Before we start talking about the
adventures of the “Ferner Five” (Foreigner Five for those of you
who speak proper English), I thought it might be a good idea to talk
about the odd characters in the posse.
The Originals -
The founding members of the posse are
as follows. Thus far, they've survived everything that's been thrown
at them. The lucky bastards...
Doctor Ashleigh Penwood:
Doctor Penwood is the second son of a
minor noble family in “jolly old” England. He went to college,
became a doctor, and then entered Her Majesty's Service in the army.
During his stint in the army, he saw many a terrible thing, and had a
chance encounter with a “witch doctor” that left his cursed with
a disease that wouldn't leave him for several years and required
magical assistance.
After he mustered out, Doctor Penwood
made his way to the Weird West, to see if was as exciting as he had
been told. And to expand his family's fortunes.
Doctor Henrich Eisern Von Braunstiefel
aus Wurzburg:
Born to a minor wealthy family in the
Prussian empire, Henrich was always tinkering with something or
another. He served briefly in the Prussian Army as an artillery
officer, where he was often distracted and let his NCOs run things,
but he was smart enough and brave enough to earn the loyalty of the
men under his command.
After completing his service, he began
to have ideas. Ideas involving the New Science. Since Austria did not
have a large supply of Ghost Rock, he was forced to make his way to
the American west, to find a steady supply the precious rock. Shortly
after he arrived, he was able to complete one of the most important
tasks for his mining device: The Laser Cannon.
Ming:
Born in China, Ming is the only member
of the posse who isn't an Anglo. Lucky him.
Growing up as an orphan in China, Ming
always wanted to become a Shaolin Monk, but he just didn't have the
“moral fiber” to complete his training. Disheartened, he left his
homeland and made his way to America to work on the railroads. He
didn't last long, as he couldn't stand the conditions and being
treated not much better than a slave. One night, he ended up killing
a particularly evil foreman and had to flee.
While Ming had been cast out of the
Shaolin temple, he had learned quite a bit and continued to practice
what he knew. He even improved and developed his own style of
whupass.
Deiter Todter:
Deiter was the oldest son of a minor
Hungarian noble (huh, sure do have a lot nobles and rich folks in
these posse). Of course his father was a miserable and mean drunk.
One night, Deiter grabbed a sword and fought the old man with all he
had. The fight ended with his father bloody and wounded (or dead,
Deiter wasn't sure) and Deiter fleeing into the night.
Having nothing but his skills, Deiter
made his way to America and started killing folks. Not because he was
a murderer, but because it was something he was good at. Plus, folks
in the Americas tend to be a little hot blooded compared to folks in
Europe. Deiter's travels landed him in Kansas where he had a bit of a
run in with some Prairie Ticks. Rather than using some castor oil, he
just grabbed the sucker trying to make it's way down his throat.
Because he's just that ornery. This encounter left him with horrible
scars on his face, but that might have been a boon for him, given his
general dislike of his fellow man.
Phil Calhoon:
Well, I suppose I can fill you in on
some of his backstory. Phil grew up on a dirt poor farmstead in
Middle Of Nowhere, Oregon (okay, that's not the real name, but it
might as well be) with his parents and his “big” sister. Not
being much for learning and school, he started working as a
lumberjack as soon as he could and turns out he was pretty good at
it. Before long, he was traveling all over the Pacific Northwest,
going from job to job, and sending home a tidy sum for his folks.
Then, things went bad. He was working
somewhere in the wilds of Washington State when his camp was attacked
by a Wendigo. Phil was the only one who walked away that night. The
Agency tracked him down, after he started telling people his story,
and the company he was working for had a judge issue a warrant for
theft, as they said he stole the chainsaw (they're rather expensive
in the Weird West).
After that, Phil took up to traveling
and exploring the Weird West he'd read so much about in the Tombstone
Epitaph.
Guest Stars -
These are some characters who appeared
in only one adventure because the player dropped out.
“Cashed In” Kledge:
Appearing only in the very first
session of the Comin' Around The Mountain adventure, Kledge was a
Harrowed British shyster.
Josephine:
A Huckster from France and a Gypsy to
boot, Josephine briefly appeared during the final part of the Heart
of Darkness series of adventures.
The Replacements -
Even though no one has died yet, they
will eventually. And sometimes, people want to change things up.
Nona “Cookie” Calhoon:
The “big” sister of Phil, Cookie
didn't earn the moniker because she's as sweet as one. Nope. It's
because she's one tough cookie. She's also a very fine looking, if
tiny, woman. Until she opens her mouth. Then she's as crass and brash
as any man you've ever met. Probably more. If she catches your eye,
just be warned that if you get too fresh with her she's likely to
spit in it, gouge it out of your head, or put a bullet through it.
Oogle at your own risk, partners...
When Cookie was 16, she left home to
look for a better life. She traveled all through out the Weird West;
working as a saloon girl, a cowgirl, and a then a Pinkerton.
During these travels, she had learned
both Hoyle's Hexes, but also the Way Of The Gun. That means she was
one hell of a firecracker. But, when the US Government canceled their
contract with the Pinkertons, she found herself out of a job (or did
she?) and went to look for her brother...
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