Harry Churches

Overview

Group/Faction Affiliation: The Fireflies

Status: Alive

Harry Churches is the current leader of the Fireflies. He is on a mission of justice and sometimes revenge against the criminals and bandits of South Zagoria. Harry is the leader and founding member of the Fireflies. The Fireflies under his leadership strive to protect the innocent and rid the world of all the corrupt immoral survivors. He is known as someone who stands up for the little guy against the oppressive factions of Chernarus, and for his speeches of hope to all of the country.

Appearance

Harry Churches is identifiable by his yellow armband which marks him as a Firefly, and is commonly seen wearing a rather simple choice of clothes; a black shirt and dark blue jeans.

Origins

Harry Churches grew up in England. He was an average man who lived an average life before the apocalypse. In his own words he “didn’t really accomplish much” during that period of his life. Growing up Harry learnt to stand up for himself, and would often get into fights at school with kids who were much bigger than him. Harry’s father would always instill strong moral values in Harry making sure he understood the difference between right and wrong. As an adult Harry went on fishing trips with his father to get away from it all. After a week-long fishing trip with his father resulted in their boat capsizing he became stranded in a nearby country, and found out the world had collapsed while he’d been gone. After a few years of learning how to survive as a bandit, he arrived in Chernarus in the beginning of 2020.

Demeanor

Harry Churches is considered by most to be a stubborn uncompromising man. He has a my way or the highway mentality, and has been known to be very blunt, and rudely honest. To put it in his words, "bad people are often charismatic, and I'm often a jerk." In dangerous scenarios he will not hesitate to get violent if the need presents itself, and historically he has not responded well to bragging about brutal actions or threats from his enemies.

Actions

Harry encountered a group known as the Black Cross shortly after his arrival. Their ideals and citizenship program gave Harry proof that a civilized society could still thrive even in a world like this. After witnessing the horrors and several massacres that took place in the subsequent months however, Harry came to the conclusion that rebuilding society is possible, but only if people are willing to fight to protect it. Harry then founded the Fireflies with a few others and created a group willing to do what is needed to save the innocent and one day restore society.

In the summer of 2020 a friend of Harry Churches, Kaylee of the Black Sheep, was kidnapped by Dark as Midnight, who wanted Kaylee for her unborn baby. In the altercation of her kidnapping Harry Churches was shot in the jaw and incapacitated, leaving him with a horrible scar on his chin. Harry carried immense guilt for not being able to stop her kidnapping and his scar served as a reminder never to hesitate in the face of evil again. The daughter of Kaylee was rescued however and after her mother's death Harry Churches grew an affinity for the baby Esther believing she represented a new hope for the world and wanting to protect her as penance for not saving her mother.

In the summer and autumn of 2021 Harry Churches gave several speeches. The most notable of which was known as the “Always Hope” speech. In the speech Harry inspires the people of Chernarus to hold onto their morals and calls for all bandits to start down a path of redemption. In another speech which took place at Samaritan's funeral Harry stood up and addressed the entirety of Cheranrus calling everyone in attendance at the funeral a coward for not standing up to Samaritan's murderers, and attempted to rally a war party of angry grief stricken friends of Samaritan to storm Gorka for revenge. After this Harry Churches became much more harsh in the way he combatted banditry and criminals, making several changes to the policy of the Fireflies.

It was around this time that a young boy named Bobby River, a former Firefly and son-like figure to Harry Churches who had left for Torchwood, arrived in Pusta. Once he arrived the two had a conversation putting their bad history in the past and forgiving each other for pushing the other away. It was during this conversation that Harry admitted he saw Bobby like a son. Bobby then left to attempt to bridge another gap between him and Torchwood which had come about after he’d left their group as well, however this ended with the Warden of Torchwood forcing a newly indoctrinated recruit by the name of Wes Goodwin, who was also once a Firefly to shoot the child in the chest proving his devotion to Torchwood.

Bobby came to the Fireflies for help, who were able to remove the bullet and save his life thanks to some skillful surgery. The Wardens’ actions enraged Harry, reigniting a pre-existing rivalry between Torchwood and the Fireflies when Harry threatened Torchwood for what they’d done. After this Cain and the rest of Torchwood arrived at the gates of Pusta demanding that Harry Churches revoke his threat, but after refusing to do so, and hours of arguing, eventually Torchwood stormed the compound and in the ensuing battle Acolyte Peter was killed by Harry Churches. While Torchwood did succeed in taking the Firefly compound, it was at a high price due to Peter’s death.

Some time later in the winter of 2021 Harry Churches’ seemingly indomitable will power was broken. He left the Fireflies and Chernarus fleeing to Takistan with the intention of living out the rest of his days alone in the seclusion of the desert. Harry returned a few months later in early 2022 however, after hearing the news that the baby Esther had been kidnapped and murdered. Upon returning Harry frantically searched for the baby and found out the unfortunate news was true. This led to Harry beginning a quest of revenge against the groups involved and restarting the Fireflies, turning him into a much more bitter and brutal man over time as his crusade for justice had become personal.

Notable relationships

Harry Churches has made his fair share of enemies & allies during his time in Chernarus. The following are notable people who have either come to blows or had strong friendships with Harry Churches.

Cain the Messiah - Cain and Harry have always strived to make the world a better place in different ways making their relationship particularly unique. In the early days of the Fireflies, Cain the leader of Torchwood initially wanted to help the upcoming group creating an alliance between the two. On August 3rd 2020 however, Cain brought what was perceived as a child hostage to the Firefly compound resulting in the outbreak of a war after the Fireflies liberated the hostage. Over the years the two characters have momentarily put their differences aside for temporary alliances against greater evils, however these alliances have always ended shortly afterwards, resulting in the two becoming at odds once again.

Matt - Given his name by Harry for the hazmat suit he always wore, Matt was a close friend of Harry Churches and right hand man to the group leader. Matt was the archetype of a Firefly, and everything Harry respected. The two became very close after Matt’s impressive actions in their war against Torchwood when freeing a hostage. In late 2021 however, Matt discovered love and left the Fireflies to live a peaceful life outside of Chernarus, occasionally revealing himself in times of need to support his friend. His choice to leave created a rift between the two, however they remained good friends. To this day Matt has not been seen for some time.

Kelemvor (Kel) - Kel was a friend and neighbor of Harry Churches while he lived as a Black Cross citizen. Kel has been described by Harry as an innocent soul, who was always good for a laugh, however after the death of a mutual friend Kelemvor was never the same and devolved into insanity believing their friend was actually still alive. During the funeral Kel took his own life while giving a speech at the altar. Harry was not able to save him as he was out of town at the time. His unfortunate death drove Harry further towards becoming a good person again and giving up his banditry, inspiring Harry to live for Kel and his legacy.

Bobby River - Bobby River is a young boy who was taken in by the Fireflies and brought under Harry’s wing. Their relationship is similar to that of a dysfunctional father and son. Bobby made many choices in his life after leaving the Fireflies which Harry did not approve of pushing the two further apart, leading Bobby into the hands of Harry’s enemies; Torchwood and the Rangers. Over time the two have managed to set aside their differences and forgive each other for pushing the other away.

Where are they now?

Harry Churches is still alive today, and leads the Fireflies as a symbol of hope using guerrilla warfare tactics and spreading rhetoric against the criminals and bandits of Chernarus. He can be found around every corner, both metaphorically and literally. He is in the hearts and minds of many survivors, reminding them that all hope is not lost, and that there will always be a light in the darkness.