins. He came to doubt his purpose in this life and began questioning the different aspects of morality itself. And so, he turned to God, fell on his knees, and prayed. What he experienced was an epiphany that widened his spiritual awareness and enhanced the talents he had first witnessed during his time in seminary. God had physically laid His hand on him, a divine gift that marked him as an arbiter of good and evil; a devout Christian, and a servant of the Almighty. With God as his compass, manifesting as a small voice or a vague premonition, typically an emotional burden weighing heavily on his heart—sometimes he even hears the voice of his departed wife, Edith, serving as his spiritual guide—Preacher Ross now travels across the untamed wilderness towards enlightenment, curing those who are suffering or incapacitated by malevolent spirits and to cleanse the land of the evil forces spawned by the devil himself. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ " L A S T , W H A T B R O U G H T Y E H E R E ? " " L A S T , W H A T B R O U G H T Y E H E R E ? " Ross had been volunteering as a chaplain at Fort Merrill in eastern Texas when he received the prophetic vision about a burgeoning town near the banks of the Rio Grande. Edith whispered to him while he slept, her voice filtering through his dreams to point him toward Amistad, TX. She did not explain what he might find at his destination, only that he must travel there and make his presence known at the right time. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to accomplish beyond that, but he had complete confidence that his intuition, reinforced by the power of God, would show him the way.

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Ghosts of Highlake

@deegee

I've been mulling over a few character ideas and narrowed it down to a local rancher with considerable influence on the town. Perhaps he is more aligned with the 'tycoon' character at the beginning, mostly for his own personal gain. I could see them having an agreement of some kind in exchange for his cooperation - maybe land rights or a promise of a political future. However, throughout the story, he becomes more jaded by the tycoon's actions (I'm sure there will be some persuasion from the townsfolk as well). This could culminate in a significant event that serves as a turning point. I don't want to get too ahead of myself, though! We should probably allow things to play out naturally and see where we are from there.

I was also toying around with the idea of the town priest or clergyman, but I don't have that concept fully fleshed out yet.

The Cursèd West

I'm definitely interested. I've always been a sucker for Westerns. Combine that with the supernatural elements, and it's hard for me to resist.

Seeking a Western

I just stumbled across this myself, and it's the sort of thing I've been looking for. I'm loving the Pale Rider vibes. If this is still a 'go', you can count me in!

Into the Pines: An American Frontier Horror RPG

Very much interested! I'd be down for a wild adventure across the American frontier.

#SNB | [Full]

Kent Archer

^{Rushford: Jenkin’s Diner || May 7th}

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By the time the others began to stir, Kent was already awake and reclining in his usual booth, an old newspaper clipping spread out before him on the countertop. In truth, he had never slept at all, having made a personal commitment to act as sentry while everyone else tried to get some rest. But in reality, it hadn’t been a choice; he had simply resigned himself to the inevitable after a long struggle with his inner demons.

For the past few weeks, insomnia had become Kent’s usual nighttime companion. It seemed to correlate with the onset of the pandemic, though he had a feeling that the root cause went far beyond that. The outbreak had merely exacerbated another kind of crisis that had been lingering beneath the surface for several years – one that involved his family and the damage that could be wrought due to what he now considered petty differences.

As a result of his own petulance, his wife and son remained unaccounted for, lost to the chaos that had so acutely gripped the nation. They had left him alone to wrestle with a myriad of complex emotions, including guilt, anger, and regret. All of this on top of the mitigating effects of sleep deprivation. In many ways, it was almost too much to bear.

And yet, he had somehow managed to trudge onward.

The group of survivors, who he had stumbled upon by happenstance at the local diner, was his only consolation. Not only had they given him a sense of purpose, but they represented hope – something that he so desperately needed in these dark times.

That thought persisted, even now, as the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled his senses. It was a welcoming scent, something that evoked a semblance of normalcy. While it might’ve been a relatively small matter compared to the enormity of their situation, Kent appreciated the reminder. Sometimes it was the little things that kept you functional in the middle of an apocalypse.

With a wide yawn, Kent stretched and finally dragged himself out of the booth, his motions slow and measured. He found that getting himself moving in the morning wasn’t as easy as it used to be, particularly when he had stayed in the same uncomfortable position all night long. It was yet another unfortunate consequence of aging, a reality that he now inwardly cursed.

Well, at least my sciatica isn’t acting up. It could be so much worse…

Kent ran a hand through his tousled hair and issued a sigh as he sauntered toward the counter to join the others. They were already immersed in idle conversation, the topic ranging from breakfast offerings to the mysterious broadcasts about a camp that supposedly harbored a safe haven from the virus. It was that last part that piqued his interest.

“Maybe not,” Kent drawled in response to the young man’s proclamation – Henry, was it? Assigning faces to names was still an ongoing process. “But we can’t afford to make careless decisions either. Sit down and enjoy some breakfast first, then we can devise a plan.”

He offered the man a small smile before heeding his own advice and settling down on one of the stools lining the counter.

#SNB | [Full]

Kenneth “Kent” Archer

Kenneth Archer

_{65 - Sagittarius - Retired Physician - 6'2” - Bill Pullman}



"Everyone assumes we start out in the same place. We don’t."

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Appearance Details

The years have certainly taken their toll on all facets of Kent’s life, but none so prominently than his overall demeanor and presence, particularly in recent weeks. Where he once stood tall with confidence and pride, he now tends to slump at the shoulders and wither under the pressures that haunt his reality. Tired, blue eyes peer out of a weathered face, and a light beard now covers his chin and cheeks. His shock of gray hair, while still kept at an acceptable length, is often tousled and greasy. He has also grown more lean and gaunt due to the stress of this new world, losing some of the softness around his middle.

Kent also doesn’t care much about fashion sense; his clothes are what many would consider comfortable – plaid, flannel shirts, sometimes quilted depending on the weather, Carhartt jackets, t-shirts, sturdy boots, and a pair of dependable blue jeans.

Characterization

For the nearly 40 years of his professional career, Kent served his hometown of Rushford through his private family practice as a primary care physician. The quaint office consisted of only himself, his friend Jerry, who served as his assistant, and his wife Emily as his personal secretary and receptionist. The only notable addition was his son, Jack, who joined the team as a second physician in early 2008.

Kent took pride in his work and was often lauded for his knowledge and precision, always going above and beyond what was expected of him. His calm and humble demeanor also helped him to connect with his patients on a personal level, prescribing gentle but effective advice and treatment no matter the health issue. This not only made him a competent doctor, but he quickly became a familiar face and a trustworthy friend to many of the locals.

Unfortunately, this arrangement would not last forever. With the increase of big business and other residential and retail development in the region, the health care system became more standardized and strict with their procedures. As a result, more hospitals joined together into networks to coordinate and deliver a broad spectrum of services to the community and to stay up to date with the current initiatives passed down from the government. They often targeted small private practices to consolidate into their system; Kent’s family business was no exception.

Despite a hard battle, Kent could not withstand the constant pressure from these entities and ultimately decided to retire. His son, however, did not agree to uphold his father’s ideals nor to continue the fight; he caved to the hospital networks and joined their team of doctors, presumably over money and prominence, which caused a nasty falling out between father and son. Kent has not spoken to Jack since that fateful day.

Even now, two years later, his son’s decision remains a point of contention. It’s a shadow that lingers at the back of Kent’s mind, serving as a reminder of how fragile life truly is. He withdrew into himself, and his marriage has suffered as a result. While he was able to regain some happiness by rekindling his love of nature and fully embracing the outdoors, he finds that he is never fully satisfied. Camping, boating excursions, and long hikes in the woods only go so far in easing his troubled mind. He still feels restless and agitated.

That was before his wife decided to take a week-long trip to Lake Erie with her social group...

That was before the world went to hell…

In the midst of so much uncertainty, Kent’s only hope is to reconnect with his wife and son, to make amends for everything that has gone wrong, and survive this crisis...together.

Inventory

- Backpack containing a small First Aid kit that he pulled from the trunk of his car
- Ball-Peen Hammer, once again lifted from his car
- Water Bottle

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#SNB | [Full]

Here we go:

Kenneth “Kent” Archer

Kenneth Archer

_{65 - Sagittarius - Retired Physician - 6'2” - Bill Pullman}



"Everyone assumes we start out in the same place. We don’t."

---

Appearance Details

The years have certainly taken their toll on all facets of Kent’s life, but none so prominently than his overall demeanor and presence, particularly in recent weeks. Where he once stood tall with confidence and pride, he now tends to slump at the shoulders and wither under the pressures that haunt his reality. Tired, blue eyes peer out of a weathered face, and a light beard now covers his chin and cheeks. His shock of gray hair, while still kept at an acceptable length, is often tousled and greasy. He has also grown more lean and gaunt due to the stress of this new world, losing some of the softness around his middle.

Kent also doesn’t care much about fashion sense; his clothes are what many would consider comfortable – plaid, flannel shirts, sometimes quilted depending on the weather, Carhartt jackets, t-shirts, sturdy boots, and a pair of dependable blue jeans.

Characterization

For the nearly 40 years of his professional career, Kent served his hometown of Rushford through his private family practice as a primary care physician. The quaint office consisted of only himself, his friend Jerry, who served as his assistant, and his wife Emily as his personal secretary and receptionist. The only notable addition was his son, Jack, who joined the team as a second physician in early 2008.

Kent took pride in his work and was often lauded for his knowledge and precision, always going above and beyond what was expected of him. His calm and humble demeanor also helped him to connect with his patients on a personal level, prescribing gentle but effective advice and treatment no matter the health issue. This not only made him a competent doctor, but he quickly became a familiar face and a trustworthy friend to many of the locals.

Unfortunately, this arrangement would not last forever. With the increase of big business and other residential and retail development in the region, the health care system became more standardized and strict with their procedures. As a result, more hospitals joined together into networks to coordinate and deliver a broad spectrum of services to the community and to stay up to date with the current initiatives passed down from the government. They often targeted small private practices to consolidate into their system; Kent’s family business was no exception.

Despite a hard battle, Kent could not withstand the constant pressure from these entities and ultimately decided to retire. His son, however, did not agree to uphold his father’s ideals nor to continue the fight; he caved to the hospital networks and joined their team of doctors, presumably over money and prominence, which caused a nasty falling out between father and son. Kent has not spoken to Jack since that fateful day.

Even now, two years later, his son’s decision remains a point of contention. It’s a shadow that lingers at the back of Kent’s mind, serving as a reminder of how fragile life truly is. He withdrew into himself, and his marriage has suffered as a result. While he was able to regain some happiness by rekindling his love of nature and fully embracing the outdoors, he finds that he is never fully satisfied. Camping, boating excursions, and long hikes in the woods only go so far in easing his troubled mind. He still feels restless and agitated.

That was before his wife decided to take a week-long trip to Lake Erie with her social group...

That was before the world went to hell…

In the midst of so much uncertainty, Kent’s only hope is to reconnect with his wife and son, to make amends for everything that has gone wrong, and survive this crisis...together.

Inventory

- Backpack containing a small First Aid kit that he pulled from the trunk of his car
- Ball-Peen Hammer, once again lifted from his car
- Water Bottle

---

#SNB | [Recruiting]

Excellent – thank you!

I was looking for the perfect opportunity to explore the character a bit more.

#SNB | [Recruiting]

Definitely interested!

Could always bring back the character you had in Star Lord's Isolate RP or something else.

@Kuro

Would it be possible for me to bring back my character from Isolate as well? I'll just adapt him to fit the current setting, of course. :)