The Ruins of New York: Jason Freewalker

Jason Freewalker is a second-generation lawman, his father having become a Texas Ranger just after Serpentfall. In the early days after Serpentfall, he rode with his father, battling scaly monsters crawled out of the Rio Grande to drink the blood of children and the Serpent cults arose from the Gulf looking to spawn realms of madness.

He’s been riding and shooting since he could walk, and he’s wanted nothing more or less than to walk in his father’s footsteps. Tragically, he’s done just that; the year he became a Ranger, his father died at his side, fighting an infestation of ghouls in Houston. He now proudly wields his father’s gun – a pearl-inlaid, silver-gilded Colt .45 – and wears his steel-toed, Serpent-skinned boots (their skin being about the only good thing to come out of those Fallspawn).

Like his father, Freewalker has heroism in his marrow. He never backs down from a challenge, and never shirks his duty to Texas or the people he protects. Unsurprisingly, Freeman’s become a legend in the Rangers, and as such as been dispatched on all manner of special missions on behalf of Texas. Accompanying him on many of these has been Coromir, a northern barbarian from Pittsburgh whose been waging his own war against the serpents. The barbarian helped him retrieve his father’s remains from Houston, and they have been steadfast friends ever since.

Design Notes

Jason is a stalwart hero, the sort who doesn’t back down from a fight, who excels at leading others in combat, and sincerely believes in protecting and serving. At the table, his “Level Headed” edge — which allowed him to draw two initiative cards a turn, and take the better one — proved invaluable as he consistently went first.

The only downside here is that he’s a little too good; he only has one Hinderance, and no personality quirks, so there’s not a lot to hang your role-playing hat on. I’m considering giving him another quirk; I just need to figure out which one works with the character concept.s

Statblock

Background: Nationality: American, Concept: Texas Ranger
Inspiration: Walker: Texas Ranger, Roland of Gilead, The Dark Tower

Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Strength d6, Spirit d6, Vigor d8, Charisma: 0, Pace: 6”, Parry: 6, Toughness: 6, Bennies: 3

Skills Fighting (Agi) d8, Riding (Agi) d6, Shooting (Agi) d10+1, Survival (Agi) d6, Tracking (Sma) d6, Notice (Sma) d6

Hindrances: Heroism (Major)

Edges: Quick Draw, Command, Texas Ranger, Level Headed, Trademark Weapon

Weapons:

  • Colt .45 (his father’s gun and his signature weapon), Range: 12/24/48, Dmg: 2d6+1 RoF: 1 Shots: 7, Special: AP 1, Semi-Auto;
  • Rifle, Range: 24/48/96 Dmg: 2d8, RoF: 1, Shots: 5, Special: AP 1, Bolt-action;
  • Knife, Range: 3/6/12, Dmg: Str+d4, Rof: 1, Shots: 1

Equipment: Backpack, trail rations, canteen,

Major Simon Cartwright is part of Nuketown’s “The Week After Ragnarok” feature.

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