Ed Clerogen
From Changeling Venue
| Seeming | Wizened Chatelaine |
|---|---|
| Court | No Court |
| Freehold | None |
| Player | Kyle Massey |
Contents |
Overview
- Please note that this is a work in progress and details may change depending on approvals.
Alias(es):
Fast Eddie
Real Name:
Edward Alfonse Clerogen
Age:
Apparent: 57 Actual: 160
Concept:
Vulgar Saloon Owner
Entitlement:
None known.
Physical description: Mask: Ed is an attractive, but unrefined man. He wears elegant, tailored clothing that is soiled with mud, dust, and dirt. Ed is known to hop out of bed in his long-johns, grease his hair, and don his suit as a coat of arms wihtout bothering to shave or shower. Ed wears simple black leather boots. Ed's most notable physical charateristic are his piercing green eyes.
Mein: The epitome of simple elegance, Ed appears as a vintage saloon owner from the lawless west. His appearance is most confusing, as Ed appears refined, polite, and humble....until he speaks. Although he is a student of etiquette and protocol, Ed Clerogen is revered for his hot temper and vulgar vocabulary that seem to present themselves at the most inappropriate times. Perhaps even more of a mystery is how Ed always manages to appear flawless, whether in appearance or amongst the social gatherings of the Lost.
Relevant Mechanics: Courtless Hallow (20) (Pending Addendum) - The Bad Penny
Character Information
Amongst the Lost, Ed Clerogen is something of a paradox. On one hand, Ed is referred to as a heathen and scoundrel who is only out for himself. Ed is often spoken of with regard to cowardice, as he claims to have pledged "Neutrality" and recuses himself from all court intrigue.
On the other hand, Ed is also revered as a member of Lost society with his feet firmly planted. A champion for neutrality, and more importantly, for freedom, Ed has made many friends, some legitimately, and more illegitimately through his constant and unwavering support of a changelings right to choose his own path.
Ed is the owner and proprietor of The Bad Penny, a notorious haven for Lost through the world. Changelings know that while within the walls of Ed's hospitality at The Bad Penny, neutrality, safety, and discretion are always enforced. Ed is known to associate with members of all the courts, whom he sometimes refers to as "custodians". Rumor has it that these individuals have entered into some sort of pledge with the bastard scoundrel and that they work together to maintain The Bad Penny.
While The Bad Penny is a known safehouse and gathering location, criminals may not always find the solace they seek within its walls. Clerogen is reputed to enforce neutrality and peace within his establishment with ruthless tenacity, to the point of inflicting violence to prevent violence.
Ed Clerogen has been noted to arrange peaceful sit downs and interrogations of suspected loyalists within the walls of The Bad Penny. Furthermore, it is believed that Clerogen will hand over fugitives to court officers on the condition that the changeling in question will receive a fair trial for their actions.
Known History
Basic Timeline:
1847- Born
1869- Fled the south during reconstruction
1870- Settled in Goodpenny, Frontier Town
1870-1885- Opened a Saloon and engaged in a bloody fued to gain control of the town's criminal enterprises
1885- Abducted by the Fae
Arcadia Activites: Served as a general in a live action chess-type game in which the pieces were other changelings.
1989- Escaped from Arcadia.
1990- Settled into Hampton Roads, VA. After being gifted with the keys to The Bad Penny.
1991-2007- Gains reputation amongst the Lost as a neutral scoundrel. The Bad Penny becomes a notable hotspot for Lost.
Current Activities:
Ed currently resides in Charleston, WV. He maintains The Bad Penny as a revered gathering place for Lost throughout the world.
Merit Details:
Striking Looks 4
Court Goodwill all courts level 1
Background:
'“Tell your god to ready for blood” -Al Swearengen, Deadwood
The Life and Times of Edward “Ed” Clerogen, Proprietor of The Bad Penny Saloon
1869. The war of unrest was over and the country had began its reconstruction of the fallen South. But most eyes, at least those of import, were turned elsewhere. Immigrant, entrepreneurs, and thieves had packed their possessions and head towards the frontier. In search of riches and freedom from the overarching political machine of the re-united States. The subject of this discourse, known at the time as the Fast Eddie, had fled Richmond after Lee’s surrender. The gunslinger and reputed petty thief first made his way to Chicago at the age of 22, looking to find work as a gunsel. These aspirations were cut short when Eddie was involved in the murder of a fellow gang member, the result of a bloody and prolonged knife fight at a New Year’s Eve party in Chicago’s legendary Velvetine Club. Eddie reportedly fled the scene and soon the city, seeking a less “civilized” culture to do business with. Fast Eddie’s journey continued until he settled in the remote mining town of Goodpenny. Nestled in a mountainous Valley, Goodpenny was founded by an English saloon owner and quickly gained reputation as a haven for scoundrels and other less than desirables amongst the frontier population. Fast Eddie quickly adopted his god given moniker as Ed Clerogen. Clerogen quickly enmeshed himself in the local culture, however, his eyes were fixed on the crown jewel, Goodpenny’s prime saloon and companion den, The Lucky Lou. The owner, who at this time is unknown, immediately developed a tense relationship with Clerogen. Clerogen, after several attempts at swindling the deed from the owner, found himself outmatched and settled for opening his own establishment, The Grand Capital Saloon. It is at this point that accounts become sketchy. Records show that the next several years catalogued a bloody feud between the two establishments, their staff, and their owners for supremacy of Goodpenny’s criminal and legitimate enterprises. One important fact that must be recorded is that Clerogen eventual gave up his hands-on methods of violence and resorted to working through servants and employees, unless severly angered or insulted. Clerogen was the loudest voice of opposition to any kind of government rule or involvement in the town’s affairs. Historical accounts describe Clerogen as a “beastial, primal, and uncompromisingly arrogant” man. Several other sources note that Clerogen held a soft spot for the down trodden and immigrants and worked feverishly to improve their quality of life. A most interesting paradox. One fact remains. The Grand Capital not only eventually outdid The Lucky Lou in sales, it eventually gained infamy as a secluded place in which privacy and moral indifference were of the utmost importance. Clerogen was eventually brought to justice for the murder in Chicago and hanged. The Grand Capital was bought by the owner of The Lucky Lou and destroyed in order to make room for a betting track.
The Real Fucking Story
Yeah, he had it right up until the part where I got caught and hanged. Cocksucking historians, always concerned with the award for their work more than for the work itself. So, let me get straight to the heart of it for ya. They had me dead to rights, as the Christian god is my fucking witness. It’s 1885 and I’m 38 years old. The fucking Pinkerton smiles and hands me the key to my shackles. Right there in the jail cell, all virgin like. I unlock em, and he tells me that he’s got a way out of it, but the cross is that I get to run an establishment for his “patron”. Should known it was a cross. Who the fuck says patron anyways. But hey, it was that or sucking lucifer’s prick for recreation, so I took it and didn’t look back. All the way through the Vineyards. Vineyards, you got to be fucking kiddin’ me. I fell for that? He takes me to some well to do shithole in the next town over. I’m just waitin’ for it, thinking the pretty boy I downed in Chicago was this prick’s son. But I’m different now. Flies with honey, and flesh for sale. I’m refined. So I’ll slide. Slide, like fuckin’ hell. From what I can remember, it had me running it’s own private corner of hell. Ya see, it, or, if you want to be formal and respectful, Silicarthex, had this place where it ran contests and games. You think it, we could do it. More pussy and liquor than I had ever seen. All for these fucking Gentry to wipe their pricks with. When the show started, Silicarthex granted me an “honor”. The game would always be different, but it was always like chess, except your pieces, were others like me. I was commanding one side of the eternal game. My opponent across the way was also another like me. We played and played. I drank and fucked my youth away. It wasn’t for a long time, well, could have been three days for all I know, that I got bored with it all. It’s like, I just woke up one night and stared around and said, I’m not in control. It used to be me in the fuckin’ throne. I didn’t even know it was possible, but I wasn’t alone. It was right about then that the first message came to me from across the board. My opponent was thinking the same thing. We learned to communicate through our pieces. All the while these fuckin fairy fucks are watchin’ us torture each other and we’ve giving it back to them. It went on for a while, till we made the leap. We took our “armies”, marched off the fuckin’ board and made a break for the fuckin’ hedge, yeah, that’s what they call it. It was utter fucking chaos and I loved every second of it. I don’t think that many lost had ever tried something like that before. They couldn’t catch us all. The part that scares me to the bones is that I sometimes think they didn’t want to catch us all. Like it was a fuckin’ game. I remember lookin’ at big Sil and thinkin’ that he should be ready for blood if he ever comes lookin’ for me, or anyone else again. Better be fuckin’ sure he wants to step into a dance with Fast Eddie Clerogen.
Modern Times
So we step onto the other side, and there’s fuckin’ cars and internet, and internet porn. Yeah, fuckin’ no payin’ for it, right there on a screen. I’m fucked I’m thinking. My fellow general and I went our own paths. I found other’s like me, but most importantly, I found that discretion, privacy, and a certain moral neutrality were always in high demand, even if fuckin’ pricks and pussies were on the internet for free. Sure, I got friends in the courts, some nice folk here and there. But more importantly, people know that Ed Clerogen is in the middle. It’s not my place to interfere and sure as hell ain’t my business, lest a certain gentry prick wants to stick it’s ugly face into my business, or the business of other god-fearin’ lost. As for my counterpart. Big Sil may have got him, may not have. All I know is I get package in the mail, with a large key inside. Note says, “Check Fucking Mate”. I instantly know what it unlocks and how to find it. Turns out the first door I find is in some freehold in Hampton, Virginia. I won’t even start with how fucked up this little corner of satan’s asshole is. But, lots of military means lots of interest. Interest in what I have to offer. For every other fucking lost I meet, there’s The Bad Penny. It’s yours to do what the hell you want, so long as it doesn’t involve killing, or draggin’ my ass into any sort of court dispute. I’m not a businessman. I’m a fucking businessman.
Motley
As if Ed would take a side.
Allies
None that wished their name to be recorded here in public for the world to read. (Always looking for more hookups, add yourself, email, or both!)
Clockwork has been seen at the Bad Penny from time to time shooting the breeze with Ed over strong drinks. They have been overheard talking about 'The Old Days' more than once.
Zoe Edwards is known to have spent many nights at a regular table in a dark corner of The Bad Penny, drinking the good Scotch and writing the things that made her famous. Sometimes, if the crowd was right, she'd spin her spooky stories for their listening pleasure. Keen eyes might notice that she never seemed to have a tab...
The Bad Penny is the only place in The Hedge that Johan Gambrys doesn't decry as Fae bait.
Gilded has been known to talk business inside the Penny and occasionally just have a good time. He's also been known to help Ed out with keeping the peace when Ed asked him too. Gilded will explain what rules were broken and the price each broken rule extracts so Ed can keep the rest of the patrons entertained.
Ryhoz_Whately More of an associate than an Ally really, since both know that no one can be trusted, at least without a Motley (at least from Ryhoz' Perspective). However, there have been some mutual help in the past. Trying to deal with local problems. Ryhoz has also has also helped provide medical treatment, for those in the Bad Penny, who needed it, whether they were using it as a haven, or were victims of those who did not know the rules.
Andy Zance gives credit where credit is due and always points to his frequent discussions with Fast Eddie that cemented his stance as Courtless and to the Bad Penny as the inspiration for his neutral freehold in Truth or Consequences, NM>
Enemies
Too many to list (But if you're interested, drop me an email, or add yourself, or both)
Character Inspirations
Al Swearengen Deadwood
Papa Midnite Constantine Movie
Soundtrack
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
Never Goin' Back - Mobb Deep
Win or Lose - Mobb Deep
That Smell - Lynard Skynard
Caress Me Down - Sublime
Quotes
- "You can't really be friends with a guy like Fast Eddie, the man has got the Devil's Own sense of honor and would probably lean on his own mother if she was late on the rent. Even so, when the shit hit the fan, he walked on the side of the angels... even if he did ask for a percentage when it was all over." - Horace "Race" Ardent
- "Eddy's as neutral as I am pretty." - Laurel Thorn
- "Don't over-analyze it. Just buy a drink." - Dr. Emil Zahne
- "Ed's a coin standing on it's edge. He's either heads or tails, depending on if he gets to keep the coin. Well, he's actually always tales, or if they are pretty enough, tails...well and okay, head too. Okay, so maybe he's like a dollar standing on it's edge, ready to fall on either a bust of a...fuck it, never mind." - Touch
- "Ed's a good guy, I'd call him a friend. Oh sure, look at you coughing up your drink. See, what you have to understand is that the people I call friends are people that I can count on to do exactly what I expect them to do. And Ed...I can count on Ed to do exactly what I expect Ed to do." - Gilded
- "Excellent ladies, yes, with all the kibbles and bits just right and just so, yes? Looking from here to there and back again can be oh so fun with Mr. Clerogen." - Coiddle Cormati
- "Penny dreadfuls are rife with brothel madams with hearts of gold. If Mr. Clergen ever had such, he pawned it long ago..." - Mrs. Smythe
Feel free to add more.
Rumors
If you can think of it, chances are someones already said it about Fast Eddie Clerogen. (Feel Free to add anything)
"This old bastard is older than I am, if the lies that pour out of his mouth are true. He might be one of the oldest Lost out there." - Clockwork
How he adjusted so well to such a different world...one could learn much from Eddie Clerogen. But you're best advised to do it with one eye and one foot out the door. - Handsome Susan
Ed can't leave The Bad Penny due to his sordid past.
Ed is cursed to turn his back on long term friends. It's the only way he's kept his neutrality.
A part of Ed's soul was used to build The Bad Penny.
There was that one time with the podopyronecrobovophiliac - almost burned down The Bad Penny.
Ed's pimped at least one ghost.
