Cowboy

“The best way to describe a cowboy is mud, blood, guts, and glory.” - Roy Rogers

A cowboy is an animal herder who tends livestock on ranches, traditionally on horseback and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. Cowboys have become a figure of special significance and legend. They are also known across the lands as cowpuncher, cowpoke, buckaroo, or vaquero.

A subtype, called a wrangler, specifically tends the horses used to work cattle. In addition to ranch work, some buckaroos work for or participate in, rodeos.

Others have chosen to be outlaws and gunslingers, choosing to make their money rustling livestock and robbing banks and caravans. Due to these criminals, many buckaroos find themselves pulling security duty, patrolling the land and defending the herd from theft, or chasing down rustlers or bandits who have stolen from them.

Most cowboys live with an unspoken code; always saying “howdy” as a sign of courtesy, don’t wave at a man on a horse (you should nod), never ride another man’s horse without his permission, always help someone in need, and never put on another man’s hat.

Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling and Survival

Tool Proficiencies: All firearms, land vehicles (horses only), and a harmonica.

Equipment: Wrangler’s Pack, a set of traveler’s clothes, harmonica, and a small satchel containing 15 gp.

 

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Wrangler’s Pack

Weight: 65 lbs

Value: 23 gp

Wrangler's Pack includes:

• Saddlebag, large (4 gp, 4 lb)
• Bedroll (1 gp, 7 lb)
• Flint and tinder (5 sp, 1 lb)
• Lantern, hooded (5 gp, 2 lb)
• Two flasks of oil (2 sp, 2 lb)
• Cast Iron Skillet (2 gp, 8 lb)
• 10 days of rations (5 gp, 20 lb)
• Canteen (2 sp, 5 lb [full])
• Chaps (2 gp, 4 lb)
• “10-gallon” hat (2 gp, 2 lb)
• 30’ hemp rope (in the form of a lasso) (1 gp, 10 lb)
• kerchief/bandana (1 sp)

Suggested Characteristics

"Some cowboys have too much tumbleweed in their blood to settle down." - Ken Alstad 

d8	Personality Trait
1	I have become accustomed to living life on the range.
2	Despite my gruff exterior, I’m actually very polite and respectful.
3	I am confident and tender, but not afraid to defend the defenseless.
4	I have an uncanny love for animals.
5	I am considered strange to my brethren.
6	I have fought in many battles, but my days of war are behind me now.
7	With my past anchored firmly behind me, I wander the desert aimlessly in search of a higher calling.
8	Lesser creatures owe me for protection.

d6	Ideal
1	Fortune: I have no code and work for the highest payer (Neutral)
2	Blood: I killed someone during a bank robbery and liked it (Evil)
3	Lone Ranger: I’m attempting to bring law, order, and peace to this land. (Lawful)
4	Solitude: After many years of working the cattle through the plains, I decided I wanted to seek a life of my own. (Neutral)
5	Money: The money ran out at home, so I set out to make my own fortune. (Good)
6	Retribution: Criminals and outlaws must pay for their crimes, even if the payment is in blood. (Chaotic)

d6	Bond
1	I will get revenge on the forces that destroyed my place of business and ruined my livelihood.
2	I will do anything to protect innocent animals from being harmed.
3	I worked the land, I love the land, and I will protect the land.
4	I was cheated of my fair share of the profits, and I want to get my due.
5	I seek to find true love and will travel the world doing so.
6	My bond is my steed and my guns. Both must be handled with care and respect.

d8	Flaw
1	I’m a sucker for a pretty face.
2	I have a weakness for the vices of the big city, especially hard drink.
3	Once someone questions my courage, I never back down no matter how dangerous the situation.
4	I prefer to keep a smoking pipe and loose tobacco on me at any time. I don’t need it though.
5	I crave fighting.
6	I tend to arrive at things slightly behind schedule. You can’t rush the herd!
7	I lack piety for gods and their followers. Gods don’t raise crops and cattle; men do.
8	I tend to overexert myself during long travel days and need to be reminded to take a load off and rest to avoid exhaustion.

Contacts

Defining Antagonist:

Cowboys tend to make enemies, it’s hard out in the Wild West.

d6	Contact
1	A competing rancher: Cows have gone missing in the past and you know they are responsible for it.
2	A rodeo clown: You got bucked off a mustang and the clown made you the butt of every joke for the season. You had to find another rodeo to earn back your reputation.
3	A bank robber: A gang of men came and robbed the local bank, killing the teller and stealing some nearby horses for their escape. You must track them down to seek justice.
4	The law: Nearby towns have your face printed on a wanted poster. Every stranger you meet could be a sheriff or bounty hunter looking to bring you in. Dead or alive.
5	A prospector: A notice appeared on the local bulletin board saying a rich man is coming to buy out your farm or town to build oil rigs. You have to collect enough gold or treasure to buy back the plot.
6	A cowboy: The man has been taking your glory and accomplishments and trading them as his own. If you find the imposter who goes by your nickname, you will challenge him to a duel.