Gabriel
From Chronicles
Gabriel is an older man for the active Kingsdale lifestyle, in his early forties as belied by demeanor and appearance. It is widely known that he was a member of the US Marine Corps Special Operations Branch in WWII, units called the Raiders. Further, it common knowledge that he worked with the Office of Strategic Services, and then with the Central Intelligence Agency when they made the transition between organizations. Of course, the details of those groups have been largely lost to time. He's a well-known family man and occasional father-figure. Today, one of his favorite activities is simply to teach and pass on the knowledge that he has learned over more decades than many people these days have been alive. As a well known face around town, he owns and operates a private investigation and security business, the reborn Office of Strategic Services. He's made a name for himself on a number of major issues that have affected the city to date, and is perhaps best known for having an interest in just about everything going on in the city and indeed, the entire region.
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Description, Information and Recent History
Gabriel is a rather unusual conundrum; long-lived man and resident time-traveler. He's older than most everyone else, sometimes significantly older. For those in the spotlight of adventure and intrigue, it's usually safe to say that he'll be the oldest fellow in the room as far as humans go. It's quite clear that he's just a squishy, everyday human with not so much as a teaspoon of psychic hiccup, and standing only about 5'4" doesn't help the non-intimidating deficiency. Though a short man, he makes up for it in confidence and guile. He doesn't belong here, and he doesn't belong now. Having a weak spot for the female gender as a protector, it comes out in a good and respectful way. Honoring them, respecting them far above what is common, treating them as "they deserve to be treated," even if sometimes this means that he may possibly seem a little patronizing. Good genetics graced him with a handsome face even as he slips in and out of direct public view as he pleases, leaving little trail behind. Everything known about Gabriel seems to point to him just wanting to be another citizen - a citizen who does good deeds. He's kind, polite and of a strong Roman Catholic religious faith that he has the good sense and heart to not push on anyone. Day to day, his Kentucky drawl cannot be missed.
Though he arrived in Kingsdale with a burning hatred of those who had killed his wife and his military charges upon their appearance in this world, he has proven himself to be a good man, looking out for those who can't help themselves. He doesn't take jobs that have no redeeming purpose, he doesn't take jobs simply because someone's offering money. True, he has a dark side hiding in his mental shadows, but almost all of him is a very nice, good man. To this end, he has recently opened a security agency called the Office of Strategic Services. Employing half-a-dozen people on a regular basis, it largely mirrors his old outfit, though daily it has less intrigue, as to be expected.
If there is someone who needs assistance, something that needs to be done to protect others, he'll do it and without even asking for promise of reward. Basically, the "A-Team" of the post-Apocalyptic era, but without the angry black man and crazy person in his psyche. However, despite his chivalry, some people may disagree with the means that he occasionally uses in order to solve these problems.
Details That You Should Know
- Born on Ellis Island, November 11, 1918.
- Gabriel came to Kingsdale at some unknown time in autumn of 107 PA. Unknown, because he honestly doesn't know.
- He is from Kentucky and speaks with a thick drawl, fondly remembering the United States as a wonderful place.
- He lost a very beloved wife and fellow soldier to weapon fire shortly before arriving in Kingsdale.
- Quite well known around the city, some accuse him of being too nosy and invasive; the facts as they stand however, are that he gets things done.
- Defeated a nest of vampires, including a master vampire in the spring of 109 PA at the club previously known as the Ivory Lady, now known as Lady Luck.
- Owns and operates a hybrid private investigation, private security, paramilitary company called the "Office of Strategic Services," referring to his own past military history.
- In addition to working with his company and its clients, he plans and executes his own missions, gathering teams of often seemingly strange selections of people to fill out his unit. The interesting thing is that in the end, his strange choices always seem to mesh properly to achieve a victory. Some say it's luck, others say that it's a clear sign that he knows what he's doing.
- A very devout man in his old Catholic religious beliefs, but thankfully not the pushy kind.
- He may not be the fastest or the strongest, but if you want something done, he will find a way, no matter how long it takes. *Endurance and persistence is a point of personal pride.
- The man should be known for his combination of honesty, kindness and a frighteningly calm brutality if such becomes necessary.
- Many people have found his military methods to be highly unusual, as if they don't belong - but are highly effective.
- Laughs at himself for "having forgotten so much."
- Has a very thorough and in-depth knowledge of pre-Rifts Earth up to the middle of the 20th Century.
- Enjoys passing on knowledge and teaching others what they do not know, and unlike others, usually does it entirely for free.
Potential Plot Hooks
- Gabriel is a quite competent soldier, investigator and friend. His skills are often sought out for a wide variety of missions.
- Surprises most mages and psychics when they find out that he doesn't have so much as a drop of psychic or magic energy within him.
- Does not take jobs for mercenary money. Instead, he takes them for what is right, and good, and just. If money comes of it after the fact, that's great but not required. As he says, "You should never allow your soul to be purchased on someone else's whim."
- Worked with the refugees from Tolkeen to find them a new home. He personally funded the purchase of a large piece of land known as "The Sanctuary," and allows in all people who need a home and who are willing to work for the good of the community - it is not limited to Tolkeenites. Please note, detailed IC information on this matter would be practically impossible to come by.
- He is constantly working to improve himself, and this does not simply mean time at the firing range. In fact, most of the time it is with more peaceful endeavors.
- He likes to teach.
- More experienced or at least more comfortable with weapons that work like old handguns and rifles than modern energy weapons. This doesn't mean that he isn't equally capable with all of them.
- Owns and operates the "Office of Strategic Services" across the street from the Precinct House on Main Street.
- Has of recently become far less jovial and immediately accepting of people as friends as he once was. Something obviously happened, but what it is, remains unknown.
IC Business Link
Personal Links Outside the Wiki
A map of my life.
Feel free to email me.
Proof That Gabriel Has a Background Longer Than a Full Ream of Paper
I wrote Gabriel's background over a period of months. It is painstakingly detailed, and extends more than a thousand pages in regular fonts, etc. These link to GoogleDocs containing all of the chapters of his life, if you want to poke into them. You really shouldn't, but if you really need to satisfy yourself that I'm not lying about the length, go ahead and check these out. I think they'll be a fun read. However, as they're links to GoogleDocs, they can be a little slow to load.
Prologue
Chapter One: Parental History and the Origin of His Core Values
Chapter Two: Childhood in Hazard, the Great Depression and Beginning His First Family
Chapter Three: War on the Horizon and Becoming a Marine
Chapter Four: Becoming a Marine Raider
Chapter Five: War Comes to the Raiders of the Pacific Theater
Chapter Six: Death of a Family and Death of a Unit
Chapter Seven: Beyond the Marines and Into the O.S.S.
Chapter Eight: Italy and the European Theater
Chapter Nine: The C.I.A. and Departure Into Asia
Chapter Ten: Kiev, Subverted Spetznaz and Meeting My Future Wife
Chapter Eleven: The Cold War Begins and Love Grows
Chapter Twelve: A Mission's Downtime and Gabriel's New Wife
Chapter Thirteen: Fleeing Europe
Chapter Fourteen: Chased Through Istanbul and Into the Mediterranean
Chapter Fifteen: Slipping to Alexandria Through Assassination
Chapter Sixteen: A Sailing Honeymoon Broken by a Revealed Traitor But Successful Gambling
Chapter Seventeen: Returning to America After Years of Missions Abroad
Chapter Eighteen: Langley and Training Experts Side-by-Side
Chapter Nineteen: A Brief But Joyous Time in Life
Chapter Twenty: Gabriel and Natasha Have a True New Beginning
Chapter Twenty-One: Destroying a Communist Cell and Rescuing Their New Family
Chapter Twenty-Two: Trying to Comfort a Frightened Family and Combat European Communism
Chapter Twenty-Three: Off to War in East Berlin
Chapter Twenty-Four: Planning and Commanding Asymmetric Warfare in Korea
Chapter Twenty-Five: Operation Leprechaun and Leaving Behind the 20th Century
Chapter Twenty-Six: Finding a Place in a New World
