Robert
Overview
"Bastards!"
Group/Faction Affiliation: Overlook
Status: Alive
The current “Ranger Leader” of the Overlook, Robert outwardly appears as a cynical old man, not trusting anyone. He upholds the values of the Overlook as left behind by the Samaritan, while also holding onto personal truths learned throughout his long and painful life. Robert is forever tormented by his past, a cold blooded killer on a path of self-righteous revenge for his son, leading him to believe that no man can truly be innocent or forgiven of their crimes. The betrayal of the Overlook by Blackthorn Gang and his near death experience at the hands of the Forsaken Loyalists has pushed Robert to slowly creep back into his sulking, rather than the Overlook's plea of hope.
Appearance
Robert is an old and damaged man, with hair on his head and beard growing in white, while his moustache grows in black. The right side of Robert's face is disfigured and torn in many places, alongside missing his right eye from a failed suicide attempt months before he came to South Zagoria, which he covers with a black leather eyepatch. His nose is crooked from being broken in an encounter with Vadim of the Forsaken Loyalists. He is known for wearing a slouch hat and military attire, accompanied by his designated marksman rifle, named Madelyn.
Origins
Robert was born and raised in Philadelphia, before ending up in Livonia in the mid-90's after being injured in the Yugoslav Wars. There, he had three sons with his wife, Madelyn. Wayne, Yuri, and Roman. When Roman was born, complications arose which led to Madelyn dying in childbirth, which Robert had foolishly blamed on Roman. Due to this, Robert neglected Roman, and left Yuri to raise him for most of his life. As the apocalypse neared, Wayne had left Livonia for college in the states, while Robert was left to care for Yuri and Roman.
Once the end of the world came, Robert finally began to see that each day should be treasured, and began to love his son Roman. However, upon returning from a hunting trip, Robert found his house in flames and Roman shot three times bleeding in the yard. As Robert laid Roman into his grave, he could not find the strength to finish burying him. Yuri was nowhere to be found, and a distraught Robert sought vengeance on those who had hurt his family.
Spending the next decade wrapping around the globe, Robert had gone on a self-righteous path of vengeance, killing the men he deemed too violent to live in his world. The innocent and the guilty, the wolves and the sheep, the direct and the proxy, Robert was blinded by vengeance for Roman. The mask of justice had held back a face of madness. This accumulated to the point where Robert had realized he'd strangled a man to death in front of his wife and child, which led Robert to realize it was time to end his journey, as his family was long returned to the Earth.
He returned to his former home in Livonia, held a gun to his cheek, and attempted suicide. When he awoke, his face and hands covered in blood, his eye was gone with his spirit. Patching his face with fishing line, he donned an eyepatch, and rested for a few months before he began a march to South Zagoria. Arriving there, he spent weeks wandering with no purpose other than attempting to salvage whatever was left of his soul, so that when he may die, he can rise to Heaven to be with his family. He met Nomad and Navi of the Overlook, and fell into their ranks so that he could provide not only to the men and women of South Zagoria, but also to himself.
Demeanor
Robert is a weary old man, quick to anger and even quicker to draw, he carries the weight of a haunted life. He moves slowly and speaks little, his words gravelly and deliberate, while still being the first to defend and speak on behalf of his fellow providers. Robert often rests in a quiet sadness, wrapped in cigarette smoke and drowned in liquor. Yet, beneath the fatigue and bitterness of his heart, there’s a flicker of decency. A man who still feels, a man who still hopes, and a man genuine to those he trusts. Though, when Robert’s friends and family are presented with danger, it becomes harder to prevent Robert’s past from becoming his current reality.
Actions
Beginnings in the Overlook
Shortly after joining the Overlook, the group was harassed and eventually entered into warfare with the Forsaken Loyalists. Whilst the Overlook sought to peacefully broadcast and slander the name of the club, Robert felt he would be of use elsewhere. Unbeknownst to the Overlook, Robert would regularly make trips to patrol the Northern Highway scouting for Loyalists, disguising it as a trip to the Eastside Traders or the House of Hope. During these times, it became prevalent of sides being taken in what came to be called the “Green Scare”, which led to the Overlook having strained relations with many of its former allies. Robert stood guard in the Overlook’s watchtowers, ready to defend it from whoever would disturb its way of peace.
Relationship with Blackthorn Gang
Before the Mogilevka Massacre, Robert held a special relationship with the Blackthorn Gang, often being spotted gathering with them at the Overlook. Notable relationships to members of the gang include Boone, a drinking buddy and friend to Robert and the Overlook. Sal, a former member of Bedtime’s School who Robert had known before either party fell in with Blackthorn and Overlook, respectively. Along with Sterling, a former member of the gang who was ousted around the time of Callahan’s return. Much of the Overlook held an opinion that the Blackthorn Gang was nothing more than a group of lost souls who could be redeemed, and set on a path of good. At this point in time, Robert was not fully on board with the idea of their redemption, but appreciated their company and quality of the service that they provided. With supplies from the Overlook, Blackthorn Gang was able to successfully raid Dark as Midnight, resulting in an astounding victory for Blackthorn dominance. After this, the Overlook and Blackthorn gathered in the walls of Castle Blackthorn, and cheered for their unstoppable friendship to continue down a path of victory, mere weeks before the Blackthorn Gang would betray them.
Mogilevka Massacre
While not being directly involved with the Mogilevka Massacre himself, Robert was one of the first to respond to the event. After meeting up with another provider named Rango, one of the few survivors on the stage of the Mogilevka Massacre, they departed back towards the scene of the disaster. Whilst there it became prevalent that Peruvian, a provider shot in the head on the stage beside Rango, had survived and left the church. Upon returning to Staroye, the group grieved the losses of the massacre, whilst Robert and Tristan hassled a still shaking Hatchet for trading Cooper’s life for his. It was around this time that Robert first began to hear the voice of Mother, though he still continues to deny her existence.
Conflict with Fireflies
Due to Robert’s past as a self-righteous killer, he knows the pipeline of self-proclaimed freedom fighters, turning into murderous psychopaths far too well. It is known to many of Robert’s disdain for the Fireflies. Robert has repeatedly thrown disgruntled Fireflies out of the Overlook for stepping out of line, along with nearly shooting Ed after a disturbance in the Overlook. However, Roman, the son that Robert once thought to be dead and the catalyst for Robert turning into a cold-blooded killer, is alive and a member of their ranks. Roman has told his father that he must change his attitude towards the Fireflies, or that they will never have the relationship that Robert wants so desperately to have.
Kidnapping by the Forsaken Loyalists
Kidnapped by Vice-President of the Forsaken Loyalists, Highlander, Robert was tortured and nearly killed outside of Staroye. Forced to spill information known to the Overlook about the Forsaken Loyalists, leading to the discovery of Nattasha Petrov working as a double agent and informant for both groups, lead to her departure from the Coalition and disbanding chosen by Greeny.
Where are they now?
Robert can be found as one of the leading members of the Overlook council, specifically leading the ranger regiment, in charge of the Overlook’s outward policies. He can be seen discussing plans with other council leaders, along with barking orders at new recruits to keep them in line. When he is alone, he quietly sulks within the thin walls of his trailer, occasionally making futile attempts to repair his relationship with Roman.
Notable Relationships
Roman
The son Robert once thought long to be dead, seemingly returned from the grave, and walking amongst the ranks of the Fireflies. Their current relationship is strained, and continues to worsen by the day.
Rango
Another provider of the Overlook, which Robert sees as nothing short of great potential. A friendly rivalry and bickering exists between the two, but Robert would gladly die so that Rango may live.
Boone
The deceased former leader of the Blackthorn Gang, which Robert held a special relationship with. Bonding over their direct ways of dealing with problems, until Boone and the Gang betrayed Robert and the Overlook, descending into darkness with Papa.
Eastside Traders
Being good friends with the original founders of the tradepost, Robert regularly visited them for supplies in hunting down the Loyalists. Though most of those men are now dead, Robert still thinks of the fond times they had together.