Video Game Storytelling: First Player Character Template—The Gray Wolf

	The Gray Wolf
Story Purpose	We will work either with or against the Gray Wolf as you and he work to complete your mission, which started with everything that could go wrong.
Gameplay Purpose	NPC Neutrally aligned but can work with or against depending on choices.
Alignment	Neutral good.  He is new to your group, so there is no personal relationship, but he is contracted with the same outfit.  He’s an experienced and highly lethal contractor, but he has a moral code that he will not break unless there is no other choice.
Persona	Gruff with coarse language but philosophical and thoughtful when comfortable with someone.
General Description	Looks like a person that most people wouldn’t approach, let alone mess with.
Special Abilities	An expert in unique operation tactics, especially night operations, where he is almost undetectable.
Education/Intelligence	Graduated from the USAF Academy; received his master’s degree within the next 4 years.  He was a Major in the USAF working with Pararescue when he left the service after a failed mission.  Is well-versed in many areas, a Renaissance Man
Family	He has never married, but he has a sister who is 10 years younger and married with three children. They are the only people he is truly close with.
Aspirations	He wants to feel like a normal person. He has been doing contracts for many years but is considering retiring and living alone in the Wyoming mountains.
Addictions	Fine Scotch and Cuban cigars
Occupation (and attitude toward it)	Contractor (private military for hire, aka mercenary): He used to love this life, but now he thinks about leaving it.
What does this character want?	He wants to complete the botched mission because he has a strong sense of professionalism and pride.
Who or what does this character love?	His younger sister and her family, of expensive Scotch and Cuban cigars, of living along a river in the Wyoming mountains, where he can fly fish.
What is he afraid of?	Failure to complete his mission.  The one time he experienced mission failure, his best friend was killed.  He is afraid of history repeating itself.
Why does he involve himself in this situation?	He joined the firm because he hates child traffickers.  His next-door neighbor and best friend was abducted when they were in high school; she was the only girl he ever felt for that wasn’t family.
Other roles and identities	His real name is Nathaniel Charles, but no one calls him that except his sister and her husband. His nieces and nephews call him Uncle Nate. He is sometimes referred to as “Major,” which was his rank when he left the USAF.
Skills	Expert marksman in tactical shooting of rifle, pistol, and shotgun.  Is strong with incredible endurance (participates in the Murph Challenge annually unless on the job).  Master in stealth tactics.  Is an expert in Krav Maga.  Can pilot helicopters and prop planes, including up to the C-130 airframe.
Reports or Answers to?	Robert Markum, CEO of Markum Consultants, the firm the team is contracted by, reports to you on this job but isn’t sure of your abilities to lead.
Who reports to this character?	No one.
Trademark Object	He carries a tactical tomahawk on his pack, which serves as a close-quarters weapon and utility tool.
Common emotions (pick three from the list on page 79, Ultimate Guide)	Suspicious, confidant, angry
Signature move or tic	Pops his neck and fingers before he goes into action.
Nationality if applicable	American
Ethnicity	White
Religion	Methodist
Favorite Food	Ribeye
How does this character dress?	On a job, he wears military-style attire with few modifications except for a patch on his left shoulder depicting a black phoenix rising from a black fire towards a black sun. He prefers dark jeans and long-sleeved Henleys off the job, often pulling the sleeves halfway up his forearms.  He likes to wear nice watches, braided bracelets, and leather Panama-style hats that coordinate
Accent	Texan but not too heavy.
Dialogue Tics and/or slang?	Likes to call people “bub” when he is annoyed.
Locations where one is most likely to “blend in”	Western mountain states
Where born?	Dallas, TX
Where’s the character been?	He has done jobs on every continent in the world, even Antarctica.  He is as comfortable in urban environments as he is in remote locations.
Where does the character live now?	Houston, TX
Where will the character die?	He will either die on the job or in his retirement home in Wyoming.
Dichotomy of the character (inner conflict)	He encounters a situation that forces him to decide whether or not to violate his professional code, which will affect everything he believes in.
Reaction to a few events in the potential game	After the initial incident in the game, which could mean mission failure, the Gray Wolf will think of you as incompetent for command and leave to complete the mission himself.  Later on, he will either think of you as a necessary partner, as his leader who has earned his respect, or as an adversary jeopardizing the mission, thus making you a target.
Relation to other significant characters	He doesn’t trust the CEO and thinks he is hiding something. He knows more about the target than he lets on.
What would we think if we saw this character on the street	We’d give him a wide berth.  He’s not necessarily threatening, but he is intimidating.
Emotional stability	Despite his gruff nature, he is one of the most mentally and emotionally strong people you have met.  He’s not a stoic, but he understands how to utilize emotions best when it matters.
What do they do to comfort themselves?	He’ll twirl his ponytail or chew on a cigar.
Phobias	He is superstitious about some things, such as putting the left articles of clothes on before the right ones (socks, boots, gloves)
Vanity	He’s very relaxed in nature.
Impressionistic Age and Health	Early 50s but has the health and endurance of a man half his age.
Impressionistic Height and Weight	6’4 and stands straight.  Weighs in the 230s because of his muscular frame
Body type	Tall and muscular.  Described as “built like an NFL linebacker”
Hairline/hair color	Medium gray hair that is wavy.  Undercut with the top pulled back into a ponytail about 8 inches long.  Sides and back are cut short, about the length of a “4” guard on hair clippers.
Eye color and Facial Hair	Light brown eyes. Gray beard is cut in a manner that resembles that of a conquistador.