Shade Thornton is tall and of medium build, well muscled with a wiry frame. Shade's hair is thick and wavy with a tendency to curl when damp. It is raven's wing black with strands of silver here and there. He wears it short, slightly longer on top, and usually has neatly trimmed sideburns. Shade's eyes are deep set and a dark shade of cobalt blue. His eyelashes are black, long and thick. His eyebrows are black, naturally well-shaped, and tilt upward slightly on the inside.

He is very hygiene conscious and will clean up or bathe whenever there's an opportunity. Shade does not mind getting dirty and sweaty from a hard day's work, but at the end of it, he likes a hot bath. If possible, he also washes up and shaves before heading out for the day. He normally dresses in durable work clothes: denim pants, bib-front or button-down workshirt, leather vest, gloves, and low-heeled boots.

It is very rare that Shade will be seen without his gunbelt and gun.

Marks and Scars

• Star shaped scar on left shoulder from gunshot wound (Civil War, May 12, 1865): Shot at the Battle of Palmitto Ranch, Texas.
• Round scar, outside upper right leg, gunshot wound (Shotgun, Overland Stage, 1873): Shot during attempted hold-up.
• Shade has a few other faint scars from various injuries received over the years as well as some from close calls from being on the wrong end of a gun, including a long crease in the hairline of his left temple.

Character Traits

• Quick tempered (-)
• Fast gun (+/-)
• Fiercely independent (+/-)
• Proud (+/-)
• Loyal (+/-)
• Protective (+)
• Brave (+/-)
• Roguishly charming (+)

General Personality

Shade has a reputation for being hot-headed and quick-tempered although not irrational. The perception of injustice is guaranteed to arouse his ire, often causing him to step into situations without thinking it through. Shade is quick to leap to the defense of others, particularly those in less fortunate circumstances or that seem unable to defend themselves. He has been guilty of drawing his gun in anger when younger although he always managed to stop himself from killing. His temper and a tendency to settle disputes with his fists or his gun have enhanced the legend or perception of him as a gunfighter.

There is an aura of danger about Shade, yet his presence often instills confidence and a feeling of being protected and safe. He is courageous to a fault, another aspect of his nature that is often seen as impetuous as he will take on odds that would intimidate many other men. Shade has a strong protective streak also. More than once, he has delivered a beating to men who abused their wives and children. Once his friendship and trust are given, Shade is loyal to a fault. Once his trust is betrayed, he is an implacable enemy.

Shade is fiercely independent and proud, refusing to accept handouts or anything he views as charity. He will not take anything he has not earned. He views his accomplishments with pride but is not vain about them. 

Shade has a deep, gravelly voice, with a decided cowboy drawl. Despite the slight raspiness of his voice and a tendency to speak in a low tone, his speech is clear, distinct and easily understood. Shade is not prone to shouting or raising his voice in anger although he will speak forcefully and even in a commanding tone of voice if the situation calls for it.

His usual demeanor is somewhat gruff and reticent which covers the fact that he is actually quite tender-hearted and compassionate. Shade is quick to laugh, joke and tease with those close to him. He takes teasing in stride, actually enjoying companionable ribbing from friends. His humor often has a sharp edge to it.

Full Given Name: Shade Aaron Thornton

Shade: First name and nickname. After leaving Montana, he dropped his middle name entirely. Shade Thornton became known as a somewhat notorious fast gun / gunfighter.

Other Aliases: Jesse Shade, Jesse Thornton, Shade, Johnny Shade, Johnny Thorne

Eyes Like Sky (Navajo name): This name was given to him by one of the elders of his grandmother's clan-family.

Hashkeh Naabah (Angry Warrior; Navajo secret war-name. Known only to himself and those he has chosen to tell).

June 1875 to Present

Lost Lake Ranch (LLR)

Position: Owner / Foreman

Details: Shade is half-owner of Lost Lake Ranch. He is currently working as its foreman while he learns the business end of managing the spread. Ezra Hale and his wife, Kathryn, are continuing in the role of ranch managers. Shade is also the trustee and administrator for the ranch as a whole which includes the half that is jointly owned by his niece and nephew.

1870 to 1875

Sherman Ranch and Relay Station

Position: Co-Manager, Ranch Hand

Shade started out working as a ranch hand and assisting with the relay station chores when he was not actively engaged riding the stagecoach as a guard. By 1873, John Sherman had made him a co-manager of both the ranch and relay station.

Grand Central Stagecoach Company

Position: Guard, Security Supervisor

Although an actual title did not come with the job, Shade was promoted to overseeing the guards working in the southeastern Wyoming region. He still worked riding shotgun on high priority runs.

Professional Skills

• Rancher
• Security, Stage Guard
• Scout
• Relay Station Mgr.
• Gunfighter
• Horse Wrangler

Self Defense

Hand-to-Hand

Shade has no formal training in hand-to-hand combat, but he has garnered lots of experience. He has developed a hard hitting style that engages his entire body when he swings allowing him to put power and momentum behind each blow. He often uses both hands.

Weapons

Shade was born with above average hand-eye coordination. This ability allowed him to become extremely fast and accurate with guns. His natural skill with firearms has been honed by training and, unfortunately, experience. Although he has garnered a reputation as a gunslinger, Shade has never been paid as a gunfighter, nor would he knowingly accept employment in such a capacity.

Colt Peacemaker (daily use)

• Caliber: 44-40
• Customizations: Barrel cut back to the ejector, Gutta-Percha grips.

Colt Peacemaker (gunfighter)

• Caliber: .45 Long Colt
• Customizations: Front sight filed down, ivory grips, inside reworked to make it fast shooting.
• Note: In 1870, after settling down in Laramie with the Shermans, Shade put away this gun. To him, it was very symbolic of leaving his former life behind.

1873 Winchester

• Caliber: 44-40 Win
• Barrel Length: 24"
• Overall Length: 43"
• Length of Pull: 13"
• Stock Material: Black Walnut
• Magazine Type: Full-Length Tube

Hobbies & Interests

Horses

Horses are not just part of Shade's livelihood. He is an expert horseman with a natural skill. He loves everything about horses, their nature, how they move, relating to them, even the cowboy's dependence on his horse is important to Shade.

Geology

Shade is a self-taught amateur geologist. He developed an interest in this science after learning that his grandfather, Ishmael, was a geologist. He also enjoys caving for the same reason.

Swimming

Shade learned how to swim from his Navajo cousins. Regina Cantrell taught him a little bit more, but it is not something he is comfortable with. He can keep his head above water, but would likely have difficulty in bad weather or really rough water.

Music

All of the Thorntons are taught the basics of music while in school. Shade can play the piano reasonably well and is learning the guitar. He does not sing except in church and Christmas carols in season.

Please see Shade Thornton's Relationships for details on living friends and family.

Children

Shade does not have any children of his own. He shares guardianship of his orphaned niece and nephew with their maternal uncle, Quentin Cantrell.

William Cody Thornton: Nephew, Ward

Regina Antoinette Thornton: Niece, Ward

Relatives (Deceased)

Father: John Caleb Thornton

• DOD: 03/02/1868 (a. 62)
• Wife: Isadora Kiara de Monserrat y Calderón
• Parents: Ishmael and Kimi Thornton

Mother: Isadora Thornton

• DOD: 06/02/1868 (a. 60)
• Husband: John Caleb Thornton
• Maiden Name: Isadora Kiara de Monserrat y Calderón

Brother: William Chance Thornton

• Nickname: Chance
• DOB: 01/05/1837; DOD: 06/02/1875 (a. 38)
• Wife: Regina Beth Thornton (m. 06/05/1862)

Sister-in-Law: Regina Beth Thornton

• Nickname: Reggie
• Husband: William Chance Thornton (m. 06/05/1862)
• DOB: 04/05/1845; DOD: 06/02/1875 (a. 30)
• Maiden Name: Cantrell

Niece: Lilah Beth Thornton

• DOB: 03/01/1867; DOD: 06/02/1875 (8)

Nephew: Josiah Grant Thornton

• DOB: 05/02/1865; DOD: 06/02/1875 (a. 10)

There are numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of the Thornton family, including members of the Navajo Nation. Because both Josiah and Caleb Thornton adhered to strict inheritance guidelines, the majority of these relatives are scattered all over the Americas, and there is little to no contact.

March 13, 1845

Jesse Shade Thornton was born to Caleb and Isadora Thornton of Lost Lake Ranch, Kalispell, Territory of Montana. The baby was named for Jesse, a figure described in the Bible as the father of David who became the King of the Israelites. His middle name, Shade, was chosen because he was as dark as his older brother was fair. Their mother often referred to them as Sunlight and Shadow.

1845 - 1860

Shade's early years were spent playing and learning about life on a working ranch and following his older brother, Chance, around. His strong-willed mother was a major influence during his childhood. Like his older brother, Chance, he grew up fluent in English, Spanish, and the Diné (Navajo) tongue. He also inherited his mother's hot Latin temper although he did not resort to Spanish to make his anger known. Caleb also saw much of himself in his younger son's quick-temper and tendencies to impetuous action. Shade often wound up on the wrong end of his father's hand, belt, or missing supper due to being sent to his room. Summers were split between working and playing on the ranch and spending several weeks with his paternal grandmother’s Navajo clan (Towering House People) near the San Francisco Peaks in Arizona where he learned the ways of the Diné.

1859 (14): Sent to the boarding school at the abbey near Fort Kalispell (St. Francis).

1860 (15): Shade’s prowess with guns and horses is taken note of as he enters shooting competitions and excels. As a hunter and tracker, he is as good as most adults and better than a good number of them. Unfortunately, his temper makes for negative gossip.
1861 (16)

Chance graduates Wesleyan College in Stockton, California.

Shade is expelled from school for fighting. Although he never tells anyone, the fight is in defense of Hannah Cory after a boy attempted to assault her.

Caleb sends Shade to live in the bunkhouse and work the ranch along with the other hands. Had Isadora not interfered, Caleb would have sent his son away entirely with his part of the Thornton Legacy Trust.

Begins officially dating Hannah Cory with their parents’ blessing. With a steady job and income, Shade was able to consider taking the next step in his life, a home, and family. He figured that when he came of age, the stipend from the Legacy plus his savings would let him buy a small spread of his own. It would be a good start to the life he wanted to spend with Hannah.

Regina Cantrell arrives at Lost Lake: Hostilities between the southern and northern states were increasing. Charles and Claire Cantrell sent their daughter, Regina, to live with the Thorntons. It was hoped that Regina and Chance would be a good match for one another. Not surprisingly, they did fall in love and made plans to marry the following year (1862).
Guns and Dueling - See Character Notes

1862 - 1864

Shade continued studying on his own and with Hannah Cory who shared her notes, school books, and lessons with him. Just after the New Year, he sent a letter to the St. Francis School asking to be allowed to take the final exams for graduation in the spring. The school agreed, and Shade was allowed to take his exams. He graduated at the top of his class.

1862 (a. 17)

Winter: Proposed to Hannah Cory: In the late spring of 1862, with Chance and Regina's wedding a couple of months away, Shade proposed to Hannah who happily accepted. Hannah's father refused his permission, so Hannah and Shade made plans to elope, agreeing to meet the night after Shade returned from escorting Regina on a shopping trip to Missoula.

Spring: Kills Calvin Steelgrave: While in Missoula, Regina is accosted by Calvin Steelgrave whose family was a bitter rival of the Thorntons’. Shade arrives in time to pull the man off her. Furious, Steelgrave makes a fatal error and draws on Shade after his back is turned. Bystanders shout a warning and Shade’s speed with a gun saves him. Thanks to having numerous witnesses to state that Steelgrave intended to shoot Shade in the back, no charges were filed. Despite it clearly being self defense on Shade’s part, the other Steelgrave brothers vowed to get Shade and anyone else that might get in their way. Fearing for everyone’s safety back home, Shade puts Regina on the stagecoach with a letter for his parents and leaves Missoula.

Caleb Thornton arrives in Helena and finds Shade at the boarding house where he had been staying. Instead of a reunion, Caleb knocks his son to the floor, intent on punishing him for having killed a man. Furious at the injustice, Shade reacts by getting to his feet and hitting back. Surprised and even angrier, John Caleb Thornton informs Shade that he is no longer his son and if he ever returns home, he will be shot. They never speak again.

Shade makes his way to his grandmother’s clan on the Navajo lands in Arizona (just north of Antelope Springs / Flagstaff).
1863-1864 (18-19): Shade remained with the Navajo for the majority of these years, only venturing out to find work at ranches. Late in the year, a man named Macklin comes to the Navajo and offers to buy already saddle-broken horses for the army. While there, he sees Shade and is impressed with the boy’s skill with horses as well as tracking. Macklin immediately offered Shade a job riding dispatch and training as a scout. Shade accepted and a little while later reported to Fort Defiance.

1865 - 1866

May 12-13 (a. 20): Shade was with the Union army for the Battle of Palmitto Ranch in Cameron County, Texas, the final action fought by Union and Confederate forces. Shade was wounded and captured along with one hundred Union soldiers. A few weeks later, he was released along with several other non-military men. While in the POW camp, Shade was befriended by a Confederate soldier that had been accused of desertion. The man's name was Randolph Cutler. He took Shade under his wing and saw that he was fed and taken care of during the few short weeks he was imprisoned.

June-October: After being released from the prison, Shade worked his way north, taking odd jobs with the few ranches that were still in operation. It was hard to make a living right after the war. Still, he really liked Texas and was not in a hurry to leave the state. At one of the ranches, Shade encounters a witness to his gunfight with Calvin Steelgrave. The man maliciously begins rumors that distort the facts of the incident and it becomes hard for Shade to find work. Most ranches did not want to hire a gunslinger to wrangle cattle and horses.
November: Shade took a job riding for a big spread just outside a small town called Paradise which was about thirty miles from San Antonio. Soon after settling in Paradise, Shade sent a letter to his parents and one to Chance. He really wanted to settle things with his family even if he wasn't ready to go back to Montana. He received a terse note from his father stating that John Caleb wanted nothing to do with having a killer in the family. The rumors that came out of Missoula overrode the facts even though Regina spoke strongly on Shade’s behalf.

Cutler’s Raiders

While in Paradise’s cantina, he ran into Randolph Cutler. Cutler offered Shade a job with his outfit, promising that he would make more money than he could working as a wrangler. Feeling that he owed Randolph Cutler for his life, Shade accepted the job offer. He soon realized he had made a huge mistake, but a combination of contrariness and loyalty to Cutler kept him working with the gang. If his father was going to brand him an outlaw, he might as well earn the title.

1866 (a 21): Texas Rangers

Shade finally had enough of the outlaw life. He'd spent most of the year at odds with other members of the gang, often interfering with their more violent activities or refusing to take part even when it meant giving up his share of the take. Escaping the outlaw band proved harder than joining it. The decision was eventually taken out of his hands. After visiting a cantina in San Antonio, Shade was spotted riding out of town at a brisk gallop. Within a few hours, he had two Texas Rangers on his trail.

Finding himself cornered in a narrow arroyo some forty miles from San Antonio. A brief gun battle left one of the men wounded, but also left Shade trapped in the defile with no escape. Both men repeatedly identified themselves as Texas Rangers, Shade had learned the hard way that the post-war Rangers were not to be trusted. After three days, with water running low, Shade finally surrendered. During the long ride back to San Antonio, Shade was treated well by Hunter and Travis Morgan. Giving in to the inevitable, Shade answered their questions as thoroughly as possible. By the time they reached the town, there was a growing rapport between the two Texas Rangers and the young Montanan.

After being locked up, Shade was left to his own devices except when someone delivered his meals. On the fourth day, an older man identified as Captain Jase Morgan of the San Antonio Texas Rangers' Division entered the cell and sat down for a long talk. Two days later he returned with the two men that had captured Shade. Morgan and his nephews had arranged a deal with the local judge and constabulary. If Shade went to work for them to infiltrate and bring down gangs such as Cutler's Raiders, he would be given a complete pardon and a clean slate. The first job would be Cutler and his band of bloodthirsty men. Feeling that any debt owed to Randolph Cutler had been paid in full, Shade accepted the deal.

1866 - 1869 ( 21-24)

Undercover work for Texas Rangers.

March 2, 1868: Caleb Thornton dies of natural causes (a. 62)

June 2, 1868: Isadora Thornton dies of natural causes (a. 60)

1869: Word goes out that the Texas Rangers are being replaced by the State Police. For the next three years, Shade worked for the Texas Rangers in their San Antonio Division although not as an actual Ranger. He was good at infiltrating outlaw gangs and thrived on the danger. He'd made his reputation with Cutler's Raiders and was generally known as a quick-tempered hot-head with a really fast gun hand. Although he wrote to his mother and Chance, he never again tried to contact his father.

Late March 1869 (24): Shade received a telegram from his brother, Chance, informing him of their father's death. He made the decision not to return to Montana, one that he would regret for the rest of his life.

When word came down that the Texas Rangers were being dissolved and would be replaced by a Union run state police, Shade was released from his commitment to them. He gathered his belongings and headed out.

He spent the next several months on the drift and working various jobs: wrangler, ranch hand, guard and scout. He also worked several range wars although he refused to lead attacks and ambushes and would only fight in self-defense and defense of his employer. He tried to learn and evaluate all the issues involved in these actions before hiring on and refused jobs that called for being paid a bounty for killing the opposition. Killing for hire was a line that Shade never crossed, not counting his occasional work for law enforcement and the military.

His quick temper, and sense of justice and fair play continued to get him into trouble although it also garnered him respect and a few good friends. Shade did not seek out gunfights, but would not back down or run from them either. With no shortage of men wanting to make their own mark by beating the best, Shade's reputation and his legend grew to the point that he often did not recognize himself in the stories. On the reverse of the coin, it also meant that his reputation as a gunfighter helped him avoid fights since many men backed down after hearing his name.

1870 - 1874

1870 (25)

Hired by Grand Central Stagecoach Company (guard and scout).

Sherman Ranch: While en route to Laramie, Shade is ambushed and wounded by bounty hunters. His horse wanders onto the Sherman Ranch where Shade is taken in. He is invited to remain with the family.

Fall: Catches wild Colonial Quarter Horse that he tames, names the stallion Lakota.

1871 (26): Framed and charged with murder in Willow, Colorado. He is ultimately cleared thanks to John Sherman. However, not all of the wanted posters are recalled.

1875 (30)

06/02: Chance, Regina, Beth and Grant Thornton are murdered.

Late June: Meets Quentin Cantrell, Regina Thornton's brother; returns to Montana.

Meets Harriet Mercer on train en route to Missoula.

In late June, a stranger arrives at the Sherman ranch on the morning stage. Hard on his heels are several gunmen. After a pitched gun battle, Shade learns that the stranger is Quentin Cantrell, the brother of his sister-in-law, Regina. Quentin informs Shade of the deaths of Chance, Regina, and their two oldest children, Beth and Grant. He also tells Shade that he was named in the will as the guardian of the two remaining children. He's needed at home.

1876 (31)

Late April: Receives word that one of the Navajo clan relatives, John Warbow, has been arrested for murder and will likely be hanged. Shade hastily departs to aid the man that taught him so much and was like a much older brother or even, at times, a father, to him.
Early September: Shade returns to Kalispell accompanied by John Warbow.

Residences

Current

Blackbird Lodge

Lost Lake Ranch (aka LLR, Double L); Kalispell, Territory of Montana

Shade was born at the family home on their ranch in Montana where he lived until he was sixteen years old. At the age of sixteen, he moved out of the house and into the bunkhouse with the other ranch hands.

In 1875, Shade inherited Blackbird Lodge and half the ranch after the death of his older brother Chance, his sister-in-law, Regina, and their two older children. Shade returned to live at the ranch and look after his his niece and nephew, Cody and Antoinette (Nettie).

1870 to 1875

Sherman Ranch and Relay Station; Laramie, Wyoming

Between 1860 and 1870

Drifted

Languages Spoken

• English (Native)
• Spanish (Fluent, learned from mother)
• Diné (Fluent in Navajo and Navajo culture)
• Native American sign language, smattering of languages

Education

Shade completed his junior year of high school before being expelled. He can read, write, and do basic math. Shade is well-read although he never returned to school.

For details regarding the Thornton's wills, see The Thornton Family Wiki Page.

Horses

Name: Lakota

• Gender: Stallion
• Age: 6 years
• Hands: Not quite 17 hands.
• Breed: Quarter Horse
• Color: Grullo (Smoky Black). Lakota is a black grullo (p. grew-yoh), his body color is a lighter shade than his mane and tail. He has the distinctive black dorsal stripe common to all duns. His mane and tail are a darker black and he has four black stockings.
• Disposition: Lakota is quite spirited, but well mannered and very well trained. Although there is no such thing as a one-person horse, Lakota shows a marked preference for Shade and is quite hard to manage for others. Like any horse, he has become accustomed to being handled and ridden in a certain way.

Shade has not had Lakota gelded as he intends to make him a foundation sire of his own bloodstock line someday.

Name: Spirit

• Previous Owner: Chance Thornton
• Gender: Gelding
• Age: 8 years
• Hands: 16.1 hands
• Breed: Quarter Horse / Spanish Mustang
• Color: Medicine Hat paint. Spirit is a black and white pinto (aka paint). His base coat is white with black patterns. His mane, tail, and legs are black. Spirit's face is mostly white with. His crown and ears are black giving him the appearance of wearing a hat, hence how this color pattern received its name of medicine hat. Spirit's left eye has a narrow, light blue ring around the iris. A blue eye on a horse is uncommon, but not detrimental or more prone to equine eye diseases than normal brown irises. His right eye is a normal dark brown.
• Disposition: Spirit is a strongly spirited mount, but mostly well-mannered. He is a top stock and saddle horse. His Quarter Horse blood gives him speed and agility while the Mustang blood gives him endurance. Spirit was bred and trained on the ranch.

Guns and Dueling

1861: Being ejected from the house and forced to live as one of the ranch's hands actually had a positive effect on Shade. He loved the work, and the foreman reported that he pulled his weight and more without complaint. Unfortunately, and partially in response to his father's tendency to brag about his skill, Shade often found himself being challenged to speed contests by the other hands. The speed duels were harmless, blank cartridges were used instead of live ammo. The only thing that kept Caleb from banning Shade from the ranch entirely was the fact that his son usually refused to shoot at anything other than cans or bottles. On several occasions, Caleb and Ezra heard Shade refuse a speed duel. He would tell the other person that he never drew a gun on a man unless he intended to shoot him. If the other men really wanted to test their speed against him, Shade would ask someone with a stopwatch to time them. He rarely lost.

Character Concept

Sagas' Shade Thornton is based on the character of Jess Harper from the classic television western series, Laramie. I have also incorporated aspects of the character Cooper Smith from Wagon Train, also portrayed by Robert Fuller. An original background has been created for the RPG character.

Shade is designed to be the classic western leading man and hero with a troubled past, and something of a Knight Errant often coming to the aid of those he considers down and out or as the underdog in various situations.

Plotting with Shade

I love writing buddy plots, developing friendships, and action/adventure. Would love to get some stories with these elements for Shade.