REGIME: The Changing Tides (OOC)

[Cylarn]

The Changing Tides



Our Town, Our Blood, Our Birthright

"Look out the window, here! Look at everything around you. What you see is the beautiful creation that my family has built: Stoddard's Green. We might be out here in the Great Basin Desert, but do you see sand and cacti throughout my town?"

"Well...shut the fuck up. It's not like there's more cacti than grass here."

"But the point is that my town is cosmopolitan, elegant, and attractive, but it's also got that small town appeal. We've got a couple skyscrapers, but nothing too fancy that simply kills the aesthetic, pleasing views of the Great Basin Desert from our oasis. You've got ritzy designer shops selling the latest fashions, but you've also got the older local businesses that have been operating for generations. The people here are nice, friendly, and living comfortably with decent incomes; last I checked, the closest thing we have for a slum is the old Pauite Reservation. That dump is far away, though; like five miles away. For 'normal' folks like yourself, all you've gotta do is just stay outside their boundaries. Last but not least, we've got the oil flowing once more. Things couldn't be better."

"However, none of this would have been possible without my family: the Stoddard Family. We made this town, and we made everyone in it."

"What? No, we're not inbreds! I'm speaking figuratively, of course!"

"To understand the town, you must understand the Stoddards and what we have accomplished. We hail from Watauga County, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We're of English descent and we're WASPs for the most part. It was David Stoddard and his family that heeded the call of Manifest Destiny: America's sudden settlement of the lands west of Missouri. It was around 1849 when David arrived in what would later become Ticutta County, California; the doctor's eyes fixed on finding gold. He found it in the Ticutta River, around Green Lake. He established a settlement in an area that was particularly fertile enough for his family to grow crops. A few years after the family established the settlement, word began to spread of the discovery of gold by Doctor Stoddard. Slowly but sure, one small arrival at a time, the settlement grew into a thriving town."

Stoddard's Green, circa 1880

"By 1870, the town was a boom town, packed full of miners, gamblers, and anyone looking to make a buck. David Stoddard, although in his late-40s by this time, was smart enough to know how to keep his power and influence within the dynamics of the towns. How do you keep yourself on the top in an isolated mountain town? You keep some reliable men on hand, you make deals, you run businesses, you make people happy, and - more importantly - you knock off competition. David Stoddard formed his own element within the town, one that could help him secure his own position within the town's political world. After he took care of the Paiute problem, he ultimately kept the family on top."

"As Stoddard's Green grew in size and in power, so did its namesake. Not only did we focus on cementing our status even further in our homestead, we expanded our influence into lucrative areas such as the state government, the military, business, and other ventures that would propel us forward. We're a big family; every generation of the family has been blessed with many children to carry on our bloodline. However, home is where the heart is, right? If you read between the lines, you'll see that here in Stoddard's Green. The biggest employer in town is the Propel Oil Company, which is a company in which I am the current President and CEO. The Stoddard's Green Police Department - one of the state's leading law enforcement agencies, owes much of its success the various Stoddards throughout the department. Ticutta County Sheriff? Bingo. City and county governments? Yessir. Country Club? You bet."

"I don't wield that kind of influence with the...Paiutes, though."

"Look, my 'esteemed' counterpart over at the Reservation has that honor. They've got that 'casino' of theirs; thanks to a ridiculous stupid gambling law. Got the Tribal Police on his side, too. 'Chief'-Fucking-Grayson, like he's some homage to their glory days. The bad blood runs deep in Ticutta County; our ancestors fought years back, when the Indians were gallivanting around on horseback. Now, those wounds were somewhat mended by the 50s, because we had other things to worry about. We had a mutual understanding with the Graysons; we stay outside of the Res, and they stay outside of Stoddard's Green. Things were running well until that redskin son of the 'Chief's' decided to lay his hands on my daughter, my precious Katherine. She...committed suicide, after that. That tribal cop, Blacktree or whoever, can argue all that he wants that the evidence isn't conclusive, but I have all of the evidence that I need."

SGPD Officers transporting a Red Cat OG.

"So, we're at war. Out here, we fight with two different weapons; with guns, and with checkbooks. Political influence is important when you're looking to expand onto Res territory, or if you are planning on halting progressive legislation that will put books in the community. They grow pot in hidden hydroponics labs, and we discreetly pass along whatever information we can find on them. We also have to fight through more...direct methods. Beatings, intimidation, arson, even contracted killings; it's all on the table. There was a pitched firefight a year back, out in the desert. I'm told that it carried on for hours, and that 6 men were killed."

"Why were they killed? Were these men fighting over an asset somewhere in the desert? What happened?"

"In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter. We're all fueled by the same volatile mixture:

"Pride, and Hatred."

Senator Emeritus Lincoln Stoddard, CA(R)(Ret)

***

A Great People, Rising Once More

"Have you met Lincoln Stoddard, perhaps? The big, white chief. Racist, like all of the whites. They never wish to reason with you or live in harmony with anything; all they seek is a world suited to their own pre-conceived desires and wants and needs. They completely destroyed the way of life of my people: the Paiute. We cannot live the way of life that our tradition has allotted for us, because the whites have drastically changed the world we live in. They have forced us to chase their pre-conceived vision of prosperity in order to save ourselves."

"If salvation for my people must be found in such a way, then so be it. That's the way the game is played."

"The Paiute Reservation had suffered greatly prior to my election as Chief. Rampant unemployment, HIV rates through the roof, endemic crime and abuse. I grew up with it, as did every other man and woman my age, until I left for Vietnam. I had many good opportunities in life by the time I returned here in the 1990s, with a college degree - a thing that very few people on the reservation could ever dream of having, at that time. After my father's death, I assumed his spot on the Tribal Council, and I instantly sought out ways to improve my community. I pushed for increased federal aid in order to improve our schools and healthcare system, and I worked with our public safety elements to cut down on drug abuse and domestic violence in the Res. By the time I returned to the reservation, I had part-ownership in a computer start-up, as well as some ventures in other parts of the state."

Ticutta Paiute Militiaman, Battle of Blood Bend.

"Ultimately, things were getting better, though I kept meeting resistance. Chief Longneck was complacent and corrupt, even more so than Lincoln Stoddard. He fought almost every bit of legislation we put before him, and we couldn't seem to nail anything on him to get him usurped."

"That was a truly white man thing to do: to murder in cold blood. One night in the Summer of 1999, I took out a hit on Chief Longneck. A former Scout Sniper took the $15,000 contract, and the Tribal Police ruled it an accidental shooting. I've used that sniper a lot, after that. The Tribal Council made the move to make me the new Chief of our nation. I now had nothing stopping me from improving my community. The construction of the tribal hospital and the assistance of the Red Cross helped greatly in treating illnesses among the population, and the access to medical knowledge helped many folks to practice safe hygienic practices. Many people however, dislike using white man's medicine, but we have sought and received the assistance of the Medicine Men in convincing people to go to the hospital for serious injuries. Parents were starting to make ends meet and provide sufficient resources for their children."

"For several years, everything was running smooth. We were not feuding with the Stoddards; hell, Lincoln and I played golf a few times together. However, that tragedy with his daughter happened. She was a good girl, and despite how I may feel about her family, she didn't deserve what she got. I did what I could to help the family, but for whatever reason, Lincoln pinned it on my son, Vittorio. Chief Blacktree with the Tribal Police attempted to investigate the case alongside the white cops' investigation team, however what he found was inconclusive with the official results of the investigation. Vittorio's in Folsom, now. I cannot forgive Lincoln for that."

"So, we went to war. We fight with weapons and we fight with money. Our cops don't work with their cops on anything, and the tension is requiring everyone to carry a firearm on them. Stoddard has had two of my associates murdered in cold blood, and then there was that shootout near Blood Bend. We're buying up land left and right, and trying to steal business. The casino is a big portion of this plan; between motorists on the Interstate and the miners and oil workers in Stoddard's Green, we'll be making tons of money. Not to mention, but the construction project has put more than a few jobs in the community, and once we open, I am certain that people will find some disposable income in their pockets."

"Stoddard is a greedy man, but so is his family. My family and I? We stand for the rights of our people, and no white man is going to infringe upon us."

Chief Lucas Grayson, Chief of the Ticutta Paiute Tribe

***

The OOC

If you're still confused as to what is going on, this RP is about a feud against two esteemed families that is getting to the point in which not everyone knows what they're feuding for. The RP is set in California, in the fictional Ticutta County that sits along the Nevada/California border in the Great Basin Desert. You've got the Stoddards, a white upper-class family, feuding with the Graysons, a Paiute Native American family. Both families are wealthy, and occupy not only positions of power within their respective communities, but they are known throughout the state of California. The feud is deep-rooted in past incidents, personal rivalries, and a little bit of racism. Characters will more than likely be related in some way, so be sure that you are perceiving other characters as you would a member of your family.

As of right now, this RP is UNDER CONSTRUCTION. I will probably expand the OP a bit, and I also need to determine whether or not we will run with a single family, or allow characters in both families. The poll above will suffice for determining what we will do, so be sure to cast a vote. In the meantime, I will be working on the rules, tips, locations, and other facets of the RP. If you're interested in assisting with the lore, throw up your idea in this format:

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[b]Idea Title:[/b]

[b]Background:[/b]


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As of right now, the OOC is open for discussions, questions and tagging.

[Cylarn]

Information Depot

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The Rules

I. As the OP, I hold all rights and authority over this RP.
II. My designated Co-OPs are an extension of my authority, and they may with my authority unless told otherwise.
III. Yes, it's realistic fiction. Yes, you'll most likely have to own a gun. Yes, you may have a lot of guns IF you provide a damn good explanation. Please be reasonable in your arsenals, and be sure that you can explain how you got these items.
IV. The act of killing another character poses risks to your character's safety, and one false move could spell doom. No redos.
V. This isn't a PG-rated RP, but have some decency. Take your sex-chat somewhere else. To clarify, IMPLIED sexual encounters are tolerated, and you will be expected to manage the balance between intriguing substance and common decency. By "implied," I refer to the establishment of a suitable conclusion that leads to the unseen act.
VI. OOC chat is open for conversation.
VII. Put substance in your applications, in your writing, in everything. You're crafting a character that you'll use in order to assist in telling what will be an interesting tale. Show yourself some respect and put your heart into your work.
VIII. One-liners, powergaming, and other repulsive RP tactics are not welcomed here.

The Homesteads

Stoddard Estate - Sitting on 100 acres of plateau land almost a mile outside of town, Lincoln Stoddard and his immediate family, along with several live-in attendants and other family members, call this lovely estate home. For more information on this estate, feel free to ask. This estate features:

• A large garage capable of holding fifteen cars, along with enough driveway space beside of the house for at least five to ten more cars to be parked.
  
• An armed security detail that is on patrol 24-7 around the Stoddard property perimeter, either using pickup trucks or on horseback.
  
• A fully-functioning ranch set-up in which the Stoddards care for a number of horses, several of which are from distinguished racing pedrigees.
  
• Wide, open vistas.
  
• Huge...tracts of land.
  
• A 25-meter outdoor pool with lap lanes and a general swimming area. No lifeguards. The is also an outdoor tiki bar and dining area, along with a jacuzzi and an outdoor fireplace.

Grayson Homestead - Located on 90 acres of sagebrush and playa, the Graysons have their familial estate, which functions much in the same way as the Stoddard Estate. Aside from aesthetics and such, the two estates have much of the same specific amenities that are listed above.

Factions

• Alpha Company, 1st Task Force, CSMR - A unit of the California State Military Reserve that is stationed in Stoddard's Green. Several Stoddard associates and blooded relatives serve in the unit, and it's rumored that they are used by the Stoddards as a private military force. Widely excoriated by the Ticutta Paiute, due to several criminal incidents involving militiamen that have gone unpunished outside of the Res. "Gravel-Skins" is a popular slang term for them, based on their uniforms. A squad of militiamen were alleged to have participated in the Battle of Blood Bend.
  
• Red Cat Braves - The resident gang of the Res; ranging between 20-30 men throughout the Res. They're mostly small time, making small, cheap batches of meth or stealing prescription pills from old folks and pharmacies in the area. Considered a minor nuisance by the tribe because they do their business outside of the Res.
  
• Stoddard's Green Police Department - The municipal law enforcement authority of Stoddard's Green, with a force of 500 officers. The SGPD has been largely funded by "private community donations," and thus they are well-supplied with the latest law enforcement gear. Widely respected by their own community, but reviled as a racist institution by the Res. The SGPD is capable of taking on a wide variety of policing challenges, with units specialized in community policing, criminal investigation, forensics, tactical responses, anti-gang units, cyber criminal investigation, and in other areas.
  
• Ticutta Paiute Tribal Police Department - The only law enforcement agency aside from the BIA Police that is allowed to operate on the Res. 100 officers staff the force, most of whom are either newly-minted cops, older tribal cops who survived the last BIA purge of the agency, and non-Paiute cops who had been transferred over to the force. Unlike their white counterparts in Stoddard's Green, the Tribal Police are not the most well-funded agency. Despite this, their image in the Res has improved, thanks to the help of Chief Grayson and his insistence that the BIA help to clean up the rampant police corruption that had haunted the Res.
  
• Ticutta County Sheriff's Department - The highest law enforcement agency in the county, though they have no authority on Res land. Staffed by 600 deputies and 100 detention officers, the TCSD is responsible for civil duties, operation of the county jail, law enforcement for unincorporated areas of the county, court security, and they assist the respective law enforcement agencies of the county in performing their duties. Largely Stoddard-leaning, though a number of Native American deputies form a problematic base of Grayson power-projection within the Sheriff's Department.
  
• Ticutta Paiute Vigilance Committee - A secretive organization that is deep-rooted in several incarnations throughout the history of the Res. The TPVC is allegedly a group responsible for punishing crimes against the tribe, particularly when the law is unable or unwilling to do justice for their people. The recent incarnation of the Committee has taken the side of the Graysons, and they have been supplying foot soldiers for Chief Grayson. Many of the vigilantes are Ghost Dancers, and oddly enough, women form a large portion of the Committee.

Events, Locations, and Other Facets

• Battle of Blood Bend - A pitched but inconclusive battle between Stoddard thugs and Grayson thugs, along a portion of the Ticutta River known as "Blood Bend." The cause of the five-hour firefight is up to debate, as both sides have different narratives as to what happened. Regardless of how it started, fifteen men were killed in the battle. Despite the severity of the battle - which escalated the feud - it was not a heavily publicized event.
  
• Holden Academy - A private K-12 institution located in Stoddard's Green, catering to the children of Stoddard's Green. Renowned for its position as one of the top grade schools in California, breeding a "new generation of leaders with the knowledge and the grit to propel our nation - and our world - forward." The Stoddards have a legacy at the academy, with every man, woman, and child either enrolled or having matriculated from the institution.
  
• Netline Corporation - A Silicon Valley-based IT company founded in 1987 by Lucas Grayson and Ted Ryder. The company has grown from a single office in Silicon Valley to span several branches throughout the American Southwest. Although Lucas Grayson is no longer the President and CEO, Netline continues to have a close relationship with the Res. The Ticutta Branch of Netline is located on the reservation, and they have all but provided all Res locals with wireless internet.
  
• Propel Oil and Natural Gas Company - An oil company located in Stoddard's Green, Propel is a subsidiary of the Stoddard Corporation, a conglomerate of several companies. With the recent discovery of oil outside of Stoddard's Green, Propel has become one of the biggest employers in Ticutta County, and many people on the Res have been employed by the company.
  
• Police Purge - A BIA and FBI sting that led to the arrests of 45 corrupt Tribal Police officers, in 2012. The police chief at the time, most of the upper echelon of the agency, and a number of officers and detectives were charged with corruption, intimidation of federal witnesses, and several other serious charges. Almost upset Grayson's influence over the Tribal Police.
  
• Stoddard's Green City Council: The municipal government of Stoddard's Green, the City Council consists of a board of five elected City Councilmen, with the elected Mayor serving as the head of the council. They decide, in coordination with the city departments, upon legislation for the community of Stoddard's Green. Mostly Republican, though the council is strikingly bipartisan, and tends to swing more moderately in its decisions. Prejudiced against the Res.
  
• Ticutta Native American Reservation - Often called the "Res," this reservation holds the primarily-Paiute Native Americans that live in Ticutta County. Like all Native American reservations, the Res land is protected by federal law. Once regarded as a cesspool, the Res is making strides under the guidance and leadership of Chief Lucas Grayson.
  
• Ticutta Paiute Tribal Council - The elected government that oversees the needs of the 25,000-strong tribe. The Council consists of ten members of the tribe, representing the nine townships within the tribal lands. The last member is the Chief, who is elected by the council members. The Tribal Council has had a history of corruption and mismanagement of the Ticutta Paiute, though the Council under Lucas Grayson has taken a much more proactive role towards assisting the community. Leaning towards the political left, with most members of the Council - including Chief Grayson - registered as members of the Democratic Party.

[Cylarn]

Dramatis Personae

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Player Characters

STODDARD, Daniel - The eldest son of Roger Stoddard, Lincoln Stoddard's younger brother, Daniel was a rambunctious youth until he joined the US Army. Generally an angry, detached individual, his aggression is useful when confronting the Graysons. Currently, he's a Detective with the SGPD's Gang Unit, having been fast-tracked through the agency due to his military experience and his familial connections. Age 28.

WILLIAMS, Hank- Not to be confused with the legendary country star of the same name, Hank is an Assistant District Attorney with the Ticutta County District Attorney's office. Although raised by a single, working-poor Latin American mother, the Stoddard Family saw great potential in the young man and invested heavily in his education. Intelligent, idealistic; Hank is motivated by a desire to uphold the righteous rule of law. Age 29.

Major Non-Player Characters

BLACKTREE, Eric - The Chief of Police of the Ticutta Paiute Tribal Police Department, Eric is an increasingly-jaded but competent cop with almost thirty years of experience on the force. A Lieutenant in Criminal Investigations at the time of the Police Purge, Blacktree was able to escape prosecution when it was revealed that he and his family had been increasingly coerced by corrupt officers within the department, as well as his role in clearing Vittorio's name. He is liked by Chief Grayson, although Blacktree himself objects to the conflict between the two families. Age 51.

GRAYSON, Lucas - The aging Chief of the Ticutta Paiute Tribe and the patriarch of the Grayson family, Lucas Grayson was a man born and raised on the tribal lands. After a stint in Vietnam and over 20 years making his own fortune in internet service, Grayson would return to his tribe and lead them away from destruction. Calm, collected, diplomatic, though Lucas is said to possess a violent temper when pushed over the edge. The feud with the Stoddards has slowly begun to corrupt him, forcing him to make questionable decisions that he never thought he'd ever make. Age 69.

GRAYSON, Vittorio - Lucas Grayson's youngest son. Once seen as a young prodigy with high hopes of attending Harvard, Vittorio has had to pay for the rape and suicide of Katherine Stoddard, whose rape was falsely attributed to him. Cleared by DNA evidence but brutalized by ten years at Folsom, the once-bright, extroverted young man has returned to his ancestral homeland as a bitter, scarred man with a penchant for intimidation, revenge, and fighting. Age 28.

STODDARD, Lincoln - The patriarch of the Stoddard family and a former US Senator, Lincoln Stoddard is feared and respected individual whose name is known well throughout the state. His family's prestige has advanced him throughout his life, and his business acumen did honor to the family's wealth. Shady, outspoken, but dedicated to his family, Lincoln is a man that you'd love to have on your side, but one that you would hate to have as an enemy. Has a strong hatred for the Graysons. Age 70.

Minor Non-Player Characters

LADEEBOY, Douglas - Also known as "Ladyboy Doug," Doug Ladeeboy is ironically not transgender. He is, however, the local news anchor for SGTTV Action News. A man with a golden voice and a mild manner, Doug is a friendly guy who is unfortunately manipulated by both families. Age 37.

MICHAELS, Darren - A former US Army Captain, and the Commanding Officer of Alpha Company. Michaels is a life-long local of Stoddard's Green who owns Michaels' Diner. An imposing, arrogant man with a knack for trouble, Lincoln Stoddard often makes use of Michaels and the other reservists, to which Michaels sees no issue.

STODDARD, Katherine - The youngest daughter of Lincoln Stoddard, Katherine was already a musical prodigy with the guitar with a future at Julliard. The victim of a violent rape shortly after her high school graduation, her inability to recall her attacker's appearance and her own guilt about incriminating Vittorio, coupled with other factors, drove her to commit suicide. This act has divided the two families ever since. Died age 18.

[Mincaldenteans]

Here you go Cy; finished it sooner. Choose one of the images for the header; you'll see what I mean. Not sure which one looked better so I leave that to you ^_^

The other pictures have been boxed to give a tiny bit space between the text and the pictures; perhaps add a caption below each one to denote what exactly is happening in each? Just a thought. Not much else to be done as your description alone paints a better image than any picture could -nods-

Anyway, hope you like it!

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done!

[Cylarn]

Gracias.

[Mincaldenteans]

Your welcome, if I get a different design, I'll be sure to post it again.

The Paiute tribe - any one in particular? There are many that trace their lineage/heritage back, but each have similar and also varying traditions and often overlap each other in terms of cultural and historical claims. Just wondering if there's a specific tribe or, for simplicity sake, tuck it under one name.

[Cylarn]

Your welcome, if I get a different design, I'll be sure to post it again.

The Paiute tribe - any one in particular? There are many that trace their lineage/heritage back, but each have similar and also varying traditions and often overlap each other in terms of cultural and historical claims. Just wondering if there's a specific tribe or, for simplicity sake, tuck it under one name.

I think we'll just go with a Northern Paiute tribe called, "The Ticutta Paiute," given the name of the location that they are located in. The name of the reservation is the Ticutta Native American Reservation.

[Cylarn]

I've got some background information up, and I'm going to work on expanding upon it later today.

[Swith Witherward]

Here you go Cy; finished it sooner. Choose one of the images for the header; you'll see what I mean. Not sure which one looked better so I leave that to you ^_^

The other pictures have been boxed to give a tiny bit space between the text and the pictures; perhaps add a caption below each one to denote what exactly is happening in each? Just a thought. Not much else to be done as your description alone paints a better image than any picture could -nods-

Anyway, hope you like it!

Code: Select all

done!

My God, the attention to detail in that code is awe-inspiring. I... words have failed me.



This looks good, Cylarn. I'm swamped, but I'll keep an eye on things there, and I'll throw in an app if I find room for moar RP.

[Cylarn]

-snip-

If I want something done good, I go to Min.

Also, I appreciate that endorsement. The RP won't be moving exceptionally fast in the beginning, due to college and such. Especially right now, as I work on the lore and such for the RP.

[Hornesia]

Color me interested. I won't be able to an app or anything until next week as I forgot my laptop when I went on vacation, but I'll definitely put an app up when I get back.

[Highfort]

Impressive, very impressive. Gives me a slight Sons of Anarchy feel, not sure if that was intentional. Might drop in an app for the police/sheriff's dept if I have time.

[Cylarn]

-snip-

Sweet. This RP will remain open for the most part, even if we open before then.

-snip-

I was shooting more for something like Longmire or The Red Road, but Sons is amazing nonetheless. Glad to have your interest.

[Len Hyet]

Aw-right, you've got my attention.

Cards on the table, I'm involved in a Tigger RP and a Reverend Norv RP at the moment, so while I'd enjoy participation I can't promise my 100% attention, and I understand if you only want people who are 100% committed.

That having been said, it may be early for characters, but I'd like to play a someone along the lines of;

Idea Title: Assistant District Attorney for Ticutta County, Hank Williams

Background: The bones of it is Hank became an ADA because he wanted to do some good, put bad guys away, fight for law and order from the place where the most impact (in his mind) is made. Now he's become aware of the rapidly rising tensions in Stoddards Green and the surrounding area, and has come to try and defuse the situation.

Failing that, I've got a few other ideas bouncing around.

[Cylarn]

-snip-

Given that I've got my own calendar of things to do, I'm not too stringent on posting frequency.

As for ADA Williams, I feel that he would be an interesting character. I know you're a good RP'er and that you can definitely handle the role, though would you mind if he had some connections to either or both factions? For example, maybe he came from a poor background but the Stoddards put him through college, or perhaps he is/was married to a Grayson.

As for the apps, I will actually get those up.

EDIT: Go look now.

[Len Hyet]

-snip-

As for ADA Williams, I feel that he would be an interesting character. I know you're a good RP'er and that you can definitely handle the role,

Why thank you.

though would you mind if he had some connections to either or both factions?

I don't know, in my mind he was going to be something like Jim Gordon from Batman, one the side of good and justice as opposed to any one faction. I was envisioning a very dark few months for him, where he wrestled with attempted bribes, intimidation, and even potentially attempted murder, in a desperate attempt to avoid massive bloodshed. I can also however see an incredible moral dilemma in the second of your two scenarios, the growing up poor and owing the Stoddards for his opportunities, dealing with the debt he owes them and the duty he is bound by.

Yeah, I like that.

[Cylarn]

-snip-

I could definitely see Williams trying to mediate the feud and seeing how far his lee-way with any one family might go. The bribes and the intimidation will be coming from both sides, no matter what. No one is ever satisfied; no job is ever truly completed.

[Rudaslavia]

Do you...Do you hear that? Is that...Is that a tag digging its way into this thread? Yes it is.

[Len Hyet]

Name: Hank Williams
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Appearance:

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Personality: Cautious, guarded, suspicious. Hank grew up in a rough neighborhood, and spent the last 4 years putting away murderers, gang bangers, drug runners, and rapists. He is a critic of the human condition, and he finds it wanting.
Likes: Comedies, educated people, the Los Angeles Rams, cut and dried cases.
Dislikes: Shades of grey, poverty.
Fears: Returning to poverty, prosecuting an innocent person.
Hobbies: Pistol shooting, rowing, reading, video games.
Skills: Pistols, arguing, legal battles, rowing.
Weaknesses (2): Aristocratic. Despite coming from a poor background Hank ended up at one of the top law schools in the country, and it shows. Idealistic. Hank desperately wants to believe in the purity of the justice system, and that each case has a clear right and wrong party. While four years as an ADA has largely cured him of this idealism, he still tends to look for the "bad guy" in his cases.

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Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Nationality: American
Ethnicity: Caucasian/Latin mixed
Political Views: Right-of-center
Sexuality: Homosexual
Religion: Catholic, non-practicing.

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Occupation: Assistant District Attorney, Ticutta County
Education: University of California Berkeley, Cum Laude. University of Columbia Law School, Magna Cum Laude.
Affiliation: The Office of the District Attorney, the Stoddard's
Preferred Roles: ?
Basic Background: (Not the greatest but its a start) Hank Williams, as midwestern of a name as they come. Sounds like the local mechanic, or maybe a rancher. Hank is none of those things. Hank was born to Maria Delgado, a laundrywoman in Los Angeles. His father was never in the picture, but as he got older Maria said he looked a lot more like his father than he did her. Hank didn't particularly care, except that he was singled out as the palest skinned kid in an inner city school, and bullied relentlessly for it. As he got older, he started getting into fights, and more often than not losing. His mother anguished over him, and Hank would have ended up dead or in jail like so many others from his school.

Instead, Hank was given a reprieve in the form of an endowment for a rowing team, paid for by the Stoddard's charitable fund. In his sophomore year of high school Hank became a rower, an athlete, and his life changed. Joining the team was an eye opener. A group of boys, all dedicated to the same goal, the same drive, in the same, literal, boat. A coach who would yell and curse and shout on the water, and take the time to get to know his crew on shore. Drugs suddenly became the enemy, as opposed to an easy buck. Studies became monumentally important, because if his grades slipped he was off the team, and out of the brotherhood. His grades improved to the point where he was granted admittance to the University of California at Berkeley, and he qualified for a rowing scholarship, which he received, as well as a second financial aid based scholarship, also paid for by the Stoddard's. Hank met Mr. Stoddard briefly at the ceremony to grant him the scholarship, before heading to college.

Hank continued to row in college, and studied hard to keep his scholarships. While it was not quite a full ride, the student loans were manageable, and a part time job gave him enough spending money to stay afloat. When he graduated cum laude from UCB, his mother called it the proudest day of her life. She passed a few months later, terminal lung cancer. Hank was deeply saddened by his mother's passing, but he'd known about her illness for almost a year now, and she'd seen him graduate, which was enough for him to know she was proud. Shortly after he changed his last name from Delgado to Williams, in an effort to distance himself from his roots. He went on to the University of Columbia's law school, and returned to his county of birth to become an Assistant District Attorney.

Almost immediately upon arrival Hank was re-introduced to the Stuttons by the District Attorney, an almost parade like affair, and a deeply flattering one. Knowing that the two turning points in his life, the sports grant and the scholarship, were both owed to the Stuttons Hank was more than happy to do a few odd legal jobs for them. If Mr. Stutton implied that perhaps the community would be better served by some known criminal getting a harsher sentence, Hank would push for the harsher sentence. A few times he questioned his actions, but always reassured himself. He'd dine nothing illegal, and he was just repaying a favor he owed. The fact that the California Bar would undoubtedly see it as a serious ethical violation was just reason to keep it quiet.

As of yet, he's only done a few small favors for the Stuttons, enough to begin to satisfy his debt to them. Still, he's found himself recently more and more hesitant to do favors for the Stuttons. While Williams has yet to say no outright, he's been looking more and more for excuses to demure on issues.

[Cylarn]

-snip-

Wow, already had everything planned out beforehand.

Accepted! Afford me some time before I get you up on the Dramatis Personae, because I've still got to get some other stuff to process through.

[Galdius]

This looks fantastic, you've outdone yourself yet again.

In terms of characters, what are you looking for the most? Are the majority of characters going to be associates of the two clans or actual family members?

[Cylarn]

Yes, the majority of characters will be family members of different statuses given their relation to their respective patriarch. I am willing to look at the inclusion of player-controlled close associates/non-blooded characters on a case-by-case basis. If you think you can play such a role, feel free to draft an app!

[Galdius]

Yes, the majority of characters will be family members of different statuses given their relation to their respective patriarch. I am willing to look at the inclusion of player-controlled close associates/non-blooded characters on a case-by-case basis. If you think you can play such a role, feel free to draft an app!

I was considering maybe trying for a family member role once a few more slots are filled, I'm assuming that the majority of the family members have jobs within their families respective companies?

[Rudaslavia]

I'll be a Grayson for sure.

[Cylarn]

Yes, the majority of characters will be family members of different statuses given their relation to their respective patriarch. I am willing to look at the inclusion of player-controlled close associates/non-blooded characters on a case-by-case basis. If you think you can play such a role, feel free to draft an app!

I was considering maybe trying for a family member role once a few more slots are filled, I'm assuming that the majority of the family members have jobs within their families respective companies?

Yep.