Character Sheet: Seth Ruggeri

Name: Seth Ruggeri

Gender: Male

Age: 32

Occupation: Detective

Description: Seth Ruggeri possesses a certain charismatic charm, despite his rugged, scarred, and less than clean shaven face. A pair of piercing and unwavering blue eyes provides him with a gaze capable of striking the fear of the Almighty into a man. His slick black hair is cut short but more oft than not remains hidden beneath his slouch hat. Despite his Italian origins, Seth is able to speak English with remarkable fluency and eloquence. His deep baritone voice is capable of producing both an endearing charm as well as intimidating severity.

At 6’ 5, Seth is a giant of a man. He can typically be seen sporting a large black cloak and matching slouch hat. Beneath his cloak, he wears a white bib front shirt, adorned with silver clasps and a pair of brown slacks. At his right side he wears a holster which holds his Colt Dragoon Revolver and on his back he carries a sling which houses his Lupara. In addition to his two firearms, Seth also carries a satchel with him that contains various mechanical supplies as well as extra ammunition.

Bio: Seth was born in 1842 in the port town of Amalfi, Italy. In his youth, Seth spent much of his time exploring the rugged cliffs that surrounded the city and eventually became so well acclimated to the area that he often gave tours of the city and surrounding mountains to British nobles who came to the town on holiday. It was during these tours that he first began to learn English from his aristocratic clientele.

The Ruggeri family was well known in Amalfi for their top-notch metal work and craftsmanship. Seth’s father made arms for the Italian military as well as providing his services as a handyman to the townsfolk. Continuing this tradition, Seth learned the metal working trade from his father at an early age and developed a considerable skill for constructing everything from agricultural tools to firearms.

In his teenage years, Seth fell victim to the charm and beauty of the sole daughter of the noble Sabato family, Rosa. To Seth’s great fortune, the object of his affection returned his feelings without hesitation. The young couple courted one another for sometime until finally, Seth asked for her hand in marriage. Rosa accepted the offer, but before the two could be wed, the threat of war dawned on the horizon. Feeling it his civil duty to protect the home and fiancée he loved so dearly, Seth joined the ranks of the Italian army and briefly parted ways with the love of his life, promising to marry her on the day of his return.

During the Austro-Prussian War, Seth was part of a special regiment of soldiers who staved off Austrian troops in the mountainous terrain of Lombardy. The regiment specialized in subterfuge and guerrilla tactics to combat their foes, using a vast array of traps and even the terrain itself to cripple the opposing troops. Austrian troops began to spread rumors of phantoms that attacked troops in the dead of night without ever being seen.

After the war, Seth, a man of his word, returned to Amalfi and married Rosa. The couple resumed the Ruggeri family trade and lived a quiet and peaceful life for the next few years. In 1871, Rosa’s health began to decline. Doctors in the surrounding township were unable to treat or even properly diagnose Rosa’s illness. As his wife’s condition continued to worsen, Seth scoured the country in search of a doctor who could help. During his search, he heard rumors of incredible medical advancements in the New Mexico territory. Doctors in the region reported miraculous recoveries of patients once considered terminally ill. Realizing this might be his wife’s only chance of recovery; Seth made the necessary arrangements and bought his wife passage on a ship to the New Mexico territory.

On a cold November morning in 1871, Seth and Rosa parted ways on the docks of Amalfi. Seth promised to join her as soon as he was able to afford passage to the territory for himself. A warm smile across her adorned her face as Rosa grasped the hand of her husband and placed it near her stomach. In a soft dulcet voice she replied, “Don’t worry, I won’t be alone.” With a parting kiss, Seth bid his wife farewell.

Over the next few months, Seth received letters from his wife after her arrival. To Seth’s relief her condition seemed to improve, with each letter telling of newfound strength and resurgence of life. All seemed well until eventually, the letters stopped coming. Despite his attempts, Seth never received a reply from his wife. Nearly a year after bidding his wife farewell on the docks, Seth received a letter from a doctor in the town Rosa had been staying.

“Dear Mr. Ruggeri,

We regret to inform you that your wife, Rosa Ruggeri, died shortly after giving birth to your daughter. Curiously, Rosa showed no signs of relapse or hint of degeneration. She was laid to rest in the town cemetery one week prior to the writing of this letter. Your daughter is healthy and displays no trace of illness thus far. We will continue to care for the child until you are able to arrive. Our sincerest condolences to you Mr. Ruggeri on this most somber of occasions.”

Determined to uncover the meaning behind his wife’s untimely passing as well as to seek out his daughter, in December of 1873 Seth departed for the New Mexico Territory.

Combat Ability: Seth’s service during the war made him familiar with not only the use of traps such as mines, smoke grenades, and other explosive devices, but also several different kinds of firearms. While he is capable of using most rifles, handguns, and shotguns, with adept skill, Seth is particularly fond of his Colt Dragoon Revolver and Lupara. In addition to the typical ammo and shells, he also carries custom made rounds for his weapons such as rock salt shells for the Lupara. In a combat situation, Seth prefers to rely on traps and subterfuge when possible, however in situations where such tactics are unavailable he is a more than capable shot and if need be, a rather skilled fist fighter.

Affinity: Technology. Seth has an uncanny knack for creating and modifying weaponry. He can easily disassemble a gun and just as quickly put it back together. The whirs and clicks of mechanical mechanisms in a machine, gun or otherwise, are a melodious symphony to the ear, a testament to the wonders of engineering.

Sorry for the delay everyone. I hit a few creative snags along the way. I'd really appreciate some constructive criticism and feedback for this character. Happy Reading!