Questions
[ Spoiler ]
1. What is your characters sex?
Male
2. What is your characters physical size?
Dexter is quite literally built like a refrigerator. Rather tall, at about 6'2�, he is as large, if not larger than most orks, and probably as heavy as them... which isn't all due to muscle mass. Chrome tends to weight quite a bit also. Dexter is probably better built (no pun intended) than most people half his age.
3. What is the color of the characters hair, eyes, and skin?
Dexter's hair used to be of a deep, dark brown, but with the years, it has not only come to lightened itself, but streaks of gray are starting to show. With his hairline starting to receed, Dexter has taken to keeping his head almost shaved bald. His eyes, used to be hazel. But that was a long time ago. His current eyes are obviously cyber, and both are encased in polarized protective shells. His skin is literally weathered from spending a lot of time outside and under the sun.
4. What is the character's general appearance (i.e., How does he dress, etc.)?
While not on the job, which isn't all that often, Dexter dresses in a simple and minimalist manner; faded jeans and a black wifebeater. That's his casual attire. While out and about, he'll usually throw some sort of either navy blue, black, grey or dark green polo on top. What never leaves him tho, is a good pair of german made combat boots. He also greatly affectionate urbanbrawl caps. Not that he follows the sport in any way. He just likes wearing them.
5. Where was the character born (City, State, Hospital Name)?
New Orleans, Confederate States of America.
6. What is the characters date of birth?
March 25th, 2023.
7. What was the character's family life like?
Well, it could have been worst. His drunken dad could have given him more beatings, but Dexter did have a lot of places to hide. Although he had, many brothers, Dexter was the youngest, and didn't get to really grow up with them. By the time he was able to walk, talk and pretty much behave like any kid might, they were all out of the house, and as far away from home as they possibly could. Dexter's mother, a very religious and submissive woman, wasn't much of a mother at all. Very little nurture ever came from her. Neither did any sort of real affection or love. Looking back on it, she probably never wanted Dexter.
8. Has the character begun his own family?
Dexter was married to Sue Morgan. Which he met and married 2048. They had two daughter together, Catherine, in 2049, and Emma, in 2055, which makes them 21 and 15 years old now. Sue divorced Dexter in 2063, when after having an almost complete psychological breakdown, Dexter gave her a rather violent beating, breaking her nose, one arm and a few of her ribs. Since then, Sue has moved out of the country, to Seattle, and taken almost every single penny Dexter had. It wasn't until 2066 that Dexter was able to see his daughters again, when the court gave him visitation rights. In 2068, he was able to get shared custody, which gives him 1 week per month. Catherine literally hates he father, and refuses to see or deal with him in any manner. Being 21, she isn't even obliged to go spend the week with him. Emma, on the opposite, adores her father and resents her controlling mother.
9. Where or how was the character educated?
Beside a little bit of high school (Dexter dropped out at an early age), everything he learned came from the Marine Corp. What little education he did receive at home was on how to never show vulnerability.
10. Has the character ever done anything else for a living?
Dexter was a Marine for 22 years (although he wasn't attached to any regular unit for quite some time), before running the shadows as a mercenary for the last 7 years.
11. What are the characters beliefs on church and state?
What little interaction Dexter had with his mother, growing up, it always involved God, the Church or the Bible in some way. Because those were the only moments he ever shared with his mother, up until he left the family homestead, Dexter was quite a religious person himself. As time went by, and his hands got bloodier and bloodier, Dexter's belief in any sort of in a higher power was slowly eroded. Although he still has great respect for the values and moral code the church teaches, he has grown somewhat jaded on the topic. If God does exist, he has stopped caring a long time ago... and if he does care, well, Dexter knows all too well he will burn in Hell.
Dexter has always been, and still is, a very patriotic man. He believes firmly that the state, at least in most countries, has the welfare of its citizen at hearth. As long as the state guarantees freedom, in all its forms, Dexter respects it, and to some extend will fight for it. On the other hand, the old mercenary dislikes most politicians and paper pushers.
12. Describe the characters Moral code. Include how mercenary he is, whether or not he'll kill innocents, etc.
Spending so many years being drilled on how mission success is vital, above all else, can make someone ready to go to some extreme. Before leaving the Marines, Dexter would have probably been ready to do anything, and kill anyone, to serve his country. As a matter of fact, Dexter took many lives of people who didn't necessary deserve to die, and he did so without missing a beat. It is, to some extent, something he can still do when the time calls for it, but he does feel regret now. Being all he ever knew, Dexter still has the soldier mentality ingrained in him. Although he will still do whatever it takes to get the job done, he has lost too many friends to put his comrades before the objectives. He will still kill anyone, men, women, children, if it is necessary, but only if it serves some higher purpose, at least in his view.
13. What are the character have any goals?
Live long enough to get out of the biz and spend some time with his daughters. Dexter would very like a second chance at being a father... even if it means being a grandfather.
14. Why does the character run the shadows (rather than getting a "real" life?)
Mostly because doing what he does is the only thing he knows. He is well aware that the violent path he has been walking is quite different from everyone's else life... and that getting a “regular� job would simply never work for him. He has gone too far over the edge.
15. What kind of personality does your character have?
On the exterior, Dexter is a grumpy, jaded, seen everything and done everything old soldier. He's almost always bitching about everything and everyone. He is a very straight forward person, who gives little time to flair and pomp, and doesn't quite when to stop. On the inside, Dexter cares a lot more than he says he does. Having been used to projecting a tough guy, and bad ass attitude his entire life, he has a bit of a hard time letting go of the demeanor. He is the sort of person who will go all the way to save a friend's life, but bitch about all the way he's doing it. Dexter also now suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder... making him sometimes somewhat unstable to deal with.
16. What special qualities does the character possess?
Dexter is terribly persistent and loyal. With a mind like a strong headed donkey, he never backs down from anything, or any task.
17. Are their certain things the character can't or won't do? Why?
Go against his friends. Go back on his words. Do anything that would cause harm to his country and fellow soldiers.
18. What things, people, or ideas does the character hate?
Dexter resents everything that is, from far or near, Azzie. He also pretty much scared to death, although he would never admit it, of rodents. And not just devil rats... but everything that can qualify as a rodent. Even hamsters give him goosebumps.
19. What things people, or ideas does the character love?
His daughters... and no matter how much he bitches about her sometimes, Dexter still loves his ex wife.
20. What is the character's name? Give both full birth name, as well as nicknames, street names, etc.
Dexter Henry Pope. People usually end up either calling him Dex, Dexter or Pope.
21. Determine what your character used to do?
CAS Marine
22. Decide why your character left his or her old life.
Dexter was discharged after being deemed to unstable for duty.
23. Come up with a reason for why the character became a runner. (This very often will tie in with #22. This is not the same as #14, but rather why he started running the shadows originally. What led him to it?)
Dexter began his life outside the army as a mercenary for a small outfit based out of Caracas, but it didn't take him very long to miss his daughters. With his wife moving to Seattle, the old soldier did his best to find some sort of security job there, but it never truly panned out, since he proved too quick to use violence. He then turned to the shadows, the only place that could provide him with the sort of work he was trained for.
24. How did your character come to know his or her contacts? Contacts are an important part of Shadowrun, decide how and why you know them.
25. Does the character have a SIN? Does the character actually use it? Or is the character one of the SINless masses? This may be affected by the characters previous employment.
Dexter has a SIN, but hasn't really used his official identity ever since he was discharged .
26. Is the character a full-time runner? Or does the character lead a Batman-like double existence?
Dexter is a full-time runner.
27. Which person(s) or group(s) do you love the most?
His family.
28. Which person(s) or group(s) do you hate the most?
Azzies. Rodents.
29. Which person(s) or group(s) do you respect the most?
The CAS Marine Corps
30. Which person(s) or group(s) do you fear the most?
Rodents.
31. What is your favorite color?
Green.
32. What is your favorite food and/or drink?
Cajun Style Ribs with a cold brew.
33. What place would you most like to visit?
34. Which person(s) or group(s) are you most loyal to?
His friends. His family.
35. What pastime (that you participate in regularly) gives you the most enjoyment?
Fishing.
36. What pastime (that you participate in regularly) gives you the least enjoyment?
Playing cards (especially poker... because Dexter doesn't bluff very well).
37. What annoys you the most?
Sissies, paper pushers, office workers. Oh yea; divorce lawyers!
38. What (if any) is your favorite form of art?
Dexter doesn't really “get� art....
39. What is your greatest goal?
To win his family back.
40. What do you think is your characters best quality?
Loyalty.
41. What do you think is your characters worst quality?
He's a bit of a bully.
42. What is the most important thing you have ever done?
Become a father.
43. Which religion (if any) do you follow?
Catholic.
44. What is your most treasured possession (and why)?
His daughters.
45. What are your three most common dreams?
Getting eaten by rats.
Being chased in the jungle by all the people he has killed.
Mission flashbacks.
46. What is the character's current relationship with his family?
Dexter is divorced from his wife, who now currently lives in Seattle, with his two daughters.
47. If the character's family is still alive, what do they do, and where do they live?
Sue, Dexter's ex wife, lives and work a lawyer for a small corporate firm, in Seattle. Their two daughters, Catherine and Emma, live with her. Catherine is a student at Udub, while Emma attends a rather posh private school
48. Where did the character learn his Skills?
In the CAS Marine Corps.
49. Does the character have a good luck charm? What is it, and why?
Although not really considered a good luck charm, Dexter always has a pictures of his two daughters with him, from when they were kids.
50. What type of music does the character like?
Blues.
51. List any past serious relationships that your character has had, and give a brief overview of the relationship.
Since his divorce with Sue, Dexter hasn't been interested in any women. He says its just because he too old for that kind of stuff anymore... but truth is, he probably still loves Sue very much.
52. Where does your character live? Why does he live there?
Vignette
[ Spoiler ]
“I take it you would rather not be here, Emma?� said the rather pot bellied round school counselor, eying the girl from behind round silver rimmed glasses. He had invited her to sit, but the folded arms and pouting face told him this might actually be challenging for once.
The clock, which he had gotten for a bargain at the flea market last week, loudly ticked every single second of dead silence. Her forehead wrinkled a little bit more. Not looking in any way meaner... but she had to be given some credit for trying. Maybe he should have gotten those antique chairs too... they weren't in that much of a bad shape after all... Her legs were already starting to cramp up. Well, maybe she could pout as well when sitting. No. Standing up made much more of a point. Her mother kept saying she had gotten all of her dad's stubbornness, and none of her common sense.
He took off his glasses, polishing the already crystal clear lenses in a manner that made him look like more of a scholar than he really was. He wasn't at all. His office was filled with old certificates and diplomas: framed and sealed stamped to make him look all important. One certified he was a damn good fisherman. Another one was just written in gibberish Latin. It didn't even mean anything. He'd just bought the frame and liked the little random filler piece of paper that came with it.
“So,� he started, feeling the earlier chili he had eaten build into a slight heart burn “do you know why you are here today?�
**
“I still don't get why were here today.� complained Frank, again.
Dexter sat next to Frank, smelling nothing but the awful menthol cigarette disgustingly sweet smell. It was the third since they had arrived. Nervous habit. At least, he was keeping his cool. For now. The seats weren't comfortable either. Some spring were pushing in places one should never have springs push. It was like trying to read Kant while sitting on a junkie's mattress (the kind that was on the bare floor and smelled of old vomit): you felt uneasy and confused. But Dexter was who he was, which was very much unlike most people. It meant he didn't really feel like most people. Well, part of him did feel, but he reacted with a very different attitude. He didn't care. He endured. He moved on. He had gone through the desert carrying twice his own weight, getting pummeled by hot sharp sand. He had lived weeks in the same smelly clothes, his own salty sweat making them stick like a second skin. He had spent three days waist deep in mud, living on a regular diet of fist sized beetles. This was a fuckin' cake walk.
Frank hissed through his teeth, pulling on the cigarette as he watch some woman walking her dog across the street.
“Check that out Pope! Now that's some prime quality grade A piece right there� he pushed out with the smoke. Dexter nodded absentmindedly, his attention focused on some third level window. The lights were still out. They'd have to wait a little more.
**
He flipped the tiny switch, bringing the screen to life. The blue hue danced on his face, carving the wrinkles that made up his fat face even deeper. Emma, now sitting, shrugged in a disinterested manner.
“This is the sixth time this year, Emma. The sixth time you're sent to this office for the same exact reason.� continued the counselor, his eyes narrowing as he skim through her school file.
“It's not my fault. They had it coming! She was asking for it!�
The man lifted his eyes from the display unit, eying cautiously the fifteen year old from above his shiny Mister Important glasses.
“You know very well that this is not how grown up are supposed to deal with problems. I don't think you realized that this sort of behavior isn't appropriate.�
Emma pouted some more, burrowing herself in the chair and doing her best to look mean.
“Do you what a behavior like that could cost you?�
**
“Twenty thousand.�
Dexter nodded, his metal encased cyber eyes scanning the street up and down.
“Thats fuckin' it man. Twenty thousand. The guy's been running out on us and dodging all the regular collectors like the damn plague. So the big boss man, he called me up.�
He took a long drag on his stubbed cigarette, speaking quickly through his closed teeth.
“You know how the big man is! He gets even more pissed off when it's small amounts. I don't get it man... Twenty thousand isn't even that much green.�
He gestured around the small beaten up sedan.
“But here we are! Chasing after some low life motherfucker who owes a bunch of nickel and dimes.�
Dexter looked over from the street toward the scrawny man fidgeting about next to him.
“It's not about the money Frankie. It's a question of principles.�
Flicking his cigarette out the cracked down window, Frank swung his head around toward Dexter in an exaggerated move. He looked at his own reflection in the man's cyber eyes. When he had first met the cybered up old timer, he'd found it rather creepy. It wasn't just that he was sporting outdated looking chrome.... it was that he seemed more like a machine than a person. At times, it was as if he wasn't really there. That and not being able to look someone straight into their eyes made him uneasy.
“And I take it you know a lot about that?�
Dexter nodded slowly.
“Principles are what distinguish animals from men. There's nothing nobler than holding up to an ideal in an unmoving manner.�
He looked away toward the building once more.
“Nothing a man owns should ever have more value than his own word. Thats how you can tell what a person is worth: by the value of his words.�
Frankie just sat there, staring at the hired muscle with a slight hint of disbelief.
“Shit Pope, didja smoke something on your way here?�
**
“No.� said Emma flat out.
“No, you don't think you have an anger management problem? I mean, it is common for a young woman of your background...�
Emma's face lit with red as she clenched her fists until her knuckles were white.
“And what is that supposed to mean?!� she said, now shaking as if taken by a sudden cold.
**
“Means he'll probably fold when he just sees us. The guy's a total punk. A strung out junkie. Gambles a lot. Thats how he ranked up the debt.�
“I see. You know the guy?� said Dexter, reaching for a duffel on the back seat.
“Well, sorta. Met him a few times. You know... business stuff. He'd get stuff from a guy who knows a guy and we'd unload it for him.�
“What sort of stuff? Drugs? Chips? Weapons?�
**
“That is none of your business!� gritted Emma through he teeth.
“Well, unsteady family dynamics are common occurrences Emma. It's normal to feel angry when your parents are divorced.�
He looked over at the terminal.
“It says you live with you mother, is that correct.�
**
“Yea, I'm cool with that man.� said Frank, grabbing the small machine pistol Dexter was handing him.
The old gun for hire wrapped his chromed hand around the handel, pushing the car's door slightly ajar.
“Good. You ready?�
“Never! My father is not a violent man! He would never hurt anyone. He'd certainly never hurt me or my sister!�
Dexter cocked the sawed-off pistol grip shotgun, leveling it high toward where the doors hinges would be.
He gave one last look toward Frankie... who was, as always, grinning like an idiot.
“You go ahead Pope.� he chuckled in a whisper.
Dexter flipped the cyber safety off.
“Knock Knock...� he whispered softly to himself.
In the small and shady green carpeted corridor, the shotgun roared like chopper, taking both top and bottom hinges off and blowing bits of synthwood everywhere.
Frankie's ears were still ringing when Dexter used his size 12 boot to get the door out of their way.
**
Emma jumped out of her chair.
“You see! Thats why I gave that bitch the beating she deserved!�
She waved a threatening finger toward the counselor... who didn't seemed even a bit fazed by her actions.
“My dad is a good man! He's not a drunk like my mother says! I don't care what it says in your stupid file! She divorced him because she's a money hungry whore thats why!�
**
“Wow there! Ease up will ya?� said Frankie, pointing the stubby pistol toward Benny who had started to get up from the couch he was half sprawled on. His hand was even half way to a fat six shooter that laid on the table in front of him.
In the corner of the room, some woman, most of her clothes missing, was screaming like someone had just blown the door to her apartment and came in uninvited.
Dexter's shotgun was still held at the ready, his trained body moving with a will of his own as he went about clearing the tiny 3 room apartment. He could hear the woman's shriek, but ignored it. He could see cockroaches scurrying away from the light when he entered the kitchen but he ignored it.
“Clear.� he simply said, coming back to the living room, the shotgun now pointing down.
He lock eyes with the woman, who was still hysterically screaming her head out.
“Fuck's that?� said Dexter, jerking nonchalantly a thumb toward the girl.
“Yea man� continued Frank to Benny “would you mind telling your druggie bitch to shut the hell up?�
Benny seem to unfreeze from his torpor.
“Chill out Denise.....�
It didn't do squat.
Benny got up from the couch and went over toward Denise, slapping her hard.
It didn't do squat. She was now shaking and making a whole mess.
Dexter grunted, breached the small gap that separated him from the odd couple. In an almost reticent motion, he pushed Benny aside and wrapped his chromed up right hand around Denise throat, lifting her feet off the ground.
“Don't make me kill you, Denise. Stop screaming and I won't kill you, ok?�
She fought a bit, trying to get some air into her lungs. She fought against the inhumane cold steel of Dexter's cyberhand. When she started to definitely change color, she managed to nod. Satisfied with her honesty, the old street sam released her from his death grip, turning his back on her now sprawled form to look straight at Benny.
“Tell him Frank.�
Frankie came over and got his scrawny little fingers on Benny's shoulder.
“Time to pay up man. You owe 20, and today were collecting taxes in your corner of the world.�
“I.... I don't have it Frankie... Not yet! But I will! I promise! Next week! Next week Frankie, I'll have it!�
“No no no! Thats not the right answer...� said Frank, like he was scolding a child
**
“But I don't want to!� cried Emma out.
“Anger management classes are obligatory. This is not open for discussion. You either go to them, each week, or you'll have to look for another school Emma.�
“This isn't right! You can't force me to do something I don't want to! They were the ones who started it!�
**
“Oh yes Benny, I can do many things.�
And she started screaming again. But this time around, it wasn't a scared scream. It was one of those deadly crazy shriek someone desperate launches out. She lunged the kitchen, where she had crawled to, with the craziest rusted kitchen knife you've ever seen. She threw herself wildly at Frank.
Without a second of hesitation, Dexter stepped in the way, the wicked blade burrying itself under his shoulder blade all the way to the hilt. And she froze. She froze like a deer in headlight.
Dexter made a sort of grunt; the annoyed kind. Frank was brandishing the small pistol toward the woman, and was about 2 seconds away from turning her into a pasta drainer when Dexter, calmly and collectedly, raised his hand up and gestured him to cool off. Slowly he reached around his backside and pulled the knife out in one swift motion. With a sickening popping sound, it came out, deep red blood flowing from the wound for a few seconds... before stopping.
The knife clicked on the ground.
“I hate it when people do that.� grumbled Dexter, giving the woman but a passing glance and turning his attention back Benny.
“So what's it gonna be Benny. You got Frankie's money, or do I have to throw you ass out that window?�
**
Arms folded across her chest, Emma walked out of the school counselors office. Ten sessions of anger management. It was that or another school. And mom would have throw a fit. She would have kept her from seeing her father.
“This sucks!� said Emma to herself, kicking some imaginary pebble from out of her way.
**
“This really sucks.� thought Benny, seconds before his face connected with the pavement below.
“Thats gotta hurt...� said Frankie, looking out of the window at the pieces of Benny that were still aligned how they were supposed to.
He turned back to Dexter.
“Alright, let's rip the place for cash and get the fuck out. Someone's about to come round to check things out.�
“Hurry up Frankie...� started Dexter, annoyingly checking the tear in his raincoat “I gotta pick up my girl from school.�
)
