Who’s Who in Watling, Arizona
KANE, Mayor (M)
Kane was born and raised in Watling, the son of a plainsman, becoming its Third Mayor in 1852. Kane saw the town through its silver boom, as well as its slow decline, as many moved on to seek their fortunes elsewhere. He was married briefly to a wonderful woman called Rose; their wedding was the first at the new church just after it was built. Kane, a widow now for many years, prefers to conduct town business mainly from the Silver Steer Saloon, rather than his dilapidated office. He is a good man, who loves Watling, and looks out for its townsfolk. Folks have said for years his second wife was the job, but he isn’t afraid to take off his hat for a drop of whisky or a good hand of cards at the saloon.
PREACHER (Hank) (M)
A veteran of the Mexican-American war of 1847-48 (commonly referred to as The Wars), Preacher came to the Lord later in life. He was born and raised in Watling as Hank, a handsome man who was for a very long time in love with (and even engaged to) the prettiest girl in Watling. He returned from The Wars, however, a changed (and single) man. He came home with demons to battle, but he found good friends in Watling to help see him through the worst of it. In the meantime, Preacher is a strong and charming figure, with no pesky vow of chastity to interfere with finding love, which has not gone unnoticed by the women of Watling. Preacher is kind and a good listener, and can be relied upon to have a word of wisdom for anyone in need. He recently returned from his routine travels to visit parishioners just outside of Watling with the mysterious Marian.
ELLEN, Nurse (F)
Ellen is the town nurse and was the protege of Doc Samuel. She was born on a ranch bordering Watling, and takes the health and care of its citizens very seriously. She moved into town years ago, into the house Doc both lived in and practiced from. Doc later moved into the saloon when he married Dolly, but Ellen has remained in the house, particularly now as the sole medical practitioner in Watling. She has been studying for years to become a doctor in action if not in name (female doctors are still few and far between) and Doc taught her as much as he could about medicine. As a former rancher, she is familiar with those just outside of Watling and often makes house calls. She was known for a time to accompany Preacher to visit his outskirt parishioners, offering her expertise and assistance wherever it was needed. Ellen primarily focused on her studies in the past, rather than her marriage prospects. But, now that she is - in practice - the town's doctor, perhaps she'll have time for a proper courtship.
JOSEPHINE, Rancher (F)
Josephine is the current mistress of Silverwood Ranch. Her family’s estate may have been burnt out by the Dry Gulch Gang (around six months ago), but the animals still roam and she is determined to rebuild better and more beautiful. Josephine has taken a house in town with her sister, while they contemplate rebuilding the ranch house, so they are seen far more frequently. She can often be found in the Silver Steer Saloon, discouraging her younger sister, Annie, from finding too much adventure. Richard proposed to Josephine in the spring of 1858, and their wedding was originally set for the spring of 1859. But, Josephine and Annie lost their Pa earlier that year, and their ranch after that; the wedding date came and went, with no wedding bells rung.
ANNIE, Rancher (F)
Annie, is of course upset about the tragic fire six months ago, devastating Silverwood Ranch. But, the timing couldn’t be better, as she has always had the urge to roam free. She’s discovered a fresh silver vein and is the only one who knows the location; she is counting the minutes until that adventure begins. She’s often found in the saloon, egging on the other prospectors to share their stories. Annie is young at heart, eager, and ready for her real life to begin. She is often referred to as a spitfire, a loose cannon, and wild. Annie has been in a devoted relationship with the sheriff, Jimmy, for nearly a year now. No one in town saw it coming; their relationship until then mostly involved him arresting her for her troublesome behavior.
JIMMY, (Sheriff) (M)
Jimmy was a deputy under Sheriff Hollins, who was infamous for bringing the lawless town of Kenyon under control primarily by diplomacy rather than the gun. He brought that ethos with him when he became Sheriff for Watling. Well-liked by the townsfolk for his charm and courteous manner, mostly Watling has been peaceful and quiet since his arrival. An excellent shot, he considers it a personal failure to resort to the gun; but as the town has slipped into decline (including the burning down of the Silverwood Ranch) he has found himself reaching for his weapon more frequently. Jimmy is in a serious relationship with Annie, who recently discovered the new silver vein which may bring life back to Watling.
DOLLY, Saloon Owner (F)
Dolly arrived from out East in 1847 a few years before the boom hit Watling and began building the Silver Steer Saloon from a dilapidated inn and the house next door. Her foresight and hard work has paid off, as she has succeeded in building a very successful business and the hub and heart of the community. Dolly was married to Samuel, the town doctor, after only a brief courtship and they had several wonderful years together. She has a bright smile and a warm welcome for all her customers. Dolly hired Pearl several years back, after things didn’t work out with her former saloon girl, Kitty. Dolly and Pearl knew each other in their former life, and between the two of them the saloon is a well-oiled machine. Dolly is a strong woman, not afraid to speak her mind or get things done. Oh, and an excellent cook!
PEARL, Saloon Girl (F)
Pearl works in the Silver Steer Saloon, mostly serving at the bar, or cleaning rooms or tables. She has stepped out with several men in the town, but is currently quite happily seeing Casey. They are a fun and loving couple, who enjoy playing and dancing to music in the saloon most evenings. Last year, however, she was engaged to Boone; which ended suddenly when he disappeared (only to re-appear living among the cowboys). She and Dolly work incredibly well together, and they both seem to really enjoy their occupations. Pearl has been called 'the darling of Watling' on more than one occasion, and she enjoys being at the heart of things.
RICHARD, Prospector (M)
Richard and Casey are successful prospectors and miners. They have worked closely together for years, and made a small fortune in the 1849 Gold Rush. By the time that money ran low, they had heard about the Silver Rush in Arizona and headed there together. For many years they have been best friends and had a friendly, competitive banter. But recently their arguments have been more tense. Richard is engaged to the rancher, Josephine, but their wedding has been postponed… possibly indefinitely. Richard dresses well, has been a complete gentleman in his courtship of Josephine, and has a taste for the finer things in life (or, at least the ones he can obtain here on the Frontier).
CASEY, Prospector (M)
Richard and Casey are successful prospectors and miners. Casey also dresses well and is a gentleman. He had a house built a few years back here in town, where he and Richard have decided to hang their hats. He very much enjoys bantering with Richard, and has been known to push his buttons just a little, when he finds it amusing. But mostly they are very good friends who have seen each other through good times and bad. Casey and Pearl have had a bit of an on-again, off-again relationship, but currently seem to be very much in love. It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Casey drop to one knee any day now.
FLYNN, Town Deputy (M)
Flynn and Kane are cousins, Kane being just a few years senior. Flynn was raised out East, where he was brought up “properly” with a good education. But he came to Watling frequently to visit family, gaining a fondness for the freedom and novelty of the frontier, and moved to Watling in 1854. His Eastern charm and eagerness won over many of the ladies in town, and he “courted” several of them in quick succession when he first arrived, but he soon settled in, taking up a serious position as Town Deputy under Sheriff Jimmy. He left Watling again, however, only three years later, to look after his ailing mother. He left behind an angry and broken-hearted Annie. Flynn has just re-appeared without warning, the day of the Town’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, has since been reinstated as Town Deputy, and is staying in Kane’s house.
MARIAN, Wealthy Widow (F)
Marian recently appeared in Watling, dripping wet and in the arms of Preacher. She is a mystery to many local folks, but if you ask around you will find she was born and raised in Watling, where her parents ran the general store. Growing up, she spent a lot of time with Kane, who shared her love of riding and even taught her how to shoot. They became almost inseparable, and started talking about having a life together. But Marian’s family were ambitious and they sent her back East to live with her aunt to find a suitable husband. She has told those who ask that she is a widow, and she has now moved back into her old family home, after that first stormy night spent at the saloon. She is well-dressed, eloquent, and appears to have done quite well for herself since leaving Watling.
Please Note: This game is currently being edited from its original Peaky version.
(updated for September Playtest on 28 Aug 2025 - further updates may be pending....)