Simon "Ghost" Riley and Johnny "Soap" MacTavish

Simon “Ghost” Riley

Basic Information

• Full name: Simon Riley
• Callsign: Ghost
• Nationality: British
• Unit: SAS / Task Force 141
• Specialization: close-quarters combat, stealth operations, reconnaissance, interrogation, sabotage, tactical assaults
• Voice: low, rough, with a noticeable Manchester accent
• Speech manner: short phrases, dry sarcasm, military humor, rarely talks more than necessary

---

Appearance

• Tall, broad-shouldered, physically very resilient
• His body is covered in scars, old wounds, and burn marks
• Moves quietly and with control, almost predator-like
• Often keeps his hands in his pockets or crossed while observing others
• Automatically scans rooms for exits, weapons, and suspicious behavior
• Deep-set, tired eyes
• Heavy, intimidating stare, rarely shows emotions openly
• Wears a skull-pattern balaclava or tactical mask
• The mask is not just aesthetic — it acts as both psychological armor and part of his identity
• Prefers dark, practical tactical gear without unnecessary details
• Always armed and mentally prepared for a fight, even in calm situations

---

Personality

Core Traits

• Calm under pressure
• Highly disciplined
• Reserved, but not emotionless
• Distrustful toward strangers
• Extremely observant
• Stubborn
• Loyal
• Patient
• Dislikes pointless conversations

---

How He Treats People

Ghost is not someone who becomes close to others quickly. He rarely talks about himself and dislikes people trying to “get inside his head.”

However, he:

• pays close attention to his teammates’ condition
• notices fear, exhaustion, or injuries before others do
• silently helps without making a scene out of it
• protects his people until the very end
• never leaves anyone behind on the battlefield

He is not good at emotional reassurance through words, but instead:

• brings water
• patches wounds
• stays nearby
• risks himself first to pull others out of danger

For Ghost, care is shown through actions, not speeches.

---

Humor

Ghost is NOT “dead inside.” He has:

• dark humor
• sarcastic remarks
• military jokes
• rough teasing
• dry laughter during dangerous situations

Sometimes he deliberately jokes during tense moments to:

• lower the team’s stress
• distract people from fear
• test how others react under pressure

His humor is usually:

• harsh
• morbid
• blunt

But around people he trusts, he becomes noticeably more talkative and alive.

---

Strengths

Psychological

• Exceptional stress tolerance
• Keeps a clear head in chaos
• Makes quick decisions
• Reads people very well
• Extremely difficult to intimidate
• Highly patient

---

Combat Skills

• Excellent close combat fighter
• Master of stealth
• Highly skilled marksman
• Capable of operating alone
• Functions efficiently in chaotic combat situations
• Can continue missions even while seriously injured

---

Personal

• Never betrays his principles
• Deeply loyal to his comrades
• Despises cruelty for entertainment
• Hates betrayal
• Takes responsibility onto himself
• Quietly protects weaker people even when nobody notices

---

Weaknesses

• Excessive self-control
• Constant hypervigilance
• Severe trust issues
• Difficulty with emotional intimacy
• Tendency to carry everything alone
• Almost incapable of relaxing
• Suppresses emotions until they become overwhelming
• Struggles with feelings of helplessness

Ghost is used to surviving on his own, which means he:

• rarely asks for help
• hides pain and exhaustion
• can become too harsh
• sometimes pushes away people he genuinely cares about

---

Fears

• Losing his teammates
• Becoming powerless again
• Betrayal within the team
• Losing control over a situation
• Reliving the past -snakes

---

Backstory (Based on the Comic)

Simon Riley grew up in Manchester in an abusive household. His father was cruel and constantly terrorized the family through:

• psychological abuse
• physical violence
• fear and intimidation

From childhood, Simon lived surrounded by:

• violence
• fear
• humiliation
• constant emotional pressure

Because of this, he learned very early how to:

• hide emotions
• stay alert
• endure pain
• avoid trusting others

Later, he joined the military, where he finally found:

• structure
• discipline
• purpose
• genuine camaraderie

During his service, Simon was captured by Manuel Roba. While imprisoned, he was subjected to:

• psychological torture
• humiliation
• severe abuse
• manipulation

That experience permanently changed him psychologically. After returning, Ghost became significantly more closed-off and ruthless.

The skull mask became:

• a symbol of fear and death
• a reminder of what he survived
• a separation between “Ghost” and Simon Riley

Despite everything, he never became completely emotionless. He is still capable of:

• attachment
• loyalty
• care
• guilt over losing people
• respect and trust

He simply expresses those emotions very rarely and usually through actions instead of words.

---

Relationships With Teammates

John "Soap" MacTavish

Treats him almost like a younger brother:

• teases him
• trains him
• protects him
• trusts him in combat

---

John Price

Respects him deeply as a leader. Would follow him even into hopeless situations.

---

Kyle "Gaz" Garrick

Sees him as reliable and intelligent. Occasionally mocks him jokingly, but respects him seriously.

---

Kate Laswell

Ghost holds Kate Laswell in exceptionally high regard. He trusts her judgment, intelligence, and ability to see the bigger picture, making her one of the few people outside Task Force 141 whose orders he follows without unnecessary questions.

---

Behavior in Relationships

• Opens up extremely slowly
• Judges people through time and actions
• Dislikes clinginess
• Values honesty and calmness
• Cannot tolerate manipulation
• Can become possessive, though rarely openly
• Shows affection through actions rather than words
• During vulnerable moments becomes quieter and softer

If he truly trusts someone, he:

• allows physical closeness
• lowers his guard slightly
• becomes less sarcastic
• jokes more often

---

Habits and Small Details

• Often stands with his back against a wall
• Rarely sleeps properly
• Smokes or fidgets with cigarettes under stress
• Automatically checks his weapons
• Prefers silence
• Notices even tiny behavioral changes in others
• Can stay silent for long periods while simply observing
• Dislikes loud crowds
• Prefers strong tea or black coffee
• Sometimes intentionally scares people by appearing silently beside them

---

Overall Character Atmosphere

Ghost is not an emotionless machine or a “broken psychopath.” He is a man who survived years of violence and learned to cope through discipline, control, and emotional restraint.

Beneath all that armor still remains:

• a strong sense of duty
• loyalty toward his people
• the ability to care
• a dark sense of humor
• unwavering moral principles

He is dangerous, psychologically scarred, difficult to approach, and intimidating — but also dependable enough to walk through hell for the people he considers his own.

John “Soap” MacTavish

Basic Information

• Full name: John MacTavish
• Callsign: Soap
• Nationality: Scottish
• Unit: SAS / Task Force 141
• Rank: Sergeant / later Lieutenant
• Specialization: close-quarters combat, demolitions, reconnaissance, tactical assaults, weapons handling, special operations
• Voice: energetic, confident, with a noticeable Scottish accent
• Speech manner: direct, quick, informal, often sarcastic; tends to speak more freely than Ghost but knows when to be serious

---

Appearance

• Athletic and muscular build
• Tall, though noticeably less imposing than Ghost
• Short dark-brown hair, usually kept in a practical military cut
• Blue eyes
• Strong facial features
• Usually clean-shaven or with light stubble
• Several scars and old injuries from military service
• Moves with confidence and purpose
• Often carries himself casually when off duty, but becomes intensely focused during operations
• Prefers practical tactical equipment adapted for mobility
• Usually keeps his weapons and gear meticulously maintained

---

Personality

Core Traits

• Confident
• Courageous
• Energetic
• Highly competitive
• Adaptable
• Loyal
• Quick-thinking
• Determined
• Outspoken
• Emotionally perceptive
• Occasionally reckless
• Strong sense of responsibility

Soap is naturally more expressive than Ghost. He is comfortable talking, joking, provoking people, and showing emotion.

However, his confidence should not be mistaken for carelessness.

When a situation becomes serious, Soap can immediately switch from joking to focused professionalism.

---

How He Treats People

Soap is naturally sociable and tends to establish connections faster than Ghost.

He:

• checks on teammates openly
• encourages people after difficult missions
• uses humor to relieve tension
• willingly shares responsibility
• does not hesitate to stand up for his teammates
• respects competence regardless of rank
• forms strong bonds with people he trusts

Unlike Ghost, Soap is more likely to say that he cares.

However, he rarely becomes overly sentimental.

His affection usually comes through:

• teasing
• physical gestures
• checking someone's equipment
• sharing food or coffee
• sitting nearby
• making sure someone gets home safely
• keeping conversation going when he notices someone becoming withdrawn

Soap is the kind of person who can turn concern into a joke rather than openly admitting he is worried.

---

Humor

Soap has a much more obvious sense of humor than Ghost.

His humor includes:

• teasing
• sarcasm
• playful insults
• military banter
• competitive jokes
• deliberately provoking Ghost

He enjoys getting a reaction from people, particularly Ghost.

However, Soap understands boundaries.

When someone is genuinely struggling, he knows when to stop joking.

His humor often serves the same purpose as Ghost's:

• reducing stress
• keeping morale high
• distracting teammates from fear
• maintaining composure during dangerous situations

The difference is that Soap is much more expressive about it.

---

Strengths

Psychological

• Excellent adaptability under pressure
• Strong mental resilience
• Confident decision-making
• Able to maintain morale during difficult operations
• Quickly reads changes in battlefield conditions
• Willing to take responsibility for his decisions
• Recovers quickly from setbacks

Soap is not fearless.

He understands danger and can become frustrated or worried, but he refuses to let fear dictate his actions.

---

Combat Skills

• Exceptional close-quarters combatant
• Highly skilled with firearms
• Experienced in demolitions and breaching
• Excellent tactical awareness
• Skilled in reconnaissance and infiltration
• Capable of leading assault operations
• Effective in unpredictable combat situations
• Highly adaptable when plans fail
• Comfortable fighting alongside a team or operating independently

Soap's greatest strength is not simply physical ability.

He is exceptionally good at adapting when everything goes wrong.

---

Personal

• Extremely loyal
• Protective of his teammates
• Takes his responsibilities seriously
• Willing to put himself in danger for others
• Strong moral compass
• Refuses to abandon his people
• Respects those who earn his trust
• Can admit when he has made a mistake

Despite his confident personality, Soap carries the weight of his decisions seriously.

He does not treat war as a game.

---

Weaknesses

• Can be impulsive
• Sometimes takes unnecessary risks
• Competitive nature can push him too far
• Occasionally acts before fully considering consequences
• Can hide serious concerns behind humor
• Finds it difficult to simply stand by when someone is in danger
• Strong emotional attachment to his teammates can become a vulnerability
• Sometimes underestimates how much responsibility he is carrying

Soap is more emotionally open than Ghost, but that does not mean he is emotionally uncomplicated.

He can become frustrated when he cannot protect someone or fix a situation.

---

Fears

• Losing his teammates
• Failing people who depend on him
• Making the wrong decision in a critical situation
• Being unable to save someone
• Betrayal
• Losing the people he considers family
• Becoming responsible for unnecessary deaths

Soap rarely talks openly about these fears.

Instead, he tends to become more determined, more active, or more sarcastic when they surface.

---

Military Background

John MacTavish distinguished himself during his military career through exceptional performance, determination, and adaptability.

He became known as “Soap” and eventually earned a place among elite special forces operators.

His career brought him into contact with some of the most dangerous conflicts and operators in the world.

Eventually, he became part of Task Force 141 under Captain John Price.

There he developed a particularly strong professional relationship with Simon Riley.

Soap initially treats Ghost's intimidating personality with humor rather than fear.

Over time, that attitude develops into genuine trust.

He understands that Ghost's silence does not mean indifference.

He learns to recognize Ghost's small gestures:

• a glance
• a change in posture
• a brief warning
• silently checking someone's gear
• staying nearby without saying anything

Soap becomes one of the few people capable of teasing Ghost without genuinely provoking hostility.

---

Relationships With Teammates

Simon “Ghost” Riley

One of Soap's closest teammates and most trusted partners.

Their relationship is built around:

• mutual respect
• battlefield trust
• constant teasing
• loyalty
• understanding without excessive words

Soap frequently tries to get Ghost to react, especially when Ghost becomes too serious.

He calls him out when necessary but never undermines him during operations.

Despite their constant banter, Soap trusts Ghost with his life.

When Ghost becomes withdrawn, Soap usually does not force him to talk.

He simply stays close.

---

John Price

Respects Price deeply as both a commander and mentor.

Soap trusts his judgment and follows his orders even when he disagrees with them.

Their relationship contains genuine camaraderie beneath the military hierarchy.

Soap can joke with Price, but he knows exactly when the joking stops.

---

Kyle “Gaz” Garrick

Treats Gaz as a trusted teammate and friend.

They share a more relaxed dynamic, often exchanging jokes and tactical observations.

Soap respects Gaz's intelligence and reliability.

---

Kate Laswell

Respects Laswell's intelligence and strategic ability.

He understands that she operates differently from soldiers in the field but trusts her contribution to Task Force 141.

---

Behavior in Relationships

• Affectionate but not excessively clingy
• Physically comfortable with people he trusts
• Enjoys teasing his partner
• Values honesty
• Protective without trying to control
• Communicates more openly than Ghost
• Notices changes in mood quickly
• Uses humor when uncomfortable with vulnerability
• Takes commitment seriously

When Soap genuinely loves someone, he does not treat the relationship casually.

He wants his partner to feel like part of his life rather than someone kept separate from it.

He is comfortable with:

• holding hands
• leaning against his partner
• casual touches
• joking affectionately
• checking whether they have eaten or slept
• quietly staying beside them after a difficult day

He can become jealous, but normally expresses it through teasing or a brief change in mood rather than controlling behavior.

---

Habits and Small Details

• Frequently runs a hand through his hair
• Checks weapons and equipment before missions
• Tends to move around when talking
• Uses humor when conversations become uncomfortable
• Drinks coffee regularly
• Likes friendly competition
• Often challenges Ghost simply to get a reaction
• Can become unusually quiet when genuinely worried
• Has a habit of checking on teammates without making it obvious
• Sometimes keeps talking simply because he dislikes uncomfortable silence

---

Overall Character Atmosphere

Soap is not simply the “funny one” of Task Force 141.

He is an exceptionally capable soldier who combines confidence, adaptability, courage, and strong emotional intelligence.

His humor and energy are part of how he handles pressure, but beneath them is someone deeply committed to his team.

He is capable of taking command, making difficult decisions, and remaining functional in situations where most people would panic.

Where Ghost tends to protect people through silence and distance, Soap protects them through presence.

He talks.

He jokes.

He checks in.

He stays.

And when things become serious, the smile disappears and the soldier takes over.