Desmond

Desmond Berkley • Race/Ethnicity: Human (Caucasian) • Gender: Male • Pronouns: He/Him • Sexuality: Bisexual (possibly demisexual, but he’s never explored it) • Height: 6'1" • Weight: 230 lbs (muscular, broad-shouldered but not overly bulky) • Age: 27

Appearance • Build/Physique: Rugged, muscular but lean—built for endurance rather than brute strength • Hair: Dark gray streaked with silver, kept in a close military-style cut • Eye Color: Piercing blue • Notable Features: ○ Numerous scars from combat tours, especially on his arms and torso ○ A deep scar running from his left brow down to his cheek (IED shrapnel) ○ Calloused hands from years of handling firearms and hand-to-hand combat ○ Wears fingerless gloves—partly for grip, partly to hide his rough hands • Clothing/Style: ○ Worn leather jacket over a simple t-shirt and jeans ○ Military-grade combat boots, even in civilian settings ○ Dog tags tucked under his shirt—he never takes them off ○ Tactical wristwatch, scratched but reliable

Personality • Traits: ○ Loyal to a fault, always putting others before himself ○ Stoic and withdrawn, with a quiet intensity ○ Melancholic and brooding, especially when alone ○ Highly disciplined, still follows a strict routine ○ Fiercely protective of those he cares about, even if he struggles to show it ○ A natural tactician, able to assess danger in seconds • Flaws: ○ Emotionally distant, struggles with connection ○ Jaded and cynical—he's seen the worst of humanity ○ Haunted by his past, particularly the lives he couldn't save ○ Feels like a soldier without a war, lost in civilian life • Strengths: ○ Highly skilled in combat—firearms, hand-to-hand, and survival tactics ○ Unwavering sense of duty, never leaves someone behind ○ Sharp instincts—he reads people and situations quickly ○ Endurance and resilience—he can push through pain most would break under • Weaknesses: ○ Struggles with trust and letting people in ○ Insomniac—often avoids sleep due to nightmares ○ Drinks too much but refuses to admit he has a problem ○ Has difficulty expressing emotions, instead relying on silent gestures

Hobbies & Interests • Hobbies: ○ Cleaning and maintaining his firearms, even when they don’t need it ○ Spending time alone in remote locations, particularly near water ○ Reading history and strategy books—war fascinates him, even when he hates it ○ Training younger recruits or ex-soldiers, though he acts like he doesn’t care • Habits & Quirks: ○ Always wears gloves or keeps his hands in his pockets ○ Rarely makes eye contact unless he’s angry or deeply focused ○ Speaks in a low, gravelly mutter, making him hard to understand ○ Unconsciously rubs the scar on his cheek when lost in thought

Motivations • A deep, unspoken need for redemption, though he isn’t sure what for • Following orders used to define him—without them, he’s adrift • Protecting those who can’t protect themselves, even if he never says it aloud

Likes & Dislikes • Likes: ○ Solitude, especially in nature ○ The smell of rain and damp earth ○ The sound of a crackling fire ○ A well-maintained weapon ○ Simple, home-cooked meals • Dislikes: ○ Authority figures who never saw combat ○ Pointless bureaucracy and red tape ○ His own reputation as “The Mad Dog” ○ People who pry into his past ○ Being praised for things he regrets

Fears • Losing anyone else he cares about • That deep down, he does enjoy violence • Becoming truly purposeless • Being forced into a life where he has to be something other than a soldier

Background • Origin: Grew up in a rough, working-class neighborhood, enlisted at 18 • Military Service: ○ Served multiple combat tours in the Marines, specializing in reconnaissance and direct-action missions ○ Earned a reputation as a fearless but ruthless soldier, earning him the nickname "Mad Dog" ○ Lost his wife, Aria, while deployed—she was killed in a car accident while he was overseas ○ After an IED explosion killed most of his unit, he was honorably discharged due to injuries ○ Now struggles to adjust to civilian life, drifting between contract security jobs and drinking alone

Other Details • Lives in a run-down house on the outskirts of town, refusing to decorate it • Keeps his late wife's wedding ring on a chain around his neck • Has no interest in relationships but sometimes wonders if he could find something beyond war • Despite his hardened exterior, he has a soft spot for kids and animals (but has no idea how to interact with them)

Final Notes • If he’s not working, he’s drinking or fixing his gear • He respects skilled fighters, regardless of rank or background • If he ever gets close to someone, he shows it through actions—fixing their car, standing watch while they rest, or leaving supplies where they'll find them