Post by Jas on Sept 24, 2014 20:42:21 GMT -5
Character Name: Frank Balder
Nickname(s): Frankie
Race: Human
Sex: Male
Age: 32
Birthplace: Westside, New Vegas
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 170 lbs.
Eye Color: Gray
Hair Color: Brown
Hair Style: Combed back
Facial Hair: Some stubble, nothing more.
Skin Color: Caucasian
Build: Average; in shape
Distinguishing Features: Scar from bullet on left shoulder
Profession: Police Officer
Skills: Firearms, First Aid, Basic Surgery
Training: NCR Military training, 4 years of informal medical training with the Followers of the Apocalypse, basic police training
Other Abilities: Talking down people (nervous criminals, civilians, etc.), can hold his liquor
Apparel: On-Duty: Police uniform; Off-Duty: Black leather jacket, business shirt, jeans, and worn boots.
Weaponry: Colt Revolver, Police Baton, and a 10mm pistol
Other Equipment: Pack of cigarettes, old watch, and a police badge.
Affiliation: Shady Sands Police Department
Religious Belief: Non-Practicing Christian
Sexual Preference: Heterosexual
Relationship Status: Married
Personality: Frank is a good, honest cop who always looks to do the right thing with whatever he does, whether it be on the job or off duty. Despite this he’s a family man first and won’t take any insane risks unless the adrenaline is really pumping. He believes there’s good in the world, viewing the various mutated creatures of the waste for what they are rather than evil beings.
Balder became an alcoholic for a time after what he witnessed during his service to the NCR. Although he delved deeper and deeper into the bottle his future wife, Carol, is what brought him back. Although he indulges in a beer once in while he hasn't touched a drop of liquor in years. Still, it would only take the right trigger to send him spiralling out of control and reach for the bottle once again...
Frank Balder was born in a dingy, old room in one of Westside’s many run down buildings. With his family living in poverty he had to help his parents scrape by a living, taking odd jobs and scavenging at every opportunity available. It was during these early childhood years that Frank became quite familiar with Westside and its surrounding area, getting to know every nook and cranny as well as the inhabitants.
His father, Jeremiah Balder, had formerly been a part of the NCR and made ends meet (as well as supplemented his alcoholism) by taking odd jobs as a hired gun or caravan guard. Despite being a well-intentioned person, Jeremiah’s alcoholism and PTSD from years of NCR service came to affect his family, resulting in moments of drunken rage and occasional physical abuse. While Frank had a deep respect for his father, he also came to resent him for what he perceived as weakness. When he was 10 years old, Frank’s father took a job as a caravan guard with the Tanterra Caravan. Several days later a charred Brahmin corpse, bullet casings, and dried blood was all that was left of the trading caravan. No bodies were ever found, but it’s likely that every member of the caravan is dead, adding to the numbers of those that have been claimed by the savagery of the wasteland.
Not able to support both herself and her child, Frank’s mother made the only decision available to her and gave him up to the Followers of the Apocalypse at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside.
The next four years of his life were spent under the care and tutelage of the Followers, earning his keep by providing assistance and learning to care for the people of New Vegas and the Mojave Desert. During this time he grew from bandaging cuts and wounds to performing basic surgery to the use of some drugs and natural cures for ailments. Here Frank became close with Beatrix Russell, usually bonding with the ghoul over late night drinks as well as stories of personal adventures and those who had found their way to the Old Mormon Fort.
One day a New California Republic Ranger was brought in, wounded while fighting east against the, at the time, ever growing threat of the Legion. Put in charge of nursing Ranger Martin Steeles back to health, Frank became enthralled with tales of the Wasteland beyond and of more active service in the name of the NCR. Evenings would be spent discussing the various factions in the Mojave, military tactics, and life. A few months later Ranger Steeles left the Old Mormon Fort to return to his duty, and Frank Balder went with him.
The next 14 years were spent in service of the NCR. After initial training Frank was stationed at The Hub for a few years, where he spent most of his time as a patrol guard for the city. Following this he was transferred and spent the rest of those years patrolling NCR territory and eventually combatting the Legion in the Mojave.
Frank saw a great deal of things while in service to the NCR, but none quite so poignant as some of the atrocities fellow soldiers would commit. This and his affliction to intervene in matters of justice, whether done so in a "suitable fashion", led to an honourable discharge from the NCR. He decided to leave the Mojave behind and start anew elsewhere, eventually finding his way to Shady Sands. Despite this, he tried to remain in contact with Ranger Steeles whenever possible.
Fastforward a few years and Frank Balder is now a member of the Shady Sands Police Department, a few months fresh to the job. He's married with a baby on the way and, despite the usual drunken brawl, raider attack, and radscorpion, things seem to be pretty decent. But the Wasteland never changes, and things can't remain so idyllic forever.
