cowboy_shadow Shadow (Hatake Kakashi, 20) - ex-Confederate soldier and current crack shot gunslinger. Talented for his age, and far too pretty for his own good; he keeps his Colt in his hand, his bandanna over his face, and makes damn sure never to spend too long in one town. His one grey eye tends to linger a little longer on men than women, but quick feet and a lot of luck usually keeps him ahead of the lynch mob. Full profile
Horsehead
Stewart Johnson - the school teacher, an Easterner
Gus - the bartender at the Silver Needle
Doc Harris - a Harvard-educated surgeon ruined by whiskey and women, who does his best work after he's had a few stiff ones
Bar J Ranch
Jake Forsyth (52) - an aging cattleman who once ran one of the biggest spreads around Horsehead, until Tom Benton railroaded him into selling out. He was almost a father to Riley Torres, but now he's headed back East to live with his daughter, and his punchers have to fend for themselves.
cowboy_riley Riley Torres (Tousaki Ryouma, 20) - a laid-back puncher whose skills as a cowhand earned him a foreman's place at the Bar J--and whose loyalty to Jake Forsyth earned him nothing. Mixed Mexican-Irish ancestry has lent him an easy grin and a quick temper. He's one of the best hands with a horse or a rope around Horsehead. The horn-handled pistol he wears isn't just for show, but it'll take a faster gunslinger than Riley Torres to bring Zeb Gatlin down. Full profile.
Irons Family
Danny Irons (deceased) - ex-Confederate soldier turned cattle rancher, Danny Irons was a respected man of honor. He worked hard to build trust, and was able to put together a small--but hopefully growing--cattle ranch large enough to support him, his wife and son, and the daughter he'd adopted. He was killed when he refused to sell to Tom Benton, but no one can prove the two incidences were related.
cowboy_tess Tess Irons (Inuzuka Tsume, 23) - newly widowed but as strong as her husband's name, and determined to survive on land that belongs to her and her deceased husband--no matter who tries to take it. She was more than willing when Danny offered to take her with him halfway across the country, even make it legal by marriage. He's the only person who knows where she was before that, and she'd like to keep it that way.
Black (Kuromaru) - occasionally also referred to as "Bloodchild Deathstorm," no one thinks Widow Irons is using it ironically. He shows his scars and his teeth along with them, has an uncanny ability to obey the widow's commands, and unflagging loyalty. He's the perfect dog, but even Tess isn't sure where, exactly, he came from.
Hannah (Hana, 7) - still a child but already showing signs of her mother's strength, she would really rather have some pretty dresses but appreciates food and shelter. She doesn't trust strangers, and is a tad bit shy.
Kevin (Kiba, 4) - anyone who's met Danny can see his reflection in his son, even if it's been diluted by the widow's blood. He has the same bright smile and ease with people, though he's not as good (yet) at shooting a gun. Maybe when he's older.
Spur Ranch
Henry Benton (deceased) - Ol' Man Benton wasn't an easy man, but at least he was fair. As the owner of the biggest spread around Horsehead, he exerted a strong influence in the town. Died of an apoplexy just after the roundup this fall.
Tom Benton (32) - returned from the East just a few months before his father died, and brought in Frank Gatlin only a few weeks later. He's failed in a few business ventures, succeeded in a few others, and learned exactly how to wring the most out of whatever situation he's in. Since his father died, he's been hiring hands who are better with a gun than with a rope. He's also been tightening his fist on Horsehead and the surrounding ranches--buying where he can, using less savory methods when he can't. He's got fewer scruples than a pole-cat, but rather more personal charm.
Zeb Gatlin (25) - a gunslinger. A big man with a handlebar mustache, who holds almost as much power on the Spur ranch as Tom Benton does. Those who watch his debauching in Horsehead may be easily misled. Gatlin is as fast as he is vicious, and the man who braces him will need the devil's own luck to walk away alive.