Realistic or Modern (OPEN) Goodbye, Virginia CS - Civil War Outlaw Gang

[Winter_Wolf]

Pilgrim59 Trappy Kabboom PastaMan Wrathsful

Thanks for showing interest, you can now start making characters! If we don't get many more people then I may allow secondary characters (this would also probably weaken 'plot armor', life wasn't easy or safe then) but for now just do one.

Feel free to code it up if you wish.

[Edit: the RP will probably begin sometime between late March-early April 1865, so the war is still going on but will end in the near future just for clarification]

Name:
Gender*:
Age*:

Appearance: (realistic pictures welcome, does not have to be a photo from the period but that would be fine)
Personality: (you can include likes/dislikes here)

Hometown and State:
History/backstory:

Motives: Why banditry. Fears? Hopes? Escaped POW? Don't want to go back to the penal battalion? (thanks to Wrathsful for that idea; feel free to use it).

Skills: anything gained from pre-war job experience, activities, hobbies, or army experience that could help the gang in and out of combat.
Main Gang Role: based on their skills. Ideas include: tracker, sharpshooter, swindler/smoothtalker, doctor, muscleman/intimidator, etc. Feel free to take one of these or come up with your own.
Secondary Role: not as good at it, but decent enough, especially in a pinch

Inventory:
Weapons: you'll start off with 1 weapon, probably whatever you've been fighting the war with, but we'll start out with an opportunity to plunder weaps and supplies.

* The historical record says that your character would probably be a white male between 18-39. However I can't ignore that it also shows up to 20% of soldiers in the ACW were under 18, and there were a few females who snuck into the ranks. I'm not sure if one such female would run off with a gang of male bandits...but I suppose if one of you wants a female, or younger character, it would have some historical basis.

 

[Pilgrim59]

Name: Sgt. William Baker
Gender: Male
Age: 35

Personality:
Baker is an optimistic figure with much spirit to carry his comrades through the day. Although he conceals his inner regrets and gloomy sentiments after his best friend's death, the veteran kept his pursuit for the cause strong in order to secure his inner peace. he can display erratic and at times, extreme emotions when under duress.

Baker prefers to avoid combat if necessary, hoping to move on from the killings and to avoid his past grievances.
Baker dislikes Unionist soldiers, but is generally tolerant to most of them, so long as their ideals are shared for the gang's cause.

Hometown and State: Galveston, Texas

History/backstory:
Born and raised during the rise of the Texan Republic, Baker had seen the war with his own eyes during the Fall of the Alamo and subsequently the victory at San Jacinto. The young child was inspired by the heroic tales of those that served and set for himself a cause to sought after during his teenage years. Following the aftermath of the Texan revolution, Baker followed closely in his family's legacy and picked up on many skills as a pioneering settler - acquiring carpentry, pathfinding, and other necessary skills that would later accompany him in his later years.

Baker served in Mexican-American War and later on in the War for Southern Independence (American Civil War) - enlisting in the Texan Galveston Regiment as an infantryman. Baker saw little actions on the front for most of the war, until his unit was commenced to aid in the subsequent battles that took place after the Fall of Petersburg. It was here, that the veteran witnessed the tragic death of his best friend, of whom had accompanied him since the Mexican-American War. Although saddened and disillusioned by his initially naive ideals of war, Baker remained intact, clinging tightly onto his national cause.

Motives:
Baker is driven by adventures - believing that he could move on and find a new purpose after the war. He is also dedicated to the cause, having owed his life to the gang leader for sparing the prior from the gallows.*

*(keeping the introduction arc for the purpose of interaction between Baker and Showalter during or after the war)

Skills:
- Pre-war carpentry and farming skills (able to construct many things, from a small shack to a medium sized house, so pretty much your average American dad)
- War-time pathfinding and tracking skills (able to track a trail or divert his own's trail to distract his pursuers)
- Fishery hobbies (rod, line, bait, and a lot of patience)
- War-time fire-arms experiences (able to operate a rifle with ease)

Main Gang Role:
Pioneer - Baker can secure the gang's location and integrity by false-trails or simple tripwires that alerts the rest of the gang. He is also able to set up barricades and other defensive emplacements that would increase the gang's survival in combat. While Baker is useful in mobile warfare, he is also able to build many accommodations out of limited supplies, such as a simple shack to secure the gang's supplies and provide for the common housing.

Secondary Role:
Infiltrator - For what Baker lacks in marksmanship, as compared to his peers, he makes it up for his geography, and woodsman experiences - making him formidable in concealment and infiltration, should it be required of him.

Inventory:
- Distressed gray Texan Regiment fatigues and gaiter shoes. Complimented by a gray field cap and scarlet scarf.
- Old Crow Whiskey hip flask
- Canteen
- Rifle minie-ball ammunition and gunpowder
- Oil and matches
- Journal
- Leather gloves
- Bayonet and pioneer hatchet
- Rucksack and bedroll

Weapons:
- Springfield Model 1861 Rifled Musket (with bayonet and ram rod)

 

[Winter_Wolf]

Name: Sgt. August Showalter
Gender*: Male
Age*: 32

Personality: August is generally confident/optimistic about himself and his own ability as a leader. By the same stroke, he has his share of self-interest, and sense of independent ability--he prefers to forge his own way. He shares in his brother Daniel's boldness, but differs where temperance/alcohol is concerned. August doesn't drink, or at least does so rarely.

Hometown and State: Greene, Pennsylvania
History/backstory: Years before the war he left Pennsylvania to go all the way to California with his brother Daniel Showalter, in search of gold. August found little gold, and decided instead to travel back east where he joined the Union Army. On the other hand his brother Daniel was successful, joined California politics, and voted against California's bid to stay loyal to the Union. Based on smuggled letters and information, his brother joined Confederate forces in the west awhile back.

Motives: Partly hoping to find his brother out west wherever he may be, partly looking to make a rich new life of his own where he failed before where gold was concerned.

Skills: Leadership, pistol usage and marksmanship, self-control, swordsmanship
Main Gang Role: Leader - he was a Sergeant in the army and has experience leading men.
Secondary Role: tracker (he has gone to and from California before, so he has vague knowledge of western lands and routes)

Inventory: $10 USD, a few bites of hardtack and a little coffee, bedroll, cup and canteen, a deck of cards
Weapons: Starr revolver

 

[Winter_Wolf]

Trappy Kabboom PastaMan Wrathsful

Just a friendly bump on characters. If you have any questions or must withdraw, then please let me know

 

[eggsaladsandwitch]

Name: Private Henry Harris
Gender: Male
Age: 20
Personality: Henry is a rather soft gentleman. He’s extrey caring toward those close to him to an almost self-sacrificing extent. He’s “book smart,” but not so much “street smart,” and can be a bit too concerned with morals. However, when determined, it’s hard to stop him from achieving what he really wants.
Hometown and State: Boston, Massachusetts
History/backstory: Born to an affluent Boston business family, Henry spent much of his life hoping to study medicine. However, a business scandal involving his father caused the loss of all of his family’s money and power—soiling their reputation and ending any of Henry’s chances of attending medical school.
After this, he joined the Union Army, simply because he was left without any other options. While technically serving as a soldier, Henry showed medical promise when dealing with his injured comrades and had been asked to assist in field infirmaries.
Motives: Having grown up rather sheltered, the horrors of the battlefield have left Henry looking for a way out (He finds the surgery performed on the battlefield especially gruesome). The hope is that, heading West, he can obtain enough money to, one day, open up his own medical practice, far enough away from the stigma of his family name.
Skills: Advanced intellect, medical knowledge, knows the inner workings of big businesses, quick to pick up most skills, especially those involving using his hands
Main Gang Role: Doctor—a bit self-explanatory.
Secondary Gang Role: Conman—perhaps he picked up the art of “persuasion” from living with his unsavory father. There’s nothing better than a sweet-talkin’ pretty boy.
Inventory:

• $5 USD
• A journal
• A field medical kit: scissors, forceps, probe, tourniquet, scalpel, bandages. It’s missing a few pieces...
• A bedroll, rucksack, and canteen
• The Army Surgeon’s Manual, For the Use of Medical Officers, Cadets, Chaplains, and Hospital Stewards, Containing the Regulations of the Medical Department, All General Orders from the War Department, and Circulars from the Surgeon-General’s Office by William Grace

Weapon: Colt Army Model 1860 Revolver

 

[PastaMan]

Name: Private Elijah (Eli) Keith
Gender*: Male
Age*: 18



Personality: Eli has been known as sort of a confident womanizer and charmer, but although he's a smooth talker which leads him to trouble he can back it up with his decent sharpshooting skills. Although he can sense if somebody is being untrue he can be easily swayed especially for a price. In battle he can be too overconfident on his reflexes and often goes headfirst without thinking which sometimes leads to trouble for himself and others. Although he acts like a sleazy guy, he is loyal to those who he considers close to him and will do anything for them.

Hometown and State: Charleston, South Carolina
History/backstory: Born from a poor family Eli grew up in a small cotton farm that was ran by a rough father. Growing up was tough as he was the youngest of six siblings, treated as the baby of his family he competed with his older siblings on everything like shooting cans off poles, which he found was easy for him and developed a knack for it. When he was 14, he found out how a lot of the girls in his town were attracted to him and he courted a few of them but unfortunately he experienced many heartbreaks and ultimately led him to develop his womanizing attitude. A few months after, the war started between the two sides and he along with his brothers joined the Confederate Army, for others it was a matter of pride and patriotism, but for Eli it was for a new adventure and something different from his old boring life. When he got to his station he was mocked because of his age by the other soldiers and was told to play the drums, but he did not want to that and he proved himself reliable with his sharpshooting skill in battles. During the war he managed to work his way up to become a private in four years, but unfortunately little did he know he was the last of the Keith brothers in the war.

Motives: Having grown up to a tough childhood, he does not want to face his father and tell him about his brothers' death and also he doesn't want to go back to his old boring life. Eli hopes to live a fun life full of adventure but also maybe someday face his father and tell him the truth.
Skills: Decent sharpshooter, Smooth- Talker, Above Average Athleticism, Good at Hand-to-hand Brawling, Good Rider.

Main Gang Role: Charmer/Smooth Talker- Silver tongue that can get him out and in to trouble.
Secondary Role: Sharpshooting (See Background)

Inventory: $10, Journal, Canteen, Bedroll, Cup, Bowie Knife, Pouch of Dirt and Sand.
Weapons: Whitworth Rifle

 

[Winter_Wolf]

Thanks for the characters, I hope to make the main thread today, because while I hope more join, I also don't want to keep those who have submitted characters waiting indefinitely.

 

[Winter_Wolf]

Main thread is up!
Goodbye, Virginia - Civil War Outlaws

Characters are still OPEN and we are ACCEPTING though ( Trappy Kabboom Wrathsful if you're still interested; and others). We can find ways to work them in even as we begin.

 

[Kabboom]

Winter_Wolf You go on ahead with the story, Komrade and I are still busy till the weekends!

 

[Winter_Wolf]

Winter_Wolf You go on ahead with the story, Komrade and I are still busy till the weekends!

Alright thanks for letting me know.

 

[Winter_Wolf]

OOC thread: Realistic/Modern - Goodbye, Virginia OOC

 

[Rusty of Shackleford]

Name: Private James "Jim" McCormick
Gender*: Male
Age*: 23

Appearance:

Personality: Jim is a polite, respecful young man, despite his poor roots. He's an extremely hard worker, a leftover from his early life as the son of sharecroppers. He isn't particularly idealistic: he fought for the Confederates more because his step-father forced him to than any drive to stop Northern aggression. He's become extremely disillusioned with the war, believing that it was a pointless, bloody conflict. He's very religious, having grown up in a devout Catholic household, before his mother and him became Southern Baptists. He often prays, especially for those he kills, hoping that one day, he'll find peace somehow.

Hometown and State: North Carolina, where he spent his childhood near the town of Murfreesboro, near the Virginia border. He then spent his teenage years in Richmond.

History/backstory: Born the son of poor sharecroppers in North Carolina, James never did have an easy life. The area he grew up in had virtually no plantations for miles, so most of the farmers were sharecroppers, and owned little to no slaves. His family were children of Scotch-Irish immigrants, being devout Catholics despite the areas hatred of both the Irish and Catholicism. Since most of their crops were sold, James and his father got most of their food from hunting, James being a crack shot from an early age. He often helped his mother cook, mostly when his father was out hunting alone. They were extremely poor, but happy, nontheless. That was until his father caught dysentery, and died when he was barely a teenager. He and his mother were heartbroken, and without a way to provide for themselves. So, his mother sold the farm, packed their things, and travelled to Richmond to find a job. She eventually married a wealthy Southern businessman, a firm believer in extremely traditional Southern values. Not the nice, helpful Southerner. More the arrogant, entitled white asshole. He demanded that James be taught how to read and write, and that he become a lawyer. James, of course, resisted, and often got the back of the man's hand when it wasn't against the face of his mother. When Fort Sumter was attacked on April 12, 1861, James's stepfather was one of the first to rejoice and call for secession. The man despised President Lincoln, something he made very clear in his racially and politically charged rants. James was practically prostituted to the Confederate army by his father, becoming a part of the infantry in early 1862. He fought in several battles, primarily the Battle of Gettysburg, where he truly lost faith in the Confederacy. It was then he knew that they weren't fighting to protect the poor farmers and hard workers. No, they were fighting for the gentleman in their big plantation houses, with their hundred slaves and trophy wife. He hated it. He jumped at the opportunity to desert, first having a friend write a letter to his mother explaining that he was deserting, saying that she might never see him again, and to pray for his soul. He left out any mention of his father, his bitterness at it's peak. He met up with some fellow deserters, and has been with them ever since.

Motives: Disillusionment and hatred for the Southern upper class.

Skills:

• Extremely skilled tracker
• Proficient in farming, though he has lost his edge over the years
• Extremely well versed in the Bible

Main Gang Role: Tracker: He is an excellent tracker, easily able to traverse and make his way through almost any terrain.
Secondary Role: Cook: While not exactly a five star chef, he can cook up a decent meal out of pretty much anything that's edible.

Inventory: Canteen, clothes, bedroll, cooking pot, knife, some jerky he stole when he deserted.
Weapons: Kentucky Rifle